Shigeru

Re: Yamamura Giveaway Contest Entries

This entry is my attempt at a Japanese "Shazam" character. IT might be a bit hokey to those who know Furin Kazan, but hey...Shazam was hokey. I like him, but he could use some polish.

SENKUSHA

Val Char Cost Roll Notes

15+40 STR 5 12- / 20- Lift 200.0kg/51.2tons; 3d6/11d6 [1/5]

20 DEX 30 14- OCV: 9/DCV: 9

18 CON 16 13-

18 BODY 16 13-

18 INT 8 13- PER Roll 13-

13 EGO 6 12- ECV: 4

15 PRE 5 14- PRE Attack: 5d6

14 COM 2 12-

5+8 PD 2 Total: 15/23 PD (15/23 rPD)

5+8 ED 1 Total: 15/23 ED (15/23 rED)

4 SPD 10 Phases: 3, 5, 8, 10, 12

8 REC 2

40 END 2

35 STUN 0 Total Characteristic Cost: 105

Movement: Running: 6"/12"

Flight: 19"/152"

Leaping: 3"/6"

Swimming: 2"/4"

Cost Powers END

24 Furinkazan: Elemental Control, 60-point powers, (30 Active Points); all slots Only In Heroic Identity (-¼)

24 1) Swift as the Wind: Flight 19", x8 Noncombat, Reduced Endurance (½ END; +¼) (60 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-¼) 2

24 2) Silent as a Forest: Invisibility to Sight, Hearing and Smell/Taste Groups, Combat Sense and Radar , No Fringe, Reduced Endurance (½ END; +¼) (60 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-¼) 2

24 3) Fierce as Fire: Energy Blast 12d6 (60 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-¼) 6

24 4) Immoveable as a Mountain: Density Increase (21,800 kg mass, +40 STR, +8 PD/ED, -8" KB), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +½) (60 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-¼)

10 +6 DEX (18 Active Points); No Figured Characteristics (-½), Only In Heroic Identity (-¼)

8 +10 STUN (10 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-¼)

18 Damage Resistance (23 PD/23 ED) (23 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-¼)

8 +10 ED (10 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-¼)

10 Mental Defense (13 points total)

8 +10 PD (10 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-¼)

8 +10 PRE (10 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-¼)

8 +1 SPD (10 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-¼)

8 Cosmetic Transform 2d6 (10 Active Points); Limited Target ([slightly Limited]; Cothing only; -¼) 1

Perks

3 Money: Well Off

Skills

16 +2 with All Combat

2 Language: English (fluent conversation)

3 Oratory 14-

5 PS: Professor 15-

3 Scholar

2 1) KS: Japanese History (3 Active Points) 13-

2 2) KS: Military History (3 Active Points) 13-

1 3) KS: Superpowers (2 Active Points) 11-

2 4) KS: World History (3 Active Points) 13-

Total Powers & Skill Cost: 245

Total Cost: 350

200+ Disadvantages

15 Social Limitation: Secret Identity (Frequently, Major)

20 Psychological Limitation: Superpatriot (Common, Total)

20 Psychological Limitation: Honorable (Common, Total)

20 Vulnerability: 2 x STUN Darkness-based attacks (Common)

20 Susceptibility: Mystic-based darkness 2d6 damage per Phase (Uncommon)

20 Dependent NPC: Yuki 11- (Normal; Unaware of character's adventuring career/Secret ID)

10 Hunted: Kazan (Champions Worldwide) 8- (As Pow, Harshly Punish)

15 Hunted: VIPER 8- (Mo Pow, Harshly Punish)

10 Reputation: Honorable, 11-

Total Disadvantage Points: 350

Background/History: Shinichi Bokuden was always interested in history. Most especialy the history of his homeland and the many significant military battles fought there. While these were the subjects of his college thesis, they would not define him as would a chance meeting with an ailing superhero.

The hero known as Ichibun was once known for his patriotic ferveor and heroism. But after World War Two, he decided it woudl be best to allow his nation to heal and grown on its own...for such an icon of the Emperor's glory would only serve as a depressing reminder of the past, and not herald the future.

Shinichi received an anonymous call and a college grant form a man who identified himself in private as Ichibun himself. Over the course of his final weeks the dying man transferred his wealth and his knowledge of the paranormal worl to the recent college graduate. In his final act, finding Shinichi a worthy successor, he also imbued Shinichi with the power to uphold the honor and glory of the nation of Japan.

Cosmic energies, once bestowed upon Ichibun by extradimensional entities, were now spewed into the very fabric of Shinichi Bokuden. The secret of his powers came from his own spirit and manifested themselves in the form of the subject of hisempassioned thesis...the samurai banner of Furin Kazan. The hero Ichibun was no more.

He would remain Shinichi Bokuden and earn a position as professor of history in a local community college. But his sense of honor and his fervent faith in the nation of Japan would cause him to utter the now mystic words "Furinkazan" and transform into Senkusha, the herald.

Personality/Motivation: A staunch Japanese loyalist and patriot, Senkusha can usually be found battling foreign supervillains encroaching on his native soil. He is also honorable to a fault, and this is generally a point that "modern" heroes and villains alike would try to use against him.

He is especially protective of young people and has taken a young orphan student of his, Yuki, under his professional wing.

Powers/Tactics: Senkusha generally patrols the skies invissible and with full density. His energy bolts are a cherry red and when he first fires them he appears as a burst of sunlight in the sky, firing a ray of sunlight onto his opponent. He is much more comfortable with flight combat and tends to keep his distance when ever possible.

He avoids collateral damage at every opportunity.

Campaign Use: Senkusha is a well-meaning but often stubborn obstalce of a hero. HE can easily be positioned to stand in the way of an objective to any hero (or villain) group.

Re: Looking For "Bird Style" Martial Arts

Roy Jones, Jr actually used a "taunt" in his fights that he learend from watching cockfights. Craning his neck out in a "try to hit me" pose and dodging/counterpunching his opponent.

Kojiro Sasaki was a samurai who (fictionally, at least) used a sword technique called the "Swallow Tail Cut".

Re: Steve Reviews INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL

The club scene in ToD was a great piece. The best in that film and it beat out many from Raiders.

I'm taking the wife on our first date since September. So it will be good no matter what.

Re: Completely Undetectable

Hmm, well...that (Kenn's post) is weak. I've had gaming sessions fizzle because I hadn't thought of something that the players immediately jumped on. But if you can';t find a way to roll with it...plausibly...then you gotta lie in your bed.

Re: Completely Undetectable

I wouldn't find it terribly distasteful as long as the GM had a reasonably plausible explanation for it. Suffice it to say that with ALL those immunities to detection, I would be a frustrated player, but I would understand if the end justified it.

Of course, in the end it may have been the GMs plan to reveal a heretofore unknown "weakness" in the immunity after the danger and some specific damages had been wrought. In those cases, I may not agree with it, but its the GMs means of propelling the world in his desired direction and sometimes that requires creative solutions.

Of course, I expect better from Marvel than from a part-time GM. But that's expectations for you.

Re: Yamamura Giveaway Contest Entries

Norie Chiba

Created by Shigeru and Mrs. Shigeru.

Val CHA Cost Roll Notes

15 STR 5 12- Lift 200 kg; 3d6 HTH Damage

20 DEX 30 13- OCV: 7 / DCV: 7

18 CON 16 13-

18 BODY 16 13-

18 INT 8 13- PER Roll 14-

13 EGO 6 12- ECV: 4

18 PRE 8 13- PRE Attack: 3½d6

14 COM 2 12-

8 PD 5 Total: 8 PD (0 rPD)

4 ED 0 Total: 4 ED (0 rED)

4 SPD 10 Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12

8 REC 0

36 END 0

35 STUN 0 Total Characteristics Cost: 106

Movement: Running: 6"

Leaping: 3"/1.5"

Swimming: 2"

Cost Powers

15 “Where did she go?” : Teleport 10” : Must pass through intervening space (-¼), 4 END

10 “Extraordinary will to survive” : 25% Resistant Physical Damage Reduction : Requires a CON roll at -1 (-½)

3 “Senses sharpened by mortal combat” : Enhanced Perception : +1

Cost Skills

23 Aikijujutsu OCV DCV Damage

5 Defensive Strike +1 +3 4d6 / Wpn+1 DC

4 Dodge - +5 Dodge, Abort

4 Disarm -1 +1 Disarm, 30 STR

4 Joint Break -1 -2 Grab 1 limb, 1d6+1 HKA, Disabling

3 Takedown +1 +1 4d6 / Wpn+1 DC, Throw

3 Hold -1 -1 Grab 2 limbs, 30 STR

5 Defensive Block +1 +3 Block, Abort

4 +1 Damage Class w/aikijujutsu

3 use Art with Blades, Rope & Chain, Staff

5 +1 level w/HTH combat

8 +1 level w/All combat

5 +1 level w/Agility skills

3 Stealth : 14-

3 Breakfall : 14-

3 Knowledge Skill : Buddhism : 13-

3 Fast Draw : 14-

7 Weaponsmith : Muscle-powered HTH & ranged weapons : 15-

3 Knowledge skill : aikijujutsu : 13-

3 Persuasion : 13-

3 Streetwise : 13-

3 Professional Skill : Weaponsmith : 13-

3 Inventor : 13-

3 Paramedic : 13-

3 Concealment : 13-

6 Weapon Familiarity : Common Melee, Common Missile, Common Martial Arts

Total Powers & Skill Cost: 127

Total Cost: 233

100+ Disadvantages

10 Distinctive Feature: style disadvantage : aikijujutsu

15 Devoted to justice (common, moderate)

15 Secret Identity : Kon Kenji, weaponsmith

25 Hunted by Yakuza : 11- (more pow, NCI)

5 Obligation to buddhist temple

5 Old leg injury (x2 STUN to left leg – loc 15)

5 Distinctive feature : smells of incense

Total Disadvantage Points : 180

Experience Spent : 53

Total Character Cost : 233

Background/History:

Norie is the daughter of a skilled swordmaker from Kai province. Her mother died in childbirth. While her father was renowned for his skills, he was unfortunately better known for his drinking and gambling troubles. Many nights Norie spent in the local temple, helping the monks and nuns maintain the temple, rather than wait at home for her father.

As a young girl, the nation of Japan was the battleground of provincial warlords. In these days, Norie was conscripted by her father to help with his work. She worked hammer and anvil with her father, producing weapons for local clans. But not swords. Never katanas, which were a more respected breed of weapon to her people. This restriction on her work did not prevent her from observing and learning the craft, however.

As wars and minor skirmishes broke out, Norie would take to the temple on her father’s orders. She was a charismatic young woman who could talk even the most peaceful Buddhist into showing her combat skills they had put behind them. From the temple-mistress she learned samurai fighting arts. From itinerant monks (often spies or assassins in disguise) she learned how to get what she wanted, or to conceal what she wanted from others.

When she was fourteen, Norie’s father was killed. It was assumed that he had run afoul of the local yakuza to whom, it was rumored, he owed a considerable debt. When the gangsters came to collect their “payment” from Norie, they found that she was not the flower of a girl that she appeared to be. When the dust had settled, Norie escaped with a broken leg was broken while the yakuza thugs…did not escape. She sought refuge in the temple once more, but soon fled so as nto to bring the wrath of the gangsters upon her friends.

In her teenage years, Norie wandered from temple to temple on a pilgrimage. There she would help the monks and nuns and hear the prayers of the local peasants. She often made her way to towns in order to set right some injustice she felt was done. To make money, Norie would apprentice herself to weaponsmiths but found that most would not have her…an orphan, vagabond girl.

After a time, she settled back in Kai province and set up a shop of her own, under the pseudonym of Kon Kenji. There should would make weapons in semi-secrecy and sell them as Kon Kenji’s retainer. For some time she would be able to hid the truth, pursue her father’s ambition, and seek her own path to perfection.

Personality/Motivation:

Norie outwardly portrays a politesse required of a young woman in sixteenth century Japan. She will often rebuke those who are impolite, but not to such an extent as to invite trouble. Her main wish is to protect those who cannot protect themselves. In some cases, this results in personal vengeance against “bullies” or worse. This almost always sets her at odds with the local yakuza.

And so, she is used to moving from place to place. She will only settle in a place that will afford her the ability to work on her weapons in private. She rarely becomes permanently attached, but does have a devotion to any Buddhist temple she comes across, seeing them as her spirit’s true home.

Powers/Tactics:

In battle, Norie is capable of using various weapons, but prefers the wakizashi for its size and ease of one-handed use. She only draws when the situation has escalated to a mortal pitch, otherwise preferring to use a staff with a concealed and weighted chain on one end.

When facing multiple opponents, Norie will fight defensively until an advantage can be had. Dodging and blocking in order to present a counterattack possibility, or disarming one foe in order to focus on a more dangerous one is one tactic.

She has the will to battle against serious wounds and gut out what would otherwise be a disabling injury. Her eyes shine with a silent and fiery spirit in battle and can cause hardened soldiers to give pause.

Lastly, Norie is fleet of foot and can appear to “vanish” under the right circumstances. This feat is generally not witnessed, but is used when her opponent is stunned, distracted or loses sight of her. This tricks has saved her life, for she is not afraid to escape a situation that can not be won.

Appearance:

Height: 1.6 m.

Weight: 45 kg.

Medium-length black hair, tied into a smooth tail that runs just past her shoulder. Clear brown eyes that seem to stare faraway. Her skin is dark and sunkissed and smooth, except for her extremities, which belie her physical nature. Her hands, forearms, shins and feet are rough like worn leather and she is well aware of this fact, being careful not to reveal this to many.

Her smile remains that of a young girl, but she otherwise appears to be in her early twenties.

Norie prefers to wear plain brown or cream-colored kimonos, but owns a pure white set for use in crafting (rarely) katanas.

Please excuse the use of "yakuza" in a Sengoku setting. The generic gangster terminology didn't carry the weight or body of understanding that the term "yakuza" did and so we used that terminology (as well as yakuza culture) in the game.

Re: Villain tactics and GM dirty tricks

MAtial Artists often have a lack of ranged powers or movement powers. Either of these weak areas can be exploited by introducng an adversary that plays on the characters deficiency.

A MA with no real ranged powers might face an energy projector with great movement abilities (to keep himsellf out of reach of the hero) and just harass the MA with ranged attacks, for example.

Re: Dragonstar HERO First Game

I like it. Especially because its a modern day setting. There's never enough of those for my liking.

I'd love to hear more and, as has been mentioned, a brief character rundown.

Thanks!

Re: Non Cliche Supernatural Professions

Heh -- in an old Vampire:the Masquerade game, I remember how the city's sanitation and sewer departments were being run by the local Nosferatu (insanely ugly vampires). What better way to (a) get power in the local community* and ( make sure you've got all the primo sewer real esate locked up?

 

* -- When the hoity-toity Ventrue and Toreador didn't treat the Nos with enough respect, they just started dumping all the city's garbage in front of their nice big homes. Negotiations went very smoothly indeed after that...

That sounds like it could spawn a funny Sopranos spoof.

Re: Rest in Peace: Bob Bledsaw

no' date=' I think that Dark Tower was from Milton Bradley[/quote']

 

 

OK. Still...CITY STATE was a giant undertaking and it was a cool seting.

Re: Non Cliche Supernatural Professions

Freelance Helicopter Pilot.

Lots of travel, lots of different people. Nobody really knows you if you don;'t want them to. You just need a relationship with some airstrips.

Re: whatever happened the STRIKE FORCE?

STRIKE FORCE was my favorite CHampions supplement of all time. Even better than Nija Hero and, for me, that's saying something.

Re: A DC Animated-style HeroMachine

Incubus. A supernatural character I played in an oldschool Champions game. I added a cape...the original character didn't have one, but it looked so cool.

Re: Martial Arts sub-genre settings?

I think there might be something fundementally wrong with my brain. The quick throwaway idea from yesterday has been festering so...

 

Background

In 1582 Don Jerionino Sanchez de Carranza disgusted by what he perceived as the decadence of the Spanish upper classes crafted his seminal work “Of the Philosophy of the arms, of its art, and the Christian offence and defense” which outlined the underlying techniques and philosophy of “Le Verdadera Destreza”. Destreza for short was a system of combat largely based on math and geometry and was often referred to by practitioners as “The True Skill”.

Don Carranza’s student Don Luis Pacheco de Narvaez embraced and expanded upon the original work and began including the use of firearms. Don Narvaez’s teachings made him somewhat unpopular in civic settings so he retreated to his familial estates. Taking Vaquero as students the philosophy and practice of Destreza swiftly spread across rural Spain and then with Vaquero transplanted via the hacienda system to the new world.

 

The Basic Rules

A Vaquero never lies.

A Vaquero never cheats.

A Vaquero always respects his parents and his elders.

A Vaquero always respects his freedom, and the men and women, both dead and alive, who have protected his freedom.

A Vaquero believes in God…not because of any book, preacher or church, but because of his own personal experiences. He always respects the views of others, no matter what name they call God. He is always cognizant that wisdom can be found in all Faiths.

A Vaquero always maintains an understanding of and respect for History.

A Vaquero always shows integrity.

A Vaquero always has honor.

A Vaquero is always prepared for any contingency.

A Vaquero never sells his saddle.

He never draws facing the sun.

A Vaquero won't be wronged, he won't be insulted, and he won't be laid a hand on. He doesn't do these things to other people and he expects the same from them.

Bravo. This is a great idea.

Re: Rest in Peace: Bob Bledsaw

I owned CITY STATE...and is that the DARK TOWER that had the awesoem battery-powered tower n the center of the gameboard? THat game was completely awesome. I would love to pick on up, but they fetch a hefty fee on EBay.

Re: Soviet Superheroes

Captain Communism, a Captain America-style hero with a red costume with a yellow hammer'n'sickle motif upon his adamantium shield.

Or Hammer and Sickle the super duo. HAmmer being the brick and Sickle being the near-psychopathic martial artist.

Re: Martial Arts sub-genre settings?

My most successful campaign was a chanbara/Sengoku-style samurai campaign. THe deal was, however, that none of the PCs really wanted to be samurai...so the "primary" NPC was. It was a most successful campaign, replete with limb-chopping, ninjas, yakuza, dueling, murder-in-the-bath, gambling den melodrama, etc.

Great times.

Re: Idea/Suggestion: Offline Character Generator

Heck for The COH/COV game' date=' I already do that, I just log on build, and find a nice white background and take pics, then imprort to my graphics program where I have a template set up for paper minis, Takes about Five Minutes, minus the time to build the character.. BUT THIS WOULD BE AWSOME IF AUTOMATED....I would buy it, heck I bought Hero Machine!.. IF that tells them something...LOL.. I would probably by the game just for this feature alone if it existed. Not to worried about the game in general but if they added a feature like this.. I would buy..[/quote']

 

BUt you cannot creat a character OFFLINE. THat's the diference. THree times this week I tried to log in. Twice the servers were down for "repair" or "upgrade" and once I had to DL a patch that took 45 minues.

Re: Idea/Suggestion: Offline Character Generator

A means to create a character offline is crucial to my longterm enjoyment. I get as much joy out of creatinga character as playing (sometimes).

Any means to interface the characters, maps or whatever into a PnP Hero Game woudl really be a big cross-seller.

Re: I need Post apoc Gang names

THe one I generally used was "Stygian Hatchetboys"

Re: Trailer for "Chocolate"

Is it even out yet?

Pretty sure it isn't. I looked mighty hard when I saw the trailer.

Re: Cyber Hero Resources

http://vfte.cyberpunk.co.uk/

Can't believe that one wasn't in this list.

Re: Trailer for "Chocolate"

WOw. An excellent find. I'm glad you are on top of this, Susano!

Arigato!

Re: Cable TV Show Demonstrating Martial Arts

Fight Science was a good premise,but a bit off. THere's no way the Tae Kwon Do fellow should have been demonstrating the katana. THe only reason he did is because the Kenjutsu practitioners would not demean their art to striking a gel torso.

It was a pretty cool show, but I don't necessarily call it "science".

Re: Books of Richard K. Morgan

Sorry for the really late reply. RL has been nutty and I haven't been around.

I cannot really pinpoint why Broken Angels[i/] did not do for me what Altered Carbon did. Its entirely possible that I would not have read all of Altered Carbon if it had not come so highly reccomended form a Cyberpunk forum I frequent.

My tolerance for nonlinear plot has a short fuse.

I just don't believe that Broken Angels held my attention form the outset like ALtered Carbon did. I normally give a novel 100 pages to convince me to continue or put it down...that holds true for sequels as much as new endeavors.

That about sums it up. I will have to revisit the book, because if I recall correctly I put it down to pick up somethign I had desperately been waiting to read.