Mr. R

A lot of these abilities are the low level and more powerful versions are available, IF you can stomach the cost! Crusader's Strike can add to the stance above. This can make for a long lasting combat as the warrior seems to heal as he is fighting. High level versions can be gross, (One version gives a complete HEAL as a result of the strike.) Foe Hammer and Divine Surge make for nasty finishers. Entangling Blade is another stay here and fight strike The Charge is a great opener. Next up Diamond Mind or "My mind says I hit you here!"

Devoted Spirit is a school that doesn't add to damage, but rather adds to your durability. The Online Game Dark Age of Camelot had a class called the Paladin and one of their abilities was a self heal as long as they were in combat. Played right, they were un-killable. So, the Stances So Iron Guard's Glare is the classic "hit me not the squishy" ability. As long as you keep this up, your opponent has problems engaging anyone other than you. Martial Spirit is the Paladin ability I described above. The AE selective represents that you can target an ally as well as your self. If you don't want that, then remove the AE ability (This makes the Stance cost 6 pts). Also this is a low level version. Want to up the power, make it 2d6 or 3d6. Thickets of Blades is "I weave a shell of steel around me" Damage should be based on what they do in HTH, so if you have a 1d6+1 HKA, then this should cap at 1d6+1 RKA. As it is, this is a high level ability and cost appropriately!

Next set of maneuvers then onto the next School. Also note that these are the low level abilities and that there are MORE powerful versions of some of these Death Mark is your basic PBAE ability, and like the Blinding Flourish, be careful who is next to you. Fire Snake is another AE ability. Salamander Charge is the classic leaving a fire trail along your wake. If you think it is TOO powerful, feel free to reduce the damage to 5 or 6d6 dice. That would reduce the cost to 17 pts. The one to be wary of is Leaping Flame, but remember that combat port is 15" and it can only be used once! Next up Devoted Spirit OR watch me heal as I beat on you!

First set of Maneuvers Blinding Flourish is just what it looks like. Just be careful not to get your allies in the AE. The Boost turns your sword into a flaming sword and yes it stacks with the Stance from above, and as always make it a RKA if you want. And yes, that is 30 AP of effect. Just remember that these maneuvers are ONE Charge, so use judiciously. Hatchling's Flame can be up graded, just remember the AP cap you may have, but the book has equivalent to 7d6 and 12d6 versions. (Yeah this is high power but in ADnD these are gained at 10th and 16th level, so imagine what mages and clerics and druids are pumping out) The Fiery Riposte is just what it says. Get rid of the flame aspect and this becomes a special regular attack. The trigger is being attacked in HTH.

Wait until I get some Maneuvers stated up!

I'll start with the Stances to Desert Wind Fire's Blessing can be made more powerful by adding extra ED, I'd max it at 20 to 25. Holocaust Cloak (Please no Princess Bride Comments) can be made a RKA. It is that area of fire that surrounds a person when they are all powered up. Fiery Assault makes your sword a burning blade (and yes it will add to some of the upcoming maneuvers) and if you want make it a RKA. Final Note All of these can be reskinned for other elements / SFX. Cold and Ice, Water, Lightning. Thus this one set could be the basis for a whole set of elemental styles.

A while ago, there was a discussion about making non mages feel special, and I made a comment about the Book of Nine Swords and how you could appropriate some of the ideas from there to use to make your warrior and rogue types feel special. Well a couple of weeks ago I was cleaning out my closet, and found my copy, and so as an intellectual exercise, I decided to convert some of these ideas. A couple of Notes if you decide to use them. Stances the idea is that ONLY one stance can be used at a time, so my suggestion is to place them in a MP. Most come out to about 30 AP. Yes it is pricy, but some give you a real power boost. Remember versatility costs extra! As far as the Maneuvers (Strikes, Counters, Boosts) I would take a page from Killer Shrike, set up a VPP (with a house rule that the total number of real points you can use are three times the max of the Pool) (Look here for reference https://www.killershrike.com/FantasyHERO/HighFantasyHERO/MagicSystems/vancianPreparedVPP.aspx ). You will have to make the -1/2 Lim of only for BoNS techniques. Also note that I did NOT do all the abilities as some were just … improvements to an earlier ability. Like Hatchling's Flames later becomes Dragon's Flames then Wyrm's Flames. Just up the damage and figure the new cost. So I present the Book of Nine Sword (abridged)

I was thinking about the game world I am developing and the idea of Languages. Now I was thinking about a common trade tongue, but since the main part of the setting is a large Basin Lake/Sea and the similarity to the Mediterranean, I was thinking of doing something similar. One city state took control of the Basin for 300 years, and so I am thinking about doing the following: Old Tenryk lead to the following dialects Aerelios/ Danris- due to the fact that both are on that LARGE river leading out of the Gefting Sea Kerqod- Kerqod is isolated in that it has mountains or hills on three side and the Sea on the bottom. I could see it developing its own. Rasul- On the bottom shore of the sea, but has access to the Trammel Highlands and so I can see a blending Thomar- Also on the bottom shore of the sea, but at the other end and close to Fey. Fey has its own language and so again I see a blending! (All have a 1 point similarity with each other) The Far Speech Used by the people that border the east coast of the Gefting Sea as well as the Far Ocean and the Far Isles Feyan- The most magically powerful/learned country Reuchia- Currently broken, but a common language unites the people Far Isles- The islands of the Far Ocean (All have a 1 point similarity with each other) The Language- Spoken by the people of the Forbek Steppes and the Trammel Highlands (All have a 1 point similarity with each other) Kulaki Named after the new anti slave city state, it is also spoken by the people of the Divided Plains as well as those in the three bays that lead to the oceans (All have a 1 point similarity with each other) Now ---- How much of a similarity should each family have with the others? I was thinking Old Tenryk has a 2 point similarity to Far Speech The Language is not similar to to Old Tenryk or Far Speech But it has a 2 point similarity with Kulaki Thoughts!

Yes. We are done the New Crushers and I am getting ready for my next project!

Who's that girl! Power up- The sensory overload suggest maybe a Mental Illusion. And it would fit. Also a bit more Martial Arts would not be out of line!

A month later Frank and Gabriella were no closer to getting in touch with Vixen. They had put out feelers and greased some palms and still no luck. Then one day Max and Frank got a notice that Mace’s old base was being occupied. And a message “Nice place. Heard you were looking for me. Might as well meet here!” Signed “V”! Frank looked at Max who looked at Mocker. “Might be a trap!” Mocker said. Max answered, “There are easier ways to set us up! So do we check it out?” “I Will.” said Mocker. “Alone?” said Frank. “Nope. The rest of you will be around for back up! If this is a trap, I want it to be as painful for them as possible!” A few hours later they were at the old farm house. Mocker entered the Lab and found a little lady in a black and red leotard sitting a work table eating dinner. “I have a bottle of wine cooling, but I don’t know if you drink.. Wine?” she said. “Yes I can, but it has no effect on me. You went to a lot of trouble to get us here. You could have just talked at the bar. Why all the trouble?” Mocker queried. “Well I needed to have you check out. I brought extra food, you can call the others in if you want, and we can discuss the terms of my contract!” she said. “You seem awfully sure of yourself young la…” “Please! Call me Vixen!”

This is a MUCH more serious one from an old Adventurer Club Scenario The team is asked to use their advanced vehicle to get a Heart across the country to a very young transplant patient. BUT... The Patient is a mutant and the IHA desires that he dies as an example. So during the flight they ambush the team flying over the Mountains. Now the team must get out of the wreckage, evade the kill teams sent after them and get the package to the hospital in time. If you want to modify it, do like in Young Justice. Patient is heir to a throne or company or ..... Team attacking are mercs hired by uncle/cousin/ competitor.

He keeps it simple... To power up- More PD and ED, Dex of 20 and SPD of 5 would be a start. Another +1 or +2 to CSL Would also work!

Mocker made his way through the wilderness of the Cascade Mountains. He’d heard stories of a hairy mountain man raising hell in the area, and hoped it was Bull. But a sudden snow storm had hit and he was forced to go to ground. Fortunately the cold weather didn’t bother him and so he continued to trudge through the snow. That was when he found the first body. High tech gear, but not TRADE. The nomenclature was unfamiliar to him so he continued on. Later he found two more bodies. Whoever had attacked them was swift and incredibly strong. Bull?! Over the next rise he saw a squad of the agents setting up an attack to what seemed a target hiding in a dense wooded area. “Let's see what pans out!” Mocker thought. As the agents started their atack, a giant of a man erupted from the snow to their right. “WT>>>>! How?” But it was too late, he was among them using his great strength to pound each successive agent unconscious. Within a minute, it was over, the giant standing over seven trained agent types. The giant started looting the bodies. Mocker approved. He stepped into view. The giant looked up and his eyes widened “Mocker?” “Bull?” Mocker quizzed! “You’re a bit different.” “Yeah, being stuck in a different world for two years changes you a bit.” Bull said. “Two years? Bull! It’s 2023, over twenty years!” Mocker exclaimed! “For me it was two. Had to fight for my life daily until I escaped into the mountains. There I learned to live off the land. Eventually I got caught up in a BBEG plot to destroy the world, got zapped by his malfunctioning device and ended up back here. But I can guess that you’re not here to catch up on old times! You got plans? If so I’m in. I’m tired of living like a mountain man!” Bull stated! “Nice. Now all we need is Marion….” At Bull’s growl, Mocker stopped. “I take it you didn’t part on good terms?” “No, we did not. Getting even with her was one of the few things that kept me going all those years!” Bull yelled! One of the agents groaned and began to get up. Mocker screamed him back into unconsciousness. “Who are these guys?” “No idea. Snowstorm hit and next thing I know they are tracking me. I had to do a lot of wood craft to lay false trails and ambushes.” Bull stated matter of factly. Mocker was at a loss for words. The old Bull was never so devious. “OH well, not my problem. C’mon, I’ll introduce you to the new Crushers!” Mocker said!

Yes, I can do something about the weather Despite the name, she's your usual stormer type. To power up- Dex 21 and SPD 5. Then bring MP to 60 AP (90 with the Indirect). If still not enough more slots in the MP may be in order!

HUH? Well if this was a trap, it was a damn silly one. After knocking the door opened to a very fancy looking bar, very high class. There sitting at the bar was the lady, dressed to the nines. She looked at him a bit disapprovingly “You’re underdressed!” “If you had given me some heads up, I would have brought my suit!’ Frank answered indignantly! “Well you’re here. What are you drinking (Please don’t say White Russian)?” as she gestured towards the bar. “Rum and Coke with a twist of lime.” Frank ordered, “So what is this place?” “Think of it as an old style speakeasy, for supers!” the lady commented. Frank immediately looked around for possible enemies. “Relax” she said, “This week is the Villains Week. Next week is for Heroes. It's sort of like the tailor from Spiderman, the one who worked on heroes and villains on alternate days of the week. Also this is considered neutral by both sides. Even Supers need to relax” Frank sipped his drink and admitted the rum was top notch. “I’m impressed.” “So talk,” she ordered. “Why seek me out?” Frank explained, her eyes widening as he went along. “So let me get this straight, you thought I may have been the child of that cowardly jerk and inherited his powers, and were going to use that to try and get me to join?” “Yeah. I take it by the way you talk about him, you met ole Stormy?” Frank mentioned. “Once, and I kicked his but. But your offer sounds interesting. I could use some bigger scores, and a chance to get rid of the stigma that twit saddled me with.” At Frank’s raised eyebrow she explained “His rep as a coward has applied to many other weather workers. So a chance to be rid of it would be nice.” Frank got up to leave “So you in?” “Certainly. But where are you going, the night is young!” she asked huskily. Frank sat back down. “So what do I call you?” “My handle is Storm King. But for tonight you can call me Gabiella!

“Should’ve checked the weather report!” Frank complained as he drove through a southern storm. “I’ll never find a weather controller during a rainstorm!” Frank slowed his van as he came to a red light, then the street in front of him lit up like a bad Christmas tree! “What the @&^$!” As his eyes cleared he saw an armoured car getting battered by a series of lightning bolts. Eventually the truck came to a stop, and the back door was targeted by another series of blasts. When it was knocked off, then a second light burst, followed by a peel of thunder rolled across the street. He noticed that the guards were unconscious and someone(?) was going through the contents. Eventually they must have found what they were looking for because one set disappeared in mid air. Frank took a chance and ran out yelling for a meeting. After about a minute, and hearing sirens, he sped off himself. About an hour later,(after activating the colour change and new license plates on his van) he was driving out of the city. A sudden fog prompted him to slow down and a flash in front of it made him stop. A young lady walked out of the fog, “Not here. Two days. At Enrico’s Restaurant!” Then she disappeared and the fog lifted. Frank looked up the place on his laptop. “Great, a dive bar! Couldn’t she have picked something less cliche!”

Good idea! Especially the extra mags!

He's fast He's a blaster with a difference. To power him up - Increase the Blaster and Grenades to 10d6. Maybe a pair of pistols? Add some super swimming. But do not make him a traditional speedster. He's a blaster with a cool twist.

Max used his contacts to follow the speedster, but he was hampered by not having any movement abilities. Finally in Chicago he was checking some leads when he heard about a super’s battle downtown. “Maybe I’ll get lucky!” he thought. So quickly donning his battle gear, he made his way downtown, just in time to see the speedster (or was it blaster?) zip by a cross street. Heading to the corner he saw his former client run by the hero called Shade and drop something at his feet as he zoomed by. This was followed by an explosion that sent shade flying across the street, but did little to really damage him. “Dam!” Max thought, “all that will do is piss Shade off.” Shade was a heavy hitter and Max knew his future partner was going to lose if the fight went on too long. Morningstar decided to intervene. He tosses a wire grenade at Shade’s feet, momentarily stopping him. “Shoot him now!” Morningstar yelled. Soon the speedster was firing into Shade, Knocking him off balance. Morningstar rushed in and swung at his opponent with a nasty uppercut that connected. Soon he and the speedster had Shade on the ropes. When he got knocked into the river, they both decided to get as far away as possible (max getting a lift from his ally) Later at a greasy spoon they talked. “Name’s Mike btw. But you already knew that. So why you out of Toronto?” “Well that workshop got raided and I got offered a job.” “Really? Bashing or fabricating?” Mike asked “A bit of both” Max answered, and explained what had happened with Mocker. “Mocker… Mocker.. Yeah he was active about 20 years ago. Is he still around?” Max exclaimed. “Well he is an android and doesn’t age. And he wants to get his gang up and running again. But most of them are retired, or dead. So he’s looking for replacements. That is where you come in. A speedster with a blaster, you are… different. But enough like his old team member Mercury Mercenary. So you in?” Max queried. “Call me Merc!”

Days later Mocker was with Frank and Max at a very old Crusher hide out. Frank and Max looked at the old equipment. Max whistled “Man you could make money selling this as collectables!” Frank cringed, “Hey, they were state of the art when I first made them, but yeah, we need some tools.” “What we need is to get a few more members. And I don’t mean Vulture or Hornet.” Mocker stated. “Well we can forget both of them anyway. Vulture got cured and Hornet had his debt paid off by some rich dude, and he retired. Same with Shocker, he finally turned himself in, did his time, got out and hooked up with Evergreen. Now they work for some environmentalist think tank.” Frank stated. “Shrew?” Mocker asked. “Disappeared.” Frank said. “Last seen in Hong Kong.” “And Merc?” “Lost his powers and retired!” Frank stated. “So that leaves Marionette, Bull and Storm Lord!” Mocker said. “Scratch Lordy also. That think tank of Evergreen pays him a retainer for weather related problems. He was mainly in it for the money, and now they pay him well to do almost nothing. BUT! I think the rangy dude got a lady pregnant, because I heard of a weather controller mixing it up down south. She may be interested!” Frank commented. Max piped in “If you're looking for a speedster, I made a gun for a fast dude a few weeks ago. I can look him up!” “Gun?” asked Frank. “Yeah! He said, quote “...running by doing clothesline is too old school!” unquote!” Max mentioned! “OK, Frank, you look into this Storm King (for a lady?). Max track down this speedster! Meanwhile I’ll check info about Bull and Marion!” Mocker ordered!

Let's get ready to rumble! This is the working class villain. He'll want to make money easily. He doesn't mind a dust up, but won't go out of his way to get back at someone. To power up - I'd create a grenade VPP. Flash bangs, sonic grenades, gas grenades. But upgrading his mace will also work, or make him more Martial Artist with a point of SPD and some Dex ( +6 to dex and +1 to Spd would be dangerous)

Thank you!

Oct 2021 Mocker approached what looked like an abandoned house in the countryside. Well if this was where Mace planted his workshop, he did a great job hiding it! Mocker thought! Let’s see if Frank's info was any good! Mocker went behind the house into the garage and activated the hidden panel. A palette on the floor moved aside to reveal a set of stairs going down. Mocker activated his Shield, just in case. And started down the stairs. Eventually he came to a metal door. Trying the handle, he found it locked. Oh well, so much for being quiet! SCCCCRRRREEEE! Scratch one lock. Mocker kicked in the door and leapt into the darkened room. And promptly got smacked by a mace at the end of a metal wire. THAT HURT! SCREEEEEE! Mocker lashed out into the darkness, but if anything was there, it moved! Another mace head came out of the darkness, but it narrowly missed. Mocker moved into the darkness. Now we’re even! He thought. Another mace came out of the darkness and wrapped around his arm. AAARRRGGG! Electricity coursed through him. If this isn’t mace, Mocker thought, then he is a clone! SCREEEEE! Thud! Sounds like I connected! Mocker found a light switch. Flipping it he found his opponent pushing himself off the floor ready to go back at it. Mocker hit him with the Stunning Scream and placed him out for the count. About a minute later the young man woke up. “So WHO are you?!” Mocker queried. “My name is Max.” “And how did you get in here?” Silence! SCRRREEE! Dented wall! “I’ll ask again. How did you get in here?” Mocker said coldly. “It took me about three days to get past the entry codes, but eventually I made it in. After looking around I realized whose place I was in. Figured since he was dead, he wouldn’t mind. I’ve been spending my time making stuff to sell on the black market using notes he left behind.” Max intoned. “But the other day on a delivery, some goons in high tech tried to rob me. I barely fought them off, came back here, and was getting ready to rabbit out of here when you blasted in.” Max said. “Describe them,” Mocker said. After hearing the description “TRADE!” “TRADE?” Max asked. “Trade what?” “Not what, who. Technological Research and Development Enterprises. They want to own all high tech items and ideas.” Mocker sneered. “Hey kid, join with me and my friend and we’ll keep them off your back. At the same time we’ll bash some heads and make some cash, IF you don’t mind getting your hands a bit dirty?!” Max grinned. “I like the bashing part!” “So what do I call you?” Mocker asked, “Mace is dead, and I don’t want to be reminded of it.” Max mused, picked up the mace off the floor, “How about Morningstar?”

I may speak softly, but I carry a big FIST! Mocker has no idea that this is a weak link in his team, but it will take a lot of role play and investigation to get FIST on their side. This could lead to a full on redemption arc! Forget powering down, this whole experiment is to power up. But if what I did is not enough... To power up - Power Blaster to 14d6. Add 15 to figured Str. To go a bit over the top, a 40 pt VPP representing modules he can add to the armor to customize it!