Dynamo

Re: Dione

 

Originally posted by death tribble

Dione. I believe is a moon of Jupiter or Saturn

Dione turns out to be Aphrodite's mother and the densest of Saturn's moons. Make of this what you will.

As a GM, my character generation is driven by the needs of the plot and setting. Do I need a high-mobility strategist with stand-off attacks? How about an anti-hero love interest? Metahuman leader of a mutant-hating government agency? Once I've got the role, the rest gets filled in. Sometimes that's tedious if I'm not inspired, but I try to be reasonably complete so I don't end up contradicting myself later.

 

As a player, it's more variable. I look at a combination of the needs of the team (especially when joining an already established group) and my current roleplay yearnings. Campaign style, theme, and projected duration all affect tha way I start the character.

 

But when making a character just to make a character, any one piece of the puzzle is fair game as inspiration. I've been inspired by a good name, a cool background, a costume design, an intriguing power-construct, a challenging power theme, an engaging origin idea, you name it.

 

Names are probably my most frequent inspiration when making a character just for the heck of it. A really good name can suggest almost everything about a character, from powers to personality to background.

Originally posted by death tribble

Another batch. This should see us well over 6,000.

Great, thanks.

 

Sorry I've left the thread idle for a few days. My life's gotten very busy as of last week. I've kicked most of it to the curb, but I still have a car in the shop and a friend in the ICU. Oy vey.

 

I may be able to do a roundup this weekend.

Originally posted by Hermit

Sorry for the small font

My eyes are bleeding.

 

Good character idea, a warrior from a future where Mechanon has succeeded in his aims. Shades of both Days of Future Past and Reign of Apocalype.

Originally posted by CrosshairCollie

It's probably going to take some effort for some PCs to get used to the reused-name-but-different-character stuff, like Vibron. I once teamed up the Classic Enemies 'solo losers' into a team that turned out to be memorable somehow, and Vibron was on it.

I miss Vibron's old secret identity.

 

I played a V&V version of him in a "create yourself as a super" mini-campaign, but nobody got the reference.

Re: Biofibre

 

Originally posted by Tamashii2000

Sounds a bit like Abberants Eufiber.

Yup, I admitted as much in my first post above.

 

Aberrant is packed with cool stuff, ripe for plundering -er- I mean emulating.

Re: Biofibre

 

Originally posted by Lord Liaden

Dynamo's suggestion for "biofiber" earlier on this thread is one of the best super-costume ideas I've seen: living fabric that mimics the cellular structure of its wearer, including natural powers. Makes more sense than "unstable molecules"; biofiber may be unrealistic, but at least it's logical.

Thanks for the kind words.

 

There's more: Although biofibre is currently being grown commercially in ever greater amounts, the original colony was extruded by a metamorphic/power-copying super who'd mastered shapeshifting down to the genetic level and could engineer portions of his body into biochemical factories. Genetic matching tests available in the Cannibal Comics setting (2008 + super inventors + tech salvaged from crashed starships) are capable of turning up some intriguing similarities between biofibre DNA and that of metahumans. The companies that manufacture the material have thus far kept these similarities out of the public limelight.

 

At the metagame level, the facts about biofibre provide clues for the players to pursue concerning the common origin unknowingly shared by all supers except those of purely magical or purely technological origin.

Re: Doc Croc

 

Originally posted by Siberian Tiger

Not sure if I agree with moving Doc Croc to the Fuzzy Champions list. There was a Captain Britain foe with that name - possibly in the comics only published in the UK. Think he was some form of Central African dictator who could turn into a were-crocodile... can't recall the full details at present

There are a couple others in the Fuzzy appendix that would make good regular super names; it's a tough call.

Siberian Tiger

Would also like to take this opportunity to thank David for his work in managing this thread and compiling the contributions for us.

No problem, I'm still enjoying the project. I'm glad others are finding it useful.

 

I'd like to thank everyone who has contributed, whether new names or error catching, especially death tribble for his tireless devil's advocacy.

In the Question on Dark Champions thread, Steve limited his commentary concerning the Blue Moon Killer to the following:

There will be no Bang-o the Justice Dog.

 

Other than that, I'm keeping it all secret for now...

Speaking for myself, I like ol' Harby and would be terribly disappointed if I didn't see him in all his killer vigilante glory somewhere in the Dark Champions line.

 

While I respect CPaladino's dislike for the character, I find the "I don't like this, so I don't want to see it in the product" stance remarkably tiresome. Don't like it? Don't use it, ignore it, don't read it, skip the page(s), tear the section out of your copy and burn it. Whatever, I want my Harbinger!

Here's a method I use. It's not so munchkiny as all that, but I've been known to score a few points out of it.

 

Strongly consider your special effects. Upon reflection, limitations may suggest themselves. You could end up more satisfied that you've created a well-built power construct with believable drawbacks, and get more points to spend as well.

 

Is your laser blocked by Darkness?

Are your boot jets limited to a certain altitude ceiling?

Are your flame powers of limited utility against water-based opponents?

Is your headset radio affected by hearing-affecting powers?

Does your frost bolt chill rather than impact (no knockback)?

 

Small limitations, true. But every little bit helps when buying 50-75 AP powers.

Re: Fuzzy Candidates

 

Originally posted by McCoy

What is the criteria for which ones go in the Fuzzys? Want to review these?

 

0168 - Android Ant

1248 - Crusader Wolf

1504 - Doc Croc

1562 - Doctor Silverback

3877 - Phydeaux

4515 - Semper Flea

4616 - Shockroach

You're right. These would all be outstanding names for the Fuzzy appendix. I've moved all of them in the master file except Doctor Silverback, who stays in the main list for being an actual member of the Champions Universe super community.

McCoy

Oh, and BTW,

4022 - Protomech

4023 - Protomech

Oops. Thanks. Fixed in the master file.

 

"Given enough eyeballs, all bugs are shallow."

-Linus's Law

Roundup

 

Edit: List deleted. Fresh roundup posted.

Originally posted by CPaladino

I wrote a name generator (which does supers pretty well) in VB. I'll upload it tonight.

Cool. I look forward to seeing it.

Re: D Part 1

 

Originally posted by death tribble

With no update over the weekend...

Yeah, real life intruded. I'm working on it now.

Some of these are pretty good.

 

MarkusDark, you might want to consider a different name for your Beta Particle. The beta particle is a real world product of certain nuclear reactions. Nothing fancy, it's just an electron, emitted from the nucleus when a neutron decays into a proton.

 

The only miracle material currently featuring in my campaign is biofibre, inspired largely by Aberrant's eufiber. Biofibre is a multicellular colony organism that tends to grow in a film only two cells thick. The resulting fabric is extremely tough for its weight and will accept dyes of a specific formulation only. These characteristics, combined with two more exotic properties, make biofibre very useful for spandex-like applications.

 

The first of these exotic properties is a small measure of cellular mobility, making a tight-fitting garment of biofibre self-fitting to a certain extent. Additionally, biofibre exhibits an unusual exothermic metabolism. When worn by a living entity, biofibre metabolism will differentiate between its inward and outward cellular layers to either cool or warm the wearer in response to external environmental conditions.

 

All of this puts a high demand on a limited supply of biofibre, but it's the fabric's interaction with the exotic metabolisms among the superhuman community that make it truly miraculous. After a short period of acclimatization, biofibre will adapt to energetic or metamorphic powers. Thus, a biofibre costume can stretch, grow or shrink with the wearer and will not be incinerated, frozen or otherwise damaged by power bolts, protective shields, or other energetic emissions projected by the wearer.

 

Also, many supers have developed a secondary level of symbiosis with their biofibre costumes. Their biofibre colonies have exhibited superpowers of their own. These powers are often useful variations of the wearer's powers, but just as frequently they are defensive or metamorphic in nature.

Originally posted by death tribble

With over 500 to suggest, how many do you want in batches before you put up the lists?

Whatever works for you. If I need to do more than one roundup a week, then so be it.

Awright, new stuff. Some good, some bad. I'll do another roundup either Friday or Sunday.

Roundup

 

Edit: List deleted. Fresh roundup posted

Re: Too General/Nebulous or Specific Part 8

 

Originally posted by death tribble

I think Ardent on its own if US Ardent fails. Both it an the Giant were on the list originally.

 

Vapours is a mist like villain

 

Vaudville is for a theme villain dressed in old theatrical costume. This has been done in the comics like DC's The Prankster and members of Clown like Slapstick in Champions.

 

White Hat like Black Hat was a generic to show good and bad.

 

White Hunter is like the people of old who went on Safari. However like Kraven in Spiderman or in various film versions they now hunt the most dangerous game. People. Super powered people. And they have the safari costume to show them as people who stand out from the crowd. If you really want to show someone with an ego. Great White Hunter.

 

White Russian. Apart from being the name of a drink was the name of the faction that supported the Czar in Russia after the Communists try to take over.

 

Young Turk was the name given to the Turkish army officers who revitalised Turkey around and after the First World War.

 

I have also built up a new names bank of around 580 odd names. More on this soon.

US Ardent and US Giant both got clobbered by the Dumb Name filter, but I agree that Ardent and Giant belong on the list.

 

I originally hacked Vapours because we already had a Vapor, but I've changed my minds. The English spelling, plurality, and historical connotations all add up to a sufficiently different concept.

 

Vaudeville sounds better to me this time around. Sounds like a villain with no powers, a thinker who delights in outwitting the heros and overacting while doing it.

 

White Hat completely fails to do it for me. Genre inappropriate.

 

White Hunter gave me pause, but I'm so picky that I have to let at least some borderline names in. If only so I can go on to axe names like...

 

White Russian. Sounds like a one from Column A one from Column B name, while evoking a negative cultural connotation while you're at it. I think this one is best left as a drink.

 

Young Turk lacks the genre feel.

Re: The Tome of Character Names That Don't Bite

 

Originally posted by Dynamo

Dragon #306 (Apr 2003), Dork Tower on pg 90.

And on a related note:

 

Irregular Webcomic #56

Re: Rugby

 

Originally posted by death tribble

As for Scrum you really don't ask an American Footballer on the line how or why they use the name so he could go elsewhere. Plus Italy, France, the rest of the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa play World class Rugby.

 

All parts of the old British Empire also know what Rugby is.

Knowing what rugby is has little relation to being familiar with the frankly dumb-sounding (to an American) terminology used in the game. While reading up on the topic, I ran into at least a score of words that sound like they were made up by a young child with brain damage.

 

I'd stay away from American football comparisons were I you. The attempts at football-themed supers have been some of the worst garbage the comic-reading public has ever attempted to choke down. Just thinking about it makes me want to go through the list again and hack out anything that even smells like a sports reference.

Wiseass.

Originally posted by Supreme

Not feeling like dressing up in tights for the American public right now, thanks.

Party pooper.

Re: Scrum

 

Originally posted by death tribble

I like the idea of Scrum as a name. And just check the rules of Rugby if my explanation is insufficient. Good name for a strength based character who pushes instead of lifts.

Yeah, Scrum sounds like a decent name for a British super with athletic-style powers (fast, strong, durable) who likes to get a little rough. He'd have to stay in Britain, though. Anywhere else, he's end up changing his name, because he'd get tired of explaining it.

Re: Too General/Nebulous or Specific Part 7

 

Originally posted by death tribble

 

*List omitted*

 

The Sibyl was an Oracle in ancient Rome.

 

SLAD and SLED. You stated that you wanted acronyms to be fully set out. Whether you believe that these members of the military of Deneb, aliens from my campaign are worthy is your call.

 

Sound of the Crowd was sonic powered.

 

The Suit was power armour developed by the government.

 

Testify had mind control powers based on religon.

 

Thermocouple had heat and cold powers. Character sheet again in the Super Images thread.

 

Torc is an old term for a crown or a weapon which was like a tiara. Circular, it went around the head or on top of the head. Celtish I believe.

 

Transporter is the name of a criminal whose power is to get colleagues to a place. And that's all.

 

Trilobite is a fossil, so one coming back to life was the idea

Sibyl - This one's a toughie, because most people know it simply as a woman's name, and cultural connotations largely point toward the famed split-personality patient. But I'm gonna pass it anyway, the alternate spelling individualizes it somewhat.

 

SLAD/SLED - Yes, you've provided the extended versions of these acronyms, but they end up being Genre Inappropriate. (Maybe this is just a nitpick, but why would aliens from another star system use an English-language acronym?)

 

Sound of the Crowd - Ironically, this one lacks the sound of a good super name. For the record, I really hate _____ of _____-type names for supers. They can make decent epithets, but I'm likely to reject them as primary names.

 

The Suit - As a proper noun, this one already has a place as a derogative nickname for corporate executives. I refer you to the comments I made earlier about PR-awareness in the military; the same applies to government.

 

Testify - Hey, this is a new one (I made a backup of the list before expurgating), and I like it.

 

Thermocouple - Another new one. Also good.

 

Torc - I dunno, no one calls themselves bracelet, hat, or necklace either. BTW, the torc was worn around the neck; a variant called an arm torc was worn, logically enough, around the upper arm. I am fairly certain that it was never used as a weapon as it was bent into shape around the wearer, so it didn't come off readily.

 

Transporter - I yanked that one because we already had Transport, which was WAY better.

 

Trilobite - It's a little tiny fossil of a bottom-feeding scavenger. I just don't see it.

 

From the remainder of your list, I like Stagger and pulled Steel Eye out of Steeleye Span.