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BoloOfEarth

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Everything posted by BoloOfEarth

  1. Re: Answers & Questions Q: What are we going to do about that? A: Now, THAT is a deal with the Devil that I think Peter Parker WOULD make!
  2. Re: Strangest "Plot Generator" I've found you can generate some strange plots just listening to your players. I told one player her PC's boyfriend had been acting a bit strange lately, to which she replied, "What, like he's working for VIPER now?" Guess what, I thought, he is now... In one of my campaign worlds, set in Millennium City, Foxbat had stolen a VIPER VTOL aircraft capable of turning invisible. Also, the city had the Boblo Blimp (a tour airship with small casino, restaurant, etc.). During one adventure where Foxbat was trying to rob the airborne casino, a player commented, "It looks like the Foxbat Flier is trying to mate with the Boblo Blimp." A few months later, the heroes read in the news about a miniature airship flying all over the city, turning visible then invisible again.
  3. Re: NGD Scenes from a Hat ... the Bush presidency. NT: Excuses that Republican (or Democratic) presidential candidates gave for *not* wanting George W Bush (or John Kerry) to campaign for them.
  4. Re: The Ultimate Minature Gadget Seriously, though, I'll have to check some of my characters when I get home. I know a cat-burglar character I made (Diamond Kitty) had a utility belt multipower, though hers was 40 points IIRC. She had an oil-slick bomblet (Change Environment), smoke bomb (Darkness), grapnel line (Stretching / Swinging), pepper spray (Flash + NND EB), as well as tools for breaking into places (Skill Levels with Lockpicking and Security Systems). Since my players are paranoid, my personal favorite is: Images vs. Sight and Hearing Groups, 2" radius, -3 to PER. This device is thrown near a hero (or preferrably several of them) and, upon impact or when triggered by the user, makes a weird hum and bathes the heroes in odd greenish light, then starts to smoke as it self-destructs. That's it, just a one-phase light-and-sound-show. But they'll assume anything from their powers being mucked with, to mental illusions, to mind control, to heaven only knows what else.
  5. Re: The Ultimate Minature Gadget Well, since I *did* grow up watching the Adam West "Batman" TV show: Bat Shark Repellent: 1d6 Mind Control, Telepathic (+1/4), Area Effect: 16" Radius (+1 3/4), Cumulative (8x Max = 48; +2), Continuous (+1), OIF (-1/2), 1 charge of 5 minute duration (-1), Single Command: Stay Away (-1/2), Limited Target: Sharks (-1), Extra Time: Full Phase to disperse in water (-1/4), Mental Power Based on CON (-1/2) Active Cost: 30, Real Cost: 7
  6. Re: Deathstroke Caveat: it has been years since I read this particular Deathstroke adventure, so I don't remember any details. Or combine the two. Perhaps the method that Deathstroke is using to threaten US reactors will also trigger the glaciation. Could be intentional on Deathstroke's part, or maybe an unexpected side-effect. A *truly* evil GM would make is such that activating the Plot Device to threaten the reactor meltdown sets something in motion that will automatically cause runaway glaciation if the Plot Device is just shut down normally or destroyed. IOW, the players' initial choice is to (a) allow glaciers to destroy Canada or ( cause reactor meltdowns, mostly in the US. Of course, they need to figure out option ©, which might involve making a deal with Deathstroke or Dr. Draconis.
  7. Re: A Simple rule about 5th edition material in long running campaigns
  8. Re: NGD Scenes from a Hat [announcer voice] "Lee Harvey Oswald doesn't know it, but we replaced the gunpowder in his rifle bullets with Folger's Crystals. Let's see what he thinks..." NT: Best JFK Conspiracy Theory ever
  9. Re: Most Oscure Reference You've Ever Worked Into a Game Mine isn't all that obscure, except apparently to me... In one game, I created a supervillainess, Snafu, who threw glitter-filled balls and caused bad luck. One of the PC heroes (Hybrid) took a shining to her, eventually convinced her to mend her evil ways. She joined the hero team and fought at his side... then he started having bad luck. Eventually, he figured out that it was because of her, and they broke up. It wasn't until months afterward that I realized that I had (unintentionally) copied Black Cat and her romance with Spiderman.
  10. Re: Is it really so wrong? Now, now! Batfox was a fixture in my campaign for years, hounding Foxbat (and the heroes) constantly. She even learned Foxbat's secret ID along the way. I remember one battle, Batfox got KO'd (just barely negative STUN), and a male hero decided to wake her up with a kiss. She melted into his kiss, eyes still closed, then murmured, "oh, Freddy..."
  11. Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group... From tonight's Champions game: An UNTIL urban assault team travels to Chicago following leads on the Ultimates, and stops in to S-Squad's base to fill them in. The leader of the team, Lt. Alejandro Roca, is strict military and displays no apparent sense of humor when Serendipity cracks a joke. Lt. Roca: ... we are stationed in Millennium City. If you wish, you may verify with our base or the Champions, as we have worked with them in the past. Serendipity: Oh, believe me, we will... (OOC) I call the Champions. Sapphire: Hello, this is Champions HQ, Sapphire speaking... oh! Serendipity! I love what you've done with your hair! Serendipity: Well, yours is cute, too! Isn't that a new style? After a few minutes of exhanging hairdresser info and arranging a shopping date in MC... Serendipity: Oh, the reason we called is that we got a visit from UNTIL, a Lt. Roca, he said he's worked with you in the past... Sapphire: Oh, yes, we know Lt. Roca -- does he still have a stick stuck up his butt? Serendipity: (Looks at Roca standing at textbook attention, waiting) I think he might have two up there right now. Sapphire: Well, he's okay, not a bad guy, just a bit too stiff. (pause) If you can get him drunk while he's there you can win me a bet with Defender. - - - - - - - - - Later, Synergy (in secret ID) is in the university lab where he works, when Thunderbolt teleports in. Important info: Thunderbolt was involved in Synergy's origin, and they have learned that neither one of them can affect the other with their powers. GM: Make a Hearing PER roll. Synergy: I fail it completely. I must have my radio up too loud while I work. GM: Okay, the first hint you get that something is wrong is when you're blasted from behind. It does no damage to you, but it messes up your chair pretty bad, and your monitor blows. Synergy: No damage to me, eh? I know who that is... I'll act like he blasted me unconscious. (Makes a near-critical success on an Acting roll) Thunderbolt (muttering as he walks back to the lab's computer servers): Damn stupid college kid... shouldn't even be here... not smart enough to take off for Christmas break... working at 1 am, should blast him again, just on principle..." GM: Thunderbolt comes out, carrying all the backup tapes for the servers, and opens the window. You hear what sounds like a jet turbine, and Cyclone drops down. Thunderbolt hands him the tapes. Synergy: (OOC, shrugs) We have offsite copies. While he's facing away from me, I turn on my maglev flight. I want to make a Power skill roll to create enough of a magnetic field to erase the tapes he's carrying. GM: (thinking to self -- this really screws up the plot, but I gotta admit it's a neat idea.) You know, you'll be erasing *all* the computers in the lab, not just those tapes... Synergy: Any way I can direct the magnetic pulse only toward the tapes? GM: Make the Power roll at -2. Synergy: Oooo... Only made it by one. GM: That's okay, it just means you probably wiped out a few computers, not all of them. And you did zap the tapes. Synergy: The best part is, Binder will probably blame Thunderbolt for screwing up the tapes. He *does* have electrical powers, after all. Synergy: (After Thunderbolt leaves, he's looking at his slagged computer) How am I going to explain this... and the fact that I'm completely unhurt? (He calls Sentinel, who in secret ID is an EMT and drives an ambulance at night. He figures she can fake the paperwork so that, officially, it will appear he was injured by the attack.) Sentinel, any way you can swing by the university? I need your help. Sentinel, in secret ID, arrives. She recognizes and examines Synergy, to discover that though his clothes are slagged, he's completely unharmed. Sentinel: WTF? There's nothing wrong with you! Synergy (looking toward the campus security guard standing nearby, then hisses to Sentinel) I know! Thunderbolt did this, but his powers don't affect me. How's it going to look when the official report says I'm untouched? Sentinel: (confused pause) So... you want me to hurt you?!?
  12. Re: A Simple rule about 5th edition material in long running campaigns What I usually say is, "It makes an ass out of you..." And when the other person helpfully adds, "...and me!" I simply reply, "That's what I already said - it makes an ass out of you."
  13. Re: NGD Scenes from a Hat "... ten pounds of bills!"
  14. Re: The eulogy of a HERO! "I'd just like to start off saying that when I saw Megaman's final moment on this Earth, the first words from my mouth were, 'Nobody could have possibly survived that!' Given the way things tend to work in this world, that pretty much ensures that Megaman will return in, oh, six months or so."
  15. Re: Answers & Questions Q: Didn't you say, "I need that like I need a hole in the head"? A: If those are my choices, I'll take the hole in the head, thank you very much.
  16. Re: Answers & Questions Q: Did Galactus say he needs to blow his nose? A: If I'd known I was going to Latin America, I'd have learned to speak Latin.
  17. Re: NGD Scenes from a Hat You can have your own feet bronzed.
  18. Re: "I shoot the escape pod!!!" This happened early in my GM-ing career, so that's my only excuse for not thinking faster on my feet. Years ago I was starting a new Champions campaign, but wanted the PCs to start as UNTIL agents that get their powers a few sessions in. The players were all aware of this, as well as the fact that their characters weren't mutants, so powers weren't going to just pop up during play. Their first assignment was as nursemaids for some diplomats at a high-society function held at a millionaire's mansion/estate. The PCs had pistols but no major weapons or body armor. The millionaire planned to kidnap everybody, gassing them and dumping them on a disabled ship at sea (slowly sinking, naturally) while he and his minions went forward with his true plan. The PCs would of course figure out a way to keep the ship from sinking, get everybody to shore, figure out the plot, and stop the bad guy. At least, that's what I thought would happen. So when the millionaire's security guards came into the ballroom with SMGs drawn (but not firing), blocked all exits, and told everybody to put hands up, I figured the PCs would initially play along, at least until the odds were *slightly* better. Nonetheless, one player insisted on fighting it out immediately. I pointed out he was surrounded, vastly outnumbered, and horribly outgunned, but he didn't care. I also pointed out that there were a *lot* of innocents around, including the diplomats he was charged with protecting, and that bullets that miss him don't just disappear into thin air. Didn't matter. "I won't surrender. No way. I dive through the nearest window." And the other players decided to back him up, so they all drew weapons and opened fire. What I *should* have done is said, "your funeral" and have the guards open fire on the PCs and innocents alike. What I *did* was run a battle where the bad guys made every mistake under the sun, just so the PCs wouldn't get killed in the first #!*#$! session. I needn't have bothered; that was the only session for that game.
  19. Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group... Last night's Champions game, the heroes of S-Squad are following the trail of Diamond Kitty, a thief who is taunting the hero Squeeze with clues to her next crime, in Carlsbad California (south of LA). [GM is blatantly stealing a Black Cat / Spiderman plot, where Cat was stealing love-related items.] Squeeze: What's in the Carlsbad area? GM: Well, there's LEGOLand, the Museum of Making Music, the California Surf Museum, the Gemological Institute of America... Squeeze: So, there's nothing there that Diamond Kitty would be intrested in. Styx: The gem institute's too obvious. Let's check some of the other places for love-related things of value. Serendipity: I'll call the surf museum. Brad: California Surf Museum! Surf's up, dude! Serendipity: Hi, this is Serendipity from S-Squad in Chicago. We're trying to catch a supervillain, Diamond Kitty, who's out your way. Brad: Whoa! Cool! Serendipity: She's on a love theme right now. Do you have anything love related on display? Brad: (long pause) Well, we got a bunch of vintage tins of Mr. Zog's Sex Wax... Styx calls the Museum of Making Music. Styx: Do you have anything love-related in the museum at this time? Squeeze (OOC): Like French horns? Javier: Well, let's see... of course, we have sheet music of several famous love songs... a wax recording of Enrico Caruso singing a love aria... Styx: (to GM, sarcastically) Gee, you just pulled that out of your butt, didn't you? Squeeze: OK, I'll call Nova Flight in LA and warn them that Kitty's operating in their area. Dusk: Nova Flight, Dusk speaking. Squeeze: Dusk? But isn't it like three hours earlier out there? Shouldn't it be... Dusk: ...Dawn. Yeah. Heard it before. Heard 'em ALL before. Styx and Serendipity decide to fly to California and substitute a fake wax recording for the real one. Styx: Let's make the fake a recording of Alvin and the Chipmunk's Christmas song. (pause) Y'know, the worst part of this plan is that we won't get to see her face when she plays the song. After thwarting Diamond Kitty's theft, Styx asks Sentinel to go to Minneapolis with him to x-ray his former grave, looking for a St. Christopher medallion that was buried with him. Styx: Sentinel, buddy! How'd you like to x-ray a graveyard? Sentinel: Well, I am going to medical school. It could be part of my experience in... Squeeze: ...graverobbing? Still later, Sentinel is following her boyfriend, who has been acting a bit odd lately. She sees him meeting with a woman she doesn't recognize. Serendipity (who is former IRA): I could blow up his car for you...
  20. Re: Adonis and his ladies (New Mastermind and henchwomen) I'm bummed. While I did introduce Adonis in the news, the actual confrontation between the PCs and Adonis' ladies didn't take place (at least, yet). The players decided to follow a totally different set of plot threads, so we never got to the museum robbery where the ladies were doing a little Christmas shopping for Adonis.
  21. Re: Adonis and his ladies (New Mastermind and henchwomen) I did, I'm using a bit of both. Couldn't find a picture I liked for Cyberia, though. (At least, not yet.)
  22. Re: Adonis and his ladies (New Mastermind and henchwomen) Okay, I'm gearing up to use Adonis and his ladies in my campaign today, and to that end was writing up Kyu-To (since I didn't have the official Hermit version ). I just thought I'd share a few of my thoughts (don't have time to put in my full writeup). Thinking about her being younger, and presumably a bit shorter, plus her martial arts skills (with associated MA weapons), I decided to take a page from Marvel's Dr. Henry Pym. I made her a shrinker (only down to about 7" tall, or doll-sized), with the additional ability to shrink and unshrink her weapons. So hidden on her person are tiny katanas, nunchaku, bo staffs (actually, she wears them as hair sticks), war fans, etc., all in a Multipower for her to unshrink at will. So she has a rather lethal charm bracelet... I doubt this is the direction that Hermit was going to go, but just thought I'd share my idea with y'all. Attached are the pics I plan to use for Glamazon and Kyu-To. Found both on Deviant Art's website. Wish me luck tonight.
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