Digest Archive vol 1 Issue 274

From: owner-champ-l-digest@sysabend.org
Sent: Monday, April 12, 1999 7:53 PM
To: champ-l-digest@sysabend.org
Subject: champ-l-digest V1 #274


champ-l-digest Monday, April 12 1999 Volume 01 : Number 274



In this issue:

Re: The Mad Doctors of Evil
Re: I'm full of them today.......What's the best Armor game?
Re: The Mad Doctors of Evil
Re: 5th Edition
Re: Civilization
Re: Heroes and Villians of Myth and Legend
Earth wave power
Re: I'm full of them today.......What's the best Armor game?
Re: Gadget Pool vs "Equipment Allotment"
Re: fire extinguisher
RE: Civilization
Question about Summon
Re: Question about Summon
Re: Earth wave power
RE: Question about Summon
Re: Heroes and Villians of Myth and Legend
Wanted: Cerebral Worm
Re: Wanted: Cerebral Worm
What my post are about (was Cerebral Worm)
Re: Non-Lethal Weapons
Re: Question about Summon
Re: Wanted: Cerebral Worm
CHAR: The Shaggy Beast
Re: Question about Summon
Re: Non-Lethal Weapons
Re: Non-Lethal Weapons
Re: CHAR: The Shaggy Beast

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 18:48:49 -0500
From: "Michael (Damon) & Peni Griffin" <griffin@txdirect.net>
Subject: Re: The Mad Doctors of Evil

At 06:47 PM 4/11/1999 -0400, Jason Sullivan wrote:
>Antonio Fuguetti, Master of Sound
> Native of Naples, Italy, Antonio went partially deaf while locked
>in the bell tower of a local church on a Sunday. A one time weapons
>designer for the Italian government, he uses his superior intellect and
>vast array of devices to wreak havoc on an unsuspecting world, and expects
>no less than world domination.

Yep, that's hokey, but it's exactly what a pulp villain should be.

>Stan Jaecle, Master of Terror
> Actor-cum-auteur; is secretly a US Spy who stole the plans for a
>device that would make the masses tremble in his presence. He uses his
>powers to sate his twised hunger to see suffering and to get revenge.

Um, what powers? A gadget that makes people scared of him? Does he still
use his "covert agent" skills? If so, Spymaster would be another possible
moniker, especially if he uses agents.

>Noel Gordon, Master of Illusion
> Once a doctor, now a stage magician themed villian... His wife and
>son died of a mysterious ailment. With both of them gone, and a debt to
>be owed for their treatment, he reluctantly lives the life of crime to
>repay the people he borrowed the cash from.

This is one of the more pathetic origins I've ever heard (uh, that's
sympathy for the character, not a criticism of his creator). Reluctantly
pressed into a life of crime to finish paying off an expensive medical
treatment that *failed* to save the lives of his family. "Must honor all
obligations" at the Total level, obviously. A clever hero can use that
against him.

>Candace LeMeir, Mistress of Mortality
> A mysterious female assassin from France who uses subterfuge and
>seduction with deadly results. She wants nothing more than power.
>She craves "death," and gets to see much of it dealt out by her own hands,
>via poisons she herself is immune to.

Um, okay. Power to do what, exactly? If her main kick is killing, she can
get her fix as a paid assassin, with little personal power required.

>Ivan Prochustek, Master of Man and Beast
> Rumanian born Ivan was once known in pit fighting circles as "Ivan
>the Maimer." He has managed to step in the ring with extremely
>experienced martial artists in tournments world wide and come out alive.
>This may be due to his immense size, or legendary strength, or reputed
>"super serum" use (hormone treatments). Ivan is very skilled in hand to
>hand combat.

This guy doesn't sound like a master villain at all, he sounds like a thug.

Let's see, you have a spy, an assassin, an weaponsmith, a thug and a
reluctant stage magician. Nope, those last two just don't seem to fit.
I'd suggest a rewrite on Doctor Angst there; give him some actual dark
mystic abilities and a binding contract with the netherworld, rather than
loan sharks.

The only base I see uncovered is "mental powers". Here's a possible twist
on Ivan: he's not really that skilled and powerful in physical terms, but
in combat he forces his opponent into a psi-scape that looks like the real
world. This has Invisible Power Effects, so no one knows it's happening.
On the mental plane, he does EGO-based arena combat with his opponents, who
always get trashed because they don't realize Ivan can literally hurt them
just by thinking about it.

Damon

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 20:06:51 -0400 (EDT)
From: arcus@webtv.net (chrisopher spoor)
Subject: Re: I'm full of them today.......What's the best Armor game?

You forgot GURPs, but they have their problems too. My suggestion is use
Champions to make the pilot and make the armor using the vehicle rules.
then steal everything you like from the other games and convert them
over.

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 21:04:43 -0400 (EDT)
From: Michael Surbrook <susano@dedaana.otd.com>
Subject: Re: The Mad Doctors of Evil

On Sun, 11 Apr 1999, Jason Sullivan wrote:

> It seem in coming up with the Mad Doctors of Evil and looking them
> over, I relaized that they were kind of hokey! (But aren't Pulp villians
> supposed to be?).

For an amusing and interesting view of pulp type villains, see if you can
find "Steam Detectives" from Viz comics. Yes, it is a manga, but how can
you not like something with characters named: Phantom Knight, Machine
Baron, Dr. Guilty and Le Bread - Boy Criminal?

Oh, and lines like:

"Oh, what do you suppose happened to them?"

"Escaped most likely."

This right after the master villian's vehicle went up in a ball of fire.

- --
Michael Surbrook - susano@otd.com - http://www.otd.com/~susano/index.html

Kevin Matchstick: "Oh great. So, I'm reverting. Becoming a child again."
Mirth: "No, Kevin, you are becoming a warrior."

_Mage_, Matt Wagner

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 21:42:15 -0400
From: "Michael Sprague" <msprague@eznet.net>
Subject: Re: 5th Edition

><< Speaking of such things, there are 2 issues I'd like to raise again, the
> first being Flash attacks, is there any change planned for the 5th
edition?>>
>
> Yes. In brief, Flash will cost less, but work for a number of
>*Segments,* not Phases.

Hmmm, I'll be quite interested in seeing how this works. While I felt Flash
was too expensive, I was not keen on this specific idea, as it affected
higher Speed characters more than lower Speed one. Still, I think it is
something I could live with. :-)

><<Second is Double knockback vs buying off knockback dice.>>
>
> No changes of note are planned for Double Knockback.


Too bad. :-) I'm the one (or one of the ones, anyway) that suggested that
the Advantage for Double Knockback and the Limitation for No Knockback
should be based on the damage class of the attack (since the base roll is
fixed, no matter what the damage class).

In any case, I'm eagerly waiting to get my hands on my own copy of 5th. ed.
:-)

~ Mike

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 20:06:23 -0700
From: James Jandebeur <jimalj@best.com>
Subject: Re: Civilization

> I know that this is off-topic, but does anyone have Civ:Call to
> Power? Any early reviews--I may go buy it.

From what I've played of it at work, it looks really good if you liked the
previous games, but that hasn't been all that much as yet.

Hey, it's my job.

JAJ, GP

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 20:10:13 -0700
From: James Jandebeur <jimalj@best.com>
Subject: Re: Heroes and Villians of Myth and Legend

> That's true, Tim. (I don't remember who made the post you replied to, I'll
> take your word it wasn't John). However, we have drifted off-topic and
> being rude only compounds the error.

That would have been me. I apologize that my meaning was unclear: a portion of
that thread had looked like it was going to go off-topic, not the whole thread.
And considering the way these things often go, I'm afraid I jumped in perhaps to
soon, before the serious rudeness got started.

But no matter how much it grates on the nerves when these things go that way,
much of this thread was, indeed, good material.

With apologies,
JAJ, GP

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 22:43:43 -0700
From: Chad Riley <chadriley01@sprynet.com>
Subject: Earth wave power

Okay guys here I go again. I am working on an Environmental/Humanitarian
hero group called the New Peace Armada (the first name I got in the
Almanac's Super teamname generator) anywho, I am making an Earth
Elemental named Granite (gee where did I get that name?) and he has a
powerfully enchanted item the Mace of Mother Earth. One of the abilities
I am having trouble with is the Earth Wave or Floating Rock power. I am
trying to model a Flight like power in which the Elemental can either
ride a wave of earth or simply use a giant slab of stone as a "vehicle"
and carry his team mates. Much like Terrax the Tamer of Marvel Fame (who
gets shafted in the SAGA book). Any Ideas? I might post the Armada if ya
wanna see them, My current roster contains updated (read: More Powerful)
and slightly (or greatly) altered versions of The Champ (alien
enemies), Titaness (Enemies Unleashed), and possibly Zephyer and
Floodgate from European Enemies and Coldwarrior from Classic
Organizations. I'm considering Flower (EU) as well but I never really
liked her so.....Basically the group is the other side of the coin of
the Dissidents (from Champions Universe). They have all been contacted
by Gaia (SP?) the Earth Goddess, who I am treating like a cross between
Marvel's and DC's version of Earth. Thus I am altering many
disadvantages to be more heroic. This team is a shining example to other
heroes that being a superhero is more thand bashing Eurostar and Viper.



I've been on a character tear as of late and will have many more
questions......

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 22:45:00 -0700
From: Chad Riley <chadriley01@sprynet.com>
Subject: Re: I'm full of them today.......What's the best Armor game?

Well I didn't actually forget GURPs buit I never have played it so I didn't
have a basis to critique it.

chrisopher spoor wrote:

> You forgot GURPs, but they have their problems too. My suggestion is use
> Champions to make the pilot and make the armor using the vehicle rules.
> then steal everything you like from the other games and convert them
> over.



>

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 23:01:53 -0700 (PDT)
From: shaw@caprica.com (Wayne Shaw)
Subject: Re: Gadget Pool vs "Equipment Allotment"

>so what do you all think?
>Should Super Heroic games have Equipment Allotments or should I bend or
>break the VPP Rules to fit my character concept?

I don't generally heavily enforce the limit on Special Powers in pools that
only can change in downtime. If it didn't change only in downtime,
personally, I just think it'd be too good a trick to allow.

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 01:41:27 -0400
From: geoff heald <gheald@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: Re: fire extinguisher

At 11:24 PM 4/10/99, you wrote:
>On Fri, 09 Apr 1999 22:22:09 -0400, geoff heald wrote:
>
>>IMO and I don't have my BBB here.
>>Of course, in Star Trek (TNG) they use force fields to put out fires by
>>squishing them (telekinesis). It requires that tk be airtight (at least to
>>the edge of it's effect), but.....
>
>That's Force Wall, not TK.
>qts
>
>Home: qts@nildram.co.uk.
>
>
Well, I'd call it TK. The idea is to push down on the fire. Admittedly,
the thing you're pushing down is very like a force wall, but since it isn't
stationary, I thought it would be TK.
Just like stamping out the fire, but using telekinetic "feet".

============================
Geoff Heald
============================
Attention all enemies of the Rival Ninja Corporation: You will lay down
your weapons and surrender to your nearest R.N.C. representative. Failure
to do so will result in your total destruction. Thank you.

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 10:02:19 -0400
From: Brian Wawrow <bwawrow@fmco.com>
Subject: RE: Civilization

If you loved Civ like I did, I recommend Sid Meyer's Alpha Centauri. Note
the acronym is SMAC, thus indicating just how addictive it is.

BRI

] -----Original Message-----
] From: James Jandebeur [mailto:jimalj@best.com]
] Sent: Sunday, April 11, 1999 11:06 PM
] To: champs-l@sysabend.org
] Subject: Re: Civilization
]
]
] > I know that this is off-topic, but does anyone have
] Civ:Call to
] > Power? Any early reviews--I may go buy it.
]
] From what I've played of it at work, it looks really good if
] you liked the
] previous games, but that hasn't been all that much as yet.
]
] Hey, it's my job.
]
] JAJ, GP
]
]
]

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 10:41:11 -0400
From: "Beren" <beren@unforgettable.com>
Subject: Question about Summon

In the BBB, it states "a character with this standard power cam summon a
creature from the abyss, another dimension, or somewhere on earth." Does
this mean that a person with this power can bring a creature from another
dimension into Earth's dimension without the use of Extra-Dimensional
Travel, Usable Against Others?


Lisa Hartjes
Lead Developer, The Crimson Covenant

beren@unforgettable.com
http://roswell.fortunecity.com/daniken/79
or http://www.fortunecity.com/roswell/daniken/79
ICQ: Berengiere (9062561)

If the GM smiles, run. If she laughs, it's too late...

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 10:48:56 -0400 (EDT)
From: Michael Surbrook <susano@dedaana.otd.com>
Subject: Re: Question about Summon

On Mon, 12 Apr 1999, Beren wrote:

> In the BBB, it states "a character with this standard power cam summon a
> creature from the abyss, another dimension, or somewhere on earth." Does
> this mean that a person with this power can bring a creature from another
> dimension into Earth's dimension without the use of Extra-Dimensional
> Travel, Usable Against Others?

Yes. EDM, UAO would let you send someone to another dimension (against
thier will). Summon laets ouy call something to you. Note that EDM, UAO
would allow you to affect *specific* targets, while Summon only gates in a
resonably generic being.

- --
Michael Surbrook - susano@otd.com - http://www.otd.com/~susano/index.html

"Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge
even where there is no river."
Nikita Khruschev

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 07:52:38 -0700 (PDT)
From: John Desmarais <johndesmarais@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Earth wave power

- --- Chad Riley <chadriley01@sprynet.com> wrote:
> Okay guys here I go again. I am working on an Environmental/Humanitarian
> hero group called the New Peace Armada (the first name I got in the
> Almanac's Super teamname generator) anywho, I am making an Earth
> Elemental named Granite (gee where did I get that name?) and he has a
> powerfully enchanted item the Mace of Mother Earth. One of the abilities
> I am having trouble with is the Earth Wave or Floating Rock power. I am
> trying to model a Flight like power in which the Elemental can either
> ride a wave of earth or simply use a giant slab of stone as a "vehicle"
> and carry his team mates. Much like Terrax the Tamer of Marvel Fame (who

Flight usable by others or Telekinesis (to carry others) would work.


> gets shafted in the SAGA book). Any Ideas? I might post the Armada if ya
> wanna see them, My current roster contains updated (read: More Powerful)
> and slightly (or greatly) altered versions of The Champ (alien
> enemies), Titaness (Enemies Unleashed), and possibly Zephyer and
> Floodgate from European Enemies and Coldwarrior from Classic
> Organizations. I'm considering Flower (EU) as well but I never really
> liked her so.....Basically the group is the other side of the coin of
> the Dissidents (from Champions Universe). They have all been contacted
> by Gaia (SP?) the Earth Goddess, who I am treating like a cross between
> Marvel's and DC's version of Earth. Thus I am altering many
> disadvantages to be more heroic. This team is a shining example to other
> heroes that being a superhero is more thand bashing Eurostar and Viper.
>
>
>
> I've been on a character tear as of late and will have many more
> questions......
>
>
>
>
>

_________________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 10:51:47 -0400
From: Brian Wawrow <bwawrow@fmco.com>
Subject: RE: Question about Summon

Absolutely. The extra dimensional travel involved in a summon is just the
SPFX. Raising a 100pt. zombie or summoning a 100pt. demon is the same thing
in terms of a mechanic. It brings one or more individuals of a ceratain type
of entity into physical existence.

However, if you want to bring a specific entity into a specific reality,
then you need to talk about extra dimensional travel.


] In the BBB, it states "a character with this standard power
] cam summon a
] creature from the abyss, another dimension, or somewhere on
] earth." Does
] this mean that a person with this power can bring a creature
] from another
] dimension into Earth's dimension without the use of Extra-Dimensional
] Travel, Usable Against Others?
]
]
] Lisa Hartjes
] Lead Developer, The Crimson Covenant
]
] beren@unforgettable.com
] http://roswell.fortunecity.com/daniken/79
] or http://www.fortunecity.com/roswell/daniken/79
] ICQ: Berengiere (9062561)
]
] If the GM smiles, run. If she laughs, it's too late...
]
]

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 09:52:43 -0700 (PDT)
From: Dennis C Hwang <dchwang@itsa.ucsf.edu>
Subject: Re: Heroes and Villians of Myth and Legend

On Sun, 11 Apr 1999, Michael Surbrook wrote:

> On Sun, 11 Apr 1999, Tim Gilberg wrote:
>
> > > > My favorite example of the above is from Urotsokidoji: Legend of
> > > > the Overfiend. Btw, how does Urotsokidoji translate?
> > >
> > > Which scene are you talking about?
> >
> > Early on when the jock, whatever his name was, took a bit of blood
> > from the Cho-Jin, which lead to Amanu Jaku's mistaken assumption on the
> > identity of the cho-Jin.
>
> Yeah, that was some sort of low-end STR Aid and then a mutation into some
> wolf-like monster.
>
> > And what does Urotsokidoji translate to?
>
> I have no clue.

IIRC, Urotsukidoji translates to something oddly innocuous, like
"wandering kid".

- --Dennis
*************************************************************
* dchwang@itsa.ucsf.edu * xenopathologist at large! *
*************************************************************
* "To be or not to be: that is the question, whether 'tis *
* nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of *
* outrageous fortune." *
* *
* ANAGRAM: "In one of the Bard's best-thought-of *
* tragedies, our insistent hero, Hamlet, queries on two *
* fronts about how life turns rotten." *
*************************************************************

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 14:06:14 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jason Sullivan <ravanos@NJCU.edu>
Subject: Wanted: Cerebral Worm

I'm designing a creature called the "Cerebral Worm."
It can Sense Brains, as well as having Spatial Awareness, but
lacks most other senses.
It crawls along the ground, or on ceilings, hunting for prey
(which is usually a mammal; the bigger the brain, the better). It can
lower itself from ceilings with an albuminous strand of slime. It then
tries to crawl into the target's mouth and burrow into it's brain. In a
few minutes, it reanimates the body.
After an incubation period, it "spawns" by splitting (much in the
same way a flat worm splits) into more Cerebral Worms, which can either
incubate, or burst from the skull of their target (sometimes in combat).
The creatures are about a foot long, if not smaller. They have a
lamprey like mouth with for opposable, sharp thorn shaped tusks. Inside
the center of the mouth, there is a needle like "puncher" which can poke
and spin to crack the skull. The body is a bumpy mottled black and gray.
Inside of it's body is a complex network of silky stands used to attack to
various nerve clusters in the subject's head.

I need help modeling the following aspects:
Physical Limitations
General Estimation of Size with Shrinking
Albumenous Trail that decends from Ceiling
Burrowing into brain (and using the power in Combat), and various
other nasty attacks
Reanimation
Spawning

I'd also like to model a "standard" automaton corpse...
...and figure out how to "launch" a Cerebral Worm attack from said
Automaton's head.

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 14:17:19 -0400 (EDT)
From: Michael Surbrook <susano@dedaana.otd.com>
Subject: Re: Wanted: Cerebral Worm

On Mon, 12 Apr 1999, Jason Sullivan wrote:

> I'm designing a creature called the "Cerebral Worm."

Jason, in the past two weeks or so, you've asked for help on something
like... a dozen or more characters and ideas. What are you doing with
all this stuff? Is this for a game that you've already started or intend
to start? Or what?

> It can Sense Brains, as well as having Spatial Awareness, but
> lacks most other senses.

Phys Lim: No other sense except for 'X'. Probably 15-25 points.

> I need help modeling the following aspects:
> Physical Limitations

Phys: No Fine Manipulation (15)
Phys: Cannot Leap (5)

> General Estimation of Size with Shrinking

About 2-3 levels, 3 levels is probably closer.

> Albumenous Trail that decends from Ceiling

Stretching and or Clinging.

> Burrowing into brain (and using the power in Combat), and various
> other nasty attacks

HKA pure and simple. Actually, a Continous HKA.

> Reanimation

SFX for another character type: Worm Zombie.

> Spawning

Duplication if it happens really fast, otherwise it is SFX for normal
reproduction.

> I'd also like to model a "standard" automaton corpse...

Use the zombie out of Fantasy Hero.

> ...and figure out how to "launch" a Cerebral Worm attack from said
> Automaton's head.

I'd say SFX or Duplication on the part of the Zombie.

- --
Michael Surbrook - susano@otd.com - http://www.otd.com/~susano/index.html

"Does this planet have a never-ending supply of weird stuff!"

Susano Orbatos, _Orion_

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 14:44:08 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jason Sullivan <ravanos@NJCU.edu>
Subject: What my post are about (was Cerebral Worm)

On Mon, 12 Apr 1999, Michael Surbrook wrote:
> On Mon, 12 Apr 1999, Jason Sullivan wrote:
> > =09I'm designing a creature called the "Cerebral Worm."
> Jason, in the past two weeks or so, you've asked for help on something
> like... a dozen or more characters and ideas. What are you doing with
> all this stuff? Is this for a game that you've already started or intend
> to start? Or what?
=09I have three seperate campagins that I'm working on write ups for.
=20
One is a Superheroic game that spans from the Golden Age Pulp era into the
next Milennium, which is Super power-low and high in realism and drama
(very similar, mentality wise, to Watchmen and Brat Pack). Included in it
are characters like the Swashbuckler, Aviator, Crimebuter, Grim, and The
Mad Doctors of Evil for the pulp era; Minx, Captain Hero, Lurker, Kamin
Black, the Nationalist, Thrill Kill, Justin DeSchower, and others for
the modern era. I've posted constructs and characters from this game on
here to get feedback to see if they're cohesive concept and rules wise so
I can develop the world, piece by piece, and it's characters better. I've
been working on this project for about two years on and off, and hope to
have the materials up on line when complete.

The second one I am working on, and actually running very soon, is the
"Johnny" game, which is high action horror. In it are zombies... many
zombies, a "haunted" house, and feelings of clostrophobia and paranoia.=20
For the characters themsleves, I've posted very little. "Johnny
Chance", for instance, needed the OCV based on Luck. The Cerebral Worms
might have been used in this campagin (as I have yet to determine what
makes the zombies animate). I'm also using creatures like undead wolves,
mutated amoebas, giant spiders, lab experiments, etc. Most beastairy
questions revolve around this.

The third is a Paranormal game, where all of the characters are "creatures
of the night," much like NightLife. I haven't done much work on this
aside froma few "Racial Packages."

Other questions deal with mimicing or simulating things in other =83games o=
r
building certain constructs I might find useful in the future, or queries
about rules that I'm not so sure on.

Some posts were just for fun, like Power Trip or Metro Gnome, or were just
out of casual interest, like the correlation between certain mythical
archetypes and modern heroes, or super patroit team member names and
possible character constructs, which could eventually be turned into write
ups.

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 12:25:25 -0700
From: "Filksinger" <filkhero@usa.net>
Subject: Re: Non-Lethal Weapons

From: Bob Greenwade <bob.greenwade@klock.com>
>
> Well, then I'm back to the AVLD. a 12DC AVLD is 4-1/2d6, which will do
> 4 BODY on the average; vs a 2 PD normal, this will do 2 BODY, which is
> fairly minimal, while it will do its full 4 BODY against concrete or an
> airplane body, neither of which has any non-resistant PD.

Let's see if I understand this. AVLD, defense is any PD that is
non-resistant. Resistant PD is not a defense.

Is that it?

Filksinger

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 13:22:21 -0700
From: "Filksinger" <filkhero@usa.net>
Subject: Re: Question about Summon

From: Beren <beren@unforgettable.com>



> In the BBB, it states "a character with this standard power cam summon a
> creature from the abyss, another dimension, or somewhere on earth." Does
> this mean that a person with this power can bring a creature from another
> dimension into Earth's dimension without the use of Extra-Dimensional
> Travel, Usable Against Others?

Yes, but only some creature that meets the specifications, not a specific
one. I can Summon a "fiend from the Pit", but I cannot Summon, "Lucifer,
chief of the fallen thrones". Alternatively, I can summon a Valkarie, but
not Brunhilda.

Filksinger

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 15:45:07 -0500 (CDT)
From: "Dr. Nuncheon" <jeffj@io.com>
Subject: Re: Wanted: Cerebral Worm

On Mon, 12 Apr 1999, Michael Surbrook wrote:
> On Mon, 12 Apr 1999, Jason Sullivan wrote:
>
> > Albumenous Trail that decends from Ceiling
>
> Stretching and or Clinging.

How about swinging? You can swing up...why not swing down? You'd probably
want to limit it in various ways, but I think it'd be a better model than
Stretching (since the worm probably wouldn't take BODY from having the
line cut.)

> > Reanimation
>
> SFX for another character type: Worm Zombie.

Alternately, Summon Worm Zombie, requires fresh corpse (-1), various other
limits. Or (I suppose) Transform: Corpse into Worm Zombie.

> > ...and figure out how to "launch" a Cerebral Worm attack from said
> > Automaton's head.
>
> I'd say SFX or Duplication on the part of the Zombie.

Could be Summon Cerebral Worm as well. (That sort of nasty vicious cycle
works well for Horror, IMHO...)

J

Hostes aliengeni me abduxerent. Jeff Johnston - jeffj@io.com
Qui annus est? http://www.io.com/~jeffj

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 17:01:47 -0400 (EDT)
From: Michael Surbrook <susano@dedaana.otd.com>
Subject: CHAR: The Shaggy Beast

[Another one for the Fantasy Hero crowd]

THE SHAGGY BEAST OF LA FERTE-BERNARD
(La Velue)
(France)

Val CHA Cost Roll Notes
45* STR 15 18- 12.8 tons; 9d6
18 DEX 24 13- OCV: 6 / DCV: 6
35 CON 60 17-
25* BODY 24 14-
5 INT -5 10- PER Roll 10-
10 EGO 0 11- ECV: 3
25 PRE 15 14- PRE Attack: 2d6
0 COM -5 9-
10* PD 4 Total: 20 PD / 10 PDr
10* ED 2 Total: 20 ED / 10 EDr
3 SPD 2 Phases: 4, 8, 12
12 REC 0
70 END 0 * Modifiers for Density Increase and
56* STUN 0 Growth included
Total Characteristics Cost: 146

Movement: Running: 7" / 14"
Swimming: 4" / 8"

Cost Powers & Skills
Combat Training:
10 Combat Skill Levels: +2 with HTH

Shaggy Beast Powers:
20 Great Size: Growth: 3 Levels, 0 END (+1/2), Persistent (+1/2),
Always On (-1/2)
7 Great Size: Density Increase: 1 Level, 0 END (+1/2),
Persistent (+1/2), Always On (-1/2)
Total: +20 STR, +3 Body, +1 PD / ED, +3 Stun, -2 DCV, +2 to others
PER, +1" reach, -1" KB
14 Tail: HA: +4d6, 0 END (+1/2), Rear 180 degrees only (-1/4)
20 Bite: HKA: 1d6+1 (2 1/2d6 with STR), END 2
35 Quills: HKA: 1/2d6, Armor Piercing (+1/2), Autofire 5 (+1/2),
Damage Shield (+1/2), 0 END (+1)
14 Flame Breath: RKA: 2d6, AoE: One Hex (+1/2), Reduced by
Range (-1/4), Increased END: x5 (-2), END 22
30 Shaggy Fur: Armor: 10 DEF
5 Breathe Water: Life Support: Breathe in unusual environment
(water)
2 Running: +1" (7" total), END 1
2 Swimming: +2" (4" total), END 1
5 Night Vision: UV Vision

Background Skills:
5 Concealment 11-
3 Stealth 13-
7 Tracking 12-
169 Total Powers & Skills Cost
315 Total Character Cost

75+ Disadvantages
25 Distinctive Features: Large green-furred beast with a snakes head
Physical Limitation:
10 Cannot leap
15 No fine manipulation
15 Psychological Limitation: Prefers to prey on children and maidens
(C, S)
5 Reputation: Monster of the Huisne 8-
25 Susceptability: 5d6 BODY instantly if tail is severed
150 Experience
315 Total Disadvantage Points

Appearance:
The Shaggy beast is as large as a bull with a rounded body covered in
thick greenish fur. It has a snake's head and a tail "shaped like a
serpent", while its hooved feet resemble those of a tortoise. Within the
Beast's fur are long stingers (or quills) that can prove lethal to the
unwary.

Ecology:
The Shaggy Beast is amphibious, dwelling in rivers by day and coming out
at night to raid stables and villages. It prefers the tender flesh of
children and young maidens, but will gladly feast on men, horses, deer and
cattle.

Motivations: Normal animal motivations. The Shaggy Beast is primarily
driven by hunger. It will raid storehouses, stables and villages for its
prey, catching and killing at it can eat. It it can't eat all it has
killed, it will drag the rest back to its river lair and feed on the
corpses later.

Combat Techniques:
Due to its thick hide, the Shaggy Beast very willing to engage in combat
with heavily armed and armored humans. In general, it prefers to use its
great mass as a weapon, trampling grouped foes while biting at those who
are not in its direct path. Quills hidden in its fur also provide an
excellent defense, and if charging through a mass of targets it is sure to
try and brush against as many as possible. (Consider this a side effect
of the creature performing a Move By or Move Through. Note that the Beast
has three levels of Growth, and is a full hex wide, it is going to be very
hard for it to miss if it tries to trample a human sized target.)

If sorely pressed or angry it will breath fire, but tries to avoid doing
so. Its tail is a rather fearsome weapon in its own right and the Shaggy
Beast will use it to topple men, cripple horse and destroy walls and
fences.

Other Names: "The Shaggy Beast" is the creatures English name, the French
called it "La Velue".

Rumors:
The Shaggy Beast is said to be invulnerable everywhere *except* for its
tail.

Designer's Notes:
I first found the Shaggy Beast (no Scooby jokes please) in a copy of GURPS
Bestiary and GURPS Fantasy Bestiary. The creature intrigued me and I was
very happy to find independent documentation for the Beast in "The Book of
Imaginary Beings" by Jorge Luis Borges. The Beast is a unique monster and
inhabited the River Huisne in France. It behaved pretty much as
described, and was finally slain by having its tail chopped in two. game
Masters may want to handle this in any of several ways. I personally have
not made any special modifiers for the tail, and have given the Beast a
large Susceptibility that activates if the tail is cut in two (figure you
need to do about 6-8 BODY to lop the tail in two... after defenses). One
could make the tail 0 DEF (and give a -1/4 lim to the Armor) and leave the
Susceptibility alone. Or, a GM could make the creature effectively
Invulnerable in the body (DEF 20 Armor?) and turn the Susceptibility in a
Physical Limitation "Dies if tail is cut in two". If the tail is
unarmored, remember that it should have minuses to hit... say -6 to -8?

As a side note, the GURPS write up gave it a snake's head for a tail. The
description I read in Borges book (which is where I'm betting the GURPS
author found the Beast) says the tail is "shaped like a serpent", which
one could interpret either way. I took the easy way out and gave it a
long snake-like tail.


- --
Michael Surbrook - susano@otd.com - http://www.otd.com/~susano/index.html

"Maybe I haven't destroyed enough stuff..."
Susano Orbatos, _Orion_

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 11:15:50 -0700
From: Bob Greenwade <bob.greenwade@klock.com>
Subject: Re: Question about Summon

At 10:41 AM 4/12/1999 -0400, Beren wrote:
>In the BBB, it states "a character with this standard power cam summon a
>creature from the abyss, another dimension, or somewhere on earth." Does
>this mean that a person with this power can bring a creature from another
>dimension into Earth's dimension without the use of Extra-Dimensional
>Travel, Usable Against Others?

Technically, within that context, and subject to the various
restrictions on Summon as a Power, yes.
- ---
Bob's Original Hero Stuff Page! [Circle of HEROS member]
http://www.klock.com/public/users/bob.greenwade/original.htm
Merry-Go-Round Webring -- wanna join?
http://www.klock.com/public/users/bob.greenwade/merrhome.htm

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 14:38:47 -0700
From: Bob Greenwade <bob.greenwade@klock.com>
Subject: Re: Non-Lethal Weapons

At 12:25 PM 4/12/1999 -0700, Filksinger wrote:
>From: Bob Greenwade <bob.greenwade@klock.com>
>>
>> Well, then I'm back to the AVLD. a 12DC AVLD is 4-1/2d6, which will do
>> 4 BODY on the average; vs a 2 PD normal, this will do 2 BODY, which is
>> fairly minimal, while it will do its full 4 BODY against concrete or an
>> airplane body, neither of which has any non-resistant PD.
>
>Let's see if I understand this. AVLD, defense is any PD that is
>non-resistant. Resistant PD is not a defense.

That's the idea, yes.
- ---
Bob's Original Hero Stuff Page! [Circle of HEROS member]
http://www.klock.com/public/users/bob.greenwade/original.htm
Merry-Go-Round Webring -- wanna join?
http://www.klock.com/public/users/bob.greenwade/merrhome.htm

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 15:40:06 -0700
From: "Filksinger" <filkhero@usa.net>
Subject: Re: Non-Lethal Weapons

From: Bob Greenwade <bob.greenwade@klock.com>



> At 12:25 PM 4/12/1999 -0700, Filksinger wrote:
> >From: Bob Greenwade <bob.greenwade@klock.com>
> >>
> >> Well, then I'm back to the AVLD. a 12DC AVLD is 4-1/2d6, which will
do
> >> 4 BODY on the average; vs a 2 PD normal, this will do 2 BODY, which is
> >> fairly minimal, while it will do its full 4 BODY against concrete or an
> >> airplane body, neither of which has any non-resistant PD.
> >
> >Let's see if I understand this. AVLD, defense is any PD that is
> >non-resistant. Resistant PD is not a defense.
>
> That's the idea, yes.

Unfortunately, that gives you a weapon that can readily destroy tanks, or
even Questonite, but doesn't hurt human beings, unless they buy Resistant
PD, in which case they are toast. Not quite what I had in mind.

How about:

6d6 EB, Stun Only, and 6d6 EB, Linked to first EB, only vs rigid targets
(-1/2). This gives an attack that only knocks normal human beings out, and
affects superheroes, but only does BODY damage against rigid objects. Thus,
buying a tough suit defined as "Resistant PD", that simply makes your normal
PD resistant, doesn't make you any worse off.

But Crystal Boy is in trouble.:)

Filksinger

------------------------------

Date: 12 Apr 1999 19:52:48 -0400
From: Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@peorth.gweep.net>
Subject: Re: CHAR: The Shaggy Beast

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* Michael Surbrook <susano@dedaana.otd.com> on Mon, 12 Apr 1999
| THE SHAGGY BEAST OF LA FERTE-BERNARD

Now you need to do Shaggy of Scooby-Doo fame.
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- --
Rat <ratinox@peorth.gweep.net> \ Happy Fun Ball may stick to certain types
Minion of Nathan - Nathan says Hi! \ of skin.
PGP Key: at a key server near you! \

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