Valegrim, Psionic Fox, Courtfool, Razavel, and Set
Feel free to post thoughts on the kind of campaign you'd like to see and the characters you wish to make on this thread.
I'll be posting more ideas of my own over the next couple of days.
I should let you know, I've just started running a Shadowrun pbp, and a Call of Cthulhu pbp, plus I'm starting Second Darkness in my face to face campaign. I'll try to give this campaign the time and effort it deserves, which hopefully means I'll be able to post daily, but it might be every other day depending on how much work I find this all to be.
Right now I'm considering doing an "Agents of SCARE" series. The characters will work for SCARE (government agency) and will be sent on various missions to deal with various paranormal and alien threats. It will have a high level of investigation and espionage . I'm thinking power level 8.
I have not given much thought to character yet. I have G.U.R.P.S. Wildcards, but never used it.
PL8, eh? Any Feats, Powers or Modifiers you would like us to avoid?
I have wanted to play a ‘Face’ type character, but I find most systems largely marginalize charismatic networkers. I think M&M offers some decent mechanics, specifically the Feats Connected and Minions. That is even without getting funky with Powers like Mind Control.
I'll have to think on that one a bit. I'll probably go on a case by case basis- as in send me your concept and then I'll decide. Which means come up with a concept first and post your idea before going to all the trouble of stating it up and then having to make changes.
I have not given much thought to character yet. I have G.U.R.P.S. Wildcards, but never used it.
PL8, eh? Any Feats, Powers or Modifiers you would like us to avoid?
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I've got two concepts for you:
Mirage - An ace who can create realistic (quite possibly tangible) illusions and implant hypnotic-style suggestions in people. Mirage is technically a Duece (he's damn ugly), so he uses his illusion and suggestion powers to get around that.
OR
Shard - An ace with regeneration abilities, above average baseline physical traits (High strength, high Dex, high Con), who can 'summon' swords from his body.
Off the top of my head the first one sounds more interesting. However, I don't really understand what you mean by the second one. I'd need a bit more info about how this "summon swords" business would work.
I've got two concepts for you:
Mirage - An ace who can create realistic (quite possibly tangible) illusions and implant hypnotic-style suggestions in people. Mirage is technically a Duece (he's damn ugly), so he uses his illusion and suggestion powers to get around that.
OR
Shard - An ace with regeneration abilities, above average baseline physical traits (High strength, high Dex, high Con), who can 'summon' swords from his body.
I think a character like that would work well in this game.
I have wanted to play a ‘Face’ type character, but I find most systems largely marginalize charismatic networkers. I think M&M offers some decent mechanics, specifically the Feats Connected and Minions. That is even without getting funky with Powers like Mind Control.
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Off the top of my head the first one sounds more interesting. However, I don't really understand what you mean by the second one. I'd need a bit more info about how this "summon swords" business would work.
He got stabbed by a knife when his powers woke up, and the weapon was absorbed into his body. As a side-effect, he can now call forth all manner of blades from within his body. He concentrates, and a sword (or knife, or any other form of straight-edged blade) erupts from his chest (causing damage which heals pretty fast). He then proceeds to beat the daylights out of whoever pissed him off enough to go through that pain. It would probably work as the Device Power, with a set array of abilities.
And I agree - Mirage would be fun to play, but I'll let you choose. They're both pretty cool to my mind.
Well in terms of fitting in with the idea of a slightly more "realistic" style of superheroes game, I think that the first concept best fits the bill.
Off the top of my head the first one sounds more interesting. However, I don't really understand what you mean by the second one. I'd need a bit more info about how this "summon swords" business would work.He got stabbed by a knife when his powers woke up, and the weapon was absorbed into his body. As a side-effect, he can now call forth all manner of blades from within his body. He concentrates, and a sword (or knife, or any other form of straight-edged blade) erupts from his chest (causing damage which heals pretty fast). He then proceeds to beat the daylights out of whoever pissed him off enough to go through that pain. It would probably work as the Device Power, with a set array of abilities.
And I agree - Mirage would be fun to play, but I'll let you choose. They're both pretty cool to my mind.
Let me know where you guys live in the real world, as I'm trying to decide where exactly I'm going to set this campaign. I live in Toronto, so I'm considering trying to go with something close to home that I know well. However, I've travelled quite a bit so I'm familiar with plenty of other areas as well, and I could see the game having some globetrotting.
Meet Michael Jonathan Carter, AKA Mirage - A Freakish-looking Ace with the power to create realistic, solid illusions, coupled with th ability to make people do his bidding, provided he can speak to them.
SCARE has few Aces (the PCs being exceptions) and no history of having Jokers. However, they need people like you, so Mirage could be the one Joker they do have working for them. Of course he will likely be subject to a certain amount of prejudice.
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SCARE has few Aces (the PCs being exceptions) and no history of having Jokers. However, they need people like you, so Mirage could be the one Joker they do have working for them. Of course he will likely be subject to a certain amount of prejudice.
That's fine. He's not really a Joker (I think he would technically be a Duece, right?), as his powers are pretty awesome/useful. I'm thinking about giving him a rank or two of the morph power, so he can function normally, but it may be more fun to roleplay him if I don't do that.
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Southern New Hampshire for me.
My first idea would be a 3rd generation Swarmling (p 60) posing as an Ace. He'd have the standard abilities for his type, the skills of the Agent archetype from p 227 of the main book (as his 'job' was to infiltrate a government agency, before he lost contact with 'mom') and his 'Ace abilities' would be the ability to replicate within his own body the other properties of various Swarmlings (Corrosion 2 like a Flapper, Strike 2 (mighty) like a Pack Carnivore, Super-Movement 2 (wall-crawling) like a Leaping Spider, the Blast + Paralyze combo of a 'Killer Carpet', the Impervious Protection of an Ophidian Millipede and Flight 1 like a Flapper). Using each of these abilities would require him to shift his body around, growing wings or armored plates or claws, so he'd basically have Shapeshifting, but Flawed to only allow for these abilities.
My second idea would be an Ace with a force field that she can control on a minute level, even to deciding what frequencies of light and sound to allow through (allowing her to disguise herself, camoflauge herself, silence her footsteps and / or modulate her voice). The field itself generates great force as she mentally reshapes it, giving her something like superhuman strength (even if the strength and support is all in the energy field, not in her physical body). She can even reshape it to form bladed claws or 'glider wings' that allow her to fall safely from any height. She can't make the field extend more than a meter from her skin, 'though, so no long-range attacks (other than throwing stuff). She would be a no-nonsense black woman who looks a lot like Joanna Cargill (Frenzy), an occasional X-Men adversary.
He's not really a Joker (I think he would technically be a Duece, right?), as his powers are pretty awesome/useful.
Actually he would be a Joker/Ace. Ace and Deuce refer to strength and usefulness of powers. If it's powerful or useful, you are an Ace. If it's weak, rarely helps, or is just silly- you are a Deuce. Joker refers to the physical or mental deformities you acquire along with (or instead of) your power. Though certain deformities such as Peregrine's wings or Howler's enlarged throat are overlooked for an Ace.
P H D
I hope you don't mind if I kibbitz. I really enjoy character creation for supers, as well as the Wildcards world.
Btw, you might want to ask one of the Paizo staff to add another 'D' to the thread title. (Unless the 'Wilcards' was intentional)
All good Niel, and yes "Wilcards" is a mistake.
Both those ideas sound cool Set, whichever you prefer.
Southern New Hampshire for me.
My first idea would be a 3rd generation Swarmling (p 60) posing as an Ace. He'd have the standard abilities for his type, the skills of the Agent archetype from p 227 of the main book (as his 'job' was to infiltrate a government agency, before he lost contact with 'mom') and his 'Ace abilities' would be the ability to replicate within his own body the other properties of various Swarmlings (Corrosion 2 like a Flapper, Strike 2 (mighty) like a Pack Carnivore, Super-Movement 2 (wall-crawling) like a Leaping Spider, the Blast + Paralyze combo of a 'Killer Carpet', the Impervious Protection of an Ophidian Millipede and Flight 1 like a Flapper). Using each of these abilities would require him to shift his body around, growing wings or armored plates or claws, so he'd basically have Shapeshifting, but Flawed to only allow for these abilities.
My second idea would be an Ace with a force field that she can control on a minute level, even to deciding what frequencies of light and sound to allow through (allowing her to disguise herself, camoflauge herself, silence her footsteps and / or modulate her voice). The field itself generates great force as she mentally reshapes it, giving her something like superhuman strength (even if the strength and support is all in the energy field, not in her physical body). She can even reshape it to form bladed claws or 'glider wings' that allow her to fall safely from any height. She can't make the field extend more than a meter from her skin, 'though, so no long-range attacks (other than throwing stuff). She would be a no-nonsense black woman who looks a lot like Joanna Cargill (Frenzy), an occasional X-Men adversary.
I live in Texas. I would be more than happy to explore Toronto through your world though.
I am thinking of a former F.B.I. profiler who people just like. His power is very subtle and he has no control over it. It just is. No one has been able to identify exactly how it works. He does not produce any pheromones. He possesses no extraordinary mental abilities. People just like him.
Obviously, I have no problem with GM fiat for plot purposes this ability does not work on whomever the GM chooses. PCs are also immune to it. I am not sure exactly how I would build it yet. I am thinking Emotion Control, One Emotion, Subtle. How do I make it so that it affects anyone who has ever seen him? On top of that, Minions.
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How do I make it so that it affects anyone who has ever seen him?
You give it the Sense Dependant (Visual) Flaw, so that it only works when people see him. You wanted it to last after you're no longer around, right? You give it the Duration (Continuous) extra, and the Permanent flaw. Because it's has a lasting duration on it already, making it a continuous effect means that people do not get to make additional saves against the effect it has to be canceled or reversed by a different power. You also probably want an area effect on it too, so it hits the people around you (otherwise it just works on people you can perceive).
Lets work out the cost:
Emotion Control (2pp per rank) - Single Emotion Flaw (1pp per rank) - Sense Dependant [Visual] Flaw (0pp per rank) + Duration [Continuous; Lasting] Extra (1pp per rank) - Permanent Flaw (0pp per rank) + Area [Burst] Extra (1pp per rank).
Total cost: 1pp per rank.
I'd add the 'Subtle' Power Feat as well, as it will mean that people won't realise what you are doing to them. You could also ad the 'selective' Power Feat, so you can exclude people from the effect.
It's a fairly cheap power, that whilst limited in scope, can be pretty badass. You can only have a max rank of 8 though, making your save DC an 18.
That sounds good Courtfool. His powers won't be very flashy, but I'm sure he'll pull his weight. I would think that his power wouldn't have much effect on those who are in highly hostile or agitated states. I imagine it as a power that effects people who are indifferent to him and more or less relaxed. For instance it might work on a bouncer at a night club, but not against a criminal who is the middle of holding up a bank.
I had no idea it would be so cheap. No, I will not add selective since he has no control over it. A DC of 18 is fine. It is not intended to sway the Boss or even his Lieutenants. It provides resources outside of combat. I was even thinking of increasing the time, but it is already pretty cheap.
Yes, I am going to have add some stuff for him to be viable in combat. I was looking at some of the ‘enabler’ Feats; things that aid allies. A couple of combat effective minions could help too.
No, it would not work against someone already hostile. Agitated would depend on the circumstance. If he is not posing an obvious threat, they may consider what he is saying. And this is not a sacrifice their life for him Mind Control either (that is what minions are for). This is more a, “Hey! Joe Bob is a good friend of mine, why are you trying to kill him?”
His name is Joe Bob...?
I had no idea it would be so cheap. No, I will not add selective since he has no control over it. A DC of 18 is fine. It is not intended to sway the Boss or even his Lieutenants. It provides resources outside of combat. I was even thinking of increasing the time, but it is already pretty cheap.
Yes, I am going to have add some stuff for him to be viable in combat. I was looking at some of the ‘enabler’ Feats; things that aid allies. A couple of combat effective minions could help too.
No, it would not work against someone already hostile. Agitated would depend on the circumstance. If he is not posing an obvious threat, they may consider what he is saying. And this is not a sacrifice their life for him Mind Control either (that is what minions are for). This is more a, “Hey! Joe Bob is a good friend of mine, why are you trying to kill him?”
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No, it would not work against someone already hostile. Agitated would depend on the circumstance. If he is not posing an obvious threat, they may consider what he is saying. And this is not a sacrifice their life for him Mind Control either (that is what minions are for). This is more a, “Hey! Joe Bob is a good friend of mine, why are you trying to kill him?”
Technically, you could just give him a 'Limited (does not work against hostiles)' drawback, for 1pp. That way, it mechanically doesn't work in those situations, as opposed to just via RP, otherwise it would just work regardless.
Another cool thing would be if he was immune to powers like mind control, or something - like his natural ability sort of counters that effect.
Just a thought.
Mind Shield could be a good investment for him.
It sounds like you guys have some ideas for some builds, so let's see about getting them put together over the next few days.
Keep in mind when creating your backgrounds that you will be working for SCARE (see Wildcards chapeter 5). The organization is trying to clean up their image a little with the wildcarders of the world, so they have hired various deuces and aces as agents- you folks are among their best.
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Downloading Wild Cards PDF.
Should be able to post my PC soon. However, I might need some help with the math. I still am very much confused on the costing for power feats and alternate powers. Please bare with me.
Alternate powers are power feats, and all power feats cost one Power Point. In cases were a feat can be bought more than once (Eg. Progression), each rank of the feat costs one PP.
Basically, an alternate power is a separate setting for a power. Eg. Telekinesis/Force field. The points spent on the Alternate power cannot exceed the points spent on the base power (not including points spent to obtain alternate powers).
To follow the example:
Forcefield 10 (Extras: Impervious [+1]; 20pp)
AP:Telekinesis 10 (1pp)
The power costs 21 pp in total, and you can only use one ability at a time. It's cheaper than buying them separately, but it comes with drawbacks.
First draft of the character is now in the profile for this alias.
Manny's looking good! I haven't checked over all the math, but at a glance it looks pretty good. At any rate I think he'll be a fun character to run.
First draft of the character is now in the profile for this alias.
First draft of the character is now in the profile for this alias.
Nice. Lots of angsty opportunity there.
Set, Manny is beautiful! My players usually just go to 'Instant Heroes' and say 'I want that, but can you change this.'
A couple of questions
-PH D. Are you requiring the equiptment feat for normal gear?
-Set, you took Drawbacks to reflect the reduced range of Paralyze and Blast (bone spear).If you took the Flaw: limited to range of linked power, the bone spear could be rank 3 for the same cost (making it equal in dam, if not range, to your pistol). Similiarly, Paralyze would only cost 9 pts.
-Set, does Paralyze require that the target be wounded by the bone needle (a further limitation)?
Joseph Charme
Joseph Roberto Charme was born to Michael and Mary Charme Sunday, August 1, [campaign year-24] at Kingston General. Michael was a salesman and Mary stayed home to manage the household.
Mary was killed in a tragic car accident involving an intoxicated driver when Joseph was only two years old. Mary’s mother and father, Josephine and Roberto, helped the devastated Michael raise the young boy. After the accident, the family moved to Toronto.
Despite the early tragedy, Joseph was an easy going and likeable child. He enjoyed hockey and rugby. He attended Toronto Independent High School (T.I.H.S.) where he was captain of the rugby team, the debate team and class president. While in high school, he developed an interest in psychology and decided to pursue a degree in that field once he was at university.
Joseph was accepted to the University of Toronto and awarded a J. Davidson Ketchum Graduate Scholarship in Psychology. He also played for the Varsity Blues Men’s Rugby team.
Joseph had many romantic relationships, however, none of which lasted longer than seven months. He believes the loss of his mother has scarred him and that, subconsciously, he fears losing someone so close to him again.
While at the university, Joseph was recruited by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) to be a criminal profiler. After serving two years with the CSIS, he was recruited by S.C.A.R.E.
It is unclear whether Joseph actually developed any powers. He is charismatic and maintains a large network of friends. It has been suggested that his charisma is supernatural, however, no tests have been able to identify anything unnatural about him.
The tragic loss of his mother has emotionally wounded Joseph. Although he would be hesitant to admit it, he deeply fears being alone. He constantly surrounds himself with others, and while he does care about them, he fears developing an intimate relationship with anyone.
Joseph is naturally curious and enjoys meeting new people. He makes friends easily and works diligently to stay in touch with them all. It is not uncommon for him to spend two whole days sending out Christmas cards. Joseph likes to stay active and still plays rugby on the CSIS league. He is fluent in English, French and Spanish with a smattering of Latin.
I forgot to mention Joseph is still very close to his father and grandparents. They should prove great hooks.
You give it the Sense Dependant (Visual) Flaw, so that it only works when people see him. You wanted it to last after you're no longer around, right? You give it the Duration (Continuous) extra, and the Permanent flaw. Because it's has a lasting duration on it already, making it a continuous effect means that people do not get to make additional saves against the effect it has to be canceled or reversed by a different power. You also probably want an area effect on it too, so it hits the people around you (otherwise it just works on people you can perceive).
Lets work out the cost:
Emotion Control (2pp per rank) - Single Emotion Flaw (1pp per rank) - Sense Dependant [Visual] Flaw (0pp per rank) + Duration [Continuous; Lasting] Extra (1pp per rank) - Permanent Flaw (0pp per rank) + Area [Burst] Extra (1pp per rank).
Total cost: 1pp per rank.
I'd add the 'Subtle' Power Feat as well, as it will mean that people won't realise what you are doing to them. You could also ad the 'selective' Power Feat, so you can exclude people from the effect.
Actually, there are some problems with this write up. Single Emotion, Sense dependent, and Duration (continuous;lasting) are all correct. But Area effect(burst) is unnecessary since Emotion control already has a range of Perception (though some rule books have a typo listing range as 'will'). Also, permanent refers to the duration of the power, not the action of using it.
Instead, the power should be
Emotion Control base cost 2pp / rank
One Emotion (love) Flaw -1pp/rank
Sense Dependent (visual) Flaw -1pp/rank
Duration Continuous(lasting) Extra +1pp/rank (this still means it lasts until countered, with no additional saves)
Now we add
Action (from standard to reaction) Extra +3pp/rank (this means it activates whenever anyone sees you)
Uncontrolled Flaw -1pp/rank (This means you cannot shut it off)
Total cost 3pp/rank.
Note: This is almost exactly the power of The Envoy (pg 112 of 'Wildcards' book) except the sense is visual and his is not Uncontrolled.
The Feat:Subtle is still a good idea (2 ranks of it make the power use completely unnoticable). And you might consider taking a Complication to represent the people who are deeply in love with you (having tanked their Will save). Selective would be an Extra, since the power requires a save, and doesn't really reflect the uncontroled aspect of the power.
Also, Courtfool, you may want to use power stunts for the Minions, rather than buying them continiously. That way, they are people around you right now instead of people you have cultivated. In that case, Purchase ranks in Feat: Luck for more Hero points. Or do both for flexibility and pre-planning. Alternatively, you could power stunt (or have) an Alternate Power of Emotion Control for Summon Minions (with a flaw of calls-real-people).
Thank you, niel.
3pp/rank seems fair.
2 ranks of Subtle sound exactly like the effect I was looking for. The Complication is an excellent idea. Alex Forrest anyone? I am still not sure why I would need Selective.
I was heavily leaning towards Minions since I could buy the number up on the Progression chart. They do not have to be powerful. I am hesitant on taking Luck. I understand the meta game reasoning…it just feels like min/maxing to me. Alternate Power: Summon is another great idea. I do not know why I did not think of it before.
Oops. I meant to start my last two posts with:
Hope ya'll don't mind me kibbitzing and please feel free to tell me to 'butt out'.
Selective would answer the question of why the PCs don't love you. Of course Uncontrolled answers the question if it also means that your power doesn't effect everyone you meet. (as well as meaning that you have no control of on or off)
Selective would answer the question of why the PCs don't love you.
Who says they don’t? (sly grin)
That makes sense. I was thinking it effects most everyone except whomever the GM does not want it to affect. Do I really need a mechanic to allow GM fiat?
Maybe it should be Permanent instead of Uncontrolled.
Personaly, I like Uncontrolled to give the GM the choice. More roleplay stuff as you try to understand why your power works on some but not others.
Why does this homeless guy like me but the supermodel doesn't?
Ah, I see where you are coming from. It is not so much a random thing. It works on everyone, except the NPCs the GM specifically wants to protect for plot purposes.
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Set, Manny is beautiful! My players usually just go to 'Instant Heroes' and say 'I want that, but can you change this.'
Ah, but I did something very much like that! I took the 3rd Gen Swarmling (Wild Cards p 60), tacked on the skills and attributes of the Government Agent (core book p 227), and then rounded it out with the various powers and feats of the other generations of Swarm (WC p 57-60). I went 13 pp over cost, so I then stepped down some of the skills and attributes gained from the human government agent, and justified it as 'signal loss' that occured during whatever freaky assimilation process was used to steal his memories and implant them into the Swarmling.
It was a bit more complicated than saying, 'Gadgeteer, but I want his jetpack to be a Winged Cloak, his force field harness to be the Invulnerable Coat of Arnd and his raygun to be Javelins of Lightning!' but it was still basically grabbing and twisting pre-existing stuff.
On a side-note, Instant Heroes is my favorite M&M product since Ultimate Power. So many awesome possibilities!
-Set, you took Drawbacks to reflect the reduced range of Paralyze and Blast (bone spear). If you took the Flaw: limited to range of linked power, the bone spear could be rank 3 for the same cost (making it equal in dam, if not range, to your pistol). Similiarly, Paralyze would only cost 9 pts.
Possibly, yes, but the sample I was working from used a -1 pt Drawback to reduce the range, so I decided not to push past that for a few more points.
-Set, does Paralyze require that the target be wounded by the bone needle (a further limitation)?
Again, probably yes, but I wasn't really that starved for points, and I was copying from a fairly un-optimal template anyway. (Sketchy ones, at times, as well. The Pack Carnivores are described as having great speed, but have no ranks in Speed, and the Flappers are described as flying, but had no ranks in Flight!)
I kept having to delete stuff as well, when I'd realize that I was going over my defensive caps. I was supposed to pick up Dodge Focus 3 as part of the 'package,' but after the Protection from Shapeshifting, I would have been bustin' caps all over the place. I fine-tuned him so that he only meets his offensive caps when shapeshifted to use his claws and his defensive caps when growing armored plates, which means that he will always have a choice to make, and never be fully capped out.
I appreciate the input Niel. I'm far from an expert on the system, so I could use someone to review the characters and make some useful suggestions.
Basic gear will be provided as needed by the agency and won't require PP expenditure. The agency will be able to provide more high end stuff depending on the requirements of the mission, and if you feel you need a specific piece of gear you can put in a request, though due to funding issues and such, your request may or may not be granted.
Yes
Thanks, man. :D
SCARE - Senate Committee on Ace-Related Endeavors?
I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of these characters. Keep the good stuff rolling in.