Welcome to you're DOOM!!!
I'm going to be adding some history and background stuff as soon as I finalize it.
Speak up and let me know if you have any ideas or themes added to the game world.
I'm assuming it's the modern world...2014?
If so, I'll tie the origin story into Fukushima...
The game will start May 29, 2014 in Manhattan at 8:16pm.
I would love to know the state of the world and technology compared to now. The character I have in mind is one around electricity manipulation. Powers will be speed, quickness, electrical blasts/punches, teleportation through electrical wiring, regeneration from electrical sources, maybe alternate form of electricity and control of vehicles through electricity after touching them.
Here! Still undecided on the character as well. If I go radiation guy I might also be tied to fukushima.
Or I might go brick. Which would our party use more?
I am working on the "Captain Cosmos" Character right now. I don't want to step on toes.
- A lot of what he is going to be able to do is support from his spaceship.
- Currently he has an AI sidekick that remote controls technology. If someone else wants that shtick, i'm happy to give it up.
@Tenro - I also have a brick idea, but from people's basic description I thought a couple people were suggesting Bricks.
@Jolly - In previous posts Xabulba mentioned slightly more advanced than today, with some orbital habitats for example. It might make sense to pitch what you want, this is supposed to be collaborative.
Qnetic, alias of Reckless here.
I think I might need to change Recovery Mode to something else, or otherwise tweak it.
Im thinking either a radiation blaster, with some healing and maybe a way to absorb radiation to boost stuff.
or, an earth element based brick. Or something like the main character of Prototype
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I think EldonG's character was going to be radiation-based and brick like.... but not a blaster.... how about an Earthbender? :P
Also, Xabulba, if you don't like how I set up his power modes (groups multiple effects as array alt effects) I do have a few more traditional dynamic array versions I also worked on, just let me know and I'll polish one of those.
Edit: Misfits had an interesting take on a single event creating Supers. I kind of like mixing that with the Shadowspear storm from the Elementals. Something mysterious causing the rise of the next Heroic Age.
Captain Zed Cosmos of the Astral Zephyr reporting in. My stats are here!
I am open to critique on the build. Also, I am still open to changes in character or backstory to make the world work. I am a big fan of knowing at least some of my adventuring companions before the game begins.
Qnetic, alias of Reckless here.
I think I might need to change Recovery Mode to something else, or otherwise tweak it.
I not sure how you build the character, if each quantum state is an separate array then you could use one power from each array without having to switch states. I haven't checked but it looks like if you did it that way it would cost over 150pp. If you built each state out of 150pp and would switch between them when you want you would need to add the shapeshifting power to be able to do that.
I would love to know the state of the world and technology compared to now. The character I have in mind is one around electricity manipulation. Powers will be speed, quickness, electrical blasts/punches, teleportation through electrical wiring, regeneration from electrical sources, maybe alternate form of electricity and control of vehicles through electricity after touching them.
The tech level is slightly more advanced than our would. There are multiple space habitats, wi-fi and RIFD interconnectability is common worldwide and the few places it's not there is satellite wi-fi. The better equipped armies and police forces have energy blasters (lethal & non-lethal). Black-box and secret government facilities might have even more powerful weapon systems. the 1st and 4th amendments are also much stronger than in our US.
Captain Zed Cosmos of the Astral Zephyr reporting in. My stats are here!
I am open to critique on the build. Also, I am still open to changes in character or backstory to make the world work. I am a big fan of knowing at least some of my adventuring companions before the game begins.
Looks good, some more info on the relationship between Zed, Zephyr and A.T.H.E.N.A. would be good. Definitely like the Starlord vibe.
Yes, I need to write more back-story.
In broad strokes, A.T.H.E.N.A stays aboard the ship, running it, only occasionally venturing to computers on earth. ATHENA is very "Not human" and doesn't want to be. Her first priority is protecting the Zephyr, and her second priority is taking care of Zed and his family line.
ATHENA first called for Grandma, and only after finding her dead, did she call to Ben Kane(Zed). The A.I. was expecting that the family would return to their alien home-world, and was surprised that Zed had gone totally native, and that he was raised as an earthling.
I assume Ben's Family is still around to be worked into complications.
Captain Cosmos is fulfilling every Sci-fi wish that Ben ever had. He is not really thinking about the complications that could arise from openly commanding an alien spacecraft. I expect that governments and corporations, and all sorts of people will be curious about the "space hero".
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I not sure how you build the character, if each quantum state is an separate array then you could use one power from each array without having to switch states. I haven't checked but it looks like if you did it that way it would cost over 150pp. If you built each state out of 150pp and would switch between them when you want you would need to add the shapeshifting power to be able to do that.Qnetic, alias of Reckless here.
I think I might need to change Recovery Mode to something else, or otherwise tweak it.
Each "Mode" is a "Single" multi-effect ability, costing approximately 75 points. When he switches between "Modes"m he is changing to an alternate "Power" consisting of all the listed "effects". It does work like shapeshifting or some magic, but is being defined here as "Quantum Telekinetic Powers" (moving matter on a subatomic and multidimensional level.)
Well, in that case I might go with an earthy brick, perhaps with some gravity-based manipulation like earth bending but with other things than earth. Not wanting to go quite myatic with it.
although there is an urge to make Dr Strange! Hahaha
Each "Mode" is a "Single" multi-effect ability, costing approximately 75 points. When he switches between "Modes"m he is changing to an alternate "Power" consisting of all the listed "effects". It does work like shapeshifting or some magic, but is being defined here as "Quantum Telekinetic Powers" (moving matter on a subatomic and multidimensional level.)
Qnetic is not going to work the way he is now mostly because that is not how alternate powers work. You have each mode designed as an array but for you use them as an alternate power there needs to be a base power the alternate powers is based off. For example the Quantum Telekinesis Basic Mode from Qnetic, there isn't a base power that the flight, force field and telekinesis comes from. The mode is designed as an array and you can't have an alternate power for a array because an array isn't a power.
To make the character work the way you want you are going to have to get the shape-shifting power and create a separate power set for each quantum form you want to change into. The way Qnetic is designed now it's like he has 6 arrays but no alt powers.
An example of an alt power would be;
As the base power -
Quantum Telekinesis: Move Object 10 (25 tons, DC 25; Accurate 3: +6, Affects Insubstantial 2: full rank, Damaging, Dimensional 3: any dimension)
Offense
Then as 1st alt power -
. . Quantum Flight: Flight 8 (Speed: 500 miles/hour, 1 mile/round)
Then as 2nd alt power
. . Quantum Force Field: Protection 6 (+6 Toughness; Affects Insubstantial 2: full rank, Dimensional 3: any dimension, Impervious [4 extra ranks], Sustained)
Costing 22pp
instead of what you have is an array
Quantum Telekinesis Basic Mode
. . Quantum Flight: Flight 8 (Speed: 500 miles/hour, 1 mile/round)
. . Quantum Force Field: Protection 6 (+6 Toughness; Affects Insubstantial 2: full rank, Dimensional 3: any dimension, Impervious [4 extra ranks], Sustained)
. . Quantum Telekinesis: Move Object 10 (25 tons, DC 25; Accurate 3: +6, Affects Insubstantial 2: full rank, Damaging, Dimensional 3: any dimension)
Offense
Costing 22pp
The actual game-play difference is negligible because you would still only be able to one power at a a time, either the base power or an alt power or one power from the array. The only way you're going to able to use more than one power at a time is to use the shape-shifting power to create a different form to shift into that gives you the different power sets you want. Over all I think this would be better for you as each power setting (form) would give you, at rank 10, 50pp for traits, advantages and powers.
Here is is what I came up with for Qnetic using the shape-shifter power.
Unnamed Hero - PL 10
Strength 0, Stamina 4, Agility 4, Dexterity 4, Fighting 2, Intellect 2, Awareness 4, Presence 2
Advantages
Accurate Attack, All-out Attack, Jack-of-all-trades, Power Attack
Skills
Technology 4 (+6)
Powers
Shapeshifit: Variable 10 (Action 3: reaction)
Power Settings
Quantum Augmentation Mode (Powers: Quantum Metabolic Healing: Regeneration 9, Speed: Speed 5, Awareness +2 (+6), Dexterity +4 (+8), Presence +4 (+6), Stamina +2 (+6), Strength +4 (+4), Advantages: Improved Initiative 4)
Quantum Battle Mode (Powers: Blast: Damage 10, Flight: Flight 4, Force Field: Protection 6, Speed: Speed 4, Advantages: Improved Initiative 4)
Quantum Breakdown (Powers: Blast: Damage 5, Flight: Flight 3, Force Field: Protection 4, Move Object: Move Object 4, Quickness: Quickness 1, Regeneration: Regeneration 1, Speed: Speed 4, Teleport: Teleport 1, Stamina +2 (+6))
Quantum Exploration and Travel Mode (Powers: Dimensional Jump: Movement 3, Force Field: Protection 1, Life Support: Immunity 10, Quantum Breakdown: Teleport 8)
Quantum Recovery Mode (Powers: Quantum Self-Healing: Healing 9, Quantum Undetectability: Concealment 10)
Quantum Telekinesis Basic Mode (Powers: Flight: Flight 8, Force Field: Protection 6, Move Object: Move Object 9)
Offense
Initiative +4
Blast: Burst Area Damage 8 (DC 23)
Blast: Damage 10, +2 (DC 25)
Blast: Damage 5, +4 (DC 20)
Grab, +2 (DC Spec 10)
Move Object: Move Object 4, +4 (DC 14)
Move Object: Move Object 9, +4 (DC 19)
Throw, +4 (DC 15)
Unarmed, +2 (DC 15)
Languages
Native Language
Defense
Dodge 4, Parry 2, Fortitude 4, Toughness 4, Will 4
Power Points
Abilities 44 + Powers 100 + Advantages 4 + Skills 2 (4 ranks) + Defenses 0 = 150
You can also add new forms as game play progresses
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Here is is what I came up with for Qnetic using the shape-shifter power.
That form of Shapeshifting is a dynamic effect which can be used to take on any form. I'll look into setting it up as a Morph 1 (Quantum Form) affect with Metamorph 6, giving me 1 appearance change and 6 power sets. I can later use power points to increase the Metamorph to add additional sets.
Is anybody else out there interested in talking about the common origin? Cosmos's origin is written assuming he was present with the rest of you, or at least affected by the Origin event.
Either he's just insane and bringing his galactic hero fetish to life somehow... or the origin event re-activated his alien genetics and allowed A.T.H.E.N.A. to find him.
Here is is what I came up with for Qnetic using the shape-shifter power.
That form of Shapeshifting is a dynamic effect which can be used to take on any form. I'll look into setting it up as a Morph 1 (Quantum Form) affect with Metamorph 6, giving me 1 appearance change and 6 power sets. I can later use power points to increase the Metamorph to add additional sets.
I'm not trying to be nitpicky just trying help you build the best legal build hero you can. Morph is only for appearance is doesn't change your stats.
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I understand, and I know it's difficult to read "tone" on the internet (I appreciate the help, and my posts are for clarification too.) If you check out the Metamorph extra for Morph, you'll see that it lets you set your abilities in each form.
As it was, I think Qnetic was turning into a bit of a hot mess, so I paired it down to 3 forms- one focusing on things outside, one on "internal forces", and one that is a hybrid of the two.
EDIT: Relevant source text:
EDIT 2: Also, let me know if you think I need to take 2 ranks of Morph as well- right now I envision it as him taking on 3 different versions of the same person from different dimensions(so he can't use it to take on the appearance of other people, for instance), so I have it as 1 rank (specific form) but that may seem a bit cheddar so I'm more than willing to adjust it to 2 (narrow group) and adjust the other abilities accordingly.
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Is anybody else out there interested in talking about the common origin? Cosmos's origin is written assuming he was present with the rest of you, or at least affected by the Origin event.
Either he's just insane and bringing his galactic hero fetish to life somehow... or the origin event re-activated his alien genetics and allowed A.T.H.E.N.A. to find him.
Qnetic was flash-merged with a bunch of his alternate-dimensional selves when the event occurred, and changed from an ordinary guy into a superhero. He believes there is a reason behind this, and is driven to do good with what fate has handed him.
At this early stage, he's as much about controlling the overwhelming amount of power he has been handed as he is excited to become a "hero".
If you check out the Metamorph extra for Morph, you'll see that it lets you set your abilities in each form.
D'oh, wasn't looking at extras.
EDIT 2: Also, let me know if you think I need to take 2 ranks of Morph as well- right now I envision it as him taking on 3 different versions of the same person from different dimensions(so he can't use it to take on the appearance of other people, for instance), so I have it as 1 rank (specific form) but that may seem a bit cheddar so I'm more than willing to adjust it to 2 (narrow group) and adjust the other abilities accordingly.
You would need at least 1 rank in morph (with the metamorph extra) for each form you can take, so for three forms you would have to take morph at rank 2 anyway (original form and 2 extras).
Also the one player who didn't like the idea of each of you bearing the same mark isn't going to be playing. I want to put that idea out for consideration again as it fits into the overall story you're heroes are in.
The mark would look something like this Rising Sun
Is the mark something that was gained in the 'Origin event'?
Is the mark something we have always had?
I thought I read some talk about the 'origin event' being the earthquake and subsequent meltdown and the Fukushima power plant..
Another idea is that the 'origin event' is something that happened to all of us as children/teenagers that didn't translate into powers until later in life based on our individual power sources.
Most historians denounce the sources these quotes came from claiming then to be fake or products of delusional minds.
1587 - the Roanoke colony disappears, searchers describe the remains of the colony "...the remains (of the colony) were smudged as if it were a painting".
1754, French& Indian war - "The savages charged the fort unscathed by cannon, gun or knife" - survivor of Fort Necessity.
1781, American Revolution - "It was due to Washington's superhuman effort that allowed our meager forces to defeat the might of the British empire without ally or aid". - Thomas Payne
1859, Slave and Indian revolt - "Otis Grey's messianic personality was key the revolt's successes and Cockett's bullet ended Grey and his revolt". - Pecos Bill.
1864, US civil war, "A maelstrom of fire and ash proceeded Sherman's army across the south, none could withstand". - Mary Chestnut
1914, WWI, "The night sky over the tranches were lit by the amazing aerial battles between Capt. Biggles and the Red Hun. Sometimes they even used planes". Sgt. Algernon
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Morph only has 4 ranks:
Since 1 rank is a single other appearance, and that's all he does (he doesn't look different with the different power sets), that's what I was going with. If you want him to look different with each power set, I'd say 2 ranks should cover that; ie people of roughly your size and gender, although that would also technically let him look like any other men his approximate size (although maybe 2 ranks with a limit of only different "quantum versions" of himself would be ok?)
I really like that rising sun symbol, and it's existence on all of us would further inspire Qnetic's insistence that this is all for some reason/purpose.
Nice Quotes, too :)
Metamorph: Morph only changes your appearance; you still have all the traits of your normal form. This modifier allows you to have an alternate set of traits, essentially a complete alternate character you change into, one set of traits per rank in Metamorph. You would have to have at least 1 rank in morph and 2 ranks in metamorph to get 3 forms
Is the mark something that was gained in the 'Origin event'?
Is the mark something we have always had?
I thought I read some talk about the 'origin event' being the earthquake and subsequent meltdown and the Fukushima power plant..
Another idea is that the 'origin event' is something that happened to all of us as children/teenagers that didn't translate into powers until later in life based on our individual power sources.
You may have had it all your life or gotten it just before your powers maifested. It's up to you and what you want in you backstory.
[edited to remove cliffhanger comment]
Since we don't as players know what the mark means, we aren't able to make meaningful choices about it, and I don't want to throw off what you have in mind.
In Zed's case, I would think it is placed on him as part of activating the ship; binding it to him; and it is also a motif on the ship, but not in a big emblem like way. His emblem is more like the lego space ship mark.
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Metamorph: Morph only changes your appearance; you still have all the traits of your normal form. This modifier allows you to have an alternate set of traits, essentially a complete alternate character you change into, one set of traits per rank in Metamorph. You would have to have at least 1 rank in morph and 2 ranks in metamorph to get 3 forms
Ok, that's what I was thinking. I think we're both on the same page now. Thanks.
and...
One heck of a cliffhanger.
Since we don't as players know what the mark means, we aren't able to make meaningful choices about it, and I don't want to throw off what you have in mind.
In Zed's case, I would think it is placed on him as part of activating the ship; binding it to him.
Sorry I was leaving work and had to submit post or lose what I already wrote. I was going to mention that for Zed the mark could be a symbol on the hull of Zephyr and on the equipment ATHENA gives Zed.
Ok, that's what I was thinking. I think we're both on the same page now. Thanks.
Hooray
@Xab: Emblem on the ship and equipment works for me.
One other thing. I just read the Star-Lord entry on Wikipedia... wow.. I totally ripped him off. I had never heard of Star-Lord before you mentioned him. I had just dismissed the Guardians of the Galaxy as dumb-looking, and never picked them up.
I was going for a Buck Rogers/Flash Gordan/Star Trek vibe with a sprinkling of other random sci-fi thrown in.
so Star-Lord ;)
Exactly. ;)
Hmm, ok. Thinking of a guy who was exposed to radiation and has powers of cellular modification.
On that front, I bought the wrong book! It was the emerald city setting, not the book for powersand stuff.
Is there a density power anymore?
Hmm, ok. Thinking of a guy who was exposed to radiation and has powers of cellular modification.
On that front, I bought the wrong book! It was the emerald city setting, not the book for powers and stuff.
Is there a density power anymore?
No but you can still build similar effects. To control the density of your body you're best off going with alternate form power with the top end being solid (metal or rock) and the low end being ghost (intangible). For attacks just use the damage power and use descriptors to produce damage from extra or less weight. You could go with something like Qnetic has and use morph with the metamorph extra.
That should work. Looking at something like his cells surging up with growth, enveloping and hardening like a shell of biomass.
Would you recommend the same power for, say, being able to grow a blade of hard shell material over your hand?
That should work. Looking at something like his cells surging up with growth, enveloping and hardening like a shell of biomass.
Would you recommend the same power for, say, being able to grow a blade of hard shell material over your hand?
For most attacks, ranged or melee, you can use the damage power. All the damage power does is determine how powerful the attack is in ranks, your limit is 10. How the damage is caused and what it looks like is determined by your description (a descriptor of the power).
So if I were to want to be able to grow a blade, and also grow a hammer-like fist, would I have to take the damage power twice?
Do ranks of alternate form give me those listed powers? Or do I pay for those too?
@tenro - Try not to think of the powers as powers that you have to pick from like choosing a class. Think about what effects the powers have on the world. Then you build the power from that.
So for example... "I can change my density" is just a descriptor, what effect does that power provide?
When you are less dense are you insubstantial? That's the effect.
Are you larger and you can reach further?
Do you have a special attack where you are breathed in like a gas and knock someone unconscious?
You can build a set of powers called "Density control" that does all of these things.
Take the damage effect as an example:
My ray guns and your sword hand are both examples of "damage" powers. The difference is:
Ray gun has an increased range advantage.
Sword may have a penetrating advantage because it chops through tougher armor.
From the system point of view they are the same effect.
for example, A sword hand could have a higher attack bonus, and a lower damage than a hammer hand. Balance is maintained because you have to keep your attack (bonus (from attributes skills and powers) + damage)<21 on any particular attack.
So you could have an damage 1 power with a bonus to attack of +19. That power hits easily, but does almost no damage.
On the other hand you could make a hammer attack that is a damage 15 power with a total attack bonus of up to +5. Hard to hit, but when it lands, it hurts a lot.
I totally forgot this thread was here. Sorry!
Not positive, but it seems effects wise, Sir Quantum and my Magneto character would be really frackin similar, which means I might need a replacement concept.
@Captain Cosmos:
Ok, didnt know that about the attack/damage balance, still learning new rules.
I was thinking along those lines with density. He becomes heavier and more sold, and returns back to his normal form at the end. It's biomass that is maleable until he sets it. So he can coat his body with it and form solid skin, he can make his arm into a penetrating sword. He can run up walls, jump really far, etc. Working on things now, should have something up by tomorrow or the next day. Currently on a vacation visiting family and friends so time is a little scarce.