Adult: GUCK Development Forum again

[VVrayven]

Yours drill-sergeant-esquely,

Yes Sir! Reporting in! ::girlscout salute::

1. I think the core mechanic is solid and done. It needs no tweaking IMHO and I say we go with it!

2. Status Conditions. I think the final print form of all these is good. Meaning. I believe this set is the set that should be used:

STATUS CONDITIONS

Note: The Physical and Mental conditions below only affect creatures with a sexual alignment; constructs, elementals, plants, undead, vermin and suchlike are immune to their effects.

Physical conditions (arousal)
These conditions overlap (do not stack) with each other; a given character only suffers penalties for the most profound of them. For the purposes of rules text,Peaked, Climaxed and Ecstatic characters are also considered ‘Aroused’, as Peaked, Climaxed and Ecstatic are stronger forms of Arousal.

Aroused
Aroused characters are physically aroused and ready for congress, males having become erect and females lubricated. Unless compensated for somehow, any attempts at conventional intercourse without being Aroused beforehand incur a -5 circumstance penalty on the Prowess check. Aroused characters suffer a -2 arousal penalty to all non-sensual attack rolls, skill checks and saves for five minutes (one minute if in inappropriate conditions, including combat). Successful spellcasting requires a Concentration check (DC 10 + spell level). An Aroused character that is not yet Horny must make a Will save (DC 10) each round or become so. A successful Spot check (DC 15 male, 20 female) will give away this condition in another person.

Peaked
Peaked characters are in a heightened state of arousal; their skin flushes with blood, their heart rate and breathing accelerates and they are on the approach to climax. The vivid sensations coursing through their bodies cause Peaked characters to suffer a -4 arousal penalty to all non-sensual attack rolls, skill checks and saves for five minutes (one minute if in inappropriate conditions, including combat). When this period expires, characters are Aroused instead. They require a Concentration check (DC 20 + spell level) to cast spells successfully, and if not Horny require a Will save (DC 15) each round to avoid becoming such. A successful Spot check (DC 5 male, 10 female) will give away this condition in another person.

Climaxed
Climaxed characters are overcome by waves of pleasurable sensation, either held in the rapture of an orgasm or teetering on the cusp of one. They are considered Helpless whilst the condition lasts (usually one round) unless they can make a Fortitude save (DC 30). If they are successful, they may act as if slowed but with a -8 arousal penalty to all non-sensual actions. Spellcasting requires a Concentration check (DC 30 + spell level) to be successful. The condition is obvious to all onlookers.

A Climax typically lasts one round before dissipating, after which a male character is considered Fatigued. A female character can sustain a number of rounds of Climax equal to their Constitution modifier (minimum one) before becoming Fatigued. However, a skilled bedmate or spellcaster may prolong the experience with further Prowess checks or sensual magics; if so, each round spent in Climax after the first one spent Climaxed or Ecstatic deals one point of temporary Wisdom damage unless the character can pass a Will save (DC = Prowess check result or spell save DC). After this period the character may suffer Sexual Fatigue: see pXX for details.

Ecstasy
Not all orgasms are equal and these are the best of them: an Ecstatic character is lost to courses of blissful pleasure, lost to the world and held deeply in the rapture of exquisite sensation. They are considered Helpless whilst the condition lasts (usually one round) unless they can make a Fortitude save (DC 40). If they are successful, they may act as if slowed but with a -16 arousal penalty to all non-sensual actions. Spellcasting requires a Concentration check (DC 40 + spell level) to be successful. The condition is obvious to all onlookers.

An Ecstatic state typically lasts one round before dissipating, after which the character is considered Fatigued. A character brought to Ecstasy must make a Will save or suffer one point of temporary Wisdom damage (DC = Prowess check result or spell save DC). However, a skilled bedmate or spellcaster may prolong the experience with further Prowess checks or sensual magics; if so, each round spent in Ecstasy after the first one spent Climaxed or Ecstatic deals 1d3 points of temporary Wisdom damage unless the character can pass a Will save (DC = partner’s check result or spell save DC).

Mental conditions (horniness)
These conditions overlap (do not stack) with each other; a given character only suffers penalties for the most profound of them. For the purposes of rules text, Lustful and Delirious characters are also considered ‘Horny’, as Lustful and Sexually Delirious are stronger forms of Horniness. The penalties incurred by arousal and horniness do not stack; a given character only takes one set of arousal penalties and makes one Concentration check for spellcasting, taking the most severe value in each case.

Horny
Horny characters are mentally psyched up and raring to go. Characters can typically become Hornyby their own discretion unless extenuating circumstances prevail; DMs should feel free to set a Will save in such circumstances.

Unless they can make a Will save (DC 10) for each minute they remain in this state, characters will approach any desirable partners present with advances, regardless of how out-of-place their comments may seem. They need a similar check each round to abstain from sexual activity should the opportunity present itself.

Indecent thoughts cloud the mind of a Horny character, causing them to suffer a -2 arousal penalty to all non-sensual attack rolls, skill checks and saves for five minutes (one minute if in inappropriate conditions such as combat), and twice this amount to saves against arousal effects, seduction and spells with the [Arousal] descriptor. Successful spellcasting requires a Concentration check (DC 10 + spell level). A successful Sense Motive check will give away this condition in another person (DC 20).

Lustful
A Lustful character not only desires sex, they crave it - their mind is consumed by lust and they seek to lose themselves in the sweet dreams of a libido without bounds. Such powerful desire seldom has a mundane basis, and can typically only be brought about by powerful sexcraft, carnal magics or exotic substances.

Unless they can make a Will save (DC 20) each minute they are in this condition, a Lustful character makes moves toward any possible partners, in accordance with their sexual alignment. If rebuffed, characters of evil alignments or low wit may attempt to rape the subjects of their attentions; others are likely to masturbate until they find relief. A successful check allows them to act normally, but with the penalties listed below. Should an opportunity arise, the character needs to make a similar Will save each round to avoid indulging.

Lustful characters suffer a -4 arousal penalty to all non-sensual attack rolls, and twice this amount to saves against arousal, seduction and spells with the [Arousal] descriptor. Lustfulness typically lasts ten minutes, regardless of circumstances, before residing to Horniness. If the condition is brought about by an effect with a fixed duration, Lustfulness lasts that long. Successful spellcasting requires a Concentration check (DC 20 + spell level). A successful Sense Motive check (DC 10) gives away the condition in another person.

Delirious
A Delirious character is beyond the reach of the world and lost in a private world of sensuality, devoid of the will to do anything but satisfy an all-consuming desire for base pleasure. This is not by any means a natural state - only through the machinations of powerful enchantments or by having their Wisdom reduced to 3 or lower whilst aroused can a character enter this state.

Unless the character succeeds in a Will save (DC 30) each round, they are considered Helpless, incapable of taking any action beyonds seeking out the nearest source of sexual relief and indulging themselves They lack the awareness to make seduction attempts, instead throwing themselves at whatever looks most satisfying - sexual alignment plays a role where there is a choice of partners, but beyonds that a Delirious character will consent to pretty much anything and anyone. They fail any saves they are required to make, and are suggestible as if hypnotised.

If the check is successful, the character may act with a -8 arousal penalty to all non-sensual actions (twice this amount to saves against arousal, seduction and spells with the [Arousal] descriptor), spellcasting only being possible with a Concentration check (DC 30 + spell level). They will remain in this state until their Wisdom rises above 3 or, more likely, they pass out through over-exertion. A Delirious character’s condition is obvious to the most casual look.

Other Conditions

Unwilling
If a character does not wish sexual activity, they may declare themselves Unwilling. An Unwilling character may not attempt any Prowess checks unless they are solely used to resist sexual activity. The character is considered to automatically succeed any Fortitude or Will save to resist sexual advances and arousal and cannot be aroused by mundane means. If the setting supports an Non-Consensual atmosphere, a bonus (1 to 100 or higher) may be added instead of the automatic success. Becoming lustful negates the benefits of being Unwilling. Any attempt at sexual activity with an Unwilling partner is considered an act of rape.

Fatigued
In addition to standard penalties to Strength and Dexterity, any Prowess checks made to stimulate a Fatigued character suffer a -2 penalty. Fatigued characters can sustain a number of Climaxes equal to their Constitution modifer before becoming Exhausted. Undergoing an Ecstatic state whilst Fatigued results in character becoming Exhausted afterward.

Exhausted
In addition to standard penalties to Strength and Dexterity, any Prowess checks made to stimulate a Exhausted character suffer a -6 penalty. As Exhaustion overlaps Fatigue, only apply the largest penalty of the two. An Exhausted character who becomes Climaxed sustains one point of subdual damage per HD. An Exhausted character who becomes Ecstatic sustains subdual damage sufficient to make him pass out, plus an additional point of subdual damage per HD.

I don't think Disinterested on Uninterested need be a status condtion. I think a general MOOD modifier set by the DM should be applied instead. Unwilling as a hard effect, Uninterested is too specific and would only provide a penalty (something a modifier handles better).

3. We need a MASTER list of Modifiers to the Prowess roll. From circumstance to syngery. I'll get started on this, but it really isn't my best field. This should probably be the next big priority.

4. Sex Arts. The system DbS presented is sound and wonderful. We need more arts. I'm working on two right now (a CHA and DEX one). Perhaps have some cascade ones that build on weaker ones too. Maybe... We can add these as we go or finish them all now.

5. Handling NC. Sidebar? Chapter? Large Section? I personally think we should include some feats, tag them as VILE and have a long paragraph discussion its place in campaigns and our personal stance as authors.

6. After this we need feats. I'm working on a master list, but I need a lot of help with this too.

7. Move on to the rest.

<end salute>

I think 1 and 2 are done! Let's move on to 3 and 4 and 5. Best wishes to all. I'll post again soon!

 

[Death By Surfeit]

Good work, soldier.

I agree that the core mechanics and the status conditions you posted are great; unless anyone has any recommendations or alterations to make, I’ll start wrangling them in to the draft copy (GUCK MECHANICS v0.2) now.

A master set of modifiers is definitely in order – I’ll get scribbling away at once and post them over the course of the next few days. What I would like to know from the group is whether they should affect the Prowess DC, the Prowess roll, or some of each (eg frets and circumstances add to DC, technique inappropriateness and skill synergy affect the roll)?

I look forward to what everyone can come up with in terms of Carnal Arts, whether they be alterations to existing ones (do we want only five manoeuvres in each?) or new ones. In future supplements *touches wood* we could add epic-level extensions to existing Carnal Arts…. *drools*

As regards our position on NC situations, well we could include a reference to them in the mechanics, perhaps a specific feat or two and the explanatory sidebar. We’d have to discuss what exactly IS our stance as authors, although we can embroil ourselves in that a little later on. Just don’t tell KahunaBurger .

Feats are a significant stickling point. The Carnal Arts, in my opinion, caters for everyone who wants to enhance their sexual capabilities by their use, so I would think that the remaining feats relate more toward practical application – more along the lines of the arousing sneak attack, channel sensual energy, coital casting and so on. Again, I’ll post up some ideas and compare notes with the rest of you.

Please, any contributions or material people have for modifiers, feats, carnal arts and such are as warmly received as ever – your editing board needs YOU!

At ease!

DbS

 

[Sorn]

Layout Corporal Sorn reporting for duty. (I'll skip any references to standing at attention, as I think that this is the wrong thread for that )

The core mechanics look sound. I second VVRayven's approval. Same goes for her Status Conditions. Excellent job to all involved.

Carnal Arts: I think we can safely say that once the basic rules are in place (which I think they are), we can proceed to the next item on our list. We can always add new CA's as they are conceived (and I really didn't mean to pun here either... it just slipped out).

NC stuff: I think our position is that NC is wrong. We do not condone, encourage, etc. any forced sexual acts. The mechanics for NC situations are included for completeness. Be careful and make sure your group is not offended if you include this material.

One side note we might want to include is the use of spells and other non-modern aspects. Does Charm Person constitute as rape?

Epic Level stuff: Web enhancement? Shouldn't be too long, so could easily be handled in a WE.

 

[Asher]

An observation: what do people think about making CHA a relevant attribute regardless of the situation? That is, a typical half-orc barbarian type may well be using STR as his relevant attribute and applying that modifier to his Prowess check accordingly, but the penalty for his low CHA score would still be applied to the check as well.

This seems reasonable to me insofar as a strong (or dexterous, or intelligent) but unattractive person (both in appearance and personal "presence") still isn't likely to be as successful a lover as a person who has both advantages. As another example, Joe Warrior with STR 16 / CON 14 / CHA 10 will still find it hard to compete with Mr. Knight in Shining Armor who has the same physical stats but also possesses CHA 16. Retaining the CHA mod in (almost) all cases would reflect that general truth. Not that we have to strive for perfect realism in every way, of course, but this strikes me as a more or less simple, intuitive, and correct rule.

A question: has anyone run tests (I'll bet DbS has) to see what the typical sexual endurance (measured in rounds) of a character is using the Arousal DC table? That was one of my minor gripes about the rules from a few months ago: there was little means for a character without a fantastic CON score to improve his endurance. In the real world, ordinary folks can easily learn methods for prolonging an encounter; they don't have to be super-men and -women. Is there an elegant way to make some such provision for characters (mostly male) who want to improve their chances of making that crucial Fort save?

 

[VVrayven]

Lt. Writer Wrayven here!

10 Points for your reading Enjoyment!

1. On Synergy
I think only the highest single synergy bonus should apply. This keeps the system intact and allows Rank 9 "Love of Many" to have some flavor and real game effect.

2. Something I forgot: Kinks (this needs to be cleaned up)

Kinks are sexual turn-ons and turn-offs. They are the parts of sexuality that define a character's amourous ideals, much as alignment defines the character's morale and ethical ideals. Kinks are individual descriptors and under most circumstances more than one can apply to a character at once. Kinks cannot be lost or gained in the normal sense. Some advanced sexual methods might "lend" a kink to a person for a short time, but in order to actually aqquire the kink, the sexual activity must be a part of either an intense sexual encounter (gratification 30 or higher), be part of a horrid scarring experience, or be done repetitivly over a long period of time. Character can select 1d4+1 kinks on character creation.

Fetishes and Frets:
This is the lesser category. It will contain the subjects of oral sex, certain positions, submission, bondage, etc... Fetishes are things they are into, Frets are things they aren't. Sharing a common fetish may provide a +1 or +2 syngery bonus (note my comment above, this won't stack with other synergy!). A fetish/fret mismatch might impose a circumstance penalty.

Philias/Phobias:
These can be similar to the above with a stronger effects or all new conditions such as Nympho... These can apply +3 or +4 syngery or a much larger circumstance penalty.

Sexual Diseases and Conditions can impose kinks.
This all needs a lot more work obviously, but I didn't hear much on it the first time around, yet now I heard DbS refer to a "fret" <hugs for him> I'm glad you liked the idea. So, lets flesh this part of the mechanic out.

3. Profs... Are we treating Prowess like perform? What was the final verdict? How does this effect tricks like "Improvisation"?

4. "Joy of the Spirit" has a typo, should be Wis instead of Cha, not Int.

5. Can mutliple Arts be used at the same time?

6. How many times can Manuvers be activated? Is there a limit? I think there needs to be.

7. Pleasing Multiple People, Multiple Prowess Checks???
How are we handling this? "Love for Many" seems to imply a -4 for each partner beyond the first with an unlimited ceiling. I disagree. I think we should allow -4 for each person beyond the first and say a max equal to either Dex Mod, or one for every two or three ranks in prowess? Comments? Also this would balance the unlimited partners problem possed by a Rank 12 "Love of Many".

8. Clothing Steps
Those annoying clothes... I recomend at least a sidebar address this as a general modifier to prowess checks. Say "clothing" is one step. "Complex Clothing" such as eleborate, multilayered court outfits might count as two steps. Armor counts as either one step per grade (i.e. light = 1 step, medium = 2, etc...) or light and medium count 1 and heavy counts 2. Additional things like complex or intricate locks, strings, or ties, might increase a clothing or armor by +1 (masterwork???). All clothing steps stack. So a person in clothes and light armor would have two clothing steps. Each clothing step incurs a -3 penalty to prowess checks. Prowess checks instantly fail against three steps or higher unless you have "secret affair" (which reduces all steps by one) or a similar ability. What do you all think? Too complicated? Personally I think is sums up all clothing easily.

9. "6 Ranks Prowess - Selflessness"
I think this is too powerful for Rank 6. Either double bonus from Con on prowess checks or gain the bonus to resist. It is a "sexual combat" trick, and thus shouldn't give too advantages with no penalty.

10. My new two new Carnal Arts:

ART OF THE YEARNING ROSE (Cha)
While some are selfish in their love and others only concerned for their partner's joy, the Way of the Rose uses both, feeding a partner's attentions back to them. The goal is always to bring one's partner the ultimate joy, but only be giving them the power of your own climax. This Art is seldom acquired outside of the Courtesans’ Guild or by the devote followers of the patorns of love and lust.

3 Ranks Prowess - Devoted Thoughts
May be activated as a free action. For one turn, you may automatically succeed any Concentration checks incurred because of arousal. This ability is instantaneous.

6 Ranks Prowess - Urging Love
You move your body and emmit your own pleasure back to your partner. May be activated before any Prowess check. If your partner has a lower physical arousal than you, you may double your Cha modifier to prowess checks. At 12 ranks you may triple it. This ability lasts until you and your partner's physical arousals are equal.

9 Ranks Prowess - Climax Transferal
As your body submits to armous attentions you may force your partner to do so as well with small cries and deft body movement. May be activated before any Prowess check when you start the round with climax or greater physical arousal. Your prowess check instantly matches the DC neccessary to make your partner's physical arousal equal your own. This ability is instantaneous.

12 Ranks Prowess - Fire of the Mind
Using the energy of your own firery passion you can make it infectious and transfer it to a lover. May be activated before any Prowess check. If your prowess check succeeds a DC 20, your partner's mental arousal instantly matches your own. This ability is instantaneous.

15 Ranks Prowess - Entwined Roses
You have mastered the way of the rose and may always share in your partner's skill or force them to share in yours. May be activated as a free action. During a session of mutual lovemaking, during any given around, you use your partner's highest prowess roll for your own or give them yours. This ability lasts the entire session.

ART OF THE DAZING GRAZE
Several thieves believe in the silent kill to secure their entry into a location without being noticed. Other more sensual intruders perfer to use a more subtle tactic, the art of stunning pleasure and hidden touches.
Prerequisite: FLOWERS OF THE DECADENT BLOSSOM, Dex 13+ Prowess 6+

6 Ranks Prowess - Touch from Shadow
You may deftly make a touch without being seen. Free action. Any time a person is denied their dex bonus, you may attempt an unarmed strike against them. If successful, you do no damage but instead make make a prowess check. If you wish, you can remain hidden while doing this, but it requires a Hide check and an opposed Spot check from the target. This ability is instantaneous.

6 Ranks Prowess - Quiet Passion
Your art allows you to silence a partner. May be activated as a free action. As long as your partner is aroused and you continue making prowess checks to them, they are unable to make a sound. This ability lasts until you cease making prowess checks on your partner.

9 Ranks Prowess - Dazing Touch
Your skills not only silence, but cause a distracting euphoria. Any time you activate quiet passion, Dazing Touch can be activated as well for free. If your partner is in peaked condition or higher, they are dazed and loose all actions for the round. This ability persists as long as they remain peaked or higher.

12 Ranks Prowess - Sleeping Willow
You stun your partner with pleasure and bring them into a euphoric slumber. May be activated as a free action. Make a prowess check (DC 30 if partner is peaked or lower, DC 20 if climaxed or higher). If successful the partner falls under the effects of a <sleep> effect as per the spell cast by a sorcerer of equal level, no save. This ability can be activated after a prowess check.

15 Ranks Prowess - Hidden Strike of Slumbering Pleasure
Free Action. When using touch from shadow in conjuction with a sneak attack you may add your sneak attack damage instead to a prowess check and then must immedeately attempt a sleeping willow manuver. This ability can only be used when the target is surprised.

 

[Sorn]

Lt. VVrayven: looks pretty good.

Some thoughts on Synergy bonuses:
I think if we keep the list short, we can get around the limit without causing problems. I don't really like the idea of messing with a rule that works okay (i.e. all applicable synergy bonuses count). If you think about it, how many different skills could you possibly draw on during sex? Plus, you only get the ones you are actively using at the time. The Master of Bondage will definitely get his Use Rope synergy bonus when he ties someone up, but for just normal sex without ropes, he gets nada.

While it would be fun to have synergy bonuses for all kinds of skills, let's get a concrete list together and see what we actually have:

Alchemy: don't think so. Just because you know how to make an exotic massage oil doesn't make you any better at using it. However, the item will probably provide a bonus to begin with.
Animal Empathy: unless you are into beastiality, it won't get much use
Appraise: no relation to sex at all, except for estimating the price on a hooker, but alas, no synergy bonus
Balance: potential here, but only for EXTREME sex acts
Bluff: I'd say no, unless for faking orgasms (but that doesn't make you any better at it, so still no).
Climb: Nope. Let's not encourage people to do it hanging from a mountainside.
Concentration: already used for other things during sex, so no bonus
Craft: see Alchemy
Decipher Script: synergy bonus for masturbation with ancient tomes?? I'd say no.
Diplomacy: don't really see anything here.
Disable Device: reverse of Alchemy/Craft... I'd say no
Disguise: could work for lingerie, but I'd rather just make that an item bonus than synergy.
Escape Artist: for extreme acts only (Kama Sutra contortions)
Forgery: nope
Gather Information: nope
Handle Animal: see Animal Empathy
Heal: I'd say no. Not really "Sexual Healing" here.
Hide: nope (and before someone says something, if you have sex outdoors, you are not really hiding... the danger of being seen is half the fun).
Innuendo: Dirty Talk bonus could be an option. Obviously it won't work when gagged or when the mouth is otherwise occupied.
Intimidate: Nope.
Intuit Direction: Hmm... a bonus to locate the clit? Nah...
Jump: nope
Knowledge: relevant skills could give synergy bonuses.
Listen: Nope.
Move Silently: Nope
Open Lock: Nope
Perform: Iffy. With the correct artform (e.g. Lapdance) you could receive a bonus.
Pick Pocket: Bonus to manual stimulation (maybe).
Profession: Certain ones could give a bonus. Profession: Prostitute comes to mind.
Read Lips: Nope
Ride: Nope
Scry: Nope
Search: Nope
Sense Motive: Nope
Spellcraft: Nope
Spot: Nope
Swim: Underwater sex only
Tumble: Nope (any sex act that requires cartwheeling is NOT healthy)
Use Magic Device: Nope. My first thought was to allow a bonus to exotic magical sex toys, but those will provide an item bonus as it is.
Use Rope: Bondage only
Wilderness Lore/Survival: Nope

Bear in mind that many skills can be used to set up a sexual encounter. Perform (Acting) or Bluff for roleplaying, Spot/Search/Listen to make sure nobody is around, Hide/Move Silently for hidden/outdoor stuff, Wilderness Lore to make sure you don't set up shop in an anthill.

That narrows things down quite a bit, with limitations on what the synergy bonus can be used on.

 

[VVrayven]

An observation: what do people think about making CHA a relevant attribute regardless of the situation? That is, a typical half-orc barbarian type may well be using STR as his relevant attribute and applying that modifier to his Prowess check accordingly, but the penalty for his low CHA score would still be applied to the check as well.

Thanks for the input, Asher. The problem here is not that it isn't a good idea, rather that it allows an abuse in that a character with high scores in both STR and CHA could break the DC system.

However...

Not that we have to strive for perfect realism in every way, of course, but this strikes me as a more or less simple, intuitive, and correct rule.

Yes. you have a point. I think it is worth discussion.

A question: has anyone run tests (I'll bet DbS has) to see what the typical sexual endurance (measured in rounds) of a character is using the Arousal DC table? That was one of my minor gripes about the rules from a few months ago: there was little means for a character without a fantastic CON score to improve his endurance. In the real world, ordinary folks can easily learn methods for prolonging an encounter; they don't have to be super-men and -women. Is there an elegant way to make some such provision for characters (mostly male) who want to improve their chances of making that crucial Fort save?

Ah hah! Yes. I have run the numbers. You do it by acting as if everyone takes their time and takes 20 on all the rolls. This makes an average encounter with normal people last 6 minutes. (Not an unrealistic number unfortunately, I've found from my experience.)

As for endurance. Under the present rules there isn't even a fort save. You just go for a set number of rounds... Maybe we should look into this since all the sex tricks have been put into Feat-Arts.

 

[kolvar]

NC stuff: I think our position is that NC is wrong. We do not condone, encourage, etc. any forced sexual acts. The mechanics for NC situations are included for completeness. Be careful and make sure your group is not offended if you include this material.

One side note we might want to include is the use of spells and other non-modern aspects. Does Charm Person constitute as rape?
[/B]

well, there are we again with the NC-Stuff. I think we should do a chapter about it, at least, discussing what it can do in a campaign, to the gameplay and to the players, if it should be used or not. We should not give any special rules, apart from the one, we already got and we, maybe, should drop the "C" from the guides name, because we a) can never be complete b.) there will be probably a web enhancement c.) part 2+ are possible.

Epic Level stuff: Web enhancement? Shouldn't be too long, so could easily be handled in a WE. [/B]

Absolutely

 

[Death By Surfeit]

Keep this work up, troopers, and you’re in line for a promotion… although we’d better drop the military analog for fear of coaxing out progressively more juvenile puns. Incidentally, check out the size of the barrel on my rifle…. I’ve been polishing it (ad nauseum).

You’ve all posted far too much material for me to praise you individually, but being the hopelessly overconfident person I am, I’ll attempt to do so anyway.

Asher

Cha bonus: It would seem sensible to apply both Cha and another ability to Prowess checks (I did look into the possibility), but as VVrayven said it could easily throw the tables for the purposes of hard focus.

Taking 20: The ‘taking 20’ generalisation was used for people using the Soft Focus variant on an assumption basis – the minimum length of sexual activity is thus six minutes. In Hard Focus, you can apply Fortitude saves, use Tricks in your favour, and it becomes much more tactical – you’re likely to want to prolong the experience to make sure your partner is Horny, conserve Carnal Arts to produce the most intense climax, and so on. There are no ways of improving Fort saves for a partner directly, but hey; it’s always nice to have a risk of, ahem, messing up.
Duration: As stated above, the Soft Focus variant places six minutes as the minimum time for sexual activity using those rules. I wrestled with a few numbers on Excel to try to work out the average duration of (no arousal to Climaxed) for men and women with different Fortitude save modifiers, but with little success. Programming-savvy people may have more luck, however. Anyways, the Hard Focus rules are typically used for multiple – Climaxed sessions where sexual fatigue really starts to come into play.

VVrayven

Kinks: Your original post on fetishes and frets was brilliant, VVrayven, and sorry for not accrediting your ideas earlier – they are being added to the draft copy as I type, although I would like to make a recommendation or two:
• The bonuses for fetishes and frets only apply if the nature of sexual activity is appropriate to the fetish or fret – two partners into bondage do not receive the bonus whilst engaged in conventional congress.
• No need to put philias and phobias in a separate category – I prefer the ‘fetish/fret’ terminology, and the descriptions of individual kinks can give the appropriate number and effect – see the Kinks section of the DbS for one possibility as to how this could turn out.
• I’m unsure about the free choice of philias and phobias; although it would be nice intermingling them with a character’s background, people will always wonder exactly why you chose the kinks you did. Perhaps a random system?

The Prowess skill: Current consensus is that it will be treated as a Perform-esque skill (using the list of proficiencies you had so conveniently posted earlier, most likely) – Improvisation is specially designed around this, allowing you to apply your rank modifer even if you don’t have the appropriate proficiency.

Carnal Arts: Multiple Carnal Art manoeuvres may be used at once (perhaps a cap on this?), but they are restricted to a certain number of times per day: each taking of the feat allows you to use the manoeuvres a number of times per day equal to the ability modifier (or 1, whichever is higher).
Make an addition to Selflessness to say that it can only be used in a session of ‘mutual lovemaking’ – this should address the balance issue (it is otherwise equal to one of the old tricks from the d20 conversion).
And before I change the subject, thank you for the Arts you submitted – stylish, balanced and intelligently worked out! If anyone else has anything along a similar vein, write it up and submit it as soon as you can.

Others: I agree that number of Prowess checks be limited to your Dex mod (or 1, whichever is higher). Clothing does need to be addressed, but I have my reservations about the step system, as it may be another mechanic (and a dubious one) on top of those we already have. I would suggest that instead clothing inflicts a penalty of –1 to –5 based on its nature, and caresses be fruitless on an armoured opponent.

Sorn
Synergy: I’d have to say that I advocate a single-synergy system; stacking makes things too complex and a truly inventive player could spot all sorts of ways of wangling in different skills – your summary is missing a few, certainly (how could you miss ‘Ride’?). I do like your idea, however, for other skills being made for related checks.

Kolvar
NC: Not wishing to get too embroiled in debate (there’ll be plenty of time to do so later), I think NC should be only briefly touched upon; there should be a rules system in place and a page describing the implications of involving it in your campaign.

‘Complete’: I’ve long since dropped the monicker of Complete from the title: what we are creating is extensive, comprehensive and by all means satisfying, but there is a hundred avenues to explore. Anyways what else could we do upon completion – go back to mundane life?

Everyone
Keep those submissions rolling in! At the moment, the most useful content would be a writeup of kinks (*plug* see the DbS conversion,Ch5 for some possible suggestions*), suggestions for a feat list, and anything else you can come up with. The mechanics are now near completion, so lets keep this terrific momentum up!

DbS

 

[Death By Surfeit]

As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been squirreling away at a new list of more exotic feats. With the Carnal Art feats covering special tricks and manoeuvres, I’ve tried to keep the other feats relating to other activities and conventional adventuring life. Some, no, most of these are ruthlessly purloined from the DbS conversion, and thus assume the presence of certain rules. I have omitted many of the feats featured in previous guides due to a number of reasons (some have been replaced by Carnal Arts, others are a bit naff, etc etc), but what remain are those I consider to be corkers.

I’m considering replacing Body To Die For and Bulletproof Beauty with a dedicated prestige class (unsure what to call it… the pulp chainmail bikini barbarian, basically). Read the suggestions laid out below and get back to me with what you think.

EXOTIC FEATS v0.1

BODY TO DIE FOR (General)
You beauty is otherworldy - the mere sight of your body drives potential partners wild.
Prerequisites: Sex Appeal, Cha 17+
Benefit: By acting a provocatively (a partial action), you may force all creatures of compatible sexual alignment to become Horny unless they pass a Will save (DC: 10 + Cha modifier). They may attempt to avoid looking at your sumptuous form: treat as a gaze attack.
Special: Your body’s shape must be clearly visible; you may not benefit from this feat whilst wearing armour or bulky clothing of any kind. By foregoing clothing entirely (rings, necklaces and other jewellery may still be worn), you may instead use this ability once per round as a free action.

BULLETPROOF BEAUTY (General)
Your gorgeous form drives opponents to the point of distraction.
Prerequisites: Sex Appeal, Body to Die For, Cha 19+
Benefit: You may add your Charisma modifier as a bonus to AC, even when flat-footed or immobilised. This bonus does not stack with a monk’s Wisdom bonus.
Special: Your body’s shape must be clearly visible; you may not benefit from this feat whilst wearing any significant amount of clothing, let alone armour. By foregoing clothing entirely (jewellery may still be worn), you can impose a morale penalty equal to your Charisma modifier on all melee attacks against you from creatures of compatible sexual alignment.

COITAL CASTING (General)
Your physical arousal only improves your spellcasting abilities.
Prerequisites: Coital Concentration, 8 or more ranks in Prowess, 12 or more ranks in Concentration
Benefit: When you succeed at the Concentration check to ignore penalties for arousal, you may add your arousal penalty instead as an arousal bonus to the DCs of all your sensual spells.

COITAL CONCENTRATION (General)
You remain focused even whilst physically aroused.
Prerequisites: Sensual spellcaster, 4 or more ranks in Prowess, 6 or more ranks in Concentration
Benefit: With a successful Concentration check (DC 10 Aroused, 20 Peaked, 30 Climaxed, 40 Ecstatic), you may act normally, ignoring all penalties for physical arousal.
Normal: Arousal infers penalties on skill checks, attack rolls and saves. Spells require Concentration checks to cast successfully. Unless a Fortitude save can be passed, Climaxed or Ecstatic characters are considered helpless.

CONDUCTIVE KISS (Metapsionic)
You may disguise your powers as a passionate kiss.
Prerequisites: Knowledge of Telepathy powers
Benefit: By kissing an opponent (an attack-equivalent grapple action), you can ease the linking of minds that is the foundation of Telepathy powers. The spells no have ‘Kiss’ range and affect only the creature kissed, but are affected as if by the Hide Power (all displays) metapsionic feats, regardless of whether you possess them.

DIVINE RAPTURE (Divine)
You may manifest your god’s power as raw sensual energy.
Prerequisites: Ability to turn/rebuke undead, ability to channel positive energy.
Benefit: By expending one of your turn/rebuke attempts, you may smite living foes with carnal power. Roll the turning check and damage roll as normal to determine who you can affect; each has a Prowess check made against them (d20 + Cha modifer).

FLOWERS OF THE DECADENT BLOSSOM (Carnal Art)
Your experience encompasses the many techniques of this exclusive Carnal Art.
Prerequisite: Int 13+, 3 or more ranks of Sexual Prowess
Benefit: You may safely use the manoeuvres of this Art a number of times equal to your Dexterity modifier before resting.
Normal: Characters without this feat cannot use the Art’s techniques.
Special: You may take this feat multiple times, allowing you to use the manoeuvres an additional number of times equal to your Dexterity modifier before resting.

IMMACULATE FORMS OF THE MASTER (Carnal Art)
You have been taught under the school of master Weil Hung.
Prerequisite: Str 13+, 3 or more ranks of Sexual Prowess
Benefit: You may safely use the manoeuvres of this Art a number of times equal to your Strength modifier before resting.
Normal: Characters without this feat cannot use the Art’s techniques.
Special: You may take this feat multiple times, allowing you to use the manoeuvres an additional number of times equal to your Strength modifier before resting.

IMPROVED ENDURANCE (General)
Your sexual abilities allow you to resist stimulation better.
Prerequisite: Endurance, 1 or more ranks in Prowess
Benefit: You may add your ranks in Prowess to Fortitude saves to resist Arousal effects.
Normal: Mundane changes in Arousal may be resisted with a Fortitude save; magical effects may be resisted as explained in the spell description.

IRON CELIBACY (General)
Your powers of self-control are astounding with regard to sexual matters; your resolve in celibacy protects you from the attentions of others and the insidious effects of sensual magic.
Prerequisites: Iron Will, Abstinent sexual alignment
Benefit: You gain a Will save to ignore the effects of a successful Bluff (seduction) or arousal check on you (DC: check result). This stacks with any other opportunities to resist seduction or arousal. You gain Spell Resistance equal to your character level plus your Wisdom modifier against spells with the [Libido-Affecting] or [Arousal] descriptors.
Special: If the character willingly engages in any form of sexual activity, the effects of this feat are suspended until a character Atones (see Atonement, PHB).

LORE OF THE TANTRIC ANCIENTS (Carnal Art)
You have researched the teachings of the ancient Tantric school.
Prerequisite: Wis 13+, 3 or more ranks of Sexual Prowess
Benefit: You may safely use the manoeuvres of this Art a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier before resting.
Normal: Characters without this feat cannot use the Art’s techniques.
Special: You may take this feat multiple times, allowing you to use the manoeuvres an additional number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier before resting.

MASSIVELY HUNG (General)
You are more than well hung for your race.
Prerequisites: Must be male, must be taken at 1st level
Benefit: Your phallus is half a size category larger than usual for your race (eg. a halfling could count as a small-and-a-half-size partner, or an orc Large).
Special: Certain individual races already count as larger than a normal member of their size category; if they gain this feat, the circumstances stack (ouch).

PSIONIC CARESS (Psionic)
Your touch delivers surges of sensual pleasure to your target’s brain.
Prerequisite: Psionic Touch, Cha 13+
Benefit: If pay the cost of 1 power point beforehand, your hand becomes ‘charged’ with potent carnal energy. If you succeed with a melee touch attack against a target, you may make an Arousal check. Your hand remains charged until you touch the target, else for a number of rounds equal to 1 + your Charisma modifier.
Special: If used in addition to a normal Arousal check, this skill allows you two attempts to stimulate a partner each turn.

SENSUAL STING (General)
Your mastery of the whip allows you to stimulate your foes even through the pain of your whip.
Prerequisites: Weapon Focus (whip),Weapon Finesse (whip), Dex 15+
Benefit: Whilst using a whip, a successful ranged touch attack allows you to make Prowess checks against another creature within the whip’s reach as a full-round action. The whip still inflicts subdual damage - unless your victim has the Masochism fetish, they may add the damage dealt as a bonus to Prowess resistance checks.
Normal: Prowess checks can only be made on creatures in the same hex, as a full-round action. An unwilling opponent must be grappled first. Whips can typically only be used to attack, trip, disarm etc.

SEX APPEAL (General)
Your appearance is particularly alluring to the opposite sex.
Prerequisite: Cha 13+
Benefit: This feat confers a +2 bonus on all Bluff, Diplomacy and Prowess checks against creatures of compatible sexual alignment.

SMOOCH SPELL (Metamagic)
You can bypass opponent’s protection from your spells to resist by delivering them with a kiss.
Benefit: You can prepare any spell with this feat. Doing so decreases the spell’s range to ‘Kiss’, but ignores any Spell Resistance possessed by the spell’s target. In order to deliver this spell, you must kiss the subject of the spell; if the subject is unwilling, the kiss is an attack-equivalent grapple action.

SUBTLE CARESS (General)
Your knowledge of anatomy can be used to arouse pleasure as easily as it can inflict pain.
Prerequisites: Sneak attack ability, 12 ranks of Prowess
Benefit: When making a Prowess check as a grapple action, you may add your sneak attack damage as a bonus to your roll. Note that this bonus does not apply to other forms of Prowess checks: the capacity to quickly arouse does not equate to a good performance.
Normal: Prowess checks may be made forcefully on a grappled opponent as a full-round action.

TECHNIQUES OF THE HALFLING HARLOT (Carnal Art)
You are privy to the Techniques of the Halfling Harlot, as passed down by the trade throughout the ages.
Prerequisite: Con 13+, 3 or more ranks of Sexual Prowess
Benefit: You may safely use the manoeuvres of this Art a number of times equal to your Constitution modifier before resting.
Normal: Characters without this feat cannot use the Art’s techniques.
Special: You may take this feat multiple times, allowing you to use the manoeuvres an additional number of times equal to your Constitution modifier before resting.

TRICKS OF THE IMPROVISO (Carnal Art)
You have studied the Naughtie Works of the legendary gnome Arcanalist.
Prerequisite: Int 13+, 3 or more ranks of Sexual Prowess
Benefit: You may safely use the manoeuvres of this Art a number of times equal to your Intelligence modifier before resting.
Normal: Characters without this feat cannot use the Art’s techniques.
Special: You may take this feat multiple times, allowing you to use the manoeuvres an additional number of times equal to your Intelligence modifier before resting.

TRUE LOVE (General)
You are truly, madly, deeply in love with someone else.
Prerequisites: None
Benefit: You may make a Will save to negate the effect of a Bluff (seduction) check made against you by anyone other than your true love – the same Will save may be made to negate any compulsion to hurt (physically, mentally or emotionally) your true love. If the love is reciprocal (that is, both people take the feat), you may double bonuses for flanking and skill cooperation when working with your true love.
Special: You really do have to be in love with another: unless you do, this feat is rendered useless until your differences are made up. And yes, it is possible (although hard) to take this feat multiple times, each relating to a different individual.

WAY OF THE YEARNING ROSE (Carnal Art)
You know the patterns inherent to the Way of the Rose.
Prerequisite: Cha 13+, 3 or more ranks of Sexual Prowess
Benefit: You may safely use the manoeuvres of this Art a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier before resting.
Normal: Characters without this feat cannot use the Art’s techniques.
Special: You may take this feat multiple times, allowing you to use the manoeuvres an additional number of times equal to your Charisma modifier before resting.


That pretty much sums up what I’ve put together. If anyone has any revisions they’d like to make, additions to said list and suchforth, however minor or major, please just post. As stated in the post above, writeups of kinks, a master set of proficiencies or circumstantial modifiers and additions, subtractions and substitutions from the list above are on high priority.

Cheerio for now,

DbS