Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Next
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook (EN Publishing)
Facebook (EN World)
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Community
General Tabletop Discussion
Character Builds & Optimization
[Mutants & Masterminds] A World Less Magical But No Less Fantastic
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Davies" data-source="post: 8263388" data-attributes="member: 30538"><p><span style="font-size: 26px"><span style="color: orange">Dhakimat</span></span></p><p><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/My-First-Gallery/i-nTX4bsV/0/36620380/S/New_Genesis_%28DC_Comics_planet%29-S.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p>It is taken for granted by scholars of the Crimson Imperium that the humanoid species native to Dhakimat was created from the same original stock as Chiraben humanity by some experimenter -- one of the Progenitors or their successors -- thousands of years ago. Suggesting this to a Dhakimite is a great way to provoke them to violence. It is almost an article of faith to them that their species naturally evolved in Dhakimat's environment and they have what they believe to be the fossil evidence to prove it. That they aren't biologically compatible with Chiraben proves <em>something</em>, but just what it proves remains a mystery for the ages.</p><p></p><p>The remarkable physical powers that the Dhakimites possess strongly influenced their cultural evolution. They never needed to develop weapons or armor to defend themselves against each other or Dhakimat's other species. Their settlements never had walls, since every one of them could easily fly over such obstructions. They never needed to tame other animals to put their strength to use for them, as they were the strongest animals on their planet. As they never grew ill and recovered quickly from what injuries they did suffer, medical treatment other than midwifery was unknown. Aside from their literacy, they could have been taken for a stone age culture when they were contacted by the Manguai, around nine hundred years* ago.</p><p></p><p>At that time, Dhakamite civilization was divided between two opposing ideologies, both of which centered around the philosophical question of how best to live one's life. One school, the Optimum, held that the ideal life could only be obtained through the pursuit of personal excellence, regardless of what that pursuit cost any other individual. The other, the Gnostium, held that the ideal life could only be obtained through peaceful contemplation -- though they were still willing to defend their right to do so with force. The followers of these two philosophies had already come to blows, and as both of them had adherents who developed their faculties above and beyond those of average Dhakimites, there was no way of telling which of them would have emerged victorious.</p><p></p><p>The Manguai observed this for an extended period, developing a plan that would allow them to profit from interactions with both of these movements. They first approached the leaders of the Gnostium and offered to do something about their Optimate rivals, as well as purchasing the mining rights to every other planet in Dhakimat's solar system in exchange for scientific and technological exchanges. Having done that, they contacted the Optimum and, describing the local cosmic region to them, persuaded them to enter into their service as mercenaries and pursue their ideal of personal power through conflict with the Manguai's enemies. Thus, the Gnostium were left on Dhakimat while the Optimum went to the stars.</p><p></p><p>This was a disaster. The Manguai had no way of knowing that the Dhakimites would lose their powers when removed from Dhakimat's solar system, and were frankly horrified by how easily their new super-soldiers proved to be no more effective than any other mercenaries in their service, and often much less for their lack of experience with technological warfare. Of the thousands of Optimates who went into space with their new patrons, less than a hundred survived to return to their home world, and then only after two decades* had passed. They returned to find that the Gnostics had established cities and industry on Dhakimite and were firmly in control of the planet, and in no mood to surrender it to their returned brethren. Necessarily, they submitted to their rule, though many of them swore that one day things would be different.</p><p></p><p>That 'one day' came some three hundred years* later. During a time of civil war among their patrons, the Dhakimites opportunistically conquered the various Manguai bases in their solar system, declaring their independence in the process. Having done so, they began planning to expand their own influence with a program of colonization. Aware of their limitations, they didn't send soldiers to seize territory, but instead dispatched scientists and explorers to find worlds where their powers might also flourish. In more than a century, they found a grand total of <em>five</em> such worlds within their reach -- Anacreon was the last, and the furthest from Dhakimat.</p><p></p><p>The limits of this colonial mission, the lack of profit that it demonstrated, and the foundation of the Imperium all put an end to the idea of a Dhakimite interstellar state. Negotiations of between the Imperium and the government of Dhakimat resulted in an arrangement by which their system would become a protectorate within the Imperium, neither taxed by nor represented within the Senate, and left to their own devices. The cost was the withdrawal of all of the colonies. Anacreon, beyond the Imperium's borders, ignored the order, as did one other colony within the Imperium which also declared its independence and was crushed in a costly war.</p><p></p><p>Since then, Dhakimat has largely done its best to ignore the universe beyond their sun's heliopause. All of its industry has been removed from the planet and shifted into enormous satellite factories (one of which can be seen in the image above) leaving the world divided among millions of family-run farm/ranches. Lest the impression be given that this is a bucolic existence, the planet is also subject to total panopticon surveillance, with any dissent firmly suppressed. The isolationist government maintains a conscription-based military whose sole purpose is to protect the solar system, though small numbers of 'advisers' are frequently sent to assist the Imperium at its request. This arrangement, begun under the Senatorial Imperium, continues under the rule of the Crimson King; he has no interest in doing anything which will make enemies of the Dhakimites. Yet.</p><p></p><p>Dhakimite super-soldiers are those individuals who have successfully undergone a training program that allows them the full use of their capabilities. Not all Dhakimites can complete this training, and it's all but unknown in current Dhakimite culutre for individuals outside the military to engage in it. Beyond those powers listed below, some trained Dhakimites can use sensory enhancement powers. In addition to all this, a small number of Dhakimites demonstrate talents that would be considered 'Hyperbrain' abilities in a human. Given the givens, it is probably very well for the people of Earth that the only member of this species who knows that this world would sustain their powers is increasingly disenchanted with her home world's government.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Dhakimite Soldier -- PL 7 / MR 8</strong></p><p><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/My-First-Gallery/i-GNt5jkh/0/e034f5f8/S/krypton-season-1-aaron-pierre-dev-em-syfy-S.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p><strong>Abilities:</strong></p><p><strong>STR</strong> 8 | <strong>STA</strong> 6 | <strong>AGL</strong> 1 | <strong>DEX</strong> 1 | <strong>FGT</strong> 4 | <strong>INT</strong> 0 | <strong>AWE</strong> 1 | <strong>PRE</strong> 0</p><p></p><p><strong>Powers:</strong></p><p><strong><em>Great Speed:</em></strong> Enhanced Advantages 8 (Close Attack 2, Improved Initiative 3, Interpose, Move-by Action); Enhanced Defense 8 (Dodge 4, Parry 4); Flight 6 (120 MPH), Aquatic; Quickness 6 - 35 points</p><p><strong><em>Great Toughness:</em></strong> Immunity 10 (life support); Impervious Toughness 6; Regeneration 5 - 21 points</p><p></p><p><strong>Advantages:</strong></p><p><em>Close Attack 2,</em> Equipment 2, <em>Improved Initiative 3, Interpose, Move-by Action.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Equipment:</em></p><p>Blaster Rifle (Ranged Damage 8), Commlink, and 3 points of equipment as needed.</p><p></p><p><strong>Skills:</strong></p><p>Expertise: Military 4 (+4), Perception 2 (+3), Ranged Combat: Blaster 4 (+5).</p><p></p><p><strong>Offense:</strong></p><p>Initiative +13</p><p>Unarmed +6 (Close Damage 8)</p><p>Blaster Rifle +5 (Ranged Damage 8)</p><p></p><p><strong>Defense:</strong></p><p>Dodge 8/4, Parry 8/4, Fortitude 7, Toughness 6, Will 6.</p><p></p><p><strong>Totals:</strong></p><p>Abilities 42 + Powers 56 + Advantages 2 + Skills 5 + Defenses 10 = 113 points</p><p></p><p><strong>Complications:</strong></p><p><strong><em>Loyalty--Motivation. Power Loss/Weakness</em></strong> (loses all powers and becomes Strength and Stamina Disabled outside of Dhakimat-like environments.) <strong><em>Power Loss/Weakness</em></strong> (as above, when exposed to theonite.) <strong><em>Others as Needed.</em></strong></p><p><strong><em></em></strong></p><p><strong><em>Dhakimite Super-Soldier -- PL 10 / MR 10</em></strong></p><p><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/My-First-Gallery/i-xqxRJBM/0/db0d1c7d/S/Zzzzzzza557292-S.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p><strong>Abilities:</strong></p><p><strong>STR</strong> 8 | <strong>STA</strong> 8 | <strong>AGL</strong> 1 | <strong>DEX</strong> 1 | <strong>FGT</strong> 6 | <strong>INT</strong> 0 | <strong>AWE</strong> 1 | <strong>PRE</strong> 0</p><p></p><p><strong>Powers:</strong></p><p><strong><em>Dhakimite Powers:</em></strong> Array (11 points) <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> <strong><em>Blast Vision:</em></strong> Ranged Damage 5, Precise - 11 point</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> <strong><em>Hyper-Speed:</em></strong> Enhanced Flight 5 - 1 point</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> <strong><em>Hyper-Strength:</em></strong> Enhanced Strength 4; Enhanced Strength 3, Limited to Lifting - 1 points</li> </ul><p><strong><em>Great Speed:</em></strong> Enhanced Advantages 8 (Close Attack 2, Improved Initiative 3, Interpose, Move-by Action); Enhanced Defense 12 (Dodge 6, Parry 6); Flight 8 (500 MPH), Aquatic; Quickness 8 - 45 points</p><p><strong><em>Great Toughness:</em></strong> Immunity 10 (life support); Impervious Toughness 8; Regeneration 5 - 23 points</p><p></p><p><strong>Advantages:</strong></p><p><em>Close Attack 2, Improved Initiative 3, Interpose, Move-by Action</em>, Ranged Attack 4.</p><p></p><p><strong>Skills:</strong></p><p>Expertise: Military 6 (+6), Perception 4 (+5), Ranged Combat: Blast Vision 4 (+5).</p><p></p><p><strong>Offense:</strong></p><p>Initiative +13</p><p>Unarmed +8 (Close Damage 8)</p><p>Hyper-Strength +8 (Close Damage 12)</p><p>Blast Vision +9 (Close Damage 5)</p><p></p><p><strong>Defense:</strong></p><p>Dodge 10/4, Parry 12/6, Fortitude 8, Toughness 8, Will 6.</p><p></p><p><strong>Totals:</strong></p><p>Abilities 50 + Powers 81 + Advantages 4 + Skills 7 + Defenses 8 = 150 points</p><p></p><p><strong>Complications:</strong></p><p><strong><em>Loyalty OR Ambition--Motivation. Power Loss/Weakness</em></strong> (loses all powers and becomes Strength and Stamina Disabled outside of Dhakaimat-like environments). <strong><em>Power Loss/Weakness</em></strong> (as above, when exposed to theonite.) <strong><em>Others as Needed.</em></strong></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Davies, post: 8263388, member: 30538"] [size=150][color=orange]Dhakimat[/color][/size] [img]https://photos.smugmug.com/My-First-Gallery/i-nTX4bsV/0/36620380/S/New_Genesis_%28DC_Comics_planet%29-S.jpg[/img] It is taken for granted by scholars of the Crimson Imperium that the humanoid species native to Dhakimat was created from the same original stock as Chiraben humanity by some experimenter -- one of the Progenitors or their successors -- thousands of years ago. Suggesting this to a Dhakimite is a great way to provoke them to violence. It is almost an article of faith to them that their species naturally evolved in Dhakimat's environment and they have what they believe to be the fossil evidence to prove it. That they aren't biologically compatible with Chiraben proves [i]something[/i], but just what it proves remains a mystery for the ages. The remarkable physical powers that the Dhakimites possess strongly influenced their cultural evolution. They never needed to develop weapons or armor to defend themselves against each other or Dhakimat's other species. Their settlements never had walls, since every one of them could easily fly over such obstructions. They never needed to tame other animals to put their strength to use for them, as they were the strongest animals on their planet. As they never grew ill and recovered quickly from what injuries they did suffer, medical treatment other than midwifery was unknown. Aside from their literacy, they could have been taken for a stone age culture when they were contacted by the Manguai, around nine hundred years* ago. At that time, Dhakamite civilization was divided between two opposing ideologies, both of which centered around the philosophical question of how best to live one's life. One school, the Optimum, held that the ideal life could only be obtained through the pursuit of personal excellence, regardless of what that pursuit cost any other individual. The other, the Gnostium, held that the ideal life could only be obtained through peaceful contemplation -- though they were still willing to defend their right to do so with force. The followers of these two philosophies had already come to blows, and as both of them had adherents who developed their faculties above and beyond those of average Dhakimites, there was no way of telling which of them would have emerged victorious. The Manguai observed this for an extended period, developing a plan that would allow them to profit from interactions with both of these movements. They first approached the leaders of the Gnostium and offered to do something about their Optimate rivals, as well as purchasing the mining rights to every other planet in Dhakimat's solar system in exchange for scientific and technological exchanges. Having done that, they contacted the Optimum and, describing the local cosmic region to them, persuaded them to enter into their service as mercenaries and pursue their ideal of personal power through conflict with the Manguai's enemies. Thus, the Gnostium were left on Dhakimat while the Optimum went to the stars. This was a disaster. The Manguai had no way of knowing that the Dhakimites would lose their powers when removed from Dhakimat's solar system, and were frankly horrified by how easily their new super-soldiers proved to be no more effective than any other mercenaries in their service, and often much less for their lack of experience with technological warfare. Of the thousands of Optimates who went into space with their new patrons, less than a hundred survived to return to their home world, and then only after two decades* had passed. They returned to find that the Gnostics had established cities and industry on Dhakimite and were firmly in control of the planet, and in no mood to surrender it to their returned brethren. Necessarily, they submitted to their rule, though many of them swore that one day things would be different. That 'one day' came some three hundred years* later. During a time of civil war among their patrons, the Dhakimites opportunistically conquered the various Manguai bases in their solar system, declaring their independence in the process. Having done so, they began planning to expand their own influence with a program of colonization. Aware of their limitations, they didn't send soldiers to seize territory, but instead dispatched scientists and explorers to find worlds where their powers might also flourish. In more than a century, they found a grand total of [i]five[/i] such worlds within their reach -- Anacreon was the last, and the furthest from Dhakimat. The limits of this colonial mission, the lack of profit that it demonstrated, and the foundation of the Imperium all put an end to the idea of a Dhakimite interstellar state. Negotiations of between the Imperium and the government of Dhakimat resulted in an arrangement by which their system would become a protectorate within the Imperium, neither taxed by nor represented within the Senate, and left to their own devices. The cost was the withdrawal of all of the colonies. Anacreon, beyond the Imperium's borders, ignored the order, as did one other colony within the Imperium which also declared its independence and was crushed in a costly war. Since then, Dhakimat has largely done its best to ignore the universe beyond their sun's heliopause. All of its industry has been removed from the planet and shifted into enormous satellite factories (one of which can be seen in the image above) leaving the world divided among millions of family-run farm/ranches. Lest the impression be given that this is a bucolic existence, the planet is also subject to total panopticon surveillance, with any dissent firmly suppressed. The isolationist government maintains a conscription-based military whose sole purpose is to protect the solar system, though small numbers of 'advisers' are frequently sent to assist the Imperium at its request. This arrangement, begun under the Senatorial Imperium, continues under the rule of the Crimson King; he has no interest in doing anything which will make enemies of the Dhakimites. Yet. Dhakimite super-soldiers are those individuals who have successfully undergone a training program that allows them the full use of their capabilities. Not all Dhakimites can complete this training, and it's all but unknown in current Dhakimite culutre for individuals outside the military to engage in it. Beyond those powers listed below, some trained Dhakimites can use sensory enhancement powers. In addition to all this, a small number of Dhakimites demonstrate talents that would be considered 'Hyperbrain' abilities in a human. Given the givens, it is probably very well for the people of Earth that the only member of this species who knows that this world would sustain their powers is increasingly disenchanted with her home world's government. [b]Dhakimite Soldier -- PL 7 / MR 8[/b] [img]https://photos.smugmug.com/My-First-Gallery/i-GNt5jkh/0/e034f5f8/S/krypton-season-1-aaron-pierre-dev-em-syfy-S.jpg[/img] [b]Abilities: STR[/b] 8 | [b]STA[/b] 6 | [b]AGL[/b] 1 | [b]DEX[/b] 1 | [b]FGT[/b] 4 | [b]INT[/b] 0 | [b]AWE[/b] 1 | [b]PRE[/b] 0 [b]Powers: [i]Great Speed:[/i][/b] Enhanced Advantages 8 (Close Attack 2, Improved Initiative 3, Interpose, Move-by Action); Enhanced Defense 8 (Dodge 4, Parry 4); Flight 6 (120 MPH), Aquatic; Quickness 6 - 35 points [b][i]Great Toughness:[/i][/b] Immunity 10 (life support); Impervious Toughness 6; Regeneration 5 - 21 points [b]Advantages:[/b] [i]Close Attack 2,[/i] Equipment 2, [i]Improved Initiative 3, Interpose, Move-by Action. Equipment:[/i] Blaster Rifle (Ranged Damage 8), Commlink, and 3 points of equipment as needed. [b]Skills:[/b] Expertise: Military 4 (+4), Perception 2 (+3), Ranged Combat: Blaster 4 (+5). [b]Offense:[/b] Initiative +13 Unarmed +6 (Close Damage 8) Blaster Rifle +5 (Ranged Damage 8) [b]Defense:[/b] Dodge 8/4, Parry 8/4, Fortitude 7, Toughness 6, Will 6. [b]Totals:[/b] Abilities 42 + Powers 56 + Advantages 2 + Skills 5 + Defenses 10 = 113 points [b]Complications: [i]Loyalty--Motivation. Power Loss/Weakness[/i][/b] (loses all powers and becomes Strength and Stamina Disabled outside of Dhakimat-like environments.) [b][i]Power Loss/Weakness[/i][/b] (as above, when exposed to theonite.) [b][i]Others as Needed. Dhakimite Super-Soldier -- PL 10 / MR 10[/i][/b] [img]https://photos.smugmug.com/My-First-Gallery/i-xqxRJBM/0/db0d1c7d/S/Zzzzzzza557292-S.jpg[/img] [b]Abilities: STR[/b] 8 | [b]STA[/b] 8 | [b]AGL[/b] 1 | [b]DEX[/b] 1 | [b]FGT[/b] 6 | [b]INT[/b] 0 | [b]AWE[/b] 1 | [b]PRE[/b] 0 [b]Powers: [i]Dhakimite Powers:[/i][/b] Array (11 points)[list] [*] [b][i]Blast Vision:[/i][/b] Ranged Damage 5, Precise - 11 point [*] [b][i]Hyper-Speed:[/i][/b] Enhanced Flight 5 - 1 point [*] [b][i]Hyper-Strength:[/i][/b] Enhanced Strength 4; Enhanced Strength 3, Limited to Lifting - 1 points[/list] [b][i]Great Speed:[/i][/b] Enhanced Advantages 8 (Close Attack 2, Improved Initiative 3, Interpose, Move-by Action); Enhanced Defense 12 (Dodge 6, Parry 6); Flight 8 (500 MPH), Aquatic; Quickness 8 - 45 points [b][i]Great Toughness:[/i][/b] Immunity 10 (life support); Impervious Toughness 8; Regeneration 5 - 23 points [b]Advantages:[/b] [i]Close Attack 2, Improved Initiative 3, Interpose, Move-by Action[/i], Ranged Attack 4. [b]Skills:[/b] Expertise: Military 6 (+6), Perception 4 (+5), Ranged Combat: Blast Vision 4 (+5). [b]Offense:[/b] Initiative +13 Unarmed +8 (Close Damage 8) Hyper-Strength +8 (Close Damage 12) Blast Vision +9 (Close Damage 5) [b]Defense:[/b] Dodge 10/4, Parry 12/6, Fortitude 8, Toughness 8, Will 6. [b]Totals:[/b] Abilities 50 + Powers 81 + Advantages 4 + Skills 7 + Defenses 8 = 150 points [b]Complications: [i]Loyalty OR Ambition--Motivation. Power Loss/Weakness[/i][/b] (loses all powers and becomes Strength and Stamina Disabled outside of Dhakaimat-like environments). [b][i]Power Loss/Weakness[/i][/b] (as above, when exposed to theonite.) [b][i]Others as Needed.[/i][/b] [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
General Tabletop Discussion
Character Builds & Optimization
[Mutants & Masterminds] A World Less Magical But No Less Fantastic
Top