Superhero Chat

[Aries_Omega]

Thanks for the comments

Thank you for the comments. I do appreciate comments on things I post actually.

I love the concept & the background! However, I don't particularly care for the execution of it.....Additionally, given the extreme revulsion the character had after the accidental killing, it would seem that he would shun most lethal equipment...yet he's kitted out with kukri, shuriken and kusarigama? They're not guns, but still. It would make more sense to me if he used a special firearm: a taser, a regular gun with rubber bullets, a flechette pistol with paralysis or sleep-inducing drug rounds, a gas pellet launcher, a glue gun, a sonic nausea/vertigo inducing gun, a laser dazzler, etc.

Well I did this feeling that the "reprograming" process wasn't finished by any stretch of the truth. You got to remember this guy was evil....if you looked in the dictonary under evil you saw his picture right next to Satan, Hitler and my 2nd grade teacher. This guy has an aversion to guns...they are messy...noisy and he realized uncontrolable. Also the specifics of his "reprogramming" makes even the shape of guns unappealing.

(I know this is a supers campaign, but using that as justification is a cop out- this guy is essentially extemely well trained, not a true super.)

Check out the Punisher...yeah...they both have no superpowers but they are considered superheroes. This guy just happens to have never been exposed to radioactive whatchamacallits, born with extra thumbs or the ability to speak with seafood.

Line his new costume with steel tips for his boots, steel knuckle-dusters, metal knee and elbow pads

Hmmm....I like that! I may use that for him or another character.

I'll post another PC when I can....I got about 6 more that are being sent to me to proof. You all want to see more?

Aries

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

A resounding "YES!"

I always enjoy helping others tweek their PCs. By helping someone else out, I learn more about the process and it improves MY PCs.

(As for the Clockwork Orange reprogramming of SureShot, the grapple line I suggested would be more along the lines of Spider-Man's web-shooters or Daredevil's billyclub, which is to say, not gun-shaped at all.)

If/When my current game group gets around to playing a supers game (which they're considering), I'll float some of the concepts & designs this way as well.

 

[Sketchpad]

Personally ... if I do supers d20, I use M&M. I have M&M, Four Colors & DNW, the latter of which I used a lot before M&M came out. My beef with DNW is power levels ... I like to occasionally run a high-end supers campaign and just can't do it with DNW.

 

[Aries_Omega]

Epic Level Superheroes

Deeds Not Words works well for high powered campaigns by using the rules for Omega Class characters and other such rules that are in the core rule book.

Another option is check out the OGL info. Some of the info from the Epic Levels Handbook is OGL and can be adapted to DNW. For example for an Epic Level "Savage" character class check out for Druid, Ranger and Barbarian since the Savage class has elements from all of those classes. Other classes such as the Rouge is pretty straight forward.

IMHO I don't like games of that level...the kind where a character as powerful as the Silver Surfer is the "weak character". I prefer more of the level of Spiderman and Batman at the high end.

As for character posting I will post more in a bit. Don't worry I haven't forgotten.

Aries

 

[dream66_]

I also have been looking for something out there about character backgrounds. Like a "20 questions you should ask yourself about your PC" thingee. I've seen similar things for AD&D 2E and other games but nothing for superhero games.

Aries Omega

I've always liked this one it's rather generic. Could work or any type of game.


Background
Arguably the most important aspect of character creation, a character's background provides a sense of personal history, and existence, and it is often the character's upbringing and experiences in life that most define their personality and outlook. Remember: notable events, personages, etc. need not necessarily be notable for good reasons; bad events can be just as notable.

- Family
What were the character's parent(s) or guardian like?
Does the character have any siblings?
Does the character have a family of their own, or did they?
Do they ever intend to settle down if they don't?
What about other relatives; were any memorable for any reasons?
What is the current status of any of the character's relatives, i.e. alive, dead, missing, estranged, ill, enslaved, imprisoned, divorced, etc.?
Were there any skeletons in the family closet?

- Home
Where was the character raised?
What was the family's status in terms of wealth, social, and local standing?
Did the family move at all?
Does the character have a home of their own?

- Childhood/Adolescence
What was the character like as a child/adolescent?
Were any childhood/adolescent friends or enemies particularly memorable?
Were any childhood/adolescence events particularly memorable?
Did the character learn any skills as a child/adolescent?

- Professional History
Why did the character enter the profession they did?
How did the character receive their training?
Did they find any of it particularly difficult or easy?
Has the character done anything particularly notable since completing their training?
What contacts, friends, enemies or mentors did the character make while training, or pursuing their career?


Personality
The character's personality defines how they are roleplayed, and should be detailed bearing in mind the character's Background, as described above. Consider how the character's upbringing, family, past experiences, etc. affected their worldview, morality, and so on, and if they turned out the way they did because of, or in spite of, their Background. Consider how they fit their cultural stereotype, and how they differ from it.

- Attitudes
What does the character like/love?
What does the character dislike/hate?
What is the character's attitude to sex?
What is the character's attitude to religion?
What is the character's attitude to magic?
What is the character's attitude to illegal activities?
What is the character's attitude to conflict, physical or otherwise?
Does the character have any misconceptions/bigoted outlooks?

- Conceptions
How does the character see themselves?
How do other people see the character?
If the character could be summed up in one word, what would that word be?
What would the character change about themselves, if they could?

- Directives
What is the character's greatest fear/worst nightmare?
What is the character's greatest hope/dream/aspiration?
What motivates the character?
Is there anything the character will not do?

- Miscellaneous
What is the character's sense of humor like?
Does the character have any hobbies/pastimes?
How does the character relax?
Does the character have any mental or behavioral quirks, flaws, or aberrations?


Appearance
The character's appearance is usually the first thing anyone notices about them, and can say a lot about their personality, profession, and background. Detailing what the character looks like gives the player a good mental image of the character, vital in imagining scenes in the game. The character's appearance also helps other players visualize the character, and enables GMs to determine how NPCs might react to the character. However, the character's appearance need not necessarily reflect all of their qualities, although it will always reflect some; not every warrior looks grim and determined, and not every magician looks thin and bookish, for example. Also bear in mind the exotic and unusual possibilities that alchemical and magical enhancements can present when detailing a character's appearance; such enhancements can be eccentric to say the least.

- Physicality
How tall is the character?
What kind of build and proportions does the character have, and are they muscular, toned, scrawny, overweight, etc.?
How much does the character weigh?
What kind of style, color, and texture is the character's head/facial/body hair, if indeed they have hair?
What shape and color(s) are the character's eyes, and are they at all expressive of any given emotion(s)?
What color is the character's skin?
Does the character have any distinguishing marks such as birthmarks, scars, disfigurements, tattoos, or brands, etc.?
What does the character's expression usually convey, i.e. disdain, friendliness, surliness, calm, etc.?
What does the character's voice sound like?
Does the character have any favorite sayings or catch phrases?
How does the character move, walk, and carry themselves?
What would the character like to change about their appearance?
If the character's appearance could be summed up in one word, what would that word be?
How would others generally describe the character's appearance?

- Apparel
How does the character dress when relaxing?
How does the character dress when they wish to make an impression?
How does the character dress when traveling?
How does the character dress when working?

- Belongings
What item(s) is the character rarely without?
Does the character have any particularly cherished possession(s), such as an heirloom, memento, gift, etc.?

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

As I'm sure most of you know, Task Force Games once had a couple of publications called "Central Casting" which were table & die backgound generators. One was fanasy, the other was sci-fi.

Not exactly supers, but helpful!

The problem, of course, is that the books are no longer in publication. If you want them, you'll have to scour Ebay or your local used book or game stores.

 

[Aries_Omega]

Another DNW Character Listing

This yet another PC of my players. He is the most powerful one as far as TR (CR for you non-DNW players) but isn't the best in combat per say. Once again I use the Deeds Not Words rules set. As before any comments would be great.

Thomas Page was a playboy, explorer and a explorer...for profit. As a young English dillenate in the WWII era he avoided both the Axis and Allies forces to raid tombs, temples and other areas to get the riches inside. One day while in Egypt he found the location to a large temple to a minor Egyptian deity called Khons (or Chons, Khonsu or Khonshu) who was a minor deity that worked with Thoth. He avoided traps, solved riddles and ambushed wierd monsters to get to the temple and find the "Garb of Khons" a shroud...or cloak of somekind that Khons wore whenever he was on Earth. Once he got to the temple room that had the garb....a strange thing happened. Khons materialzed! He used his power to meet this would be thief. As he was about to blast the puny mortal, agents of his enemies were detected in the temple and would be there soon. The mortal made a bargin. Let him live and he would help him. Khons thought for a moment....this mortal did get past his traps, figured his riddles out and ambushed his guardian monsters. Also...he could not leave the temple and needed someone to go into the world. He agreed and imbuned him with a small portion of his power....which robbed him of his sight but enhanced him in many other ways.

Wraith as he became to be known in English did defend the temple and many important Egyptian landmarks from the Germans who had Nazi "archelogists" that were altering artifacts to support their Aryan agenda. Postwar Egypt didn't really have a need for Wraith but rather then take back his power from the mortal Khons ordered him to go into the world and tell him of the new world as well as fight the evil that is out there and be the bane of agents of Set and other evil gods. He has since then changed his name a few time to keep up with the fact he ages very slowly. He leads a double life as a high society import/export tycoon and an divine agent of Khons.

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

WRAITH
2nd level Human/Avatar Rouge
Str 10/13* (+0/+1*) Dex 19/22* (+4/+6*) Con 14 /17*(+2/+3*) Int 10 (+0) Wis 13 (+1) Cha 13 (+1)

*= During the nights of a full moon only.
Alignment: N/G
Languages: English (S/R), Latin (S/R), French (S/R) Arabic (S/R), Braille (R).
Hit Dice: 2d6+4 (+6) (16 HP/18 HP) Power Dice: 1d6+1 (12 PP) Hero Points: 1
Initiative: +4 (+4 Dex) Speed: 30 ft.
Armor Class: 19 (+3 armor, +1 bracers, +4 Dex, +1 class) DR/BDR: +2/+2
Base Attack Bonus: +1
· Melee Attack Bonus: +1/+2*
· Ranged Attack Bonus: +5/+7*

Fortitude Save: +2/+3* Reflex Save: +7/+9* Willpower Save: +1

Advantages: Alternate Identity (3EP), Amazing Costume (2 EP), Assistant (3 EP), Connections (x2) (2 EP each), Library (2 EP), Protected Identity (2 EP), Secret Lair (3 EP), Wealth (5 EP)

Complications: Checkered Past (2 EP), Foresworn From Firearms (2 EP), Hero’s Code/ Mercy (2 EP), Impaired Vision (6 EP), Lone Wolf (2 EP), Bane/Orichalcum (2 EP), Unusual Obligations w/ Coercion (4 EP), Diurnal Power Cycle/All powers at night except Longevity and Blindsight (2 EP), Diurnal Power Cycle/Enhanced Attribute on full moons (6 EP), Diurnal Power Cycle/Fast Healing and Rejuvenation during the day (2 EP)

Feats: Cape Misdirection, Dodge, Hidden Power, Infighter, Mobility, Improved Unarmed Strike, Combat Reflexes

Armor & Weapon Proficiencies: Light Armor, Edged Weapons, Exotic Weapon (hand crossbow), Improvised Weapons, Handguns, Impaling Weapons, Thrown Weapons, Trauma Weapons.

As Wraith/Thomas Page/Brandon Germain
Fame: 0/0/0 Reputation: 0/-4/0 Resources: 10
Thomas Page is assumed to have died in 1985. Wraith currently uses Brandon Germain as his primary secret identity.

Skills: Appraise +1, Balance +4, Bluff +1, Concealment +2, Defeat Security +6, Diplomacy +2, Drive +2, Escape Artist +5, Gambling +2, Gather Information +2, Healing Touch +5, Hide +5, Knowledge: History +3, Listen +2, Move Silently +5, Navigate +1, Research +3, Search +3, Sense Motive +2, Shadowing +6, Sleight of Hand +5, Sportcraft (Rugby) +5, Spot +2, Tumble +6

Class Abilities: Sneak Attack +1d6, Trap Specialty (I), Evasion, Bonus Feat

Special Abilities: +2 bonus to any roll made to detect, design, understand, disarm, or set up a trap. If beat the DC by 10 or more with a Defeat Security check can bypass the trap completely (bringing his party with him) without setting it off or disabling it. +1 dodge bonus to AC against a designated opponent, All melee attacks of opportunity against Wraith receive a -2 penalty to hit and he gains a +4 dodge bonus to AC against attacks of opportunity caused when he moves out. When wearing a cloak or cape he receives a 25% concealment bonus against any ranged attack, provided he retains his Dex bonus to AC if he uses his cloak as a standard action. May make a number of additional attacks of opportunity per round equal to his Dexterity modifier, limited to one attack of opportunity per enemy. Wraith may also make attacks of opportunity while flat-footed.

Armor: Garb of Khons (Archaic clothing treat as a MW Full Cloak, Spectra Body Suit, Armored Bracers and Elbow/Knee Pads with Amazing Costume advantage)

Gear: MW Shortsword, (2) MW Daggers, MW Hand Repeating Crossbow, (4) MW Crossbow Magazines (7 shots each), Crossbow Quiver w/ (4) AP Quarrels, (6) Blunt Trauma Quarrels, (5) Bang Stick Quarrels, (2) Limpet Mine Quarrels, (8) Broad Shaft Quarrels, (1) Homing Beacon Quarrel

Preferred Attacks: Between his ability to shift out of phase and to misdirect people with his cloak, Wraith usually has no troubles in ranged combat. In melee combat people suffer penalties to hit him. He usually will let themselves tire by avoiding hits or surprise them by going in and out of phase and imitating a ghost. When he needs to attack he does have an archaic shortsword, daggers and a hand crossbow with specialty arrows.

Light Load: 33/50 lbs*. Medium Load: 66/100 lbs.*
Heavy Load: 100/150 lbs.* Maximum Lift: 200/300 lbs.*

Super-Powers: Blindsight (Has and unknown form of mystic sense based on air pressure differences. Makes invisibility and darkness (even magical darkness) irrelevant to the character (though he still can’t see ethereal creatures). Range 120 feet, unless otherwise blocked or constrained. Never can distinguish color, visual contrast or read print on paper. Blindsight does not subject a character to gaze attacks, nor do blinding attacks bother him. Deafening attacks thwart Blindsight. Blindsight works underwater (to a range of 30 feet) but not in a vacuum/ 5 EP) Enhanced Ability (+3 to Str, Dex and Con during full moons), Fast Healing (Heals 1 HP/10 minutes and continues to function at 0 HP or less, provided he has not been reduced to –10 + Con bonus + character level or fewer HP. This power cannot restore life to a character slain by massive damage or a death attack. Works only during the day/ 6 EP), Healing Touch (3 PP to activate. A Healing Touch roll vs. DC 11 or more to heal HP damage. Works at night only/ 4 EP), Incorporeality (4 PP to activate to shift out of phase. If solid and retains his Dex bonus to AC, and has been successfully hit by a physical attack, he may attempt a Reflex Save (DC 15) to shift into incorporeal form, for just a split second, allowing the attack to pass harmlessly through his ghostlike form before regaining solidity. This costs 1 PP if successful and may only be done once per round. Can also, at will, make noise while incorporeal that may be heard by corporeal beings. Works at night only/ 14 EP), Longevity (Ages 1 year for every 10 years that pass/14 EP) Natural Damage Reduction (Subtle protection, 6 DR. Works at night only/6 EP), Rejuvenation (Recovers lost ability points with unusual rapidity and may even regrow lost limbs. Recovers one lost limb in 12 hours and/or 1 ability point per 10 minutes. Works during the day only/6 EP), Teleportation (Can cross space and time to teleport as a standard action 25 miles. Subject to “mishap” checks to ensure that the teleportation is on target/ 12 EP).

Total Value of Enhancement Package: 102 EP
Compensated Enhancement Points: 30 EP
Threat Rating: 10
-------------------

Aries

 

[Aries_Omega]

Feel Free

Feel free btw to post characters also...even DNW one. I am sure that most of us either own the game system that is belongs to or know enough about the d20 system in general to figure out what things mean.

Aries

 

[D+1]

As I'm sure most of you know, Task Force Games once had a couple of publications called "Central Casting" which were table & die backgound generators. One was fanasy, the other was sci-fi.

There were three:
Heroes of Legend = fantasy
Heroes of Tomorrow = SciFi
Heroes Now = modern day/real-world

Four, technically, if you count Central Casting - Dungeons. That was a random dungeon generator book, not background/character creation so I don't really count it.

I have all four and wouldn't part with the three background books short of large sums of money - and even then I'd probably commit a small crime and photocopy them completely to still be able to use them. As you say they are no longer in publication and THAT is a crying shame because these were HIGHLY useful books, even for those who did not really need help in creating backgrounds.

Task Force Games, the publisher, apparantly went belly up in the mid-90's but author Paul Jaquays is still around (I think he even posts here - I know I've seen him post somewhere around whether it was here, WotC boards, or rgfd) though "Heroes Now" was written by Randall Kuipers and John Terra.

I would really love to see all three of these revised and updated, whether for d20 systems specifically or remaining fairly generic as originally handled.

 

[HeapThaumaturgist]

Well. I'm still in the air. I have "Four Color To Fantasy" and "Blood and Vigilance" so I can comment on them. Think I like BnV a bit better, if only because it sits on top of D20Modern easily.

That, I'm finding, can also be a flaw. One of my players feels like it may be a bit too much like playing in our current D20 Modern game. Essentially you have D20 Modern characters ... with superpowers.

What I like is I don't have to make or convert "Monsters" or anything like that. I figure, eyeballing the CR tables from Grim Tales, that the characters average +1 CR or so more. Makes giving out XP easy (if you do that sort of thing, which I don't. I don't give out XP outside of D&D ... nobody has actually NOTICED yet, which tells me I'm doing a good job).

Now, my wife read up on Mutants and Masterminds and she would like to get it ... she loves fluid mechanics (not the science, but the aesthetics) and loves the whole idea of the "Damage Save". Bleh. With pressure from two sides I may end up getting M&M. I could have tonight, but she was asleep when I stopped in to check for D20 Future and I decided I couldn't see my way to paying 33+ dollars on a game system when I had something for that genre I liked.

*cough* Course I wouldn't have been that brave had my wife been awake.

--fje