Transcendence Now - M&M Game [Resumed!]

[ByteRynn]

Okay, I bought a shotgun and tactical vest with equipment 3 and everything else with my wealth.

So, does my sheet pass muster?

 

[Shalimar]

When I agreed to use the Wealth system I looked at the list of items that the purchase DCs were for and thought they were mostly non-combat. I kind of like the idea of an in-game mechanic to see if you can buy something instead of it being completely up to me if you can buy it-it also gives some kind of rationale so I can be fair with everything. That said, I think combat equipment should be bought with the Equipment feat, whereas items like cell phones/pick up trucks, etc... that aren't necessarily combat related should be bought with Wealth. Sound fair?

Sounds fair to me.

 

[Rybaer]

The question of what you expect from me/what are you looking to see in this game still stands, I don't believe everyone has answered it yet I'm currently brainstorming NPCs and initial plothooks, and later tonight I'll probably post what groups you guys were teamed together in.

Oh, yeah, forgot about that one.

I guess I'm mostly looking for this game to explore the experience of being one of the first people in the world with superpowers, and of being an unconventional hero. I'm also curious to figure out just what is behind the Transcendence project...the people, the motivation, the techniques.

I'm also all for delving deeper into the character's psyche and backstory. It's tough to do in this format, but it's also rewarding when it can be pulled off.

For Joe Vaughn, specifically, I'd like to explore his change from "average" to "extraordinary". It will be much more a psychological change than physical, in spite of the considerable physical advantages conferred by the Transcendence. Also, if you're looking for a possible backstory link, perhaps his wife possessed some supernatural talent that truly did give her a glimpse of what Joe would become...and if so, Joe could learn this somewhere down the line.


In any event, I'm very much looking forward to this game and seeing where you take it.

 

[Sollir Furryfoot]

I ended up taking a much needed but non-intentional long nap so I still need to get some M&M work done to fill my quota for the day. I'm currently contemplating how they got everyone to not use their powers during the testing process, for instance, why wouldn't ByteRynn's character be able to use ESP to monitor them the whole time (which just takes all the fun/mystery out of things, y'know? )

ByteRynn -> Looks good to me. I am curious how you intend to use the Mind Reading power, and I'm curious as well how I'll be able to describe the sensation, but we'll see to that soon enough eh? I'm sure, with all your tracking powers/immobilizing abilities other players are glad that your character seems to be a good guy and not a Transcendent stalker/killer Mind posting your character in the Rogue's Gallery when you get a chance? Btw, I don't believe it was answered, but I'm curious if your character's name is based off of Ralph Waldo Emerson? That's the only famous person I can think of with a similar name. Edit-P.S., what's the sense dependent part of his Snare? Does he have to talk to people or see them or something else?

Rybaer -> I'm less inclined to visit the Transcendent Project's background immediately (its tricky to track down in the first place), so much as what initially y'all are doing. I don't want the project itself to come off as anything but weird/strange at first at least, so it won't color your character's use of powers.. Feel free to track down the people behind it, just don't necessarily expect much results. I am curious to see what your character's wife saw in him in particular, and if it'll come out through his actions or if it'll be emerging character talent/trait instead of power necessarily. If anything, it seems like your character has lots of potential, perhaps more than the other characters, to develope-if only simply because he hasn't yet made himself into anything yet.

 

[Samnell]

I'm currently contemplating how they got everyone to not use their powers during the testing process, for instance, why wouldn't ByteRynn's character be able to use ESP to monitor them the whole time (which just takes all the fun/mystery out of things, y'know? )

Inhibitors built into the walls so they're transhuman-opaque?

 

[Sollir Furryfoot]

I worry about that Samnell because then something to Nullify/Drain you automatically exists in the world. I have gone down that line of thought though and it might be the last resort I'll end up having to use Edit-And, this game being one about people with special powers, nullify/drain doesn't seem to fit much just yet.

 

[RobotRobotI]

I worry about that Samnell because then something to Nullify/Drain you automatically exists in the world. I have gone down that line of thought though and it might be the last resort I'll end up having to use Edit-And, this game being one about people with special powers, nullify/drain doesn't seem to fit much just yet.

Maybe he's just drugged. They ARE testing us and stuff, right? Maybe as soon as they saw how insanely active his brain was, they started drugging him. That might make it harder to test him...

Perhaps they simply made sure that he was always being fed false sensations. They could have him in an entirely seperate facility, depending on his ESP range, with the people there thinking they were actually doing work, but all of the important stuff being handled VIA computer off-site.

 

[Samnell]

I worry about that Samnell because then something to Nullify/Drain you automatically exists in the world. I have gone down that line of thought though and it might be the last resort I'll end up having to use Edit-And, this game being one about people with special powers, nullify/drain doesn't seem to fit much just yet.

That's a damn good point. But, how about this: We're immune to the powers of those in our group. Perhaps, for whatever reason, the facility we trascended in enjoys similar protections. So it blocks us but does not nullify...

EDIT: Alternatively, there's just not much to see. The good stuff is kept out of range and/or simply isn't easily visible to ESP.

 

[Sollir Furryfoot]

One of my ideas was that the one of the 5 original transcendents could be a psychic who could monitor everything, but I'm not sure yet if I even want the 25 situated close to each other, it seems like a dumb thing to do strategically on the role of the Project's designers (making everyone easy to wipe out if they were discovered).

ESP 6 is ranged enough to make the size of the facility nonrelevent, its not going to be superdome size or anything.

Perhaps the facility is controlled from the outside, with the workers there not really doing anything besides following orders? I'm looking for an explanation that's plausible but weird, although one that doesn't carry any moral undertones (drugging in the end would be too risky anyways, not to mention potentially harmful which is not something they'd want).

The place itself being immune to powers seems not so plausible, but would make it a possible recurring future location which would be neat

 

[Samnell]

Perhaps the facility is controlled from the outside, with the workers there not really doing anything besides following orders? I'm looking for an explanation that's plausible but weird, although one that doesn't carry any moral undertones (drugging in the end would be too risky anyways, not to mention potentially harmful which is not something they'd want).

I think that works. It's believeable. The workers could be RNs or something and they deposit their reports in the good old pneumatic tube, or email them, and/or meet weekly at a second location for debriefs. They could receive more frequent instructions via email.