Dice Rifts Adventure OOC

[Purr]

Well, Sil is looking for a way that Eron would not die by normal means. I believe the word he used was "immortal." The only way I know how to do that that has worked in the Rifts universe, is go the way some Crazies and Juicers go and when their bodies die out - put the rest of their meat into machine and make them a cyborg.

However, I can't imagine Eron walking around like a Terminator from that series, can you? So how about instead a Motoko Kusanagi/Batou from the Ghost in the Shell?

How, you may ask? Well, they do that sort of stuff in Rifts: Japan. And guess where Snowfall is from? I bet it would be expensive as all hell, but Eron would not die of old age. I do hope he would turn out better than some of the Tsunami 'borgs they have there. They're not very human on the inside anymore.

 

[Purr]

Sherwood Re: spellcasting.

1. Is Snowfall being treated as an 8th level Caster in terms of spell strength? I believe that would give him a plus three to spell strength? Per Ley Line Walker?

2. Re: "Asian flavor." I was hoping for a few minor spells that would originate in the Orient. I am mildly surprised to find there aren't any. I just wanted small moments like people asking where he learned a spell from and he could say, "my homeland." =) just like in Big Trouble in Little china, I wanted Asian magic to be, I guess, different than Western Magic. At least a little. =)

2a. Chi Magic runs off Chi which is interchangeable with I.S.P. in your games. Since they don't run only off of P.P.E., I don't think they're compatible unless you specifically adjust them to be so?

EDIT: Chi Magic spells run on P.P.E. and there are 1st level spells to convert Chi to P.P.E. and vice versa (6 Chi to 1 P.P.E.).

3. If this is done in-character, Snowfall might choose spells that Terra specifically does not have so that they can do a lot of trading back and forth. In other words, he could become a caster with her spell list in mind. Is that O.K.?

4. While he starts out with the bare minimum spells of an eighth level caster (20 spells), do you want him to have spent some of his down time buying more spells with the money he has or perhaps getting spells as part of the rewards from our last mission?Or would you rather he begin the game with only those 20 spells and the ones he trades with Terra?

I'm asking because he's still sitting on quite a lot of money. And I can only imagine he would (or will) buy what he could.

 

[Sherwood]

Sherwood Re: spellcasting.

1. Is Snowfall being treated as an 8th level Caster in terms of spell strength? I believe that would give him a plus three to spell strength? Per Ley Line Walker?

2. Re: "Asian flavor." I was hoping for a few minor spells that would originate in the Orient. I am mildly surprised to find there aren't any. I just wanted small moments like people asking where he learned a spell from and he could say, "my homeland." =) just like in Big Trouble in Little china, I wanted Asian magic to be, I guess, different than Western Magic. At least a little. =)

2a. Chi Magic runs off Chi which is interchangeable with I.S.P. in your games. Since they don't run off of P.P.E., I don't think they're compatible unless you specifically adjust them to be so?

3. If this is done in-character, Snowfall might choose spells that Terra specifically does not have so that they can do a lot of trading back and forth. In other words, he could become a caster with her spell list in mind. Is that O.K.?

4. While he starts out with the bare minimum spells of an eighth level caster (20 spells), do you want him to have spent some of his down time buying more spells with the money he has or perhaps getting spells as part of the rewards from our last mission?Or would you rather he begin the game with only those 20 spells and the ones he trades with Terra?

I'm asking because he's still sitting on quite a lot of money. And I can only imagine he would (or will) buy what he could.

1. Yes.

2. I will look into the China World Book to see if there is anything we can tap into from there.

2a. Probably not.

3. That is fine if you two wish to add to your spell lists that way.

4. Just the twenty you start with and any you swap with Terra.

I presume that you would be donating some funds to the cause of your new tavern/inn. Also, there will be a chance to do some shopping, either at Moloch's or at Erin Nova that might interest you. Then there are the places you are going to go once you start your quest.

 

[Purr]

1. Yes.

2. I will look into the China World Book to see if there is anything we can tap into from there.

2a. Probably not.

3. That is fine if you two wish to add to your spell lists that way.

4. Just the twenty you start with and any you swap with Terra.

I presume that you would be donating some funds to the cause of your new tavern/inn. Also, there will be a chance to do some shopping, either at Moloch's or at Erin Nova that might interest you. Then there are the places you are going to go once you start your quest.

Great! I have also had another thought (and this one comes from Carl Sagan. "The beauty of a living thing is not the atoms that go into it but the way those atoms are put together."). I am trying to put together a Snowfall who can take on a new role. He and Terra share a lot of the same tattoos. Also, now he can cast spells and no small number of them. Theses makes me want to ask you to change a few of Snowfall's tattoos to a degree (remember, the big reason I wanted to change Snowfall was that he and Terra are now too much alike). Would you allow me to swap out, say, four tattoos? I think that might be enough to put him into his own category.

Some of the tattoos that he and Terra have are definitely keepers, but... I still want our characters to be individuals in terms of abilities. For the sake of long-term play as well as party balance. If this is O.K., then I can get to making the Snowfall that I think I'll want to play for another 4+ years. I wasn't prepared to make changes to him, but life has a way of throwing curve balls at you (if you don't mind the baseball analogy). The childish whine that life is not fair (which indeed it isn't) but the wise turn these curve balls into opportunities. Anyways, I think I'm starting to ramble again. =)

 

[Sherwood]

Go ahead and make the changes to your tattoos.

 

[Purr]

Thank you!

 

[Purr]

While I wait for my noms to cook, my ever-racing brain would like to share some (probably random) thoughts on rebuilding Snowfall. Anyone feel free to comment, debate, etc.!

Spoiler: Dann Ramblings

I've been reading and remembering Kevin Seimbeida's thoughts about his Palladium magic system. His and Hugh King's from The Book of Magic too. How Palladium magic is not over-balanced. Why it is fun. How it comes at cost and promotes excellence in roleplaying in the avenues of moral and tactical decisions that most tech-based characters don't usually explore.

Again, Carl Sagan's thoughts on combination and beauty hop onboard my brain-train tonight. For our Rifts game, it's not just the spells Snowfall chooses, but their possible combinations that should also be taken into account. What might have happened if Snowfall had cast Wind Rush on the four Skelebots that Eron was facing? What if the wind had struck the robots in their backs forcing them to eat the Carpet of Adhesion face-first? Sure, they were in no danger of suffocation, but their threat would have been greatly diminished if not eliminated for the time being.

I've been also reading into Palladium's forums about spells, magic, fun casting classes, the best, the worst, and crazy things people came up with at distant gaming tables alive now only in their memories. Combinations. Not just of Snowfall's Invocation spells, but how might they promote or otherwise compliment his tattoos? New choices of tattoos replacing oft-unused tattoos along with his Invocation spells could make life more interesting than choosing them on their own. Not to mention Snowfall's current arsenal of excellent weaponry.

Passing along Zelator to Terra is not only a no-brainer, but possibly most-importantly, it saves it from gathering dust in the back of a Badger. What a pity that was and one that needed changing! I am glad to have had a hand in that. It grates something in me to see items that could be of some good and regular use (not just situational like the Bowl of Winds or the Anti-Magic device Dex's character found). We worked for those. I want to see some use out of them. I want the same for Snowfall's new build.

I like the idea of Snowy being a "shutdown" artist. Wall of Wind and Wind Rush worked fabulously in the Project Omega Reactor Room in Lone Stare. Let Eron and Terra "terra up" the bad guys and be the main-stay in damage-dealing. I've always liked the idea of Snowfall being a support unit, a mainly ranged attacker, a healer. Right now, he's a mishmash of sorts. So... what is in concrete in terms of his overall build?

Most of his tattoos and the spells offered by Terra. The former isn't changing and the latter has basically been offered for trade (this works great in-character seeing how close everyone has become since Snowfall joined the team back when they fought the Mechanoids alongside Hagan... Lonovich? - hope I got his name right; that was some years ago).

So... Terra's offered selection of spells and Snowy's own collection of tattoo magic. What else? His arsenal. He's got three rune weapons (Tatsu Blaster, "Fraggle Rock" sword, and the Rod of Weather Control "Windy Stick). That's a nice combination. I can happily see him with any of those alongside a Rune Shield, whatever those do. Only the Tatsu Blaster is Asian in origin and that's because I said so more than anything else. It would be neat if the Rune Shield turned out to be Japanese or even Chinese (whose soldiers made more use of them than the Japanese). Circular shields look cool.

Food's ready!

I should also take into account what Snowfall does well already. Not to do so is to possibly miss combination opportunities. What does he do well? Well, he's turned out to be one hell of a scout, hasn't he? I daresay the Lone Star mission would have been quite different had I still been playing Gladiator Gradicus and Smoochie. He's also something of sage in terms of skill. All things magical interest him. He is a magical creature (as opposed to playing a human trying to act like one).

Hmm. So. Scout. Sage. Possible shutdown artist.

I've got a lot more thinking to do.

That's enough typing for now. Food is cool enough to eat now. =)

Honor and fun,
Dann =)

 

[Sherwood]

There are a lot of great combat-assist spells and utility spells in the book to make Snowfall's desire to be able to incapacitate the bad guys in one way or another. They can be very useful if put to use in the right way.

 

[Silanon]

Enjoy your meal! Having breakfast over here, funny how timezones work out...

Sherwood As Dann said, I would want him to look into options to not die due to age. I don't really feel like turning Eron into a machine, so to speak - so I was wondering if there are any spiritual solutions to the problem. Some path of ascension, so to speak, that allows him to fight evil forever unless the bad guys manage to get him.

I'm unfamiliar with the stuff that Dann just mentioned, need to look into it.

 

[Purr]

There are a lot of great combat-assist spells and utility spells in the book to make Snowfall's desire to be able to incapacitate the bad guys in one way or another. They can be very useful if put to use in the right way.

Could you name a few that you like?

 

[Sherwood]

Enjoy your meal! Having breakfast over here, funny how timezones work out...

Sherwood As Dann said, I would want him to look into options to not die due to age. I don't really feel like turning Eron into a machine, so to speak - so I was wondering if there are any spiritual solutions to the problem. Some path of ascension, so to speak, that allows him to fight evil forever unless the bad guys manage to get him.

I'm unfamiliar with the stuff that Dann just mentioned, need to look into it.

Hmmm. How do you feel about symbiotic organisms? There is one called the Absurr in the Atlantis World Book that not only transforms its host to a mega damage being (or in your case, increase your points), it triples the lifespan of the host and it can provide a sixth sense to warn you about danger.

 

[Sherwood]

Could you name a few that you like?

Let me make a list by level.

See the Invisible
Sense Magic
Sense Evil

Befuddle
Cleanse
Detect Concealment
Extinguish Flame
Manipulate Objects
Mystic Alarm

Fingers of Wind
Fuel Flame
Life Source
Light Target
Mystic Fulcrum
Paralysis: Lesser

Deflect
Repel Animals
Ricochet Strike
Shield
Watchguard

Charm
Domination
Energy Disruption
Escape
Featherlight
Implosion Neutralizer
Influence the Beast
Mend the Broken
Mental Blast

Compulsion
Create Water
Energize Spell
Frequency Jamming
Ice
Magic Pigeon
Sheltering Force
Targeted Deflection
Words of Truth

Dispel Magic Barriers
Globe of Silence
Mental Shock
Negate Mechanics
Second Sight

Expel Demons
Force Bonds
Locate
Luck Curse
Minor Curse
Negate Magic
Oracle
Shockwave

There's a bunch of good spells that I didn't list, but most of those are already possessed by Terra and you can just learn from her.

 

[Purr]

Thanks! I was looking at some of these too. =)

Why do you like Implosion Neutralizer? I admit to not quite understanding how that one works.

What do you like about Targeted Deflection?

How does Life Source work with Mega-damage beings? Don't tell me the whole 1 M.D.C. = 100 S.D.C. thing comes into play because that's just... nuts for P.P.E.!

Does Negate Magic overlap Dispel Magic Barriers? Meaning, does having the former make the latter obsolete?

 

[Psychie]

Silanon I am familiar with that symbyote that Sherwood mentioned. It is a good-aligned creature that feeds on positive emotions, and can transform its host into a MD being. They can be purchased for a buttload of money, going upwards of 100 million credits.

 

[Purr]

Silanon I am familiar with that symbyote that Sherwood mentioned. It is a good-aligned creature that feeds on positive emotions, and can transform its host into a MD being. They can be purchased for a buttload of money, going upwards of 100 million credits.

Holy wowzercows! And they get you a sixth sense ability? Is it like the Psychic power (almost wrote "Psychie" power!)? Or is it different somehow?

 

[Psychie]

Here is the text of the critter in the spoiler:

Spoiler

A symbiotic creature that resembles a tiny, headless armadillo with
a long tail. It typically wraps the tail around the neck of its symbiotic
partner and attaches itself to the body at the base of the neck. At a
quick glance observers are likely to think the creature is nothing more
than a large growth/lump on the neck. It is also fairly easy to conceal
with high collar shirts, scarves and long hair. The creature communicates
only by means of empathic transmission. It will not establish a symbiotic
union with another creature unless that creature agrees (agreement is
interpreted by positive and friendly emotions) and shares a compatible
alignment. Once a symbiotic relationship is established, the Absurr life
node will never leave its "life partner;" if one dies the other dies.
Host type: Humanoids and intelligent beings of all kind, except creatures
of magic and the supernatural.
Host Environment: The base of the neck — feeds on emotions and
the energy created by them.
Hit Points: A mega-damage creature with lD6x 100 M.D.C.; once
linked, its symbiotic partner becomes a mega-damage creature with
4D6x 10 + 20 M.D.C. points.
Average Life Span: Equal to its partner (triples the average life span
of its mortal partner).
Alignment: Any, but most are of a good alignment, particularly principled.
Cannot attack other life forms.
Powers: The host body becomes a mega-damage creature (see hit points)
and the creature's normal life span is tripled. The life node can also
transfer its own life force (M.D.C.) into its partner whenever necessary,
in any amount, as long as it retains three M.D.C. for itself; remember,
the two are now one.
Furthermore, the Absurr node will empathically warn its partner of
danger with a sudden empathic flash of fear, hate, or suspicion.
Likewise, it will generate a feeling of happiness, love or trust if it likes
somebody or is happy with a situation. This can help the character
judge events and encounters with other life forms by the feelings that
the Absurr shares with him. Also, the creature is usually awake when
its host body sleeps and will awaken him if it senses/sees potential
danger.
Other powers include a sudden burst of energy when tired (lasts 2D4
minutes), both are impervious to mind control and empathic transmission,
+ 2 to save vs psionic attacks, +5 to save vs horror factor, and
+ 20% to save vs coma/death.
Notes about the creature: It has a mind of its own and is very intelligent.
However, it functions on a level of existence alien to most humans. It
has no desire for the acquisition of possessions, wealth, or power,
although it does share the emotions and desires of its partner and works
to help the character get what he or she desires. It is an empathic
vampire that feeds and thrives on emotions. Most particularly enjoys
emotions of love, fulfillment, happiness, and good will generated by
the symbiotic partner. Combat: The Absurr can not physically interact;
it can only send empathic feelings and transfer M.D.C. to its symbiotic
partner.
Bonuses: See powers.
Side Effects: The Absurr life node becomes a permanent fixture. If it
dies the host body dies and vice versa.
Size: About the size of a grapefruit, with a two foot long tail/tentacle
that wraps around the neck. With the passage of a year's time, the
creature becomes permanently and physically attached to its partner.
Means of Elimination: None! To kill the life node is to kill the host
body.
Note: The creature will allow other parasites or symbiotic organisms
to share its partner's body as long as the organisms do not harm the body.
Market Cost: 100 million credits.

 

[Sherwood]

Thanks! I was looking at some of these too. =)

Why do you like Implosion Neutralizer? I admit to not quite understanding how that one works.

What do you like about Targeted Deflection?

How does Life Source work with Mega-damage beings? Don't tell me the whole 1 M.D.C. = 100 S.D.C. thing comes into play because that's just... nuts for P.P.E.!

Does Negate Magic overlap Dispel Magic Barriers? Meaning, does having the former make the latter obsolete?

Implosion Neutralizer can greatly reduce the effects of an explosion, by half if I'm not mistaken. This can make a huge difference in taking damage.

Targeted Deflection not only allows you to try to parry ranged attacks, but you can then try to redirect them back at their source!

Life Source would only be 1 MD for 1 PPE. Not 1 for 100.

Negate Magic works against more than just magic barriers, but it is also more expensive. It can stop active spells like Armor of Ithan or Immunity to Fire, making a person vulnerable to attack while Dispel Magic Barriers will wipe out Carpet of Adhesion and Magic Net spells and things like that.

 

[Silanon]

Sherwood Psychie Thanks for sharing! That seems like way too good of a fit for him to pass on. I mean, he is principled, the symbyote allows for another about 160 years or so of pure madness... Plus they're from Atlantis, too, so there's even a connection in that regard. And Eron already has the Sixth sense, so this would make it damn hard to surprise him at all. It's also a limited change, not like a full conversion or something like that. Damn... where do I sign up for this?

 

[Purr]

Here is the text of the critter in the spoiler:

Spoiler

A symbiotic creature that resembles a tiny, headless armadillo with
a long tail. It typically wraps the tail around the neck of its symbiotic
partner and attaches itself to the body at the base of the neck. At a
quick glance observers are likely to think the creature is nothing more
than a large growth/lump on the neck. It is also fairly easy to conceal
with high collar shirts, scarves and long hair. The creature communicates
only by means of empathic transmission. It will not establish a symbiotic
union with another creature unless that creature agrees (agreement is
interpreted by positive and friendly emotions) and shares a compatible
alignment. Once a symbiotic relationship is established, the Absurr life
node will never leave its "life partner;" if one dies the other dies.
Host type: Humanoids and intelligent beings of all kind, except creatures
of magic and the supernatural.
Host Environment: The base of the neck — feeds on emotions and
the energy created by them.
Hit Points: A mega-damage creature with lD6x 100 M.D.C.; once
linked, its symbiotic partner becomes a mega-damage creature with
4D6x 10 + 20 M.D.C. points.
Average Life Span: Equal to its partner (triples the average life span
of its mortal partner).
Alignment: Any, but most are of a good alignment, particularly principled.
Cannot attack other life forms.
Powers: The host body becomes a mega-damage creature (see hit points)
and the creature's normal life span is tripled. The life node can also
transfer its own life force (M.D.C.) into its partner whenever necessary,
in any amount, as long as it retains three M.D.C. for itself; remember,
the two are now one.
Furthermore, the Absurr node will empathically warn its partner of
danger with a sudden empathic flash of fear, hate, or suspicion.
Likewise, it will generate a feeling of happiness, love or trust if it likes
somebody or is happy with a situation. This can help the character
judge events and encounters with other life forms by the feelings that
the Absurr shares with him. Also, the creature is usually awake when
its host body sleeps and will awaken him if it senses/sees potential
danger.
Other powers include a sudden burst of energy when tired (lasts 2D4
minutes), both are impervious to mind control and empathic transmission,
+ 2 to save vs psionic attacks, +5 to save vs horror factor, and
+ 20% to save vs coma/death.
Notes about the creature: It has a mind of its own and is very intelligent.
However, it functions on a level of existence alien to most humans. It
has no desire for the acquisition of possessions, wealth, or power,
although it does share the emotions and desires of its partner and works
to help the character get what he or she desires. It is an empathic
vampire that feeds and thrives on emotions. Most particularly enjoys
emotions of love, fulfillment, happiness, and good will generated by
the symbiotic partner. Combat: The Absurr can not physically interact;
it can only send empathic feelings and transfer M.D.C. to its symbiotic
partner.
Bonuses: See powers.
Side Effects: The Absurr life node becomes a permanent fixture. If it
dies the host body dies and vice versa.
Size: About the size of a grapefruit, with a two foot long tail/tentacle
that wraps around the neck. With the passage of a year's time, the
creature becomes permanently and physically attached to its partner.
Means of Elimination: None! To kill the life node is to kill the host
body.
Note: The creature will allow other parasites or symbiotic organisms
to share its partner's body as long as the organisms do not harm the body.
Market Cost: 100 million credits.

Ohhh yeah! I remember this thing! Talk about creative! Whomever dreamed it up is fantastic! =) (Man, I haven't read that in years!) =)

Implosion Neutralizer can greatly reduce the effects of an explosion, by half if I'm not mistaken. This can make a huge difference in taking damage.

Targeted Deflection not only allows you to try to parry ranged attacks, but you can then try to redirect them back at their source!

Life Source would only be 1 MD for 1 PPE. Not 1 for 100.

Negate Magic works against more than just magic barriers, but it is also more expensive. It can stop active spells like Armor of Ithan or Immunity to Fire, making a person vulnerable to attack while Dispel Magic Barriers will wipe out Carpet of Adhesion and Magic Net spells and things like that.

Wow. That's eye-opening. I didn't know some of that. Thanks for sharing! =)

 

[Purr]

Other powers include a sudden burst of energy when tired (lasts 2D4
minutes), both are impervious to mind control and empathic transmission,
+ 2 to save vs psionic attacks, +5 to save vs horror factor, and
+ 20% to save vs coma/death.

Sil, I think this alone makes it worth considering. Impervious to mind control and empathic transmission? Freakin' cool! =)

Yeah, how can we help Eron get that bad boy? Er, girl? Er, buddy? =)

 

[Silanon]

Absolutely; like, there's just too much cool stuff in there, really...I also just figured that this whole "not being alone"-thing really works for Eron - and now they're telling me that there's an option to always have someone around with him? Goddamn, how well does that fit?

Just have to sort out the financial situation... at some point, I kinda lost track of my equipment tab, I believe. Damn, that'll be a mess...

 

[Purr]

(Whoops. I miscounted. Snowfall starts with a base of 14 spells overall, not 20.)

Absolutely; like, there's just too much cool stuff in there, really...I also just figured that this whole "not being alone"-thing really works for Eron - and now they're telling me that there's an option to always have someone around with him? Goddamn, how well does that fit?

Just have to sort out the financial situation... at some point, I kinda lost track of my equipment tab, I believe. Damn, that'll be a mess...

That's perfect!!

As for finances, well, heck! Every good boy and girl out there needs a dream worth following, right? =)

 

[Silanon]

I just have no fricking clue how close to that dream I am, actually. I'll have to go back and take a look how much we made since Eron joined, and how much of that he already spent... well, that's really just whatever happened when we returned to our dragon patron, so I'll figure it out. Not now, though, gotta start working.

 

[Sherwood]

Sherwood Psychie Thanks for sharing! That seems like way too good of a fit for him to pass on. I mean, he is principled, the symbyote allows for another about 160 years or so of pure madness... Plus they're from Atlantis, too, so there's even a connection in that regard. And Eron already has the Sixth sense, so this would make it damn hard to surprise him at all. It's also a limited change, not like a full conversion or something like that. Damn... where do I sign up for this?

I can absolutely go with this. I'll add it to the list of the cool stuff you get shortly. Now, it's time for bed. I'll continue this in the morning.

 

[Purr]

Sleep well! =)