Dice Rifts - The Thirteenth Mystery - OOC

[Purr]

oh god there are more steps Thanks for letting me know! I'm uhhh... not going to do that right now, my brain is hurting a bit, so i'm gonna close the computer and do some IRL stuff. your knowledge of this system fills me with aww.

EmperorNorton1 Take a break! Touch grass! Do whatever makes you pleased, good Alex! =)

As for my knowledge, I'm far from alone in that. I'm sure there are a number of things you know far better than me. Thanks, though! =)

EDIT: "...fills you with aww." I love it! Hah! I have to share that with Kaerri; she'll like that!

 

[EmperorNorton1]

i meant awe, but like- im not changing that. good enough. also i have not touched grass because its raining, but i pet a dog so close enough. im not gonna.... mess... with the mess anymore tonight though. im good ha ha.

 

[Purr]

i meant awe, but like- im not changing that. good enough. also i have not touched grass because its raining, but i pet a dog so close enough. im not gonna.... mess... with the mess anymore tonight though. im good ha ha.

Petting the dog! Yes! Hooray for petting wonderful canines! 8D

 

[Eonivar]

Epiphany I have updated my Demi-God, Priya's backstory in the character section. I would like for Priya to have a connection to the King and Archmage Robert Creed. When she was a child and her considerable magical powers started to develop, I would like to have the Archmage have taken a personal interest in Priya's talents and take her under his wing in teaching her to use and control her powers while she learned to be a Doctor like her mother. I kind of see Priya and the King developing almost a Father-Daughter like relationship here.

Let me know what you think and if this is ok.

 

[Purr]

Not quite as much a work in progress as before!

Esbilon Looking good! Keep it up! =)

 

[EmperorNorton1]

I was wondering if we could change the rules of sign language (Conversational Sign Language specifically, as opposed to noiseless military codes) so that they are treated like any other language? the whole "you both have to constantly make skill checks if you want to understand each other" rule for Sign Language but not for spoken ones just feels... mean and kinda ableist.

 

[Psychie]

Psychie Hey, Nausicaa-lovin' chick! Where did you find Reyna's psychic power, Resist Damage, please? I can't find that family of psionics in any of my books (and I might not own the source).

It is in one issue of the Rifter that Sherwood typed up in the lore section of his Rifts game. I don't remember which issue the extra powers were listed.

 

[Purr]

It is in one issue of the Rifter that Sherwood typed up in the lore section of his Rifts game. I don't remember which issue the extra powers were listed.

Oh! You must mean this! Not his Rifts Japan game, but his 2018 Rifts Game! Ahh! His links to Game Master Guide and such. Yeah! Thanks!

 

[Psychie]

Right, that's the one.

 

[Purr]

Right, that's the one.

And they're available because Pips stated any book is fair game (within reason).

I'm largely of the opinion that any Palladium book is fair game, as long as there's a plausible reason.

Epiphany I know this is the weekend (and if memory serves, you mentioned early on that on your weekends, you'll likely not be as available as you are during the weekdays), but when you get this - if these powers aren't reasonable, say so and I'll happily choose others for Chan-Chan. =)

 

[EmperorNorton1]

Well, I'm real tired. I'm going to bed yall. have a great night!

 

[Purr]

EmperorNorton1 You too! Sleep well and fully!

 

[Purr]

Epiphany RP Nation says it's Pips and Esbilion on besides me. Pips, I've come up with more (hopefully fun and interesting) questions. But you've mentioned you're busy on the weekends (it's Memorial Day Weekend in the U.S.A. after all). Others have questions posted too.

I can hold off or post. Do you have a preference?

EDIT: You appear to have logged. I'll ask later. Enjoy your weekend, everybody! 8D

 

[EmperorNorton1]

Goooodddd morning/afternoon!!

 

[Eonivar]

Hellllloooooooo!!!!

 

[EmperorNorton1]

How are you doing today, my pal?

 

[Eonivar]

How are you doing today, my pal?

Not too bad, just chilling with my wife and watching Star Trek Lower Decks.

How are you?

 

[EmperorNorton1]

I'm doing pretty good too! just chilling with my dogs and rewatching she-ra.

 

[Epiphany]

And they're available because Pips stated any book is fair game (within reason).


Epiphany I know this is the weekend (and if memory serves, you mentioned early on that on your weekends, you'll likely not be as available as you are during the weekdays), but when you get this - if these powers aren't reasonable, say so and I'll happily choose others for Chan-Chan. =)

Hi Dannigan. What were you interested in?

 

[Epiphany]

I'm doing pretty good too! just chilling with my dogs and rewatching she-ra.

She-ra is my jam. So glad I have a 7 year old and an excuse to watch it.

 

[Purr]

She-ra is my jam. So glad I have a 7 year old and an excuse to watch it.

Epiphany Oh... my... gosh! Your little peanut is 7 already?! Ha ha! That is terrific! Hooray for Mini-Pips! 8D

Hi Dannigan. What were you interested in?

Hah! Looking at what I typed, I'm currently interested in writing sentences that make sense. Mine was confusing (what powers? I don't mention any). Give me a few? I've got 7 queries for you.

 

[Purr]

Hey everybody! I'm coming closer to finishing Chan-Chan's character sheet. I imagine I'll be completely rewriting her backstory with the intention of making her easy to insert into whatever story option we all decide upon. And hey, Pips! Thanks a bunch for the three story options you posted earlier; we might not need a fourth!

Epiphany Below are 7 questions here - all offered in the spirit of having a smoother game-launch. Got your thinking cap on? =)

Also, before I forget, does Chan-Chan have to pay for her Native Language

1. Do our characters receive Native Language and Native Language Literacy for free or must we pay two Skills for those? Per your rules, a character like Chan-Chan receives her skills from her O.C.C., but Grey Seer doesn't cover these specifically. I saw the percentage-related talk earlier, but I can't find if the Skills themselves cost us Skills or not.

2. Tattoo magic. Would it be all right if Chan-Chan had a Dimensional Tattoo (Secrets of the Atlanteans, p. 174)? Specifically the "Rift on a Stone Wall" (Mystic Portal) on p. 176?

The reasoning is this - while Atlanteans possess tattoo magic, it is the Chiang-Ku dragons that created and mastered nearly all of it (Sunaj tattoo magic being the exception). I would like this particular power because it acts very much like the AD&D Passwall spell allowing exit or entry through virtually any physical wall-like area at a distance of 12 feet/level. That's 60 feet for 5th level Chan-Chan, a little more as time goes on. It can also be used on stationary objects to drop them through floors. I think it is one heck of a secret "Ace in the Hole" should she or the group ever find themselves down a one-way alley with no other way out. (When I say "secret," I mean no one in the team knows about this particular hidden tattoo.)

2a. If the "Mystic Portal" tattoo magic is O.K.ed, is it possible to "chain-cast" (cast back-to-back) two or more Mystic Portals to increase the distance of the tunnel they create at the cost of spending 45 P.P.E. per casting? (Secrets of the Atlanteans doesn't seem to cover this circumstance.)

The Premise

Your character finds themselves in Tolkeen at a speech being given by the King of Tolkeen.
The year is 100 PA.
The last 9 years have vanished but you still remember.
Once more, Tolkeen prepares for a war that may be inevitable.

My only firm requirements were (A) everyone's PCs were there at the speech in 101 PA and (B) everyone was in proximity to that hospital when it was destroyed and a rift broke time in 109 PA.

3. Time. Are we starting the game in 100 or 101 P.A.? It sounds like you've changed it to 101 P.A. in Tolkeen at the King's speech?

Character Creation

• Characters can be created between 5th and 10th level, depending entirely on player preference based on how old and/or how experienced your character is. This provides the opportunity to play higher-level characters than players routinely experience in Palladium campaigns. The 'lower powered' your OCC/RCC is, the higher the level to aim for.

4. Do you think I should increase my PCs level? We have 3 level 10 PCs, 2 level 8 PCs, and my 5th-level PC ; the average level of our starting characters minus mine is 9. I want her to be the "kid sister" young-ling of the group, but I'm starting to think that a 5th-level Chan-Chan is going to get creamed. I made her back when we had no casters.

Now, with a Demi-god of magic with every spell from 1st to 8th level just for starters and an Undead Slayer with the Sword of Atlantis whom I think, if played smart, could honestly drop a Cosmo Knight in melee - what is my cute little dragon-girl going to do besides show them where the baddies are and maybe throw debuffs here and there? I don't mind being in the back-most seat enough to ask people to change what they're playing, because I really want everyone else to be happy too - but nor do I want to ask for more than you've already generously given me without strong cause. Do you think this is one?

Increasing her level also means more die rolls on your part and I'd rather not add to your prep without good reason.

Actual levels awarded in game will be done via a milestone system.

5. Could you provide a brief explanation of the kind of "milestone" experience system you intend to use, please?

6. And finally, where do you want each of us gear-wise? I don't remember you mentioning that we could adding gear. I'm seeing some character sheets where of us already have some cosmically-awesome gear for their level and some of us don't have anything written down yet. So... how is this handled?

Each of our R.C.C.s and O.C.C.s has a list of starting gear, but those are for 1st level characters. I think if we have great gear at start, it helps us power-wise and we can focus more on the story, but if some of us start out needing gear (I'll use my own character as the lowest on the pole here; maybe Chan-Chan shows up dead broke?) then I imagine we'll be out there growing closer as a team as we band together and quest to gear up. Your thoughts?

Honor and fun,
Dann =)

P.S. I'm really having a blast thus far with everybody and I am in no rush to see the game started until we've all got our characters and things in order. This has been great fun already! =)

 

[Esbilon]

Now that Dannigan mentioned level, I'd just like to bring up that I'd be perfectly happy dropping down from 10 if we agree to lower the power-level of the group over all. I went all in since I saw other people doing it and figured that if I was *both* a squishy human *and* under-levelled, I'd not really be able to contribute. Of course, we can also just stay on top and tackle the gods themselves if they should come knocking.

 

[Purr]

Now that Dannigan mentioned level, I'd just like to bring up that I'd be perfectly happy dropping down from 10 if we agree to lower the power-level of the group over all. I went all in since I saw other people doing it and figured that if I was *both* a squishy human *and* under-levelled, I'd not really be able to contribute. Of course, we can also just stay on top and tackle the gods themselves if they should come knocking.

Esbilon, that's super-cool of you, but I don't want to nerf anyone else's characters, including yours. I just want to know if mine should stay where she's at or come up in level. Speaking of course as just another Player, I think your PCs level/class combination works great! Please don't change that just for me. =)

 

[Epiphany]

Hey everybody! I'm coming closer to finishing Chan-Chan's character sheet. I imagine I'll be completely rewriting her backstory with the intention of making her easy to insert into whatever story option we all decide upon. And hey, Pips! Thanks a bunch for the three story options you posted earlier; we might not need a fourth!

Epiphany Below are 7 questions here - all offered in the spirit of having a smoother game-launch. Got your thinking cap on? =)


1. Do our characters receive Native Language and Native Language Literacy for free or must we pay two Skills for those? Per your rules, a character like Chan-Chan receives her skills from her O.C.C., but Grey Seer doesn't cover these specifically. I saw the percentage-related talk earlier, but I can't find if the Skills themselves cost us Skills or not.

2. Tattoo magic. Would it be all right if Chan-Chan had a Dimensional Tattoo (Secrets of the Atlanteans, p. 174)? Specifically the "Rift on a Stone Wall" (Mystic Portal) on p. 176?

The reasoning is this - while Atlanteans possess tattoo magic, it is the Chiang-Ku dragons that created and mastered nearly all of it (Sunaj tattoo magic being the exception). I would like this particular power because it acts very much like the AD&D Passwall spell allowing exit or entry through virtually any physical wall-like area at a distance of 12 feet/level. That's 60 feet for 5th level Chan-Chan, a little more as time goes on. It can also be used on stationary objects to drop them through floors. I think it is one heck of a secret "Ace in the Hole" should she or the group ever find themselves down a one-way alley with no other way out. (When I say "secret," I mean no one in the team knows about this particular hidden tattoo.)

2a. If the "Mystic Portal" tattoo magic is O.K.ed, is it possible to "chain-cast" (cast back-to-back) two or more Mystic Portals to increase the distance of the tunnel they create at the cost of spending 45 P.P.E. per casting? (Secrets of the Atlanteans doesn't seem to cover this circumstance.)



3. Time. Are we starting the game in 100 or 101 P.A.? It sounds like you've changed it to 101 P.A. in Tolkeen at the King's speech?


4. Do you think I should increase my PCs level? We have 3 level 10 PCs, 2 level 8 PCs, and my 5th-level PC ; the average level of our starting characters minus mine is 9. I want her to be the "kid sister" young-ling of the group, but I'm starting to think that a 5th-level Chan-Chan is going to get creamed. I made her back when we had no casters.

Now, with a Demi-god of magic with every spell from 1st to 8th level just for starters and an Undead Slayer with the Sword of Atlantis whom I think, if played smart, could honestly drop a Cosmo Knight in melee - what is my cute little dragon-girl going to do besides show them where the baddies are and maybe throw debuffs here and there? I don't mind being in the back-most seat enough to ask people to change what they're playing, because I really want everyone else to be happy too - but nor do I want to ask for more than you've already generously given me without strong cause. Do you think this is one?

Increasing her level also means more die rolls on your part and I'd rather not add to your prep without good reason.


5. Could you provide a brief explanation of the kind of "milestone" experience system you intend to use, please?

6. And finally, where do you want each of us gear-wise? I don't remember you mentioning that we could adding gear. I'm seeing some character sheets where of us already have some cosmically-awesome gear for their level and some of us don't have anything written down yet. So... how is this handled?

Each of our R.C.C.s and O.C.C.s has a list of starting gear, but those are for 1st level characters. I think if we have great gear at start, it helps us power-wise and we can focus more on the story, but if some of us start out needing gear (I'll use my own character as the lowest on the pole here; maybe Chan-Chan shows up dead broke?) then I imagine we'll be out there growing closer as a team as we band together and quest to gear up. Your thoughts?

Honor and fun,
Dann =)

P.S. I'm really having a blast thus far with everybody and I am in no rush to see the game started until we've all got our characters and things in order. This has been great fun already! =)

Let's see how much I can answer before my family drags me away.

1. Looks like the Grey Seer in the World Book 16 - Federation of Magic pg. 91 does receive "Speak and is literate in American (+20%)" and "Speaks one language of choice (+15%)" and I don't mind if you assume literacy there too.

2. Per pg. 174 in Secrets of the Atlanteans:
"These specialized Power tattoos are typically reserved for Atlantean Tattooed Voyagers as they are best trained in how to utilize them to their fullest potential. Should a Dimension tattoo be placed on anyone other than an Atlantean Voyager, it costs 50% more P.P.E. and P.E. points to activate the tattoo. The only exception being Chiang-Ku dragons as they are the creators and masters of magic tattoos."
This looks like a valid choice therefore.

2a. I'm trying and struggling to understand how one would chain-cast this tattoo. The spell creates a 12 foot deep passage/tunnel per level of spellcaster but it stops when it reaches the other side of the barrier, per the spell's description. Most barriers aren't going to be 60 feet thick or wider. That said, the spell description doesn't really explain what happens if you step through a passage that isn't long enough to reach to the other side either. I'd say...sure? If you step through the passage, and if that passage isn't long enough to reach an 'other side', you can cast it again to get another 60 feet...and keep doing that until you run out of PPE or PE. Still not sure when/how that circumstance would ever arise but sure?

3. 101 P.A. Specifically 9:01am on June 13th of 101 P.A.

4. Sure, I'm game for raising the level to 8th. Just bear in mind, that does mean Chan-Chan was stronger than these people in the Future That Was, and if they will have known her then, those memories may end up being at odds with this Chan Chan.

On the other hand, if we go with "Group didn't necessarily know each other as a group, and Chan Chan's hook is 'Oh temporal magic is flaring over here, I'd better see what's going on!' and thus the other PCs largely won't have known her in the future, no dissonance at all.

I'm game for whatever.

5. For milestone leveling, basically kind of like Exalted Essence does it. Given the party (now) ranges from 8th-10th level, PCs aren't necessarily getting a level every mission. The way I'm envisioning it, whenever you guys accomplish a significant goal, that's an opportunity to level.

Hypothetically, if you guys decided to assassinate the Emperor:
Level +1: You plotted a course from Tolkeen to Chi-City, successfully found passage/made passage to the CS states, broke through 6 layers of security, found a contact, gained access to the Throne Room, managed to get the Emperor alone and sprung...only to find out that he's a robot! And now you have to escape...
Level +2: You managed to fight/sneak/work your way out of the CS Headquarters, reached the Burbs, hooked up with a contact who could identify where that robot Emperor might have been manufactured. After making your way to what used to be Cincinnati, you discover a vast Black Market town and make several deals that lead you higher and higher until you finally get a meeting with the Maker, who tells you operatives from Quebec pulled this off and the real Emperor is imprisoned up in Free Quebec!
Level 3+: You get the idea.

6. For everyone else, I'm ideally wanting them to think of what a 5th level character might have gained access to, bought, traded for and that's their starting gear. If this were D&D, assume 10th level armament so to speak. Most of the cast may have ended up with better gear 8 years from now, but they'll have to get it again if they want it again.

For Chan-Chan, you're a dragon. I've no issues assuming that in her decades of life, she's got a hoard. Go with what seems reasonable to you.

To quote a conversation I had yesterday:
Them: "PCs will, as a rule, grab as much power as possible and optimize the fun out of games."
Me: "In this case, the adversary is the mightiest nation on Earth. I consider it less of a risk than usual."