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Message no. 1
From: K in the Shadows <Ereskanti@***.COM>
Subject: Game Stuff (Re: Fastjack [was: An observation])
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1998 00:04:50 EST
In a message dated 12/15/1998 11:46:52 PM US Eastern Standard Time,
remo@***.NET writes:

>
> >> Any other players have their characters keep such souvenirs?
> >
> >Does a crown of thorns qualify or a birthing blanket maybe?????
>
> Do I even want to hear this whole story, K...? <g>

Probably not Patrick, but it was an interesting one. Let's just call it
psychotic requirements for a Talismongering (Gathering) requirement that we
came up with recently (Padre' redid his hat). And just in time for that up
coming Vampire-from-Hell game this weekend....

Here's a thought...

Anyone have ideas for a really good, intelligent, Vampire who is probably a
member (higher ranking) within the Ordo Maximus? I've already got the rules
for new vampires and even Lycanthropes (variations on Shapeshifters, these are
infectious). I've also considered a single, really awesome, body guard that
is likely a Cybermantic Samurai type (the ultimate twist on "Death Knight").

Basically, the situation is this. We are re-inventing the entire concept of
"Ravenloft", and moving it into a SR genre. That isn't entirely accurate, but
it will probably fit overall.

The Vampire is pre-Awakened one, and so should be more than adequately
powerful enough to handle his own should a direct conflict break out. BUT, I
want something more. Anyone who has ever played Ravenloft (any version) with
a *GOOD* GM knows that the story needed good role-players more than it ever
needed Roll-Players.

I am looking for the same thing here as an accomplishment. Vamps in SR do NOT
"Energy Drain" with the speed that their AD$D counterparts do. So things have
to be approached differently. None of this "Tag ... oh, that level loss hurt,
didn't it?" crap.

I am also looking at it from the POV (somewhat) as if the Vamp in question has
integrated somewhat into the 21st century, and has some modern conveniences,
as well as some old nightmares. Basically, at least one POSSIBLE encounter
area is a mountain-dug maze mixed in with a variety of nasties. As well as
the thought that the guy has contacts to one or more corporations who do NOT
want to see him being "lost" to them.

Ideas??? Come on folks, let's hear it!

-K
Message no. 2
From: Patrick Goodman <remo@***.NET>
Subject: Re: Game Stuff (Re: Fastjack [was: An observation])
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1998 23:23:35 -0600
>From: K in the Shadows
>Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 1998 11:05 PM

>I've already got the rules for new vampires and even
>Lycanthropes (variations on Shapeshifters, these are
>infectious).

You've got rules for these, you say? Pre-Awakening vampires, critters
not infected with HMHVV but the supernatural kind? They up at HHH,
perchance? I'd be interested in looking at those. (Steve
McCormick...be afraid. Be very afraid. <eg>)

--
(>) Texas 2-Step
El Paso: Never surrender. Never forget. Never forgive.
Message no. 3
From: K in the Shadows <Ereskanti@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Game Stuff (Re: Fastjack [was: An observation])
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1998 04:48:20 EST
In a message dated 12/16/1998 12:25:17 AM US Eastern Standard Time,
remo@***.NET writes:

>
> You've got rules for these, you say? Pre-Awakening vampires, critters
> not infected with HMHVV but the supernatural kind? They up at HHH,
> perchance? I'd be interested in looking at those. (Steve
> McCormick...be afraid. Be very afraid. <eg>)
>
They are NOT up *Yet* ... (very soon, very, very soon)...

-K (...who took the "OT" out of "Psych-ic")
Message no. 4
From: Steven McCormick <stardust@***.NET>
Subject: Re: Game Stuff (Re: Fastjack [was: An observation])
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1998 08:05:14 -0600
At 11:23 PM 12/15/98 -0600, Patrick Goodman wrote:
>>From: K in the Shadows
>>Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 1998 11:05 PM
>
>>I've already got the rules for new vampires and even
>>Lycanthropes (variations on Shapeshifters, these are
>>infectious).
>
>You've got rules for these, you say? Pre-Awakening vampires, critters
>not infected with HMHVV but the supernatural kind? They up at HHH,
>perchance? I'd be interested in looking at those. (Steve
>McCormick...be afraid. Be very afraid. <eg>)
>
>--
>(>) Texas 2-Step
> El Paso: Never surrender. Never forget. Never forgive.
>
>

I hate it when you say that, Patrick! Any chance I can get a loan for that
force 6 weapon focus I've been drooling over? :)

K, this is all your fault, the death of my character should be on your
conscience. :)

BlueMule
Message no. 5
From: David Buehrer <dbuehrer@******.CARL.ORG>
Subject: Re: Game Stuff (Re: Fastjack [was: An observation])
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1998 08:01:15 -0700
For the mere cost of a Thaum, K in the Shadows wrote:
/
/ Anyone have ideas for a really good, intelligent, Vampire who is probably a
/ member (higher ranking) within the Ordo Maximus? I've already got the rules
/ for new vampires and even Lycanthropes (variations on Shapeshifters, these are
/ infectious). I've also considered a single, really awesome, body guard that
/ is likely a Cybermantic Samurai type (the ultimate twist on "Death Knight").

/ I am looking for the same thing here as an accomplishment. Vamps in SR do NOT
/ "Energy Drain" with the speed that their AD$D counterparts do. So things have
/ to be approached differently. None of this "Tag ... oh, that level loss hurt,
/ didn't it?" crap.

I don't have anything specific, but I do have some general suggestions.

When I run an NPC that is all powerful I figure I have three options for
challenging the PCs.

1. The NPC in and of himself is nigh invulnerable.

In my game dragons generally fit into this category. The players have to
go through the grunt work of finding the dragon, or finding out what his
plans are. But, in order to defeat the dragon they have to use a special
item or knowledge, or they have to foil his plan. If they characters try
the direct approach of attacking the dragon, they lose. FYI, I don't have
stats for characters like these.

2. The NPC is smart and has a broad power base.

Think Illuminati for this one. The characters might hear the name of
the person who is in charge of the operation, but often as not they are
directly dealing with a 2nd in command or below who himself has a vast
number of resources to call on. The closest the PCs might get to #1
might be a phone conversation, or face-to-face in a no-win situation.

3. The NPC is smart, has a broad power base, and is nigh invulnerable.

I've got a mummy in my AD&D campaign that fits this bill. If the
characters ever attacked him directly they wouldn't stand a chance.
The mummy is a ruler of a fair sized country and has it's resources at
his beck and call. The mummy also has significant personal magic
resources at his disposal. And the mummy is several thousand years old
and is *very* experienced.

I suggest using this type of NPC when you want the PCs to feel like
pawns on a chess field.

Hope that helped :)

-David B.
--
"Earn what you have been given."
--
email: dbuehrer@******.carl.org
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1068/homepage.htm
Message no. 6
From: Patrick Goodman <remo@***.NET>
Subject: Re: Game Stuff (Re: Fastjack [was: An observation])
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1998 11:08:31 -0600
From: K in the Shadows
Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 1998 3:48 AM

>> You've got rules for these, you say? Pre-Awakening vampires,
>> critters not infected with HMHVV but the supernatural kind?
>> They up at HHH, perchance? I'd be interested in looking at
>> those.
>
>They are NOT up *Yet* ... (very soon, very, very soon)...

Groovy. Do be sure to let us know when you get these posted. There's a
great deal of potential for them in the southwest....

--
(>) Texas 2-Step
El Paso: Never surrender. Never forget. Never forgive.
Message no. 7
From: K in the Shadows <Ereskanti@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Game Stuff (Re: Fastjack [was: An observation])
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1998 14:14:14 EST
In a message dated 12/16/1998 9:58:09 AM US Eastern Standard Time,
stardust@***.NET writes:

>
> K, this is all your fault, the death of my character should be on your
> conscience. :)

Take a number ...

-K

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Thwap!