hmm...my IQ was 160-something at last test, but that was in junior high...no clue what it could be now...
[sticky]
The Character Generation Thread
(271 posts) (22 voices)-
Big problem with discussing IQ is that the scale is not really standardized--you'll score higher on one test than another. It's much better if you can get the percentile rating for your score--and much more useful for us, since our scores are linked to percentiles.
As for Doug, I'm glad you're running him, Harry--he might be one of the few people who is smarter than me.
--M. J. Young
Thu Jun 18 2009 3:50 am # -
Triple Nine Society, possibly?
Thu Jun 18 2009 6:07 am # -
JohnA1nut
MemberThat's something. When I was in the 6th grade, we took a school-wide standardized test. I tested as having the highest IQ in the entire 6th grade class of about 60-70 students. In other words, I have reasonable proof that my intellect is in the 99th percentile. (If you round up a bit) I'm OK with 1@10, I was just wondering how those are figured out in-game.
Finding that out made my life miserable. You just told the biggest loser in the class that he's also the smartest kid in the class. My head swelled to the size of a small planetoid.
Thu Jun 18 2009 6:25 am # -
Brock
MemberThat's almost exactly what happened to me, except that my head couldn't swell because I knew that already (that sounded really, really arrogant). Thing is, I didn't then and still don't care about the opinions of my peers in regards to their opinion of me, personally, so it didn't really affect me that much at all. I told my mom about it, she said she got a 172 on some test when she was a bit younger, and she says my dad is pretty intelligent as well. Maybe some other time we can discuss various aspects of intelligence, but I have to logout right now. See ya!
Studying Greek history
Thu Jun 18 2009 6:43 am # -
JohnA1nut
MemberThing is, I didn't then and still don't care about the opinions of my peers in regards to their opinion of me, personally,
I don't either. The thing is, I am psychotic and because of that, I have learning disabilities. I had trouble in school. It's just that kids would call me stupid, and I had documented proof that I was more intelligent than they were. It was like "Who are you calling stupid?????"
so it didn't really affect me that much at all.
I don't think I fully recovered from it until I was a senior in high school. Strange how that works, isn't it?
Thu Jun 18 2009 9:38 am # -
"I was born by cesarean section. It hasn't really affected me at all, except that every time I leave a building I go out through a window."
--Stephen Wright
I think we don't really know what affects us, or how it affects us, maybe ever. I could speculate on how my intelligence impacted me over the course of my life, and probably would tell you that it never did--but it is clear that were I not that intelligent, I would have become a very different person.
That might in some ways have been good, and in other ways bad. But then, as Paul wrote to the Romans, how can I ask why God made me who I am, or say that He should have made me someone else? Had He made me someone else, I would not be me, and there would be no point to the question at all.
--M. J. Young
Thu Jun 18 2009 8:23 pm # -
Brock
MemberI am ready to request to play. I decided to spend a lot of time soul-searching and ask for some friend's advice on how they view me, in the interest of objectivity. Problem is, they would have had me puffing myself up to god-levels, describing me
as stronger and faster than I think I am. *sigh* Sorry for the length, but the original draft was twice as long, and included second opinions, from a friend and one from my mom, which I incorporated as much as reasonable (I don't care what my mom says, my intuition is not 2@8!)Brock Anthony Petersdorf-Nelson.
Age 18, DOB 11/27/90
My mom calls me Brocky, though I asked her to stop. I have been called Broccoli in a derogatory fashion. No positive nicknames. I have been known as ohconan and genericfantasyname on the internet. I request to be referred to as Brock by my friends, just like my friend Carl prefers being called CJ.Social skills-I am quiet and usually content to let others take charge, but if I see things are getting done inefficiently I tend to take over. No one usually contests that, and I have been asked before to lead groups. I know how to deploy my available resources (the ones that I know of) in an efficient way, and keep organized by using a computer to make outlines. People tend to rely on my advice, and seek me out for it. My advice comes from a logical standpoint, that is people trust me because I have a reputation for being smart and able to multi-task, not necessarily because of persuasiveness. I have never really had an occasion to persuade, I just state what should be done and my reasons, and people usually go along with it. Cajoling is not my thing, and I don't recall a single time I have ever done it, or needed to for that matter. If I am in a group on a day I missed the school bus, I email the classes instructor with the group's materials and instructions for the day. I just tell people what they are doing wrong/less effective, and they listen. Actually, their willingness to listen to me is somewhat bemusing at times. I don't show my sense of humor much, when I find something funny or interesting in a funny way, my reaction is often just a low chuckle. I tutor my peers infrequently. Also, I am classified as a 'nerd' in school hierarchy, but I don't have a bully, and only had one in 3rd grade (I beat him up after he tripped me one too many times). No one chooses to mess with me. I don't know if that's a sign of the cool kids maturity or if there is something about me I am not seeing as different from others. Maybe my understanding of how people really 'work' isn't good enough. One of the reasons I am interested in Psychology :P.
Strength is average? I don;t think I'm strong, but what is average? I don't do much exercise, but I still can bench 60 lbs on each side (plus the weight of the bar)for about 30 reps. Pretty much my only exercise these days is training with my friends once or twice a week (no set day), and some balance exercises.
Stamina is a low point for me. I can sprint for about a minute before being unable to breathe without stopping, and usually take 10 minutes to recover. I am told it may be exercise-induced asthma, but I never bothered to ask a doctor. However, I can do other tasks requiring stamina *over time* a lot better, my limits are just low. Maybe it is a kind of asthma, and it's a weakness instead of a base attribute...I don't know.
Resistance I assume is opposing toxins and includes immune system health and things of that nature? I don't get sick often. I also have all standard immunizations. I used to get bronchitis around this time of hear every year, but I don't now (weird)
Flexibility-I used to be able to put my feet behind my head, but now I can only put one back there. Lack of practice and exercise, you know. Heh, here I am in my room, doing old Yoga exercises to ascertain how flexible I still am. It's ludicrous to think of the fact that I haven't thought about it at all for 1 and a half years. I got to get in shape. Anyway, the level is 'put one foot behind head even while overweight (167% optimal weight)'
Agility-I have a very good balance, enhanced by practice of stances that enhance balance, the type where you try to maintain your balance in awkward positions and the type where you build muscles important to balance (ones that see little use ordinarily), and of course mental exercises, which are just as important. I actually stopped those physical exercises for about 8 months. When muscle-building exercises are stopped, the regression is surprisingly rapid. I started again 3 weeks ago. I spend an hour on it each day. I understand the importance of balance, and know how to strike in such a way as to damage as well as take away the opponent's balance while retaining my own.
Hand/eye is exceptional, even though I only have one useful eye. I can type very fast even considering the fact I do not touch type. I use two fingers in the 'hunt-and-peck' style, except I know where all the keys are and can type 40wpm with almost no mistakes using just the index fingers from each hand. I play many video games like Halo, and can beat Halo 2 on Legendary with some effort, which requires good reaction speed and accuracy. I have fired a bow before, and at 50 paces never miss the bulls-eye. I didn't try at extended range because my dad doesn't react well to being shown up (he was the kind who would get mad at me, then hit my mom, not me. I'll explain later, if anyone wants to know about it), and it was his bow. When playing a video game needing swift coordination, my friends sometimes ask me to use my 'magic fingers' (Chris coined that term) to get the job done if it is too hard for them. Difficult races, tasks that are normally time-consuming made quick, reflex-based games with the 'bad guys' coming at you-you name it. I have to play those kinds of games on max difficulty for any challenge.
Intellect-I am very intelligent, but I don't know many people who are "average". I admit to being an underachiever. I am more interested in studying things that are not taught at my school, and I have always had difficulty waking up before 8:00 no matter when I go to sleep (even before school), and failed a couple classes for lack of work. It's my own fault, so now I will be in the fifth year of high school. I grasp the material in the classes readily enough, particularly in literary and mathematical pursuits, and critical thinking. I took several assessing tests in my early school years, and according to them I was ready for pre-calculus since 5th grade, and reading at what my teacher defined as 'post college level' (is that a real term people use????) since 3rd grade. I did some tutoring in Elementary school and Junior High, because some of my teachers felt it a better use of my time, particularly my math teacher in 8th grade, Mr. Sayer.
Intuition-I don't recall a stressful situation I did not "sense" coming, usually in the form of everything seeming to get quieter. I have a feel for how people around me are feeling, though the why often eludes me. I am aware of my immediate environment as well as the people around me unless deeply concentrating on something. I also utilize an oft used tool in several pagan religions, seeing people's 'auras' by taking in every detail of the person by letting my mind go on 'pause' and seeing a kind of, glow around the people. I believe this 'glow' is really my subconscious assessment of the person based on all the cues I see from viewing them objectively and passively, and the colors are an unconscious association of emotion with color, but that is a discussion for another time. I also have excellent hearing, but I pretend not to to throw people off balance, in the same manner I act absent-minded.
Education level-I haven't quite finished High School. I am a senior. I do spend a fair amount of time studying on my own, though the topics are sometimes esoteric. Oh, and I have tutored my peers in math and English, and could tutor in most high school subjects.
Will-Power-I never intentionally do anything dishonest unless it is necessary in the ultimate defense of Life, Limb, and Livelihood, and I practice meditation exercises (from Buddhism) that help keep a calm mind in all circumstances (and aid concentration). I make few promises, because I will not break my word for anyone, an it cost me my life. I prefer not to hurt anyone for that matter-'an it harm none, do as ye will' is a fine creed to follow in most circumstances (it's Wiccan)
Weaknesses-I have very minimal use of my nearsighted right eye that requires me to close the left one to focus it at all, but it has always been that way, so my depth perception is not that bad, I know how to compensate. As such, I don't rely on peripheral vision, I rely on hearing and a "sixth sense" for detection. I am overweight, at 166% optimal weight. Also, I have trouble remembering things unless I consciously commit it to memory, and ritualizing the memory process by writing the info down greatly enhances the retention rate for me. I keep a notebook with me at all times, with a 'promise section' at the front for all things I have to do first.
Weren't there other threads for basic info about friends and family, and such? What is the thread's name?
Sun Jun 21 2009 11:03 pm # -
Near the top of the thread view (above the title, below the logo) is "Gaming Outposts >> Multiverser"; the Multiverser link will take you to the Multiverser "forum" (all the threads so designated on creation), and all of the Getting to Know You threads are sticky.
Mon Jun 22 2009 2:44 am # -
O.K., Brock, that's actually quite a bit of information, and I've got your attributes section completed. Let's see the skills materials.
--M. J. Young
Wed Jun 24 2009 11:54 pm # -
Brock
MemberI would hope it is a lot of information, I've been working on it since I got here :)
As for skills, I have a question. If you know the theory on how something is done, but have never tried it, does that count for anything? For example, I know that in lock picking you are trying to raise the tumbler pins into position without allowing the tumblers already raised to fall, and to do that you have to apply torsion to the inner cylinder, and then turn the cylinder when the pins are in place, but I have never done it.
I know some very basic programming skills, and have built a randomizer before (just a randomizer). I know how to use programs like Microsoft Excel, and made an automated character sheet on my computer using it for several different gaming systems. Just amateur stuff. Mostly for lack of trying to learn it :).
I built a robot that could walk slowly once, when I was about 10. I was bored. I never studied how to do it, just took a look at my Mom tinkering with her computer, had her explain what the parts were, just before I went to foster care for a while, then locked myself in my room for a few months experimenting whilst in foster care. Hehe, I remember I tore some wires right out of the upstairs wall to assist (I shouldn't have done that, but it's done now). I made a mistake somewhere though, and I couldn't stop it, and the current was too strong with wires sticking out, so I couldn't pick it up and stop it. It ended up walking into a wall until the batteries died. Hmm, speaking of tech, I have a habit of taking things apart and trying to figure out how they work. (I found a cell phone a while back, tore it apart, then figured out how to make it transmit a call to my aunt without touching the numbers. I'm not sure why, but it dropped the call and heated up fast, so I put it away.
I speak some French, and have a solid understanding of grammar and conjugation. I know what to do with -er, -ir, and -re verbs, how to form the passe compose (past tense), and so on. I can hold a basic conversation-but don't go fast!
I have the musical "ear" but I cannot read sheet music, nor can I play any instrument at all except my harmonica, and that poorly. I can, but not well. I know where the notes are etc., including blowing into many holes at once for a compound sound and placing my hand on the back to change the note, but I can't string that many notes together without messing up-about 10 notes.
I know how to absorb damage from a fall, both by rolling with it or by relaxing my knees and letting myself get carried to the ground, then springing back up. I used to climb a lot of trees in the nearby forest.
I decided a long time ago that I am fond of living, so I developed a few survival skills. I know that, in a pinch, I can start a fire with flint and steel (or iron pyrite if no steel is available), and I have used more modern means as well when camping. Given basic survival supplies and a bow, or maybe a gun :), I could probably hunt pretty well, because I step very lightly, and can track. I know I am fairly accurate with a bow, and I have read some books about survival and taken a course. I can identify many plants, and can identify the difference between them, like say poison hemlock vs. wild carrot. I also know some plants that are poisonous only in certain stages, like pokeweed. I took an online survival course just in case, you know? Heh, and my mom thinks I don't do anything whilst I am on the Internet all day. Basically, the first priority is find water, the second is find shelter near the water, then get food-meat if you can, but always plants, even if you get meat. Hence my ability to identify plants. avoid cowhage, rengas tree, trumpet vine, castor bean, chinaberry, death camas, oleander, poison and water hemlocks, strychnine tree, a few others I can't recall off the top of my head. I can identify some basic animal spoor, but I've never used a snare before. Were I dumped right now in a survival situation, I would rely on plantlife for food until I can figure out what tools I can make with the resources at hand. I wish I owned some rope I could bring!
I have a VERY light step, considering my weight. I frequently surprise people because they never hear me coming unless I want them to. I also am hard to notice at all. You know how some people can just minimize their apparent presence, and that 'sixth sense' we get that someone is there is not there? I do that without knowing how I do it. I have had people look right at me and not see me. A security guard at my school was in the Marines in...Was it 'Nam?, and he does the same thing, says it's a side effect of high level military training, and it supposedly isn't something many people just do. Maybe it's a side effect of my always being aware of my environment?
I focus on pressure point combat and staff use. There are three main categorizations of pressure points. Pain points are the most common, but about 15% of the time an enemy will feel pain but no reaction (for some reason, some people naturally don't respond right (I am one), and others learn the discipline to not respond), and an enemy who is high on some kinds of drugs like PCP will not be affected. The only way to tell if someone is affected is to try one, but thankfully they are the fastest and easiest for the most part. Muscle points, which can only be effectively used to tighten an untightened muscle, sometimes quite violently, potentially causing the entire body to seize up. A classic (and well known) example of a muscle point is a kick to the knee. When done correctly, the foe's knee and butt will move back and their head down, exposing their center-line for a reflex point. The problem with these is, as I said before, tightening the muscles in that area nullifies the reactionary effect, and if you are trying to discover a particular muscles method of stimulation (most have one), then the half second the reaction occurs in will be wasted as you observe the effect. Finally, there are reflex points, undoubtedly the most useful points, as the reaction to these manipulations are hardwired into the body's response system (for humans, anyway) and thus will always work. They are painless but do cause an uncomfortable feeling, sort of like queasiness. Furthermore, they force muscles throughout the body to loosen, opening up making muscle points easy to use again. For example, a very fast tap to the gag reflex (above the sternum at the base of the center of the throat) will force their muscles to pull them backwards. Hmm...In that situation, you could try to rake across the collarbone very hard on the way to the gag reflex, combining a pain point with the reflex point. Oh! and there are light force knockout points, but in some you don't want to hit too hard unless you want them to get a concussion or die. Finally, there are the variant muscle points that prevent an already tightened muscle from being ABLE to tighten, as well as forcing it to release, commonly known as paralysis points. I practice with my friends Chris and CJ twice a week. Thing is, I can never keep up with them because I get tired. Using game vernacular, I use a fast defensive poke/punch (depends on the point) style designed to take down humanoids, defensive because I watch my opponent and let the foe come to me and maintain my balance at all costs. If one is not balanced, then they cannot strike from a position of power. Some of my style's most fundamental moves involves taking away the foe's balance (there are several ways, one is to rake the brachioradalis (did I spell that right? I can't remember)where branches of the radial nerve run through under the elbow). I have not had occasion to use this style anywhere but practice and one very one-sided fight, but I have been practicing it for 8 years, and I can use these moves effectively on Chris, who is a high-blue belt in Tae Kwon Do. Maybe 1@7?
I also know the basic tenets of Tae Kwon Do, because my friend Chris is a high blue belt and we practice once or twice a week, and he trained me. I was also in a dojo myself for 3 months, but that was years ago. probably about 1@2.
As for other combat skills, I have never even seen a real gun in my life (I've always wanted to get one and take it apart). I have fired a bow with my dad accurately from 50 paces. It was his bow, and he set the range, so I don't know how accurate I would be at longer ranges, but I was hitting the bulls-eye every time (I got a beating for showing him up for that(he was an a real ***, and I am so glad he is gone)). I am also acquainted with the use of my B-E-A-Utiful staff, custom made for my birthday. Solid mahogany, polished and lacquered, exactly my height (6'0) (and my most expensive possession). I can use it in my unnamed stance, and know how to hit right behind the kneecap to emulate the first effect of a hamstringing-the fall, hehe. I am GOOD with my staff, and if my staff gets broken in my travels as a verser, I will personally scriff-infect the offender and kill them repeatedly for the rest of their existence. Staff is fast, aggressive, weapon dependent, focus on immobilizing the foe or knocking them down.
Psionic skills, huh? By that, I'm sure you mean abilities a person believes works or should work, but can't really prove? Well, I can see auras whenever I let my mind wander and look at someone. I think it is really my subconscious assessment of the person based on everything I know and can see from viewing them without analysis, and the colors are an unconscious association of emotion with color that most people have even if they don't know it.
I have spent countless hours with my Mom playing games that try to do psionic things. For example, we would take a random card out of a deck of cards, hold it up and focus on the image of the card, and the other person would try to ascertain what the card is via mind reading. My mom usually gets it 40 out of 50 times, which makes it really hard to say that mind-reading doesn't exist, ya know? I get it about 20 out of 50, but since there is a 52 card possibility, and the cards are shuffled...
I also try to read random thoughts from people and evaluate their emotional state whenever there are a bunch of people around me. This is part of my intuition, my ability to read people, actively and passively. It's part of the reason like to confide in me-half the time, I already know what is wrong, and being intelligent, I often know what they should do.
Another thing I sometimes do is try to telekinetically make a coin toss go my way, but my coin tosses are usually about 70% heads, 30% tails when I do that, so again, I can't prove to anyone, even myself, it does anything. I think it does, but if mind powers do exist, they must need a lot of practice to make them at all reliable....
No magic though.
I'm not sure that it translates to a SKILL in the game, but I have always been able to easily multi-task. In fact, I rarely am not. I happen to be writing some stories for an upcoming campaign I am going to run in D and D, making this character, watching a movie, reading the forums, and researching a few things without forgetting any of what I am doing. I have also been known to ponder things completely separate to the task at hand, and often am doing SOMETHING with my hands whilst doing any mental task (I almost have to). Often I am playing my harmonica when I am not doing something specific with my hands, or chewing fingernails.
I didn't know where to put this, but I am ambidextrous, I use either hand equally well. That's part of the reason I type so well with my index fingers, and why I'm good with a staff.
Thu Jun 25 2009 6:30 am # -
Graham
MemberI think the ability to multi-task and such will fall under your attributes, that is, your tendency to multi-task is correlated with your intellect or willpower or what have you. If, for instance, you were in a situation where multi-tasking was important (like trying to disarm the bomb while shutting down their main computer, juggling, and keeping detailed notes for your personal journal) then I think it would be an attribute check, not a skill check.
Thu Jun 25 2009 7:26 am # -
Brock
MemberI was wondering about that. Thanks.
Above post edited at 12:40 AM PST
"When you arrive at the Okydoky Smoky school, you are greeted and offered assistance. In response to your questions, he gives some insights to the style. It is designed around the fact that humans have known weak points, and that it takes very little force to cause someone pain. Thus the basic attacks are looking for these so-called "pressure points". It is fast-moving, but focuses more on blocking than hitting, even though it hits faster than many more aggressive styles, as it uses both hands and feet to strike."
this sounds almost exactly like what I do, except I also try to use reflex points that don't have a chance to fail if the foe is a non-responder. Both hand and foot, very fast, defensive, and so on.
Thu Jun 25 2009 7:42 am # -
Well, maybe in some situations.I think the ability to multi-task and such....would be an attribute check, not a skill check.
My preference is to consider whether the two tasks interfere with each other, or either of them requires high concentration or attention. If neither of those things is true, then I just let you roll each skill in turn, and a failure may be explained as difficulty walking and chewing gum at the same time, as they say. If the interference is absolute--if you're trying to play the cello while typing on a computer keyboard, both activities requiring both hands--I simply disallow it. The issue arises when two actions might interfere or one might require high concentration. In that case, for each skill you add I assess a penalty--frequently -10 for the second maybe through the fourth (depending, again, on how tricky it is to do these together)--and so the chance of success on each is reduced. If you botch on an added skill, it could mess up the first skill (and chance to botch increases 1% for each -10 penalty). That is how I prefer to do it. For one thing, it's fewer rolls--if I used an attribute check I would still have to roll for the skill check anyway. For another, I think it more realistic to say that trying to do multiple things at once reduces the chance of doing each of them.
Now, for those skills.
If you know the theory on how something is done, but have never tried it, does that count for anything?
That's really determined on a case-by-case basis. That is, it is entirely possible to learn a skill "informationally" without ever having done it, and then done the skill later based on that information. It's the sort of thing that you and I can decide together. Given your lockpicking example, we have two choices. We can say that you actually do have a 1@1 SAL of a skill you can do, and the first time you attempt it roll it as a skill check, possibly giving you a new use. The alternative is to say that you don't really have the skill, but you have an example from having read and studied how to do it which will bonus your chance of learning how to do it when you are faced with the situation.
The benefit of not having the skill is that a pick locks skill is so low on the tech bias scale that when you try to learn it your chance of successfully learning it will be so high you will almost certainly succeed the first time. In that case, you might roll high enough to get a 1@3 SAL as learned--but the odds favor you winding up 1@1. The advantage of having the skill is that the first time you use it will probably be a new use, which will boost your SAL to 1@3. So it's your call.
1@5 is average amateur; your assessment of your computer programming skills suggest something closer to 1@3 Computer Programming T11@1.
As for building a randomizer, did you design this and then build it, or work from someone else's design?
I have the same question about the robot. Was this built from an erector set or the equivalent, or did you have a kit with instructions?
I definitely think we have a 1@7 Electronic Repair T10@3 here.
1@9 French P0@0 I presume includes read, write, speak, and comprehend.
1@5 Harmonica M0@0.
1@10 Fall Impact Absorption B4@6.
1@8 Tumble to Erect Position B4@4.
1@8 Survival: Forest T0@1 includes edible plants
1@8 Ignite Fire from Spark T1@2
1@5 Simple Fire Skills Package T1@X
1@5 Tracking T0@1
1@10 Stealth B0@6 includes stalking, unobtrusive presence
...which I am associating primarily with your high ranged strike value, and so I'm thinking that your limited experience suggests 1@3 Use Bow T2@1.I know I am fairly accurate with a bow
I am a little bit confused about your martial arts combat, so let me get you to clarify for me. You might be describing two distinct combat styles, one dependent on the use of a weapon and the other averse to the use of a weapon, or you might be describing one style which can use a weapon or not. The Tae Kwon Do is separate from this, of course.
A classic (and well known) example of a muscle point is a kick to the knee.
This calls attention to another aspect of the game design. This kick to the knee could be the description of a "special maneuver". What characterizes special maneuvers is that in play you announce them independently and they are adjudicated that way. So if we have this kick to the knee, and you have your nameless pressure point style and your tae kwon do, we could say that the kick to the knee was just an ordinary attack in the pressure point style, doing ordinary damage for the style, and if you say in play that you are going to kick his knee that's color, a simple statement that you are going to attack him using the style. We could instead outline the parameters of a maneuver called "Kick the Knee", which has defined effects beyond mere damage. Then if you are in the nameless pressure point style you announce that you want to use the Kick the Knee maneuver and we roll success for that maneuver with style modifiers; and if you are in tae kwon do you can announce that you want to use the Kick the Knee maneuver, and the tae kwon do style modifiers then apply but we roll the same skill.
That means that to do your martial arts package right, we have to identify any maneuver which you might specify you are using, and list its effects and your ability with it. That would include feints and fakes, specific targeted pressure points that have special effects, special defensive maneuvers beyond the usual style blocking (which is covered by a fixed sit-mod), and anything else for which you would have the expectation that you could say "I do X", and "X" would have specific in-game results.
How well acquainted are you with the use of your beautiful (I'm sorry, your B-E-A-Utiful) staff? What kind of skill ability level do we need here?
If we assume that you actually can read auras, what kind of information do you get from such readings?
I'm comfortable giving you a 1@1 Read Minds P1@1 and noting that you have +10 familiarity with your mother. I don't know that that will ever matter, but it doesn't cost you anything to have it. The point is that you're not at all good at reading minds, but you can do it, and you've practiced contacting your mother's mind so often that hers comes more easily.
The coin toss thing is interesting, but begs a significant question: assuming that you are actually controlling the coin telekinetically, how are you identifying the sides while it is in motion? That is, I can easily imagine someone telekinetically grabbing a penny in the air and guiding it to the ground such that it lands where he wants, but it is a lot more difficult to imagine how that person can see or feel which side his heads--and if his control is such that he can land it the way he wants, he must have that knowledge. (The alternative is that this is magic, that there is some unseen intelligent being manipulating you such that it controls the flight of the penny but gets you to believe that you are doing it.) Have you any thoughts on these?
I would not ambidexterity under description. It's rare, but that's where I mark handedness if it matters.
Things have taken a few twists here today, and I'm wearing down rapidly; let me post this and get your thoughts and responses.
--M. J. Young
Thu Jun 25 2009 11:53 pm # -
Brock
Member"As for building a randomizer, did you design this and then build it, or work from someone else's design?"
My mom's example, she got random words from a large dictionary and the program puts two together, and she uses it for story ideas. She calls it sparkers, because it sparks ideas. I made a random number generator to assist my roleplaying efforts, not that it matters anymore since I found a better one online. I wonder if I still have that...?
The robot was made from an incomplete kit, I improvised parts of it.
"I am a little bit confused about your martial arts combat, so let me get you to clarify for me. You might be describing two distinct combat styles, one dependent on the use of a weapon and the other averse to the use of a weapon, or you might be describing one style which can use a weapon or not."
I can use the staff for pressure point combat, but I can also use it in a distinct style, based on delivering spinning blows and thrust attacks. I try not to rely on it unless it is single combat, because it is tiring and I have an issue with trying to use the staff to block multiple foes-but then, I am not a trained master, neh? I'm a hobbyist who has spent years practicing with a friend who is almost a master [of Tae Kwon Do], in an informal setting. Heh.
The kick to the knee would be effectively an ordinary attack, as ALL of the attacks I use in that style are based on controlling the foe and allowing me to get a hit on their centerline, which is where most of the reflex points are. Most reflex points have a good potential to be that's all she wrote, if you can capitalize.
Aura reading tells you about their emotional state. The aura glows blue for peaceful, serene individuals, red for angry people, etc. Not that the colors matter to you, as the color has more to do with what the viewer believes those color signify. People who are experiencing some kind of crisis have shimmering auras, and seem unstable.
Telekinesis-I can see the coin, you know...It's a matter of seeing how fast it is turning on average, then always flipping it in the same way, starting from the same point, then mentally tapping the coin in the direction it needs to go to make the flip go the way I want. It requires a lot of observation, and knowing how the coin will flip. The wrinkle is when the coin bounces, trying to stop it from flipping all the way over is the hard part.
EDIT: I love my staff, but I have only had it so long. I had another staff (really more of a stick that I smoothed out a bit) before that I used. Anyway, I am so glad I am not REALLY risking my staff, because I know I would bring it and versing can be dangerous for possessions.
Fri Jun 26 2009 3:16 am # -
O.K., the randomizer is software. For some reason (probably because of proximity to the discussion of the robot) I thought it was hardware, something like a portable hand-held electronic dice roller. Software is already covered under your computer programming.
1@1 Build Function Machine (Robot) T12@2
1@8 Aura Reading (Empathy) P1@1 identifies emotional state of visibly observed subject +10SM (must see subject)
1@1 TK Pulse T4@1 (used to control coin flips)
Now all that remains, I think, is the martial arts stuff, which I'm going to have to address in detail, and probably have some questions.
1@10 Brock's Vital Area Style B7@1 fast defensive weapon-utilizing poke style RF2
You've indicated that it is more defensive than aggressive; that suggests that we're going to put your bonuses on defense. We have two ways to do that, and we can use both, but we only have so many "points" to use.
We can use situation modifiers (sit-mod or SM). As a defense, this would be, for example, defensive -10SM, and that would mean that any time you are attacked your attacker takes a 10 point penalty on his chance to connect--and because of the single-roll hit and damage system it also reduces his maximum potential damage. That is, if he's hitting you for dangerous damage, the successful percentile roll is divided by ten and rounded up, and assuming he has a 50% chance to hit you he can do 1-5 intensities of damage. A -10 sit-mod means that he's only going to hit you 40% of the time, and that the range is now 1-4.
You can instead take a damage mod. In this case, his 50% chance to hit means that he will hit you half the time, but once we've established that it is a hit we subtract your -10 modifier from his roll, and instead of having rolls from 1 to 50 he has rolls from -9 to 40, and a damage range of 0 to 4--which means that when he rolls any number up to ten, he hit you but did no damage. The other advantage to damage mods instead of sit-mods is they cost half as much, and thus for the same price as a -10 sit-mod you can get a -20 damage mod, reducing his range to 0 to 3 and (since there are twice as many 0 results) the average damage further. A damage mod does not, however, affect any attack that is "absolute", that is, a blinding attack which if successful requires you to check against an attribute or be temporarily blinded.
The real question, though, isn't which you would prefer, but which is more like what you do: do you primarily take the same number of hits but take less damage from all of them, or do you primarily avoid being hit and incidentally get hit less hard overall? If these are combined, to what degree are they combined?
Because yours is a defensive style, I would expect most of the "points" to go to defense; however, you can have a few points go to offense, again as either a sit-mod (increasing your chance to hit and thus also your maximum damage) or a damage mod (not affecting your chance to hit but raising the entire range of your damage).
So, how do you see this matching your primary style?
1@10 Use Staff B7@1 martial arts weapon skill
1@6 Staff-based Martial Arts Style B7@1 weapon-dependent vital area style
Most of the same questions from above apply here, but that we have not established whether this is an aggressive or defensive style, nor whether it is fast or slow. I should mention that slower styles get more "points" in offense and defense, while faster styles get more attacks. Also, the attack multiplier for any style that can use a weapon is limited to 2; weaponless styles (neither of your are weaponless) can have multipliers of 3. Finally, in calling them multipliers, we mean exactly that: you already have a 2@ martial strike value, as I recall, which means that you also multiply the attacks by 2, so a 1 attack slow style would be 2 for you, and a 3 attack fast style would be 6. There are other potential multipliers, such that the Karate Kid (the DC Comics superhero) probably has 27 attacks in a minute.
Let's get these in place.
--M. J. Young
Fri Jun 26 2009 10:59 pm # -
Brock
MemberI deflect attacks and sometimes dodge, such as striking an incoming punch to the side, avoiding being hit and then countering. I would think all of the sit-mod points would be defensive for my style, because I am trying to control the battle, not strike down my opponent quickly. I don't take the punch and absorb, I knock it aside, so less accuracy and thus less damage sounds right.
"primarily avoid being hit and incidentally get hit less hard overall"
yes, that's right.As for the staff, it is more aggressive and has to do with striking the weak spots that require force to work, such as between the second-to-last and last rib. It is about as fast as my main style, but the focus isn't on exploiting various weak points, it's about balance. I would split the staff's points between accuracy and defense evenly.
fast defensive weapon-utilizing poke style, all points defense sit-mod. It's all about capitalizing on the opponent's mistakes, and creating my own opportunities
Fast aggressive weapon dependent smash and thrust style, even split between attack sit mod and defense sit mod. very balanced.
Sat Jun 27 2009 8:02 pm # -
I believe I have your skills in place. Let's move to equipment.
--M. J. Young
Sun Jun 28 2009 7:26 pm # -
Brock
MemberAll right.
For reference-my room is 4 feet to my left behind a wall.
A 60 liter backpack, divided into two main sections and a small frontal section, containing several (4) t-shirts with witty slogans like "by reading this you have given me temporary control of your mind" (black, white, and blue), an ordinary black t-shirt, an ordinary blue t-shirt, and ordinary black sweat pants (3), and a package of socks (11 left, open), and 4 boxer shorts in blue. This bag is in my room.
A 1-liter canteen I keep in my room (full, it's water I keep in there for when I get thirsty at night, I replace it every other day).
A pocketbook entitled Star Wars: Darth Bane: Path of Destruction: A novel of the Old Republic. 1 foot to my right.
My carved mahogany staff, polished and lacquered, in my room's closet. 5'10 length.
a steel and plastic harmonica made in Germany made by Marine Band (M. Hohner), was stepped on and the highest not won't play. In my pocket.
A textbook entitled Marine Biology fourth edition by Peter Castro and Michael E. Huber, in my room.
a 2 foot by 6 inch by 6 inch baseball card box full of Magic the Gathering cards, about 5-8 lbs? (I don't have anything to measure weight with) in my room.
the paperback set of the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind, up to Chainfire (total of nine books in the set owned). Books are pocket sized, with roughly 600-800 pages each. Bit bulky when not in a container, but there is lots of space left in my backpack. in my room's closet.
A 4 gigabyte pin drive containing a large amount of roleplaying game material .pdf files, and some assorted novels in .lit format, which are exceptionally small and are read by Microsoft Reader. 3.87 GB occupied. In my pocket. If you want, I can tell you everything on it specifically, but that would take awhile.
Assorted roleplaying materials, including a couple maps I took from a BattleMech kit and a bunch of characters I have been asked to hold, as well as the unforgettable characters with fully fleshed out stories that I made, like Kimichiko Otoro for Shadowrun. In a 3-ring binder notebook that can easily hold 1000 pages. about 15 lbs? in my room.
4 journal type notebooks with various notes on a RP system I was making, a book I have been writing, random thoughts, and reminders to do things. On my desk in my room.
a plastic bag containing about 800 assorted Pokemon cards.
another bag containing about 600 Lord of the Rings cards.
A 3-ring binder notebook holding about 1500 Harry Potter cards. all in my roomtwo more pocketbooks-Elminster: the making of a mage by Ed Greenwood (I think), and the Source of Magic by Piers Anthony. in my room, on my small bookshelf
A Swiss Army Knife-whoops, never mind, it wasn't where I thought it was.
two pictures of my little half-brother William, one where he first walked and one where he was drawing. (My brother is in foster care, I only get to see him twice a year). in my room hanging on the wall.
my wallet, containing a nickel, two dimes, and three pennies, my state ID card (printed vertically to show I am a minor, even though I am now 18, it's a bit old), my high school ID showing my student number and school related info, a June 09 bus pass for Pierce Transit for unlimited free rides during June of 09, and a money tree card allowing me to cash checks at Money Tree made out to me without my ID (that might be useful in Earth similar worlds!). in my pocket
A pair of black boxer shorts on my person, a pair of navy blue shorts reading Air Force J.R.O.T.C. (junior ROTC), on my person, with my harmonica and wallet in the pocket, and my pin drive.
Do you think I went over the weight limit?
Mon Jun 29 2009 5:49 am # -
Do you think I went over the weight limit?
Without packing your television, bicycle, dog, or your entire bookcase? Not a chance. If you can lift it all, it's almost certainly fine.
By the way, that Star Wars book wins my second place prize for Greatest Number of Colons in a Book Title.
Mon Jun 29 2009 6:29 am # -
JohnA1nut
MemberBrock, just an aside. This is what you're supposed to take if you had to leave your home at a moment's notice, knew you were never coming home, and didn't know what lay ahead in the near future. That's the angle you would look at it from.
Looking at it from that angle, it never ceases to amaze me some of the things that people take. You're taking Magic the Gathering cards. No offense, but what practical use could those possibly serve, aside from firewood? I'm sure it fits some idiosyncratic thing to you, but to me, the only thing that really made sense to take were weapons, tools, and food. My character is a walking arsenal at this point. At any given time, I've got 3 pistols, a shotgun, a 22 rifle, and a crossbow, as well as 4 hand grenades, 2 hunting knives and a straight razor on me at all times. (I'm planning to change that as soon as some things happen in game) It just never ceases to amaze me some of the things people take as starting equipment, that's all.
Mon Jun 29 2009 6:45 am # -
Brock
Member...
...
...Hate to break it to you, but that is everything I own except a shelf on the wall I use as the bookcase, a desk, and my bed.Scott: I used the colons to indicate separations, I didn't want to put it like this:
Star Wars
Darth Bane
Path of Darkness
a novel of the Old Republicwhich is how it appeared.
MJ, equipment is above.
Mon Jun 29 2009 7:09 am # -
Brock
Membertwo posts
oh, and John, you look like a walking arsenal. That suggests to me you are just looking for trouble. I'm not. I want tools, but the only one I have is a Swiss Army Knife, but I don't know where it is. Everything else is my mom's, and she isn't coming with.
Mon Jun 29 2009 7:12 am # -
JohnA1nut
MemberThat suggests to me you are just looking for trouble.
No, in my second and third worlds, trouble found me. The second world, I wasn't willing to do anything. After that, I was. I just landed in a world where guns are cheap and plentiful. I'm stocking up. Next time trouble finds me, it better be wearing body armor.
Mon Jun 29 2009 7:17 am #
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