Shadowrun
Shadowrun Play => Character creation and critique => Topic started by: Weldûn on <09-14-11/1216:24>
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I'm creating a key NPC for my campaign who uses Heavy Metal as the basis for his own magical tradition. Now, I've been tooling around with the stylistic aspects of it for a while, but when I recently played Brutal Legend, I reworked it a little. Still, I'm not entirely happy with it, so I'm throwing it up here for some feedback in nailing it down.
Concept: The sounds and themes of Heavy Metal speak to the soul and call through astral space to the spirits. Through the elements of Metal, Noise, Blood and Fire, the modern bard can unleash the power of the beast within.
Combat: Fire (Fire)
Detection: Beasts (Beasts)
Health: Guardian (Noise)
Illusion: Man (Blood)
Manipulation: Task (Metal)
Drain: Willpower + Intuition
Like I said, I'm not happy with this, specifically the spirits. Help me, Jackpoint members, you're my only hope. :P
EDIT: Conceptually, certain mentor spirits can work really well for this tradition. Adversary, Artificer, Bull, Dark Goddess, Dragon, Sky Father, Dark King, Dragonslayer, Firebringer, Seductress and Wise Warrior all fit due to Metal drawing much of it's symbolism and themes from European legends.
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Drain should be Willpower + Charisma, got to have stage presence after all!
Mentor Spirit: Ormagöden
"The Eternal Fire Beast, Cremator of the Sky, and Destroyer of the Ancient World", or so he is called, Ormagöden is a beast apparently made of chrome and engine parts, with exhausts that burst fire with every roar that seems to drown out all of existence. He demands of all of his followers to perform in the most audacious and powerful way possible, eschewing subtlety as a weakness of body and soul that should be avoided at all times. Go loud or go home!
Advantages: +2 dice to damage resistance tests, excluding drain.
Disadvantages: A Ormagöden magician must make a Willpower + Charisma (3) Test to avoid doing something in a way that is not overt, loud, and audacious. Why cast spells from the safety of the vehicle when you can car surf with a Watcher Spirit blaring out DragonForce to all who have ears to hear, and bleed from the volume?
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Drain should be Willpower + Charisma, got to have stage presence after all!
STEP 3: Drain
Once the core concept is thought out, the Drain attribute used by a tradition is often self-evident. A tradition with a practical,
scientific, and planned approach to magic suggests Logic as the secondary Drain attribute; for a tradition with a spontaneous,
ecstatic, or artistic approach, Intuition would likely be better; finally, one which focuses principally on dealing, interacting,
and wooing spirit forces should call on Charisma.
Emphasis is mine. Besides, this is for mages who are inspired by the imagery and sounds of Metal. Basing it off Charisma will turn them into Metal Gods in their own right. Still, looking at the stated concept, you might be right.
Mentor Spirit: Ormagöden
"The Eternal Fire Beast, Cremator of the Sky, and Destroyer of the Ancient World", or so he is called, Ormagöden is a beast apparently made of chrome and engine parts, with exhausts that burst fire with every roar that seems to drown out all of existence. He demands of all of his followers to perform in the most audacious and powerful way possible, eschewing subtlety as a weakness of body and soul that should be avoided at all times. Go loud or go home!
Advantages: +2 dice to damage resistance tests, excluding drain.
Disadvantages: A Ormagöden magician must make a Willpower + Charisma (3) Test to avoid doing something in a way that is not overt, loud, and audacious. Why cast spells from the safety of the vehicle when you can car surf with a Watcher Spirit blaring out DragonForce to all who have ears to hear, and bleed from the volume?
I admitted to being re-inspired by Brutal Legend, but this might be going too far. But then again, it really captures the attitude. Curse you, CanRay! Why must you be so awesome?!
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Mentor Spirit: Ormagöden
"The Eternal Fire Beast, Cremator of the Sky, and Destroyer of the Ancient World", or so he is called, Ormagöden is a beast apparently made of chrome and engine parts, with exhausts that burst fire with every roar that seems to drown out all of existence. He demands of all of his followers to perform in the most audacious and powerful way possible, eschewing subtlety as a weakness of body and soul that should be avoided at all times. Go loud or go home!
Advantages: +2 dice to damage resistance tests, excluding drain.
Disadvantages: A Ormagöden magician must make a Willpower + Charisma (3) Test to avoid doing something in a way that is not overt, loud, and audacious. Why cast spells from the safety of the vehicle when you can car surf with a Watcher Spirit blaring out DragonForce to all who have ears to hear, and bleed from the volume?
I admitted to being re-inspired by Brutal Legend, but this might be going too far. But then again, it really captures the attitude. Curse you, CanRay! Why must you be so awesome?!
I am awesome for I was weaned as a child on Metal. \m/ O \m/
And The Blues, as well. It gives me power, and soul.
Replace "Ormagöden" with "Spirit of Metal" and it gets generic again, BTW.
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Mentor Spirit: Spirit of Metal
"The Eternal Fire Beast, Cremator of the Sky, and Destroyer of the Ancient World", or so he is called, Spirit of Metal is a beast apparently made of chrome and engine parts, with exhausts that burst fire with every roar that seems to drown out all of existence. He demands of all of his followers to perform in the most audacious and powerful way possible, eschewing subtlety as a weakness of body and soul that should be avoided at all times. Go loud or go home!
Advantages: +2 dice to damage resistance tests, excluding drain.
Disadvantages: A Spirit of Metal magician must make a Willpower + Charisma (3) Test to avoid doing something in a way that is not overt, loud, and audacious. Why cast spells from the safety of the vehicle when you can car surf with a Watcher Spirit blaring out DragonForce to all who have ears to hear, and bleed from the volume?
So it does.
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I approve of this.
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Also, Artisan - which is used to play music - is Intuition, not Charisma.
I'd suggest adding +2 Artisan to that mentor spirit. Normally, mentor spirits give +2 to two different things.
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Damage Resistance tests are pretty big, but yeah, they usually do. And a Gaes of Face-Melting Solo would ROCK!!!
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thank you all for a totally sideways inspiration
free AI from a universities Psych dept, specializing in analysis of people through their music choices.
unfortunately, this AI has a thing for death metal, gangsta rap, and any song that includes the concept of cannibalism.
not going to be played as a nice guy. to quote its favorite song, " i want to kill everybody in the world. i want to eat your heart."
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Some (http://quick2004.deviantart.com/art/COOPER-61312969)
possible (http://anarkyman.deviantart.com/art/Bad-to-the-Bone-60570117)
icons. (http://bonvillain.deviantart.com/art/Ozzy-Osbourne-88294602)
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might need to edit that post Just a tiny bit.
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Done. Wasn't feeling well and had a nap after that post. Now I see how bad I was doing. :o
Needs to be more metal!!! That's all it is!
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Options for a bunch of Spirits of Man? (http://alleycatsgarden.deviantart.com/art/Afterlife-Gig-in-May-2010-165779420)
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Awesome idea, Weldun. +1!
Canray, +1 for being a fellow Dragonforce fan!
Now if I could only play a drake who rocks out to Dragonforce turned up to 11 as a geas for spellcasting... alas, my GMs say, 'No,' 'HELL no!', and 'We're running Missions now.'
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Here's a quickish mock-up that I've done of a character using this tradition. Might even play him.
EDIT: Cleaned up and substituted Powerbolt for Fireball.
== Info ==
Ork
== Attributes ==
BOD: 6
AGI: 4
REA: 3
STR: 4
CHA: 4
INT: 5
LOG: 2
WIL: 5
EDG: 2
MAG: 4
== Derived Attributes ==
Essence: 6
Initiative: 8
IP: 1
Astral Initiative: 10
Astral IP: 3
Matrix Initiative: 8
Matrix IP: 1
Physical Damage Track: 11
Stun Damage Track: 11
== Active Skills ==
Arcana : 1 Pool: 3
Artisan : 3 [Guitars] Pool: 8 (10)
Assensing : 1 Pool: 6
Banishing : 2 Pool: 6
Binding : 2 Pool: 6
Blades : 1 Pool: 5
Clubs : 1 Pool: 5
Con : 1 Pool: 5
Counterspelling : 3 Pool: 7
Etiquette : 1 Pool: 5
Intimidation : 1 Pool: 5
Leadership : 1 Pool: 7
Negotiation : 1 Pool: 5
Pilot Ground Craft : 1 Pool: 4
Pistols : 1 Pool: 5
Ritual Spellcasting : 3 Pool: 7
Spellcasting : 3 Pool: 7
Summoning : 2 Pool: 6
Unarmed Combat : 1 Pool: 5
== Knowledge Skills ==
Area Knowledge: Seattle : 3 Pool: 8
Bars and Clubs : 4 Pool: 9
English : N Pool: 0
Gangs : 3 Pool: 8
German : 3 Pool: 8
Magical Theory : 1 Pool: 3
Music : 4 [Heavy Metal] Pool: 6 (8)
Or'zet : 2 Pool: 7
== Contacts ==
== Qualities ==
Day Job (20 hrs/week)
Fame (Local)
In Debt (5,000¥)
Low-Light Vision
Magician
Mentor Spirit (Bull)
== Spells ==
(Tradition: Heavy Metal, Resist Drain with WIL + INT (10))
Heal DV: (Damage Value)-2
Fireball DV: (F÷2)+5
Sterilize DV: (F÷2)+2
Stunball DV: (F÷2)+1
Stunbolt DV: (F÷2)-1
Trid Phantasm DV: (F÷2)+3
== Armor ==
Armor Jacket 8/6
== Weapons ==
Knife
DV: 3P AP: - RC: 0
Ruger Super Warhawk
+Laser Sight
DV: 6P AP: -2 RC: 0
Unarmed Attack
DV: 2S AP: - RC: 0
== Commlink ==
Erika Elite (3, 3, 3, 4)
+Iris Orb OS
+Fetch Module Rating 2
+Suite: Basic+ [Analyze 3, Browse 3, Command 1, Edit 3]
+Stealth Rating 3
+AR Gloves
+Trodes
+Simrig
== Gear ==
Ammo: Regular Ammo (Heavy Pistols) x50
BTL Recording x10
Docwagon Contract: Basic
Fake SIN Rating 4
Glasses Rating 2
+Flare Compensation
+Image Link
Jazz x4
Kamikaze x2
Long Haul
Magical Lodge Materials Rating 4
Metal Restraints x2
Nanopaste Disguise (Small Container) Rating 6 x2
RFID Sensor
+Microphone Rating 1
== Vehicles ==
Harley-Davidson Scorpion (Chopper)
+Pimped Ride Level 1
+Run Flat Tires (2)
+Spoof Chip
+Vehicle Sensor
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Stunball should be Soundwave! Powerbolt should be Fireball!
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Stunball should be Soundwave! Powerbolt should be Fireball!
I know I'm a child of the 80's when I read that and try to picture the other three Transformers.
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Yeah... So did I. ;D Those were the days!
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Stunball should be Soundwave! Powerbolt should be Fireball!
I know I'm a child of the 80's when I read that and try to picture the other three Transformers.
I had the same response.
I've cleaned up the post, and replaced Powerbolt with Fireball. But I'm unaware of a soundwave spell, which is a pity. It seems to me that an area version of Clout would do the trick.
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Soundwave is the AE Sonic damage spell - see Street Magic.
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And it's louder than Hell.
LOUDER THAN HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!! (http://youtu.be/3XyBMYbLiCU)
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== Spells ==
(Tradition: Heavy Metal, Resist Drain with WIL + INT (10))
Heal DV: (Damage Value)-2
Fireball DV: (F÷2)+5
Sterilize DV: (F÷2)+2
Stunball DV: (F÷2)+1
Stunbolt DV: (F÷2)-1
Trid Phantasm DV: (F÷2)+3
Sterilize is like showering on a festival :D
Also needs a bull whip to go with that bike, in best Rob Halford style.
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Rob Halford's Fire Baron character: Proof you can bet butch and flaming at the same damn time! ;D
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Soundwave is the AE Sonic damage spell - see Street Magic.
*Pulls out Street Magic* Nope. still not seeing it.== Spells ==
(Tradition: Heavy Metal, Resist Drain with WIL + INT (10))
Heal DV: (Damage Value)-2
Fireball DV: (F÷2)+5
Sterilize DV: (F÷2)+2
Stunball DV: (F÷2)+1
Stunbolt DV: (F÷2)-1
Trid Phantasm DV: (F÷2)+3
Sterilize is like showering on a festival :D
Also needs a bull whip to go with that bike, in best Rob Halford style.
Has it for the same reason that they have nanopaste disguises. They'd like to keep their day job.
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Some other examples of Spirits of Man being summoned (http://youtu.be/xw722dGGvy4).
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Some other examples of Spirits of Man being summoned (http://youtu.be/xw722dGGvy4).
"The uploader has not made this video available in your country. " :'(
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Stupid Vevo. It's the INTERNATIONAL Network.
Here's some Major Tom (http://youtu.be/e1Zip8FjR6s) in apology.
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:o
In a thread about METAL, you offer an obscure piece of German Synthpop from the early 80's as an apology?
:D :D :D :D :D
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MUH-HA-HA-HA!!! ;D
Is this better? (http://youtu.be/VSLYtsok3RE)
Or perhaps this? (http://youtu.be/qi6U3JjJAuA)
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Great Line-up (http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/185668/drinking-the-chef-aid)
Cover of "Weird" Al (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSwkMwHeeow)
Classic Alice Cooper (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHr6GbWPBVQ)
Metallica supports local musicians (http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/154153/metallica-joins-the-strike)
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Terrance and Philip are telling me that, despite there being Canadians on the show, it's not available in Canada.
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Terrance and Philip are telling me that, despite there being Canadians on the show, it's not available in Canada.
Wow... I blame Canada (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOzG7bBylRo)!
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Yeah, because Canadians are so miserable and drek disturbers.
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I'm an exception. And proud of it! ;D
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can't play any SR, live in canadia, always broke? we know you're an instigator. how are you NOT miserable?
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can't play any SR, live in canadia, always broke? we know you're an instigator. how are you NOT miserable?
*Sighs* Who said I wasn't?
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or were you trying to imply that you aren't a drek-disturber??
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Sarcasm font needed.
Back to the Metal!
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Soundwave is the AE Sonic damage spell - see Street Magic.
*Pulls out Street Magic* Nope. still not seeing it.
Found it. It's in the sidebar/box as a variant on fireball. :-[ :P
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Proof you can't kill the metal!!!
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUx8gRFnNWQ
Rasmus
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You know, considering how Shadowrun magic works, it's a wonder I haven't seen this floating around before. Heck, I'm surprised there aren't magical girls, wannabe Z fighters, mystical ninjas, mystic adepts based on fighting games, Cthulhu Mythos mages, why the psionic tradition gets tossed by the wayside when there's a huge contingent of people here and now who think that's how magic works, and people who summon watcher or task spirits that look like RTS minions. Optimus Prime would be the best mentor spirit ever. Who'd'you figure that is, Wise Warrior?
Talisman or action geas for playing a guitar would be awesome and amazing. Take Dark King and wander the continent in the quest to form the world's most awesome band.
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Fear Toaster and it's powerful songs! KA-CHUNK!!!
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUx8gRFnNWQ
Rasmus
"Manowar - Ki..."
This video is no longer available because the YouTube account associated with this video has been terminated due to multiple third-party notifications of copyright infringement from claimants including:
ECM Records
ECM Records
Porcupine Tree Ltd
Sorry about that.
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Hmm. I imagine the Spirit of Metal looking something like this.
(http://www.nuclearblast.de/shop/artikel/bilder/judas-priest-painkiller-expanded/119112.jpg?x=1000&y=1000)
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I know I hurt myself playing Painkiller on Rock Band 3.
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Heck, I'm surprised there aren't magical girls, wannabe Z fighters, mystical ninjas, mystic adepts based on fighting games, Cthulhu Mythos mages, why the psionic tradition gets tossed by the wayside when there's a huge contingent of people here and now who think that's how magic works, and people who summon watcher or task spirits that look like RTS minions.
Actually, I've built several Cthulu Mythos mages, as a possession tradition. It was hard to build because you're tempted to make water spirits the key spirit for everything.
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Actually, I've built several Cthulu Mythos mages, as a possession tradition. It was hard to build because you're tempted to make water spirits the key spirit for everything.
Just gotta look at the "Toxic Spirits" from Street Magic. I could see them working a bit like this...
Combat:
"Carnage" (Toxic Guardian Spirits)
Detection:
"Harbingers" (Doooooooom-y Guidance Spirits),
Health:
"Sludge" (Spirits of blighted, twisted wastes, including both Earth and Water).
Illusion:
"Harrow" (Malevolent Spirits of Man)
Manipulation:
"Abominations" (Toxic Beast Spirits)
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Actually, those spirits sound pretty Metal too... ;D
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Heck, I'm surprised there aren't magical girls, wannabe Z fighters, mystical ninjas, mystic adepts based on fighting games, Cthulhu Mythos mages, why the psionic tradition gets tossed by the wayside when there's a huge contingent of people here and now who think that's how magic works, and people who summon watcher or task spirits that look like RTS minions.
Actually, I've built several Cthulu Mythos mages, as a possession tradition. It was hard to build because you're tempted to make water spirits the key spirit for everything.
I can see that.
Here's the way I did it:
The Mythos
There are dark and dangerous, unimaginable things in the universe that human minds cannot comprehend without going mad.
Combat: Man (For Nodens and its ilk)
Detection: Water (For the secrets hidden in the ocean)
Health: Beast (For Shub-Niggurath and others)
Illusion: Guidance (For Dreamlands creatures)
Manipulation: Plant (For Mi-Go)
Drain: Willpower + Intuition
The Mythos was a cosmology whose roots lie in the early twentieth century with a man named Howard Philips Lovecraft; he created a series of alien entities mistaken by early man for gods and their technology mistaken for magic. Later authors made these entities into true alien gods, their powers fueled by no science that could be known in any context, and the lands outside earth interminable and impossible to comprehend. Mythos mages take all these elements and combine them into a cohesive whole and an attempt to harness the power of these beings for their very own; such mages are known for summoning creatures whose power far outstrips their own, leading to madness or death.
Mythos mages believe that humanity can never understand the universe and so look to higher powers for the answers to these mysteries, or do not look for them at all and let the magic do its own work; after all, the Mythos and various books and tomes they reference tell them that to know the secrets behind their power leads only to death.
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I think Plants should be Mi-go; that also avoids Shub-niggurath being there twice.
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I think Plants should be Mi-go; that also avoids Shub-niggurath being there twice.
Point taken and done!