super_science
Differences
This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
| Both sides previous revision Previous revision Next revision | Previous revision | ||
|
super_science [2014/02/08 18:56] storyteller [Devices] |
super_science [2021/12/04 00:39] (current) |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| ====== Super Science ====== | ====== Super Science ====== | ||
| - | The science of tomorrow brought to you today. Wonders come in many shapes, sizes and categories. | + | The science of tomorrow brought to you today! Wonders come in many shapes, sizes and categories. |
| ===== Wonders ===== | ===== Wonders ===== | ||
| Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
| ==== Gizmos ==== | ==== Gizmos ==== | ||
| - | Gizmos are single-use Wonders such as super-serums, chemical candles, camoflague powders, miracle formulas, Z-Wave bullets, strings of firecrackers, disposable Kirlian photography cameras and so on. Unlike Inventions, which can have an array of mystical Effects, Gizmos are usually created for a single purpose. Occasionally, there are gizmos with an array of uses ("Cleans teeth and freshens breath!" "It's a floor wax! It's a dessert topping!"), but their powers generally come under a single umbrella if one looks hard enough. For example, while true holy water is useful both for dissolving vampires and banishing demons, its main use is to wash away sin, explaining why both the Damned and the Damnable find it so unpleasant. | + | Gizmos are single-use Wonders such as super-serums, chemical candles, camouflage powders, miracle formulas, Z-Wave bullets, strings of firecrackers, disposable Kirlian photography cameras and so on. Unlike Inventions, which can have an array of mystical Effects, Gizmos are usually created for a single purpose. Occasionally, there are gizmos with an array of uses ("Cleans teeth and freshens breath!" "It's a floor wax! It's a dessert topping!"), but their powers generally come under a single umbrella if one looks hard enough. For example, while true holy water is useful both for dissolving vampires and banishing demons, its main use is to wash away sin, explaining why both the Damned and the Damnable find it so unpleasant. |
| A gizmo's physical substance is generally used up when its magic is released. These throwaway items can possess mighty effects, but they disappear eventually. At best, they become mere mementos, husks of their former power. For example, while a view screen that was created as a Device would always be Inspired, a Gizmo view screen would only work for a set number of times before its power gave out—possibly with some dramatic effect like exploding once the last use was done. Such items cannot be recharged as with Devices, although their physical remnants might be used in the crafting of another Gizmo or recycled as parts for an entirely new gizmo depending on the circumstances. | A gizmo's physical substance is generally used up when its magic is released. These throwaway items can possess mighty effects, but they disappear eventually. At best, they become mere mementos, husks of their former power. For example, while a view screen that was created as a Device would always be Inspired, a Gizmo view screen would only work for a set number of times before its power gave out—possibly with some dramatic effect like exploding once the last use was done. Such items cannot be recharged as with Devices, although their physical remnants might be used in the crafting of another Gizmo or recycled as parts for an entirely new gizmo depending on the circumstances. | ||
| Line 36: | Line 36: | ||
| ==== Power Matrixes==== | ==== Power Matrixes==== | ||
| - | Matrixes store Inspirational power. However, as with some sources of Inspiration, Matrixes have a Facet. ''This Resonance derives from the fact that Periapts are, in fact, sublimated Tass. With 10 pawns of Tass of the same given type — for example, 10 pints of vampire blood or 10 werewolf claws — a Master of Matter can craft, for example, a "bloodstone tear" or a "moonstone crescent," which has the same Resonance as the Tass from which it's distilled. A Master of Life could use the same materials to make a living Periapt, or Relic, like a "bloodrose" or a "moonflower" (although such is done less commonly, since those items are less portable). The Periapt then becomes something like reusable Tass. It can store additional Quintessential energy, especially of the appropriate type, and absorb that energy naturally in the right surroundings. Better still, the Periapt's power can be used by a mage who doesn't have the Prime Sphere, just because of its own natural ability to channel the power!'' | + | ''Matrixes store Inspirational power. However, as with some sources of Inspiration, Matrixes have a Facet. This facet derives from the fact that Matrixes are, in fact, sublimated Tulleraian power. With 10 pawns of Tass of the same given type — for example, 10 pints of vampire blood or 10 werewolf claws — a Master of Matter can craft, for example, a "bloodstone tear" or a "moonstone crescent," which has the same Resonance as the Tass from which it's distilled. A Master of Life could use the same materials to make a living Matrixes, or Relic, like a "bloodrose" or a "moonflower" (although such is done less commonly, since those items are less portable). The Matrixes then becomes something like reusable Tass. It can store additional Quintessential energy, especially of the appropriate type, and absorb that energy naturally in the right surroundings. Better still, the Matrixes's power can be used by a mage who doesn't have the Prime Sphere, just because of its own natural ability to channel the power!'' |
| - | ''Periapts hold small amounts of Quintessence, just like Tass. Unlike Tass, though, they don't need to be destroyed in order to access the power — they're Tass batteries. When placed in an area filled with Tass of the sort from which the Periapt was made, it may even draw out the Quintessence from the Tass automatically. A bloodstone might very well suck up blood from a bucket overnight, recharging its Tass but bringing the concomitant damaging Resonance. Still, for mages without access to Nodes or enough Prime mastery, Periapts are very utilitarian power sources. | + | ''Matrixes hold small amounts of Quintessence, just like Tass. Unlike Tass, though, they don't need to be destroyed in order to access the power — they're Tass batteries. When placed in an area filled with Tass of the sort from which the Matrixes was made, it may even draw out the Quintessence from the Tass automatically. A bloodstone might very well suck up blood from a bucket overnight, recharging its Tass but bringing the concomitant damaging Resonance. Still, for mages without access to Nodes or enough Prime mastery, Matrixes are very utilitarian power sources. |
| - | '' | + | |
| - | ''When set into Talismans or Artifacts, a Periapt's Resonance matches to the item it is used to empower. A bloodstone tear from a brutal vampire or a moonstone crescent from an warrior werewolf could be used as the pommel for a magic sword, since they would both be empowered with a warlike Resonance. The same jewels could also be set in the navel of a sorceress or the forehead of her pet toad, usable for all their vicious and warlike magic, although they would become flavored over time with the Resonance of the familiar's spirit and the sorceress's Avatar. Eventually, the Periapt would become part of the creature, so the Periapt's Resonance would match its host, but the host's Resonance would have also slowly changed to reflect the power of the Periapt. | + | When set into Talismans or Artifacts, a Matrixes's Resonance matches to the item it is used to empower. A bloodstone tear from a brutal vampire or a moonstone crescent from an warrior werewolf could be used as the pommel for a magic sword, since they would both be empowered with a warlike Resonance. The same jewels could also be set in the navel of a sorceress or the forehead of her pet toad, usable for all their vicious and warlike magic, although they would become flavored over time with the Resonance of the familiar's spirit and the sorceress's Avatar. Eventually, the Periapt would become part of the creature, so the Matrixes's Resonance would match its host, but the host's Resonance would have also slowly changed to reflect the power of the Matrixes. |
| '' | '' | ||
| - | ''All power, of course, has its inverse, and Quintessence is mirrored by the force of Paradox. Whenever a Periapt or Matrix's Quintessential energy is used to power a vulgar effect, the gem will draw in and store the Paradox generated, colored with the appropriate Resonance. When the Periapt or Matrix is used in the future, this Paradox counts as part of the mage's pool for purposes of Backlash. Periapts and Matrixes used for one too many vulgar Effect become the infamous "cursed gems" and "grid overloads" of so many stories. A powerful Periapt is something every mage would covet, but not when it's filled to the brim with Paradox energies.'' | + | ''All power, of course, has its inverse, and Quintessence is mirrored by the force of Paradox. Whenever a Matrix's Quintessential energy is used to power a vulgar effect, the gem will draw in and store the Paradox generated, colored with the appropriate Resonance. When the Matrix is used in the future, this Paradox counts as part of the mage's pool for purposes of Backlash. Matrixes used for one too many vulgar Effect become the infamous "cursed gems" and "grid overloads" of so many stories. A powerful Matrixes is something every mage would covet, but not when it's filled to the brim with Paradox energies.'' |
| - | ''Despite the name, Periapts and Matrixes do not have to be small gems or crystals or pretty flowers. A Periapt or Matrix could just as easily be an end table or a chair (or in the classic sense, an altar or a throne) or even a huge plant, like the coven trees of the Verbena. Gems are simply durable and portable, and the same ruby can be used as the eye of your idol, the stone for your Hermetic lodge ring, the tip of your wizard's staffer the laser crystal for your Buck Rogers ray gun. The same can not be said of an end table or 50-foot oak. Then again, altars, thrones and large oak trees are far more difficult to swipe or disguise.'' | + | ''Despite the name, Matrixes do not have to be small gems or crystals or pretty flowers. A Matrix could just as easily be an end table or a chair (or in the classic sense, an altar or a throne) or even a huge plant, like the coven trees of the Verbena. Gems are simply durable and portable, and the same ruby can be used as the eye of your idol, the stone for your Hermetic lodge ring, the tip of your wizard's staffer the laser crystal for your Buck Rogers ray gun. The same can not be said of an end table or 50-foot oak. Then again, altars, thrones and large oak trees are far more difficult to swipe or disguise.'' |
| ''Although agents of the Technocracy assert that they do not use the same props as their mystic counterparts, they do. Thrones are now "Command Chairs" and altars are "Powered Workstations," and they are still set with the same Matrixes as always.'' | ''Although agents of the Technocracy assert that they do not use the same props as their mystic counterparts, they do. Thrones are now "Command Chairs" and altars are "Powered Workstations," and they are still set with the same Matrixes as always.'' | ||
| Line 58: | Line 58: | ||
| ==== Devices ==== | ==== Devices ==== | ||
| - | Devices are infused | + | ''Devices are infused |
| with part of the essence of a Technomancer, | with part of the essence of a Technomancer, | ||
| the sacrifice of the very will of one of those who crafted the | the sacrifice of the very will of one of those who crafted the | ||
| Line 71: | Line 71: | ||
| Arete can be used for those tasks. Talismans also store | Arete can be used for those tasks. Talismans also store | ||
| Quintessence much like a Periapt, which they use to empower | Quintessence much like a Periapt, which they use to empower | ||
| - | their Effects. | + | their Effects.'' |
| - | A Talisman can have any number of powers and Effects, | + | ''A Talisman can have any number of powers and Effects, |
| and it often has multiple functions. As a rough estimate, a | and it often has multiple functions. As a rough estimate, a | ||
| Talisman's value is computed as equal to its Arete rating. If | Talisman's value is computed as equal to its Arete rating. If | ||
| Line 85: | Line 85: | ||
| item's Arete, as per a Periapt. Additional Effects may cost | item's Arete, as per a Periapt. Additional Effects may cost | ||
| more. Talismans aren't cheap, especially in this age of dying | more. Talismans aren't cheap, especially in this age of dying | ||
| - | magic.) | + | magic.)'' |
| === Device Creation === | === Device Creation === | ||
| - | Creating a Talisman requires: Prime 3 with a number of | + | ''Creating a Talisman requires: Prime 3 with a number of |
| pawns of Tass (of the appropriate Resonance) equal to the | pawns of Tass (of the appropriate Resonance) equal to the | ||
| desired Talisman rating; or Prime 4 with the same number of | desired Talisman rating; or Prime 4 with the same number of | ||
| Line 109: | Line 109: | ||
| item while Prime 4 creates a rechargeable battery pack for a | item while Prime 4 creates a rechargeable battery pack for a | ||
| Device. Prime 5 alters the flow of Prime in living tissue, | Device. Prime 5 alters the flow of Prime in living tissue, | ||
| - | creating Relics. | + | creating Relics.'' |
| - | The creation of Talismans and Relics is also quite | + | ''The creation of Talismans and Relics is also quite |
| vulgar. To weave a Talisman, a mage enters his Sanctum or | vulgar. To weave a Talisman, a mage enters his Sanctum or | ||
| workroom, gathers his ingredients, expends a temporary | workroom, gathers his ingredients, expends a temporary | ||
| Line 118: | Line 118: | ||
| player must then make a roll of Intelligence + an appropriate | player must then make a roll of Intelligence + an appropriate | ||
| Ability. Simply making the item in question may require a | Ability. Simply making the item in question may require a | ||
| - | great deal of time and special materials. | + | great deal of time and special materials.'' |
| - | At this point, the player begins the long haul, rolling his | + | ''At this point, the player begins the long haul, rolling his |
| mage's Arete each hour against the normal Effect difficulty | mage's Arete each hour against the normal Effect difficulty | ||
| (typically 8 or more, for a Prime 3+ vulgar Effect). For each | (typically 8 or more, for a Prime 3+ vulgar Effect). For each | ||
| Line 133: | Line 133: | ||
| work is ruined, the Tass is wasted, and there may be a | work is ruined, the Tass is wasted, and there may be a | ||
| spectacular Paradox accident. Consequently, most mages do | spectacular Paradox accident. Consequently, most mages do | ||
| - | not craft Talismans for hours on end. | + | not craft Talismans for hours on end.'' |
| - | At the end of the creation process, the player cements | + | ''At the end of the creation process, the player cements |
| the creation by making his temporary Willpower expenditure | the creation by making his temporary Willpower expenditure | ||
| permanent. He ties a small portion of the mage's | permanent. He ties a small portion of the mage's | ||
| Line 141: | Line 141: | ||
| magical powers. If the mage does not do so, then the object | magical powers. If the mage does not do so, then the object | ||
| is nothing more than a Charm. Its powers can be used once | is nothing more than a Charm. Its powers can be used once | ||
| - | before it becomes only a hollow shell again. | + | before it becomes only a hollow shell again.'' |
| === Relics === | === Relics === | ||
| - | By using Prime 5 to reweave the underlying Pattern of | + | ''By using Prime 5 to reweave the underlying Pattern of |
| a living being or portion thereof, then investing this Pattern | a living being or portion thereof, then investing this Pattern | ||
| with other spells, a Master of Prime may create a Relic, or | with other spells, a Master of Prime may create a Relic, or | ||
| Line 156: | Line 156: | ||
| bees have also been produced by this Effect. This | bees have also been produced by this Effect. This | ||
| Effect can also grant magical blessings to those a Master | Effect can also grant magical blessings to those a Master | ||
| - | favors. | + | favors.'' |
| === Facets of Devices === | === Facets of Devices === | ||
| - | Most Talismans are Awakened with some degree of | + | ''Most Talismans are Awakened with some degree of |
| sentience, but even those that have been lulled to sleep | sentience, but even those that have been lulled to sleep | ||
| through magic or simple lack of use still have very strong | through magic or simple lack of use still have very strong | ||
| Line 180: | Line 180: | ||
| you're not going to lose the Willpower until you lose the | you're not going to lose the Willpower until you lose the | ||
| digit, but you won't have that Willpower point free to burn | digit, but you won't have that Willpower point free to burn | ||
| - | if you need it. | + | if you need it.'' |
| - | The connection between a mage, or "smith," as the | + | ''The connection between a mage, or "smith," as the |
| crafters of Talismans are often called, and the tools he | crafters of Talismans are often called, and the tools he | ||
| creates is very tight. These objects are considered to be at | creates is very tight. These objects are considered to be at | ||
| Line 211: | Line 211: | ||
| in the legacy of his creations. Of course, the creations may | in the legacy of his creations. Of course, the creations may | ||
| take on different personalities after time and successive | take on different personalities after time and successive | ||
| - | owners. | + | owners.'' |
| - | For those who wish exact mechanics, consider a Talisman | + | ''For those who wish exact mechanics, consider a Talisman |
| to have the same Nature and Demeanor as its creator, | to have the same Nature and Demeanor as its creator, | ||
| as well as a Willpower rating equal to its Arete. Roll a contest | as well as a Willpower rating equal to its Arete. Roll a contest | ||
| Line 235: | Line 235: | ||
| analytical. Of course, some mages (notably Orphans) and | analytical. Of course, some mages (notably Orphans) and | ||
| other Technomancers (such as the Virtual Adepts) have | other Technomancers (such as the Virtual Adepts) have | ||
| - | been able to hotwire them anyway. | + | been able to hotwire them anyway.'' |
| - | Relics are another matter. In the case of portions of the | + | ''Relics are another matter. In the case of portions of the |
| mage's own body, the wills are one, and there's no conflict. | mage's own body, the wills are one, and there's no conflict. | ||
| However, when a mage grants such power to her progeny | However, when a mage grants such power to her progeny | ||
| Line 256: | Line 256: | ||
| and the recipient are harmonious in nature, there may not be | and the recipient are harmonious in nature, there may not be | ||
| any problem — as is usually the case when grafting on some | any problem — as is usually the case when grafting on some | ||
| - | Relic for the sake of sheer power. | + | Relic for the sake of sheer power.'' |
| === Sentient Devices and Relics === | === Sentient Devices and Relics === | ||
| - | While most Talismans and Relics do not have minds per | + | ''While most Talismans and Relics do not have minds per |
| se, some do. For example, the Virtual Adepts commonly | se, some do. For example, the Virtual Adepts commonly | ||
| install artificial intelligence programs into their laptops | install artificial intelligence programs into their laptops | ||
| Line 270: | Line 270: | ||
| fantasy novels knows, swords can not only sing, but a few of | fantasy novels knows, swords can not only sing, but a few of | ||
| them talk and have decided opinions as to how to approach | them talk and have decided opinions as to how to approach | ||
| - | a battle. | + | a battle.'' |
| - | Players who wish for their characters to have a sentient | + | ''Players who wish for their characters to have a sentient |
| Talisman or Relic should just use the Mentor or Familiar | Talisman or Relic should just use the Mentor or Familiar | ||
| Background, as appropriate, and define it as a Talisman. | Background, as appropriate, and define it as a Talisman. | ||
| Line 278: | Line 278: | ||
| witch something similar to a familiar, but without the | witch something similar to a familiar, but without the | ||
| necessity of pacts or Quintessence, and without the advantage | necessity of pacts or Quintessence, and without the advantage | ||
| - | of a mental link.) | + | of a mental link.)'' |
| - | The most dangerous (and interesting) Talismans and | + | ''The most dangerous (and interesting) Talismans and |
| Relics, however, are those that house a human consciousness, | Relics, however, are those that house a human consciousness, | ||
| especially that of an Awakened mage. Using last-ditch | especially that of an Awakened mage. Using last-ditch | ||
| Line 287: | Line 287: | ||
| suitable host. Indeed, there are some mages whose "immortality" | suitable host. Indeed, there are some mages whose "immortality" | ||
| stems from a sword or ring that passes from one hapless | stems from a sword or ring that passes from one hapless | ||
| - | victim to the next. | + | victim to the next.'' |
| {{tag>sys hru}} | {{tag>sys hru}} | ||
super_science.1391885767.txt.gz · Last modified: 2021/12/04 00:40 (external edit)
Page Tools
Except where otherwise noted, content on this wiki is licensed under the following license: CC Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
