IPB

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

2 Pages V   1 2 >  
Reply to this topicStart new topic
> Geasa Suggestions, The Old-Fashioned Way for Adepts
ElFenrir
post Mar 8 2009, 06:41 PM
Post #1


Neophyte Runner
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,168
Joined: 15-April 05
From: Helsinki, Finland
Member No.: 7,337



So, we use the optional rules(in SR4) for cutting down power costs by slapping a Geas on a power. What I've been thinking about are some interesting geas ideas.

I mean, there's the talisman. I admit I'm guilty of using this just because I can't think of something that's both interesting, and not crippling. Geasa should be something that you have to at least worry about somewhat(being a kind of negative quality, after all), but not something utterly ridiculous(some of the Geas examples are vastly different-they range from moderate to outright crippling.)

Could some of these geasa made for spellcasting work for adepts? Gesture, for example? (Ie, to activate a power, they might have to do some sort of, well, gesturing of a kind. A kata for Improved Combat Skill or Reflexes, perhaps.)

What about something like Condition Geas(Artisan): Must have preformed somehow for at least a (half hour or hour) that day in a certain kind of Artisan skill. This could be practicing/playing an instrument, drawing, sculpting, painting, metalwork, etc. As long as the character does this for an hour, it's good. If he goes 24 hours without it, the geas is broken until he preforms said artisan action for an hour.

Time could always work(power only works before or after sunset.) What about Incantation-could an adept power be tied to that?

I dunno, I'm just trying to figure something out that can fit my adept(so Fasting is out-it would make no sense for him, for example), that can get me away from the Talisman. (He does play the cello, so that's where I came up with the possible Artisan Geas.) I also considered his power(I geased Reflexes, of course), to be tied to his sight. He's typically at a -3 to sight(Reduced Sense, 5 BP), but perhaps if he's at Full Darkness(ie, blindfolded), the power works.

Anyone here use different Geas for adepts before?
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Draco18s
post Mar 8 2009, 09:03 PM
Post #2


Immortal Elf
**********

Group: Members
Posts: 10,289
Joined: 2-October 08
Member No.: 16,392



Blindfolded, or "fully blind" would be a condition geas.

Gesture geas can even be something like a stance from martial arts. If you're bound in any way it stops working (as expected from a similar IRL observation and by RAW).
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
The Neutronium A...
post Mar 8 2009, 09:10 PM
Post #3


Target
*

Group: Members
Posts: 42
Joined: 1-January 03
Member No.: 3,810



Well the obvious things that spring to mind are either rituals that have to be performed at particular points in the day (e.g. at waking, before meals, after visiting the toilet and before going to bed) or in particular situations (such as never sitting with your back to the door, only entering a personal dwelling if invited, performing a particular act if one sees oneself in a mirror, only drinking a particular sort of liqour or water).

If you want to go even further you could look at the monastic rules, such as those of St Benedict or the the Buddhist Sangha and adapt some of the less limiting or whackier ones to fit your need (the 30 nissaggiyas on the Buddhist page can be particularly useful here).
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
AllTheNothing
post Mar 8 2009, 10:35 PM
Post #4


Moving Target
**

Group: Members
Posts: 997
Joined: 20-October 08
Member No.: 16,537



Meditation?
Drinking green tea?
Kata?
Praying?
Reciting poetry?
Joga?
Playing a musical instrument?
Singing?
Dancing?
Sex? (pornomancers (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) )
Talking to your own immage on a mirror?
Polishing a tool/weapon/instrument important to you? (for exemple a swordmaster adept could polish his/hers katana)

Some geas could be tied to NOT having done something for enough time
Having sex?
Dinking alcohols?
Eating meat? (ok not that hard in SR)
Smoking?
Assuming drugs? (purity of body)

Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
AngelisStorm
post Mar 9 2009, 01:50 AM
Post #5


Moving Target
**

Group: Members
Posts: 616
Joined: 30-April 07
From: Edge of the Redmond Barrens, Borderline NAN. Runnin' the border for literal milk runs.
Member No.: 11,565



The problem with the "not doing something" examples is that it's a game, and it's supposed to be a penalty. Is it really a penalty when a character goes "Ok, I don't drink, and my character has a vow of chastity." Not really an issue. The drinking might come up in a social situation, but not really if the character is smooth enough.

The only time these type of disadvantages work is for vital things, like eating and sleeping. That way the character can plan ahead for runs, but if the GM wants to utilize them, he need only drop a last minute run on the characters. (Or have them hide out from the bad guys. How long can you stay awake, so as to keep your super powers?)
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Draco18s
post Mar 9 2009, 02:22 AM
Post #6


Immortal Elf
**********

Group: Members
Posts: 10,289
Joined: 2-October 08
Member No.: 16,392



Remember that for both doing and not doing it's about "in the last 24 hours." Most of the time it's not going to be a big deal (ferinstance, "had to have sex" (one of the suggestions for a ritual geas) will likely end up for most groups, as being something that happens by default prior to a run and doesn't come up until they're still out on the run for 24 hours, then it'd enter the table as being an issue ("we've been pinned down for a while, if I don't get some nookie in 3 hours I'm going to lose my reflexes/magic/whatever")).

So something like "no drinking" isn't really any more of a penalty.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Kanada Ten
post Mar 9 2009, 02:37 AM
Post #7


Beetle Eater
********

Group: Dumpshocked
Posts: 4,797
Joined: 3-June 02
From: Oblivion City
Member No.: 2,826



The warrior begins every morning by cleaning the mirror shard with his well worn rag. The old and almost empty Paint-By-Numbers set beside him, he sits on the rooftop ledge holding the jagged mirror between his bare toes. He examines his face, the scars, the lines, the eyes - he looks hard at those eyes. A wind from the ocean carries the soft scent of salt and distant bird cries over the quiet sprawl below him. This is the silent hour, when the demons have gone to bed and the living have not yet begun living in earnest. Taking the brush in hand, the warrior begins to paint his face. Curving, curling lines of white, swirls and spirals of red, three tears of azure, he marks the canvas of his skin, bending the mirror this way and that. Satisfied, he rinses the brush in his little tin can cistern and closes tight the little plastic lids before rolling the kit up in his hideaway. He can already feel dawn's power filling him. It will be a good day to run.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Sir_Psycho
post Mar 9 2009, 08:32 AM
Post #8


Shooting Target
****

Group: Members
Posts: 1,629
Joined: 14-December 06
Member No.: 10,361



QUOTE (AngelisStorm @ Mar 8 2009, 08:50 PM) *
The problem with the "not doing something" examples is that it's a game, and it's supposed to be a penalty. Is it really a penalty when a character goes "Ok, I don't drink, and my character has a vow of chastity." Not really an issue. The drinking might come up in a social situation, but not really if the character is smooth enough.

"No sex" would be a perfect justification for a GM to use social skills against the character. Sure, he doesn't want to lose his powers, but that woman at the bare is rolling very well on her Con (Seduction) rolls!
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
ElFenrir
post Mar 9 2009, 10:19 AM
Post #9


Neophyte Runner
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,168
Joined: 15-April 05
From: Helsinki, Finland
Member No.: 7,337



Nice suggestions/descriptions here overall. I think I might actually run with music-having to play/practice the cello for an hour straight every 24 hours.

It will still muck up surprise runs pretty well ''Johnson says meet at the Inferno, yesterday!'', and also, for instances of having to hightail it out right AFTER a run and hide for a couple of days, he won't have access to it. It would normally be something he does upon getting up, but things could happen that could throw a wrench in those plans. Most teams/Johnsons don't want to hear ''yeah, I'll be there after my cello practice.''

Now, AS a GM, I kind of wonder how I should be with them myself. Take the aformentioned sex geas. Now, normally, it might not be to hard to get some. The character looks good in the face and physique wise, he's a charmer, etc, and being able to get with someone at a club probably isn't terribly difficult. Or hell, they might even have an SO of sorts. I don't want to be picking on them and, say, springing surprise runs on them(that are far away in the middle of nowhere), ALL the time, turning what once was a regular flaw into ''why did I even pick this power in the first place?'' But even with the geas examples listed in the book; some of them are a bit more harsh than others, just by nature. (The sex geas isn't as hard as say, the food geas...unless the Adept has Sustenance, that is. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grinbig.gif) Being cheesy aside, the Sustenance power could actually be a reasonable by-product of a Fasting geas, funny enough-character fasts so often that the body's magic sort of developed it's own way to keep healthy. Of course, Sustenance does not mean ''no food needed to live''-it simply, IMO, makes it a bit faster to get ''back on track'' after a fast.)

I also considered geasa on adept powers, with a condition that they were linked to other adept powers which must be active for the other power to work. (For example-Reflexes and Smashing Blow are both linked to the Berserk power-the character must be Berserk for these to work...and this isn't always viable, or a good idea.) Of course, it should be a power that is activated, and has some concern, so to speak(like Berserk-it's not something you want to do all the time.)
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
AngelisStorm
post Mar 9 2009, 10:53 AM
Post #10


Moving Target
**

Group: Members
Posts: 616
Joined: 30-April 07
From: Edge of the Redmond Barrens, Borderline NAN. Runnin' the border for literal milk runs.
Member No.: 11,565



Psycho, that leads to the inevitable "I don't care how hot that -fill in the blank- is, I'm NOT having sex. Are you an idiot? I would loose my powers." If pornomancers can't control people's minds with 14 hits, then you shouldn't force Con (Seduction) on a player to activate his Geasa. That's for spellcasting magic to do.

I like the Cello geas, btw. It's not crippling, but it's dang inconvient at times, and if your in hiding, bang there goes your powers (and when your in hiding, that's often when you need them the most).
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
HappyDaze
post Mar 9 2009, 11:24 AM
Post #11


Shooting Target
****

Group: Members
Posts: 1,838
Joined: 1-September 05
Member No.: 7,669



As far as not doing things, there are some that work out fine for geasa:

Must not cause harm (violated if you've inflicted even 1 point of S or P on a living being in the last 24H - a difficult one for most runners).
Must not travel in a powered conveyance (bicycles and skates are OK, anything with a motor is out).
Must not speak (DNI-translated 'mindspeech' would also break the spirit of the geasa).
Must not touch dead flesh (includs eating meat and searching bodies).
Must not look upon (or listen, smell, touch, etc.) the false world (that's any AR/VR matrix use - a biggie in SR4 but possibly fitting for a real technophobic magician).
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Draco18s
post Mar 9 2009, 01:06 PM
Post #12


Immortal Elf
**********

Group: Members
Posts: 10,289
Joined: 2-October 08
Member No.: 16,392



QUOTE (HappyDaze @ Mar 9 2009, 06:24 AM) *
Must not look upon (or listen, smell, touch, etc.) the false world (that's any AR/VR matrix use - a biggie in SR4 but possibly fitting for a real technophobic magician).


Whoever takes that one would never be able to have the Smartlink bonus when using a firearm.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Sir_Psycho
post Mar 9 2009, 01:55 PM
Post #13


Shooting Target
****

Group: Members
Posts: 1,629
Joined: 14-December 06
Member No.: 10,361



QUOTE (AngelisStorm @ Mar 9 2009, 05:53 AM) *
Psycho, that leads to the inevitable "I don't care how hot that -fill in the blank- is, I'm NOT having sex. Are you an idiot? I would loose my powers." If pornomancers can't control people's minds with 14 hits, then you shouldn't force Con (Seduction) on a player to activate his Geasa. That's for spellcasting magic to do.

I can almost accept that argument under most circumstances, but the player chose that geasa, and it has to come up in play, or it's just a cheap bonus. If they complain, then they really shouldn't have tried to take an unbreakable geasa. Also, said hypothetical player clearly needs some talcum powder and a box of Kleenex, because they'd only lose the powers (with geasa) for 24 hours. Big deal.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
GreyBrother
post Mar 9 2009, 02:00 PM
Post #14


Moving Target
**

Group: Members
Posts: 619
Joined: 24-July 08
From: Resonance Realms, behind the 2nd Star
Member No.: 16,162



QUOTE (Draco18s @ Mar 9 2009, 02:06 PM) *
Whoever takes that one would never be able to have the Smartlink bonus when using a firearm.


True, but "who needs this body-abominating corruption of ones own lifeforce" if the spirits can grant you so much more without it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grinbig.gif)
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
BIG BAD BEESTE
post Mar 9 2009, 02:35 PM
Post #15


Moving Target
**

Group: Members
Posts: 379
Joined: 26-February 02
From: Earth
Member No.: 1,274



QUOTE (Draco18s @ Mar 9 2009, 01:06 PM) *
Whoever takes that one would never be able to have the Smartlink bonus when using a firearm.


Well then they'd just better buy some weapons with laser sights instead. Used to be the adept's choice back in the 50's y'know - smartlinks were Essence-eating cyberware back then. (And don't even get me started on smartlinking bows - GAH!)

As for Geasa, well I've a player who has a troll "samurai" adept and he's taken a condition geas during intitation. He's basically chosen one that means he can't initiate combat without breakig it. Sees it as as honourable bodyguarding style of choice. Of course, with his Level 3 Increased Reflexes, he's got a nice Reaction time to quick draw his katana and strike the target with iajutsu techniques.

Overall, if you're looking at taking a geasa try to base it on something that the character uses in their philosophy of following their magical path. Link it with the roleplaying side of the character.

Of course, there's always a cost for trying to squeeze in more maxing to your abilities - if you don't want the penalties attributed by a geas you shouldn't try to get cheap powers. Earn some Karma & get initiated instead..
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
ElFenrir
post Mar 9 2009, 03:05 PM
Post #16


Neophyte Runner
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,168
Joined: 15-April 05
From: Helsinki, Finland
Member No.: 7,337



Now, the ''can't initiate combat'' is actually very cool character wise-but I don't think it's quite limiting enough with Level 3 reflexes. I mean, in my experience, the PCs don't ALWAYS initiate it in the first place, and when they do, leaving it up to the ''hot headed guy'' isn't that bad. I would accept this geas with another condition-he cannot strike first in combat. He can, now, take his action and defend, and then counterattack with Riposte(which will eat another turn up, and could indeed fit the whole style-parries with his specially-made sheath, then unsheathes and counterattacks perhaps), since technically, the other person struck him first.

I would even accept ''cannot deal physical damage'' as a Geas. And yes, this counts Overflow. So even if Bob the Adeptchose to do Stun damage with his staff, but ends up doing a base 8S and stages it up to even 1P-his geas is broken, so this might take some careful consideration of pulling successes.

Alternately, ''Can only deal physical damage'' might be a doozy, too. Yes, this counts stuff staged to Stun via armor. It might fit well with a ''berserker, fight-to-kill'' adept. If Bob the above ended up with this one, he basically cannot fight unless he is allowed to deal physical damage only, IE, to kill(though dealing physical damage does not necessarily mean he will kill everyone-since they could always retreat, etc.) But he can't fight with the intent to stun.

For my adept with the cello one I'm considering-he's a Warrior's Way through and through, but he just enjoys music a lot and is quite good at it. I couldn't really think of a good warrior-type Geas(except for the ''must be completely blind'' clause) that fit him. He's quite calm, but will really take about any job from guarding to wetwork. He studied(ie, has the martial arts qualities) of Savate, Kung Fu/Chángquán, and Carromeleg, and fights mainly barehanded, but is also extremely good with blades. Limiting it to ''only unarmed'' or ''only with blades'' wouldn't be too much of a disadvantage(since his blade is a No-Dachi with 2 reach, he rolls damn near as many dice with it, though his unarmed attack is stronger.)

''Only with arm/leg/elbow/knee'' strikes might be kind of interesting, but I don't think limiting enough. (Only arm strikes would require he somehow cannot use his arms, and be forced to headbutt, thus breaking the Geas, but how often would that come up? Not very. Only leg strikes would be a bit more disadvantageous, since if he's in a car, or other small area and unable to kick, he'd be forced to fight other ways and thus break the Geas. Of course, this would hose his Blades skills pretty quickly.)

So yeah, the cello might be the best one, still fitting with him. Perhaps something wakes up in him whenever he plays it every morning.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
AllTheNothing
post Mar 9 2009, 03:25 PM
Post #17


Moving Target
**

Group: Members
Posts: 997
Joined: 20-October 08
Member No.: 16,537



Geas of the century:
Must be alive, if you die you lose the chosen power until you become alive again; spirit inhabitation power doesn't qualify as back alive. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
HappyDaze
post Mar 9 2009, 04:04 PM
Post #18


Shooting Target
****

Group: Members
Posts: 1,838
Joined: 1-September 05
Member No.: 7,669



For mystic adepts of a possession tradition that have Channeling (yeah, there's bound to be a few out there), a Condition geas that allows certain powers to only work while a spirit is riding the body can be taken. Likewise not having been ridden for 24h could be a geasa on some powers too.

QUOTE
Must not travel in a powered conveyance (bicycles and skates are OK, anything with a motor is out).

For the record, this includes elevators, escalators, and powered sidewalks. Find the stairs chummer!
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Kanada Ten
post Mar 9 2009, 04:09 PM
Post #19


Beetle Eater
********

Group: Dumpshocked
Posts: 4,797
Joined: 3-June 02
From: Oblivion City
Member No.: 2,826



I'm a big fan of the "three unique qualities" idea presented in the Talisman Geas, especially applied to Conditional and Ritual Geasa. It's not just that he plays a cello for an hour - he plays his cello (not some AR substitute), for an hour, to comfort a dying or ill person (or "at dawn" etc). Sex once a day turns into sex, with a monogamous partner, who must achieve climax - terrible for long term relationships ("Not this morning, baby, I've got a headache..." "But, honey, you don't understand: I need it. I've got a big job tonight."). Sacrifice Geas is good too, cut with a ritual knife, forgo first aid, never hide the scar. Warrior geasa: Weapons must be blessed by a holy person before/after they are used to kill. Bullets, arrows, weapons must be tipped with the warrior's blood. Incantation is a classic martial art geas. Bathing in a specific body of water (or with esoteric minerals and oils) at a specific time is pretty classic. Donating (aka sacrificing) a specific amount of time, resources, and karma to a worthy cause or mentor spirit.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
HappyDaze
post Mar 9 2009, 04:22 PM
Post #20


Shooting Target
****

Group: Members
Posts: 1,838
Joined: 1-September 05
Member No.: 7,669



QUOTE
Donating (aka sacrificing) a specific amount of time, resources, and karma to a worthy cause or mentor spirit.

If you have a Spirit Pact, then making regular donations of earned Karma to the spirit of the pact could also be part of your Geas. Two birds, one stone.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
ElFenrir
post Mar 9 2009, 04:24 PM
Post #21


Neophyte Runner
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,168
Joined: 15-April 05
From: Helsinki, Finland
Member No.: 7,337



I'm a fan of it for Talismans-but for conditions, IMO, a lot of them are enough. Not being able to eat is enough of itself, IMO. To each their own, though. I mean, having to play an instrument for an hour a day upon waking up seems like it could, as said above, be pretty limiting at times. They should be blocks sometimes, but not always crippling. Getting sex once a day might be a bit difficult if you're in the middle of nowhere with no one you know around.

Rather than ''always 3'' for conditions, I'd do it by circumstance. Not eating or it's broken is enough in and of itself, as I said. The aformentioned ''never initiate combat'', now, that I'd tack on the clause of ''and never strike the first blow'' to, for two. Something like the ritual cutting? That seems pretty appropriate for 3(make the cut, don't bandage it and show the scar.) Just making a cut and not bandaging it might not be enough.

For an instrument, having to play the character's own for an hour a day seems reasonable. Being stuffed up in a flophouse would make that mighty difficult.

So yeah, for me, it would depend on the geas in question if it was enough or not.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Sir_Psycho
post Mar 9 2009, 04:29 PM
Post #22


Shooting Target
****

Group: Members
Posts: 1,629
Joined: 14-December 06
Member No.: 10,361



Getting sex every day isn't so hard if you have a team-mate with low willpower, and the Control Actions and Alter Memory spells. They'll never know. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Draco18s
post Mar 9 2009, 04:52 PM
Post #23


Immortal Elf
**********

Group: Members
Posts: 10,289
Joined: 2-October 08
Member No.: 16,392



The sacrifice geas makes me go D:

As for the ritual sex geas, I actually did that for my 800 BP drake adept, "sex with a willing partner while in drake form." Mainly because it made me giggle.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
TBRMInsanity
post Mar 9 2009, 05:18 PM
Post #24


Running Target
***

Group: Members
Posts: 1,002
Joined: 22-April 06
From: Canada
Member No.: 8,494



You could always do the whole Dragonball Z powerup thing for your adept (ie gesture geasa). You could even play it up with 20 min of banter for every 5 secs of fighting (like in the anime).
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
HappyDaze
post Mar 9 2009, 05:21 PM
Post #25


Shooting Target
****

Group: Members
Posts: 1,838
Joined: 1-September 05
Member No.: 7,669



And the grunting and straining...

Condition Geas: Must not have had a BM in the last 24 hours.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post

2 Pages V   1 2 >
Reply to this topicStart new topic

 



RSS Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 29th March 2024 - 05:23 AM

Topps, Inc has sole ownership of the names, logo, artwork, marks, photographs, sounds, audio, video and/or any proprietary material used in connection with the game Shadowrun. Topps, Inc has granted permission to the Dumpshock Forums to use such names, logos, artwork, marks and/or any proprietary materials for promotional and informational purposes on its website but does not endorse, and is not affiliated with the Dumpshock Forums in any official capacity whatsoever.