[OOC] High-Casual | The Rivalry of Guns, Drugs & Love

[Inertia]

@Inertia Ha, I imagine Devan just doing this everytime someone tries sneaking up behind him

@Aewin

He can use it for party tricks like shooting something without looking yeah!

[Nosuchthing]

It's just a matter of being creative with how you use those abilities. Those which are more blunt, more suited to 'combat' are often far less versatile. Jerome is barely better physically than anyone he'll go up against. Emilia has an unparalleled ability to manipulate others, especially in times of stress. Devan can actually pull off gun kata (YouTube Equilibrium). As for upgrades,I imagine Jerome could heal so fast as to be near invulnerable, Emilia could manipulate the emotions of an entire crowd (political ambitions? Riot?) And Donovan could develop remote sensing, or maybe even vision across other spectrums. The only limits are the ones you put in place for yourself.

[Aewin]

Emilia could manipulate the emotions of an entire crowd (political ambitions? Riot?)

@Nosuchthing

Its possible for her to do so, but currently manipulating the emotions of one person takes up most of her energy. Maybe once she's pushed her limits, its possible. Hell, if she gets her hands on the magic drug, it's quite possible that she can project her own feelings of "calm" or "happiness" onto the crowd to lower the chance of any public outcry or riots against the Montgomery dynasty (and possibly the reverse for the other families, if she's given any reason to do so.) But so far her ability is just sensing the basic emotions, which doesn't do much in a conflict sadly.

[Nosuchthing]

You also said she can impress her emotions on others, if she's terrified a good response is to imprint that on whoever is coming for her. And yes, regarding upgrades I was imagining the wonder drug.

But manipulating, or simply sensing emotions is an incredibly potent ability, many people are driven by what they feel, if you know exactly what they feel then manipulation becomes more a science than an art.

[Angel Eyes]

You also said she can impress her emotions on others, if she's terrified a good response is to imprint that on whoever is coming for her. And yes, regarding upgrades I was imagining the wonder drug.

But manipulating, or simply sensing emotions is an incredibly potent ability, many people are driven by what they feel, if you know exactly what they feel then manipulation becomes more a science than an art.

@Nosuchthing

Exactly. I think the reason why Empathy is such a popular power is because its subtle, but versatile and powerful. Since Empathy is also a telepathic-based ability, I imagine it would only really find some resistance when used against other people who have VERY STRONG WILLPOWER or mental-based abilities like August Montgomery, Leah Edmond(The other Empath), or Cleopatra Davidson. I question Lexis Montgomery because I assume her Persuasion is more of a vocal manipulation thing.

Also, empathic manipulation may not be effective against Jerome since his brain could potentially repair itself from an empathic push, since empathic manipulation would essentially manipulate certain chemicals in the brain to bring about a certain emotional effect.

[Nosuchthing]

Also, empathic manipulation may not be effective against Jerome since his brain could potentially repair itself from an empathic push, since empathic manipulation would essentially manipulate certain chemicals in the brain to bring about a certain emotional effect.

@Angel Eyes

I wouldn't say so, after all, empathy manipulates emotions, which are natural reactions to stimuli. How would his healing factor know that the rage or fear or anger rushing through his system is in fact encouraged by the abilities of an empath? There's no actual damage there, just an emotion that he will have felt before. Otherwise it would react in exactly the same manner to any emotion and heal it away, leaving him little better than a robot who just happens to breathe.

[Aewin]

You also said she can impress her emotions on others, if she's terrified a good response is to imprint that on whoever is coming for her. And yes, regarding upgrades I was imagining the wonder drug.

@Nosuchthing

She can project her emotions on others, but currently she can only do it one at a time and it takes way too much of her energy and concentration to do so. She'd definitely use projection, but more as a self defence than to control someone. At least, thats what I like to think, but we can test that out during the RP

<Snipped quote by Nosuchthing>

Exactly. I think the reason why Empathy is such a popular power is because its subtle, but versatile and powerful. Since Empathy is also a telepathic-based ability, I imagine it would only really find some resistance when used against other people who have VERY STRONG WILLPOWER or mental-based abilities like August Montgomery, Leah Edmond(The other Empath), or Cleopatra Davidson. I question Lexis Montgomery because I assume her Persuasion is more of a vocal manipulation thing.

Also, empathic manipulation may not be effective against Jerome since his brain could potentially repair itself from an empathic push, since empathic manipulation would essentially manipulate certain chemicals in the brain to bring about a certain emotional effect.

@Angel Eyes

When you think about it that way, then yes, Empathy is definitely something not to look down on. Emotions are such a core part of our beings, it can easily be overpowered and can ruin some roleplays (experienced this first hand with a mary-sue in another site, sadly). But I tried limiting her range of emotions to just the basic happiness, sadness, fear and anger. She can't feel another's love, disgust, worry etc. Also, I don't know whether I added that she only recently realised she could project her emotions onto others, so she doesn't even know whether there's a limitation in emotions for others or not because she hasn't tried.

I'd hope to see her try and 'evolve' her powers further. It could give her some character development rather than making her outright OP.

<Snipped quote by Angel Eyes>

I wouldn't say so, after all, empathy manipulates emotions, which are natural reactions to stimuli. How would his healing factor know that the rage or fear or anger rushing through his system is in fact encouraged by the abilities of an empath? There's no actual damage there, just an emotion that he will have felt before. Otherwise it would react in exactly the same manner to any emotion and heal it away, leaving him little better than a robot who just happens to breathe.

@Nosuchthing

(Gosh I can't explain this very well, sorry if I hurt your brain) I think that maybe because Emilia's projecting her own emotions onto someone, it could be as if like a parasite - a foreign invader of sorts because its not him actually feeling it, but its her making him to so. I think of it like that, but I'm not too sure whether I explained it very well D:

[Nosuchthing]

Oh I'm by no means suggesting that the ability is OP, when it comes to super powers I can usually make something far more broken than was originally intended, it's just a matter of looking at it in the right way. Besides, ostensibly 'weak' powers simply encourage you to become more creative in order to solve problems, which encourages (in my opinion) greater roleplaying and writing. And it gives you a potential for character development in the powers themselves as you said.

With mine, I planned that his abilities have meant he's never really learned to fight. I found it odd that literally everyone seemed to know Karate/MMA/Krav Maga etc. but it sort of fit most of the other characters, mine it didn't. He had no discipline, which you need to actually achieve anything in those pursuits, but it still helped if he thought he was bulletproof, so he's used to relying on his abilities. It will be fun to have him faced with a problem he can't simply throw through the wall.

[Nosuchthing]

(Gosh I can't explain this very well, sorry if I hurt your brain) I think that maybe because Emilia's projecting her own emotions onto someone, it could be as if like a parasite - a foreign invader of sorts because its not him actually feeling it, but its her making him to so. I think of it like that, but I'm not too sure whether I explained it very well D:

@Aewin

Ah ok, I understand what you mean now, but nonetheless, I don't think it would fit either way. After all, it heals physical injuries, even if she's imposing her emotions, it's not a physical change to his brain, it's not physical damage, what then could his healing factor fight against?

Of course this is all just theorising, but I do enjoy theorising super powers perhaps a little too much XD

[Aewin]

@Nosuchthing Oh I know you're not suggesting it, I was just saying that I know how this power can easily become OP, if not written right, which was why I wanted her powers to be limited so there's the opportunity of development ^^

James' power is quite interesting, one I haven't seen roleplayed before, so I can't wait to see it in action :D

[Angel Eyes]

But Kinetic Manipulation Guy and Steel Skin(colossus) guy are both vying for the same position, I wonder what happens to the character that doesn't make the role. Is it edited to fit another available role?

[Nosuchthing]

Nothing so trite, instead they will be escorted to a hastily constructed wooden platform and executed as an example to all those who should dare to test the patience of the GM...

Edit: I also feel like we need to work on branding, Kinetic Manipulation Guy just doesn't have that ring to it that sells superhero lunch boxes ya know?

[SgtEasy]

@Nosuchthing

We have to work on branding now? Erm... Kendo Man Extreme? Shikamaru the Second? Ya Lazy Boi Don? Violin Man Van? Maid Girl Don? Slow Reality Perceptionist? Da Dude Man Don With Da Stick? Stick Boy Monty?

[Garden Gnome]

@SgtEasy

I'll call him Katsu-Don because he is as lazy as a pig. :P

[Angel Eyes]

@SgtEasy

Hey, btw I meant to ask, why is your character no longer Asian? Did she say no to the adopted idea?

[SgtEasy]

@Garden Gnome

My old character, when he was Asian, was nicknamed Katsu XD. I'll take that one :)

@Angel Eyes

Yeah, she said no. It's fine though. Avan Jogia suits my character pretty well :)

[Inertia]

Did GM mention that people took the drug or only a few of our characters did?
Jerome's character did I think.

It's just a matter of being creative with how you use those abilities. Those which are more blunt, more suited to 'combat' are often far less versatile. Jerome is barely better physically than anyone he'll go up against. Emilia has an unparalleled ability to manipulate others, especially in times of stress. Devan can actually pull off gun kata (YouTube Equilibrium). As for upgrades,I imagine Jerome could heal so fast as to be near invulnerable, Emilia could manipulate the emotions of an entire crowd (political ambitions? Riot?) And Donovan could develop remote sensing, or maybe even vision across other spectrums. The only limits are the ones you put in place for yourself.

@Nosuchthing

That's amazing actually, putting that into words will be fun/amazing!

[Hillan]

I made reference to Jerome using a small amount of the drug after he got his throat slit when he was a teenager - and since Hushed didn't seem to have any issue with it, I assume all the families have had some encounter / stock with said drug. How else would they know it's valuable?
But, like Nothing said, all powers can be used in a overpowered fashion, or a under powered one. I know a guy who played an assassin who's only abilities were parkour and the ability to turn into liquid goo, and then re-materialize again. And that thing was the bee's knees.

Anyway, RE how Jerome could heal empath abilities - he just couldn't. He might prove to be more difficult to manipulate due to strong self-discipline not found in most other people, but his powers would have no affect on it what so ever. They heal cuts, bruises, broken bones and keeps his stamina up so he won't tire out over an extended period of time. Of course, to a reasonable amount. With a regular use of the drugs I suppose he could become the equal to Wolverine or Deadpool, but that's not really what I'm going for.

[Garden Gnome]

@SgtEasy

Nono, he's not Katsu. He's Katsudon aka a very tasty meal.

[SgtEasy]

@Garden Gnome

I know XD, I eat at this Japanese restaurant downtown. Their Katsu-Don is top notch, although I prefer their ramen and gyudon more.