BlessedWrath

Unlikely Heroes

That comes from roleplaying and reading; pretty much the only two things I could do when I was younger (life story omitted). I was there for the rise and fall of AOL roleplay chatrooms, among other things. I used to do IM roleplay and such, but that's really fallen off in recent years.

Unlikely Heroes

Not really. I did go to college for a while, but determined that it wasn't my thing. What knowledge I do have has been amassed by experience, targeted study, simple observation or by random chance. I'll get curious about a thing, look it up, theorize about what implications it might have in a science fiction story, etc, etc. The only reason I know how to pick standard pin-and-tumbler locks is because I got curious one day and looked it up.

The thing about ARA devices is that they only register changes in the human body. The whole "lie detector" thing has never been conclusively proven to be an effective or reliable technology because of the fact that stress does not only happen when a person lies. If a person worries, for example, that the truth will be perceived as a lie, that stress can trigger the machine. Again, I saw a thing I was curious about and studied it for a day.

Anyone can do it, honestly. All you need is an internet connection and an inquisitive mind.

Unlikely Heroes

Kirra will have final say over this. My evaluation stands as written. I cannot recommend acceptance based on what I've seen. Empathy and mind-reading carry such powerful implications that they must be separate powers. Having both as a side-effect of a third power is simply too versatile and powerful to be allowed in a one-power roleplay. For example, the power as described would not only tip off your character to a danger of being shot, but literally inform him of when to begin dodging based on the impulses from the brain to the trigger finger. Essentially, it's overpowered.

I'll try to give you an example of what I mean: Sam's ability relies on pinging technology with a psionic wave. Through the magic of induced current, she is able to exploit that effect to gain limited control over electronics only. If I were to include mechanical parts, hydraulics, or anything non-electronic in that, it would be a separate power. It's still tech manipulation, and still falls under the Technomind power, but I specifically left it out because that's not how it works.

This doesn't even cover the fact that decoding the human brain and entire nervous system in realtime is something even our best analysis technology can't do, let alone a human mind. I will cede that an impulse from the brain to a muscle group should give you information on what physical actions the person is likely to take, but expanding that into two of the most useful telepathic powers in the entire psionics spectrum is, I think, over the line. That, and you'd have about 0.000000000000001 seconds to react to such an impulse.

EDIT: I could also see limited ARA potential. Autonomic Response Analysis measures changes in the body due to stimulus. For example, heightened body temperature, galvanic skin response, etc, etc. Detecting changes in the adrenal gland could indicate stress or fear, for example. This is nothing close to mind-reading or true empathy, but is much closer to the effect you're looking for.

Unlikely Heroes

Wilson, I'm looking over your character sheet now. As it stands, you do not have one power, like the rest of the players on this thread do. That is a requirement for character acceptance, per Kirra's original description of the character sheet. I will outline the problems I see below:

Electromagnetic Sight
-Detect Neurochemical Impulses: This is the ability which your character uses to see "the nervous system". It amounts to Detect Life Forms.

-Detect Electronics: This is a separate ability, which has literally nothing to do with the nervous system in any living being. If this was the case, every human would be able to sense the electromagnetic noise emitted by every electronic gadget in creation. "he'll be able to expand his range of 'mental sight', and be able to see around him for anything electronic or with any kind of impulse or nervous system" is two distinct, separate abilities.

-Empathy and Read Thoughts: Two more distinct, unique abilities, which have nothing to do with seeing neurochemical impulses. Seeing neurochemical impulses does not make your character a telepath. Even if this did somehow work, it would take a supercomputer to decode the information. We're talking about billions of exchanges of information per second.

At this point, your character has four distinct, separate abilities. This is in violation of the requirement that each character has only one. Speak to Kirra about what one ability you really need your character to have, and I'm sure this can be ironed out. Aside from that, however, I would suggest reeling in the tone of frustration in your posts. It will not help your case if you are not diplomatic in airing your concerns.

On a side note, the carbon fiber armor: Where did he get it? Be aware that such a unique bit of equipment will certainly draw attention and make him easily recognizable to enemies. It is also the case that TSP forces would most probably have confiscated that the instant he was black-bagged. No self-respecting agent would allow a prisoner to retain any kind of offensive or defensive equipment. That is pretty much the reason I didn't allow Sam to have any of her tools with her after the escape; she wouldn't have been allowed to keep them in the cell.

Unlikely Heroes

Just now, there's only one song which comes to mind for Sam.

Unlikely Heroes

Sam mulled over the decision she was about to make. For her, it was a meticulous process, but in reality took only seconds. The facts were laid bare in those seconds, ugly things, shining in the sunlight which could not be ignored. She was an escaped mental patient, off her meds for a week, injured and marooned in the middle of the forest. Even if she could somehow treat herself, she couldn't do it with pine needles and tree sap. Death had always seemed preferable to the treatments...until it was actually an option. She chalked it up to brain damage and resolved to go with Dr. Wilson.

"Fine," she grumbled. "But just enough to fix me. No 'corrections'."

Thinking about it, she somehow managed to break through the sludge in her mind to come to a rational idea regarding their escape. She couldn't know about the sabotage of TSP's vehicles, and even if she had, she'd still want insurance. That place had been like the institution in many ways, but was somehow darker, more sinister. She couldn't allow them to take her back to that place; back to where medical law might have no hold at all on its administration.

"Get us to the car," she told the doctor. She shook her head lightly, trying to clear away the haze. "Need a phone or a computer. Need cover."

---

Unlikely Heroes

I have never heard that term before. I wonder what else I've missed.

Unlikely Heroes

FC?

Unlikely Heroes

I accept the position of Co-GM. We've talked it out and are arranging permissions as time goes by. Any decision I make will be confirmed by Kirra before being made public. I have offered my assistance with certain plot elements, including technological advisement, NPC development and duties as a combat consultant.

I will be available via PM, and via TitanPad by appointment. If you have something you'd like to collaborate on, or work through, that really is the best medium to use, as it is real-time and editable. This is especially true for combat, since attempting to describe something so fluid and dynamic through text can sometimes be very difficult. I have some experience in coordinating roleplay combats which centers on feasibility and execution of maneuvers, which I believe will be helpful here. If you have any questions, please ask.

For the interim, just think of me as a liason or a helping hand. I will try not to disappoint.

Unlikely Heroes

I'm not sure whether it will be accepted or not, Wilson, but if it is, you need look no further than Sam if you want it tricked out. I have some ideas.