Forums of the Megaverse®

I'd consider it covered by the Ninjas and Superspies skill Role-Playing Game Design 32+4%, since you can hardly write an original RPG without lnowing a bit about what's already out there.

At any rate, does the skill even require a write-up? All you really have to do is take another lore skill and change the subject of its focus and BAM you have a new skill. It's hardly a thing that needs to be written up on this board.

Exactly. That's getting down to trivia-level skills, rather than more extensive skills like a working knowledge of law and legal proceedings(Lore: Law) or cultural anthropology(Lore: Indians, Lore: D:Bee, Lore: Cities, etc.). You may as well create Lore: Science Fiction, Lore: Romantic Comedy, Lore: Needlepoint Societies, or (with a nod to the late Terry Pratchet) Lore: Pins, with regards to a obsession with a particular genre, hobby or media. There's not anything else there that can't be covered by a general Lore(X) description in terms of mechanics and proficiencies. Sure, it may make a character look more individual and colorful, but does it really add anything to the play? Unless the GM dropped a Chekov's Gun hint while overseeing character roll-up, I'd regard such lore skills more an aspect of good in-character roleplaying rather than serious skills.

new topic-dancing spelization-jitterbug
skill bonus could be 3-8%?

I don't think each type of dance move needs its own specialization.

So, no damage bonus for body-checking in mosh-pit dancing?
Whattya mean the whole point is NOT to damage other people?

Only if you made a dance combat skill. It would have to be a Hand To Hand skill, I would imagine.

That was my reasoning too. Mosh Pit Martial Arts.

There is a "Strategy Games" skill in Rifter 19, the Metal Skills article. It lists Chess, and Backgammon, among others.

Ironically I spotted both a fan skill and the reference to Rifter 19 on the previous page of this thread just after I posted. Had a 'd'oh! moment and then deleted my post, not realizing there was a post-ninja leaping for that very place as I pulled the plank out.
But thanks for the confirmation.

Well I would say your forum ninja skills are higher than mine, you got that post out of here quick.

Skidmarks on the information superhighway.
But now I'm picturing it as comic slapstick:
(puts up "Answer Wanted' sign, then looking around and finding the answer more or less immediately, mutters 'Well, don't -I- feel dumb', pulls up the sign just as, unseen, internet ninja drops down behind to land raptor like on the sign -"HAH! YOUR ANSWER IS HE-GAH!"...his foot goes into the post hole where the sign was, and he fumbles the landing#GUNCH#..."...coulda sworn there was a landing pad here a moment ago" ..." )

Now for something silly-burping-you can belch out a tune or a word at will with a successful roll!
Chance of success is 23 plus 4% per level
I’m not sure if it’s been done before though.

I believe it has been done before.

Oh

Yeah, by me with help by Taalismn and Mephisto.

Competitive Belching

Like the Competitive Eater, the Competition Belcher has trained his body to perform outside the normal ranges. Through hours of practice, the PC has conditioned himself to expel air trapped within his digestive system in a controlled manner. While not the most socially graceful of skills the PC is capable of some impressive, if not dubious, feats.
25% +5%
Bonuses at level
1. Maximum belch length 5 seconds. Maximum belch volume 70 decibels, +2 Save vs vomiting.
2. + or - 1D4 to Charm Impress / Disgust Revolt depending on the Socio-economic make up and age of the audience when performing a belch. (GM determines audience make up/reaction)
3. +1D4+1 seconds to belch length
4. +1 Save vs. pain. +1D10 decibels to belch volume. Character can talk and burp at the same time
5. PC can now control the tone/resonance of their burps from a simple 'erp" to a deep slow bellowing rumble.
See Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ5GJdZr5ew
6. +1D4+1 seconds to belch length +1 Save vs vomiting, +1 Save vs. pain
7. +1D10 decibels to belch volume
8. +1d4 to Intimidate through Bull frogging (PS inflates his stomach by swallowing large amounts of air making himself appear larger than normal).
9. Increase breath holding duration by 50%
10. Mitigation of failed roll: On a failed roll, the character gets a -5% on the effect roll
11. Percussive Belching; the character can vary the volume (and length of each volume change) as many times in a melee(and on one breath) has the character has PE points (in theory, this could allow the character to belch musically or in Morse code)
See Example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfszygrO ... Wv3zKQAKtK
12. Belch now has a Horror Factor of 9
13. +1D4+1 seconds to belch length. Can hold small objects(no more than 1 ounce in weight) aloft on their belch updraft
14. Mitigation of failed roll: On a failed roll, the character gets a -10% on the effect
15. Belch now has a Horror Factor of 12 and is can be considered a VERY minor breath weapon. 1D4 damage and defender must also Save vs Noxious fumes at a -1D8 (GM rolls for belch potency). The most impressive feature of attaining this level of skill, is not doing any significant amount of damage, but rather the (GM determined) spectacular effect that occurs from a belch of such magnitude.
See examples: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmcRv8fhA8E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFtDhTMpfec

Consequence of a failed roll.
01-25% PC loses duration control. Burp is short, harsh, and abrupt. Next attempt is at -5% due to throat pain.
26-50% PC completely fails at burp and suffers painful stomach cramps. PC loses initiative for next round.
51-75% PC loses control of burp and it is forced out through the nostrils. -2 to Strike due to acid reflux in the sinus cavity and massive eye watering
76-00% Catastrophic failure. While the belch is loud, long and resonant it dislodges something on its way out. Pc must roll to save vs vomiting or risk puking up to 1D6 feet. Initiative is lost and combat bonuses and attacks are halved for next round if save is not made.

The pride and joy of my contributions to virtual sport....

You might actually want to look at what others have done before you just go posting stuff.

You might actually want to look at what others have done before you just go posting stuff.[/quote]

Until the Black Vault(or a successor) gets re-established, that's a bit more difficult.
But in this case, it's more a matter of remembering what you've tried posting before.

Empathy Training(Domestic)
Empathy training is sensitization to the emotional needs and concerns of others. As there is no easy way to indoctine empathy in people, training is usually in the form of immersion, exposing trainees to emotionally-charged situations where they are expected to be anchors of stability and rationality. Empathy training typically involves working with others in dire straits, such as homeless shelters, community centers, elder care facilities, or hospices, offering aid and comfort, or simply a listening ear, paying attention to others and reading their emotional state. Other techniques involve situational roleplaying in identifying and reacting to sensitive issues. Trainees learn to pick up on nonverbal cues and body language, and proper ways to address others. In more pragmatic terms, trainees learn how to say the right things to avoid agitating already-tense people, and accerbating a situation. Though the province of dedicated social workers and caretakers, occasionally, empathy or sensivity training is assigned as rehabilitative punishment to people judged guilty of being oblivious to the plight of others.
Bonuses: +1d4 to MA, +1 ME. +5% to Psychology skill.

I'm not sure how to search a 24 page thread... here's a skill I put together for my current Heroes Unlimited game. If there's already a version of this somewhere in this topic I apologize for the duplication.

Lore: Superhuman: Knowledge about super powers, how they are believed to work, how they affect people, their limitations, and the rumors and conspiracy theories surrounding the origins of super humans. This skill also provides a rudimentary knowledge about people and beings who possess super powers such as aliens, experiments, mutants, super soldiers, and the most infamous super humans and groups (The Usurper, The Mighty Static Man, The Masters of Speed, The Centurions, etc.). The character will also have a passing knowledge about famous super humans in the local region, technology as it relates to super human enhancement, and may be able to recognize the difference between super powers and magic, psionics, technology, talents, and extraordinary skill. Base Skill: 30% +5% per level of experience.

For my current game I imported a lot of other skills from across the Megaverse and made them available in the game (including many other Lore skills). The full list of what I allowed is here.

Okay, this is a LOT better thought-out and put together than previous attempts at Lore: Superpowers, in that it phrases it with regards to 'what is believed', 'rumors', and 'conspiracies' as opposed to 'know-everything- about superheroes'.

I'd also include a lower percentage roll for being able to distinguish between the various types of powers...maybe 20+5% PLE? Not great, but stiil better than the uninformed layperson.

Why is this a domestic skill rather than medical?

How many Critical Fails in a row does it take for the PC to be considered a Socio/Psycopath?

Why is this a domestic skill rather than medical?[/quote]

Because social work isn't necessarily a medical profession IMHO, though it does come off as 'psychology lite'. And since people are sometimes assigned sensitivity training as part of public relations work or sentenced to it as part of probationary rehab, I wouldn't see it in medical terms.
It's also not a strictly mental/knowledge skill, which is why I wouldn't consider it to be Technical per say.

Could it be considered a Mental Skill per Rifter 19?

That's what I figure. There aren't many skills that increase a person's M.A. so I'm afraid it may be looked at as something of a dump-stat(maybe because Palladium really doesn't have comprehensive 'fast talk' rules?).

In the Robotech New Generation sourcebook the Urchin OCC has Fast Talker rules, it is one of the optional OCC abilities (I think, my books are all in totes for the move)

Yeah, I recall that, but we can't all be doe-eyed streetkids, can we?

Goofy walk-you gain +5 to ac due to you dodging via a purposeful slip/fall in away from the attack, you may gain +3 to ma from clowns/acrobats only.
+2 to physical dexterity

'ac'? Explain.
It looks like you're mixing stat terms from other game systems. Please use Palladium terms for all stats( in this case, 'Physical dexterity' would be 'P.P.')

I'd consider this skill to be covered by existing skills such as Gymnastics, Acrobatics, and Tumbling(Palladium Fantasy book III: Adventures on the High Seas), and in greatest detail by Martial Arts such as Drunken-style Kung Fu. A good gymnast or performer who's studied other physical skills(such as the ones I've cited), ideally with skills like Performance, Dance, or an existing high MA or PP, will be able to make a more technical dodge look easy, accidental, or comedic, as well as those other skills offering more versatile bonuses(Tumbling, for example, I'd consider useful for accomplishing pratfalls).

MA a dump stat

I'm actually concerned a 1D4 may be too high...if you can gain the trust of someone or intimidate them easier that can have a TON of noncombat applications that I abuse regularly. Swaying peoples opinions and manipulating situations can have massive impacts.

though your right there is a lack of rules for fast talk role playing the event after you've established they trust or fear you is easier. This all said i'm usually the "face" character for my group or the manipulator/money man whenever I can be so I could be more invested than most. I also tend to roll higher than average on MA and PB... so I could have a scewed view there too

Trust is good and all, but it isnt mind control. If my wife, for example, tells me a secret, asks me not to tell anyone, it doesnt matter HOW much I trust someone, I aint gonna tell them.
I imagine that the same holds true for many levels of sensitive or secure information or people who work in such related fields.
<PC> "You trust me right?"
<NPC> "Yes, of course, with my life."
<PC> "Then let me into the *insert name of secure facility here*"
<NPC> "What, are you high? No!"

(I use the above example, because in that case the player was confused as to why they didnt get let in).

But if you have an appropriate story "Your Operative X correct? i'm with the West Coast office and my luggage was lost along with my identification, can you take me to the facility so we can get this sorted out by the higher ups?"

You have to have a basis, he may call in, or perform other checks, but hopefully your prepared for that, or else you'd be using a different story. It also makes you seem more friendly or effective in an interogation. Its not a be all end all, but if the guy really does trust you he wont ask as many questions or be as nit picky. Imagine your at work as a security guard in a big building (multiple offices, nothing you know about as really a big deal) and a guy walks up to you and asks if you know what office Dr.soso is in, he is big, ripped like a body builder, and you think you see the outline of a gun in his jacket...are you gonna let him in?

Now lets stop for a moment as assume he chats you up, talks about this and that (he was really into lifting weights in college) and he just got off his shift in precinct 85 (oh a cop) and he was supposed to meet a good friend at Dr. soso's office. Would you let him in?

You'll probably say no because your looking at it objectively, but the entire point of a high MA is the people your talking to aren't seeing you objectively. And i've just talked my way past security with no alarms and probably directions to office i wanna get to. The more set up and prep you have the better MA becomes, and it adds weight to your social interactions (what if you show up in uniform with a badge, no MA modifier maybe they get suspicious, high MA they automatically trust you as long as you don't blow it). You see it in movies a lot of the time "Oh i forgot my wallet inside, man can you let me in for just a minute? i know your changing shift but i'll be quick i left my ID in there i'll just flash it to the next guy when i come out" it takes a bit of suspension of disbelief, but this is a rpg.

This is a great example, as is the one by 3eowulf that you quoted. Well done!

Yeah, MA isn't mind control, but it's useful in real roleplaying, from 'softer' situations to presence attacks.
I actually used a high MA score in one of my first Rifts games as a player. Since I was playing a full conversion cyborg, I wasn't worrying about speed or P.S., so I put my high dice roll into MA. My character was a hulk of bionics, but he could come across as friendly and charming by his body language and attitude.
Helped nicely when we were negotiating for passage aboard a ley line wizard's leyline boat. The Crazy and the Cyberknight came across as too brusque and aggressive when it came to bargaining, so the sorceress refused to budge on a price, so I had to smooth down ruffled feathers. After chatting a while, my offering to do the cooking on the trip(it helped that I plowed two skill selections into professional grade cooking, and had whipped up an apple pie as a sample), the LLW agreed to cut us some slack on the passage fee.
It was a fun bit of 'slice of life'.

We can't all deflect bullets with our bare machinery while we smooze cute a sorceress, but the cyborgs with a high MA sure can



Thank you, and 3eowulf does have a point, people won't just hand out their secrets cause you have a high MA and said please (though a case could be made for a person with really low ME). But that's the glory of roleplay, sometimes things you say or do matter more than your stat block, for instance taalisman baking a pie to get on a boat, he made his cooking skill work for him through roleplaying.

Actual roleplay is great, and things like this can enhance it. My grievance is with those who state their intention with someone, then state they are gonna roll Trust/Intimidate, or Charm/Impress like it was a combat roll, and expect a successful roll to make their stated intention come true, and that is the extent of the interaction.

I agree that that don't fly

though now i'm imagining someone doing the reverse, saying they're attacking and then trying to roleplay the situation to make it hit...i mean...there is a lot of weird bullet related scenarios running through my head now and none of them make sense, like talking about a scene making a bullet bounce around corners, or how an (assumed) wind speed of this with this rifle at that angle and trejectory plus my % roll to determine local conditions means my bullet takes the guy through his left nostril!....instead of a to hit roll

Yeah, because sometimes what you're doing or saying is pure #####, and no amount of charisma going to convince anybody not dribbling an idiot ball otherwise.

Learned that the hard way in a Cyberpunk game where I tried t intimidate my way in past a club bouncer. HIs confidence buoyed by the fact that he had a hardened security position behind him, he essentially shot my kneecaps off and told me to bugger off.....

I'll admit to having been "that guy" before. Usually during one of the following situations. 1. I'm tired as all get out. 2. I'm not tired but suffering a creative block. 3. The GM is being an incomparable, uncooperative, deliberately obstinate b00b. (eg I get tired of trying to RP the situation, which is fun for me, because he's gm-blocking me at every turn [he's 2ed D&D where it was DM vs players apparently]. So rather than continue to frustrate myself and waste my creative energies I just let the dice settle it mathematically)

I would much rather blind them with my brilliance or baffle them with my BS than to resort to simply going 'HA! that's a crit success on my BS skill)

Well, the dice roll DOES allow players who aren't natural BSartists to play characters that have the brilliance they, IRL, can't regularly exercise, but hat kinda takes the 'role play' out of the RPG.

I don't consider that system as players vs DM, DM vs players is a table thing not usually a system thing, trust me if it was DM vs players i'd have never ended up playing a Celtic Paladin painted in woad who used his sling as his loin cloth sling...ya that adventure didn't last long but it shall remain with me forever. I as one of two paladins who did this, and we were totally without armor a low level, we should have died uncountable times...but the woad was protecting us apparently cause neither of us died the entire adventure. I also died horribly because of random rolls (as a gnome) but the DM was kind enough to allow the monsters who kept rolling me as a target for 5 straight rounds to continue to ravage my corpse as the party battled them (and we succeeded in prayer to the gods to revive me...yay!)...so basically its only GM or DM vs players if that's what the people enjoy (though it may result from the DM being frustrated, rifts has a LOT in it so you can lose control fast)


Yep...i'd still have them roleplay it but if they have the die rolls then those cheesy pick up lines and bad ideas somehow become the perfect lines and suave schmoozing that the character would need to make this work. Basically putting the player through a die roll/character filter to get the in game world results

"I'm afraid that 'Hey baby, is heaven missing an angel?' as an introductory line in this bar isn't going to garner a skill roll to succeed, because even if you did roll a success, all they'd think is you're a sauvely articulate moron. They're more impressed with your ability to say that without choking on your own lips."

Wait...that line doesn't work anymore?!

2nd Edition wasn't like that any more than any other version was, you just had a DM that used that style of play.

Anyhow, this discussion seems to be overtaking the thread which was actually created for people to post skills, not analyze them. Could we get back to that?

I got you

Over-analyze Minutiae
This skill helps one select a single small part of an overall concept or idea, often an insignificant or irrelevant portion, and inflate its perceived significant through long winded and sometimes spread out lectures, rants, essays, or debates, with others who either also posses this skill, or are desperately trying to get the conversation back on point. The thoroughness, lengths, and depths one can go when focusing so narrowly to the exclusion of all other ideas knows almost no bounds. Requires the literacy skill to be applied to text or the written word. Add +6% to this skill if the Research skill is known by the character, and another +6% if the Creative Writing skill is also known by the character.
Base skill: 35%/25% +4% per level of experience. The first number is for identifying a sufficiently small enough portion of a given information or data set to exploit in this manner, the second is for one's ability to actually exploit this identified minutiae.

This related to President Warren G. Harding's hisoric skill 'Bloviate'?

Bloviate(Communication)
The ability to pad out speech through repetition, use of convoluted, pumped-up phrases, constant asides, twisted logic, tangled progression, obscure references, and obfuscations delivered in such a way as to both mesmerize and boggle listeners. Ideally, professional bloviators aim to trap listeners or confuse them such that when they finally unravel what was really said, it is revealed to be little of substance, if anything of substance was discussed at all. A favorite skill in filibustering.
Modifiers: Add any P.E. % bonuses for purposes of endurance bloviating/filibustering, +5% if Public Speaking or Performance are also taken.
Base skill: 30% +5% per level of experience. Also add any MA and PB bonuses for charming.
A successful skill roll must be taken every 5 minutes of speech to keep the attention of the average audience.

You have some great contributions. Would you mind if I posted your materials to the Black Vault Wiki?

And on the heels of Bloviate:

BS Recognition(Communications)
The ability to detect BS in speech and manner. This skill teaches the ability to quickly parse through stilted verbage and phraseology to diiscern true meanings, or the lack of substance. Pattern recognition in the ideas and themes of speech, as well as body language, is sharpened. Some practitioners of this skill develop low levels of cynicism and sarcastic manner when dealing with large amounts of BS(especially at political rallies). Also helps in resisting snowjobs, advertising, telemarketing, scams, kiss-ups, and bloviation sessions.
Modifiers: +15% if the Common Sense skill is also possessed
Bonuses:+1 to IQ. +10% to resisting Seduction attempts.+1 Save Vs Telemarketers at every level of experience.
Base Skill: 25%+5% per level of experience.
Note: The ability to detect science- or technical-based BS is covered by possessing knowledge of the fields being promoted/exploited by the BS