It sounded like arrogant horseshit, but intrawebs communication is ornery that way, as we've already discovered.

And for the record, my mega-intelligent nova is most awesomest. And probably hottest.

To avoid most instances of intrawebs misunderstand, I recommend attaching copious smilies to all future posts.

Ah, okay.

Doh!

Got me.

Atwight is getting rebooted. He was one of the original mega brainy tech geeks along with Hugin (and others).

The Rule of the Internet: if the other party does not agree with your personal preference, either they have failed to appreciate its depth and subtlety or they are actually insane.

Hi, new guy here.

It's starting sound like the air is going to be thick with brainwaves around here.

The first character I was planning to introduce was going to be a mega-intelligent as well. He's a scientist working for Utopia; not another tech guy though. He specializes in Nova Physics and Nova Medicine.

Hello New Guy. Welcome aboard.

And I for one am excited as a caffeine frenzy to see a tried and true Utopian.

You'll be happy to know that both of my characters are as dumb as average zips.

Hahaha

Wow. That many nova tech people, eh? Maybe I should re-think Genesis.

I do think I'd like to introduce Allison to this thread though. She was originally in Asches game, but things changed her away from her original concept so fast that I feel like I'd like to try her here too...

Plus, I already have a board ID for her, so...why not?

I'll put her up first while I grapple with the idea of Genesis being just another mega-engineer in a veritable sea of similarly powered people. Of course, it might be COOL too. We could have like...a convention where we each contribute stuff. The Mad Science Fair.

that would be fun to see happen

I already took Machina out of the Madboy pool in response to the oversaturation in that field. Now I'm especially glad I did: Mega-Int seems to be the chic stat for this season.

There are all sorts of ways, Lily. It depends on the perspective of the character you're running and the story you want to tell.

James The Prodigy Meehan was of the "spider-in-the-web" variety. He sat, and likely still sits, in his club in Tokyo. From that center he observes the world. Ocassionally, he even acts to change the world by nothing more than deftly plucking the strands of his spider web then waiting to see the action has the desired effect. In time all things come to him and his patience in waiting is legendary. To him, the actions of his intellectual lessers is not unlike the directionless scurrying cockroaches when the lights are turned on suddenly. He doesn't actively dislike the cockroaches either, but should they interfere with his plans the pesticide will come out and be applied liberally.

Cassady Widget Winston was another example of hyper-evolved intellect. This flavor I name The Player of Games, and worked actively to bend the world to her will in the open. Not that she wouldn't resort to subterfuge or outright lies, rather her cards were always on the table provided you possessed the level of intellectual prowess necessary to discern methods and ultimate goals. Those who could were peers or people to be learned from - she called them 'Principles' - while those who could not were pawns. She was fond of some of her pawns but they were not her equals.

Then there are The Naturals or Wonders. Within the field of their specializations or interests they are the experts. An example of this would be an Ozark country boy by the name of Cody who was a molecule freak (Molecular Control). If you spoke with Cody, he'd seem like a nice enough kid from the backwoods and could charitably be labeled an innocent. Or dumb as a box of rocks depending on your view. But turn him loose on systems and he was designing in his head - then creating with his power - things nova age engineers hadn't even come up with terms for yet. Cody wasn't stupid but his particular perspective caused him to accept people as a total package rather than tear someone apart to analyze the sum of their parts.

There are other types as well but what it really comes down to is this; can you sell the idea through role play? If you can then you have no problems.

You forgot #3.

... Or you are a denizen of hell belched forth from the inferno to forego all the trappings of a life in order to detract from the righteous and in all other ways cool role play of the character whom you disparage by asking embarrassing questions about. The only response to such uncivil behaviour is to ask if they are MAD and to remind them that its (fill in the name of the character).

Oh yeah. I remember that one.

I was going to go the Mega-Intelligent route, but decided Mega-Perception fit better. He may still have a dot of Mega-Int, but not the original 3.

I'm confused. Is Allison Larkspur actually Willow as a nova?

I'm a bit confused by the 10, 17, 7 traits under her sig line? Is that D20 stats?

That's not the intent, no.

They're the social metric used in Asche's game, I believe.

Confused - are you replying to me, Craig, or both?

Mike's right.

I was replying to White Rat. The sig is for Asche's game.

And in further clarification:

The character is an old one, and has in my mind long ago grown past the character who originally inspired her. Of course, looking back on what I wrote, I see that it really is basically just a description of her, and it kind of pisses me off. At myself, I hasten to add. The whole thing seems pretty ridiculous to me when I eye it with the point of view of an outsider, and it makes me feel dull and embarrassed to have ever written it. The sad part is that the character really was different, and something fun and unique...

But I should have let bygones be bygones, instead of trying to recapture something in a search for inspiration that's been lacking.

So. With apologies to all for what must appear to be more insipid angst than usual, I shall withdraw the submission and look for a hole to sink into for awhile.

Good night.

I don't know. I'm in favor of the character. Just seeing Hannigan's mug on every page makes it basically worthwhile.

Hee

The problem is that no one would ever be able to take her seriously. When I did the writeup, I wasn't really thinking about the character's distant origins. I was focused on what she'd become after having been RP'ed. I really liked the idea of a character who was interested in quantum's more mythic elements and the relationship between 'scientifically explained' powers, faith, and concepts like magic.

And I think if I'd changed the description and used a different avatar, things would have been better. But I didn't, and now it's too late to go back. I feel like an idiot because I took a really fun idea, and tainted it.

It's all the worse because I'm really not having a lot of ideas for this that seem worthwhile or interesting. I thought I would, but after the first couple of ideas went down in flames, and then this, I'm kind of stymied. I guess I'll just wait for folks to start posting and see if anything gives me ideas.

Hey, don't be so hard on yourself. If it wasn't for the avvie I wouldn't have thought twice about it. That's the problem with using easily recognized Avatars, they will plant pre-conceived notions into folks heads.

Yar...I'm not angry at anyone but myself.

The avatar was inherited, like the sig (which has also been an issue), from another game, with a smaller group where it didn't cause problems.

I just didn't think things through before posting.

Don't be silly, Lily.

The avatar is a little (way too) recognizable to mainstream Americans especially gamers and Seph in particular. Grab one of the images that aren't from Buffy then have someone photoshop it for you. Voila! You're ready to rock with concept and core character complete.

Alternately, you could grab for images of Irish / Irish-American actresses that are not quite so mainstream but some of the same qualities as Hannigan. I'd recommend Evanna Lynch if youth isn't an issue. If an older persona is desired try looking at images of Nora Jane Noone. Photoshop is still recommended to make it your own but its a place to start.

I wouldn't sweat it. Nathan came about after I saw Casino Royale, and shares at least a little with Commander James Bond. People have been kind enough not to point this out. My other characters include a gender-flipped Superman and the Internet's four hundred thousandth kitsune.

Characters come from all sorts of places. It's where you go that counts, and I remember some good interactions with Allison. I can't say that she ever really reminded me of Willow, although I've seen maybe twenty minutes of Buffy in my life - but I remember interactions with Allison being far less quip-based than I'd expect them to be with a Buffy character. Most people would also stick Willow in the mental framework of "hot lesbian witch" so as long as Allison doesn't use Parasitic Domination on John Malcovich I don't think a lot of comparisons will arise.

If you alter the sig and avatar I forsee no problems. Of course, there's no way to argue someone into being enthusiastic (although you sure can argue someone out of it) so if your desire to play's been sapped, I'll understand, though I'll be disappointed.

Spleen.

I thank you for the encouragement. It was really irrationally embarrassing, and I overreacted. It's been a long time since I watched Buffy, and I now regard it as something akin to GI Joe and Transformers...a guilty childish pleasure that I've long since outgrown.

So being called out like that was like having my old crayon drawings held up for all to see.

Basically, a long time ago, I saw certain episodes of Buffy (where Willow freaks out) and thought, 'it'd be cool to have a supers character that could do that.' Then I saw Asche hiring for his game and the next thang ya know...bam. Aside from the general look of the character, the 'wiccan' angle, and a few powerset elements, the result shared very little with the TV character of Willow, and even that little dwindled over time to practically nothing.

So it was kind of an 'oops' moment.

If y'all think it won't be obnoxious, I can easily retool those Willowish things into nothingness and lose none of the essence of the character.

I think that Vortex and Michael are correct - retool the avvie and the siggie and everyone will be happy.

Yeah, just P-shop some glowing eyes onto her or something, and it'll all be okay!

I say add "THAC0:8" and "Uspent Karma:12" to her sig and really confuse the shit outta people.

But that's just me.

It's also why I have no friends...

Okay I just noticed the new character "Mr. Smith" added permanent to Q Imprint. Isn't that illegal according to the Bible?

Mr. Smith, at your next available opportunity please read the rules for 200X.

They may be found here:
The Rules

It is. Thank you for spotting this.

Oh, and please check out his usage of weaknesses and strengths beyond that. They are questionable at best.

I anticipate that this discussion will be spirited, interesting, and cordial.

. . . right?