| Designing an Impetus | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 12 2009, 08:05 PM (43 Views) | |
| The Hanged Man | Nov 12 2009, 08:05 PM Post #1 |
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"Impetus" is the official term for a specialized supernatural power that every sentient lifeform on Peripeteia possesses, although it receives a variety of other titles in less formal circles. These powers aren't magical or psychic, but natural. Your character's Impetus can be nearly anything you want, but there are some guidelines. Developing an Idea As stated, your character's power is really only limited by your imagination. But for reasons of balance, some abilities are considered off limits to player characters. These include: Time Travel (Smaller scale time manipulation is allowed, but freely traveling through time gets too messy.) Complete Reality Control Nuclear Energy Complete control of other characters. (Indirect methods like brainwashing and physical control are alright, but if it gets to the point where you would be posting for the other person, it's too powerful.) Demonic or angelic powers. (Demonic or angelic themed powers like fire and brimstone or feathered wings are fine, but actually drawing your powers from demons or angels doesn't fit with the setting.) An intrinsic supernatural/spiritual energy such as Ki, Chakra, etc. (We are on to you.) The moderation team reserves the right to declare any power unacceptable, but that should hopefully happen only very rarely. For the sake of variety, no duplicate powers are allowed. A list of currently taken Impetuses is kept here. If the Impetus you want is taken by an inactive member, contact a staff member. If that doesn't work out, you may create an Impetus that is a (distinct) variation on an existing one. Ideally, the Impetus should tie in to the other aspects of your character. Even if your power is nothing special, it would still probably affect your backstory and how you see the world. That isn't to say that you aren't allowed to have an Impetus that contrasts with your character's personality or role, but arbitrarily giving a character an extraordinarily power that doesn't seem to fit him is frowned upon. A few additional notes regarding developing your character in tandem with their Impetus: All powers are present in some small way at birth, although they may not be apparent until later on. Still, it is extremely uncommon for a person to apparently have no Impetus, or to suddenly discover their Impetus at the age of 16 during a fight, especially if they have a significant amount of power. Unless your Impetus is an uncontrollable destructive power, it's unlikely that your character would be persecuted for it. Keep in mind that these are powers that everyone has. If yours happens to be especially great, the attitude of those around you would most likely be one of adoration and perhaps jealousy, but ostracizing someone because of their power is virtually unheard of. Naming Your Impetus This part is simple, and shouldn't be longer than two or three words. The name of your Impetus can be a simple, easy to understand name, or a dazzling title that your character has given their ability. If you have a bizarre name for your Impetus, there should be some justification for it. Determining Your Tier An Impetus' tier is an out of character way of determining its potential power. A top tier Impetus is scarcely more powerful than a lower tier one if you don't develop it. They are ranked by letter, in ascending order: D C B A S. Tier D abilities are nearly useless, extremely impractical, or even harmful to the character who possesses them. A tier D Impetus is free, and cannot ascend in rank. Being able to change the color of your spit, having extremely long fingers, and having your nose grow when you lie are examples of Tier D abilities. Tier C is the minimum tier for any Impetus with a real use. Simple utility powers and straightforward combat-oriented abilities fit under Tier C. They can become powerful, but are almost never versatile. A Tier C Impetus costs 20 points at character creation. Enhanced strength, night vision, transforming into an animal and sending and receiving radio waves are examples of Tier C powers. Tier B Impetuses are more general than Tier C, and may venture into the abstract. As a rule of thumb, if your character can use their Impetus as a primary method of combat, it's probably at least Tier B. A Tier B Impetus costs 40 points at character creation. Teleportation, healing, changing into a form that gives you a variety of powers, and controlling/generating an element all fit under Tier B. Any Impetus above Tier B is considered extremely powerful, and therefore any character who chooses to take one is expected to have a very good profile, and to use their powers responsibly. Tier A powers are powerful, frequently abstract, and often very destructive in the right hands. A Tier A Impetus costs 60 points at character creation. Weather control, probability manipulation, and realistic illusions are Tier A Impetus. Tier S abilities are truly extraordinary, and have the potential to become godlike. They can freely manipulate abstract and universal forces. A Tier S Impetus costs 90 points at character creation. Time control, gravitational manipulation, and necromancy are examples of Tier S abilities. If you don't know what tier your Impetus should be, either PM a staff member with a description of your impetus or post your profile with your best guess and we'll determine it for you. Describing Your Impetus Try to be as detailed as possible when writing your Impetus description. It should clearly outline your abilities and limitations in a few paragraphs, and provide descriptions of what you can do at all five ranks (More on that later). For Impetuses that provide a boost to physical stats, the maximum is 20 times the current rank, but the points can be distributed any way you want. If a Tier C Impetus provides a full 20 point boost, it generally shouldn't have any other features. Higher tier powers may take take advantage of the maximum increase and provide other benefits, within reason. Impetus Ranks Rank determines your current level of competence with your power. Everyone starts at rank one, and unlike tier, rank can improve. In character, this represents training, experience, and personal development. Out of character, you spend character points earned via roleplaying to improve it. The number of points varies based on your Impetus' tier, see the character progression topic for more information on that. Note that this is primarily an example, your character's Impetus may progress in an entirely different way. At Rank 1, your Impetus is undeveloped and at its most basic form. At this point, there's usually only one thing you can do with it. For example, a pyromancer whose Impetus is at rank 1 can generate candle sized flames and has a marginal amount of control over the direction of existing flames. At Rank 2, you have some degree of competence with your powers, and can create a variety of effects. A pyromancer at rank 2 could perhaps have the level of control required to throw and direct fireballs. At Rank 3, you have a great deal of control over your powers. A rank 3 pyromancer can generate and control impressive firestorms, and form flames into elaborate shapes. This is the peak for most people, but with the right conditions, some exceptional individuals can surpass this. At Rank 4, you have more or less realized the full extent of your powers. At rank 4, a pyromancer can do virtually anything related to fire. Few people have reached this level, and fewer still have ascended past it. At Rank 5, you have reached a legendary power level, even bending the rules of your power's nature. This requires a tremendous amount of work and development on your character's part. People who reach Rank 5 are the sort who can easily make history. A rank 5 pyromancer can control non-literal fires, create eternal flames, or do whatever he pleases under the pretense of fire control. This system may seem daunting at first. If you're confused, feel free to contact a staff member for help. Edited by The Hanged Man, Nov 17 2009, 04:01 AM.
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2:45 AM Jul 11