[Archangel Beth]

Originally Posted by dataweaver

Going with this idea, we shouldn't tie Forces to Size at all; if a mouse has fewer Forces than a cat, a dog, or an elephant, it's only because the mouse is "simpler", not because it's smaller

This description makes my In Nomine instincts (INstincts?) jump up and down and go, "Yes, yes, that's the in-game explanation! That's perfect!"

With this in mind, the primary effect of Size can be viewed as a flat modifier to Strength. [...] Probably best to just call it a wash, and say that Size alters Strength only, with its only other effect being a suggested situational modifier for purposes such as spotting or targeting. There should also be a connection between the Size bonus and the number of Forces it takes for a celestial to possess a host of that size, though it shouldn't be a linear relationship.

*nod* Though I'm also happy enough if only Servitor of Jordi can possess really big hosts, as well as only the really teeny ones.

Also, Size is a feature of the Vessel: one celestial can have multiple Vessels with very different Sizes, and his Strength should be adjusted accordingly for each.

This may be overly complex -- anytime you've got Kyriotates involved, who slip into and out of other people's bodies, using them as temp-vessels, something that causes the GM or player to have to re-calculate Strength each time is going to make GMs cry. Especially if the Kyriotate of Jordi decides to assault someone with two squirrels, three bobcats, and a pony. (The Kyriotate of Novalis can add in the pear tree.)

I'd be somewhat more inclined to handle the Strength thing at the level of "small Size = poor leverage = penalty to damage" on one end, since it would be less likely to cause concept errata in prior works (exact mechanics are more easily fudged, of course).

But that does leave the big end open, as it has been: should the celestial's Strength dominate, so that a wimpy Kyriotate attempting to possess even a small elephant will find its legs buckling under it? Or should one assume that the animal's native strength allows it to at least stand up, even possessed?