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Old 07-12-2011, 05:53 AM   #2
vicky_molokh
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Kyïv, Ukraine
Default Re: [Conversion] [Psionics] [Horror] The impato epidemic

Detection:

There are two detection methods: the safe method and the accurate method.

The safe method is Volmer's Detector (also known as 'nail', for large nail-shaped poles installed in public places during city-wide quarantine). A Volmer has a potential detection range of up to 200 yards. However, it is very vague - it can only tell that at least one impat exists somewhere within the vicinity.
Game stats:
It has a detection 'skill' of 10 at 2 yards of less, and uses standard range penalties. Reduce the maximum penalty by the twice the highest Stage of an impat in range. Thus, at 200 yards a stage-3 impat will be detected on a roll of 10-(12-6)==4. A roll of 17 failure means a false positive, while a roll of 18 means the sensor will from now on always giving false positives on a failure (yes, they're that unstable).
The GM should be mean, and forbid arbitrarily rerolling the detection attempts by repeated usage - once it starts the siren, it will take some time for the readings to change.

The accurate method is to remove one's veil and look at the potential impat's face (not eyes!). A roll against Expert Skill (Impatology), Professional Skill (Skaf), or an IQ roll for Empathy, reveals the true state; Impat Detection is an Average Technique for either; it takes 10 seconds per use, and Extra Time modifiers can be used normally (but mean an equivalent penalty to the Resistance roll for contagion).

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The organization responsible for hunting down rogue (read: non-quarantined) impats is called SKAF (no idea what the abbreviation means, not explained in the story). Skafs (hunters) are specially trained people, comparable to buffed up SWATs, but also having special psychological profiles. Becoming a skaf requires having no living relatives or friends (forging friendships within the organization is seen as a balancing act); skafs are best described in GURPS terms as having Callous, Unfazeable, and a range of Legal Enforcement Powers and Immunities (they can sometimes get away with killing innocents or otherwise infringing on others' rights 'for the greater good', but this tends to stretch their immunity). Skafs are typically armed with an assortment of tranquilizing and lethal firearms, including harpoons for capturing impats. In cities with high numbers of impats, skafs are the only ones allowed to use flying cars/vehicles.

Impats who match the psychological profile may develop Resistant (+3) to Impat Contagion, and Resistant (+8) to all mind influence by impats.

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That's it. Anybody else sees potential in this stuff?
Thanks in advance!
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