Using one's shadow as a pack mule

[nerdvana]

So, one of my players wants to be able to transfer items to his shadow for it to carry. I'm fine with this just not sure how to handle it.

Effectively, his shadow is an independent character with its own strength limitations who is always with the PC. Where appropriate the shadow would look different (frex, if the shadow is carrying his sword you'd see the shadow of a sword the character doesn't have on his person on the shadow). I'm thinking this should be built as an ally rather than payload because the shadow can carry as much as the character... and 240 points of payload seems a bit ridiculous. Also, if the character simply had a kid he could hand things to who went everywhere with him and was completely loyal this would be an Ally with Minion so I'm thinking that's the right approach.

Does anyone see a better approach for this?

[Nereidalbel]

If the shadow can do more than just haul things around, such as use that sword to murder things, it's an Ally with Minion. Otherwise, it's a Cosmic Payload.

[nerdvana]

Originally Posted by Nereidalbel

If the shadow can do more than just haul things around, such as use that sword to murder things, it's an Ally with Minion. Otherwise, it's a Cosmic Payload.

At this time the shadow can only haul things around. Cosmic because nobody (or at least no normal person, this is a game world with active divinities... its a GURPS Scion adaptation) can take things out of the payload?

[Nereidalbel]

Originally Posted by nerdvana

At this time the shadow can only haul things around. Cosmic because nobody (or at least no normal person, this is a game world with active divinities... its a GURPS Scion adaptation) can take things out of the payload?

Yep. It can't be stolen, and no attack on the PC can damage the objects in the Payload. You could max out his shadow's carrying limit on nitro-glycerin, and safely drive a car with no suspension on a gravel road!

[nerdvana]

Thanks Nereidalbel!

[McAllister]

Originally Posted by Nereidalbel

You could max out his shadow's carrying limit on nitro-glycerin, and safely drive a car with no suspension on a gravel road!

Well put, sir.

[Nereidalbel]

Originally Posted by McAllister

Well put, sir.

Just an out-there example of why Cosmic payloads can be worth the cost.

[Christopher R. Rice]

Originally Posted by Nereidalbel

Just an out-there example of why Cosmic payloads can be worth the cost.

I and my players are fond of them (and my work shows as much...)

[RyanW]

No help on mechanics, but some ideas for thought...

• If the character is lit from every angle (and thus has no shadow), would the gear be inaccessible?
• Can the shadow exchange items with other people, and if so, could clever light tricks be used to effectively teleport gear (standing near a ridge with the light to your back can mean a single step to move the shadow from the ridge to the valley on the other side)?

[nerdvana]

Originally Posted by RyanW

No help on mechanics, but some ideas for thought...

• If the character is lit from every angle (and thus has no shadow), would the gear be inaccessible?
• Can the shadow exchange items with other people, and if so, could clever light tricks be used to effectively teleport gear (standing near a ridge with the light to your back can mean a single step to move the shadow from the ridge to the valley on the other side)?

Yes, if he has no shadow he looses access to the gear. No, cannot exchange with other people (at least at this time) nor other tricks like that.