06-12-2018, 03:29 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Apr 2005
|
Bio-Tech and Created Diplomat
I'm slowly working up a character proposal for a GURPS Space game. TL11-ish. Setting will be going into the 2nd generation with new PCs.
Character would be created by one of the alien allies to the human colonists -- an insectiod race that has psi and TL11ish bio-engineering. The aliens already created "Speaker" -- an alien/human hybrid that could talk to them and the first-generation PCs, and learn from the humans. Design goal from the alien's PoV is a diplomat/trader who can interact with the humans and go with them on their ships into space. (The aliens hate being above ground and are naturally telepathic, so don't do well outside the hive.) I'm looking at Bio-Tech and pondering how to model some 1x-2x day pheromone abilities. (Takes time to re-charge, so not always ons) Bio-Tech has some models, but I'm looking for other options (1) Something like pepper spray or tear gas (leave me alone!) (2) Something that causes a fright check (go away!) (3) Something that calms people (maybe modeled on the Basic bardic stuff)) (4) Something that persuades people/improves reaction mods (ditto) (5) Something that marks a target with a distinctive tracker scent (out of human range) (6) Something that can leave a trail with a distinctive tracker scent (out of human range) Other ideas? |
06-13-2018, 06:36 AM | #2 | ||||
Join Date: Jun 2013
|
Re: Bio-Tech and Created Diplomat
Quote:
Terror. Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
For an ethical diplomat, I think you've got things covered pretty well. Pheromones that turn a target into a slave (afflicting Gullibility for the low level version, Slave Mentality for a higher level), or that turn a group of people into ticking-time-rage-bombs (afflicting Bad Temper and Berserk) might be of some use for a much less ethical diplomat.
__________________
GURPS Overhaul |
||||
06-13-2018, 08:29 AM | #3 |
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon
|
Re: Bio-Tech and Created Diplomat
Is that like a celibate hooker?
Seriously, a pheromone which inflicts Slave Mentality is only effective if the other side does not know it. That is a pretty fast way to get a personna non grata. Also even if the secret is maintained it must be used thriftily. If other powers start to suspect that negotiations are no longer useful to them they will simply stop negotiating.
__________________
"The navy could probably win a war without coffee but would prefer not to try"-Samuel Eliot Morrison |
06-13-2018, 11:29 AM | #4 | |
Join Date: Jun 2013
|
Re: Bio-Tech and Created Diplomat
Heh.
Quote:
The Berserk pheromones were meant for high-collateral-damage assassinations (or purposeful breakdowns of negotiations), particularly those where the diplomat is expendable. Get two parties who already have a beef with each other together and let the fireworks begin. Imagine the sort of damage an alien race could have done by getting such a "diplomat" in on the recent talks between President Trump and Kim Jong-Un. Still, from the way the race is described, I don't think either of those pheromone sets seem appropriate.
__________________
GURPS Overhaul |
|
06-13-2018, 12:07 PM | #5 | ||||||
Join Date: Apr 2005
|
Re: Bio-Tech and Created Diplomat
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Terror with some or all of the limitations and enhancements listed above. Possibly a variant on Mind Control (Limitation: Only to produce emotions of fear or disgust/suggestion to "go away.") Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Possibly, Bestows Disadvantage (New Disad: Obvious, priced like Noisy but makes you more obvious to some other sense). Bad Scent with limitations? or Perk (Accessory: Scent lure) |
||||||
06-13-2018, 12:08 PM | #6 |
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon
|
Re: Bio-Tech and Created Diplomat
Empathy is one possibility. A psionic ability to know at what point the other guy is going to hold 'em and at what point he is going to fold 'em would be very useful.
__________________
"The navy could probably win a war without coffee but would prefer not to try"-Samuel Eliot Morrison |
06-13-2018, 12:12 PM | #7 |
Hero of Democracy
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: far from the ocean
|
Re: Bio-Tech and Created Diplomat
For the marking, I was thinking you could use a custom telecommunication.
__________________
Be helpful, not pedantic Worlds Beyond Earth -- my blog Check out the PbP forum! If you don't see a game you'd like, ask me about making one! |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|