Partial Cassandra limitation.

Presence · 05-02-2010, 09:53 PM

I was pondering, what if someone fell in love with a Cassandra type oracle and actually started believing in the prophecies, even when no one else does? Then I started wondering what that kind of modifier would do to an oracle ally's advantage costs.

Does this make the oracular ability more expensive, because the tag team can use knowledge no one will believe (I trust your insight honey. Now for some serious War Profiteering!), or less expensive, since it's limited to two people (Rats, no one believes me about the hit squad. We'll have to do all the work ourselves. How are you at committing arson on large wooden horses?)

SuedodeuS · 05-03-2010, 12:31 AM

Having nobody believe you is arguably a +0% modifier for Oracle/Precognition (the latter of which is probably more appropriate for Cassandra's ability, unless I'm mistaken). While the truth won't convince anyone to help you, you could probably lie or something else to try and get someone to help out. Even if you can't, you will be able to yourself act on whatever you found out, and nobody will ever try to stop you (unless you're clearly doing something they would normally try to stop). The big issue that comes with a Cassandra ability is the associated Delusion (I can see the future) that you end up with, as well as potentially a related OPH or Reputation.

Throwing other people into the mix is a bit more problematic. Suddenly the disadvantageous aspects of the +0% modifier start to disappear. You can discuss your visions - and at least to some extent your plans - in plain sight without anyone believing a word you're saying. This is comparable to being able to always use steganography and always have the real meaning received by the recipient. That's something like an Accessory Perk (essentially something like a handheld computer with built-in steganography tools). I'd mark the ability to do this as a Perk for each person involved - and if the person is an Ally, they have Special Abilities and need their price adjusted to account for this (although +50% may be a bit too harsh).

Not another shrubbery · 05-03-2010, 10:13 AM

Having no one believe your prophecies is more properly a Disadvantage than a limit on whatever trait you are using. In Cassandra's case, a Divine Curse looks appropriate.

aesir23 · 05-03-2010, 10:18 AM

I would treat: "I have powers of Prophecy" as a Delusion if people don't believe. It may be true, but people will react to you as if you're crazy.

I would definitely not treat it as a limitation on the advantage.

Anaraxes · 05-03-2010, 10:50 AM

Seems like a separate social disad to me, not part of the Oracle advantage. If it's a disad at all, that is.

05-02-2010, 09:53 PM	#1
Presence Join Date: Dec 2008	Partial Cassandra limitation. I was pondering, what if someone fell in love with a Cassandra type oracle and actually started believing in the prophecies, even when no one else does? Then I started wondering what that kind of modifier would do to an oracle ally's advantage costs. Does this make the oracular ability more expensive, because the tag team can use knowledge no one will believe (I trust your insight honey. Now for some serious War Profiteering!), or less expensive, since it's limited to two people (Rats, no one believes me about the hit squad. We'll have to do all the work ourselves. How are you at committing arson on large wooden horses?)

05-03-2010, 12:31 AM	#2
SuedodeuS Join Date: Sep 2008	Re: Partial Cassandra limitation. Having nobody believe you is arguably a +0% modifier for Oracle/Precognition (the latter of which is probably more appropriate for Cassandra's ability, unless I'm mistaken). While the truth won't convince anyone to help you, you could probably lie or something else to try and get someone to help out. Even if you can't, you will be able to yourself act on whatever you found out, and nobody will ever try to stop you (unless you're clearly doing something they would normally try to stop). The big issue that comes with a Cassandra ability is the associated Delusion (I can see the future) that you end up with, as well as potentially a related OPH or Reputation. Throwing other people into the mix is a bit more problematic. Suddenly the disadvantageous aspects of the +0% modifier start to disappear. You can discuss your visions - and at least to some extent your plans - in plain sight without anyone believing a word you're saying. This is comparable to being able to always use steganography and always have the real meaning received by the recipient. That's something like an Accessory Perk (essentially something like a handheld computer with built-in steganography tools). I'd mark the ability to do this as a Perk for each person involved - and if the person is an Ally, they have Special Abilities and need their price adjusted to account for this (although +50% may be a bit too harsh). __________________ Quos deus vult perdere, prius dementat. Latin: Those whom a god wishes to destroy, he first drives mad.

05-03-2010, 10:13 AM	#3
Not another shrubbery Join Date: Aug 2004	Re: Partial Cassandra limitation. Having no one believe your prophecies is more properly a Disadvantage than a limit on whatever trait you are using. In Cassandra's case, a Divine Curse looks appropriate.

05-03-2010, 10:18 AM	#4
aesir23 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Vermont	Re: Partial Cassandra limitation. I would treat: "I have powers of Prophecy" as a Delusion if people don't believe. It may be true, but people will react to you as if you're crazy. I would definitely not treat it as a limitation on the advantage. __________________ My ongoing thread of GURPS versions of DC Comics characters.

05-03-2010, 10:50 AM	#5
Anaraxes Join Date: Sep 2007	Re: Partial Cassandra limitation. Seems like a separate social disad to me, not part of the Oracle advantage. If it's a disad at all, that is.