Megalomaniac heroes?

[smurf]

Originally Posted by Michael Thayne

I feel like given the reaction penalty that applies to many (most?) people, a certain amount of raving is required. I actually wasn't sure that TV!Homelander from The Boys had Megalomania until I re-watched this scene. That sort of thing seems like a good fit for the game mechanic where the trait attracts some people and repels others.

Yes that is what I meant. The Public Spirit in Marshal is no different. He has accolades, statues in his honour, media readily indulge him, he is adored by millions of fans and the US state see him as 'America's greatest hero'. The Public Spirit sees himself as the embodiment of the USA... "Stand Tall America".

[ericthered]

If you want megalomaniac heroes, girl genius is a great place to look though.


It might be a temporary disadvantage on Quick Gadeteer, rather than the disadvantage outright.

[Inky]

Hey, yes, I never thought of that, I've been trying to think how you'd do a Spark that's recognisably like a Spark in GURPS and not been sure how to do it, but Temporary Disadvantage would be perfect for a lot of it. (They're weird all the time, of course, but for the whole berserker tendency it would work.) I wonder if that's how the book will end up doing it?

[Pursuivant]

Originally Posted by Inky

I was wondering who'd mention Girl Genius. I haven't read the new GURPS Girl Genius rules. If anyone here has, do they make use of Megalomania, or do they do something more detailed?

Girl Genius is actually a great example of heroes with Megalomania, except that the trait only appears when a character loses his self-control and gets particularly "Sparky."

I haven't seen the GURPS: GG rules but I could easily see them describing Megalomania as a controllable disad, with self-control rolls needed anytime you get near particularly interesting "mad science" or are in a position to gain or exercise power. It's usually linked to Obsession (Mad Science), OPH (Insane Cackling, Gloating, etc.), and Unnatural Feature (Chilling Voice).

Certain advantages might only be available when under the influence of Megalomania, like Charisma, Fearless, Gadgeteer, or Talent, making it especially tempting for characters to succumb to their Spark.

[Celjabba]

In the web comic "A miracle of Science", megalomania is a clear symptom of the Science-Related Memetic Disorder (mad science disease).

[dcarson]

Originally Posted by Celjabba

In the web comic "A miracle of Science", megalomania is a clear symptom of the Science-Related Memetic Disorder (mad science disease).

Good point. GURPS Girl Genius probably would be good to run a campaign in that setting.

[qchap]

As I can think of in this moment, fiction have Gilgamesh (either from mythology or from Fate), he is a hero in some point of view. And... Rance? :)

I've also been a GM in a game with a megalomaniac character, and fortunately he had no godlike powers, nor status/reach. But was building it through the game. It was a hard character to have in a game (and, I beleive, hard to play either), but interesting indeed.

Also, not GURPS, but in VtM I've been plaing a cunning Caitiff, who, at first, just wanted some status. But throughout the game he became a diablerist and gained megalomania. It was really interesting to play, in such a dark game it's not such a strange character.

[Prince Charon]

Originally Posted by Pursuivant

Certain advantages might only be available when under the influence of Megalomania, like Charisma, Fearless, Gadgeteer, or Talent, making it especially tempting for characters to succumb to their Spark.

I think I might allow regular Gadgeteer outside of a Spark-fugue/Megalomania incident, but Quick Gadgeteer should definitely require it for most or all Sparks.

EDIT: Magery (or Path/Book Adept, where appropriate) with Temporary Disadvantage: Megalomania could also be pretty interesting.