Detect Sin power or soell

b-dog · 10-03-2021, 09:51 AM

I am wondering how you would use a spell or power like Detect Sin in a DF game. I am thinking that this power could be used by demons or evil clerics to identify bad disadvantages in PCs like Sadism, Bully, Sloth, Gluttony and Lecherous to use it against them. Maybe if a demon or evil cleric knows that a PC is lecherous then he may gate in a succubus to weaken him. Or if the PC is an addict or alcoholic he can tempt him with drugs and alcohol. Or maybe the demon can feign weakness and attempt to control the mind of a PC with Weakness or Sadism. I am sort of interested in how to play such a power in a game. Thanks.

Tom H. · 10-03-2021, 12:57 PM

How do you cast a soell? ;-)

ericthered · 10-04-2021, 09:34 AM

It all depends on what the detector wants. Does he want to corrupt his victim, or is he trying to kill his opponent and bathe in their blood? The first is far more interesting, but gets very dark very quickly, and isn't really what I think of in a DF game... though it might work for an imp familiar trying to corrupt its "master".

In either case, the advantage works best when coupled with time to setup a temptation. An adventurer may be lecherous, but if the demon discovers that in the midst of combat it probably doesn't matter much. So ideally the detector either lives in town/some other social arena, or they can see the adventurer's coming and rapidly prepare.

Anders · 10-04-2021, 04:34 PM

Could also be used by good priests in a "this is what you need to work on" fashion.

Dalin · 10-06-2021, 11:14 AM

Some of Douglas Cole's excellent Nordlond material includes a type of demon with a take on this idea. The demonic falleglygi ("beautiful lie") from Citadel at Nordvorn tries to take advantage of a character's weaknesses: "The demon uses Mind-Search and Mind-Reading to learn their foes' exploitable disadvantages." It's an interesting implementation of a demon that preys on a victim's weakness.

The psychology skill also reveals exploitable disadvantages, so a creature might have a power based on that. (Or just a high skill level.)

DouglasCole · 10-06-2021, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dalin

Some of Douglas Cole's excellent Nordlond material includes a type of demon with a take on this idea. The demonic falleglygi ("beautiful lie") from Citadel at Nordvorn tries to take advantage of a character's weaknesses: "The demon uses Mind-Search and Mind-Reading to learn their foes' exploitable disadvantages." It's an interesting implementation of a demon that preys on a victim's weakness.

I do hope folks take advantage of the broader nature of the demon and the exploitation of weaknesses than just a boink-bot, too.

10-03-2021, 09:51 AM	#1
b-dog Join Date: Nov 2006	Detect Sin power or soell I am wondering how you would use a spell or power like Detect Sin in a DF game. I am thinking that this power could be used by demons or evil clerics to identify bad disadvantages in PCs like Sadism, Bully, Sloth, Gluttony and Lecherous to use it against them. Maybe if a demon or evil cleric knows that a PC is lecherous then he may gate in a succubus to weaken him. Or if the PC is an addict or alcoholic he can tempt him with drugs and alcohol. Or maybe the demon can feign weakness and attempt to control the mind of a PC with Weakness or Sadism. I am sort of interested in how to play such a power in a game. Thanks.

10-03-2021, 12:57 PM	#2
Tom H. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Central Texas, north of Austin	Re: Detect Sin power or soell How do you cast a soell? ;-)

10-04-2021, 09:34 AM	#3
ericthered Hero of Democracy Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: far from the ocean	Re: Detect Sin power or soell It all depends on what the detector wants. Does he want to corrupt his victim, or is he trying to kill his opponent and bathe in their blood? The first is far more interesting, but gets very dark very quickly, and isn't really what I think of in a DF game... though it might work for an imp familiar trying to corrupt its "master". In either case, the advantage works best when coupled with time to setup a temptation. An adventurer may be lecherous, but if the demon discovers that in the midst of combat it probably doesn't matter much. So ideally the detector either lives in town/some other social arena, or they can see the adventurer's coming and rapidly prepare. __________________ 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!

10-04-2021, 04:34 PM	#4
Anders Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Gothenburg, Sweden	Re: Detect Sin power or soell Could also be used by good priests in a "this is what you need to work on" fashion. __________________ “When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love ...” Marcus Aurelius Author of Winged Folk. The GURPS Discord. Drop by and say hi!

10-06-2021, 11:14 AM	#5
Dalin Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Saint Paul, MN	Re: Detect Sin power or soell Some of Douglas Cole's excellent Nordlond material includes a type of demon with a take on this idea. The demonic falleglygi ("beautiful lie") from *Citadel at Nordvorn* tries to take advantage of a character's weaknesses: "The demon uses Mind-Search and Mind-Reading to learn their foes' exploitable disadvantages." It's an interesting implementation of a demon that preys on a victim's weakness. The psychology skill also reveals exploitable disadvantages, so a creature might have a power based on that. (Or just a high skill level.)