Cyclops SM?

Not · 04-08-2021, 03:20 PM

In your game world, how big was Polyphemus?

Anthony · 04-08-2021, 03:26 PM

He's not in my game world, but based on this statue I'm gonna go with SM+3.

Not · 04-08-2021, 03:30 PM

Excellent use of prior art. From the text, the main clue is that his sheep are large enough for a human sailor to cling underneath while they go to graze.

ericthered · 04-09-2021, 08:29 AM

I'd go with SM+5. There is an old bit of speculation about how elephant skulls inspired the cyclops story. Its quite facinating. Elephants (and mammoths) are SM+4, and have unusually large heads, so I say go up an SM to +5.

The art shown earlier is nice, but I look at it and ask myself why the Greeks aren't going for the heart.

Mr_Sandman · 04-09-2021, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericthered

The art shown earlier is nice, but I look at it and ask myself why the Greeks aren't going for the heart.

First, because they are trying to blind him, not kill him. Polyphemus might not be killable, since he is the son of a god and a nymph.

Second, because they are Greek, not Norse, so they don't make this mistake.

Þorkell · 04-09-2021, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Sandman

Second, because they are Greek, not Norse, so they don't make this mistake.

To give the answer given when we from the Nordic countries complain about the mispronunciation of basically everything Norse mythology related in those films "He's an alien from another world."

rosignol · 04-09-2021, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Sandman

First, because they are trying to blind him, not kill him. Polyphemus might not be killable, since he is the son of a god and a nymph.

Even if he is killable, killing the offspring of a god is risky. Giving one of the Greek gods a reason to take a personal interest in you does not usually end well for the mortal.

Anders · 04-10-2021, 07:02 AM

It didn't end well for Odysseus, did it? IIRC, Poseidon punished him by chasing from one end of the Mediterranean to the other.

Not · 04-16-2021, 07:07 AM

Follow up question: does the Cyclops' eye get the easy-to-target disadvantage?

Anders · 04-16-2021, 08:40 AM

Well, if he's SM +5 that makes the eye a whole lot easier already. And since he was asleep, Odysseus could make an All-Out Attack for another +4 (in GURPS he could also get +4 for Telegraphic Attack). I don't think it's needed.

04-08-2021, 03:20 PM	#1
Not Join Date: Feb 2013	Cyclops SM? In your game world, how big was Polyphemus? __________________ Leave this space blank.

04-08-2021, 03:26 PM	#2
Anthony Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Berkeley, CA	Re: Cyclops SM? He's not in my game world, but based on this statue I'm gonna go with SM+3. __________________ My GURPS site and Blog. Last edited by Anthony; 04-08-2021 at 03:32 PM.

04-08-2021, 03:30 PM	#3
Not Join Date: Feb 2013	Re: Cyclops SM? Excellent use of prior art. From the text, the main clue is that his sheep are large enough for a human sailor to cling underneath while they go to graze. __________________ Leave this space blank.

04-09-2021, 08:29 AM	#4
ericthered Hero of Democracy Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: far from the ocean	Re: Cyclops SM? I'd go with SM+5. There is an old bit of speculation about how elephant skulls inspired the cyclops story. Its quite facinating. Elephants (and mammoths) are SM+4, and have unusually large heads, so I say go up an SM to +5. The art shown earlier is nice, but I look at it and ask myself why the Greeks aren't going for the heart. __________________ 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!

04-10-2021, 07:02 AM	#8
Anders Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Gothenburg, Sweden	Re: Cyclops SM? It didn't end well for Odysseus, did it? IIRC, Poseidon punished him by chasing from one end of the Mediterranean to the other. __________________ “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!

04-16-2021, 07:07 AM	#9
Not Join Date: Feb 2013	Re: Cyclops SM? Follow up question: does the Cyclops' eye get the easy-to-target disadvantage? __________________ Leave this space blank.

04-16-2021, 08:40 AM	#10
Anders Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Gothenburg, Sweden	Re: Cyclops SM? Well, if he's SM +5 that makes the eye a whole lot easier already. And since he was asleep, Odysseus could make an All-Out Attack for another +4 (in GURPS he could also get +4 for Telegraphic Attack). I don't think it's needed. __________________ “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!