[Powers] Detect (Lies) Ability

[Brandy]

I want to build a power for disciples of a law-oriented deity that works as follows:

It places a visible aura of white light around the subject, but the light will change to red if the subject utters any statement that he or she knows to be false. The "light of the truth" requires that the subject be touched. It is possible to resist this power, but a willing subject can waive that right.

A canny subject can carefully parse and tell a half-truth, but the aura will only detect an out-and-out lie. (It is possible that more advanced casters could Link this with Affliction: Truthfulness, to make it more difficult to tell a smooth half-truth, but that's not what I'm looking for).

The Detect trait works for this I suppose, but the special effect is a little odd. I'm also not sure what frequency of occurence to give to an abstract quantity like "lies". Functionally, I'd like it to work more like an affliction -- it should not be easy to put the "light of the truth" on someone who does not wish it. It should be resisisted like a Malediction, I think.

It's almost like what I want to do is afflict some souped-up version of "Easy to Read", and I may, in fact, do just that. Call it a Divine Curse, build an affliction and be done with it.

I am curious how others would build this power, though. I'd also take any other input about other potential powers for a law-themed god, too.

[transmetahuman]

I'm getting more and more leery of trying to define objective lies meaningfully for English speakers - the lines can get blurry in lots of surprising ways that don't necessarily even involve intent to deceive (we infer lots of background that isn't stated explicitly from statements in isolation). But I think Afflicting some variant of Truthfulness or Easy To Read is a good way to do it. Just figure out where you're drawing your lines, guesstimate a point value for the pseudo-disad, and use Affliction with Malediction.

[Brandy]

Originally Posted by transmetahuman

I'm getting more and more leery of trying to define objective lies meaningfully for English speakers - the lines can get blurry in lots of surprising ways that don't necessarily even involve intent to deceive (we infer lots of background that isn't stated explicitly from statements in isolation).

Given that it is the speaker's intent that matters, I'm okay with it. The power doesn't say anything about the actual truth -- just whether the person speaking believes it to be true.

[Brandy]

Originally Posted by transmetahuman

Just figure out where you're drawing your lines, guesstimate a point value for the pseudo-disad, and use Affliction with Malediction.

Easy to Read gives +4 to detect lies rolls for [-10]. My thought is that the Neon-Sign-of-Easy-to-Read should be [-25], equivalent to a +10 to others detect lies roll.

Light of Truth: Affliction 1 (Disadvantage: Divine Curse (Subject glows when telling lies), +25%; Malediction, +100%; Touch-Based, -20%; Divine, -10%; Costs 2 FP, -10%; Requires Concentration, -15%) [10]

[vicky_molokh]

Summonable Ally (Wisp of Truth).

The Wisp is loyal to the summoner, and possesses Empathy (+100% NDRR, -??% - only to detect lies) and Insubstantial. Feature: Wisp changes color when it detects lies.

[Orienda]

Afflict beneficial enhancement: accessory (white light) and accessory (red light) (only while telling a lie).

[Brandy]

Originally Posted by Molokh

Summonable Ally (Wisp of Truth).

The Wisp is loyal to the summoner, and possesses Empathy (+100% NDRR, -??% - only to detect lies) and Insubstantial. Feature: Wisp changes color when it detects lies.

I don't think this is okay on a couple of fronts.

First, I personally find abilities built on summonable allies that aren't actually summonable allies to be lame. Sorry, nothing personal.

Second, since Detect Lies is an opposed roll, NDRR isn't appropriate.

[vicky_molokh]

Originally Posted by Bookman

Second, since Detect Lies is an opposed roll, NDRR isn't appropriate.

But Empathy works with an unresisted roll, and can detect lies among other things.

[David Johnston2]

Originally Posted by Molokh

But Empathy works with an unresisted roll, and can detect lies among other things.

It gives a bonus to a Lie Detection roll, but the Lie Detection roll itself is opposed.

[Brandy]

Originally Posted by Molokh

But Empathy works with an unresisted roll, and can detect lies among other things.

I don't agree with that interpretation. If it were the case, what would be the point of giving a bonus to the detect lies skill?

How I interpret it is:
Ordinary Joe: Default for Detecting Lies is Per-6, opposed by the target's IQ, acting or fast-talk. May improve this by purchasing the the Detect Lies Skill.

Low-Level Empathy Joe: Default for Detecting Lies is IQ-3, opposed by the target's IQ, acting or fast-talk. May improve this by purchasing the the Detect Lies Skill, with which he gets a +1.

Full Empathy Joe: Default for Detecting Lies is IQ, opposed by the target's IQ, acting or fast-talk. May improve this by purchasing the the Detect Lies Skill, with which he gets a +3.

It's fine with me if you're working with a different interpretation and want to consider mine a House Rule. In any case, this isn't the solution that I'm leaning towards for this ability, but I do genuinely appreciate the input. :)