BramFinem he/him Posted March 6, 2016 Posted March 6, 2016 Good ol' Orange Crush indeed. We currently have 2 force field Epics in the RP (I think.) One is in Astoria, and he can bend the fields however he wants, but can't move them. Crush is the opposite. He can move the fields but not bend them. These kind of distinctions are important, since force field summoning is, hands down, pretty much the most powerful physical ability imaginable, provided there are no limitations. I don't know about War Smasher, but the limitations on Crush include: -Limited to a casting range of 3 1/2 meters -The larger the field, the slower it can be moved -Sharp edges and complex shapes are difficult to create, requiring several seconds of concentration and need to be created very close to Crush -Can't be cast inside of solid objects, including all organic matter -Can only have one field at a time -Fields must have a surface area of at least one square foot -Fields can't be expanded contracted after casting And also: -Fields automatically move along with his center of mass, accounting for air resistance and collision with physical objects -Fields are dual-sided. One side is nearly unbreakable, the other absorbs kinetic energy -Fields are orange (obviously.) It's all pretty complicated, but it works, I guess. Basically, we gave him the abilities that I wanted him to have (summoning wedge-shaped projectiles, flying, blocking bullets and explosions) and removed the ones that I didn't care about but are implied (trapping people in a ball and crushing them, summoning a field inside a building and expanding it to tear the structure apart, city-wide range.) Just food for thought, since I haven't weighed in on this discussion yet. Based on what Bram's said, I think it might be best to make these abilities work like a sort of fluid that Calyx can summon, a sort of calcium-based blob of matter that he can control and shape and harden into practically-unbreakable walls. He can only summon it very, very, close to himself (1 meter?) but can control it in a much farther range. It decays within seconds, but he can always keep summoning more to shield and surround himself when that's the objective. I don't know. Obviously, I don't want to override whatever you had in mind, but this might be closer to what you were visualizing (?) First of all, thanks for telling me about the other forcefield users, as I am sorry to say that I have only read through Corvallis in full (though I am starting on Portland at the moment). I agree with the idea that they can't be summoned inside a solid object or organic object, and my thought on how they would be created is that they all start of as spheres,cand he then shapes them however he feels, which is why he wil more often thrash at his enemies with almost tentacle like limbs protruding from the field around him, it is simply quicker than shaping a sword (but he may do it sometimes for a bit of dramatic flair. As to the crushing within forcefields, because of the way I picture him fighting he is not partial to doing that, more likely to punch someone with a field-strengthened fist or blast them with a small round shield. And finally, while I like the idea of the calcium, it doesn't quite fit with my idea of the character. I will not I'd down somewhere, as I have pages and pages of cool power ideas and characters I write when I'm bored, and it never hurts to keep a few ideas around!
Edgedancer he/him Posted March 6, 2016 Posted March 6, 2016 First of all, thanks for telling me about the other forcefield users, as I am sorry to say that I have only read through Corvallis in full (though I am starting on Portland at the moment). I agree with the idea that they can't be summoned inside a solid object or organic object, and my thought on how they would be created is that they all start of as spheres,cand he then shapes them however he feels, which is why he wil more often thrash at his enemies with almost tentacle like limbs protruding from the field around him, it is simply quicker than shaping a sword (but he may do it sometimes for a bit of dramatic flair. As to the crushing within forcefields, because of the way I picture him fighting he is not partial to doing that, more likely to punch someone with a field-strengthened fist or blast them with a small round shield. And finally, while I like the idea of the calcium, it doesn't quite fit with my idea of the character. I will not I'd down somewhere, as I have pages and pages of cool power ideas and characters I write when I'm bored, and it never hurts to keep a few ideas around! The question about crushing is more if he could summon the forcecield around someone and constrict it from here. Although for this guy using a tentacle to strangle someone probably works just as well. On a side note, around how durable were you thinking them being?
BramFinem he/him Posted March 6, 2016 Posted March 6, 2016 The question about crushing is more if he could summon the forcecield around someone and constrict it from here. Although for this guy using a tentacle to strangle someone probably works just as well. On a side note, around how durable were you thinking them being? He could, but I can say that I don't see his character doing it and as such won't write it in. I was thinking of them being highly durable but not indestructible, for example if someone a bit stronger than bubbles (who seems the most physically focused of the Corvallis epics, though I am making the assumption that she is very, very strong) were to beat on a shield for about a minute it could shatter, but he can summon some more to compensate. However, if someone was strong/fast enough to destroy them quicker than he could react or when he wasn't expecting it, he could be vulnerable.
ChickenPlague he/him Posted March 6, 2016 Posted March 6, 2016 Just a little update on my Epics. Glacier no longer has Ruler in his head because he made no sense. Coldpins cold-infusion makes objects harder if they are colder. So something he sets to 0°C would be breakeple with your hands, but something at -200 could stop a bullet.
Edgedancer he/him Posted March 6, 2016 Posted March 6, 2016 Just a little update on my Epics. Glacier no longer has Ruler in his head because he made no sense. Coldpins cold-infusion makes objects harder if they are colder. So something he sets to 0°C would be breakeple with your hands, but something at -200 could stop a bullet. Would they also become more brittle?
ChickenPlague he/him Posted March 6, 2016 Posted March 6, 2016 No, it's more like a weak glass and a bulletresistant glass. Nothing he infuses really bends at all.
Mckeedee123 he/him Posted March 6, 2016 Posted March 6, 2016 First of all, thanks for telling me about the other forcefield users, as I am sorry to say that I have only read through Corvallis in full (though I am starting on Portland at the moment). I agree with the idea that they can't be summoned inside a solid object or organic object, and my thought on how they would be created is that they all start of as spheres,cand he then shapes them however he feels, which is why he wil more often thrash at his enemies with almost tentacle like limbs protruding from the field around him, it is simply quicker than shaping a sword (but he may do it sometimes for a bit of dramatic flair. As to the crushing within forcefields, because of the way I picture him fighting he is not partial to doing that, more likely to punch someone with a field-strengthened fist or blast them with a small round shield. And finally, while I like the idea of the calcium, it doesn't quite fit with my idea of the character. I will not I'd down somewhere, as I have pages and pages of cool power ideas and characters I write when I'm bored, and it never hurts to keep a few ideas around! I only mentioned the calcium because it seemed thematically appropriate (his name's latin for "shell," right?) That take on the powerset was sort of weird, but do you see what I'm saying? It seems as if when we visualize force field users, we all picture something slightly different. I visualize the power a certain way, you another, and then Brandon Sanderson has a completely different idea of what the power looks like and how it's used (look at Phaedrus.) I guess character motivation (sort of?) works as a limiting factor, but the best way to decide how your character uses their powerset is to limit the powerset itself in the way you want, especially when force fields are involved. Forget the liquid thingy. What I was trying to say is that you can make him act like you want by setting up a bunch of rigid rules. As a bonus, this makes the powerset seem much more unique, and we can probably do this with only two extra limitations: -Force fields can only be created within 1 meter of Calyx's physical body (when he attacks people, you want him to use force fields as balls or tendrils, correct? This will force him to attack with projectiles instead of doing the force field stuff that qualifies as insta-kills.) -Force fields have to form a contiguous, solid shape (so basically, the fields aren't really flat planes, but take the form of a gelatinous mass that Calyx manipulates however he wants. Maybe?) -Oh, also the force fields are fairly light (as opposed to heavy. They bruise people, maybe break some bones when they hit, but don't tear people apart with the concentrated force of a locomotive engine.) I guess I don't really care, though. If you don't really see this as part of your character, that's fine. 2
BramFinem he/him Posted March 6, 2016 Posted March 6, 2016 (edited) I only mentioned the calcium because it seemed thematically appropriate (his name's latin for "shell," right?) That take on the powerset was sort of weird, but do you see what I'm saying? It seems as if when we visualize force field users, we all picture something slightly different. I visualize the power a certain way, you another, and then Brandon Sanderson has a completely different idea of what the power looks like and how it's used (look at Phaedrus.) I guess character motivation (sort of?) works as a limiting factor, but the best way to decide how your character uses their powerset is to limit the powerset itself in the way you want, especially when force fields are involved. Forget the liquid thingy. What I was trying to say is that you can make him act like you want by setting up a bunch of rigid rules. As a bonus, this makes the powerset seem much more unique, and we can probably do this with only two extra limitations: -Force fields can only be created within 1 meter of Calyx's physical body (when he attacks people, you want him to use force fields as balls or tendrils, correct? This will force him to attack with projectiles instead of doing the force field stuff that qualifies as insta-kills.) -Force fields have to form a contiguous, solid shape (so basically, the fields aren't really flat planes, but take the form of a gelatinous mass that Calyx manipulates however he wants. Maybe?) -Oh, also the force fields are fairly light (as opposed to heavy. They bruise people, maybe break some bones when they hit, but don't tear people apart with the concentrated force of a locomotive engine.) I guess I don't really care, though. If you don't really see this as part of your character, that's fine. I actually really like that idea, I think I will go with it. The only one I have any issues with is that they have to form a constant shape, as I have imagined him firing off orbs, and that doesn't really seem congruent with the limitations set above. Perhaps they are stronger if they form a solid shape, but if they are not they shatter very easily, that way, I can see him firing an orb, it hitting someone and shattering. It has a cool visual effect (which is half the fun really), it makes it so that then the orbs are really the only viable form of attack outside these limitations, and we can still have these rules set in place to more clearly define the powers. Thanks very much for suggesting them! Edited March 6, 2016 by BramFinem
BramFinem he/him Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 Ok, so with help from the suggestions of Mckeedee123 (and a few twists of my own), I have written a more comprehensive description of his powers. Thanks again! Calyx is able to use force fields, but he can manipulate the shape and placement of them to use them far more offensively than defensively, such as creating limbs out of force fields to strike enemies or coating his body in a force field and moving it quickly to increase his speed or fly. To balance this versatile ability, he has a rather short range, his fields destabilising and failing if they get to far away. He also has claustrophobia, making him less likely to use this ability in a purely defensive manner. There are some clear limitations on his powers, which are as follows: -Force fields can only be created within 1 meter of Calyx's physical body, but can be then moved out to at maximum ten meters before destabilising (This will force him to attack with projectiles or limbs instead of doing the force field stuff that qualifies as insta-kills.) -All forcefields are spherical when created, and take time to manipulate. It takes roughly three seconds to reshape a shower into a sword, and if he creates a sphere in his outstretched hand and extends it, it takes five seconds to travel to his maximum of ten meters (this gives faster characters a chance to dodge, and sets a reasonable measure on the speed of his fields.) -Force fields are strong if they form a continuous, solid shape but if they are not they shatter very easily (so basically, the fields aren't really flat planes, but take the form of a gelatinous mass that Calyx manipulates however he wants. This also causes his projectile spheres to shatter upon impact, releasing their kinetic energy.) -The force fields are fairly light (as opposed to heavy. They bruise people, maybe break some bones when they hit, but don't tear people apart with the concentrated force of a locomotive engine.) 1
Blackhoof Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 Sounds pretty cool! Although ten metres in five seconds is really quite slow. Imagine standing ten metres from something and having five full seconds before it hits you.
Voidus Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 Sounds pretty cool! Although ten metres in five seconds is really quite slow. Imagine standing ten metres from something and having five full seconds before it hits you. It's somewhere in between walking and running speed, so not horribly slow but not dangerously fast.
BramFinem he/him Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 It's somewhere in between walking and running speed, so not horribly slow but not dangerously fast. Yeah, that is why I chose that speed. However, if he has limbs already extended that far, he can move it at a very high speed, so it takes a small amount of time to extend the field, but once they are extended, they are far more dangerous. I also want his spheres to be able to cover the same distance (10m) in half a second, but as I have a horrible sense of time, I'm not sure if that is too fast.
Blackhoof Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 (edited) It would probably hurt mildly or knock you back a bit, but even if it shatters it will only cut you a little due to the force of the orb. Edited March 7, 2016 by Blackhoof
Voidus Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 Yeah, that is why I chose that speed. However, if he has limbs already extended that far, he can move it at a very high speed, so it takes a small amount of time to extend the field, but once they are extended, they are far more dangerous. I also want his spheres to be able to cover the same distance (10m) in half a second, but as I have a horrible sense of time, I'm not sure if that is too fast. That's probably a pretty good speed.
BramFinem he/him Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 It would probably hurt mildly or knock you back a bit, but even if it shatters it will only cut you a little due to the force of the orb. The shattering does not actually cut you, it merely releases the kinetic energy of the orb funnelled into the target. And it's good that the orbs do roughly that much damage, the orbs are meant to be more of a distraction or delay tactic. His field limbs are his main form of attack. They are hard and fast enough to snap bones, and as they remain closer to him they are far more durable. 1
Bladestorm Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 I'm just wondering if the tendrils would be faster at the ends, because someone could dodge the pretty easily unless the ends of the tendril can move or twist considerably faster. I just feel like if you had the last foot or so be slightly enhanced it would be a more effective field power.
Voidus Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 I'm just wondering if the tendrils would be faster at the ends, because someone could dodge the pretty easily unless the ends of the tendril can move or twist considerably faster. I just feel like if you had the last foot or so be slightly enhanced it would be a more effective field power. Assuming similar speed to the spheres that's 70ish km/h which isn't slow, a quick bit of research shows that that's about the same speed as the fastest punch ever recorded. 1
Blackhoof Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 And as they give less than fists, they would deliver more force than any punch ever recorded.
Voidus Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 New anime inspired Epic.FinalSlashPrimary power: Delayed slash- can cause any cut he inflicts to be delayed by several seconds, giving the appearance of having not hit for a moment until blood dramtically bursts forth. 4
Kobold King he/him Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 New anime inspired Epic. FinalSlash Primary power: Delayed slash- can cause any cut he inflicts to be delayed by several seconds, giving the appearance of having not hit for a moment until blood dramtically bursts forth. And all I can think of is that this would make for a darkly humorous Lightwards death. "Ha! You missed! You should have known better than to challenge Lightwards, vanquisher of Death and conqueror of oh sparks oh sparks oh sparks." 6
Voidus Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 And all I can think of is that this would make for a darkly humorous Lightwards death. "Ha! You missed! You should have known better than to challenge Lightwards, vanquisher of Death and conqueror of oh sparks oh sparks oh sparks." And thus twentydeaths!Lightwards was reached in a single fight. 1
Kobold King he/him Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 And thus twentydeaths!Lightwards was reached in a single fight. We didn't even need Remington. We're getting good at killing this guy.
Mailliw73 he/him Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 Sorry guys, I'm out of town again this week, so I probably won't get an Emma post up till Friday. Kobold, would they be diverted to focus on Quicksilver or stay on the bus?
Voidus Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 Sorry guys, I'm out of town again this week, so I probably won't get an Emma post up till Friday. Kobold, would they be diverted to focus on Quicksilver or stay on the bus? Well if they don't then Scribbler's almost certainly going to do something, two powerful Epics fighting each other and levelling half the town, one of whom just sentenced her to a sleepless night of using her powers nonstop? This does not bode well for operation: Keep Scribbler sane.
Edgedancer he/him Posted March 7, 2016 Posted March 7, 2016 Well if they don't then Scribbler's almost certainly going to do something, two powerful Epics fighting each other and levelling half the town, one of whom just sentenced her to a sleepless night of using her powers nonstop? This does not bode well for operation: Keep Scribbler sane. What if with Vondra sending her away now there comes a Shiny and distracts her with a squid?
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