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Forum URL: http://www.eyrie-productions.com/Forum/dcboard.cgi
Forum Name: Undocumented Features General
Topic ID: 168
Message ID: 11
#11, RE: The Triple Crown of training programs...
Posted by trigger on Oct-25-01 at 06:35 PM
In response to message #9
LAST EDITED ON Oct-25-01 AT 06:46 PM (EDT)

LAST EDITED ON Oct-25-01 AT 06:38 PM (EDT)

>There is an idea I've toyed with, something called "Psi-dead." This
>goes in the opposite of psionics, in that the individual has almost
>*negative* psychic potential. I.e., this theoretical person cannot be
>scanned (the scan doesn't return anything) and cannot be
>hurt/manipulated via psionic means. This is a very good reason why
>Psi-Cops carry PPGs, just in case muttering "pain" over and over
>doesn't do anything. Theoretically, a well-trained psi-dead assassin
>with a Predator cloak (or similar concealment device) would take out a
>*lot* of Psi-Cops.

Have you read the Twisted Path? Darlene is effectively psi-dead courtesy of the magic/mind duality Twister thought up. She could likely take out a lot of Psi-corps with her magic, Char, or just her martial arts skill.

>There would be, however, a catch. Manifestations of psi-dead
>individuals are unknown among humans (indeed, it's most likely not
>even in the human genome--and if it *were*, you can bet that the Corps
>would do everything to make sure it's *out* of the genome real fast),

Um...genocide or genetic engineering?

>I guess what I'm trying to say here is that, while such a tri-talented
>character might be cool to think about, they would be a nightmare to
>write unless you handled them right. Balance things out in creating a
>character, and you'll save yourself ulcers and white hairs in the long
>run.

(and now Trigger, on about three types of tylenol, chloroceptic, and about four hours sleep will comment extensively on this paragraph in a rambling manner, because a new Doc Mui character is much more interesting than doing her work or getting her sick ass home and into bed)

The Twisted Path ran into this problem of "I am the most powerful mortal in the universe!". The takahashi solution was a nice deus ex machina for a bunch of situations where the character had to have flaws. As well, Twister introduced the idea of time as being necessary to develop powers. Last but not least, the character had been normal, and so wanted a bit of that back - the X-men hang-up if you will.

The aging process might help - you can't become perfect in everything overnight. Practice makes perfect and raw talent can always be squandered. Perhaps that's why your special Zardons never conquered the universe. What is the lifetime of a Zardon anyway?

The whole "powers show up at puberty" is so annoying, and so if your character didn't need to go through a physical as well as powers change, you might be able to avoid the X-men angst problems which can be so unproductive.

I believe the character of the character matters the most, but a close runner to his/her integrity is context. After all you are either subject to your fate (context) or an actor upon it. Most powerful beings (at least in non-UF fiction) have their context thrust upon them - pasts, lovers, enemies-- that they can't escape. What if your character didn't have that baggage - would they still want to use their powers to the fullest? What if the situtations in which these powers could be used never arose? Or if they did, they could be solved by other means?

In fact, what if the safety of those they loved depended on other means?

Perhaps (and it's a small perhaps) your character could be helped along by the fact that they're not entirely Zardon, but 1/2 human, born on earth and thus possibly pursued by the psi corps - and other unscrupulous groups that want to take advantage of the youth/inexperience/political insecurity of your character. Doesn't UF have a version of Weber's Medusa Corporation?

I'm sure you've known people with great potential whom for reasons of their own, won't use it. Maybe this could be one of them. Maybe that's too Watchmen or something, but the WDF can't save everyone. And some people never realize that they can save themselves.

Just some thoughts from a girl who should be sleeping and not offering advice to some one who is perfectly capable of developing cool character and then churning out wildly popular pieces of fiction.

t.

Trigger Argee
trigger_argee@hotmail.com
Manon, Orado, etc.
Denton, never leave home without it.