 August 4, 2009 - 7:02am | With my currently running F2F group, who I just happen to play D&D with, I knew that neither of them would want to play the medic as we always have to have a sacrificial lamb who plays the cleric in D&D. So I run a Yazerian Priest archtype form the zine as an NPC. Kahn sur-Ock has martial arts, medical, and Psycho-social skill as the arch-type makes a logical pairing of all those skill into one character- in fact his Priest PSA is those 3 skills. Plus I figured that taking medical and psycho-social skills would plug holes in the party's skill set Anyhow, in my experience the Psycho-social skill is the red headed step child of the skill list getting very little love from most players. but since my voice in the party has it I've used it frequently and often- the hypnosis subskill rocks. If you have time you hypnotize a PC to give them a +10% on a skill its an auto-succeed with a willing subject and it can last for D10 hours (my rule) for non combat skills (1 hour for combat skill- AD rule) For 1st level characters this is huge. I beleive I've used hypnotism more than medic skills. you could even meta game a bit by taking just 1 lvl of psycho skill and since hypnosis of a willing subject is auto succeed level is irrelevent all you need is lvl 1. to get a crucial +10 for a skill check. plus the racial bonuses for vursk and drals with this skill are nice as well. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
 August 10, 2009 - 4:19am | provided you're willing to spend the money on permits and classes. Yep, they hand them out freely here too. $50-200 for the class, $39 for the application and $60 for fingerprinting IIRC. Anyone without a felony charge or domestic violence charge is eligible. I let mine lapse before the 22 state permit was enacted. Just never got around to reapplying although I'd like to, but I fear the gub'mint could use the CCW lists as a tracking system someday...but NV considers a vehicle as an extension of your property so you can keep one within no problems (although certain jurisdictions prohibit them to be loaded, simple matter of ejecting the mag when you cross into them). Open carry is legal but subject to too much attention. Suffice it to say, the security system for my motorcycles entails a well worn empty holster attached to the seat or handlebar... Have you considered collecting your brass and reloading your own ammo? I'm starting to. But I do plan on hitting the next gun show that comes to town and checking on the bulk ammo prices, they hold them every couple of months and such ammo tends to be nicely priced. Besides, one can never have enough surplus military ammo cans. The .50BMG cans make for awesome panniers...IIRC you can almost stuff a 12-pack of Mountain Dew cans into them. I've been geting creative with .50BMG casings lately for my bikes. I utilized some as handlebar end weights:  I've had a few requests for these at motorcycle forums. I plan on "reloading" five empty cartridges sans primers, tac-welding them together with belt clips to the shape of the rear fender, and swapping the primers for LEDs to make a tail light. Also might even swap out the shifter knob with an empty casing. Stripped/polished (possibly even plated) .50 cans would complete that package... (wow this thread really has a few tangents developing LOL) |
 August 10, 2009 - 4:16pm | provided you're willing to spend the money on permits and classes. Yep, they hand them out freely here too. $50-200 for the class, $39 for the application and $60 for fingerprinting IIRC. Anyone without a felony charge or domestic violence charge is eligible. I let mine lapse before the 22 state permit was enacted. Just never got around to reapplying although I'd like to, but I fear the gub'mint could use the CCW lists as a tracking system someday. If the government wanted to track you, they'd scarcely need the CCW list. Credit card purchases, ATM withdrawals, bank statements, credit reports, Census records, even the I-9 you filled out at work..... Oh, and Georgia's got you beat...the police chief where I used to live had three felony convictions, still carried a gun and retained his peace officer's certification. :D ...but NV considers a vehicle as an extension of your property so you can keep one within no problems (although certain jurisdictions prohibit them to be loaded, simple matter of ejecting the mag when you cross into them). Open carry is legal but subject to too much attention. Suffice it to say, the security system for my motorcycles entails a well worn empty holster attached to the seat or handlebar... In the case of an M1911A1, it's just the simple matter of the clip ejecting itself....through the barrel and into the unwary driver's posterior, LOL. I like your security system. My security system is having a hoopti minivan that isn't worth stealing. I'm starting to. But I do plan on hitting the next gun show that comes to town and checking on the bulk ammo prices, they hold them every couple of months and such ammo tends to be nicely priced. Besides, one can never have enough surplus military ammo cans. The .50BMG cans make for awesome panniers...IIRC you can almost stuff a 12-pack of Mountain Dew cans into them. I've been geting creative with .50BMG casings lately for my bikes. I utilized some as handlebar end weights: I've had a few requests for these at motorcycle forums. I plan on "reloading" five empty cartridges sans primers, tac-welding them together with belt clips to the shape of the rear fender, and swapping the primers for LEDs to make a tail light. Also might even swap out the shifter knob with an empty casing. Stripped/polished (possibly even plated) .50 cans would complete that package... Dude, whoa, that is so freakin' cool. Post the pics of the completed motorcycle, will ya? Seriously, that is some excellent work. (wow this thread really has a few tangents developing LOL) Don't they always? Sides, I'd say the work on motorcycle, basic marksmanship(and basics period, concerning guns) all qualify as forgotten skills.  "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
August 11, 2009 - 2:42am | Seriously, that is some excellent work. Thanks, I got the idea from Jesse James/West Coast Choppers, he makes mock .44 mag revolver cylinders w/casings for handlebar risers and gas caps etc. So I figured if I was going to do something crazy with a small 250cc bike, it would have to be big. And what's bigger than a .50BMG round? (okay, I'll admit to having a couple 30mm shell casings and an unpowdered load from the A-10 Thunderbolt gun, but those are a lot tougher to come by!) Post the pics of the completed motorcycle, will ya? Well it's not quite done yet, still fooling around with lighting and acquiring/balancing intake and exhaust mods, and a couple other yet-acquired parts essential for operation (like a front brake line and a new chain)...but here's how she stands for now (on the right, the left one is a finished ride):  Earlier pic showing some more detail:  The ammo can doesn't look like it'll clear the muffler tip so that one could be on hold. Just for grins, here's how it started life (fenders removed, but that's about how it looked when I first brought it home for $200):  |
August 12, 2009 - 1:17am | Well I was going to suggest 14.5mm Bloc, but KPVs are even harder to come by, LOL. Awesome work, not bad for a an initial $200 investment. (Do you do minivans? )"You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
August 12, 2009 - 5:36am | (Do you do minivans? )Yeah pimp my geek dad ride!  I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
August 12, 2009 - 4:27pm | It's more of pimp my hoopti piece of s*t...it's an '88 Caravan with a big rust spot on the hood, dodgy electrics, and a bad seal. "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
 August 12, 2009 - 5:40pm | It's more of pimp my hoopti piece of s*t...it's an '88 Caravan with a big rust spot on the hood, dodgy electrics, and a bad seal. I think I sold that junk pile 15 years ago. It used to be a sort of maroon color, right?  Second worst vehicle I ever owned. The first worst was a '74(?) Ford Pinto. The kind that explodes on impact.The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of
the strong. * Attributed to Mahatma Gandhi |
August 12, 2009 - 7:14pm | So you had one of those uber-rare unexploded Pintos? It amazes me that Mythbusters disproved the exploding fuel tank from a bullet scenario yet the Pinto's tank ruptured so much easier... How do you threaten a Pinto driver? Stand behind the car with a hammer... |
August 13, 2009 - 1:11am | No. you sit behind him in a Volkswagen..... Nope, not a maroon color, a greyish color with fake wood panelling and a rust spot on the hood. "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
August 13, 2009 - 3:19am | a greyish color with fake wood panelling and a rust spot on the hood. First thing you do is get some 3M panel adhesive remover. Great stuff, it'll remove anything attached to the bodywork without affecting the paint underneath. Take some sandpaper to the rust spot on the hood, unless it's really deep, that being the case take a 4" cut-off wheel to it and add a hood scoop to feed a cold air induction system a la Fast and the Frivolous. And while you're on the Fast & Frivolous theme, you'll need a rear rooftop mounted spoiler. After all, air pushing down on the rear end at speed really helps the traction on a front wheel drive vehicle, so it doesn't just look cool...  Low profile 40 series tires mounted on 24" spinners will net plenty of street cred after that. Not to mention you'll rattle your fillings out as you roll over all the tar snakes (aka crack filler) in the roads.As for the interior, yank out the two back seats and build a nice hefty wooden box to accomodate a Marty McFly/Back to the Future sized sub-woofer. That cold air induction system mentioned earlier will help move all that weight, you'll thank me for that idea later. Besides, who needs cargo space? You can still toss groceries in the front seat. Finally, get a Lambo door kit for the front doors and a gull-wing kit for the side doors. And if you really wanna go balls out, hit the salvage yards and pick up a caravan rear end so you can make a matching trailer. |
 August 13, 2009 - 12:17pm | Psychosocial Skill and Motorcycle Maintenance. That just sounds so familiar. View my profile for a list of articles I have written, am writing, will write. "It's yo' mama!" —Wicket W. Warrick, Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of the Jedi "That guy's wise." —Logray, Star Wars Ep.VI: Return of the Jedi Do You Wanna Date My Avatar? - Felicia Day (The Guild) |
August 13, 2009 - 3:40pm | Psychosocial Skill and Motorcycle Maintenance. That just sounds so familiar. What? You don't talk to your vehicle? "C'mon, baby, c'mon, just a couple more miles, then you can rest, kay? Just hold together, baby, hold together...." Or do you think vehicles don't have minds of their own? Hate to tell you this.... "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
August 13, 2009 - 3:44pm | a greyish color with fake wood panelling and a rust spot on the hood. First thing you do is get some 3M panel adhesive remover. Great stuff, it'll remove anything attached to the bodywork without affecting the paint underneath. Take some sandpaper to the rust spot on the hood, unless it's really deep, that being the case take a 4" cut-off wheel to it and add a hood scoop to feed a cold air induction system a la Fast and the Frivolous. And while you're on the Fast & Frivolous theme, you'll need a rear rooftop mounted spoiler. After all, air pushing down on the rear end at speed really helps the traction on a front wheel drive vehicle, so it doesn't just look cool... Low profile 40 series tires mounted on 24" spinners will net plenty of street cred after that. Not to mention you'll rattle your fillings out as you roll over all the tar snakes (aka crack filler) in the roads.As for the interior, yank out the two back seats and build a nice hefty wooden box to accomodate a Marty McFly/Back to the Future sized sub-woofer. That cold air induction system mentioned earlier will help move all that weight, you'll thank me for that idea later. Besides, who needs cargo space? You can still toss groceries in the front seat. Finally, get a Lambo door kit for the front doors and a gull-wing kit for the side doors. And if you really wanna go balls out, hit the salvage yards and pick up a caravan rear end so you can make a matching trailer. All good ideas..having driven through town twice today, I can honestly say I have a few ideas for the subwoofer...all involving rocking the next cell phone blabber at the wheel of a pregnant roller skate. Most people don't know that hood vents and spoilers actually do serve a practical purpose...the spoiler, especially, will be good to keep the van on the road during the winter months, and the next time I drive down the wind tunnel known as Highway 69. Now, for a little time and money to do it all(everything but the spinners, tho).... "You're everything that's base in humanity," Cochrane continued. "Drawing up strict, senseless rules for the sole reason of putting you at the top and excluding anyone you say doesn't belong or fit in, for no other reason than just because you say so." —Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stephens, Federation |
August 13, 2009 - 11:19pm | Add a hood spoiler for the front drive for better effects. Throw in some ground effects up front too, they'll double as a snowplow... As for the cell phone blabbers, I simply prefer debaffled exhaust and keeping it in a lower gear. |
 August 24, 2009 - 11:47am | Additionally, in regards to hypnosis, the bonus would only be a +10 to DEX, which would only result in a +5 increase in RW or M. 5 points is not a big deal. In fact I would probably give out XP to the person doing it as well. Perhaps one per session. This bonus XP would represent the service done to the whole party, as well as very tangible practice. This, in turn, would help the hypno guy along in his levels, since these skills are so XP heavy, especially if out of PSA. Also, it does put a little "mentalist" angle on things without any sillyness. I see hypnosis as a decent compromise without having to... well you all know how I feel about Mentals from Zebs. |
August 24, 2009 - 8:52pm | Also, it does put a little "mentalist" angle on things without any sillyness. I see hypnosis as a decent compromise without having to... well you all know how I feel about Mentals from Zebs. True, True, especially since he's a sort of non-denominational yazerian priest (as apposed to the formallistic type priest of the Family of One) who gets up early in the morning to meditate, Practices martial arts and physco-social skills and added in medical skill to round out the set. In actuallity he's my NPC voice in the party and I play him kind of a little on the mystical side. I was planning to give him a Mr. Spock style touch telepathy after he participates in the Ul-mor time of oneness ceremony but maybe not... the beauty of AD is its so open ended you can play up a character in any angle you want. I could even just make Kahn super in tune with those around him by developing the physco skill to improve the empathy subskill. yet battle rage would be a good place to dump exp along with building up his martial arts for a little Rage Fu. especially after the most recent battle with a giant carnivore (funnel worm) where he was next to useless except for tossing a rope to a character to keep him from sliding into the worms mouth. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
August 25, 2009 - 4:45am | especially after the most recent battle with a giant carnivore (funnel worm) where he was next to useless except for tossing a rope to a character to keep him from sliding into the worms mouth. If I were that character who had the rope tossed to him, I would call him anything but useless... |
August 25, 2009 - 1:29pm | Exactly! Useless? Hardly - he just saved that dude's life! Plus, with his hypnoed RW skill and a Careful Aim shot on high SEU, your Yazirian priest dude could take out his blaster and give that worm a memorable zap! |
