The focus shouldn't be on the technology, rather, it should be on what we do with it. I use tech because it's an easy and familiar way to solve the problems that are presented to me (and in the case of the last week, presenting new problems by being entirely inconvenient). For example, I've mentioned that I have been working on a pen-and-paper RPG on this blog before. The game itself doesn't use a computer at all, though much of my work is on a computer. The reason for this easy: it's a quick and convenient place to put my writings on the subject. If I didn't have a computer, I'd just write it down. As a matter of fact, there are still notes that I've taken that are not on the computer, because I started by writing it down first.
Okay, so I play all kinds of video games. If I wasn't doing that, I have other interests that keep me busy (and might be a better way to pass the time while I'm at it. maybe). I also do a lot of reading and writing, neither of which require advanced technology.
My point is that people like me know exactly what to do in the face of a world-wide EMP blast. If anything, because we are so familiar with tech, we know what it does and does not do for us.
On a related note, I'll try and post in the comments some of the work I did on a D&D class in the past few days. Not necessarily for you to read it all, but to show you a little of what I do.
All simple weapons, plus one martial. Key Ability: Int
ReplyDeleteHit Die: D8 Skills: 4 + Int Modifier
Class Skills:
Acrobatics, Appraise, Craft, Escape Artist, Fly, Linguistics, Perception, Profession, Spellcraft, Use Magic
Device, Knowledge (Arcana), Knowledge (Religion), Knowledge (History)
Med Base Attack Bonus, Good Reflex and Will saves
Runes are visible location trigger effects scribed as a standard action. The spaces used must not be rough or otherwise difficult terrain and uninterrupted. Once triggered, the effect is immediate, and usually requires a saving throw. Runes cannot be scribed indefinitely; only a number of total levels in runes equal to your class level can be active at any given time. Like other scribing, it uses a special ink component made with the Ink rune. Ink can be carried by your craft weapon and used at any space you designate adjacent to you.Your craft weapon can carry "levels" equal to your hit dice, while any other weapon can carry half that amount.
Rune Scribing Abilities
Least
Ranged Craft Weapon - Attune yourself to a new weapon which you are proficient. This must be a ranged weapon, and can scribe runes at range. To do this, make a ranged attack roll against a space as a standard action (this still uses ammunition as applicable). Your ranged craft weapon otherwise works the same way as your standard craft weapon, meaning you can't scribe a rune on anything other than a normal space.
Rune Shift - Move an already-scribed rune to a new location. As a standard action, move a rune a number of spaces equal to your Int modifier. The new location must follow the normal rules for scribing, but the spaces in between may be anything, including air.
Lesser
Disappearing Ink - Inscribe a rune that disappears from view, effectively making it a trap with a space trigger. Otherwise, use normal rules for scribing and for magical traps. This ability is usable Int/day.
Enlarge Rune - Inscribe an extra large rune that takes up four spaces the same way a large creature (it still only triggers once). Use this ability Int/day.
Greater
Double Trigger - Scribe a rune as a full round action that remains in place after the first trigger. It doesn't trigger again until the condition is met again (in most cases, another creature enters the space). Use this ability Int/day.
Rapid Writer - Scribe a rune as a swift action. This ability cannot be used for runes that take longer than a standard action to scribe without this ability. Usable Int/day.
Level one
Thunder Strike - Shaking ground attempts to trip creature in space. CMB= Caster lvl + Int.
Sudden Combustion - Floor ignites any who enter. 1d6 fire damage/lvl max 3, save or catch fire.
Zero In - Creature glows brightly, easy to see 1 rd/lvl max 3. ignore concealment, save or be dazzled.
Frightening Symbol - Subject 5HD or less flees, greater than 5HD shaken. Save negates.
Slide - Save or be moved 5 feet.
Movement ends in the indicated space.
Shrink - Creature saves or shrinks one size category. Does not stack, 1 rd/lvl max 3.
Symbol of Moving Earth - Triggers after 2 rounds. Summons small earth elemental in space scribed, who moves in to flank nearest foe. Lasts 1 rd/lvl max 3.
Level Two
Swap - Save or swap places with you at moment of trigger.
Curse - Next attack triggered creature makes also deals damage to self equal to damage dealt.
Symbol of the Sentry - Triggers after 2 rounds. Summons launcher that attacks nearest target with knives. Range increment 20ft. +7 attack d6+1/3 lvls (max 5). Lasts 1 rd/lvl max 5.
Dispel - Dispel one magical effect on creature.
Blind Sign - Save or blind triggered creature. 1 rd/lvl max 5.
Nightmare Rune - Save or confuse triggered 1 rd/lvl max 5.
Electric Panel - Save or take 1d6/lvl (max 5) and stun 1 rd.
Glyphs are boosts scribed on the sigil scribe's body at the beginning of the day and last
ReplyDelete24 hours. A scribe can boost himself with a number of glyphs as he gains levels, equal to
half his hit dice in "levels". The glyph scribing ritual lasts for 45 minutes before he
gains the benefits of any glyph; after which, all chosen for the day boost as indicated.
Level One
Hidden Glyph - Undetectable alignment, and cannot be scryed.
Least Divination - Choose a 0 or 1st level "detect" spell. Use at will.
Speed - Increase your base land speed by 10ft.
Health - Endure elements and delay all poisons.
Giant - Increase one size category.
Weightless - Feather Fall and walk on water.
Warrior - Gain a combat feat of a 1st or 2nd level fighter.
Level Two
Fasting - Go without food or water for the day without penalty.
See Many - Darkvision 60 ft., see invisibility, +4 sight-based perception.
Excorcist - Your craft weapon deals force damage.
Protection - +2 natural armor.
Divine Gift - +2 any stat.
Whisper - Message and Whispering Wind at will.
Fighter - Craft weapon deals +1d6 damage.
Level Three
Thorns - Creatures that deal melee damage to you are dealt 1d8 damage in retribution.
Wards are area effects scribed adjacent to you as a full-round action. The area can be
stationary or can follow directly above you, chosen at time of scribing. Wards cannot
overlap; stationary wards work "first" and no effect follows them. A stationary ward being
scribed doesn't need to be at the center of the effect; instead, it must be at the edge, be
it in mid-air or the entrance to a room. The radius of a ward is 5ft. plus 5ft./2 levels.
Other areas are as described in the ward description. The duration of a ward is 1 rd/2
levels, unless otherwise described. For wards with allies in the description, the caster is
included.
Level One
Bunker - Silent Alarm for ally, Healthful Rest in area. Lasts 8 hours.
Guardian - +1 shield bonus for allies in area/5 lvls. Automatically blocks magic missiles.
Spider - Spider climb for allies in area.
Flame Bane - Extinguish fires, and allies in area ignore 5 points of fire damage/round.
Smoke Sphere - Conceals and may nauseate those in area (chosen at scribing).
Boon - Allies in area get +1 morale bonus to attack and damage rolls/5 levels.
Level Two
Cognitive Dissonance - Casting in area requires concentration check at +2 DC.
Heat Wave - Creatures in area take 1d8 fire damage/rd. Save half.
Decelerate - Creatures in area are slowed.
Deluminate - Darkness in area.
Level Three
Lesser GlyphWard - Boost your allies with one 1st or 2nd level Glyph you scribed today.
Shuffler - Allies in area gain benign transposition as a standard action.
Special
ReplyDelete1.Runes, Rune finding, Rune of Ink, Weapon Bond
2.Read Magic
3.Glyphs, Evasion
4.Uncanny Dodge
5.Wards, Suppress Sign
6.Least Scribing
7.Rune of Ink (Quickened)
8.Least Scribing
9.Improved Uncanny Dodge
10.Lesser Scribing
11.Improved Evasion
12.Lesser Scribing
13.Combat Scribe
14.Greater Scribing
15.Master of the Written Word
16.Greater Scribing
17.Quill of the Sun and Moon
19.Sticks and Stones