Dias Ex Machina Games

As I wait for my editor, artist, and layout guys (all different) to finish their work, I can finally return to Ultramodern4. Up until now, we’ve been checking out power levels and the overall feel of the rules as well as the altered character creation process being introduced. It’s still not complete and the latest draft being done is the largest since September. As a result, those that have signed onto the playtest should check back at the forum, as only people committed to the project will receive the latest update. This new version, let’s say v.0.8, is changing the wording of all the powers to match them with what we learned through writing Amethyst Evolution. Ladders (our new rule mechanic ) are also being tweaked to make them more about altering classes rather than offering their own abilities. Up until recently, U4 and NeuroSpasta was one complete unit. Separated, NeuroSpasta inherits hacking, cybernetics, robots, and the setting, while U4 gets the rest. This latest version reflects that division.

On a related topic, U4’s ladders have always been limited to six options: born leader, juggernaut, runner, savant, veteran, and warrior. I recently announced to the playtesters that there will be a seventh, known as the survivor (Constitution, Wisdom/Intelligence). I’m contemplating offering an eighth to make it a nice even number, but I’ve decided to open this to the readers and testers. Does anyone have an eight ladder path?

Here is what it is required: The ladder must be based around a theme. It must focus on one primary attribute along with a secondary attribute. That pairing cannot be shared by another ladder. So far, these are the ones that are taken:

Born leader – Charisma, Intelligence
Juggernaut – Constitution, Strength
Runner – Dexterity, Intelligence/Wisdom
Savant – Wisdom, Intelligence
Survivor – Constitution, Intelligence/Wisdom
Veteran – Charisma, Intelligence
Warrior – Dexterity, Strength

There are dozens of other pairings but is there a theme that matches them? All we would need is a proposal. The winner gets a special credit in the final book and a free copy of the end result. It’s a first come, first serve contest and applicants can post here, on the DEM forum, or email me directly.

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“I despise stallions. I ride them as I ride an ugly noble women--smiles for appearances and politics only. Stallions. All personality with no depth. They prance like ponies and trot with arrogance. I always say, respect your mules most of all. A stallion may lead with the king and gather the eyes, but a mule will follow behind…and carry your kingdom.”
Tsarevick Kazaan
Amethyst D20

http://www.diasexmachina.com

Masque* - Dex, Charisma. You've got the smart and slick covered, but both the other Charisma uses have the same coupling (Int). That leaves out our (supposedly) good friend, the guy with a smile on his lips and his hand in your pocket. (And I would suggest Cha/Wis for the Veteran, some of the skills line up a bit better and it gives you a bit more diversity.)

Runner gives me the image of the canny rat--quick and sensible, but perhaps a little drab in personality. All business. Leader and Veteran evoke those who rouse comrades and push others by example. The Masque would view his Runner counterpart as too much substance with a noticeable lack of style, while the Leader and Veteran are seen as forces to be steered by someone with "more skilled" charms.

The Masque uses his force of personality less to deal with friends inspire, or to overtly frighten his enemies, and used more as a weapon against everyone in his way, or a tool to get anything worth having. Acquaintances often find themselves manipulated into favors they might have done if simply asked, and doubt and paranoia are seen as more valuable traits in an opponent than simple fear. Honesty certainly isn't antithetical to the Masquer mindset, but it may be a last resort.

Dexterity is important for getting all those things accomplished that carefully chosen words and sly looks won't. Much like their social exchanges, they often aim for subtlety and grace in their physical actions--movements are carefully timed, deliberately placed, and (when they're meant to be seen) exceedingly captivating.

The Masque is the charming pickpocket, the acrobatic jewel thief who doubles as a cosmopolitan sophisticate, the con man with a knife in his boot, and that lovely lady at the bar who'd really love to see you upstairs... where she can harvest your kidneys in private.

*Frankly, there's plenty of good names for this one, although I like the word reprobate (original submission,) Mask/Masque/Masquer works on a few levels--especially since the obvious compliment from among the classes is the Face.

Alternates: Cheat, Dodger, Fraud, Racketeer, Reprobate, Sharp

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"Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well."
-Voltaire... who, if I'm reading most of the rest of his stuff properly, didn't actually appreciate much.

The "Tactician": Intelligence (primary), Constitution (secondary)
He isn't the strongest, fastest, or most charming, but the Tactician can use his keen intellect to figure his way out of most problems (and frequently figure his way into bigger ones). Whether he is calculating the optimal angle for shooting his enemy on the fly, planning the best arguments for persuading an NPC to do what he wants, or developing schemes to help the team succeed, the Tactician depends on an abnormally high Intelligence to overcome obstacles, along with a little rugged Constitution to see him through when the mess hits the fan.

(I am really hoping this is different enough from what you plan with the Savant.)

The "Ascetic": Wisdom (primary), Dexterity (secondary)
Whether to harness an inner rage, seek enlightenment, or some other unspoken reason, the Ascetic has reached a degree of calm that others cannot approach. As a result, she has uncanny powers of observation, sound powers of judgment, and an impressive ability to react to changing circumstances. Ascetics may be ninja-monks, poetry-reciting gunmen, hackers seeking nirvana in the machine, calm negotiators, and more; what they all have in common is indomitable Wisdom and a superior Dexterity with which to exercise it.

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The Dude abides.