Author Topic: The Science of Platinum.  (Read 10034 times)

Offline Amechra

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The Science of Platinum.
« on: December 15, 2012, 08:26:06 PM »
  • Platinum: A platinum transformer channels prayer by creating a field where prayers go unanswered or by transforming energy into prayers directly sent to a given deity.
    • Input: Prayer input absorbs all prayer that occurs within its bubble; this blocks the ability for a deity to hear or acknowledge the prayers of their followers. At the option of the Grammarist preparing this principle, the bubble can be made to allow prayers to a single deity or pantheon of the Grammarist's choice; this choice must be made when preparing the principle. A Prayer input produces 1 ebb per round of prayer. A Platinum input can store up to 20 ebbs per cubic foot; it automatically channels ebbs into itself for storage until it is told to release those ebbs, but may only send those ebbs to a Platinum Output.
    • Output: A Prayer output sends prayers directly to a deity; if at least 10 ebbs are channeled into the Platinum output, the output duplicates the effects of a Message spell, except that it can be heard by one particular deity or pantheon, chosen when this principle is first prepared, regardless of where that deity is, as well as giving that deity or pantheon 2 ebbs plus 1 ebb for every 5 ebbs channeled into the output, to add to their coffers. This Message spell consists of a single prayer, consisting of a number of words equal to the number of ebbs channeled into the Platinum output.
"There is happiness for those who accept their fate, there is glory for those that defy it."

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Offline Amechra

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Re: The Science of Platinum.
« Reply #1 on: December 15, 2012, 08:26:40 PM »
Reserved for the Platinum Geoccult Pole.
"There is happiness for those who accept their fate, there is glory for those that defy it."

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Offline Amechra

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Re: The Science of Platinum.
« Reply #2 on: December 15, 2012, 08:27:40 PM »
Reserved for the Crown of the God-Engineer (Major Artifact) and the Codex Heretica (Minor Artifact).
"There is happiness for those who accept their fate, there is glory for those that defy it."

"Now that everyone's so happy, this is probably a good time to tell you I ate your parents."

Offline kellus

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Re: The Science of Platinum.
« Reply #3 on: December 16, 2012, 02:27:24 AM »
  • Platinum: A platinum transformer channels prayer by creating a field where prayers go unanswered or by transforming energy into prayers directly sent to a given deity.
    • Input: Prayer input absorbs all prayer that occurs within its bubble; this blocks the ability for a deity to hear or acknowledge the prayers of their followers. At the option of the Grammarist preparing this principle, the bubble can be made to allow prayers to a single deity or pantheon of the Grammarist's choice; this choice must be made when preparing the principle. A Prayer input produces 1 ebb per round of prayer. A Platinum input can store up to 20 ebbs per cubic foot; it automatically channels ebbs into itself for storage until it is told to release those ebbs, but may only send those ebbs to a Platinum Output.
    • Output: A Prayer output sends prayers directly to a deity; if at least 10 ebbs are channeled into the Platinum output, the output duplicates the effects of a Message spell, except that it can be heard by one particular deity or pantheon, chosen when this principle is first prepared, regardless of where that deity is, as well as giving that deity or pantheon 2 ebbs plus 1 ebb for every 5 ebbs channeled into the output, to add to their coffers. This Message spell consists of a single prayer, consisting of a number of words equal to the number of ebbs channeled into the Platinum output.

It's a very neat idea. Once it's fixed up, I'd love to put it in with lead in ARCD 365, since it's never really made me happy to have a relatively underwhelming capstone specialist principle in that discipline. Like I said earlier though, I think it's a little too campaign and setting-specific right now. I love love love the idea of using faith as an energy source, but we'll need to look at how faith actually exists in the rules. My tentative version of it would be something like this:

  • Platinum: A platinum transformer channels faith by refracting the prayers of the faithful and interceding in the flow of the divine.
    • Input: Prayer input creates a field where prayers do not reach their target deity. This blocks the ability for a deity to hear or acknowledge the prayers of their followers. Even a salient divine ability such as True Knowledge is unable to penetrate the divine firewall established in the area. This field absorbs prayers and chants of faith, as well as attempts to regain divine spells. Particular spells which specifically request a boon from a patron deity, such as a miracle spell or a commune spell are similarly absorbed. Every round, a single devout being inside the area praying generates 1 ebb of puissance; this petitioner must be truly of the faith, and not merely going through the motions. Churches that can afford them regularly use platinum transformers to test their congregation's faithfulness (and who says science and religion can't get along?). If a divine spellcaster attempts to regain their spells while in a platinum inpur field, they fail to regain any spell slots, and 1 ebb is generated for every spell level that they would have regained. A specific spell that requests intercession which is cast in the field similarly fails, and also produces 1 ebb per spell level.
    • Output: Prayer output transforms energy into prayers which are sent to a particular pantheon or deity. A platinum transformer can be prepared to specifically target one patron, or it can be built more generally, in which case the target deity or pantheon can be changed as a logical decision for the transformer. Prayers take many forms, but in general this consists of a message effect, sent directly to the patron (or to their agents, depending on how that deity deals with prayers). The message can contain a number of words equal to the amount of puissance put out in ebbs. This is often a convenient way of providing gods with raw power, as many of them can make use of puissance themselves; typically the target deity generates 1 ebb for every five words in the message. If at least 3 ebbs are transmitted in this way, a consecrate effect occurs in the output net for a good-aligned deity, and a desecrate effect occurs for an evil deity. Prayers sent to neutral deities can generate either kind of field, as chosen with a logical decision. The effect lasts for 1 hour per word transmitted. If at least 15 ebbs are sent to a deity using this kind of tranformer, a temporary hallow or unhallow effect occurs, as appropriate, for the same amount of time (no material component required). If at least 100 ebbs are transformed into prayer, a miracle is generated in the area. The exact details of the miracle vary, and can be chosen as a logical decision, but are limited to any of the effects which do not require an XP expenditure.


Just off the top of my head. Thoughts?
« Last Edit: December 16, 2012, 02:43:16 AM by kellus »

Offline Amechra

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Re: The Science of Platinum.
« Reply #4 on: December 16, 2012, 02:45:04 AM »
That looks pretty good to me; the numbers might need massaging, but...
"There is happiness for those who accept their fate, there is glory for those that defy it."

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Offline kellus

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Re: The Science of Platinum.
« Reply #5 on: December 16, 2012, 03:13:54 AM »
That looks pretty good to me; the numbers might need massaging, but...

Fair enough; here's where I got the numbers from:

  • 1 ebb per prayer seems fairly straightforward; it's the basic building block of the transformer. It's also essentially the 'divine' ability that one normal person has inside them, which happens to coincide with the puissant value of a 1st level spell.
  • 1 ebb per spell level is again the standard set by the silver transformer. I can't really see an argument for going for less or for more here.
  • 1 ebb for the god for every 5 ebbs sent means that there's plenty of overhead for: inefficiencies because entropy, taxes as prayers are passed up the chain to get to the deity, and a bit extra to pay for the special effects the prayer generates as it leaves the transformer. It also means that the only way the gods are gonna get serious power out of this is with big institutionalized churches that regularly hold massive prayer sessions in close quarters. OH WAIT
  • 3 ebbs for a consecrate or desecrate is pretty straightforward, they're second level spells. 2 + 1 because inefficiencies.
  • 15 ebbs for a hallow or unhallow. These are stronger abilities, but the area is quite small compared to the actual spells, and although you don't have to provide a material component, it's also not permanent.
  • 100 ebbs for a small miracle. Emphasis on the small part. :tongue But yeah, this is the pretty straightforward. At high levels, you can build a miracle-making machine.

Offline Amechra

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Re: The Science of Platinum.
« Reply #6 on: December 16, 2012, 03:30:32 AM »
Just as a fun little point I'd like to make...

The Crown of the God-Engineer will let you count as a god for the purpose of Platinum transformers, and will allow you t redirect ebbs from prayers into any circuit they are included into.

So you stick the crown on, and can power your doomsday devices with prayer!
"There is happiness for those who accept their fate, there is glory for those that defy it."

"Now that everyone's so happy, this is probably a good time to tell you I ate your parents."

Offline Arcanist

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Re: The Science of Platinum.
« Reply #7 on: December 16, 2012, 06:17:37 PM »
The Crown of the God-Engineer will let you count as a god for the purpose of Platinum transformers, and will allow you t redirect ebbs from prayers into any circuit they are included into.

So you stick the crown on, and can power your doomsday devices with prayer!

I can see that as being used for a Campaign. The Villain, an Evil Gramarist, threatens to "You're faith in your god will drown your world in Hellfire" and secretly sets up PlatinumIn in every major church in every major city that is connected to a little piece of Sunmetal. Once the sunmetal absorbs 100 ebbs it explodes and kills all the followers in a congregation, thus causing the churches influence and power to be it's own downfall.

Just a skeleton for an idea... I like how the Platinum Transformer channels the power of prayer, but the way you described it, only God's of Gramarie can profit from the use of a Platinum Transformer. I think the Output should remain as is and the Input should be adjusted so that anyone can benefit from the produced Ebbs.

Offline Garryl

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Re: The Science of Platinum.
« Reply #8 on: December 16, 2012, 06:22:12 PM »
Just as a fun little point I'd like to make...

The Crown of the God-Engineer will let you count as a god for the purpose of Platinum transformers, and will allow you t redirect ebbs from prayers into any circuit they are included into.

So you stick the crown on, and can power your doomsday devices with prayer!

Sounds reminiscent of the Demon Crown from Cave Story.

Offline Amechra

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Re: The Science of Platinum.
« Reply #9 on: December 16, 2012, 06:31:15 PM »
...and now you know what one of my favorite games ever is.

And I was thinking that, well, this is a very specific use for the Output; after all, the input can be used to power anything, just like a normal input.

Also, the Output let's you send a message to the deity your praying to that is sure to get there, so...
"There is happiness for those who accept their fate, there is glory for those that defy it."

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Offline kellus

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Re: The Science of Platinum.
« Reply #10 on: December 16, 2012, 09:43:30 PM »
After thinking about this transformer overnight, I'm pretty happy with it. Assuming nobody notices any giant exploits before tomorrow, I'll add it into the main body here and at giantitp!

Preliminary thoughts on a platinum pole–

Baseline Material: Basalt, in the form of cobblestones to assemble streets and plazas and so on.
Basic Features: bridge, building, fountain, road, sewer, wall. Enough to make the basics of a city; the 'building' one especially is very freeform in how you design the architecture. You need to make K(A&E) to design safe buildings, or work from previous designs.
Supernatural Features: crosshatches, power ribbons, and zeitgeists. Crosshatches, if you've read TC&TC are basically like that but magic, two separate streets that intersect each other in real space but which don't allow interaction between each other. Power ribbons are basically powerlines that distribute puissance around your city. A zeitgeist is a resident spirit of census information that knows demographic data instinctively.

Thoughts?

Offline Amechra

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Re: The Science of Platinum.
« Reply #11 on: December 16, 2012, 10:15:19 PM »
Close to how I was thinking; I was thinking that building works like this:


Each structure is made out of "blocks"; a block is a 30'x30'x10' (I picked these dimensions at random, so I might reduce them), which can be stacked/pressed together/whatever to get your basic building design. Each building then generates a "deed", so that the person who "legally" owns them can customize the floorplan, and can further segment up the "deed" (so you generate 10 skyscrapers, say, and you give the deeds to 10 different people, which lets them add walls/doors/windows, but they can't modify anything else about the building.

They can then give the "deeds" to a set of floors to someone else, who can further modify them to their heart's content, and so on and so forth.)

Basically, freeform but with a set of limitations that make sure that it isn't extremely easy to break.

What does TC&TC stand for? Other than that, those supernatural things look good.

As for weather, they are obviously smog/acid rain for extreme weather, and I'm not sure what for the general climate.
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Offline kellus

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Re: The Science of Platinum.
« Reply #12 on: December 16, 2012, 10:34:48 PM »
Close to how I was thinking; I was thinking that building works like this:


Each structure is made out of "blocks"; a block is a 30'x30'x10' (I picked these dimensions at random, so I might reduce them), which can be stacked/pressed together/whatever to get your basic building design. Each building then generates a "deed", so that the person who "legally" owns them can customize the floorplan, and can further segment up the "deed" (so you generate 10 skyscrapers, say, and you give the deeds to 10 different people, which lets them add walls/doors/windows, but they can't modify anything else about the building.

They can then give the "deeds" to a set of floors to someone else, who can further modify them to their heart's content, and so on and so forth.)

Ooo, I love the deed idea, it's brilliant. I love the idea of the principle actually creating an arcane contract that leases a small part of the pole's sphere of influence to the deedholder. Definitely the hard part on this one is going to be getting a set of simple rules for building customizable structures.

Quote
What does TC&TC stand for? Other than that, those supernatural things look good.

The City & The City

Quote
As for weather, they are obviously smog/acid rain for extreme weather, and I'm not sure what for the general climate.

Smog works for me for general climate, basically like slightly poisonous fog. Acid rain is clever for the extreme weather condition, although you're right: it doesn't quite seem extreme enough compared to an earthquake or a tornado. Perhaps it could go more meta, and incite a revolution or a rebellion among the populace?

Offline Amechra

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Re: The Science of Platinum.
« Reply #13 on: December 16, 2012, 10:51:31 PM »
Well, Acid Rain could be full out "Oh shit, it is RAINING ACID on us", rather than "ho hum, our hair is green now".

As for the PrC option for the Platinum Pole, I think that duplicating a Synchronicity spell on you inside cities created by your poles would be nice.

Still, I'll think about everything; I was originally thinking that at two of the supernatural options would be populace and shops.

Populace generates crowds of crude simulacra of people; they would be visible versions of an Invisible Servant spell. You could pick a "district" for the pole, which would then divide up the crowds into functions. There's a city building PDF on the Wizard's website, which I was going to pillage for population distributions. It would take maybe 10 lbs of metal for each "person", they'd all effectively have one HD, and you'd define the "personality" for the entire city as if they were psicrystals.

Shops literally convert gold to and from non-magical items and services. So you could designate a building as an "inn", and have it generate meals if you gave it the necessary amount of money, which would be converted (in a very inefficient manner) into ebbs for the city.

How would these interact? Well, if you assign a "person" to a particular building, they'd take on aspects based off that building.

So, in other words, you assign a group of "people" to an "inn", they'd basically act like "the innkeeper and his/her family", who would supply some entertainment and such.

I was actually thinking of using this for the populace, requiring 10 lbs per spell level to generate each one.

Of course, "people" made inside the city couldn't be used outside it, and are quite weak, but, hey, if you want to set up a town on the fly, this is an excellent way.

You know, I might go with this, with basically the same rules for how many can be controlled as with the Swamp's ability to control undead.
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Offline kellus

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Re: The Science of Platinum.
« Reply #14 on: December 16, 2012, 11:24:58 PM »
I like the idea of creating a spectral population, but I think that would make more sense as a PrC option than as a core feature of the pole. The other poles focus (until the supernatural section) on creating environments that could arise in nature the old-fashioned way, geoccultism just shows it how and where to go. I feel like platinum makes the most sense if it replicates this kind of structured growth in an artificial setting, creating traditional infrastructure for a real-life population.

That being said, I could see a really cool specialist PrC that creates literal ghost towns filled with imaginary people going about their imaginary lives, basically reducing an actual city to the abstractions that you typically see in a video game or hack-and-slash game, where someone exists solely to be the 'merchant' or whatever.

Offline Amechra

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Re: The Science of Platinum.
« Reply #15 on: December 16, 2012, 11:27:10 PM »
Yeah, PrC might be the way to go; do you think restricting the Shops to that too would be a good idea?
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Offline kellus

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Re: The Science of Platinum.
« Reply #16 on: December 16, 2012, 11:36:15 PM »
That's probably the way I'd do it, but I haven't given this a whole lot of thought yet. But I do love the idea of basically being able to whip a city out of your pocket and literally set up shop wherever you like. I think that if there were basic rules for city-building with the pole, it would be really easy to segue from there to a class that is all about populating it with interesting things and running it. But hey, some people like Logistics and Dragons (specifically, anyone that likes gramarie)!

Oh wow, I also like the idea that potentially you could have a demiplane filled with a giant magic city that connects to all sorts of other extraplanar cities through yggdratectural portals, because then gramarie has basically built Sigil. And you could be its supreme overlord, who holds all the deeds.

Offline sirpercival

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Re: The Science of Platinum.
« Reply #17 on: December 17, 2012, 07:34:04 AM »
Take a look at Ley Engineer for customized structure rules ideas.
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Offline davethebrave

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Re: The Science of Platinum.
« Reply #18 on: December 17, 2012, 12:08:14 PM »
This is amazing. I really love the idea of a congregation's belief powering something that destroys them.
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Offline Amechra

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Re: The Science of Platinum.
« Reply #19 on: December 18, 2012, 12:20:15 AM »
By the way, I'm writing up the Platinum Pole right now; surprisingly, Sewers get the most written about them out of all the non-supernatural features.

By the way, I went with Bizzarchitecture in the place of Crosshatches; instead of a pair of roads intersecting each-other but not touching, you get that AND buildings that are in the same spot but don't touch.

For when you need to crimp on space.
"There is happiness for those who accept their fate, there is glory for those that defy it."

"Now that everyone's so happy, this is probably a good time to tell you I ate your parents."