[net.games.frp] Ultra high level problem

parks@kpno.UUCP (11/02/83)

On the point of the Ultra-high level female NPC:  the easiest solution is
just to say "wow, that's too much, such a person can't exist".  It seems
that you have a little stronger problem.  If I understand correctly, the
high-level player is your normal GM and you are (justifiably) worried about
blowing him/her out of existence.  My colleagues and I went to work on some
ways to provide challenges for the super-powerful person *and* the rest of
the party:

First of all, I don't think that an armor class of greater than -10 can
exist.  If it could, probably all of the gods would be -20 or -30.  This is
probably some sort of redundancy-burn out or magical flow limitation or some
other nonsense answer to keep game balance.  In any case, I think it is
specifically stated that -10 is the best you can get.

Are you remembering that if the player is a 7th level fighter who has
switched to 1st level MU that they can use *only* MU skills until they
reach 8th level?  If she keeps switching classes, that should cut her down
a little.  By the time she goes from 1st to 8th level MU the rest of the
party should have increased a few levels, as well.  Until she hits a level
that allows her to use *all* of her classes at the same time, she will
fight, save, wear armor, use weapons, be restricted on magic, etc. exactly
as if she were only that new class.  Also, when she becomes a monk, I
believe she's going to have to throw a few of her items away.  Monks (and
some other classes) are only allowed a few items total.  They can't even
have spares at home.

They (or at least she) is evil.  Eventually, a lot of good characters are
going to find out and put a bounty on their heads.  Remember, if they are
doing enough to attract the attention of *powerful* good guys, the leaders
will cast "Contact Other Plane" "Legend Lore" "Commune" and other powerful
info spells.  Unless your party can fool gods, a lot of info is going to
become public knowledge.

Once the cry has been raised in public, the do-gooders will flock to bring
them to justice.  A few suggestions: always have packs of do-gooders attack
the party, only a fool will try a one-on-one against an evil party.  Try a
bunch of paladins with holy swords.  None of your evil crew can use the
holy swords, and that neat aura of magic resistance will end up bouncing
many of the offensive spells thrown at the paladins.

Another nasty scheme requires a high level good mentor.  He should make up
a party to go after yours, and equip them.  The person who goes after Ms.
colossal-high-level should be an ultra strong high level pure fighter.  The
only magic item this guy will have is a ring of spell storing with the
spell "anti-magic shell".  As soon as he gets into melee with her, he
shoots off the ring, and suddenly her magic ceases to work!  She uses
bracers and other magic for A.C. so that will plummet to +5 or so, he wands
are useless, all she can do is pure fighting!  Of course, the bruiser will
need an equivalent 100 hits or so and a comparable strength to hers.  This
scheme works best as an ambush, where the evil party can't teleport out or
easily escape.  Good is not equal to stupid.

If they ever complain that you are throwing unreasonable opponents at them,
tell them that an opponent should be able to have just as many powers and
items as they have.  If they still feel that they are being unreasonably
challenged, ask them to unload some of their more outlandish items.  (well,
it's worth a try).

This last scheme is what I feel is the nastyest.  First, carefully read the
spell "simulacrum".  It requires tiny bit of flesh from the original
creature, and produces a duplicate of them.  The duplicate has their same
stats, but (about) half their level and half their hits.  Also, this thing
is totally loyal to its creator!!!  If a 16th level MU became aware of your
super-girl, he would know that by getting some of her flesh, he could
create an army with phenomenal stats, about 50 hit points, and about the
following levels:  4th ftr, 7th ill, (and eventually thief, Mu, monk,
cleric).  Such an opportunity cannot be wasted!!  The ultra-powerful MU's
are going to be craving her flesh for their private armies, to sell on the
black (magic) market, a thousand uses!!  Of course, a little flesh goes a
long way.  Even a finger might supply a hundred simulacra.  Once a wizard
gets a hold of this prime skin, he'll want a monopoly on it.  The best thing
to do would be to send out an army of his simulacra.  Suddenly Super-girl
and her party are confronted with an army of identical super-girls... the
thought boggles the mind.

                             Nasty and loving it,
                                    Jay Parks
	{...,arizona,decvax,hao,ihnp4,sdcsvax,seismo,unc}!kpno!parks