Arjan
12-31-2004, 08:49 PM
I just optained a copy of Rifts World 02 Atlantis and found some very interesting ideas in it.
I was interested in how they handled the whole atlantis myth.
I read alot of info about atlantis lately and i really think a sort of spinoff atlantis continent would really fit in BR. will write more details on that later.
The first thing i read was about ley lines. they are very similar to the onces BR already use. chanel magic, tap into them etc etc.
the folowing text is from the Rifts book, and slightly adjusted to suit BR.
Ley Line Storm
Ley line storms are similar to a modern day electrical storm except these travel up and down leylines.
A typical storm will last 1d20x10 minutes, while the worst storms occur at the nexus points and last twice as long.
Although the storms are likened to conventional rainstorms, there is seldom rain during these storms. However, the skies turn a dark green-grey color, dark grey to black clouds roll in, the wind gusts at arround 35mph (56km) and a chill fills the air. Bluish white bolts of electrical energy shoot down from the sky and everything in the area of the storm crackles with a halo of energy.
Mystic scolars speculate that the storms recycle ley line energy and help to maintain an even flow of potential mebhaighl energy up and down the line.
Whene there is an overload or surge of energy the storm occurs shedding/burning up the excess, they point out that ley line storms often proceed the opening of a dimensional rift (? shadow world), particulare random rifts.
These maelstorm of mystic energy have dangerous effects on magic items and creatures of magic. Sidhelien and Halflings flee at the first hints of these storms. The storms always have a strange and often terrible affect on practitioners of magic, creatures of magic and spellcasting.
note: A ley line storm may occur at any time along any ley line or sea. they are NOT limited to occurrences on the present day ley lines but can affect ancient leylines as well.
the folowing things occur during a ley line storm.
- the nexuses (source holdings) cannot be tapped during a storm. (its being burned up by the storm)
- The effect of magic cast within the storm area is distorted.
Roll a D20 each time magic is used or a spel is cast. (this includes magical items. even bloodsilver)
1-4) Magic powers are increased! Double range and damage (duration is not increased) The spellcaster cannot regulate damage or range. the magic is more powerfull but less controllable.
5-8) Magic powers are decreased! Reduce range and dammage by half (duration is not decreased)
9-12) Magic powers are completely negated. The magic is completely absorbed by the storm. NOTHING magical works (a temporary predicament)
13-16) Magic powers are completely wrong! The DM can switch spells at will (anything goes). It is wise not to use magic under these circumstances. Otherwise the range, damage, effects and duration of that spell are normal.
17-20)Magic discharge. Every time a spell is cast or a magic weapon is used there is a sound of thunder and the magic user is knocked of his feet from a sudden explotion in his face! (becomes flatfooted) and suffers 2d6 damage.
- Bolts of mehbaighl energy are attracted to anything magic in the area, including practitioners of magic, creatures of magic, all magical items, even to those who carry vos spelltattoos. The mebhaighl bolts look like a blue-white bolt of lightning.
non magical creatures struck by a bolt suffer 1d10 points of damage and is teleported 2d6 x 10 yards down the ley line (instant and disorienting).
Creature of magic (this includes blooded scions) suffer 1d20 points of damage and temporarely drains them of all magical energy. (ie bloodlines are reduced to 0. Magical beasts loose all theire power etc.)
- Creatures who are hidden by magic suddenly appear to grow or shrink and their features become distorted. Getting hit by a mebhaighl bolt (1-44%) transform them into their true shape.
- All psionic characters and similar creatures suffer from major headaches (-3 on initiative and -1 on attack, parry and dodge)
- magic illusions disappear
- Existing Shadow World portals close at onces
- All forms of ley line communication during a storm is impossible
- Ley line transportation is possible, but risky. The cost is twice as much and there is a 50% change that the transportation is destined at the desired location. 25% change the transportation ended halfway and 25% the transportation ended 1d10 miles off course and away from the ley line.
Random events that can happen during a leyline storm. (1d20 every 30min of storm)
1-4) Air lift. Everybody crackles with energy and rises 10 feet above the ground. They are pushed by the wind along the leyling for 2d6 minutes.
5-8) Rolling thunder! A huge black cloud races low to the ground along the entire width of a ley line. speed is about 60mph (96.5km). Everybody hit by the thundercloud is drenched with water, temporarily deafened by the sound of rumbling thunder, loses all attacks for one full round and is swept of his feet.
9-12) Euphoria. Everybody feels great. happy and cheerfull. many will start to laugh, sing or act silly as if intoxicated. those who are wounded will have 2d6 hit points restored. and minor illnesses will disappear.On the downside, the characters feel no fear or hostility toward anything, including known enemies. They will not attack unless attacked first. Euphoria typically lasts 2d4 minutes.
13-16) Dinensional Flux. The one minute they are on cerilia, the next moment they are in the shadowworld. It is if they have gone into a giant cloud. After what seems to be only 1d4 minutes they appear back in the same spot where they had been when the flux occured. However, the storm is over and 2d6 hours have passed.
17-20) A dimensional rift opens! i leave it to the DM as to whether anything bad or troublesome comings slithering out of the rift from the Shadow world. Dont bee to rough on the characters, This can be played for humor as well as drama
I was interested in how they handled the whole atlantis myth.
I read alot of info about atlantis lately and i really think a sort of spinoff atlantis continent would really fit in BR. will write more details on that later.
The first thing i read was about ley lines. they are very similar to the onces BR already use. chanel magic, tap into them etc etc.
the folowing text is from the Rifts book, and slightly adjusted to suit BR.
Ley Line Storm
Ley line storms are similar to a modern day electrical storm except these travel up and down leylines.
A typical storm will last 1d20x10 minutes, while the worst storms occur at the nexus points and last twice as long.
Although the storms are likened to conventional rainstorms, there is seldom rain during these storms. However, the skies turn a dark green-grey color, dark grey to black clouds roll in, the wind gusts at arround 35mph (56km) and a chill fills the air. Bluish white bolts of electrical energy shoot down from the sky and everything in the area of the storm crackles with a halo of energy.
Mystic scolars speculate that the storms recycle ley line energy and help to maintain an even flow of potential mebhaighl energy up and down the line.
Whene there is an overload or surge of energy the storm occurs shedding/burning up the excess, they point out that ley line storms often proceed the opening of a dimensional rift (? shadow world), particulare random rifts.
These maelstorm of mystic energy have dangerous effects on magic items and creatures of magic. Sidhelien and Halflings flee at the first hints of these storms. The storms always have a strange and often terrible affect on practitioners of magic, creatures of magic and spellcasting.
note: A ley line storm may occur at any time along any ley line or sea. they are NOT limited to occurrences on the present day ley lines but can affect ancient leylines as well.
the folowing things occur during a ley line storm.
- the nexuses (source holdings) cannot be tapped during a storm. (its being burned up by the storm)
- The effect of magic cast within the storm area is distorted.
Roll a D20 each time magic is used or a spel is cast. (this includes magical items. even bloodsilver)
1-4) Magic powers are increased! Double range and damage (duration is not increased) The spellcaster cannot regulate damage or range. the magic is more powerfull but less controllable.
5-8) Magic powers are decreased! Reduce range and dammage by half (duration is not decreased)
9-12) Magic powers are completely negated. The magic is completely absorbed by the storm. NOTHING magical works (a temporary predicament)
13-16) Magic powers are completely wrong! The DM can switch spells at will (anything goes). It is wise not to use magic under these circumstances. Otherwise the range, damage, effects and duration of that spell are normal.
17-20)Magic discharge. Every time a spell is cast or a magic weapon is used there is a sound of thunder and the magic user is knocked of his feet from a sudden explotion in his face! (becomes flatfooted) and suffers 2d6 damage.
- Bolts of mehbaighl energy are attracted to anything magic in the area, including practitioners of magic, creatures of magic, all magical items, even to those who carry vos spelltattoos. The mebhaighl bolts look like a blue-white bolt of lightning.
non magical creatures struck by a bolt suffer 1d10 points of damage and is teleported 2d6 x 10 yards down the ley line (instant and disorienting).
Creature of magic (this includes blooded scions) suffer 1d20 points of damage and temporarely drains them of all magical energy. (ie bloodlines are reduced to 0. Magical beasts loose all theire power etc.)
- Creatures who are hidden by magic suddenly appear to grow or shrink and their features become distorted. Getting hit by a mebhaighl bolt (1-44%) transform them into their true shape.
- All psionic characters and similar creatures suffer from major headaches (-3 on initiative and -1 on attack, parry and dodge)
- magic illusions disappear
- Existing Shadow World portals close at onces
- All forms of ley line communication during a storm is impossible
- Ley line transportation is possible, but risky. The cost is twice as much and there is a 50% change that the transportation is destined at the desired location. 25% change the transportation ended halfway and 25% the transportation ended 1d10 miles off course and away from the ley line.
Random events that can happen during a leyline storm. (1d20 every 30min of storm)
1-4) Air lift. Everybody crackles with energy and rises 10 feet above the ground. They are pushed by the wind along the leyling for 2d6 minutes.
5-8) Rolling thunder! A huge black cloud races low to the ground along the entire width of a ley line. speed is about 60mph (96.5km). Everybody hit by the thundercloud is drenched with water, temporarily deafened by the sound of rumbling thunder, loses all attacks for one full round and is swept of his feet.
9-12) Euphoria. Everybody feels great. happy and cheerfull. many will start to laugh, sing or act silly as if intoxicated. those who are wounded will have 2d6 hit points restored. and minor illnesses will disappear.On the downside, the characters feel no fear or hostility toward anything, including known enemies. They will not attack unless attacked first. Euphoria typically lasts 2d4 minutes.
13-16) Dinensional Flux. The one minute they are on cerilia, the next moment they are in the shadowworld. It is if they have gone into a giant cloud. After what seems to be only 1d4 minutes they appear back in the same spot where they had been when the flux occured. However, the storm is over and 2d6 hours have passed.
17-20) A dimensional rift opens! i leave it to the DM as to whether anything bad or troublesome comings slithering out of the rift from the Shadow world. Dont bee to rough on the characters, This can be played for humor as well as drama