RE: [HOE] Borg Questions

["Jeff Yates" <jyates@poboxes.com>]

My books are at home, but I'll tell ya what I can remember:

>
> Regarding Harrowed Powers:
>
> 1. While Relic is listed as a Harrowed Power, would it be considered one
> in terms of a Borg's power focus?

In our group (me and one other being the Marshals), Relic requires a power
focus.  The power of the Manitou infuses the relic object with power.  The
fetter intercepts all the manitou's power, cutting off the relic.  A power
focus is needed to channel some energy to the relic object.  That's our take
on this one.

>
> 2. How do you handle Supernatural Traits?  Are they always "on" or do
> you deal with the micro-management of the power focus, spending drain,
> each time you want access to them?  If the later is the case, how do you
> deal with stats that modify other elements such as skill points, wind,
> etc.?

Haven't run up against this one yet.  The borgs in our group (only two so
far, and one died when a nuke went off!) didn't take Super Trait because
they didn't want it in general, or didn't feel that having a focus for it
was worth the trouble.  So -- we do think a focus is necessary, but haven't
thought any further because no player is going to be using it.

>
> Regarding Samson:
>
> 1. In the description, does slots = mounts?  Is this just a typo?

Can't remember.

>
> 2. What exactly are the consequence for not taking Samson in all
> locations?  Is balance effected?  Pace?  What happens exactly?

The non-Samson body parts can't keep up with the Samson parts.  So, taking
only one leg would be just too weird.  Taking Samson in both legs would get
you a strong kick, and a pace enhancement (IIRC).  But you couldn't lift any
more than your unenhanced arms or back could carry.  Taking Samson arms but
not torso would get you a really solid handshake, but without the torso to
support it you gain no lifting ability.  Samsonized head is just silly,
unless maybe you like to headbutt alot.

>
> 3. If you HAVE to take it in all locations, why bother with seperate
> costs?

You don't have to take it in all locations IIRC, but not having it in some
locations limits the usefulness of the locations that do have Samson.

>
> 4.  If you take it in all locations, are you paying 2 drain or 10 (or 12
> if you also have it in your head)?

I've got nothing for this one.

>
> Regarding Drain:
>
> 1.  Drain for limbs makes sense, but why exactly do you require 1 point
> of drain for a head and torso?  I can imagine some obvious explanations,
> but this isn't defined - what happens exactly if you choose not to (or
> cannot) pay the drain?

The torso does have servos etc to make it stronger, so that the beefed up
arms and legs can do their thing to full effect.  Otherwise your middle
parts would just be stiff and unmoveable because of the metal framework to
support the strength of the Samson limbs.  No bending to pick stuff up, no
turning to look over your shoulder -- the back/spine bends and flexes an
awful lot, and without the Samson servos to move the enhanced metal frame
about, your Borg can't use that flex.

>
> 2.  Why exactly does armor (as in the type that is basically metal
> pieces strapped to your frame) require drain?  Again - what happens if
> you don't pay for it?

This is a good one.  The Borgs in the group so far were either infiltrators
without the armor, or a super-heavy can where the armor would've needed to
be articulated/powered so it could move with the Borg.  There's some lighter
armor types, but I don't remember enough about them to be any specific help.
I can say this:  in the old west Deadlands, Mad Scientist armor was heavy
and bulky, and impacted Nimbleness and/or Deftness in a bad way.  The new
Borg armor might be powered so it can move with the Borg, so that it doesn't
bring down the Nimbleness or Deftness stats.

Now, if any of this gear that uses drain (heavy armor, Samson limbs) isn't
provided drain, I'd probably rule that either the affected limb can't move,
or that Nimbleness or Deftness is severely affected.

Can anyone with their books handy make me look bad? ;-)

Jeff Y.