X-Topic-No: 12 Date: Mon, 7 Nov 1994 17:09:33 -0600 From: ckobar@dttus.com To: mage-l@wizards.com Subject: Paradox Flaws: A Very Different Idea Message-ID: I have been thinking of a whole new way of using Paradox Flaws that accomplishes (I do believe) all of the following: 1) Gives the player near-complete control over how the Flaw manifests; 2) Reinforces the "offending" mage's Tradition and paradigm; 3) Adds a whole new depth to a mage's existence; 4) Gives a true World of DARKNESS flavor to the game; and 5) Emphasizes STORY over RULES Okay, here's my idea: When a mage has accumulated Paradox (whether a moment earlier or months ago) he or she is well aware of it. They realize that within their pattern, their very soul/Avatar perhaps, there is a fundamental "problem". This "problem"/Paradox will only grow if denied. In order to address the "problem", mages have discovered that they can avoid the worst "problems" by expelling the built up Paradox before it is too late (and uncontrollable). Now, mage's don't know exactly what is going on when they "release" some of the pent-up Paradox within themselves, but they are able to direct some of this awful energy. The thing is, each Tradition has found its own ways to release this Paradox. In order to accomplish the task then, every Tradition must actively "give" the Paradox an outlet, so to speak. These various "outlets" are based entirely upon a Tradition's primary sphere of understanding. Basically, the mages must "find a channel" through which the Paradox may disipate. Usually, a channel results from an action of the mage. This creates a kind of "resonance" thing, allowing Flaws to add some real depth. Some examples are as follows: Euthanatos (Entropy) -- These mages are able to release Paradox through destruction, decay and disarray. A mage could shatter his watch in order to release a point or two of Pardox, or actually kill someone, releasing a good bit more. By setting off a bomb beneath the world trade center, a GREAT deal of Paradox can be safely expunged from the mage...(Begins to create the cold killer and destructive bastard image) Virtual Adepts (Correspondence) -- Paradox can be channeled from the mage via computer networks (E-mail, Internet, etc.). The flaws usually take the forms of viruses and such, but sometimes they are actually important files or messages sent to the "wrong" person...(Begins to create the anarch hacker image) Verbena (Life) -- Because of their strong ties to all living things, these mages must have their Flaws manifest in either themselves or other living things (can you say familiar?). Diseases, injuries, etc. are all typical. The mage must actually cause the Flaw by actively doing something to their target. The more Paradox to be tossed, the more radical the manifestation. (Begins to create the classical witch image that others fear) Order of Hermes (Forces) -- The hermetic mages find that he or she must rid themselves of dangerous "energies" within by literally "grounding" themselves to objects or beings. The discharge may be simple static that lasts for a short time or blazing heat that causes spontaneous combustion in another. Very dangerous... (Begins to create the "blasting wizard" image) Naturally, these are just a few ideas. As someone suggested, the Technocracy would "discharge" Paradox via technical malfunctions and so forth. Orphans would have to "invent" their own type of channel, which they would then always rely upon. Backlash, Paradox Realms and Paradox Spirits would similarly manifest in ways that accentuated and concentrated on the mage's Tradition and sphere of primary concern, not on whatever magicks caused the Paradox in the first place. This adds more to the character's paradigm than completely changing results every time. This way a character can come to have a dread, as they kind of "know" what sort of things always happen when Paradox comes a'knockin! Thoughts? Aurelius, Am I in Quiet, or What?