The Worlds of Katherine Kurtz

Role-Playing and Other Games => Ghosts of the Past Game => Topic started by: Bynw on January 16, 2018, 06:51:16 PM

Title: Items for the Game
Post by: Bynw on January 16, 2018, 06:51:16 PM
Fun with Merasha

Merasha can be delivered to its victim in a couple of different ways. The first way is to hide it in food or drink. Thus any taste of it is masked by whatever one is eating.

If it is delivered via food or drink a Human gets to make a Standard Test. Failure means that they become a bit tired and fatigued. But are able to push through it. All tests while under the influence of Merasha are one pip higher. Thus a regular test will only succeed on a 6. And a Focus will only succeed on a 5 or 6. It is hard to focus when very sleepy. A roll of double 1 could mean that the Human has simply gone to sleep. They can be woken up.

Any Deryni that gets a taste of Merasha in his food or drink must make a Standard Test. Failure means that they loose the ability to use their powers. They also cannot use the Focus action as their minds are out of focus. Rolling a double 1 will cause the Deryni to have convulsions. And like their Human friends. All other tests are at 1 pip higher.

The 2nd delivery method is via a sharp instrument. Be it a hidden needle on a door latch, or from a Deryni Pricker of old Gwynedd. Or even the blade or arrow of an enemy. In addition to any damage in HP that the character may receive from such an attack. Again a Human gets to make a Standard Test to resist the sleeping beast. With the same results as above on Failure.

A Dernyi is not that fortunate. If one is attacked in this manner. The Test to resist is at a Disadvantage. Rolling a 1 on that test and the Deryni will go into convulsions just like he would with the food method of delivery. Again Failure means that the Deryni cannot use Focus and all of his powers are unusable.

And lastly. Any Deryni that links his mind with a Deryni who has been poisoned (failed the Test) must make a Standard Test to resist the invluence or suffer the same fate as his companion.

Merasha's affects don't last long. They generally leave the body after a day or two. Depending on out potent the dosage was that was received. It of course can be extended indefinitely if the victim keeps getting a fresh dose of the poison.
Title: Re: Items for the Game
Post by: Laurna on January 17, 2018, 01:04:01 PM
Healers  and some trained Deryni with some experience with Meresha poisoning have proven (in the books) that they can help the victim reduce convulsions and ease the victim's muddled mind to sleep. Are you going to allow this. Can a test be done for this? Although (again in the books) a healer can not attempt to heal wounds, as it muddles their mind's too. Is there any practical "first aid" means of healing to help a Meresha victim survive to gain back, say one hit point, until they have had time to recover from the poisoning.

Title: Re: Items for the Game
Post by: Bynw on January 17, 2018, 01:06:17 PM
Yes I'm sure there is a way to do that ... and we may discover it sooner or later :)
Title: Re: Items for the Game
Post by: Bynw on April 28, 2018, 11:50:44 AM
unnamed Deryni-specific drug. Used for healing of course.

It works faster than Merasha, robbing the victim of his powers instantly. Like it's cousin Merasha, it also renders the victim physically helpless. All actions are at a 6 only Disadvantage. With one's powers gone, the Shields of the victim are erroded and contact to his mind is easier than entering the mind of Human.

Unlike Merasha, there are no ill effects for making mental or physical contact with the victim in question. And Humans are completely unaffected by the substance.

This drug can be given with food/wine or via any piercing of the skin by any object. A needle, a blade, or arrow. 
Title: Re: Items for the Game
Post by: Laurna on April 28, 2018, 12:11:56 PM
WHAT! NO WAY!
No ill effects from making mental contact. Renders victim magically and physically helpless? Contact to the victim's mind is easier than entering a Human mind?
Are there no savings for the victim at all?
OMG
Title: Re: Items for the Game
Post by: revanne on April 28, 2018, 12:52:40 PM
So a healer would be able still to work on any other injuries.

Can a healer act in any way to counteract the effects of the drug?
Title: Re: Items for the Game
Post by: Bynw on April 28, 2018, 01:53:51 PM
Tavis used such drugs on Rhys which is how he "learned" about the blocking ability, straight from Rhys' unprotected mind. Rhys even told Tavis to fill him up with the drugs he swore only to use for healing and wade right in. So yes it does exist. And yes it is very useful for healing practices. And like any tool or Power, it can be used for evil.

And yes for short periods, just like Merasha, it can be overcome with great effort. I'm going to say there is an antidote for it. That quickens the recovery time once taken. Anyone have an old healer text around? Maybe in the King's Library.
Title: Re: Items for the Game
Post by: Jerusha on April 28, 2018, 03:48:05 PM
There is one in Baron de Tehryn's underground chamber, but that won't help us in this story.  Sigh....

Well done, revanne, for finding a silver lining in Bynw's latest game strategy.  We may need it.

Title: Re: Items for the Game
Post by: Laurna on April 28, 2018, 04:11:26 PM
Quote from: Jerusha on April 28, 2018, 03:48:05 PM
There is one in Baron de Tehryn's underground chamber, but that won't help us in this story.  Sigh....

Well done, revanne, for finding a silver lining in Bynw's latest game strategy.  We may need it.

Oh how old would the triplets be? Perhaps Lady Jana had a copy made and it was a gift to Archbishop Duncan.

So I reread the part where Tavis drugged Rhys ( :'(   we won't take about the consequence to this the day after. :'( ) Rhys only had a few minutes before he fell to his knees and then another minute or so when Tavis says "He's (Rhys) not exactly asleep-- more like a sort of twilight state. He can hear us, but he can't react much. His shields are all but gone."

Bynw, I fear Feyd will not be half as nice as Tavis was and still Rhys died the next day. Feyd's mark will be in trouble. eeck.
Title: Re: Items for the Game
Post by: Bynw on April 28, 2018, 05:39:26 PM
Quote from: Laurna on April 28, 2018, 04:11:26 PM
Quote from: Jerusha on April 28, 2018, 03:48:05 PM
There is one in Baron de Tehryn's underground chamber, but that won't help us in this story.  Sigh....

Well done, revanne, for finding a silver lining in Bynw's latest game strategy.  We may need it.

Oh how old would the triplets be? Perhaps Lady Jana had a copy made and it was a gift to Archbishop Duncan.

So I reread the part where Tavis drugged Rhys ( :'(   we won't take about the consequence to this the day after. :'( ) Rhys only had a few minutes before he fell to his knees and then another minute or so when Tavis says "He's (Rhys) not exactly asleep-- more like a sort of twilight state. He can hear us, but he can't react much. His shields are all but gone."

Bynw, I fear Feyd will not be half as nice as Tavis was and still Rhys died the next day. Feyd's mark will be in trouble. eeck.

No we will not talk about the consequences at all of the day after. :'(

Feyd doesn't want the mark dead however. And to apply any such attack they would have to be alone. Feyd would have to be ready to strike and then take the mark via Portal immediately so even if someone comes across the incident. POOF Feyd and the mark will be gone. 
Title: Re: Items for the Game
Post by: Jerusha on April 28, 2018, 07:39:17 PM
The question is, which mark is Feyd after? 
Title: Re: Items for the Game
Post by: Jerusha on April 29, 2018, 12:56:39 PM
Quote from: Laurna on April 28, 2018, 04:11:26 PM
Quote from: Jerusha on April 28, 2018, 03:48:05 PM
There is one in Baron de Tehryn's underground chamber, but that won't help us in this story.  Sigh....

Well done, revanne, for finding a silver lining in Bynw's latest game strategy.  We may need it.

Oh how old would the triplets be? Perhaps Lady Jana had a copy made and it was a gift to Archbishop Duncan.

So I reread the part where Tavis drugged Rhys ( :'(   we won't take about the consequence to this the day after. :'( ) Rhys only had a few minutes before he fell to his knees and then another minute or so when Tavis says "He's (Rhys) not exactly asleep-- more like a sort of twilight state. He can hear us, but he can't react much. His shields are all but gone."

Bynw, I fear Feyd will not be half as nice as Tavis was and still Rhys died the next day. Feyd's mark will be in trouble. eeck.

If my math is correct, the triplets would be 39 in 1164. 
Title: Re: Items for the Game
Post by: Bynw on April 30, 2018, 12:37:49 PM
I was looking at the official game rules for Merasha in the Deryni Adventure Game, which uses Fudge as the rule set which is quite different from Tiny D6.

If I translated those over to Tiny D6, it would not be good for the characters. Fudge is pretty harsh when it comes to Merasha. Nasty stuff it is for a Deryni or a human with Power.
Title: Re: Items for the Game
Post by: Jerusha on April 30, 2018, 12:50:18 PM
No translation, please!  :o
Title: Re: Items for the Game
Post by: revanne on April 30, 2018, 02:28:40 PM
So someone had better work out how to get the stuff into Valerian!
Title: Re: Items for the Game
Post by: Evie on April 30, 2018, 02:37:06 PM
Quote from: Bynw on April 28, 2018, 01:53:51 PM
Tavis used such drugs on Rhys which is how he "learned" about the blocking ability, straight from Rhys' unprotected mind. Rhys even told Tavis to fill him up with the drugs he swore only to use for healing and wade right in. So yes it does exist. And yes it is very useful for healing practices. And like any tool or Power, it can be used for evil.

And yes for short periods, just like Merasha, it can be overcome with great effort. I'm going to say there is an antidote for it. That quickens the recovery time once taken. Anyone have an old healer text around? Maybe in the King's Library.

I wonder if there might be a handy Healer's potion recipe or counterspell in Aliset's family grimoire?   ;D
Title: Re: Items for the Game
Post by: Bynw on April 30, 2018, 03:26:59 PM
For a Hero Point. it's a possibility :)
Title: Re: Items for the Game
Post by: Evie on April 30, 2018, 03:42:09 PM
Quote from: Bynw on April 30, 2018, 03:26:59 PM
For a Hero Point. it's a possibility :)

Might be a worthwhile use of a Hero Point.   ;D
Title: Re: Items for the Game
Post by: Laurna on April 30, 2018, 03:46:43 PM
First off, Both Columcil and Washburn are Healers from the Thuryn line. What is the possibility that they may rediscover Rhys' blocking technique.  No drugs necessary. LOL
Title: Re: Items for the Game
Post by: Bynw on February 09, 2019, 05:24:18 PM
Extract of Stenrect Crawler Venom

The sting of a Stenrect Crawler is very fatal. Fortunately these magical creatures are not normally found anywhere in the wild. They are only summoned to a location by a skilled Deryni Mage, and generally an unethical one at that.

The extraction of the venom of a Strenrect Crawler is known only to a very few. One wrong move and the Deryni attempting to obtain the venom will be it's victim instead. It is rumored in some select circles that the Deryni faction known as the Black Order of Death has perfected the calling of this creature and the extraction of its venom.

However it may be obtained it is used on the blade or other sharp instrument that penetrates the skin and draws out the blood of the victim. The victim usually does not survive the attack.

The venom, in this form, causes intense and constant pain with the victim unable to perform any other actions. They will bleed from their eyes, collapse under convulsions and then enter the mercy of being unconscious.

In game terms. The player must make a Save Test ever turn for 1d6+1 turns. For each failed Test the character takes 1 HP of damage.

It is said, that the Black Order of Death has a distilled and more potent version of this poison.
Title: Re: Items for the Game
Post by: Jerusha on February 09, 2019, 09:09:00 PM
Were not merasha-soaked crossbow bolts bad enough?  Geez, Bynw!
Title: Re: Items for the Game
Post by: Bynw on February 09, 2019, 09:38:20 PM
Quote from: Jerusha on February 09, 2019, 09:09:00 PM
Were not merasha-soaked crossbow bolts bad enough?  Geez, Bynw!

Oh this isn't anything new. This is what Feyd used against Brioc de Paor. He unfortunately survived.
Title: Re: Items for the Game
Post by: Laurna on February 09, 2019, 10:08:59 PM
Any chance the Black Order developed an antidote. I mean you wouldn't want to accidentally cut your self with your own knife and not have a way to survive it.
Title: Re: Items for the Game
Post by: Bynw on February 10, 2019, 09:14:20 AM
Quote from: Laurna on February 09, 2019, 10:08:59 PM
Any chance the Black Order developed an antidote. I mean you wouldn't want to accidentally cut your self with your own knife and not have a way to survive it.

That would be telling.