What constitutes horror corruption?

Discussion on game mastering Earthdawn. May contain spoilers; caution is recommended!
Rajaat99
Posts: 40
Joined: Sun Dec 16, 2012 5:21 am
[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/vendor/twig/twig/lib/Twig/Extension/Core.php on line 1266: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable

What constitutes horror corruption?

Postby Rajaat99 » Fri Dec 21, 2012 9:24 am

Reading over artisan skills, a few questions popped into my mind. What constitutes Horror corruption? When is a Name-Giver considered Corrupted? Would a Horror mark be enough to cause the Name-Giver to fail artisan checks?

Oofje
Posts: 22
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2012 9:58 am
[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/vendor/twig/twig/lib/Twig/Extension/Core.php on line 1266: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable

Re: What constitutes horror corruption?

Postby Oofje » Fri Dec 21, 2012 9:57 am

A Horror Mark is 'passive' as well as 'active'.
Passive in a sense that a horror does not actively have to use the Mark to cause corruption. To answer your last question: Yes, a Horror Mark itself will be enough to cause the Name-Giver to fail the artisan skill check, in that it will never be a 'positive' result.

Active in a sense that a horror can 'suggest' things to the Marked Name-Giver, and grant that Name-Giver special powers, such as Horror Karma.

More info can be found in the Gamemaster's Guide and Companion

treorai
Posts: 49
Joined: Thu Dec 01, 2011 1:54 pm
[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/vendor/twig/twig/lib/Twig/Extension/Core.php on line 1266: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable

Re: What constitutes horror corruption?

Postby treorai » Fri Dec 21, 2012 3:12 pm

Only one Horror actually causes a breakdown of creative beauty (I can't remember what it's Named, off the top of my head). The whole "Horror tainted people can't create beauty!" is largely an in-setting myth and tradition, thus why there are no rules saying how corrupted you have to be to fail artisan skill checks.
My Fading Suns Epic:

LouP
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Nov 10, 2011 10:57 pm
[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/vendor/twig/twig/lib/Twig/Extension/Core.php on line 1266: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable

Re: What constitutes horror corruption?

Postby LouP » Fri Dec 21, 2012 3:39 pm

Hello,

I'm not so sure I agree with Oofje on this. I never considered "Horror Marked" to be equal to "Horror Corruption", and while a Horror Mark certainly *could* cause a character to fail his/her Artisan Skill test, I don't think it *should* always do so.

I actually think that your "passive/active" distinction should apply to Artisan Skill tests. Obviously if the Horror is using the mark to influence the character while the character makes an Artisan Skill test he/she should fail the test, but if/when the Horror is not actively influencing the character, they should be able to pass their Artisan Skill test.

One of the reasons I have this opinion is that IMO, one of the scarier aspects of Horror Marks is that a character can never be 100% sure if they have one or not. There is no test that indicates a character is marked. Ruling that marked characters always fail their Artisan Skill tests is too easy.

This approach also leaves more room for the Gamemaster to determine the effects of being Horror Marked, and how being corrupted by a Horror might manifest.


Take Care,

Lou Prosperi

LouP
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Nov 10, 2011 10:57 pm
[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/vendor/twig/twig/lib/Twig/Extension/Core.php on line 1266: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable

Re: What constitutes horror corruption?

Postby LouP » Fri Dec 21, 2012 3:42 pm


Rajaat99
Posts: 40
Joined: Sun Dec 16, 2012 5:21 am
[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/vendor/twig/twig/lib/Twig/Extension/Core.php on line 1266: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable

Re: What constitutes horror corruption?

Postby Rajaat99 » Sat Dec 22, 2012 10:57 am

Thanks for the insight everyone, I appreciate it. If anyone else wants to throw in their 2 cents, don't let Lou scare you off.

Telarus_KSC
Posts: 744
Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2011 3:26 am
[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/vendor/twig/twig/lib/Twig/Extension/Core.php on line 1266: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable

Re: What constitutes horror corruption?

Postby Telarus_KSC » Sat Dec 22, 2012 5:36 pm

I see it similar to Lou. I have also used the Raw Magic Table (also seen in the Astral Sensing difficulty table) to assign vague corruption levels to areas, characters, items, etc (based on how much the PC/NPC capitulates to the Horror, or takes independent action to feed the Horror at others' expense, or has been exposed to the Horror's magic repeatedly &/or puppet-ed).

Muthare
Posts: 19
Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2013 9:25 am
[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/vendor/twig/twig/lib/Twig/Extension/Core.php on line 1266: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable

Re: What constitutes horror corruption?

Postby Muthare » Sat Jan 05, 2013 9:51 am

I treat art check a little diferently, more like in real life- when ppl rly put their hearts to create art their inner selves is exposed, so abuse victims often draw what happened to them, because they cant stop thinking about it, sociopaths cant create their own art, they can copy though. So wrecked name-giver would draw horrying images of what he dreams of when horror "speaks".
But if person is just horror marked non professional eye can't rly say anything especialy if such a name giver learns how to woodcarve a little flower, its not what he wants to create but its just learned patern to repeat- althought crafts and art oriented adept shoud be able to tell (half magic roll) if item is faked or not.
Similarly horror specialist nethermancer, or a troubadour should be able to tell if persons art is affected by a horror even at very early stages.

tlinkenback
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 3:47 pm
[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/vendor/twig/twig/lib/Twig/Extension/Core.php on line 1266: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable

Re: What constitutes horror corruption?

Postby tlinkenback » Sun Jan 06, 2013 4:12 pm

IMO, two answers.

First, for someone to be corrupted by a Horror, they need to not only be marked, but also need to be aware of that, and actively working WITH the Horror. I can imagine some good stories along that path, but ultimately, that's a player who's going to turn over their character to the GM. Is this maybe the ultimate result from one too many Thought Worms or Karma Taps?

Second (and more to your point, I think), is whether an artistic skill can be used to detect this. I always thought that it was very amusing that the (in-game) population thought that these extremely powerful astral monstrosities could be found out by a simple paintbrush. I always treated the use of an artistic skill as a Horror detection mechanism as a case of urban myth - the people believe it, but it will never truly detect taint. On the other hand, especially in a situation like a witch hunt (been to Hanto, anyone?), all you have to do is claim that you see something in someone's art, and it could be a very powerful tool, either to discredit someone, or even have them stoned.

Muthare
Posts: 19
Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2013 9:25 am
[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/vendor/twig/twig/lib/Twig/Extension/Core.php on line 1266: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable

Re: What constitutes horror corruption?

Postby Muthare » Sun Jan 06, 2013 5:54 pm

tlinken but art isnt used to detect huge astral being, rather huge imprints this beings leave on name givers.
Same way as godzilla leaves footprints all over manhattan :)

Victim of the horror doesnt have to be willing, there are powers tht corrupt slowly without permission, although its definitely easier to affect a willing ( or submissive) target.


[phpBB Debug] PHP Warning: in file [ROOT]/vendor/twig/twig/lib/Twig/Extension/Core.php on line 1266: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable

Return to “For Game Masters”



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests