Vahnyu

M&M Dungeons and Dragons Preface: Dungeons and Dragons was the first tabletop roleplaying game that became commercially available, and while it had its ups and downs throughout its publication, it has remained the most consistanly successful one, both in sales figures and in public awareness. It is also somewhat an unbalanced if not broken mess of a game(or games, if you talk about each of its editions seperately, the 4th one notwithstanding), especially in regards to its character class design, which is the main bulk of a player character's abilities. The advent of the d20 system saw a rise in offshoots, roleplaying games borrowing heavily from DnD in terms of mechanics, while trying something different with the fluff and scope of the game. While these new games enjoyed varying levels of success, some of them, such as Gamma World, the 7th Sea, Star Wars(Especially the Saga Edition), and Call of Cthulhu, managed a great degree of identity and commercial success, not enough to usurp the reign of DnD, but enough to be considered one of the greats. Mutants and Masterminds, the system we are using in this site, is one such game, and the degree of differentiation was so big, that the system didn't take much before it effectively grew into grew into a monster of its own. One of the things M&M sports is a point-buy system, which levels the field between different player characters of comperatively similar point cost by quite a big a degree. Certainly, it is still quite possible to make a character who is way more powerful or far too weaker than his point cost would indicate, but the careful scrutiny from a watchful GM, which the system encourages, helps mitigate such concerns. Which brings us to the topic I'd like to explore: Making it possible to play a DnD-esque game, using the Mutants and Masterminds rules-system. A Disclamer: It is nigh-impossible to translate DnD into M&M, and even if one were to make several concenssions, the end result would still be very different from what it is to play DnD. Therefor, I won't even bother with that. What I aim to do, is find a way to approximate the feel of DnD as much as possible. That includes making a few choice judgement calls were needed. The characters created won't be outright superhuman, not even the spellcasters, but they will be close. Very close, indeed. Additionally, let me state it here and now that what I create is DEFINITELY NOT the very definitive M&M conversion of D&D. It's nothing more than me playing around with the M&M rules and character creation, for my amusement. If you wish to play using the archetypes I'll present, or even if you simply want to borrow ideas, by all means be my guest, but if you don't, if you outright disagree with my views and ideas, then by all means feel free to ignore them. I won't tell you how to play your game, or what you should want. M&M greatly encourages players and Game Masters to actuallize their vision, while still working under a strict rules-set, and you should not, at any point, feel restricted by my thoughts and opinions. Some Ground Rules: I will be working under the assumption that the House Rules of this site are in effect. By NO means does this make the DnD characters I create 'legal' for play in this site. M&M has a few things that don't quite work thematically for DnD, such as the Computers skill, and the house-rulled Knowledge skills. I will be modifying them for the purposes of this conversion were applicable, such as reflavoring Computers as Magical Devices. I will be working for 3.5 edition classes, since I have an actual familiarity with them. The end results won't be 100% 1-to-1 reflective of their DnD inspirations/counterparts. I will instead be aiming to make the archetypes as iconic and evocative as possible, and within reason. DnD character creation works on several different fronts, from selecting your character's race to selecting skills and feats. That would be very difficult and counter-intuitive to manage in M&M, especially considering the fact that M&M works with hard Player Level-based Caps . I will instead seek to make an approximation. Classes are Archetypes. Races are Templates applied on top of Classes. The net cost of any given combination of Race and Class should be the same, 150PPs for a PL10 character. Equipment is handled very differently in M&M, from how it operates in DnD. Instead, I will be operating under the assumption that every character class, including spellcaster classes such as the wizard or the druid, derives many of its powers from quasi-magical or outright magical equipment(Devices), for simplicity's shake. While I'll be following the site format for Character Sheets, I won't add a few things, such as the DC Block, exact lifting power, etcetera, due to the way Races and Classes will work. The end result will be working under some slightly wonky PL Caps. This is unavoidable on my part, but I'll try to make things clear where possible. I will be working under the assumption that no multiclassing is possible. It would be sheer folly on my part to do so, due to the complex mathematics between stating/balancing the classes. Similar to how Melee and Ranged are valid targets for Attack Focus, I will be using Weapons and Spells. That is because in DnD, those two are wide enough descriptors so as to encompass every attack between them. That, and if they were subject to Attack Specialization, the crunch would simply not work for the PL Caps. Closing Words: With all of the above statements in mind, I will start by creating the Templates needed for our Characters' Races. I won't be doing much in the way of race and class fluff, focusing instead on their mechanical aspects.

Serge had taken off his shirt, leaving only his tanktop. He tested his jeans a bit, to see if he could move freely. Afterwards, he started dribling with the ball, to get a proper handle for it's size and weight, occasionally mock-shooting it in a completely upwards tranjectory. When he felt confident, he positioned himself roughly one step behind the foul line. Putting his right foot and hand in front, he lifted the ball above his head, while simultaneously taking a step forward with his right foot, bending slightly his left one. Upon completing the step, he propelled himself with a light jump in the air, while he released the ball from above his head with the right hand's wrist bending inwards. You wouldn't call that sequence graceful, but it WAS fluid, if unorthodox. The ball achieved a relatively high altitude before dropping straight downwards as it closed in on the basket, seemingly going for a swish, but Serge had miscalculated the distance and gave more power to the ball, which, instead of scoring through the net, hit the rim doing a toilet bowl, before eventually rolling outwards. "Well, not really bro, but the motion felt good. Guess that means we're teaming up." Serge responded to Subito with a light smile.

Hronos Primitive Culture Net Fly Being Yourself Flying Flag Undercity Manhunt

Who's got two thumbs and is flat-footed? 1d20+3 → [4,3] = (7) Dis guy!

Hronos frowned considerably. "I fear not, John Smith. Do not be mistaken, just having the Essense itself is not enough; you also require the means to properly control it. My body originally possessed all the means necessary for performing such tasks, but after spending the last 4 billion Earth years in what can be described a comatose state, after suffering intense damage, many of the necessary parts are still offline in repair mode. I still retain many time manipulation capabilities, but outright time travel is impossible for me to achieve at the forseeable future." Shaking his head, he adds "Is there anything else you wish to ask me? As I have already explained, my mission is far too urgent, and I need to be on my way as soon as possible."

My apologies, Supercape. Hronos seemed to go a bit there...

For a long time, Hronos regarded the man John Smith, as something about what he said sounded... off. However, Hronos could not sense any sort of dishonesty and trickery behind the man. He may be an insufferable arrogant being, but he so far appeared completely honest. "Very well." Hronos responded slowly, and he carefully descended on the ground, in the streets. "I shall now answer your questions, as you requested." Hronos said, as he let the man on his feet. Opening the white hatch on the front of his metalic breastplate, the Mechanodynamis exposed a Purple-hued source of light that flexed and shifted in seemingly random patterns. "This light is the Essense of Time. It is one of the five fundamendal Essenses that encompass the world, responsible for both the dimensional seperation and advancement of events occuring within the entire creation. I am a Mechanodynamis, one of five, created for the purpose of... 'holding' an Essense, this particular Essense in my case. The entire world is filled with Time, but this essense is its core, a nexus that channels Time, if you prefer. Furthermore, and by extension, I am tasked with ensuring that the integrity of Time is maintained. And that those who are able to utilise Time do so in a responsible way." With that, the hatch in his chest closed. "As for your questions pertrainning to time travel... What is it exactly that you wish to learn? A fundamendal principle to keep in mind is that the results vary depending on the method used to achieve time travel. Purely scientific methods are limited in that they do not, in fact, tap into Time, but rather, into Knowledge, another fundamendal Essense responsible for the rules that govern the interraction between entities, such as matter, anti-matter, etcetera." Hronos continued his lecture, making sure to pronounce 'etcetera' as 'etcetera', and not as its abbreviated form 'etc.'. "As such, they do not achieve time travel, in the sense that the changes caused do not affect the main timeline, but rather create an alternate timeline that deviates from that point on. It should also be noted that traveling in time backwards, in that case, would effectively lock the timetraveller out of the main timeline forever, even if the timetraveller were to use scientific methods to travel backwards or forwards. An interdimensional mode of transportation would be required to return the timetraveller in his original timeline, in conjuction with the interchronal mode of transportation he employed in the first place." "Non-scientific or non-purely scientific methods of interchronal travel are a different matter, though, since they do not rely exclusively on the Essense of Knowledge, they may be able to tap into the Essense of Time, and thus able to achieve true time travel if so desired. In such cases, the changes are permanent for the main timeline, without creating offshoot dimensions, though they can also be undone, by employing similar methods. However, depending on the situation, the burden caused on Time may prove strainning, to the point that it could cause Time to break, or fluxate wildly. This would result in events not occuring on their right order, or worse, in events occuring in no order at all, everything happening at once on the same point forever!" "These are the main reasons that I have to attend to the incident in the park, aside from the fact that an accident could occur, causing people to lose their lives."

Sense Motive as a Full Round action(Quickness 3): 1d20+10 → [16,10] = (26)

Hronos had zoned out most of what John Smith had to say by now, and he simply continued flying, giving no sign of acknowledgement to the man's tiring repetitions of the same point over and over again. He felt sorely tempted to educate the man about the truth behind his so called , that just as physical concepts follow strict rules, so do mental and spiritual ones, but the plain fact of the matter was that the maintenance of the concept of free will and one's belief in it was one of the most important aspects of the creation, even if it was a complete and utter lie. He knew from experience that faaaar too many beings misinterpretate that as an excuse to not do anything. However, the last question was one that didn't fell on deaf ears. "That is correct. The Tyrannosaurus Rex materialised in this period as a result of tampering with the space-time continuum. The area where the dinosaur creature appeared has the highest probability of exhibiting a similar occurance. Therefore, taking you away from that area, would be the best course of action to ensure your safety. Afterwards, I will be able to investigate the incident without hindrance, find the ones responsible for causing that mayhem, and ensure that they realise how dangerous their actions could be, if they are carried without proper care."

The man with his innane prattle and sheer obnoxiousness had proven psychosomatically draining for Hronos, who wanted to be done with this whole debacle as soon as possible. "Yes. . I heard your statement the first time you made it, yet I see that you keep repeating it. Is it so important to your ego that I believe your words to be true? Or is it you who needs to believe them?" the Mechanodynamis half-asked, half-mocked attempts at throwing acerbic bile at him. Taking flight, Hronos steered away from the park, taking the man as far away as possible from the site.

Hronos' face didn't betray through it's metalic features surprise or any other emotion, other than slight annoyance, both at the man's attitude and at his attempt at shoving him. "Yes, you already stated your experience. Considering the fact that this planet is merely approximately 4 billion Earth years old, a time span that is a mere speck to the total of my existance and experience, I find it very hard to feel impressed." This time, Hronos carefully studied his opponent, and upon finding an opening, lunged once again, but instead of completing the grab as soon as he thought he had John Smith at his hands, he took an additional step first. "And this time, you will not evade my grasp."

Resist Trip: 1d20+4 → [1,4] = (5) Ouch. Spending 1 Hero point for Improve Roll 1d20+4 → [8,4] = (12) + 10 = 22. Full-Round Action Taking Aim. +5 atk Surge Extra Standard Action: Initiate Grapple Attack Roll: 1d20+11 → [16,11] = (27) Pending...

"Nor do you have the sense of self-awareness necessary to realise the hypocrisy in your statement, in conjuction with your previous ones, or you would realise that by stating thusly, you make your self more appropriate for the title ." Hronos noted, although by this point he was certain that his words were falling on deaf ears. "... John Smith. I am called Hronos. And regrettable as it may be, you leave me no other choice." The mechanical creature responded, and with that he opened his azure arms wide, and went to grab the man. For a small moment, Hronos felt sure that he had succeeded in grabbing him, only to soon realise how sorely mistaken he was.

Attack roll to initiate grapple: 1d20+6 → [3,6] = (9) Spending a Hero Point to use Improve Roll 1d20+6 → [15,6] = (21)

"Tyrant?... I am confused by your claim. Considering the fact that I wish to remove you from a potentially higly dangerous area, I find it hard to believe that this term you used applies to my self. Perhaps you are expecting that the term would cause me trouble, or that it would make you feel better for your self?" Hronos said, as he took a long hard stare at the man, trying to ascertain his character. While the man appeared to do very little to hide his hostility, he also seemed to be quite frank in his claims. After a few seconds, Hronos decided to simply ignore his threats. "It may be as you say, I have no legal authority to arrest you, but you appear to be jumping to conclusions. My intentions were stated clearly from the start of this conversation. I intend to remove a citizen from an obvious hazard. If the proper authorities of this city deem otherwise, I will gladly cooperate with them, though I suspect that they would be more than a little interested in finding out why exactly you are so insistant on putting your life in unnecessary risk."

Hronos will attempt to evaluate the man using his Sense Motive. 1d20+10 → [13,10] = (23) Quickness 3(x10) to reduce the time from 1 minute to 1 full round(6 seconds)

Serge chuckled a bit, out of embarrasment. "Because, my dear 'Bito, while I can provide some insight once I know what it is I'm dealing with, I lack the actual brain part thingy that provides the imagination necessary to procure innovation. Hmmm... let's call it the leadership gland, for ease of refference, shall we?" the young man said, making it clear that he praised Subito's drive. After Serge thanked the clerk for her help, Serge headed out along with Subito. "Pool it is, then! Get ready for some serious humiliation, 'Bito, cause this time, revenge shall be had by me, and it shall prove a most delicious apetizer! MwahahahahaHAHAHAAAA!" He laughed a classic maniacal evil laugh, a laugh that someone pretends to barely hold in his mouth before it escapes unrestrained, as if to emphasize the point on a comical note. "... *cough* Sorry, been practicing that one." he half-apologized for the spectacle at his friend.

"Hold your tongue, I think." Hronos responded rather testily at the man's indignant tone. "Do not pressume that which you do not comprehend about me. I am no mere robot, but a guardian, created by no mortal hands. I see in FAR more dimensions than your brain could ever hope to comprehend, I consider far more variables and possibilities in a moment than you could in an eternity, and I will not be talked down so easily." "As for your questions, those dinosaurs are part of their own ecosystem. And the viruses that plague organisms are organisms themselves, doing what they are tasked to do with no ill will. And that is the necessary step that brought about the , as they, in turn, will lead to a better future." Stepping closer to the man, Hronos said. "Since your matter does not appear to be urgent, as you yourself have stated thusly, I have to ask that you leave this area immediately. I will not repeat myself, and if you refuse, I will personally escort you away, by force if necessary.

"Metal and wheels..." Hronos repeated, thinking the man's statement. "That is not much different from carbon-based organs. They allow us to interact with the world, and define our existance, but not exclusively so. And regarding my concern for humans, it is but a part of my duty, to ensure the safety of all living beings within their ecosystems. The appearance of that dinosaur, which did not belong in this time, certainly caused a lot of destruction and potentially unbalanced the ecosystem of this city, if not of this entire planet." After he was done explaining his motives, Hronos once again asked the man. "If your wish is to help others in need, then I have no quarrel with you, but I DO have to ask that you wait while I deal with this incident. That is, unless your matter is more urgent, in which case, I would require that you divulge the details to me, in case I can be of assistance."

"Well, can't say that anyone pops to my mind, in particular, at the moment." Serge shrugged. "I wouldn't sweat it either; we can have auditions, right? Anyone interested would probably show up. What we WILL need, for certain, I suppose, would be an overseer or supervisor; one of the faculty members, to help direct things, especially with the academy. Wanting to throw a festival in school grounds is neat and all, but I don't think we could do it without premission from principal Summers. Plus, a supervisor would be the most likely person to provide direction and fill in the blanks for us, in case we miss something." Looking around, he asked his budy. "So, what do you wanna do next? We could go hit the pools, or how about some food?"

The sight of the man looking around in the area puzzled Hronos, who reduced his speed until coming to a halt. Wanting to take a closer look, he slowly descended and landed a couple feet away from the man. Wanting to inquire about his pressence in the area, the Mechanodynamis spake "Excuse my interruption, Human, but this area is dangerous. A dinosaur, a predatory creature known as Tyrannosaurus Rex, one that should not exist in this time period as I have been informed, was sighted rampaging in the area. While it appears to be gone at the moment, there exists a clear danger that similar more creatures may appear. I do not know what it is you are currently searching for, but I would ask that you rellocate to a safer place while I investigate the area."

Hronos can take 10 on his Notice checks, thanks to Skill Mastery, for a total of 20, in case he needs to.

Right on cue, Hronos looked at the rampant destruction caused by the dinosaur, and he noticed the trees that were tore down, as well as the T-Rex's footprints on the ground. "Indeed, you are correct on your observation. Very well. I shall follow the trail the Tyrannosaurus Rex has left." Hronos flew a few feet above the ground, comming to and abrupt stop, and turning to face the reporter. "You have been most helpful, Jessiga Jager. I am grateful for your assistance. Forgive me, but for now, dealing with this anomaly is far too pressing a matter for me to repeat the information I gave you. I suggest that you retreat to a safe place. Afterwards, however, I will gladly return the favor, and answer your questions, so long as you can provide me with information about a place where I can find you." *** Hronos followed the bread crumbs the T-Rex had left in its wake, keeping his visor eyes open for any further clues.

"It is a pleasure to make your aqcuaintace, Jessica Jagger. I was given the name Hronos, along with the Essence of Time, and I was tasked with protecting the indegrity of time and space. I was not created on a planet, rather, when I was created, there were neither planets nor stars. Again, I have to apologise for my ignorance. While I HAVE been stranded on this planet ever since its creation, my systems were offline, and I was unconscious. It was not until recently that I regained consciousness." The blue colored robot introduced himself and explained his situation briefly, as the reporter took snapshots of him. But upon hearing the information she had to offer about the dinosaur, Hronos took a grim, sorrowful look on his metalic head. "Then that confirms my suspisions. It appears that tampering with the space-time continuum has taken place here. Such occurances do not happen spontaneously, therefore, it is my belief that someone or something is responsible for the incident, and if I do not do something about it, a similar incident may occur, perhaps on a larger scale, even. Thankfully, I have some clues as to where to find the source of the problem; namely, the further away I flew carrying the Tyrannosaurus Rex from the park, the more its existance on this time destabilized. I believe it is a safe guess to say that whatever caused the dinosaur to materialise in this time is not very far from the immediate area."

Putting his arms down, as he saw the woman relax, Hronos nodded his head "Thank you for your understanding. And do not worry; you may seek refuge as soon as you answer my questions, while I will make sure that whatever happened here does not occur again." "Dinosaurs... That creature was one of those, correct?" Hronos inquired. "Its appearance bears many similarities to the creatures called reptiles, but I do not believe I have seen any other one reach the size of that dinosaur. Could you confirm to me whether or not that is normal? And any further information about the creature that you could provide would be of great value to me."