posted November 01, 1999 09:38 PM                        

A Doctoral Dissertation by Galtrox Suthui
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The following is taken from WEG's "Creatures of the Galaxy"

quote:

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"The enigmatic barri inhabit asteroid clusters throughout the galaxy. Seemingly spawned by electromagnetic storms on barren planetoids, these mysterious creatures hitch rides on debris from dying worlds or junked space craft"

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The Barri are seemingly immortal, having a completely unbelieveable method of reproduction. It is believed by some that that the Barri are the true watchers of the Galactic Way. Both the Gotals and the Ugors, have in fact, been some of the first to recognize this. Their culture has long called on these mysterious space creatures for astrogation navigational aid. However, recently, a new "cult" has cropped up claiming that the Barri are the true Gods of Space.

The Barri followers have even taken the extreme measure of ingesting what they call "Barri Nectar" - known to them as the seed of the galaxy. This causes a startling transformation in the imbiber - namely the discoloration and "streaking" of their skin. In addition, the Barri Avatar (or "Navigators" as they are sometimes called) also claim to gain hidden insights to the nature of the galaxy, itself, from time to time.

The Empire has placed Barri Nectar in the Class X Contraband category and possession is grounds for execution. The Empire has labeled Barri Nectar a highly addictive and dangerous substance. This has done nothing to stop the illegal and growing Barri Nectar trade. However, it is an extremely rare substance - just about as rare as the Barri are themselves. In addition to the Contraband rating, the hunting and possession of a living or dead Barri is also grounds for execution under Imperial Law.

Barri Nectar:
Barri Nectar is in reality the waste byproduct of the Barri digestive system. For humanoid lifeforms, it is a highly addictive substance. When the user is not addicted, he gains the following benefits of the Nectar for as many hours as the number of times taken:
1st Time - 1 Hour
2nd Time - 2 Hours
3rd Time - 3 Hours...etc.

+1D to All Astrogation Rolls
+1D to All Planetary Systems Rolls
+1D to Willpower Rolls
In addition, the user also suffers the following side effects for a number of hours equal to the times taken after the benefits wear off. That is:

• 1st Time - 1 Hour
  
• 2nd Time - 2 Hours...etc.

• -1D to STR
  
• -1D to PER
  
• Skin Discoloration - The users skin will become pale and have red streaks dynamically "snaking" all over his body. This is known as mild-stage Barri Syndrome.

Dex: 2D+1
Per: 3D
Know: 4D
Str: 2D+2
Mech: 4D
Tech: 2D
Move: 10

Special Abilities:
Barri Avatars receive double the number of
dice put into astrogation skill at the
character creation stage only.

Galactic Insight - A "5" acts like a "6"
on wild die rolls for all "Planetary
Systems" skill rolls

Willpower - A Barri Avatar receives +1D
versus all attempts at mind control,
including Force-based attacks. For
defending Force powers, the Barri Avatar
may use his "Willpower" skill if he does
not have the required Force-based defense.

Barri Syndrome - A Barri Avatar has a
permanent Barri Nectar-induced skin
disorder. His skin has turned a pale blue,
and will have dynamic, shifting red streaks
constantly "snaking" around his skin. In
addition, the Barri Avatar's eyes will
become pitch black. This condition is
irreversible.

Barri Withdrawl - A Barri Avatar must imbibe
new doses of Barri Nectar daily, Otherwise
suffer the following consequences:

• 24 Hours -1D to Astrogation
  
• 2 Days -1D to MECH
  
• 4 Days -1D to KNOW
  
• 1 Week -1D to PER, 1D to MECH
  
• 2 Weeks -1D to KNOW, -1D to MECH
  
• 3 Weeks -1D to DEX
  
• 1 Month +
  
  
  • 24 Hours 1D Damage
    
  • 2 Days 2D Damage
    
  • 4 Days 3D Damage
    
  • 1 Week 4D Damage
    
  • 2 Weeks 8D Damage
    
  • 3 Weeks 10D Damage
    
  • 2 Months Heroic Stamina Roll or Death
    
    
    • Daily Heroic Stamina Roll or Death

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--Genghis12
Beyond Hyperspace
http://www.rpghost.com/bhyper

[This message has been edited by Genghis12 (edited November 01, 1999).]

posted November 01, 1999 10:55 PM                        

quote:

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this leaves a GAPING hole in the benefits/disadvantages for casual users (that is, say a 40th dose equals benefits/disadvantages for 40 hours?) This isn't what I intended. How should I handle: reinstate the addiction?

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I'd say you definitely need to keep the penalty in at least some form. Maybe you could reinstate the table you originally had, but with a slight modification. I might suggest basically doubling the time it takes to increase the difficulty level to resist the drug.

For example:

1st Time - Very Easy
2nd Time - Very Easy
3rd Time - Easy
5th Time - Moderate
7th Time - Very Hard
9th Time(or more) - Heroic

Essentially, the difficulty goes up every other time the character takes a dose.

Of course, another approach is to introduce an element of time to it. Taking two doses a few hours apart is almost certain to make addiction more likely than taking two doses a few weeks apart. I think this might be a bit better method since it seems somewhat more realistic. Maybe you could use something like:

Time Between Barri Nectar Usage and Difficulty:

1 Year - Very Easy
1/2 Year - Easy
1 Month - Moderate
1/2 Month - Difficult
2-3 Days - Very Difficult
1 Day - Heroic
< 1 Day - Heroic (+??)

Feel free to modify the time scales since I don't know how often you think characters should be able to use it and still be able to get off rather easy.

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Chris Curtis | UIN: 3114497
oldarmygary@hotmail.com | c-curtis@tamu.edu
Servais Sector: http://members.tripod.com/~c_curtis/