1) Zeta-waves and anti-zeta waves sound fine to me. I think any way we name it, as long as it does the same thing, it's all good.

2) How rapidly things disappear: I picture the attacks "fizzling" when they enter the field; maybe within the first two feet or so, they rapidly loose all their power. I suppose that would be a mix between Calliope's options A and B. I think if we went with B, the tendency to say "My fire ball isn't under control anymore, but that just means it stays on course and FRIES THAT SUCKER LIKE KENTUCKY CHICKEN!" might become a problem.

3) Cancellation effect is constant or not? I still vote "constant", and furthermore, that they can't turn it off even if they want to.

4) Physical characteristics: I vote that they stay, but I like the idea of tails and cat ears and such going limp inside of the field. If only because WereCat will turn that into an amusing RP or two in the ongoing saga of her tail.

5) Can the Adapted sense mutants? I still vote 'no'. Which would make things quite interesting, since the Adapted can't sense mutants, but mutants will be able to tell if an Adapted is near because of their power getting shut down. It helps add a weakness in to the Adapteds' ability.

6) Should Adapt's powers be triggered by contact with a mutant's ability? Hells yeah! That'll be fun to RP.

7) Nullified v. merely weakened? Still a vehement "nullified, not weakened!" 'Cause yeah, a mutant with weakened abilities is still going to cream an Adapted. It's only with the complete nullification that we get the level playing field occurring.

The real problem is in determining what exactly these "Zeta" waves are controlling.

To use the fireball example, how is the fireball formed? If the mutant is controlling the fire directly, than when the fireball enters the field, the mutant loses control of the flame, and the flames spirals outwards and dissapates, with some still hitting the Adapted.

If the mutant is sending out a beam of heat, that just happens to be igniting the air, then the same thing happens because there is nothing to focus the heat, but instead of the flame spiralling out, it is waves of heat, which will likely disappate enough to no longer ignite the air.

I think that if we do do this thread, we are going to have to have everyone define exactly how their powers would interact with the field and post it in their bio, with approval from the Mods, instead of us going out and hashing out in the threads exactly how each person's powers are affected.

*points to what Brainstorm says* He's got a point.

Which is why I vote, for reason of all-around lack-of-headache, that the powers simply die when they hit the field. The actual handlers of the Adapted can RP exactly how that happens--I'd probably go for the "fizzle, with maybe a few sparks she has to beat out of her poor backpack", but that would just be me.

We should keep in mind that these characters aren't going to go away; we've got at least two people planning to turn them into PCs. Therefore, I think the simpler we can make things, the better. Remember: every new member that comes in, from here on out, will also have to deal with the Adapted; I'd like to be able to point them to an easy few sentences that tell them all they need to know. Something like, "The field 6-10ft. When you are inside of the field, your powers do not work. If you launch an attack from outside the field, it will fizzle out before it actually reaches the Adapted" would be simple, and pretty easy to grasp. Something like,

Mutants lose control over anything they sent flying toward an Adapted, but whatever it is still exists, outside of their control inside of the field. Example: wind blades would disperse into a normal breeze, fireballs would fall apart, lightning bolts would duck into the ground rather than hitting their targets, and energy blasts would quickly disperse into the air within the field in the form of heat/light/sound.

is a liiiiittle harder to grasp, and leaves a wide range for interpretation. And requiring all players to post in their profile about how their own power would be affected is the anti-thesis to simple, especially for new players who join after we start this; it'll also be a headache and a half for us Mods.

In conclusion: Simple is good. Let's just have powers, and effects of powers, cease to function all together when they hit the Adapteds' range.

*peaks back in*

I was wondering how long it would take for actual debate and possible disagreements to come up from this. I guess I'll follow everyone else's pattern and simply post my thoughts on a point by point basis...

1) Whatever name is chosen for these brain waves makes sense to me, however, there is one thing that we should probably make official. It is my opinion that these brain wave functions should be restricted from being used by anyone other than an adapted. What I mean by that is it should not be possible for some scientist to figure out the exact pattern of the brain waves and then beam the signal down from satellites that blanke the earth and basically turn every mutant back to human. If this site is around for 100 or so years then sure... maybe that would work but for the time being I think this should be something that either scientists just can't understand or something that they cannot detect with all their fancy gadgets.

2) As with my first description I would coem to believe that anything actually produced by the X-Gene dissapears and fizzles within the first 6-12 inches of the aura. In RP this could allow for, as was poitned out earlier, sparks hitting a backpack and we have to beat out to the flames just a little. This would continue to protect the adapteds but as I pointed out before, objects thrown or dropped that are actual physical items (i.e. cars, telephone poles, baseballs, grenades, etc.) could pass through the field and cause damage.

3) I vote that this aura be completely unconsciosu and uncontrollable. If an adapted has this aura they can't sense it themselves, they don't know how big it is, and they have no clue how to turn it on and off.

4) Physical characteristics: I personally would vote that they stay except for cases when the mutant is in the field for extended amounts of time. Taking Werecat for an example, if she were to stay within the field of the adapteds for days and weeks at a time then all of her fur would probably fall out, however, her tail and facial features would remain because they are actually bones and muscle that is no longer moving. If we want to play that she wouldn't even be able to move her tail or ears that's fine by me but I think that even if there were to be a transformation back towards humans it would take a long time. It wouldn't be instant.

5) Can the Adapted sense mutants? I have to go with no on that. When I originally began to think about an adaptation as a possibility I threw that idea around in my head but it didn't seem to connect with me. First off, even if the adapted's could sense mutants they would only be able to sense them within their aura of 6-10 feet. Secondly, one the X-Gene is turned off the mutants are basically rendered human so why would the Adapted humans be able to sense them?

6) Should Adapt's powers be triggered by contact with a mutant's ability? Deffinately. I think it brings out great RP and great background hooks that can be used in later RPs.

7) Nullified v. merely weakened? I still go for completely nullified. Would mutants be able to tell there's something different about these humans? Some would. Any telepaths would find they couldn't read their minds or emotions because either everything seems blank or 'grayed out'.

sorry i only jus noticed this post........ enter the essay.....

ok, so. zeta waves sound good to me. However, on the first point on external projectiles, are they made of said zeta waves? for example is the flame or other substance based projectile entirely dependant on zeta waves for existence or substance, as otherwise it wouldn't be affected by the nullification aura. If it is not then why should it disappear? This seems problematic as I always considered the production of said projectiles to be the basis of the mutation rather than the projectile itself, HOWEVER as has been said this makes it far too easy to kill said npc's. Another point that is raised is if it is "nullified", does it dissipate or merely return to its original form? For example the giantbane's huge rock problem. Slade adds another dilemma to this as iff they return to original form then his bullets are returning to the matter form of what was taken from his body. This means that there is still compacted human body matter being flung at bullet-speeds at these npc's, while not as penetrating as a bullet it's easily as damaging. The other option is that it disappears entirely but i'm not sure i see the justification for that option other than to make the npc's more challenging, then again i haven't had much time to consider the dilemma so please correct me if i've missed something important.

Secondly, i would suggest that the human's ability is constant and unpreventable (by their own willpower). It would be a good plotline for a mutant to emerge as the anti-anti-x-gene or some form of suppressant but i wouldn't expect the adapted to already hold that level of control over their own ability so early on. Especially as this appears to be the first "adaptation" it would not seem viable for them to be able to manipulate it so early on.

Thirdly, I'm at odds to whether or not they stay, as in mutated bodyparts/bodies stay. I mean if its zeta waves then surely the physical mutations are compiled of such waves and so would lose what changes them. However if one admits that then one may have to defer the point that so would projectiles, also that it doesn;t seem to make logical sense for physical attributes to just "disappear" and be replaced with "normal" skin/parts etc. Not to mention I'm unsure what would happen to Slade... he's been pumping himself full of petrol for years, and should he return to human form either he dies instantaneously (giving the npc's a little bit of an unfair advantage) or i suppose one would have to argue that because his system assimilates and treats petrol as a "blood" as much (in the most liberal of senses)it would merely return to blood... On top of this what happens if Slade is in car form, how exactly would he retransform and whould it be in the right order (remember that all his parts assemble differently in car form again meaning that should he drive next to an adapted he'd instantly fall to mushy pieces and die unless i can come up with some pseudo-explanation of sorts...). As such I am in favour of the bodily mutations simply ceasing to function, because it requires a lot less brain power for Slade lol! all that would happen is that he just stops in a paralysed state which to me is not only simpler but just as interesting to rp while seeming to make more sense to me "at first glance".

The final three points are simpler to discuss, why should they sense mutants? if so it should be one or the other not both. it would be cool if there were sensor adepts but why not just catch a sensor mutant and keep it simple? adepts should trigger to mutants, it makes for a very borg-like storyline and makes the adepts more personal to those that they've triggered against. finally powers should be nullified not weakened, giantsbane turns into a slightly smaller giant... i believe the term is "oh nos...*splat*" or slade become a slightly slower/weaker car. Mutants really wouldn;t care unless there were tons of the adepts.

hope i havent come off too strong im up for anything this is just what ive been musing over....

yeah, I didn't have time to write a propper reply earlier nor did I have a chance to read anything other than the initial post. But I wanted to make note that I was aware! lol
Anyway, now that I'm all caught up...
I still don't think every adapted person should be able to nullify every mutants ability. Every mutant is unique and has a varying range of where their powers are some are incredible. I think you should leave it up to the person who created the adapted as to what type of abilities their able to nullify and what they're able to weaken, and like suggested how strong their block is. It just sounds a lot like mutants to me just like a lot of Leech from the movie. Anyway, I think basically everyone disagrees with me but I still gotta put in my two cents here!

I agree that it makes for good roleplaying to have to have people write around it though for people playing the adapted there is a lot already decided for them. I guess that's part of why I like people to be able to pick things out on an invidividual bases, and hey, if everyone picks to have powers nullified then *shrug*

I do have concerns about it placing involuntary reactions on players, sorta limiiting their role playing if they dont want to have their powers dissapear. I was thinking of the Sara example given, and it makes me think of the camps plot- people had a choice whether or not their mutant went into the camps, if we have a lot of these adaptive people we need to be 100% sure and clear that players have choice about being effected, I know that sounds kinda lame right? And probably goes without saying... but I just get worried about open threads... and then people having less RP opprotunities the way we sorta got cluttered up with the camp plot... anyway...

I might have to add more to that thought later, so try not to beat me up about it lol I'm having a hard time communicating what my reasoning is with that one...

I guess my last point, and it may have been said already but I did read everything and I may have still missed it- is this seems more like a whole plot as opposed to another category we'd add to our regular RP. Personally I'd prefer it unfold as a plot, but regardless, I hope we take a bit before unleashing it on our MRO world

As I see there are lots of things to discuss I also have some topics.

I haven't seen this mentioned yet or maybe i misread it somewhere but here's one of my questions. If a mutant enters an Adapted's field with or without knowing are the X-genes nullified permanently or do they return to active status after a period of time?

And for my own knowledge...Syn's less seen ability is reactive adaptation. So given the first question. If it's allowed for mutants to get their powers back after being away from an Adapted for some time it should be possible for Syn to become resistant to the nullification. Thus cancelling the nullifier.

To the first question, Syn: Powers are only nullified in the field. Step outside, and they're back.

To your unique ability to become adapted to the Adapted: I was wondering how long it would take you to comment here about that. Given how it's written in your profile, I do think it's fair game for Syn to develop immunity to the Adapted after meeting them on-screen. You're rather the special case like that, though. lol Adapteds that get cocky should watch out for you...

Syn was actully one of the people I was thinking of in regards to an individual bases I just didnt want to single her out or use her as an example lol.

Nov 28, 2008 20:35:25 GMT -6 Slate said:

To the first question, Syn: Powers are only nullified in the field. Step outside, and they're back.

To your unique ability to become adapted to the Adapted: I was wondering how long it would take you to comment here about that. Given how it's written in your profile, I do think it's fair game for Syn to develop immunity to the Adapted after meeting them on-screen. You're rather the special case like that, though. lol Adapteds that get cocky should watch out for you...

Yeah I don't talk about that because most people focus on my controlling ability. I wanted to keep it as a surprise once people tried to use their power on me another time or two.

I'm not even going to ask about the pheremones since they'll be stopped as soon as they get to the null field.

Nov 28, 2008 20:39:39 GMT -6 @rainewater said:

Syn was actully one of the people I was thinking of in regards to an individual bases I just didnt want to single her out or use her as an example lol.

I don't mind. I'm a bit unique to everyone else in that way. Afterall, I'm the only reason we have Haywire in the first place.

To the first question, Syn: Powers are only nullified in the field. Step outside, and they're back.

To your unique ability to become adapted to the Adapted: I was wondering how long it would take you to comment here about that. Given how it's written in your profile, I do think it's fair game for Syn to develop immunity to the Adapted after meeting them on-screen. You're rather the special case like that, though. lol Adapteds that get cocky should watch out for you...

Pardon me if I step into the role of cynical critic for a moment.

I'm afraid I will have to disagree with the current ruling regarding Syn's immunity. The main point I would like to make is that, from reading Syns description of her secondary mutation, it seems as though her body learns to protect itself from things by experiencing them, if this is indeed the case then I would argue it would be impossible for Syn to become immune to the adepts field; because the moment she enters said field the part of her x-gene responsible for experiencing, recording and then adapting to the threat is switched off. Therefore, from her bodies point of view, it is as though it never entered the field.

A simpler way of putting it would be to compare Syns adaptation to a computer program. In order for the program to solve any problem it must first be given and record the problem, then it must work to solve the problem whereby Syn then becomes immune. With regards to the adepts field you are effectively hitting the off switch and preventing the program/mutation from even registering there is a problem/threat for it to solve.

My second point is that Syn mutation description states that, aside from bullets, poisons and knife wounds, she can only become immune to other threats for a short period of time meaning that unless she were to face a horde of adepts continuously, or go hunting them down individually over the course of a day her mutation would be rendered null and void just like everyone else.

Looking now to Slade I quickly skimmed through his profile and from I understand it seems as though his key mutation is the ability to transform; either from humanoid to car form and the ability to change his hands into a firearm of sorts. I would argue then that once Slade enters into an adepts field he simply loses the ability to transform all together; he would still be capable of movement and the such, he just simply would not be able to alter his form. The fact that he is essentially a scaled down transformer seems more due to an external even in his history then to his own mutation, however that is up for debate. even if it was decided that his metallic body was due to his x gene I believe it could then be ruled that the organic metal is a physical trait, such as Werecats tails or Nika's ears and as such is not immediately affected by the nullification field.

In terms of the projectile dilemma Slade mentioned previously the only explanation I could offer is to state firstly what we have already tentatively decided upon; that mutants require Zeta waves to control and maintain any non physical mutation. If we then go a step farther though and declare that these zeta waves surround and follow anything a mutant influences with their powers then we have a means of explaining how unnatural projectiles such as fireballs, lightening and wind blades are diffused, i.e. the moment these attacks enter the field the anti zeta waves firstly destroy the mutants control over the attack and the secondly; they swiftly work to deteriorate and disperse the energy contained within.

Very good points, Zephyr, on both the Syn and Slade topics.

Syn: what do you, personally, think should happen? Zephyr makes a very good argument; is that how it would work? Would your mutation not be able to adapt to the field, because it was never "on" in the field?

Slade: I personally picture your bullets disintegrating as they hit the field; the converse of Zephyr's arguement, I believe, is that if they don't disintegrate than there's no reason for elemental attacks to "fizzle", since both your bullets and the elemental attacks stem from the same "Zeta wave" creation. If we're going to say that one kind of attack is killed by the field... then we should say that all attacks are killed by the field, since it's not the attack that's being nullified, but the Zeta waves that made the attack in the first place.

Syn: what do you, personally, think should happen? Zephyr makes a very good argument; is that how it would work? Would your mutation not be able to adapt to the field, because it was never "on" in the field?

As much as I hate to admit on Syn's behalf if we want to really look into it then that would be the case. As for

My second point is that Syn mutation description states that, aside from bullets, poisons and knife wounds, she can only become immune to other threats for a short period of time

is somewhat correct. Her first experience with something new would have full affect. Should she experience it again whatever it was will have less affect and so on until she's immune permanantly.

I was just hoping that over time she would be the one mutant unaffected and thus the only one to get close to an Adapted.

As much as I hate to admit on Syn's behalf if we want to really look into it then that would be the case

There you have it, then: Syn's power to adapt won't adapt to the Adapted.

Don't worry, Syn. I hear the Adapted aren't adapted to those knives your character carries.