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The Stoicist - Building a Magic / Ability System

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kingaling:
Wow, these are some great questions. I had to take some time to think of good answers.
 
1 – once they heal does it just heal the damage or does it also fight age? It heals the damage, there's no age fighting here. Age and growing pains technically go under self inflicted pain, so stoicism doesn't work on it.

2 – Do they talk about fight club? There are only a eight or nine groups based around the world, it isn't a secret but society as a whole hasn't noticed it. At least not yet.

3 – Do the longer lived of the group build up tolerance for pain, and need to absorb more  damage to be able the get the same amount of power? Great question. The short answer is yes. I think the longer lived Stoicists (if they're lucky enough to reach old age) have built up an indifference to pain and as such most of their jobs are in the governmental side as to keep them from more damage than they need be exposed to. Not even sure if that answers the question, but that's what I got.

4 – what kind of magic or powers do they develop.  If  I was creating my own character I would think primarily body type magic.  Strength, bursts of speed or endurance, etc… Yep, that's essentially it. Increased stamina and the like, but there are a fine few who have access to a deeper more "magical" element of their powers.

5 – Does any kind of pain give them energy?  Would you consider a blinding light a physical pain that they could absorb? I think I answered this in an earlier question, but only pain given by others gives them powers. Whether it's internal or external pain it must come from a source that is not themselves. Blinding light is an awesome idea, I'd see it as a big distraction, but then there'd be someone who rises above it and uses it against the enemy. That's awesome, thanks. May see that in the story.

6 – what happens when they go dry, use all their energy up? The world is a painful place, there's no shortage of things that can cause pain. Even banging their hand on a counter at a store accidentally will give them at least a small amount of Stoic energy.

Great questions, I look forward to more and hope I answered yours.

ltgalloway:
This is an interesting concept, in that their powers are as much about mental discipline as anything else. Do you have an antagonist in mind? There are many different opportunities available. If your stoicists gather their power by their ability to ignore physical pain and maintain emotional control, what would motivate them to come into conflict with one another if that is your intention? If the goal is to be calm and absorb an attack, you might run into trouble if both sides are defensive. If they are both passivists, who would throw the first punch? What about introducing another class that derives their power by causing or feeling pain and emotion? Sort of an anti-stoicist. This could lead to some psychological disorders and sadomasochistic tendencies. But maybe I'm getting away from what your intentions are.

What would be really interesting is the psychological impact this sort of power will have on your characters. The biggest threat to their powers seems to be their own level of discipline and ability to remain dispassionate. That may make them think about what happens if they start to enjoy the pain. As you said they will lose their abilities, which might weigh heavily on their minds. You may want to introduce characters that have experienced this loss. Perhaps they are simply powerless, or maybe they would exhibit symptoms of withdrawal.

Another thought. What about using chemical pain suppressants like morphine? That could open a whole new bag such as addition, dulled senses, and death.

This is a neat idea. Best of luck to you!

kingaling:
Do you have an antagonist in mind? I do, as of now I'm calling him Bandage Man. He's someone who has maintained stoicism through many battles and built up his energy to such an extent that most his body is covered in reserves of bandages. He was part of the Stoicists but was banished due to his dangerousness. His blood soaked bandages have caused people to lose their minds and has brought about an epidemic that people have taken to calling The Insanity Strikings.

If your stoicists gather their power by their ability to ignore physical pain and maintain emotional control, what would motivate them to come into conflict with one another if that is your intention? They aren't pacifists, if a fight erupts then a fight erupts. But if they're on the same side they tend to make a point of not using their powers on each other.

Another thought. What about using chemical pain suppressants like morphine? That is awesome, could help quite a bit with character growth, thanks!

Loving the questions, everyone, it's so much help, thank you all!

OZ:
If the whole world is not aware of them, they could boost their powers by intentionally breaking the law in places that practice physical punishment. I would think a beating with a rattan cane or a cat of nine tails would cause some serious pain.

kingaling:

--- Quote from: OZ on April 13, 2011, 02:58:05 AM ---If the whole world is not aware of them, they could boost their powers by intentionally breaking the law in places that practice physical punishment. I would think a beating with a rattan cane or a cat of nine tails would cause some serious pain.

--- End quote ---

Mmm, that would work in some ways, but wouldn't be any benefit to them. It's better for them to remain under the radar as to not draw attention to themselves from their enemies who seek their immediate deaths.

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