Some Cthulhutech questions

[Risen of the Pit]

I just got my copy of Cthulhutech, and I was wondering if anyone could answer some questions I have?

Firstly, what's the minimum/maximum age for an Engel or Mecha pilot? How old does a person have to be before they can join the NEG forces and become trained for piloting/communion?

Secondly, the background for the Machal and Seraph says that they have tentacles in their forearms, and this is backed by the Tentacle Sheath listed in their weapons layout. Do they have just one tentacle in their right arm, or do they sprout one tentacle from either arm?

Thirdly, why does the Engel Pilot have Authority 3 as a 'template asset'?

Fourth, why is the Engel Synthesis Interface a 1 point Drawback?

Fifth, just how is it that the average Engel Pilot is 'odd'? They have a permanent (from what I understand) Insanity Point due to their ESI implant, though that only makes them a little weird and not insane (until/unless they gain more IPs), but how exactly are they 'strange'?

Sixth, would an Engel Pilot who is a 'veteran', as in they started piloting back in 2084 and they're still alive today in 2085, have any benefits? Assets like Commendation or things like that?

Finally, if I was to create a character who was "bloodthirsty" -that is, when engaged in combat, they relish in killing their opponent and delight in the carnage they create, and they feel disappointed/cheated if they don't get to kill enough foes and/or make a large enough mess- would this be a Vice, Drawback, or even an Asset or Insanity?

 

[hal]

I just got my copy of Cthulhutech, and I was wondering if anyone could answer some questions I have?

I recommend asking your questions over at the CTech forums at http://www.cthulhutech.com.

Firstly, what's the minimum/maximum age for an Engel or Mecha pilot? How old does a person have to be before they can join the NEG forces and become trained for piloting/communion?

Mike V has said that it would be like being a top fighter pilot. So mid to late twenties seems like the most likely minimum age. I get the feeling that very few Engel pilots make it to old age

Secondly, the background for the Machal and Seraph says that they have tentacles in their forearms, and this is backed by the Tentacle Sheath listed in their weapons layout. Do they have just one tentacle in their right arm, or do they sprout one tentacle from either arm?

I see it as a mass of tentacles in one forearm. However, I am not sure why you need to make the distinction. The more tentacles the merrier.

Thirdly, why does the Engel Pilot have Authority 3 as a 'template asset'?

Being a member of the military with some rank, access to military hardware and it being "legal" to kill other people who are enemies is what Authority gives you.

Fourth, why is the Engel Synthesis Interface a 1 point Drawback?

Because it sends you nuts.

Fifth, just how is it that the average Engel Pilot is 'odd'? They have a permanent (from what I understand) Insanity Point due to their ESI implant, though that only makes them a little weird and not insane (until/unless they gain more IPs), but how exactly are they 'strange'?

They are permanently linked to a human being encased in armour, fight mind numbing horrors on a daily basis and commit untold acts of violence. It effects you.

Sixth, would an Engel Pilot who is a 'veteran', as in they started piloting back in 2084 and they're still alive today in 2085, have any benefits? Assets like Commendation or things like that?

There are many ways to do this, depending on what you want to achieve and your GM.

You could represent it by taking Drawbacks, giving you more points to represent extra Assets and skills.

You could use the rules for Support Cast on page 251 to create a more experienced PC.

You could simply give the PC an extra 20 to 50 XP to represent the experience.

Finally, if I was to create a character who was "bloodthirsty" -that is, when engaged in combat, they relish in killing their opponent and delight in the carnage they create, and they feel disappointed/cheated if they don't get to kill enough foes and/or make a large enough mess- would this be a Vice, Drawback, or even an Asset or Insanity?

There are multiple ways to achieve this depending on how you want to play it out.

If you make it a vice, it is merely a character point for the purposes of roleplaying.

If you make it a Drawback, it will have mechanical effect. You could treat it as Addict, Short Fuse, Compulsive Beahviour, Vengeful or just use those as a base.

You could also represent the positive side through Assets such as Driven, Fearless or High Pain Threshold.

Insanities are generally gained through play, so if its something that you battle against but have it under control (at least to start with) then this is a good way to go.

 

[Risen of the Pit]

Thank you for the answers, though for question 5 I was actually asking "how, generally, do Engel Pilots act that conveys their dementia?"- or, in other words, while Engel Pilots are odd, how do they normally act that conveys that oddness?

New set of questions, which I'm asking here because I don't have membership on the C-tech boards.

*How do pilots enter and exit the Engel "cockpit"? And where is the opening for it located anyway?

*What does it look like inside the "cockpit"? And how does the pilot commune with his/her Engel? Are there manual control devices inside to help supplement the mental contact (ala Evangelion), or is it purely mental?

*Exactly how are the Seraph's horns useful in combat anyways?

 

[hal]

Thank you for the answers, though for question 5 I was actually asking "how, generally, do Engel Pilots act that conveys their dementia?"- or, in other words, while Engel Pilots are odd, how do they normally act that conveys that oddness?

Oh. In that case, I would say this is a matter for each PC to decide. The emotional and psychic connection to a monster can show itself in many ways. For inspiration watch Neon Genesis Evangelion.

New set of questions, which I'm asking here because I don't have membership on the C-tech boards.

The thing is that CthulhuTech is now being published by Catalyst Game Labs. As such, you won't find many CTech players here any more. If you can't do CTech's own forums, then RPGnet is a good second option.

*How do pilots enter and exit the Engel "cockpit"? And where is the opening for it located anyway?

This is not specified. Again Neon Genesis Evangelion probably provides the most detailed example of what it could look like with its fully sealed pods filled with an umbilical fluid and plugged deep into the torso. However, CTech is probably a little less OTT than that.

*What does it look like inside the "cockpit"? And how does the pilot commune with his/her Engel? Are there manual control devices inside to help supplement the mental contact (ala Evangelion), or is it purely mental?

There is some great descriptions that players have come up with in this thread - http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?t=370223. None of it is canon. Again the NGE inspiration is strong.

I personally like the use of blue glowing floating AR panels.

*Exactly how are the Seraph's horns useful in combat anyways?

Imagine a 60ft person charging at you at 60mph. The put huge sharp points on the place of impact.

 

[Risen of the Pit]

I've registered myself there now and posted these questions, so I thank you for being so patient with me. My curiosity about the Engel cockpit was inspired by the first bit of fiction in the corebook, which mentions in one paragraph a Malach pilot stroking the 'fleshy walls' of their cockpit to try and get a better sense of the Engel's feelings.

 

[hal]

I've registered myself there now and posted these questions, so I thank you for being so patient with me. My curiosity about the Engel cockpit was inspired by the first bit of fiction in the corebook, which mentions in one paragraph a Malach pilot stroking the 'fleshy walls' of their cockpit to try and get a better sense of the Engel's feelings.

The imagery alludes to the pod being a womb. As such filling it with umbilical fluid makes sense