Jesus Christ Lizard

If Super Heroes/Heroines & Super Villains are your game, discuss them here.

Moderators: Immortals, Supreme Beings, Old Ones

User avatar
LostOne
Champion
Posts: 2009
Joined: Wed May 05, 2004 10:29 pm

Jesus Christ Lizard

Unread post by LostOne »

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basiliscus_(genus)

So this is a real animal that can run on water for a distance. Youtube them if you're unfamiliar. I was curious if anyone had theorized or done some math to try to figure out if this thing was made the size of a human how much would it weigh and how fast would it be moving and if it could still run on water. End game being: how fast does a human of approximately _____ weight need to run to run on water for a distance? Could be applicable for speedsters, Rifts juicers, etc.
"But you can't make an omelet without ruthlessly crushing dozens of eggs beneath your steel boot and then publicly disemboweling the chickens that laid them as a warning to others." -Order of the Stick #760
User avatar
eliakon
Palladin
Posts: 9093
Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2007 9:40 pm
Comment: Palladium Books Canon is set solely by Kevin Siembieda, either in person, or by his approval of published material.
Contact:

Re: Jesus Christ Lizard

Unread post by eliakon »

LostOne wrote:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basiliscus_(genus)

So this is a real animal that can run on water for a distance. Youtube them if you're unfamiliar. I was curious if anyone had theorized or done some math to try to figure out if this thing was made the size of a human how much would it weigh and how fast would it be moving and if it could still run on water. End game being: how fast does a human of approximately _____ weight need to run to run on water for a distance? Could be applicable for speedsters, Rifts juicers, etc.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... oject.html

The issue is not just speed, it is a matter of foot surface area vs water tension vs weight (and a lot of other factors)

That said... I am sure that it could be calculated. I just have no idea in the slightest how to do so.
I just thought the above link was neat and was some interesting ideas.
The rules are not a bludgeon with which to hammer a character into a game. They are a guide to how a group of friends can get together to weave a collective story that entertains everyone involved. We forget that at our peril.

Edmund Burke wrote:The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
User avatar
Stone Gargoyle
Virtuoso of Variants
Posts: 10027
Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2007 2:18 pm
Comment: "Your inferiority complex might be justified."
Location: Lurking on rooftops like a proper gargoyle should, in and around Tacoma, WA.
Contact:

Re: Jesus Christ Lizard

Unread post by Stone Gargoyle »

This seems more of a question for After The Bomb, as it involves calculating an animal's ability.
"SG, you are a limitless fountain of Butt-Saving Advice. You Rock, Stone and Concrete." ~ TrumbachD
User avatar
Blight
Champion
Posts: 1648
Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2005 6:10 pm
Location: Clarksville, Tn.
Contact:

Re: Jesus Christ Lizard

Unread post by Blight »

I found a calculation for it and it say's a 200lbs man would have to run at a speed of 20-30m/sec.
Image
User avatar
Razorwing
Hero
Posts: 1017
Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:11 pm

Re: Jesus Christ Lizard

Unread post by Razorwing »

Blight wrote:I found a calculation for it and it say's a 200lbs man would have to run at a speed of 20-30m/sec.


So roughly 1100 kmph... just under the speed of sound. So a character with Sonic Speed should be able to "run" on water at top speeds... at least the physics say it should be possible, so long as they can maintain that speed (though sudden turns, such as dodging attacks, would probably cause a drop in speed that could be enough to cause them problems in this regard).
There are three types of people in the world; those who can count and those who can't.
User avatar
LostOne
Champion
Posts: 2009
Joined: Wed May 05, 2004 10:29 pm

Re: Jesus Christ Lizard

Unread post by LostOne »

Well I guess that answers that then. Only sonic speed characters. Easier to remember than some calculation.
"But you can't make an omelet without ruthlessly crushing dozens of eggs beneath your steel boot and then publicly disemboweling the chickens that laid them as a warning to others." -Order of the Stick #760
User avatar
Daniel Stoker
Knight
Posts: 4862
Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2000 1:01 am
Comment: Non Impediti Ratione Cogitationis
Location: Jewdica

Re: Jesus Christ Lizard

Unread post by Daniel Stoker »

Unless you have a way to decrease your mass or really funky boots that won't mess with your running speed which frankly would be a lot harder to manage.


Daniel Stoker
Judaism - More Old School than either Christianity or Islam.
User avatar
The Artist Formerly
Champion
Posts: 2279
Joined: Thu Nov 30, 2000 2:01 am
Comment: Time Magazine's person of the year, 2006.
Location: High in the Tower of Yellow, Swanky town.

Re: Jesus Christ Lizard

Unread post by The Artist Formerly »

I've always let any of the super runners just do it (pun). They need some practice to get their stride, but other then that, if you've got super speed, why not? This is a game about breaking physics just for the hell of it. Let the players have some fun.
When I look in the dictionary and see the word Cool...I see Taffy's picture...-Shady Slug
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. -Abraham Lincoln
User avatar
Zer0 Kay
Megaversal® Ambassador
Posts: 13731
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 1:59 pm
Location: Snoqualmie, WA

Re: Jesus Christ Lizard

Unread post by Zer0 Kay »

Daniel Stoker wrote:Unless you have a way to decrease your mass or really funky boots that won't mess with your running speed which frankly would be a lot harder to manage.


Daniel Stoker


Don't have to decrease mass, just weight. An anti-gravity field would help accomplish this while a out-of-phase field would not.
:thwak: you some might think you're a :clown: but you're cool in book :ok: :thwak:--Mecha-Viper
BEST IDEA EVER!!! -- The Galactus Kid
Holy crapy, you're Zer0 Kay?! --TriaxTech
Zer0 Kay is my hero. --Atramentus
The Zer0 of Kay, who started this fray,
Kept us laughing until the end. -The Fifth Business (In loving Memory of the teleport thread)
User avatar
Daniel Stoker
Knight
Posts: 4862
Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2000 1:01 am
Comment: Non Impediti Ratione Cogitationis
Location: Jewdica

Re: Jesus Christ Lizard

Unread post by Daniel Stoker »

If you're out of phase though wouldn't you automatically be able to walk on water?


Daniel Stoker
Judaism - More Old School than either Christianity or Islam.
User avatar
Zer0 Kay
Megaversal® Ambassador
Posts: 13731
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 1:59 pm
Location: Snoqualmie, WA

Re: Jesus Christ Lizard

Unread post by Zer0 Kay »

Dunnoh. If your out of phase you walk on floors but pass through walls... So do you phase through water? If it is determined by will then why is it just floors, why not use the air as stAIRs?
:thwak: you some might think you're a :clown: but you're cool in book :ok: :thwak:--Mecha-Viper
BEST IDEA EVER!!! -- The Galactus Kid
Holy crapy, you're Zer0 Kay?! --TriaxTech
Zer0 Kay is my hero. --Atramentus
The Zer0 of Kay, who started this fray,
Kept us laughing until the end. -The Fifth Business (In loving Memory of the teleport thread)
User avatar
eliakon
Palladin
Posts: 9093
Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2007 9:40 pm
Comment: Palladium Books Canon is set solely by Kevin Siembieda, either in person, or by his approval of published material.
Contact:

Re: Jesus Christ Lizard

Unread post by eliakon »

The Artist Formerly wrote:I've always let any of the super runners just do it (pun). They need some practice to get their stride, but other then that, if you've got super speed, why not? This is a game about breaking physics just for the hell of it. Let the players have some fun.

Depending on the particular game I might allow that... or not.
*shrugs*
Some games we bring in all the tropes and hijinks of the 4 color comics and Saturday morning TV, and in that it fits perfectly and would be allowed in with out an eye blink
Some games we go for other flavors of super hero style games, and some of those flavors don't mix well with 'super speed on water'. Some might though.
The rules are not a bludgeon with which to hammer a character into a game. They are a guide to how a group of friends can get together to weave a collective story that entertains everyone involved. We forget that at our peril.

Edmund Burke wrote:The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
User avatar
Daniel Stoker
Knight
Posts: 4862
Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2000 1:01 am
Comment: Non Impediti Ratione Cogitationis
Location: Jewdica

Re: Jesus Christ Lizard

Unread post by Daniel Stoker »

I wasn’t sure either but after looking it up the power says that they can walk on “smoke or fog” as well as water, so looks like that answers our question.


Daniel Stoker
Judaism - More Old School than either Christianity or Islam.
User avatar
Zer0 Kay
Megaversal® Ambassador
Posts: 13731
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 1:59 pm
Location: Snoqualmie, WA

Re: Jesus Christ Lizard

Unread post by Zer0 Kay »

Daniel Stoker wrote:I wasn’t sure either but after looking it up the power says that they can walk on “smoke or fog” as well as water, so looks like that answers our question.


Daniel Stoker


Yup. And thanks for doing the legwork.
:thwak: you some might think you're a :clown: but you're cool in book :ok: :thwak:--Mecha-Viper
BEST IDEA EVER!!! -- The Galactus Kid
Holy crapy, you're Zer0 Kay?! --TriaxTech
Zer0 Kay is my hero. --Atramentus
The Zer0 of Kay, who started this fray,
Kept us laughing until the end. -The Fifth Business (In loving Memory of the teleport thread)
User avatar
Zer0 Kay
Megaversal® Ambassador
Posts: 13731
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 1:59 pm
Location: Snoqualmie, WA

Re: Jesus Christ Lizard

Unread post by Zer0 Kay »

Daniel Stoker wrote:I wasn’t sure either but after looking it up the power says that they can walk on “smoke or fog” as well as water, so looks like that answers our question.


Daniel Stoker


So then.... Wait so is ones weight reduced? Can they now jump higher too? Or does their weight remain the same and their mass just change?
:thwak: you some might think you're a :clown: but you're cool in book :ok: :thwak:--Mecha-Viper
BEST IDEA EVER!!! -- The Galactus Kid
Holy crapy, you're Zer0 Kay?! --TriaxTech
Zer0 Kay is my hero. --Atramentus
The Zer0 of Kay, who started this fray,
Kept us laughing until the end. -The Fifth Business (In loving Memory of the teleport thread)
User avatar
Razorwing
Hero
Posts: 1017
Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:11 pm

Re: Jesus Christ Lizard

Unread post by Razorwing »

Neither... his weight and mass remain the same but his molecular density is altered allowing him to pass through solid objects yet but also allowing one to walk on things that would normally not be dense enough to support one's weight and mass. This is why one needs smoke/fog to walk upon rather than just air... air is still not dense enough to support the weight and mass of even an intangible person.
There are three types of people in the world; those who can count and those who can't.
User avatar
The Artist Formerly
Champion
Posts: 2279
Joined: Thu Nov 30, 2000 2:01 am
Comment: Time Magazine's person of the year, 2006.
Location: High in the Tower of Yellow, Swanky town.

Re: Jesus Christ Lizard

Unread post by The Artist Formerly »

eliakon wrote:
The Artist Formerly wrote:I've always let any of the super runners just do it (pun). They need some practice to get their stride, but other then that, if you've got super speed, why not? This is a game about breaking physics just for the hell of it. Let the players have some fun.

Depending on the particular game I might allow that... or not.
*shrugs*
Some games we bring in all the tropes and hijinks of the 4 color comics and Saturday morning TV, and in that it fits perfectly and would be allowed in with out an eye blink
Some games we go for other flavors of super hero style games, and some of those flavors don't mix well with 'super speed on water'. Some might though.

I see where you're coming from on that, it's just tends to get a little weird if one tries to inject too much real world into the game. Those newton laws can really wreck up a good fight, if you feel me. I tend to run with the idea that trademarked laser sword space battles are cool, and all the reasons such a thing could practically exist are lame.

Besides, a pc could have dropped a power selection on flight wingless instead of extraordinary speed, so I want to reward creativity and adding game play.
When I look in the dictionary and see the word Cool...I see Taffy's picture...-Shady Slug
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. -Abraham Lincoln
User avatar
Zer0 Kay
Megaversal® Ambassador
Posts: 13731
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 1:59 pm
Location: Snoqualmie, WA

Re: Jesus Christ Lizard

Unread post by Zer0 Kay »

Razorwing wrote:Neither... his weight and mass remain the same but his molecular density is altered allowing him to pass through solid objects yet but also allowing one to walk on things that would normally not be dense enough to support one's weight and mass. This is why one needs smoke/fog to walk upon rather than just air... air is still not dense enough to support the weight and mass of even an intangible person.


If his weight an mass remain the same but his molecular density is altered then he would grow larger as the molecules spread apart in order to allow him to maintain his mass and weight.
:thwak: you some might think you're a :clown: but you're cool in book :ok: :thwak:--Mecha-Viper
BEST IDEA EVER!!! -- The Galactus Kid
Holy crapy, you're Zer0 Kay?! --TriaxTech
Zer0 Kay is my hero. --Atramentus
The Zer0 of Kay, who started this fray,
Kept us laughing until the end. -The Fifth Business (In loving Memory of the teleport thread)
User avatar
eliakon
Palladin
Posts: 9093
Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2007 9:40 pm
Comment: Palladium Books Canon is set solely by Kevin Siembieda, either in person, or by his approval of published material.
Contact:

Re: Jesus Christ Lizard

Unread post by eliakon »

Zer0 Kay wrote:
Razorwing wrote:Neither... his weight and mass remain the same but his molecular density is altered allowing him to pass through solid objects yet but also allowing one to walk on things that would normally not be dense enough to support one's weight and mass. This is why one needs smoke/fog to walk upon rather than just air... air is still not dense enough to support the weight and mass of even an intangible person.


If his weight an mass remain the same but his molecular density is altered then he would grow larger as the molecules spread apart in order to allow him to maintain his mass and weight.

Only if we apply our worlds laws of physics.
And trying to do that kills Catgirls.
Please. Think of the Catgirls.
Don't analyze comic physics! (or fantasy physics, or Rifts physics, or magic, or...)

Seriously, in a game where you can run a super sonic speeds, turn on a dime, and have no friction issues; where straight arming someone at 300MPH just does damage to them not you; where bullets just stun; where battleship guns do less damage than tank guns; where people turn into other materials all the time, with out changing weight; where fireballs don't cause fires or burns; where electricity is a safe weapon that goes in a direct line with no deviations or grounding; where solar sails are one of the main faster than light drives...which have no time dilation... I'm not terribly worried about trying to figure out how the density of phased objects works.

All I care about is "What does the techno-babble say for this power?" "Does this trope work for this game or not?" beyond that its not going to hold up to any level of scrutiny whatsoever so why bother trying?
The rules are not a bludgeon with which to hammer a character into a game. They are a guide to how a group of friends can get together to weave a collective story that entertains everyone involved. We forget that at our peril.

Edmund Burke wrote:The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
User avatar
Razorwing
Hero
Posts: 1017
Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:11 pm

Re: Jesus Christ Lizard

Unread post by Razorwing »

Zer0 Kay wrote:
Razorwing wrote:Neither... his weight and mass remain the same but his molecular density is altered allowing him to pass through solid objects yet but also allowing one to walk on things that would normally not be dense enough to support one's weight and mass. This is why one needs smoke/fog to walk upon rather than just air... air is still not dense enough to support the weight and mass of even an intangible person.


If his weight an mass remain the same but his molecular density is altered then he would grow larger as the molecules spread apart in order to allow him to maintain his mass and weight.


That is assuming that altering molecular density makes molecules grow larger. There are other ways to affect density. Vibrations can turn an area of sand into quicksand (lowering density) without significantly altering the volume of the sand.

Plus we also have to remember that walking on things like smoke or water requires the intangible character to maintain a high level of concentration... using up 3 attacks per melee to maintain (while just being intangible doesn't need as much concentration).
There are three types of people in the world; those who can count and those who can't.
User avatar
Zer0 Kay
Megaversal® Ambassador
Posts: 13731
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 1:59 pm
Location: Snoqualmie, WA

Re: Jesus Christ Lizard

Unread post by Zer0 Kay »

Razorwing wrote:
Zer0 Kay wrote:
Razorwing wrote:Neither... his weight and mass remain the same but his molecular density is altered allowing him to pass through solid objects yet but also allowing one to walk on things that would normally not be dense enough to support one's weight and mass. This is why one needs smoke/fog to walk upon rather than just air... air is still not dense enough to support the weight and mass of even an intangible person.


If his weight an mass remain the same but his molecular density is altered then he would grow larger as the molecules spread apart in order to allow him to maintain his mass and weight.


That is assuming that altering molecular density makes molecules grow larger. There are other ways to affect density. Vibrations can turn an area of sand into quicksand (lowering density) without significantly altering the volume of the sand.

Plus we also have to remember that walking on things like smoke or water requires the intangible character to maintain a high level of concentration... using up 3 attacks per melee to maintain (while just being intangible doesn't need as much concentration).


Does it? So if you start vibrating a body of sand you can then add more water into it? Or does it just change the sands viscosity as the individual granuals are no longer supporting their neighbors?

Does it say that about OP fields?
:thwak: you some might think you're a :clown: but you're cool in book :ok: :thwak:--Mecha-Viper
BEST IDEA EVER!!! -- The Galactus Kid
Holy crapy, you're Zer0 Kay?! --TriaxTech
Zer0 Kay is my hero. --Atramentus
The Zer0 of Kay, who started this fray,
Kept us laughing until the end. -The Fifth Business (In loving Memory of the teleport thread)
User avatar
Zer0 Kay
Megaversal® Ambassador
Posts: 13731
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 1:59 pm
Location: Snoqualmie, WA

Re: Jesus Christ Lizard

Unread post by Zer0 Kay »

eliakon wrote:
Zer0 Kay wrote:
Razorwing wrote:Neither... his weight and mass remain the same but his molecular density is altered allowing him to pass through solid objects yet but also allowing one to walk on things that would normally not be dense enough to support one's weight and mass. This is why one needs smoke/fog to walk upon rather than just air... air is still not dense enough to support the weight and mass of even an intangible person.


If his weight an mass remain the same but his molecular density is altered then he would grow larger as the molecules spread apart in order to allow him to maintain his mass and weight.

Only if we apply our worlds laws of physics.
And trying to do that kills Catgirls.
Please. Think of the Catgirls.
Don't analyze comic physics! (or fantasy physics, or Rifts physics, or magic, or...)

Seriously, in a game where you can run a super sonic speeds, turn on a dime, and have no friction issues; where straight arming someone at 300MPH just does damage to them not you; where bullets just stun; where battleship guns do less damage than tank guns; where people turn into other materials all the time, with out changing weight; where fireballs don't cause fires or burns; where electricity is a safe weapon that goes in a direct line with no deviations or grounding; where solar sails are one of the main faster than light drives...which have no time dilation... I'm not terribly worried about trying to figure out how the density of phased objects works.

All I care about is "What does the techno-babble say for this power?" "Does this trope work for this game or not?" beyond that its not going to hold up to any level of scrutiny whatsoever so why bother trying?



I'M SORRY NUKU NUKU!!!!!

You forgot where small arms do more damage than a tank gun.
:thwak: you some might think you're a :clown: but you're cool in book :ok: :thwak:--Mecha-Viper
BEST IDEA EVER!!! -- The Galactus Kid
Holy crapy, you're Zer0 Kay?! --TriaxTech
Zer0 Kay is my hero. --Atramentus
The Zer0 of Kay, who started this fray,
Kept us laughing until the end. -The Fifth Business (In loving Memory of the teleport thread)
User avatar
Razorwing
Hero
Posts: 1017
Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:11 pm

Re: Jesus Christ Lizard

Unread post by Razorwing »

Zer0 Kay wrote:
Razorwing wrote:
Zer0 Kay wrote:
Razorwing wrote:Neither... his weight and mass remain the same but his molecular density is altered allowing him to pass through solid objects yet but also allowing one to walk on things that would normally not be dense enough to support one's weight and mass. This is why one needs smoke/fog to walk upon rather than just air... air is still not dense enough to support the weight and mass of even an intangible person.


If his weight an mass remain the same but his molecular density is altered then he would grow larger as the molecules spread apart in order to allow him to maintain his mass and weight.


That is assuming that altering molecular density makes molecules grow larger. There are other ways to affect density. Vibrations can turn an area of sand into quicksand (lowering density) without significantly altering the volume of the sand.

Plus we also have to remember that walking on things like smoke or water requires the intangible character to maintain a high level of concentration... using up 3 attacks per melee to maintain (while just being intangible doesn't need as much concentration).


Does it? So if you start vibrating a body of sand you can then add more water into it? Or does it just change the sands viscosity as the individual granuals are no longer supporting their neighbors?

Does it say that about OP fields?


The point is that there are more than a single way to look at how a power works. The power states that it is affecting the molecular bonds of the individual... not their mass or weight. How you choose to interpret that is up to you (but trying to apply real world physics to powers that tend to defy the known laws of physics doesn't always work). One person's intangibility may involve vibrations... another may be accessing a dimension where he is slightly out of sync with matter... while another might actually be altering the material he passes through so that it is passing through him rather than he passing through it. There isn't a single "right" answer to how these powers work... just that they all have the same results (and thus are represented by the same game mechanic).
There are three types of people in the world; those who can count and those who can't.
User avatar
Zer0 Kay
Megaversal® Ambassador
Posts: 13731
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 1:59 pm
Location: Snoqualmie, WA

Re: Jesus Christ Lizard

Unread post by Zer0 Kay »

Razorwing wrote:
Zer0 Kay wrote:
Razorwing wrote:
Zer0 Kay wrote:
Razorwing wrote:Neither... his weight and mass remain the same but his molecular density is altered allowing him to pass through solid objects yet but also allowing one to walk on things that would normally not be dense enough to support one's weight and mass. This is why one needs smoke/fog to walk upon rather than just air... air is still not dense enough to support the weight and mass of even an intangible person.


If his weight an mass remain the same but his molecular density is altered then he would grow larger as the molecules spread apart in order to allow him to maintain his mass and weight.


That is assuming that altering molecular density makes molecules grow larger. There are other ways to affect density. Vibrations can turn an area of sand into quicksand (lowering density) without significantly altering the volume of the sand.

Plus we also have to remember that walking on things like smoke or water requires the intangible character to maintain a high level of concentration... using up 3 attacks per melee to maintain (while just being intangible doesn't need as much concentration).


Does it? So if you start vibrating a body of sand you can then add more water into it? Or does it just change the sands viscosity as the individual granuals are no longer supporting their neighbors?

Does it say that about OP fields?


The point is that there are more than a single way to look at how a power works. The power states that it is affecting the molecular bonds of the individual... not their mass or weight. How you choose to interpret that is up to you (but trying to apply real world physics to powers that tend to defy the known laws of physics doesn't always work). One person's intangibility may involve vibrations... another may be accessing a dimension where he is slightly out of sync with matter... while another might actually be altering the material he passes through so that it is passing through him rather than he passing through it. There isn't a single "right" answer to how these powers work... just that they all have the same results (and thus are represented by the same game mechanic).


I said out of phase field which infers the Phase world harness the power doesn't produce an out of phase field it just makes one out of phase. You assumed I meant the power, I did not. The harness only uses one type of out of phase it doesn't depend on which one you want it to use. So now going back to that does the Promethean tech device allow people to walk on smoke and fog? Does the Promethean tech device say how it puts a person out of phase and explain how they are able to walk on floors but walk through walls?
:thwak: you some might think you're a :clown: but you're cool in book :ok: :thwak:--Mecha-Viper
BEST IDEA EVER!!! -- The Galactus Kid
Holy crapy, you're Zer0 Kay?! --TriaxTech
Zer0 Kay is my hero. --Atramentus
The Zer0 of Kay, who started this fray,
Kept us laughing until the end. -The Fifth Business (In loving Memory of the teleport thread)
Post Reply

Return to “Heroes Unlimited™”