Just wanted to share that my first first-author paper is now online! In the journal Stem Cells and Development, here’s my paper on “Roles of Integrins in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Growth on Matrigel and Vitronectin.”
How would you organize your followers?
No fair! I want to roleplay! It’s been so, so long…
Hmm. I’d take a tactic from real-life cults, and have “orders” of initiation. There’s common mooks as hired thugs and cannon-fodder, and lots of them. But the catch– they don’t know they’re really following a demon goddess. Maybe they think they’re following a dark elf leader.
Beyond them, there are increasing ranks of villians. Each rank has fewer members, but they’re more powerful and know more of the truth. Maybe they ingest secreted spider demon venom to enhance themselves at a terrible cost (and addiction?).
At the top, there are 1-3 boss figures, who direct the followers and shield the spider demon goddess. One might secretly be a dead puppet, animated by nearly invisible webbing strands puppetteering him from the spider’s lair.
They should have a distinctive insignia, a penchant for black and gray (what dark elf doesn’t?), and hiss words through girtted teeth. At least one mid-level guy should have been afflicted by the spider, giving him multiple eyes or limbs and combat bad-assery.
The most common rank, which doesn’t know the true goals, is very widespread… in fact, the good guys probably depend on some of the followers (inn-keepers, etc), and could be attacked when they least suspect.
Just off the top of my head…
If you mean battle formations… Spiders think in 3D, so should the followers– have a fight scene in a huge cave, with enemies drop[ping off ropes, firing from ledges, and lots of nets and ropes and hooks and falling.
Paradoxdruid - June 21st, 2005 at 7:47 pmYou know, a nice place to post this would be on “The ParaWiki,”:https://old.paradoxdruid.com/wiki/ specifically in the section on “Roleplaying: Material for Roleplaying Games,”:https://old.paradoxdruid.com/wiki/index.php?title=Roleplaying … probably in the section of “Roleplaying Campaigns: Ideas, Campaigns.”:https://old.paradoxdruid.com/wiki/index.php?title=Roleplaying_Campaigns
But I guess it works here too…
Spoil-sport. 😛 But she makes a good point.. the “ParaWiki”:http://wiki.paradoxdruid.com does need loving.
Paradoxdruid - June 21st, 2005 at 7:53 pm“If You Were A Spider Demon Goddess of Evil Elves… How would you organize your followers?”
But really, if you were a spider demon goddess… why would you need any followers? I think you’d be pretty bad-ass all by yourself. Besides, spiders aren’t really social creatures…
Teisha - June 21st, 2005 at 7:54 pmSpeaking of not having roleplayed in a long time, you know that in a month or so we’re all going to be in the same place for the only time in the foreseeable future.
And bitch, I want roleplayin!
Thoughts on the OP, by the way…
There’s a blind spider that comes up behind its prey and touches it, ever so delicately, with its front legs. The prey doesn’t know it’s even there until the spider pounces. You could do that in the Big Final Showdown. Have a massively high “perception” roll to know it’s right behind you, touching your neck.
Have it jump, fly on a spider thread “kite”, etc etc.
I like the “terrorist cell” idea, especially with the diverted targets (people hating the government working for the spider, that sort of thing).
Cool! What’s the name of this blind spider?
All in all I think I’m most influenced by Teisha’s observation… spider’s aren’t really social… so….
In my version of the religion adherents consider themselves to be parts of the mother spider’s web. The Web is of the “lure victims in by being nearly impossible to detect and woven in a strategic area” kind. Of course, it’s a metaphorical social/magical type of web which blends in a diabolical philosophy with a terrorist cell social structure very nicely…. mUHAHAHAA…. too bad I’m not the GM. 🙁
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Just wanted to share that my first first-author paper is now online! In the journal Stem Cells and Development, here’s my paper on “Roles of Integrins in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Growth on Matrigel and Vitronectin.”
Just read a fascinating (if lengthy) essay on disruptive technology and the future of scientific publishing. Well worth the read!
Just wanted to share Mint.com’s Visual Guide to Deflation, which is quite explanatory.
Hey all Paradoxdruid readers! I recently started up a blog on stem cells that I’d love you all to take a look at: http://www.allthingsstemcell.com/
I participated in another Barely literate book review podcast, this time on Nicholson Baker’s “The Fermata”. Give it a listen!
Obama has outlined a strategy for America, in great depth. Read all about Change.gov!
Okay, I’ll admit that it’s entirely possible that I am the last person to learn about this website*, but it’s really addictive.Â
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