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Dimension Descriptors
The following are important descriptors for dimensional
powers.
Dimension: In most comic book settings, the dimension descriptor has multiple facets, any of which
can potentially apply to dimensional powers.
The first means a largely separate universe or
reality from the one in which the characters normally live (usually the one occupied by their version
of Earth). These dimensions are further sub-divided
by category, from parallel universes to mythic and
mystic dimensions to alternate realities like hyperspace or dimensions where the laws of physics as we
know them are entirely different. Depending on the
nature of the omniverse (the collection of every possible dimension or universe) there may be an infinite
number of alternate dimensions, or a specific, finite
number.
Something keeps these different dimensions
apart, whether it is a specific sub-quantum vibration or mystic barriers created eons ago by powerful sorcerers. Dimensional powers often involve the
ability to overcome these separations, bridging or
mixing the dimensions.
The other definition concerns the physical dimensions of space-time, the ways in which we measure
Dimensional Effects
The Dimensional Travel effect of Movement (Heros Handbook, page 120) and the Dimensional Modifier (Heros
Handbook, page 140) are both influential for dimensional
powers.
Both the effect and the modifier are priced based on a
scale related to the number or type of dimensions they
can access. This allows the Gamemaster to tailor them to
suit the setting, which may include many dimensions, just
a few, or none at all (in which case dimensional effects involving other realities do not exist).
Both are also based on the idea that effects bridge the
dimensions in the same proximate location; when you
use a Dimensional effect to reach or perceive into
another dimension, you affect the area roughly equivalent to your physical location in the dimension you
occupy. Likewise, when you move between dimensions
with Dimensional Travel, you shift from your location in
one dimension to the proximate location in the other
(and back). Being able to reach distant points in other
dimensions requires the same kind of effects and modifiers used to extend distance in your home dimension: Extended Range or Senses, Remote Sensing, and Teleport,
to name a few.
Dimension Features
Some potential Feature effects associated with Dimension
Powers include the following:
Offensive Powers
Offensive dimension powers manipulate the fabric of the
dimensions in different ways to harm or impair targets, or
to simply remove them, sending them to another dimension entirely.
Dimensional Banishment
You banish a target from the dimension you both currently
occupy to another. If the target resists, nothing happens.
If it fail, it disappears. Exactly how varies according to the
powers descriptors: it may make the character simply
fade away or it may look like the character is sucked into a
howling tear in the fabric of reality.
By default, this power only banishes the target to a particular dimension, either its dimension of origin or a
specific one (such as always banishing targets to Limbo
or Hades). Add ranks of Dimensional Travel (at 4 points
each) if you can choose to send your target to a range
of different dimensions. Increasing the resistance DC
above the base of 11 costs 3 points per rank (including
the Limited to Resistance modifier) and is limited by
power level.
This power is often Limited to banishing only outsiders, so
you cannot exile someone from their native dimension. It
can effectively serve to counter many dimensional summoning effects.
Dimensional Banishment: Perception Ranged Movement
(Dimensional Travel 1) Attack (Resisted by Dodge or Will)
4 points + 3 points per +1 to resistance DC.
Dimensional Blade
You can conjure a two-dimensional weapon that is almost
infinitely thin, making it impossibly sharp. It might be a
Removable device, called out of nothing, or even your
own hand or arm, flattened down into two-dimensions.
The blade is Subtle in that it is practically invisible when
seen on-edge, making it easier to conceal, and occasionally useful for surprise attacks.
Dimensional Blade: Penetrating Damage (cutting), Subtle 1
point + 2 points per rank.
Dimensional Cascade
You tear a rift in the dimensional fabric, causing a cascade
of dangerous energies to pour out and engulf your
targets. You can choose any environmental effect or
hazardheat, cold, poison gas, electricity, radiation, and
so forthas the descriptor for the powers Damage. For a
more focused version, swap Ranged for Cone Area.
Dimensional Cascade: Cone Area Damage (environmental
effect), Variable Descriptor 1 (environmental effects) 1 point +
2 points per rank.
Defensive Powers
Defensive dimension powers protect against the hazardous environments and conditions encountered in other
dimensions, or use the manipulation of dimensions to
protect against attacks.
Dimensional Adaptation
You adapt to survive in dimensions you visit, allowing you
to travel without any concern for the local conditions.
Dimensional Adaptation: Immunity 10 (life support), Limited to
Hazardous Dimensions 5 points.
Dimensional Anchor
You are a fixed point amongst dimensions, immune to
dimension-manipulating or shifting effects you do not
initiate yourself.
Dimensional Anchor: Immunity 5 (dimension powers) 5 points.
Dimensional Shunt
You neutralize the effects of attacks by shunting them into
another dimension. This requires the Defend action (Heros
Handbook, page 194195) so you cannot use Dimensional
Shunt while taking other standard actions, but you can
use this power to protect other targets from attacks, so
long as they are within range. Reflect and Redirect are potential modifiers for this power.
Dimensional Shunt: Deflect (dimensional) 1 point per rank.
Movement Powers
The primary dimension movement power is, of course,
the ability to travel between different dimensions, but
that basic ability can play out into a number of different
dimension-based movement powers.
Dimension Walk
You can literally walk across the dimensions, shifting the
dimension you occupy as you move. You must move
under your own power, meaning you cannot ride a mount
or in a vehicle (or be carried by someone else), but you do
not have to walk; you can use whatever modes of movement you have, including Speed or Flight. If your check
to navigate through the dimensions is unsuccessful you
may become lost, wandering into a different dimension or
trapped in a realm between dimensions, rather than the
power not working, at the GMs discretion.
If you can lead someone else along with you, apply the
Affects Others modifier. If you can lead a whole group,
apply Affects Others along with the appropriate Area
modifierBurst if they have to remain in close proximity,
Line if they must follow in line behind you.
Dimensional Jump
You move from one dimension to another simply by
willing it, vanishing from your current dimension and
appearing in the other. You appear at your proximate
location in the other dimension, and if you move there
and travel back to the previous dimension, you appear
to have moved the proximate distance. For the ability to
shift great distances between dimensions, add a Teleport
effect to your power.
Dimensional Jump: Movement (Dimensional Travel) 2 points
per rank up to 3 ranks (6 points).
Dimensional Portal
You can open a portal or gateway between the dimension you currently occupy and another. Anyone can step
through the portal so long as you concentrate to keep it
open.
Dimensional Portal: Movement (Dimensional Travel), Portal
4 points per rank up to 3 ranks (12 points).
Utility Powers
Dimension powers are useful for a number of different
things, from grabbing items from other dimensions to
stashing them in a pocket dimension to retrieve later.
Dimension Sense
You have the ability to sense the vibration or other metaphysical qualities of the dimension you occupy, letting
you both recognize it (if you know it) and learn it for future
reference, allowing you to travel there again and recognize it when you do. Making the sense Analytical allows
you to learn the essential differences between the physical laws and properties of the dimension from the baseline you know (usually Earths dimension).
Dimension Sense: Senses 2 (Detect Dimension, Acute) 2 points.
Dimensional Grab
You have the power to reach out across the myriad dimensions to find an item or type of item and draw it to
you. Items in the possession of other beings entitle them
to a Will resistance check to avoid them being taken. Unattached items are simply limited to a mass rank no greater
than your effect rank.
You have to specify the item youre looking for, and unspecified details may vary. So, if you reach for a gun you
may get anything from an antique flintlock to super-science blaster pistol. If you specify a Colt .45 youll get that,
although details like its grip or make could vary. Gamemasters may wish to limit the ability to grab very specific
items to avoid the damage this powercarefully used
can do to the plot.
Dimensional Grab is often associated with a Removable
device, such as a gauntlet or a container (bag, pocket, or
hat) from which the user can withdraw almost anything.
Dimensional Grab: Enhanced Advantage (Equipment;
dimensional), Variable Descriptor 2 (equipment) 2 points +
1 point per rank.
Dimensional Perspective
By shifting the perspective of your senses through dimensions, you can perceive around obstacles in the dimension you occupy: a wall, for example, may not exist in a
neighboring dimension and is flat when viewed from a
higher one.
Dimensional Perspective: Senses 4 (Penetrates Concealment)
4 points per sense.
Dimensional Pocket
You can access an extradimensional pocket or storage
space where you can place things and retrieve them later.
Items placed in your dimensional pocket remain in the
same state until you withdraw them. You cannot place
living or unwilling beings into your pocket, only nonliving objects. The object you wish to retrieve from the
pocket is always on top when you reach into it, coming
immediately into your hand. The powers rank determines
the mass you can store at once. Once the pocket is full
nothing else will fit into it without first removing something.
Like Dimensional Grab, this power is often a Removable
device of some sort, a container you literally reach into
to store and retrieve items; otherwise, your Dimensional
Pocket appears like a hole in the air or may simply be
items appearing and disappearing from your hands.
Dimensional Pocket: Feature (extradimensional storage of mass
rank in material) 1 point per rank.
Dimensional Shift
You shift the majority of your bodily mass out of your
current dimension, leaving only a ghostly after-image, allowing you to move about like an immaterial wraith. You
may be exposed to hazards in the interstitial dimension
where you have shifted your mass, and others with Dimensional Shift powers may be able to reach you there.
Dimensional Shift: Insubstantial 4 20 points.
Dimensional Stability
You harden the local dimensional structure around you,
making it more difficult to change, manipulate, or open
Dimensional Summoning
You can bring creatures from other dimensions to serve
you. These can range from mythic and metaphysical
beings to alien life forms or even parallel world duplicates,
depending on the powers descriptors. See the Summoning Powers profile for details and additional ideas for this
power.
Dimensional Summoning: Summon Extradimensional Beings
2 points per rank.
Dimensional Window
You open a window into another dimension, allowing
you to peer into it, seeing and hearing what is happening there proximate to your location. If you can extend
your senses to other locales in your target dimension, add
ranks in Remote Sensing to the power (possibly Limited to
Other Dimensions).
Dimensional Window: Dimensional Vision and Hearing
2 points (one other dimension), 4 points (related group of
dimensions), 6 points (any dimension).
Two-Dimensional Form
You flatten your body down to two dimensions, having
height and width, but essentially no depth, becoming
almost infinitely flat. This makes you practically invisible
when seen from the side (on edge) and allows you to fit
through any opening wide enough to accommodate the
width of your shoulders, allowing you to slide through the
cracks between door- and window-frames, for example.
This form is often (but not always) accompanied by the
Dimensional Blade offensive power, using your hands and
arms as infinitely thin cutting edges.
Two-Dimensional Form: Concealment 4 (all visual, Limited to
One Side), Insubstantial 1, Quirk (Limited by body width, 1
point) 8 points.
Four-Dimensional Form
You extend your physical form into the dimension
above the three of space, allowing you to ignore many of
the limitations of being a three-dimensional being. In particular, you gain the benefits of the Dimensional Perspective power, looking around 3D obstacles. You can also
sidestep such obstacles, effectively teleporting around
them as your normal movement, and you can make Indirect attacks by extending above so your attacks seem to
originate from a different point.
Dimensional Complications
As any seasoned mystic will say, tampering with the
forces and inhabitants of other dimensions is no simple
matter, leading to a variety of complications, including
the following.
Accident
Start warping, much less poking and tearing, the dimensional fabric and accidents are bound to happen. This
complication gives the Gamemaster carte blanche to
have almost anything pop up from another dimension,
from the characters evil twin to intelligent mad scientist
dinosaurs. A dimension power accident can easily lead
into other complications, like an ongoing enemy or a reputation for causing dimensional disasters!
Perhaps the most common accident for dimension powers
is a mis-jump or other incident that hurls the character
(and anyone nearby) into another dimension with no immediate means to return. This makes an excellent plot
hook for an adventure involving an alternate dimension
or characters visiting a new dimension for the first time.
Enemy
Speaking of enemies, those with dimension powers widen
their potential scope of foes from the earthly plane to the
entire omniverse! Enemies may consider those with dimension powers a threat to them and their plans, or want
to find a way to harness the characters powers to serve
their own ends. Some dimensional heroes act as guardians or gatekeepers of their dimension, holding outsiders
at bay, while others are explorers who may stumble upon
extradimensional threats in their wanderings. Some dimensional enemies may have dimension powers of their
Identity
Characters with dimension powers may themselves originate in other dimensions, making them strangers on Earth.
This can lead to identity complications, particularly if the
character has no previous legal existence or is a parallel
universe duplicate of an existing person. There might be
awkward questions to answer and investigators looking
to uncover the truth about the characters identity.
Power Loss
Dimension powers may rely upon specific conditions,
such as the alignment of dimensional geometries or mechanics, depending on the relationships between dimensions. A dimensional eclipse might black out some or all
dimension powers for a time, and dimensional storms
can inhibit travel between dimensions or make it more
difficult.
If a higher authority grants some or all of the characters
dimension powers (see Responsibility, following), then
those powers may be revoked under the right circumstances.
Responsibility
As mentioned under Enemy, dimension powers sometimes come with a responsibility to use them to safeguard
the characters home dimension, or even the whole of the
omniverse, against extradimensional threats. A character
might be a mystically appointed guardian or an officer of
the reality police in charge of apprehending rogue dimension travelers.
Secret
The very existence of other dimensions, much less the
ability to travel between or manipulate them, may be a
closely guarded secret. Those with dimension powers can
often pass them off as things like teleportation or conjuring tricks, keeping their true nature secret. Likewise, characters from other dimensions may have good reason to
keep their origins secret, especially if they are operating
under cover on Earth as an agent of an extradimensional
power or organization.
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The following is designated as Product Identity, in accordance with Section 1(e) of the Open Game License,
Version 1.0a: hero points, power points. All characters and
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