[Sorc] Demon: the Jar of Goo

[James_Nostack]

I have a question about how to stat up a demon:

Player envisions a big jar of protoplasm that can pour goop to form objects out of non-living biological matter.  So, bone armor.  Or a rope.  Or a key made out of toenail clippings.  Or a hamburger.  Or a dead body.  I'm not entirely sure how to stat such an ability.  Spawn + Shapeshift?  Warp?  (The goo has other properties which aren't confusing to me.)

If it helps, this is sort of like creating objects out of thin air, or a nanotech utility fog device. 

Incidentally, this is for a Sorcerer & Sword game, which I would describe in more detail but I have to pack for the weekend.  Details for those who are interested, provided at the Atlantis Wiki.

[Ron Edwards]

Warp.

Although I'm a little puzzled by the one part of your post which specifies "out of non-living organic matter" and the other which says "out of thin air." Which is it?

Also, you should keep a sharp eye on the utility of such objects. If it really makes armor, then the demon needs a new ability, Armor, for instance. A lot of cool things like your hamburger or the key can just be applications of Warp, but I betcha the player has some in mind that aren't.

Best,
Ron

[James_Nostack]

Oops, sorry about the confusion -- I meant, the jar contains the protoplasm.  You spill some out, and the spill assumes the desired shape.  The jar itself still contains some goop to be used later.

This is a little different than Warp in the core rules, because Warp is assumed to affect already existing objects.  Yet in this case the material of the object and its shape originate with the demon.  This reminds me of the Spawn ability, yet the object isn't alive or capable of independent action.

I'm fine treating it either way, I just wanted to figure out how the rules handled creating inanimate matter, as opposed to only sculpting it.

[Ron Edwards]

Hiya,

You are getting way too involved with imaginary cause in the imaginary game-space.

I meant, the jar contains the protoplasm.  You spill some out, and the spill assumes the desired shape.  The jar itself still contains some goop to be used later.

That's just window dressing. It's plain old Warp. When some yotz (or your bad little gamer-think section of your brain) says, "Yeah, but it could do it in a vacuum!", your proper response is to stab that thinking in the heart and get with the actual task of enjoying how you'll play the demon in the game.

Best,
Ron