a captivating display

[Mr Snoid]

Alright, I'm after a power for an NPC that basically puts people into a trance. If anybody's read the Swamp Thing comic when he goes to the planet of sentient plants and fights (kinda) the Green Lantern dude from there, it's very similar.
(In the above example the GL made a big "pretty lights" display that held Swampy totally transfixed)
Paralysis isn't quite right because it only affects the targets ability to move, a character can still use mental abilities. Stun doesn't seem to be it, 'cause it's very much physical (ranged strike, Fort save). Dazzle and Illusion aren't even close.
I guess I could just replace the fortitude save on Stun with a will, but I thought I'd see if anyone had a better idea.
Oh, alright, I'm lazy and indecisive. [/i]

[ronalmb]

Hmmm:

Mind Control, flawed to only one command (stand transfixed). FX it to "look at the pretty lights"

[Steve Kenson]

[secondedition]The Fascinate feat[/secondedition]

[ronalmb]

OooOOoo Good call. Cheaper to than Mind Control (stand transfixed).

[Stule Brown]

Steve Kenson Posted:
[secondedition]The Fascinate feat[/secondedition]

Hey Steve!

Which book is that in?

OH YEAH!

THE ONE I DON'T HAVE!!!



LOL!!!

[Mr Snoid]

Which book is that in?

OH YEAH!

THE ONE I DON'T HAVE!!!

My sentiments exactly. Perhaps we could confine this discussion to 1e?

[Greyman]

[secondedition]The Fascinate feat[/secondedition]

I find it interesting that it's a feat rather than a power in itself. I'm guessing that it may be a feat that modifies the effect and duration of a power. Perhaps it lets you sustain a power, like Dazzle, to facinate rather than stun?

Possibly something like this (adapted from the 3ed D&D bardic music ability):

----

Fascinate (Power)

Prerequiste: Dazzle 3+.

Benefit: A hero with 3 or more ranks in a Dazzle can use this power to cause one or more creatures to become fascinated with him. Each creature to be fascinated must be within 90 feet, able to see (or hear) the hero, and able to pay attention to him. The hero must also be able to see the creature. The distraction of a nearby combat or other dangers prevents the ability from working. For every three ranks a heor attains beyond 1st, he can target one additional creature with a single use of this power feat.

To use the feat, a bard makes a Power check. His check result is the DC for each affected creature’s Will save against the effect. If a creature’s saving throw succeeds, the hero cannot attempt to fascinate that creature again for 24 hours. If its saving throw fails, the creature sits quietly and observes the power, taking no other actions, for as long as the heor sustains the power and concentrates (up to a maximum of 1 round per power rank). While fascinated, a target takes a –4 penalty on skill checks made as reactions, such as Notice checks. Any potential threat requires the hero to make another Power check and allows the creature a new saving throw against a DC equal to the new Power check result.

Any obvious threat, such as someone drawing a weapon, casting a spell, or aiming a ranged weapon at the target, automatically breaks the effect. Fascinate has the Mental power descriptor.

----

Well, it's an idea to kick around.

[The General]

Alright, I'm after a power for an NPC that basically puts people into a trance. If anybody's read the Swamp Thing comic when he goes to the planet of sentient plants and fights (kinda) the Green Lantern dude from there, it's very similar.
(In the above example the GL made a big "pretty lights" display that held Swampy totally transfixed)
Paralysis isn't quite right because it only affects the targets ability to move, a character can still use mental abilities. Stun doesn't seem to be it, 'cause it's very much physical (ranged strike, Fort save). Dazzle and Illusion aren't even close.
I guess I could just replace the fortitude save on Stun with a will, but I thought I'd see if anyone had a better idea.
Oh, alright, I'm lazy and indecisive. [/i]

Maybe you can try this:

TRANCE
Paralysis (Extra: Mind Blank [Extra: Trigger])

Cost: 4pp/rank
Action: Half
Range: Normal
Duration: Sustained
Saving Throw: Will

You can put a target under a trance. The target forgets they were attacked and is unaware of what is happening.
The target is transfixed, they are unable to move or react in any way.

Make a normal ranged attack roll. If successful, the target must make a Will saving throw.
If the target fails, they are under a trance.
As a half-action the target can attempt to make a Will save to break the trance, with a cumulative +1 bonus each round.
If the target succeeds, they realize what is happening and can act normally the following round.
If you concentrate on maintaining the trance, the target gets no bonus to the Will save to break the trance.

Extras:

Area - All targets around you can be put under a trance.


Flaws:

Duration - Concentration: You must make a Concentration check each round to keep a target under a trance.

Limited - The trance is broken if the target is harmed.

Restricted - Olfactory: Affects the targets through scent. This could represent perfumes, foul odors, narcotics, pheromones, etc.
Targets that don't breathe are unaffected by this power.

Restricted - Visual: Affects the target through visual display. This could represent swirling lights, a spiraling pattern, etc.
Targets that are blind are unaffected by this power.

Restricted - Auditory: Affects the target through sounds. This could represent a music, singing, high pitch whine, etc.
Targets that are deaf are unaffected by this power.

NOTES:
Normally Mind Blank goes into effect after the base power effect ends.
With the Trigger extra the Mind Blank goes off the moment the Paralysis takes effect.

Some additional ideas for extras and flaws:
Memory Alteration - The target only remembers being elsewhere or doing something else. Maybe a hallucination?
Device - Example: The gun from the movie Looker (would require the flaw Restricted - Visual)

All the above is subject to your GM's approval.

If you want the target to perform any sort of action (like follow the dancing lights) while under a trance then you should go with Mind Control instead like ronalmb suggested.

Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

[Mr Snoid]

Thanks, people.
I might go with the General's suggestion, that looks about right.