opnet [OpNet] Developing a new power.

[Wakinyan]

Have any of you created from scratch a new way to use your node? Not just that it just randomly happened or an extension of a power you already had. I mean have any of you consciously thought you needed X power and worked on developing it until you started being able to do it?

While I notice some of my powers are getting more developed I haven't really put much thought into trying to create a new ability. To be honest I wouldn't even know where to begin, so personal experiences would be appreciated.

[Alex Craft]

Depends on how you mean that, really. I've never developed an ability entirely unrelated to my portfolio of the time, but I have deliberately developed extensions of what I could already do.

For instance: I erupted with a highly developed quantum-level perception. Later, I found that I had a reflexive ability to defensively manipulate probability (basically, I was really lucky, but only when people were shooting at me). I started trying to use my quantum perception to see exactly what I was doing when 'shielding' myself. After a while, I got able to see that, and then I figured out how to watch all those little probability fields even when I wasn't messing them around.

It took a couple of years, but this process gave me what amounts to a low-end precognition. Once I'd gotten the basics down, I started to figure out how to manipulate probability directly, and - over time - I've developed some basic ability with directly manipulating quantum.

If you really want to grow a new ability, you'd probably do best by pushing the limits of your power repeatedly - what they call 'maxing.' Most of the time, you'll find your abilities increasing, and if you keep pushing a certain aspect you'll probably see development there. However, your subconscious seems to influence all this, and things might not work out the way you think.

Also, there's the taint. I developed relatively rapidly during my career at Utopia and Triton by doing this kind of thing, but I also racked up some pretty unpleasant aberration. Don't really need to go into this here - I'm sure you noticed that Doc Troll and Ashnod have been throwing this back and forth over at 'Stheno's Works.'

[Wakinyan]

The main thing I am wondering is someone that has one power can pick up another kind with no real connection between them. Like a Magnetic controller learning how to talk to animals and such. Do powers have to follow a form given to you? I don't really want to push my Taint anymore than my eruption gave me. I mean giant griffin with growing animal instinct isn't the easiest thing to deal with and I shouldn't risk anything more.

[Jager]

No, we can do whatever we want, if we want it enough.

I have heard all kinds of people argue about it. Some even had a clue to what they were talking about. In the end, we chose the powers and limitations that we chose to grow by.

On the otherhand, sometimes we limit ourselves for very good reasons.

Should you push yourself to do so?

Do you like spending time with your mortal family?

[Longboard]

dude, I have noticed over time that my power lethal blast has been getting more and more deadly. I have come up against some pretty big dudes and to take em down I had to max out my quantam a few times. I am finding that This has developed to an agg quantam bolt. However, this did take a looong freakin' time, and it definitley DID pose a problem a few times when maxing out and acquiring some more taint. but hey, Im a good guy, and thats what you do, you take risks, and win big.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

I've put a lot of effort into learning cyberK. So far, nothing, zippo, zilch.

During that same time I've gotten much stronger, smarter, more durable, and picked up lots of misc stuff related to my eruption.

At least right now, I can't get to there from here.

And "maxing" appears to have unpleasant long term side effects. I don't recomend it.

[Longboard]

Take a Kukri to the node. It worked for me. Albeit it hurt like hell, almost died, and was out of any kind of action for months... but Im pretty much invulnerable to most physical damage, and I got a pretty good handle on the psychic shield. bUt dude, I almost died.

Compared to the Kukri in the head, maxing it out is no biggie. and besides, it looks alot cooler.

[Zed]

Quote:

Originally posted by Totem:
The main thing I am wondering is someone that has one power can pick up another kind with no real connection between them.

Ah, but the trick is finding the connection. Hell, I can teleport now. What does that have to do with being able to stretch my body to all sorts of weird shapes and sizes? Nothing really until you see the big picture.

[Longboard]

Your powers are always connected to either your initial eruption, and experiences you gain afterwards, bro. randall portman. Pax.

for instance, My ability to fly initially wasnt really flying dude, but dont let that get out, im getting pretty heavy endorsement money for them new Nike airs, dude. I actually used my elemntal mastery to superheat the air around myself for propulsion and lift. wheeew big words. later that developed into true flight.

[Neil Preston]

What was that old commercial?

No Rules. Just Right.

[Jager]

Fire coming out of your cornhole and no one could figure it out?

Some people need to excercise their imagination, and a better sense of humor. Taking yourself, or the world, too seriously is a serious limitation.

[Zed]

Quote:

Originally posted by Jager:
Fire coming out of your cornhole and no one could figure it out?
Some people need to excercise their imagination, and a better sense of humor. Taking yourself, or the world, too seriously is a serious limitation.

Isn't that my line?

[Hugin]

Quote:

Originally posted by Zed:
Nothing really until you see the big picture.

Congratulations Zed, you've taken the biggest and hardest step. It's difficult, almost impossible for many.

[Zed]

Quote:

Originally posted by James 'Prodigy' Meehan:

Quote:

Originally posted by Zed:
Nothing really until you see the big picture.

Congratulations Zed, you've taken the biggest and hardest step. It's difficult, almost impossible for many.

Yay! Wait... step towards what?

[Essex]

Yeah, that's what i'd like to know too.

Me? I have a few tricks that don't seem to be related to each other but I've had them since eruption. I've been trying to figure out for a long time now why I developed them but so far the only explanation I've come up with is because somewhere in the back of my mind I expected to. I don't know if that makes any sense to anyone else but there you go.

[Jager]

The trick is just that: What the mind expects to happen.

[Jake Cosmos Stafford]

Learning how to open your mind often has a cost. I'm not saying it's not worth it, rather it is. But it may be the hardest thing most people ever do seeing the BIG PICTURE and exceeding our expectations for the universe. Once you do the world won't look the same though.

[Sakurako Hino]

Quote:

Originally posted by Jager:
The trick is just that: What the mind expects to happen.

That is the nature of Reality, Jager. Through the observation of it, you influence it. Although it is very small, it is powerful none the less if enough get involved.

Of course, such mind over matter things are reserved for my wierdness thread. ~.^

[Jager]

Quote:

Of course, such mind over matter things are reserved for my wierdness thread. ~.^

Girl, in you, its not a thread, its an anchor cable.

[Sakurako Hino]

No, it's a support cable for an orbital lifting system.

All in all, and I'll say this again, Walker is right. Weirdness follows me like a hungry puppy sniffing aorund my grocery bag wanting a scrap of sausage.

Thing is sometimes I don't go looking for it, sometimes it finds me.

So if anyone hangs around me be advised, it may be an exiting evening. ~.^

[Jager]

A hungry puppy that clones itself.

[Sakurako Hino]

*Awww, how cute, a puppy... uh... erm... Someone call the dog catcher!!!*

My response to that: Bow wow wow, Yippie yo Yippie Yea!

^.^

[Jager]

GUNS!!!

{the sounds of thousands of little yaps}

We've got to get bigger GUNS!!

[Essex]

I can't believe you just quoted that! I can't believe there's anyone else here old enough to remember that! Thank god Dolph Lundgren is no longer making movies.

[Jager]

It was Rutger Hauer, mate, not Dolph. The movie was Split Second, I believe. Dolph was in the Punisher (Mk I), among other less-than-memorable classics.

[Longboard]

yeah but it was a bite off of the JAWS Line

"I think we're gonna a need a bigger boat."

[Jake Cosmos Stafford]

Now that's an old movie. Way before my time.

[Essex]

Quote:

Originally posted by Jager:
It was Rutger Hauer, mate, not Dolph. The movie was Split Second, I believe. Dolph was in the Punisher (Mk I), among other less-than-memorable classics.

You're right, my bad. Jeez you can't blame me though. You quoted probably the best line in the entire film.

Dolph Lungren as Punisher, *Shudders*, I still have nightmares.

[Longboard]

JAWS.. is timeless. Ive actually memorized the the drinking songs they sing. Then again, I am a surfer with a great affinity for the ocean.

[Neil Preston]

I would think being largely immune to the apetites of a Great White would also effect your perspective. Does it?

[Destiny]

yeah yeah yeah

[Understudy]

Quote:

Have any of you created from scratch a new way to use your node? Not just that it just randomly happened or an extension of a power you already had.

Back to your point Totem. Yes it is possible and yes they are all connected with the bigger picture.
One way of looking at it would be to compare it to similar skills and lore. Have you ever discovered at new fact about something you new nothing about or learn how to do something that you had no related skill in?
Perhaps most likely you had teacher or something similar, however sometimes you just had to figure it out for yourself. Most likely in the later case you solution wasn't the best or add that much to the skill pool.
Lacking teachers in Nova skills (due to there rarity only) most people are forced to either building on what they have or small steps towards something new.
Having a much better idea of the bigger picture is great help it is shame that much what can be learnt about Nova skills and powers has been limited by the baselines who study it and the UN/PU who censor it. Maybe soon the vaults will be opened.

[Babel]

Understudy, if you ask around you can usually find someone or other to teach you some of what they know. From my xp, learning stuff off the cuff earns you some serious taint. I guess it beats dying.

[Understudy]

Babel I am well aware of the existence of novas who would be willing to try and teach their skills to others and aware of the existence of novas who can teach their skills to other and novas who can simply teach new skills to others. The second group is rarer than the first the last group rarer than the second. I even know a few of them.

As for it beating dying I really couldn't tell you. Both have their advantages I believe.

[Cryostorm]

Hey Totem my man! Good ta see a new face in the Ring. Maybe you an' me'll square off some time, eh?

New powers? Shit man, that's my whole gig! I got more unconnected powers than you can shake a buick at! Every now an' then I just come up with a new one too. Like last year when I figured out this whole teleportin' thing. 'Course a friend of mine says that I ain't really comin' up with unconnected powers. I just got a really wacked out "theme."

[Destiny]

Brother X's power theme? How about all my powers are unconected. As soon as we discover how his powers can connected he will powerless. Hows that?

[Cryostorm]

Hey Des, why don't ya learn to type before ya start throwin' shit around, eh? Moron.

[Jager]

Brother X, if your totally wacked out, why would you be suprised that your theme is wacked out to. BTW, when are we going to see more of you in action?

[Cryostorm]

Hey man, I never said I was wacked out, but that my friend's theory about the, fuck, what'd he call it? Oh yeah, Thematic Focus; His theory about my ability's thematic focus is a bit crazy.

I have a few fights lined up this year, nothin' major though.

[Neil Preston]

I have now been to a XWF throwdown, and it wasn't what I expected. Its still a whole level of violence above what I could get used to, so I'm better off looking another line of work.

Brother X, Thematic Focus isn't all that its cracked up to be. It applies to many of us, but by no means all of us. Don't sweat it. We are all pretty unique.