Great White Games/Pinnacle Entertainment Group

[Aki]

Been watching too much Ghostwhisperer lately. Both powers cost 3 power points. Both do essentially the same thing - allow the character to interrogate sources of information other characters don't have access to.

Speak with Object (3)
Trappings: Mysticism, Time sense
The character can talk to and get responses from objects. How this works depends on the trapping chosen. There are two major paths.

In eastern traditions, particularly Shinto, objects have spirits or kami. The more ancient or well crafted the object the more powerful and therefore aware the spirit of the object is. Hence the kami of a 500 year old katana sword might be quite the character, whereas the kami in a plastic cup might have slightly less than animal intelligence and not be worth communicating to.

In western traditions the power is known as psychometry - and involves not a spirit in the object itself but psychic impressions left on the object. Hence holding a knife used in a murder might give some vision of where and when the murder occurred.

Speak with Dead (3)
Trappings Mysticism

The character can see and interact with the dead. The body need not be present. Characters with this ability need be aware that the dead with unfinished business may haunt them once they figure out they can perceive them until the character performs helps them with whatever task is driving them.

[ValhallaGH]

These really feel like they trample all over the divination power. Cheaper, more information, faster to cast, and (probably) lower ranked. The only real advantage to divination is that the answer is objectively true, rather than limited to the perceptions of an object or spirit.
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[Aki]

[ValhallaGH]

[jpk]

If it were me, I'd probably just buy some Super Skill (Streetwise) - which would cover asking around for information - and give it the trappings of "can talk to inanimate objects or ghosts."

I've also been known to oversimplify.

[Merlin_Sylver]

Compared to other powers in the SPC, for that cost, think those powers are way underpowered or way overpriced.

For 3 Points you could have a ring that gives you 4 steps of strength. Or a give yourself a ranged attack that never needs ammunition, and is considered a Heavy weapon. Or you could control somebody's MIND!!!!

I like jpk's approach, though I do think it's a bit too simple... I think I'd make it a super skill, and treat talking to objects like a language.
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[kronovan]

I agree the Speak with Objects ability could be handled with Super Skill using streetwise, language or maybe even investigation. If you want the character to be take a more specific focus it could be made to require the skill Knowledge (commune with objects). I don't however agree 3 points is too much for a Speak with Dead ability. The Diviniation power in the SWD is a Heroic rank power costing 5 pts, while the Grave Speak power in HC is a Seasoned power with a 4 pt cost. Based on that I'd make it a unique power and have it cost at least 3, maybe even 4 points. I'd also probably make the haunting element a potential backlash that's avoided by a Spirit roll. Bottom line; communing with the dead is never an easy thing in any fantasy setting, which is why the powers in SWD and HC reflect that with their costs and ranks.

[ValhallaGH]

[kronovan]

[Zadmar]

Just as I proposed replacing Aquatic with a more generic Environmental Adaption power, so I would suggest replacing Speak Language with a more generic power:

[cbadgr]

[Zadmar]