Carpet of Adhesion vs Speedster

[Daniel Stoker]

So I was talking with a friend about magic and super powers, and we both came up with the question of what would happen to a speedster running full out who then hit a carpet of adhesion. My first thought was you're looking at broken ankles at least based on the fast that pretty much however they roll to save their feet at least will be stopping even if the rest of their body keeps moving, or trying to at least.


Daniel Stoker

[ITWastrel]

The speedster can stop on a dime, but in this case he may have to stop faster.

I would follow the result of the saving throw to determine any F.U.N.* involved. On a failed save, take 10D6(or more, I'm a softie) damage and become both prone and stuck. On a successful save, the speedster can stop in time, and is simply stuck as per the normal spell effect.

In the most extreme "rolled a 1 and I hate this character anyway" situation, were a humanoid running at sonic speed suddenly stuck by the feet, their upper body would continue forward. Assuming the feet/legs stayed attached (which, if we're talking humans, they would not) the upper body would continue at 700MPH while the feet stopped instantly. The poor bastard would snap forward, slapping the ground (an unyielding surface) at 700MPH. Death is certain, but for game terms, we can remember that by the rules, a character going 700 MPH has a +140 damage bonus. We can assume the cartoon-like impact of a somehow not disassembled speedster would also receive that bonus, and roll 10D6+140 for impact damage (certainly fatal for most people) on the poor bastard and be done with it. Maybe whip out the optional crash damage tables as well.


*Further Unnecessary Nastiness

[drewkitty ~..~]

So I was talking with a friend about magic and super powers, and we both came up with the question of what would happen to a speedster running full out who then hit a carpet of adhesion. My first thought was you're looking at broken ankles at least based on the fast that pretty much however they roll to save their feet at least will be stopping even if the rest of their body keeps moving, or trying to at least.


Daniel Stoker

Depending on the power's stoping (jumping over) ability & the char's perception bonus&rolls, this is essentially correct.

[Warshield73]

I largely agree with the above but for a speedster to go from max speed to zero in an instant there should be a save. Even a normal person running full speed is likely to hurt himself in the fall.

[Daniel Stoker]

Thanks for the answers here so far, looks like we all have the same basic thought about what would probably happen.


Daniel Stoker

[The Beast]

Wasn't there a Q&A answer that said something to the effect that the spell applied "brakes" to those in motion when they were caught by the spell?

[Daniel Stoker]

That's definitely possible, but I'm not sure where it would be to look it up at this point.


Daniel Stoker

[Stone Gargoyle]

Unless the Speedster has unbreakable bones the result would not be pretty.

[Warshield73]

Unless the Speedster has unbreakable bones the result would not be pretty.

Even with. I mean tendons and muscles don't like this much either. Personal experience involving a cross country race and gopher hole. Didn't break a single bone but was black and blue from my ankle to my knee.