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Message no. 1
From: Chris McKinnon <cmckinno@********.CA>
Subject: SHADOWLORE: TanglexTM
Date: Thu, 17 Nov 1994 00:38:29 -0400
SHADOWLORE
TanglexTM
M-01
--------

TanglexTM is a new polymer developed by Hodge Chemicals (Toronto). The
polymer is based upon a kineto-sensitive chain that shrinks or constricts
when force is applied. This has manifested into several new weapon
technologies.

GRENADES

Tangler Grenade

This grenade uses a a reservoir of TanglexTM and a small concussive force
to deliver it. When the grenade detonates, it releases a large volume of
TanglexTM that coats all within its area of effect. Now, as the target
(who is covered in this "goo") begins to move, the polymer begins to
constrict, and form strands. The more the target struggles, the more the
chemical constricts.

For determining blast radius, the grenade has a effective Damage
Rating of "10D", with a Power reduction of -1 per metre. Any targets caught
within this radius must make a Quickness test vs. the Power of the
grenade to see if they are covered in the chemical. Characters may use
their Combat Pool (with a number of dice up to their Quickness), to
augment this test. Armour does not help in this test.

If the target doesn't manage to stage the damage down to nothing, then he
has been, to some extent, covered with the chemical. See the chart to
determine effects:

Turns Until
Damage Level Damage Effects

"Deadly" 1 The target has one turn until the stuff
begins to constrict. If the target
continues to struggle after this time
he must resist 10S Stun damage each turn
that he continues to struggle. The target
may use 1/2 Impact Armour to help reduce
the Power of the attack. Eventually the
target will fall unconscious or stop
struggling.
"Serious" 2 Same as above, except the target must
resist 8M Stun damage. The target will
also have one limb (choose or randomly
determine) free. Movement of this limb
does not count as struggling. Note: The
head counts as a limb.
"Moderate" 3 Same as above, except that the target
must resist 6L Stun damage. The target
does not become immobilized, but suffers
a penalty of +4 to Target Numbers for
all Active Skills, and B/R Skills. In
addition, his Quickness is halved, and he
loses 1D6 from his Initiative. The target
is considered to be only "half-covered".
"Light" 5 With this level, there is no damage to be
resisted, but the character still suffers
a +2 to Target Numbers, and his Quickness
is reduced by 1/3 (round down). The
target also suffers a -2 on his initiative
(no dice loss).

When animals are hit, they will continue to struggle until they are
unconscious (Intelligence of 2 or less), or cannot move (Intelligence
3+).

TanglexTM is flame-proof (besides, who wants to burn their friends out
of the stuff), but will eventually dissolve after 12 hours. There is also
a spray solvent that will cause the chemical to dissolve within 2 turns.
As well, an anaesthetic can be added to the solution that acts like the
Narcoject toxin (apply rules as from SRII & SSC).

This chemical can also be loaded into mines, bombs, and special "Tangler
Guns" that fire a spray of the stuff. See Tangler Gun.

Grenade
Cost: 100Y ea Availability: 8/14 days
Street Index: 3 Legality: 3-I
Weight: 0.3 kg

Tangler Gun
Type: "Shotgun" Conceal: 2
Mode: SS Ammunition: 6 (m)
Damage: As chemical Weight: 4.5 kg
Availability: 8/14 days Legality: 5-F
Cost: 2,100Y Street Index: 2

Tangler Gun Ammunition
Same as Grenade, except cost is 250Y per 10, and weight is .75 per 10.

TanglexTM Solvent
Cost: 150Y per can Availability: 6/6 days
Street Index: 3 Legality: Legal
Weight: .25 kg
Each cannister has enough to counter 10 applications of TanglexTM (i.e.
one grenade, etc.) Mines and bombs must be described in terms of
multiples of one grenade for the purposes of determining "application".


==============================================================================
Enigma = "Good...Bad...I'm the one with the gun..."
Chris McKinnon = - Ash, Army of Darkness
cmckinno@********.ca =
Message no. 2
From: "Robert A. Hayden" <hayden@*******.MANKATO.MSUS.EDU>
Subject: Re: SHADOWLORE: TanglexTM
Date: Thu, 17 Nov 1994 13:58:30 -0600
On Thu, 17 Nov 1994, Chris McKinnon wrote:

> TanglexTM is a new polymer developed by Hodge Chemicals (Toronto). The
> polymer is based upon a kineto-sensitive chain that shrinks or constricts
> when force is applied. This has manifested into several new weapon
> technologies.

Kool so far.

> TanglexTM is flame-proof (besides, who wants to burn their friends out
> of the stuff), but will eventually dissolve after 12 hours. There is also
> a spray solvent that will cause the chemical to dissolve within 2 turns.
> As well, an anaesthetic can be added to the solution that acts like the
> Narcoject toxin (apply rules as from SRII & SSC).

Please don't allow chemicals to be put into this stuff. Squirts are
deadly enough without making you unable to move as well...

> Grenade
> Cost: 100Y ea Availability: 8/14 days
> Street Index: 3 Legality: 3-I
> Weight: 0.3 kg

Too cheap. ~200 would be better.

> Tangler Gun
> Type: "Shotgun" Conceal: 2
> Mode: SS Ammunition: 6 (m)
> Damage: As chemical Weight: 4.5 kg
> Availability: 8/14 days Legality: 5-F
> Cost: 2,100Y Street Index: 2

better rules need to be worked up for gun "damage". As it is, just
nicking you will get you stuck.

> Tangler Gun Ammunition
> Same as Grenade, except cost is 250Y per 10, and weight is .75 per 10.

About 400 per 10 would be better.

____ Robert A. Hayden <=> hayden@*******.mankato.msus.edu
\ /__ -=-=-=-=- <=> -=-=-=-=-
\/ / Finger for Geek Code Info <=> I do not necessarily speak for the
\/ Finger for PGP Public Key <=> City of Mankato or anyone else
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Message no. 3
From: Sean Holland <sholland@*******.EDU>
Subject: Re: SHADOWLORE: TanglexTM
Date: Thu, 17 Nov 1994 12:44:17 -0800
> TanglexTM is a new polymer developed by Hodge Chemicals (Toronto). The
> polymer is based upon a kineto-sensitive chain that shrinks or constricts
> when force is applied. This has manifested into several new weapon
Good traditional science fiction idea here, I have been waiting
for it to show up in SR. Thanks.
> their Combat Pool (with a number of dice up to their Quickness), to
I think they should be allowed to use as much of their pool as
they want, after all there is no =to your Body roll when resisting bullet
damage. :)
> If the target doesn't manage to stage the damage down to nothing, then he
> has been, to some extent, covered with the chemical. See the chart to
I think that the effects are a bit too powerful, especially the
stun damage inflicted. It also assume that it can not be broken under
any circumstances (what about vehicles and Bubba the STR 15 troll?).
I would also increase the cost of the Tangle stuff and drop the
price of the solvent. Thanks for listening,
-Sean
Message no. 4
From: Alex van der Kleut <sommers@*****.UMICH.EDU>
Subject: Re: SHADOWLORE: TanglexTM
Date: Fri, 18 Nov 1994 09:46:21 -0400
I've seen something like this before, which is where I'm assuming he got
it. About four months ago Popular Science did a series of articles on
non-lethal weapons that the army was working on. Along with nausea gas
and ultrasonics was this stuff that sounds like Tanglex (no TM). It
started out as a static defense for nuclear weapons labs (don't want any
bullets in there). Basically, whn triggered it saturated the area with
this goop that made it impossible for anybody to move. This supposedly
works fine. Then they tried to convert it to a hand weapon. To get it to
fly they had to change the formula slightly. It worked great and totally
would imobilize(sp?) the target, but the solvent wouldn't work anymore.
Especially sucks when it gets on the face :) Great series of articles.
The stuff you can get from Pop. Science and Mechanics:) :)
Message no. 5
From: Chris McKinnon <cmckinno@********.CA>
Subject: Re: SHADOWLORE: TanglexTM
Date: Fri, 18 Nov 1994 16:41:21 -0400
On Fri, 18 Nov 1994, Alex van der Kleut wrote:

> I've seen something like this before, which is where I'm assuming he got
> it. About four months ago Popular Science did a series of articles on
> non-lethal weapons that the army was working on. Along with nausea gas
> and ultrasonics was this stuff that sounds like Tanglex (no TM). It
> started out as a static defense for nuclear weapons labs (don't want any
> bullets in there). Basically, whn triggered it saturated the area with
> this goop that made it impossible for anybody to move. This supposedly
> works fine. Then they tried to convert it to a hand weapon. To get it to
> fly they had to change the formula slightly. It worked great and totally
> would imobilize(sp?) the target, but the solvent wouldn't work anymore.
> Especially sucks when it gets on the face :) Great series of articles.
> The stuff you can get from Pop. Science and Mechanics:) :)
>
This is really interesting. I have never seen this article, but I just
thought that it was a really cool idea. Isn't it great how life mimics ART.



==============================================================================
Enigma = "Good...Bad...I'm the one with the gun..."
Chris McKinnon = - Ash, Army of Darkness
cmckinno@********.ca =
Message no. 6
From: "S. Keith Graham" <vapspcx@***.GATECH.EDU>
Subject: Re: SHADOWLORE: TanglexTM
Date: Sat, 19 Nov 1994 10:07:00 -0500
For whatever it's worth, Bruce Sterling used something
very similiar in _Islands_of_the_Net_ that I just finished...

It didn't have toxins in it.. it could suffocate you...

Was one of the preferred weapons of police, etc..

Keith Graham
vapspcx@***.gatech.edu

Further Reading

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