| From: | K is the Symbol <Ereskanti@***.COM> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | LIVING POWER II (LONG) |
| Date: | Fri, 26 Jun 1998 00:05:41 EDT |
writes:
> Well, mostly.
And it would have almost worked except you just had this incredible knack of
being at absolute shoe (I won't say worse ATM) and not being able to think in
any direction but tunnel... (enough said)
> The general idea/concept has been bandied about before to my general
> knowledge, but I don't think anyone has gone as in-depth as you have. Like
> I said, the concept is worthy and I like it, at least in general. I'm not
> so sure of the execution though.
That's okay, I admitted to the "newness" of the concept all at once.
> Okay, many people seem to think that blood pressure is a function of heart
> rate, heart pumping force, and the amount of fluid (usually blood) in the
> system.
Well, the rate of flow -IS- a direct mechanism of the heart and the arhythmic
forces that occur as you move (which is how I have managed to solve the Living
Power obstacles actually...later...)
> Missing a key factor. Arteries and veins are able to constrict themselves
> or to expand their diameter (I can't recall if this is a function of the
> arteries themselves, or of the surrounding tissues like muscle, but I think
> it's inherent to the arteries themselves). So at a moments notice, the
> heart not only starts beating faster and more forcefully, the arteries
> constrict themselves, thereby creating much higher blood pressure very
> quickly. It's part of the bodies general self-defense mechanism, but
> especially to problems of fluid loss.
Actually, the arterial constriction has over 30 different sources that make it
occur, most of which run themselves down to only a couple of reasons.
Chemistry. This one is the one I am going to focus upon for the biggest
reason. It is the one that the game mechanics directly influence on a
fundamental scale. All major influences ultimately come down to this
methodology. That even includes Cyberware such as WR and MBW.
Adrenaline/Endorphin excretion and/or myopic response of a given glandular
region are included in this group, as is such simple things as caffeine,
sugar, alcohol and water.
Raw Spasmosis. A "twitch" that occurs when a mental, neural, or external
force is exerted upon a given endostructure. Some of these include the
Arterial and Venal pathways, as well as the conscriptive forces in the
autonomic and voluntary muscle networks. Brain Death/Trauma, Electrocution,
or Synaptic Break are examples of this.
> Now I imagine you'd have to have large sections of artery loaded with the
> little turbine-fan-screwdriver thingies in order to generate sufficient
> power. You probably also, in order to install those things and keep them
> from breaking, have to keep the arterial walls relatively rigid. (BTW,
> what's to keep cholesterol build-up on the turbines themselves? Cuts power
> and causes a heart attack!). Rigid arterial walls takes away one of the
> bodies big self-defense mechanism and will cause a person like this to
> bleed out much faster than normal.
Actually, they don't have to be rigid, they just have be ingrained correctly
within their structural layout and design.
> Wow. My vaguely remembered EMT training is paying off sort of!
Actually, I would suggest that you read your books again and go talk with both
the instructors and other influences for such training. I would say you are
getting older and your memory is sliding.
I -have- come up with a possible solution to this concept, but it works in yet
an entirely different direction than previously suggested.
As per what I have put forth on the website, I was suggesting that the
"Hemoelectric Dam" be installed along the major arterial and capillary linings
running -away- from the heart or lungs (the suggestion in another post of the
"Alveolectric Dam"). However, I can now work out something far more
worthwhile, -AND- I can include it into the already existing cybernetic
structures.
When an individual is getting a cybernetic limb replacement, there is a major
function of the body that is being subverted. The flow/regulation of blood is
being altered as the limb itself is no longer requiring of such, and as such,
I would assume (knowing the Anatomy and Physiology that I do), that the
mechanisms for such hemoglobular transport are simply being reconnected at a
given juncture.
I propose something a bit more useful to be done with those junctions.
(BASIC ANATOMY)
When the blood leaves the heart's chambers, it is moving at a far greater rate
of speed (pressure) than it does when it returns to the heart. This is the
"Diastolic Pressure" that Erik, Rob and I are discussing. It is (hopefully)
rich in oxygen and relatively free and clear of major impurities (assuming the
kidneys and liver have done their jobs correctly just prior to the heart on
the return).
Anyway, when the blood exits the heart, major arterial routes are being routed
towards the major organs, especially with regards to the external limbs (head,
arms, legs). Those passages are carrying fantastic pressure (enough that
under stressful situations, were the arm to be severed near the trunk, it
-will- gush in a neat little media-enhanced, fountain of gore. Same with the
leg.
When a limb is being replaced within the SR game mechanics, the arterial
pathway is being cut extremely short. That pressure is literally going to be
immediately capulated at the juncture, allowing it's pressure level to be cut
down in force, so as to safely re-enter the systolic (the lower number
usually) pathways.
It is -right there- that I am proposing to re-invent the "Hemoelectric Dam".
Instead of what is probably a capillary pooling and other rerouting, I am
suggesting we put that pressure back to good use -and- we drop the pressure
levels at the same time. At the junction to the cyberlimb, the arterial
passage(s) immediately enter the Hemoelectric Dam's functional region. The
powerful (relatively speaking) blood flow is put to immediate good usage in
working the "Dam" and thus generating the power necessary/required. As it
leaves the "Dam", it's pressure is no doubt significantly reduced. It can
thereby be rerouted into the Systolic return (the Veins and other blood return
mechanisms).
This accomplishes both the desired -and- the required functions of the
Hemoelectric Dam. Generating power for the cybernetic limb and returning the
blood towards it's required route/direction.
As far as Essence Costs and the like. I am not certain. I guess it would
depend on how much of the upper connectivity for the limb in question is
required. IF the Hemoelectric Dam is considered to be implanted into the
upper arm itself, then I can see it's essence cost being significantly
reduced, possibly to nothing. If it is not, then I don't see the essence loss
being any different than what is proposed at the Web Site.
Actually, I will retract that. I do see it being reduced. Here is the
reasoning. IF we go with the concept of the hemoglobular flow being rerouted
in any case, IF we give the blood a direction or a function to continue to
perform, then the "Essence Loss" is not going to have as significant a loss to
the bodies "Aura Pattern". Yes, the limb is missing, I am not suggesting that
the limb loss be reduced, I am merely suggesting that the power development
system (the "Dam") not cost as much overall. Perhaps only .3 per
"Dam" that
is installed (per limb in this case).
What would someone do with this power?
The original idea was to figure out exactly what powers the cyberlimbs
themselves (batteries, fusion bubbles, radium packets, methane???), and
indeed, I do believe it is a battery, albeit a long-lived one (Super Lithium
2K ;). IF the battery concept is retained, then something that we as players
-could- consider for our characters is what do they do to keep the
"maintenance" for such going? Extra costs of living to the person's
Lifestyle? Do they have an adaptor cord they carry alongside their survival
kits???
With this concept, the idea of power (especially if couple with a Power Amp of
some form) suddenly becomes an interesting one (at least to me).
We (Mike and I) have suddenly looked in a new way at the cyberware that is
already located within the text materials as they stand. IF the combination
of Rigger-2 rules are brought into perspective (with regards to range for
communications and the like). Body attribute in additional "Flux Points" for
the purpose of the radio. How about that cyberarm remote control deck? Extra
flux points for it as well?
Does a troll with this system in a state of relative rest produce more (spare)
PF than a human does? Or is the human more efficient than the troll (all
those bone deposits bleed off energy??? ;) is at recovering? (the medical
tables do NOT indicate otherwise)
Erik, I do apologize for my outburst at the beginning(s) of this posting, but
it constantly occurs to me that my group and I's "sideways thinking" has put
us in constant pace with FASA, who is starting to fall behind again btw as far
as concepts and ideas. In fact, of the major plotlines and tinker toys (tech,
magic, etc.), we have had literally every major concept that FASA has produced
with one, and only one, exception to that fact.
The Death of a President.
"Living Power" is a term that we are working on btw on more fronts than just
here, at least I am and a few others that have been in contact with me as of
recent times. Might not work for FASA, but it might work elsewhere.
-K
