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Message no. 1
From: Iridios <iridios@*********.COM>
Subject: New Toys
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 12:03:50 -0400
<Rod Serling>
Submitted for your approval...
</Rod Serling>

Well, I really don't need your approval as I've already written these
up ;). I would like your opionions and criticisms (especially if
constructive).

Included are two new augmentations, one cyberware and one bioware.
Both have been recently used in my campaign (by an NPC), and are IMO
decent ideas.

1) ICDS-IV

The Integrated Capacitive Discharge System Mk IV (ICDS-IV)
represents the latest in cybernetic weaponry. Utilizing recent
advances in microtronic technology, and some creative application of
said technology, the ICDS allows the user to "shoot" a lightning bolt
out of their hand(s). The user can also choose to apply the discharge
directly through touch, acting as either a regular stun weapon or a
more deadly "heart-stopping" attack.
Discharge strength is user-variable and recharge is accomplished
through one of two means; slow recharge or rapid recharge. Slow
recharge is the default mode by utilizing the EM field generated by
metahuman bodies, while rapid recharge utilizes local power (such as
household power) through the recharge adaptor module (optional).

Name: ICDS-IV
Essence Cost: Rating
Availability: 16/2 months
Cost: rating x 100,000
Street Index: 2.5

Operational Information
The ICDS consists of one microsuper-capacitor and the necessary
delivery wires per rating point. The capacitors are generally
installed within the chest cavity near the spinal cord, with the wires
running down the arms and into the hands, where they are terminated in
small discharge pads.
The ICDS is capable of two types of attacks, ranged and contact.
Ranged attacks appears as "lightning" shooting from the hand(s) of the
user towards their target, while contact attacks are similar to
attacking with a stun baton. All attacks do stun damage.

Ranged Attack
The ICDS range is dependant on the rating of the system installed.
Following the formula of (4 x Rating) meters, a rating 3 system would
have a final range of 12 meters. Damage is based on range (see Ranged
Damage Table).

Contact Attack
In a contact attack, the user first must make a successful combat
attack (achieving at least 1 net success). Upon a successful strike
the user may choose to make a concentrated or general discharge. A
general discharge does (4 x Rating)D stun damage, while a concentrated
discharge does (8 x Rating)M stun damage. Contact attacks have the
possibility to damage cybernetic systems.

Ranged Damage Table
0 - R meters: ((R x 4)-(R))M
R - 2R meters: ((R x 4)-(R + 2))M
2R - 3R meters: ((R x 4)-(R + 4))M
3R - 4R meters: ((R x 4)-(R + 7))M

Recharge Rates
The ICDS utilizes the body's own Electromagnetic field to recharge
the capacitors but this is an extremely slow recharge. Recharge time
is Rating/((Body + Strength)/2) hours to recharge, with a minimum time
of 2 hours. Rapid recharging is available as an option during
installation, by adding an interface cable that connects the ICDS
system to local power via a power cable hidden usually underneath the
arm. The rapid recharge system takes approximately 10 minutes per
rating point needed to recharge.

Item: Rapid Recharge Interface
Essence Cost: + 0.5
Availability: As per ICDS
Cost: +1000
Street Index: -
Rapid Recharge Interface must be purchased at time of installation

2) Selectively Tailored Pheremones

Selectively Tailored Pheremones
Most everyone is familiar with the standard Tailored Pheremones that
make users more "acceptable" by the public at large, but shortly after
their release the call went out for something better, something that
elicits a more specific reaction.
Capable of eliciting specific "emotional" reactions, ranging from
lust to hatred, Selectively Tailored Pheremones are expected to become
the new "right tool for the job".

Name: Selectively Tailored Pheremones
Body Index: .6 per level
Availability: 16/24 days
Cost: rating x 20,000
Street Index: 2.5

Operational Information
Selectively Tailored Pheremones are similar to the standard
Tailored Pheremones only in the name. Selectively Tailored (ST)
Pheremones are designed to elicit specific reactions in people, such
reactions generally are "emotional" in nature. The current list
includes (in no particular order), Lust, Hatred, Fear, Anger, and
Submission. Each different "emotion" requires a separate set of ST
Pheremones to be installed.
Use of ST Pheremones includes two general effects. First, target
numbers for related tests are modified by the rating of the Pheremones
(example of related test, Intimidation/Fear), and second when in
general use, the pheremones are disperesed into an area of effect
roughly 5 meters radius per rating point. When in general use, all
"targets" in the area of effect make a willpower roll against a target
number equal to the rating of the installed Pheremones. (see
Resistance Result Chart).
The user is given a bio-filter designed to filter out the
pheremones thus making the user unaffected by his (or her) own ST
Pheremones. The pheremones generally operate when the user is in a
similar state (i.e. a user installed with the "lust" pheremones, will
automatically generate the pheremones when aroused), but users can
learn to "activate" the pheremones with a thought.
Installing cultured versions allows one of two effects. The user
can choose, at time of installation, wether the ST Pheremones are
double effectiveness or if they are more specialized. Added
specialization gives the user greater active control over when the
Pheremones take effect, and also can be tailored to a specific target
type. Target types can include groups such as "all trolls" or "all
females", but may not be "all redheads" or "all Holly Brighton
wannabes". If double effectiveness is chosen, then ratings are
effectively doubled for all tests using ST Pheremones.

Resistance Result Chart
# Successes--Result
0--Completely Overwhelmed by "Emotion"
up to 50% of rating--Overwhelmed but Unaware
50% to 100% of rating--Affected and Aware
100% to 150% of rating--Mildly Affected and Aware
150% + of rating--Unaffected and Aware

Terms

Overwhelmed:
When one is overwhelmed, the "emotion" invades every thought thus
applying a modifier to all opossing actions. When Completely
Overwhelmed, the "emotion" is the only thought and all actions are
only to attempt to satisfy the emotion.
Aware
If one is aware of being affected, they know that the emotion is
artificially stimulated, but still feel the emotions as if they were
real. Persons who are aware get a resistance test every turn until
they are either Overwhelmed or Unaffected.
Affected
Different than Overwhelmed, affected individuals are generally Aware
of their situation. Mildly Affected persons only suffer half the
normal target modifiers. Unaffected persons have completely resisted
the effects, do not have to resist again (unless the source is removed
then returned), and are aware of the source.


--
Iridios
iridios@*********.com
ICQ UIN:6629224
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Shadowlands/9489

[found on an unknown shadow bbs]
<...>runner group looking for new members, one magician
and possibly one rigger preferred. Serious inquiries only.
If interested, login at
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Shadowlands/9489/newplayer.html
<...>

-------Begin Geek Code Block------
GS d-(++) s+: a- C++ U?@>++ P L E?
W++ N o-- K- w(---) O? M-- V? PS+@
PE Y+ !PGP>++ t++@ 5+ X++@ R++@ tv
b+ DI++ !D G e+@>++++ h--- r+++ y+++
-------End Geek Code Block--------
Message no. 2
From: Steve Eley <sfeley@***.NET>
Subject: Re: New Toys
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 13:32:30 -0400
Iridios wrote:
>
> 1) ICDS-IV
>
> The Integrated Capacitive Discharge System Mk IV (ICDS-IV)
> represents the latest in cybernetic weaponry. Utilizing recent
> advances in microtronic technology, and some creative application of
> said technology, the ICDS allows the user to "shoot" a lightning bolt
> out of their hand(s). The user can also choose to apply the discharge
> directly through touch, acting as either a regular stun weapon or a
> more deadly "heart-stopping" attack.

It's a cool idea, but I think your game statistics overpower it a bit.


> Ranged Attack
> The ICDS range is dependant on the rating of the system installed.
> Following the formula of (4 x Rating) meters, a rating 3 system would
> have a final range of 12 meters. Damage is based on range (see Ranged
> Damage Table).

4 x Rating? That's *huge*! Have you calculated how much voltage you'd
need to create a visible discharge through air at 12 meters (about 40
feet)? Much less one capable of seriously stunning someone at that
distance? Even assuming such a small capacitor could do this, I don't
think you could safely put that kind of hardware into a human body. I'd
probably make this (Rating) meters, or (Rating x 2) at most, and flatten
out the damage table. But that's just me.


> Contact Attack
> In a contact attack, the user first must make a successful combat
> attack (achieving at least 1 net success). Upon a successful strike
> the user may choose to make a concentrated or general discharge. A
> general discharge does (4 x Rating)D stun damage, while a concentrated
> discharge does (8 x Rating)M stun damage. Contact attacks have the
> possibility to damage cybernetic systems.

That's a lot of stun. How does impact armor, or wearing insulative
clothing, affect this? And is there any chance of clothing catching fire?


> Recharge Rates
> The ICDS utilizes the body's own Electromagnetic field to recharge
> the capacitors but this is an extremely slow recharge. Recharge time
> is Rating/((Body + Strength)/2) hours to recharge, with a minimum time
> of 2 hours.

Check your math, if you want this to be "extremely slow".. A Rating 3
system on someone with a Body and Strength of 6 (not that uncommon for
human shadowrunners) would take half an hour. On a troll, twenty
minutes. A Rating 1 system would take ten minutes. Except for the
"minimum time of two hours," of course.

If you intend this to be realistic, the recharge time should probably take
days rather than hours. The human electrochemical system is designed to
carry information, not power weapons; it's very low-current, and it's not
a true electrical circuit, so you can't exactly drop a capacitor into the
middle of it. (And if you *could* install a multi-farad capacitor like
this one directly into someone's nervous system, you'd probably just shut
them down entirely.) >8->

What you might think about instead is a motion-powered system, like those
self-winding watches or the digital odometers on exercise bikes and manual
treadmills. You wouldn't need to rely on walking around; you could hook
it to the respiratory or circulatory system, and get constant power
generation that way. Probably more than you would from the nervous
system.

Either way, though, I think charging up a capacitor this big should take
days. Maybe (Rating^2)/(Body/2), minimum 24 hours, or somesuch.

(OBTangent: This raises an interesting question, which I'm sure has been
asked here before and I've missed it.. Where DOES cyberware get its power
from? Is there a built-in power cell for cyberarms, etc., or are they
supposed to work off the body as well? If the latter, is there a power
limit? And what are the side effects? If all of your limbs are cybered,
do you eat less since you've got much less body tissue?) >8->


> Rapid recharging is available as an option during
> installation, by adding an interface cable that connects the ICDS
> system to local power via a power cable hidden usually underneath the
> arm. The rapid recharge system takes approximately 10 minutes per
> rating point needed to recharge.

Even here, I think it should take longer -- maybe an hour per rating point
-- because the power you're talking about is enormous. 220V out of your
home power socket wouldn't be enough to charge it quickly. (Maybe with an
Electronics roll you could rig the recharge interface to plug into
industrial or dryer sockets, or drain car batteries, or something.) >8->


> 2) Selectively Tailored Pheremones
>
> Selectively Tailored Pheremones
> Most everyone is familiar with the standard Tailored Pheremones that
> make users more "acceptable" by the public at large, but shortly after
> their release the call went out for something better, something that
> elicits a more specific reaction.

Now these I like.

Of course, I'm the GM of a new campaign where the most common starting
'ware is tailored pheromones.. >8-> (I think three of the characters
have them; there's also a lot of encephalons and math SPU's, and *none* of
these people are deckers!)


Have Fun,
- Steve Eley
sfeley@***.net
Message no. 3
From: Adam Getchell <acgetchell@*******.EDU>
Subject: Re: New Toys
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 10:42:06 -0700
>Operational Information
> The ICDS consists of one microsuper-capacitor and the necessary
>delivery wires per rating point. The capacitors are generally
>installed within the chest cavity near the spinal cord, with the wires

I can't imagine a worse place should the capacitor discharge itself ... ;-)

> The ICDS is capable of two types of attacks, ranged and contact.
>Ranged attacks appears as "lightning" shooting from the hand(s) of the
>user towards their target, while contact attacks are similar to
>attacking with a stun baton. All attacks do stun damage.

You're going to have a number of difficulties with the ranged attack:

1) Getting the lightning to come out at all: you will need significant
voltage to drive current through the air. The resistance of air is
effectively infinite. Sure, it can be broken down by lightning bolts, but
it takes the right conditions to form ...

2) Targetting: it will be difficult to prevent the electricity from hitting
the nearest conductor (which would have a lower potential) as opposed to
your target.

A way to get around both of these problems is to use a low-powered laser to
ionize a pathway through the air, a la Timothy Zahn's arcthrower weapon in
his Cobra series.

Even so, the ranges you listed are optimistic to say the least. Even a
50,000 volt line does not arc in air: you will need millions of volts (the
air can be roughly modelled as a resistor with a given resistance per meter
traversed, so in general you will need voltage proportional to the desired
range). With such values, the hair of the firer will likely stand up and
there may be coronal discharges.

>Ranged Attack
> The ICDS range is dependant on the rating of the system installed.
>Following the formula of (4 x Rating) meters, a rating 3 system would
>have a final range of 12 meters. Damage is based on range (see Ranged
>Damage Table).

It is more likely to be Rating x meters.

>Contact Attack
> In a contact attack, the user first must make a successful combat
>attack (achieving at least 1 net success). Upon a successful strike
>the user may choose to make a concentrated or general discharge. A
>general discharge does (4 x Rating)D stun damage, while a concentrated
>discharge does (8 x Rating)M stun damage. Contact attacks have the
>possibility to damage cybernetic systems.

I don't see someone being able to generate this kind of precision.
Electricity flows along the path of least resistance, and this is not under
the control of the firer. Game mechanics wise, are you really going to
generate a power level 32 attack with a rating 4 weapon? That seems quite
excessive and unbalanced, in my opinion.

>Ranged Damage Table
> 0 - R meters: ((R x 4)-(R))M
> R - 2R meters: ((R x 4)-(R + 2))M
>2R - 3R meters: ((R x 4)-(R + 4))M
>3R - 4R meters: ((R x 4)-(R + 7))M

Algebraicly, your formula reduces to Rx3, Rx3-2, Rx3-4, and Rx3-7. Also, do
you mean to say that the ranged attack produces physical damage while the
contact attack produces stun? If so, what is the rationale?

>Recharge Rates
> The ICDS utilizes the body's own Electromagnetic field to recharge
>the capacitors but this is an extremely slow recharge. Recharge time
>is Rating/((Body + Strength)/2) hours to recharge, with a minimum time

You are not going to get significant voltage or current from the body to be
able to recharge a capacitor. Electrical activity in the body is on a more
fundamental level in ion-exchange mechanisms.

Overall, if you reduced the range, toned down the power, moved the
location, and required a recharging device this weapon would be an
interesting addition to Shadowrun. As it stands, however, it is vastly
overpowered. Surely, if someone can make a cybernetic weapon like this they
can make one in a rifle with a backpack that is much, much worse.

> Item: Rapid Recharge Interface
>Essence Cost: + 0.5
>Availability: As per ICDS
> Cost: +1000
>Street Index: -
>Rapid Recharge Interface must be purchased at time of installation

There's no real reason why it couldn't be "bolted on" after the fact.

>Iridios
--Adam

acgetchell@*******.edu
"Invincibility is in oneself, vulnerability in the opponent." --Sun Tzu
Message no. 4
From: "Davidson, Chris" <Christopher.Davidson@***.BOEING.COM>
Subject: Re: New Toys
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 10:56:07 -0700
> Overall, if you reduced the range, toned down the power, moved the
> location, and required a recharging device this weapon would be an
> interesting addition to Shadowrun. As it stands, however, it is vastly
> overpowered. Surely, if someone can make a cybernetic weapon like this
> they
> can make one in a rifle with a backpack that is much, much worse.
>
At the very least however...it would make an interesting "last ditch"
deterant device. What do you think...about ready to die and you are in
hand to hand, and you let that puppy off with full charge as the
attacker is coming in for the kill....fry!!!!

-=Toffer=-
Message no. 5
From: Steve Eley <sfeley@***.NET>
Subject: Re: New Toys
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 14:36:16 -0400
Davidson, Chris wrote:
>
> At the very least however...it would make an interesting "last ditch"
> deterant device. What do you think...about ready to die and you are in
> hand to hand, and you let that puppy off with full charge as the
> attacker is coming in for the kill....fry!!!!

One to four points of Essence is a lot to pay for a "last ditch"
deterrent. Much simpler to get one of those silly eyeball guns from
_Cybertechnology_, or walk around with an anchored spell.

If you're the paranoid type, of course. (I just saw _Conspiracy Theory_
over the weekend, and I'd love to work that guy into a shadowrun
sometime. Maybe as the target of an extraction.. Hmmm...) >8->


Have Fun,
- Steve Eley
sfeley@***.net
Message no. 6
From: The Mighty Dallandra <bz701@*********.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: New Toys
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 19:44:14 GMT
Having read all about these wonderful toys, I love the pheromones.

My character, Jill, started off as a rigger with a sideline in
whoring. I decided to exploit the whoring and when she came into some
money (no pun intended!) I treated her to level two tailored
pheromones.

I have fwded your suggestions to my ref, particularly emphasising the
new pheromones....

I love em.
__________________________________________________
All year round Email address: Dallandra@******.net
Website http://come.to/Dallandra

"No no no, you loopy Brothel Inmate!!"
Message no. 7
From: Patrick Goodman <remo@***.NET>
Subject: Re: New Toys
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 14:02:19 -0500
From: Steve Eley <sfeley@***.NET>
Date: Wednesday, September 23, 1998 1:32 PM

>If you're the paranoid type, of course. (I just saw _Conspiracy Theory_
>over the weekend, and I'd love to work that guy into a shadowrun
>sometime. Maybe as the target of an extraction.. Hmmm...) >8->

He's already there. They call him the Lone Gunman (and strangely enough, he
looks just like Mel Gibson in my campaign...). <g>

--
(>) Texas 2-Step
El Paso: Never surrender. Never forget. Never forgive.
Message no. 8
From: bryan.covington@****.COM
Subject: Re: New Toys
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 15:14:09 -0400
> >If you're the paranoid type, of course. (I just saw _Conspiracy
> Theory_
> >over the weekend, and I'd love to work that guy into a shadowrun
> >sometime. Maybe as the target of an extraction.. Hmmm...) >8->
>
> He's already there. They call him the Lone Gunman (and strangely
> enough, he
> looks just like Mel Gibson in my campaign...). <g>
>
Already where? Was this one of the Fruit Loops(tm) from
Threats?
Message no. 9
From: John E Pederson <pedersje@******.ROSE-HULMAN.EDU>
Subject: Re: New Toys
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 14:26:23 -0500
bryan.covington@****.COM wrote:

> Already where? Was this one of the Fruit Loops(tm) from
> Threats?

Oh, no, not just *a* fruit loop: the Gunman is *the* fruit loop from
Threats:) I mean, come on: the guy's alias is a reference to JFK!

--
John Pederson otherwise known as Lyle Canthros, shapeshifter-mage
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Everyone who is seriously involved in the pursuit of science becomes
convinced that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the universe -- a
spirit vastly superior to that of man, and one in the face of which we
with our modest powers must feel humble."
--Albert Einstein
lobo1@****.com canthros1@***.com pedersje@******.rose-hulman.edu
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Lair/4864 ICQ UIN 3190186
"I'm not fifty!" "SPOONMAN!!!" Number Two -- with a bullet!
Sergeant-at-Arms and Greatest Swordsman of the Frinch Army
Message no. 10
From: "Davidson, Chris" <Christopher.Davidson@***.BOEING.COM>
Subject: Re: New Toys
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 12:41:36 -0700
> > At the very least however...it would make an interesting "last
> ditch"
> > deterant device. What do you think...about ready to die and you are
> in
> > hand to hand, and you let that puppy off with full charge as the
> > attacker is coming in for the kill....fry!!!!
>
> One to four points of Essence is a lot to pay for a "last ditch"
> deterrent. Much simpler to get one of those silly eyeball guns from
> _Cybertechnology_, or walk around with an anchored spell.
>
Sorry, just got on the list today...must have missed the essence cost.
:) Okay, so it's a bad idea for last ditch...

-=Toffer=-
Message no. 11
From: Patrick Goodman <remo@***.NET>
Subject: Re: New Toys
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 15:14:37 -0500
From: <bryan.covington@****.COM>
Date: Wednesday, September 23, 1998 2:14 PM

>> >If you're the paranoid type, of course. (I just saw _Conspiracy
>> >Theory_ over the weekend, and I'd love to work that guy into a
>> >shadowrun sometime. Maybe as the target of an extraction..
>> >Hmmm...) >8->
>>
>> He's already there. They call him the Lone Gunman (and strangely
>> enough, he looks just like Mel Gibson in my campaign...). <g>
>
>Already where? Was this one of the Fruit Loops(tm) from Threats?

I think the Lone Gunman is the Loopiest of the Loops in THREATS, Bryan. He
pops up in a lot of the sourcebooks, but he's featured prominently in "The
Atlantean Conspiracy" in THREATS. If you saw CONSPIRACY THEORY, you know
what to expect.

Of course, Mel Gibson's character was right about one of his theories in
that flick, too.

--
(>) Texas 2-Step
El Paso: Never surrender. Never forget. Never forgive.
Message no. 12
From: Iridios <iridios@*********.COM>
Subject: Re: New Toys
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 16:37:58 -0400
Adam Getchell wrote:

> >attacking with a stun baton. All attacks do stun damage.

<snip>
> >Ranged Damage Table
> > 0 - R meters: ((R x 4)-(R))M
> > R - 2R meters: ((R x 4)-(R + 2))M
> >2R - 3R meters: ((R x 4)-(R + 4))M
> >3R - 4R meters: ((R x 4)-(R + 7))M
>
> Algebraicly, your formula reduces to Rx3, Rx3-2, Rx3-4, and Rx3-7. Also, do
> you mean to say that the ranged attack produces physical damage while the
> contact attack produces stun? If so, what is the rationale?

I did mention that *all* attacks are stun damage, I maybe should've
mentioned it again near to the Ranged Damage Table :)

--
Iridios
iridios@*********.com
ICQ UIN:6629224
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Shadowlands/9489

[found on an unknown shadow bbs]
<...>runner group looking for new members, one magician
and possibly one rigger preferred. Serious inquiries only.
If interested, login at
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Shadowlands/9489/newplayer.html
<...>

-------Begin Geek Code Block------
GS d-(++) s+: a- C++ U?@>++ P L E?
W++ N o-- K- w(---) O? M-- V? PS+@
PE Y+ !PGP>++ t++@ 5+ X++@ R++@ tv
b+ DI++ !D G e+@>++++ h--- r+++ y+++
-------End Geek Code Block--------

Further Reading

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