| From: | Mongoose <evamarie@**********.NET> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Re: Sink or Swim [meta human mass and density] |
| Date: | Fri, 14 Aug 1998 19:14:29 -0700 |
>
>If you increase the size of a 1 meter cube you increase it's area by the
>cube of the increase in size. Increase the size by 2 and you increase
>the area by 8. Increase the size by 3 and you increase the area by 27.
>This should stand true for any object if you increase it's dimensions
>proportionally.
Area increases as the square of linear dimension, proprtions equal.
Volume increases as its cube- but volume is what determines displacemnt
(volume), so your calculations are still correct (and this is the exact method
I have in the past used).
>So, a Troll is x1.64 the height of a human. It's area (roughly) is
>x4.46 (1.64 cubed) that of a human. It's weight is x3.21 of a human.
>Given that trolls are broader and have a longer torso proportional to
>humans they probably take up even more space. Trolls float like
>corks.
Either that, or FASA mass for trolls is woefully low; I opt for the later,
and place them at about 4.5 time human mass and slightly higher density, due
to the fact that large bings need heavier bone structure (prportioanlly,
because mass increses as a cube of dimmension, but bone strength only as its
square). Then again, bears float fairly well , even when lean from winters
fast, and I would assume similar body physiogomy for a troll as a bear. Both
have thick hides (hair replacing the keratin of trolithia), heavy bones, and
dense musculature. Both can also be absurdly obesse. Half ton trolls are no
more absurd or suprising than half ton bears.
>
>A dwarf is x.70 the height of a human. It's area (again roughly) is
>x.34 of a human. It's weight is x.75 of a human. Dwarves are broad
>and thick proportional to a human, but I don't know if that's enough to
>bring their displacement up to x.75 of a human. Dwarves probably sink
>like rocks.
>
I think thier volume may aproach .75 of human, given that thier torsos and
arms are almost full size. Cut the average person off at the knees, and you
have the basic space occupied by a dwarf.
>Orks: x1.11 height, x1.36 area, x1.35 weight. Orks are bigger
>proportionally. They float pretty easily.
>
As easily as large humans, which is usually pretty easily, except in the
case of lean but large athletes.
>Elf: x1.11 height, x1.36 area, x1.02 weight. Elfs are thinner
>proportionally, but the increase in area due to height is significant.
>Elves probably float, or at the very least have neutral bouyancy.
That sounds about right. An elf's physiogamy, and hence statistics,
changes little from human- they have only a quickness bonus, due to longer
limbs perhaps.
>Does this sound right, or did I screw up somewhere?
Except on the "area / volume" transposition, you are spot on in your math.
The undefianbles, like methuman proprtions, are left for individual judgement,
but I agree- only dwarves would likely have trouble swimming, which makes
sense, given that thier body is higher than human and thier volume lower, all
math asside.
On the other hand, I'm not sure how dense ANY primate can be- all this
density discusion may be pointless, since all metahumns are likely made of a
similar mixture of materials that don't vary to much in density to begin with.
Swiming problems would then depend more on body shape and distribtuion of
mass.
Perhaps instructive is the canine world; like metahumanity, all have
differing characteristics, and all can interbreed.
Humans would be mutts- a 40-60 lb dogs 20 to 30 inches at the shoulder.
Coyotes fall in this range, as do African wild dogs, as do various domestic
dogs.
Dwarves would be represented by breeds with short legs- basset hounds,
bulldogs, and a few others. The image of the Bulldog seems particularly
appropriate. Their weight declines little, perhaps by 10 lbs., compared to
the "stock" dogs above. Indeed, they a bread for toughness and ability to fit
in small places.
Elves would be the fine boned dogs- greyhounds and Doberman pincers, being
speedy, seem perfect. If the same height, these dogs are perhaps 10% lighter.
Larger specimens are not lighter than stock dogs, nor weaker.
Orks would be large dogs, those from 60-120 lbs.; Labrador, shepherds, and
rotwielers, perhaps.
Trolls would be your true monster dogs, able to reach 200+ lbs.- St.
Bernard's, Great Danes, Irish wolfhounds.
Whats the point , besides maybe making me want a real set of "Dawg" rules?
:)
The point is, all have similar density, and all love to frolic in water at
the beach; I;ve wathced cocker spanials, very lage rotwielers, and mutts (of
the 50 lb variety) all swim together, and none was clearly advantaged, except
the light dogs were pushed about by waves.
The other point is, even looking at an "unawakened" species, a huge range
of variance is possible, and the common mass difference from one end to the
other can easily outstrip the 3.5x by which SR claims trolls outweigh humans.
Mongoose
