| From: | Bob Tockley <zzdeden@*******.COM.AU> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Re: thermographic vision-question |
| Date: | Wed, 3 Feb 1999 10:29:33 +1000 |
>is, and how it works. Preferably long, with lot's of difficult words
>in it (his English isn't that good:)).
Here's the Thermographic Vision excerpt from Fields of Fire.
##############################################
Thermographic Systems
Thermographic systems read heat (infrared energy) emitted by a target.
This type of system provides few details about the target, because it
reveals only degrees of heat. SRII assumes that modem (2050) thermal
systems actually superimpose the thermographic display over a basic,
amplified low-light display for better detail. The result provides
insufficient data to gain a bonus or modifi-er, but does allow the user to
navigate past obstacles or differentiate between objects while using the
system.
Different systems use different color scales to represent the levels of
heat, but most use the following standard. Hot objects (an engine block, a
pot of boiling water) show as white, while cool objects (room temperature)
show as black, with every temperature difference in between displaying as
shades of red or green. Remember that the system judges "hot" and
"cold"
in relation to the local air or room temperature. For example,
thermographic systems used outside in the winter easily spot a person or
vehicle, because they will appear "hot" compared to the air temperature.
On the other hand, in the rain forests of South America little difference
exists between the ambient temperature (the forest's "room temperature")
and the radiated body heat of a human being, making thermographic systems
all but useless for differentiating between the forest and a person. (Odds
are that motion will give the target away, but that's a different modifier.)
When characters are using thermographic systems, the gamemaster must
consider the relative temperature of objects viewed against the ambient
temperature to determine if the system detects the target. In other words,
objects at a similar temperature show up on the display as similar colors,
making it difficult to differentiate between them if they overlap.
By definition, thermographic systems also require technology and cannot
be used when casting magic. Because the user has paid Essence for
thermographic cybereyes, however. the system becomes an accepted part of a
character's body and can be used to cast magic.
Natural Low-Light and Thermal Vision
Natural low-light or thermographic vision, such as the vision elves and
dwarfs are born with, or the enhanced senses available to a physical adept
or critter, is magical in nature. This type of vision works along
principles similar to those of low-light and thermographic systems, but
performs better than any technology can. Though a certain biological basis
exists to explain this visual ability, much of the effect can only be
explained through the application of magic.
Natural low-light or thermographic vision is assumed to be always
operating, providing vision enhancements automatically as needed. For
example, a troll sees exactly what humans see when looking at the same
view, except that every object, person, and so on is tinged with the heat
it radiates. The hotter an object, the more brilliant the color the troll
sees. Objects that are much hotter than their environment appear whiter,
surrounded by a faint glow. Trolls see this way normally, and therefore
can instantly perceive, process, and interpret what they see. Natural
low-light or thermal vision is an advantage, not a handicap.
##############################################
Here's the basics of Thermographic Vision:
+ You can't see through things. IR radiation doesn't work that way (check
out the remote control to your video control - it won't work through your
hand for instance). However, a significantly powerful heat source on the
other side of the person might be visible by the aura of heated air around it.
+ Thermographic bleeding (ie. heating up materials in contact with a warm
object) happens fairly slowly. It will take several minutes (or more
depending on the density and heat conducting properties of the wall) for
someone to heat up a wall to an extent where it is visible on the other side.
+ Thermographic Vision can be flared similarly to normal vision. All it
takes is a somewhat hot/bright heat source/light to erupt in a previously
dark area (can we say incendiary grenades, anyone?)
+ Players who try to abuse the rules in this sort of completely
unrealistic manner really piss me off. Kill them all, that's what I say.
(>) ARKHAM
"The difference between a clown and a mime? Easy. People care if the
clown gets killed."
