Month: June 2018

Provisional Limits on Projectile Weapons

Provisionally, until I get more feedback on the subject, due to the outstanding question:

How fast should a projectile weapon be able to fire a slug?

I am implementing a hard-limit on how fast handheld or shoulder-mounted weapons can fire a projectile to 8,000 m/s (roughly Mach 23). This is a hard-limit for railguns and coilguns that use other means than those of conventional firearms (gunpowder or other explosives) which can be carried in the hand, shoulder-mounted, or otherwise used and carried by a single person. It was suggested by a player to have a railgun that can propel a round at just over 1% of the speed of light, which is clearly absurd. Since the escape velocity of Earth is a little over 11.1 km/s, I figure that if one fires their weapon and misses at STP (standard temperature and pressure), their bullet should not escape the confines of Earth’s gravity and go into orbit, or one should not be able to strike a vessel in orbit from the ground with a railgun one can carry.

Allowances are made for ship-mounted or ground facility weaponry that can have a higher power source, far more bulk, and potentially can propel a round faster.

Conventional Firearms

Conventional firearms of any design are limited by what is on hand, they are limited by a leeway of 25% increase from modern firearms for alternative explosive fuel sources and materials. Conventional firearms is defined here as being any firearm which propels a hunk of material using some force of explosive pressure or high pressure release. It is the opinion of the server admin that the human race has had a long time to perfect the production of handheld instruments of death using explosive charges to propel rounds, certain ballistic limitations of STP also exist that limit things.

At any rate, any conventional weapon is hard-limited to no faster than a 25% increase over the conventional weapon’s real-life firing speed. Such an increase also will have to be explained by some variation of describing why the fuel is different or shape of the round.

Round-Design

Rounds that approach the hard-limit will require explanation, what are they made of that they can withstand the force of air resistance at the velocity and should also have some note about their size and shape. One cannot just fire a blunt slug at those speeds, as it would become aerodynamically unstable very quickly, the round would also be subject to severe deformation due to heat from air resistance. Rounds traveling at speeds in excess of Mach 4.5 will also need to be aerodynamically designed in order to maintain flight stability. In terms of in-game explanations, it is not expected for players to have specific design specifications, but it is expected that a round is shaped with a small pointed nose and tapered back-end to allow for aerodynamic stability. Anything else would be aerodynamically unstable.

Grandfather Clause

While normally I extend a grandfather clause to new guidelines and rules, that is not the case here, and weapons currently in game which violate this rule will require special approval to keep.

Final Note

This is not a combat oriented game and it should be noted that the weapons used are used to further story – allow characters to have the opportunity for sufficiently “bad assed” moments but also sufficient risk during combat or other encounters. As such players should realize that while it is certainly canonical within a science fiction setting to have weapons that do massive amounts of damage, that actually makes play harder – the goal of play is to enjoy a situation which your character must fight to survive or overcome an obstacle, not insta-kill an enemy and celebrate a job well done.

This is the reason in canon Star Trek, during the Dominion War, they did not use the phasers to their full potential. Even though canon directly says that a single man with a hand phaser in the 23rd century (TOS) can annihilate thousands of infantry who are unprotected and during the course of TNG it is seen that phasers on a wide-beam setting can effectively incapacitate large numbers of people, it was because it worked well within the confines of those stories. The stories of the Dominion War would have lacked a level of personal risk among the characters to have things be that easy, rather than use that they told a different and far more relatable story of phasers used in the same line as conventional weapons with line-of sight restrictions. This was done to great emotional and dramatic impact, seeing the “horrors of war”, even though it is technically incorrect.

We strive to have challenges for characters to overcome that require effort and thought, situations that (without being horribly convoluted) force the characters to take risks, risks that make the end result more impactful to the players and audience of the gaming sessions.

Splices Outside Schatten System

We have some new arrivals to the station, though of particular interest are the new arrivals that appeared outside of the Schatten System, something that we had previously thought wasn’t possible.

At Starbase Tranquility

In the Markab Star System, orbiting Trocara, Tranquility serves as Solas Tempus headquarters, on the station a quartet of military personnel appeared in the station, something which was thought to be impossible. Splices turning up outside of the Schatten system is troubling indeed. It was previously thought that such things could only happen within the confines of such a unique star system. However, 4 people appeared in Tranquility all of which injured.

After significant medical care, the quartet were transferred to Nimbus Station, which has more experience dealing with new arrivals from other universes.

Quartet of Arrivals

The leader of the group is reported to be Jedidah, who has been kept in sickbay under isolation for now, with her companions similarly isolated. It is known thus far that they are stable but that some care is still required, the details have not yet been released. Rumors are circulating that Jedidah made quite the show of force on Tranquility which would explain the armed guards surrounding the isolation area of sickbay. So far it is unclear the details of what happened.

Radioactive Shuttle

A radioactive shuttle appeared in the star system with an artificial life form on board, though most of the details of the occupant are unclear it is known that both it and the shuttle itself required significant repairs. The occupant is currently recovering in an engineering workshop, the enigmatic Nine was called in to assist with the repairs.

Reporters followed up with Nine to get more information but all the android would say was, “It’s a girl.”

Engineering logs show that the android is labeled in the system as Unit 236C. Of course it is likely that she has a different name than that for interacting with others, at least if her origins follow the same customs as we do for such things.

Further Study

The head of Gold Team, the division of Solas Tempus that deals with scientific endeavors, Admiral Renton has ordered an intensive investigation to attempt to determine how a splice formed outside of the Schatten system. A statement released by the Concord has stated clearly that it is likely for this to be an isolated incident and for people to remain calm while they study the issue.

Successful Writing Prompts

So far my foray into writing prompts has been successful, so we’re going to keep doing it. As such, I’ve created a new category on the site blog, Motus Impulsores, which is Latin for “Sources of Inspiration” (at least according to Google Translate). Most everyone here has had substantial improvement in their writing and I’m so happy to see that taking place. Moving forward, this category is going to be used for when we’ve got news or other such information relating to writing and role playing as a method of collaboration.

I’m enjoying seeing what everyone comes up with and I look forward to seeing where the community goes moving forward.

Thank you all.

Council Convened for Ongoing Murders

The Vampire Council of the city has convened a session to discuss the ongoing threat to the city, with an increasing number of murders plaguing the city with clearly supernatural origins. The primary focus is on the set of unsolved serial murders going on with the city, as we previously reported no supernatural groups have been found responsible for the deaths nor as a cause been found. The general cause of the murders vary with every strike, but now a total of 22 murders have taken place, this number is more than doubled from the previously thought of 10 murders. Investigators have found a 2nd death corresponding to each murder, the death coming from severe brain damage. Autopsy has provided the cause of death but not how it happened, there are a number of victims in hospitals all over the city with similar brain damage, though less severe indicating a potentially greater threat. All the victims so far have been human with no link between them.

The Council has put forth a general call for investigators to descend upon the city with a substantial cash reward for those who can help solve the case and even resolve the problem entirely. While the Out of Aces Detective Agency has already thrown their hat in the ring, it is clear this could be a dangerous assignment – and they do not have exclusive rights to the case. Instead, the council has demanded that any investigators share information. The downside is failure may result in increasingly lavish punishments from the council, those who do not deliver on their word often end up dead.

Further, those with knowledge of the current investigation have told of a mysterious signal coming in over shortwave channels, someone who has been tracking the case up until this point. Details on that are sketchy but if that is indeed true it could point to a larger conspiracy on the horizon for the city. The Council itself has said nothing further other than the general call to investigate the case and seek a resolution.

Crew Selection for Stellar Horizon Continues

The committee is still reviewing candidates for the Executive and Commanding officer positions of the Stellar Horizon. As of yet, those two key positions remain vacant on the ship to make the first of what is hoped to be many exploration missions of the new Serenity Concord.

New additions to the crew include the accomplished pilot, Alema, and the liberated Borg Five of Ten who will be the chief engineer of the vessel. This eclectic crew is hoped to bring insight and fresh perspectives to a critical mission for the future of the Concord. Though the two top key positions remain open, the ships assigned XIA, Kyria Amphion, has also been appointed.

From the Newly Appointed Members

We took the time to ask the newest appointees of the crew about what the think of the mission.

Alema

When asked about the mission, her works echo some of the founding words of exploration within the Federation, and now the Concord.

Stellar Horizon mission is definitely something to look up to. Exploration was always one of most important things in both human and alien culture, even accross diffrent universes. As someone joining crew of vessel i feel good knowing i’m taking part in such great undertaking, and from my side i can promise i’ll do everything I can to help it to archive it objective, to search for new words and civilizations.

Five of Ten

The former Borg has some interesting things to say about the prospects of the mission as well.

STV Stellar Horizon mission is.. An efficient way of finding new unknown planets and civilisations. While it’s important mission it’s also dangerous and crew need to be ready to face dangers. While i was cleared by Solas Tempus for mission, I was well aware that some of crew will find it… Hard to serve under Borg. I am sure that we will be efficient crew and will overcome all obstacles, despite all dangers and that we wll come home, not as heroes, but explorers, not those who won fights but those found ways to avoid them.

Kyria Amphion

The XIA assigned to the ship also had hopeful words to say about the mission ahead.

My people have not been around very long, but we have a lust for knowledge and a drive to help others. I hope that I can do both while serving on the crew of the Stellar Horizon.

Bridge Module Refit

The Umbral Shipyards has also released the layout of the refit bridge module of the ship, this is the first look at the interior of the vessel that was refit specifically for this mission.

Stelar Horizon Bridge
The bridge to the new Stellar Horizon starship.

Lilith Returns Home

After months away the victorious USS Lilith returns home. Nimbus Station quickly launched low-yeild torpedoes into space around the vessel to create an effective light show as 9th Gemini Wing launched an honor guard for the vessel to escort it to the Umbral Shipyards for repair. Reporters were on hand for the docking of the vessel at the ship yards where her command crew disembarked. Everyone was in high spirits and responded stoically when asked about the mission and how it felt to have completed such an important mission.

The crew of the Lilith was also treated to a banquette in their honor, where Fleet Admiral Lance Thomas personally congratulated each member of the command crew and the team of Operatives which lead to the resolution of the Infinity Wave. In the following days the command crew is slated to obtain Distinguished Service Medal while the actual infiltration team that boarded the enemy vessel and cleared the anomaly will receive the Solas Tempus Cross. Other awards to the vessel’s crew will be handled by the Commanding Officer, Neo Akazuli.

Lance Thomas, when reporters spoke to him briefly during the reception had this to say;

They went into an unknown situation and knew they could not fail, that we were all counting on them and they didn’t let anyone down. It is gratifying to know that the faith we put into them was not misplaced. It isn’t an easy thing to repair the timeline and keep the fabric of what we know from unraveling, but that is what my Operatives do. It’s like running into a burning building with a war zone inside, you have no idea what you’ll find inside, you know the longer you’re in there the closer you come to catastrophe, but you don’t have much of a choice. Someone has to deal with it. They did exceedingly well and I’m very proud of them.

The Commanding Officer, Captain Akazuli, commented;

To put it simply, failure was not an option. When failure isn’t an option, there is only one option that remains, period. We had our orders and we saw it through.

Vladimir Zima, who served not only on board the vessel but on the actual team who boarded the enemy ship, is quoted as saying;

Not bad for a coal miner, I’d say. I need a drink.

Tal Ravis, who also served on the actual team that went aboard the enemy vessel had something far more colorful to say;

These fuckers need to learn that im a lot scarier than they are.

One thing is abundantly clear, whatever can be said about Solas Tempus and the leadership of Admiral Thomas, he picked a team that came through from a very difficult and unpredictable situation.

Candidates for the Stellar Horizon

As many already know the Concord has agreed that we should branch out from our military functions and begin an exploration campaign. Quite simply there is a lot of space out there and we will need an increasing amount of resources as time goes on. Right now we are reviewing candidates for the command crew of the STV Stellar Horizon. Anyone who wishes to be part of the command crew or knows someone who they believe would be an exemplar member of this crew should contact their immediate commanding officer and recommend that person for review. Candidates will be reviewed on a number of criteria, however, it should be specially noted that this will not be a combat vessel or one that engages in military activities. There will be a large science contingent to work with our own Green and Gold team members. We have yet to make the final selections on the commanding officer, executive officer, or the vessels department heads. The new ship has been towed via Hyperspace into the Schatten System and finally docked at the Umbral Shipyards for its final rounds of testing.

OOC: Anyone wishing their characters to join the crew should contact one of the staff and make their wishes clear.

Project: Stellar Horizon

Solas Tempus has announced a new project moving forward the Stellar Horizon Project, the ship, named for the project that it will take the lead on, is the STV Stellar Horizon a newly refit Nova Class Starship constructed specifically for the purpose of exploration. The Prime Minister of the Concord, Ethir Th’chaaveq, publicly endorsed the project as being the next step in pushing the Concord forward. The focus of the project will be to discover and chart new star systems and uncover the distant horizons of uncharted space.

Admiral Thomas has released a statement that the organization is building a list of candidates for this historic crew, a mix of military and civilians will be appointed to the vessel which will serve a role as the primary exploration vessel of Solas Tempus moving forward.