Date: Sat, 26 Aug 1995 17:50:43 -0700
From: Graham Hughes <graham@fishnet.net>
Subject: Re: bowcasters
To: jae+sw-rpg@DRYCAS.CLUB.CC.CMU.EDU
Errors-to: jae+sw-rpg-errors@DRYCAS.CLUB.CC.CMU.EDU
Reply-to: jae+sw-rpg@DRYCAS.CLUB.CC.CMU.EDU
Message-id: <199508261750.RAA20705@big.fishnet.net>
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At 07:06 AM 8/26/95 +0500, you wrote:
>Watch me and Graham and see what we come up with...

Heh. Well, here goes...

Bowcaster Construction System - version 1.0

The combat value of a bowcaster is determined mainly from three unrelated
(i.e. meaning they have no particular effect on each other; mathematical
sense) factors; the blaster bolt that encompasses the quarrel, the quarrel
and delivery system, and the explosive nature of the quarrel.

Most "standard" bowcasters have roughly the same blaster cartridge as a
normal blaster pistol, i.e. 4D. Some have been refitted for something more
on the range of a rifle (5D), and there are unconfirmed reportings of rare
bowcasters carrying a pared-down light repeater cartridge (6D). It is
believed that the frame of the bowcaster is insufficiently strong to support
more power than a light repeater.

Also, most "standard" bowcasters carry a powered quarrel delivery system,
more along the lines of a crossbow (thus the name). For a standard quarrel
(trivial to find and make) and with a standard powered delivery system, the
damage resulting is comparable to a slugthrower (3D). The delivery system
can be improved slightly, but it is difficult and exacting work, as one
foul-up can cause the entire bowcaster to self-destruct from the strain.
Before the advent of explosives, special armor piercing quarrels did exist,
which can increase the damage as much as +2 pips. These are very rare in
modern times, however, due to the superior damage of the exploding quarrels.

While most quarrels are fitted with a relatively primitive bladed warhead,
quarrels fitted with essentially microgrenades are relatively uncommon, but
not quite rare. (Damage 4D/3D/2D, Radius 0-2/4/6) Some quarrels are fitted
with larger quantities of detonite, with a blast comparable to a
fragmentation grenade (Damage 5D/4D/3D/2D, Radius 0-2/4/6/10). Finally, some
rare quarrels are fitted with shaped explosives, causing extreme damage to
the target hit, but with practically no blast radius (Damage 6D). It is
believed that mounting an explosive comparable to a thermal detonator would
be possible, but extremely dangerous as it is doubtful that the explosive
would survive the firing process.

For the most part, the explosive and impact damages are mutually exclusive;
the explosives are generally fitted with contact detonators, and so there
isn't anything left to impact. However, a quarrel can be fitted with a
time-delay fuse, to ensure that both types of damage do occur. Approximately
30% of these are duds, because either the time-delay fuse did not set off
properly, or the impact failed to trigger it, or the delicate machinery of
the time-delay was damaged during the firing process, etc. This is to be
compared with a nearly perfect detonation ratio for standard explosives.
This modification is a Moderate Bowcaster Repair roll, and can be performed
while the quarrel is cocked and in the bowcaster, although there is a
possibility that the bowcaster will accidentally fire. (Wild die
complication; this is mainly for use in desparate situations, like when the
bad guy is standing over you and is about to chop you in half, and you need
all the damage you can get)

Skills described:
Bowcaster Repair -- Tech
Time Taken: In general, 15 mintues, then one hour, then two hours. May
change due to circumstances. Uses standard repair difficulty rolls.

Modification:
For blaster cartridge, use blaster repair table. (Note: because of
integration with the bowcaster, normal blaster repair rolls cannot be used
to modify the cartridge). For delivery system...

Increase                Difficulty              Cost
+1                      Moderate                30 % of original cost
+2                      Very Difficult          50 % of original cost

If modification roll fails by more than five points, on a wild die
complication the weapon may shatter due to strain (totally destroyed; GM's
decision whether or not to do this)

Well, what do you think?

Graham
Graham Hughes <graham@fishnet.net>
finger for PGP public key, RSA for perl.