Leif's DISCONTINUED GURPS Traveller Game OOC01

[Leif]

Cool, thanks! We kinda need a Mr. Wizard in this thread. Lou used to be a scientist, but he's just a damn lawyer now, like me.

Inisght and Shayuri probably both know volumes more science than I do.

 

[Insight]

Cool, thanks! We kinda need a Mr. Wizard in this thread. Lou used to be a scientist, but he's just a damn lawyer now, like me.

Inisght and Shayuri probably both know volumes more science than I do.

I dunno. Even though I have a bachelor's in computer junk, I'm more of a writer and gamer than a hard scientist. I know enough science to write and game and that's about it.

 

[Centisteed]

I dunno. Even though I have a bachelor's in computer junk, I'm more of a writer and gamer than a hard scientist. I know enough science to write and game and that's about it.

A good way to start is check out GURPS Space, it
gives a lot of options for space travel types that
you can build from. For instance, in Traveller, you
can't communicate in FTL, but in Niven's Known
Space it is allowed. Niven's FTL can only have
navigators that have psionics (latent or full) &
so AI can't be used for space travel (no psionics
in AI in his universe). You can check out some
of Michio Kaku's shows on the Science Channel.
He covered how space battle would be in reality
(basically ships don't fly around like they do in
the sky, but can turn and move quickly by attitude
thrusters, but they have to be controlled so you
don't turn too fast & break your neck from
centrifugal force (at least I think it's centrifugal
force)).

But in general, everybody has a different view
of Traveller. It's more of a framework than a
canon. You build on top of it whatever you want
to add (states it a lot in the CT books). Kind
of like different people had different D&D
campaign worlds (like Greyhawk or Dark Sun).
But instead of one world, or realm, you have
a galaxy (or universe).

But I digress..

 

[Leif]

I do remember enough physics to recall learining that 'centrifugal force' is basically a fallacy. Specifics, however, elude me as usual.

 

[Lou]

I do remember enough physics to recall learining that 'centrifugal force' is basically a fallacy. Specifics, however, elude me as usual.

Centrifugal force is wrong, because you can't push on a string.

 

[Leif]

Centrifugal force is wrong, because you can't push on a string.

Sure you can! IF you first give it a generous coat of shellac!

 

[Leif]

Speaking of Jump Drives (ahem!), you know, I don't recall ever reading anything specific in the rules about you being able to make a Jump-1, Jump-2, or Jump-3 with a Jump-4-rated jump drive. Now, making you always jump 4 parsecs every time you engage the engine is just wasteful and silly, so I'm NOT going to do that. But, still, I can't find in the rules where it specifically says that you can jump a shorter distance than the max rating of your engines. Any help would be a blessing.

 

[Shayuri]

Heee. A jump drive's rating is the -maximum- jump it can make. In fact, making shorter jumps even consumes less fuel. For example, if you jump 2 parsecs on a Jump 4 drive, you can actually jump another 2 parsecs before your fuel is exhausted. By default, each drive comes with enough fuel to jump its max rating once before refuelling.

Of course, extra fuel tonnage can be allocated, using the starship design rules...but it's fairly rare.

 

[Leif]

Ok! Makes perfect sense to me, in a totally fictional sort of way, I suppose. Drive on then! ("Jump" on? )

 

[Centisteed]

I do remember enough physics to recall learining that 'centrifugal force' is basically a fallacy. Specifics, however, elude me as usual.

That's simply the wrong choice for the word.
Simply put: if you turn too quickly in space,
it'll wrack your brain inside your skull &
kill you. That's the point I was trying to
make with Michio's description of space
combat.