Date: Thu, 17 Sep 1998 11:07:28 -0400 To: GURPSnet-L@io.com From: CraigR Subject: The Drive Core This was something I was playing around with, trying to figure a way to have a drive system that worked in both magical and technological settings and didn't require vast amounts of power to operate. This last was to make it compatible (in magical/spelljamming settings) with spelljammer helms. Drive Core The drive cores are spheres of various sizes from 3 to 32 inches across. They appear to be made of a semi-transparent black glass. They are otherwise nondescript except for occasional visual discharges which originate deep within the sphere (these discharges can be detected by psionic and magical means as well). No one knows where drive cores come from: they might be a natural byproduct of the creation of the universe, or a TL 16 leftover of a civilization from some earlier cycle of creation. Soon after its original discovery, by any civilzation, a correlation will be drawn between outside events and the flashes in the sphere. The movement of mass in relation to the sphere causes the flashes, the greater (and closer) the kinetic energy involved, the brighter and more intricate the pattern of the flash. Eventually, after some experimentation, it will be discovered that when energy (intense light, magical or psionic fields) is directed into the center of the sphere uniformly across it surface, it will generate a "field of continuity" with a volume equal to a sphere with a radius of [core's diameter in inches squared] yards. (Note it is a volume EQUAL to such a sphere, it's shape can be determined by modulating the energy input.) Varying the amount of energy input between one side of the core and the other will cause the core, and everything within the continuity field, to move (assuming what's in the field is not solidly mounted to objects beyond the field or greater than the field's total volume, in which case nothing happens). The principle is, essentially, that the flashes are images showing where the field is in relation to other objects in it's vicinity. By simulating flashes within the core (through projecting light patterns into the sphere) that show "movement", the field moves itself to mimic the pseudo-flash. The more minute control of the interior flashes, the finer the control of the field's maneuverability. Any mass within a certain range of the field cuts down on its effectiveness as a motive force. The field tends to match velocities with objects larger than half its size, although they can still maneuver toward, away from and around said objects. Within an atmosphere, this means that a ship powered by a drive core and hovering will tend to go with the direction of the wind, unless specifically resisting the air current. In space, the further from any world you go, the faster you can travel between points. In interstellar space, the near total vacuum and inertialless propulsion allow for travel at faster than c. Further experimentation with the input of power to the core will reveal other effects that can be generated within the field. The maintenance of the direction and force of gravity is the most obvious effect, but the reading and deciphering of the core flashes can act as an external (and internal) sensor grid as well. It is up to the GM to decide whether these or additional effects are discovered in his campaign. Drive cores have a DR equal to [5 * the diameter] and [diameter] hit points. However, as long as the energy being input is uniform across the surface of the sphere, the core will not be damaged, no matter how intensely said energy is applied. A drive core could survive at the core of a star. They can be found in any setting, powered by magical, psionic or technological means. No one knows where drive cores come from or who created them. They are not, themselves, magical in nature, although if their power source is magical, entering a No Mana Zone would shut down that source, collapsing the field. Drive Continuity Field Volume Core Diameter in (in yards) (in cubic feet) Inches 3 113.10 3,053.63 4 268.08 7,238.23 5 523.60 14,137.17 6 904.78 24,429.02 7 1,436.76 38,792.39 8 2,144.66 57,905.84 9 3,053.63 82,447.96 10 4,188.79 113,097.34 11 5,575.28 150,532.55 12 7,238.23 195,432.20 13 9,202.77 248,474.85 14 11,494.04 310,339.09 15 14,137.17 381,703.51 16 17,157.28 463,246.69 17 20,579.53 555,647.21 18 24,429.02 659,583.66 19 28,730.91 775,734.62 20 33,510.32 904,778.68 21 38,792.39 1,047,394.42 22 44,602.24 1,204,260.43 23 50,965.01 1,376,055.28 24 57,905.84 1,563,457.56 25 65,449.85 1,767,145.87 26 73,622.18 1,987,798.77 27 82,447.96 2,226,094.85 28 91,952.32 2,482,712.71 29 102,160.40 2,758,330.91 30 113,097.34 3,053,628.06 31 124,788.25 3,369,282.72 32 137,258.28 3,705,973.49 Comments are welcome. ******************************************************************* Craig Roth Send me an ICQ message at: mailto:caroth@iu.net http://wwp.mirabilis.com/2400598 http://www.io.com/~caroth/ *******************************************************************