IC: New Weapons Systems

[sythyry]

And here are some more specific choices for new armaments.

I note that Locador effects are popular. Very well; they are effective too, and exotic, and I can probably do well with them. But the more Locador one uses in one place, the greater chance there is of troublesome other problems, so I don't want to do everything with Locador.

And I am inclined to have at least one of the Durudor effects, because those are quite rare -- even more rare than Locador effects -- and difficult to resist or counter them with magic. Also in many places there are legal obstacles to making them, but, as a master-smith, I have the guild-right. And as a long-time nendrai toy, I have the skill, too.

Forgive me if I don't want to use Mentador, no matter how sensible it might be.

While a cannon capable of throwing three thousand heavy iron spikes a minute would be exceedingly intimidating, the practical considerations (both magicotechnical and sociopolitical) are nearly as intimidating.

[Poll #1591500]

Comments

[aryllian]

What is the end condition for the device that forbids the passage of time?

[kensan-oni.livejournal.com]

I slightly disapprove of lack of things that send people to their room.

[redbird]

The interesting thing here, of course, is combinations. I think the wall of thorns works well with spirits of lightning and storm. You clearly don't need those and the tremendous lightning bolts; on the other hand, torpedoes or the iron-tipped missiles would work well with the sentient locador distortions. But in that case I'd have probably voted for the wall of wild winds or the winged shields.

[gavinfox.livejournal.com]

The essence of my suggestion is not to exactly try to replicate the weapon I mentioned. The essence is to consider 'how to make an effective deterrent through intimidation'. Thus, I would say something that is based on the basic Ballista concept, as it is easily recognizable by those of your world, AND it is something that we can help with (we have many cultures that came up with various odd and advanced ballista designs, especially for repeating ballistae, which is most definitely possible), AND it is something that you can enchant quite well, AND the missiles can combine your durudor capabilities. Plus, with a ballista, you can simply make different types of bolts for different needs -- some metal tipped, some normal, some enchanted with flames, some with locador enchantments, whatever. Or, presumably, rather than enchanting *each individual bolt*, you simply create a device that casts an appropriate spell (or a few spells from a selection of appropriate spells) on whatever bolts are put into it, or build that into the ballista itself. I'm not an expert on magic, so I'm not sure. I do think about mechanical things, which is why I mentioned what I did.

For example, here is something that is conceptually similar to that chain cannon I mentioned, and SHOULD be not insanely difficult and shouldn't have massive ramifications given your technological level and sociopolitical situation:

http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/RepCatapult.htm

It's a design for a ballista that doesn't need to be reloaded individually to fire the next shot. In turning the crank at the side of the ballista, a new bolt automatically drops in and is fired simply by turning the crank, and as long as there are bolts in the feed and the crank keeps turning, it will continue to fire.

I presume you can actually go look at links I send, as Delight's journal can. I would show the pictures shown at that link, but they are quite quite large and quite detailed and there are many of them and I don't want to annoy you or annoy the other folk reading the journal. If you would like, or you can't get to that link, I can post the pictures directly like I did the others.

Of course you could presumably get the same benefit of the improved rate of fire and the quick reloading and such through magic, or you could simply mix some aspects of mechanical improvements of rate of fire with some magical, whatever suits you. Personally, I think some tempedor things mixed with some mechanical benefits so that, should either fail for whatever reason, the ballista will still be able to fire more accurately and faster than equivalent ones, would definitely be worth it. Of course that particular design wasn't made to destroy skyships, but it can easily be scaled to be larger and be able to do so!

[bloofox.livejournal.com]

What do you mean you don't need spirits of lightning if you also have tremendously big lightning bolts? Just think how shiny and sparky your defences would be!

[sythyry.livejournal.com]

A topic that remains to be worked out!

[foomf.livejournal.com]

I chose with the following priorities: 1) tactical value, 2) impressiveness, 3) versatility, 4) inevitability.

Thus, the first choice, the sentient locador spells, which if I recall does include a tiny bit of mentador but not the kind you would get socially dirty by using.
The second choice, I chose the insects, but I'd really suggest a truly huge swarm of insects WITH METAL WEAPONS.
The third choice, extra time for friends, is simply the distillation of pure usefulness.
The fourth choice is the only one I dithered on ... I didn't want to go with more Locador, as you already have the locador elementals, and that one's large enough scale to be possibly too dangerously attractive to Outsiders.
Instead, the winged steel shields seem to be sufficiently inconvenient and confounding and not so limiting as to make it difficult to adapt them, but they don't feel as inspired as the other offerings.

[redbird]

I don't mean you wouldn't have a use for them. I mean that if I can only have one major and one minor defense, I want something that will be effective against (at least some subset of) attackers who aren't harmed by lightning, either inherently or because they're carrying defenses.

It's like packing for a journey, if one has significantly limited space. I don't bring all my favorite clothes, but a selection depending on the length of the trip, where I'm going, and whether it will be convenient to do laundry.

[relee.livejournal.com]

Well, clearly the device couldn't forbid the passage of its OWN time, or it would cease to operate, freezing each moment for only a moment, effectively not limiting time at all. So, eventually the device would wear out and time would resume, since the device couldn't keep time locked without being extant itself.

[relee.livejournal.com]

There were no less than two weapons capable of sending people to their room; in the event their room is on the Strayway anyways...

[stormydragon.livejournal.com]

A howling horn, that makes agonizing noises

Oh dear God, an enchanted Vuvuzela? You really are an evil wizard!

[alex-muridae.livejournal.com]

Aww, looks like only a few of us liked the insect idea...

Personally, I still think having a terrible swarm of Durador bees flying around is quite the deterrent. Further, the idea of a defense composed of Locodor trickery seems like it would be helpful, so long as it can block teleporting and such as well; that seemed like the major flaw of the wind or wood walls.

[kensan-oni.livejournal.com]

Never know. Could be bagpipes.

[stormydragon.livejournal.com]

Since Vae can steal things from other universes, just get her to steal you a few of these: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phalanx_CIWS

I think hundreds of two pound metal bricks flying through their ship at thousands of meters per second would deter pretty much any attacker.

[octantis.livejournal.com]

I have to say that in particular I think the Khtsoyis made of chains is totally badass. (Er... that's a slang term here for 'awesomely and stylishly imposing') but I've grown to like Khtsoyis, so I may be biased.

That said, if it's wholly made of chains, I bet you could combine the lightning and storm theme with it. Lightning likes to run up and down metal. You could call it Chain Lightning! Or... Thunderclubs! Shock and Awe?

[ionotter.livejournal.com]

Sentient Locador distortions. Exceptionally valuable. They can teleport enemies off the ship the moment they arrive, and can continue to do so until they stop trying. Or you can simply keep a large block of stone in the center of the ship for ballast and have attackers teleported inside the block. Mind you, if enough attackers are dealt with this way, the stone might start get a little stinky...

Also, if a member of the crew is taken, they can be brought directly back by countering any hostile teleport spells.

Tremendously Big Lightning Bolts: For a number of reasons.

1. Very loud.
2. Very flashy.
3. Very easy.
4. Makes things explode. Violently.
5. Sets the things that exploded on fire.
6. Can make burning exploded things blow up more.
7. Attempting to put out the exploded burning things with anything liquid will NOT yield the intended results when the next strike arrives.
8. Enemies holding-or wearing-anything metallic will not live long enough to regret it.

However, there are a few disadvantages? Seeing enemies explode-then catch fire-may cause maniacal laughter, which is generally considered Bad Form among the "Good Guys".

Extra Time-flow for friends: If you defenders can move more often and before the enemy, the fight is over before it even begins.

A Massive Wooden Wall: This is the very best option, for a number of reasons.

1. Easily repaired with herbador.
2. Not easily penetrated.
3. Clearly visible, meaning it can be used as a deterrent, whereas non-visible defenses deter nothing.
4. Can be augmented with herbador, such as adding thorns and/or spikes.
5. Can be put into place at the very last moment, causing an enemy ship to crash into it. (Ouchie.)
6. Keeps the enemy away from you.
7. If you fire the Lightning Bolt Cannon at it, you'll send flaming shrapnel at the enemy, setting THEM on fire.

[gavinfox.livejournal.com]

We already discussed this concept in the previous post, and zie SPECIFICALLY said that zie couldn't, or wouldn't, use a weapon like the one from my world, like that! Pay attention! :P

[terrana.livejournal.com]

Concerning the space-twisting... doesn't it kind of do that already? I recall that being why you installed the somewhat angsty sentient furniture.

[delight-in.livejournal.com]

Nooo it's not just you metal chain Khtsoyis would be completely awesome.

... I'm maybe biased in favor of Khtsoyis too.

[perlandria.livejournal.com]

Was it so wrong of me to mostly choose for ultimate DOOM potential?

[terrycloth.livejournal.com]

Or it'd forbid the passage of its own time, and even if set for an infinitesimel duration, keep things frozen forever because its timer never ticked.

[tuftears.livejournal.com]

Yes, very wrong!