Ornithopter

"It is said that regardless of the century, plane, or species, developing artificers never fail to invent the ornithopter."  The old sage quoted.

"Maybe because so many dream of flying?"

"Perhaps."  


"It's ready"


"Are you?"


"Yes" The young artificer began to work the controls of his newly built machine.  Almost immediately it began to lift toward the blue sky.

Ornithopter
This item can carry up to 3 human sized occupants.  If it is operated by one operator then it moves at 180' per turn, two operators at 210' per turn, or three at 240' per turn.  For every non-operator the ornithopter carries the speed is reduced by 60' per turn.  For every hour the ornithopter is operated, the operators must make a Saving Throw vs. Paralysis or be unable to operate it for the next hour.  The saving throw is made harder by the number of passengers: -1 for one passenger, -2 for two.  In addition, for every 2 hours of operation there is an cumulative -1 penalty to the roll until the operators have rested for at least 6 hours.

Ok, 46 of you follow my blog. Yet I only have 5 votes in my poll?  There's a 2 way tie, your vote could make it a 3 way tie! 

And because I know you aren't supposed to post anything like that without offering anything of value:

Here is a link to a fantastic Halloween prop website that does almost everything with paper mache.    I plan of showing off my own first paper mache very soon.

Ornithopter Class Starflyer

Rare marbles adorned the walls and floor of the small hanger bay.  The bay doors were guarded by golden panthers, and between them sat the starflyer Uzra.  


"Pardith, make sure no one follows us through those doors.  Ezra, take CeeBee and make sure we can fly that thing." The blue skinned girl and the rolling trashcan headed for the hatch, while the hulking Weren kept watch, his massive flintlock pistols at the ready.


Kanar headed over to the hanger bay contols, and began to override the bay doors.  His concentration was knocked away when a pair of gunpowder explosions blasted out in rapid succession.  

"We've got company!"  The Baron Bharaputra's black clad guards were in the corridor, their las-blasters humming.  


Kanar drew his fletchet pistol and shot off a couple of rounds before entering the final commands into the panel.  "Into the ship!" He ordered Pardith as he sprinted to the hatch.

http://www.rorymcleish.com/3d_hardware.htm

Ornithopter Class Starflyer 
(X-Plorers Rules)
Class 2 Scout
Unarmed
Improved deflectors (+1 AC)
Quick Handling (+2 to all piloting rolls)

Ornithopter Class Starflyer 
(Terminal Space Rules)
Hull type: FT (4 structure points, Pilot skill +5%)
Armor: titanium (8)
Reactor: expanded
Drive Class: B
Maneuvering thrusters: one additional unit
Jump drive: Yes
Sensors: civilian +5%
Jamming systems: none
Armament: none
Ammo: none
Shield generator: Beta
Cargo space: 0.5t
Other: Nav Computer, Luxury styling
Value: 100,000


Ornithopter Class Starflyer
(d6 rules)
Craft: Ornithopter Class Starflyer
Affiliation: Baron Bharaputra
Era: Rise of the Empire
Type: Personal starship
Scale: Starfighter
Length: 12.5 meters, 30 meter wingspan
Skill: Space transports: Ornithopter Class Starflyer
Crew: 1 
Passengers: 4
Cargo Capacity: 0.5 metric tons
Consumables: 1 month
Cost: Not available for sale (Worth upwards of 150,000 credits)
Hyperdrive Multiplier: x0.5
Hyperdrive Backup: x15
Nav Computer: Yes
Maneuverability: 3D+1
Space: 5
Atmosphere: 350; 1,000 kmh
Hull: 4D
Shields: 3D
Sensors:
Passive: 30/1D
Scan: 70/2D
Search: 80/3D+1
Focus: 5/3D+2


Barely larger than your average starfighter, this unique shuttle manages to cram in a surprisingly large amount of luxury.  It's interior was crafted with the finest materials at the direction of Baron Bharaputra, who while being a thoroughly despicable person, has the finest taste.  It manages to come right up to the edge of being garishly opulent, yet still remaining an elegant means of transportation.

It's severely limited cargo capacity and personal accommodations would make any extended trips a rather uncomfortable experience in spite of the luxury.  It also relies on speed, maneuverability, and deflectors to protect it from harm, as it has sacrificed any armament in favor of it's FTL drive and various luxuries.

Monthly Audience Participation Poll Now Open

Since there were only 2 topics offered this first go, I added, and will continue to add, an option for Rusty's Random Blog Topic Generator.

So tell me, what shall I write about?  Poll closes on 9/1. 

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For the first time in months I don't have any scheduled posts.  For most of the last month and a half I had an entire weeks worth written and scheduled!    I do have a bunch of drafts kicking around, probably 2 weeks worth of posts, but none of them are ready for posting. 

None of this is helped by the fact that I'm once again back to school, this time for my Masters Degree.  I don't know what impact that will have on my blogging, but it probably means that I'll not make the number of posts per month that I've managed this summer.  I hope that means that the posts I do contribute will be of equal or even higher quality, but we'll see. 

Audience Participation Reminder & The Phantom of the Opera

I'll add the poll to the site tomorrow, which gives you 1 more day to add your suggestions to my first monthly audience participation event!

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I have just finished reading The Phantom of the Opera, and I must say that it reads like play report from an adventure module. 

It wouldn't be all that difficult to turn the Phantom and his dungeon into a D&D adventure.  5 cellars, an underground lake, a horrible villain with some pretty clear motivations, and that fantastic rat catcher... It's more immediately translatable into adventure terms than either the first Oz book, or Alice in Wonderland, even though both of those offer a richer and more unique setting.  

What does your game world look like?

I must admit that most of the time when I imagine my game world, I usually picture Northern Europe/New England with a bit of New Zealand thrown in for good measure.  This is due, in large part, to the fact that I've spent most of my life in the northeastern USA.  It's what I see every day.  Well today we're going to look at some other scenery.

The Outback

South Africa

Brazil

American Southwest

Madagascar

Morocco

Tunisia

Chile

Antarctica

Three Horrible Poisons: Euryale's Kiss

Bonus 4th Horrible Poison!

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The ratman struggled at his chains as Cerastes approached him, dagger in hand.  "Murinae will have your head for this" the ratman spat at him.

"I fear not your king" Cerastes replied.  "In fact we Children of the Gorgon have a gift for him, but I wanted to make sure it was perfect before we deliver it."  Cerastes lashed out with the dagger, causing but a minor wound across the beasts snout which healed almost instantly.  The ratman laughed.  

"Do you think to kill him with that?  You'll need..." He paused, his lips curling back.  Confusion shown in his eyes.  His hands clenched into fists, and a bit of blood dripped down from where his claws pierced his palm.  Next his arms tightened against his chest, and quickly he lay curled on the floor, wrapped tightly around himself.  

Cerastes unlocked the chains, grabbed the creature by it's tail, and dragged it out of his work area.  

Euryale's Kiss

This poison was developed by the alchemists of the Children of the Gorgon, using their own venom.  It is a more refined and distilled toxin, and causes all of the victim's muscles to tighten.  If the victim fails the first saving throw their heart has seized, and they will die immediately.  Should they pass the first they must then make a second saving throw.  Should they fail the second they will become paralyzed for 2d12 hours.

Image from blackbirddreams.com