Olympia: Rsearch Combat

From: rcb@kaiwan009.kaiwan.com (Robert Christopher Butchko)

Date: Tue, 07 Feb 1995 20:22:51 +0000

Not meaning to make this into some sort of modern events/politics screed,
bit it seems to me that the driving force in all scientific progress has
been the desire to find new ways to kill people and to avoid being
killed.  Despite that, there are no skills researchable in Olympia
under Combat.  While "Construct Wide-Beam Laser Rifle" (9566) would be
a reach, it seems there are combat skills which 1) Are not so necessary
that they should be available free, and 2) Would not unhinge the game.
After the demise of the design list, this is the only forum for such
discussion.
So, I propose that we bat some around.  We should have both offense
and defense, and they should not (?) duplicate opportunities
available in stealth or persuasion.
I'll start with:
Construct Deadfall   One Week to learn, One to Execute
Making a trap that will actually work against humans is an act of
skill indeed.  Using construct deadfall, you will spend a week digging
a pit in a province, lining it with pointed stakes, and then
constructing a convincing cover.  The faction constructing the trap
will be aware of it, and will not fall prey to it, as will any
characters or faction informed via the "TELL" order. Characters
who have not been warned have a 25% chance of being injured or
killed by the trap, as do men  and beasts in their retinue.  (The
trap will check whether or not the leader is caught; if not, the
retinue is presumed to have passed safely.)  Only one trap may be
set per location.
How's that look?  I write this because I am concerned that my castles
may be essentially undefendible, and that such skills are both
real-life acceptible and useful in a logical effort-reward sense.
-Chris