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 Up