As I have expanded my understanding of the principals behind Liam’s hat I have developed a number of improved devices for assisting in our field work.
Electrostatic Rapier
A rapier design based upon the initial broadsword prototype developed for Sogg, but lighter weight.
It took substantial experimentation to find a resonant pulse frequency that did not have undesired side-effects when my Chapeaux of Inversion was active. Initial tests resulted in damage to the brim of the chapeaux and an emergency haircut. I initially used a grounding wire run through my sleeve, but that proved an impediment in that it was subject to unpleasant feedback when striking metallic targets.
Notes to self:
- Always wear a fencing mask when testing charged weaponry.
- Always wear non-conductive gloves
- Do NOT allow hilt to brush one’s metallic breastplate while the device is active.
- Consider fail-safe to prevent accidental activation while attached to one’s belt
- Investigate insulated shirt fabrics
Electrostatic Axe
A battle-axe extension of the same concept used in my rapier.
As Sogg does not wear a magnetic chapeaux the interference that plagued development of my rapier was not an issue. And as he prefers a heavy axe to a lighter weapon, I was also able to integrate a substantially higher voltage accessory. There were still some unintended side-effects as a result of his love for the steel gauntlets Magnus constructed for him, but ensuring that the lower haft of the weapon is entirely wooden largely resolved the issue.
Notes to self:
- Remind Sogg *not* to choke up on the haft when the generator is engaged. .
- Not even in the dark to startle Virgil.
- Consider insulating the charging coils so that Sogg stops rubbing them on Magnus’ axe to magnetize it while he’s sleeping
ElectroBurst Staff
Another variant of the design. This one is intended for use against opponents for which traditional weapons are unsuitable – e.g. targets resistant to edged weaponry or hard targets which tend to damage blades.
The staff avoids many of the issues with the axe and rapier by being non-conductive and not relying upon kinetic force as a primary damage source. Unfortunately this also means that it requires significantly more energy to deliver a telling blow. It drains charges rapidly in use and requires a ready source of resupply.
Notes to self:
- Lemon-and-potato based charges – though inexpensive – have not proved efficient in providing sufficient power..
- Zinc and electrolyte solution is more difficult to obtain in quantity, but provides far more practical charges.
- Experiment with alternative metal and acid solutions.
- Clearly label ALL charging solutions as non-alcoholic.
- Consider vegetable flavouring to discourage consumption by certain companions.
Arcane Disruption Shield
Expanding on the interactions noted when engaging the Sorcerous Beast on Black Isle, this shield maintains a standing electromagnetic field calibrated to interfere with magick energy.
The initial prototype had the byproduct when activated of magnetising both the shield and other nearby metallic objects – with unfortunate consequences for Magnus when wearing his favoured chainmail and wielding an axe. Particularly when sparring partners also used ferromagnetic accoutrements. Setting the energised spars to opposite polarities and using alternating pulsed charges minimised this effect.
Notes to self:
- Ensure device has a kill switch that is still accessible when the wielder’s arm is forcefully jammed against their torso.
- Recommend padding along the upper edge in case it becomes attracted to the wielder’s metallic headwear.
- Consider tokens of appreciation for Virgil for his assistance testing interactions with Magick. Perhaps Aloe and Cupcakes?.
Resonant Energy Detector
Upon realising that the majority of the traps we have encountered in the field relied upon stored potential energy – typically Magick or Kinetic – I was able to develop a device which warned of nearby unusual concentrations of stored energy.
Careful calibration was required to avoid reacting to spurious signals. The initial prototype appeared utterly useless – producing constant warnings and rapidly draining its charge – until I realised it was merely detecting Virgil’s bio-Magickal potential. Continuous exposure also had the unfortunate side-effect of making Virgil himself bio-luminescent, but fortunately the effect tended to wear off in a few hours. A more directional field projection made it easier to avoid this difficulty.
Pulse power and frequency also had to be notably reduced – at the expense of range. Otherwise the device tended to activate the sources it was detecting.
Notes to self:
- Always use non-conductive material in the grip..
- NEVER activate within 50 m of an establishment selling Wands or Magickal weaponry
Restorative Bioelectric Vest
Comparing notes with Jayna, and expanding the concept demonstrated by my reflex-enhancing bioelectric rings, I theorized that a properly tuned electrostatic field could accelerate the bodies own regenerative properties..
While I am convinced that the basic concept is fundamentally sound, development so far has been plagued with setbacks. While the device does accelerate a user’s ability to heal from injury, it also accelerates a number of other bodily functions. The user currently requires an vastly increased food intake, with an unfortunately commensurate increase in rate of waste production. Even if used in private in circumstances which ameliorate that particular side-effect, prolonged usage of the device also tends to cause rapidly accelerated follicle accumulation. Across the entire body.
The device also rapidly drains power when operational, making it an inefficient use of resources compared to more traditional methods of treatment. For the time being recommend only using in extreme circumstances.
Notes to self:
- Do NOT attempt to use while bathing..
- NEVER activate while wearing other electromagnetic devices
Author’s Notes:
Since Cass has apparently decided to go all-in on Tech, I’m still deciding where she will branch out from here. There is a lot of support in game for electrically enhanced firearms, but that doesn’t dovetail well with her current skills/stats development. I think investing in modest throwing skill to supplement Chemistry and Explosives so that she can put various grenades to good use might be more fitting. There’s a lot of entertaining grenade variants.
Leave a Reply