Einhorn – heavy quadruped combat walker
A larger, updated successor to the venerable Quarterhorse mech chassis, the Einhorn class combat walker also saw extensive use at the dawn of the stellar era. Like the Quarterhorse, they mount the main weapon in a small forward turret, in this case a gatling laser with a range of 5 km. Mission versatility is achieved through two light TAC missile hard points, which can carry anti-armor, anti-personnel, or anti-air missiles as needed.
They are still sometimes used as command units due to their long-range communications, heavy armor, and extensive defensive systems. On the battlefields of the Inheritance wars they were frequently deployed to provide fire support and anti-air cover for lances of Quarterhorse mechs.
| Einhorn | heavy quadruped combat walker with long range air defense capabilities |
| System | Details |
| Cost (Cr.) | 1,314,200 |
| TL | 10 |
| Skill | drive (walker) |
| Agility | 0 |
| Speed | 80 kph |
| Range | 300 km |
| Crew | 1 |
| Cargo | none |
| Open | no |
| Hull | 6 |
| Structure | 7 |
| Armor | 40, (60 front, 40 left and right, 20 rear, 40 top, 40 bottom, 60 turret front, 40 turret sides, 20 turret rear) |
| Shipping Size | 30 tons |
| Height (m.) | 8 |
| Weapons | light turret with TL 8 gatling laser (6d6, auto 2, distant range) |
| 2 hard points for light TAC missiles (missiles not included) | |
| Extras | AFV |
| extra legs (+1 drive on rough or uneven ground, +1 to hit) | |
| laser anti-missile system (TL 10, +1 to negate hits) | |
| advanced controls (+1 agility) | |
| advanced sensors (+2, very distant) | |
| standard navigation (+2) | |
| TL 10 communications (encrypted continental) | |
| long term life support | |
| flares | |
| prismatic aerosol | |
| extra armor x 4 |
Posted in Equipment, Traveller and tagged mech by Adam A. Thompson with no comments yet.
Combat Walkers of the Confederation of Planets – Quarterhorse
These combat walkers, or “mechs” as they are more commonly called, are old tech level (TL) 9 and 10 designs used by the Confederation of Planets in wars past. Occasional examples of these vehicles show up in the planetary defense forces of Confederation worlds, in the private armies of mercenaries, and in the hands of rich collectors of expensive weapons. Others are seen in the form of copies, variants, and equivalents on low-tech worlds.
Quarterhorse – light quadruped military walker
A basic four-legged mech, the Quarterhorse is relatively fast, very sure-footed, and provides a nimble firing platform for its heavy autocannon. Good out to a range of about 500 meters, the autocannon can threaten most light or medium armored units.
Still used for patrols or perimeter defense, they were mainly used in assaults as infantry support vehicles. Their, agility, build, and high forward turret placement give their “mech-jockeys” the ability to crouch the mech behind cover and pop up to fire.
Quarterhorses are sometimes mockingly referred to as “poor planeteer’s battle armor”, as they provide protection and armament similar to the powered personal armor of higher-technology forces at a fraction of the price.
Lacking life-support, pilots using them in hostile environments must wear vac suits or otherwise make arrangements for their respiration.
| Quarterhorse | light quad military walker, general purpose |
| Cost | 428,000 Cr. |
| TL | 9 |
| Skill | drive (walker) |
| Agility | +2 |
| Speed | 102.5 kph |
| Range | 300 km |
| Crew | 1 |
| Cargo | none |
| Open | no |
| Hull | 2 |
| Structure | 3 |
| Armor | 20 (30 turret front, 10 turret rear) |
| Shipping Size | 10 tons |
| Height | 2 meters |
| Weapons | small turret with
|
| Extras | AFV |
| 2 extra legs (+1 DM on rough terrain, +1 DM to attack rolls) | |
| advanced controls (+1 agility) | |
| basic navigation (+1) | |
| TL 6 communications | |
| advanced sensors (+2 bonus, very distant range) | |
| increased speed |
Posted in Equipment, Traveller, Vehicle and tagged mech by Adam A. Thompson with no comments yet.
The Mutane of Ruwa’duniya
Homeworld: Ruwa’duniya
Race: The Mutane
Backstory:
Appearance:
Posted in Race, Traveller and tagged alien race, aquatic by Andrew Kickertz with no comments yet.
Planet Eden
Skein Reach subsector 4, parsec 0107
Eponal Station, situated in orbit above the garden world “Eden” / Eponal 3 – UWP B3638DF-3
Size 4 (0.35 G)
Atmosphere 6 (standard)
Temperature 8 (temperate)
Hydrographics 3 (small seas and oceans)
Population 8 (223 million)
Government D (religious dictatorship led by the Hierophant of the Temple of Cyrix)
Law Level 15 (no weapons, no off-world data or press, no blasphemy, no TL3 or higher technology, and no psionics)
Just inside the border of The Confederation of Planets (CP) is the strict religious dictatorship known as “Eden” by the locals. Travellers who check their nav computers will see this populous garden world listed as Eponal 3. The notes indicate that it is a planet ruled by a strict religious dictatorship. Their leader is a priest known as The Hierophant of the Temple of Cyrix, who is replaced in a secret ceremony every seven years.
Factions The Trade Guild, an obscure charismatic oligarchy who operate the Temple’s cargo ferries.
The primary exports from this agricultural garden world are food and other organics. Interstellar trade is accomplished through Epona Station, with goods shuttled up and down between the orbital starport and the landing pads in the priest’s taboo “City of the Gods”.
As a CP border system, Epona boasts a sizable Confederation naval presence. Epona Station is supported by a network of defensive orbital stations, and is a busy resupply point for Confederation ships.
A red exclamation mark in the library system listing indicates that landing on planet is strictly forbidden by the Confederation of Planets, in accordance with the treaties between the locals and the Confederation. Trespassers will be met with deadly force. Those who dare to defy this warning will either be interdicted by police cruisers and meson fire support from the CP orbital defense stations, or face the wrath of the techno-priests and their stellar-era-tech arsenals on the surface of Eden. This world’s planetary defenses are believed to be substantial enough to repel a sizable invasion force.
Experienced salvage traders know that the CP-operated starport in orbit above Eden has a good market to purchase antique Kraken mechs in any state of repair with no questions asked.
Reports indicate that in addition to using the Krakens for planetary defense, the religious order that rules the planet uses their Kraken amphibious combat walkers to keep the population worshiping the “priest-kings.” If necessary they punish stubborn heretics by sending Krakens to visit “divine punishments” upon any of Eden’s low-tech agricultural communities that question the will of the high-tech “priest-kings”, “angels”, and “gods” who rule the planet.
Posted in Region, rules agnostic, Traveller and tagged Skein Reach by Adam A. Thompson with no comments yet.
Imperial Star Corvette Deckplan
In science-fiction gaming deck plans for spaceships and star-ports serve a purpose much like dungeons in fantasy gaming. They are both a bounded area where encounters can happen, and a fun visual artifact that stimulates the imagination. With either of these types of maps, gamers can more easily imagine a place and the action that might unfold there. And with deck plans if your characters can get their hands on of one of the ships in question they have the opportunity to go tour the galaxy in it.
Presented here are deck plans and area descriptions for the 500 ton Imperial Star Corvette we posted statistics for earlier.
AREAS
- bridge – Duty stations for the helm, sensors, communications, engineering, environmental controls, and a captain’s chair.
- engineering – This two-story section contains the power plant, maneuver drives, the jump drive, life support, duty stations for controls of all of the above, and a large lift that descends to the cargo hold. Multiple stairs and ladders allow movement between the decks. A cargo airlock opens to the aft from the bottom floor.
- main guns – The fixed particle beam occupies the top deck and the missile launcher the bottom deck of this two-story area, with duty stations for both weapons. A ladder allows passage between the decks.
- turrets – The lasers, sandcasters, and sand barrel storage fill the aft of the top floor of these areas. Fire control stations for the dorsal port and starboard turrets share this space on the top deck, while duty stations for the ventral port and starboard turrets are accessed by descending ladders to the lower-deck areas.
- fuel processing – The fuel scoop opens to space below this area, and raw hydrogen is refined by the machinery here and stored in the main tanks.
- missile storage – The ship’s compliment of 24 standard missiles and an auto-loader are here. A cargo door to the aft gives access to the cargo bay, and a standard door on starboard to the main gun’s lower deck.
- cargo bay – In addition to whatever cargo may be carried in the modest 27 tons of space available here, the ship’s 20 ton launch is stowed here, along with the eight emergency berths that serve as the ship’s brig (the Emperor’s justice is cold). A large cargo door and ramp opens towards the fore of the cargo bay for loading, unloading, and launching the ship’s raft. Cargo doors open to missile storage, fuel processing, and engineering. A cargo lift gives access to engineering’s top deck.
- escape pods – Accessible from engineering, the ship’s seven escape pods await occupants here, and in the case of use launch through the top of the ship behind the turrets.
- common areas – The mess for the crew, tables, chairs and a large holographic display occupy the port common area, while tables, couches, and small video screens make up the lounge on the starboard side.
- barracks – Accommodations for ten star marines in the form of individual bunks fill these two barracks.
- staterooms – Double-occupancy staterooms make up the quarters for the ship’s three shifts of gunners, engineers, and helms-beings, with two shifts hot-bunking in each bed. The captain enjoys one of the large staterooms near the bridge for their personal use, while the first and second mates share the other large stateroom across the hall from the captain. All staterooms have doors that open to the central hallway that connects the bridge to the main guns.
Posted in rules agnostic, Starship, Traveller and tagged deck plan, Starship by Adam A. Thompson with no comments yet.
Confederation of Planets Frigate
Confederation Frigate – 700 tons – 313,180,000 Cr.
These medium ConFed ships are designed to be versatile, since their missions often include diplomacy, scouting, or transporting cargo and personnel across space in addition to serving as light warships.
Large fuel reserves and cargo capacity mean that these frigates can transport 200 tons of cargo 3 parsecs before needing to be refueled – an operation that requires assistance, as the distributed hull is not equipped with fuel scoops or processors.
When staffed with a full crew these frigates offer luxurious accommodations. The advanced voice-interface computer systems ensure that even at reduced staff levels the command crew is able to navigate and, if necessary, defend themselves. Eight beam lasers and two missile launchers allow these Frigates to deal respectable damage to enemy vessels at long range, and four sandcasters and three pulse lasers equip them for anti-laser and point defense.
System – Details – Tons – Cost (MCr)
Hull – 14 points distributed hull – 700 tons – 57.6 MCr.
Structure – 14 points
Armour – 6 points bonded superdense – 35 tons – 28.2 MCr.
Power Plant – class G – 22 tons – 56 MCr.
Maneuver Drive – thrust 2 – class G – 13 tons – 28 MCr.
Jump Drive – jump 2 – class G – 40 tons – 70 MCr.
Bridge – 20 tonnes – 3.5 MCr.
Crew – 1 captain, 2 officers, 3 pilots, 3 navigators, 6 engineers, 14 gunners, 8 marines
Computer – model 4 – rating 20 – 5 MCr.
Software – intellect 1, maneuver 0, jump control 2, fire control 4, evade 1, auto-repair 1, library – 17.2 MCr.
Electronics – advanced: radar, lidar, densiometer, jammers – 3 tons – 2 MCr.
Weapons
4 x triple turret – beam laser / beam laser / sandcaster – 4 tons – 13 MCr.
40 x sandcaster barrels – 2 tons – 0.02 MCr.
2 x double turret – missile rack / missile rack – 2 tons – 2.5 MCr.
24 x smart missiles – 2 tons – 0.06 MCr.
1 x triple turret – pulse laser / pulse laser / pulse laser – 1 ton – 2.5 MCr.
Fuel – 1 x jump 2 and 13 weeks of operation – 224 tons
Cargo Capacity – 200 tons
State Rooms – 4 single, 13 double – 68 tons – 8.5 MCr.
Barracks – 8 bunks – 16 tons – 0.8 MCr.
Low Berths – 4 berths – 2 tons – 0.2 MCr.
Luxuries – 10 tons – 1 MCr.
Extras
Ships Locker
Probe Drones – 5 drones – 1 ton – 0.5 MCr.
Repair Drones – 7 tons – 1.4 MCr.
Escape Pods – 16 pods – 8 tons – 0.8 MCr.
Launch – 20 tons – 14 MCr.
Maintenance Cost (monthly) – 25,940 Cr.
Life Support Cost (monthly) – 57,400 Cr.
Posted in Equipment, Traveller and tagged Science-Fiction, Starship by Adam A. Thompson with no comments yet.
Imperial Star Corvette
Imperial Star Corvette – 500 tons – 324,385,000 Cr
Reasonably fast, well armed, and heavily armored, the Imperial Star Corvette is the workhorse of the Skein Reach, and dreaded by captains of smaller ships. Typically used to patrol the borders of Imperial space, its fast jump drive ensures that the Emperor’s forces can quickly crush most small threats and effectively pursue criminals and smugglers along the periphery. Other than their cruiser, a handful of these aging Corvettes make up the majority of the Duke’s interstellar fleet.
With a maximum thrust of 5 gravities these corvettes can overtake most ships, and those that can outrun them must still escape the reach of their missiles and the main gun – a fixed particle beam. Captains that stand and fight will have to slug through the medium crystaliron armor while suffering a fusillade of return fire from the eight lasers.
In addition to the captain and crew of 24, the Star Corvette carries a compliment of 20 Imperial space troopers, a ship’s launch for landing them on planet or boarding other ships, and a cryo-brig for 8 prisoners. Some corvettes will be outfitted with two light fighters instead of the launch, further extending the Corvette’s reach.
In order to facilitate rapid patrols or to make emergency jumps, the Imperial Star Corvette carries enough fuel for four one-parsec jumps.
System – Details – Tonnage – Cost (MCr)
Hull – 10 points, standard wedge – 500 tons – 32 MCr.
Structure – 10 points
Armour – 4 points, crystaliron – 25 tons – 6.4 MCr.
Power Plant – class N – 40 tons, 104 MCr.
Maneuver Drive – thrust 5 – class N – 25 tons – 52 MCr.
Jump Drive – jump 3 – class H – 45 tons – 80 MCr.
Bridge – 20 tons – 2.5 MCr.
Crew – 1 captain, 1 first mate, 3 pilots, 1 navigator, 2 engineers, 5 gunners, 20 marines
Computer – model 3 – rating 15 – 2 MCr.
Software – maneuver 0, jump control 3, fire control 3, library – 6.3 MCr.
Electronics – basic military: radar, lidar, jammers – 2 tons – 1 MCr.
Weapons
4 x triple turret – beam laser / pulse laser / sandcaster – 4 tons – 13.75 MCr.
60 x sandcaster barrels – 3 tons – 0.03 MCr.
1 x double fixed hardpoint – particle beam / missile rack – 0 tons – 5 MCr.
24 x basic missile – 2 tons – 0.03 MCr.
Fuel – 4 x jump 1 and 12 days of operation – 214 tons
Cargo Capacity – 16 tons
State Rooms – 1 single, 6 double – 28 tons – 3.5 MCr.
Barracks – 20 bunks – 40 tons – 2 MCr.
Emergency Low Berths / Brig – 8 berths – 2 tons – 0.2 MCr.
Extras
Fuel Scoops – 1 MCr.
Fuel Processors – 150 tons per day – 7.5 tons – 0.075 MCr.
Ships Locker
Probe Drones – 5 drones – 1 ton – 0.5 MCr.
Repair Drones – 5 tons – 1 MCr.
Escape Pods – 3.5 tons – 7 pods – 0.7 MCr.
Launch – 20 tons – 14 MCr.
Maintenance Cost (monthly) – 27,032 Cr.
Life Support Cost (monthly) – 50,000 Cr.
Posted in Starship, Traveller and tagged Science-Fiction, Starship by Adam A. Thompson with 2 comments.