From: Nicolai.Shapero@f524.n102.z1.fidonet.org (Nicolai Shapero)
Newsgroups: alt.fan.furry
Subject: Re: What is the Prancing Skiltaire?
Date: Tue, 07 Apr 92 20:22:58 PDT
Organization: FidoNet node 1:102/524 - StormGate Aerie, Los Angeles CA

On <Apr 07 05:25>, Peter da Silva wrote to All:

 Pd>In article <9204060142.AA13131@mail.cis.ohio-state.edu> 
 Pd>FURRJK@vtvm1.cc.vt.edu (Joel Furr) writes:
>What is a skiltaire?  Well, if my sources are correct, a Skiltaire is a
>critter designed for the Other Worlds rpg,

 Pd>Other Suns, as I'm sure Niall will note when he reads your 
 Pd>article.

Actually, the original article never reached us here on the other side
of the Great Divide (read: the Gateway).  The Skiltaire were a
species created by Mark Merlino for a series of science fiction
stories he was writing.  Since Mark was one of the original
playtesters for Other Suns (1st edition) and he liked the idea of
playing Skiltaire in the game, we stated 'em up for same.  And
with Mark's permission, they were used in the 1st edition.  They'll be
in the 2nd edition too, Ghod willin' and the crik don't rise.

>more or less like a weasel
>with more electrical production capacity than Hoover Dam.

 Pd>Well, no. A skiltaire can generate enough to knock a single 
 Pd>individual
 Pd>of most species out on contact. They also have extremely long 
 Pd>range
 Pd>telepathic abilities (on the order of 10s of AUs).

The max that Mark ever told me that they were able to generate was
around 10-20 amps/100 or so volts in a SHORT pulse.  Not enough to do
more than really jolt the heck out of you, and if PROPERLY applied,
give you a good jolt to the heart ("Apply paws...CLEAR...<SNAP>...have
we got a pulse?...ok, one more time...Apply paws...CLEAR...<SNAP>...got`
a decent rhythm...")

>Now, this explanation
>would not be complete without stating that a "Skiltaire" is a being designed
>for role-playing by powergamers.  There is literally no attack that can
>harm one, nor anything it cannot do if it so wishes.

 Pd>I don't see that in Other Suns. In fact they only have 2D6+6 CON 
 Pd>and a 13
 Pd>hit point bonus.

A typical Skiltaire, hit by any of the common blasters in OS 1st
edition, will go toes up in a hurry.  Not that they're unique in
this regard (only the Bjora stand a CHANCE against a handblaster hit
that's anything near expected roll).  Heck, hitting one with a nice
dry baseball bat (wooden one, mind you) would work quite well --
they're NOT resistant to normal weaponry.  I wouldn't want to hit
one with a metal pole -- if I missed and the Skiltaire GRABBED the
pole, I'd likely get a shocking response from him.

"Nor anything it cannot do if it wishes"?  They're not particularly
limited any more than any other species in the game.  (Yes, they
can't initiate telepathic attacks -- big deal.  They've got a long
range sensor function that's VERY valuable...although as with all
psi phenomena in the game, somewhat chancy at best.  "You mean I've
got to roll at or under my TSC on 1D100 in order to get any
information from my telepathic scan?  Where's the active
sensor console...")

 Pd>They're depending on the fact that other people on 
 Pd>FurryMUCK
 Pd>aren't familiar with Other Suns to powergame.

Not being particularly a Mucker (tried it twice, found it
mildly entertaining, but not worth the effort required for
this non-Internet sould to get on) I can't really say one
way or another how people might be handling the Skiltaire
there.

 Pd>One hopes one of the Shaperos will comment further.

This good enough for you Peter?

 Pd>Oh well, at least this got me to pull Other Suns out of my 
 Pd>closet...

I'll probably send a copy your way when the 2nd edition gets
finished.

==========================================
=Nicolai.Shapero@f524.n102.z1.fidonet.org=
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--  

Nicolai Shapero
Internet: Nicolai.Shapero@f524.n102.z1.fidonet.org
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