ffutures: illos from the novel by George Griffith (Angel of the Revolution)
[personal profile] ffutures
Here, as requested, are two automata generated using the rules I'm developing:

“Automaton Atkins” (Britain 1898)
BODY [8], MIND [2], SOUL [-], Athlete (running) [4], Brawling [8], Marksman [6], Melee Weapon [8] Military Arms [3], Stealth [0]
Cost: £230
Weight: 586 lb.
Carrying Capacity: 412 lb
Endurance: 10 hours
Reaction Time: 4.6 seconds
Built-In Equipment:
Pneumatic grenade launcher (built in to arm)
Electric torch (built in to head)
Armoured, -3 Effect to all attacks
Also Carried: 0.50 rifle, 50 rounds ammunition, 6 grenades plus fuses, 30 ft. rope - breaking strain 1000 lb.
Description: British-built prototype military automaton with Swiss-made calculating engine, monochrome and colour "eyes". Steel frame bipedal construction, steam powered, with armour steel casing. The casing is enamelled to regimental colours, the boiler is fitted with a tap to allow hot water to be used to make tea.
Notes: This was the first of several similar prototype automaton soldiers, none particularly successful. Later designs used more powerful calculating engines and aluminium frame, and were eventually put into mass production.

The "Panzer" Guard Automaton (Prussia 1899)
BODY [4], MIND [1], SOUL [-], Athlete (running) [4], Brawling [4], Marksman [5], Stealth [1]
Cost: £400
Weight: 231 lb.
Carrying Capacity: 108 lb
Endurance: 5 hours
Reaction Time: 9 seconds
Built-In Equipment:
Maxim gun, 50 rounds
Armoured: -6 Effect to all attacks
Also Carried: -
Description: A Prussian-built military automaton with Swiss-made calculating engine, monochrome "eye", single arm. Aluminium frame wheeled construction, electric powered, with armour steel casing. Typically described as resembling a conical pepper-pot.
Notes: A Prussian automaton used to protect the Imperial Calculating Engines and other important facilities. Where most other nations built automata that were adapted to the terrain on which they were used, for this important job the Prussians took the unusual step of adapting the "terrain" to the automata. Sites on which these automata were used were levelled and surfaced to a high standard, allowing the use of a wheeled automaton with very little ground clearance. Much of the high cost of this design is explained by the use of aluminium to minimise weight, and electric motors to reduce the automaton's noise. Generally considered to be successful, although they are slow to react and vulnerable to attacks which damage the "terrain" or push the automaton over; they cannot right themselves.

Re: *giggles*

Date: 2004-02-24 04:06 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] armb.livejournal.com
I hadn't realized how far back the "Tommy Atkins" name went -
http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/books/bookfaq5.htm

Am I right in thinking the Panzer looks very like this?

Re: *giggles*

Date: 2004-02-24 06:23 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ffutures.livejournal.com
Yep - see Dr. Toc's message on one of my previous posts re. this.

December 2025

S M T W T F S
  12 3 456
7 89 10111213
14 15 16 1718 1920
21 22 2324252627
28 29 3031   

Most Popular Tags

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags
Page generated Dec. 31st, 2025 08:26 pm
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios