RPG automata again

[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.

Comments

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

There are some special skill rules for automata; you don't get skills at all unless you pay for them, and quite a few skills start at lower base values than usual. Stealth starts at zero for steam and pneumatic automata because they just aren't inherently stealthy; in this particular case Atkins is 8 ft tall or thereabouts, made of steel with dozens of gears and whirring doodads, and has a steam engine inside him, he's hardly going to be be Mr. Quiet. In fact I made a mistake with the stats for the Prussian automaton, it should get a higher Stealth rating because it's electric.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Okay, stealth raised to 2 for Prussian D*l*k and price dropped to £360 due to mass production reducing costs.