Steve Jackson Games - Site Navigation
Home General Info Follow Us Search Illuminator Store Forums What's New Other Games Ogre GURPS Munchkin Our Games: Home

Go Back   Steve Jackson Games Forums > Roleplaying > GURPS

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-19-2020, 11:39 AM   #1
YankeeGamer
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Default Starting an engine? Is there a suitable spell

I was working on a project, and ran across a reference to engines that use a powder charge to start them. No cartridge--no start. That can be anything fron an inconvenience to a disaster.
Is there a suitable spell for starting an engine while missing a key piece like that, or the crank for a car. (I'm not looking at bypassing security, just starting it without the crank/starter cartridge/starter cart--pieces that are not integral parts of the vehicle. I think that, with some crank start cars, the crank can be removed.)
If the key is missing, that's a different problem.
YankeeGamer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-19-2020, 11:51 AM   #2
Gold & Appel Inc
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: One Mile Up
Default Re: Starting an engine? Is there a suitable spell

Not seeing one. Seems pretty basic, though:

Start Engine/TL (H) (Regular)
College: Technology

Description: Starts a mechanical device that has a connected and charged/fueled power supply without engaging the physical starter mechanism, which need not be present at all.

Cost: 1
Time: 2 seconds
Prerequisites: Seek Machine OR Ignite Fire

Item: Staff, wand, jewelry, or key. Cost to create: 100
Gold & Appel Inc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-19-2020, 12:04 PM   #3
YankeeGamer
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Default Re: Starting an engine? Is there a suitable spell

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gold & Appel Inc View Post
Not seeing one. Seems pretty basic, though:

Start Engine/TL (H) (Regular)
College: Technology

Description: Starts a mechanical device that has a connected and charged/fueled power supply without engaging the physical starter mechanism, which need not be present at all.

Cost: 1
Time: 2 seconds
Prerequisites: Seek Machine OR Ignite Fire

Item: Staff, wand, jewelry, or key. Cost to create: 100
It does seem simple enough. I wonder if the cost should be based on the mass of the vehicle or engine?
YankeeGamer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-19-2020, 12:16 PM   #4
TGLS
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Default Re: Starting an engine? Is there a suitable spell

Maybe an extra point if it's really big, like a rocket engine or a power plant.
TGLS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-19-2020, 12:20 PM   #5
Say, it isn't that bad!
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Default Re: Starting an engine? Is there a suitable spell

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gold & Appel Inc View Post
Not seeing one. Seems pretty basic, though:

Start Engine/TL (H) (Regular)
College: Technology

Description: Starts a mechanical device that has a connected and charged/fueled power supply without engaging the physical starter mechanism, which need not be present at all.

Cost: 1
Time: 2 seconds
Prerequisites: Seek Machine OR Ignite Fire

Item: Staff, wand, jewelry, or key. Cost to create: 100
I think the prerequisites should be Seek Machine and Ignite Fire, because you are igniting the engine (so Ignite Fire), and you do need to know how to do that (so Seek Machine).
__________________
In which I post about a TL9-10 solar system

http://forums.sjgames.com/showthread.php?t=169674

If you don't know why I said something, please ask. Assumptions are the death of courtesy.

Disappointed in the behaviour I have too-often encountered here.
Say, it isn't that bad! is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-19-2020, 01:12 PM   #6
Gold & Appel Inc
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: One Mile Up
Default Re: Starting an engine? Is there a suitable spell

Quote:
Originally Posted by Say, it isn't that bad! View Post
I think the prerequisites should be Seek Machine and Ignite Fire, because you are igniting the engine (so Ignite Fire), and you do need to know how to do that (so Seek Machine).
Sure, why not.

Quote:
Originally Posted by YankeeGamer View Post
It does seem simple enough. I wonder if the cost should be based on the mass of the vehicle or engine?
Meh, I wouldn't. Makes sense for Propel, but does a larger vehicle need a larger key to start it?
Gold & Appel Inc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-19-2020, 01:15 PM   #7
WingedKagouti
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Default Re: Starting an engine? Is there a suitable spell

Quote:
Originally Posted by YankeeGamer View Post
It does seem simple enough. I wonder if the cost should be based on the mass of the vehicle or engine?
It's a Regular spell, so the cost is multiplied by SM+1 for SM > 0.

A normal car is SM 2 or 3, so it'd cost 3 or 4 energy to start one with this spell.
WingedKagouti is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-19-2020, 01:33 PM   #8
Stormcrow
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ronkonkoma, NY
Default Re: Starting an engine? Is there a suitable spell

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gold & Appel Inc View Post
Meh, I wouldn't. Makes sense for Propel, but does a larger vehicle need a larger key to start it?
The limitation should be that it only works on vehicles that use a single control for ignition. If you're talking about a TL8 rocket, this spell won't work, since you can't just turn a key to start the thing.
Stormcrow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-19-2020, 02:00 PM   #9
Anaraxes
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Default Re: Starting an engine? Is there a suitable spell

Poltergeist applies sudden movement to objects. (Apportation is probably too slow.) You'd have to know what part you want to "throw", though -- though if it's an aircraft engine, the prop is a good bet. Concussion provides a big blast of compressed air (which is what the powder charge provides). Most of the Jet spells do knockback. (Just aim them into the breach for the starter cartridge.)
Anaraxes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-19-2020, 03:14 PM   #10
Say, it isn't that bad!
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Default Re: Starting an engine? Is there a suitable spell

I have given some idle thought to the idea of tech levels for spells.

Should probably be TL7^, minimum, before you start causing a lead shortage and a gold surplus...

Edit: Whoops, off-topic. And I see the spell example already has a TL...
__________________
In which I post about a TL9-10 solar system

http://forums.sjgames.com/showthread.php?t=169674

If you don't know why I said something, please ask. Assumptions are the death of courtesy.

Disappointed in the behaviour I have too-often encountered here.
Say, it isn't that bad! is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Fnords are Off
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:00 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.