Maladominus
SOC-14 1K
Dreenga (Geonee Plasma Dagger)
An Alien Cultural Weapon for Classic Traveller
The dreenga or Geonee plasma dagger is a unique weapon based on an Ancients artifact discovered long ago in the Ruins of Dreen, an Ancients site located in the Shiwonee system. Whatever the original item had been, Geonee technicians were able to reverse-engineer the artifact, resulting in the plasma dagger. The dreenga is a favored personal weapon among the most successful Geonee merchants and highborns. Indeed, the weapon is expensive to replicate, and therefore only the wealthiest of Geonee males carry it as a prized possession and as a status symbol. Any male Geonee character may select the dreenga as a cascade under the Blade Combat skill. Non-Geonee do not have an opportunity to train in this weapon, and will be penalized with the untrained weapons usage penalty of -5.
When de-activated, the dreenga is simply a short metallic blade handle about 13cm in length. A small pressure-sensitive button quickly activates the energy weapon, instantly creating a shaft of pulsating plasma about 20cm in length. It is not understood how the device manages to maintain the plasma in its semi-solid state. The dreenga's plasma blade can penetrate through all but the toughest layer of armor. On a modified die roll of 14+, the weapon manages to sever an appendage (e.g. hand, forearm or tentacle) from its target provided the target has an appendage that can be severed. This is in addition to the 4d6 damage that the weapon inflicts upon a successful hit.
The dreenga is powered by compressed plasma gas contained in small rod-like tubes which are then inserted into the handle of the weapon. Each tube contains enough plasma energy to power the weapon for about one hour of active use. The weapon is complemented by a portable converter/recharger which can be plugged into starship power sources. By cannibalizing the ship's source of liquid hydrogen, the plasma converter/recharger can recharge the spent tubes, one at a time. The recharging process requires 30 minutes. The converter/recharger device weighs 5 kilograms, and the small plasma tubes have negligible weight. Replacing a spent plasma tube with a fully charged one requires one combat round (two if evading).
Dagger weight is 350 grams. TL16. Available on TL16 Geonee worlds only. Cr40,000 (this price includes the dagger, the portable converter/recharger and three plasma tubes).
Damage 4d6
Close Range +1
Short Range +1
Medium Range No
Long Range No
V. Long Range No
None +2
Jack 0
Mesh -2
Cloth -2
Reflec +2
Ablat 0
Combat -3
Required STR 5
Penalty -2
Advantageous STR 10
Bonus +1
Inspiration for the Geonee Plasma Dagger:
Cover Art from GURPS Traveller Humaniti
http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/traveller/humaniti/img/cover_lg.jpg
Designer's notes:
1) The Geonee plasma dagger damage is 'deadly enough' for Classic Traveller weapons. It is on par with the damage delivered by entry-level energy weapons such as the Laser Carbine.
2) The weapon illustrates Geonee technological superiority, and their reputation for having reverse-engineered various Ancients artifacts and relics. The Geonee homeworld of Shiwonee is TL16, while the rest of the Imperium is at TL15 or lower.
3) The rarity and pricing of this weapon reflects Geonee culture, where a Geonee's personal identity and self-worth revolves around one's possessions, acquisitions and personal treasures. The dreenga is not so much a weapon as it is a status symbol.
4) The Geonee dreenga-smiths (technicians) will be loathe to replicate one of these weapons to give to an outsider (non-Geonee). The Geonee being a highly arrogant and chauvanistic people, the chances of them allowing an outsider to obtain/purchase one of these devices is between zero and nil.
5) Yes, this is the closest thing to a lightsaber I will allow in my campaign. Something as powerful as a full-sized Star Wars lightsaber would be far too unbalancing to the average CT campaign.
An Alien Cultural Weapon for Classic Traveller
The dreenga or Geonee plasma dagger is a unique weapon based on an Ancients artifact discovered long ago in the Ruins of Dreen, an Ancients site located in the Shiwonee system. Whatever the original item had been, Geonee technicians were able to reverse-engineer the artifact, resulting in the plasma dagger. The dreenga is a favored personal weapon among the most successful Geonee merchants and highborns. Indeed, the weapon is expensive to replicate, and therefore only the wealthiest of Geonee males carry it as a prized possession and as a status symbol. Any male Geonee character may select the dreenga as a cascade under the Blade Combat skill. Non-Geonee do not have an opportunity to train in this weapon, and will be penalized with the untrained weapons usage penalty of -5.
When de-activated, the dreenga is simply a short metallic blade handle about 13cm in length. A small pressure-sensitive button quickly activates the energy weapon, instantly creating a shaft of pulsating plasma about 20cm in length. It is not understood how the device manages to maintain the plasma in its semi-solid state. The dreenga's plasma blade can penetrate through all but the toughest layer of armor. On a modified die roll of 14+, the weapon manages to sever an appendage (e.g. hand, forearm or tentacle) from its target provided the target has an appendage that can be severed. This is in addition to the 4d6 damage that the weapon inflicts upon a successful hit.
The dreenga is powered by compressed plasma gas contained in small rod-like tubes which are then inserted into the handle of the weapon. Each tube contains enough plasma energy to power the weapon for about one hour of active use. The weapon is complemented by a portable converter/recharger which can be plugged into starship power sources. By cannibalizing the ship's source of liquid hydrogen, the plasma converter/recharger can recharge the spent tubes, one at a time. The recharging process requires 30 minutes. The converter/recharger device weighs 5 kilograms, and the small plasma tubes have negligible weight. Replacing a spent plasma tube with a fully charged one requires one combat round (two if evading).
Dagger weight is 350 grams. TL16. Available on TL16 Geonee worlds only. Cr40,000 (this price includes the dagger, the portable converter/recharger and three plasma tubes).
Damage 4d6
Close Range +1
Short Range +1
Medium Range No
Long Range No
V. Long Range No
None +2
Jack 0
Mesh -2
Cloth -2
Reflec +2
Ablat 0
Combat -3
Required STR 5
Penalty -2
Advantageous STR 10
Bonus +1
Inspiration for the Geonee Plasma Dagger:
Cover Art from GURPS Traveller Humaniti
http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/traveller/humaniti/img/cover_lg.jpg
Designer's notes:
1) The Geonee plasma dagger damage is 'deadly enough' for Classic Traveller weapons. It is on par with the damage delivered by entry-level energy weapons such as the Laser Carbine.
2) The weapon illustrates Geonee technological superiority, and their reputation for having reverse-engineered various Ancients artifacts and relics. The Geonee homeworld of Shiwonee is TL16, while the rest of the Imperium is at TL15 or lower.
3) The rarity and pricing of this weapon reflects Geonee culture, where a Geonee's personal identity and self-worth revolves around one's possessions, acquisitions and personal treasures. The dreenga is not so much a weapon as it is a status symbol.
4) The Geonee dreenga-smiths (technicians) will be loathe to replicate one of these weapons to give to an outsider (non-Geonee). The Geonee being a highly arrogant and chauvanistic people, the chances of them allowing an outsider to obtain/purchase one of these devices is between zero and nil.
5) Yes, this is the closest thing to a lightsaber I will allow in my campaign. Something as powerful as a full-sized Star Wars lightsaber would be far too unbalancing to the average CT campaign.
