I did it to myself . . .

[parmasson]

Folded Space Drive
Well in order to make my Big Bad aliens (Mind Flayers) really weird I gave them a FSD. Similar to J drives in that it takes one week to travel to outside observers, requires energy to make it work.

Differences
Is psionicly guided and activated? (Spelljammer perhaps)
Travellers arrive instantly from their point of view.
The effect can be extended to other ships.
The effect is restricted to relatively small tonnages (less than 1000)

The interior of the ship is lit, cooled, oxygenated and perhaps somehow powered by a pale green liquid that circulates throughout the ship in clear tubes.

I made it up on the spot last week and now I wonder how the dang thing works.

I know someone had ideas about this a few months ago but I was wondering if there were any other thoughts on the concept.

Main points:
1. It should not upset the balance of the universe.
2. It is not imperial tech compatible as the controls and “readouts” are partly telepathic in nature.
3. The ship is not a battleship but a Mind Flayer version of a 100 ton scout.
4. Somehow the MFs came to the TU from the 2ed DnD universe and can’t go home.

 

[aramis]

Ok, based upon what you've said so far, it looks like the only real differences are immaterial in terms of jump physics.

I can see only one that matters: The drive imposes stasis upon the transited materials rather than using hydrogen to keep the J-space out...

It will mean lifetime spacers will outlive their planet-side relatives.

 

[mike wightman]

It shouldn't upset the balance of the universe at all, could normal Traveller technology duplicate this? - yes (travellers in jump could be in cold berths or take fast drug to get the same anti-aging effects).

Have you thought about making it - either the whole ship or just the FSD component - a living creature. It could have had the psionic talent of teleportation and the mind flayers enslaved its race. Once enslaved, experimentation showed that by increasing the energy supply the FSD is able to teleport over greater distances and take along bigger ships.

Outside of a gravity well this teleportation ability manifests as a jump...

It could use telekinesis as a normal space drive....

 

[Golan2072]

Originally posted by Kurega Gikur:
2. It is not imperial tech compatible as the controls and “readouts” are partly telepathic in nature.

About the controls/helm, it reminds me of an idea I once had. It probably came to me when playing X-Com or some similar anti-"grey" computer game. I've thought (daydreamed?) about an alien ship which was semi-organic, or biomechanical; while the hull itself was (mostly?) metallic, the "computer"/avionics was organic. To control the ship, the pilot would immerse himself in a semi-transclucent tube full of a greenish gel-liquid (which would help conteract the effects of acceleration, I wasn't thinking about a grav-dampner at the time). The control system's node inside the tube will then extend semi-organic tentacles towards the pilot, one going down the throat to provide with oxygen (or will the liquid be breathable?), some wrapping around the pilot to stabilize him (and maybe provide nourishment, or measure vital signs), and several tentacles will attach themselves to the pilot's neck and head, establishing a neural link with the ship. The end result would be somewhat similar to Shadowrun's "rigging" (i.e. mental control of a vehicle through a neural uplink), but with a more... organic feel to it.

 

[Plankowner]

Sounds like something similar to the Drive used in Herbert's DUNE series (explained in more detail by his son in the Butlerian Jihad books).

Expanding on Sigg's Idea:
The trip is instantaneous, but very dangerous. You need Heightened AWARENESS to see the destination and Heightened TELEPORT to make the jump. It is NOT a variation of a Jump Drive but a variation of Teleportation (whatever that is). The 3I or any normal variation of it would not be able to figure out how it works. The Zhodani might though...

Limit the range to 1-2 parsecs and it can be faster than J6 drives (if you want) or only faster at short distances but about the same speed at multiple jumps due to the "recharge" time for the ship.

Organic enslaved ships... Moira?

 

[Black Globe Generator]

IMTU the psionic jump drive is basically a large focusing device designed to amplify the psion's signal. I increase the Book 2 drive size requirement by 50% and eliminate the need for fuel.

 

[parmasson]

Ship name: The Uthucul (the MF Lance from Spelljammer)

several tentacles will attach themselves to the pilot's neck and head, establishing a neural link with the ship. The end result would be somewhat similar to Shadowrun's "rigging" (i.e. mental control of a vehicle through a neural uplink), but with a more... organic feel to it.

Yonk!

Sounds like something similar to the Drive used in Herbert's DUNE series

Sure does…..heheheheh.

You need Heightened AWARENESS to see the destination and Heightened TELEPORT to make the jump.

and…

a large focusing device designed to amplify the psion's signal.

Ctlr-C, Ctrl-V

Thanks,

I did not want to violate the 7 day thing without a gate and want to make the ship creeeeepppeeeee.

Cool….

 

[Black Globe Generator]

Originally posted by Kurega Gikur:
Cool….

I'm filching a couple of ideas from this thread as well!

[Mr. Sparkle soapbox] This thread shows a gaming website at its best: gamers sharing ideas that make gaming more fun for everyone. [/Mr. Sparkle soapbox]