Post by sparkmane on Oct 21, 2016 0:55:30 GMT
A project of Four-on-the-Floor, made in 5 days during the Mage-Hunter plot.
1986 Chevy Suburban with glossy black paneling, lifted body, and large off-road wheels. It is decorated with two diagonal silver stripes slanting from front to back.
Inspiration pictures:
Light Bar:
Suburban Gallery: autosportco.com/1986-Chevrolet-Suburban/Used-Truck/Indiana-PA/7503734/Details.aspx
Mundane Features:
*Top Speed; 130MPH Highway, 80MPH off-road, 200MPH Umbral
*Big-Block 454 V8 engine
*4 wheel drive
*Standard Transmission
*Easy-clean plastic interior
*Power windows, Power locks
*Old-School vehicle has no vital parts vulnerable to EMP
*Seats 2x3x3 comfortably
*Spacious cargo area behind 3rd row seating, bench seats removable for extreme storage area.
*Air conditioning
*Six charger outlets
*Fourteen cupholders
*Seat belts
*Passenger-side vanity
*Passenger-side laptop tray. (stows under glove box)
*4-ton jack & tire iron
*2-ton front winch
*2-ton rear winch
*Trailer hitch
*Reinforced grille guard
*Reinforced bull bar with lights
*Reinforced off-road bumpers
*Roof-mounted 1,000W LED Light Bar
*Rear-roof-mounted 1,000W LED Light Bar
*Grill-mounted 1,000W LED Light Bar
*Electronics Console (not EMP-proof): A touchscreen console in the center console controls a few systems. The console is waterproof.
**Internet Connection: The console is virtually a tablet PC with internet connection anywhere the Gauntlet is at least 4. It can do anything one would do from their home laptop save for playing internet-audio. It can be used for making video calls, but not for playing YouTube or Pandora for some reason.
**Active GPS: The system can run the Google Maps GPS.
**Inactive GPS: A pre-loaded GPS, inferior in that it cannot predict traffic and must be manually updated to know new roads. The benefit is that it can be used with no internet connection, in case the crew wants to drive without emitting a signal.
**Cameras: The truck has a back-up camera, a night-vision-capable forward camera on the dash, a camera to see if anything is under the truck, and a night-vision-capable camera on the Pathfinder Special (see below).
**CD Player: This 8 CD changers holds 8 disks of classical string and woodwind music, a gift for a very large pledge on Neo's behalf to the local classical music station. The system is sealed and the disks cannot be changed. There is just over an hour of music on each disk. This is the only music the system will play. There is no radio. Fortunately, there is a wide array of suitable orchestral numbers for battle music.
Fancy Features:
*Dual Browning M2HB flip-turret: When not deployed, this looks like a strange sun-roof from the top. The guns slide back and lay against the ceiling, inconspicuous. When gripped and pushed up, the section of the roof flips forward and the pair of .50-Cal Browning M2 guns slide forward for use; the seat is suitable for standing on and the user can poke their head and shoulders out of the hole to use the guns. The guns can face straight forward and swivel 90 degrees to the left or right, 45 degrees upward, or down far enough to hit something in front of the vehicle (but not hit the actual truck). These guns have a maximum penalty of +1 difficulty to be imposed by the vehicle moving.
System: Difficulty 7, Damage 15, Rate 5/FA, Clip 100x2, Range, 800. Special: A full-auto burst gains 6 dice instead of three. If only firing one barrel use normal M2HB rules.
**Mortar tube: This tube is mounted between the guns with a bolt-action bottom-loading system. It can fire large mortars with the same rules as a normal mortar tube. This one suffers normal penalties for the vehicle moving. There are 5 pockets on the back of the second-row bench, each to hold one mortar round.
*Rear Gun: This is mounted on an arm, tucked safely against the lower part of the back hatch; again, inconspicuous. The back glass can be slid down and the rifle used; it's a Hekler & Koch 32. It functions as the normal weapon, however, thanks to the arm it suffers no penalty even when the truck is speeding and bouncing along; also if the user loses his grip, the folding arm-mount keeps the weapon within reach. Only good for firing out the back, cannot be turned to point into the cabin.
*Reinforced running boards: The running boards on the side have been reinforced to reliably hold the weight of an armored & outfitted Crinos and his twin brother. Handles are on the sides of the truck for these riders to hold onto. The handles are fitted with explosive bolts so the driver can eject them violently, along with whoever is holding them. This is powered by a button on the dash, not part of the computerized system; it's a flip-cover button not able to be pressed accidentally. The luggage rack is also reinforced mounted with these bolts. (The driver decides which handles and racks to blow; they do not all go from the same button)
*Lift Kit: The truck is lifted for a 30-inch clearance, and fitted with wide rims and rough tires to keep it from tipping over.
*Pathmaker Special: This is a recoilless rifle on a robotic arm tucked under the front of the truck. It's fitted with a targeting camera which feeds into the camera system, and can be controlled by the driver. it swings out from under the front bumper and can be aimed straight forward, 45 degrees left or right, or 10 degrees up or down. The arm has a Dexterity of 2, and the driver uses their own Firearms score. Deploying the weapon takes away 12 inches of ground clearance and the vehicle is not meant to be driven with it out. It must be reloaded manually from outside the vehicle. (not EMP-proof)
*Light-Absorbing Dash Panel: A coat of vanta-black on the dash makes sure there will never, ever be a glare on the windshield - just don't touch it after it's been parked in the sun for a while.
*Gloss Coat: The truck is covered in a glossy layer which boasts an extremely low level of friction. Rain slides right off. Mud slides right off. Boarders slide right off. Without a handle available, the truck is difficulty 10 to grab cling to. This coating is on the windshield, but not the other windows.
*Dash Rails: The dashboard has five tactical rails on it, running parallel to the vehicles body. Front-seat passengers can mount things to them to keep them in easy reach.
*Digital License Plate Screen: This clear glass screen goes over the license plate, and when inactive, simply shows the plate. Activated, it projects a photorealistic image that blocks the plate - generally, an image of another plate or a plate too dirty to be read. This is controlled by the computer console. (not EMP proof)
Wheel Armor: Bolted to the hubcaps are plates of strong, light-weight armor that spreads out across the walls of the tires. They prevent the tires from being shot at from the sides. These are somewhat conspicuous and can be easily removed and replaced if the crew does not want too much attention.
Light Bar Flash: The roof-mounted light bars (front and back) can be charged to release a blinding, flashing strobe effect. It takes a round to charge them, and once set off they do not work for three rounds. They can be used independently, and since they face away from the vehicle, they do not harm the crew. This is controlled from the computer console. (not EMP-proof)
Fetish Features:
*Infinite hydrogen engine: The engine has been refitted to run on hydrogen, keeping it clean and leaving no trail of smoky exhaust. The fuel tank has a pair of wind spirits bound to it to produce the hydrogen & oxygen needed. The tank is empty when the vehicle is turned off, and fills with fuel when the vehicle is started, never running out. This requires no activation, just a turn of the key and happy spirits.
*Step Sideways: The vehicle can Step Sideways, and take everyone and everything inside it along to the Umbra. The driver rolls normally to Step Sideways, at the difficulty of the local Gauntlet -2, and follows normal rules per the results. A reflective surface only helps if the truck can be seen in it. The experience is different - those in the truck feel the sensation of sinking, diving deep as if they were heading for the bottom of the ocean; the world around them, becomes dark and heavy until it is pitch black and firmly pressing from all sides. The process then reverses, and when the lights come back, the truck and its crew are on the other side of the Gauntlet. To get a spirit big enough to carry so much along, Four had to bind a whale spirit to the truck; gentle, but unimaginably powerful.
**Smash Sideways: This requires the truck to be in in motion, and for the driver or front-seat passenger to expend two gnosis points. The truck violently crashes through the Gauntlet, instantly coming out on the other side. The whale-spirit provides this benefit, but does not like this violent action, and too much use of it will anger the benefactor.
*Umbral flight: Provided by the wind-spirits, when in the Umbra, the truck can fly at about 200 MPH. No activation is needed; the wheels tuck up under the body and the truck simply goes.
*Stealth Mode: Provided by the graceful whale, this benefit keeps the truck quiet. Spend a Gnosis point, then roll Gnosis to activate at difficulty 7. The driver or the front-seat passenger can do this. The truck's engine becomes completely silent, and distorts light it reflects, making it next-to-impossible to see or hear when it is sneaking. The driver gets 3 extra Stealth dice. If 3 or more success are made on the roll, the truck also does not leave tire tracks. Turning on the lights, firing the guns, or particularly noisy behavior from the crew ends the effect. Strangely, the built-in music system does not, but the sound does not escape the vehicle.
*Blast-Proof Windows: An Armadillo-spirit bound to the body reinforces the glass. All the glass of the truck, including the lights, gains 5 soak dice against all damage. This is activated by a Difficulty 5 Gnosis roll. Note: Windows can't protect you when they're rolled down.
*Reinforced Paneling: From the armadillo also, this activates when the windows are activated. It gives the truck's body panels and wheel armor ten additional soak dice against all damage - generally preventing even a scratch from bullets and grenades.
*Shed-Flat Tires: Actually four fetishes, each one has a sneaky snake spirit bound into it. If a tire is slashed, punctured, burst, or otherwise ruptured, the fetish can be activated. A Gnosis roll at difficulty 7 causes the tire to shed off its tread to reveal a fresh set of tread and undamaged tire. The tire reinflates in 2 rounds, or instantly if 3 or more successes are scored on the roll. (The spare tire is not fetished)
*Electronic Reset: A cicada-spirit is bound to the electronic console. If the electronics are disabled by an EMP or other effect, a difficulty 8 Gnosis roll reactivates them. This takes 6 rounds, minus one round per success on the activation roll. A botch makes the electronics remain dormant for seven days.
Limitations:
The Whale spirit does not like aggression and anger. It gets excited in the fray of battle, and does not mind properly-placed aggressive activity - but pointless arguing and anger or unnecessary aggressive driving will upset it, possibly to the point of not even moving.
The Whale spirit also does not like most music. Dance music, rap, hip-hop, or other fast and noisy music will make it refuse to function if played by the crew. Fortunately, the console only plays classical - Four thinks of everything.
The snake spirits like to be parked on some hot pavement every now and then. They may be disagreeable in the winter if this is not accomplished somehow.
The wind spirits like to go FAST! Regularly, the truck must be taken for a joy ride - the 'free' fuel will probably cost the sept a few speeding tickets.
The Armadillo likes a heated garage. It's fine braving the elements, but expects a comfy home. If traveling and such lodging is not available, some blankets or other effort are required to keep it happy.
The Cicada is not demanding. It likes the console not to be bothered when not in use, and humbly asks no harsh cleaning chemicals be used on it.
1986 Chevy Suburban with glossy black paneling, lifted body, and large off-road wheels. It is decorated with two diagonal silver stripes slanting from front to back.
Inspiration pictures:
Light Bar:
Suburban Gallery: autosportco.com/1986-Chevrolet-Suburban/Used-Truck/Indiana-PA/7503734/Details.aspx
Mundane Features:
*Top Speed; 130MPH Highway, 80MPH off-road, 200MPH Umbral
*Big-Block 454 V8 engine
*4 wheel drive
*Standard Transmission
*Easy-clean plastic interior
*Power windows, Power locks
*Old-School vehicle has no vital parts vulnerable to EMP
*Seats 2x3x3 comfortably
*Spacious cargo area behind 3rd row seating, bench seats removable for extreme storage area.
*Air conditioning
*Six charger outlets
*Fourteen cupholders
*Seat belts
*Passenger-side vanity
*Passenger-side laptop tray. (stows under glove box)
*4-ton jack & tire iron
*2-ton front winch
*2-ton rear winch
*Trailer hitch
*Reinforced grille guard
*Reinforced bull bar with lights
*Reinforced off-road bumpers
*Roof-mounted 1,000W LED Light Bar
*Rear-roof-mounted 1,000W LED Light Bar
*Grill-mounted 1,000W LED Light Bar
*Electronics Console (not EMP-proof): A touchscreen console in the center console controls a few systems. The console is waterproof.
**Internet Connection: The console is virtually a tablet PC with internet connection anywhere the Gauntlet is at least 4. It can do anything one would do from their home laptop save for playing internet-audio. It can be used for making video calls, but not for playing YouTube or Pandora for some reason.
**Active GPS: The system can run the Google Maps GPS.
**Inactive GPS: A pre-loaded GPS, inferior in that it cannot predict traffic and must be manually updated to know new roads. The benefit is that it can be used with no internet connection, in case the crew wants to drive without emitting a signal.
**Cameras: The truck has a back-up camera, a night-vision-capable forward camera on the dash, a camera to see if anything is under the truck, and a night-vision-capable camera on the Pathfinder Special (see below).
**CD Player: This 8 CD changers holds 8 disks of classical string and woodwind music, a gift for a very large pledge on Neo's behalf to the local classical music station. The system is sealed and the disks cannot be changed. There is just over an hour of music on each disk. This is the only music the system will play. There is no radio. Fortunately, there is a wide array of suitable orchestral numbers for battle music.
Fancy Features:
*Dual Browning M2HB flip-turret: When not deployed, this looks like a strange sun-roof from the top. The guns slide back and lay against the ceiling, inconspicuous. When gripped and pushed up, the section of the roof flips forward and the pair of .50-Cal Browning M2 guns slide forward for use; the seat is suitable for standing on and the user can poke their head and shoulders out of the hole to use the guns. The guns can face straight forward and swivel 90 degrees to the left or right, 45 degrees upward, or down far enough to hit something in front of the vehicle (but not hit the actual truck). These guns have a maximum penalty of +1 difficulty to be imposed by the vehicle moving.
System: Difficulty 7, Damage 15, Rate 5/FA, Clip 100x2, Range, 800. Special: A full-auto burst gains 6 dice instead of three. If only firing one barrel use normal M2HB rules.
**Mortar tube: This tube is mounted between the guns with a bolt-action bottom-loading system. It can fire large mortars with the same rules as a normal mortar tube. This one suffers normal penalties for the vehicle moving. There are 5 pockets on the back of the second-row bench, each to hold one mortar round.
*Rear Gun: This is mounted on an arm, tucked safely against the lower part of the back hatch; again, inconspicuous. The back glass can be slid down and the rifle used; it's a Hekler & Koch 32. It functions as the normal weapon, however, thanks to the arm it suffers no penalty even when the truck is speeding and bouncing along; also if the user loses his grip, the folding arm-mount keeps the weapon within reach. Only good for firing out the back, cannot be turned to point into the cabin.
*Reinforced running boards: The running boards on the side have been reinforced to reliably hold the weight of an armored & outfitted Crinos and his twin brother. Handles are on the sides of the truck for these riders to hold onto. The handles are fitted with explosive bolts so the driver can eject them violently, along with whoever is holding them. This is powered by a button on the dash, not part of the computerized system; it's a flip-cover button not able to be pressed accidentally. The luggage rack is also reinforced mounted with these bolts. (The driver decides which handles and racks to blow; they do not all go from the same button)
*Lift Kit: The truck is lifted for a 30-inch clearance, and fitted with wide rims and rough tires to keep it from tipping over.
*Pathmaker Special: This is a recoilless rifle on a robotic arm tucked under the front of the truck. It's fitted with a targeting camera which feeds into the camera system, and can be controlled by the driver. it swings out from under the front bumper and can be aimed straight forward, 45 degrees left or right, or 10 degrees up or down. The arm has a Dexterity of 2, and the driver uses their own Firearms score. Deploying the weapon takes away 12 inches of ground clearance and the vehicle is not meant to be driven with it out. It must be reloaded manually from outside the vehicle. (not EMP-proof)
*Light-Absorbing Dash Panel: A coat of vanta-black on the dash makes sure there will never, ever be a glare on the windshield - just don't touch it after it's been parked in the sun for a while.
*Gloss Coat: The truck is covered in a glossy layer which boasts an extremely low level of friction. Rain slides right off. Mud slides right off. Boarders slide right off. Without a handle available, the truck is difficulty 10 to grab cling to. This coating is on the windshield, but not the other windows.
*Dash Rails: The dashboard has five tactical rails on it, running parallel to the vehicles body. Front-seat passengers can mount things to them to keep them in easy reach.
*Digital License Plate Screen: This clear glass screen goes over the license plate, and when inactive, simply shows the plate. Activated, it projects a photorealistic image that blocks the plate - generally, an image of another plate or a plate too dirty to be read. This is controlled by the computer console. (not EMP proof)
Wheel Armor: Bolted to the hubcaps are plates of strong, light-weight armor that spreads out across the walls of the tires. They prevent the tires from being shot at from the sides. These are somewhat conspicuous and can be easily removed and replaced if the crew does not want too much attention.
Light Bar Flash: The roof-mounted light bars (front and back) can be charged to release a blinding, flashing strobe effect. It takes a round to charge them, and once set off they do not work for three rounds. They can be used independently, and since they face away from the vehicle, they do not harm the crew. This is controlled from the computer console. (not EMP-proof)
Fetish Features:
*Infinite hydrogen engine: The engine has been refitted to run on hydrogen, keeping it clean and leaving no trail of smoky exhaust. The fuel tank has a pair of wind spirits bound to it to produce the hydrogen & oxygen needed. The tank is empty when the vehicle is turned off, and fills with fuel when the vehicle is started, never running out. This requires no activation, just a turn of the key and happy spirits.
*Step Sideways: The vehicle can Step Sideways, and take everyone and everything inside it along to the Umbra. The driver rolls normally to Step Sideways, at the difficulty of the local Gauntlet -2, and follows normal rules per the results. A reflective surface only helps if the truck can be seen in it. The experience is different - those in the truck feel the sensation of sinking, diving deep as if they were heading for the bottom of the ocean; the world around them, becomes dark and heavy until it is pitch black and firmly pressing from all sides. The process then reverses, and when the lights come back, the truck and its crew are on the other side of the Gauntlet. To get a spirit big enough to carry so much along, Four had to bind a whale spirit to the truck; gentle, but unimaginably powerful.
**Smash Sideways: This requires the truck to be in in motion, and for the driver or front-seat passenger to expend two gnosis points. The truck violently crashes through the Gauntlet, instantly coming out on the other side. The whale-spirit provides this benefit, but does not like this violent action, and too much use of it will anger the benefactor.
*Umbral flight: Provided by the wind-spirits, when in the Umbra, the truck can fly at about 200 MPH. No activation is needed; the wheels tuck up under the body and the truck simply goes.
*Stealth Mode: Provided by the graceful whale, this benefit keeps the truck quiet. Spend a Gnosis point, then roll Gnosis to activate at difficulty 7. The driver or the front-seat passenger can do this. The truck's engine becomes completely silent, and distorts light it reflects, making it next-to-impossible to see or hear when it is sneaking. The driver gets 3 extra Stealth dice. If 3 or more success are made on the roll, the truck also does not leave tire tracks. Turning on the lights, firing the guns, or particularly noisy behavior from the crew ends the effect. Strangely, the built-in music system does not, but the sound does not escape the vehicle.
*Blast-Proof Windows: An Armadillo-spirit bound to the body reinforces the glass. All the glass of the truck, including the lights, gains 5 soak dice against all damage. This is activated by a Difficulty 5 Gnosis roll. Note: Windows can't protect you when they're rolled down.
*Reinforced Paneling: From the armadillo also, this activates when the windows are activated. It gives the truck's body panels and wheel armor ten additional soak dice against all damage - generally preventing even a scratch from bullets and grenades.
*Shed-Flat Tires: Actually four fetishes, each one has a sneaky snake spirit bound into it. If a tire is slashed, punctured, burst, or otherwise ruptured, the fetish can be activated. A Gnosis roll at difficulty 7 causes the tire to shed off its tread to reveal a fresh set of tread and undamaged tire. The tire reinflates in 2 rounds, or instantly if 3 or more successes are scored on the roll. (The spare tire is not fetished)
*Electronic Reset: A cicada-spirit is bound to the electronic console. If the electronics are disabled by an EMP or other effect, a difficulty 8 Gnosis roll reactivates them. This takes 6 rounds, minus one round per success on the activation roll. A botch makes the electronics remain dormant for seven days.
Limitations:
The Whale spirit does not like aggression and anger. It gets excited in the fray of battle, and does not mind properly-placed aggressive activity - but pointless arguing and anger or unnecessary aggressive driving will upset it, possibly to the point of not even moving.
The Whale spirit also does not like most music. Dance music, rap, hip-hop, or other fast and noisy music will make it refuse to function if played by the crew. Fortunately, the console only plays classical - Four thinks of everything.
The snake spirits like to be parked on some hot pavement every now and then. They may be disagreeable in the winter if this is not accomplished somehow.
The wind spirits like to go FAST! Regularly, the truck must be taken for a joy ride - the 'free' fuel will probably cost the sept a few speeding tickets.
The Armadillo likes a heated garage. It's fine braving the elements, but expects a comfy home. If traveling and such lodging is not available, some blankets or other effort are required to keep it happy.
The Cicada is not demanding. It likes the console not to be bothered when not in use, and humbly asks no harsh cleaning chemicals be used on it.