mattingly Posted September 30, 2009 Report Share Posted September 30, 2009 This probably belongs in NGD, but it's fun and pulpy. Yesterday, I won in a citywide impromptu speaking contest at Toastmasters. We started with nineteen contestants, then voted for the best seven, then three, then one. My first round question was: "You have just been appointed to the mayor's council on transportation. What changes do you suggest?" I immediately answered: "Zeppelins!" Then I went into all the reasons that zeppelins are totally awesome, and how it could be made even more fun by dropping passengers off with a series of bungee cords and sliding boards. I was almost unanimously voted to advance to the next round with that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yansuf Posted September 30, 2009 Report Share Posted September 30, 2009 Re: Zeppelins Not bad, but blimps are cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cancer Posted September 30, 2009 Report Share Posted September 30, 2009 Re: Zeppelins I co-ran an adventure (2 GMs working in parallel) which involved the PCs hijacking a commuter blimp in the 24th Century (IIRC), dropping off the passengers, picking up a load of mathematicians at a conference, and funneling their captives through a time warp (whose entry was a couple hundred meters off the ground, hence the need for air transport) into permanent captivity. It was a time-travel adventure/campaign, and they were trying to prevent the invention of time travel by preemptively abducting the mathematicians who showed that it was possible and indicated the way to go about implementing it. One half of the party did the abductions of the mathematicians, the other half did the blimp hijacking. Both halves of the party occasionally picked up snippets from other and asked questions ("Airship?!? Where did an airship get into this?") It was somewhere between manic and slapstick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duke Bushido Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Re: Zeppelins Zeppelins. Nothing cooler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkdguy Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Re: Zeppelins http://www.airshipventures.com/ I'm saving up for a trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmadanNaBriona Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Re: Zeppelins http://www.airshipventures.com/ I'm saving up for a trip. I was looking at their site and saw that they have Event rates... I can think of a number of semi-local steampunk events... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkdguy Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Re: Zeppelins That would be good. I was hoping to go for the 30-minute ride for $200 (as opposed to the hour ride for $500), but I don't see that on the schedule anymore. I'll just have to save up a little longer. Last night I had a dream that I almost had enough for a trip and heard the company was going belly up. Thank God that was just a dream! Edit: A steampunk event would be great, since I've been thinking of making a Steampunk movie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Long Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Re: Zeppelins Heh, that looks kinda cool. Maybe I'll have to schedule an extra DunDraCon day this February and give that a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghost-angel Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Re: Zeppelins I was thinking the same thing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkdguy Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 Re: Zeppelins Of course, if we're going to talk about zeppelins and blimps, we need to mention the people who are building their own airship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkdguy Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 Re: Zeppelins A couple of videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lywXigeOVVQ&feature=related How about an airship hotel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DusterBoy Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 Re: Zeppelins We're living in great times, my friends. (Who can't wait until the technology matures? ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndianaJoe3 Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 Re: Zeppelins There's always this nifty concept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenAge Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 Re: Zeppelins We're living in great times, my friends. (Who can't wait until the technology matures? ) I'm waiting for this future! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DusterBoy Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 Re: Zeppelins I'm waiting for this future! Which looks like the awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkdguy Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 Re: Zeppelins I'd love to see that kind of future too. Ideally while I'm still young enough to enjoy it. From the sublime to the ridiculous: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RecckjgLyqo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkdguy Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 Re: Zeppelins One more link: Millenium Air Ship Inc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordGhee Posted October 9, 2009 Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 Re: Zeppelins That things is huge they mean ship Lord Ghee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnotherSkip Posted October 9, 2009 Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 Re: Zeppelins An interesting airship design i had for a campaign.... Devious Dirigible Val Char Base Points Total Roll Notes 10 SIZE 0 50 10 Cabin size only (SB) Length 10", Width 5", Area 50", Mass 100 tons , KB -10, DCV Mod -6 64 STR 60 4 64 22- HTH 13d6 END [2], Lift 182,000 pounds (83 t) addl. 18 DEX 10 39 23 14- OCV: 6/DCV: 0 3 SPD 2.8 2 3 Phases: 4, 8, 12 11 DEF 2 27 11 20 BODY 20 0 20 13- 0" Ground Mv 6 -12 0" 0" Water Mv 2 -2 0" 0" Leaping 0 0 10" 64 Total Characteristics Points 15 Dirigible Directors: 16” Flight, x4 NCM (37A), 12 Phasing: Desolid, OIF Bulky Immobile (-1 1/2), Fuel Dependent (Very Common, refuel Once per 6 Hours; -¾), Limited Coverage (everywhere but the Cabin, -1/4) 52 Gunnery Posts: 3d6 RKA (vs. PD), +1 Increased STUN Multiplier (+1/4), Semi-Armor Piercing (+1/4), 2000 Charges (+1), Autofire (10 shots; +1) (157 A); OIF Bulky, Immobile (-1), Real Weapon (-1/4), Beam (-1/4) 15 Multiple Gunnery Posts: 7 Gunnery posts dispersed throughout the cabin 6 Transistor Twister: Cosmetic Transform 6d6 (Scrambles the codes Computer Transistor to make it untraceable and unusable) (30 A); 1 Charge which Never Recovers (-4) 9 Computer Transistor: Mind Link, One Specific Mind (Pilot), No LOS Needed, Invisible Power Effects (Fully Invisible; +1/2) (22 A); Only With Others Who Have Mind Link (-1), Does Not Provide Mental Awareness (-1/4), Restrainable (By EMP's; -1/4) 15 Sight Sensors 14- (Sight Group) 10 +5 with Gunnery Posts 5 Waldos: Extra limbs Regeneration powers (damage control and repair systems.) Disadvantages 15 ‘Fans’ of the Developer: Hunted: Super Heroes 8-, Mo Pow, Harshly Punish 25 Drigible Sized: DCV Mod is -20, gas chamber Length is 120 Hexes, width is 20 hexes, and has a height of 23 Hexes. 20 Sailing Away: x2 effect from winds and air based powers 5 Reputation: Failure 20 Distinctive features: Evil Male. Vehicular Description This vehicle represents some of the most interesting combinations of technology invented yet by Art Carson A dirigible that floats because of it’s air cells being protected by existing out of phase with the rest of the world. Super Sparrowhawks Val Char Base Points Total Roll Notes 4 SIZE 0 20 4 Length 3", Width 4", Area 0.79", Mass 1.3 tons , KB -4, DCV Mod -2 30 STR 30 0 30 15- HTH Damage 6d6 END [2], Lift 1600.0kg 23 DEX 10 39 23 14- OCV: 8/DCV: 6 5 SPD 3.3 17 5 Phases: 3, 5, 8, 10, 12 11 DEF 2 27 11 14 BODY 14 0 14 12- 0" Ground Mv 6 0 0" 0" Water Mv 2 -2 0" 0" Leaping 0 0 10" 64 Total Characteristics Points 18 Luck of the Hawks: 40 point Teleport Multipower All powers must have no NCM (-1/2), requires Combat Piloting Skill Roll (-1/2), Side effects, (inaccurate Teleport, -1/4). 2u Luck of the Hawks: 20” Teleport, no NCM (-1/2), requires Combat Piloting Skill Roll (-1/2), Side effects, (inaccurate Teleport, -1/4). 2u Luck of the Hawks: 13” Teleport, Megascale (+1/2), (39A), no NCM (-1/2), requires Combat Piloting Skill Roll (-1/2), Side effects, (inaccurate Teleport, -1/4). 20 Hawk Engines: 24” Flight, x4 NCM (96” Max) (approx 176MPH) 52 Hawks Talons: 3d6 RKA (vs. PD), +1 Increased STUN Multiplier (+1/4), Semi-Armor Piercing (+1/4), 2000 Charges (+1), Autofire (10 shots; +1) (157 A); OIF Bulky, Immobile (-1), Only When Anchored (-1/2), Real Weapon (-1/4), Beam (-1/4) 5 Two Talons: each wing has its own installed gun. 10 Blurring Wings: +4 DCV only Vs Multiple attacks from same opponent (-1). 17 Hawk Skills: +5 Skill levels Vs. DCV, Requires Combat Piloting Skill Roll (-1/2). 10 Eyes of the Hawk: +5 with Hawks Talons 12 Unavoidable Aim: +5 with Ranged Combat; Only Counteracts Dodge DCV Bonuses (-1) Disadvantages 15 ‘Fans’ of the Developer: Hunted: Super Heroes 8-, Mo Pow, Harshly Punish Vehicular Description Combining the experimental technologies seen in the Gambler this vehicle sports an aggressively developed transport system based upon the original Sparrowhawk it is an example of a parasite fighter, a small vehicle designed to be deployed from a larger aircraft such as an airship or bomber. At 20 ft (6 m) long and with only a 25 ft (7 m) wingspan, the Sparrowhawk was ideal for service in the fighter complement of large rigid-framed airships because of its small size. Only one Sparrowhawk survives today. It now resides in the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
austenandrews Posted October 9, 2009 Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 Re: Zeppelins I'd love to see that kind of future too. Ideally while I'm still young enough to enjoy it. From the sublime to the ridiculous: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RecckjgLyqo I would so pay to do that. They should put it someplace more interesting, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattingly Posted October 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 Re: Zeppelins I would so pay to do that. They should put it someplace more interesting' date=' though.[/quote'] They should at least build tiny buildings and farms beneath you. And paint the side wall to look like distant horizons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkdguy Posted October 9, 2009 Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 Re: Zeppelins That things is huge they mean ship True, since it can be used to transport cargo. The night I posted the link, I dreamed about looking out the window and seeing four of those things. An interesting airship design i had for a campaign.... Awesome; REPPED! And consider it, err... "borrowed"! Yeah, that's it. I would so pay to do that. They should put it someplace more interesting' date=' though.[/quote'] It does look like a lot of fun, once you get the hang of it. And there are a few dirigible hangars, which are huge. But floating through that would probably tire the person. They should at least build tiny buildings and farms beneath you. And paint the side wall to look like distant horizons. Seconded. Or a star field, so you can pretend you're flying through space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmadanNaBriona Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Re: Zeppelins hmmm, my Google-fu is proving weak tonight. Anyone know any good sites for working out the size-to-lift ratios for determining how big an envelope you'd need? I'm also trying to figure out the differences between hot air vs helium vs hydrogen (or any other gasses I might be missing)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemming Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Re: Zeppelins Quick Scan, some interesting discussions and there is math buried within: Lotsa math in a pdf Discussions, Pro/Cons of Hot Air vs. Helium Wiki usually a good stepping stone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmadanNaBriona Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Re: Zeppelins Quick Scan, some interesting discussions and there is math buried within: Lotsa math in a pdf Discussions, Pro/Cons of Hot Air vs. Helium Wiki usually a good stepping stone You are the man. Rodent. Thanks Lemming! darnit, "Must Spread around Rep"... someone hit him for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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