Forums of the Megaverse®

Is it possible to build weapons emplacements into the sides of a Dimensional Pyramid...or does the pyramid structure require an unbroken continuity of line to still work mystically?

For that matter, can a Dimensional Pyramid be concealed inside another building(or shell of one) and still work? Or does it have to be open and exposed?

WRT a working pyramid inside a structure, pg. 56-57 of DB12 Dimensional Outbreak describe the Grand Pyramid on Level 3 inside Center on Phase World. So can a pyramid be enclosed in another superstructure? Yes.

As there are supposed to be interior rooms of a pyramid to access features (#1-3, 5, 11 specifically mention "inside") I would have to say there are going to be openings in the outer surface for two main reasons:
1. to allow air circulation (I suppose it could be mystically "circulated" to keep it viable, but it isn't addressed).
2. unless everyone coming and going is using some form of Teleportation/Phasing ability, there will have to be some openings for access.

An interior room is also mentioned in the description of the Azlum Pyramid (WB2 pg28-9), it also mentions outer doors for the containment chamber (along with a set of inner doors) to a permanent dimensional portal.

As for exterior weapon emplacements:
1. Does it really need additional emplacements when it can unleash a Ley Line Storm (feature #8) or unleash weather (feature #9) as a weapon? Though reviewing Ley Line Storm it might be of more limited value against a Tech foe, and Weather...
2. The Azlum Pyramid's defenses don't mention (exterior) weapon emplacements, everything seems to be internal or based upon troops. The place has x1 company each of Overlords and Powerlords on standby (can arrive w/n 1d4 minutes) to respond if someone(s) try to gain access to the containment chamber. So, if there was ever a Pyramid that would rate external weapon emplacements this might be one and they don't get a mention (other than guards/troops). Offhand I'm not sure if any other pyramids get discussed like this.
3. Given that metal armor disrupts magic flow, metal weapon emplacements might be seen to do the same thing (this is speculation on my part). Regardless of if this is true or not, I could see emplacements installed via required openings (as above). These emplacements might be equipped differently than what you are thinking, but they could be staffed with defensive troops or classic Siege Weapons.
4. The architecture style of the Pyramid may be a factor in viability of what can go where. The classic Egyptian Great Pyramids (call them the D4 like) might be more restrictive than other culture's pyramids that are closer more rugged/stepped (or have platforms on top) like American. And I wouldn't limit to just Egyptian or American, you also have Greek, and assortment of East Asian. What artwork is available to me suggests they have to be D4-like, though other sources might alter that I don't have readily available.


I don't see why not:
1. some pyramids in the Americas are also built on top of each other IIRC (shell game), (in game terms) possibly as a way to hide the true power of the pyramid or to provide redundancy (if the top goes out, the next layer down takes over)? There are also pyramids' that have been buried across the world and might be mistaken for mountains (weather in game terms these pyramids would still function if on a Ley Line...)
2. IINM aren't their undersea pyramids in Lumeria? There are also undersea Ley Lines (WB7).
3. IIRC underground Ley Lines are also a thing though I don't recall where I read that, but if true then that would mean you could have Pyramids (like most buildings* could be) built in underground caves

That said the materials used in construction of the shell might be restrictive, it would kind of suck if the building materials used acted like a Magical equivalent of a Faraday Cage. The amount of open space between the "shell" and pyramid might also be a factor to consider.

*While technically any building could be built underground, it's intended function might be blocked leading to the question of why build it (ex. Telescopic Observatory or Solar Power Plant or Launch Gantry for a Rocket without access to the open world above)?

DB15 mainly details defense systems which while controlled from within a pyramid aren't physically integrated, such as obelisks and stone lions. There are enough TW devices within the pyramid, some of which are attached to explicitly nonmagical stone walls, that integrated internal defenses seem cool. Otherwise WB2, WB32, and DB15 seem to suggest that pyramid defenses, while controlled by an operator, just emit directly from the pyramid or are more widescale storm-style effects.

Thank you...I was figuring that at worst, one could erect a scaffolding-style structure with defensive works on it, without actually being part of the pyramid.

Many problems can be solved by putting medium-range missile launchers at the foot of the pyramid.

Well, if you're gonna be that way about it, I'll just sit on top of the pyramid with my SDF-1 and a Reflex cannon...

Though you're right. A judicious selection of boring artillery sited around your pyramid is never the wrong choice. A good mix of long- and medium-range missile launchers, a few banks of ley-line-charged particle-beam cannons, and a few hangers of flying power armor as a quick-reaction force, and I think we're cooking with gas!

given that egyptian, mesoamerican, and mesopotamian structures all function the same under palladium's rules, i'd say that you should be able to build stuff on the outside so long as the basic core shape remains. further, the star elves in the UWW built an entire space station into and around a mystic pyramid (seen in the fleets of the 3G dimension book), so i'd imagine that there is a lot of options.

Oh good...because one of the mind-wanderings I had today was of a dimensional pyramid disguised in a shopping mall . The mall is supposedly built on 'haunted ground'(really a semi-dormant Ley Ley nexus), but an extradimensional organization has built the mall as camouflage for a pyramid that has contained the 'hauntings'(plus the mall security actually consists of offworlders who keep stuff from leaking out)...
Of course, there are occasional incidents, when dimensional travelers wander outside the travel annex, but mall security quickly MIBs the situation as store costumed mascots or movie/TV/commercial filming. Though if anybody found out that the 'Monster Mash-House' diner's 'animatronics were actually real life aliens and the 'robot' chef was actually a cyborg....

Gods Above and Below, it's Mall Purchase Night by Rick Cook, The RPG!

That would be a really nifty setup for a modern BtS light-hearted game. Or Aliens Unlimited. Or N&SS!

you mean like the Memphis Pyramid? built as a giant Arena.. it's now a Bass Pro Shop.

(honestly, i suspect you could have some fun BTS, Nightbane, or HU2 fun with having the Luxor casino having been built as a functioning magic pyramid, with a secret set of rooms in the center of it where the magic stuff happens..)