Annihilator Death Globe

[renfield]

You asked for the stats, so here they are in all of their glory.
Here is the link to the Art Once again; http://cortexsystemrpg.org/index.php?topic=4389.0

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Coalition Annihilator Death Globe
Vehicle Type: Armored Dirigible
Crew: 1 Pilot-Commander, 4 Gunners
Cargo: 20’ length x 30’ width x 15’tall (enclosed). Typically carries a squad of 4 SAMAS armor units primarily used for defensive purposes as well as reloading and miscellaneous transport needs.
Maximum Speed: Varies by Wind-Speed, but Hidden Turbo-Props can be extended to move a Death Globe up to 60mph
Engine Type: Nuclear with Solar Re-Chargers for emergencies.
Maximum Range: Effectively unlimited for forward speed due to props. Due to the sheer weight of the Globe the Lift-bag requires refueling to sustain lift for prolonged periods; can typically stay afloat for up to two weeks at a time.
Maximum Altitude: 65,000ft (12.3 miles, 19.8 km).
Size: Lift-Bag is 100’ in Diameter. Gondola is 40’ from front to back and the same at its widest, narrowing to 20’at the rear. Ceiling height of Gondola is 28’. Gap between Top of Gondola to Bottom of Lift-Bag is 8.
Price: Not for sale! The Black Market doesn’t even know these exist!
MDC by Location:
Gondola: 450
Lift-Bag: 400 (AR 12 due to Shield Arms)
Shield-Arms (x4): 400
Weapons: (see Weapon Description)

Weapons:
1. C-120DG Dual Howitzer (M.D.C - 350): This unusual weapon system is a pair of turret-mounted 120mm cannons mounted on the very top of the Lift-Bag. Its primary purpose is to destroy large masses of attackers from a considerable range. The most obvious disadvantage being that it cannot hit targets that are very close to the Globe, but that’s what the other systems are for.
Mega-Damage: 2d6x20 M.D. per single canister round with a 100’ blast radius,
4d6x50 M.D.per double canister blast to an overlapping pair of blast circles roughly 150’ wide and 100’ deep. Anyone caught in the overlap takes 6d6x50 M.D.! Could potentially use a variety of other ammunition (Plasma, Nuclear etc…) but until the Death Globe Project proves it’s worth no one will sign off on variable loads.
Range: 6 Miles (13km)
Rate of Fire: 4 Individual or Double Rounds per melee; operated by 1 Gunner and 1 Communications Officer.
Payload: 4,000 Rounds, Canister Only

2. C-80DG Dual Laser Turrets (x2, M.D.C. – 250 ea.): A pair of heavy double-barrel laser turrets are mounted, one to each side of the Gondola. These weapons are the Death Globe’s primary weapon system; capable of both defensive and offensive striking; often used for raking the ground with deadly fire.
Mega-Damage: 6d6 M.D. per single blast, 2d4x10M.D. per double-blast.
Range: 8000 feet (2,440m)
Rate of Fire: 8 Blasts per Melee; operated by one gunner each
Payload: Effectively unlimited.

3. Long-Range Missile Battery (M.D.C. - 100): A single LRM Battery is mounted to the upper right side of the Gondola. This battery gives the Globe some extremely long-range firepower and the ability to take down closer range and heavier targets than the Howitzer.
Mega-Damage: Varies by missile type. Typical loads are Heavy Fragmentation rounds (3d4x10 M.D. to an 80’ Blast Radius)
Range: 400 Miles.
Rate of Fire: One per attack of Gunner or in Volleys of 2, 4, 6 or 8; operated by 1 Gunner.
Payload: 8 Per Load, total of 128 Missiles per Globe. Reloading the Rack takes 2 Melee rounds per Missile.

4. Heavy Rail Cannon (M.D.C. - 200): This heavy offensive cannon is essentially a Boom Gun mounted in a forward-facing ball-turret (180-degree forward fire arc). The recoil from the powerful weapon is handled by a series of hydraulic shock absorbers that This cannon is typically used to soften up troops and armor that has gotten into its optimal range.
Mega-Damage: 2d6x10 M.D.
Range: 3 miles (3.2km)
Rate of Fire: 3 shots per combat round.
Payload: 1,000 rounds, belt-fed from 5 Ammo hoppers (5,000 rounds total!)

5. Concealed Mini-Missile Launcher (x10 per Shield-Arm, M.D.C. – Equal to Arm):
Each of the massive shield-arms that protect the Lift-Bag contains multiple sets of Mini-Missile launchers that truly earns the Death Globe it’s moniker when all of the ports are
Mega-Damage: varies by load but typically Fragmentation for anti-Personnel (5d6 M.D. to a 20’ Blast Radius.) or Plasma Warhead (1d6x10 to a 15’Blast Radius).
Range: 1 Mile (1.6km)
Rate of Fire: On at a time or in volleys of up to 2, 4, 6 or 8. The Maximum number of Volleys is 8 before each launcher is depleted.
Payload: 8 Volleys of 8 per launcher (48 each, 480 per arm!)

5. Seismic Disruptor (M.D.C. - 200): This is a highly experimental weapon system mount to the left of the Gondola created by the same mad genius who designed the Death Globes. Its primary and only really effective purpose is to destroy entire towns, one building at a time. In theory it works by setting up a standing harmonic wave between the weapon and its target. In truth it is a giant TW cannon that casts a massive variation of an Earthquake spell. Its slow rate of fire and relatively short range limits its usefulness but not its deadliness.
Mega-Damage: 3d6x100 M.D versus immobile structures attached to the ground.
Range: 1 Mile (1.6km)
Rate of Fire: 1 per 5 combat rounds.
Payload: 100 shots before need a recharge of 1,000 PPE (takes time to recharge!)

7. Sensor Systems: Same as the Coalition Death’s Head Transport; slightly out-dated but still perfectly functional. The long-range sensors are carried in the mast to the left of the Gondola (150 M.D.C.).

8. Cloaking System: The so-called “Cloaking Field” that hides the Death Globe from sight is reputed to use “Optical Camouflage” to bend light around the globe and make it disappear from site, which does not account for the notable lack of heat signature or even a ground-shadow. The designer claimed it was a happy side-effect of the Cloaking Field itself but always re-directed questions to other topics. In truth the field is the result of a large-scale TW device that essentially casts a giant Globe of Superior Invisibility around the Globe. See Spell Details for more information.

History:
The Death Globe is the brainchild of a very mad genius of a Coalition Scientist named Britt Arnold. Initially he had become convince that hot-air balloons were the next big thing in the Coalition’s Arsenal. He was aware of the many limitations include poor speed and maneuverability which would make it an easy target. He hit on the idea of making the Balloons invisible but could not for the life of him get any kind of optical camouflage technology to work on that large of a scale. During the course of his research he came across some documentation on techno-wizardy; the process of combining magic with technology. While he knew the Coalition at large would not accept his ideas he secretly approached a high-ranking officer and broached the idea of adding techno-wizardry to Death-Globe to achieve the desired effects. The General in question was initially reluctant but after looking over the documentation himself he allowed the Scientist to proceed with his investigation, but with the caveat that he had to produce a weapon system to match the cloaking system.
So Britt was assigned a small team in a remote section of Coalition territory to proceed with the research. Part of that team included a Psi-Stalker and his Dog-Pack whose specific purpose was to hunt down Techno-Wizards and bring them back for “Questioning”. One of Britt’s early ‘guests’ turned out to be surprisingly informative and she was more than happy to help with what he considered an “Absolutely Fascinating” project. The Techno-Wizard was almost as crazy as Britt and with the ‘assistance’ of several other captured Techno-Wizards they were able to get their first prototype built and flying in less than four months. However it took nearly four more years to convince the Brass to let them build a small fleet of proto-types for field-testing purposes but in time they were allowed to proceed, though they never told them about the TW items involved.
A year later Project: Annihilator produced seven prototypes, only two of which carried the devastating Seismic Disruptor. Initial testing proved positive results though many of the high brass still had reservations. Five of the prototypes were put into positions around Chi-town where they remain to today. One of the two mounting the Disruptor currently floats over the Lone Star facility, the remaining Globe disappeared along with Britt and the Techno-Wizard he married because she was “The only woman who could ever truly understand me.” To-date neither have been found though rumors abound of small western towns being razed by parties unknown. The Coalition High Command has since scrapped the Project except the skeleton maintenance staff of brain-washed techno-Wizards.

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Coalition Devastator Death Globe
Vehicle Type: Armored Dirigible.
Crew: 1 Pilot-Commander, 5 Gunners.
Cargo: 20’ length x 30’ width x 15’tall (enclosed).
Maximum Speed: Varies by Wind-Speed, but small Turbo-Props can be extended to move the Balloon up to 60mph.
Engine Type: Solar-Electric.
Maximum Range: Effectively unlimited. The Lift-bag requires refueling to sustain lift for prolonged periods but can typically stay afloat for up to two weeks at a time.
Maximum Altitude: 65,000ft (12.3 miles, 19.8 km).
Size: Lift-Bag is 100’ in Diameter. Gondola is 40’ from front to back and the same at its widest, narrowing to 20’at the rear. Ceiling height of Gondola is 28’. Gap between Top of Gondola to Bottom of Lift-Bag is 8.
Price: Not for sale! The Black Market doesn’t even know these exist!
MDC by Location:
Gondola: 300 Lift-Bag: 400
Weapons:
1. C-80DG Dual Laser Turrets (x4, M.D.C. – 250 ea.): A pair of heavy double-barrel laser turrets are mounted, one to each side of the Gondola. These weapons are the Death Globe’s primary defensive system, use for fending off any who approach too close.
Mega-Damage: 6d6 MD per single blast, 2d4x10 MD per double-blast.
Range: 6000 feet (2,440m)
Rate of Fire: Equal to number of attacks of Gunner (typically 4)
Payload: 200 Double-Blasts per Melee before recharging is needed. Recharges 10/hour

2. Kinetic Energy Weapon (M.D.C. - 100): Dual KEW Batteries mounted to the sides of the Gondola. This battery fires un-powered, guided DPU bars from an extreme height such that they quickly and easily reach terminal velocity before slamming into the target and creating a wave of devastation.
Mega-Damage: 3d6x100 MD to a 1 mile blast radius. Damage reduced by half for every half mile beyond the initial radius.
Range: 400 Miles.
Rate of Fire: One per attack of Gunner or in Volleys of 2, 4, 6 or 8;
Payload: 12 Loads per Launcher, with 10 reloads apiece, 240 shots total per Globe.

3. Sensor Systems: Same as the Coalition Death’s Head Transport; slightly out-dated but still perfectly functional. Sensors include an update artillery targeting system that provides the gunner a +3 Strike Bonus. The long-range sensors are carried in the large mast underneath the Gondola.

4. Cloaking System: The Cloaking Field that keeps the Balloon hidden from most is built on a recently recovered piece of pre-Rifts technology that uses a series of cameras and holographic projectors to record one side of the ballon and project it to the far side.

History:
The Devastator Death Globe is a spin-off project of the failed Annihilator Death Globe.

[Balabanto]

The black market doesn't know they exist? Uh...it's a BALLOON! It floats in the air. Really? They might not be able to get one, but I'm pretty sure they know it exists.

[taalismn]

Oh, the Black Market knows about it...they're just laughing themselves silly over the idea...

Good job...and yeah, it's over the top, but every creator posting here's gotta have some guilty pleasure border-line munchkin/far out there little project in their portfolio...as far-outs, go, not bad!

[Dr Megaverse]

Actually this isn't a terrible idea. I read recently about the Coalition Digital Battlefield, Rifter #42, which is maintained by a series of sensors satellite drones held aloft by "vacuum balloons" up to 120,000ft up. Why not modify the Death Balloon to make it environmentally sealed, fill the balloon with "vacuum" and make the guns go BOOM from the mid stratosphere? The Rifter says the SSDs are nearly impossible to detect, granted a balloon is going to be much easier, but still not as high as you might think.

Interesting idea.

[renfield]

Re-read Item #8; The "Cloaking Field" is in enlarged Superior Invisibility Spell thus the Globes are invisible to most forms of detection.

[renfield]

Oh, the Black Market knows about it...they're just laughing themselves silly over the idea...

Good job...and yeah, it's over the top, but every creator posting here's gotta have some guilty pleasure border-line munchkin/far out there little project in their portfolio...as far-outs, go, not bad!

Humorously enough I did have a line in the price information that read "...and even if they did know they'd be laughing their asses off at the idea."

And thanks, I did do some actual research for at least the 120mm Howitzer to keep it within the realm of reality and the range listed is real-world range though I didn't factor in for additional height or improved technology.
I still need to do some research and find a way to turn nuclear-generated electricity into some form of heat/gas generation to replace that actual gas filler for the globe. Come to think of it...actual hot air balloons are simply lifted up purely on hot air right? So theoretically I could remove the gas system and replace it with a series of heating elements (Like those found in toasters etc) and that could keep the balloon aloft indefinitely but DAMN that would be a hot ride. I wonder how big the Lift-Bag would really have to be to keep something that heavy aloft? Some days i wish I could do math...8P

[taalismn]

The byproduct of many fusion processes is helium...though whether or not in quantities that would be commercially usable, and whether the gas byproduct would be too 'hot' to handle, remains unknown.
I latched onto that idea though, and have many of the commercial and municipal fusion reactors in the Paladin Steel works capable of generating significant amounts of helium 'ash' that is collected, 'scrubbed', and recycled for use in other industries and purposes.

[renfield]

Really? I did not know that. That is so usable, I think i will have to make some changes to the Dearh Globe now...and so much potential for humor too. Imagine the Helium backing up into the Gondola and forcing the crew to talk in high squeaky voices? Hard to be intimidating when you sound like a chipmunk....

[taalismn]

Really? I did not know that. That is so usable, I think i will have to make some changes to the Dearh Globe now...and so much potential for humor too. Imagine the Helium backing up into the Gondola and forcing the crew to talk in high squeaky voices? Hard to be intimidating when you sound like a chipmunk....

"Sir! We suspect SkyEye Eighteen to have been taken over by D-bees!"
"What makes you say suspect that, Lieutenant?"
"Listen to this voice transmission, sir! They're obviously not human!"
"I see! You were right to bring this to my attention! You are to take immediate action to deal with this breach of security!"
"At once, Captain!"
Outside a missile battery rotates to aim at Death Globe Eighteen...

[renfield]

Exactly!
...and I'm suprised nobody caught the quasi-Death Star cannon...If it's round na dhas the word "Death" in the title, it MUST have a weapon of at least semi-ultimate boom and doom!

[taalismn]

Exactly!
...and I'm suprised nobody caught the quasi-Death Star cannon...If it's round na dhas the word "Death" in the title, it MUST have a weapon of at least semi-ultimate boom and doom!

"This battle station is FULLY operational!"
(hurr-hurr) "Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed!"(hurr-hurr)
"Dwight, take off your helmet! I can hardly hear you over your personal AC and you sound like a dork speaking through the radio mike like that!"

[Dead Boy]

During the course of his research he came across some documentation on techno-wizardy; the process of combining magic with technology.

You had me till you went with the TW angle. The earthquake weapon could have just as easily been a particle beam-based devise (a la Under Siege 2), and the optical stealth could have been a next gen EM envelope (normal light and IR both fall under the electromagnetic spectrum). Plus there's the issue of just how the heck is the CS supposed to recharge the PPE reserves of the TW systems, other than crew it with master psychics.

Also the TW systems would work against the stealthiness of the airship. The CS aren't the only ones who employ Psi-Stalkers and the like. The active TW cloak would broadcast the airship's position to every PPE-sensitive in a half mile in every direction and lay down a psychic trail wherever it goes.

I don't mean to badmouth you or rain on your parade, but it's just a major problem I see.

Actually this isn't a terrible idea. I read recently about the Coalition Digital Battlefield, Rifter #42, which is maintained by a series of sensors satellite drones held aloft by "vacuum balloons" up to 120,000ft up. Why not modify the Death Balloon to make it environmentally sealed, fill the balloon with "vacuum" and make the guns go BOOM from the mid stratosphere? The Rifter says the SSDs are nearly impossible to detect, granted a balloon is going to be much easier, but still not as high as you might think.

Interesting idea.

[taalismn]

Looking at the trailers for the new movie "Monsters"(think 'District 9' for 'Cloverfield'), I keep seeing in my mind a similar situation with the 'quarantine zone' surrounded by dozens of Death Globes acting as aerial observation/artillery posts.

By the way, what's the maximum operating altitude for the Death Globe? I didn't think I saw it listed?

[renfield]

I didn't have the maximum altitude listed, thus you did not see it...
I will have to modify it later on when I have the time.

Deadboy you are correct in that TW could easily attract attention...if someone were looking up...and only if their particular sense had the range to detect them way up in the air. And there is a note in the history about a secret team of Brain-washed TW's who are kept around to maintain the TW systems of the Balloons. I used TW for the stealth fields because to date there is so little in the way of stealth technology I didn't really want to introduce such a large-scale device when a Spell could do the trick for a lot cheaper.
Though truthfully the whole idea was never truly meant to be taken seriously but I can always modify it for an actual useful role. This version is at the very least just designed to be amusing and I liekd the story of the Mad designer and his mad TW lover running off to flatten towns at their whim...
If I were to re-do this as a more serious Vehicle I would certainly have some sort of technologically-based stealth-field. The TW Earthquake cannon would be gone (And really it was just an experimental design that might be later moved to a more agile or at least a more durable platform. I could see some other Coalition Scientist (Probably more stable) saying "Interesting concept, but let's make it better..." and basically produce a much smaller version with a much greater altitude, an actual stealth field generator, advanced targeting systems and replace most of the weaponry with KEW's as a primary weapon system and short-range defensive weaponry. Requires less crew, smaller and cheaper solar-electric power plant, less crew, less armor, less weapons and generally save a ton of money on cost, except for the actual cloaking field. Who needs an Earthquake Cannon when you can drop a DPU rod from 5 miles up?

Hrmmm I may write that up later on..."Devastator Death Globe"...I'll have to do some new art though...fun!

[renfield]

Updated to Add maximum Altitude.
Also Added Stats for a cheaper variant, image is here http://cortexsystemrpg.org/index.php?topic=4456.0

Hover-Camper will be statted elsewhere.

[taalismn]

Thanks; the altitude info is most appreciated.

Hmmm...aerial skelebots, anybody?

[renfield]

i.e. angels of death?...that could be cool...