Hlaulrakh (Gravity Spear, TL14): technology breaker?

[BigDogsRunning]

I recently ran across the Hlaulrakh (Gravity Spear, TL14) in the MgT 1e Aslan book. I don't know if it's in the Aslan material in Pirates because I'm in it as a player, so haven't read it.

This device seems to either break some technologies, or introduce them in a very advanced and refined form well before the basic tech is available according to the TL charts. Also, mechanically, it does something different that seems to open a can of worms, in that it does damage to anything in the path of the beam, ignoring armor. This seems to mean, logically, that it doesn't stop when it hits a target, but would continue on for some undefined distance damaging all that it hits.

It seems to be a handheld repulsor, and handheld tractor, with an added sophistication of enabling rapidly switching between the two effects with a high degree of power and control.

 

[Condottiere]

Sounds like a pilum, or gae bulg, though that might be something more appropriate for the Vargr.

 

[Pyromancer]

I recently ran across the Hlaulrakh (Gravity Spear, TL14) in the MgT 1e Aslan book. I don't know if it's in the Aslan material in Pirates because I'm in it as a player, so haven't read it.

This device seems to either break some technologies, or introduce them in a very advanced and refined form well before the basic tech is available according to the TL charts. Also, mechanically, it does something different that seems to open a can of worms, in that it does damage to anything in the path of the beam, ignoring armor. This seems to mean, logically, that it doesn't stop when it hits a target, but would continue on for some undefined distance damaging all that it hits.

The beam affects only a small area; I interpret that as extending perhaps 10-20 cm from the tip of the spear.

 

[BigDogsRunning]

In MgT1, the range is "rifle", so 500m or so?

 

[Jackstar]

It's in 2e Pirates of Drinax book 2 page 114.
Heavy weapon. Range 250m, damage 2D, ignores armour.
It has a magazine of 10, so I think that it is fired rather than thrown.
It still affects anything in its path.

 

[PsiTraveller]

What are the "Tons" all the weapons are talking about? 10 tons for the gravity spear, 12 tons for the plasma streamer.

 

[paltrysum]

Typos, presumably. Should be Kg.

 

[Hakkonen]

Typos, presumably. Should be Kg.

You sure? It's a heavy weapon, maybe it's meant to be vehicle-mounted.

 

[paltrysum]

Well, they have Aslan NPCs carrying the spears around in one of the “Pirates of Drinax” adventures and the plasma streamer being used as a man portable weapon by another NPC so pretty sure “tons” is an error.

 

[Anonymous]

Does the weapon's effect affect everything in a line up to its range, or does it only affect a limited part of that line (where the target is)?

 

[Sigtrygg]

Sounds like the author watched a bit too much Stargate and wanted the kewel staff weapon in the game.

Shame it doesn't exist in CT OTU, nor can it be built at TL14.

 

[Jame Rowe]

Sounds like the author watched a bit too much Stargate and wanted the kewel staff weapon in the game.

Shame it doesn't exist in CT OTU, nor can it be built at TL14.

I like the concept too.

I've always thought that the Traveller tech scale should be revised a bit for high-tech stuff, so I have less problem having one of these at TL 14.