Ship's Locker: Out of the Closet

[Condottiere]

Bows and bullets vs Sand Bags

Years ago I met a girl who lived in Sarajevo during the siege and she told me that they were using bows as well as assault rifles on the front lines as they shot through sand bags and water butts when bullets didn't - I needed to find out for myself; do arrows do things bullets can't?

I looked at this quickly in an earlier film but guns are tricky here in Europe, so Curt at the the VSO Gun Channel offered to do the firearms side in one film in the US and I did the arrows side over here in the UK and we spliced the films together; but with our own versions - two for the price of one!

Please also excuse my 'village idiot' look for the links into Curts film - I have no idea what happened and I see no reason any of you have to mention it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNo5yDI7A1M&ab_channel=Tod%27sWorkshop

[b]Arrows are Better than Bullets? With Tod’s Workshop
[/b]
Today’s video is a collaboration with Tod Cutler of Tod’s Workshop. Basically we are comparing the performance of bow and arrow vs sandbags and guns vs sandbags. I’m doing the gun stuff and Tod is doing the Bow tests.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfBfQfKfgXw&ab_channel=TheVSOGunChannel

I suspect that snub ammunition becomes emasculated against sandbags.

So, let's sandbag those corridors against intruders.

 

[Condottiere]

The Real Guns of Star Wars: A New Hope

Ever since The Mandalorian chose a terrific prototype Bergmann pistol as the base for Mando's blaster pistol, I've been asked to cover the real gun origins of the blasters form he original Star Wars film. This isn't a particularly difficult thing to look up online, but hopefully I can bring a bit of additional context beyond the typical search engine results...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md5c-9mV2Vw

 

[Condottiere]

Is The Katana As Good As You Think It Is? - Loadout

The Katana is one of the most legendary swords in fiction and in real world history, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood weapons.

An iconic part of Japanese culture and history, the Katana has also established itself as an icon of pop culture with appearances in everything from games like Ghost of Tsushima and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice through to the classic samurai films of Akira Kurosawa.

On this episode of Loadout we take a look at some of the tropes and misconceptions that surround the legendary weapon of the Samurai, as we break down the myth and legend of the Katana.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJZU_zqXXv8

If you want a officer's ceremonial weapon.

 

[Condottiere]

This Picture Is The Actual Cosmic Web 50 Million Light Years Long

Hello and welcome! My name is Anton and in this video, we will talk about a new detailed analysis and picture of what's known as the galactic cosmic web.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCx_e1Qa9OE

 

[Condottiere]

Space Manifolds In the Solar System Create Gravity Superhighways

Hello and welcome! My name is Anton and in this video, we will talk about a new study that provides more information on the existence of space manifolds that could be used for interplanetary travel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrXHw9Y_VQg

1. There faster ways of interplanetary travel, in Traveller.

2. Might be of interest to solar sailors.

3. You could term them gravity streams.

 

[Condottiere]

Fossil free steel. Another giant step towards net carbon zero?

Steel has become an essential material in our modern world. But the steel making industry is responsible for 7% of all global greenhouse gas emissions. That has to be reduced by at least 60% by 2050 if we are to meet our net carbon zero targets. A solution has been found though, and it replaces carbon with hydrogen. The question is, can it be scaled up quickly enough?

Errata : Apologies for the formula on screen at 6:50​ - the letter z should of course have been a number 2 and the Fe203 and H2 numbers should be subscripts. Sadly my 52 year old eyes are getting worse every day, and I missed these errors!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywHJt88H5YQ

 

[Condottiere]

The Missing Link in Renewables

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PL32ea0MqM&ab_channel=RealEngineering

1. Industry disruptor.

2. Dirt cheap.

3. Probably compares unfairly in energy density with Traveller batteries.

4. Heat isn't really an issue, except for the container.

 

[Condottiere]

We Finally Know Why Sun's Corona Is So Extremely Hot

Hello and welcome! My name is Anton and in this video, we will talk about a potential solution to a decades long mystery of why the Sun's corona is so much hotter than the sun itself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdrDcwD21EY&ab_channel=AntonPetrov

1. Because it kills viruses.

2. Well, if you can take advantage of alternating bands of heat, you could probably get closer.

3. Produces oxygen.

 

[Condottiere]

The Food So Bad That It's Banned In Prison

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5NI5Rp3oXs&ab_channel=HalfasInteresting

1. On the menu for Middle Passage Travellers.

2. Probably recycled.

3. It's not unusual.

4. Middle Passage Travellers can upgrade at any time to High Passage.

 

[Condottiere]

Surprising Discovery That Liquid Water Seems to Have Two States!

Hello and welcome! My name is Anton and in this video, we will talk about a new discovery that suggests liquid water has another state we didn't know about before.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsQXN-Kh2-w

1. If you freeze water in the fuel tanks during combat, that could act as armour, and presumably like metal hydrogen, less likely to evaporate if the fuel tanks are damaged.

2. United States of Water.

3. Life evolves due to tension, and bonds.

 

[Condottiere]

Traveller: Part 5 - Spacecraft Operations

Part five of my series on Mongoose Traveller 2nd Edition (MGT2). Today we go over Spaceship and Jump rules.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-MleY7W5Fw&ab_channel=SethSkorkowsky


Pay off quirks with ship shares.

Water filter.


Traveller: Part 6 - Space Combat

Part six of my series on Mongoose Traveller 2nd Edition (MGT2). Today we cover Space Combat, Range Bands, and Ship Damage.

I apologize if this episode it a bit more rules crunch than normal. There’s a lot to cover and I wanted to give suitable attention to the various part. So, the help you navigate and reference it:

00:00 Intro
1:27 Ships and Turrets
6:14 Range
10:04 Spaaaace Combat
10:15 -Ambushes
10:42 -Initiative
11:05 -Tactics
11:26 Combat Steps
11:48 -Maneuver Step
13:51 -Attack Step
15:30 -Reactions
17:46 -Action Step
20:51 Dogfighting
23:25 Missiles
26:45 Damage
27:22 -Critical Hits
32:22 Boarding Actions
35:58 Closing Thoughts

Of course, this is all highlights. Some details or options I either breezed past or didn’t mention (such as capital ship weaponry). This is intended as a general overview or foundation-builder, not as a replacement for the rulebook. If I missed a rule, my bad. If a referee wishes to do it different, that’s perfectly fine. Just have fun and keep those fighters off your six.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUoXPfaXO6g&ab_channel=SethSkorkowsky


Runaway cascade of critical hits.


Traveller: Part 7 - Psionics

Part seven of my series on Mongoose Traveller 2nd Edition (MGT2). Today we explore Psionics: Travellers who can kill you with their brain.

00:00 Intro
01:20 Getting Psionics
02:17 The PSI Stat
03:48 Psionic Training
05:11 Talents
05:32 Using Psionics
07:32 Psion Career
08:24 Equipment
08:57 Non-Standard Psionics
09:43 Closing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYxWJOmH_pI&ab_channel=SethSkorkowsky


Younglings and padawans.


Traveller: Part 8 - Worlds & Starports

Part 8 of my series on Mongoose Traveller 2nd Edition (MGT2). Today we explore Worlds, Starports, and how to read the Universal World Profile.

00:00 Intro
01:37 Reading the Map
02:00 The Universal World Profile
03:12 Starport Quality
03:44 Planet Size
04:40 Atmosphere Type
05:44 Hydrographics
06:03 Population
06:19 Government
07:14 Law Level
08:32 Tech Level
11:08 Trade Codes
12:15 Other Considerations
13:08 Travel Zones
14:46 X-Boat Routes
15:31 Starports
17:25 Security
19:35 UWP Exceptions
22:05 Closing Thoughts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKTuaJQi4b4&ab_channel=SethSkorkowsky


Masks may be worn due to a virus outbreak.

Friendzone.

 

[Condottiere]

Traveller: Part 9 - Passengers & Cargo

Part 9 of my series on Mongoose Traveller 2nd Edition (MGT2). Today we tour the ever-exciting realm of Passengers, Freight, and Trade.

00:00 Intro
01:35 Passengers
09:23 Freight
14:20 Mail
16:10 Speculative Trade
28:32 Other Considerations
31:25 Closing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcfofeYpO3Q


It's probably cheaper to charter.

Twenty tonnes of toilet paper may be worth gold, depending on the market.

Traveller: Annic Nova - RPG Review

A look at the Traveller scenario Annic Nova. It's been an introductory adventure for 40 years, featuring a mystery aboard a strange derelict starship. Here's some suggestions and ideas for any Game Masters wanting to run it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijtLp8KCLPE


Pan(nic)[demic/dora].

Only if the cargo hatches are open to space.

 

[Condottiere]

Traveller: Rule of Man Commemorative - RPG Review

The PCs are tasked with a simple job that throws them into a world of espionage. Here's my tips and thoughts on the scenario, as well as the story about how one character scored free shawarma for life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEOjVNkL8iI&ab_channel=SethSkorkowsky

Traveller: The Calixcuel Incident - RPG Review

The heroes are hired to assist an underwater city. Unfortunately no one anticipated the hoard of colossal squid. These are my Game Master tips and criticisms of the adventure by Mongoose Publishing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpJbTE2t8eg&ab_channel=SethSkorkowsky

 

[Condottiere]

Traveller: The Ship in the Lake - RPG Review

The heroes are tasked with locating a sunken ship in the middle of a war zone. Here are my criticisms, tips, and suggestions for running this adventure for your group.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTPzJidorZg&ab_channel=SethSkorkowsky


East Africa.

Traveller: Murder on Arcturus Station - RPG Review

A murder has been committed and the Player Characters must find the killer to clear their names. This scenario is one of the most brilliant investigative adventures I've encountered, and certainly the most replayable module I've ever read. More of a toolbox in constructing an mystery game than a ready-made adventure. A good amount of GM prep is required, but the payoff was worth it for my group.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ6M8pGa138&ab_channel=SethSkorkowsky


Colonel Mustered-Out in the Common Area with the Sonic Screwdriver.

 

[Condottiere]

Traveller: High and Dry - RPG Review

A look at the Traveller scenario High and Dry by Mongoose Publishing. It's an introductory adventure where the PCs are given a free space ship and a whole mess of trouble that comes with it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tym86AcYwuU&ab_channel=SethSkorkowsky


Well, you have to believe in your product.

TINSTAAFL

Traveller: Mission to Mithril - RPG Review

A look at the Traveller adventure Mission to Mithril, by Mongoose Publishing. It offers combat, survival, a mystery, and giant worms, but we do have a couple areas that we can still improve.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4vULypIu1U&ab_channel=SethSkorkowsky


Reactionary rockets.

Great Scott! Robert, that is.

 

[Condottiere]

Traveller: Marooned on Marduk - RPG Review

A look at the Traveller adventure Marooned on Marduk. The module has a lot to offer, but also suffers from a few issues that Game Masters should address before running it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kz_xhT9obRo&ab_channel=SethSkorkowsky


Body cavity search.

Or Lost.

Traveller RPG: Trade and Economics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v2n_DcxLaM&ab_channel=SHONNER


I thought about building up an interstellar shipping corporation from scratch.

The only feasible way that I saw would be finding a close cluster where there are niche trading opportunities, being disruptive without actually drawing major scrutiny until the corporation was big enough to deal with industrial sabotage by vested interests, which would be more of a long term campaign, and lack the excitement of heists and combats.

Being disruptive can occur on multiple levels, which can include making alliances with import and export companies looking for markets, or a way to bypassing dominant corporations that in some way are restricting their growth.

 

[Condottiere]

Mystery of BT-SHT 365: Act 1 - The Bank Heist

Part One of my Review/Game Diary for the Traveller campaign The Mystery of BT-SHT 365. It's a world-hopping adventure where the heroes face off against raiders, killer robots, and a corporate conspiracy in search of a lost planet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5HBKRCeuCI


First I thought Solo, then The Mandalorian.

Damsel distressed.


Mystery of BT-SHT 365: Act 2 - The Rescue

Part Two of my Review/Game Diary for the Traveller scenario The Mystery of BT-SHT 365. In today's episode, the heroes rescue a town from a clan of space raiders and meet a new patron with an offer they can't refuse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5HBKRCeuCI


Vikings versus ninjas. Or is it pirates?

The Lannisters send their regards.


Mystery of BT-SHT 365: Act 2.5 - Thalassa

Episode Three of my Review/Game Diary/War Stories for the Traveller mini-campaign The Mystery of BT-SHT 365. In today's adventure, the plot deepens when our heroes visit the water-world of Thalassa, learning more about the missing planet, but their enemies are waiting for them at the starport.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX80X29rfuA


Post dramatic dice stress.

Roscinante.


Mystery of BT-SHT 365: Act 3 - Highport

Part Four of my Review/Game Diary/War Stories for the Traveller mini-campaign The Mystery of BT-SHT 365. In today's thrilling installment, the heroes explore a derelict space station orbiting the lost planet. But they're not alone...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gucVNeTWtMY


Rommie.

Epstein drive.

 

[Condottiere]

Mystery of BT-SHT 365: Act 4 - The City of Carellon

The thrilling conclusion to my Review/Game Diary/War Stories for the Traveller mini-campaign The Mystery of BT-SHT 365. Today's exciting episode brings us down onto the lost planet where our heroes face-off against their enemies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGK0f1nRYe4


Jellicle cats.

Westworld.

How to Run A Heist - Running RPGs

Stealthy heist games are a lot of fun, but can present their own challenges to run. Here's some tips and ideas on how to create a heist game and avoid some of the common mistakes that Game Masters can make.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=147qkWA3-xw


George.

Suspence. Or suspension.

 

[Condottiere]

Futuristic Tank concept designs | SCI-FI CRAZY IDEAS!

I love the imagination of the people who create such fantastic artwork that show concept drawings and ideas for futuristic and conpect style tanks of almsot sci-fi style setups.
In this video I will review some of the tanks drawn and see how they would fare in real life battle and see if they are practical for a real design.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg8fFGX2cq0


I have an idea for wheeled tank with gravitation motors, generating just enough lift to neutralize eighty percent of the weight, allowing just enough to give the tyres to grip the surface.

Vehicle templates not really being my thing, so unsure of that viability.

 

[Condottiere]

Llamas Kick Wolves To Death To Protect Sheep (The Ultimate Guard Llama)

When most people think of animals protecting livestock, they think of a dog. Well, move over dog, because there's a new guardian in town... the llama.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4T8kjZlDoc&ab_channel=FactFiend-WithKarlSmallwood


1. You're only worth your life insurance.

2. Vargr predator.