design challenge: splugorth starship

glitterboy2098 · Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:57 pm

your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to stat out a starship in use by the splugorth. it should be competitive with other three galaxies powers (competitive meaning "on par with"), but be done in a style that befits the splugorth. you are free to use any technologies or magic available to splugorth minions, though not their slaves or allies.

the only other rule is to avoid copying the designs of other licenses ships. while Farscapes Moya, stargates ha'tak's and 40K's necron tombships all fit a splugorth style, we obviously can't use them.

when we have obtained a number of entries, i'll start a poll for people to decide which one they think is the best.

Aramanthus · Unread post by **Aramanthus** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 2:04 am

It is a nice one! Good choice!

Lenwen · Unread post by **Lenwen** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 4:56 am

Damn now I wish I had ordered them Phase world Books alot sooner ... :-(

I hear Kattani tech is supposed to be badass .Well at least enough so that they could battle the Mechanoids toe to toe for 7 years till the sheer numerical advantage they had finally overcame the Kittani tech .

-Lenwen.

KLM · Unread post by **KLM** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 11:39 am

Lenwen wrote:Damn now I wish I had ordered them Phase world Books alot sooner ... I hear Kattani tech is supposed to be badass .Well at least enough so that they could battle the Mechanoids toe to toe for 7 years till the sheer numerical advantage they had finally overcame the Kittani tech .

-Lenwen.

Only a few Kittani articles (I recall only a transformable robot/fighter)
are in the PW books. However, it is slightly under the level of the
comparable designs of the 3Galactic powers...

But yes, it can stand up and slug it out with the Mechanoids.

----------------------------
To be on topic: Designing is underway.

Adios
KLM

glitterboy2098 · Sat Jan 19, 2008 10:57 pm

i'd try my hand, since i have my own splugorth* i invented for phaseworld, but i can't come up with much of anything that's hasn't been done in Stargate. :frust:

the intersteller flying pyramid is just perfect for a splugorth. stupid copyright laws...

*pius'cryth, my religion building splugorth that's setting up an empire based on tithing and "divine guidance". using splugorthian technology and magic to benefit a society and at the same time cow them into being docile worshippers is a good racket for a splugorth. getting enough worshippers to become elevated to the ranks of a CB2 type Deity would just be a useful effect, if it happens.

Jefffar · Unread post by **Jefffar** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 12:16 am

Seeing as all of the major powerblocs in the 3G have handed the splugorth their tenticles . . . I'm not so sure about the whole on-par thing . . . especially given the numbers of Minions your typical Splugorth can bring to deal with a situation. I suspect the Splugorth will have hords of cheap, disposable fighters and light ships plus a few dreadnaught and super dreadnaught style mother ships.

We do know that the Splugorth performed an orbital plasma bombardment on the Jungle Elves homeworld, so that might give us some hints as to the big big guns.

There's my 2 cents for the designers.

Jefffar · Unread post by **Jefffar** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:44 am

D'Oh! Totally forgot about the Dragon Dreadnaught!!

I had a look at it last night, if you use the standard conventions for atmospheric craft to space flight, it stacks up very well with the CAF Procter class Long Range Interceptor in terms of speed, armour and firepower . . . the big differences being the Proctorhas a VFF System and a FTL Drive.

Hmmm, much thought in this must I make.

glitterboy2098 · Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:26 pm

Jefffar wrote:Seeing as all of the major powerblocs in the 3G have handed the splugorth their tenticles . . . I'm not so sure about the whole on-par thing . . .

the "on par" thing was to prevent the all conquering uber-ship syndrome.

as far as the splugorth tending to lose, it's possible that was more scale than tech. most 3G's powers can afford to field thousands of ships into a compaign, while most 3G's splugorth can pull off at best a few hundred.

Jefffar · Unread post by **Jefffar** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:32 pm

However, it's indicated in the books that many of the galactic powerblocs of today - especially the TGE - had to carve their terrtory out of much larger Splugorth Empires.

It's indicated that the SPlugorth of today are a mere shadow of their great power back in the day

So it sounds like they origionally had the numerical superiority.

Perhaps most of the Splugorth ships, while potent, represent technology developed thousands of years ago and for whatever reason the Kitann havent been able to keep up with the developments of the younger powers.

taalismn · Unread post by **taalismn** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:46 pm

Didn't we have a thread of Kittani and Splugorth ships in the near past?

KLM · Unread post by **KLM** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 5:59 pm

There ARE a couple of designs in the Starship design megathread,
some are detailed, others are just outlined (like the Stellantula,
the space version of the slaver barge)...

As for the power level:
IMO the "common" technology - like shields, CG, MDC materials
can be rather easily "maxed out" by a civilisation... Like Rifts Earth,
the "locals" have developed rayguns and materials which are on
par with the 3 galactic designs, give them a few decades to much on
a few gadgets from Phase World (the NGR is said to experiment
with anti-gravity from an alien vessel, and they do have shield tech)
and they probably will be able to produce stuff which gives at least
80% if the 3galactic "commercial standard" is around 90%.

The tech side of the sploogies is also around that "90% level",
(again IMO) because they do not want the Kittanii (or other
hi-tech minions - the Kittani, at least originally, are Lord Splynn's
pet race) to grow over their head. What gives them
the edge, is the ability to willingly sacrifice a milion or two
Kydians (even daily if needed) and their magic.

Adios
KLM

taalismn · Unread post by **taalismn** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:33 pm

Quantity, Not Quality, Appearance at the Expense of Functionality, and Choose Your Targets Carefully(unless the reward is porportionately greater than the risk involved, don't pick on civilizations that can kick you back hard)....Thus, fearsome-looking Splugorth starships terrorize backwater worlds and planets that can't get help quick...

glitterboy2098 · Mon Jan 21, 2008 1:00 am

of course splugorth ships could actually be fairly powerful, just rare. after all, it seems most splugorth focus in the use of rifts and portals and not ships for their conquests.

it is perfectly within the Splugorth's power to build ships equal to those used by the UWW, it's just i doubt they have much reason to build more than a space defense force.

i think the Kreeghor are a bit of an anomaly. their technology is supposed to be splugorth in origin, but they beat the crud out of them in their revolt. this leads me to assume that the splugorth were beaten more through superior tactics and strategy than technology. the kreeghor got some ships and maybe a shipyard, and outlasted the splugorth's willingness to fight. then set about to build an empire.

though if any power deserves to use the star wars-ish "massive behemoth with more troops/fighters than guns" it's the splugorth. their ships are very likely battlecarrier/LST combo's, enough guns and armor to fight their way to a planet, plenty of fighters for the main striking force, and massive troopbays to carry the invasion/occupation force.

KLM · Unread post by **KLM** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 3:38 am

...and slave dens for the road back - the space version of the
mothership in South America.

--------
And yes, I also subscribe the "few very powerfull mothership/dreads
and zillions of one-shot fighters" theory, with an occasional superfighter
of two.

Adios
KLM

Lenwen · Unread post by **Lenwen** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 5:28 pm

Ok I will take a stab at this ... using only Phaseworld,Atlantis,Splynn, South America books .. Will **EDIT** the post when I am finished with what I come up with

by the way one fast question is .. Are you limiting this forum to strickly tech or anything that can be proven to work on papper ( e.i. magical ships as well ) ?

-Lenwen.

glitterboy2098 · Mon Jan 21, 2008 6:53 pm

Lenwen wrote:Ok I will take a stab at this ... using only Phaseworld,Atlantis,Splynn, South America books .. Will **EDIT** the post when I am finished with what I come up with by the way one fast question is .. Are you limiting this forum to strickly tech or anything that can be proven to work on papper ( e.i. magical ships as well ) ?

-Lenwen.

magical ships are perfectly viable here. as are ones using both tech and magic. heck, if the UWW can do it, why not the splugorth?

just pick a theme that fits the splugorth (or minions) and stick to it. for example, off the top of my head, a magic or biowizardry based ship very likely would have a Pyramid in it somewhere as a power source. even if buried deep inside the hull like a star trek warp core or something.
kittani built ships could look like living beasts made of metal and tech (like their PA and other vehicles), or big blocky BSG-ish brutes. which ever you think sounds better for kittani spacecraft design traditions.
and so on.

without knowing what kind of FTL the kittani had before the splugorth found them, i'd figure rift-drives to be the main way of getting around between stars (and dimensions...)

Aramanthus · Unread post by **Aramanthus** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:11 pm

There are still some interesting ideas floating around here.

Lenwen · Unread post by **Lenwen** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 3:02 am

According to couple books ...Kydians do develop thier own tech as well .Slaver ship as well as the Slaver mother Ship are Kydian AND Kittani coordinated design's .. Easy way to look at it is how many Fighters can they or will they make to support a massive huge army of Kydians ? They very well could build relativly low number of super dreadnaughts .. an develop a super fighter using one or two kydians as their pilots .. making a huge billions strong airforce especially if they make them fighters atmosphere capably as well ...

-Lenwen.

Aramanthus · Unread post by **Aramanthus** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 3:04 am

I'm looking forward to seeing your ship Lenwen!

KLM · Unread post by **KLM** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 7:09 am

Lenwen wrote:According to couple books ...Kydians do develop thier own tech as well .Slaver ship as well as the Slaver mother Ship are Kydian AND Kittani coordinated design's
(...)
-Lenwen.

That is not neccessarily means, that the Kydians have their
"own" tech.

It can be done, that the "brutes" ordered ships form the
"apes", outlining the required performance, but that is all.

Furthermore, Atlantis rather clearly states, that the sploogies
try to keep the Kyddies as uneducated, as possible.

Also, even mostly Kydian-crewed ships, the command
staff is - again, by Atlantis - high lord or kittani.

Just my two cents.

Adios
KLM

Braden Campbell · Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:00 am

Fleets of the Three Galaxies will detail three Splugorth ships: a fast transatmosphereic "raider", the cruiser-sized Servitude mothership, and the massive Kittani Taskmaster (which is a carrier ship).

It will also attempt to explian why the Splugorth aren't everywhere in the 3G's... namely that although they pretty much had the run of the place during the dark millenia of the Interim (40,000 to 10,000 years ago), they simply rifted from world to world as they always had. They had no space fleets... which is why they got the crap kicked out of them by the Kreeghor (and everyone else for that matter). It is only in recent centuries that the four remaining kingdoms have finally given in, granting their Kittani permission to once again build starships.

The Splugorth can live up to a quarter of a million years... so I figure a) they are very set in their ways, and b) change comes slowly to them. In short, by time the four kingdoms got into space, the other powers already had such massive fleets in place that they could never possibly catch up.

KLM · Unread post by **KLM** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 5:49 am

IMO the sploogs arrived into an enviroment, where space
fleets were already flying, and their tech level wasn't as superior
as on RIFTS Earth - not to mention, that there were powers
(Cosmo Knights, Prometheans, and later the Kreeghor), which
were able and willing to teach them to behave - we have records
of at least 6 sploog intelligences dying in the Three Galaxies,
from the hands of the local powers.

Also, the Kittani is just recent addition to the ranks of sploog
minions - they were barely saved by Lord Splynn himself, as
a personal pet race (they are still pretty much his own race).

So, it took time for the sploogs to let the "apes" grow in number,
to rebuild their civilisation, and then "distribute" them among
the various Dominions. (Remember, sploogs quite happily
backstab each other, so giving a stock of a prized minion race
to another AI is not something they do often).

However, it is only one tech-pet race. Don't overestime the Kittani,
other sploog dominions most certainly have other "techies", like
humans, T'Zee, you name it...

Adios
KLM

Aramanthus · Unread post by **Aramanthus** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 4:10 pm

Six splogies died in Phase world? Where did it say that? I don't remember it.

Three new splogie starships! That sounds very cool Brandon!

KLM · Unread post by **KLM** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 3:36 am

Five died trying to conquer Center, during the first millenia
of Center becoming a trade hub (3 thousand years ago).

One was blown up by the Kreeghors, during their rebellion.

Adios
KLM

Jefffar · Unread post by **Jefffar** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 6:45 pm

KLM wrote:Also, the Kittani is just recent addition to the ranks of sploog
minions - they were barely saved by Lord Splynn himself, as
a personal pet race (they are still pretty much his own race).

So, it took time for the sploogs to let the "apes" grow in number,
to rebuild their civilisation, and then "distribute" them among
the various Dominions. (Remember, sploogs quite happily
backstab each other, so giving a stock of a prized minion race
to another AI is not something they do often).

However, it is only one tech-pet race. Don't overestime the Kittani,
other sploog dominions most certainly have other "techies", like
humans, T'Zee, you name it...
Adios
KLM

Well, accordng to DB 2 the Kittani are 25% of the total population of the diverse Splugorth Worlds. The Kydian, who are alo reasonably tech advanced, account for a further 22%. Humans and Wulfen each are a further 10%

So I'd say the neither Kittani nor tech savy mortals are rare in the Splugorth controlled planets in the 3G.

On page 42 of Rifts Atlantis it says that the Kittani joined the Splugorth 38 000 years ago.

taalismn · Unread post by **taalismn** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 8:44 pm

The Kittani may be overrated as technologists...They're good with robotics, but large scale ships and fleets may have been beyond their experience...like the early Roman Republic...powerful armies, but mediocre navy...
By the the time they get the support/patronage of the Splugorth, their society is effectively starting over, the best warriors and designs creamed off by the wars with the Mechanoids, so the Kittani are trying to recoup their losses...They're multiplying and spreading, favored by the Splugorth as their new 'Mr Fixits', but the Splugorth are also leaning on them to provide goodies for their surface armies, rather than building spacefleets...Part control of the Kittani and part hidebound conservatism...

Jefffar · Unread post by **Jefffar** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 8:50 pm

However Kittani Starships are mentioned (just not described) in PW and theya pparently carved out a small interstellar empire before they ran into the Mechanoids.

Lenwen · Unread post by **Lenwen** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 1:15 am

Fast question about the Kreegor were thier Star fighters an other starships designs of the Splugorthians ? Or are they a totally new completly different design all together ?

-Lenwen.

KLM · Unread post by **KLM** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 3:48 am

The Transgalactic Empire's (the former Kreeghor Dominion) current
designs are a result of several millenia of independent research,
not to mention the influence of several non-kreeghor, non-sploog
cultures of the TGE.

So, all in all, they have very few things common with Sploogs.

Also, I think every sploog intelligence/dominion have its own
distinct "style"... And what the kreeghor "inherited" from their
late master (who they blew up), ie. the organic hull technology
for example, is probably not found in other sploog inventory.

Adios
KLM

Lenwen · Unread post by **Lenwen** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 4:29 am

I designed this with three things in mind . Splugorthian Designs , Troop Capacity , Kydian Numbers available .
With that in mind I am still thinking of other ships this is a smaller one .

Please be Kind ....

Model Type - M.T.T.-1 ( Massive Troop Transport - 1 )

Class - Troop Transport.

Crew - One . High Lord ( Also assumes Command once Troops are there)

MDC
- Pryamid Walls - (3) 350 each.
- Auxilary Engines- (2) 200 each.
- Variable Force Field (6) 150 each .
- Main Support Colomn (1) 500. Only Visible when Walls are down for troop summoning .

Hight - 50ft
Width - 50ft
Length - 50ft
Wieght - 15 Tons
Cargo - Enough room for High Lords items. And 8 K-1,000 Spider Defence Systems .
Power System - Nuclear
Speed - Mach 1 ; V-Tol Capable
Range - Unlimited

-CIRCLE -
Each Ramp when down has a Teleport -Power Circle on it an all are combined threw a Power Matrix which when all ramps are down are all designed on the entire flooring of the Craft ..
Prior to Summoning Each Kydian is required to use thier Bio-Wizard armor to Reduce self to 6 inches and 30lbs. As well as Use thier Sustain also on thier Bio-Wizard Armor ( both equal to 6th lvl).

-TROOP TRANSPORT-
20 ft circles on each ramp .
Each Circle is 10ft from center to edge of circle . Inside each Circle is a 12sq area in which a mini Kydian army of 72 by 72 per circle can stand .
( my measurments for a 6 inch Kydian is 6 inch tall 2 inch wide 30lbs So for a single Ft. You get 6 Kydians per ft) at 12 ft = 72 , 72x72= 5,184 Kydians per circle of Teleportation. (there are three such Circles) One Time Activation of Teleportation Circle = 15,552 Kydian Troops . Wether it is Overlords Powerlords or what ever .

-DESCRIPTION-
Picture your 4 sided die (50ft tall made of metal). Now that Die being able to drop its sides (three) into a ramp like flooring . Each Ramp has a Circle of Teleportation on it (10ft from center to edges) . All connected in the middle with a Power Matrix . All Controled by the High Lord . when in Flight the Pyramid looks like your 4 sided die pointing which ever way it needs to fly . With 8 , k-1,000 spider defence systems in the area attached to tree's inconspicously and two patrolling around the Pyrmid at all times when landed .

-Lenwen.

KLM · Unread post by **KLM** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 7:35 am

Smells like Stargate...

Which isn't bad, just was not allowed in the "tendering proceduce"
to begin with. Also, be a bit more comprehensive... Use the
"by the book" ship-description format.

Also, while I am not really good in empiric measure, but kydians
are usually not 6 inches tall... IMO. Or am I missing something?

Adios
KLM

Jefffar · Unread post by **Jefffar** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:03 am

I think there should be several generations of splugorth ships that are era dependant - the oldest generation may incorperate the same mega damage shells as the Kreegor ships (and it rankles the Splugorth to no end that they lost access to those creatures).

Lenwen · Unread post by **Lenwen** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 11:45 am

I think I forgot to mention the Reduce Self Spell . Only way to teleport so many Kydians .I did all kinds of math haha 6 inch Kydian is 30lbs. I will edit it for the spell really fast .
I dident think this was copying anything Yeah there are flying Pyramids in Star Gate. But Then again this is not nearly as large nor does it serve the same pourpose. This one is specifically a Troop Transport. I actually used Phase world models to describe the Transport. Not to mention this Pyramid can not leave orbit. Basically its developed strictly for massive Troop transport. I appreciate your info tho an will try to come up with something 100% original next go round my friend. Now that I think about it perhaps it is a bit Star Gaty ...

-Lenwen.

taalismn · Unread post by **taalismn** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 6:54 pm

Whenever possible, the Splugorth would try to hit worlds with local leyline activity...thus they could gate in direct...if the locals aren't making active use of the ambient magic and nexi, all the better..
On the other hand, if they ARE, strategy shifts to attack from the unexpected direction of space...shock and awe attacks to draw attention away from the nexi/temples/leylines, then land heavy troops/mobile forts to seize control of the nexi...then use them to bring in troops direct...

Aramanthus · Unread post by **Aramanthus** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 3:49 am

It is an interesting ship! I like it!

KLM · Unread post by **KLM** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 3:57 am

Hmmm... If this ship is used as a shuttle, but
instead of making several "drops", thru flak fire
(and full of troops, so a lucky hit kills a lot of your
soldiers), but with only a single pilot, and upon landing
it can teleport down a desired number of troops from
the mothership.

Not bad.

I guess, it is a bit trekkish, but I think getting a "reception"
portal into the area (where one wants to teleport troops)
makes most magic defenses moot.

On the other hand, I would incorporate a few Eyes of Eylor,
serving like Armor of Ithan "generators", and automated
point-defense emplacements (call lightning hits automatically
and does enough MD to knock out most missiles), and a few
more - mostly defensive - tricks.
After all, we would like to get our insertion-ship into the LZ,
preferably in one piece and sometimes even unnoticed.

Adios
KLM

taalismn · Unread post by **taalismn** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 4:42 pm