Re: [DL] Re: Steam needs water

["Daniel Gwyn" <dgwyn@colba.net>]

Hi,
    I think the best way of resolving the water/steam/ghost rock issue is
simply to say that's the individual marshal's call.  If one marshal doesn't
want to keep track of the logistics of water/ghost rock consumption, that's
his or her call.  On the other hand, a truly, cacklingly evil marshal,
could, I don't know, let a possee the steam cart drive out into the Salt
Flats for an hour, then have the thing run out of water, while having plenty
of ghost rock on hand.
    Personally, I view ghost rock as "merely" a superior form of coal (and
it's derivaties such as coke) as far as it's physical properties in the
Weird West are concerned.  Therefore, it "only" provides an extremely
efficient source of heat, leaving the mad scientists and engineers to figure
out how to supply water for the steam engine.
    As an aside, in the real world some steam engines were equipped to scoop
up water from certain sources while in motion.
          Daniel Gwyn
"No matter what you've lost, be it a home, a love, a friend
Like the Mary Ellen Carter, rise again!"
From "The Mary Ellen Carter" by Stan Rogers (1949-1983)
-----Message d'origine-----
De : Jodi and Clint Black <cblack@abts.net>
À : deadlands@gamerz.net <deadlands@gamerz.net>
Date : September 25, 2001 8:23 AM
Objet : RE: [DL] Re: Steam needs water


>
>
>for players: "GHOST ROCK ISN'T REAL!"
>don't question the physics of the game!
>(actually, if you really WANT to know why ghost rock
>wouldn't need water, just keep reading)
>but remember, "mad science is just that: MAD"
>
>Actually, a lot of the science is real (why do you think so many of the
>gadgets are just steampunk versions of what are now real world devices)
>which is why Mad Scientists have to have real Science skills.  Ghost Rock
>simply burns hotter and longer than coal.  Oh yeah, it can also be used in
>place of coke to make ghost steel.
>
>As far as needing water to run ghost rock boilers, since the Collegium has
>come out with their personal water condenser, you can simply say that man
>sized boilers have one to generate their own water supply.  You could even
>add a possible malfunction that the condenser has blown.  Easy enough.
>
>
>for marshals: keep reading, and I'll explain why the
>two phrases above should always be uttered to players
>who ask too many questions
>
>Please do keep reading.
>
>
>s
>p
>o
>i
>l
>e
>r
>
>s
>p
>a
>c
>e
>
>s
>p
>o
>i
>l
>e
>r
>
>s
>p
>a
>c
>e
>
>ghost rock, it is revelaed in Hell On Earth is
>actually the physical embodiment of the manitou on the
>earth. it's hard for me to accept that science can not
>only explain how demons can be compressed into a solid
>coal-like matter but also justify in a "reasonable"
>and scientifically "accurate" way how they can be
>released through "normal" steam-power
>
>Your wrong here.  Ghost rock is the physical presence of the souls of the
>damned not the manitous.  And the science of the day has no knowledge of
>what ghost rock is made from, only what it is capable of being used for.
>It's like prehistoric man burning wood for his fires and having no concept
>of photosynthesis.
>
>
>the ghost rock is flammable, it gives off ALOT of
>steam
>'nuff said (my opinion)
>after all, "Ghost rock isn't real!" and "Mad science
>is just that: mad"
>if mad science weren't totally insane and didn't make
>sense, it wouldn't be called "mad"
>
>What?  Flammable items do not give off steam.  Boiling water gives off
>steam.  It's why they're called ghost rock boilers.  And IMHO, it's called
>"mad" science because the scientists can be driven insane.  Unfortunately,
a
>flamethrower is all too real and makes perfect and logical scientific
sense.
>I think maybe your confusion is coming from the description of the smoke
and
>fumes of ghost rock, quite a different thing from steam.
>
>My 2 cents,
>
>Clint Black
>
>
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>