Re: [HoE] Control Rods (CotA -- PEG)

[Charles Ryan <charles@chameleon-eclectic.com>]

>I've been reading through Children of the Atom (since the local games 
>shops haven't received River of Blood yet, blast it...), and I came 
>across a slight problem.
>
>In the second chapter, in the Gear section, the stats for a Control Rod 
>(i.e. Nukin' Stick, page 53) are as follows:
>
>Defensive:  +1
>Speed:  2
>Damage:  Str+1d8
>Cost:  $1,000

These stats are (almost--see my note on prices below) correct for a 
Nukin' Stick, which is a heavy metal staff =rumored= to be made from a 
control rod. These are relatively unique items, each of which is 
hand-created by Joan or Silas.

>However, in the next chapter in the Miracles section, it gives the stats 
>for a control rod (Glow Stick, page 73) are:
>
>Defensive:  +1
>Speed:  1
>Damage:  Str+1d6
>COst:  $2,000

These stats are (again, almost) correct for a nuclear control 
rod/non-powered Glow Stick, which is a lightweight graphite staff. When 
powered up, the stats are the same, except that Damage increases to 
STR+3d10. The text was poorly-worded; the DB of +1 and Speed of 1 are the 
same whether the Glow Stick is powered or not.

>Also, it seems to me that one of the specially charged Nukin' Sticks (as 
>blessed by someone important) should be worth a hell of a lot more than 
>a mundane unblessed Control Rod.

Yes, that's generally true. But remember that nuclear control rods don't 
necessarily carry a $2,000 price tag--that's just what some scavs can 
gouge out of Doomsayers when they know that the Doomsayers are really 
keen on using them for Glow Sticks. Also remember that Nukin' Sticks are 
not out there on the open market--the $1,000 price tag simply represents 
their relative value when bartered/traded/sold between friendly 
Doomsayers.

In short, yeah, we should have been clearer. But always remember that no 
costs in the Wasted West ever represent hard-and-fast price tags. It's a 
society based on barter, where the relative value of an item to the 
trading parties is far more important than any fixed cash cost.

>Is there any outward effect of having a Control Rod in your possession, 
>in terms of radiation exposure?  It says that a Control Rod will redline 
>a geiger counter, so I have to figure that it's a good deal hotter than 
>what a person normally comes in contact with, but there aren't any real 
>guidelines with the descriptions.

"Redlining" the geiger counter is pretty much just a figure of 
speech--they don't have any real in-game effects.

>Finally, can Nukin' Sticks be used as Glow Sticks and vice versa?  
>Again, I would assume so, but...

I'd guess not, actually.




--

Charles Ryan
Deadlands: Hell on Earth Brand Manager
Pinnacle Entertainment Group