From: Alun Thomas <alun.thomas@c...>
Date: Tue, 12 May 1998 12:52:24 +0100
Subject: Re: Dolphins In Space (BRIN) [ Some SPOILERS for "Startide Rising " ]
> Tim Jones <Tim.Jones@Smallworld.co.uk> wrote: > On Wednesday, May 06, 1998 9:07 AM, alun.thomas@cbis.com > Ever notice there's a very nasty alien race in this very much The Tandu? Hmm, hadn't thought of it before, but you're right - except that their activities are (just about) legal - although I doubt that many races would risk making too much of a fuss about it. The Uplift suplement for the GURPS role-playing game suggests that they've caused the extinction of several races whilst taking part in official wars to enforce galactic rules. > And the water vapour in space weapon, one of the more memorable parts Yes, it could be fun, although there could be a lot of ships around. One way to handle it could be to define a large number of fleets (10-20) And place one of them in orbit around the planet (looking for the Streaker). Each turn after that, another fleet arrives at a random point on the edge of the board, until all of the players are running a fleet. After this, if a fleet is destroyed (or withdraws) its player draws another fleet and enters again. Destroyed ships have a chance (1/6 ?) of crash landing on the planet to effect repairs. In each turn in which there are ships crashed on the planet, roll 1 die for each crashed ship on a 6, the ship launches and heads for the edge of the table (is it running because any combat will wipe it out, or have the dolphins hijacked it?) What do you think, could something along these lines work? > The Uplift War is very much a geurilla ground based affair, though Possibly one for the Stargrunt players, but as you say its not really a stand up fight - the Terragens know they couldn't beat the Gubru in a straight fight. > I never did get around to reading Brightness Reef though (did it close Well, its the first part of a trilogy, and I'd been trying to hold out until all three were out - unfortunatly, I had a critical willpower failure a couple of months ago :-( It doesn't finish the story (obviously) but it does continue it - in the same sort of way that "The Uplift War" continues "Startide Rising" - ie its main focus is on a different set of characters in a diferent location. It does look like the next two books may continue it more directly (or Brin could just be teasing). I enjoyed it, but I'm now left waiting for Brin to get on and write the next two books :-( Anyone know when the second book's due out? (due to the above mentioned lack of will power, Brin's not the only author I'm waiting for - grrr!)