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Path: utzoo!watmath!watnot!water!abgamble
From: abgamble@water.UUCP (abgamble)
Newsgroups: net.games.frp
Subject: Re: Using a light spell as a laser
Message-ID: <64@water.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 25-Nov-85 15:01:20 EST
Article-I.D.: water.64
Posted: Mon Nov 25 15:01:20 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 26-Nov-85 08:29:54 EST
References: <6700005@uiucdcsp> <938@udenva.UUCP> <> <880@nmtvax.UUCP>
Organization: U of Waterloo, Ontario
Lines: 31

> 
>      This is a device I thought about for a possible campaign. Take some rough
> crystal ( ruby, sapphire, emerald, but it has to be carmorundum , glass simply
> will not do), and cut it into a cylindrical rod. Polish one end perperdicularly
> and silver it. Polish the other end at about a five degree angle, and 
> partially silver it. Result: LASER CRYSTAL!
> 
>      To use, cast a light spell ( normally level 1 ) to originate from inside
> the crystal. The crystal will concentrate the light into a cutting beam,
> suitable for slicing prison bars, drilling holes into adamantine, or slicing
> live dragon into dragon steaks.
> 
> Could anyone give me some suggestions for play restrictions on the use of
> this device?

Sure. I would treat this the same way I treat automatic weapons and 
nuclear bombs. If a character wishes to invent some such technologically
advanced device, I allow him to roll percentile dice on the following
table.

     01-99) The idea doesn't occur to your character       
        00) Roll again

Seriously though, it's highly unlikely that any medieval character
would ever discover lasers. And besides this will prevent a lot of
senseless arguements about whether or not this gaget will actually
work (ie how does a light spell *really* work)
-- 

                          - Bruce Gamble  (abgamble@water.UUCP)