| ROLEPLAYING ARCHIVE | | |
| The war against the Vilani |
Overview:This period of Traveller is predominantly Tech level 10-11, with considerably less of the wonderful gadgets available to the usual Tech 15 character. Some Tech Level 12 devices are beginning to appear, such as the gauss rifle and the nuclear damper, but are incredibly rare and/or experimental. No battle dress, no grav speeders, no ship shields. Power plants only yield about 1/3 the power of TL 15, and most jumps take about an hour to prepare due to less powerful computers. The Terrans and the Vilani do however have big differences in technology. Here are some of the differences
Jump Drive:Vilani are restricted to Jump 2. Terran ships have been known to use external tanks to increase range. The Terrans have just recently developed Jump-3 and are rapidly building a force of small Jump 3 vessels to gain the massive strategic advantage this breakthrough conveys. Larger ships are also coming off the production line, but with their longer construction time, will play little part in the next year's action.
Computers: Vilani computers are huge compared to Terran models, but can take considerably more damage. Terrans have the monopoly on AI systems. Some Terran ships rely heavily on robotic systems for their crew requirements.
Power: Both sides use Fusion reactors rated at 6MW per cubic metre. Both sides have displayed an improvement in this area. Intelligence sources believe the Vilani have a stockpile of better equipment just now being introduced into the conflict.
Gravitics: The Vilani have a massive advantage here. Terrans build direct copies of Vilani grav plates and inertial compensators (which can only be set to emulate 0.8 G.) Terrans are expecting a breakthrough soon.
Personal Weapons:Terrans prefer slug throwers, whereas the Vilani use lasers. Terrans have the monopoly on melee weapons. (Large, heavy blades terrify the Vilani.) Gauss and plasma weapons are restricted to crew-served mounts. Some Terran personal gauss weaponry is being field tested.
Ship Weaponry: Vilani concentrate on energy weapons of all types, whereas the Terrans rely on missile armaments. This gives the Vilani a logistical advantage, but the Terrans a tactical advantage. Vilani ships encountered closer to their supply bases show a greater use of missile weapons.
Transport: Vilani vehicles are usually anti-grav in nature. Terran vehicles are almost always wheeled, tracked or hover. Only Terran Special Forces get regular access to grav.
Medical: Terrans are superior. Vilani society is however almost completely free of infection. Despite contacts with Terran diseases, Vilani personnel have shown a remarkably resiliant resistance to infections.
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