Blades in the Dark: Ring Down Below returns to Twitch tomorrow night at 7pm central! Tune into http://Twitch.tv/ZapDynamic to join in the fun.
We’re going to make use of the Crafting rules tomorrow night and I’m looking for inspiration. Most of the examples in the book are bombs, potions, or poisons, but I’m looking for ideas about spark-craft tech.
My question: what Tier II/III/IV spark-craft gadgets can you think of that might ease the Dockers’ life? What technological boons would make all the difference in this holdout of low-tech, manual labor?
My first thought was an Aliens-style powered loader mech but I don’t think this Tier 0 Crew has got the clout to secure one of those!
Here’s a little something to whet your creative whistles:
“A Docker’s life is simple: unload cargo from incoming ships and load it back onto outgoing ships. This is not to say their simple job is at all easy. Whether the cargo is jellied eel or volatile lightning oil, you’ve got to know what goods need moving, where they have to go, and what path to navigate through the ever-bustling docks. You’ve got to have the strong back to lift the goods and the endurance to carry them. And when the Leviathan Hunters roll in, you’ve got to have the willpower to handle all that devilry they bring in without losing your stomach.
“Consider the warren of political entanglements and backalley deals just beneath the surface. No stevedore or foreman can hope to profit from these, but take one wrong step or utter one wrong word and a lowly worker could end up floating face-down in the canals.
“Consider also the tools Dockers have at their disposal: complex rope skills, hand-trucks, and goat carts, but also powered cranes, anti-spirit devices, and the know-how to use them.
“Add to all this the transience of the Dockers life: catching the breaks in the morning (or going home empty-handed), breaking their backs all day, and winning a measly loaf to break with their family before rising the next day to try their luck again. It’s a wonder the docks are never short of fresh rubes fit for grinding down into workers’ pulp.”
Tagging Tim Denee and Andrew Shields because you’re titans and I admire your grasp of the tone and content of Doskvol. Any neat ideas for spark-craft tech that could make life easier for your average Docker?
Spark tech for dockers!
Magnagrip dollies that use gripper thorns and plasmic current to fuse the side of the crate to the side of the dolly until you turn it off; nothing slips off.
A powered gauntlet with an underslung crowbar for quickly dismantling cargo.
A belt buckle connected to a modest battery pack that can activate and transmit a signal that repels rats at a significant distance.
Bigger better flashlights, and portable floodlights that can be clipped to infrastructure and ship interior supports; darkness is a constant problem.
A bulb on a cable attached to a pack, called a cooler, you put it in liquid and it reduces the temperature to cool it. Great for a hogshead of ale. Everyone gets cool drinks.
A crude camera that can be used to take pictures of a ship’s profile and name, and a captain, to update the files and reduce false identity shenanigans.
A cauterizing plate and survival boosting kit to have on hand so when the next accident comes, you can lop off a limb, sear the stump, and boost the poor bastard’s chance of survival.
A fishing pole where once something bites the lure, it triggers a mild shock from the battery on the pole, and you can just pull your catch in.
Plasmic door locks, that seal a lock with energy and shock anyone who tampers with it.
Locking cleats that seal around a rope so a boat is secure no matter what.
Magnetic grapple clamps to easily catch a boat’s hull.
Hand grips to clamp on a rope or cable that roll up or down with thumb controls, for easier and safer climbing.
Inflatable life vest with flashing light, automatically deploys if you fall in the water.
Hey, they aren’t all gold, but there’s some good ones. =)
Wow! Thanks so much, Andrew!