Atkins/Frazer projects

Atkins/Frazer projects Aug 30, 2015 12:40:52 GMT -5

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Post by prismatic on Aug 30, 2015 12:40:52 GMT -5

*A sealed letter containing drawings and information arrives for James Frazer, from Billie Atkins*

Dear Mr. Frazer,

I have several projects that I would like your educated assistance on. The following things should not only be advances in science, but ways to help our dear community. Schematics with greater detail provided in this letter.

You may have noticed the crippled woman around the trade square, who goes by the name of Alli. She wears a safari hat, and uses a spear to aid her in walking. I feel it is possible to design a powered leg brace for her, to restore normal functionality of her leg, and let her walk or run without a limp. I am contemplating either clockwork or battery to power the device. It should serve to augment her movements. I suspect Doctor Horncall's advice will also serve in this endeavor.

Speaking of which, the Doctor is interested in having some sort of projectile way to deliver medicine in the midst of combat. Originally I was considering a rifle for this, using darts similar to a tranquilizer, but now I am thinking a crossbow would serve better. A lower velocity method of delivery would help to ensure more good than harm is done to the patient. The Doctor has provided me with an expertly crafted crossbow to use for the prototype.

I am sure you have noticed the epidemic of walking dead in the cemetery. This simply must not be allowed to continue. The source of the problem needs to be identified, and then corrected. The caretaker, Willy, has suggested that the cause may be an electrical charge, left behind in the body after death. If he is correct, then it should be possible to set up a device in the cemetery designed to withdraw and collect all electric charge in the area. Something akin to a lightning rod. It is an insult to the church that its hallowed dead should arise, and I feel this is the most important project of all.

Lastly, and of least importance, I have found many of the adventurers in Calidor enjoy employing the use of incendiary devices. Therefore I propose the development of a new, better fuel for them. The current design can be improved by either burning hotter, or longer. Or preferably, both. Careful examination of the current fuel, mixed with the right additions, should produce a greater effect. Though I am not certain, I suspect the Doctor will be able to help in this matter, as he is well versed in matters of alchemy. My own expertise in this field is sadly very limited, and I am unsure of your own talents with it.

I am looking forward to working with you.

- Miss Wilhelmina Atkins

Atkins/Frazer projects Aug 31, 2015 12:44:11 GMT -5

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Post by Kitsunenotsume on Aug 31, 2015 12:44:11 GMT -5

Dear Miss Atkins,

I appreciate your attention to these subjects, and in bringing them to my attention. As it happens, I already have projects or hypothesis in line for each matter to which I shall address in turn.

Regarding the matter of the brace for Miss 'Alli', I have an ongoing arrangement. Thus far, I have provided her with a simple hinged variant, hydraulically-assisted variant, and ratcheting coil-spring variant of a locomotive structural support. The first was replaced by the second, which was subsequently destroyed by corrosion. Third had been badly damaged by physical distortion, before being repaired and subsequently destroyed by corrosion. My fourth variant of locomotive support is currently in the process of laborious pre-treatment so as to reduce the material's vulnerability to corrosion due to the fates of the aforementioned. I expect to have the mechanism complete shortly.

The matter of projectile syringes had been brought to my attention some time ago, from a now-departed associate. During the course of our discussions, we realized that the delivery system was less important than the design of the munition, presuming it is fully considered for the situation it is being used for. I have not yet pursued such lines of investigation due to more pressing matters and projects, but have identified a number of delinquencies that must be remedied before it is a viable system. Firstly, there is the matter of delivery; while one may easily modify a bolt to hold a syringe, the matter of forceful injection at range is somewhat more complex. I have some design to modify a wrist-mounted FlameTek device for similar purposes, but such is limited by the range of one's limbs. Depressing a plunger at range without a guy-wire of some form seems troublesome, though an inertia-powered worm-gear may be viable. Secondly is the matter of cost; while I am aware that both my former associate and Doktor Horncall were and are greatly interested in the technology, one must still make it commercially viable. Costly prototypes may demonstrate proof-of-concept, but marginalize the potential ammunition reserves available for critical situations. Thirdly is the matter of materials, as during the brief times I have invested towards the project I have found most materials either overweight or structurally unsound. If you make any progress on the matter, I would be most interested to hear.

Regarding the phenomenon known as 'deaders', it has been my hypothesis for some time that is is caused by the seepage of great potential energy into the bones and flesh of the corpse, and the reaction from which generates a standing electrical field. When this field is disrupted by the entry of differently charged bio-electrical sources such as living beings, it attracts the charged corpses towards the point of greatest differential - often the most conductive individual. Through both bio-electrical and piezoelectric animation, the corpses are brought to the differential and discharge through contact, before falling to the ground once their charge is exhausted. Given sufficient time, the standing field reaches its equilibrium once more and the corpses are once more charged for another animation. My observation of the phenomenon known as the 'Diver' seems to support these observations, as the accumulated pool of seepage clearly reacts with the plating of the dive-suit to create a high-discharge voltage-pile, thereby at least partially accounting for the electrical generation of the area. I suspect that the seepage also similarly reacts to buried metals and pipes, which also contribute to the electrical field. Some form of discharge mechanism may be viable, but it is my consideration that is must be capable of withstanding continuous negation of a significant and potentially quite high voltage standing charge. A more permanent solution may be in some counter-agent to the seepage, to reduce its utility as an electrical catalyst.

Lastly, regarding the utility of incendiaries, I do have a number of solutions at present. In the form of my standard and extended-range FlameTek Active Deterrence mechanisms, I have made available a cost-effective option for distributing napalm to targets of interest with expeditious precision. Working from the notes of my former colleague, I have been able to optimize the particular fuel-blend used in my devices to surpass those of standard hand-launched incendiaries. The matter I see with thrown mechanisms is their innate inaccuracy, wide spread of wasted potential fuel, and their entirely non-discriminatory nature. It is thus my professional opinion that improvements to offensive pyrotechnics are more efficiently applied in other forms.

It is my sincere hope that you might find some benefit from my thoughts and developments on these projects. Should you have any other queries or considerations, I invite you to bring them to my attention such that we might discuss and dissect them at length.

Sincerely,
James Frazer, Jour.

Post by prismatic on Aug 30, 2015 12:40:52 GMT -5

Post by Kitsunenotsume on Aug 31, 2015 12:44:11 GMT -5

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