How does the Star Drive work?

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

belfur

May 27, 2004 5:03:10
Just a question about the star drive and travel time (I have to admit that I did not read through the complete campaign guide right now, so if the answer is somewhere in the back of the book, I apologize):
How long does one starfall take. It says 5 days...is it 5 days only for the surrounding universe and instantaneous for those inside the ship, thus the ship disappears and reappears 5 days later at the destination although for the travelers no time passes (if yes, does the live of people traveling a lot increase?). Or is it also 5 days for the travelers. And what do they experience during the time they are in drive space?
Thank you in advance!
#2

trechriron

May 27, 2004 10:04:29
From what I remember, yes five days passes for the people in the ship. What do they do? Relax, watch movies, exercise, make new friends, sleep, and try not get into any mysterious troubles during thier sojourn. :D

I would attribute the jump like being in a very long train tunnel. Black dull nothingness for five days until POW! Back in the stars baby. Real space never looked so good. Sure beats walking... :D

This is off the top of my head, I would need to peruse the book again to be sure.
#3

belfur

May 27, 2004 11:55:12
Sounds reasonable,
Thank you!
#4

zombiegleemax

May 29, 2004 5:33:34
According to the Star*Drive campaigin book, every starfall lasts 121 hours (5 days, 1 hour if based on a 24 hour day).

The reactor powers up, the navigation computer links the starting point with ending point and you move into starfall drive space.

The analagy of the dark train tunnel is a good one. Not only are you forced in one direction ( following the computer's coordinates from start to finish) you can't abruptly stop.

Also remember that once you complete the trip (starrise) you are at the end point of the journey. It takes two solar days to recharge the reactor to attempt another starfall.

This can lead to many ambushes. Your ship starrise's into the wrong system or unchartered system only to find space pirates or other unsavory types.
#5

psiseveredhead

Jun 04, 2004 10:07:33
The recharge time was 1d4+1 days, but you could reduce it with a System Operation-engineering check.
#6

zombiegleemax

Jun 09, 2004 20:38:44
I looked it up, and you are correct about the time. So much for your memory.

The time spent in Drive space could be a mini adventure in itself!!