Wangenstein's Electric ShockThrower

By Professor Harvey Wangenstein, Electrodyne Engineer
February 28, 1883
 

Much Research has been done over the past one hundred years into the effects of electrical exposure on living tissue. While some of these inquiries have resulted in great strides of knowledge in electrical Theory, there have also been those ready to profit from the Scientific ignorance of the general populace. Today, it is a popular claim along the "snake-oil" circuit that exposure to low levels of electrical current can remedy any number of complaints, from poor eyesight and nervous diseases to stomach complaints and even coal miner's disease. Their would-be patients feel the tingling that results from electrical exposure and assume that a cure has been effected, when the only true and lasting effect is the subsequent lightening of their billfold or purse. The sundry and unproven boasts of these unscrupulous entrepreneurs do little to advance the cause of true Science. Indeed, there may yet be some health benefits derivable from medical electrocution, but more Research is needed before any conclusions should be made.

One of the proven reactions of healthy living tissue to electricity results from exposure to a moderate amount of current. Electrical current appears to closely mimic the body's own bio-electrical signals, so much so that when a strong enough electrical charge is applied, the orderly signals from the brain to the body are scrambled for a time after the exposure ends. While a subject's control of his skeletal musculature is disrupted, his breathing and heartbeat remain unaffected. Though helpless and twitching, the subject is left basically unharmed, but also no longer a threat. This simple knowledge can be used to great effect by a Scientist looking for a non-lethal method of curtailing threats of violence against his person. As I, myself, am a man of Peace by nature, I have used this knowledge to construct a device capable of disarming or even stunning several opponents with a single, Electrified effort.

Wangenstein's Electric ShockThrower measures three feet long, and resembles a lightning rod housed in a roughly cylindrical metal housing. Handles covered in vulcanite project from the front on one side and rear on the other side of the housing. The Electric ShockThrower uses a simultaneous series of electrical arcs, each sufficient to affect an ordinary human target at an average range of thirty to fifty feet, with environmental factors adding to or taking away from that figure. These arcs reach out and complete their circuits, first seeking any metal objects within range, then any living beings, finally grounding themselves out at the end of their range if they have not found a target. A dial on the side of the ShockThrower adjusts the current’s strength, allowing for very fine control over the amount of power being used.

Weaker settings will cause those holding metal items to drop them if the objects are struck by one of the arcs. At its median setting, those affected by the ShockThrower can be rendered either immobile or completely unconscious for a period ranging from fifteen minutes to several hours, provided that successive applications are not immediately administered. I must caution that the ShockThrower should not be used lightly. Continued use of the device on a living target can result in burns and internal injuries, particularly if metal is worn next to the skin. In extreme cases, coma or even Death may result. No less of a problem is the fact that a strong electrical current will detonate most varieties of gunpowder and explosives. The results could be catastrophic if the proper forethought is not given. These possibilities must be taken into account when considering this device's use. Because of its potential for misuse, I must insist that Wangenstein's Electric ShockThrower be used only in Self-Defense, and then only to a point of incapacitation rather than Death. Being men of Science, there should be no need to resort to lethal force in order to resolve differences of opinion.
 

Game Notes

(Second Edition.) By using Forces ••• and Prime ••, the acting Scientist creates a barrage of small arcs of electricity that project from the metal bulb at the front of the ShockThrower. Each use of the ShockThrower produces four electric arcs for every Success rolled. Its effects are determined by the ShockThrower's setting: At a Low setting, no Stun damage is incurred, but the arcs cause painful shocks that force held metal items (guns, tools, etc.) to be dropped. Arcs at this setting will detonate dynamite, though ammunition is safe. At Medium settings, the arcs additionally cause one level of soakable Stun damage each, and will now also discharge ammunition. At High settings, six arcs per Success are produced, instead of four. Upon a successful roll, the Storyteller can distribute the arcs to each potential target, possibly including living beings and metal objects that are in range but unrelated to the user's true target(s).

Stun damage should be handled as follows: Starting with the first empty Health Level box, record the unsoaked damage with a special mark to denote 'Stun'. If the number of Stun levels exceeds the number of open Health Level boxes, the Storyteller returns to the first Stun box and continues marking off levels. This time, the Stun levels are marked as actual damage, as severe electrical burns. The penalty modifier for Stun damage is the same as for normal damage, but lasts only for the current Scene. Actual damage caused by overwhelming Stun damage is treated as usual. If the target suffers any unsoaked Stun damage, they must make a Stamina check to remain conscious. If the Stamina check is failed, the target is rendered unconscious. Unconsciousness due to a failed Stamina check lasts fifteen minutes per Stun level, to a maximum of two hours.

The electrical arcs usually project forward, away from the user. However, if the user is carrying or covered in a large amount of metal (wearing a suit of armor or loaded down with lots of ammo, guns and/or metal ore), the arcs may curve about and strike him, instead. (Great at parties or for failed rolls or botches.) Worn or held metal items will transmit the arc's charge into their owner (i.e. if you're holding a gun that gets shocked, you get shocked…).

1999 Derek D. Bass
 

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