An item of this nature is bound to have some limits. Perhaps it risks breakage if it's used too often, or perhaps the user needs to understand how the lock is built to make the key assume the appropriate shape, so some lockpicking experience would be needed to make it work.

The item deserves a cool history: Who invented such a handy gadget? What did the Locksmiths' Guild do when they heard? What have wizards done to counter it? Once you have a sense of its history, you'll be able to tell what limits the Skeleton Key ought to have.

If it has virtually NO limits, such an item would become a potent magic indeed, the subject of intense interest from those who want locks opened and from those who want locks to remain closed...

"It has been found," hissed the Archlich. "The key to open the Tomb of the Elder God Hlithiss! Fetch it, my minions!" Go to Comment

I've only played core D&D and looked into Bureau 13. None of the group I'm playing with really has time to learn any new modules. Go to Comment

In theory, a biological processor is capable of massive, parallel computations. Minimum estimates for the human brain put it at a 2THz processing speed. They are, however.... messy to program and maintain. In every way possible. Which is my issue with this sub. It's too 'messy' to be useful to the common consumer. Or really, even anyone who doesn't need -insane- processing. Literally insane. Go to Comment

Why is there no way to introduce fresh gel into the core? Go to Comment

Good, but one of those ewwwww yuck submissions. Go to Comment

Hm... I like it. It has potential. But...
It's a bit short on details. Right now, it seems more like an idea seed. I want to know why they made it biological, who designed it, more detailed advantages and disadvantages, what it might look like. Details like these really make or break a sub, so to speak.
I'll hold off on voting until you edit it. Really, Corinth, it's a *great* idea, I just think it needs some more fleshing out. Keep 'em coming! Go to Comment

Well, it is a sci-fi sub, emphasis on the fi. I have no problem with the idea of biological computers (they were mentioned more than once in ST:VOY, for example), but I do like my biomachines to have some detail. Go to Comment

A nice idea I like it, 

There was similar version of this in the following story. 

http://escapepod.org/2007/09/06/ep122-transcendence-express/

WARNING I AM NOT ADVOCATING THE CONSUMPTION OF THE SHORT STORY IN THE ABOVE LINK.

This could use the 100 word treatment.  Because a lot of the information (NOT ALL) given is useless in terms of interacting with the item and the mini world developed for the item lacks personality or wit. 

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I agree with Dozus, and I'd think that since we are reasonably close to this now, in another 10k I imagin rotting wet-ware will not be an issue.

What does it bring to the players or their opponents? Go to Comment

I'm not sure why this has to be the downside of the biocomputer - science is pretty close to suspended animation either through cyrogenics or controlled toxicity (I have the discover magazine with the artical at home), so it should be pretty easy to overcome the problems you describe. The difficulty with the organic computer should be as Siren mentioned - it's programming, and not with it's care and maintenance. By 30k, we should be able to completely build full organic creatures from scratch! Go to Comment

Because computers are made to become obsolete - not run out of fuel :)

I guess when I think 1000 in the future, I see 'invisible technology' that no-where resembles anything we are remotely close to developing now, unless one assumes multiple society collapses..
I think they will be building life froms from scratch in at least my son's lifetime, though not with the wonderous complexity of natural life.

Some scientists have been able to stop cell activity without degradation simply by very carefully controlling oxygen levels, something which would not need much hardware to accomplish. I'll try and find the link - it is really quite - pardon the pun - cool.

If you had said 2100 I'd have had no such quibbles :) I hold a very high bar for the technology of the 30th century... Go to Comment

Well sure, genetics engineering is long possible in 3k, but a self-maintaining entity not based on any other lifeform would be incredibly difficult to create, even with the resources and technology available in the 31st century after decades of in-depth research. As for cryogenics and resultant tech, the larger systems do have this, and less complicated/longer lasting components, but even that far in the future such features take up space. They could add such things, but the system whould become much more expensive and would not fit into basic component slots. Besides, needing to replace the chip, being much better than the competition as it is, keeps customers coming back for more, and draws attention to other products. Ever wonder why computer companies make so much money? Go to Comment

Updated: Extreme Submission Makeover Completed: Resolved contradictions, added more detail, exercised common sense... Go to Comment

What he said!

A bit of formatting would do it good. Also, if you have a special take on the FTL drive, it would be cool to add it to our scroll.

All in all, it is a nice science-fiction post. Good work, Corinth! Welcome to the Citadel. Go to Comment

A somewhat unfriendly group, but then that is common sense. Go to Comment

Very nice! Seems to be a combination and twist on several classics, but you've made it distinctly your own. I definately like the detail in their history, how they came to be who they are. I would have liked a little more detail on their structure, operation, etc., but the detail you've given is what some space traveller coming across them might expect to know. An excellent first submission, Corinth! Go to Comment

what manfred and Dozus said (they summed it up nicely). Welcome to the Citadel Corinth. Look forward to more of your ideas!

We could always use more sci-fi! Go to Comment

A really good first sub. Some interesting choices of words- the ships are in Ascending order btw - otherwise the 4000 tonner would have been first :) Go to Comment

Updated: Fixed syntax error Go to Comment

Well written, a good first submissoion.

Murometz-"We could always use more sci-fi!"

I agree with you on that point Muro.

4/5

Welcome abord the Citadel!
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