I know that there are inherent physics problems with doing things as said in this post, but since we're all suspending our sense of disbelief when considering extra-large creatures anyways, lets let our simplistic imaginations do the work for us.
Well, assuming that such a thing is even possible (which it isn't without magic or illusion), one would probably be able to take the strength that an animal or insect might normally have and multiply it by how large it grew.
A normal ant is said to be able to pick up 50x it's body weight. So if an ant were able to grow to ten times the size of normal, it's strength would be ten times as great as normal, making it able to pick up 500x it's own weight. So, if you wished to know how much a spider could pick up at 8', simply figure out what the size difference is, how much it can normally lift, then multiply the two together for your result.
Simplistic? Yes, but will it work in a fantasy setting without too many problems? Most likely. Go to Comment
Quote from: "Chaosmark" A normal ant is said to be able to pick up 50x it's body weight. So if an ant were able to grow to ten times the size of normal, it's strength would be ten times as great as normal, making it able to pick up 500x it's own weight. So, if you wished to know how much a spider could pick up at 8', simply figure out what the size difference is, how much it can normally lift, then multiply the two together for your result.
Simplistic? Yes, but will it work in a fantasy setting without too many problems? Most likely.
Ack. No. The reason an ant can pick up 50x its own bodyweight has to do with the fact that muscular power becomes exponentially greater the smaller the creature. That's also the reason that a human being may be able to pick up his own body weight, but an elephant would find the same task impossible.
If you really want to figure out how strong an 8' long spider would be, compare it to a real life animal. Say, a tiger. An 8 foot tiger could physically drag or push about 800 pounds of sliding material with its entire body. With some logical reasoning, you could assume that the legs of an 8' long spider could push/pull about 100 pounds max. Go to Comment
A fascinating world: it knows it will be invariably destroyed, and most people of course do not (want to) believe it.
And it is actually possible to import the idea into other game worlds! Because it takes thousands of years until they return, people happily forget the past, until the kingdom next door is destroyed... and myths start to make sense again.
If it is established that dragons can be killed, they may be actually social creatures, living in large groups that migrate. The occasional angry loner might have been outcast from its clan, or nest, or whatever the dragons live normally in. A few hundred (or thousand) dragons can be the end for any civilisation...
*would love to hear more of this world* Go to Comment
An unbelievably large shape flew above the continent. Few have seen it, for it happened at night, but despite a clear sky it produced a mighty wind-storm. A shock would spread through the population, and the wizard scientists:
- was it merealy a passing?
- or will the dragon return after some sight-seeing?
- is it a known dragon?
- or is it a newcomer that seeks a home?
- damn, who cares who is it if we all die!
- but if it left, could some other follow it?
It could have nice effects (like stopping a war after the armies have escaped), as well as bad effects (mass hysteria and witch hunts, possibly aimed against the wizard scientists themselves). But a little destruction, a lot of fears, it may be gone after a few years...
So why do it?
I think a campaign of this kind may have a hard time inspiring some players/PCs. Why should they care if something bad happens in a few thousand years, when they are all dead and forgotten?
A single close encounter, that almost turns all people into mad animals, leaves traces, that cannot be overlooked without the beast even landing, could drive the point home.
(Too bad this post/world may never be updated...) Go to Comment
I found this to be one of my favorite posts from the old site. I love the way it is written, mainly that it is at times ambiguous, and at other times refers beck to oral records and geological deposits. Go to Comment
The Dragons of this world are like the strongest hurricanes in ours. 5/5 Tomorrow I want to come back and give this an HoH vote since both of today's HoH votes have been used on lesser (but still good) things. Go to Comment
Aye, I concur. This is a classic indeed. To be quite frank the citadel is no match for the standard set by ephe these days. Lets hope that changes. Go to Comment
Reading a couple of ephemeralstability posts was one of the things that compelled me to join this site in the first place (now you'll get it, hehe). While I am too "indoctrinated" in the Coldforged way of things, I do recognize greatness when I see it.
Such is the unfortunate tragedy of transference from forum to site. Such a great piece of work is now comment and vote-less. But fear not, for while the dragons might return within the next thousand years, this post shall not lack a comment nor a vote for that long! 5/5 for such extensive and creative work. This is the sort of thing that will really flesh out your world if used properly. Go to Comment
Lifeforms (Fauna) (Any)
Well, assuming that such a thing is even possible (which it isn't without magic or illusion), one would probably be able to take the strength that an animal or insect might normally have and multiply it by how large it grew.
A normal ant is said to be able to pick up 50x it's body weight. So if an ant were able to grow to ten times the size of normal, it's strength would be ten times as great as normal, making it able to pick up 500x it's own weight. So, if you wished to know how much a spider could pick up at 8', simply figure out what the size difference is, how much it can normally lift, then multiply the two together for your result.
Simplistic? Yes, but will it work in a fantasy setting without too many problems? Most likely. Go to Comment