Magical Background

Magical Background: Hyperspace Engineering [Magic]

You are a hyperspace engineer.

Prerequisites: Knowledge (arcane lore) 4 ranks, Knowledge (physical sciences) 4 ranks, Craft (electronic or mechanical) 4 ranks

Benefit: Treknobabble becomes an available class skill for you.

New Skills:

Treknobabble (Int; Trained Only, Hyperspace Engineer only)

Use this skill to make the devices that makes the physics fall down.

Check: You make a Treknobabble check whenever you attempt to concoct a device or plan.

Creating a Device: Creating a new invention or other device takes a successful Treknobabble check with a DC based upon the table below. This check is to come up with the theory. If the check fails, the engineer can’t use this skill again for eight hours while he clears his head, goes to Ten-Forward or whatever the heck else.

Description	Item Example	Base Time	DC
Repair of hyperspace device or top of the line technology	Laser rifle, plasma pistol	1d6x10 minutes	10
Improvement of existing technology	Faster computer, 10% speed boost to a vehicle	1d4+1 hours	15
Major improvement of existing technology	25% speed boost to a vehicle	1d10 hours	20
Simple but new use of existing technology	Beam sword	1d6 days	25
New use of cutting edge technology	Freeze ray	1d4 weeks	30
Entirely new but “realistic” technology	Unfolding ablative starship armor	1d6 months	35
New technology that flaunts the laws of science	Hovering robotic drone thing, frequency-modulating laser rifle	1d12 months	40
New technology that alters the laws of science	Planetary wormhole, mind control device	1d4 years	45
New technology that defies the laws of science	Dimensional wormhole, a torpedo that generates a planet full of life.	1d20 years	50

After that, you need to build it. Doing so takes the amount of time indicated on the table and a Craft check with a DC equal to what’s listed, with an equivalent wealth check.

Boosting Machines: You can boost the output of a device for a short period of time. Doing so takes a Treknobabble check and some time. The DC depends on the table below.

Improvement	DC	Repair Chance (d%)
Ranged Weapons
+1 to damage	15	01–25
+2 to damage	20	01–50
+3 to damage	25	01–75
+5 ft. to range increment	15	01–25
+10 ft. to range increment	25	01–50
Electronic Devices
+1 equipment bonus	15	01–25
+2 equipment bonus	20	01–50
+3 equipment bonus	25	01–75
Vehicles
+1 on initiative checks	20	01–25
+1 to maneuver	25	01–50
+2 to maneuver	30	01–75

The engineer performs the extreme modifications in 1 hour. You can’t take 10 or take 20 on this check. If the check succeeds, the effect of the improvement lasts for a number of minutes equal to your level, beginning when the object is first put into use. You selects the single improvement he or she wants to make prior to making the check. After the duration of the effect ends, the machine reverts to its previous state and a repair chance percentile roll is made. The result of this roll indicates whether the machine requires repairs before it can be used again.

You cannot take 10 or 20 on any Treknobabble check.

Try Again?: It takes eight hours to make checks for designing devices, and you can make as many attempts to boost a device as you like.

Special: Don’t just roll the fuckin’ die, jazz it up. Say you’re “reversing the interphasic tachyon field coils” or something.