To explain my personal vision of the different SLA enforcement bodies, I've first got to explain one or two peculiarities in my vision of the SLA corporate structure, so I hope you'll all bear with me.
”The flow of Chi through the body has long been known as the pulse of life itself. It ripples through the flesh, regulating all things in its path. To master Chi is to master life itself. Like a stubborn horse, Chi is resistant to our caresses but when we earn its respect, there is nothing that it will not do for us. Look into your soul, and see what you truly wish for. Be it the strength of a hundred men, the speed of the East Wind or the longevity of the ancient turtles, the strength of Chi will place it in your hands.”
This was posted to the SLA-L list a while back, in response to Neil de Carteret's ideas for a SLA Code. Over to Tim...
Now, I applaud the nascent SLA code, but I'm sure we can do better than that... if you'll permit me the liberty (even if you won't permit me the liberty, actually) I'd just like to suggest one or two extensions, which I will illustrate with my personal codings:
"Operative, this is Station Analysis. We have determined that a terrorist situation is occurring in your vicinity. As the nearest Squad available you have been assigned a Red BPN to deal with the terrorist situation. This BPN, reference #RED022924453-SA supersedes BPN #WHI022944563-DI that you are currently working on for the duration of the terrorist situation. Each member of the squad will be paid 200 credits and you are to proceed to the corner of Fifth and Wesson immediately. SHIVERS on the scene will brief you.
You need to be a representative of a Department or subsidiary company, with sufficient budgetary authority to pay for the BPN at credit cost, plus the same again for admin to either 3ird Eye or Station Analysis, plus 100c per .1 SCL increase.
Are BPNs filtered before being issued?
Legit BPNs are lodged with the 3ird Eye or Station Analysis control departments before issue -- any queries or refusals will come up then.
Is it true that some Ebons don't develop Ebb abilities?
Actually, Ebb-free Ebons are full canon, and most of them are mad to the point of full psychosis. They're known as -- and literally considered -- 'dead' by the Ebon races, who are disgusted by them. Their families hold funerals for them, then never speak of them again. They are the objects of a hell of a lot of hate and scorn, and other Ebb users won't voluntarily stay in a room with them.
I'm not sure if we have a firm policy, but I assign falling damage as a D10 per ten feet. A successful STR roll will cancel out one D10, and a successful DEX roll will cancel out a second D10, but after that, there's nothing to be done. Work out the distance, and roll the damage. If it's onto sharp or very broken ground, the damage is maxed. It is taken from current total HP to ascertain survival; it is applied against each body location to ascertain broken bones. It ignores armour, but is also applied to armour seperately.
Half-deafened by gunfire, Barker ducked back behind the leather chair. Bullets smacked into it, making nasty crunching noises. A short burst ripped up the table in front. Another few seconds, and he'd be cowering behind splinters. Over to one side, a sturdy-looking chest of drawers promised more enduring cover. He dived for it, snapping off a few random shots, and scrabbled off the line of sight. A few disappointed rounds tore up the carpet nearby, and he snatched the chance to return fire.
