Alpha Dawn - Star Frontiersman

Melee
Weapons
Science Fiction is full of different kinds of cultures
and technologies, and Melee Weapons are not
necessarily a thing of archaic past.
Monoblades
In the equipment section, there exists rules for sonic
and electric/vibro weaponry. But science fiction is
ripe with a technology called monofilament blades,
and if the referee allows, you may purchase these
additional three items.
Construction. Mono weapons utilize a
monofilament wire specially treated with galvatronic
force fields and have their molecules aligned with
high intensity lasers. The end result is a blade
whose leading edge is only a single molecule wide,
and it keeps its edge through a great deal of use.
By necessity and economics, mono-bladed weapons
are single-bladed (having one sharp side, and one
blunt) and therefore the favored configurations are
oriental in style (Katanas, Tantos and Wakizashis)
with some Mono Sabers seeing use in the various
space navies.
Monofilament Glow. Swinging the blade through
the air causes molecules in the air to be alive with
phosphorescent activity as molecules are displaced
by the blade. This gives a mono blade in motion the
effect of glowing, though in truth it is the air which
reacts to its movements.
Worn Blades. The only limitation on monofilament
blades is that their edge will eventually dull. At the
end of a session of play where a monofilament blade
was used, roll d100. There is a base 3% chance
that the blade has dulled. A dulled blade loses 1d10
from its damage rating until it can be repaired.
Repairing a worn monoblade costs half its normal
purchase price.
Defensive
Equipment
Most starting characters can’t afford anything
defensive. Power screens are ungodly expensive.
But not all people in the frontier wear military
skeinsuits. In fact, smaller security agencies tend to
wear much less.
This section includes new pieces of armor and
headware that were omitted from the game, but
have a place in the Star Frontiers (or any science
fiction) setting.
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