Observer

(Version 1.01 - Last Modified: 10/14/2002)

The Observer was created as a necessary tool for the Dae'Uhl, the stewardship. The Protoss needed a way to secretly observe those under their protection. The Observer is also used to explore unknown territory and to spy on the enemies of the Protoss. The Observers are very useful during combat because the Protoss can see what the enemy is planning and what resources they have available for the battle. When used to explore, an Observer can retrieve soil and atmospheric samples that will help the Protoss determine the risks that a new planet may represent to them. The Observer is equipped with powerful sensors, both technological sensors and psychic detection abilities. The long range communication abilities of Khaydarin Crystals make Observers ideal for exploring dangerous locations.

The Observer is not designed for combat and is not equipped with any weapon systems. But it is equipped with a spatial distortion device that hides it from normal detection. It cannot be located on most detection devices, but it still has mass and devices that detect gravity will be able to locate it, if they are extremely accurate. Psychic or magical means can only detect the presence of the Khaydarin Crystals, but to those unfamiliar to the crystals will be confused by the strange readings.

M.D.C. by location:

• Sensor Array - 20 *
• Engine Thruster - 15
• Main Body - 40 **
• Shield Generator - 60 ***


M.D.C. Armor Rating: 7 (See Mega-Damage Properties for more details on M.D.C. Armor Ratings and M.D.C. Weapon Ratings)
Notes:

*	The sensor array is the most valuable spot of the robot. Destroying the array will make the Observer almost completely blind; it will be forced to rely on its non-visual sensor systems. However, it is a small target surrounded by shielding and difficult to strike, it requires the attacker to make a "called shot," but even then the attacker is -4 to strike.
**	Depleting the M.D.C. of the Main Body will put the robot out of commission. All internal systems will shut down, including the artificial intelligence.
***	The shield generator creates a powerful shield around the robot. At maximum strength the shield has 60 M.D.C. and regenerates at a rate of 5 M.D.C. per melee round. If completely depleted, the shield cannot be recreated for half an hour. After that time it can be reactivated at full strength. Once activated, the shield can remain active indefinitely.

Speed:

• Hover: The Observer hovers off the ground using special anti-gravity generators built into the rear section of the main body. The robot can hover as low as 1' (0.3 m) off the ground up to a height of 10 miles (16.1 km). The robot can hover without moving or it can travel at up to Mach 1 (745 mph / 1200 km/h) in any direction.
• Sublight: Has a special sublight engine that allows the robot to travel up to 2 percent of the speed of light (0.02c). The robot can accelerate / decelerate at the rate of 0.1 percent of light (0.001c) per melee.
• Underwater: The robot can travel up to a maximum speed of 100 mph (161 km/h), and has a maximum depth tolerance of 2 miles (3.2 km).
• Maximum Range: Effectively unlimited by drive system.

Statistical Data:

• Height: 10' (3.1 m)
• Width: 10' (3.1 m)
• Length: 35' (10.7 m)
• Weight: 2 tons (1.8 metric tons)
• Reactor System: Khaydarin Crystal Reactor with a life span of 100 years.
• Propulsion System: Anti-Gravity Generator
• Cargo: None

Weapon Systems:

1. Hand to Hand Combat
   Rather than use a weapon, the robot can engage in hand-to-hand combat.
   • Bonuses:
     • Three attacks per melee
     • +4 to dodge
     • Critical strike on a natural roll of 20
   • Damage:
     • Ram: 1D6x10 M.D. at maximum speed (with a Weapon Rating of 8)

Special Systems:

1. Sensor Systems
   The robot is equipped with an extensive sensor suite revolving around three powerful sensor systems. The first is a powerful radar array that has a range of 2000 miles (3219 km) in an atmosphere and 100,000 miles (160,934 km) in space and uses standard radar waves, which are easy to jam, but it is obvious when the radar is being jammed. The second is a standard gravity sensor that has a range of 50,000 miles (80,467 km), but it can only be used in space and not within the atmosphere of a planet. The final system is a magical energy sensor that will detect anything that has more then 25 points of PPE or ISP, is a supernatural creature or creature of magic, or is a dimensional anomaly within 500 miles (804.7 km) in an atmosphere and 10,000 miles (16,093 km) in space. The Observer also has the following basic sensor systems: a laser detection system and a radar detection system.
2. Optical Systems
   In addition to its extensive sensor suite, the Observer is equipped with an extensive optical system. The Observer has a laser targeting system that can be used to place a laser on a target for Protoss ships and fighters to detect and track. The Observer has the following basic optical systems with a range of 10,000' (3048 m): Thermo-Imager, Night Vision, and Infrared. The robot has an advanced digital camera that has a telescopic lens capable of x100 magnification and can record up to 240 hours of video. The images captured by the digital camera can be stored within the Observer or sent through the communication system.
3. Communication System
   The robot is equipped with a 5 lb (2.3 kg) Khaydarin Crystal. The crystal allows communication with other Crystal Communicators at a range of 50,000 miles (80,467 km) and with other communication devices at half that range.
4. Distortion Device
   In order to protect the relatively fragile robot, the Observer is equipped with a specially designed distortion device that hides from most sensors, all of the commonly known ones, and from visual sight. Unfortunately, the robot still has mass and can be detected by sensitive gravity sensors and since the distortion device uses technology and psychic energy, the See the Invisible spell or psionic power will reveal the presence of the robot.