2 Vargr Questions

A thread of 2 messages, 18 March 1993 to 19 March 1993, in the order they were sent.

#5317 2 Vargr Questions

Hiya,

Here's an odd observation for you:
Vargr vision is known to be poor perception of color due to the fact that
there are fewer cones (I think) in the canine eye.  The difference being
that they have a greater proportion of rods in their eyes.  Correct?

Also, Vargr are supposed to have poorer night vision than humans.  The
Alien Module says they have an additional -1 to their vision at night
or other low light situations.

BUT, Rods actually are BETTER at detecting light than the color sensitive
cones!  This is why a faint star that is not visible to the human fovea
(where cones are prevalent) *IS* visible to the peripheral vision of the
human eye.  Thus Vargr should have Better low light vision than humans.

Any ideas?

Oh, we also are told, that the bipedal digitigrade stance of the Vargr
and the structure of their foot makes a kicking blow all but
ineffective when made by a Vargr.  That seems to make sence, but consider
what digitigrade bipeds there are.

The only digitigrade biped I can think of, is the Ostrich.  Admittedly,
they're a lot larger than a Vargr, but still they Do have a nasty kick!

Comments?  Ideas?

Scott 2G Kellogg
BTW, Congratulations go out to Joe Heck and Matt Goldman who actually DO
read the MegaTrav craft designs I post.   :-)

#5319 Re: 2 Vargr Questions

>Hiya,
>
>Here's an odd observation for you:
>Vargr vision is known to be poor perception of color due to the fact that
>there are fewer cones (I think) in the canine eye.  The difference being
>that they have a greater proportion of rods in their eyes.  Correct?
>
>Also, Vargr are supposed to have poorer night vision than humans.  The
>Alien Module says they have an additional -1 to their vision at night
>or other low light situations.
>
>BUT, Rods actually are BETTER at detecting light than the color sensitive
>cones!  This is why a faint star that is not visible to the human fovea
>(where cones are prevalent) *IS* visible to the peripheral vision of the
>human eye.  Thus Vargr should have Better low light vision than humans.
>
>Any ideas?

This is an interesting slip on the part of the rule writers. I do in
fact believe that Vargr have slightly better night and peripheral
vision than humans, but their depth perception and color vision
suffer.

>Oh, we also are told, that the bipedal digitigrade stance of the Vargr
>and the structure of their foot makes a kicking blow all but
>ineffective when made by a Vargr.  That seems to make sence, but consider
>what digitigrade bipeds there are.
>
>The only digitigrade biped I can think of, is the Ostrich.  Admittedly,
>they're a lot larger than a Vargr, but still they Do have a nasty kick!
>
>Comments?  Ideas?

IMO, they're referring to a kick the way a human would kick, by swinging
the leg forward and up. This would be ineffective, it's true. However,
a digitigrade stance and powerful haunches make OTHER forms of kicking
EXTREMELY effective. A sweeping roundhouse kick, wheel kick, or simple
rear kick (please don't ask me to supply the Japanese terms, it's been
years since I set foot in a dojo and I'm weak and flabby and useless
now) would be even more effective from a Vargr than a human, especially
when the Vargr's long, tough hind claws are figured into the equation.
A properly trained Vargr can disembowel an opponent with one sweep
of his hind leg, and kick down doors that would resist most Humans.


- --
mike metlay * atomic city * box 81175 pgh pa 15217-0675 * [email removed]
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"accurate, albeit a bit ruthless"        (s. cantor, describing guess who?)