Space Wizards (info, advice, & suggestions sought)

[BobGreenwade]

I've decided to start bringing together some notes for Space Wizards, and I could use a little input on the following.

1. The Thane. They have a few paragraphs in Terran Empire, but I'm not sure if they're anywhere else (like Arcane Adversaries). It seems to me that there was a villain in one of the old 3rd-ed Enemies books who was a Thane, but I don't recall which book (except that I'm pretty sure it was either Enemies or Enemies II). Any help on finding already-published information on them (especially under 5th Ed) would be appreciated.

2. Styles of magic. I've gotten to look through both FHG's, and I'm going to allow everything there except Beast Magic. But I'm going to add a few more arcana, starting with the obvious: Technomancy (where magic and technology intersect). Based on what's already been seen in TE and AW, does anyone have any other suggestions?

3. Aliens. Does anyone know of any good sources of alien species other than TE, AW, and the write-ups of Star*Guard and his crew in early issues of DH? (And of course the Hemalakites, from The Helmet Of Doctor Destroyer.)

4. Anything else. Besides blending High Fantasy with Space Opera, there will be elements of Pulp action, low-level ("plainclothes") Superheroics, gritty DC, and high-flying martial arts just short of Wuxia. Any resources or specific suggestions would be appreciated.

[Susano]

Try watching the anime Outlaw Star for some examples of blending magic and space opera.

[OddHat]

Biomancy - Magic based around manipulating biological functions, spell based genetic engineering, etc.

Crystal Based Magic - one of the best established tropes of New Age Science meets Magic.

Orders of Jedi and Sith tributes. People will use them anyway, might as well build them in to the setting.

Dream based FTL communication, maybe a full blown Lovecraftian Dreamlands.

Lots of links to the Kings of Edom, bringing them closer to the Lovecraft side of their roots.

Good luck with this.

[Curufea]

And of course the ICE Space Master books.

[BobGreenwade]

Biomancy - Magic based around manipulating biological functions, spell based genetic engineering, etc.

Crystal Based Magic - one of the best established tropes of New Age Science meets Magic.

Orders of Jedi and Sith tributes. People will use them anyway, might as well build them in to the setting.

Dream based FTL communication, maybe a full blown Lovecraftian Dreamlands.

Lots of links to the Kings of Edom, bringing them closer to the Lovecraft side of their roots.Good suggestions all -- especially the crystal, jedi/sith, and Edom ideas. :thumbup:

(Still looking for Thane info....) :(

[Susano]

Outlaw Star has Casterguns, that fire enchanted bullets and Taoist magic, that can do dang near anything. IIRC, the bad guys even attach an enchanted ward to the hero's ship in order to track it via hyperspace.

[BobGreenwade]

Outlaw Star has Casterguns, that fire enchanted bullets and Taoist magic, that can do dang near anything. IIRC, the bad guys even attach an enchanted ward to the hero's ship in order to track it via hyperspace.Sounds like a good idea for technomantic spells... OK, I've requested that the library pick up a copy (it'll probably come via interlibrary loan).

[Supreme Serpent]

IIRC Avar-7 is the guy you're looking for.

edit: Nope, not Avar-7. No direct mentions in Enemies or Enemies II. Closest connection I can find is that in Classic Enemies, Oculon's alien eyes are from the Hzeel, and it's mentioned the Hzeel are enemies of the Thane. In 5th ed VIPER, Oculon's eyes are still from the Hzeel but no specific mention of the Thane.

[Susano]

Sounds like a good idea for technomantic spells... OK, I've requested that the library pick up a copy (it'll probably come via interlibrary loan).

Outlaw Star is 26 episodes. The DVDs come in three volumes, with 2 DVDs per volume.

I have more here:

http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptionsanime/animechar.html#OS

Oh.... there are shape shifters, genetically engineered lizard-men, and assorted ch'i powers.

[Doug Limmer]

To pull out my favorite quote from Outlaw Star:
You cactus bastard! You were behind all this! Ruler of the universe, huh? How come you were selling ice cream?The lizard-man was genetically engineered? I thought they were a separate naturally-occuring race, like the cactus.

[Lord Liaden]

I think I may be able to help you a bit, Bob. :)

1. There hasn't been much more mention of the Thane in official Hero Games books. However, in Digital Hero #5 Scott Bennie wrote an adventure, "Stars Of Blood," which includes a writeup for a Thane necromancer and his undead minions. As he points out, though, this isn't an official writeup; the stats were based on the Thane as he used them in his own campaign. Scott provides a few more details about "his" Thane in this post (http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php?p=718541).

There was also some info about the Thane in the first edition of Champions Universe, for the Fourth Edition CU. To me it looks like that was part of the inspiration for Scott's stuff.

2. I'd say that the real-world magical traditions detailed in The Ultimate Mystic, such as Voodoo and Hermetic Theurgy, would be reasonable to use in a human-occupied future world where magic worked. If you plan to allow low-level supers in your setting, you might also consider the numerous "supermagic" spells from The Mystic World. IIRC TMW also includes Technomancy.

Of course there are several excellent HERO fan websites with writeups for magic spells, artifacts and the like, e.g. the ones by Killer Shrike, Markdoc and Robert Hall, that I could direct you to if you like.

3. For other CU aliens, your best resource would be Digital Hero. For example, DH #8 includes more detailed information about the Osathri, the Shiseki, and the Az'arc'a, including game stats. There's a substantial free sample from that article here (http://www.herogames.com/digitalHero/Samples/dh08_terran_aliens.htm). In DH #9 there are additional tidbits about the various aliens from Terran Empire that were cut from the main book. Again, some of that article is in a free sample (http://www.herogames.com/digitalHero/Samples/dh09leftover_terran_4.htm). There's also an adventure revolving around the Shiseki in DH #11.

Now if you'd like to include true superpowered aliens in your setting, you might want to check out Mike Surbrook's expansion of the Nehkojin (from Ninja HERO) in the upcoming DH #35. This isn't official HU material, but Mike has provided a background that integrates the Nehkojin into the HU.

If you'd just like HERO stats for interesting aliens from various sources, you could always check my RPG conversion list. There you can find detailed stats for aliens from Traveller, GURPS Aliens, and Star Frontiers, among others.

4. You probably have these books already, but just in case ;) : there might be useful campaign guidelines for the kind of game you describe in Ninja HERO, while the various characters in Galactic Champions could be adapted with a power reduction and name change.

I hope that helps. :)

[Susano]

The lizard-man was genetically engineered? I thought they were a separate naturally-occuring race, like the cactus.

Nope... I read somewhere (somewhere! mind you) that the Saurians were developed from Earth lizards.

[Susano]

Now if you'd like to include true superpowered aliens in your setting, you might want to check out Mike Surbrook's expansion of the Nehkojin (from Ninja HERO) in the upcoming DH #35. This isn't official HU material, but Mike has provided a background that integrates the Nehkojin into the HU.

How'd you like them?

Oh, and for the record DH #23 has the M'Larrne, a wolf-like race I also integrated into the CU via some possible options.

[BobGreenwade]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Lord Liaden again.And it was just the kind of info I was looking for, too.... :thumbup:

PS: Mike, I'll be looking at both the Nehkojin and the M'Larrne. I might need to make some adjustments (and explain them using the passage of time and the intervening history), but offhand I can see them working out, at least for my own SW games.

[Lord Liaden]

IIRC Avar-7 is the guy you're looking for.

edit: Nope, not Avar-7. No direct mentions in Enemies or Enemies II. Closest connection I can find is that in Classic Enemies, Oculon's alien eyes are from the Hzeel, and it's mentioned the Hzeel are enemies of the Thane. In 5th ed VIPER, Oculon's eyes are still from the Hzeel but no specific mention of the Thane.

Well, according to Classic Enemies, Avar-7 was vulnerable to magic due to the actions of the Thane, who were enemies of Avar-7's civilization, the Unity (an ancient culture of sentient machines, according to 4E Champions Universe).

4E CU also describes the Thane as a fantastically ancient race of malevolent sorcerors, now existing as undead beings animated through sorcery. I imagine Takofanes would feel right at home amongst them.

[Lord Liaden]

BTW Bob, if you have easy access to it you might look up the Fourth Edition Champs book Alien Enemies for characters and concepts you could use. I can think of a couple that might fit with the campaign you have in mind.

One is the Arcane, a race of pseudo-Lovecraftian creatures dwelling on an dying planet. These creatures are skilled sorcerors, but have almost exhausted the magic on their world, so they seek to conquer another with more potential. They bear obvious similarities to the Thane and could be used to add more details to your version of them. I was always intrigued by their creation of the Midnight Society, humans enthralled by an alien artifact the Arcane sent to Earth, who are working to summon the Arcane themselves to this planet.

Another appropriate concept from Alien Enemies is the Pantheon. This is a group of immortal energy beings (which the 4E Champions Universe book calls "the Alpha") who interact with the physical world by bonding with organic beings, creating a blended personality and granting their "hosts" formidable superhuman powers. They often masquerade as the gods of any planet they visit, Roman gods in the case of Earth. I've used the Alpha in my own campaigns; while the Pantheon from AE were mostly what we'd now call "standard superhero" level, I decided that they were relatively young members of their species, and that ancient Alpha could be far more powerful.

[shadowcat1313]

I think the old villain your thinking of is "The Slug"
but I dont remember which book

The Slug was an elder worm actually, hes from classic enemies, and Conqueors killers and crooks

the connection with the Terran Empire is covered on page 195 in the GMs vault section of the Terran Empire book

[shadowcat1313]

theres a technomage sourcebook for Babylon 5 that might provide some useful ideas

[BobGreenwade]

I think the old villain your thinking of is "The Slug"
but I dont remember which book

The Slug was an elder worm actually, hes from classic enemies, and Conqueors killers and crooks

the connection with the Terran Empire is covered on page 195 in the GMs vault section of the Terran Empire book
I know all about the Slug -- he's in CKC and GC. The Elder Worm and the Thane are two separate (if closely related) species.

The individual I'm thinking of hasn't been seen since way early on, in one of the two original Enemies books (which I have, but seem to have misplaced). He looks like what the description in TE says, essentially a lookalike to an AD&D Mind Flayer.

LL: I have AE, but I'm going to leave that one mostly alone except maybe to "flesh out" my own SW games. For a published version I'm keeping it in the HU.

[Lord Liaden]

I know all about the Slug -- he's in CKC and GC. The Elder Worm and the Thane are two separate (if closely related) species.

The individual I'm thinking of hasn't been seen since way early on, in one of the two original Enemies books (which I have, but seem to have misplaced). He looks like what the description in TE says, essentially a lookalike to an AD&D Mind Flayer.

Hmm... nope, not in the Enemies books. Even the Slug didn't look much like a Mind Flayer in his first incarnation.

Could you possibly be thinking of the Prime, leader of the "Old Ones," from Wrath of the Seven Horsemen? The look of the character is bang-on Flayer, and his main schtick is various mental powers.

Aside from being another ancient alien occult horror, though, he and his minions have no connection to the Thane. They're much more similar to the Elder Worms in both origin and their relation to Lovecraftian "elder gods."



LL: I have AE, but I'm going to leave that one mostly alone except maybe to "flesh out" my own SW games. For a published version I'm keeping it in the HU.

Fair enough. :)

[BobGreenwade]

Hmm... nope, not in the Enemies books. Even the Slug didn't look much like a Mind Flayer in his first incarnation.

Could you possibly be thinking of the Prime, leader of the "Old Ones," from Wrath of the Seven Horsemen? The look of the character is bang-on Flayer, and his main schtick is various mental powers.

Aside from being another ancient alien occult horror, though, he and his minions have no connection to the Thane. They're much more similar to the Elder Worms in both origin and their relation to Lovecraftian "elder gods."

That's entirely possible. I'll check on it.

[Lord Liaden]

This just occurred to me tonight as an element that might fit into your setting: how about the Nagas, the enemies of the Dragon from The Mystic World? We know almost nothing about their origins, other than they're an ancient mystical race that's somehow connected to the Dragon. AFAICT there's nothing to say that the Nagas don't originate from another planet in this galaxy. Given that they seem to be on Humanity's side against the Dragon, they would probably become involved as mankind moved out to the stars, as long as magic is still potent.

[BobGreenwade]

This just occurred to me tonight as an element that might fit into your setting: how about the Nagas, the enemies of the Dragon from The Mystic World? We know almost nothing about their origins, other than they're an ancient mystical race that's somehow connected to the Dragon. AFAICT there's nothing to say that the Nagas don't originate from another planet in this galaxy. Given that they seem to be on Humanity's side against the Dragon, they would probably become involved as mankind moved out to the stars, as long as magic is still potent.Great call! I think they're actually written up somewhere, but they definitely should be included in the Space Wizards setting. (And the Dragon is certainly active during the SW era....)

[Lord Liaden]

Yes, the Nagas are described and statted in The Mystic World. Wherever the Dragon appears, they're sure to follow. ;)

[Susano]

Yes, the Nagas are described and statted in The Mystic World. Wherever the Dragon appears, they're sure to follow. ;)

The Asian Bestiary has naga as well. Okay, mythological naga, but you might find the power sets useful.

[BobGreenwade]

OK, I have TMW at home, so I'll go look that up tonight. (AB1 is on order....)

[Susano]

ABII will contain a beast that can eat a star ship. Literarily. Give it the ability to move in space and you have a great monster for the setting.

[Lord Liaden]

OK, I have TMW at home, so I'll go look that up tonight. (AB1 is on order....)

As long as you're looking through TMW, I'd suggest taking a gander at the section on the Kings of Edom. There's some mention there of the Kings' influence and legacy on other worlds than Earth, which might spark some ideas. For that matter we also have the names and a few sparse details about the entities which originally opposed and imprisoned the Kings. They're pretty much wide open for development; some of them could very well be the gods of alien worlds, largely forgotten except perhaps for ancient ruins or isolated temples.

And of course there may be a few hellish planets serving as prisons for a King or two... :fear:

[BobGreenwade]

As long as you're looking through TMW, I'd suggest taking a gander at the section on the Kings of Edom. There's some mention there of the Kings' influence and legacy on other worlds than Earth, which might spark some ideas. For that matter we also have the names and a few sparse details about the entities which originally opposed and imprisoned the Kings. They're pretty much wide open for development; some of them could very well be the gods of alien worlds, largely forgotten except perhaps for ancient ruins or isolated temples.

And of course there may be a few hellish planets serving as prisons for a King or two... :fear:
Oh, don't worry -- there'll be plenty of work for me to do with the Kings of Edom. The Elder Worm are one of the Major Baddies in the SW setting, and they serve the Edomites; the Kings have other finger-holds in the Milky Way as well.

I also recall a planet described in TMW (the name escapes me) whose entire environment is intricately affected by the presence of magic -- its sun is being eaten by a Qliphothic being, or some such. I'm going to want to do something with them, too (the details may be a matter for later discussion on this board).

[BobGreenwade]

ABII will contain a beast that can eat a star ship. Literarily. Give it the ability to move in space and you have a great monster for the setting.I'd been hoping to include something like that. :D

[Lord Liaden]

It's almost a shame that you're using the official Champions Universe as the basis for Space Wizards, because the Bedwyr and the Maylor from the universe of The Kandris Seal would be absolutely tailor-made for it. If you're trying to publish this I guess that would be a no-no :( , but they'd be very easy for anyone to introduce to a SW campaign of their own. :)

[BobGreenwade]

It's almost a shame that you're using the official Champions Universe as the basis for Space Wizards, because the Bedwyr and the Maylor from the universe of The Kandris Seal would be absolutely tailor-made for it. If you're trying to publish this I guess that would be a no-no :( , but they'd be very easy for anyone to introduce to a SW campaign of their own. :)A few things like this, and references to Alien Enemies, might be acceptable for an Appendix ("Here are some other resources for potential use in this setting"). ;)

[Chris Goodwin]

First, just want to say -- yummy! :)


3. Aliens. Does anyone know of any good sources of alien species other than TE, AW, and the write-ups of Star*Guard and his crew in early issues of DH? (And of course the Hemalakites, from The Helmet Of Doctor Destroyer.)


I haven't read the whole thread, so undoubtedly someone else has popped up with this one, but I think that in Strike Force Aaron Allston pulled out all of the at-the-time extant alien races and listed them.

[BobGreenwade]

First, just want to say -- yummy! :)Thanks! :D
I haven't read the whole thread, so undoubtedly someone else has popped up with this one, but I think that in Strike Force Aaron Allston pulled out all of the at-the-time extant alien races and listed them.Actually, since I'm trying to keep this as close to the published Hero Universe as possible (if only to aid with players' familiarity), that book would be way out of the strike zone for this purpose. I have it, and it probably has a few campaign ideas I can mine, but not much else.

[Lord Liaden]

Bob, I was wondering if you'd given any thought to using DEMON in your setting? There's virtually nothing said about it following the Edomite's master plan, but it would be a shame to waste such a rich evil occult organization if they could be useful.

I have a few thoughts and suggestions, if you'd be interested.

[BobGreenwade]

Bob, I was wondering if you'd given any thought to using DEMON in your setting? There's virtually nothing said about it following the Edomite's master plan, but it would be a shame to waste such a rich evil occult organization if they could be useful.

I have a few thoughts and suggestions, if you'd be interested.
As far as I'm concerned, DEMON eventually became the Church of the Infinite Darkness. (And I'll probably even try to sneak a Morbane in there somehow....)

[OddHat]

As far as I'm concerned, DEMON eventually became the Church of the Infinite Darkness. (And I'll probably even try to sneak a Morbane in there somehow....)

So you don't plan to have Demon become a mainstream church? Fundamentalist Edomites claiming that fiction is blasphemous and all a child needs is one book, the Kabalahanomicon? Mainstream Edomites kind of sheepish about the miracles and magic their faith is based on, writing books about how the Kings of Edom are just a metaphor? Edomite kids at Saturday School bored out of their minds, proudly declaring that "There is no Quipthotic Realm!" as if it were a shocking truth and then feeling terribly nervous because they fear they may be right?

OK, just me then.

[Lord Liaden]

As far as I'm concerned, DEMON eventually became the Church of the Infinite Darkness. (And I'll probably even try to sneak a Morbane in there somehow....)

Cool. :cool:

If you do have access to DEMON: Servants Of Darkness, I'll just point out that both The Left Hand and Demoiselle Nocturne are immortal. :eg:

[BobGreenwade]

So you don't plan to have Demon become a mainstream church? Fundamentalist Edomites claiming that fiction is blasphemous and all a child needs is one book, the Kabalahanomicon? Mainstream Edomites kind of sheepish about the miracles and magic their faith is based on, writing books about how the Kings of Edom are just a metaphor? Edomite kids at Saturday School bored out of their minds, proudly declaring that "There is no Quipthotic Realm!" as if it were a shocking truth and then feeling terribly nervous because they fear they may be right?

OK, just me then.
Uh... no. :whistle:

[BobGreenwade]

Cool. :cool:

If you do have access to DEMON: Servants Of Darkness, I'll just point out that both The Left Hand and Demoiselle Nocturne are immortal. :eg:
I don't have it now, but I do plan on getting both it and Arcane Adversaries before I "go live" with SW.

[BobGreenwade]

Another item to ask for you folks....

I'm wanting to import the "Two-Fisted Hero" Package Deal from Pulp Hero, but the name is a bit too "literary" for my tastes (that is, it's more like what the reader would call the hero, not observers in the same world). Basically I'm looking for what to call someone who's wealthy (10 points of Wealth) and uses his wealth to finance his adventurers. (If nobody comes up with anything suitably colorful, I'll probably just say "Wealthy Adventurer.")

[Susano]

Steal a hint from Traveller. "Patron."

[OddHat]

Another item to ask for you folks....

I'm wanting to import the "Two-Fisted Hero" Package Deal from Pulp Hero, but the name is a bit too "literary" for my tastes (that is, it's more like what the reader would call the hero, not observers in the same world). Basically I'm looking for what to call someone who's wealthy (10 points of Wealth) and uses his wealth to finance his adventurers. (If nobody comes up with anything suitably colorful, I'll probably just say "Wealthy Adventurer.")

Patron is good.

Dilettante

Playboy

Noble

[BobGreenwade]

I'd like something that doesn't just address the wealth, but also the adventuring aspects, so it conjures up images of Clark "Doc" Savage, Bruce Wayne, and similar people who really apply themselves.

Based on what's been said so far, "Adventuring Patron" seems to work.

(One of the sample PCs -- the team leader -- is going to be one, and I don't want to call him a "Two-Fisted Hero" for the above reasons... not to mention that he's a Catavalan. ;))

[OddHat]

I'd like something that doesn't just address the wealth, but also the adventuring aspects, so it conjures up images of Clark "Doc" Savage, Bruce Wayne, and similar people who really apply themselves.

Based on what's been said so far, "Adventuring Patron" seems to work.

(One of the sample PCs -- the team leader -- is going to be one, and I don't want to call him a "Two-Fisted Hero" for the above reasons... not to mention that he's a Catavalan. ;))

Wealthy Adventurer might also be a good choice.
Millionaire Adventurer
Playboy Adventurer
etc.

[BlackSword]

It is set in space, so you could replace adventurer with spacefarer. Millionaire Spacefarer.

[BobGreenwade]

I've decided to go with Adventuring Patron.

Spacefarer is good too; I may do something else with it.

Thanks for all the suggestions.... more info to come! :D

[BobGreenwade]

For those following this setting, I've decided to go with the following three "new" arcana for Space Wizards:

Aether Magic, the magic of space travel, manipulating the forces that exist in the vacuum of space (sort of a "Dark Matter" thing). This includes some forces that could make a mage powerful enough to take on a starship one-on-one, though the magic only works in the gravity-free vacuum of open space.

Crystal Magic, which name I may change to Chrystomancy, the aforementioned arcana based on the power of crystals.

Technomancy, the arcana that I started this thread with.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions on this point... and I'll still welcome any further concrete suggestions. :)

[Lord Liaden]

Well, I am curious as what your position might be on alien gods/spiritual entities. The official CU sourcebooks seem to follow the usual mainstream comic tack, in that Earth is unusual in having real mythological gods who walk the contemporary world; but in an era of high magic it doesn't necessarily have to be unique in that regard. In fact Desert Dragon, of the Sword of Ackal in Galactic Champions, was apparently granted her powers by one such Ackalian spirit.

I was thinking that certain alien religions might lend themselves to beings with "divine" origins, such as the Avatars of the Velarian Scomaru Shaan.

[BobGreenwade]

Well, I am curious as what your position might be on alien gods/spiritual entities. The official CU sourcebooks seem to follow the usual mainstream comic tack, in that Earth is unusual in having real mythological gods who walk the contemporary world; but in an era of high magic it doesn't necessarily have to be unique in that regard. In fact Desert Dragon, of the Sword of Ackal in Galactic Champions, was apparently granted her powers by one such Ackalian spirit.

I was thinking that certain alien religions might lend themselves to beings with "divine" origins, such as the Avatars of the Velarian Scomaru Shaan.I'm kind of leaning that way myself. I don't know that I'd put a lot of details into a setting book, but at least mentioning the possibility should be handy if a player or GM wants to go that way.

[Lord Liaden]

Sorry about the thread necromancy, but Bob's recent mention of his Space Wizards setting on another thread prompted me to go back over a few thoughts.

My personal favorite character from the 4E Champions Universe was Nuada of the Silver Hand, from Kingdom of Champions. The inspiration for the legendary Irish god, Nuada was rebuilt as an incredibly advanced immortal cyborg warrior through the actions of the Progenitors. Seeing as the Progenitors existed in the 5E CU, and that some of their techology has been mentioned as still existing in this galaxy, it wouldn't be unreasonable for characters to have origins based on discovering it. This would have the advantage of adding another technological element to the SW setting so that it isn't completely dominated by magic, which is something that Bob suggested he wanted.

I posited just such an origin for a character that Mike Surbrook wrote up for the Galactic Champions era, Nina Corovic (http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42099).

[BobGreenwade]

I don't mind the thread necromancy.

And Progenitor tech isn't a bad idea. I'd actually been contemplating doing a bit more with the Progenitors anyway; I just haven't been sure quite what.

[name_tamer]

STAR HERO SPOILERS BELOW (White Text, Edited to Add Spoiler Space):





















The official CU 5E version of the Thane are written up in the GM's Vault section of Worlds of Empire.

I didn't get a lot of details because I was just browsing in my FLGS and didn't have the bread to shell out for both that and Ultimate Speedster, but Bob, you may want to check this out.

[Susano]

STAR HERO SPOILERS BELOW (White Text):


The official CU 5E version of the Thane are written up in the GM's Vault section of Worlds of Empire.

I didn't get a lot of details because I was just browsing in my FLGS and didn't have the bread to shell out for both that and Ultimate Speedster, but Bob, you may want to check this out.

I hate to tell you this, but those of use who use the gray background version of the boards can read this just fine.

[name_tamer]

I hate to tell you this, but those of use who use the gray background version of the boards can read this just fine.

Well, oops. I edited the post to add a little "spoiler space," but other than that it will just have to be caveat lector.

[Lucius]

Forgive me if this has been mentioned, but has anyone read Silence in Solitude?

Lucius Alexander

The palindromedary remarks that we need to get the prequel someday...

[BobGreenwade]

I hate to tell you this, but those of use who use the gray background version of the boards can read this just fine.I'm aware of the fact anyway.

I do have WOE on order. Thanks for the tip anyway, though, nt. :)

[BobGreenwade]

Forgive me if this has been mentioned, but has anyone read Silence in Solitude?If it's appropriate as inspiration to the setting, an author's name (or, better yet, link to the Amazon page) would be very helpful.... ;)

[NinjaGeek]

Bob,

Is this going to be an official published Hero setting? If not, are you going to be making the setting available on the web?

[Lucius]

The author is Melissa Scott; it's part of a series, but I only read the one, and that was years ago. However, it was one of the most wonderful and imaginative treatments of "space wizards" I have ever seen; the sort of thing I'd go back and re-read if I could find it, if I were setting out to do an interplanetary magical game.
The author actually knows her magick.

The first book was Five Twelfths of Heaven; Silence in Solitudecame after, followed by Empress of Earth. The Trilogy was also published together as Roads of Heaven.

Lucius Alexander

The palindromedary offers this Wikipedia link for the author: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melissa_Scott
And this site about the author too:
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/s/melissa-scott/

[BobGreenwade]

Bob,

Is this going to be an official published Hero setting? If not, are you going to be making the setting available on the web?Not officially published by DOJ. Once I'm close to done with the manuscript (which I'm fitting between a novel and rewrites on about a half-dozen plays -- though I'm currently about 1/3 to 1/2 done overall) I'll talk to Steve about licensing. (I also know I'm going to have to line up some artwork and a bunch of other stuff, but right now I'm focusing on the setting.)

[Adventus]

Thread necromancy!

I would sugget reading the following books by Lilith Saintcrow:

Working for the devil

Dead Man Rising

They take place in a future where magic and psionics exist side by side. The main character is a Necromancer who raises the spirits of murdered people to help find their killers.

[Lord Liaden]

As long as this thread has been revived ([Colin Clive] "It's alive! IT'S ALIIIVE!!"[/Colin Clive]), I was considering the possibility of some of the Az'arc'a using "containment suits" (technological and/or magical) to enable them to survive in an atmosphere/gravity well and interact with material beings. If they could also use some of their natural abilities through these suits, such as their energy-projection power, they could make effective and useful PCs.

[BlackSword]

As long as this thread has been revived ([Colin Clive] "It's alive! IT'S ALIIIVE!!"[/Colin Clive]), I was considering the possibility of some of the Az'arc'a using "containment suits" (technological and/or magical) to enable them to survive in an atmosphere/gravity well and interact with material beings. If they could also use some of their natural abilities through these suits, such as their energy-projection power, they could make effective and useful PCs.
Even though it was mentioned in the other thread, Az'arc'a could be used to animate golems. This could be a choice to interact with the physical world, or could be a trap by a wizard to animate his creation.

[BobGreenwade]

As long as this thread has been revived ([Colin Clive] "It's alive! IT'S ALIIIVE!!"[/Colin Clive]), I was considering the possibility of some of the Az'arc'a using "containment suits" (technological and/or magical) to enable them to survive in an atmosphere/gravity well and interact with material beings. If they could also use some of their natural abilities through these suits, such as their energy-projection power, they could make effective and useful PCs.I had planned on downplaying the Az'arc'a, but this is a really clever idea and could be interesting.... :cool:

[Lord Liaden]

Pardon the thread necromancy, Bob, but as I just remembered that there was a scenario posited in the DEMON sourcebook by which Sharna-Gorak would reemerge in the Galactic Champions era, is there any possibility that we'll see him or his machinations in Space Wizards? At the very least he could easily be part of this timeline, one reason for the disastrous collapse of interstellar civilization. Some of his legacy might still be reverberating in the SW era.

[BobGreenwade]

No pardoning ever needed for thread necromancy where SW is concerned. :D

I will be using Sharna-Gorak in SW. I don't expect to include a character sheet (the 3500 editions of Mechanon and Viperia are enough for uber-powerful villains in this setting), but he'll be around in person and controlling some Really Bad Stuff.

[Lord Liaden]

Awesome! This all sounds like a grand era to adventure in, but I'm starting to be really glad I'm not living in it. :fear:

;)

[UltraRob]

ORION (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/manga.php?id=4038)is perhaps the most detailed (OVERDETAILED) science fantasy story ever done, and apparently is being reprinted right now! Rarely mentioned, barely understood, and quite a trippy read.

Rob

[Susano]

ORION (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/manga.php?id=4038)is perhaps the most detailed (OVERDETAILED) science fantasy story ever done, and apparently is being reprinted right now! Rarely mentioned, barely understood, and quite a trippy read.

Ooohhh......

[UltraRob]

Ooohhh......

Well I knew I didn't need to tell YOU this! :thumbup:

Rob

[Susano]

Well I knew I didn't need to tell YOU this! :thumbup:

Rob

Ya think?

Actually, I never knew these were being made. I wonder if I should get any.