Hero Universe background

[Lord Liaden]

When and how did the Malvan Empire collapse?

I know about the effects of the Elder Worm curse and that the Malvans today only control their own planet, but I'm interested in the process of collapse for campaign and character purposes, especially if it's likely to become canon one day. Champions Universe shows a large swath of space labeled "Former Malvan territory," so I assume Malva had ceased to be an imperial power by the year 2002; but how far in the past did they control that space? Did they suffer a gradual erosion of territory as they let their control slip? Was there a revolt they couldn't be bothered to put down? Or did their subjects just wake up one day and realize their Malvan overlords had stopped paying attention to them? Was their empire at its peak even larger than what's shown on the CU map?

I'd appreciate any input you're prepared to offer. :)

[Steve Long]

I plan to cover the Malvans in some detail in Champions Beyond when it comes time to write that book. Until then I'd rather not get locked into too many specifics. We know the Malvans fought the Elder Worm approximately 500,000 years ago, and that at or around that time they ruled roughly half the Milky Way Galaxy. Since then it's safe to say that as their society has become more decadent their empire has shrunk -- not due to inability to hold it, but lack of interest in holding it. As you say, one day someone in a particular area of the Galaxy dared to defy his Malvan overlords... only to discover they weren't paying any attention to his world anymore. ;)

There have undoubtedly been some times and places where individual Malvans bucked that trend. (For an example of just such a Malvan, see Tateklys in the forthcoming Scourges Of The Galaxy.) But by and large I imagine it's been a pretty consistent progressive shrinkage over the millennia.

[Lord Liaden]

I plan to cover the Malvans in some detail in Champions Beyond when it comes time to write that book. Until then I'd rather not get locked into too many specifics.

I rather expected you to say that, but I understand your position. :yes: Thanks for this summary, though. I think it's enough for me to work with.

As I've said before, I'm really, really looking forward to Champions Beyond. :bounce: And the waiting and delays have been torture. :( (I don't really expect that to make the book come any faster -- I just wanted to make you feel my pain.) :eg:

[Steve Long]

I don't feel that sort of pain. Remember, I have no soul and I hate people. :eek: :eg: :D

Believe you me, I'm looking forward to writing Champions Beyond as much as you are to reading it. Heck, at this point, Cryptic's coming up with enough related material that it's likely to become a pretty big book... or maybe two books or something.

[Bazza]

I don't feel that sort of pain. Remember, I have no soul and I hate people. :eek: :eg: :D

Believe you me, I'm looking forward to writing Champions Beyond as much as you are to reading it. Heck, at this point, Cryptic's coming up with enough related material that it's likely to become a pretty big book... or maybe two books or something.

Why restrict yourself to just two books? Make it three books and publish one every 6 months. :eg:

[Lord Liaden]

Believe you me, I'm looking forward to writing Champions Beyond as much as you are to reading it. Heck, at this point, Cryptic's coming up with enough related material that it's likely to become a pretty big book... or maybe two books or something.

Now that sounds promising. :) Hmm... if it's substantial enough it might be appropriate to follow the precedent for The Mystic World and Arcane Adversaries, with the majority of the setting background in one book, and the majority of the characters in the other. As long as I don't have to wait too long between them. :rolleyes: Speaking of which...



Why restrict yourself to just two books? Make it three books and publish one every 6 months. :eg:

Bite your tongue! After all this time I'm not waiting any stinkin' 6 months for a followup book, let alone a year to get the whole thing! :no:

[Steve Long]

Hmm... if it's substantial enough it might be appropriate to follow the precedent for The Mystic World and Arcane Adversaries, with the majority of the setting background in one book, and the majority of the characters in the other.

In this case I'd be more likely to split it up along geographical lines, such as "a book on the Sol System" and "a book on everything beyond the Sol System." Or "planets where waffles are regarded as food" and "planets where waffles are regarded as religious icons." Or the like. :eek: :sneaky: :hex:

[Lord Liaden]

Or planets with a variation on the Catholic Holy Communion ritual, where waffles can be both. :D

What specifically prompted my question was an idea for a time-travel adventure in which modern Malvans who want to reverse the decline of their world travel back in time to one or more key events in Malva's history and attempt to change the outcome to revitalize their people. PCs would have to prevent the resurgence of Malvan power changing their own present (perhaps with a motivating glimpse into the unpleasantness that Earth would experience as a province of Malva).

I should probably wait until I have Champions Beyond before I try to design that adventure. I'm sure it will provide much inspiration. OTOH I should take a look at Tateklys in Scourges Of The Galaxy -- he sounds like he might work. Maybe even bring in the Galactic Champions version of Firewing, who'd likely be sympathetic to such a plan.

[Lord Liaden]

We know the Malvans fought the Elder Worm approximately 500,000 years ago, and that at or around that time they ruled roughly half the Milky Way Galaxy.

Having taken another look at this line, I want to make sure I understand the scope of this war. Are you implying that at the time the Malvans ruled half the galaxy, the Elder Worm ruled the other half?! :eek:

[ghost-angel]

If you start adding all the pieces up... yes, that should be an accurate statement.

Imagine playing in THAT setting.

[Steve Long]

Are you implying that at the time the Malvans ruled half the galaxy, the Elder Worm ruled the other half?!

Well, I haven't worked out the specifics, but yeah, the Elder Worm were more or less in charge of more or less half of the Milky Way at that time, according to my current thinking. You don't see more signs of it because the Malvans were, let us say, very thorough at wiping out their enemy. Very thorough.


Imagine playing in THAT setting.

AAMOF, I have a mini-campaign for it, The Golden Hunters, that I've wanted to write up for some time as a Hero Plus Adventure or something. The PCs are Golden Hunters of Malva, built on probably around 1,000 Character Points and immensely powerful (in a "let's just crack the planet open and be done with it" sort of way)... but of course their enemies are their equal in their own fashion. Or maybe I'll just cover it in detail in Champs Beyond.

[ghost-angel]

AAMOF, I have a mini-campaign for it, The Golden Warriors, that I've wanted to write up for some time as a Hero Plus Adventure or something. The PCs are Golden Warriors of Malva, built on probably around 1,000 Character Points and immensely powerful (in a "let's just crack the planet open and be done with it" sort of way)... but of course their enemies are their equal in their own fashion. Or maybe I'll just cover it in detail in Champs Beyond.

Hero Plus Adventure, Champions Beyond.

I don't care where it is, I wanna see it!

[Lord Liaden]

Well, I haven't worked out the specifics, but yeah, the Elder Worm were more or less in charge of more or less half of the Milky Way at that time, according to my current thinking. You don't see more signs of it because the Malvans were, let us say, very thorough at wiping out their enemy. Very thorough.



AAMOF, I have a mini-campaign for it, The Golden Warriors, that I've wanted to write up for some time as a Hero Plus Adventure or something. The PCs are Golden Warriors of Malva, built on probably around 1,000 Character Points and immensely powerful (in a "let's just crack the planet open and be done with it" sort of way)... but of course their enemies are their equal in their own fashion. Or maybe I'll just cover it in detail in Champs Beyond.

That is one of the most epic supers campaign concepts I've ever seen. :hail: Cosmic interstellar superheroes :dyn versus imperialistic cosmic predators :ugly: for the literal fate of the galaxy. I agree with ghost-angel, this must appear somewhere!

(BTW Terran Empire called them the "Golden Hunters," but it might be cool if there were at least two distinct specialties of Malvan supers, those who are stand-up fighters and those who strike from the shadows. More potential variety in characters and missions.)

[Bazza]

Hero Plus Adventure, Champions Beyond.

I don't care where it is, I wanna see it!

A Hero Plus Adventure being smaller and easier to produce would increase the likeihood of getting it sooner.

[Lord Liaden]

A Hero Plus Adventure being smaller and easier to produce would increase the likeihood of getting it sooner.

True, but I get the impression from his remarks above that Steve would like to work out more of the history of Malva (which he plans to put in Champions Beyond) before detailing something this specific.

[Steve Long]

Yes, Golden Hunters. That's what I said. :D

[Hermit]

As THIS (http://www.herogames.com/forums/showpost.php?p=227521&postcount=34) now ancient (By posting standards) concept might suggest, I would be all over any 'Golden Hunters of Malva' like white on rice.

In Champions Beyond, or its own Hero Plus book. I appeal to the ...
(no soul and hating people? This will be tricky

mmm)

do it because it shows those wimpy Earthlings you no doubt despise what REAL cosmic badasses are like ;)

[Enforcer84]

I too would like to be white rice.

or something.