Venusian Skies - Overview

[TheUdjat]

Venusian Skies is a homebrew setting I'm creating for the d20 system, probably based around M&M (or maybe d20 Modern). The original synopsis of the project can be found here. In short, it is a Victorian-inspired setting blending elements of horror, steampunk, adventure, and a dash of fantasy to create something that I have great difficulty trying to summarize in one or two sentences.

It is also a setting that I'd like to work with other people to create. I expect it to be ongoing for quite a while, but if it ever gets finished, even in a 'beta' format, I'd be happy to run adventures with it to test it out and put it to use. It is a massive undertaking though - it requires extensive material to be created for the setting, and tweaks to d20's system to fit the image in my head. It is ambitious, to say the least. But I also hope it'll be fun, especially when it's finished.

This post will serve to give a basic summary of what is needed for the setting, provide a mission statement, and a place for general discussion about Venusian Skies. As always, I am open to alternative ideas.

Mission Statement
To create a setting for these boards (and possibly more) using a variant of the d20 system, with elements from Mutants and Masterminds, Urban Arcana, and other material as needed. Priority is focused on the flavor rather than the mechanical aspects of this creation, for the time being.

Creating a world requires several key elements. These will be broken up into individual threads to be fleshed out in greater details, and I will provide whatever tentative thoughts I have had so far regarding them. Then discussion will ensue, and as elements get decided, the main post in that thread will be updated with the new information. It will be ever-evolving.

Since I'm new to this whole group worldbuilding concept, we'll probably adjust these procedures as we go, playing it by ear.

What needs to be designed:
Life on Venus - Factual data, like the length of days, duration of the night, climate and climate-related anomalies, and basic facts about living on Venus. This is a blending of science-fiction thought, real-life data, and complete fantasy (this is, after all, a Terra-formed Venus, and I plan to leave the details of that very unexplained for my personal convenience).

People of Venus - People, places, cultures, and customs. This is the meat of the flavor. Here we discuss the Aphrodite Empire, the various primative and unusual societies scattered across Venus, and other elements of civilization.

History of Venus - Backstory, history, and all the elements that got Venus to the 'current' portion of the timeline. This will involve slightly more science fiction than the rest of the world-building, since it will actually discuss colonization (to some extent). It will also discuss the difference between actual history and history as the people on Venus know it - there will be a significant difference.

Technology and Magic - This thread will discuss the differences and relationship between technology and magic, and the relative levels of each on Venus. It will also go into the mechanics of magic, which I plan to work differently than classic D&D magic. It will also discuss the role of each in the world, particularly in Aphrodite.

Dangers of Venus - This will focus very particularly on monsters, but will to a lesser extent cover other dangers and challenges outside of civilization.

Nuts and Bolts (Added 1/16/08) - A new section, replacing the old rules discussions (of which there were none) from 'House Rules' and 'Advanced Classes'. It is possible (likely?) that d20 Modern will no longer be the vessel for this construction.

Can anyone think of something I've missed?

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Lastly, I'd like people who are planning to contribute to the setting to post in this thread, at the very least to let me know you're here. You don't have to be here from square one - this is open to people joining in 'whenever'. Just introduce yourself and jump right in.

Updated as of 1/16/08. Revised mission statement, took out some d20 modern references, adjusted the 'sections', considering I've jiggered them around.

[VemuKhaham]

I guess I said some things about needing to really get into an idea to really be able to contribute, and some things about needing to have enough time on my hands, but I guess there's a lot of reasons as well for me to get into this.

First, I see the way you are setting this project up and I like it. I've always thought that the one thing these boards were missing was a setting creation project. I hoped the guild game would fill that void, but it sadly did not, perhaps because of lack of ambition and organization. But as far as I can get to know someone through these boards, I know that once you set your mind upon something, you're able to finish it. I mean, you wrote a complete book and all that.

And perhaps even more important, I really like the flavor as I already said. I'd be especially interested in helping you out concerning the categories you called 'people of Venus' and 'history of Venus', since those are the things I usually like and I'm really terrible at mechanics, physics and the like.

Still, I have the feeling that I need to read into this even better, cause it's important that I really understand what you're going for. Also, I'm unsure if my scarce knowledge of Venusian conditions will be a difficulty, because of course living conditions are important when trying to design pretty much anything. I read all your threads so far, but I'm still unsure... Perhaps that means I'll adopt a wait-and-see attitude, just for the moment, and pop in whenever I feel like I'm getting the image right and some sudden inspiration hits me.

[Arclite]

You ever get the feeling that somethings just bigger than you? Something on an epic scale that sometimes certain people just have a hard time wrapping their mind around? Like the size of a skyscraper or bridge, or the awesomeness of a giant ship or plane? That animals like Woolly Mammoths and Dinosaurs are just more massive than you thought they were?

Well thats the feeling that I'm getting off of this and I must confess It's got me feeling downright giddy! I'll get cracking on the Dangers of Venus and The Life on Venus sections immediately, and show you the results of my efforts in a few days. Biology can be fascinating and I plan not to disappoint in my creation of a terraformed and alien Ecosystem. As for the physics of the world, I will supplement various real facts with science that could terraform the world and show how that would effect the overall landscape and life styles of the planet.

Vemu, We'll probably have to coordinate our efforts as the people are often shaped by the wildlife and vice versa. And don't forget the adaptations to lifestyle due to environmental causes. Keep in touch!

Cheers! There is much work to do!

[TheUdjat]

You guys flatter me, but thank you. It's good to have you both aboard. I like seeing your ideas elsewhere, so I know I'll like 'em here.

Feel free to ask questions and propose ideas. What gets you thinking will get me thinking, and if we stumble around long enough, eventually we'll figure this setting out.

[MaestroXC]

I really enjoyed your introduction, it set a great swashbuckling tone of a bright, nearly modern world faced still with many unknowns and great peril. I love it!

I'd really be thrilled to contribute, look over what's already written and offer a few things. This is the seldom-seen part of the gaming world that often ends up making it truly enjoyable.

[TheUdjat]

Thanks! As you can see from some of the posts on here, this is a long, on-going process, but eventually I would like to run something in this setting (also, I'd like to write a book in it, if I can swing it). Unfortunately, I only seem to have time to work on Venus haphazardly.

But input helps get my creativity rolling. Vemu's been immensely helpful, as was Arclite in the early stages here - I would thoroughly welcome more input So welcome aboard, I guess. The Morning Star still has a lot of work.

I also hope I can remain true to that original vision I had. As time passes, ideas and concepts can fade, but the original 'seed' of Venus was very inspiring. I'd like to keep that element of adventure, exploration, and a healthy dash of steampunk and fantasy.

It's a weird setting, but a cool one, I think.

[VemuKhaham]

You know, if ever you're going to run an adventure in this setting, wouldn't it be cool if you use the advancement system I use in Rinascimento? Not to tooth my own horn of course, but you said you liked it, and maybe wanted to run a campaign of your own with something like it. Then you mentioned a classical swords and sorcery campaign, but in fact perhaps this world would very well benefit from such a system. Simply, because if you run a campaign in this, I imagine the players and main characters not to be the usual D&D hero or otherwise; they would sooner be simple people, like explorers, scientists, investigators, missionaries, merchants, diplomats, soldiers, whatever suits the Victorian adventure and travel theme. Also, the sense of immediate danger that's always good to have in a horror-type game would be present. Actually, it could also benefit from something like Chtulhu's system, now that I've become a little experienced with it.

[TheUdjat]

Vemu, between this post of yours and responding to one by TTC in a whole other part of the boards, you've given me an idea. I could definitely use your system (or a loose variant) for character advancement. The thing that was tripping me up before was... where to start?

D20 Modern was a logical bet, but since advancement wouldn't be by levels, it posed some problems. Ditto for D&D, with the added problem of setting mis-matches. However, if I took M&M and limited certain things and insisted on a particular flavor... well, that could definitely work. I might have to use a few variant rules (HP, if I decide I want them, for instance), but it could definitely work out well. And the best part of it is that I could set it up precisely how I want it to look.

This is a good idea, Vemu.

[VemuKhaham]

Though I don't know anything of the M&M rules, I'm glad I could give you an idea.

[TheUdjat]

vemukhaham said:

Though I don't know anything of the M&M rules, I'm glad I could give you an idea.

M&M is basically a d20 variant, replacing standard levels with 'power levels' that offer a points-based character creation.

There are still some significant differences, like the importance of different attributes, no AoO's, and things like that. But that can be tweaked (or just dealt with).

It's an idea worth pursuing, at any rate.