kiwifruitbat | On Games, Plots and Plannings

Well... I put the word out that I was thinking of pulling together a victorian era steampunk game. And lo, a great many words came back along the lines of "Yes please", "I'm in", "HELL YES!" and "If you're just teasing me with this, I am going to kill you."

So, in the spirit of fairness and all things enjoyable... and the fact I like living... I am pleased to announce that the one off game of Britannica Pages is now being created.

With 5 playable races - Humans, Trolls, Dwarves, Elves and Half Fae (Seelie and Unseelie), it is a world where Magic and Mad Science live alongside status and class in a strange mix. Now I was going to use the rules for Victoriana, but due to a sheer lack of time, I've decided to pull together the game myself.

Now, to answer some questions that have already cropped up.

Q - What victorian era/year is it set in?
A - It is the year 1890, but styles vary. There are those of the upper classes who wear the styles of yester-year because they can, those of the middle classes who wear the older styles of the upper classes because it's cheaper while the lower and working classes aren't too worried about fashion, more being conserned about simple survival. So if you want to be period authentic, go for it. If you can't, no biggie.

Q - Mad Science? Does this mean death ray guns and giant robotic constructs?
A - Yes and No. It's a Steam Punk setting - So while there are the large walking robots, these are more in the ownership of the governments. Plus a starting Mad Scientist, one who is Touched, or just Touched, doesn't have the required knowledges or materials to make a death ray gun. Given time, resources and money however... maybe.

Q - Touched?
A - The common name for a Mad Scientist. Both a definition of their power... and an insult. The latter is often whispered behind their backs.

Q - Is there magic?
A - Yes there is. 5 different branches to be exact.

Q - How powerful are the different races?
A - Each has their own strengths and weakness. The strength of Humanity may not seem as good as the other races, but this is countered by the fact that Humanity doesn't have a single common innate weakness

Q - Will there be combat?
A - Not a clue. That all depends on what happens in the game.

Q - I want to be the most powerful unstoppable swordweilding, magic throwing mad science generating machine around!
A - If you are that good with a sword in real life, go for it. Pray no-one brings a gun to your fight. Also, one cannot be Chosen (use magic) and be Touched (use mad science). It's an either/or.

Q - What are the mechanics for Magic/Combat/Mad Science?
A - These are being nutted out at present.

Q - You said that you weren't running this through nzLARPS. Why?
A - It is very likely I'll be running it with the support of nzLARPS. As for the why, mild personal issues that are being discussed.

Q - So when is this happening? What is the setting?
A - 2 Questions eh? Ok - the when is easy. It is being planned for Sunday 20 January, 2008. Venue to be decided/arranged. As for the setting, as this is a one off game, most likely a ball of sorts to commemorate some historical event.

Q - You're cutting this all rather fine aren't you?
A - That's not exactly a question about the game.

Q - What's the cost?
A - Due to no venue being set or food prices determined, nothing has been set as yet. However, NPC's will be charged less than PC's.

Q - Do you have a plot setting for this or is it going to be like a MET game where the plots are mainly player generated?
A - There are plots that are already drawn up. But anything that is written into player backgrounds will no doubt be used, especially if it is one that grabs my attention.

Q - You've said one-off. Does this mean you'll run no more games for this setting if everyone loves it?
A - Not exactly. It's a one off at present as I have no idea how well it will go. I've tried to put enough into the background so that it can be played again and again if people really like it.

Q - I have a character from a different Victorian Era game. Can I just bring that character in?
A - Perhaps. It depends on the power level of the character and how well they translate. If they are a starting level character, yes. But please bear in mind that there are no reality warps. Your character was born and raised in this world. In addition, all characters need to be reviewed by the GM team.

Q - I want to play a noble. Can I have a servant or two?
A - I'm taking a leaf from Mordavia here and not only is a retainer allowed for one of the Nobility, it's required. Those of the Upper class don't have to have one, but it's allowed. Those of the Middle class need a very good reason to have a servant with them for the game, while Lower and Working class PC's cannot have servants. In fact they usually ARE the servants.

So there you are. That's what's there for the moment. Any help with the nudging of the game system is appreciated, because the sooner I can issue the rules and setting for people to start pouring over.

Let the insanity begin!

Hehhehheh

Darth Fruitbat