Galactic Havoc: Mindkind Unity

Galactic Havoc: Mindkind Unity

I have written up the "protagonist" faction, so now let's have an "antagonist." This is going to be one of the primary opponents of the Solar Federation, but still only one of many. Since now I have two factions, I can think of an example conflict and ponder on what technologies could have developed on both sides to help them against the enemies, and maybe even set some numerical benchmarks for balance purposes.

Galactic Havoc: The Solar Federation

Galactic Havoc: The Solar Federation

The introduction to the setting revolved around the Solar Federation, the "main" human faction of the galaxy. I'd like to try describing it in more detail. While it is the largest human polity, it definitely is not the only one - it can serve both as a protagonist faction and as an antagonist faction.

Galactic Havoc: Design Goals and Considerations

Galactic Havoc: Design Goals and Considerations

So, let's start thinking! To create a wh40k knockoff, I will have to come up with a clear outline of what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. This outline will help me decide on my priorities - what things are important, what things are not even worth thinking about, and so on. I'm not very good with words, but I will try to explain my thought process.

What settings/content I would like to work on?

What settings/content I would like to work on?

It's time for some inane rambling again. My biggest undertaking was the creation of Karilan - my kitchen sink D&D-like setting for GURPS. It's not a conversion of D&D to GURPS, but a conversion of my vision of D&D in GURPS. This is exactly what Mailanka warns you about in his Don't Convert, Create! post; this post should be a mandatory read for anyone who wants to convert something to GURPS. Basically, I've fallen into every possible trap when making it but I was aware of that. Setting is something deeply personal, and such fantasy heartbreakers are a dime a dozen anyway. Now, I do not really see much to add to it, I think I have converted almost every possible D&D concept that I wanted to include, and most of the changes I make in the documents are very minor. The only things that I do nowadays is converting more and more content - monsters, items, spells, abilities - not concepts. This isn't something neccessary for the setting, it's just convenient to have premade things to use. Still, I try to make things generic enough for other people to use as well. So, with Karilan more or less finished, what do I even do now?

Karilan Setting Documents

Karilan Setting Documents

Some of you might know that I have created my own kitchen sink fantasy setting to incorporate all things D&D/PF in GURPS. I decided to post it here to have a static place where I can share it.

Monsters in Karilan, Part V (T - Z)

Monsters in Karilan, Part V (T - Z)

Well, actually it's T-Y. That's the final batch, I finally forced myself to finish this endeavor. Now, after my vacation is done, I can finally start writing new content.

Monsters in Karilan, Part IV (O - S)

Monsters in Karilan, Part IV (O - S)

And another batch of setting-specific info blurbs.

Monsters in Karilan, Part III (H - N)

Monsters in Karilan, Part III (H - N)

Another batch of setting-specific blurbs. Not that many left, probably two more posts.

Monsters in Karilan, Part II (E - G)

Monsters in Karilan, Part II (E - G)

Unfortunately, when I typed up several pages of this on the phone, the document got deleted for some reason, so everything was lost. Now, I am slowly recreating it from memory.

Monsters in Karilan, Part I (A - D)

Monsters in Karilan, Part I (A - D)

I have always liked the “[monster name] in Eberron” and “[monster name] in Faerun” snippets from the Monster Manual III-V. All settings are different, and even when they use the same content, the context might be different. For example, even such staple monsters as drow differ significantly between the established D&D settings. Here I am going to describe the role of particular monsters in my campaign setting, their place in the world. This series of posts will cover the monsters that I've already posted on the blog. Those that are not mentioned either do not exist, or have no difference between the standard flavour and the setting-specific one, or have nothing to be said about. The monster posts that will be written in the future will have a short "[monster name] in Karilan" blurb.

Sorcerous Occupations and Services

Sorcerous Occupations and Services

What can sorcerers and other spellcasters do during downtime to earn money? Some spells are quite straightforward for an occupation, but some feel like they could only be used on an adventure. See Jobs (pp. B516-517) for rules on occupations and Occupations (GURPS Low-Tech Companion 3 - Daily Life and Economics, pp. 45-50) for mundane examples. 

Sci-Fi Worldbuilding: Een Collective

Sci-Fi Worldbuilding: Een Collective

One more race for my sci-fi setting. TL 9 fungi collective pseudo-hive mind.

Sci-Fi Worldbuilding: Ofrian Sphere

Sci-Fi Worldbuilding: Ofrian Sphere

Here's a new species for my sci-fi setting. This one is a classic "rubber forehead" alien race.

Sci-Fi Worldbuilding: Foronese Colonies

Sci-Fi Worldbuilding: Foronese Colonies

Once again, I let the dice roll and my eyes look at the tables in GURPS Space. This peculiar species is the result. Will be incorporated in my sci-fi setting.

Sci-Fi Worldbuilding: Solar System

Sci-Fi Worldbuilding: Solar System

This is my anniversary post! I have posted daily on this blog for a year, and maybe it's time to slow down. In this post I have short write-ups on the factions and settlements of the Solar System.

Sci-Fi Worldbuilding: Brands

Sci-Fi Worldbuilding: Brands

High TL equipment always seemed very generic and impersonal to me, and TheRyujinLP on his blog in his Brand Loyalty post suggests a way to make equipment more fun. So, here's my take on the  human-made brands for my sci-fi settings.

Sci-Fi Worldbuilding: Faxaturian Prosperity and Advancement Foundation

Sci-Fi Worldbuilding: Faxaturian Prosperity and Advancement Foundation

GURPS Space says that chlorine-breathing aliens are common in science fiction works, but I only know the illensians from J. White's Sector General. I've tried to generate a chlorine-based species using the tables found in GURPS Space and ended up with intolerant, suspicious, and racist carnivores who just want to be left alone, but are forced to deal with the aliens because of overpopulation. I'm not sure if this makes any sense, but I can always say "We do not know much about them, because they do not welcome aliens". As a racial template, the faxaturians are quite expensive and exotic. Telescopic Vision 4 should make them good at ranged combat.

Sci-Fi Worldbuilding: Fessamid Realms

Sci-Fi Worldbuilding: Fessamid Realms

Fessamids are a weird psionic gasbag species that dwells on gas giants. They were difficult to stat up, and I had to read up on gas giant atmosphere structure, temperature, composition, and wind speed to make everything consistent. As a faction, they have advanced bio- and psi-tech, but all their devices are biological, so they might not fit everybody. As a racial template, they are quite expensive and very exotic.

Sci-Fi Worldbuilding: Altafaan High Empire

Sci-Fi Worldbuilding: Altafaan High Empire

And now we have all three TL 12 species done, finally. The altafaans are an advanced bioroid species created by a long gone precursor civilization. As a racial template, they provide the possibility of playing a flying character.

Sci-Fi Worldbuilding: Twiceborn World Network

Sci-Fi Worldbuilding: Twiceborn World Network

This civilization gives the players a chance to play a robot or a bioroid, using almost any appropriate racial template. In addition, the inclusion of this civilization can make VR a big part of the game, if needed.