Post/Author/DateTime	Post
stargate525 04-20-07, 06:39 PM	Alright. In short, I've bitten off a bit more than I can chew here. I want my setting to have the option of roughly 20 races, only one of them being 'standard' (humans). Problem is, I'm quickly running out of inspiration on what to do with a race without having them step on each other. So I turn to you creative peoples out there for ideas. Just ideas. I don't need fully statted out races, but a name and a basic concept. The ones I have so far; Human - adaptable and versatile jack-of-all-trades. Priin - Race with a gift for technology. Kal'Pak - noble race of warriors and sages. Vacar - ruthless military conquerers and soldiers. Extremely tough. Sheenja - stupid thug-like race of warriors. Nodaran - rural race of empaths. Holograms - sentient beings made of light and magnetic fields. Artificials - all manner of sentient robots and cyborgs. 8 down, 12 to go...
taradusis 04-20-07, 06:42 PM	Are you using d20 modern rules or Dnd?
Anuvrix 04-20-07, 06:42 PM	Ankirain- Very noble, family-clan based, sort of like elves, but more vicious, tend to be very cruel and devious. Look like normal elves but are greyskinned with black,grey or white hair, eyes are red.
stargate525 04-20-07, 06:52 PM	Are you using d20 modern rules or Dnd? it's a sci-fi/future based setting. Not terribly important, since all I need is a concept. Ruleset is mostly D20, though I doubt that'll matter for a concept. Ankirain- Very noble, family-clan based, sort of like elves, but more vicious, tend to be very cruel and devious. Look like normal elves but are greyskinned with black,grey or white hair, eyes are red. Very nice. They will definitely be added. 13...
taradusis 04-20-07, 07:15 PM	Random ideasan evolved type of cattle.20 females for every male.Herbivores rather than meat-eaters,means land can support more.Males are warriors who adventure to get enough money to start own herd.Females conduct business and maintain society.a small dog-sized creature made by combining human,lion and bird DNA.Created to act as guards,now act as librarians/programmers due to their photographic memories.a race of energy beings,similar to will-o-wisp in abilities,personality is neutral and dispassionate.Will work for electricity?A race of charismatic,freindly people,like the worlds most engaging salesperson or kindhearted bartender?
stargate525 04-20-07, 07:26 PM	an evolved type of cattle.20 females for every male.Herbivores rather than meat-eaters,means land can support more.Males are warriors who adventure to get enough money to start own herd.Females conduct business and maintain society. I might have to tweak it a bit, but something like this should work. It sounds a bit too much like the Kal'Pak as far as the males are concerned though... a small dog-sized creature made by combining human,lion and bird DNA.Created to act as guards,now act as librarians/programmers due to their photographic memories. This race is great. Unfortunately, I've got my artificial races covered... and I completely forgot to put them on the list. They'll be making an appearance regardless. a race of energy beings,similar to will-o-wisp in abilities,personality is neutral and dispassionate.Will work for electricity? hmm, voltovores? An interesting concept to be certain. I like this idea a lot as well. A race of charismatic,friendly people,like the worlds most engaging salesperson or kindhearted bartender? Hehe, and prime candidates to take over the world... Added. 8/7 depending on whether I add the minotaurs. Also, would you like to create finished race-names for them, or shall I?
krichaiushii 04-20-07, 07:55 PM	The Friendlies... what about the Dorsai and the rest of humanity's splinter races? The Childe Cycle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childe_Cycle). The Friendlies' Theme Song/Battle Hymn Soldier, ask not - now, or ever, Where to war your banners go. Anarch's legions all surround us. Strike - and do not count the blow! Glory, honor, praise and profit, Are but toys of tinsel worth. Render up your work, unasking, Leave the human clay to earth. Blood and sorrow, pain unending, Are the portion of us all. Grasp the naked sword, opposing, Gladly in the battle fall. So shall we, anointed soldiers, Stand at last before the Throne, Baptized in our wounds, red-flowing, Sealed unto our Lord - alone! Also, feel free to loot the races and cultures of Traveller (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traveller_(role-playing_game)) and Star Frontiers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Frontiers), not too mention the Kzin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kzin).
Darth Syntax 04-20-07, 08:22 PM	Some ideas (several culled from my own setting, but with some tweaking) The Gwéyán: A race of smallish, slightly plump bipeds who serve not only as conventional merchants and traders, but as information brokers, spys, and smugglers. Their charming and garrulous nature belies their inner deviousness. The Hodjeg: The consumate survivers. The gentle giants. the Hodjeg have endured just about every hardship imaginable from the destruction of their homeland, the plague that nearly claimed them all, to their recent enslavment . They are a tough people, both physically and mentally, but they tend towards a pragmatic kind of pascifism in their behavior.
jamvid 04-20-07, 09:58 PM	seselene: a protogenous (born males, but at a certain point in their lives, turn into females) race of humanoids that has long since lost its homeland and history, they are almost completely born on giant, self-sufficient ships that wander around, with different ships practically having different cultures. they live by their ships and could somrtimes die without ever stepping foot on land. They are shorter than humans with bulbous compact eyes and brown skin, with green to blue hair, conventionally cut short. Pheompers: Pheompers are tall, muscular humanoids with skin with a slightly reddish tint. They have a tail that lashes wildly behind them and eyes of pure white, inside their mouths are large, vicous incisors. Pheompers are said to have been created when a human sold his or her soul for great power. Pheompers do not reproduce, but when a Pheomper dies, or kills a human with it's bite: a new pheomper comes to life from the corpse after a period which is on average 10 years. Pheompers are nto inherently evil; they have just as much choice to good or evil as any other race, but that doesn't mean that they don't scare the bajeebus out of most people.
stargate525 04-20-07, 10:18 PM	seselene: a protogenous (born males, but at a certain point in their lives, turn into females) race of humanoids that has long since lost its homeland and history, they are almost completely born on giant, self-sufficient ships that wander around, with different ships practically having different cultures. they live by their ships and could somrtimes die without ever stepping foot on land. They are shorter than humans with bulbous compact eyes and brown skin, with green to blue hair, conventionally cut short. Pheompers: Pheompers are tall, muscular humanoids with skin with a slightly reddish tint. They have a tail that lashes wildly behind them and eyes of pure white, inside their mouths are large, vicous incisors. Pheompers are said to have been created when a human sold his or her soul for great power. Pheompers do not reproduce, but when a Pheomper dies, or kills a human with it's bite: a new pheomper comes to life from the corpse after a period which is on average 10 years. Pheompers are nto inherently evil; they have just as much choice to good or evil as any other race, but that doesn't mean that they don't scare the bajeebus out of most people. Both are TOTALLY stolen. The Seselene will fit perfectly into one of the elements of my setting, and the Pheomper are just full-out cool. Some ideas (several culled from my own setting, but with some tweaking) The Gwéyán: A race of smallish, slightly plump bipeds who serve not only as conventional merchants and traders, but as information brokers, spys, and smugglers. Their charming and garrulous nature belies their inner deviousness. Stolen. The Hodjeg are, unfortunately, a little too similar to one of my races already. down to 5. This is coming along way better than I could have hoped... Maybe I should make this a 1001 thread... And Krichaiushii, I've stolen plenty of other stuff from sci-fi shows for other elements of my setting, I'd like the races at least to be somewhat original.
krichaiushii 04-20-07, 11:13 PM	And Krichaiushii, I've stolen plenty of other stuff from sci-fi shows for other elements of my setting, I'd like the races at least to be somewhat original. "The Timeless" - A dying race, "The Timeless" is the name that humans have given these beings. They wander about the universe on their "lifeships", constantly looking for something that they have not experienced. As they have already experienced breeding, they no longer do it (hence the dying race part). Eventually, they decide that there is nothing left to experience but death. They then orchestrate the most imaginative and (in)glorious death imaginable. Probably best as an NPC race.
taradusis 04-21-07, 07:34 AM	I'm not good at names so rename the creatures or come up with alternate origins.Because many races are warrior cultures you may have duplicates.Having 4 or 5 warrior cultures give you a built in excuse for interplanetary conflict.
Pie 04-21-07, 08:56 AM	Gruul: A race of hermitcrab/human people who originate from swampy/marshy areas of the world. Their bodies are actually very thin and britle, with small bristly hairs that cover their skin. This is concealed mainly by the giant shell that covers their back, which they can curl up into in times of dire need. A Gruul has four spider like legs two clumsy "claw-hands" which can use crude tools and instruments and more importantly; weaponary. Masters of coin and diplomacy, this is the only reason for the survival of the race as they lack any combat prowess. In belief they tend to be strong pacifists but believe that moral is culturally relative and that their beliefs may not apply to other cultures.
krichaiushii 04-21-07, 09:00 AM	Vedalkan - these tall, thin, blue-skinned bipeds have taken biotechnology to a whole new level. Ships are grown, as are most other tools. They also practice bioengineering. This practice has led to their race having a very strict set of castes - grower, grafter, breeder, pilot, leader, priest, whatever. The Vedalkan's preferred soldiery are called "graftworks" - these are beings formerly of other races with warlike additions - fangs, muscles, extra limbs, wings, claws, bestial mindset, etc. Humans and Sheenja make up the bulk of thier forces, though they will use anything they capture/find. When they feel it necessary, they bioengineer nasty diseases to wipe out (or at least weaken, depending on purpose) entire planets; these diseases can be so selective as to eradicate one entire race on a planet of many races. Some beings believe that one of these diseases in the past may be the reason for a few of the races that exist now in the known universe. It is also known that at least one entire civilization was wiped out to the last being; all that is left of them are artifacts, ruins, and the occasional derelict space hulk. These are modeled on Magic's Vedalkan race (Vigean Graftmage or Vedalken Entrancer for pictures), and their attitudes are a cross between the Borg, Magic's Simic guild, and the Spelljammer Elves (who also grow ships). ------------------- If you plan on using Psionics, a race that IS psionic (perhaps a random mix of abilities per being, which in turn lead to each being's job in life). For these guys, I am picturing the guy on this card Coiling Oracle; you can probably use the stats from Rokugan's Naga race(s). Anyhow, these "Snakemen" look imposing due to size. The ability that some have to read minds combines to make them feared by many other races - perhaps even the targets of genocide. Others use the Snakemen as advisors; people will pay well for divinatory abilities. ------------------ More generally speaking, if you have yet to come up with physical descriptions for all of your races, consider using living amoebas (morphs?) that shift into whatever form they need; spidery-beings - like nonevil Neogi!; a purely aquatic race - gills, fins, etc. - ships are like giant fishbowls.
stargate525 04-21-07, 10:31 AM	Gruul: A race of hermitcrab/human people who originate from swampy/marshy areas of the world. Their bodies are actually very thin and britle, with small bristly hairs that cover their skin. This is concealed mainly by the giant shell that covers their back, which they can curl up into in times of dire need. A Gruul has four spider like legs two clumsy "claw-hands" which can use crude tools and instruments and more importantly; weaponary. Masters of coin and diplomacy, this is the only reason for the survival of the race as they lack any combat prowess. In belief they tend to be strong pacifists but believe that moral is culturally relative and that their beliefs may not apply to other cultures. I like the concept... but it would be very unwieldy in my setting. I'm not good at names so rename the creatures or come up with alternate origins.Because many races are warrior cultures you may have duplicates.Having 4 or 5 warrior cultures give you a built in excuse for interplanetary conflict. true. The two I already had hate each other. I don't mind many war-like races, just their attitude. I don't want five races of 'noble-warriors' for example. "The Timeless" - A dying race, "The Timeless" is the name that humans have given these beings. They wander about the universe on their "lifeships", constantly looking for something that they have not experienced. As they have already experienced breeding, they no longer do it (hence the dying race part). Eventually, they decide that there is nothing left to experience but death. They then orchestrate the most imaginative and (in)glorious death imaginable. Probably best as an NPC race. Or as a tidbit from history. I'll use them as that, with your permission. Vedalkan - these tall, thin, blue-skinned bipeds have taken biotechnology to a whole new level. Ships are grown, as are most other tools. They also practice bioengineering. This practice has led to their race having a very strict set of castes - grower, grafter, breeder, pilot, leader, priest, whatever. The Vedalkan's preferred soldiery are called "graftworks" - these are beings formerly of other races with warlike additions - fangs, muscles, extra limbs, wings, claws, bestial mindset, etc. Humans and Sheenja make up the bulk of their forces, though they will use anything they capture/find. When they feel it necessary, they bioengineer nasty diseases to wipe out (or at least weaken, depending on purpose) entire planets; these diseases can be so selective as to eradicate one entire race on a planet of many races. Some beings believe that one of these diseases in the past may be the reason for a few of the races that exist now in the known universe. It is also known that at least one entire civilization was wiped out to the last being; all that is left of them are artifacts, ruins, and the occasional derelict space hulk. Have you been READING my setting? This would work perfectly as the race that wiped out humanity the first time... How to get them to present day though... Whatever I do with them, they are totally stolen. If you plan on using Psionics, a race that IS psionic (perhaps a random mix of abilities per being, which in turn lead to each being's job in life). For these guys, I am picturing the guy on this card Coiling Oracle; you can probably use the stats from Rokugan's Naga race(s). Anyhow, these "Snakemen" look imposing due to size. The ability that some have to read minds combines to make them feared by many other races - perhaps even the targets of genocide. Others use the Snakemen as advisors; people will pay well for divinatory abilities. I'll keep it in mind. More generally speaking, if you have yet to come up with physical descriptions for all of your races, consider using living amoebas (morphs?) that shift into whatever form they need; spidery-beings - like nonevil Neogi!; a purely aquatic race - gills, fins, etc. - ships are like giant fishbowls. I've got to add a race of (somewhat) morphic beings... unfortunately I don't see how I could make them a +0 base race while maintaining that ability. The problem with a purely aquatic race is that it's highly unlikely that they would develop past the stone age; it's hard to make fire underwater. down to 3, with enough inspiration to maybe get it to -4 or 5. Keep posting the ideas, this is going way better than I could have hoped.
krichaiushii 04-21-07, 11:39 AM	I should have said initially - you are welcome to anything I post here. true. The two I already had hate each other. I don't mind many war-like races, just their attitude. I don't want five races of 'noble-warriors' for example. Cultures can dislike each other for any number of reasons. Religious beliefs, political beliefs, etc. Have you been READING my setting? This would work perfectly as the race that wiped out humanity the first time... How to get them to present day though... Whatever I do with them, they are totally stolen. The universe is a big place. Perhaps they have been off 'assimilating' other races. Now they are back. I've got to add a race of (somewhat) morphic beings... unfortunately I don't see how I could make them a +0 base race while maintaining that ability. Maybe they can only shift to certain sizes or into creatures they have personally encountered (so zoos and menageries and finding new creatures really drives these guys); maybe base the progression off of the Druid's wildshaping? The problem with a purely aquatic race is that it's highly unlikely that they would develop past the stone age; it's hard to make fire underwater. This is true. I can't fathom them not having been discovered by one of the trading races, who have provided space travel and technology in exchange for resources that can most easily be gotten only by this race. If you have a stranglehold on a resource, you can demand much for it.
die 04-21-07, 03:43 PM	Tiny psionic parasitic hermit crabs that climb in your ear, those with bodies that twist off to the left tuck themselves into your right ear, they hate and attack on sight the ones that have bodies that twist to the right. Only one can control a host at a time, if two attempt it the host goes catatonic, they can sense each other within 100'. The ones that live in right ears give their host a +2 charisma and are content to hang out experiencing the hosts way of life and might occasionally whisper a suggestion, they feed off psionics, requiring one or two points a day, maybe chaotic good. Those that live in the left ear give the host a +2 strength, have total control and burn out the host causing them to age five times faster than normal, they have their own society and form secretive hedonistic cabals in other races cities, maybe lawful evil.
stargate525 04-21-07, 04:03 PM	Cultures can dislike each other for any number of reasons. Religious beliefs, political beliefs, etc. True, but nothing beats a war where the only object is the war itself. The universe is a big place. Perhaps they have been off 'assimilating' other races. Now they are back. Resistance is futile... http://forums.alliedmods.net/images/smilies/borg-smiley.gif Maybe they can only shift to certain sizes or into creatures they have personally encountered (so zoos and menageries and finding new creatures really drives these guys); maybe base the progression off of the Druid's wildshaping? hmm... I'll have to think about that. I could make it kind of like Odo's morphing ability, where getting a form right takes time and practice. This is true. I can't fathom them not having been discovered by one of the trading races, who have provided space travel and technology in exchange for resources that can most easily be gotten only by this race. If you have a stranglehold on a resource, you can demand much for it. Yeah, but that would be like giving cavemen a space shuttle. Even if they knew how to work that particular one, there's no way that they'd be able to reproduce it or even figure out what the heck is wrong with it. That and, instead of carrying up light and relatively compressible air, you'd have to shoot up thousands of gallons of water instead.
taradusis 04-21-07, 04:24 PM	An aquatic race that relied on a rebreather suit,a suit that's filled with water and recycles and oxygenates it?An amphibuous race that could breathe air and water might just need a bath ?A primitive race could be "Uplifted"and taught to assimilate relatively quickly.An advanced aquatic race that used to live on land but went into the water would have a good reason for having technology.Biotechnology could make up for a lack of heat.
taradusis 04-23-07, 05:32 PM	Perhaps HOPPERKEEN-A race of evolved locusts/grasshoppers with abilities similar to the thrikeen.Herbivores with an ovipositor for laying hundreds of eggs underground.Tend to overpopulate ares and turn them into deserts?SMIDGEONS-A tiny version of kobolds/jermalines perhaps consider adding insectile template from Savage Species?These creatures are very communal and often attach themselves to a larger PC acting much like an animal companion?BATLINGS-A race based on the batmen from the anthropomorphic section of savage species.Live in conical houses that hold hundreds of these creatures.Live off fruit and nuts,act as nightshift and as late night security guards,ability to fly and sonar considered a plus for these jobs.
stargate525 04-23-07, 06:11 PM	Perhaps HOPPERKEEN-A race of evolved locusts/grasshoppers with abilities similar to the thrikeen.Herbivores with an ovipositor for laying hundreds of eggs underground.Tend to overpopulate ares and turn them into deserts?SMIDGEONS-A tiny version of kobolds/jermalines perhaps consider adding insectile template from Savage Species?These creatures are very communal and often attach themselves to a larger PC acting much like an animal companion?BATLINGS-A race based on the batmen from the anthropomorphic section of savage species.Live in conical houses that hold hundreds of these creatures.Live off fruit and nuts,act as nightshift and as late night security guards,ability to fly and sonar considered a plus for these jobs. Smidgeons? bit of an interesting name...
Evil DM Mk3 04-23-07, 06:40 PM	The Shath-marti a once powerful and technalogicaly advanced race these tall and slender pale green humanoids are now reculsive and relegeous. They no longer understand the technology that powers their socitey and that once threatened to wipe out their race but have little need to as all repairs and maintainace are undertaken by they planet's artificial intelignace. The race's young often find the pace of life on their home world slow and unsettling and travel to other worlds where their insight and intelect are valued. Many return as they reach the end of their youth, their insight inot other cultures warmly welcomed. Those that dable in technology are however treated with suspicion. The Hellvoon. A perculiar race that is the end result of centuaries of gentic enginering. There is no such thing as a pure Hellvoon, each is born of two Hellvoon and a third set of DNA (which is not passed on to ofspring). This means that they are often well adapted to their home planets (if using D20 future, they would probably get a plaetary adaption feat for free). They are inately curious as a race and love the idea of games and are famous gamblers. Most of their scientific advances (which are considerable in the areas of organic technology) are based on wild guesses and crazy gambles.
taradusis 04-23-07, 11:32 PM	I call them smidgeons because when each one of them is born their god adds just a smidgeon of pure evil.No need for you to follow that in a sci-fi world.
Evil DM Mk3 04-24-07, 10:02 AM	OK here is another idea. Say huamns have gone into genetic enginering right? Waht animals would be the easyest non primate to make sentient? Probably Pigs as they are allready pretty damned smart. Sues sapiens. Live about the same lifespan as humans, they look faily human, a bit heavier built and bald though, they are direct, logical, tough and strong. A lot of them ended up in banking and other money industries or with machinery. They find peopelhard work, but a 42 differantial rechet Gripney with a shorn interal valve realy easy, although their hands are not as nimble they where given humanoid thumbs. They are somthing of a gormonde when it comes to food, they will eat anything but enjoy good food. They get hot and flustered easily becasue like their ancestors they have no working sweat glands. They often carry little spray bottles of water to spray over their faces ect as artifical sweat.
Return of the Flumph 04-24-07, 11:40 PM	Use the standard PHB races, but change their fluff and appearance to make them aliens or mutants.
Araes 04-25-07, 01:34 AM	The Koowin - A siliconate race of isolationists who have been around since the days of humanity's first disaster. Formerly much more active in the galaxy, they have in modern times adopted a more xenophobic stance (perhaps due to the biological warfare threats) They are not particularly violent, but their areas of space are awash with all manner of deterents to drive away the curious or warlike. It is not uncommon to be traveling light years away from one of their planets and still encounter the edges of their minefields. Some, however, do venture out from their homelands to see the sights of the galaxy, and due to their curious nature, are somewhat more friendly, which basically means just distrustful of everyone. Borrowing the idea of the Vedalkan and a race that doesn't like to directly fight, you might also consider one with superior mass driver technology, which is adept at hurling meteors or even planetary bodies across the vastness of space.
koe 05-03-07, 08:32 AM	Alright. In short, I've bitten off a bit more than I can chew here. I want my setting to have the option of roughly 20 races, only one of them being 'standard' (humans). Why do you want so many races in your world?
stargate525 05-03-07, 02:54 PM	Why do you want so many races in your world? because it's built to represent almost a quarter of a galaxy. having only 20 main races is still being skimpy.
Araes 05-03-07, 05:01 PM	having only 20 main races is still being skimpy. Heh, that is assuming a hi - scifi galaxy. There's a pretty convincing argument that even if there is other life in the galaxy, most of it needs to be below very rapid space travel capacity. Even at subluminal speeds of 0.5-0.75 c, we could still get to the center of our galaxy in 50-100k yrs. What's that in the evolutionary timespan of a living being and planetary bodies? But then again, I guess it could be a galactic diaspora scenario or something similar, which would account for similar timespans.
stargate525 05-03-07, 05:39 PM	Heh, that is assuming a hi - scifi galaxy. There's a pretty convincing argument that even if there is other life in the galaxy, most of it needs to be below very rapid space travel capacity. Even at subluminal speeds of 0.5-0.75 c, we could still get to the center of our galaxy in 50-100k yrs. What's that in the evolutionary timespan of a living being and planetary bodies? But then again, I guess it could be a galactic diaspora scenario or something similar, which would account for similar timespans. Usually I'm good at that stuff, but could you repeat this in english? I don't see what evolution of a particular race has to do with FTL travel. and you're right, 100 thousand years isn't bad, but in context of how you're getting there, getting a machine to support the large population needed to make a culture viable to operate for that long would be nigh on impossible.
Evil DM Mk3 05-03-07, 05:44 PM	BTW what do you think of what is up here allready?
stargate525 05-03-07, 06:01 PM	BTW what do you think of what is up here allready? I like the concepts behind most of it, and am slowly filling in the scrunch of the ones I chose. (I did get my 20). If you guys want to keep adding them here, we could turn this into a race concept directory.
Evil DM Mk3 05-03-07, 06:04 PM	Any of mine good?:)
Araes 05-03-07, 06:47 PM	Usually I'm good at that stuff, but could you repeat this in english? I don't see what evolution of a particular race has to do with FTL travel. Sorry, meant to be more clear. Basically, the idea is that if one race evolves to the point where they can get beyond their planet, even if it is only at speeds which are comparatively slow on a human lifetime (4-10 year trips per star), on the timescale of how long it takes any one planet to form, or one race to develop from goo to the point where they could travel the stars, its just a blink of the eye. For example, on our planet, the idea is that life took somewhere between 3-4 billion years to get to the point of us. On a galactic timescale, the time it took for us to go from clubs in caves to interplanetary travel is ~0. When talking about such huge timescales, the chance that any two races would evolve to the same level of technology at the same point is fairly small, as there is believed to be a large factor of chance involved. From that, if we then propose that a race is slow, but can still spread from their homeworld at some percentage of the speed of light (lets say something really slow like ~0.25 c) Then, in 10000 years they will have spread 2500 ly in all directions, and in ~350,000 they will have spread a maximum of 100,000 ly, and control the entire galaxy no matter where they started at. If they can spread faster, say 0.75 c, then they will control the galaxy in only ~120,000 years at maximum no matter their starting location. If they are in the center this time will be halved, and it also assumes no increase in technology. In terms of how long it took us to evolve (ave 3.5 billion guess), its only 0.0035%. Pretty quick. Hope that's a bit more clear this time.
stargate525 05-03-07, 07:17 PM	Sorry, meant to be more clear. Basically, the idea is that if one race evolves to the point where they can get beyond their planet, even if it is only at speeds which are comparatively slow on a human lifetime (4-10 year trips per star), on the timescale of how long it takes any one planet to form, or one race to develop from goo to the point where they could travel the stars, its just a blink of the eye. For example, on our planet, the idea is that life took somewhere between 3-4 billion years to get to the point of us. On a galactic timescale, the time it took for us to go from clubs in caves to interplanetary travel is ~0. When talking about such huge timescales, the chance that any two races would evolve to the same level of technology at the same point is fairly small, as there is believed to be a large factor of chance involved. From that, if we then propose that a race is slow, but can still spread from their homeworld at some percentage of the speed of light (lets say something really slow like ~0.25 c) Then, in 10000 years they will have spread 2500 ly in all directions, and in ~350,000 they will have spread a maximum of 100,000 ly, and control the entire galaxy no matter where they started at. If they can spread faster, say 0.75 c, then they will control the galaxy in only ~120,000 years at maximum no matter their starting location. If they are in the center this time will be halved, and it also assumes no increase in technology. In terms of how long it took us to evolve (ave 3.5 billion guess), its only 0.0035%. Pretty quick. Hope that's a bit more clear this time. Ah, all is clear. Of curse that's assuming a random goo starting point. If you start all your races at the same time the probability greatly increases. Also, simply because you have seeded the galaxy does not necessarily mean you control it. I imagine that running an empire with communication systems that still take years to arrive would be horribly nightmarish at its best. Remember, they don't have to develop the travel simultaneously, just be close enough together that the principles are learnable. Any of mine good?:) I liked your first one, and am considering adding it in. Of the other two, the first one didn't seem right for my setting, and the second reminded me a bit too much of Animal Farm.
Araes 05-03-07, 07:25 PM	If you start all your races at the same time the probability greatly increases. Also, simply because you have seeded the galaxy does not necessarily mean you control it. Both definitely true. This was just for the case where we don't have any predetermined seeding in the universe and assume randomness. As far as the control of the galaxy, I was mostly assuming that such a society might either subjugate or influence the development of any races which it encountered as it spread. And assuming a similar growth of weapons technology with rate of transport technology, and any race which could travel farther, would be better at fighting (although there's a strong case that the leading edge wouldn't be as good unless communication was significantly faster than travel.) The main thrust of the argument though is actually often used as a counter to the percentage chance of life arguments. The basic reasoning goes that unless we are really lucky, or space travel is really hard, then we must be the only intelligent life in the universe this close to space travel, because otherwise they probably would have already found our planet a long time ago and colonized it.
stargate525 05-03-07, 07:34 PM	The basic reasoning goes that unless we are really lucky, or space travel is really hard, then we must be the only intelligent life in the universe this close to space travel, because otherwise they probably would have already found our planet a long time ago and colonized it. That's true. However, that theory completely discounts the possibility of non-intervening or friendly races, and assumes that all aliens will be hostile. And, of course, that fact that we lie near the outer rim of the galaxy probably helps us a bit.
Evil DM Mk3 05-03-07, 07:42 PM	AND it assumes they would have a reason to come here. Gods I live on this planet and I am not utterly sure I want to be here.
taradusis 05-12-07, 08:21 AM	Analog magazine had a fact article about how radiation/gravity problems make the center of the galaxy unihabitable.This would mean that only suns at the tip of the galactic arms could sustain life with 99.99% of the galaxy being off-limits?If you factor in that it takes an asteroid striking a earth/moon mass and splitting it into a binary system like ours this could account for the paucity of intelligent life?Just a theory.Imagine a man-sized brontosaurus who walks upright as a biped,allowing him to use his forlimbs as hands.Now imagine he has 2 heads attached to long flexible necks.The heads are small and contain complex sensory organs but only small,secondary brains.The main brain is located in the small of the back under a protective bony mass.Each head controls the actions of one arm much like an Ettin(most V necks who go armed use 2 pitols).V necks require 8 hours of sleep but one head is raised upright and scans the surroundings on "automatic pilot".Culturely the V necks are herd animals who are obsessed with rules and status."A rule for every situation and every situation handled strictly according to the rules"is a V neck motto.Is it possible for a voltovore to kill a holographic person by eating his energy?Is it possible for a Voltovore to "sleep-eat",that is drift up to a holographic person and consume them without awakening?Could this be converted into an adventure idea?RANDOM THOUGHTS
stargate525 05-12-07, 10:00 AM	Analog magazine had a fact article about how radiation/gravity problems make the center of the galaxy unihabitable.This would mean that only suns at the tip of the galactic arms could sustain life with 99.99% of the galaxy being off-limits?If you factor in that it takes an asteroid striking a earth/moon mass and splitting it into a binary system like ours this could account for the paucity of intelligent life?Just a theory.Imagine a man-sized brontosaurus who walks upright as a biped,allowing him to use his forlimbs as hands.Now imagine he has 2 heads attached to long flexible necks.The heads are small and contain complex sensory organs but only small,secondary brains.The main brain is located in the small of the back under a protective bony mass.Each head controls the actions of one arm much like an Ettin(most V necks who go armed use 2 pitols).V necks require 8 hours of sleep but one head is raised upright and scans the surroundings on "automatic pilot".Culturely the V necks are herd animals who are obsessed with rules and status."A rule for every situation and every situation handled strictly according to the rules"is a V neck motto.Is it possible for a voltovore to kill a holographic person by eating his energy?Is it possible for a Voltovore to "sleep-eat",that is drift up to a holographic person and consume them without awakening?Could this be converted into an adventure idea?RANDOM THOUGHTS For the first one, something's off with that. I know the the very center is way too inhospitable, but I'd say you could get halfway in before it gets too out of hand. The second one... it's interesting to say the least. And for the third one, I hadn't really thought about it yet, but the voltovore might have difficulty getting through the containment fields which give the hologram tis shape. But if it did get through, I see no reason why it couldn't live happily off the hologram like a parasite, as long as it doesn't take too much.
taradusis 05-12-07, 10:53 AM	If I can remember which issue the uninhabitable galaxy article was in I'll tell you.But Analog has cutting edge articles that get a little contreversial at times,and they were covering all aspects of SETI and the Drake Equation,it has a lot of unknown variables,we may have to go and see.:)
Delfedd 05-12-07, 11:38 AM	Hm... Lets come up with some really different aliens. Olyntims: These creatures came from a world with a much lighter gravity than earth. Their society developed entirely underwater, because they lack a lunar surface above them. They developed slowly at first, then quickly exploring the nearly uninhabited alien surface of the surface. From the surface, the Olyntims discovered the stars. Using the stars, the Olyntims discovered their sister planet, a land with about as much water, but more satilites. Living on this planet was the Priin. The Priin, while advanced, had never considered their sister planet for colonization. It had appeared far too sterile, and, although their was water, it was believed that life was in it's developing forms. A sign of their dominance had been placed their, and a minor laboratory was placed on it's surface, watching the land for the signs of life. They where taken completely by surprise when a great spherical ship blasted out of the surface and towards their homeworld. The priin decided to welcome these primitive visitors with open arms. The Olyntims where suprised at the activity. It had previously been assumed to be major volcanic vents. The Priin discovered how well the Olyntims where adapted to Zero-g environments, and offered them an exchange. If the Olyntims worked for the priin for a hundred years, the priin would give them great secrets for space travel. The Olytnims agreed. Now the hundred years have passed. The Olyntims have earned their freedom, and now are a self sufficient starfaring race. Olyntims appear to be small spheres with ten appendages on each side. They take in air from the water around them and use the carbon dioxide for propulsion. This natural knowledge of physics is what gave them an edge in rocket science. The Olyntims use two arms as weapons, and four arms as grasping tentacles. In oxygen, Olyntims must use water breathers to allow for movement in Zero-g. Olyntims are much less unweildy in gravity, and use their weapon arms as propulsion, although several top scientists are working on a wearable propulsion system that works anywhere.