Steampunk FR [Archive] - Wizards Community

Steampunk FR [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Insignia)
07-12-05, 01:21 PM Ok, so here's the thing...

I'm about to DM a new campaign for a group of friends and former co-players. I want to do something fresh and original (still sticking to my beloved realms), so I came up with the idea of of advancing the timeline to the time just after the industrial revolution, pretty much as explained in Dragon#277. Given that FR is a fantasy medieval setting, and the industrial revolution reaches its peak mid 19. century, I'd move the timeline by some 450 years, placing the campaign at 1822 DR (perhaps I miscalculated a bit, please correct me if that is the case). Close to Victorian Era on Earth? Yes, FR timeline does look a lot like our own. :o

Now, this opens up a lot of questions regarding what happened in the meantime, and that's exactly why I'm here. I haven't decided on anything yet, but I do know that I want the setting to be a bit on the noir side. There's also always the magic-vs-technology struggle when it comes to these matters, so I need to decide whether they coexist peacefully or not. One thing is certain however: some races would take up technology more readily than others (dwarves over elves anyone?).

First of all, I'd like to determine the balance of power in the world. I'd like to see monster-occupied territories that are actually not limited to caves and swamps (Salvatore's Kingdom of Dark Arrows idea comes to mind as a perfect example). I can also imagine that the crossbreed races would gain more acceptance in the world as time went by and their numbers increased. Also what happened with the gods? Have there been any significant events regarding the shifts of power? Has Gond grown more powerful, or even split into multiple deities? What happened to various famous (and infamous) NPCs, organisations, etc. These are all big and important questions, so if you have any ideas and/or suggestinos regarding anything, from political developments to how people would dress, feel free to post and we'll discuss it. :)

Thanks.
~I

P.S. I was thinking about medieval weapons a bit (primarily swords), and I want them to remain a major factor in battle. Should I make guns hard to come by/expensive? How would you solve this? :S
Kessalin Talira
07-12-05, 03:45 PM Well, it's probably not what you want to hear, but in a situation like that, I'd just play Eberron.

Assuming that's not an option, I would at least get hold of the Eberron CS and take some of what it holds and rework it for FR.
Tidrec
07-12-05, 04:37 PM I have mulled over the idea of Steampunk in the Realms. My thoughts involved a decison by Gond and the gnomes to create an Industrial Revolution of sorts, unveiling steam engine and explosive technologies that had heretofore been kept secret on Lantan. However, the revolution would be strictly controlled by the church of Gond, and there would be much intrigue involving attempts to steal technology or lobby the gnomes to support one rival over another in trade and military disputes.

My concerns about advancing technology are centered around the fabric of the Realms. Magic infuses every aspect of Toril, and you have but to look at the folly of Karses and the fall of Netheril to see how disastrous even a tiny disruption of the Weave can be. The heavy interaction of the gods in Faerun also makes the question of technology a bit sticky. If Gond allows his faithful to alter the balance of power, won't other gods take action? Could there be a "war" of sorts between Gondians and Mystrans?

Technology could also cause a dampening of magic. Working from the premise that all things are part of the Weave, then wouldn't things that destroy large parts of the natural balance cause magical power to diminish? If forests are cleared to provide fuel for steam engines, or large areas are strip-mined for coal, the environmental impact might also lessen the strength of the Weave. Plus, races like the Elves and sylvan creatures would certainly react angrily to the destruction of natural resources.

If you're going for a Dark Realms feel, perhaps Gond could become the prisoner or thrall of Bane or Cyric. I'd leave it up to you to decide the circumstances that lead to such a thing, and why the other gods, including Ao, don't take action to stop it.

As an offical OFG (Old Fart Gamer), I'd reccomend renting Ralph Bakshi's animated tale of magic vs. technology, "Wizards".

Hope this helps. Good luck...and let the rest of us know what you decide to go with (without revealing secrets to snooping players who may frequent this forum).
Tidrec
07-12-05, 04:38 PM Almost forgot...D20 Past has info about Steampunk settings.
Zevox
07-12-05, 06:16 PM The Realms is such a magic-heavy setting that I just can't see it having an "Industrial Revolution". Most anything we can do with technology can be done easier using magic, and most of the necessary spells aren't even difficult/high level ones (lighting, flight/levitation/teleportation, clairaudience/clairvoyance, sendings, blowing stuff up, food and water conjuring - make a spell that sets up a permanent building/house and you're all set). Even with Gond and the Gnomes loving to tinker around with technology, I have serious doubts that it'd take off enough to become relevant anywhere but in Gond's church and on Lantan. As Kessalin Talira said, I'd have to say that Eberron would be a better place for something like this.

I know it wasn't a very helpful post, but thats my opinion. Sorry I couldn't be of better aid.

Zevox
Karsus the Mad
07-12-05, 08:38 PM Now, this opens up a lot of questions regarding what happened in the meantime, and that's exactly why I'm here. I haven't decided on anything yet, but I do know that I want the setting to be a bit on the noir side. There's also always the magic-vs-technology struggle when it comes to these matters, so I need to decide whether they coexist peacefully or not. One thing is certain however: some races would take up technology more readily than others (dwarves over elves anyone?).

There's a game call Arcanum by sierra, that takes place on a magical world going through an industrial revolution (steam engines, guns, machines, trains, etc). In the world magic and tech eb and flow, each having dominance in it's turn. You could have it where the weave remains perfectly ok, but access to it becomes even more restricted to the point where only 6th level and below are available. And magic causes technological items to malfunction and vice versa. Wizards would have slowly given way to Inventors, but still be around. (the gnome artificer prestige class would work with a few modifications).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Insignia) 07-12-05, 01:21 PM	Ok, so here's the thing... I'm about to DM a new campaign for a group of friends and former co-players. I want to do something fresh and original (still sticking to my beloved realms), so I came up with the idea of of advancing the timeline to the time just after the industrial revolution, pretty much as explained in Dragon#277. Given that FR is a fantasy medieval setting, and the industrial revolution reaches its peak mid 19. century, I'd move the timeline by some 450 years, placing the campaign at 1822 DR (perhaps I miscalculated a bit, please correct me if that is the case). Close to Victorian Era on Earth? Yes, FR timeline does look a lot like our own. :o Now, this opens up a lot of questions regarding what happened in the meantime, and that's exactly why I'm here. I haven't decided on anything yet, but I do know that I want the setting to be a bit on the noir side. There's also always the magic-vs-technology struggle when it comes to these matters, so I need to decide whether they coexist peacefully or not. One thing is certain however: some races would take up technology more readily than others (dwarves over elves anyone?). First of all, I'd like to determine the balance of power in the world. I'd like to see monster-occupied territories that are actually not limited to caves and swamps (Salvatore's Kingdom of Dark Arrows idea comes to mind as a perfect example). I can also imagine that the crossbreed races would gain more acceptance in the world as time went by and their numbers increased. Also what happened with the gods? Have there been any significant events regarding the shifts of power? Has Gond grown more powerful, or even split into multiple deities? What happened to various famous (and infamous) NPCs, organisations, etc. These are all big and important questions, so if you have any ideas and/or suggestinos regarding anything, from political developments to how people would dress, feel free to post and we'll discuss it. :) Thanks. ~I P.S. I was thinking about medieval weapons a bit (primarily swords), and I want them to remain a major factor in battle. Should I make guns hard to come by/expensive? How would you solve this? :S
Kessalin Talira 07-12-05, 03:45 PM	Well, it's probably not what you want to hear, but in a situation like that, I'd just play Eberron. Assuming that's not an option, I would at least get hold of the Eberron CS and take some of what it holds and rework it for FR.
Tidrec 07-12-05, 04:37 PM	I have mulled over the idea of Steampunk in the Realms. My thoughts involved a decison by Gond and the gnomes to create an Industrial Revolution of sorts, unveiling steam engine and explosive technologies that had heretofore been kept secret on Lantan. However, the revolution would be strictly controlled by the church of Gond, and there would be much intrigue involving attempts to steal technology or lobby the gnomes to support one rival over another in trade and military disputes. My concerns about advancing technology are centered around the fabric of the Realms. Magic infuses every aspect of Toril, and you have but to look at the folly of Karses and the fall of Netheril to see how disastrous even a tiny disruption of the Weave can be. The heavy interaction of the gods in Faerun also makes the question of technology a bit sticky. If Gond allows his faithful to alter the balance of power, won't other gods take action? Could there be a "war" of sorts between Gondians and Mystrans? Technology could also cause a dampening of magic. Working from the premise that all things are part of the Weave, then wouldn't things that destroy large parts of the natural balance cause magical power to diminish? If forests are cleared to provide fuel for steam engines, or large areas are strip-mined for coal, the environmental impact might also lessen the strength of the Weave. Plus, races like the Elves and sylvan creatures would certainly react angrily to the destruction of natural resources. If you're going for a Dark Realms feel, perhaps Gond could become the prisoner or thrall of Bane or Cyric. I'd leave it up to you to decide the circumstances that lead to such a thing, and why the other gods, including Ao, don't take action to stop it. As an offical OFG (Old Fart Gamer), I'd reccomend renting Ralph Bakshi's animated tale of magic vs. technology, "Wizards". Hope this helps. Good luck...and let the rest of us know what you decide to go with (without revealing secrets to snooping players who may frequent this forum).
Tidrec 07-12-05, 04:38 PM	Almost forgot...D20 Past has info about Steampunk settings.
Zevox 07-12-05, 06:16 PM	The Realms is such a magic-heavy setting that I just can't see it having an "Industrial Revolution". Most anything we can do with technology can be done easier using magic, and most of the necessary spells aren't even difficult/high level ones (lighting, flight/levitation/teleportation, clairaudience/clairvoyance, sendings, blowing stuff up, food and water conjuring - make a spell that sets up a permanent building/house and you're all set). Even with Gond and the Gnomes loving to tinker around with technology, I have serious doubts that it'd take off enough to become relevant anywhere but in Gond's church and on Lantan. As Kessalin Talira said, I'd have to say that Eberron would be a better place for something like this. I know it wasn't a very helpful post, but thats my opinion. Sorry I couldn't be of better aid. Zevox
Karsus the Mad 07-12-05, 08:38 PM	Now, this opens up a lot of questions regarding what happened in the meantime, and that's exactly why I'm here. I haven't decided on anything yet, but I do know that I want the setting to be a bit on the noir side. There's also always the magic-vs-technology struggle when it comes to these matters, so I need to decide whether they coexist peacefully or not. One thing is certain however: some races would take up technology more readily than others (dwarves over elves anyone?). There's a game call Arcanum by sierra, that takes place on a magical world going through an industrial revolution (steam engines, guns, machines, trains, etc). In the world magic and tech eb and flow, each having dominance in it's turn. You could have it where the weave remains perfectly ok, but access to it becomes even more restricted to the point where only 6th level and below are available. And magic causes technological items to malfunction and vice versa. Wizards would have slowly given way to Inventors, but still be around. (the gnome artificer prestige class would work with a few modifications).