[Space/Thaumatology] Stargate: Fantasy - Worldbuilding thread

[Kesendeja]

#5 but I'll throw a vote at #1 for a contrast if there is more than one branch.

[Varyon]

Originally Posted by Prince Charon

Important Regional Cultures Question III

I'll place my votes for 5 (crystal-based magitech, it's common enough in both fantasy and scifi for SGC to think it's technology rather than magic) and ericthered's 6a (Biopunk elves vs Crystal elves; this would be particularly interesting if SGC is initially more inclined to side with the latter, as they seem less immediately-horrifying, but then turn out to be just as unsettling, if not more).

[Fred Brackin]

Originally Posted by Varyon

I'll place my votes for 5 (crystal-based magitech, it's common enough in both fantasy and scifi for SGC to think it's technology rather than magic) .

Note that in the actual TV show the alien tech could very accurately be described as "crystal-based" and filled out the Clarke-side of "sufficiently advanced technology".

Count this as a vote for #5.

[TGLS]

Well it probably won't matter but I'll vote for 6b: #5, but the crystals are created by means of #1.

[Prince Charon]

Originally Posted by TGLS

Are the Eldritch folk supposed to be dark (but not necessarily evil), evil (but not necessarily dark), both, or neither?

Well, if we end up with enough votes for two Eldritch factions, it could be one of each. My own thinking is that they're creepy and evil from a human perspective (which is also how the Dvergar and Frolechi see them), though there could be specific Eldritch Beings who aren't that bad.

[adm]

I like some sort of blend of 1+3 that reinforces the other.

If two factions, then 5 for the second one.

I could see both factions being originally based on 3 and each faction going to 1 or 5.

[Prince Charon]

So, 5 has four or five votes, 1 has three votes, 6a has two votes, and both 3 and 6b have one vote each.

If no-one particularly objects, I'm going to say that the Crystal Spires and Togas group are the dominant faction, and there's a smaller, less powerful faction that went in for Hardcore Biopunk. Which one the PCs meet first is likely to vary from game to game.

[Inky]

I'm not sure if anyone here's come across a graphic novel series called A Distant Soil, but that might be some inspiration for ethereal crystal-spires-and-togas aliens that are evil. (Apparently, odd coincidence, one of the main characters has dark skin and ginger hair. I'm not sure I remembered that before checking the website!)

[Prince Charon]

Important Regional Cultures Question IV

A 'two questions in different formats' entry, about TGLS's unnamed multispecies polity.

First question: What does their use of technology (and magic, where they're connected) look like?

1. Power in Motion (TL2^ with TL(2+3)^ herb lore; martial arts themed Symbol Magic interacts with some technologies)

2. Alchemical Clockpunk (TL(4+4)^; clockwork robots and alchemy, some machines use alchemical 'fuels')

3. Electrostaticpunk (TL(4+2)^; with a focus on the application of static electricity)

4. Cyberpunk (TL(7+2)^; technoneuromancy, common cyberwear, and probably Shadowrunish Path/Book Magic)

5. Atompunk (TL(6+4)^; Pulp Sci-Fi, with atomic rockets, ray guns, and Magic-as-'psychic'-Powers)

6. Several of the above, due to being an alliance of smaller, less powerful groups (so if this wins or ties, the others that get votes here are subfactions).

7. Something else (please specify).

Please remember to include the number(s) of your preferred option(s) when you vote.


Second question: What is the polity/culture/group called?

*******

Answer: The current tally is five votes for 5, four votes for 1, three votes for 4, and two votes for 6. The 'Power in Motion' and 'Cyberpunk' cultures might be protectorates or client states of the more powerful 'Atompunk' culture, but that's for a later vote. The name of the polity will be in the next vote.

[Kesendeja]

Important Regional Cultures Question IV
In order of prefrence:

6. Several of the above, due to being an alliance of smaller, less powerful groups (so if this wins or ties, the others that get votes here are subfactions).

4. Cyberpunk (TL(7+2)^; technoneuromancy, common cyberwear, and probably Shadowrunish Path/Book Magic)

5. Atompunk (TL(6+4)^; Pulp Sci-Fi, with atomic rockets, ray guns, and Magic-as-'psychic'-Powers)

1. Power in Motion (TL2^ with TL(2+3)^ herb lore; martial arts themed Symbol Magic interacts with some technologies)