Re: New Sci Fi Setting Seeds
 

Morgan le Fay could be friend or foe. At any given time she either loved or hated her brother, no middle ground. Here, she and Arthur are fighting for all, everyone who ever was or will be.

Re: New Sci Fi Setting Seeds
 

This could be a very interesting setting to game in. Of course, we'd need more details (power level, magic system or systems, who the aliens are and why they're bothering to invade, et cetra), but many settings could branch off this tree.

My current thinking is that the aliens want humans and other Earth lifeforms for their magical potential, and invaded to secure the supply from other aliens, to make collecting them easier, and so that this potential would not be used against them (Oops!).

EDIT: For magic systems, I suggest either some Path/Book magic styles (with RPM perhaps being restricted to the Fae and unusually powerful human mages), or a few different Symbol Drawing styles, as the latter deserves more coverage. Maybe a combination thereof.

Re: New Sci Fi Setting Seeds
 

I had imagined the Aliens as simple imperialist greedheads. Your idea is so much better! Thank you! Humans are resources, the Aliens provoked Arthur's return to grab for magical power.

I'd suggest magic style follows play style. If you're doing four-color heroics, path-book might be to low key. Subtle spookery fits path-book so beautifully. Fit the system to the campaign.

Re: New Sci Fi Setting Seeds
 

Well, yes. If the players want four-colour action, Sorcery or Ream Magic are probably better options, IMHO.

Re: New Sci Fi Setting Seeds
 

As a generic version of DC's Dominion War, the aliens are aware that only Terrestrial humans have the Metagene. They want to Hoover up as many Metas as they can, scatter us all over the Empire and have us breed with the locals as much as possible. It being well known that humans can and will breed with anything. This has been part of the Marvel Kree backstory almost since day one. Although they tended to follow the alien abduction route.

Re: New Sci Fi Setting Seeds
 

You could also have multiple factions among the invaders.

1. Faction A feels that magical Terrans are a useful resource for the empire that should be monopolized and exploited. Maybe there's a Magic Gap they have to close with a competitor.
2. Faction B is all about the Alien's Burden, and their duty to civilize lesser species, especially useful ones with magic.
3. Faction C believes that magical Terrans are a threat, and should be exterminated. They are a minority voice, but dangerous nonetheless.
4. Faction D is devoutly non-interventionist and believes that Earth should be allowed to pursue its own path to the stars, or alternately sealed off from the rest of the galaxy for its own good. Also a minority.

Re: New Sci Fi Setting Seeds
 

Try this idea...

A Reality Quake occurs in 2025, there are pragmaclasts all over the world. Most are simply weird, like the Amusement Park in Northern Greenland. Some cause brutal chaos, like Mekkah getting swapped out for a goddess of Fertility holy center (the violence was massive). However, the USA got a factory for manufacturing fusors. The USA is rapidly expanding its advantage and selling hundreds of high-quality cheap fusors to nations around the world.

By 2030 oil prices are lower, after inflation, than they were in the 1960's. Oil dependent economies are in freefall. They are also bitter and angry. A second reality quake has struck, rumor says in brought some kind of weapon with it. A central Asian War Lord has the weapon (think 1970's Bond Villain gizmos) and is willing to sell it to Russia, Iran, the Saudis, or anyone else who can meet his price. Can the PCs stop this?

Re: New Sci Fi Setting Seeds
 

Pacifica

Q5, Year 1942

This world was much the same as any low-mana echo until September 1940, when Ry'leh arose from the depths and squamous hordes of Deep Ones overran the Pacific. The various Imperial naval powers most of the Imperial powers immediately withdrew their fleets, often abandoning their colonies and outposts.

The US Navy and Japan, as the sole remaining human naval powers in the Pacific Ocean, joined forces against an enemy that found it easier to raise and lower islands than to make warships. The death toll was horrendous, but with a combination of Japanese militarism, American industry, and advanced scientific knowledge contributed by the Great Race of Yith, the humans fought their way to Ry'leh itself.

In the Battle of Ry'leh in December of 1941, the battleship IJN Yamato, covered by the aircraft of the carrier USS Enterprise, and aided by their respective battle groups, did direct battle with Cthulhu and his Star Spawn. Both of the main warships were equipped not only with their conventional weapons, but force fields and lightning cannons, and many of their support ships and experimental fighters were equipped with antigravity devices. The Eldritch Horror, after thirteen days of battle and over ninty percent casualties, was forced back into his tomb which sank beneath the sea. With their deity's defeat, the Deep Ones withdrew into the ocean.

The alliance between America and Japan, or Pacific Alliance, was ratified soon after, with the two sides splitiing the Pacific between them. The Pacific Ocean was completely reshaped geographically, but many of the new islands were quickly colonized by Polynesians who somehow avoided destruction. After fighting for humanity as a whole and not just for a nation, the glory-covered heroes began using their fame to moderate their nation's behavior. This is causing a lot of domestic problems, but Manchuria, Korea, and the American South are already seeing some changes.

The Lend-Lease Act, temporarily suspended during the Pacific War, was renewed, and England was awash with not only old military vehicles, but a small number of antigravity vehicles equipped with energy weapons and force fields. The Third Reich and Societ Union, still allies, jointly declared that America was under the control of "Jewish Fish Monsters from Mars" and in January of 1942 threatened to declare war against the United Staes and Japan if they didn't become true neutrals. America and Japan shrugged and declared war on the Third Reich and Soviet Union.

A Dieselpunk TL 6^ World War II with different sides, domestic reactionary terrorism, Nazis and Stalinists to shoot, and the occasional Eldritch Horror. What more could anyone ask for?

Re: New Sci Fi Setting Seeds
 

Quite enjoyable. Side stories probably include reticent NAZIs deciding that maybe it would be folly to go against an alliance that managed to kill a god and has super-powered science.

Or, perhaps they'll try to find a patron of similar or greater power...

Re: New Sci Fi Setting Seeds
 

NAZI Science sneers at the Allies reliance on religious mumbo jumbo.