Psionics and Alchemy: Any help appreciated!

[kdarc]

Originally Posted by Joe

What I'm about to say isn't helpful at all, but: I'd love to hear more about this campaign. You've given us such an intriguing set of hints, but I still can't quite imagine it... and I'd like to, because it sounds like heaps of fun!

Sure! I'd love to know what other people think of it. Basic campaign sketch:

• Psionics and alchemy exists as the setting choice of "exotic" powers.
• TL is about 4-ish, with alchemical and psionic enhancements in some areas, as mentioned before. I haven't really gotten into the details yet, however. Gunpowder weapons exist, but are not ubiquitous.
• General aesthetics and "feel" draws much inspiration from the Byzantine Empire and medieval Middle-East.
• Gameplay will be somewhat "gritty" and stuff like injuries, food etc will be handled rather realistically.
• General history: Some time ago, the Astral Plane (which exists as an "overlay" to the Material Plane, eg. "real world", and is accessibile through psionics, was invaded by Cthulhuish abominations and attacked the very minds and sanities of mortals in a way most people could not comprehend. Psion-scholars of the Gheedran Empire realized the true nature of the situation and the Empire quickly began expanding in order to gather enough psions to counter the threat. Nations who did not willingly join the Empire's project and bowed to its authority were militarily subjugated. The Empire's psions defeated the eldritch menace by erecting phychic barriers to keep them imprisoned. The mortals won The Astral War, as this was called. Some time has passed now, however, and the world is awakening from the celebration of victory. The Gheedran Empire rules supreme, but people are beginning to question their rule, and espeically their draconic enforcement of their laws (especillay those regarding psions). The Empire claims that the barriers on the Astral Plane require maintainance by experienced psi-users, but this is questioned. The Empire might also be facing a destructive war with another nation, and meanwhile, dissidence brews across the provinces.
• Ripping off Thieves' World (probably because I read the first three short story collections recently), the focus will be a trade town under Imperial rule. Imagine a cross between Gotham City and Mos Eisley. But in a fantasy world. With psions and stuff. The people there are feeling more and more self-conscious and are beginning to seriously question the Empire's role in the city. In response, a new governor has been dispatched, and realizing he must use rather... shadowy means to effectively govern the city ("a wretched hive of scum and villainy!"), he has been allowed to assemble a force he can dispatch for special missions. Enter the PCs.

Rather brief, safe the history part. I always tend to write more lore than "rules crunch". Forgive me.

Originally Posted by Diomedes

Mostly, yes. But if you swing by PK's mygurps website, you'll find he has a lens that converts it to a dedicated alchemist.

That sounds interesting. Might look into that, though I don't imagine alchemists being too spontaneous.