Gun-fu inspired setting - Fight for your right to bear arms on Wuxia Mars - Page 2

Celestial Goblin · 11-29-2010, 12:54 PM

This is something that was born in my head after reading GURPS gun-fu supplement few times and starting to imagine it's styles as actual, codified styles as well as lots of other amusing setting ideas. I'd love to hear your comments, criticisms and ideas. Also, the schools are just ideas now and can definitely be worked on from the rules angle.

Abstract: Wuxia genre tropes are re-skinned to be about hi-tech firearms. Legendary melee weapons, styles and smiths turn into 'cult' guns, awesome training in their use and gun-nuts who create them. In Wuxia you have the cliche of an evil emperor banning martial arts that peasants learn to fight bandits - here I mine real-life USA politics of firearm advocates for inspiration, taken to wish-fulfilling extremes. All happens on a newly colonized Mars to add a wild frontier flavor and allow to mix all kinds of tropes, tech levels and setting elements.

Setting:The action takes place on terraformed Mars in year 2400. Following a crisis, Mars colonists are separated from earth and because of terraforming not finishing properly they have to brave a much more hostile planet than it was expected. Originally settled by most idealistic and brave of humanity, Mars is now torn apart by lawlesness but at the same time sliding into tyranny, both processes working hand in hand. When at the edges of civilization raiders, gangs and warlords threaten the unprepared colonists, self-defense groups form by necessity. Used to peace since many generations, the colonists actually rely on weapon designs and military curricula from millennia before, from the XX and XXI century, though aided when possible by the peaceful ultra-tech of their own time. A small community can churn out firearms in their home auto-factory, enhance their skill using implant technology and train themselves to perfection in VR simulation. Then they just need GUTS.

During this tumultous period, a tyrant vies for control of the whole planet. Back at the urban 'hub' of Mars, a respected and wise colony council leader passes away. The man was widely regarded as a 'philosopher king', even if his power was far from being a king. He has a charismatic son who wants to succeed him but makes a grab for total dictatorial power, promising to hammer Mars back into a cohesive and harmonious society through any means necessary. The reality of his rule is tyranny and one of the most unpopular edicts cracks down on manufacture and use of any kind of weaponry by anyone but his own army. By this time, the self-defense groups are troops of formidable super-soldiers and refuse to go down without a fight.

History:
2250+, a 'golden age' of humanity with advancements in auto-facs, genetic engineering and energy sources cumulating in an era of prosperity and daring enterprises, the most daring of them all is terraforming of Mars. Mega-devices are plopped on Mars that mine materials, self-replicate and slowly convert the planet into being earth-like, all the while brave colonists arrive from earth, dividing the planet and hoping to create even shinier and prouder states on the new world. Mars is full of idealistic communes, syndicates and co-operatives and cult-ish religious orders - it is a vibrant mix of brave ideologies that all try to co-exist together well.

2300 Things start to break on earth - the prosperity era experienced by humanity creates social changes that end up with humanity turning inwards, ceasing expansion and leaving Mars colonization half-done. However there already are people on Mars and the machines of terraforming are already chugging, even if lack of support from Earth means that not everyone will go according to a big plan - instead of a serene eden Mars will become a grim wilderness.

2315 Mars is habitable, self-sustainable and independent. The un-guided terraforming machines make it a rough and savage place, one of cold climate, thick boreal forests, deep dark seas and frequent thunderstorms. It earns the name 'heavy metal planet' for it's looks as much as for the plentiful and valuable ores mined in it's crust. It's people, hardy frontier folk, descendants of most industrious and ambitious, rich with what best engineering and metallurgy tech Earth gave them start to make the planet their own.

2350 Tough and brave times for the Martians as they need to build all the infrastructure on planet to provide them what they'd otherwise have from earth. An almost dark age, yet one where decency and unity seem to prevail. A few people of great intellect take up the mantle of charismatic leadership and guidance but do not reach for more power than they are bestowed with. The Martian colonial authority becomes a sovereign authority meant to protect and mediate between the different independent communities. Eventually though, things start to rot and humanity's bad side shows. Where there is no law, there is crime, pathology, hatred and finally war.

Up to 2400
Self-defense societies form to fight the threats and communities turn inward, the idealistic tolerance of days yore fading. Skirmishes erupt over precious resoruces. The colonial authority reluctantly creates a regular army and starts enforcing strict law - the reach of it's forces determining the actual borders of the young Martian state. This is for a while hopeful when an idealistic and humble 'philosopher general' is at the helm and his project of a harmonious society attracts great support from the masses. Then however he dies and his son claims that he is to be his successor. He however means not harmony but tyranny.

Technology: cleaner, cooler version of what we have now in west. Really efficient wind, water, solar and clean fusion power. Medicine that can let people live way over 100 and put together really damaged people. Most serious illnesses cured. Human enhancement allows to boost reflexes, coordination and endurance and some ways allow to make that inheritable through genes. Auto-factories and programmable robots do most of menial work and humans who'd be laborers are low-level programmers. Technology(including the legendary guns) are designed virtually and spat out by appropriate machines.

Society: got kinda mean and ass-holish on Mars, bit more totalitarian and bloody. There's still a lot of people who cling to high-minded idealisms from Earth, but quoting some obscure 22 century philosopher won't save you from being murdered you know... There's a possiblity to spend most of your life in VR bliss, but Mars was originally a place where people went to *get away* from this sort of life and as such many philosophies shun VR addiction. The melting-pot of starry-eyed idealists created a multum of ideologies and movements that could mimic multiple religions and philosophies of Wuxia east.

World: Mars is colder than earth, has lots of evergreen trees, dark water, proud mountains and overally bits of Scandinavia, Siberia, northern China and what have you. Cities range from shiny hi-tech domes to XX century concrete block projects, often with wilderness beginning right where the concrete lefts off. Road network is limited and some places are reached only through flying or off-road vehicles. Civilian helicopters are popular.

11-29-2010, 12:54 PM	#1
Celestial Goblin Join Date: Feb 2009	Gun-fu inspired setting - Fight for your right to bear arms on Wuxia Mars This is something that was born in my head after reading GURPS gun-fu supplement few times and starting to imagine it's styles as actual, codified styles as well as lots of other amusing setting ideas. I'd love to hear your comments, criticisms and ideas. Also, the schools are just ideas now and can definitely be worked on from the rules angle. Abstract: Wuxia genre tropes are re-skinned to be about hi-tech firearms. Legendary melee weapons, styles and smiths turn into 'cult' guns, awesome training in their use and gun-nuts who create them. In Wuxia you have the cliche of an evil emperor banning martial arts that peasants learn to fight bandits - here I mine real-life USA politics of firearm advocates for inspiration, taken to wish-fulfilling extremes. All happens on a newly colonized Mars to add a wild frontier flavor and allow to mix all kinds of tropes, tech levels and setting elements. Setting:The action takes place on terraformed Mars in year 2400. Following a crisis, Mars colonists are separated from earth and because of terraforming not finishing properly they have to brave a much more hostile planet than it was expected. Originally settled by most idealistic and brave of humanity, Mars is now torn apart by lawlesness but at the same time sliding into tyranny, both processes working hand in hand. When at the edges of civilization raiders, gangs and warlords threaten the unprepared colonists, self-defense groups form by necessity. Used to peace since many generations, the colonists actually rely on weapon designs and military curricula from millennia before, from the XX and XXI century, though aided when possible by the peaceful ultra-tech of their own time. A small community can churn out firearms in their home auto-factory, enhance their skill using implant technology and train themselves to perfection in VR simulation. Then they just need GUTS. During this tumultous period, a tyrant vies for control of the whole planet. Back at the urban 'hub' of Mars, a respected and wise colony council leader passes away. The man was widely regarded as a 'philosopher king', even if his power was far from being a king. He has a charismatic son who wants to succeed him but makes a grab for total dictatorial power, promising to hammer Mars back into a cohesive and harmonious society through any means necessary. The reality of his rule is tyranny and one of the most unpopular edicts cracks down on manufacture and use of any kind of weaponry by anyone but his own army. By this time, the self-defense groups are troops of formidable super-soldiers and refuse to go down without a fight. History: 2250+, a 'golden age' of humanity with advancements in auto-facs, genetic engineering and energy sources cumulating in an era of prosperity and daring enterprises, the most daring of them all is terraforming of Mars. Mega-devices are plopped on Mars that mine materials, self-replicate and slowly convert the planet into being earth-like, all the while brave colonists arrive from earth, dividing the planet and hoping to create even shinier and prouder states on the new world. Mars is full of idealistic communes, syndicates and co-operatives and cult-ish religious orders - it is a vibrant mix of brave ideologies that all try to co-exist together well. 2300 Things start to break on earth - the prosperity era experienced by humanity creates social changes that end up with humanity turning inwards, ceasing expansion and leaving Mars colonization half-done. However there already are people on Mars and the machines of terraforming are already chugging, even if lack of support from Earth means that not everyone will go according to a big plan - instead of a serene eden Mars will become a grim wilderness. 2315 Mars is habitable, self-sustainable and independent. The un-guided terraforming machines make it a rough and savage place, one of cold climate, thick boreal forests, deep dark seas and frequent thunderstorms. It earns the name 'heavy metal planet' for it's looks as much as for the plentiful and valuable ores mined in it's crust. It's people, hardy frontier folk, descendants of most industrious and ambitious, rich with what best engineering and metallurgy tech Earth gave them start to make the planet their own. 2350 Tough and brave times for the Martians as they need to build all the infrastructure on planet to provide them what they'd otherwise have from earth. An almost dark age, yet one where decency and unity seem to prevail. A few people of great intellect take up the mantle of charismatic leadership and guidance but do not reach for more power than they are bestowed with. The Martian colonial authority becomes a sovereign authority meant to protect and mediate between the different independent communities. Eventually though, things start to rot and humanity's bad side shows. Where there is no law, there is crime, pathology, hatred and finally war. Up to 2400 Self-defense societies form to fight the threats and communities turn inward, the idealistic tolerance of days yore fading. Skirmishes erupt over precious resoruces. The colonial authority reluctantly creates a regular army and starts enforcing strict law - the reach of it's forces determining the actual borders of the young Martian state. This is for a while hopeful when an idealistic and humble 'philosopher general' is at the helm and his project of a harmonious society attracts great support from the masses. Then however he dies and his son claims that he is to be his successor. He however means not harmony but tyranny. Technology: cleaner, cooler version of what we have now in west. Really efficient wind, water, solar and clean fusion power. Medicine that can let people live way over 100 and put together really damaged people. Most serious illnesses cured. Human enhancement allows to boost reflexes, coordination and endurance and some ways allow to make that inheritable through genes. Auto-factories and programmable robots do most of menial work and humans who'd be laborers are low-level programmers. Technology(including the legendary guns) are designed virtually and spat out by appropriate machines. Society: got kinda mean and ass-holish on Mars, bit more totalitarian and bloody. There's still a lot of people who cling to high-minded idealisms from Earth, but quoting some obscure 22 century philosopher won't save you from being murdered you know... There's a possiblity to spend most of your life in VR bliss, but Mars was originally a place where people went to get away from this sort of life and as such many philosophies shun VR addiction. The melting-pot of starry-eyed idealists created a multum of ideologies and movements that could mimic multiple religions and philosophies of Wuxia east. World: Mars is colder than earth, has lots of evergreen trees, dark water, proud mountains and overally bits of Scandinavia, Siberia, northern China and what have you. Cities range from shiny hi-tech domes to XX century concrete block projects, often with wilderness beginning right where the concrete lefts off. Road network is limited and some places are reached only through flying or off-road vehicles. Civilian helicopters are popular.