Need Help Populating a Sci-Fi Map

[Tensen01]

Okay, so I recently made a post on RPGnet about a Fantasy Dungeon Crawl styled Sci-Fi game idea I had and through much help I decided on an idea.

It takes place in a single, multi-star, planetary system. And the idea is instead of having a single land-mass fantasy map, I have a Planetary System map that has locations that correspond to similar locations.

Instead of Empires there are Homeworlds, instead of barren wastes there are asteroid belts, instead of dungeons there are derelict space hulks, etc.

Setting-wise the concept is thus: Around 200(Maybe more?) Earth-Years ago dozens of species left their homeworlds in an attempt to escape some sort of a galactic catastrophe simply called The Blackout. They all converged onto this system, led there by a mysterious ancient signal. After much exploration the various races came to the conclusion that this system had been created for the express purpose of harboring these races in the event of just the sort of devastation that occurred. The Creators were nowhere to be found but various ruins and bits of tech prove they once existed. Over the past couple hundred years each race set up their civilizations on the planets that fit their needs best. Society has survived, but there have also been conflicts between the more civilized(PC) races and some of the territorial War-Like races. There is also "Magic" in a style very similar to Biotics from Mass Effect.

Players will basically be Adventurers traveling between stars and Planets exploring derelicts and ruins, discovering tech and clues to the history of this place. Currently planning on using a Modified version of the Dragon Age RPG.

The PC races I have so far are:
Humans: Humans
Uon: A small, hardy Rodent-like race (the setting's Dwarves)
Vri'es: A tall, long-lived asexual Amphibious/Insectoid race (Elves)
Autons: A Synthetic People (Warforged)

Open to suggestions for other PC Races or NPC races



The System is a Trinary system Two Suns (B & C) sharing an orbit around a Third (A), and the a Fourth outlying Star(p) orbiting the group. The Majority of the PC races will have settled on Planets around A. There are a couple Dozen Planets and a hundred or so Moons and Dwarf Planets. As well as a couple Asteroid Belt(One in Local System B and one separating A from B & C) Travel between planets around the same star takes hours, travel to other stars take days if not weeks.

Just a quick map I whipped up. Needs names, locations, and phenomena. The Relays are the only intact piece of Creator technology. They are Giant transmitters and are what put out the signal that called all the races to the system. As of yet no one has been able to get inside them and while they are no longer transmitting they are being used as signal relays, allowing fairly fast communication between systems.



So, what do I need from the community? Ideas really. Locations, phenomena & Other races for the most part. Tone-Wise I'm following kind of Mass Effect meets Destiny. Don't be afraid to steal from other sources, I certainly am, and you may be familiar with properties I'm not.

[LoA]

I can't imagine a solar system like that without some major gravitational screwiness. How does this effect the atmospheric conditions of life baring planets? They argue that Westeros has such insane random weather because the planet is in a dual relationship between two stars. How does having four stars orbiting around each other change everything?

Tell me more about the Autons. Are they like Upgrade from Ben10? A weird blend of cellular life and nanotech? Are they just sentient machines, or are they cyborgs?

But yeah this looks cool! I'd totally join in if this is what my group would want to play. Ok

[Tensen01]

I can't imagine a solar system like that without some major gravitational screwiness. How does this effect the atmospheric conditions of life baring planets? They argue that Westeros has such insane random weather because the planet is in a dual relationship between two stars. How does having four stars orbiting around each other change everything?

Tell me more about the Autons. Are they like Upgrade from Ben10? A weird blend of cellular life and nanotech? Are they just sentient machines, or are they cyborgs?

But yeah this looks cool! I'd totally join in if this is what my group would want to play. Ok

I'm basically ignoring the weirdness of gravitational forces for a few reasons, 1, that map's not to scale ;)

2. It was a created system that just works. Maybe that's one of the mysteries, why does it work so well when maybe it shouldn't. I also did quite a bit of research on these types of systems when making my BSG map (Which this is based on) and while it wouldn't be stable in the Long term, it would be perfectly fine for upwards of 250,000 years. Which is not much astronomically, but is enough for the game.

Not entirely decided on the Autons. I think most of their origin is lost even to the Autons(or was maybe erased). I'm thinking Malleable Nano robotic exterior with possibly biological organs (basically what you said). So Cyborgish though I'm going to say they don't know that part either. Unfamiliar with Ben10 though.

Thanks

[Tensen01]

Here's some info on the PC Races

Human
- Bog-standard humans. Cybernetic and genetic Enhancements are common but not to a Transhuman Level.
- Can learn to harness The Void(Magic/Biotics)
- Estimated Population: 450 Million
- Current Homeworld: Terris

Vri'es (Elves)
- Evolved from an Aquatic Species, adapted to breathe in a slightly Oxygen-rich atmosphere, but can survive fine in Earth-Standard. Still Able to Breathe Underwater
- All Vri'es have the ability to harness the Void to one degree or another.
- Estimated Population: 400 Million
- Current Homeworld: Voranna

Uon (Dwarves)
- Hardy Species likely evolved from some sort of Rodent Ancestor. Homeworld's slightly-high gravity results in dense skeleton and Musculature when compared to humans.
- Uon seem utterly Unwilling to attempt harnessing the Void
- Estimated Population: 240 Million
- Current Homeworld: Udilon

Auton (Warforged)
- Artificial beings constructed of a malleable Nano-Organic material. Origin is unknown, even to the Autons. Cannot reproduce
- Auton seem to be incapable of harnessing the Void
- Estimated Population: 300,000
- Current Homeworld: N/A, the Autons do not have a formal Society or Homeworld

NPC Races

Drenn (Orcs)
- Multi-armed seemingly reptilian race. Very territorial and Xenophobic to the point of rage. Most tech from Conquering before the Blackout as opposed to from actual mechanical advancement
- Drenn can harness the void. It is unknown how common this ability is.
- Estimated Population: 180 Million
- Current Homeworld: Qern


Willing to hear ideas on how to Incorporate other Fantasy Races into this Setting.

[Gamer Printshop]

Sounds to me like many of the standard D&D/PF races you'd find in any normal game, slightly altered to fit your sci-fi theme. If you need more, why not simply use the same with the remaining standard races: halfling and gnome. When building any setting other than vanilla D&D, I never include the standard races, rather more specific non-standard races (I personally loathe the typical: elves, dwarves, orcs, etc.)

I would certainly create a cybernetic race, as you've included above, but would never call them "warforged" - ick, that's Eberron, another D&D world - to me that's so unoriginal not to create your own non-warforged-based cybernetic race.

For a space game, I'd include humans, "Roswell" Grays, some warrior race (other than orcs), a cybernetic race, an aberrant tentacle race (squid people), and whatever else I could see fitting (?).

Note: I don't mean to discount your choices so far, just that using sci-fi flavored versions of standard D&D races is something I would never do myself.

In fact, I've published the Kaidan setting of Japanese horror (PFRPG), and despite being fantasy, the setting doesn't include Asian versions of elf, dwarf, halfling, orc, gnome, etc. (not even mentioned). Even Oriental Adventures created races like "Spirit Folk" which was a Japanicized elf race, even though Japanese folklore didn't include anything like spirit folk, so of course are not included in my setting because of that. In my setting I only adopted races/monsters directly from 19th century and older Japanese folklore. I like authenticity, and not the same old D&D races.

[Tensen01]

Sounds to me like many of the standard D&D/PF races you'd find in any normal game, slightly altered to fit your sci-fi theme. If you need more, why not simply use the same with the remaining standard races: halfling and gnome. When building any setting other than vanilla D&D, I never include the standard races, rather more specific non-standard races (I personally loathe the typical: elves, dwarves, orcs, etc.)

I would certainly create a cybernetic race, as you've included above, but would never call them "warforged" - ick, that's Eberron, another D&D world - to me that's so unoriginal not to create your own non-warforged-based cybernetic race.

For a space game, I'd include humans, "Roswell" Grays, some warrior race (other than orcs), a cybernetic race, an aberrant tentacle race (squid people), and whatever else I could see fitting (?).

Note: I don't mean to discount your choices so far, just that using sci-fi flavored versions of standard D&D races is something I would never do myself.

In fact, I've published the Kaidan setting of Japanese horror (PFRPG), and despite being fantasy, the setting doesn't include Asian versions of elf, dwarf, halfling, orc, gnome, etc. (not even mentioned). Even Oriental Adventures created races like "Spirit Folk" which was a Japanicized elf race, even though Japanese folklore didn't include anything like spirit folk, so of course are not included in my setting because of that. In my setting I only adopted races/monsters directly from 19th century and older Japanese folklore. I like authenticity, and not the same old D&D races.

Uhmmm... They're not called "Warforged" they're called Autons. The Parenthesis is what race they correspond to in basic D&D parlance.

I really don't think you understand what I'm attempting here. And I'm not sure why you felt the need to make a post entirely about how you wouldn't do it like I am. And Discounting my choices is all you did.

[Weave]

This is neat. You mention a lot of concepts (like the Blackout, Void, the Creators, etc.) that I'd like to see expanded upon. The various origins of the sentient species, their histories, beliefs, physiologies, are all things I'd like to hear more about. Also, that art is killer; are these pictures you made yourself or what?

I guess I'd like to see, specifically, more information on the Blackout and what it really means. Is it a literal blacking out of technology and space, like a darkness eclipsing everything? Or is it more tangible than that, like a creature or species or disease or something trans-dimensional? What sort of repercussions does it have? Death? Does it "zombify" (or whatever equivalent you'd create) the creatures touched by it? Can it be "touched"? In any case, is it coming towards the currently civilized worlds? Are there any means to defend against it? Perhaps "islands" of light, still functional despite being surrounded by the Blackout, serve as small, isolated hubs out in the galaxy, but reaching them might be dangerous.

<snip>

GP, with all due respect, your contribution to this thread amounts to "I don't like what you're doing, also shameless plug for this other thing I made." Not exactly constructive.

[Gamer Printshop]

Uhmmm... They're not called "Warforged" they're called Autons. The Parenthesis is what race they correspond to in basic D&D parlance.

I really don't think you understand what I'm attempting here. And I'm not sure why you felt the need to make a post entirely about how you wouldn't do it like I am. And Discounting my choices is all you did.

No, that's not what I mean. If all your alternate named "new species" have an equivalent D&D parlence race (Autons for "warforged", vries for elves, etc.), then to me, you're not really creating new races, rather only slightly changing D&D parlence versions. So when showing the four races you've created so far - and all of them are parlence D&D races, and you're looking for suggestions for other races, I have no where to go with suggestions, other than suggest doing the rest of the parlence D&D races.

If instead I had an idea of what racial niches you need filled, instead of what other races can be defined by D&D parlence, that would give me direction in giving you aid. Let's say you needed a race of aerial beings that dwelled in the breatheable layers of a gas giant; amorphous lifeforms for a super heavy gravity planet; or a nano-race of microscopic humanoids, with advanced technology, equivalent to human sized in equipment, and having star cruisers that are almost visible to human sight - that would give me the direction to be creative. The parameters you've set with your provided race so far hamstrings where to go next, since the possibilities are almost endless. I need tighter parameters to help - that's all I'm saying.

[Tensen01]

This is neat. You mention a lot of concepts (like the Blackout, Void, the Creators, etc.) that I'd like to see expanded upon. The various origins of the sentient species, their histories, beliefs, physiologies, are all things I'd like to hear more about. Also, that art is killer; are these pictures you made yourself or what?

I guess I'd like to see, specifically, more information on the Blackout and what it really means. Is it a literal blacking out of technology and space, like a darkness eclipsing everything? Or is it more tangible than that, like a creature or species or disease or something trans-dimensional? What sort of repercussions does it have? Death? Does it "zombify" (or whatever equivalent you'd create) the creatures touched by it? Can it be "touched"? In any case, is it coming towards the currently civilized worlds? Are there any means to defend against it? Perhaps "islands" of light, still functional despite being surrounded by the Blackout, serve as small, isolated hubs out in the galaxy, but reaching them might be dangerous.

Thank you for the interest you're showing. The artwork is NOT mine. It was cobbled together from various sources online simply as a way to help myself visualize the setting.

I'll be perfectly honest, I haven't put a huge amount of thought into the Backgrounds as of yet other than a few specific things. But let me just BS a bit and see what happens.

The Creators: Some sort of ancient Intergalactic Species. Evidence has suggested that they might be the "Ancient Aliens" theorized by crackpots in many sentient races. Haven't decided on if this is true or not or what effect they may have had on the Sentient Races.

The Void: The Vri'es claim to touch the void one must exist on multiple plains of existence at once, and despite their technological advancement treat it more like Magic or a Religion than a hard science and resist any attempt to codify it. Human Scientists have, as of yet, been unable to determine what it is or how it allows a person to do what it does. Perhaps it was granted by the Creators?

The Blackout: I was imagining it was just a sudden extinguishing of stars, but I also like the idea of a palpable darkness spreading through the galaxy. I imagine whatever it is has already arrived but from appearances this System is entirely immune to it. This is because not only did the Creators make this system, they also engineered the Blackout(Though that would be now known to any of the Sentient Races) possibly as a way to get all the races here(either for nefarious or noble reasons). Now that I think about it, I suppose it's kind of a Mass Effect reaper situation, though I didn't make a connection until afterwards.  I like the idea of maybe it being able to Infect people. This could lead to the inclusion of many "Monsters" that are actually changes Sentients, again very similar to Reapers. This could be an effect of a flaw in the Creators tech.

Not sure I want to think on the "Islands of Light" just yet. veyr much like crossing the ocean in a Fantasy game, should come once the current area has become too small.

I am open to interesting suggestions on any of these topics. And I'd like to include species equivalents of Halflings or Kender, or any other races but am currently drawing a blank as to what form to include them in.

[Tensen01]

*SNIP*

If I knew all those things I wouldn't exactly need any help would I, those are all finished ideas. I can say "I want something to replace Halflings" and that's fine, but what I need is suggestions on form and function within the setting. Just saying "Add Halflings" does me absolutely no good. The Possibilities are supposed to be endless, that's the point of Brainstorming. What more would there be to say if I said "race of aerial beings that dwell in the breatheable layers of a gas giant" That's a finished race, there's really nothing more to add, that's hamstringing.

I said to myself okay, I want to add Elves, what are all the non-physical aspects of Elves? Long-Lived, Inherently Magical, Specific Attitude. Okay, great that's simple, now I pick a form that doesn't necessarily have to have anything to do with Elves. Tall Amphibious Aliens who are very advanced and breathe a mixture very similar to Humans.

You have to start at the beginning, not at the end. As stated before, I don't think we're even on the same page, and as you said I don't think you can help.

[LD]

>>I am open to interesting suggestions on any of these topics. And I'd like to include species equivalents of Halflings or Kender, or any other races but am currently drawing a blank as to what form to include them in.

You could go with spiders or giant roaches. It would be amusing to have roaches swarming over other PCs, just like Kender- grabbing and *touching* everything. :). The roaches live fast, play hard, die hard and have an insatiable curiosity. They communicate by means of telepathy or (perhaps better-- radio wave vibrations sent through their antennae).

Welcome to the site!

[Tensen01]

>>I am open to interesting suggestions on any of these topics. And I'd like to include species equivalents of Halflings or Kender, or any other races but am currently drawing a blank as to what form to include them in.

You could go with spiders or giant roaches. It would be amusing to have roaches swarming over other PCs, just like Kender- grabbing and *touching* everything. :). The roaches live fast, play hard, die hard and have an insatiable curiosity. They communicate by means of telepathy or (perhaps better-- radio wave vibrations sent through their antennae).

Welcome to the site!

Thanks!

I like the idea of small insectoids, maybe not quite Roaches. But I definitely like the rest. Into everything, in every city you visit. And it could be like a bird, at some point in their evolutionary past they built nests and needed shiny and interesting things to attract a mate. That's no longer needed but they still have to collect. Definitely won't be a PC race, not because I hate Kender, quite the opposite, but because no one seems to know how to play one properly. Do they even have Higher intelligence?

The Question is... How did they get here? Because they definitely didn't come on their own ships.

[LoA]

>>I am open to interesting suggestions on any of these topics. And I'd like to include species equivalents of Halflings or Kender, or any other races but am currently drawing a blank as to what form to include them in.

You could go with spiders or giant roaches. It would be amusing to have roaches swarming over other PCs, just like Kender- grabbing and *touching* everything. :). The roaches live fast, play hard, die hard and have an insatiable curiosity. They communicate by means of telepathy or (perhaps better-- radio wave vibrations sent through their antennae).

Welcome to the site!

Thanks!

I like the idea of small insectoids, maybe not quite Roaches. But I definitely like the rest. Into everything, in every city you visit. And it could be like a bird, at some point in their evolutionary past they built nests and needed shiny and interesting things to attract a mate. That's no longer needed but they still have to collect. Definitely won't be a PC race, not because I hate Kender, quite the opposite, but because no one seems to know how to play one properly. Do they even have Higher intelligence?

The Question is... How did they get here? Because they definitely didn't come on their own ships.

You know if you're interested in small insects, The Expanded Psionics Expanded handbook has the Dromites. They're weird little bug people.

[Tensen01]

So for Kender I like the idea that, instead of a PC race they become more of a Pet/Companion. If they take a liking to you it becomes nearly impossible to get them to leave so it becomes just easier to let them tag along.

You know if you're interested in small insects, The Expanded Psionics Expanded handbook has the Dromites. They're weird little bug people.

Well, I don't necessarily want small insects. That's just a good form for Kender. I'm less interested in the original form of the races as I am the non-physical aspects. Attitude, Abilities, Personality and such. The form comes after and is informed those traits(or isn't if I just find a cool-looking alien design)

[Tensen01]

Here's an updated race chart. Heights on just about every species were adjusted, and I added the Kexx (Kender) that LD suggested. I don't intend on them being a PC Race, but they're very common so I thought they deserve to be in the picture