Steam and Steel - A Guide to Fantasy Steamworks - extra teaser posted 4/27/04

Update - 4/27/04:
New teaser posted in this thread, detailing several special materials.

Coming Soon, Steam and Steel, a Guide to Fantasy Steamworks.

By our own Carnifex on the boards comes a 70,000 word treatise on the application of Steam Tech to a fantasy campaign.

Two sample SteamTech campaign settings are presented, along with rules for implementing the crafts of steamwork to any campaign setting, and the changes brought with it. The tome is stuffed with the implementation of these steam devices and the craftmanship that goes into them.

The ultimate steamtech toolkit, from E.N.Publishing.

(the cover shown below is our current mock-up as we wait on the final art to come back for the interior layout).

What can you tell us about the settings? Any hints, spoilers or what not that you are willing to spill?

I'll let Chris handle this one...

(sends out a call over the Hivemind implant)

The settings are presented in two formats. The first is to illustrate various styles of campaign, and has three different settings described, each trying to give the general feel of that steamtech style (eg for the 'steampunk' style of play, the Empire of Hurdell, a burgeoning culture rapidly expanding with the aid of steam technology, but encountering problems as it does so, is provided) but the descriptions are very generalised.

The setting descriptions are *not* extensively detailed. A GM could pick one up and fill it in with what he wants; the settings just give outlines that fit the style of play, along with ideas for plot hooks and developments.

Two of the settings feature in the appendix as well. Basically, this takes the sample settings of the first chapter, then applies all the game mechanics and suchlike in the rest of the guide to provide a specific example of how a DM can add steam tech into his campaign. Eg, the section about different engine types describes how a DM can pick and choose which of the myriad engine types are available in his campaign; the appendix settings each describe just which engine types would be available in those specific campaigns; for instance in the Empire of Hurdell, oil and coal burning conventional engines are common, while arcane engines are very rare, and other engine types either unknown or nearly so. This is to help show how a campaign does not need to have the entire plethora of engine types (15, IIRC), but can have the options narrowed down to help suit the tone and feel.

In other words, it helps a GM to use the book through examples of how it can be implemented. The primary focus of the book is on the various steam tech options in it, rather than the sample settings.

(I think I just made sense. Please alert me if I did not - I'm all distracted over the thought that my channeller just might level up in tonight's Midnight game )

Publish it allready

Trying, already, Maldur.

Waiting on the art to come in. Some very nice stuff too...

HellHound said:

Trying, already, Maldur.

Waiting on the art to come in. Some very nice stuff too...

Click to expand...

Can't wait to see the art myself

You asked for it!

Carnifex said:

Can't wait to see the art myself

Click to expand...

Here's a piece by Squidhead.

Sweet.