Serenity for d20?

Vexed · Dec 19, 2005

Hello,

Does anyone know of a site, or have info on the Serenity universe converted for d20 system?
Anything would be helpful...

Johnny Angel · Dec 20, 2005

You'll want to check out the non-d20 Serenity RPG official movie tie-in game for campaign information.

Some work has been done by others an a d20 version:
http://wyrmwood.srgames.org/RPGs/Fireflyd20.pdf

Here you will find a d20 Future conversion taken right from the MSRD, and including a brief module:
http://www.geocities.com/scott_metz/

The FireflyWiki has links to Firefly conversions for both Unknown Armies and for Savage Worlds:
http://www.fireflywiki.org/Firefly/FireflyGaming
It's also a resource for other conversions and a good place to look for details out of which to build your own conversion, including available technology, culture, and lexicon.

There is a WoTC thread discussing, among other things, various characters' stats in d20:
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=154362&page=1

This site has a Firefly version of the d20 Modern character sheets, printable cardboard stand-ups for Firefly characters and simplified Serenity deckplans to use with d20's 5-foot step combat scheme:
http://www.wam.umd.edu/~cadre/

Felon · Dec 20, 2005

Thanks for the links. I've been conjuring up a D20F campaign inspired by Firefly. It's kind of funny how little we got to know about their take on space travel. For instance, what powered the ships? And was Serenity actually capable of faster-than-light speed, or merely near-light speed? The episode we see the ship's engine, we're given the impression the whole thing's mechanically powered, rather than tapping some awesome, physics-defying force like "hyperspace" or "warp speed". Of course, that was part of the show's charm, but it's somewhat vexing not to have those answers when trying to model an RPG....

Dragonhelm · Dec 20, 2005

Felon said:
And was Serenity actually capable of faster-than-light speed, or merely near-light speed?

There is no faster-than-light travel in the Serenity 'verse. Travel between planets can literally take weeks.

Agemegos · Dec 21, 2005

Felon said:
And was Serenity actually capable of faster-than-light speed, or merely near-light speed?

This varied according to the conceptions of different writers. In some episodes they are talking about travel to the rim of the galaxy, and in others people are complaining about distances that wouldn't even get you to Mars.

What with one thing an another, I recommend that you are best to go with the parts of the source material that imply FTL travel and dozens of planets around scattered stars, and ignore parts of the material that imply STL travel and dozens of habitable planets/moons in the same solar system.

But you can do it the other way if you want.

Johnny Angel · Dec 21, 2005

It just took them a while to settle how bit the 'verse was. They've finally got it down to one solar system with an apparently huge green zone.

Ghoti · Dec 21, 2005

Dragonhelm said:
There is no faster-than-light travel in the Serenity 'verse. Travel between planets can literally take weeks.

Hmmmm, seeing that star systems can be light years apart, travel to them in mere weeks would be faster-than-light travel. That is unless all the plants in the 'Verse are in the same star system.

Dragonhelm · Dec 21, 2005

Ghoti said:
Hmmmm, seeing that star systems can be light years apart, travel to them in mere weeks would be faster-than-light travel. That is unless all the plants in the 'Verse are in the same star system.

That's the case exactly. It's one massive solar system. The planets have all been terraformed to support life.

Ghoti · Dec 21, 2005

Dragonhelm said:
That's the case exactly. It's one massive solar system. The planets have all been terraformed to support life.

Ok.... So then where is Earth-that-was and how did we get to this huge solar system that has been terraformed?

Where is this spelt out.... Mainly in the TV show/Movie as it does not appear to be that clear.

Not that I am arguing as it would make sense the way things are but sometimes it looks as though it isn't this way. But heck, its only a story.

Dragonhelm · Dec 22, 2005

Ghoti said:
Ok.... So then where is Earth-that-was and how did we get to this huge solar system that has been terraformed?

The Earth-That-Was was no longer able to support life. Mankind had to abandon Earth.

From p. 198 of the Serenity RPG...

"The wise searched the heavens and found a star system with planets and moons that could, with a little help, support human life. Mankind began the great exodus. They set out in enormous ships they called 'arks,' after the tale of Noah and his crew. Lacking 'faster-than-light' drives, folk found the journey to their new home long and taxing. At least one full generation was born, lived, and died without ever leaving the huge, contained ships that crawled through the black."

After that, they terraformed, which took decades.

There are literally dozens of planets and hundreds of moons in this new solar system.