How do you introduce technology into a fantasy game?

[TarionzCousin]

In the past, my players have made an expedition to the Barrier Peaks.

 

[Ilfirin]

In general, I'd say that most D&D games already operate at a level of technology that is equivalent to the 19th century with a few odd gaps - such as the lack of steam engines or firearms. Most D&D players hold assumptions about the past that are the product of movies, and as such wildly underestimate how modern various tropes actually are.

For example, do your sailing ships have a 'crow's nest' where lookouts can spot land? Then your sailing technology is 19th century.

Or, to come at this in a different way, based on the costuming, social order, weapons, technology, and so forth most Disney 'Princess' movies are set in the 19th century and not the 13th.

Or to come at this in a different way, the Highland tartan kilt is 18th or 19th century garb. William Wallace would have never worn one, although he did at one point have a monk's tonsure.

My point is that the middle ages are so remote in the past, most people haven't a clue just how alien the world was and even if they did, don't limit themselves to that world. There is a good possibility that aside from the guns or steam engines, the trope D&D world is already the technologically advanced world you are looking. As such, as a practical matter, paddle wheel steamers, steam engine automobiles, early industrialization and so forth can be introduced without really worrying about rules for them, since the sort of things that they allow for are generally not things that DMs ever worry about anyway. I'd pretty much guarantee they'd have no practical impact on most peoples games.

Guns on the other hand, you'll need rules for, but my suspicion is that they are going to be an NPC only weapon - because a longbow in the hands of a PC is just going to be so much more effective for the PC up until the introduction of repeating weapons circa 1860 or so.

Thanks for all of the responses everyone. I guess this basically answers most of my questions and needs haha. the more I think about it, you're right and a lot of the stuff I want doesn't need a bunch of rules, just some RP.

 

[Shin Okada]

Aside from Pathfinder world, Eberron world is a good example of a fantasy world with a bit of technology added.

Many of the "machines" there are fueled by magic and elementals, but that is just a flavor. You can always change that background and say those machines are the result of some advanced steam engine or other technology. There are airships, trains, and robots in the world.

Also, there is an inventor class, Artificer. And in my experience that class works better as a NPC class than to a PC class.

In regard to guns and other firearms, 3.5e DMG already has stats for various modern and futuristic weapons.

You may also check D20 Modern and D20 Future if you can find a copy on a shop. Also, though 3rd party 3.0e book, Weird War II from Pinnacle had a lot of stats for weapons and vehicles in WW2 erra.

 

[Unclemancer]

While golemlike sentient automatons and mech's aren't very conceivable even by today's standards, nothing stops your world's scientists from coming up with an "extraordinary" way of inventing them. Say they needed nonmagical brains for their golem. They could've invented a mechanical computer that doesn't use electricity or the likes, and people ask how? You could simply go "really really small and complicated gears bruh."
Basically this but fantastically more complicated.

 

[Riley37]

What if some spellcaster invents a low-level-castable, long-duration or permanent spell which affects friction, making clockwork much more reliable over much longer periods?

What if someone summons a fire elemental and a water elemental to power a steam engine?

If you want story hooks: what if someone invents technology which affects the economy, and rival city-states want to violently suppress the new competition, and send the PCs on a sabotage mission?

 

[Deuce Traveler]

If I can make a non-D20 suggestion, you might want to check out the CRPG called Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magicka Obscura, which ponders what would happen if fantasy society was suddenly thrust into an Industrial Revolution. The game poses a lot of questions, such as those of worker rights, racial integration, religion and modernizing society, etc. It also has early trains and guns being introduced to the world, and the conflict between technologists and magic wielders. If not for the rule system, check it out for ideas on world building.

The game is also on GOG if you feel like giving it a go.

 

[Dalmosh]

Does anyone have (or know of) rules for a non-magical motorbike in 3.5 D&D?

 

[Shin Okada]

Does anyone have (or know of) rules for a non-magical motorbike in 3.5 D&D?

D20 Modern