D&D 5E Unearthed Arcana: Travelers of the Multiverse

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dnd.wizards.com

Looks like Spelljammer and/or Planescape is back on the menu!

 

[Demetrios1453]

I, for one, do not think that WotC shouldn't make changes as needed to improve a potential Spelljammer. But wildly un-scientific views of space and physics in general (leaving particular elements to the side) seem to be a feature, not a bug: D&D in Space has no more need to be scientifically accurate than D&D Underground does.

Though, humorously enough, a more scientific view of outer space does have a longer D&D pedigree. But the whimsical fantasy approach of Spelljammer seems to fit the modern brand more than Temple of the Frog or Expedition to the Barrier Peaks...

I mean, in a game where people can throw fireballs, raise the dead, and wish things into existence, as well has have obviously un-aerodynamic dragons being able to fly with ease, it does seem a bit much to complain that the astrophysics of the game system need to be more scientifically accurate...

 

[Yaarel]

What if?

The setting of "Travelers of the Multiverse" is a Star Frontiers, Spelljammer, Planescape mash-up.

The idea is:

It is a Star Frontiers space-travel setting, flying from planet to planet, star to star, galaxy to galaxy. However, its Faster-Than-Light "warp speed" or "wormhole" takes place via the Astral Sea. Thus its destination can be any plane of being in the multiverse.

The Astral Plane is a realm of pure thought without matter. Perhaps the "Sea" is the border between the Astral Plane and the Ethereal Plane. The ether of the Ethereal Plane is energetic force (physical but lacking mass) and relates to gravity, wormholes, and the FTL speeds.

Thus the Star Frontiers space ships are Spelljammer-like gliding across the Astral Sea to any plane and world in the multiverse.

Essentially, the Astral Sea updates or replaces the Spelljammer concept of "phlogiston".

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

Maybe some elements from Star Frontiers and Star*Drive will be added to "Planejammer", at least because Star Frontiers had got very old for the current standards.

And I suspect there is a reason Hasbro doesn't want to create their own space-opera IP and it is because Star Wars to sell toys is too important and valious. Disney broke with Mattel when this launched "Ever After High", a doll line and potential rival for Disney princess. Hasbro doesn't want to launch a rival for Star Wars, at lest not yet.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

The believed in free floating objects, because the stars moved. That was solid reasoning.

The stars did not move, that's the point. The only available evidence indicated that the position stars relative to each other was fixed. It was not possible to observe proper motion of stars until the invention of the telescope, and even then it was shockingly difficult, as they where much further away than anyone could have imagined. Given that the relative positions of stars was observably fixed, the dome hypothesis was actually a better hypothesis than a free floating hypothesis.

 

[Chaosmancer]

I, for one, do not think that WotC shouldn't make changes as needed to improve a potential Spelljammer. But wildly un-scientific views of space and physics in general (leaving particular elements to the side) seem to be a feature, not a bug: D&D in Space has no more need to be scientifically accurate than D&D Underground does.

Though, humorously enough, a more scientific view of outer space does have a longer D&D pedigree. But the whimsical fantasy approach of Spelljammer seems to fit the modern brand more than Temple of the Frog or Expedition to the Barrier Peaks...

Perhaps, but I also just... the more scientific view of space works too. I don't think the main issue with the Phlogiston is that it was non-scientific as much as it was that it was completely outside of people's imaginations. None of us generally imagine something like that existing, so it becomes a bit too bizarre.

That's my gut feeling on it anyways.

 

[Chaosmancer]

The stars did not move, that's the point. The only available evidence indicated that the position stars relative to each other was fixed. It was not possible to observe proper motion of stars until the invention of the telescope, and even then it was shockingly difficult, as they where much further away than anyone could have imagined. Given that the relative positions of stars was observably fixed, the dome hypothesis was actually a better hypothesis than a free floating hypothesis.

Except for the "stars" we did see moving, like mars and venus. And shooting stars.

Also, drop two paper ships into a current and their "relative position" to each other won't really change as they move along the current. They are floating in a pattern.

But honestly... why do you care so much? The "holes in the dome" theory was also possible, I'm not saying it wasn't. But it was not the dominant view across the globe. Other cultures had other, equally well supported and incidentally more accurate ideas. There isn't shame in that. I just take objection to denying that these other competing ideas existed, had existed for longer, and were quite solid theories based on very robust systems of astronomy.

 

[Yaarel]

Some time ago, Mike Mearls was working on a science fiction setting. The UA might be for this!

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Except for the "stars" we did see moving, like mars and venus. And shooting stars.

"Planets are not stars" is one thing that has been known for many thousands of years, at least to Western stargazers.

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

Let's remember there are at least two crashed alien ships in official D&D modules. I bet Hasbro wants to bet for possible crossovers and even with sci-fi franchises. Then the D&D cosmology needs a right explanation about how (high-tech) interestelar space ships are possible. And this could demand a reboot of Spelljammer.

When I try to think about the future return of Spelljammer crazy ideas appear in my mind, for example a Kaladesh version of Zoids or Zords (Power rangers). I suspect Hasbro is tempted to use Spelljammer as a platatorm to promote other IPs, or different type of products.

This is a bionoid, a Spelljammer creature. Why are you talking about that McGyver, Guyver or what his name?

I have the strange feeling I have seen this guy in the past.

 

[Chaosmancer]

"Planets are not stars" is one thing that has been known for many thousands of years, at least to Western stargazers.

But they were celestial bodies that moved differently.