Age of Imperialism d20

[Aethelstan]

I'm toying with the idea of running a campaign inspired by the Age of Imperialism. Nations similiar to historical Europe would vie for influence over a newly discovered continent filled with ancient ruins, mythical beasts and savage tribes. Think d20 "Arcanum" (the PC game). Questions: Is there any d20 material I might find useful? Any good websites on this era? The campaign will be low magic. I'm taking "Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell" as my inspiration. In it Strange expresses the notion that although a magician could kill with magic, a gentleman never would. Any ideas on how to create a balanced "Strangeian" magic sysyem (i.e. non-lethal, more free-form, spells with undesired effects)? Thanks, Aethelstan

p.s. is d20 Past still forecoming?

 

[Tonguez]

I would absolutely love to play in a setting based on the East India companies 'Factories' in the Moghul states (circa 1601 - 1860 ish)

Anyway source material might include 'Septrionalis' (iirc repackaged as Northern Crown and set for release at some near future date) which is D20 in Colonial America (and damn good to boot)

 

[Turanil]

For low magic you could try Grim Tales. Especially since you speak about using D20 Past (Grim Tales could be used to make a d20 Past and low magic setting). There is a couple of review about Grim tales in the review section.

 

[Aethelstan]

"Factories"? As in textile factories? Or did you mean something else.

 

[The Grumpy Celt]

"Factories"? As in textile factories? Or did you mean something else.

I think he is using "factories" in a loser term - which is why the quote marks.

This could be a very interesting setting, but how would you handle aspects like magic users and non-humans?

 

[Crothian]

This could be a very interesting setting, but how would you handle aspects like magic users and non-humans?

You take nations of demi humans as Europe instead of nations of humans. You can have demi humans as the races of the new found lands. Magic, just have it in there like all fantasy games. One just has to add the elements of this age to any fantasy setting.

 

[Aethelstan]

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Tonguez]

The East India Company Factories

I think he is using "factories" in a loser term - which is why the quote marks.

A bit of British-Indian History for you

In 1614 Sir Thomas Roe was instructed by James I to visit the court of Jahangir, the Moghul emperor of Hindustan. Sir Thomas was to arrange a commercial treaty and to secure for the East India Company sites for commercial agencies, --- "factories" as they were called

Anyway due to hostilities between British and Dutch traders these 'factories' (commercial agencies) were fortified (the most famous example being Fort William - the Black Hole of Calcutta).
Around 1670, King Charles II gave the East India Company the rights to "autonomous territorial acquisitions, to mint money, to command fortresses and troops and form alliances, to make war and peace, and to exercise both civil and criminal jurisdiction over the acquired areas" this esentially made the East India Company factories a nation in their own right.

Following the start of the Seven Years war (1754 - 1763) the East India company hit a boom time becoming the major player in the British economy however it was also faced with hostility from French interest in India. Then in 1756 a moghul nawab (with French backing)captured Fort William taking the british residents captive (and commiting various atrocities), in retalliation Robert Clive lead a company army to victory at the Battle of Plassey (1757) thus starting the destruction of (the already weakening) Moghul empire which eventuially lead to the establishment of British rule in India.

Anyway besides the establishment of British India the East India Company also founded Hong Kong and Singapore, employed Captain Kidd to combat piracy, established the cultivation of tea in India, held Napoleon captive on Saint Helena and its products were the subject of the Boston Tea Party.

A fascinating period in history which imho is absolutely ripe with gaming opportunities

 

[mmadsen]

Anyone have any good Age of Imperialism reading recommendations?

 

[mmadsen]

I'm toying with the idea of running a campaign inspired by the Age of Imperialism. Nations similiar to historical Europe would vie for influence over a newly discovered continent filled with ancient ruins, mythical beasts and savage tribes.

For fictional sources, you must read just about everything (e.g., King Solomon's Mines, Allan Quatermain, She) by H. Rider Haggard.