[d20F] Dawning Star Preview Available for Download [on hold]

[Justin D. Jacobson]

Just a quick update: I had a chance to look at the full galleys, and they look great. OQL looks like it's going to come in at around 200 pages!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Lee Hammock is the Ernest Hemingway of RPG's.

 

[Wycen]

Well, since you ask opinions...

- I think there was no need to tell that Earth was destroyed. If I were to use this setting (and why not), I would just say that a gate was discovered, seemingly going to a close inhabitable planet, then a big ship was sent there (the Dawning Star), but the gate malfunctioned and destroyed, sending the ship very far away to an unknown system: Helios.

No spoilers here, but this comment should be covered when the whole thing is available.

Just a quick update: I had a chance to look at the full galleys, and they look great. OQL looks like it's going to come in at around 200 pages!

This was a doh! moment for me. I don't know why I didn't realize 96 pages of text would not remain 96 pages when art is added.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Looks interesting enough. I may just have to purchase the finished product.

 

[johnnype]

Nice preview. I'll make sure to pick it up when it's in print.

After reading it what struck me the most was how "small" the setting is compared to other sci-fi settings. Most of the action seems to take place on one planet and that planet has a very small human population. I can only assume the setting will grow with time but as it stands I found it to be quite a contrast to existing multi-star-system settings like Star Wars, Star Trek and even Heavy Gear and Trinity. Not that this is a bad thing mind you, just different.

My only recommendation is to make sure you provide many, MANY examples of what kinds of adventures a group of PC's might have. I can see plenty to do but I would not be surprised to see some people ask that perennial question: "so what do the PC's do?"

 

[Justin D. Jacobson]

Nice preview. I'll make sure to pick it up when it's in print.

After reading it what struck me the most was how "small" the setting is compared to other sci-fi settings. Most of the action seems to take place on one planet and that planet has a very small human population. I can only assume the setting will grow with time but as it stands I found it to be quite a contrast to existing multi-star-system settings like Star Wars, Star Trek and even Heavy Gear and Trinity. Not that this is a bad thing mind you, just different.

This is a great point. This goes back to our original concept, which was: What would happen if Lost in Space happened to the whole planet? It's changed somewhat since then, but we definitely wanted a setting where the PCs can't just up and leave if they don't like the food. As for adventure ideas, the full setting book will include a lot more detail on the rest of the Helios system and will be chock full of adventure hooks and ideas. OQL even includes a 25+ page introductory adventure. Thanks for your interest.

 

[ecliptic]

I really can't stand other peoples scifi, I always spot the political propaganda in it.

 

[Treebore]

How much would a big time Traveller fan like this setting?

 

[Justin D. Jacobson]

How much would a big time Traveller fan like this setting?

Not to be coy, but I guess it depends on what it is about Traveller that really moves you. First, Dawning Star is d20. So, if you can't stand d20, it's probably not for you. Second, it is not a galaxy-spanning; it's focused principally on the Helios system. If you're looking for a Star Trek clone, DS will certainly have some mechanics you can use, but the setting will take more work to shoehorn.

On the other hand, if you like Traveller because you like a "firm" science setting with a rich, detailed background. I think you'll take a shine to DS.

You'll be able to decide for yourself, though, if you pick up a copy of Operation Quick Launch, and I can almost guarantee that you'll want to pick up a copy ... I just can't tell you why yet.

Finally, if you happen to be at GenCon SoCal, try and track down Chad Barr. (He may or may not be wearing a Blue Devil Games t-shirt.) He's one of the writers for DS and, in addition to living it up at GenCon, will be handing out some DS flyer with some mroe info about OQL.

 

[Wycen]

Indeed! Not only was I wearing my Blue Devil Games shirt, I wrote "Enworld -Wycen" underneath my name hoping to catch someone's eye. Hopefully I handed out an awesome flyer to one of you.

 

[Nisarg]

Way too American for my tastes...
American style government?
Um, you have noticed the rest of the world isn't exactly enchanted with your current capacity for government, right? What in your recent experience leads you to believe that is going to change and a group of survivors from everywhere on the planet will choose the American model of government, and not the British Parliamentary, EU, or UN models?

American Baseball?
You do realize that no one on Earth except you, some Canadians, the Japanese and the Cubans (ironically) actually like that game?

aliens speaking in "perfect" American English?
You understand that's an oxymoron, right? By definition American english is imperfect, being a deviation from the correct Queen's English?
That said, why would aliens even speak the Queen's English? By the numbers, you'd think they'd speak Mandarin? Do you really think any kind of English is still going to be the dominant language in 200 years?
I guess if someone had written a scifi story in 1804 the aliens visiting the earth in 2004 would have spoken perfect Latin or French, as those were considered the "cultured" international languages of the era.

Nisarg