[EN Pub] The Fantastic Science -- 24-page teaser!

[Kelleris]

Exactly. Why does the technology act like magic?

Ah. Well, the default assumption is that it uses a decidedly fantastic (not real-world) physics, chemistry, etc. to which magic stands in opposition - only devices below a certain tech level are sufficiently resistant to magic to function normally. Technologists, for their parts, have to purify their devices of magic before they can be used, and it's the necessity for this ability that restricts high-technology use to the specially-trained.

That said, a significant portion of the first chapter deals with changing this basic flavor premise, and offers suggestions for how to reconcile magic and technology or substitute some other force for a general "magic," among other things. You could even have the technologist use real-world scientific principle, although that's not recommended.

 

[DMH]

Thanks. Can't wait to see the whole thing.

 

[Kelleris]

Hurray! It's ready!



You can check out the o-fficial press release right here. And thanks everyone who showed interest, lurkers and posters alike. It was good to get to talk about my work. I'll be heading over to the press release for the book proper now, so anyone who wants to ask me any more questions can post over there and I shall do my best to answer them.

One thing, though - It'll be a couple more days before the people wanting PoD copies can get theirs, as ENP has decided to see how Fantastic Science does in their game store before releasing it at RPGnow and elsewhere.

Oh, and Alzrius - I reminded RW to send you a free copy for that thread a week or so ago. Congratulations again, and please, tell me what you think after you get a good look!

 

[Alzrius]

Oh, and Alzrius - I reminded RW to send you a free copy for that thread a week or so ago. Congratulations again, and please, tell me what you think after you get a good look!

Woot! Thanks Kelleris! Once I read it through I'll definately post what I thought about it!

 

[DMH]

I ended up buying the pdf (I will have the money to buy the POD after the holidays) and I have to say it is pretty damn spiffy. I wish there were more constructs, but they should be easy to create. I can't wait to apply this to a kobold nation- even with gadgets they should make an interesting threat.

I did notice one typo- the artifact table is labeled technology.

 

[Kelleris]

I ended up buying the pdf (I will have the money to buy the POD after the holidays) and I have to say it is pretty damn spiffy. I wish there were more constructs, but they should be easy to create. I can't wait to apply this to a kobold nation- even with gadgets they should make an interesting threat.

Thanks for posting! I'm really glad that you liked it, as any real commentary has not yet been forthcoming, and I'm a little nervous, what with it being my first try and a fairly major project and all. Sorry about the narrow range of constructs, but space limitations prevented me from including a monster section. I did try to make the various construct-creation devices as flexible as possible, though - between the clockwidget fabrication gantry and the spark manufactory you can create heavily customized basic constructs or any existing magical constructs technologically. Don't worry, though, if Fantastic Science sells well enough to warrant a follow-up (I remain hopeful...), that book will include a much wider variety of constructs. I'll make sure to include a couple particularly suited to kobolds as well.

Sorry we couldn't get the PoD version up in time for you to get that. RW's been very focused on trying to rustle up a good showing at the ENGS, and I guess he hasn't been paying as much attention to the other places. I hope sales pick up now that's it's available elsewhere, though.

I did notice one typo- the artifact table is labeled technology.

Shoot. You'd think one of us would've caught that... Still, one typo out of 165 pages isn't too bad at all, even if you haven't yet read every word of it. I hope it wasn't too confusing.

 

[Frostmane]

Kelleris, its wonderful! Please, continue writing <My suggestion would be a compilation of more examples of fantastic tech..::Innocent look:: > Well it was worth a try, no? Seriously, kudos on work splendidly done!

 

[DMH]

Thanks for posting! I'm really glad that you liked it, as any real commentary has not yet been forthcoming, and I'm a little nervous, what with it being my first try and a fairly major project and all.

Well, you have nothing to be nervous about- it is a fine product and I am sure it will be enjoy by many who want magitech in their settings.

Sorry about the narrow range of constructs, but space limitations prevented me from including a monster section.

Not a problem. It just would have been nice not to have new constructs, but rather items to add to current ones (or ones created by the DM). I find new SA/SQs are much more useful than whole monsters as they provide a spark for my imagination for custom critters.

Sorry we couldn't get the PoD version up in time for you to get that.

You could have released it days before and I still wouldn't have had the money.

Still, one typo out of 165 pages isn't too bad at all, even if you haven't yet read every word of it. I hope it wasn't too confusing.

It was, but because I was reading the book wrong. I started reading those items that seemed (and are) interesting and then went backwords a few pages and found the chart. Note that the chart near the end is correct, only the one in the items chapter is mislabled.

 

[Kelleris]

Not a problem. It just would have been nice not to have new constructs, but rather items to add to current ones (or ones created by the DM). I find new SA/SQs are much more useful than whole monsters as they provide a spark for my imagination for custom critters.

Ah, I see what you mean. My plan is to greatly expand the masterwork components list to include components that take up multiple component "slots," and hence can be more useful than the relatively meager bonuses provided under the current system. That would seem to be a logical place to add in some interesting new special abilities that can be applied to constructs (and weapons and armor as well, of course).

I'd also like to provide some additional feats along the lines of the Augment Summoning feat for construct builders, but more interestingly-flavored. I actually wrote a template a while back that converts a construct into a bio-weapon (and changes its type to abberation), for the mad scientists in us all. A handful of feats like that would go a long way to making constructor-type techologists more distinguishable.

You could have released it days before and I still wouldn't have had the money.

Ah. Just couldn't wait, eh? That's very flattering.

It was, but because I was reading the book wrong. I started reading those items that seemed (and are) interesting and then went backwords a few pages and found the chart.

I see. Well, I wouldn't really call that way of reading it "wrong." It's what I do, after all. If you don't mind my asking, which devices struck you as particularly intriguing?

 

[Twin Rose]

I'd also like to provide some additional feats along the lines of the Augment Summoning feat for construct builders, but more interestingly-flavored. I actually wrote a template a while back that converts a construct into a bio-weapon (and changes its type to abberation), for the mad scientists in us all. A handful of feats like that would go a long way to making constructor-type techologists more distinguishable.

Things like these could make for interesting Pick'n'Mix