Suggestions about a sci-fi d20 rpg ?

[Turanil]

I have been pondering for some time a d20 campaign that basically mixes science fiction and Call-of-Cthulhu type of horror.

I already bought D20 Modern, Blood & Space, Dragonstar, Traveller 20, and Star-Wars d20, as well as as Call of Cthulhu d20. I also plan to buy D20 Future when it becomes available. However, I have a problem : I am never satisfied with anything (despite these products have all their qualities), and cannot but create my houserules.

This is where I wanted your imput. After all, I am doing this supplement for my players and other gamers on the net, not just for my own satisfaction. So, although I have pretty good ideas about what I am doing, it would be useful if I got your opinions. That is: basically, if you were to play a sci-fi d20 game:
1) What are the things you really would want to have in a d20 sci-fi ? (which prestige class would be cool for you, do you want to see magic along technology, rules for starships should be simplified, etc.)
2) What do you like and don't like in the current d20 sci-fi supplements you know of ?
3) Any ideas for a cool title for this d20 sci-fi game? (such as "Starships and Supernova")

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

For those who want to know a little more about what I am doing, my netbook will provide :

1) 15 basic classes (20 level classes) and 10 to 15 prestige classes. There is classes inspired by Dune archetypes (Mentats, etc.). I tried to take what I thought to be the best from the supplements listed above, and do classes that are not overpowered as IMO are those of d20 modern, and not too weak or dull as IMO are those of T20

2) There is psionicists (basic classes), and magic users (prestige classes), plus adaptations of paladins, rangers, etc. into prestige classes with a CoC and Futuristic flair.

3) Magic is horrific magic (necromancy and summoning ala CoC), with everyone able to cast spells as in CoC : that is, with debilitating effects and loss of sanity. However, the few prestige class who can cast spells can prepare a certain number of spells that they will be able to cast without debilitating effects and sanity loss.

4) Feats are those of d20 Mofern SRD plus many OGC feats from sci-fi d20 books.

5) Races: there is five races of humanoids (each on its own planet) who were long ago seeded by an unknown race called the "Ancients". There is a race reminiscing clearly of Vulcans, Klingons, Dwarves, Wookies, and Half-Grey hybrids. All other sentient races are totally alien (and evil) species like Mi-Go, Elder Things, etc.

6) Only the planets of the humanoid races, plus 2 or 3 others are livable for humanoids. All others are inimical to humanoid life and require special equipment such as vacuum suits, special medicine, etc.

7) Heavy dungeon delving, where ruins of CoC like creatures and abandoned or wrecked starships replace your habitual dungeon or necromancer tower.

8) Robots (ala SW), virtual reality (but much more limited than the Matrix), computer hackers, PCs can customize and improve their starship, etc.

9) Space-jump is made with Navigators, that is: requires an individual with psionics in addition to special engines. This is treated as teleportation to spare headaches in calculating distances between planets (as would be the case with Warp Drive). Also, I don't like the idea of Hyperspace which is a bad excuse to bypass the laws of physics in a rpg (ie: faster than light travel).

Thanks,

Turanil

 

[Turanil]

By the way : 3 new sci-fi feats

Here are three d20 sci-fi feats I created for this d20 supplement. Your comments, suggestions for improvement, or other ideas of similar feats are welcome. These feats are OGC for those who would compile them in a relevant netbook.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

HACKER [General]
(Adapted from Traveller20 Hacker feat © 2002 - OGC content)

You are adept at hacking computer systems and defeating security measures.

Prerequisites: Computer Use 4+ ranks.

Benefit: The character gains a +2 bonus to: Computer Use skill checks when attempting to bypass or circumvent computer or communication security features; Decipher Script skill checks to break coded electronic messages; and Forgery skill checks to create false identification programs. The character knows the art of making rogue programs and viruses to insert on the Transnet and other networks.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

HIDE FROM ELECTRONIC WATCH [General]
(New feat © 2004, D. Couzet - OGC content)

You know how to escape electronic surveillance.

Prerequisites: Hacker feat, Computer Use skill at 6+ ranks, having a false electronic identity card (or similar item) for the character to be hidden.

Benefit: The character must first introduce an appropriate rogue program on the local Transnet (Computer Use DC 20 to 30; 2d4 hours to create; duration before being destroyed is 1d8 days + 1 day per point of skill check above DC). Then, as photos of the character could be taken, the character also needs to be visually unrecognizable (disguised, masked, etc.). As such when the character is spotted doing something illegal by the electronic watch, it is mistaken into believing it is someone else (really existing or not) who did it.

Normal: In futuristic civilized areas, electronic surveillance is everywhere. As such, anytime a character transgresses the law, he can be almost certain that the authorities will know about it, and that he will be accountable for his illegal actions. Since surveillance rely on many information sources and devices, to be disguised or wearing a false electronic identity card is generally not sufficient to escape from the authorities.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

CRAFT FALSE ELECTRONIC IDENTITY DEVICES [General]
(New feat © 2004, D. Couzet - OGC content)

You can create all sorts of false electronic identification devices such as Electronic Identity Cards or Badges.

Prerequisites: Hacker feat, Craft [electronic] skill 4+ ranks, Forgery skill 4+ ranks.

Benefit: The character can create (forgery) any electronic identification device whose prerequisites he meets. Creating such a device takes 1 day and 50 credits for each 5 points of the DC to successfully do it. Such items work as long as the security system they were created to bypass are not changed.

-------------------------------------------------------------------