These Dark Stars
A roleplay of the far future
GM's Note Here is the framework for a setting I've had on my mind for some time. Drawing inspiration from Star Wars, Dune, Flash Gordon, Roman and Chinese Imperial history...Have a read. It is pretty sparse in that I hope those interested would bring some new ideas to the table. Bounce some ideas around and let me know if you are interested in this sort of game. -Poly
Preface
The emperor is dead. The diseased appendage that is the Imperial Bureaucracy trudges on, but already the outer provinces are rebelling against Imperial Authority. The acolytes of the planet-spanning artificial intelligence Gilbradia (the last of her kind) muse over a flurry of activity pouring from her analog spools:
"Only under the light of a dying star will the Empire fall..."
Welcome to These Dark Stars, a roleplay taking place during a crucial time in Imperial history. Players will take control of powerful men and women and the factions they lead in the struggle for the fate of the Empire. Here, science and sorcery mix. Humans are the predominant species in the galaxy and alien hordes threaten the frontier provinces.
The Setting
The Empire has stood for thousands of years, ever expanding, conquering and spreading influence to those most distant stars. Where encountered, alien races have been utterly destroyed, enslaved, or coerced into a disadvantageous treaty. Galactic history is left largely ambiguous except for a few major events:
The Diaspora
Long before the earliest traces of imperial power emerged, mankind inhabited a single planet in an isolated corner of the galaxy. Over time, humans developed technology sufficient enough to carry them to other star systems and eventually colonize them. Isolated, and without a unified government, many of these colonies were doomed or simply forgotten, only to be rediscovered thousands of years later.
The Machine Wars
Artificial Intelligence is banned save for a singular, neutral entity called Gilbradia. Thousands of years ago, mankind developed great computers capable of 'thought'. Although the details of the technological renaissance that followed are lost to time, what is known is that the great A.I.'s ultimately waged war on mankind. Although the machines were ultimately defeated, a dark age followed this era of history. Part of the armistice resulted in the banning of ever creating an artificial intelligence again.
The Imperial Era
The Empire was once a Republic. A democratic 'experiment' on a interstellar scale. Over time, the expansion of the Republic resulted in a oligarchy of extremely powerful politicans that corrupted and abused the democratic system in place. Eventually, a single tyrant emerged triumphant over his enemies, and the Republic was dissolved and became an Empire.
The Void
Having reached the furthest points of space, mankind discovered the Void, an endless shapeless dimension outside the realm of space and time. Curious, man looked, and the Void looked back. Ripples of chaos spread through the galaxy and sorcery was born. This new universal force changed the very laws of physics and science forever, or awoke a latent power that had once lay dormant. A very small percentage of mankind was gifted with superhuman power. Precognition, telekinesis.
Factions
Imperial Factions
The Imperial Bureaucracy
A vestige of ancient times, the Bureaucracy has slowly relinquished power to the seat of the Emperor through threats, manipulation and unforgiving violence. With the death of the Emperor, the Bureaucracy has a chance to seize power once more and return the fate of the Empire to the will of the people.
The Gilbradians
The planet-spanning supercomputer called Gilbradia is home to a quasi-religious sect of zealots and clergy that have undergone bio-mechanical surgery under the orders of the Imperial Authority. It is not common knowledge that Gilbradia exists. Gilbradia is ultimately a research facility, designed to create an environment for an Artificial Intelligence to prosper, develop and interact with humans in the hopes that AI's might one day be developed for the benefit of the Empire. Over time, legends have formed and Gilbradia has taken on a mystic quality for the layman-as prophetess, oracle and ultimately as a divine being.
The Imperial Authority
The IA is the military arm of the Empire. The navy and imperial legion is feared throughout the galaxy for their ruthless enforcement of the Emperors will. With the death of the Emperor, rumors abound as to who will ultimately wield control of the Imperial Sword.
The Vespers Evening Song
The secret service and former personal army of the Emperor. Spies, assassins and loyal soldiers to a dead emperor. Many within the Imperial Bureaucracy fear what the Vespers will do without the strong hand of the emperor to control them.
Religious Factions
The Church of Ankh-Sah
Twenty-thousand years ago, a man looked upon the stars and saw patterns. Transcribing the words spoken to him by these 'angels', Ankh-Sah unknowingly wrote the first book of what would become the holy text of the most powerful religious movement in the galaxy. Followers of Ankh-Sah believe the stars to be gods themselves that shape the will of the galaxy. Combining astronomy, divination, ritual and an adherence to the teachings of Ankh-Sah. A polytheistic religion of dizzying numbers of sects, orders and practices, they are the official religion of Imperial Provinces.
Followers of the Void
Mystics and Sorcerers known for their strength and power in combat, negotiation and tactical insight. Called vacare by their enemies and allies alike, they often find themselves in positions of power thanks to their supernatural abilities. Vacare are thought to be atheists, but this is untrue. They believe the universe itself to be a divine being with certain space-time events and regions (such as black holes) to be sacred entities to be worshiped and protected.
