Welcome to the new age of machines and steel! Welcome to the Age of Steam!
Inventions like steam engines have revolutionized the world, replacing the times of feudal holdings with the growth of industrialism. Yet the switchover is not yet complete. Nations only change in baby steps while society at large is growing in turmoil. This is the age of both wonders and horrors, a dangerous time of ideas and ambitions. You're a nation in this mad world vying for power. Will you succeed? Or rather you succumb to the tides of change?
The choice is yours!
Welcome players to the Age of Steam!
This is a roleplaying game set in a fantasy world equivalent of the 19th century. You can use various fantastic elements like elves, griffons or unique materials but the essence of the game will be on two concepts: Technology and change in society. As the title implies this game would involve heavy steampunk elements. Did you like the spider mech from Wild Wild West? You can build it. Would like to have ironclads in the skies? You can have them. But keep in mind the world has yet to truly catch up with technology. Cavalry charging war engines of steam would certainly not be out of place in this setting. In a way you can imagine this as a weird world caught between the Napoleonic era and World War One. Yes, the sharp contrast between the new and old will be actually one of the game's charms.
Races
You can have dwarves, elves, orcs, halflings and anything else you imagine. Humans are preferably the dominant species in the setting but it's entirely up to what the playerbase wants. While fantasy-inspired think less about mystic explanations and rather something you'd use to describe aliens in Star Trek. More often than not fantastical races represent a stereotype, a nationality, an ethnic or even a social group. Fantastical racism, indeed. While not a clear requirement it's always easier to draw up a conflict between two different races.
Creatures
You can have various non-intelligent fantastical creatures to enrich the game. They can range from weird looking equivalents of regular animals to truly mighty creatures. In case of the latter though try to think of the balance, even retroactively. If your mighty dragon can shrug off bullets then how did anyone defeat them during the medieval times? I am not against weird creatures but think of how they would fit into the setting, too.
Magic
In the ages of old there had been mysterious wise men treasured by all nations. They were the magicians who turned for ancient mystic arts to perform what often could be only considered a miracle. Yet with the Age of Steam their position faltered and magicians became an increasingly rare sight. Magic had almost disappeared from this world, enough that most commoners believe their existence is a myth. Yet they exist. Magic is an old art with only a limited number of practitioners. Spells, potions, enchantments and curses are all plausible to those with money and the right connections. Magic can do things impossible with science yet in general technology provides similar results at more affordable cost. Magic is the most popular in nations haven't yet experienced the full effects of industrial revolution.
Technology/Materials
Again, I mentioned steampunk. You can have various amazing inventions which might seem fit to the 19th century Victorian theme at first but in real life they would be impossible. For example it'll be generally accepted that steam engines can be made lighter and more compact than they historically were. You can have walkers, airships and so on. Same way you can invent fantasy metals and unique elements so long you can insert them into the setting well. Lastly, keep in mind that more often than not all these technologies would be new and very expensive. Again, the contrast between these amazing machines and the relative mediocrity of anything else is one of the points.
Battles
Ah yes, the dreaded battle mechanics that I literally cannot comprehend how some people come up with a formula for. Thusly so, I would like the two roleplayers who are engaging in a battle to sit down, have a clearly define your army compositions, strategies, decide who is the winner, and relay the winner of the battle to me. I would like battles to be described with as much effort as you can put in! Just don't die in doing so, that would be bad.
Posting
Alrighty, so regarding posting. This is freeform, however, I do have hidden mechanics in place that occur depending on what your nation does. Say you mention nothing on your economy in any of your posts then my trap card will activate, either saying that you may be entering a depression or something worse. Make sure that you are taking care of your nation, we wouldn't want any civil wars to break out now. Do not feel the need to tackle every topic in every post, I just wish to inform you on this.
World Map
Nation Submission Guide
The change had already begun!
