Polybius

Poly Vault

Planets & Resources

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When you discover a new planet, I randomly generate what type of world you have discovered. You can colonize and harvest resources from these planets and add them to your territory. Over-harvesting a world will eventually kill the biosphere and cripple your population. You determine the rate at which you harvest resources.

Planet Types

Barren
Contains no resources, but structures can be built here.
Red Planet
Resource heavy planet. Can be colonized, but does not support the population of a Blue Planet.
Blue Planet
Suitable for colonization. Blue Planets increase your nations population. May contain resources.
White Planet
White planets are located near celestial anomalies that aid in scientific research. Can also be colonized and may contain resources.
Dead Planet
Dead planets have been over harvested for resources. Nothing will grow here, although that technology may someday be available.

Planets also have societies on them that are living and breathing every day. Each planet has the following stats:
Loyalty: How likely the planet is to revolt or remain loyal to the nation. Dependent on your nations Stability, Government Type, Culture and distance from your capital or homeworld planet.
Resources: Number of resources remaining.
Hazard Rating: A planet has a hazard rating of between 1-10 with 1 being hospitable and 10 being catastrophic.

Resource Management:
For each planet, tell me the rate at which you wish to harvest resources: Efficiently, Moderately, Aggressively. The default rate is moderately.

Nation Advances

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As your nation grows, you can expand your nation's abilities and strengths by researching certain technological, cultural and scientific advances. This is a basic frame for what your nation can achieve. Other Advances may be added later and player generated advances are highly encouraged!

Cultural Advances
Art
Architecture
Archaeology
Exploration (Allows construction of Unmanned Probes)

Economic Advances
Trade (Allows Investing in Economy, Foreign Economies, Generates Wealth)
Diplomacy

Military Advances
Intelligence (Allows construction of Embassies)
Espionage (Allows construction of Agents)

Technological Advances
Colonization (Allows construction of Colony Ships)
Terra-forming (Can build Terraforming Platforms)
Cryogenics (Allows construction of Cruisers)
Mining Efficiency (Allows Aggressive Resource Harvesting)

Units & Structures

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Each unit and structure has a Name, Cost, Production, and brief description of how it is used.
Military Units:

Armies
Cost: 2
The meat of your military. Each army represents thousands of soldiers that can be deployed as you wish. You may assign armies to ships to invade other planets, to defend, or to raze a planet. See the Battles section for more info about armies.

Fighters
Cost: 4
Small ships that carry between 50-100 personnel. Fighters provide escort and cover for larger ships, and serve as scouts.

Destroyers
Cost: 6
Massive ships capable of transporting armies from planet to planet. Destroyers have high defense, low attack.

Cruisers
Cost: 12
The largest class of ship with heavy firepower. Cannot land on planets to deploy armies. Often escorted by other ships.

Bombers
Cost: 15
Bombers can also carry armies from planet to planet, but may not bomb a planet the same turn they deploy armies. Capable of orbital surface bombing (effectively razing a planet before it is conquered).

Other Units:
Colony Ship
Cost: 10
Used to spread your people across the galaxy. Carries 1pop per ship.
Unmanned Freighter
Cost: 4
Single destination ships used for quick cash.
Freighter
Cost: 6
The workhorse of the interstellar trade industry, freighters ship resources from planet to planet.

Unmanned Probe
Cost: 1 Prod:
A crude ship used to scout unknown space.

Agent
Cost: 10 Prod:
An agent can be deployed into a known territory to gather information. (Specifying which information to reveal is risky at first, but if the agent manages to maintain secrecy specifics can be identified.

Military Structures:
Outpost
Cost: Prod:
Build Outposts on your borders to keep a look out for invading forces.

Fortified Garrison
Cost Prod:
Build bases to protect your armies on planets you control.

Other Structures:
Embassy
Cost: Prod:
An embassy can be constructed on an allies world.

Terraforming Platform
Cost: Prod:
Can be constructed around any planet you control. When construction is complete, specify which planet type you wish to produce.

Nation Generation

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For billions of years, life has evolved in one form or another in distant corners of the galaxy. For thousands of millennium, intelligent life has strived to achieve interstellar travel. You are one of those races.

The dreaded NS:
Nation Name:
Ruler:
Excerpt: Tell us briefly what sort of life form you are. This may be a few paragraph description or a vignette. Be as brief or winded as you please.

Nation Traits
Roll 3d6 for each nation trait. You may assign which score goes where. You may reroll the lowest score. Look up the Trait Modifier on the table below and record the initial roll and its modifier. If all of your trait modifiers are +1 or less, reroll all of them (including your bonus reroll, basically start over).
Culture:
Economy:
Infrastructure:
Technology:
Military:
Stability:
- - - - - -
Wealth: Infrastructure Modifier + Economy Modifier + 4 each turn. Disregard negative modifiers.
Population:
Production: Economy Modifier + Technology Modifier + 2 = Production Rate
Government:
Republic gets +2 Culture, Economy, Technology (score, NOT modifier, adjust modifier as needed)
Dictatorship gets +2 Military, Infrastructure, Stability (score, NOT modifier, adjust modifier as needed)
Anarchy receives -2 to all Trait Scores for 2 turns. (Pick which government you wish after two turns)

Trait Modifier Table

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Roll Trait Modifier Description
1 or less -5 Abysmal
2-3 -4 Awful
4-5 -3 Bad
6-7 -2 Poor
8-9 -1 Mediocre
10-11 +0 Fair
12-13 +1 Good
14-15 +2 Great
16-17 +3 Exceptional
18-19 +4 Amazing
20 or more +5 Phenomenal

Disclosure Notice:
In the spirit of full disclosure (and for easy access), I have referenced the following sites/pages in designing this game:
Hyperiums
Basic d20 PDF (launches PDF)
FUDGE Hack for NRP's

TO DO:
Unit Costs
Unit Production Time
Balance Military Unit Power
Balance Production table
Finish Advancements
Generate map
Design Random planet generator
Generate NPC's

Poly Vault

Expansive Galaxy

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_{BASIC d20 version by: Polybius}

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The Expansive Galaxy is a science-fiction roleplay that uses stats and turn based play. In this game you construct a nation with a History, a Ruler, and assign points to define what your nation is capable of. You will manage vast armadas, planets, resources and engage in economic and clandestine warfare, both against NPC's and other players. Hopefully the system I have devised will provide a template for whatever type of civilization you wish to play.
In designing this system, I've tried to keep the numbers as simple as possible. Most of the number work is on my end, but you will find that paying attention to the numbers will help you make more successful decisions in game. My philosophy of design is that a system is simply a way for all of the players and the GM to agree that something does or does not happen. But, I will never use a rule when it is not useful-that is to say, I am more interested in helping the players create a game they want to play. Besides all the crunchy (hopefully not too crunchy!) stuff, their will also be narrative roleplay. You may invent as many characters as you wish, and fluff-coat your nation however you wish. Having said that, there is some basic information to go over before we can begin building civilizations.

National Traits

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In this game, your nation has (6) Traits that represent what your nation is capable of economically, scientifically and culturally. Your main stats also represent how stable your country is. The main nation traits are:

• Culture
• Economy
• Infrastructure
• Technology
• Military
• Stability

Besides the main stats, you have (4) other Traits. These Traits are NOT rolled for by the player. I've separated them from the other six because they are generated from different numbers. These are the other traits:

• Wealth
• Population
• Production
• Government

All of the Nation Traits are explained in more detail below.

Nation Trait Descriptions

====>Instructions for generating Nation Traits are at the bottom of this hider tag!

Culture
Engaging new ideas and embracing old ones. A nation with high culture will begin to influence neighboring nations and be more stable.

Economy
Measures how resilient and advanced your economic institutions are. Investing in your Economy may increase it. Other nations with positive relations may also invest in your nations economy, and begin to influence your nations stability.

Infrastructure
Physical and organizational institutions of your nation.

Technology
How advanced your nation is and how capable your society is of developing new technology. How insightful your scientists are, and how capable they are of breaking new ground in scientific fields.

Militancy
A nations militancy is how well they conduct military operations and how willing they are to go to war.

Stability
How stable your nations government is. Your nation can be more stable or less stable depending on what actions you take, and what actions others take against you.

Wealth
Your flow of resources and liquid assets. You spend wealth to build structures and train units.
Possibly buying on credit? Wealth is Infrastructure Modifier + Economy Modifier + 4 each turn. Disregard negative modifiers.

Population
How many people live in your nation. There are three tiers of population: Low , Middle, and High. Population increases every turn and is based on the type of planets you control and your national advances.

Production
How fast your nation produces things. Nations with high production will produce things 2x or 3x as fast. This means smaller units will be made in multiples each turn production is ordered.

Government
Your government type. (Republic, Dictatorship, Anarchy)
Under a Republic, your nation has increased Culture, Economy, and Technology. Under a Dictatorship, your nation has increased Militancy, Infrastructure and Stability. Anarchy reduces all Nation Traits by 1 point. If you wish to change your government type mid-game, you will have 2 turns of Anarchy before the new government can seize power.

Generating Nation Traits Scores

To calculate Nation Traits, roll 3d6 for each stat. You may reroll your lowest roll. After you assign all your numbers, look up the modifier number on the chart below. If all of your ability score modifiers are +1 and lower, start over.

Roll Trait Modifier Description
1 or less -5 Abysmal
2-3 -4 Awful
4-5 -3 Bad
6-7 -2 Poor
8-9 -1 Mediocre
10-11 +0 Fair
12-13 +1 Good
14-15 +2 Great
16-17 +3 Exceptional
18-19 +4 Amazing
20 or more +5 Phenomenal
Source: Basicd20 Pdf (OGL)

Poly Vault

Nation Sheet

The Kingdom of Pellara

A decadent kingdom born on the backs of slavery, treachery and revolt.

Geography

Pellara Borders

Original Map

Geography
The country of Pellara is crossed with a multitude of rivers, basins and vast acres of steamy jungle. The dense jungles and impenetrable valleys have caused a policy of isolation, the ports and waterways being the only true contact with outside cultures.

Weather
The summers are long and wet with an annual rainfall that surpasses most regions. The rivers swell and grow while storms ravage the coast. The winters are much milder, only slowing the growth of the jungles.

Flora & Fauna
Reptiles
The most feared is the irathi snake, whose venom can kill a standing man in a matter of hours and a babe in but a few minutes. This venom is sought out for assassins the world over.

Cyrene's Salamander, an enormous reptile that makes its nest nearest to the lakes and lagoons fed by many rivers. The Salamander has powerful jaws and forearms with bony claws. Cyrenes Salamander emits a toxic cloud of gas from its mouth that paralyzes and eventually kills its prey. Known to kill men and even elephants.

Mammals
panthers, tigers, smaller elephants. Rats, dogs etc.

History

Early History
The early Pellarans were a confederation of warring tribes that were united under a particularly cruel king. After a thousand years, that kingdom fractured and the bloodline broken. The more contemporary city-states were shattered after the slave revolts half a century ago. The stepped cities of those former kingdoms remain, as do the trade roads and dams, canals and waterways that were constructed with a knowledge now lost.

The new masters of Pellara seized power in a bloody coup, while the former masters were dealing with a major slave revolt. House Zoboa, Sarmis, Yaros, Miara and others formed a false alliance with the ringleaders of the revolt. As soon as the slaves slaughtered the royal families, the united houses in turn slaughtered them. The victorious usurpers banned slavery for twenty years.

In recent history, the noble houses have squabbled over power. The confederation teeters as each city-state claims allegiance to this house or that.

Culture

Classism & Slavery
There exists a stark division between the common man and the ruling elite, the aristocratic houses and the various religious sects that have gained popularity among the poor and even penetrated the nobility in some cases.

From hilltop villas, surrounded by terraced gardens and artificial waterways, the wealthy elite rule Pellara with a sort of detachment. These are the upper echelon of society, relying on a complex web of intermediaries consisting of guildmasters, clergy and minor-nobility. They are protected by well paid warriors, often members of the house themselves-distant cousins, uncles etc. that have no real standing in the politics of the house, no chance of rising to a position other than one of martial prowess. From this, a formal ritual of challenge and duel has emerged, with bloody battles of honor and political scheming occuring in elegant seasonal gardens. The Pellara nobles keep enemies at each others throats, spread coin to manipulate and call upon favors to ensure their place in power.

The commoners are a dwindling class, working large plantations side by side with slaves where they grow olives, spices, nuts, and fruits and overseen by the middle-class guildmasters and slavers. The guilds of Pellara consist of tradesman that produce cloth, make wine, oil and cheese, cured meats and dried fish. They are traders and merchants, sailing to distant lands to ply their goods. The slave trade of Pellara is a wholly integrated part of society. This is not chattel slavery, no man or woman may be born into it, and a man may even sell himself into slavery to pay off debt. Despite the trade being a highly regulated industry, with many rules regarding the treatment of slaves, it is after all the ownership of a human being, and a rising number of nobles view slavery with disdain.

Religion
The reptilian worshipping Cyrenese are an heretic sect of the Lyrian Sun-Worshippers. The Cyrenese have a code of honor and values that seems to shift with the seasons. They believe life is mutable and opportunity should be seized upon whenever it presents itself. They do not fear death, but embrace it; as attested to the street priests willingness to poison their own devoted.

These low-class 'street priests' hold informal mass in public spaces, much to the chagrin of many of the noble houses. They organize labor and spread the word of Cyrene to neighboring lands. One could speculate that the street preachers are perhaps the most devout of the Cyrene, never attaining a high enough post to become involved in politics, but content in their piety. The Cyrene wear light robes to compliment the mild climate, with complex geometric patterns and adornments. They often carry short bladed spears called irathi, (named for the poisonous snake that infests the jungles of Pellara), about 3-4 feet long. Complex ritual involves 'marking' a pious man with a small wound on the arms, chest, face or back. This is a great honor in Pellara. Many of these 'irathi' have poisoned tips, although greatly diluted, and more than one street priest has presided over a mass while a writhing follower died at his feet. Others experience a sense of euphoria as the poison dulls the nerves and clouds ones thoughts.

This obsession with poison, death and sacrifice involves the mythology of the Mother Snake. The devoted believe we are all in the womb of the snake for eternity, until we are released through death and born into the real world, called "Jarma". Many deaths are required for birth into jarma, and only a true and pious death will this birth occur. Within the many oral traditions of the religious narrative exist many stipulations, contradictions and this unnecessary complexity of the holy writ MORE

Military

The Pellarans have a standing army in each city, although these numbers are pitiful compared to larger countries. In times of great struggle, the Pellaran nobles will pay good money for mercenary armies to defend their cities.

A typical Pellaran soldier carries a spear and sword. The noblemen of Pellara like to fight with a duo of companion slaves, although this practice is largely confined to arena sport. The one (or two) slaves are chained either to one another or the noblemen and carry his shield and extra weapons. It is an impractical practice and on the way out.

Large scale tactics are not Pellarans forte, as their military tradition is based on urban warfare, quelling civil unrest etc. The standard unit of spear and shield soldiers is 400 men, arranged in a deep rectangle, three men deep.

Units of archers and common footsoldiers responsible for supplying their own weapons are typical units.

Pellaran cavalry exists in small numbers, and with smaller mounts.

Economy

Food, particularly grapes, wine, nuts, fruit, olives, dried and cured meats, oils and spices make up a large portion of the Pellaran exports. The buying and selling of slaves is also a large part. The economy is fueled by the fleet of Pellaran merchant ships, fast coastal-hugging ships powered by sail and armies of slave rowers.

To protect this fleet, the Pellarans have a decent navy, and shoreline watchtowers that maintain lines of communication and warning.

Relations

working on dis. Need collabs.

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House Zoboa

House History

House Members

A list of the people in your country's royal family, starting with the king and ending with the youngest heir.

House Specialty

If you were waiting for a section to put a weirdly specific strength, this is it. Houses can have military traditions and thus focus on making their heirs study tactics, or have artistic traditions, or have their strength not be related to a tradition at all. Maybe they have a really cool boat. Maybe they breed weird animals. Anyway, feel free to lean on the fantasy tagline here a little and use your imagination.

1888 - Diesel Punk - Horror - Western - Political - Apocalyptic -

@Artyom Thanks for the interest artyom, if I don't get some others interested I will have to rework it. Thanks for reading and welcome to the guild!

1888 - Diesel Punk - Horror - Western - Political - Apocalyptic -

Last call.

Civilization - New Lands, New Glory! V. 2.0

The Lothelonni

_{An expedition led by Ranger Celamon Jeroomi, 12th son of Lord Pella Jeroomi, Eastern Branch of the River Cantivale}

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For several days a dozen rangers led by Celamon tread a wary path along the eastern branch of the river Cantivale. Armed with bows, spears and the hunting sword of the Brightflower clan, Celamon took care with his rangers lives and pressed on at a wary pace.

The rocky banks of the river were soon overgrown with thick foliage and tall, softly swaying poplars, birch and willows. Celamon left two rangers to guard the high-keeled boats several miles back, but continued the expedition on foot, albeit at a slower pace. As the sun disappeared and the shadows of twilight engulfed the rangers, Celamon spotted a clearing and a hulking form within it.

"Hold rangers!" he hissed at the sight before him. A massive creature, bearded and fierce was methodically butchering a great beast-a bull. For a moment, Celamon watched slack-jawed at the sight of the creature-which was easily thrice the size of himself. A mixture of fear and awe took hold of the head ranger and for a fleeting moment he knew not what to do.

As the beast drew a long blade across the bulls corpse, Celamon ordered a swift retreat to regroup. Taking shelter behind some large boulders, and well away from the monster in the clearing, Celamon delivered his orders:

Turning to his lieutenant, a swift elf named Ella, he said, "Take eight men and return to Lord Brightflower, tell him of our encounter. Kato and I will attempt to track the beast, and see if their are others, or perhaps where it lives. If we do not return in a few days, expect the worst. A safe journey upon you sister." Ella nodded without a word and her and her cadre disappeared into the woods.

Celamon and Kato were left staring at one another. Kato was a few years Celamons senior, a fine and able ranger, but of little social standing in the clan. "Ready Kato?" asked Celamon. Kato nodded and the two set about their work.

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At Cantivale, Lord Brightflower awaited the return of his expedition, and when it returned with Ella in command Elaris feared the worst. Ella told him of their encounter with the beast in the forest, and Celamons intentions. Elaris thanked Ella for her service and pondered his next action. Consulting with his rangers, they decided that a standing militia would have to be conscripted. The fate of Celamon and Kato was yet to be known.

H) Expand military (about 20%)

From Sleep Awake

@DeadBeatWalking I'm going to work on my nation when I get home. Pretty much have everything figured out , just need to write it down and organize it.

If anyone wants to collaborate give me a mention.

From Sleep Awake

disregard for the time being.

1888 - Diesel Punk - Horror - Western - Political - Apocalyptic -

Here are a few more details about the world, some character info and a sketch of the world map. It should be noted that this is the early stage of world building and some names/places may change. If this gets going, anything posted in the Formal ooc/ic will be considered canon. Thanks again for reading.

World Map

Note: You may have to right-click and open image in a new tab to view higher res.

Factions

Factions of the Industrial Union

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The Monarchists
Even though the new world has been settled for some centuries, and the ancient kingdom of Helikos no longer stands, their are those that would see fit to put upon a new throne an heir of Helikos. The Silenced Queen has no court, no army, and no political authority in the Industrial Union, and yet she gathers many followers about her with (absurd) promises of freedom, civil rights, and justice if she were to somehow seize control of a city. Her loyalists are nothing more than terrorists, hell bent on dissolving the Industrial Union and seizing control of an Arcology for themselves. They must be tracked down and punished for their crimes against the true authority of the union, the Council of Peers.

The Sacred Brotherhood of Balphagor
Balphagor was a saint in the old world-famous for being burned alive at the stake by the High Inquisitor of Helikos. He has become a modern martyr in the Industrial Union, a holy figure for the faithful. Giving to the poor, helping the sick, and generally undermining the authority of the Barony.

The Shadow Pact
Watchers from the dark, the worshipers of the undead believe the hordes of ghouls and geists in the blight are the second coming of their master, Lord Necuratu, the 'Unclean Soul'. Not much is known about Lord Necuratu, but his legacy is mired deep in the histories of the old world.

Factions of the World

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The Industrial Union has stood for 500 years. It began as a loose trading alliance between mediocre cities, clutching the coastline like scared babes, afraid to venture deeper into the continent. In time, those lifelines to distant shores would bring great profit to the cities of the union, but also jealousy. Arcologies like Basilard, with their groaning airships and drill-tanks seize whatever they wish, while a religious fervor promulgated by the Brotherhood of Balphagor has unsettled the Barony in Gyrelok.

The Ban Ki Syndicate, one of many trading conglomerates across the icy ocean, began to meddle in Union politics, pitting one arcology against the other. They secured favorable trade agreements with one city and then funded their enemies. In 1883, the union was torn apart by civil war.

The Blood Confederacy is ruled by the Cannibal King, Tenuaxl, a powerful blood shaman who has united the 900 tribes of the Bloodlands. From the summit of his stepped-city capital Xua, Tenuaxl gives sacrifice to the Old Ones and gathers dark magics about him.

The Kingdom of Quao Hei on distant shores, across the icy sea. A former world-spanning Empire with trading posts and fortresses, decadence and vice brought this ancient empire to ruin. From the ashes rose orders like the Ban Ki Syndicate, (and others).

archetypes

This is a sampling of player concepts, I encourage players to invent their own, as long as it fits with the general themes and tone of the world I will except. There are no fantasy races-all players will be human or undead or possibly demonic in nature.

Possible Archetypes:

Aristocrat
There are plenty of noblemen in Arcology Wix; You, however, have managed to outwit or dumbfound your way into a seat on the Council of Peers. Aristocrats are filthy rich and can pool vast sums of money to get things done. They have contacts in the merchants guilds across the icy sea, the most important being the Ban Ki Syndicate. Unfortunately, you are also held personally responsible for the debts incurred by the city during the civil war.

Gearfiend
Despite the shameful moniker, you have found your mechanical implants very useful in your career, if not absurdly painful. Gearfiends are a product of arcane science wherein certain parts of your body have been enhanced with clock-work like mechanisms. You are less human than your Peers, logical and less-emotive.

Warlock
Despite the purges of the 17th century, the ways of the Old Ones have survived. Through ritual of your own devising, your arcane power is feared by any sane man. Unfortunately, your own sanity is at risk the longer you remain in contact with entities not of this world.

Knight
A relic of the old world, the knighthood was once a sacred and honorable office. Your marshal prowess is unmatched in all the land, but you are not as wealthy as your peers. Knights once rode stallions into battle; in 1888 Knights use mechanical armor with oversized weapons.

Devoted
Their are many religions in the world. Perhaps yours is the one, true path? The devoted incur divine favor, and have many enemies.

Civilization - New Lands, New Glory! V. 2.0

The Lothelonni

With a cheer from the tired but hopeful crowd the banner of House Brightflower was hoisted above the watchtower. Lord Elaris, surrounded by his family and close companions, accepted congratulations and a warm embrace from his beloved, Alima. How her almond shaped eyes shined in the bright sun of this new land, and as the Lord and Lady of Cantivale strode along the single rode of the village, they looked upon their growing village with a hopefulness and certainty of peace they had not felt in a long time.

It was nearing dark when the pair reached the river, already lanterns were being lit and the long shadow of the mountain eclipsed Cantivale.

"What next, my love?" asked Alima softly. Her golden curls catching the light of the moon and firelight of the village.

Elaris smiled. "A tower and a wall? What more would my lady have of a simple nobleman?"

A moment passed between them in silence.

"There is still much to do. We have many mouths to feed my Lord. Another birth just the other day." Alima placed her hand upon Lord Elaris' pale face. "We cannot fail them, my Lord. They have risked too much for that, come too far to unknown lands."

Lord Elaris nodded somberly. He looked to the river, saw how it bent softly downstream. "We know not what lies beyond this river. But we know where we come from, and know we cannot go back my love. No, this is our home now, and I will do everything in my power to preserve our way of life. Whatever it takes-my life if need be."

Alima nodded and placed her head upon her husbands breast. Twilight faded into darkness and the moon broke above the shadow of the mountain to bathe the river in milky white.

Explore (the river, as the Lothelonni landed on the Western shore, they will explore the easterly branch, towards Dagshall)