Market Research for Fantastical Baroque monograph...

[mr_mitts]

I'm currently writing my second monograph, and whereas the first was (predominantly) Call of Cthulhu, this one is strictly BRP. It's a fantasy setting, where instead of the usual mediaeval or Renaissance society, the world is plunging deep into the abyss of a 1790s Enlightenment-type revolution. A world of paranoia, muskets and guilliotines sitting uncomfortably alongside ghosts, wyverns and alchemical magicks.

Tentatively (nothing's set in stone), we've crafted a world, new skills, some 30 new occupations, a system for martial arts, a new magic system and other assortments, including a few ideas for bringing mass-combat (naval and land) to the table.

However, what we'd like to gauge is whether people are actually interested in the idea of an Enlightenment-era fantasy and if there's anything non-specific that you'd like to see. We say 'non-specific' because, if we include it in the book, we don't want to be accused of theft (unless you specifically don't mind us picking your brains clear of your best ideas).

Sorry if it's a bit vague, but any opinions, ideas, etc. would be great!

Thanks,
Mr Mitts

[Shaira]

I'd be interested to know more, but to be honest I'm a bit confused how you plunge into the "abyss" of the 1790's enlightenment revolution. The Enlightenment is the era of scientific discoveries applied practically - canals, railways, large-scale factory production, expert cartography, the "Lunar men", periodic tables, modern scientific techniques, political theory, manners, early Napoleonics, George III, Jane Austen, etc, etc.

Perhaps you could provide a bit more info? I hope I don't sound too negative - or are you specifically looking at French revolution or Peninsular War or Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell type fantasia settings? In which case maybe less emphasis on the "Enlightenment" aspect might be appropriate.

Cheers,

Sarah

[Trifletraxor]

Originally Posted by mr_mitts

Tentatively (nothing's set in stone), we've crafted a world, new skills, some 30 new occupations, a system for martial arts, a new magic system and other assortments, including a few ideas for bringing mass-combat (naval and land) to the table.

However, what we'd like to gauge is whether people are actually interested in the idea of an Enlightenment-era fantasy and if there's anything non-specific that you'd like to see.

Hi Mr. Mitts! Do you have a deal with Chaosium yet? Is it time to add it to the news section? What's the ETA?

I don't know about the others, but I love to see at least one short intro scenario with the book.

SGL.

[mr_mitts]

Originally Posted by Shaira

I'd be interested to know more, but to be honest I'm a bit confused how you plunge into the "abyss" of the 1790's enlightenment revolution. The Enlightenment is the era of scientific discoveries applied practically - canals, railways, large-scale factory production, expert cartography, the "Lunar men", periodic tables, modern scientific techniques, political theory, manners, early Napoleonics, George III, Jane Austen, etc, etc.

The word "abyss" was really used to distinguish it from a rose-tinted viewpoint of science: it's a world where order's collapsing, science is outpacing itself, religion is obsolescent and the common man is supersceded by burgeoning industry. A worm's eye, prole viewpoint, really.

Originally Posted by Shaira

Perhaps you could provide a bit more info? I hope I don't sound too negative - or are you specifically looking at French revolution or Peninsular War or Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell type fantasia settings? In which case maybe less emphasis on the "Enlightenment" aspect might be appropriate.

More like Sleepy Hollow meets Brotherhood of the Wolf during the French Revolution. True, it's not really Enlightenment (it's a bit dark for that), but the world's teetering on the edge between a new rational order and plunging into chaos much like our own late-18th century. War, politics, and colonisation are the main themes, with strong emphasis on characters (and players) selling their souls, beliefs or friends out for survival or a greater good. Rather than working together for a common goal, each scenario has various 'solutions' - many mutually exclusive - that force the characters to act in their own best interests; be it for the state, their religion, their personal furtherance, or simply survival in a society where the Revolution will cut your head off for stealing a loaf of bread (or selling a loaf of bread for an unregulated price. Or complaining about the price of bread. Or...).

Hi Mr. Mitts! Do you have a deal with Chaosium yet? Is it time to add it to the news section? What's the ETA?

Chaosium's got it filed under Fantastical Baroque at the moment, although it hasn't got an actual name yet. ETA is (hopefully) end of this month, but little later than that if August goes too quickly.

[Dredj]

Maybe some in-depth and fairly unique fencing and dueling rules. Especially an in-depth overview of the various sword fighting techniques of the era would be appreciated.

I would be extremely interested in this monograph. I've been hoping someone would do something like this for about a year now. I don't think the baroque period has been very well explored for adventure gaming. Also, wasn't there a lot of vampire hunting during that time period in the Slavic countries?

[NickMiddleton]

Originally Posted by mr_mitts

The word "abyss" was really used to distinguish it from a rose-tinted viewpoint of science: it's a world where order's collapsing, science is outpacing itself, religion is obsolescent and the common man is supersceded by burgeoning industry. A worm's eye, prole viewpoint, really.


More like Sleepy Hollow meets Brotherhood of the Wolf during the French Revolution. True, it's not really Enlightenment (it's a bit dark for that), but the world's teetering on the edge between a new rational order and plunging into chaos much like our own late-18th century. War, politics, and colonisation are the main themes, with strong emphasis on characters (and players) selling their souls, beliefs or friends out for survival or a greater good.

This as a setting sounds very appealing.

Rather than working together for a common goal, each scenario has various 'solutions' - many mutually exclusive - that force the characters to act in their own best interests; be it for the state, their religion, their personal furtherance, or simply survival in a society where the Revolution will cut your head off for stealing a loaf of bread (or selling a loaf of bread for an unregulated price.

This doesn't appeal to me.

So how much of it will be setting and how much scenarios?

Cheers,

Nick

[Dredj]

If you're looking for some source material, may I suggest the Flashing Blades rpg?
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[GreatBear]

I would be on board for such a project. Integrating fencing or specifically dueling rules would be a big plus for me. Mass combat rules would have be pretty abstract to fit in with BRP but it would be interesting to see it done.
This type of background has been visited before in both historical (Flashing Blades, Lace & Steel, various Pirates/Musketeer games) and more fantastic (Pirates of the Caribbean, Flintloque (to give a bad example)) flavors.

[Harshax]

I would be very interested in such a thing, especially if it contained a couple of short scenarios that helped new comers grok the setting's mood.

[PK Games]

So something like Solomon Kane?