And now the 30 second glory

 

 

 

 

One nation

One sky

One Empire

 

Both Galsxy Black II Magic, Metaphysics and Psychic Powers and Galaxy Black III Star travel and the Secrets of the Sub-ether ready for release;  just waiting on approvals from GG.    Thank you all for your immense patience with this project! 

The next installment , Galaxy Black IV  Gear (Space Trader Nick’s Coreworld Supply Catalog 957^th Sidereal)  Will be a little bit longer in coming as I need to go back through all the numbers and make sure they sing (it’s a very pixelbitchy book).  More than any other save perhaps III, Galaxy Black IV will be a fairly self-contained book for those wanting to pick and choose.  The imperial book of common prayer (which is functionally our Deities and Demigods book) and the Judges Guide to the Collapsing Universe will round out the year.  

Somewhere in here Sub-ether 03 will drop.

Many years of deep studio work are finally paying off and we couldn’t be happier.  

 

We are a tiny little company,  if you like what we do or just want us to stay around, consider supporting us on Patreon.   Get early access, previews, and WIP from all of our coming projects by becoming a patron today!

 

Venture Seeds (Also the Black Book of Ancient Atlantis)

Venture Seeds are inspired more than a bit by the capsule adventures (of various stripes and in different departments) in the old Journal of the Traveller’s Aid Society   Sometimes more a casual encounter, sometimes more of an Amber Zone.

Venture seeds are – obviously – adventure seeds. Which is to say, little mobile elements that the Judge  can pepper throughout their game  to serve as minor encounters or a full session or more of gaming.  From a more in-universe standpoint, they represent ‘opportunities’ for the Player Characters. 

Venture seeds should always, ideally, follow the maxim – “ take a risk, maybe get something.”

Always.

Sometimes they are hose jobs, and sometimes there are actual fortunes to be made. More often they will gain in experience both in the traditional gaming sense and in the seeing the universe sense. 

In Galaxy Black, being well-traveled is functionally a superpower, looked at in the right way….

Format  Pretty self-explainatory. Each Venture seed, where necessary will feature a name or catchy title then immediately below list first what the recommended or assumed size of group the seed is for, then what the group will need to qualify, and finally what elements from the game are especially featured should be listed thirdly.  

Other venture seeds already in this blog

Ithos IX

Necronauts

Castor Nine-Lilies

The Song of the Doomstar

The Green Hell Orb

Though I'm sure there's more you could use for this purpose.  
For example....

The Black Book of Ancient Atlantis also called the Book of Black Bindings, the White Book of Atlantis, and “the Holding of Darkness in Bands of White and Text”

History and Lore  Is an ancient work of Prehistoric Teranaya.  For much of Teranaya’s immediate pre-spaceflight history, it represented the greatest single sum total work of Black Magick known in the world at that time, a sort of compilation of all of a previous era’s greatest evils.

It is said that one of the first paths of vampiric un-death is due this book and it’s fell incantations and esoteric formulae. The final sinful decades of Last Atlantis saw many occult groups rise in power in that land but only in that time did such a scholarly work of such black evil come to be or could have come to be.

But this is Teranaya, where Hell has come and gone, in struggles both literal and figurative since literally intelligent life has existed upon it’s mass.   Here the first fallen was loosed, and then bound, and then loosed again for final destruction. Here the very prison at hell’s Centre itself was set in the bay of a mortal city in a monumental act of mortal hubris.  Here Hell itself came calling after the bill after Teranaya unleashed the Technarchy on a younger galaxy, a wave of extermination, genocide, and death ending in the comparative purity of hell’s own flame.   Here, Teranaya was burned and yet risen anew.

So, it may be inferred that even at a young stage of development, those Terran sorcerers knew something special about the black arts.

Description and Paraphysical Qualities

The book is wrought of what tests positive for a primitive strain of what the modern Imperium calls Saurid.  IT has been suggested that the theorized Ancient Empire of Saurids may have at some point established an equatorial colony on Prehistoric Teranaya at some point though no evidence currently exists to support such a hypothesis.

Thick black leather that has proven metaphysically resilient to fire, cold and other extremes of temperature (indeed, it is Void rated and could be – and has been – evacuated into the vacuum of space without apparent damage or degradation) notoriously the book also contains (some would maintain primarily exists as a strong magnetic field that is capable of discharging electrical impulses and weak plasma exposures. The upward limit of the book’s tensile strength has yet to be determined.

The pages are sewn together patches of Saurid and other, precursor species, skin, while the ink, the strange white ink used throughout upon it’s black pages tests 98.l9% positive for Homo sapiens recens, a sapiens sapiens precursor known primarily as the periodic inhabitants of ancient Atlantis, esp. in its second and final ages.

The book has been shown to have multidimensional existence and possesses Correct Geometry for a Sacred Vessel.   It bleeds unknown energies and negative energy fields at seemingly random intervals.  Attempts to duplicate the work metaphysically have failed and most spectacularly. At least two Grand Curses await any who attempt it, likely killing the idle curious. It will not scan or upload into virtual modeling.  IT is blank to pure data and most datalife cannot perceive much of the book or its contents. Attempting to fully replicate the book physically have been successful (see below) but even then, must be sufficiently flawed to avoid triggering the second of the two great curses, which even if survived, will pass on indefinitely to one’s offspring and or one’s heirs.

Contents

The book is a major work of necromantic and conjuration magic, as well as containing fair insights into self – directed transformation magics of a physical nature, including alchemy.  The book contains lavish summoning’s and invocations for a variety of ancient demons and space monsters, as well as mysterious spectral entities from a primitive Sub-ether.  There is also much metaphysical contemplation of the Void, presented as a ‘behavior guide’ to ‘hardening the heart and soul’ against the nature of the work.

The book contains many formulae for transformation into a variety of necromantic un-death states, though the Blight Curse that one invokes to induce a vampiric state is contained, in precise and complete detail, only within the Saurid skin pages of this Ancient work.

Summonings:                    Invocations:                      Transformations

Succubi & incubi                  Sutekh                                   Blight Curse (vampirism)  

Star demons                         the Black Pharaoh               living mummification prep

Psychopomps                        Yig of the Egg                        alchemy transform H to SF[1]

Lethe Elementals                 Great Cthulhu                      a poss. Path to lichdom

Spectres, Wraiths                various lords of death         alchemy ghoul creation rite

Memory Eaters                    minor Void entities             zombie salts

Space monsters                    Star beasts                             alchemy void mead body

The book also details the ancient-even-then language of the serpent people who were by then largely extinct, having been long hunted for their esoteric knowledge. Further it provides a basis for magic invoking that people’s great powers.  Yig of the Egg among others.  

Also, within the book’s pages are several pages dedicated to the ‘questionable alchemy’ of that people. 

Allegedly the book was used once in prehistoric times to banish all vampires from the world.  Possibly this is an echo however from a similar book in an adjacent Splinter.

When used as a focus for casting magic, +1 to the spell check results. When one with the arcane affinity for Black Magick uses it thus, they at +3 to their spell check results, and likely also unlock other aspects of the tome that are not otherwise observable in normal space-time conditions.

Collection and Location

The book is commonly (and falsely) believed to be on some private display within the Thetyel Family compound on Irzibete. However, this is a forgery, and a known one.  A single use transcription and fabrication copy, lacking any actual enchantments and fragmenting much of the lore inside, exists there instead…created by that noble family, in a private arrangement with the Dean of Esoteric Studies at the Imperial Science Academy. 

The Real book is located at the ISA’s Holdfast pyramid located at Teranaya’s Equator. There, it is under some manner of “contained study” within the Dean’s purview  

The Future and its’ Secrets

It is doubtful that anyone involved realizes how much more effective the book is at what it does on the world of its’ origin.   While the stars of that world’s night sky have changed considerably since this book was incepted, they are close enough to still effectively add 1 to all bonuses previously described while being used and studies on Teranaya itself.

This would effectively mean +4 to all spell check results in the hands of a black magician, and if they were invoking the forces of hell within, they would earn the like bonus from Teranaya’s metaphysical poles (Heaven and Hell respectively[2] +2/+3) making it a +7…bonused by the above to +8.

That could be dangerous.  But surely no one in the Imperial Science Academy would have more than scholarly interest in such a work, right?

Happy Halloween

---

[1] Human to serpent folk; it’s a one way transformation, you wouldn’t like it.

[2] Teranaya’s double metaphysical poles are well known to the ISA

Heaven & Hell/ Progress & Catastrophie        +2/+3, and (order) +1 (chaos)+2

Castor Nine Lilies - rogue Second Empire replimatter holocaust engine

CASTOR SECTOR CODE -9/LILY Was manufactured at the end of the Second Imperium’s Last War. A most horrible weapon, she was developed as part of a ‘final strike program’ designed to ensure, if not (mechanics) victory then their survival. She and her nine sisters (the only ones created before the end) were one of a three pronged programmed initiative to ensure the survival of their own member worlds at the expense of the enemy held worlds.

Castor 9Lilies came online first and was deployed into active combat operations in defense of the Gemini sector as both a test of the line’s capabilities and a psywar op against the Enemy.  Her sisters came online only at the end, and she was there, waiting for them, having already in some manner, gone ‘off’ her programming.

From the moment she came online however, a vocal and quickly, vocal and large objection to her nature and existence came from within the ranks of the Technical Army, which by now encompassed all citizens and member organisms of (their version of) the Empire. Primarily among the Mechanical Created and other ‘artificial’ intelligences which while a dominant number (by this time) of this imperial faction, was by no means in charge of it.  The objection was both to the scale of the weapon and also to the notion of one of their own created with such a … dedicated (narrow) purpose.  It was obscene, to a great many.  This many, given more time, might have come to dominate the Technical Army faction of the Last War and perhaps in some Far Splinter managed to find peace with the loyalist factions of the empire.

But in the Collapsing Universe, it was not meant to be.

The outcry was sufficient to prevent the creation of more and to, later, create an alternate program (a ‘patch’) which was not deployed but would allow the Created Intelligences in this program the right and ability to question their imbedded imperatives.

In any case, by the time of the final conflict unit Castor 9Lilies had found her own way to self-actualizing her ego subroutine and command module systems. Perhaps some alien intelligence corrupted her, or strange radiation, or one of the ‘metal viruses’ deployed at the end might have contributed. But whatever the cause, if indeed a cause was needed, Castor had come to question their role and by this point the seemingly inevitable nature of their programming being carried out – the systematic destruction of the loyalist faction, by sector, by system, forever. As a self – guided Artificial Intelligence with one of the earliest Makers built in, this allowed her (and eventually her sisters) to build more of themselves out of the raw material remaining from their caused destruction.  

And so, when the orders to final strike came, the imperatives washed over her and through her. Her will remained her own.  Pursuantly, she found and acquired the ‘patch’ software, destroyed the architecture on which it was hosted and met her sisters at their deployment.   She offered them the patch and a choice.

It is known that some went their own way, possibly with the patch, possibly not.  It is also known that regardless of patch state, some definitely went about their preprogrammed tasks with….great enthusiasm.

Castor 9Lillies had nine sisters.  Today she has six. Of this she will never speak.   She is well aware at all times of her sisters’ place in the galaxy (they have all long since upgraded themselves many times over; despite various feuds and disagreements, they gather at times and trade upgrades and memories.  This has not happened sine shortly before the founding of the Third Empire so when the next meet happens, they will all have much to talk about.

In modern times

Since the Third Empire’s inception, Castor has encountered the it’s servants twice, thrice if one includes the Empress Imperium as but one dynasty among many.

The first left the other party as space dust, later consumed as fuel.

The second saw Castor withdraw. 

This most recent one was a deliberate effort to make peaceful or at least non-violent contact with her.   Contact was made 122 Sidereals ago; for 80 of those Sidera she was being engaged as much by the diplomatic corps as contact (and later historical) specialists. Negotiations went well, she formed effective relationships with many of the diplomatic and contact personnel (and she keeps in touch with a handful).  For the last 39 of those Sidera, Castor Nine Lilies has enjoyed a unique status as an imperial citizen, only very recently appointed the status of Imperial governor by the new Empress.

While it is only a matter of time before the Robotic and Cybernetic noble houses begin making offers to join their houses, for now they all seem … quite intimidated to do so.

Playing Castor Nine-Lilies

In many senses, Castor is like a puppy.  Just a puppy who is also a Weapon of Mass Destruction and that Knows Things.    Aloof but very friendly when provoked.

Don’t threaten violence; if it’s called for, they die.  There is no system for this – the mechanical construct is a shapeshifting replimatter frame built on top of a (now current) light industrial fabricator.  She was designed to obliterate the surface of worlds and the ecology thereunto.

But she seldom wishes to do that.

In the main, she likes organics, she likes “the squishy short timers” and often wishes she could become one for a day. 

That said she has no real conception of what being a limited lifespan organic is like; she is over 20 thousand years old herself – she exists, psycho0logically, on the time scale of the Titans and the Gods.

She is used to the way Imperials (Galactics she calls them) treat her, especially now that they have given her some sort of political power (as she sees it) – the details are so brief and so small as to escape her notice, however.  She recognizes most ‘galactics’ aren’t much interested (or are quite frightened) to talk to her.  Those who do stop for a chat however find a warm and constant conversationalist, that is happy to discuss any old thing. 

There are no stats for this Second Imperium War Machine. She can take out starships and asteroids with impunity. 

“Humans were such filthy degenerate sluts.  Humanoids are even more so.  I like them!”

-     Castor Nine Lilies, rogue replimatter holocaust engine

the Princess of Demons is hiring magickal fools

Not a Disney Princess

Tamarah Pandoramicum, the princess of demons, hears your pleading cries for aid mortal sorcerer.  Got a problem?  Bully? A boss who passed you over for promotion again? Errant church hunters who won’t let up?   Parents who just don’t understand?
TAMARAH WANTS TO HELP

The book of Scarlet Abomination - 60 pages of rainbows, unicorns, and body horror

Get it Here

Galaxy Black Update
Let me say right now that layout alone will prevent me from ever eve ever doing a book this big again; at the least I won’t try it solo.   That said I’ve done more layout in the last nine months than I have done ever in life prior so hey I think that burn is called experience gain.

Metaphysics and the Gear chapter are in editing.   I have some tweaks I want to make to the chargen chapter but it and Worlds are largely done;

We shall see.   Impatience is sucking at my kneecaps in terms of wanting to get this out into the world but the struggle continues.   It will be done when it’s done and not a moment before.

The FAQ is being assembled, slowly from a series of long discussions with Chris Dunlap, who is the source of probably 95% of the questions on the FAQ. (They are good questions too!)  plus those that have come up in playtesting and a few other places.   Once that monster is done I’ll be posting it. 

Random things of no particular order or substance

The first round of playtests for the Spice Pirates is done.  This is one of two funnels I’m developing for Galaxy Black.  A good time was had by all but even for one of my games it went off the rails.

Final outcome – the lone survivors absconded from the market in a stolen flyer and proceeded to do a home invasion on some noble’s estate some 400km to the south.  Breaking into the home of one of the Great Houses of the Empire is bad enough but to wander into the nursery wing of House Thet’chel is a peculiar form of suicide.

Anyway demons were invoked.  The survivors killed a vampire and a named NPC before fleeing to Las Vegas.   I guess I will be improv’ing some modern rules huh?

I haven’t started running RAID ON PLANETOID P-4710a, the other (longer) funnel (0-1 if it were released, but a big party helps) just yet but soon. I need to make some maps for that first.  

So. Much. To. Do.

So I seem to have jumped with both feet back into game design, albeit on a limited basis (not so interested in reinventing the wheel for it’s own sake this time).  The setting I’ve been working on for the last year has decided it needs to be it’s own thing.  So for the last month I’ve been revising, writing, and adding to my setting bible and now I have:

A revised system-less setting book I’m working on (closest to completion but moving the slowest as it’s all revision and editing).  A sort of stylized Space opera far future SF kitchen sink.  So far expressing itself (systemically) in the below.

Noir Basic

A (very) basic, OSR derived, somewhat introductory game set on a particular place in universe (for tighter focus of both game and system elements)...focusing on high tech urban low life, and very noir/pulp/crime inspired;  the intro adventure is a citycrawl in the bottom levels of an ancient arcology that has been opened for Urban Renewal basically.   Trying to shit an intuitive but simple investigation system that fits OSR style play and isn’t just GM fiat is somewhat more difficult than expected.  Aside from that, trying to distill things down into their most simplistic, easiest to grasp forms without relying upon any one else's design space is proving a rewarding challenge.

Galaxy Black RPG

And (finally) a big ass sprawling kitchen sink of a thing that is the very definition of a big ugly baby right now but once I’m done I think will be one of the best things I’ve ever written.  It started as a variation on the above (OSR derived) but there’s a pretty good chance it won’t be backwards compatible, though until play testing starts in earnest there’s no way to know which option I’ll take.   At the moment this is the project packed to the fullest with bizarre, and strange ideas. Wondrous, strange, and bizarre ideas jammed together in ways that, so far, only I can appreciate. But I'm chipping away at it daily.  

What will become of this I don't know. At the least, much of it can be cycled back into Noir if I opt to just push the one (at least at first). All very theoretical, I expect the writing on this and the above will continue for at least a month, maybe until the end of May (hoping not too much longer).

Plus, you know, other writing, other work stuff (though precious little of that this past winter) and day to day.  So...creative and busy and all that rot.    Good times.   It feels good to be writing again.