Spelljammer – R.P.G. Space
The following was brainstormed on rpg.net. Here's a
link to the original thread.
https://forum.rpg.net/index.php?threads/lets-build-a-spelljammer-sandbox.901550/
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The purpose of this world was to create a Spelljammer sandbox that
is mostly independent of the standard game worlds and to mix in old ideas with
new innovations for the enjoyment of all.
Revolutionary Planetological Geonomicon - R.P.G. Space.
Part 1 - Astra
Byzantium:
The Space Byzantine Empire is the predominant human culture of R.P.G. space. It has a "core culture" loosely stylized after Greco-Roman culture, However, it is a a very cosmopolitan society consisting of multiple human cultures, mostly united under one banner.
Government
The Empire rules with a very light hand, allowing member worlds to
mostly regulate themselves and giving them a voice in the Imperial Senate,
provided they a) pay regular taxes and tribute to the Empire and b) abide by
Core Imperial Laws.
The severity of these restrictions depends on the currently ruling
emperor. Star Empress Theodora rules with a relatively light hand, demanding
only token tribute and only taxing as necessary, with just laws that benefit
the populace. More than a few past Star Emperors have been outright bloody
tyrants, and there have been rebellions in the past.
Culture
This does underly a strange, but definite
tensions through out the empire. Space
Byzantium really likes chariot racing and has developed a spelljammer
equivalent where contestants must race through the forbidden zone. It was
recorded and projected using illusionary magic.
Each racer is sponsored by an
organization that is based on a single color and the fans are incredibly
fanatical in their dedication.
In fact, a lot of the hatred towards Star Empress Theodora is she is a red. The blues and greens are contrary for that reason alone
Religion
The Greek Gods have a predominant
effect in spelljammer effect and have a ton of influence on policy and effects. In fact, it is common practice to find signs
throughout space where there is a sign that says, “Hermes was here.” However, it is legislated by law that all
gods are allowed to be worshiped within the empire unless you are on the
blacklist.
The Greek gods have been put through the Byzantium filter and many of their trappings look suspiciously like Christian Orthodoxy. Greek temples have that bulbous roofs and are very brightly colored. They also are highly automated by artificers to "put on a show."
Despite this there is a major point of religious contention in the system is whether the gods should be depicted in iconic forms or only through abstract art and symbolism. Some theologians claim that depicting a god in a limited humanoid form is blasphemous, while others whisper that doing so can allow even the faithless to channel divine power by diminishing an otherwise all-knowing being's point of view and mouthing empty prayers at the icon.
As a result, there are several mystery cults
that are in the seedy underbelly of the empire.
In particular, there is a dedicated
mystery cult that believes that Astra Byzantium is on it's last legs and it
needs to end, but it carefully controlled, it will allow for an even greater
empire in a few mere centuries time. Most people dismiss these cultists as the
deranged.
Communications and Transport
Astra
Byzantium has translated their love of chariots to communications. They have a
series of dedicated space charioteers and asteroid waystations that act as
couriers/pony express riders allowing for incredibly fast services throughout
the empire. Interfering with them is considered an attack against the crown and
most people of the empire hate having their mail interfered with and will
respond with violence.
As an outcrop of the space Chariot messenger service, a Byzantium postal service and banking system was created that is the pride of the empire. This allows financing of adventures so they are loyal to the state, rather than rich patrons and at arms length to reduce (but not eliminate) factionalization. It also allows messages to be sent anywhere in the empire in relative security.
Conflicts
There is a sprawl of veterans that are returning from the elven conflict and honestly it's causing turmoil. Having well trained people of violence is causing foreign ideas to spill into causing a pushback to get back to "Byzantium values." One of they attempts to mitigate this is to send them to the outskirts of the empire to settle with a plot of land issued to them to homestead on. This of course causes colonial conflicts.
The base unit of Byzantium society is a focus on the family. Originally these were incredily patronistic connections and defined family roles. Most people intregrated followed suit. However, having a progressive queen has caused a lot this to have a social breakdown as well as redefinition of many roles including sexual orientation and sexual identity. Afterall it is way easier to change gender with the right magic.
Next time we start the journey of the spheres
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