R.P.G. SpellJammer Sandbox - Part 1 - Astra Byzantium

Spelljammer – R.P.G. Space

Revolutionary Planetological Geonomicon - 

 

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

Astra Byzantium has a really racist and misogynistic past, but there was a declaration of "spiritual equality" about 80 years ago that has allowed for many people to be better integrated into the empire and to high position. However, these old resentments run deep and they rise up from time to time. It's one of the many, many reasons Empress Theodora has pushback to her rule.

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

#spelljammer

#dungeonsanddragons

#dnd5e

#rome