I want to join and I love steampunk, and I have a near brilliant costume idea, but having trouble with the concept and power types.
Costume is sort of a Tech/old school flight suit hybrid. I've got a name, but really can't get through with the powersets.... Any thoughts? (thoughts were an Alien from a very steampunkish type world, an Astronaut from a world that was colonized during the Victorian Era with Steampunk space tech, and some other "Why would these guys be in the modern era" type ideas, but nothing solid yet.
As I was going up the stair
I met a man who wasn't there.
He wasn't there again today.
I wish, I wish, he'd stay away.
-- Hughes Mearns (1875-1965) The Psychoed
Saint Fourth the Patron Saint of Dark Poetry
Quote:
You can really do just about anything. That's the beauty of the genre, really. Depending on that individual's tech level (steampunk tends to deal more with what you can build/maintain rather than what you can buy), he might be anywhere from a regular person with a scrapper set (likely either dual blades or martial arts with the spiffy new brawling-esque animations) to a controller with gravity and force fields via some complicated invention. Hell, steampunk is one of the only times that the old school legacy assault rifle actually fits.|
Originally Posted by Fourth_NA
I want to join and I love steampunk, and I have a near brilliant costume idea, but having trouble with the concept and power types.
Costume is sort of a Tech/old school flight suit hybrid. I've got a name, but really can't get through with the powersets.... Any thoughts? (thoughts were an Alien from a very steampunkish type world, an Astronaut from a world that was colonized during the Victorian Era with Steampunk space tech, and some other "Why would these guys be in the modern era" type ideas, but nothing solid yet. |
Really, just think of it as a chance to play something new, then think "How can steam make this work?" What if Iron Man ran on a steam engine? Not realistic? Have you ever READ a comic book? Go wild.
PS: Saw a show called Weapon Masters on the Military Channel that basically revolves around a tech guy "remaking" old weapons and trying to improve them. Most of the results are rather steampunkish in spirit, but the two that caught my eye were the hydraulic automatic crossbow (every bit as awesome as it sounds) and the electric version of a flintlock pistol. The pistol had the trigger attached to a wire that sat on the belt and was operated with the OPPOSITE hand as to not affect your aiming. Here's a teaser of that pistol episode, though it's more like a commercial than a clip I'm afraid.
Ok, since you asked for ideas, tossing out SG name suggestions then:
Steamworks
The Works
The Anachronistic Adventurers' Society
I suggest the Gears chest detail as SG logo.
I was always partial to plays on words like "Brass Kickers" but let's face it; that won't last very long in-game.
The big question is do we want to have a consolidated origin for the group or is it an all-encompassing "If you're wearing lots of brass and Victorian clothing, join us!" type deal? That'd go a long way in what sort of scope to give the SG name.
Well I eventually went with the more 'mystical' side of steampunk rather than an all out tech guy.
As a suggestion The Gentlemen's Consortium?
As I was going up the stair
I met a man who wasn't there.
He wasn't there again today.
I wish, I wish, he'd stay away.
-- Hughes Mearns (1875-1965) The Psychoed
Saint Fourth the Patron Saint of Dark Poetry
Well the name should to encompass both genres. So names like "Brass Kickers" or "Steamworks" wouldn't really work because they are too oriented towards steampunk. Course, we also dont want a name that caters to the Victorian side of things as well. Unless we totally want to go down the steampunk path... while not the original plan, would still be kickass.
I came up with "The Society That Time Forgot" I'm not so sure I like it, but at least it gives you guys the general idea of what I was hoping for.
As for a overarching concept for the SG, I wasn't planning on one, but it would sure make the RP a little easier. Maybe something like one of us built a time machine that each member found in their subsequent time and took to resent day Paragon City. It needs to be broad, and I figured that most, if not all, will have some sort of time travel aspect to their character's concept. Perhaps someone who has skills will be able to make a "mock" time machine in our base. Just an idea.
@Ninth Cloud
Justice
Just as a random possibility, don't forget that we have an entire corporation right in Paragon devoted to seeking out alternate universes. It's not hard to say the SG's origins are from a vic/steam oriented universe with alternate technology/magic progression.
Maybe even stress calling certain things other names, just to give the sense of a pre-existing culture. You know, the whole "magic is science" thing with some random references to what the real world disproved (aether, etc) having actually been proven RIGHT in ours. At least, that's how most of these sorts of things go.
A fun way to look at it is how GURPS puts it. Rather than flat out saying Steampunk is Tech Level 5, which is cited as being 1730-1880, it says it's TL 5+1...which means it STARTS at 5 (using steam engines, direct current, etc) but actually functions similarly to 6, simply with DIFFERENT technology. So while cars may exist in a normal TL6 world, they might not in TL5+1. But really, who wants to ride in a car when you have awesome tweaked out airships?
As a result, culture itself can be VERY divergent in a setting like that, meaning that culture is far more oriented around Victorian age customs, style, mindsets, etc.
Of course, there's evidence in CoH that there was already a stronger than average Victorian age in the core setting, mostly evidenced by what history is told about the Carnival of Shadows, Nemesis, etc. Of course, there was also a bit of a beefing up back in Rome, but that didn't seem to change things much... Really, it comes down to how different you want the SG to be. There's room in the CoH world for a mass time travel or hidden organization from the past, but there's just as much room for an entirely different world with an alternate history.
Hmmm I like the alternate dimension or hidden organization from the past idea.
As a joke SG name "The Steam Phalanx" ? Haha.. Kidding.
But howabout such a name as "The Society of Scientific Discovery" Or "The Industrial Pioneers"
Just a few names that I thought would go along with the themes. I'm really up for anything, I'll find some way to throw a toon into the mix.
Pip pip, Cheerio.
As I was going up the stair
I met a man who wasn't there.
He wasn't there again today.
I wish, I wish, he'd stay away.
-- Hughes Mearns (1875-1965) The Psychoed
Saint Fourth the Patron Saint of Dark Poetry
Quote:
My earlier suggestion of Anachronistic Adventurers' Society, pretty much means "out of time adventurers", not unlike your suggestion, though I can see that both would be awkward in-game for typing and, in my case, pronunciation.|
Originally Posted by Ninth Cloud
Well the name should to encompass both genres. So names like "Brass Kickers" or "Steamworks" wouldn't really work because they are too oriented towards steampunk. Course, we also dont want a name that caters to the Victorian side of things as well. Unless we totally want to go down the steampunk path... while not the original plan, would still be kickass.
I came up with "The Society That Time Forgot" I'm not so sure I like it, but at least it gives you guys the general idea of what I was hoping for. As for a overarching concept for the SG, I wasn't planning on one, but it would sure make the RP a little easier. Maybe something like one of us built a time machine that each member found in their subsequent time and took to resent day Paragon City. It needs to be broad, and I figured that most, if not all, will have some sort of time travel aspect to their character's concept. Perhaps someone who has skills will be able to make a "mock" time machine in our base. Just an idea. |
Keeping both Victorian and Steampunk concepts in mind, might I suggest "The Brass Lion Society" instead? It is short, easily read, & covers both concepts (lion for England). I suppose "brass" could be replaced with "mechanical" or "clockwork" or some such. Just a thought, please feel free to tinker with it.
I also humorously note that there was a fictional club in the Sherlock Holmes stories called The Tankerville Club, which with a bit of tweaking might apply here. Holmes also had his street society, The Baker Street Irregulars, for spying and information gathering. Perhaps that name could be the seed of an appropriate name.
Lastly here is a list of London's gentlemen's clubs originating in Victorian times, both real and fictional. Maybe something will strike your fancy. I've been looking for a similar list of engineering or mechanical societies, but so far, the names tend to be a bit straightforward and bland.
I'd be up for something Sherlock Holmes...ey?
As I was going up the stair
I met a man who wasn't there.
He wasn't there again today.
I wish, I wish, he'd stay away.
-- Hughes Mearns (1875-1965) The Psychoed
Saint Fourth the Patron Saint of Dark Poetry
I woke up maybe twenty seconds ago with the name Mobius on my mind (I sleep next to a laptop). So while it might seem appropriate to me now, it very well might be horrible. Sure, it could be chalked up to the fact I spent a few hours playing Ace Combat 6 last night (though Mobius was from 04), or the fact that I've spent a combined total of entirely too much Legacy of Kain, but the concept of a Mobius strip might serve us well.
Basically, a Mobius strip is a simple ribbon that has a single twist built into it so that, as Wikipedia puts it, an ant can travel the entire surface of the strip (both sides) without ever crossing an edge. It has been used before to symbolize a slip in time or simply an alternative to an Ouroboros (hey, time travel AND a Nemesis reference in one!). It could be borrowed for its concept of being a loop that's just a little different, sort of like the concept of Victorian Steampunk itself.
You could really call it anything, but I figure we should go for broke and make it absolutely clear that the SG's not from the 21st century and give it an outdated feel by flat out calling it a Gentlemen's Club right in the title. Depending on just how Victorian we make this, there actually could be an element of "sophisticated sexism" to it, though we all know full well there's a good chance over half the characters could wind up being female.
Just random ideas spewing out of someone who isn't even half awake yet.
I really like "The Brass Lion Society." Nice one. Maybe replace society with club?
What does everyone else think of it? We should pick two good names and have a vote or something.
@Ninth Cloud
Justice
Probably not going to be here long enough to think about SG/VG joining or such, but some of us have had steampunk creations walking about for quite awhile.
I run Steam Guardian, a 'steam powered soldier' created mostly as a publicity stunt during World War II.
A bit more about Steamy if anyone cares
Quote:
There is a chest icon of infinity (the horizonal 8) that reminds me all the time of a mobius strip.
|
Originally Posted by Tir_McDohl
I woke up maybe twenty seconds ago with the name Mobius on my mind (I sleep next to a laptop). So while it might seem appropriate to me now, it very well might be horrible. Sure, it could be chalked up to the fact I spent a few hours playing Ace Combat 6 last night (though Mobius was from 04), or the fact that I've spent a combined total of entirely too much Legacy of Kain, but the concept of a Mobius strip might serve us well.
Basically, a Mobius strip is a simple ribbon that has a single twist built into it so that, as Wikipedia puts it, an ant can travel the entire surface of the strip (both sides) without ever crossing an edge. It has been used before to symbolize a slip in time or simply an alternative to an Ouroboros (hey, time travel AND a Nemesis reference in one!). It could be borrowed for its concept of being a loop that's just a little different, sort of like the concept of Victorian Steampunk itself. You could really call it anything, but I figure we should go for broke and make it absolutely clear that the SG's not from the 21st century and give it an outdated feel by flat out calling it a Gentlemen's Club right in the title. Depending on just how Victorian we make this, there actually could be an element of "sophisticated sexism" to it, though we all know full well there's a good chance over half the characters could wind up being female. Just random ideas spewing out of someone who isn't even half awake yet. |
Ok, this was meant to be done sometime Thursday, but multiple problems caused repeated delays. And apparently since AE isn't affected by the double exp due to a bug, it doesn't matter too much anyway...
That's right, I made an AE arc. Consider it to be a potential introduction for some characters if you want to do the "other world" angle. The intention of the arc is to serve as both a new character arc as well as an origin tale that would bring someone from a Steampunk world to Paragon City. A few things didn't go as I hoped (mostly due to current bugs with level ranges and hybrid custom/standard groups), but I think it turned out well. When the SG gets formed, I'd be more than willing to customize it to include whatever lore/canon we decide upon, or I can leave it vague and have it meant simply as an alternate generic point of origin for characters.
If anyone wants to run it as a group, hit me up. It's geared so that it's soloable though, so don't think you have to raise an army.
Arc Number 336788, "The Steamworks Begin"
Let me know what you think; it's completely up for changes/revamps.
@ Tir_McDohl: Thanks so much! Now we have an arc we can run when we start.
How does this coming Saturday work for people?
@Ninth Cloud
Justice
Saturday's good with me. I tend to have a weekly get together in RL those nights, but I spent half of it sitting next to the computer anyway, so if nothing else I can at least log in and help get things started.
Also I've been getting feedback about that arc, so if you've played it and had issues or gripes, feel free to let me know so I can do as much as I can to get it as solid as possible by the time the SG's actually going. Of course, half the problem is that the AE creator itself has some sizable bugs right now which made me painfully aware of problems that I just plain couldn't figure out how to fix. I did manage to workaround enough to get at least the idea in there, though.
Hi!
...errmm, this is the first post I've ever done in the forums ... uhh ... I'll try to sound 'competent' here...
Hi! This thread has intrigued me. The idea of a Steampunk SG has greatly intrigued me. I've done the Twisted Victorian thing before in paper-n-pencil rp, but never expected to run across it in Paragon. I've run Tir's arc in MA on a sort of test basis, and even rolled up a steampunk toon -- The Edison Patented Automated Man (and I hope no one has thought of a mechanical man butler/bodyguard/gentleman's gentleman yet.) I'd like to join the festivities on Saturday, if it works out as an evening thing (RL has a habit of making me work on weekend days).
So... Hi there!
^_^
I'm afraid I won't be able to make this Saturday, as our main RP SG, The Dauntless Reverie, will be hosting it's annual Virtue-wide RP party, ECHO, that evening.
But I'll keep an eye on this thread for future Victorian/Steam-punkerie get togethers.
Ok, I've given a lot of thought to this SG for the last few days and I think I've come up with a concept for it that would appease everyone. Its broad enough to allow people to expand and come up with their own independent backstories while keeping the SG focused and a giving it a purpose beyond just a toon dump.
It is set in an alternative Earth where steam power technologies were developed beyond what they were in our reality... Basically how any steampunk fiction starts... Here it is:
(A clip from the New Oceania Newspaper, circa 1902.)
...New York Harbor, New York, The Union of Ameridia.
I let out a very audible gasp into the crisp air as I lay eyes upon the hulking silhouette before me. The dreadful visage looks down menacingly upon the insignificance of the people below it. It creaks and groans with loud booming roars that rival even the most awful and terrifying monsters of forgotten legends and children's tales. What beast of rage could this possibly be? What terror has come to reign down upon humanity?
When I finally come back out of wild fantasy and enter back reality once more, I begin to see that it is not a frightful entity but a noble, proud looking piece of machinery. It shines magnificently in the morning sun, nearly blinding me with its golden light. I examine its zeppelin shape more closely and see that it is highly decorated. The haul alone is quite a sight to behold. Upon it sits a large lion which looks to be carved of marble and accented with gold and silver. I struggle to keep my composure in the midst of such beauty.
Shortly after the initial reactions of everyone's amazement subside, we are corralled into an area where I can only assume the press conference will take place. When everyone is settled into their proper seats, the speaker at the podium begins to talk in an equally majestic voice. He gives us the details of the design an manufacturing that went into this wonder.
In his commentary I come to find out that it is called The Brass Lion and its much more than just a pretty face. It will be the most luxurious and accommodating passenger airship ever to set sail on the winds. It holds a total of 2,000 passengers, and will reach speeds of 120 mph. It is truly a colossus.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the future is here...
----------
Most of you may already know where I am going with this...
On its maiden voyage the airship ends up slipping into a rip in time causing it to enter into the present reality that is Paragon city. I was thinking about tying this to the Bermuda Triangle by having it disappear on its way to Afrika (
), which would take it over that area. Either way, that bit is not really relevant, just a nice twist.
When the airship appears in Paragon, it is in ruins. The passengers have no way to get back to their reality so they go on a quest to find the scattered pieces and rebuild the ship. It don't think it would necessarily guarantee their return, but it seems to be their only hope as of now. (We could make a few MA arcs that have you recover some of these missing pieces.)
Any thoughts on this? I was thinking we could then name the SG "The Zeppelins" if it isn't already taken. Or maybe we should stick with "Brass Lion Club" or at least have something with "Brass Lion" in it.
Anyway, I am still planning on tomorrow as the start date. I will be on starting at 3:00 pm (Central Time). Anyone who can make it is more than welcome to join me. 
@Ninth Cloud
Justice
Curses! I cannot make the start time. But I will run Tir_McDohl's updated arc afresh so my char has experienced the same perils as the others in the party.
Sounds like a solid backstory, though it makes it difficult to explain late-comers. My arc left a sort of revolving door for that reason, though it was suggested I change it to more of a stranded spin. Not a huge problem of course, since it's highly likely that crazy dimension-shifting stuff happens all the time when you get to a certain point of mad science.
Even if late-comers don't "arrive" on it, the wrecked zep can serve as a symbol of home for those stranded and eventually as a base when/if it gets repaired.
Hopefully I'll be able to be on for the launch (or is it a crash?).
Exactly. I don't think late-comers will have trouble fitting themselves within our general plot. It is pretty broad.
I'd imagine something like this could happen fairly often in between Paragon and our steampunk world. They don't necessarily need to be on the same airship as the core group, or any airship for that matter. This airship group could simply act as a sort of lightning rod for all stranded persons from our reality. Since the desire to get back would, for the most part, be mutual.
Anyway, I'm not expecting a massive turn out to begin with. If newcomers want to be apart of the ship group, I don't think it would be too difficult for us to look the other way and integrate them the best we could. Besides, whose to say that everyone entered the CoH universe at the same location? It wouldn't be hard to imagine that some ended up elsewhere on Earth and have just found us... Time warps have a funny way of acting after all. :P
I think our base should be the "aeroship" though. Anyone skilled with base building that could pull this off? It would be so cool.
As for people's powers, I was going to let them spin it how they want. Some could have had them in the other world, and others probably could build something out of the airship's remnants. I'm sure there were plenty of weapons on the ship to begin with.. how else would they defend themselves from all the sky pirates? 
@Ninth Cloud
Justice
<<Time warps have a funny way of acting after all. :P>>
True. Since time warps are very unpredictible, there should be allowance for people being from different steampunk worlds, as closely (or as distantly) related as the game's Paragon Earth and Praetorian Earth. That avoids any difficult-to-explain-away origin or back story contradictions between characters. Folks can arrive via the dirigible adventure, others from Tir's story, and others from their own epic and peril-filled journey. They do gravitate to Paragon due to the presence of a (relatively) large number of steampunk refugees. Only after arrival do they discover that their world may not be everyone elses.
And whereever and whenever their origin, all refugees know that any Victorian world is better than this technologically advanced, half-barbarian Paragon in which they are marooned.
@Eisenzahn
GW2 - Melchior.2135
AIM - Euroclydon23
Email - scorpany@yahoo.com or <sameasmyAIM>@aol.com (for the sheer novelty of an almost 20 year old email address that hasn't been overwhelmed by spambots yet)