Practice Entry

Long ago, when the concept of life was still novel, there was a people that feared the light of day and hid in the dark. Slowly, the light burned away all of their shelter and forced a confrontation that would scatter them across the dark void of space.

An angry red sun rose on that world and the enemy of peace captured that light, focused it, and drew a beam of fire across that world that scared it irrecoverably. The king of that people, noble and brave, stood in opposition to that fire and was struck down by it, separating him from his left arm and routing his army.

Though few survived that day, the king was taken from the battlefield as his host fled into the dim reaches of space.

Like many primordial species, this people possessed an ability to survive grievous wounds and in some cases to regenerate lost parts. It was hoped that the king would recover from the injuries of that battle, but like his spirit, his body remained broken. Still he served, leading his people in their exodus, but who was once a warrior became like a shepherd.

It had been known to happen, though very rarely, that a part severed from the whole might grow to become a new creature, complete and distinct from the creature it had been cut from. So it happened with the king's arm that the fire had taken. The man grew tall and was, in every likeness, the king of old. The spirit of the old king seemed to have passed to him, too, for he embodied the passion and the zeal that the old king had been known for.

In this way, the people found that they had two kings, the shepherd and the warrior, and each had rightful claim to that title. Each was present that day when the fire had scattered them and every day that had preceded it. They were one man divided and each complete in and of themself.

In a similar way, the people were of two minds, split between the ideals of survival and recovery. In the long eons that passed since that day, that people were never truly successful in either, and for the new species born into the galaxy, this people that had come before were like a myth. Some swore that they still lived in the cold, dark corners of creation but few truly believed such stories.

The Trial of the Century

In the dawn of the human interplanetary era, the efforts of Captain Horatio Vega and the crew of the ESC Epiphany (in those days, prototype rockets were named for muses) were daily headlines and today their exploits are legend. Today, a fictionalized account of his heroic deeds are broadcast as the weekly 'Captain Space Hero' serial program.

Captain Vega is part of Earth's proud legacy, a man of great bravery and unimpeachable virtue. He is sacrosanct.

Captain Vega and the entirety of the ESC Epiphany crew died while in service of mankind. Their task was to deliver the Kord prince, asleep in his cryogenic pod, to his people. The efficiency of the star-drive on those first rockets was poor, allowing for only the shortest of star-to-star jumps. This required plotting a surreptitious route though the galaxy as a more direct route would require much larger jumps than current star-drive technology would allow.

The events of this winding journey were communicated via hyperwave radio to Earth and printed, broadcast, and televised for eager consumption of the whole planet. The day of the ESC Epiphany's destruction is still mourned today as a global holiday.

The exact manner of the ESC's destruction is still unknown. Years later it's wreckage was finally analyzed and the bodies of the crew were brought home for burial. Even after years adrift in space on cosmic flotsam, there was one survivor, the Kord Prince.

Kord can survive exposure to the vacuum of space and a lack of food, water, or air for long periods through a biological mechanism of torpor. In the course of the crew's adventures, the Kord Prince, known as Kant and played by the esteemed actor Aaron McAlister in the serial program, had been revived and joined the crew as a valuable member. He was found floating among the cosmic flotsam of the Epiphany's wreckage in orbit around a barren planet.

The experience did not leave him unscathed. Injuries sustained in the Epiphany's destruction and exacerbated by the long period marooned in space left him with a fractured memory and unstable mental state.To man and Kord, he had but one statement upon which he was completely convinced, Captain Vega and the ESC Epiphany crew were heroes beyond measure, that he was alive today was directly the result of the crew's stalwart bravery.

Little else is known of the events that brought the Epiphany to destruction. It seems the rocket was struck by an energy burst of some kind, thought to be a freak natural phenomenon.

One man has dared to question this narrative decades after the men and women of the ESC Epiphany were buried. Indeed, he was caught in a plot to exhume and desecrate the body of Captain Vega in his misguided quest to validate an insane conspiracy theory. That man is Neil Falmov, former journalist of the Solar Press Corps.

Despite his obvious guilt and mad delusions, Neil was a stirring speaker, even as he spouted sacrilege on the stand. Backed by the high-powered celebrity lawyer, Howard Union, the two made for captivating watching. Union's involvement ensured that the trial would be a long and hard fought one, much to the delight of Earth who just seemed to love hating Neil.

"It is not my intent to dishonor Captain Vega, quite the contrary. No one man has done more to demonstrate humanity's virtue to the galactic community. He deserves our respect and we deserve the truth of his final moments. Yes, your honor, I maintain that Captain Vega's grave is empty."

-Neil Falmov at his preliminary hearing.

Let's write this thing.

Believe it or not, I have written a book before. I was a painful and wonderful experience, bittersweet in a way that many great things in life are. I was not particularly well equipped (emotionally or technically) for the task, but I am very proud of the work I did on that project. There is a great company at work today selling wonderful products, and I'm very proud that some tiny part of my DNA is in something that people seem to really enjoy.

I hope Project Manifest Destiny will meet with similar success, but instead of being just a gene or two of mine making a delicious melange with other talented creators, the task will be built upon a foundation of my chromosomes alone. A little daunting, that. Also, I'm going to drop this terrible metaphor.

So, in the interest of getting started on composing the real document, here is a first draft outline of the book. This outline is based heavily on another RPG that I greatly admire.

1. Fiction - The Trial of Neil Falmov (Each chapter will be begun with a short story/flash fiction. All of them will combine to tell the tale Neil Falmov and the tragic response to his discovery.)

2. What is an RPG!? (A short discussion on RPGs and Project Manifest Destiny, in particular.)

3. Character Creation (sub-chapters will begin with short quotes from in-universe meta-fiction, inspired heavily by the chapter headings found in Frank Herbert's Dune.)
    a. Characteristics (these are the statistics that describe the character's general physical and mental abilities and tied in with Rami's alchemical philosophy.)
    b. Species Selection
        -Human
        -Hale
        -Kord
        -Mechanoid
    c. Entanglements (there will be a system, to be developed, to create ad-hoc relationships between characters and provide the bones of a personal character backstory. I think a fun double entendre with quantum entanglements could fit well, here.)

4. Careers
    a. Star Corps
    b. Space Rangers
    c. Fellowship of Research Scientists
    d. Diggers
    e. The Swanscove Society
    f. Meteor Scouts/Nebulannes
    g. Algean
    h. Associations (these are organizations to which the players belong that also provide some small perks. Less mechanically important, as a choice, than Careers, the Associations do more to place the characters in firm places in the setting.)
    i. Advantages/Disadvantages (these are unique perks or impediments to help customize and add flavor and differentiation between characters. This will be stuff like 'Notable Attractiveness,' 'Outrageous Fortune,' 'Nearsigted,' 'Missing a Leg,' unique traits that characters will lean on or work to live with.)

Note: The exact order of introduction to Entanglements, Careers, Associations, and Advantages/Disadvantages is still to be determined.

5. Skills (This is the ala-carte system for buying character specializations. This is the main route of character progression in the game.)

6. Armory

7. Gear

8. Rocket Construction (each rocket crew needs to have a rocket. This is a collaborative 'character creation' where the crew designs their rocket. Each Career will have unique ways in which they can contribute features to the rocket during its initial construction.)

9. Special Systems
    a. Algean Phenomenon (These are the rules for producing the Algean's trademark psycho-electric effects. Let's be frank, they're space wizards and this is their spell book.)
    b. Digging (These are the special rules that govern access to virtual systems. These rules will apply to diggers and non-diggers, both, but will also outline the special options available to Diggers and the use of their brain-machine interface implants.)
    c. Space Combat (In addition to combat, these rules will govern all unique mechanics involved in operating a rocket and it's various functions.)
    d. Fox and Hound (This is the 'chase scene' system. Adventure movies often have harrowing escapes and dramatic chases. The Fox and Hound system will be an attempt to codify these sorts of scenes in a similar way to how the combat rules codify 'fight scenes' in the game.)

10. General Game Systems (Logically, I feel like this should be before Special Systems, but example books I've looked at list this chapter near the end of the book. Placement TBD.)

11. Game Mastering (A.K.A - What the hell have I got myself into?)

12. Setting Information (Information on notable locations, dramatis personae, organizations, and other tid-bits to inspire GMs and help them build an interesting campaign.)

13. Hunt the Unicorn (a premade module, ready to play, to get campaigns started.)

This is the skeleton I will begin to build on. Future entries in this blog will include discussion intended to put meat on these bones.

Astrofauna

A surprising discovery in Mankind's exploration of the galaxy was the existence of so-called astrofauna, that is creatures that exist in the void between planets, often of extreme scale. The remains of one such creature was discovered in earth's own solar system.

In terms of scale, those astrofauna so far observed tend to be similar in size to earth rockets. Also surprising are these creatures' resemblance to earth mollusks, though the similarity is superficial. All specimens so far encountered feature a large shell comprised of minerals incorporated from orbiting asteroid belts and energy seems to be derived from solar rays.

There seems to be little variety amongst these creatures, suggesting that they are biologically related. That said, two distinct specimens are of particular note. While a proper taxonomy is developed to classify these organisms, the terms Type 1 and Type 2 have been used among rocket crews to describe encounters in official reports.

The Type 1 creature bears a striking resemblance to earth conchs. They tend to be encountered as solitary creatures, one per star system, or in small groups numbering up to three. They are typically found clinging to asteroids with a flexible foot. It is thought that their shells are able to absorb the solar energy of their system's star to sustain themselves. Sizes have ranged from 300 meters to a full kilometer in length.

Type 1 astrofauna are extremely docile and it is thought that they spend most of their lives dormant. Little is known about their biology, their ability to procreate, or the methods they may have used to become so widespread throughout the galaxy. They are capable of emitting electromagnetic waves in similar frequencies to those used for rocket-to-rocket communications. Some have likened the signals to the songs produced by whales on earth. Some rocket crews have come to view encounters with conchs as good omens and have taken to logging their locations and often using their songs as beacons to locate other objects in asteroid belts with similar orbits in their surveys.

Conchs have joined the growing mythology of the galaxy and rocket crew members have been known to carry sea-shells and even full-size earth-conch shells as good luck charms or to scribe spirals on objects reminiscent of conch shells as parts of superstitious rituals.

Type 2 astrofauna are similar in many respects to Type 1. They are solitary or members of very small groups, widespread throughout the galaxy though slightly more rare, and comprise a rocky shell and flexible body. While conchs possess spiraling shells, Type 2 are typically conical, though spiral shells have been encountered. The main thing that distinguishes Type 1 from Type 2 is their aggressive response to the proximity of rocket crews.

Type 2 creatures will quickly abandon their sunning activities to aggressively engage with rockets. Type 2 creatures are capable of extending large prehensile tentacles, often dozens, to ensnare rockets and destroy them. It is not clear if Type 1 creatures also possess this ability, but not Type 1 creatures have ever been observed producing tentacles from beneath their shells.

These creatures have come to be known as krakens, after the giant squids and octopi told of in old seaman's tales. It is still not known if this behavior is a form of predation or territorial defense, but krakens have proven themselves capable of attacking and destroying even well armed rockets. Their method of propultion is theorized as being a form of gravitation manipulation and allows them to be very agile. There are reports of krakens pursuing rocket crews beyond the heliosphere and even into the corona of their home star. At least one has managed to follow a rocket through a stardrive-produced wormhole and survive the trip.

That kraken, now known affectionately as Grendal, lives in the Kuiper asteroid belt. Observations suggest that injuries sustained during it's journey to Sol have rendered it largely dormant, but it has been noted moving within the asteroid belt. Debate exists as to whether an attempt should be made to dispatch the creature or to use its presence as an opportunity to learn more about its species.

By These Signs You Will Be Measured

Philosophy enjoyed an explosive revival in the late 20th century when Earth was presented with a myriad of new mysteries that science was scrambling to explain. Few doubted the ability of science to contend with these strange new concepts, but some questions, such as mankind's place in this new galactic community begged for more philosophical answers.

The burgeoning understanding of Star Drive technology revealed, at its heart, a basis of simple ratios. The geometry of space-time that would allow traveling to distant stars could be understood in geometric proportions of mass (and negative mass,) distances, and energy. This recalled an earlier, romantic concept known as musica universalis. This philosophy equated the movement of heavenly bodies with music. The movement of stars and planets were harmony for the eyes, while music was harmony for the ears.

A contemporary philosopher, a Rami Nadir, wrote several essays utilizing the renewed interest in musica universalis as analogy for a number of cultural and personal virtues. These essays espoused a deontological philosophy and due to the poetic and hopeful nature of the writings, quickly became entrenched in the star-faring zeitgeist. Astronauts commonly quoted his words and it become trendy to claim a celestial body and its associated Nadirian virtue as a patron.

These writings drew heavily on alchemical allegory and musical theory to describe a worldview focused on the pursuit of mystery and the universal betterment of the galaxy as both a community and as natural environment to be revered. In this way, Nadir's philosophy was rooted in deism and positivism.

In regards to Project Manifest Destiny, the attributes of the player character (those tied with alchemical/cosmological symbols and written about in previous blog entries) are drawn from the metafiction of Rami Nadar's writings. The mechanical aspects of a player character will have a corollary in the fiction of the game world. Improvements to the player character in the form of larger statistics will represent the player approaching that ideal of human positivism described by Nadir in his works.

These works will often focus on the struggle between man and the harsh environment of space in a manner similar to the works of Jack London and his writings of man versus nature and how that struggle strengthens us and similar to the writings on evolution by men such as Herber Spencer and Charles Darwin.

Galactic Folklore

Galactic Folklore is a knowledge skill that characters in Project Manifest Destiny will be able to invest in. As a skill, it represents common (though not always valid) wisdom gathered from amongst the galactic community. In a way, it will mirror folklore as it exists on earth, with interest in folk remedies, mysticism, weather, astronomy, agriculture, fortune-telling, and wilderness survival.

For the Kord, folklore is an integral part of their culture. Much of their policy is rooted in legendary tales and mysticism has a significant influence on their day-to-day decisions. For earthlings, a more skeptical culture, this folklore still has value. Though conflated by myth, these tales still harbor a nebulous truth. Folklore may fail in its explanation for why the seasons exist, but they chronicle the existence of seasons quite well.

If preparedness is integral to humanity's success in the unknown reaches of space, any scraps of knowledge could be invaluable. This folklore can provide the anecdotes that inspire true scientific investigation, threads that can be followed to true and remarkable discoveries. The cautions contained could save a life. A danger respected is not necessarily one well understood.

Though folklore is a large component of Kord culture, this is not to suggest they are noble savages, quaint in their ways but lacking the sophistication and the true wisdom of mankind. Kord culture is quite sophisticated with a complex system of government that maintains the ties of disparate worlds despite the extreme timeframes necessary for communication. As a culture, they have advanced concepts of morality, philosophy, and literature. Indeed, the literature of the Kord is celebrated throughout the galaxy though the sleepy people are rarely encountered, even in the cold fringes of the galaxy they call home.

A great effort was made by a Dr. Tomley of Oxford University to gather the core Kord myths and other legends of galactic peoples into what has become the Oxford Encyclopedia of Galactic Myth. It is divided into distinct volumes covering topics such as medicine, cosmological phenomenon, meteorological phenomenon (further subdivided by star, planet, and surface region,) though the most intriguing volumes may be those on noteworthy individuals. The galaxy is full of tall tales of seemingly timeless and ubiquitous entities. The sasquaches, Jack Frosts, vampires, devils, and other creatures of our mythology are not unique amongst the galactic community and the stars are full of similar tales. Earth has been drawn into a modern myth in the search for the mysterious Unicorn.

Characters investing in Galactic Folklore will be familiar with Dr. Tomley and his encyclopedia and may even carry it with them on their dataslate. High levels of skill will allow characters to speedily draw more relevant information from the tomes than laymen, format more useful search criteria, and allow them to recount potentially useful information from memory when confronted with a problem or mystery.

Earth and Kord, a Romance for the Ages

The story of Project Manifest Destiny isn't just a story of earthlings and their sudden arrival on the galactic stage, their struggle with the dangers of space and their diplomacy with foreign nations. It is the story of two people, the people of Earth and the people of Kord, coming together and through peace, hope, and science, forging a lasting kinship and the technology to traverse space at superluminal speeds.

Earthlings, even compared to some of the species we share the planet with, are a bright and violent flame that flares brightly and burns out quickly. We share our world with truly ancient species that have lived unchanged for ages before we spoke our first words. Similarly, there are some organisms on this planet that do not know death in the way that we do, able to persist as individuals through novel biological processes that include long periods of dormancy and the ability to revert to earlier life stages.

This is the chief difference between Earthlings and the Kord. Earthlings are youthful and having just bloomed into a galactic civilization are full of ambition and desperate to make our mark. We are not unlike some species that we share this galaxy with. Others are just as brash, if not more so, but it is not a quality embodied by the Kord.

They are a people ancient beyond our understanding of the word. They exist on the outer fringes of the galaxy, having constructed their empire through the use of subluminal space-craft and cryogenics. Theirs is a culture that hasn't seen real change in millennia, a slumbering people (both literally and figuratively) that exist... and little else. We might compare them to our redwood trees, every bit as majestic and long-lived, but all but inanimate.

A discovery suddenly links these two people and the vigor of mankind enkindles the Kord. That which they thought long lost has been found and their eagerness to reclaim it has stirred them into uncharacteristic action.

Humanity's unquenchable curiosity combines with the Kord's wisdom and humble technologies to reveal new discoveries that prove to catalyze great change in both people, cementing their partnership for years to come.

The wisdom of the Kord is akin to folklore. As a people, they have born witness to long eons of the galaxy, having seen species rise and fall, and have endured the unique challenges of countless worlds. It is, however, not a wisdom drawn from real science, but from the lessons learned from those who survive. It is, after all, the stories of those who live that are passed on to future generations.

While there is value in these tales, there is also superstition. A young Kord explorer may have survived the season of flame known to scorch the surface of Godel IV wearing a wreath of knotwood twigs around his wrist, but Mankind might be skeptical that such a wreath was responsible for his 
perseverance. On the other hand, Kord warnings that the surface of Godel IV is routinely awash with flame is very valuable information indeed.