Those among you who remember the age-old game Septerra Core may have an idea of what I'm talking about. The game itself was highly fun, with an interesting system, mostly fun battles and a decent storyline. But where it shined most, in my humble opinion, was the world.
And for a while, I've wanted to create a roleplaying world, or rather, campaign setting, based on it. With some expansions, of course.
Any help people here are willing to offer is appreciated.
To those of you who don't, but are interested, read on.
Septerra is a world of six orbiting layers, called World Shells, floating pieces of land eternally circling around a seventh one that surrounds its Core, at heart, a living computer that regulates the movement of the shells. A massive axis, spreading from one end of the planet to another, turns by the motion of these shells, creating power which is then sent back to the core, powering the ancient machinery within, while the excess is released to the world above.
Each Shell is practically a set of floating continents to itself, possessing its own geography, flora and fauna regulated by its position on the Axis, nations, cities, and in some cases, even seas.
The world is a mixture of science fiction and epic fantasy. On one side, you have bio-engineered, techno-organic ships and armor, while on the other, magic is highly present, as are such entities as the undead.
Shell 1 - The Home of the Chosen
Highest of the seven World Shells, Shell 1 gives home to the most technologically advanced civilization of Septerra, the Chosen.
Direct descendants of the demigod Marduk, son of the Creator, they are few in number compared to some of the other nations, but they possess a frightful advantage in raw military power and technology.
The land of the Chosen is a feudal monarchy, ruled by an Emperor on the top, with power further flowing down into noble families, each of whom control some aspect of society, and can trace their origins back to the times of the long-lost city of Babylon, and directly to its rulers, the demigods Marduk and Kyra. The noble families, as is almost traditional, are always plotting to gain prestige, as the position of Emperor is not hereditary.
Due to their origins, the Chosen view themselves as superior to the rest of the world's populace, a view that is well enforced by their military and technological supremacy.
Civil wars, while not occurring often, are also not a rarity, and when they do happen, they tend to engulf the entire planet, leaving vast damage to multiple shells.
Technologically speaking, the Chosen are at least two steps ahead from the rest of the world.
The mighty battleships of the Chosen are engineered from animals, the Helgak, who are naturally buoyant, and used as a base for the construction. Most ships are one massive living entity with a rudimentary consciousness that imprints on its captain.
Soldiers on the other hand, have their permanent armor grown on them, going through with a number of modifications to make it more effective. The armor and weaponry are alive, kept functional by Core Generators and nutrient infusions (food is a distant second option, but still viable), both capable of autonomous evolution, and the integration of tools and other weapons, given the proper aid.
Shell 2 - the Junkers
Below the splendor of the first shell is the scorched desert of the second. Covered by little more than sand and scrapheaps, the people here make a living out of scavenging the junk that the Chosen unceremoniously toss downward.
There are few cities or villages, the largest being the home of the Junker's Guild, the infamous Junktown.
Water is a precious commodity, available only through a system of pipelines that spread from an ancient pumping station on one of the more remote isles, and spread across the entire shell. Every form of civilization is directly dependent upon them for survival, and any attempts to tinker or sabotage the system is grounds for being hunted down and killed, no questions asked.
Surprisingly, the Junkers are a political non-entity, as the settlements are usually ruled by their mayors, with the trade the Guild bringing in being a major source of income. Citizens of lower shells oft come here in order to acquire interesting pieces of tech that can't be found among the World Bazaar, far lower.
Shell 2 is also the home of one of the few active temples of Marduk, which is considered a point of pilgrimage by members of the Holy Guard of the Seven Winds, the knightly order protecting Wind City.
--------------------------------------------
Weapons
Overall, rifles are the most commonly used weapon, but a great deal of soldiers, mercenaries and other combat proficient scum tend to resort to melee as well.
Core Engine technology is, after all, applicable to pretty much everything, within reason.
That's all I've pulled out for now, much of it from memory, some from the stuff I have lying around written.
And for a while, I've wanted to create a roleplaying world, or rather, campaign setting, based on it. With some expansions, of course.
Any help people here are willing to offer is appreciated.
To those of you who don't, but are interested, read on.
Septerra is a world of six orbiting layers, called World Shells, floating pieces of land eternally circling around a seventh one that surrounds its Core, at heart, a living computer that regulates the movement of the shells. A massive axis, spreading from one end of the planet to another, turns by the motion of these shells, creating power which is then sent back to the core, powering the ancient machinery within, while the excess is released to the world above.
Each Shell is practically a set of floating continents to itself, possessing its own geography, flora and fauna regulated by its position on the Axis, nations, cities, and in some cases, even seas.
The world is a mixture of science fiction and epic fantasy. On one side, you have bio-engineered, techno-organic ships and armor, while on the other, magic is highly present, as are such entities as the undead.
Shell 1 - The Home of the Chosen
Highest of the seven World Shells, Shell 1 gives home to the most technologically advanced civilization of Septerra, the Chosen.
Direct descendants of the demigod Marduk, son of the Creator, they are few in number compared to some of the other nations, but they possess a frightful advantage in raw military power and technology.
The land of the Chosen is a feudal monarchy, ruled by an Emperor on the top, with power further flowing down into noble families, each of whom control some aspect of society, and can trace their origins back to the times of the long-lost city of Babylon, and directly to its rulers, the demigods Marduk and Kyra. The noble families, as is almost traditional, are always plotting to gain prestige, as the position of Emperor is not hereditary.
Due to their origins, the Chosen view themselves as superior to the rest of the world's populace, a view that is well enforced by their military and technological supremacy.
Civil wars, while not occurring often, are also not a rarity, and when they do happen, they tend to engulf the entire planet, leaving vast damage to multiple shells.
Technologically speaking, the Chosen are at least two steps ahead from the rest of the world.
The mighty battleships of the Chosen are engineered from animals, the Helgak, who are naturally buoyant, and used as a base for the construction. Most ships are one massive living entity with a rudimentary consciousness that imprints on its captain.
Soldiers on the other hand, have their permanent armor grown on them, going through with a number of modifications to make it more effective. The armor and weaponry are alive, kept functional by Core Generators and nutrient infusions (food is a distant second option, but still viable), both capable of autonomous evolution, and the integration of tools and other weapons, given the proper aid.
Shell 2 - the Junkers
Below the splendor of the first shell is the scorched desert of the second. Covered by little more than sand and scrapheaps, the people here make a living out of scavenging the junk that the Chosen unceremoniously toss downward.
There are few cities or villages, the largest being the home of the Junker's Guild, the infamous Junktown.
Water is a precious commodity, available only through a system of pipelines that spread from an ancient pumping station on one of the more remote isles, and spread across the entire shell. Every form of civilization is directly dependent upon them for survival, and any attempts to tinker or sabotage the system is grounds for being hunted down and killed, no questions asked.
Surprisingly, the Junkers are a political non-entity, as the settlements are usually ruled by their mayors, with the trade the Guild bringing in being a major source of income. Citizens of lower shells oft come here in order to acquire interesting pieces of tech that can't be found among the World Bazaar, far lower.
Shell 2 is also the home of one of the few active temples of Marduk, which is considered a point of pilgrimage by members of the Holy Guard of the Seven Winds, the knightly order protecting Wind City.
--------------------------------------------
Weapons
Overall, rifles are the most commonly used weapon, but a great deal of soldiers, mercenaries and other combat proficient scum tend to resort to melee as well.
Core Engine technology is, after all, applicable to pretty much everything, within reason.
That's all I've pulled out for now, much of it from memory, some from the stuff I have lying around written.