Ghost Whistler
Legendary Pubber
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2018
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Here begins an ad hoc diary of an attempt to realise something I've wanted to do for a while. Essentially, to rip off 40k (without rippingoff 40k, I have some self respect ).
So begins the era of the Cursed (not dark) Epoch (not millennium).
Influences
The shorthand is this: cyberpunk/shadowrun/SLA 40k.
The slightly less shorthand is this: 2000ad inspired 40k greatly, this project takes those same stylistic elements (puns, dystopia, but deadpan dark sci fi as if Maggie Thatcher was still with us...oh wait) and mashes them with a touch of Cyberpunk. SLA is name checked also because, being British, it draws on similar influences, and has produced a work of impressive cult longevity. It's suitably dumb clever and awesome simultaneously.
What do I mean by Cyberpunk? Well this isn't intergalactic, spacer opera. It's set in the solar system. Cyberpunk is a more 'local' genre in that respect, urban sprawl as opposed to intergalactic empire. Hopefully that will come clear. This project is also (slightly) less religious zeal and (slightly) more tech. For example one character concept will be a 'High Sentient', an AI. But one that must survive in a world that treats them with superstition and fear. Just not planet smashing existential dread.
It also touches on some western myth (king Arthur/Norse).
It wil also make use of fantasy tropes (including squats, because that Necromunda squat looks badass)
Elevator Pitch
"The Questing Wars ended a period of brutality known as the Age of Steel. With the help of the Ravens Three, the greatest of the Techno-Warlords, the Warfather, forged anew the swordship Lex Caliburnus and made alive the Solar Imperium. His passing marked the end of a great renaissance for humanity within the system, but saw the birth of a terrible new era. One that, according to the prophecies of the Ravens Three, would see his return to destroy the daemons of a resurgent Wraithverse.
The Cursed Epoch is that period. A time of superstition and mystery, measured in blood and steel. Teeming multitudes live wreathed in industry and corruption; surrounded by dark powers. A bold and bloody era of heretical science and mysticism. Gamblers wager souls using forbidden decks of power. Redeemers and their diamond dog trackers hunt the guilty under Imperial Law. The faithful devote their lives to a pilgrimage to the remains of the Lex Caliburnus and the tomb of the Warfather, guarded and kept by the cult of the Valkyr. Dark powers make desperate deals in strange locations. Places like Port Cruach where, under the baleful gaze of the Dreadgate into the Wraithverse, anything is for sale."
You may uncurl your toes at this point.
A (very) brief history of prior epochs. Although there is no mention of a date, this is a far future setting. Forty thousand years hence is not very far off. But not so distant that the sun is about to die.
The Golden Age - the peak of human civilisation during which humanity had evolved into a superior being (my take on the Eldar that will henceforth be known as Eloi, for want of a better title). He developed esper (ESP) power and grew arrogant, but was laid low in trying to tame the darker aspects of reality, namely the evil dimension called the Wraithverse.
The Age of Steel - a period of brutality and war where humanity was ruled by Techno-Warlords. They looked to DNA Shamans to build them biological weapons of war which changed humanity further.
The Questing Wars - a period connecting the Age of Steel to the Cursed Epoch. Here the greatest of those Warlords, the Warfather, unites humanity and forges the Solar Imperium, with help from surviving Eloi.
The Cursed Epoch - the wraithverse ascends anew, the Warfather is believed killed (betrayed by those Eloi). This period will end with his prophesied return to destroy the Wraithverse once and for all. Until then it leaves its mark on everything. The Imperium endures, but not without considerable travail and corruption. The usual.
Thanks for reading.
PS, to get you in the mood, here is the soundtrack to 40k Dawn of War PC game from way back when
So begins the era of the Cursed (not dark) Epoch (not millennium).
Influences
The shorthand is this: cyberpunk/shadowrun/SLA 40k.
The slightly less shorthand is this: 2000ad inspired 40k greatly, this project takes those same stylistic elements (puns, dystopia, but deadpan dark sci fi as if Maggie Thatcher was still with us...oh wait) and mashes them with a touch of Cyberpunk. SLA is name checked also because, being British, it draws on similar influences, and has produced a work of impressive cult longevity. It's suitably dumb clever and awesome simultaneously.
What do I mean by Cyberpunk? Well this isn't intergalactic, spacer opera. It's set in the solar system. Cyberpunk is a more 'local' genre in that respect, urban sprawl as opposed to intergalactic empire. Hopefully that will come clear. This project is also (slightly) less religious zeal and (slightly) more tech. For example one character concept will be a 'High Sentient', an AI. But one that must survive in a world that treats them with superstition and fear. Just not planet smashing existential dread.
It also touches on some western myth (king Arthur/Norse).
It wil also make use of fantasy tropes (including squats, because that Necromunda squat looks badass)
Elevator Pitch
"The Questing Wars ended a period of brutality known as the Age of Steel. With the help of the Ravens Three, the greatest of the Techno-Warlords, the Warfather, forged anew the swordship Lex Caliburnus and made alive the Solar Imperium. His passing marked the end of a great renaissance for humanity within the system, but saw the birth of a terrible new era. One that, according to the prophecies of the Ravens Three, would see his return to destroy the daemons of a resurgent Wraithverse.
The Cursed Epoch is that period. A time of superstition and mystery, measured in blood and steel. Teeming multitudes live wreathed in industry and corruption; surrounded by dark powers. A bold and bloody era of heretical science and mysticism. Gamblers wager souls using forbidden decks of power. Redeemers and their diamond dog trackers hunt the guilty under Imperial Law. The faithful devote their lives to a pilgrimage to the remains of the Lex Caliburnus and the tomb of the Warfather, guarded and kept by the cult of the Valkyr. Dark powers make desperate deals in strange locations. Places like Port Cruach where, under the baleful gaze of the Dreadgate into the Wraithverse, anything is for sale."
You may uncurl your toes at this point.
A (very) brief history of prior epochs. Although there is no mention of a date, this is a far future setting. Forty thousand years hence is not very far off. But not so distant that the sun is about to die.
The Golden Age - the peak of human civilisation during which humanity had evolved into a superior being (my take on the Eldar that will henceforth be known as Eloi, for want of a better title). He developed esper (ESP) power and grew arrogant, but was laid low in trying to tame the darker aspects of reality, namely the evil dimension called the Wraithverse.
The Age of Steel - a period of brutality and war where humanity was ruled by Techno-Warlords. They looked to DNA Shamans to build them biological weapons of war which changed humanity further.
The Questing Wars - a period connecting the Age of Steel to the Cursed Epoch. Here the greatest of those Warlords, the Warfather, unites humanity and forges the Solar Imperium, with help from surviving Eloi.
The Cursed Epoch - the wraithverse ascends anew, the Warfather is believed killed (betrayed by those Eloi). This period will end with his prophesied return to destroy the Wraithverse once and for all. Until then it leaves its mark on everything. The Imperium endures, but not without considerable travail and corruption. The usual.
Thanks for reading.
PS, to get you in the mood, here is the soundtrack to 40k Dawn of War PC game from way back when
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