Shadowrun demonstrated it could be done with Cyberpunk.  In another thread here I talk about mixing D&D with Western settings.  We've seen these classic fantasy elements (by which I mean, elves, dwarves, orcs, magic, etc) mixed with Renaissance (WFRP) and occasionally Classical historical period contexts. What other time periods could be done that haven't yet?

One that hasn't been done, to my knowledge, is the "age of reason"; ie. the 18th century enlightenment/age of the american revolution. How would this work?

Which others could be done?

RPGPundit

IIRC, Dragonstar was a pretty Fantasy heavey Sci-Fi game.


I have been thinking about doing a alternate history/fantasty game that takes place between 1865 and 1890. It won't have dwarves, elves, and that sort of thing, but the Native American folklore is not just lore and they do have magic. The alternate history part takes a twist when Custer is slaughtered (rightfully so), instead of if being the death knell for the Native American nations, it is instead the time magical discovery for their people. Essentially they are able to hold back the western expanssion of the white man.  Thats it in it's shortest form.

You're definitely right, the Age of Reason is a blank spot on the RPG map. You get lots of musketeer action or even Thirty Years War stuff, and then it starts again in the 19th century, either steampunk or gaslight. There were two novels by Sean Russell (World Without End and Sea Without A Shore) which are set in a fantasy world that mirrors that time period, maybe a little earlier.

IIRC, GURPS Fantasy II was quite stone age/polynesian in its tech level. Coupled with huge friggin' monsters. One could even use Costner's Rapa Nui as inspiration.

Other than that, all the European stuff has probably been done. There aren't that many campaigns based on the time around 500 BC, though. Not Roman empire anymore, yet no chivalry in sight.

There were certain parts of history that haven't been done that much, even though the time period has been presented in a RPG. You've got the three musketeers, but not the Thirty Years War.

The napoleonic wars aren't that that well-represented either. Worlds with a tech-level that high, easily descend into steampunk. A low-fantasy campaign with riflemen would be interesting, to say the least. Maybe a little folk magic. Integrating the standard fantasy races into this could be fun.

Quote from: RPGPunditShadowrun demonstrated it could be done with Cyberpunk.  In another thread here I talk about mixing D&D with Western settings.  We've seen these classic fantasy elements (by which I mean, elves, dwarves, orcs, magic, etc) mixed with Renaissance (WFRP) and occasionally Classical historical period contexts. What other time periods could be done that haven't yet?

One that hasn't been done, to my knowledge, is the "age of reason"; ie. the 18th century enlightenment/age of the american revolution. How would this work?

That's pretty much the idea behind Atlas Games' Northern Crown setting for D20.  I don't own it, and it's perhaps slightly earlier colonial more than Revolution-era -- but it's pretty close.

Well my FRPG will be closer to Dark Ages than Medieval (some nods to it--closer to a fantasy "Charlemagne" era than not.)

Beyond that there is Atlantis; The Second Age which does sort of ancient fantastic.


DeadLands does fantasy western (not really horror).


Star Wars does Space Fantasy.


There was also the D20 thing King's Crown? Set in a sort of Fantasy Colonial America (close to Revolution era I think)

As well as Testement, Eternal Rome, and others of Green Ronin's Mythic Vistas line

Quote from: SilverlionThere was also the D20 thing King's Crown? Set in a sort of Fantasy Colonial America (close to Revolution era I think)

I believe you are thinking of Northern Crown

Quote from: McrowI believe you are thinking of Northern Crown

Ah yes. Couldn't recall the name.

Has anything been done with the Ottoman Empire? Most middle-eastern themed RPGs tend to focus on the mythical Arabian Nights. And yes, I'm aware of the "Last Days of Constantinople" adventure.

Some of the later Role Master companions started to introduce classes from that period (more or less anyway, it being rolemaster there was no campaign advice, just some numbers you could use if you were inspired to do so)

The war of 1812 is underrepresented on ALL fronts.

Quote from: SilverlionDeadLands does fantasy western (not really horror).


Star Wars does Space Fantasy.

Neither of these have the specific fantasy elements I was thinking about (elves, dwarves, dragons, magic, etc.. specifically, neither have the vanilla fantasy races, and SW doesn't have magic).

RPGPundit

Quote from: SilverlionDeadLands does fantasy western (not really horror).

Doesn't have the elements of Fantasy in it, like Pundit said.  Also, what edition do you have? The second and most recent (Savage Wrolds) editions have almost no horror in them whatsoever.  

The first edition didn't really have horror either.  I found the feel of the game to be Sergio Leone meets Lucio Fulci.  It's not meant to be scary or historically accurate...just fun.

Quote from: joewolzDoesn't have the elements of Fantasy in it, like Pundit said.  Also, what edition do you have? The second and most recent (Savage Wrolds) editions have almost no horror in them whatsoever.  
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It's fantasy--its just not Pseudo D&D fantasy. There is a lot of fantasy out there that doesn't conform to elves/dwarves/magic.


The Force /is/ magic in Star Wars.

A power known only to a few initiated members of a secret order, which can be taught? Very much magic.

Yes but our point is that what this thread, this one here, the one we're in, right now, the one you're posting in,  is meant to specifically address is the use of D&D-style fantasy tropes in other time periods, not just "fantastical" things in general.

So you know, if there were like Elves and Dragons etc. in Deadlands or Star Wars, then you might have a point.


RPGPundit

The House Devon book for Spacemaster had a mission where the players have to fly to a planet with all the fantasy tropes. Not much information given, but if I remember correctly, the stats for the royal family and some opponents used Rolemaster.

The Chaosium Thieves World had stats for Traveller. "Tempus in Space!" would've made for a nice campaign.