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Robots in Fantasy Settings?

Started by RPGPundit, November 11, 2021, 10:02:28 PM

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RPGPundit

#15
November 15, 2021, 02:20:37 AM
In the World of the Last Sun, just about anything can be found somewhere. It even has Keith Richards!
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jeff37923

#16
November 15, 2021, 04:11:38 AM
The common definition of robot only works in fantasy if you are doing a gonzo kitchen sink setting.

To make robots (as in automatons or constructs) work in a fantasy setting, then they must be an integral part of the background. The warforged almost accomplish this in Ebberon. The only setting that does fully accomplish this well, is Iron Kingdoms with their steampunk style steamjacks and warjacks.

Otherwise having robots in a fantasy setting just jerks the players out of their suspension of disbelief in the game.
"Meh."

hedgehobbit

#17
November 15, 2021, 07:50:27 AM
The coolest fantasy robot of all time: The Minaton



HappyDaze

#18
November 15, 2021, 09:09:45 AM
Quote from: jeff37923 on November 15, 2021, 04:11:38 AM
The common definition of robot only works in fantasy if you are doing a gonzo kitchen sink setting.

To make robots (as in automatons or constructs) work in a fantasy setting, then they must be an integral part of the background. The warforged almost accomplish this in Ebberon. The only setting that does fully accomplish this well, is Iron Kingdoms with their steampunk style steamjacks and warjacks.

Otherwise having robots in a fantasy setting just jerks the players out of their suspension of disbelief in the game.
Shadow of the Demon Lord has clockwork automatons that fitting well enough.

Wrath of God

#19
November 15, 2021, 10:13:25 AM
QuoteOtherwise having robots in a fantasy setting just jerks the players out of their suspension of disbelief in the game.

Just as planned.
"Never compromise. Not even in the face of Armageddon."

"And I will strike down upon thee
With great vengeance and furious anger"

"Molti Nemici, Molto Onore"

Plotinus

#20
November 15, 2021, 10:50:46 AM
So this one is not already included in the Last Sun compilation?

3catcircus

#21
November 15, 2021, 03:06:55 PM
I'll just quote Bender from Futurama and let you figure out how many is too many:

"Hey sexy mama, wanna kill all humans?"

rytrasmi

#22
November 15, 2021, 04:24:06 PM
Quote from: Ratman_tf on November 12, 2021, 09:39:39 AM
I want to make a joke about A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court, but it's just not coming together.  :-[


That's some pretty buff armor for the 5th century there, Arthur. Also, what happen to your beard?

The worms crawl in and the worms crawl out
The ones that crawl in are lean and thin
The ones that crawl out are fat and stout
Your eyes fall in and your teeth fall out
Your brains come tumbling down your snout
Be merry my friends
Be merry

palaeomerus

#23
November 15, 2021, 08:27:59 PM
That's the Robert Goulet version of Arthur.
Emery

RPGPundit

#24
November 16, 2021, 09:49:51 PM
Quote from: Plotinus on November 15, 2021, 10:50:46 AM
So this one is not already included in the Last Sun compilation?

World of the Last Sun has stats for some robots, but it does not have this set of generators for robots.
LION & DRAGON: Medieval-Authentic OSR Roleplaying is available now! You only THINK you\'ve played \'medieval fantasy\' until you play L&D.


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The most famous uruguayan gaming blog on the planet!

NEW!
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Dark Albion: The Rose War! The OSR fantasy setting of the history that inspired Shakespeare and Martin alike.
Also available in Variant Cover form!
Also, now with the CULTS OF CHAOS cult-generation sourcebook

ARROWS OF INDRA
Arrows of Indra: The Old-School Epic Indian RPG!
NOW AVAILABLE: AoI in print form

LORDS OF OLYMPUS
The new Diceless RPG of multiversal power, adventure and intrigue, now available.

Arkansan

#25
November 16, 2021, 11:15:31 PM
Plenty of Robots! Of course I prefer more weird science fantasy than straight fantasy.

Jaeger

#26
November 17, 2021, 08:10:51 PM
Quote from: Omega on November 12, 2021, 09:59:26 PM
D&D and fantasy in general has had sci-fi elements since pretty much the get-go.
...

Blackmoor had Sci-Fi stuff early on. Early D&D had a lot of 'weird fantasy' influences.

I'm not outright against such things in a fantasy campaign but...



Quote from: jeff37923 on November 15, 2021, 04:11:38 AM
The common definition of robot only works in fantasy if you are doing a gonzo kitchen sink setting.
..

My hat of gonzo kitchen sink fantasy* no know limit.

For me Sci-fi elements need to be handled with a really deft and subtle hand.

Something like the crashed spaceship in Blackmoor, which is confined to that location, is really the only way I could do it.

It gives a unique flavor to that location - but the rest of the world is not out of a Palladium games sourcebook.

That is about my limit.

I know lots of people love gonzo kitchen sink games, but I'm not one of them.



* Yes that includes the forgotten realms, eberron, etc: In fact D&D has been gonzo kitchen sink since the beginning...
"The envious are not satisfied with equality; they secretly yearn for superiority and revenge."

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Tait Ransom

#27
November 17, 2021, 08:26:42 PM
Quote from: Svenhelgrim on November 12, 2021, 09:32:02 AM
Gargantuan fantasy mecha powered by giant hamsters running in wheels, and piloted by insane gnomes.

I love this idea!

HappyDaze

#28
November 17, 2021, 08:54:02 PM
Quote from: Tait Ransom on November 17, 2021, 08:26:42 PM
Quote from: Svenhelgrim on November 12, 2021, 09:32:02 AM
Gargantuan fantasy mecha powered by giant hamsters running in wheels, and piloted by insane gnomes.

I love this idea!
So do the Skaven of Clans Skyre.

RPGPundit

#29
November 18, 2021, 07:07:16 PM
Quote from: Arkansan on November 16, 2021, 11:15:31 PM
Plenty of Robots! Of course I prefer more weird science fantasy than straight fantasy.

Then you may want to check out the Frantabulous Robot Generator!
LION & DRAGON: Medieval-Authentic OSR Roleplaying is available now! You only THINK you\'ve played \'medieval fantasy\' until you play L&D.


My Blog:  http://therpgpundit.blogspot.com/
The most famous uruguayan gaming blog on the planet!

NEW!
Check out my short OSR supplements series; The RPGPundit Presents!


Dark Albion: The Rose War! The OSR fantasy setting of the history that inspired Shakespeare and Martin alike.
Also available in Variant Cover form!
Also, now with the CULTS OF CHAOS cult-generation sourcebook

ARROWS OF INDRA
Arrows of Indra: The Old-School Epic Indian RPG!
NOW AVAILABLE: AoI in print form

LORDS OF OLYMPUS
The new Diceless RPG of multiversal power, adventure and intrigue, now available.
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