[Lore: Uprising] - looking for an opinion system concepts

[LoreTG]

Obvious question: How is this different from, say, Dragonstar (which I've not played but have heard good things about)? If someone wants to play "D&D in space," why would they use your game rather than a game which really is "D&D in space"?

I too have not played the Dragonstar system, but I have read through the book and it is a good game if you are looking for a "D&D in space" type game. Lore: Uprising is not a "D&D in space" game. It does share similarities, such as basic fantasy trappings, but we take the concept and made it much more original.

The most obvious difference between the systems at first glance is the game mechanics. Dragonstar, obvioulsy, uses the D&D class-level based system while Lore: Uprising works on a non level based skill system which allows freeform generation and advancement.

As stated previously, the mechanics were specifically designed to accent the setting of the game, and setting is where we truly shine. The scope of the setting is vast and covers an entire galaxy where many of the different races have set up one or more empires. Dragonstar on the other hand has a much smaller focus for thier setting - although it is a good setting.

The Lore setting goes into the deep political and social structures of the galaxies, along with a detailed history. The history literally spans back thousands of years and lays the framework for two of other games which we have planned, both which take place way before Lore: Uprising.

The races also stand out and differ greatly from your standard D & D races. Ages ago a great magical catastrophe occured that forever altered the face of the known universe. This disaster, known as the Xta'Chulis, triggered evolutionary changes within the races and caused much change in thier genetic makeup. Some of the races, such as the elves or the orcs, were divided into multiple separate races which were drastically different from both each other and from thier ancestors.

As time passed and the races evolved the universe of Lore: Uprising began to finally form. The 11 races are all drastically different than their counterparts from thousands of years ago. Though they share some of the basic same qualities as thier ancestors, they have truly evolved into a new form of life.

These evolutionary changes are still active in some members of the races, which effects our advancement system. Characters will have thier racial abilities constantly improving over the basic beginning abilites they recieve. At critical points in thier advancement their ability advancement will branch out into multiple paths from which they choose. Therefore two characters who started out as Eardonthus Elves (a regimented matriarchal society of elves which excel in Focus - which is a form of magic that has been drastically altered by the Xta'Chulis) could end up with drastically different racial abilties due to the paths they chose during thier advancement and development.

This alone sets the game apart from the D and D in space concept, but it doesn't stop here. Systems such as combat take whole new approaches to subjects like damage delivery. Detailed systems allow for implemntation of Cyberware and Bioware, and a detailed and flexible starship system allows character to choose from a vast stock of ships, or to design thier own. Even the starship system is effected by the setting, as many races have thier own specific technologies in which they excel.

The Focus concept goes far beyond what other "magic" systems do. Not only does Focus present the possabilities of wielding powerful mystical abilites, but it also serves as a primary power source for many of the forms of technology. Focus is a resource that must be recharged for both technology and living beings, and is a tightly controlled resource that many empires would gladly go to war over in order to increase their hold on this asset.

This paints a good picture of the game for you I hope, considerably more detailed than my previous entries in this thread. If you all have any questions, ask me!

Troye