[Visions of Gaslight] Fictional Materials

[Benjamin Grove]

So I've stoped work on my table-top project(unsure if I ever mentioned it on these forums, I'm not exactly a regular) due to some writers block and began work on an online RPG (similar in style to Vaxia, Enmity, Etc. Basicly  a chat/forum hybrid with both GMed sessions and non GMed interactions) and I'm gearing it towards "serious" RP rather than dungeon crawling and loot gathering

Setting wise, its basicly going to be a pseudo-victorian setting with some elements of "steam-punk" thrown in(strong doses of mad-science but not so much in the way of steam powered mechs). And I am currently considering the use of some fictional metals to act as plot device to explain how we can have, say a flying city and the occasional robot-miad-girl and still keep the feel of the game fairly realish.

Also keep in mind my "magic" lacks the instant gratification that alot of other games have. No slinging fireballs at your freinds, but more summoning/binding demons and spirits, exorcisms, animating the dead, and such-like.

In terms of the fictional metals, I'm thinking maybe two or three, each with a variety of applications. For insatnce, Orchalcum can be used to generate power, and Orichalcum salts can be use din the makeing of special glass for a variety of esortic applications.

So, is it a bad idea? to much of a deux ex machina?

Ohh, and before I forget, anyone interested in more info or helping with the project please mail me @ Princeofswords@gmail.com

[Zubon-do]

In terms of the fictional metals, I'm thinking maybe two or three, each with a variety of applications. For insatnce, Orchalcum can be used to generate power, and Orichalcum salts can be use din the makeing of special glass for a variety of esortic applications.

So, is it a bad idea? to much of a deux ex machina?

Of course you have to watch out for the Mithril effect, and prevent every character in the game from having orichalcum belt buckles and earrings and tooth fillings and whatnot.  But it's a good setting device if you play it properly.

If I were to inject a little physics into this, I'd point out that true energy comes from the difference between the states of two bodies.  The hydroelectric dam relies on the difference in height between two bodies of water, and an electric battery relies on the difference in electric properties of two bits of metal.  As some aspect of one body flows to some aspect of another body, work is produced (either a wheel is turned, or electrons jump repeatedly one atom widdershins 'round a circuit or whatever).

So perhaps these metals shouldn't be magical in and of themselves any mroe than copper or zinc are powerful on their own.  Instead perhaps Orichalcum and some other metal, when placed in a bath of Royal Water, generate bubbles of phlogiston which can be harvested and stored for later use.  

Or perhaps you need to make an acid-cell battery of some sort.  [/quote]

[Benjamin Grove]

I think I'll handel the Orichalcum Belt Buckle issue with a combination of A: rarity and B: uselessness

As for what you said about them not being magical on their own, I agree completely. Which goes along with the Orichalcum belt buckles not doing much on their own.

Thank you for the in-put though. I realy need some sort of plot device to fill in these things and a few fictional materials will be fine, especialy sense the setting is both modern enough to treat things sceintificly and old-timey enough that I don't have to worry about things like Orichalcum not haveing a spot on the periodic table.

[Jeff Powers]

Indeed... having an Orichalcum tooth should be about as "kewl" as having one made of lead... and about as wise (everyone knows orichalcum gives you genital warts!)

If you've decided on a specific date for the setting (assuming it's some alternate history of the real world), why not just make up "weird science" properties for the real elements that hadn't been discovered yet?

Quick google... aha:
http://periodictable.mysterymaster.com/periodic_table_discovered.html

You can't go wrong using something named Promethium as your wonder-element.  :)

[darrick]

i like the period setting, as long as you've got gaslight already why not use that for your plot device or to fuel your esoteric goals?  gaslight has always been an unreal kind of reality for the 1890's, spreading it's weird absinthe green light on shadowy vitorian streets.  

in Empire of Satanis i went all out with the magic which can do fantastic things and completely replaces technology.  finally available here:
http://www.lulu.com/content/113758

however, if you don't use lots of magic, then i think you'd have to find some magic-like stuff which is just as fantastic as magic.  Something that works like magic, but is not in fact magic.  maybe something intrinsic to your setting, i don't know?

thanks, Darrick Dishaw
www.CultofCthulhu.net