Beyond the Gates of Antares - Revision history

imported>Administrator: 21 revisions imported

2023-06-17T23:19:08Z

21 revisions imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 23:19, 17 June 2023
(No difference)

1d4chan>Mistermano: Added map stuff

2023-03-08T23:15:12Z

Added map stuff

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:15, 8 March 2023
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	=Setting=		=Setting=
			[[File:Antares-icohex-grid.jpg\|thumb\|Current map of Antares. The grey areas are Spill zones, which might house unaligned factions\|center]]
	It is the year 1325 of the 7th age, over 25,000 years into the future and Earth is but a distant memory of a long gone past.		It is the year 1325 of the 7th age, over 25,000 years into the future and Earth is but a distant memory of a long gone past.

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	* '''Command (Co).''' A measure of a unit’s morale used when testing to activate a unit or to check its willingness to fight on.		* '''Command (Co).''' A measure of a unit’s morale used when testing to activate a unit or to check its willingness to fight on.
	* '''Special.''' The column at the end of the stat-line indicates special rules that apply to that unit or individual.		* '''Special.''' The column at the end of the stat-line indicates special rules that apply to that unit or individual.

			=Mapping your own Antares=

			You know how those [[Mystara\|old ADnD games]] had all sorts of rules for exploring large hexes, mapping them out as part of your campaign? The fellas at the Nexus provide a pdf with lots and lots of information on how to map the Antarean surface. The shardhexes that you're invited to map can be assumed to represent an area of ~0.4 SAU (Standard Astronomical Unit). You can roll to determine the number of gates within, their depth, gate transit time, angle within the exit star system, star type and its distance from the gate and even its history. They even [[This guy\|allow players to submit]] their "discoveries" for some shardhexes (a sub-subdivision).

			This package of map building tools certainly invites players to try and make their games part of a grand strategy campaign or, for those with a penchant for writing, lots of guidelines on how the "galactic standard" is supposed to be.

	=External Links=		=External Links=

1d4chan>Mistermano at 01:40, 8 March 2023

2023-03-08T01:40:47Z

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 =Setting=
 The Antares is a colossal machine, powered by a red giant star, and a companion dwarf star, Obureg, that has tunnels and gates to millions of different places around the universe, thus acting as a Nexus. Ships that can handle the 2,000° Celsius trip while on the Nexus can easily make FTL travel by jumping through these gates. Gates aren't static and they may collapse, essentially cutting access to parts of the universe, then rebuilding the gates and pointing them to different places. Such events mark the Ages of the Antares universe, and the game is set on the brink of a probable seventh collapse.
@@ Line 31: / Line 32: @@
 The term panhuman is used to identify any species, called morphs, that originated from ancient humans. These are the Algoryn, Boromites, Ferals, Gyohn, Hantale, Krasz, NuHu and Vyess. There are also misgenic rejects, which are the results of failed experiments into creating new morphs, such as by inserting and mixing animal genes with artificial genes and another morph's genes.
-Actual intelligent alien species in the setting include the Askar (insectoid), Ghar (bioengineered to destroy humans), Hükk (weird, strong aliens) and Tsan Ra (weird, insectoid gorillas). The Vorl are a separate case, as they are an amalgamation of several things into one.
+Actual intelligent alien species in the setting include the Askar (insectoid, usually under command of Vorl armies), Ghar (bioengineered to destroy humans), Hükk (weird, strong aliens) and Tsan Ra (weird, insectoid gorillas). The Vorl are a separate case, as they are an amalgamation of several things into one.
 There is also the Virai (Viral AI), which aren't evil per se, but don't accept a "no, thank you" to their unasked question of "do you want to be assimilated?"
 =Factions=

1d4chan>Mistermano at 23:47, 27 February 2023

2023-02-27T23:47:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:47, 27 February 2023
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	'''Beyond the Gates of Antares''' is a 28mm science fiction tabletop war-game, designed by [[Rick Priestley]] and [[Tim Bancroft]] and released via [[Warlord Games]], who made the V2 rules and army lists available for free at [https://antaresnexus.com/rules/ AntaresNexus site]. The only reason not to check it out is a lack of interest and/or time.		'''Beyond the Gates of Antares''' is a 28mm science fiction tabletop war-game, designed by [[Rick Priestley]] and [[Tim Bancroft]] and released via [[Warlord Games]], who made the V2 rules and army lists available for free at [https://antaresnexus.com/rules/ AntaresNexus site]. The only reason not to check it out is a lack of interest and/or time.

	The fluff has enough going ~~and is organized enough~~ on to make people interested in learning more about it, with basically 3 flavors of trans humanist societies that don't get along, several post-human subtypes (panhuman morphs) bioengineered to be better at one thing or another, aliens that work well with humans, aliens that dislike humans, aliens that despise humans, the enabler of FTL interstellar travel being a huge mystery, both figuratively and literally, explanation of several types of technologies and all the most technologically advanced forces making heavy use of their body-machine integration and using drones and electronic warfare. While [[Warhammer 40,000\|Warhammer]] feels like medieval combat in space, BtGA does a better job explaining and trying to simulate what a futuristic, infantry-based combat would look like.		The fluff is organized enough and has enough going on on to make people interested in learning more about it, with basically 3 flavors of trans humanist societies that don't get along, several post-human subtypes (panhuman morphs) bioengineered to be better at one thing or another, aliens that work well with humans, aliens that dislike humans, aliens that despise humans, the enabler of FTL interstellar travel being a huge mystery, both figuratively and literally, explanation of several types of technologies and all the most technologically advanced forces making heavy use of their body-machine integration and using drones and electronic warfare. While [[Warhammer 40,000\|Warhammer]] feels like medieval combat in space, BtGA does a better job explaining and trying to simulate what a futuristic, infantry-based combat would look like.

	Antares utilizes the same order dice that are used in [[Bolt Action]], but has several key differences, such as primarily using D10s and rolling for equal or under, and allowing players to field units with individual models having different statlines due to their species. Overall, the system is [[Crunch\|very crunchy]], especially when compared to Mantic's [[Firefight]], with several actions available to units, '''Agility''' rolls to move past obstacles or through difficult terrain, blast templates and overhead shots that can land on [[your dudes]], a large variety of equipment and weapons with secondary firing modes, several possible reactions, both to being assaulted or fired at, special units that can activate two or more times per round and roughly 30 keyword special abilities, not counting each faction's unique abilities and whatnot.		Antares utilizes the same order dice that are used in [[Bolt Action]], but has several key differences, such as primarily using D10s and rolling for equal or under, and allowing players to field units with individual models having different statlines due to their species. Overall, the system is [[Crunch\|very crunchy]], especially when compared to Mantic's [[Firefight]], with several actions available to units, '''Agility''' rolls to move past obstacles or through difficult terrain, blast templates and overhead shots that can land on [[your dudes]], a large variety of equipment and weapons with secondary firing modes, several possible reactions, both to being assaulted or fired at, special units that can activate two or more times per round and roughly 30 keyword special abilities, not counting each faction's unique abilities and whatnot.
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	The Antares is a colossal machine, powered by a red giant star, and a companion dwarf star, Obureg, that has tunnels and gates to millions of different places around the universe, thus acting as a Nexus. Ships that can handle the 2,000° Celsius trip while on the Nexus can easily make FTL travel by jumping through these gates. Gates aren't static and they may collapse, essentially cutting access to parts of the universe, then rebuilding the gates and pointing them to different places. Such events mark the Ages of the Antares universe, and the game is set on the brink of a probable seventh collapse.		The Antares is a colossal machine, powered by a red giant star, and a companion dwarf star, Obureg, that has tunnels and gates to millions of different places around the universe, thus acting as a Nexus. Ships that can handle the 2,000° Celsius trip while on the Nexus can easily make FTL travel by jumping through these gates. Gates aren't static and they may collapse, essentially cutting access to parts of the universe, then rebuilding the gates and pointing them to different places. Such events mark the Ages of the Antares universe, and the game is set on the brink of a probable seventh collapse.

	Although it's not specified or even hinted how Antares looks, considering that ships passing through have to fly within the star's photosphere (its "surface"), almost "sailing" through its plasma currents, it's likely that the nexus is a form of Dyson Sphere, with the gates on the star-facing side. Given it's hypothetical intelligence it may even be a Matrioshka Brain. There are also gates that lie so deep within the photosphere that they can only be accessed when the gravitational pull of Obureg makes the plasma flow more amenable, which is still a very risky maneuver, because you are literally sinking deeper within a red giant star's ~~atomsphere~~ and gravitational pull. This also means that ships are forced to deal with a time dilation of 5.6 to 1: for every 1 hour the ship and its passengers experience, roughly 5 hours and 36 minutes passed "outside".		Although it's not specified or even hinted how Antares looks, considering that ships passing through have to fly within the star's photosphere (its "surface"), almost "sailing" through its plasma currents, it's likely that the nexus is a form of Dyson Sphere, with the gates on the star-facing side. Given it's hypothetical intelligence it may even be a Matrioshka Brain. There are also gates that lie so deep within the photosphere that they can only be accessed when the gravitational pull of Obureg makes the plasma flow more amenable, which is still a very risky maneuver, because you are literally sinking deeper within a red giant star's atmosphere and gravitational pull. This also means that ships are forced to deal with a time dilation of 5.6 to 1: for every 1 hour the ship and its passengers experience, roughly 5 hours and 36 minutes passed "outside".

	'''Obureg''' is as important to the maintenance of Antares as a whole as the Moon is to the Earth's oceanic currents. The dwarf companion star directs the plasma flow of the larger giant, and can also detect ship to ship combat happening within Antares, changing the plasma flow in order to destroy all those involved. How it does all that is a mystery, and leads people to believe that the whole thing might as well be some sort of sentient construct.		'''Obureg''' is as important to the maintenance of Antares as a whole as the Moon is to the Earth's oceanic currents. The dwarf companion star directs the plasma flow of the larger giant, and can also detect ship to ship combat happening within Antares, changing the plasma flow in order to destroy all those involved. How it does all that is a mystery, and leads people to believe that the whole thing might as well be some sort of sentient construct.

2601:1C0:5000:CFF0:4151:CAE0:784:71D3 at 17:38, 25 February 2023

2023-02-25T17:38:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:38, 25 February 2023
Line 13:		Line 13:
	The Antares is a colossal machine, powered by a red giant star, and a companion dwarf star, Obureg, that has tunnels and gates to millions of different places around the universe, thus acting as a Nexus. Ships that can handle the 2,000° Celsius trip while on the Nexus can easily make FTL travel by jumping through these gates. Gates aren't static and they may collapse, essentially cutting access to parts of the universe, then rebuilding the gates and pointing them to different places. Such events mark the Ages of the Antares universe, and the game is set on the brink of a probable seventh collapse.		The Antares is a colossal machine, powered by a red giant star, and a companion dwarf star, Obureg, that has tunnels and gates to millions of different places around the universe, thus acting as a Nexus. Ships that can handle the 2,000° Celsius trip while on the Nexus can easily make FTL travel by jumping through these gates. Gates aren't static and they may collapse, essentially cutting access to parts of the universe, then rebuilding the gates and pointing them to different places. Such events mark the Ages of the Antares universe, and the game is set on the brink of a probable seventh collapse.

	Although it's not specified or even hinted how Antares looks, considering that ships passing through have to fly within the star's photosphere (its "surface"), almost "sailing" through its plasma currents, it's likely that the nexus is a form of Dyson Sphere, with the gates on the star-facing side. There are also gates that lie so deep within the photosphere that they can only be accessed when the gravitational pull of Obureg makes the plasma flow more amenable, which is still a very risky maneuver, because you are literally sinking deeper within a red giant star's atomsphere and gravitational pull. This also means that ships are forced to deal with a time dilation of 5.6 to 1: for every 1 hour the ship and its passengers experience, roughly 5 hours and 36 minutes passed "outside".		Although it's not specified or even hinted how Antares looks, considering that ships passing through have to fly within the star's photosphere (its "surface"), almost "sailing" through its plasma currents, it's likely that the nexus is a form of Dyson Sphere, with the gates on the star-facing side. Given it's hypothetical intelligence it may even be a Matrioshka Brain. There are also gates that lie so deep within the photosphere that they can only be accessed when the gravitational pull of Obureg makes the plasma flow more amenable, which is still a very risky maneuver, because you are literally sinking deeper within a red giant star's atomsphere and gravitational pull. This also means that ships are forced to deal with a time dilation of 5.6 to 1: for every 1 hour the ship and its passengers experience, roughly 5 hours and 36 minutes passed "outside".

	'''Obureg''' is as important to the maintenance of Antares as a whole as the Moon is to the Earth's oceanic currents. The dwarf companion star directs the plasma flow of the larger giant, and can also detect ship to ship combat happening within Antares, changing the plasma flow in order to destroy all those involved. How it does all that is a mystery, and leads people to believe that the whole thing might as well be some sort of sentient construct.		'''Obureg''' is as important to the maintenance of Antares as a whole as the Moon is to the Earth's oceanic currents. The dwarf companion star directs the plasma flow of the larger giant, and can also detect ship to ship combat happening within Antares, changing the plasma flow in order to destroy all those involved. How it does all that is a mystery, and leads people to believe that the whole thing might as well be some sort of sentient construct.

1d4chan>Mistermano: Fixed some info after a better read of the Antares Universe pdf. Might still have some wrong generalizations

2023-02-25T14:43:43Z

Fixed some info after a better read of the Antares Universe pdf. Might still have some wrong generalizations

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:43, 25 February 2023
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	Finding these gates within star systems is hard, as they are basically invisible if looked at from the wrong angle, as they are "holes" into the null-space dimension that allows for the FTL transport. There is a passing mention of explorers finding alien civilizations capable of near-light speed travel that have completely failed to notice the gate within their reach. Even if they do discover a gate, it's not guaranteed they'll uncover the mechanisms to make it work.		Finding these gates within star systems is hard, as they are basically invisible if looked at from the wrong angle, as they are "holes" into the null-space dimension that allows for the FTL transport. There is a passing mention of explorers finding alien civilizations capable of near-light speed travel that have completely failed to notice the gate within their reach. Even if they do discover a gate, it's not guaranteed they'll uncover the mechanisms to make it work.

	With any attempt to control access to gates from within Antares all but impossible, control of the systems residing on the other side is what creates tensions and disputes between the powers. There are a few rule extensions pertaining space combat, but it's unlikely it'll take off, as it doesn't seem to be that popular (''then again, can you point '''any''' single person even remotely ~~interested in~~ BtGA?'').		With any attempt to control access to gates from within Antares all but impossible, control of the systems residing on the other side is what creates tensions and disputes between the powers. There are a few rule extensions pertaining space combat, but it's unlikely it'll take off, as it doesn't seem to be that popular (''then again, can you point '''any''' single person even remotely aware of BtGA's existence?'').

	For the most part, panhuman societies are post-scarcity and everything runs on [[Metal_Gear\|<s>nanomachines</s> nanospores, son]]. This means that where these things are present, human brains are effectively connected to the internet at all times, ~~which is called~~ Integrated Machine Intelligence, or IMTel~~, and~~ keeps track of all their physical and psychological needs. Although there's no "active" mind control from IMTel, the intelligence nudges people into developing specific skills, according to needs and how the individual is expected to grow. Once the human body naturally expires (which can take over 200 years, thanks to all the technological advances), the mind can be uploaded and then downloaded into a new clone body. Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, though, as the nanospores of different factions are largely incompatible with one another and are also susceptible to hacking and general electronics warfare. This is where the Freeborn houses come in: they work mostly getting stuff from one faction, sterilizing the nanospores' defense mechanisms, then selling to other factions. Still, on the whole, being a panhuman and living within the Senatex, Concord ~~or Algoryn~~ means you're very likely to have a [[~~Noblebright~~\|long, fruitful and problem-free life]].		==IMTel==

			For the most part, panhuman societies are post-scarcity and everything runs on [[Metal_Gear\|<s>nanomachines</s> nanospores, son]]. This means that where these things are present as part of the atmosphere, called nanosphere, human brains are effectively connected to the internet, and everyone els, at all times, through the '''Integrated Machine Intelligence''', or IMTel. This human-machine hivemind keeps track of all their physical and psychological needs. Although there's no "active" mind control from IMTel, the intelligence nudges ''(much like Facebook "nudges" people into using its shitty social media)'' people into developing specific skills, according to needs of the society and how the individual is expected to grow. [[Mass Effect\|It's basically the green ending of Mass Effect 3]]. How much this undermines people's individualism and free will is up for debate.

			Once the human body naturally expires, which can take over 200 years, thanks to all the technological advances, the mind can be uploaded and then downloaded into a new clone body. Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, though, as the nanospores of different factions are largely incompatible with one another and are also susceptible to hacking and general electronics warfare. This is where the Freeborn houses come in: they work mostly getting stuff from one faction, sterilizing the nanospores' defense mechanisms, allowing them to work without the nanotech, then selling to other factions. Still, on the whole, being a panhuman and living within either the Senatex or Concord means you're very likely to have a [[Grimbright\|long, fruitful and problem-free life]], although that is only possible thanks to invasive and possibly identity altering technology. The same cannot be said for the Algoryn, as they reject IMTel integration because that'd make them more vulnerable to those two powers.

			==Panhumans and Aliens==

	The term panhuman is used to identify any species, called morphs, that originated from ancient humans. These are the Algoryn, Boromites, Ferals, Gyohn, Hantale, Krasz, NuHu and Vyess. There are also misgenic rejects, which are the results of failed experiments into creating new morphs, such as by inserting and mixing animal genes with artificial genes and another morph's genes.		The term panhuman is used to identify any species, called morphs, that originated from ancient humans. These are the Algoryn, Boromites, Ferals, Gyohn, Hantale, Krasz, NuHu and Vyess. There are also misgenic rejects, which are the results of failed experiments into creating new morphs, such as by inserting and mixing animal genes with artificial genes and another morph's genes.

	Actual intelligent alien species in the setting include the Askar (insectoid), Ghar (bioengineered to destroy humans), Hükk (weird, strong aliens) and Tsan Ra (weird, insectoid gorillas). The Vorl are a separate case, as they are an amalgamation of several things into one.		Actual intelligent alien species in the setting include the Askar (insectoid), Ghar (bioengineered to destroy humans), Hükk (weird, strong aliens) and Tsan Ra (weird, insectoid gorillas). The Vorl are a separate case, as they are an amalgamation of several things into one.

			There is also the Virai (Viral AI), which aren't evil per se, but don't accept a "no, thank you" to their unasked question of "do you want to be assimilated?"

	=Factions=		=Factions=

1d4chan>Mistermano: /* Setting */

2023-02-24T04:41:26Z

Setting

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:41, 24 February 2023
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	Finding these gates within star systems is hard, as they are basically invisible if looked at from the wrong angle, as they are "holes" into the null-space dimension that allows for the FTL transport. There is a passing mention of explorers finding alien civilizations capable of near-light speed travel that have completely failed to notice the gate within their reach. Even if they do discover a gate, it's not guaranteed they'll uncover the mechanisms to make it work.		Finding these gates within star systems is hard, as they are basically invisible if looked at from the wrong angle, as they are "holes" into the null-space dimension that allows for the FTL transport. There is a passing mention of explorers finding alien civilizations capable of near-light speed travel that have completely failed to notice the gate within their reach. Even if they do discover a gate, it's not guaranteed they'll uncover the mechanisms to make it work.

	With any attempt to control access to gates from within Antares all but impossible, control of the systems residing on the other side is what creates tensions and disputes between the powers. ~~While~~ space ~~battles are mentioned~~, ~~there~~'s ~~nothing pertaining a possible system for playing those~~ (''then again, can you point '''any''' single person even remotely interested in BtGA?'').		With any attempt to control access to gates from within Antares all but impossible, control of the systems residing on the other side is what creates tensions and disputes between the powers. There are a few rule extensions pertaining space combat, but it's unlikely it'll take off, as it doesn't seem to be that popular (''then again, can you point '''any''' single person even remotely interested in BtGA?'').

	For the most part, panhuman societies are post-scarcity and everything runs on [[Metal_Gear\|<s>nanomachines</s> nanospores, son]]. This means that where these things are present, human brains are effectively connected to the internet at all times, which is called Integrated Machine Intelligence, or IMTel, and keeps track of all their physical and psychological needs. Although there's no "active" mind control from IMTel, the intelligence nudges people into developing specific skills, according to needs and how the individual is expected to grow. Once the human body naturally expires (which can take over 200 years, thanks to all the technological advances), the mind can be uploaded and then downloaded into a new clone body. Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, though, as the nanospores of different factions are largely incompatible with one another and are also susceptible to hacking and general electronics warfare. This is where the Freeborn houses come in: they work mostly getting stuff from one faction, sterilizing the nanospores' defense mechanisms, then selling to other factions. Still, on the whole, being a panhuman and living within the Senatex, Concord or Algoryn means you're very likely to have a [[Noblebright\|long, fruitful and problem-free life]].		For the most part, panhuman societies are post-scarcity and everything runs on [[Metal_Gear\|<s>nanomachines</s> nanospores, son]]. This means that where these things are present, human brains are effectively connected to the internet at all times, which is called Integrated Machine Intelligence, or IMTel, and keeps track of all their physical and psychological needs. Although there's no "active" mind control from IMTel, the intelligence nudges people into developing specific skills, according to needs and how the individual is expected to grow. Once the human body naturally expires (which can take over 200 years, thanks to all the technological advances), the mind can be uploaded and then downloaded into a new clone body. Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, though, as the nanospores of different factions are largely incompatible with one another and are also susceptible to hacking and general electronics warfare. This is where the Freeborn houses come in: they work mostly getting stuff from one faction, sterilizing the nanospores' defense mechanisms, then selling to other factions. Still, on the whole, being a panhuman and living within the Senatex, Concord or Algoryn means you're very likely to have a [[Noblebright\|long, fruitful and problem-free life]].

1d4chan>Mistermano at 03:34, 24 February 2023

2023-02-24T03:34:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:34, 24 February 2023
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	'''Beyond the Gates of Antares''' is a 28mm science fiction tabletop war-game, designed by [[Rick Priestley]] and [[Tim Bancroft]] and released via [[Warlord Games]], who made the V2 rules and army lists available for free at [https://antaresnexus.com/rules/ AntaresNexus site]. The only reason not to check it out is a lack of interest and/or time.		'''Beyond the Gates of Antares''' is a 28mm science fiction tabletop war-game, designed by [[Rick Priestley]] and [[Tim Bancroft]] and released via [[Warlord Games]], who made the V2 rules and army lists available for free at [https://antaresnexus.com/rules/ AntaresNexus site]. The only reason not to check it out is a lack of interest and/or time.

	Antares utilizes the same order dice that are used in [[Bolt Action]], but has several key differences, such as primarily using D10s and rolling for equal or under, and individual ~~units~~ having different ~~stats~~. Overall, the system is [[Crunch\|very crunchy]], especially when compared to Mantic's [[Firefight]], with several actions available to units, '''Agility''' rolls to move past obstacles or through difficult terrain, blast templates and overhead shots that can land on [[your dudes]], a large variety of equipment and weapons with secondary firing modes, several possible reactions, both to being assaulted or fired at, special units that can activate two or more times per round and roughly 30 keyword special abilities.		The fluff has enough going and is organized enough on to make people interested in learning more about it, with basically 3 flavors of trans humanist societies that don't get along, several post-human subtypes (panhuman morphs) bioengineered to be better at one thing or another, aliens that work well with humans, aliens that dislike humans, aliens that despise humans, the enabler of FTL interstellar travel being a huge mystery, both figuratively and literally, explanation of several types of technologies and all the most technologically advanced forces making heavy use of their body-machine integration and using drones and electronic warfare. While [[Warhammer 40,000\|Warhammer]] feels like medieval combat in space, BtGA does a better job explaining and trying to simulate what a futuristic, infantry-based combat would look like.

			Antares utilizes the same order dice that are used in [[Bolt Action]], but has several key differences, such as primarily using D10s and rolling for equal or under, and allowing players to field units with individual models having different statlines due to their species. Overall, the system is [[Crunch\|very crunchy]], especially when compared to Mantic's [[Firefight]], with several actions available to units, '''Agility''' rolls to move past obstacles or through difficult terrain, blast templates and overhead shots that can land on [[your dudes]], a large variety of equipment and weapons with secondary firing modes, several possible reactions, both to being assaulted or fired at, special units that can activate two or more times per round and roughly 30 keyword special abilities, not counting each faction's unique abilities and whatnot.

	~~Oh, you can also make units of mixed morphs, which gives each model a slightly different statline!~~

	=Setting=		=Setting=

1d4chan>Mistermano: Added bits of factions' playstyle

2023-02-24T03:01:39Z

Added bits of factions' playstyle

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:01, 24 February 2023
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	! Faction !! Short Fluff		! Faction !! Short Fluff
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''Algoryn Prosperate''' \|\| The Algoryn Prosperate is the largest and amongst the most advanced of the independent panhuman federations, and fights a constant war to protect its borders ~~- particularly against~~ the Ghar.		\| '''Algoryn Prosperate''' \|\| The Algoryn Prosperate is the largest and amongst the most advanced of the independent panhuman federations, boasting over 300 federated systems plus 3000 subjugated ones, and fights a constant war to protect its borders, as their location within the Nexus is right between the Senatex and Concord, as well as the main target of Ghar attacks. On the field, they often rely on elite troops and commanders.
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''Boromite Guilds''' \|\| The Boromites are bio-adapted for asteroid mining. Their hardiness makes them highly valued mercenary fighters and they uniquely make use of weapons developed from mining tools including mass compactors and frag borers.		\| '''Boromite Guilds''' \|\| The Boromites are bio-adapted for asteroid mining and thus all look like variations of [[Marvel Comics\|Thing from the Fantastic Four]]. Their hardiness makes them highly valued mercenary fighters and they uniquely make use of weapons developed from mining tools including mass compactors and frag borers. On the field, these fellas are the most likely to engage in glorious melee, thanks to their natural toughness and strength.
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''Panhuman Concord''' \|\| The military of the Panhuman Concord is directed by a branch of the IMTel called the Concord Combined Command – or C3. The Concord responds to threats against it with logical ruthlessness, dispatching heavily armed forces throughout Antarean space.		\| '''Panhuman Concord''' \|\| The military of the Panhuman Concord is directed by a branch of the IMTel called the Concord Combined Command – or C3. The Concord responds to threats against it with logical ruthlessness, dispatching heavily armed forces throughout Antarean space. On the field, they're [[Tau\|among the shootiest soldiers available, with plenty of ranged ordnance, while being unfit for close combat]].
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''Freeborn''' \|\| The Freeborn are great merchants and traders whose fleets maintain a free-flow of commodities and technology across the whole of Antarean space. They hire armed troops to anyone willing to pay for them.		\| '''Freeborn''' \|\| The Freeborn are great merchants and traders whose fleets maintain a free-flow of commodities and technology across the whole of Antarean space. They hire armed troops to anyone willing to pay for them. They generally field slightly inferior versions of troops available to other factions, but have access to a larger variety of units to choose from, as they are the merchant faction, so to speak.
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''Ghar Empire''' \|\| The Ghar are twisted, spiteful and pitiless creatures driven by an unquenchable hatred of all panhumans. They view other kinds of human as vermin that it is their job to eradicate. The Ghar themselves are hunched, repulsive creatures but they are rarely seen out of their huge, amoured battle suits. Their tech is relatively primitive, powered by unstable plasma reactors that constantly leak toxic radiation.		\| '''Ghar Empire''' \|\| The resident [[grimdark]]/evil faction. The Ghar are twisted, spiteful and pitiless creatures driven by an unquenchable hatred of all panhumans. They view other kinds of human as vermin that it is their job to eradicate. The Ghar themselves are hunched, repulsive creatures but they are rarely seen out of their huge, amoured battle suits. Their tech is relatively primitive, powered by unstable plasma reactors that constantly leak toxic radiation. They tend to field very powerful and uniquely keyworded units, as well as some cannon fodder. The ideal way of using them is going all out on the enemy, losses be damned.
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''Isorian Senatex''' \|\| The original Pan-Human Concord, the Isorian’s broke off (became a separate shard) when they became infected with biosilicon nanospore. As a result, their organic aesthetic is very different and one of the most interesting to be found and they utilise their former alien enemy, the Tsan, in their forces. They are, however, as advanced as the Concord and have access to some unique equipment and capabilities in both weapons, armour and the Tsan Ra aliens.		\| '''Isorian Senatex''' \|\| The original Pan-Human Concord, the Isorian’s broke off (became a separate shard) when they became infected with biosilicon nanospore. As a result, their organic aesthetic is very different and one of the most interesting to be found and they utilise their former alien enemy, the Tsan, in their forces. They are, however, as advanced as the Concord and have access to some unique equipment and capabilities in both weapons, armour and the Tsan Ra aliens. Similar to the Concord, they prefer to be a shooty army, though with focus on being the nimble kind of shooty: all their light infantry can use the "Down" action if they're shot at, even if they were already activated. When finesse won't do, they rely on the Tsan Ra for messy assaults and heavy armor.
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''Virai Dronescourge''' \|\| The mandatory "life-erasing robot AI" on nearly every sci-fi setting. Vira are an artificial life form with a complex machine intelligence. They do not call themselves the Virai: it is the rest of the universe that has done so – Viral AI. Even their logo is the warning symbol used by the Antares races to warn of Virai – the stylised top down view of a Virai Warrior drone.		\| '''Virai Dronescourge''' \|\| The mandatory "life-erasing robot AI" on nearly every sci-fi setting. Vira are an artificial life form with a complex machine intelligence. They do not call themselves the Virai: it is the rest of the universe that has done so – Viral AI. Even their logo is the warning symbol used by the Antares races to warn of Virai – the stylised top down view of a Virai Warrior drone. On the table, they are similar to [[Tyranids]], with commanders being the most important units, surrounded by swarms of smaller constructs ready to rip apart their enemies.
	\|-		\|-
	\| '''Vorl Ordo''' \|\| The Vorl are an intelligent, technologically alien species who were connected to the Nexus some time during the PanHuman Second or Third Ages (precise connection times are not known). They are a symbiosis, a merge of three distinct creatures who, far back in their evolution, merged to better forage and survive. Since then, the Vorl have continually tampered with their genetic make-up – indeed, it is part of their (complex) reproductive practices that DNA from species they eat are incorporated into their offspring.		\| '''Vorl Ordo''' \|\| The Vorl are an intelligent, technologically alien species who were connected to the Nexus some time during the PanHuman Second or Third Ages (precise connection times are not known). They are a symbiosis, a merge of three distinct creatures who, far back in their evolution, merged to better forage and survive. Since then, the Vorl have continually tampered with their genetic make-up – indeed, it is part of their (complex) reproductive practices that DNA from species they eat are incorporated into their offspring. On the tabletop, they are a very flexible force, usually working better with units carrying more models than having more units and command dice.
	\|-		\|-
	\|}		\|}


	=Stat Breakdown=		=Stat Breakdown=

1d4chan>Mistermano: More general info on the setting

2023-02-24T01:25:04Z

More general info on the setting

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:25, 24 February 2023
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	=Setting=		=Setting=

	The Antares is a colossal machine, powered by a red giant star, and a companion dwarf star, that has tunnels and gates to millions of different places around the universe, thus acting as a Nexus. Ships that can handle the 2,000° Celsius trip while on the Nexus can easily make FTL travel by jumping through these gates. Gates aren't static and they may collapse, essentially cutting access to parts of the universe, then rebuilding the gates and pointing them to different places. Such events mark the Ages of the Antares universe, and the game is set on the brink of a probable seventh collapse.		The Antares is a colossal machine, powered by a red giant star, and a companion dwarf star, Obureg, that has tunnels and gates to millions of different places around the universe, thus acting as a Nexus. Ships that can handle the 2,000° Celsius trip while on the Nexus can easily make FTL travel by jumping through these gates. Gates aren't static and they may collapse, essentially cutting access to parts of the universe, then rebuilding the gates and pointing them to different places. Such events mark the Ages of the Antares universe, and the game is set on the brink of a probable seventh collapse.

	Although it's not specified or even hinted how Antares looks, considering that ships passing through have to fly within the star's photosphere (its "surface"), almost "sailing" through its plasma currents, it's likely that the nexus is a form of Dyson Sphere, with the gates on the star-facing side. This also means that ships are forced to deal with a time dilation of 5.6 to 1: for every 1 hour the ship and its passengers experience, roughly 5 hours and 36 minutes passed "outside".		Although it's not specified or even hinted how Antares looks, considering that ships passing through have to fly within the star's photosphere (its "surface"), almost "sailing" through its plasma currents, it's likely that the nexus is a form of Dyson Sphere, with the gates on the star-facing side. There are also gates that lie so deep within the photosphere that they can only be accessed when the gravitational pull of Obureg makes the plasma flow more amenable, which is still a very risky maneuver, because you are literally sinking deeper within a red giant star's atomsphere and gravitational pull. This also means that ships are forced to deal with a time dilation of 5.6 to 1: for every 1 hour the ship and its passengers experience, roughly 5 hours and 36 minutes passed "outside".

	For the most part, ~~human society is~~ post-scarcity and everything runs on [[Metal_Gear\|<s>nanomachines</s> nanospores, son]]. This means that where these things are present, human brains are effectively connected to the internet at all times, which is called Integrated Machine Intelligence, or IMTel. Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, though, as the nanospores of different factions are largely incompatible with one another~~, which~~ is where the Freeborn houses come in: they work mostly getting stuff from one faction, sterilizing the nanospores' defense mechanisms, then selling to other factions.		'''Obureg''' is as important to the maintenance of Antares as a whole as the Moon is to the Earth's oceanic currents. The dwarf companion star directs the plasma flow of the larger giant, and can also detect ship to ship combat happening within Antares, changing the plasma flow in order to destroy all those involved. How it does all that is a mystery, and leads people to believe that the whole thing might as well be some sort of sentient construct.

			Finding these gates within star systems is hard, as they are basically invisible if looked at from the wrong angle, as they are "holes" into the null-space dimension that allows for the FTL transport. There is a passing mention of explorers finding alien civilizations capable of near-light speed travel that have completely failed to notice the gate within their reach. Even if they do discover a gate, it's not guaranteed they'll uncover the mechanisms to make it work.

			With any attempt to control access to gates from within Antares all but impossible, control of the systems residing on the other side is what creates tensions and disputes between the powers. While space battles are mentioned, there's nothing pertaining a possible system for playing those (''then again, can you point '''any''' single person even remotely interested in BtGA?'').

			For the most part, panhuman societies are post-scarcity and everything runs on [[Metal_Gear\|<s>nanomachines</s> nanospores, son]]. This means that where these things are present, human brains are effectively connected to the internet at all times, which is called Integrated Machine Intelligence, or IMTel, and keeps track of all their physical and psychological needs. Although there's no "active" mind control from IMTel, the intelligence nudges people into developing specific skills, according to needs and how the individual is expected to grow. Once the human body naturally expires (which can take over 200 years, thanks to all the technological advances), the mind can be uploaded and then downloaded into a new clone body. Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, though, as the nanospores of different factions are largely incompatible with one another and are also susceptible to hacking and general electronics warfare. This is where the Freeborn houses come in: they work mostly getting stuff from one faction, sterilizing the nanospores' defense mechanisms, then selling to other factions. Still, on the whole, being a panhuman and living within the Senatex, Concord or Algoryn means you're very likely to have a [[Noblebright\|long, fruitful and problem-free life]].

	The term panhuman is used to identify any species, called morphs, that originated from ancient humans. These are the Algoryn, Boromites, Ferals, Gyohn, Hantale, Krasz, NuHu and Vyess. There are also misgenic rejects, which are the results of failed experiments into creating new morphs, such as by inserting and mixing animal genes with artificial genes and another morph's genes.		The term panhuman is used to identify any species, called morphs, that originated from ancient humans. These are the Algoryn, Boromites, Ferals, Gyohn, Hantale, Krasz, NuHu and Vyess. There are also misgenic rejects, which are the results of failed experiments into creating new morphs, such as by inserting and mixing animal genes with artificial genes and another morph's genes.