Conquest of the Universe is now officially in development. If you've been waiting for a Pathfinder-compatible space operatic campaign sourcebook, this might scratch your itch.
Tell me what you think. Ask questions.
Watch the skies.
Interesting.
Will you be using Dreamscarred psionics, or your own model?
Basically the Dreamscarred psionics, although of course I will not be reproducing the whole book. I am toying with creating a new class, although it is also possible I may instead do something with an archetype or psychic warrior paths.
The beauty of it is, soulknives make their own lightsabers. :D
Nice influence list, though you might want to check out the "original" Flash Gordon newspaper strips and not just the movie. (Awesomely goofball as it was.)
Definitely interested, I'll probably throw some money at your kickstarter.
I am familiar with the Flash Gordon comics. The title for CotU was inspired by Flash Gordon Space Soldiers Conquer the Universe, one of the titles used for the original 1940 film serials.
Here's a question for you swell kids. Let's say a setting has a prominent archetype who uses a set of distinctive abilities. Consider, for instance, how the Paladin has represented in D&D for a few editions of the game now. Imagine that this archetype could be cobbled together using mostly existing parts. Which seems more attractive to you?
A) Base Class
"I'm a 7th level Psionic Knight."
B) Do It Yourself
"I've created a 7th level psionic knight using the Psychic Warrior class, appropriate warrior paths, and feat choices.
C) Prestige Class
"I was a Psychic Warrior for three levels, then took four levels of Psionic Knight to focus on those iconic abilities."
D) Traits/Some Other Woodgie
"I'm a 6th level Psychic Warrior. Since this campaign assumes the use of Traits, I look the Squire trait, granting me a beam sword at first level and a minor psionic knack, befitting my character's background as a psionic knight."
If it's iconic enough within the setting, rock out a Base Class. If it can be done with an archetype of a Core/Base Class or even a DSP psionic class that's ok. Depends on how distinct it is from the Core/Base...
If it's iconic enough within the setting, rock out a Base Class. If it can be done with an archetype of a Core/Base Class or even a DSP psionic class that's ok. Depends on how distinct it is from the Core/Base...
That would be my take on it as well.
Right now the plan is to try to hack a new base class. Then, if I decide it overlaps too much with existing classes, I go to plan B.
I could see soulknives and psychic warriors as rival sects of the same totally-not-Jedi organization. "We don't need your clumsy technological laser swords!" "Yeah, well, we can focus our minds on more interesting powers!"
Rival sects, check. However, I don't have any plans to include soulknives specifically. For a variety of reasons, starting with total respect for Dreamscarred Press and ending with page count, I'm sticking with a few core classes and a slice of the powers and feats. Mechanically and stylistically, you shouldn't have trouble including additional material.
By the way, there's a Google+ community for the project now:
I hope this link will work.
So, getting back to that rival sects thing: "The deposed Knight of Di-Kai wield beam swords and the powers of the mind against their ancient enemies, the Knights of Maltheus, with their blackstar warswords, in a conflict transcending the current strife between Rebels and Empire. For the Knights of Maltheus seek nothing less than vengeance against the sect that suppressed their order and philosophy centuries ago. The Malthean Order provided the Emperor with the means to combat the Di-Kai, whom he stripped of authority and drove into rebellion in his quest for power."
Just a quick note: I've got the system pretty well hacked at this point, and I'm working on the playtest draft. The Kickstarter will be launching very soon.