I'm DMing a campaign and one of the players is really into Warhammer 40k. I'm very unfamiliar with the lore.
I want to know if anyone else is trying to build a campaign built around Warhammer lore, or if someone with more experience with the lore could give me some advice.
I haven't played it, but I know they have a Warhammer 40K ttrpg.
Personally I'll be playing Starfinder in the canonical setting, and I'm not sure if the rules of Starfinder would lend well to trying to do Warhammer 40k.
Like Power Armor isn't nearly as advantageous in Starfidner as Warhammer Space Marines would have you believe.
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The setting as is would take very easily to a 40K adaptation. there is already plenty of gear that would serve as a stand in for all kinds of stuff and the fusion seal system is eerily similar to the purity seals that the imperium of man uses for everything. the biggest things to think of is that in 40 most humans would refuse to associate with aliens but there are enough fringe scenarios that you could make it work. also, really, really, really play up the dangers of using the drift.
Is there something in particular you want to emulate? Rogue Trader, a group of xenos or humans and xenos working together? something about Chaos?
If its just the looks, heavy armor, call laser weapons Las-noun, gyrojet weapons are bolters, a fangblade is a chainsword. easy stuff.
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Oh, there is definitely some influence there. The Knights of Golarion and the Hellknights both scream "Space Marine".
I also love the reference in the book to "Iomodaean Cathedral Ships" in the book.
If I were making a Warhammer-esque campaign here's what I'd do:
A group of cultists has invented some magitech that allows them to create holes in worlds (ala the Worldwound) and have been going around the galaxy, making bigger and bigger wounds on planets, letting in hordes of ravenous demons.
The Knights of Golarion and fellow crusaders have launched an armada to stop the cultists once and for all and rid the worlds of the demons.
Potential enemies include the insectile Swarm, Space-Orc pirates, and a mysterious group of solarions with a hidden agenda.
I really appreciate the help guys. Currently my plan is not to have an entirely Warhammer set campaign, but instead put it in the Starfinder universe, with Warhammer pieces put in.
The campaign I have so far is to have a major player (Level 20 Mystic) of the government investigate something relating to a Worldwound. Have him get corrupted by chaos (Tzeentch specifically if that matters) along with a power armored legion of Knights of Golarion (thanks for the tips!)
Upon your advice Torbyne I'll probably make a sect of humans be incredibly anti xeno as well as play up the dangers of the drift.
Might amp of the percentage of drift encounters, but put different rated Geller field generators as part as a BP buy for starships.
Does any of this stand out as incorrect? Again I appreciate the input!
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Hijiggy wrote: I really appreciate the help guys. Currently my plan is not to have an entirely Warhammer set campaign, but instead put it in the Starfinder universe, with Warhammer pieces put in.
The campaign I have so far is to have a major player (Level 20 Mystic) of the government investigate something relating to a Worldwound. Have him get corrupted by chaos (Tzeentch specifically if that matters) along with a power armored legion of Knights of Golarion (thanks for the tips!)
Upon your advice Torbyne I'll probably make a sect of humans be incredibly anti xeno as well as play up the dangers of the drift.
Might amp of the percentage of drift encounters, but put different rated Geller field generators as part as a BP buy for starships.
Does any of this stand out as incorrect? Again I appreciate the input!
Sounds pretty fun actually. My only note, minor though it is, if you are making something as important as a Geller Field part of the point buy of a ship, you may want to give some extra points to spend so they can keep the rest of their armor, sensors, shields and weapons up to snuff. Or it gives them a fun but bad choice to make by spending the extra points on more dakka at the cost of getting royally messed up by Chaos whenever they enter the drift. Another thought along those lines, what if the players want to join Chaos themselves? Make it tempting, maybe another free theme they can take after character creation but as they get higher in levels they start manifesting their corruption? Might be a little far from the story you are going for though.
This setting already copies 40K in some ways. The star stone compass describes their navigation system is the same as the astronomicon.
There is a lot going on in 40k, the setting has been growing and adding bits and pieces for 30 years. I'd talk to the player and try to figure out which elements he's interested in.
For example, to me 40k is about an incredibly bleak view of the future and human nature. So bleak and over the top that we have the word "grimdark" to make fun of it. Humanity is stagnant, corrupt, superstitious, fascist, xenophobic, and generally terrible. They are only protagonists because the opposition is even more over the top awful.
But that's just me, there are other people who are really into the interpersonal drama between the Primarchs, who like the Chaos Gods, who like the Eldar, or whatever. My point is it is a big universe with a lot of elements rattling around. It would be a shame to organize your game around Tzeentch only to discover what he really likes is slapstick Orks or flying space battleship cathedrals.
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It is only grimdark if you don't obey Matt Ward and the Ultramarines. If you do, it is nobledark and you never lose. Even when you do lose, you still win through retcon.
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