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I'm wondering what themes and narrative ideas are explored in Against the Aeon Throne, sort of like how Dead Suns centers on things like the powers and properties of stars (seriously, that AP is MADE for Solarians and Star Shaman Mystics!), investigating and studying the past and whether or not some things are worth digging up (the history of the Kish, Kishalee and the Stellar Degenerator), as well as different peoples' responses to death and the end spinning out into unhealthy, frankly evil, extremes (the insane nihilism of the Cult of the Devourer contrasted with the cold, detached pragmatism of the Corpse Fleet).
So...what story is Against the Aeon Throne trying to tell? I know part of it is as an introduction to the Azlanti Star Empire: it's as much a character in the AP as the PC's or their individual enemies, and it's clearly the star of the show the way Darth Vader is on a smaller, individual scale in Star Wars. The Empire's culture is put under the spotlight, the characters' we're shown are exemplars of what the Empire is like, and it's all contrasted with the PCs, who are most likely much more freedom-loving and benevolent. But is that it? What else does this AP explore in telling its story, and how can that be woven into the narrative arc of a PC's own story?
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Against the Aeon Throne reminds me of the Federation and the Romulans in Star Trek.
Not sure if that helps, but that's the vibe I get from it.
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The three central themes in AtAt to me are that of friendship, the harshness of life in the Vast, and what happens when the frontier meets industrialization. We have Cedona, a walking, talking McGuffin with feelings and a flat-affect. The people and places of the fringe, be it colony or outpost. Finally, we have the opposite of the fringe with the ASE, and the lengths one must go to when opposing them.
For a quick snapshot of the overall feel, look no further than the map of Madelon's Landing with the ASE garrison at it's center. Later this symbolism is reversed when the PCs venture into ASE territory. How could such a force be contested? As the story unfolds, much can be attributed to hubris, a great equalizer.
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Against the Aeon Throne reminds me of the Federation and the Romulans in Star Trek.
Not sure if that helps, but that's the vibe I get from it.
It kind of helps? Perhaps you could go into a little more detail for people like me whose Star Trek experience is limited primarily to documentaries about Star Trek and its cultural impact and the modern movies?
The three central themes in AtAt to me are that of friendship, the harshness of life in the Vast, and what happens when the frontier meets industrialization. We have Cedona, a walking, talking McGuffin with feelings and a flat-affect. The people and places of the fringe, be it colony or outpost. Finally, we have the opposite of the fringe with the ASE, and the lengths one must go to when opposing them.
For a quick snapshot of the overall feel, look no further than the map of Madelon's Landing with the ASE garrison at it's center. Later this symbolism is reversed when the PCs venture into ASE territory. How could such a force be contested? As the story unfolds, much can be attributed to hubris, a great equalizer.
Interesting observations! I did get the impression that it's sort of a primer as to what kind of adventures the ASE lends itself to, the feeling like PCs facing the ASE should feel like the Rebel Alliance against the Galactic Empire, plucky underdogs making guerrilla strikes against an overwhelming fascist power!
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Against the Aeon Throne reminds me of the Federation and the Romulans in Star Trek.
Not sure if that helps, but that's the vibe I get from it.
It kind of helps? Perhaps you could go into a little more detail for people like me whose Star Trek experience is limited primarily to documentaries about Star Trek and its cultural impact and the modern movies?
Interesting observations! I did get the impression that it's sort of a primer as to what kind of adventures the ASE lends itself to, the feeling like PCs facing the ASE should feel like the Rebel Alliance against the Galactic Empire, plucky underdogs making guerrilla strikes against an overwhelming fascist power!The three central themes in AtAt to me are that of friendship, the harshness of life in the Vast, and what happens when the frontier meets industrialization. We have Cedona, a walking, talking McGuffin with feelings and a flat-affect. The people and places of the fringe, be it colony or outpost. Finally, we have the opposite of the fringe with the ASE, and the lengths one must go to when opposing them.
For a quick snapshot of the overall feel, look no further than the map of Madelon's Landing with the ASE garrison at it's center. Later this symbolism is reversed when the PCs venture into ASE territory. How could such a force be contested? As the story unfolds, much can be attributed to hubris, a great equalizer.
That Rebel Alliance feel was totally what we were going for. The Azlanti Star Empire are one of the few known political entities whose power extends beyond a single star system.
Even if the PCs succeed at the campaign, the Empire is still out there and is still strong. You don't take down the Empire by taking down one noble. This shouldn't diminish the PCs' accomplishments, of course, but make them realize how fortunate they were to go against the Empire and live!
I appreciate the feeling of forboding and outright danger I'm getting while reading the chapters that take place in ASE territory. I can't wait to really lay it on thick when expressing to the players the severity of the situation they are in.
That Rebel Alliance feel was totally what we were going for. The Azlanti Star Empire are one of the few known political entities whose power extends beyond a single star system.
Even if the PCs succeed at the campaign, the Empire is still out there and is still strong. You don't take down the Empire by taking down one noble. This shouldn't diminish the PCs' accomplishments, of course, but make them realize how fortunate they were to go against the Empire and live!
I don't know about that. It felt more like resisting the Peacekeepers, as the Azlanti are acting as an external invader in The Reach of Empire. Another good example would be German Occupation of some of the smaller French towns in WWII