 April 2, 2008 - 6:54am | I was thinking about the first KH0 module and it had reference to an asteroid pirate base. After looking though the SF universe, not much has been done to explore this type of habitat, and I'd like to take this opportunity to do so. |
 April 2, 2008 - 3:59pm | I think it sounds like a great article. Thermal events (like in "The Chronicles of Riddick" and "Armageddon") might be kind of fun to play too. Or is "thermal events" an article in and of itself... ;) |
 April 2, 2008 - 6:03pm | No, I think thermal events would make a good subheading for the asteroid article. Also, The Chronicles of Riddick was not a good example. It seems to me that the breathable atmosphere of an asteroid would be burned away by a thermal event and replace it with heavy metals, sulphur, and ammonia, making it impossible to breathe, so it should only happen in an environment where you need to wear a spacesuit and only close to a sun, like between Mercury and Venus. Additionally, on the other side of a thermal event is a freezing event, so it's not too hospitable. |
April 3, 2008 - 12:36am | The Chronicles of Riddick was still a good example of context and drama with people being under-the-gun of a impending thermal event (albeit, on a planet, I believe.) That was a great scene in that movie and could play out wonderfully in a game. Give the players rebreathers or space suits if you need the realism... but racing against a clock, away from danger, toward a goal is almost always fun if run right. Give GM's some mechanics to pull it off easily and I think you have the makings of a nice article that could stand on its own. |
 April 3, 2008 - 5:55am | Science is only 50% of Science Fiction (honestly - count the letters!). I'm surprised with the amazing success of Star Wars, Star Trek, Riddick, and many many others that people get hung up on the realism factor all the time. It was a great part of the story - it had suspense and action and even some emotional element. Willful suspension of disbelief is a requirement of loving good science fiction! 3. We wear sungoggles during the day. Not because the sun affects our
vision, but when you're cool like us the sun shines all the time. |
April 4, 2008 - 12:12pm | Willful suspension of disbelief is a requirement of loving good science fiction! I could not agree more! :) |
 April 9, 2008 - 12:48pm | I say go for it. There are many reasons why astroids would be utilized. A military outpost, Observation platform, Large scale and private mining in astroid belts could all be a very viable part of Star Frontiers. whole towns could be hollowed out of a large astroid. These towns could be dens for pirates, working stiffs, Sathar agents, Treasure hunters looking to cash in, etc. The possibilities for adventures are enless. I used a hollowed out astroid in an adventure for a secret science lab. Doing experiments on things illegal and too dangerous to have near populated worlds. The characters felt it neccessary to overload the reactor and detonate the whole mess... hehehe would you make it a zero g affair? or have some sort of artificial gravity or centrifigal force? At least I got to scare an alien rabbit thingy...... |
 April 11, 2008 - 5:06pm | Science is only 50% of Science Fiction (honestly - count the letters!). I'm surprised with the amazing success of Star Wars, Star Trek, Riddick, and many many others that people get hung up on the realism factor all the time. It was a great part of the story - it had suspense and action and even some emotional element. Willful suspension of disbelief is a requirement of loving good science fiction! And some times it can only account for 25% depending on what kind of Sci-Fi you are into. Confucious Says: Man with one chopstick go hungry. Man who eat many prunes get good run for money. Man who live in glass house should change clothes in basement. |
April 13, 2008 - 4:13pm | I would like to see more on this. If I ever get that Random Planet-System Generator I think your additons would be perfect to add. :-) Example:
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May 7, 2008 - 4:39am | I mean to say weeks ago thanks for all the input for this piece, but other things have creeped in (as they always do!) This article hasn't been forgotten and I'm working on it where I can. I already have 20+ pages produced, so there's a fair bit - drawings still to be done. |
May 12, 2008 - 9:57am | I mean to say weeks ago thanks for all the input for this piece, but other things have creeped in (as they always do!) This article hasn't been forgotten and I'm working on it where I can. I already have 20+ pages produced, so there's a fair bit - drawings still to be done. I have been in the same predicament, not enough time lately. I have the description and text almost done for the mass accelerater. I still need to finish the artwork. I can PM the text if you are still interested. At least I got to scare an alien rabbit thingy...... |
May 12, 2008 - 9:06pm | Elpotop look up the series called the Saga of the Seven Suns. It is by Kevin J. Anderson who wrote about a gypsy like human faction that uses asteroid bases to hide from the Kingdom of Man (who comes after them with extreme military force). There are also some other cool ideas I am looking into writing about in the SFMAN with inspiration from this series. Confucious Says: Man with one chopstick go hungry. Man who eat many prunes get good run for money. Man who live in glass house should change clothes in basement. |
May 13, 2008 - 8:45am | Thanks Gergmmaster - I've actually bought the book and haven't read it! That's what happens when you move house. I'll dig it out and make it a priority to read! |
May 13, 2008 - 9:20am | NP (no problem) another great resource is Alastair Reynolds's Revelation Space series. He uses the idea that people one day use asteroids as habitats, cities, labs, and getaway spots. Pretty neat concept. Confucious Says: Man with one chopstick go hungry. Man who eat many prunes get good run for money. Man who live in glass house should change clothes in basement. |
 May 13, 2008 - 9:21am | NP (no problem) another great resource is Alastair Reynolds's Revelation Space series. He uses the idea that people one day use asteroids as habitats, cities, labs, and getaway spots. Pretty neat concept. Now you've got me pondering conversions of Demarchists, Conjoiners and other Inhibitorverse things. Sheesh!  If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe. -- Carl Sagan |
May 13, 2008 - 11:15am | NP (no problem) another great resource is Alastair Reynolds's Revelation Space series. He uses the idea that people one day use asteroids as habitats, cities, labs, and getaway spots. Pretty neat concept. Now you've got me pondering conversions of Demarchists, Conjoiners and other Inhibitorverse things. Sheesh! I'm just pondering... 
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May 13, 2008 - 4:17pm | That would be a cool little setting for SF. But, it might be too grim for people. Confucious Says: Man with one chopstick go hungry. Man who eat many prunes get good run for money. Man who live in glass house should change clothes in basement. |
