 October 3, 2010 - 5:35pm | The Jedion was looking to discuss archaeology, mysteries and Star Frontiers your favorite archaeological mystery from Earth and Sol System, Ideas for crafting a archaeological and or Lost Whatever themed adventure for SF, or anything that ties into the above parameters is on topic. Here's some web sites for inspiration: http://meta-religion.com/Archaeology/Other/10_mysteries_archaoelogy.htm http://www.unmuseum.org/odd.htm http://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2009/07/sudanese-photographer-vit-hassan-meroe.html http://www.subversiveelement.com/JapansUnderwaterPyramids.html http://listverse.com/2008/07/23/10-more-unsolved-mysteries-of-the-world/ 1. One of my personal favorites is the viking visiters throughout New England and possibly as far as Wisconsin that is not widely accepted. 2. For a setting that inspires me is the city of Petra which is seen at the end of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Its a narrow ravine with a city carved into the sides of the ravine walls. 3. Lost Pirate Treasure is a bit mundane compared to the mysteries above but is always intriguing and would translate well to SF- Hatzk Nar's hidden asteroid cache discovered and the race is on to claim its treasure. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
 October 3, 2010 - 7:07pm | Lost unknown technology is always cool. What is the benefit to the players, employer or frontier? Treasure Planet for SF would be fun, possibly leading to the far west of the map. Anything leading to the Tecrearchs is cool. I started an artifact thread that might be helpful. |
 October 3, 2010 - 11:00pm | I remember the intrigue while playing a D&D adventure that involved the 'Rod of Seven Parts'. We (the PCs) traveled all over the world, getting into all kinds of furballs looking for each part. There were only a few of us left alive by time we finally found the seventh part. Lots O' fun! My SF website izz: http://ragnarr.webs.com |
October 4, 2010 - 6:10pm | A ghost ship... lost in the recesses of space but containing an atrifact (drive, weapon, power source) much like a bermuda triangle/indiana jones mixture.... Death is lighter than a feather Duty is heavier than a mountain |
 October 4, 2010 - 6:18pm | Well, I do have to pull from Star Wars here: in the Black Fleet Crisis trilogy, there was a story arc with Lando, Lobot, C-3P0 and R2-D2 exploring a vagabond alien ship, and the Knights of the Old Republic games dealt with exploring old ruins for ancient alien technology. So there are some ideas to be gleaned there. Also, there is the "Life After People" series from the History Channel, that can give a good idea of just how well "modern" ruins might fare in various climates through time, and National Geographic did a great piece, "Collapse", that imagined a team of investigators looking back 200 years to the modern day to try and figure out what happen to 21st century civilization. Long live the Frontier! |
 October 5, 2010 - 6:06pm | The shooting from the hip answer is there once was this mining ship which was way out on one of those secret Megacorp locations. On their way back they got a distress call and went to check it out. They found a treasure trove of an alien hulk and made a new friend. Think it could work as a SF mission. Sounds like a great job but where did you say we had to go? |
October 6, 2010 - 10:40am | One of the things I've used from the old Zeb's guide is the plague worlds. In my reality, there's no plague there; the UPF/megacorps/cults & cardes/Sathar have other, secretive uses for these planets... One is a "dumping ground" for an experiment in genetic engineering gone awry. Another was settled by well-meaning "green" technophiles, but the local flora reacted agressively. That kind of thing... Long live the Frontier! |
October 6, 2010 - 5:28pm | Ah sort of like Earth 2 but with quicker travel time. Sounds like a great job but where did you say we had to go? |
 October 7, 2010 - 10:06am | One of the forgotten aspects of Star Frontiers was that there was once a great alien civilization that was lost, leaving behind ruins and artifact that lay waiting to be discovered. It was noted in the Alpha Dawn Basic Rulebook, but this simple hook was overshadowed by the Sathar conflict. Exploring the ruins of once advanced, but now long forgotten cultures is a staple with sword and sorcery fiction and as well as science fiction. Much like Conan in the strange green-stone cities, or the Enterprise exploring a mysterious empty city on what they thought was an empty world - such adventures and discoveries are full of strange wonders and mysteries! These elements should be more capitalized on. |
October 7, 2010 - 11:46am | One of the forgotten aspects of Star Frontiers was that there was once a great alien civilization that was lost, leaving behind ruins and artifact that lay waiting to be discovered. It was noted in the Alpha Dawn Basic Rulebook, but this simple hook was overshadowed by the Sathar conflict. Exploring the ruins of once advanced, but now long forgotten cultures is a staple with sword and sorcery fiction and as well as science fiction. Much like Conan in the strange green-stone cities, or the Enterprise exploring a mysterious empty city on what they thought was an empty world - such adventures and discoveries are full of strange wonders and mysteries! These elements should be more capitalized on. Very true. I just don't know where to start. Every sci-fi movie I've seen with ancient ruins seem cheesy. Are there any good books to read for inspiration? |
October 7, 2010 - 2:39pm | Don't forget that the Volturnus trilogy has alien ruins, space pirates and the Sathar! It has the three major themes of SF all in one. For me, exploring alien ruins is actually a big part of games I've run (though I haven't run any in years). If I ever find a group, the main campaign I have in mind is all about a recently discovered world and the various factions trying to gain access to the alien ruins on it. There are several ancient aliens mentioned in the SF canon, also; the Tetrarchs, the Ancients, the Clikks, and of course the Eorna. And there could be many more, as many as you'd want to create. The real fun with most of the canon ancients is they are little more than names. You can create whatever you want with them. I'll try looking up other sci-fi ancients to see what might spark some ideas. Oh, don't forget the whole backstory of the Lensmen series... Long live the Frontier! |
October 7, 2010 - 4:38pm | Very true. I just don't know where to start. Every sci-fi movie I've seen with ancient ruins seem cheesy. Are there any good books to read for inspiration? Engines of the Gods- by Jack McDevitt (obvious play on the book Chariots of the Gods) seriously cool story- as humanity moves out into the cosmos they find strange monuments built by alien intelligence but no trace of the builders. As typical for McDevitt its a mystery story but its also packed with tons of action - I'd say more but its better you read it less I spoil the story I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
 October 7, 2010 - 5:46pm | There's a lot you can do with this plot for a story, from an Aliens type to Forbidden Planet scenarios. Or even make a sci-fi version of the Mummy. The backstory from Lensman? Are you meaning the interaction between the Arisians and Eddorians or the destruction of Atlantis before the rise of civilization as we know it? There's a lot to that Lensman story. In every age, in every place, the deeds of men remain the same. |
October 8, 2010 - 11:00pm | Refer to: Ghost Station |
October 9, 2010 - 4:12am | In writing any kind of Sci-Fi using the "An Ancient and Powerful Race now gone" as an explanation for anything can quickly lose you credibility with your audience. It is the cop out explanation for the very powerful things the characters find that their technology can't make. Careful detailing of who, what, how and especially why are needed for the race and any items left behind or you might as well start handing out Wands of Magic Missiles. Sounds like a great job but where did you say we had to go? |
October 9, 2010 - 7:01pm | In writing any kind of Sci-Fi using the "An Ancient and Powerful Race now gone" as an explanation for anything can quickly lose you credibility with your audience. It is the cop out explanation for the very powerful things the characters find that their technology can't make. Careful detailing of who, what, how and especially why are needed for the race and any items left behind or you might as well start handing out Wands of Magic Missiles. Good point- The origingal Star Trek started to tank when the writers got lazy and started using deus ex machina repeatedly in the 3rd season I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
 October 15, 2010 - 5:34pm | The Ben Bova book Mars was a good mystery sci-fi. For those that didn't read it, the Discovery Channel series Race to Mars was very much based on it. Basically we finally go to Mars and do some exploration and mining and the usual stuff that follows, but then people start getting sick. They can't figure out why and they get more and more tired, incapable of rational thought and then they figure out what is going on. Excellent twist in the book (the series did something different) at the end as to what was going on. I of course will not spoil it if you didn't read the book. "I reject your reality and substitute my own."
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October 15, 2010 - 10:10pm | Shing wrote: [ I of course will not spoil it if you didn't read the book. ] Bling blang it all! You and my ol' English Lit professor both trying to trick me into reading books and stuff to improve my small brain!  Sounds like a good story though, so away to Barnes & Noble I must go. My SF website izz: http://ragnarr.webs.com |
October 18, 2010 - 1:32pm | Bling blang it all! You and my ol' English Lit professor both trying to trick me into reading books and stuff to improve my small brain! Phenomenal Rag Powers! itty bitty brain cavity  |
 October 20, 2010 - 5:40pm | Should I be worried about immediately getting the Aladin reference? The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of
the strong. * Attributed to Mahatma Gandhi |
October 20, 2010 - 6:16pm | Nope, just that you posted your awareness first. "I reject your reality and substitute my own."
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 October 26, 2010 - 1:55pm | I kinda love the idea of the "Dungeon" pilfering...er...exploration within the context of Star Frontiers. I mean the universe is a big place with many races and civilizations that have come and gone, leaving all kinds of goodies behind on as yet explored planets, just waiting for some intrepid, and a little devil may care group of adventurers...er explorers to discover. "Hey guys I wonder what this does"-Famous last words "Hey guys, I think it's friendly." -Famous last words "You go on ahead, I'll catch up." -Famous last words "Did you here that?" -Famous last words |
