10 by 10 room

OnRPGNet, Bailywolf sets of a brainstorm about how to justify melee combat in a high tech setting. There’s some excellent suggestions, of varying scientific validity. (The idea of relying only on social mores doesn’t need science at all! Except for social science.)

I especially like Shreyas’s contribution:

There is a telepathic kung fu that is popular among BADASS MOFOS. They’re highly perceptive, to the point that they can dodge projectiles by knowing where the gun is before the trigger’s pulled. But the greatest strength of their kung fu is in projection, and it’s very difficult to do this. In a combat situation, telepathic attack through the air is nigh-impossible.

But metal carries it, like electrical current. So they carry swords. Long, fast ones, the longest that will fit in the hallways. The purpose of the cut is not to injure, but only to make contact, to carry a mental attack from body to body. When they kill, the body is barely scratched, but blood wells from its mouth and eyes and its face is frozen in a look of terror.

I like this because it’s basically an excuse to plug fighting-game style combat and techniques into the game. (My love for the SoulBlade/SoulCalibur series is great.)

Check out the Burning Wheel frontpage today, and instead of fantasy you’ll see a georgeous backdrop of epic science fiction. What’s going on? Ask the Luke:

BURNING EMPIRES: An epic science fiction roleplaying game based on Christopher Moeller’s critically acclaimed Iron Empires graphic novels, designed by award-winning game designer and author of the Burning Wheel, Luke Crane.

BURNING EMPIRES uses the Burning Wheel system as its core and expands it to encompass the sweep of stories that decide the fate of worlds! In this game you will find mechanics for ingenious technology, subtle infiltration, fiery revolution, strategic warfare, searing debate and blazing firefights.

The player characters are the protagonists in a story that will decide their own fate, the fate of their loved ones and friends, and the fate of their very world. It is a trial of conviction and belief. To save all that you hold dear in BURNING EMPIRES, you must pass through the fire. And you will be changed. 

“Spinal cords. Fresh & healthy. We can’t clone’em, too complex. But man, if you get us a good source…” (And other Faustian bargains.)

“Serenity takes that ball and runs with it. Its great strength is the same as that of Firefly, and before it Farscape and Blake’s 7: its heroes are on the outside, doing what they have to do because they don’t have the luxury of power.”

You Can’t Take The Sky From Me: A Firefly Fan’s View, by Niall Harrison, in Strange Horizons