Technology in BW

[Mickeroo]

I was thinking of introducing technology into the BW setting. In my campaign, everyone, for various reasons, has just come across the ocean to a continent that was discoveres (by their people) just a couple of years ago. I was mainly just afraid that the players wouldn't like it, but then one said that he wished that there was technology.

How should I go about introducing it? I was thinking of having advnaced civilizations on the other side of the world who have just let the other half live until they developed on thier own. Should I make it available in it's entirey to the players, say it's beyond thier grasp but have NPCs use it, or somewhere in between. The thing is that the more I let the players use it, the more I have to hav concrete rules for every little thing. I mean, it's ok to have a cybernetic arm on an NPC and when I need to apply it, make up rules, but if PCs start getting stuff, I need info right then.

[Kublai]

Technology is really simple. Just give us an item and we'll tell you how to rules-ify it!

[Mickeroo]

Well, this is a rough idea I had for a system I'm making, but I figured I could at least play test the concept using Burning Wheel mechanics.

Across said ocean is a race of people with (we'll call them) nanomachines in their blood. It lets them easily attach mechanical devices to themselves and everyone (excpet outcasts) have at least one such enhancement. I'm thinking about cybernetic arms, legs, maybe a metal skull (or at least part of one). I also had an idea for a bunch of different eyes, pretty much one for every light type (infrared, ultraviolet, night vision) and one that could act as a sustained magesense.

I am most likely going to say that this race is a little behind in every area except for cybernetics, where they are centuries ahead of thier time. (My system is going to be more futuristic, so they'll fit better)

By the way, posts are property of the posters, right?

[luke]

By the way, posts are property of the posters, right?

none of us are going to steal your ideas, Mike. I can't vouch for lurkers, though.

Anyway, mechanically enhanced limbs are easy. They give a Power bonus when using that limb. When struck, on a DOF 1 they malfunction in some cool way.

Also, metal parts get "natural armor." 2 or 3D is a good place to start.

Eyes give bonus to Perception and add traits like The Sense or Celestial Sight.

-L

[Mickeroo]

I think the best part will be that they'll never see a cyborg coming.

[TickTockMan]

I have found that technology is pretty easy to simulate with the Burning Wheel. I base this on a game created in one of the best well-known scifi universes of the last 30 years. My wife has asked me to run a one-shot for Star Wars in honor of episode 3 coming out, and it has not taken much tweaking to get it done. Here is a little of what I considered-

The MonBu can make almost anything in terms of aliens or creatures. No problems there. I used it for droids and cyborgs too, since non of my players would be playing one.

Most Jedi powers can either be traits or created with Abstractions (there is a reason that Jedi all seem to use the same powers- its distillation!)

Armor is still armor, ranged combat is still ranged combat, etc. Technology levels seem to keep pace with one another, so you do not to inflate armor and weapon VA scores, maybe up the Add a little but even that is not necessary. I did switch Firearms to the Bow's Die of Fate, since blasters are more reliable then old Black Powder firearms.

If the time were ever to come where this would be a more regular part of our gaming, I would develop LP's for Droids and Wookies and such.

And I considered porting Orc Hatred in for the Dark Side, and using Faith for the Light Side. I do not think i will do it for the one shot, butmaybe down the road.

Most importantly though, I think Beliefs and Instincts do the best job with Light/Dark side that I have ever seen. The very stuff that makes Star Wars what it is can be addressed in those B's and I's. I think Beliefs and Instincts allow a character in an technologically advanced world to address the issues and problems that are relevant ot their time. Under a Serpent Sun is a great example of this.

Just a few things I considered, that might be helpful. Or not.