Setting FAQ

General discussion on 1879.
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stouty
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Setting FAQ

Postby stouty » Wed Nov 28, 2012 2:58 am

This is a FAQ post that covers specific questions about the 1879 setting. For game rules questions, see the Miniatures, Roleplaying or Application forums.

What is 1879?
1879 is an alternate history of Earth during the Victorian era with elements of steampunk. In this history, Prince Albert survives, Queen Victoria becomes driven to support development of technology to aid her crippled husband, and a crazed inventor accidentally opens a portal to a distant planet. The setting is about the British empire expanding into the new world, the factions there that oppose the conquest, the social and political intrigue that continues on Earth from nations and private interests, and the people brave enough to step into a brave new frontier.

Is this any different than other steampunk settings, like Space 1889?
1879 is quite different as a steampunk setting. It doesn't feature alternate physics, like the Jules Verne inspired Space 1889, and isn't restricted to just Earth like many other steampunk settings. We prefer the term “alternate history” because it really focuses on that aspect, with steampunk elements added to support the new history. We didn't simply throw in elements without regard, the history supports them. Also the portal gives access to a whole new world, with its own dangers and wonders for both miniature and roleplaying games.

How much steampunk is involved in 1879?
In the miniatures game, the steam-powered vehicles for the British Army are the major contribution so far. We wanted a certain historic feel for the initial British army - the thin red line, ranks of soldiers laying down volley fire, cavalry charging into battle and so on- that we didn't want to adulterate with lightning guns, steam cannons, walkers and other steampunk staples, at least not right away. As the setting progresses we will have technology being developed and deseminated through the armed forces at a controlled pace.
The roleplaying game on the other hand will feature much more steampunk genre elements. Since the rpg is small scale, we can add interesting inventions, weapons, and contraptions since they won't be in abundance for the armed forces. Strange steam or electrical-powered gadgets, headgear with lenses and tools, exoskeletal harnesses, and steam-powered vehicles are a few of the things that could be available to characters in the roleplaying game. Characters of the right inclination may invent their own dangerous and untested devices. Also tropes like airships can be present in the setting even if they don't play a direct role in the miniatures game. The technology of both games will parallel each other, although the prototype tech in the rpg will always be slightly ahead.

How much will the miniatures game and the RPG be connected?
The setting is the same, so major events and developments will be linked to both products. As an example, some of the first engagements between the British and Samsut will inevitably result in some of the Samsut weaponry being captured and sent back to London for study. In the miniatures game, this will eventually lead to upgraded weapon options in a future supplement. In the roleplaying game, characters might get involved in the study or reverse-engineering of the weapons, or be sent into the field with prototypes for testing. Some people may want to play both games, by playing out battles in the mini game, then playing the rpg with characters based on soldiers or officers during the "downtime" between conflicts.
Line Developer for Earthfell
FASA Games Inc.
http://www.fasagames.com

TarlimanJoppos
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Re: Setting FAQ

Postby TarlimanJoppos » Fri Feb 14, 2014 5:14 pm

Is 1879 in the same world or cosmology as Earthdawn?

The short answer is Yes.

With Shadowrun doing well as a licensed product over at Catalyst, and no real interest at FASA in pulling back the license and bringing Shadowrun back in-house, we're redeveloping the timeline for the FASA universe. Earthdawn still happens. Instead of Shadowrun, an interdimensional portal gets opened in Victorian England, granting access to the Grosvenor World, or the Gruv, and releasing a flood of mana into Earth. This alters the mana cycle of Earth tremendously, Awakening the Earth a hundred and thirty-someodd years before the end of the Fifth World. 1879 starts with the alt-history steampunk trope, then adds the magic trope that we used in Shadowrun, bringing us elven cavalry officers, dwarf railway engineers, snark (ork) street thieves, and troll Zulu warriors. (As if the Zulus weren't scary enough already.) 1879 follows Earthdawn in terms of time, and takes place, at least initially, on the same planet. The spread of the Victorian Empire to the Gruv is another story entirely.
Andrew Ragland
Line Developer, 1879


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