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Thrasymachus
Learned Scribe
195 Posts |
 Posted - 08 Jan 2013 : 02:43:06
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When I cut the umbilical cord at 4th Edition I began importing Warhammer Fantasy Battle technology. So while the Realms has Smoke Powder I went with Dragon Dung is an alternate new gunpowder that Warhammer uses.
Just another reason to shove them in front of a dragon. 
@Wooly I have thought that at 14th Edition and a thousand years forth of jumps I could bring in Warhammer 40k.
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Former Forgotten Realms brand manager Jim Butler: "Everything that bears the Forgotten Realms logo is considered canon". |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jan 2013 : 02:44:13
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quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
I think these fantastic fictional things are too blurred to draw any kind of line. Nanotechnology is basically interchangeable with magic.[snip]
Agreed. When seeing its use in G.I. Joe at the cinema, why little sister asked me, "What kind of magic is that?" |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4211 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jan 2013 : 03:53:53
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I've actually seriously considered throwing a particular module into the Forgotten Realms that has a LOT of tech in it.
It is packed away, and I can't remember the name of it right now...but it is a boxed module where a spaceship crashes in the world. The humanoid aliens are in a war to the death against a machine-based enemy that seeks to destroy all life that might be a threat to it.
One offs are fun...constant interaction with technology would be wrong.
I like the way the Movie Thor treated "magic" as a technology all together of a different line of reason... |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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Kris the Grey
Senior Scribe
USA
422 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jan 2013 : 03:59:33
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I think there have been a few fairly thorough discussions about the official rules limitations regarding technology in the Realms here in the past on Candlekeep. Basically, electronics and gunpowder (the Earth kind) are right out.
That said, I see nothing standing in the way of all sorts of clockworks, steam power, and smoke powder (the magical gunpowder of the Realms/Spelljammer) devices. It's only natural that such technologies would advance over time.
All that said, my game has wrestled with some of these issues (especially the ones related to advanced firearms in the Realms) owing to it's somewhat peculiar nature as a Realms/Earth crossover campaign. I've stayed faithful to the general rules with two key exceptions...
First, I've allowed people with knowledge of the operations and craftsmanship of basic firearms (old style flintlocks and what not) to craft and employ those technologies if they are able to show how they would construct such weapons under the more primitive conditions of the Realms (cue comments about Boomsticks). Smokepowder is a reasonable substitute for gunpowder for most basic firearms, so that's easily enough done.
Second, I operate my campaign under the conceit that, if the PCs can be on the Realms for a reason, so can OTHER people from Earth, some of whom are less than nice guys. Some of THEM may very well be military, mercenary, or other sorts of people reliant on and familiar with very advanced firearms. They'd no doubt endeavor to find a way to make their guns work if ANY such way could be found. I gave them a way...an alliance of sorts with a deity more than happy to break the magical rules of the Realms, someone with access to their own source of magical power, a source that, if it empowered such items to subvert the normal restrictions on their operation, would allow for the PCs to be confronted by some pretty bad people armed with some pretty bad weapons just as soon as they were feeling powerful enough to think they had the whole 'living in the Realms' thing figured out.
That's my take on things tech in the Realms. In any event, as I always say, your mileage my vary. Enjoy! |
Kris the Grey - Member in Good Standing of the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors, the Arcane Guild of Silverymoon, and the Connecticut Bar Association |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jan 2013 : 04:40:35
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quote:
Dalor Darden
I like the way the Movie Thor treated "magic" as a technology all together of a different line of reason...
I haven't seen the movie. I presume this is not Thor from Stargate, even though he might as well be using the same magic/technology. Stargates, Transporter Room 3, the Holodeck, Jedi lightsabers, and glowing crystals from Atlantis are all the same to me ... doesn't matter if you say they're built with tools or with spells. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36821 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jan 2013 : 04:56:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Dalor Darden
I've actually seriously considered throwing a particular module into the Forgotten Realms that has a LOT of tech in it.
It is packed away, and I can't remember the name of it right now...but it is a boxed module where a spaceship crashes in the world. The humanoid aliens are in a war to the death against a machine-based enemy that seeks to destroy all life that might be a threat to it.
I believe you speak of Tale of the Comet.
For some reason, I was particularly fascinated by one encounter in that one: the ghost of a cyborg, with the incorporeal ghost still bound to the corporeal cyberware. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jan 2013 : 05:00:50
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| Wow... I never even heard of that one. I thought I had all the Odyssey Books. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31796 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jan 2013 : 06:15:36
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quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
quote:
Dalor Darden
I like the way the Movie Thor treated "magic" as a technology all together of a different line of reason...
I haven't seen the movie. I presume this is not Thor from Stargate, even though he might as well be using the same magic/technology. Stargates, Transporter Room 3, the Holodeck, Jedi lightsabers, and glowing crystals from Atlantis are all the same to me ... doesn't matter if you say they're built with tools or with spells.
I seem to recall Anubis [from Stargate SG1] merging parts of "Ascended" magic with Goa'uld tech in order to produce the kinds of specialised technology he often employed against both Earth and the other System Lords. I think there were even official rules published for it in one of the old SGRPG books released in the early 00's.
Anyways, it's a system I've used in my own campaigns, though I've yet to find a way of incorporating it, satisfyingly, in the Realms. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jan 2013 : 13:48:59
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| A D&D analogue might be weaponry and devices from the Lower Planes being deployed in the Realms, bringing along fiendish designs and meddling celestials. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jan 2013 : 14:40:16
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Oh, you mean like the 'soul train'. 
From Swords of the Iron Legion, I give you the Infinity Train. Demons are all gansta, YO. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 08 Jan 2013 14:41:20 |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jan 2013 : 14:57:04
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
I seem to recall Anubis [from Stargate SG1] merging parts of "Ascended" magic with Goa'uld tech in order to produce the kinds of specialised technology he often employed against both Earth and the other System Lords. I think there were even official rules published for it in one of the old SGRPG books released in the early 00's.
Anyways, it's a system I've used in my own campaigns, though I've yet to find a way of incorporating it, satisfyingly, in the Realms.
The way I have it in my version of the Realms, the Imaskari were the Goa'uld, and the 'tech' they had was of the magitech variety. They had colonies on many worlds, and 'imported' folk (mostly as slaves) from many of them, and they were a major contributor to the cross-pollination of most of the 'generic' D&D worlds. They were the Baklunish of Greyhawk (until the Suel rebelled, and that did not end well), the Nithians of Mystara, the Osirions of Golarion, and the Atlanteans (which also ended badly - they had a war with a local pantheon... I haven't decided who yet). The early Egyptians were their mainland slave resource. When their empire fell they lost touch with all their colonies, which then continued on their own, without the help of their 'gods' (the Imaskari Artificers).
Ptah was NOT an Imaskari, he is... something else.
Blackmoor was the FIRST human civilization, pre-dating all known worlds, and never existed on any of them (although pieces of it can be found everywhere). It arose on the True World, which was shattered during the godwar. The Blackmoorians rose to such a magnificent height of power (super-science) that they rivaled the gods, which is why on most worlds (spheres) today technology is banned (in various degrees).
There is no 'FR setting'... there is only D&D. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 08 Jan 2013 14:59:25 |
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Kris the Grey
Senior Scribe
USA
422 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jan 2013 : 06:40:03
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I think there have been a few fairly thorough discussions about the official rules limitations regarding technology in the Realms here in the past on Candlekeep. Basically, electronics and gunpowder (the Earth kind) are right out.
That said, I see nothing standing in the way of all sorts of clockworks, steam power, and smoke powder (the magical gunpowder of the Realms/Spelljammer) devices. It's only natural that such technologies would advance over time.
All that said, my game has wrestled with some of these issues (especially the ones related to advanced firearms in the Realms) owing to it's somewhat peculiar nature as a Realms/Earth crossover campaign. I've stayed faithful to the general rules with two key exceptions...
First, I've allowed people with knowledge of the operations and craftsmanship of basic firearms (old style flintlocks and what not) to craft and employ those technologies if they are able to show how they would construct such weapons under the more primitive conditions of the Realms (cue comments about Boomsticks). Smokepowder is a reasonable substitute for gunpowder for most basic firearms, so that's easily enough done.
Second, I operate my campaign under the conceit that, if the PCs can be on the Realms for a reason, so can OTHER people from Earth, some of whom are less than nice guys. Some of THEM may very well be military, mercenary, or other sorts of people reliant on and familiar with very advanced firearms. They'd no doubt endeavor to find a way to make their guns work if ANY such way could be found. I gave them a way...an alliance of sorts with a deity more than happy to break the magical rules of the Realms, someone with access to their own source of magical power, a source that, if it empowered such items to subvert the normal restrictions on their operation, would allow for the PCs to be confronted by some pretty bad people armed with some pretty bad weapons just as soon as they were feeling powerful enough to think they had the whole 'living in the Realms' thing figured out.
That's my take on things tech in the Realms. In any event, as I always say, your mileage my vary. Enjoy! |
Kris the Grey - Member in Good Standing of the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors, the Arcane Guild of Silverymoon, and the Connecticut Bar Association |
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Marc
Senior Scribe
658 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jan 2013 : 18:39:54
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| I try to hide the technology behind magic. A sect called the Tekne Society are occult scientists who imitate magic with technology, they think magic will be gone one day, they search for hidden power in the Outlands' Spire. They believe that all superstitions, magic, abstract concepts given form, and gods will one day vanish when the truth, basic Tekne principles, are discovered. They originate from an alternate prime-crystal sphere where gods damn to hell anyone who uses magic. |
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Delwa
Master of Realmslore
USA
1272 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jan 2013 : 19:32:28
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My group is in the process of culturally incorporating tech to the Realms. How much tech is present when all is done will depend on what time period you're playing in.
Currently, in my campaign, it's 1383ish DR. Revolvers have just been introduced to the Realms. Meaning, one or two people have them. At present, only kobolds who were given the technology by a worlds-traveling character who took pity on a creative race who tends to get trampled by more "magical" races. The kobolds were essentially given instruction on how to create gunpowder and basic pistols and revolvers, and left to invent for themselves. How the tech advances from there (who steals tech from who, who makes breakthrough discoveries, etc) will evolve as game-play evolves and my circle of DM's determine it'll make for the best story to introduce X at Y point in history and the campaign.
The eventual goal is to use the "Spellplague" (as definded by my group, not the Spellplague done by WotC) to advance basic tech. The idea is, with the death of Mystra, magic goes dead for a thousand years. During that time, firearms and other more rudimentary technology advances in the absence of magic. Magical races fade to the background and less magical races, such as the kobolds, have their season of glory. When all is said in done, when magic returns, technology has advanced to keep on par with wizards and such, and the Realms of ~2383 DR will be more of a "Shadowrun" type of world in that magic and tech co-exist (though not as advanced as lasers yet, though that may come in the distant future).
Tech-wise, we're thinking WWI/WWII era technology existing alongside a "return to Netheril" level of magical ability, since we have no intetion of going to a Mystra 3.0 but rather making more of a "Mystryl 2." |
- Delwa Aunglor
I am off to slay yon refrigerator and spoil it's horde. Go for the cheese, Boo!
"The Realms change; seldom at the speed desired of those who strive, but far too quickly for those who resist." - The Simbul, taken from the Forgotten Realms Campaign Conspectus |
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Mapolq
Senior Scribe
Brazil
466 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jan 2013 : 20:33:47
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Ateth Istarlin
As I recall, the supplement "Old Empires" stated that Mulhorand had steam-powered tech. used in agriculture, etc.
It's centred around the creation of the pressure engine and the employment of arcane items like stones of everburning.
They also say the priesthood of Thoth and others have been barred from making more advancement. In my campaign, though, I'm having the new pharaoh lift that ban, leading to a recovery of pressure engine technology in the 1360s and the invention of a practical locomotive in the mid 1370s.
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Really? And thats why I don't like mixing (high) tech and magic in my games. Obviously magic-users would be better at tech then everyone else, which is usually the exact opposite of how I see it portrayed (that science and magic don't mix well). I personally prefer magic and tech interfere with each other, as it was in the excellent (and oft-overlooked) video game Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura. I normally don't like the blend done in worlds like Iron Kingdoms (although in that setting, I am fine with it). I call that magi-tech, but I recall someone on this site using a term I had never heard before (and I liked better) - anyone?
Arcanum was an awesome game. I don't particularly like the "magic and technoogy interfere with each other" thing, but they've done it (and lots of other things) well. |
Never sleep under the jackfruit tree.
Tales of Moonsea - A Neverwinter Nights 2 Persistent World. Check out our website at http://www.talesofmoonsea.com and our video trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am304WqOAAo&feature=youtu.be, as well as our thread here at Candlekeep: http://www.forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12955
My campaign thread: http://www.forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=16447 |
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Your use of Tech/Magtech in the Realms
