zagygthemad
Mongoose
What races are included in this? Thanks!
Aliens of Charted Space Volume 3
- Thread starter zagygthemad
- Start date
AndrewW
Emperor Mongoose
G'Naakbusters
Emperor Mongoose
The Elves, the Dwarves, the Newts, and the Dolphins. 
I'm very much looking forward to seeing Bwap and Geonee equipment and vessels -- I wonder if the Bwap ships will share a design lineage with the Bwap Runabout from the GURPS Traveller sourcebooks? (Their Bwap entry was very good at demonstrating how awesome Bwaps are in an annoying, humbly anal sort of way, and I liked the aesthetic of the ship. Seeing something like that in colour, with the great art of the current Mongoose edition, would be very satisfying.) We've never really had anything more than that on Bwap items, and I don't recall anything Geonee-specific.
I also wonder if the Geonee entry will include the Lyrrnians as their allies, or just the Geonee themselves (plus their marriage Chirpers, I imagine)?
I'm very much looking forward to seeing Bwap and Geonee equipment and vessels -- I wonder if the Bwap ships will share a design lineage with the Bwap Runabout from the GURPS Traveller sourcebooks? (Their Bwap entry was very good at demonstrating how awesome Bwaps are in an annoying, humbly anal sort of way, and I liked the aesthetic of the ship. Seeing something like that in colour, with the great art of the current Mongoose edition, would be very satisfying.) We've never really had anything more than that on Bwap items, and I don't recall anything Geonee-specific.
I also wonder if the Geonee entry will include the Lyrrnians as their allies, or just the Geonee themselves (plus their marriage Chirpers, I imagine)?
TrippyHippy
Emperor Mongoose
There was a feeling that the list of aliens was ‘complete’ after volume two, however, there is enough selling points with particular species to make this a popular release for players. Elves (Darrians) and Dwarves (Geonee) may feel a bit cliché for some, but they are a bit different to D&D at least, and some will appreciate them just for the familiarity anyway. Dolphins and Orca will promote the sci-fi idea of uplifting some more and might make for some good ‘Blue Planet’ style adventures. Bwaps are...Bwaps (and feel like the Third Imperium's equivalent to Glorantha’s Ducks).
Along with the aliens detailed in Beyond the Claw and the Solomoni sector book, the setting now feels like it teems with alien lifeforms. This is a good thing.
Along with the aliens detailed in Beyond the Claw and the Solomoni sector book, the setting now feels like it teems with alien lifeforms. This is a good thing.
Lurking Grue
Cosmic Mongoose
Funny how most people seem to imagine the Darrians as space elves (although I can see why nowadays). Back in the 80's when all I knew of them was the cover of the CT Alien Module 8, I based them (in my Traveller Universe) on Vulcans of Star Trek. I still do, as that was how I pictured them originally and haven't been able (nor willing) to shake it. Besides, there are some similarities with Darrians and Vulcans, namely their fascination with science and research.
Condottiere
Emperor Mongoose
Vulcans.
GypsyComet
Emperor Mongoose
"starting with the Darrians, Geonee, Bwaps, Dolphins and Orca"
Only two, maybe three, of these are particularly widespread, and if you take Solie propaganda as fact, only one of them is.
Only two, maybe three, of these are particularly widespread, and if you take Solie propaganda as fact, only one of them is.
G'Naakbusters
Emperor Mongoose
^ Well, they're all pretty notable in-universe, I'd say.
Darrians have a reputation as the most technologically advanced culture in Charted Space (how true that claim is tends to be a complicated matter...). They're also the Imperium's best ally Behind the Claw. I imagine much of the Imperium knows about them, albeit with fanciful ideas about fleets of floating cities and sun-busting missiles.
Geonee were one of the Vilani's only real rivals -- they're one of the oldest spacefaring human races -- and have been a part of the various Vilani empires since the Consolidation Wars, while clearly still wishing to assert themselves as an independent culture. Also, they're the Ancients, they say so, do not doubt them, all the evidence is on their side, respect your elders.
Bwaps were the most successful of the Vilani subject/client races, probably the only one that actually expanded its territory and influence under Vilani rule (they're basically the Vilani's henchman race, only flexible enough in their paradoxically rigid way to keep themselves going as a cultural force through all three Imperia). Everyone in the Imperium knows what a Bwap is.
If Bwaps are the Vilani's "henchman race", then Dolphins (and Orca) are the Solomani's "henchman race", arguably. Their best allies, being their creations, but Solomani aren't always the best parents. "I made you, you do what I say". They sort of embody the whole idea of uplift and the social and ethical complications that come with it, and the fact that they're the "third Terran race" after Humans and Vargr, but aren't Major Race status, is also interesting I think.
Darrians have a reputation as the most technologically advanced culture in Charted Space (how true that claim is tends to be a complicated matter...). They're also the Imperium's best ally Behind the Claw. I imagine much of the Imperium knows about them, albeit with fanciful ideas about fleets of floating cities and sun-busting missiles.
Geonee were one of the Vilani's only real rivals -- they're one of the oldest spacefaring human races -- and have been a part of the various Vilani empires since the Consolidation Wars, while clearly still wishing to assert themselves as an independent culture. Also, they're the Ancients, they say so, do not doubt them, all the evidence is on their side, respect your elders.
Bwaps were the most successful of the Vilani subject/client races, probably the only one that actually expanded its territory and influence under Vilani rule (they're basically the Vilani's henchman race, only flexible enough in their paradoxically rigid way to keep themselves going as a cultural force through all three Imperia). Everyone in the Imperium knows what a Bwap is.
If Bwaps are the Vilani's "henchman race", then Dolphins (and Orca) are the Solomani's "henchman race", arguably. Their best allies, being their creations, but Solomani aren't always the best parents. "I made you, you do what I say". They sort of embody the whole idea of uplift and the social and ethical complications that come with it, and the fact that they're the "third Terran race" after Humans and Vargr, but aren't Major Race status, is also interesting I think.
TrippyHippy
Emperor Mongoose
Vulcans are space elves too.
Condottiere
Emperor Mongoose
Greek Stoic philosophers.
Though what inspired the ears, I've no idea.
Though what inspired the ears, I've no idea.
