Having a familiarity with Dark Heresy (having played it) and an interest in Rogue Trader (which I might even preorder through my FLBS,) I am going to ask a question that has been at the back of my mind for a bit... Has anyone considered running a more generic, non-40k (but still fairly gothic) space opera setting using the system in the book? Just something that I've been meaning to ask but not sure how to phrase.

As it happens- yes. I've made a number of attempts to run a fairly dark gothic sci-fi game, but never got round to finishing them (partly because of other commitments, partly through fits of apathy, mainly because I kept on losing my notes as my computer systems died and had to keep starting from scratch). Indeed, I started working on the first one based upon the Inquisitor system (as well as a fantasy version, which even got off the ground briefly) back in 2001. The campaign setting, which has rejoiced in the working title of FarSpace, has had iterations written (or partially written) for a number of different systems, starting with Inquisitor, then BEER, then T20, ORE, Serenity's Sovereign Stone, Traveller and finally Dark Heresy, as well as a number of cobbled-together abortions of completely homebrewed systems better off forgotten.

In terms of feel, I always saw FarSpace as akin to both the Deathstalker and Dune universes (in terms of political structure), with the addition of aggressive, nation-like transtellar mega-corporations, along with some visual inspiration from various anime, Bab5, BSG and Wing Commander II. Think Shadowrun, with a feudal order and overt aristocracy, marginalised and downtrodden non-human/abhuman underclass, IN SPACE!

Currently, FarSpace is in one of the 'everything broke, so I have to start again' stages, but if people are interested, I'll start putting the setting details up on my site as I (re)write them.

One of the things I'm considering is a campaign set entirely on Necromunda... I have yet to really even start on this project. Among other things I know I'll have to do is figure out attribute modifiers for the different Houses, and modifying some of the career paths (and deciding which career paths are banned to members of a certain House, which equipment is available to each House, whether or not to limit the characters to a specific house, and if not, why these characters from different Houses would be cooperating, and... well, you get the point.)

For example, the standard Hiver template would have to be modified for House Goliath... at the very least, a +5 to strength and toughness (cancelling out the -5 penalty of the standard Hiver template). You'd also be a lot more likely to see a Goliath carrying an autocannon (in fact, I'd venture to say they'd probably be the only ones with the strength to do so). If anyone wants to pitch in their two cents, I'd be happy to accept any constructive criticism that might help me out.

Edit by user: After thinking about it, I realized the odds of someone actually recognizing what I was talking about was more paranoia then an actual possiblity. I removed the emphasis on a few specific words.

Interesting, I had expected a different response. I guess it's true a cynic is never disappointed, only pleasently surprised.

As for my own efforts, I have a sci-fi universe that I'm thinking about going over and editing in some places (mostly because those places went really off-kilter in a manner I do not feel like discussing on this forum) that I actually could run a game in with Dark Heresy or Rogue Trader without too much difficulty. We have feudal aliens and space western humans together in a more or less mutual tolerance for the other, space pirates with letters of marque and a few organizations with similarities to the big "=][=" from 40k.

The thing I find interesting about the Dark Heresy/Warhammer Fantasy/Rogue Trader system is how comprehensive it is. It's rule heavy compared to the d20 things I'm used to playing with, but is relatively simple once you understand the dice mechanics. The class system is obviously focused on the setting but with some work, you can import it to another setting without too much difficulty.

Yes I have, and my group also quite frequently use the system for other games. I converted most of the Space 1889 system into this system and alot of modern based games.

Eilonthyr said:

Hmm, I've heard of Space 1889 but never really found anything for it. Do you have any online references I can use to become more familiar with it?

Psion said:

http://www.heliograph.com/space1889/

Current license holder...

Essentially, 1889 Earth if Jules Verne had been writing history rather than sci-fi.

aramis said:

Ah, yes. I remember that now. Thank you.

Back to the original topic, is anyone willing to share the particulars of these alternate settings?