Friday, November 20, 2015

Win a Printed BSO Map Contest with Fate Bundle of Holding +3

I've been fortunate to be asked to participate in the Fate Bundle of Holding +3. Baroque Space Opera is now bundled with many awesome books from Evil Hat. This bundle is the perfect way to get started with Fate.

The Fate Bundle includes:

  • Fate Core and Fate Accelerated
  • Atomic Robo 
  • Baroque Space Opera
  • Unwritten: Adventures in the Ages of MYST
  • Part-Time Gods of Fate
  • Hunters of Alexandria
  • Venture City Stories
  • Behind the Walls
  • Psychedemia
  • Eagle Eyes
  • Gods & Monsters
  • Sails Full of Stars
  • Fate Codex V2 #1-3 (Magpie Games)

But wait, there's more!

I am going to be giving out a printed Baroque Space Opera map in poster size that I got printed to a random lucky person who pays more than the bonus threshold when the bundle ends on Wed, Dec 2nd, 2015.

Get it here: Fate Bundle of Holding +3

Here's the G+ post from Bundle of Holding.


Thursday, October 8, 2015

Baroque Space Opera Voidship Sheet

I have created a Voidship (space ship) sheet for Baroque Space Opera to match the style of the character sheet. I have tried to keep it as clean and clutter free as possible. Feel free to post any feedback you may have.


Baroque Space Opera is available at DriveThroughRPG!

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Baroque Space Opera Character Sheet Rev 2

The first iteration of the Baroque Space Opera character sheet was too busy. It tried to be too much, when you really just want to track your character. It looked nice, but was too stylized. This second iteration is a lot cleaner, more focused, and better structured -- I think. Let me know what you think?



Compare it to the previous iteration.



Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Baroque Space Opera Character Sheet

For the past couple weeks I've been hacking at the Baroque Space Opera character sheet, trying to create something I like. It has been difficult because this is the first time I'm creating a character sheet, and I'm very picky.

The character sheet, a voidship sheet and the Lexicon will be included in the book when the print version goes to print (electronic will be updated as well).

So far, I've come up with this and I'm looking for feedback.





The character sheet tries to be faithful to the setting and contains:

A skill pyramid actually set up like a stepped pyramid, because the Baroqueverse loves pyramids!

Double helix stress tracks and genetic protein-like consequences. Baroque Space Opera deals with themes of genetic manipulation and this I thought was very fitting and neat for tracking stress. There are places outside the helix to write down what the value of each stress box is, if not default. If you don't have a stress box, the circle can be filled in.

The Refresh tracker is an Enso symbol, it symbolizes creativity and also happens to look like the Ouroborous, which symbolizes renewal.

The Fate tracker is a Shen, which symbolizes eternal protection--fitting for Fate points.

The Wealth Boosts tracker is the Chinese symbol for wealth.

The Stunts box is a bit big, but it gives you lots of room to write down your stunt notes, since Baroque Archetype stunts have more details than usual.

There is space for two Beneficial Things to record. They provide some boxes that can be outlined in pen to track Benefit and Trouble aspect usage.


Saturday, June 20, 2015

Baroque Space Opera Update #6: Layout Progress

The Baroque Space Opera book layout is coming along quite nicely. Last night I finished off Chapter 6. There are 20 chapters in the book, and the setting material chapters are the longest. I'm very happy with how the book is coming together. Things are falling into place and I think it looks great. I can't wait to get it in print.

The awesome artist who brought my Baroqueverse concepts to life is Matt Ryan.

Below are two spreads for your viewing pleasure:




If you're interested in Baroque Space Opera, check out the previous posts below:

Introduction to Baroque Space Opera

Baroque Space Opera Concept Art

The Baroque Space Opera Logo 

More Concept Art

The Book Cover

The Baroqueverse Map

Character Archetypes Sneak Peek

Friday, June 5, 2015

Similarities between Jupiter Ascending and Baroque Space Opera

I finally got around to watching Jupiter Ascending. If there was a movie that espouses the look and aesthetic of Baroque Space Opera, then this comes pretty damn close. I loved the background and concepts, but the story was... trivially weak. It reminded me of Guardians of the Galaxy, another story that was incredibly weak. Both plots could be summarized in 2 or less paragraphs. Unfortunately that is the sad state of Hollywood films these days. :/

This entry is not about the plot though. Jupiter Ascending had many similarities with Baroque Space Opera, and that is why it kept my attention through the movie. I was more interested in the intricate scenes than the weak story.

The following is a list of very strong similarities between Jupiter Ascending (JA) and Baroque Space Opera (BSO):

  • In JA, Balem, the main bad guy, has huge lizardmen who are his shock troops. In BSO, the Tyrant has his Dominars: hulking lizardmen who are the shock troopers of the Dominion.
  • Energy shields in JA are directional and behave like normal shields. In BSO, shunt shields deflect energy and are also directional.
  • The spaceships of the elite in JA are majestic and beautiful, as are the ships of the Pharisto rulers.
  • Looks like teleportation drives are used in JA. In BSO, the Loom Drive allows near instant travel between points in space.
  • Genetics is a strong theme in JA, as it is in BSO. The Splicers/Spliced are similar to the Chimeras -- products of the Genesis Adepts in BSO.
  • Immortality is the most sought after thing in JA, as it is in BSO. The Tyrant has control of the gift of immortality, and he uses it as the ultimate carrot.
  • Planets like earth are ruled by the hidden elite in JA. In BSO this is also similar where the Pharistos pose as gods and deceive entire populations in order to keep their servitude.
  • Many myths and legends of earth are the result of the elite intervention in JA; this is also so in BSO on many Dominated Planets.
  • Gravity is just a word in JA, likewise in BSO.
  • Everything is larger than life in JA, as it is in BSO.
  • Wings are a status symbol in JA, as they are in BSO.
All those similarities were quite striking to me while I watched the film. This kept me interested and watching. At the end, I could not tell whether I was disappointed or not because of the above. One thing is certain, I want to watch it again to look at the backgrounds, ships, and elaborate detail everywhere.