Brainstorming a Steampunk setting

[Nique]

So I've been continuing work on my untitled game. I won't be asking questions about mechanics as much in this thread, but I am interested in hearing your thoughts on tabletop RPGs in general and specifically, suggestions for a Steampunk-esque world.

To start with, I'll sum up the mechanics to give you an idea of how it's played.

Players assign points to raw Stats which determines Ability scores. Add or subtract any relevant modifiers and roll that many D6 against either enemy rolls or difficulty levels.

Skills are a form of energy manipulation that enhance and use ability scores, in addition to other interactive features. Skills use up MP or are free to use as a part of equipped weapons/ armor (there is a cool down time for offensive skills when part of an equipped item). There are more detailed rules for this I am still working out but I am allowing for the possibility that not every class will have the exact same access to skills, and that some might not have access at all and need to use tools.

My questions for you:

In general, what kind of features do you find fun/ enjoyable in an RPG that you would recommend?

We're trying to build this in a steampunk setting - what are some good ideas or concepts to include in such a universe? How would they relate to the existing mechanics?

Also; What are some good names for the game?

Other misc. advice is welcome, as always!

[greed]

Frankenstein's monsters as a PC option would be neat I always thought they work pretty good in steampunky settings and they'd be a good option for a big brute race that actually fits.

[Sky Warrior Bob]

Originally Posted by Nique

In general, what kind of features do you find fun/ enjoyable in an RPG that you would recommend?

Killing is a rather easy affair & so is returning to the game with your next character/life. Okay, so I'm a fan of Paranoia (2nd edition at least, I own a few books for the current version, but as I don't actively play anymore, I haven't bothered to learn).

SWB

[Nique]

Frankenstein's monsters as a PC option would be neat I always thought they work pretty good in steampunky settings and they'd be a good option for a big brute race that actually fits.

Great suggestion! How would this translate into an actual 'race' though? They might be decendants of this world's original Frankenstein monster?

Killing is a rather easy affair & so is returning to the game with your next character/life.

You mean if a character dies make it easy to respawn? Save points, pheonix downs, that kind of thing?

[greed]

Originally Posted by Nique

Great suggestion! How would this translate into an actual 'race' though? They might be decendants of this world's original Frankenstein monster?

I was thinking maybe they get produced en masse for the military and hard labour that requires intelligence by the government, industry, random mad scientists or other Frankenstein monsters(the latter would probably make them as a sort of family, rather than as a workforce) the PCs being those who managed to get freedom somehow (or were "born" free as the "children" of other monsters). Not sure they'd work as actually being bred, seeing as they're basically stitched together intelligent zombies made from mad science rather than magic. So they're a race because while they don't breed (well conventionally anyway, as I suggested, monster's might make others as a sort of pseudo-family), they're produced in large enough numbers that they've probably got their own cultures by this point.

[Fifthfiend]

Originally Posted by Nique

You mean if a character dies make it easy to respawn? Save points, pheonix downs, that kind of thing?

I think he means the end of The Prestige.

And if he doesn't, he should.

[Sky Warrior Bob]

Originally Posted by Fifthfiend

I think he means the end of The Prestige.

And if he doesn't, he should.

If you think I want to end a movie about a pair of competing stage magicians, you'd be right, but that has nothing to do with what I was talking about.

However, if you were thinking that I was talking about getting rid of nigh immortal players, in favor of relatively easy-to-kill flesh bags. Then yes, yes I was considering that.

I was suggesting that you have a mindset from the start that your people are going to die, its just going to happen. Rather than grind game play to a halt, like some systems. To require a player to dredge through making a new character & finding some excuse to join the group, try to implement some ideas to work around that.

As mentioned, in the roleplaying game of Paranoia, every player has exact duplicate back-ups. Instead of that, maybe have some simple rules about stat swapping. So every time a player dies, he just swaps a few stats (by die roll?) and comes into play as a new guy.

The replacement comes from a clan/guild that is on hand to always replace a lost team member.

In short, make your players feel like the game is a grim pitting against tough & challenging odds. Not just some grind quest on World of Warcraft.

But maybe that's just me...

SWB

[Daimo Mac, The Blue Light of Hope]

Steampunk Elves would be so much win!

[krogothwolf]

You could have Steampunk Elves and then Anti-Steampunk Elves!

[Daimo Mac, The Blue Light of Hope]

Originally Posted by krogothwolf

You could have Steampunk Elves and then Anti-Steampunk Elves!

The faction that has embraced the technological revolutions, and the faction that prefers to be at one with nature?

I can get behind that.