Re: Just how big is "known space"?

--- David Shepheard <david_shepheard@???????.com>
wrote:

> I'm not hung up on it as I know it is a number that
> comes from a point in time. The true number has gone
> from below 80 to above 80. However, the number is a
> target that can be aimed at. If we worked out a
> Known Space with between 70 and 90 planets in it, I
> think that would feel close enough.

Heh, well if we have 20 or so spheres, that's a
4-planet average, 3 once you include epic spheres like
Grey/Realms/Krynn/Korv.


> And that is why I want Known Space to expand much
> more slowly than that hypothetical rate. By putting
> everything people need within their own crystal
> spheres, we can cut down on inter-sphere travel. And
> by putting everything people *want* within Known
> Space, we cut down on the reasons to actually go
> exploring.

True.  SJ does have a problem with one-off spheres
everywhere ;)  (and I'm just as guilty as anyone else
in that regard! ;) )


> You are right. But we could have a "Known Space"
> according to the Shou Lung or the Celestians or
> whoever is in charge of the Geonomicon. It could be
> a definition that is in some ways like the real
> worlds "G7".

A "navigator's guild" would be the ideal arbiter of
such things.  


> What I'm after is a way to draw a circle around this
> region of space and say: "the core rules of SJ"
> apply to these spheres.

That's been my goal since I started Grommspace,
really.


> I'm currently of the opinion that all sphere guides
> should work in a single sphere campaign (similar to
> Shadows of the Spider Moon) *or* a multi-sphere 
> campaign.

Multi-spheric campaigns work better, IMHO, but that's
just me ;)


> Things don't need to be smashed to pieces, but the
> spheres next to an expanding empire need to react in
> some way. In some cases you would want to add
> several invasion ships or privateers to the sphere
> next to a new one. In other cases it might be enough
> to add a note that a new Phlogiston river has 
> been discovered. Alternatively, you could have
> multi-sphere trading coasters in a new sphere, that
> are known to visit older spheres that have already 
> been written.

Details like that should be handled by the product
detailing the invasion :p


> Surely if you had a new and interesting sphere next
> to Grommspace, you would want to know what trade
> arrangements existed between the new sphere and 
> Grommspace?

Oh certainly; I do have a few "fill in the blank"
spots in Grommspace, largely because I wasn't sure how
Paul was going to change the Arcane Inner Flow with
his upcoming articles.


> You don't need to tell me. I looked at your Moon of
> the Month output and tried to work out how fast it
> would take to flesh out a good sphere.

About six months to a year, give or take a few months.
 I think I could hammer a relatively simple sphere out
much faster than Grommspace now that I have a format I
like down.  


> A map of Known Space could start us off.

I'm actually working on one.  Its a rough sketch right
now, but the idea I'm toying with is reversing the
Arcane Inner Flow.  Instead of having the Inner Flow &
the Radiant Triangle sitting side by side, I'm
wrapping the Inner Flow around the Triangle, with the
Greatspace/'burbs triangle at the other end, & filling
in the Inner Flow with spheres from the novels. 
Actually looks kinda nice.


> A quick run through of the planets within the
> spheres, could expand on that.  As could a list of
> Phlogiston rivers.

Already working on a general outline, cribb'n Paul's
notes on the subject...;)


> After that, each planet within a sphere could be
> built up to "Moon of the Month" standard. Bigger
> planets could be given sevaral areas with that
> much detail.

Heh, even still, can be a lot of work. :)


> After all that was done a campaign setting could be
> written to pull al the details for that sphere
> together.

I think some overall parts can be written up that
cover many spheres, such as trade companies and such.


> That sounds logical to me, but don't forget to
> include a reason for the sphere name. Pathspace
> needs a planet named Path or a giant roadway
> called "The Path", or something similar.

Naw, Paul had a cool idea for Pathspace: it should be
the location of some of the planets from the SJ comic,
particularly Astrylon & Barrara.  Toss in another
planet or two and the sphere should be golden.

Adam



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