Looking for VSF/Steampunk inspiration.

[mattblackgod]

As I am starting a VSF/Steampunk setting along similar lines to Space 1889. What I am looking for is some inspiration for gadget, fantasic weapons & technology names from the era/genre.

So far I have clock work assault carbines and clock work self loading rifles. There is the steam engine, thinking engines, Aeroships and Etherships. What else can I make?

How would Victorians describe Laser or Plasma devices?

Any links and ideas greatly appreciated.  

[Dewbakuk]

Well, electricity was around don't forget, so you can also have lightning guns etc rather than lasers. Plasma might be a tech step too far

[Red Orc]

Electrical stuff is always best described (officially) as 'Galvanic' I reckon. 'A Galvanic Projector' (aka, to the Tommy Lobsters, a 'lightning gun', or as we'd call it a laser rifle)

The standard term for plasma is 'Aetheric Flux', isn't it? It works by the process of Agitation of the Aetheric Flux (probably as a result of Applied Galvanism, or something), as far as I'm aware. I'm certainly working on plans for a 'aetheric flux bombard' (or plasma cannon in early C21st lingo).

There is a thread on this from a while ago, where some of us were tossing around ideas for how all this lovely technology worked. I'll see if I can dig it out.

[mattblackgod]

Thanks guys. My brain stopped working! 

 I was thinking that the Aetheric Flux maybe better of as a vehicle or static weapon due to its weight.

For Lighting guns or Galvanic projector I was thinking of steam powered dynamos to provide the power. So small steam generators in back packs to provide power.

[YIU]

You should browse this site :

http://doctormonocle.com/

Tons of photos and a lot of inspiration. That's what I did for my Steampunk project.

[zebcook]

Was going to post this separately, but this is a good place for my latest inspiration find.

Just picked up a copy of Franke Reade: Adventures in the Age of Invention.

http://amzn.com/0810996618

It's "history" of the Reade family (of Frank Reade's Weekly Reader), done by the same artist team that created Boilerplate. Flipping through it, the book is fantastic inspiration for vehicles. Everything from reproductions of Frank Reade covers, 3D renders of vehicles, even "period" photographs with aetherships and "electric carriages" and more. Enough attention to size and detail that I want to try my hand at building a few of these. Currently lists at $16 US on Amazon (for me, at least; can't promise with Amazon's variable pricing). At that price, I'd say it's a must have for modeller types.

[Red Orc]

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=17729.0 is one of the threads I was thinking of... where I go off on one explaining how unreal physics works. There are also threads about what keeps aeronefs up and similar topics that might give you some ideas.

[mattblackgod]

Thanks for the links. They have inspired some madness in me. 

[mattblackgod]

I am approaching this project on the cheap at the moment so I will be using what I have laying about. My plans are for Mars & Venus to be colonised.

I have a bunch of plastic Warzone Bauhaus left over from another project. Here are some I use in my Future Wars/Post Apoc games.



I have to ask what the thoughts are on using these figures and what modifications would be needed to make them more VSF? I plan to cut away the carry handle on the SMGs. Maybe clip the magazines back to make them fancy repeating carbines? The Machine Gunners are going to get a steam pack to make a Steam Driven Gatling or Hotchkiss.

[Red Orc]

I'm going to be using some for my post-VSFery - they're Astro-Hungarians, who are the Austro-Hungarian Empre in the early C20th, fighting on Mars against the British Space Empire (with the Imperial MegaCorp of course standing in for them). Those French-looking (I know they're Bauhaus but they look French to me, probably the hats) Dino-riders on the Prince August site look pretty sharp too. In my projected timeline, the Austrians and the French will be fighting an alliance of British and Russians.

Steam-driven hand-held Gatlings sound cool. I'd go along with that.

[mattblackgod]

That sounds a pretty good project.

I was thinking about some sort of Guass weapon for the Martians. Would that be a Galvanic Flux Rifle? Or a Galvanic Magnetic Rifle?

What about Death Ray weapons? Is the term too Pulp for the Genre? It could be a Atomic Disruptor Weapon. One of the fun things about this project has been researching what was discovered and invented at this period.

For my Martians I found some GW wood elves and Dark Eldar Wytches in the mini pile. As I am starting to model Mars terrain I have to ask what sort of buildings do the Martians have? Are they some sort of Adobe?

[Cherno]

GURPS: Steampunk might be worth a look.

[Penchour]

You should browse this site :

http://doctormonocle.com/

Tons of photos and a lot of inspiration. That's what I did for my Steampunk project.

Nice ref indeed ! I'll add it to my favs, just incase ;p

[aggro84]

I like the paint jobs on those Warzone miniatures. 

[Ray Rivers]

You should browse this site :

 

Great source!