From: Andy Wills [andy@olywa.net] Sent: Monday, December 07, 1998 8:17 PM To: blue_planet@MPGN.COM Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Undercurrents 6 & 7 BIOHZD@aol.com wrote: > > Hello All, > > I've been sitting here working on Undercurrents #5, and as is inevitable, I've > begun thinking about future issues. For a while now I thought it would be cool > to have a theme for each UC, where all the issue's features, at least in part, > explore a single aspect of the BP universe. We did a little of this with the > Hydroshot elements of UC #2, and it looks like issue #5 may have a good fast > fungus infestation by the time it's done ; ). Anyway, we thought it might be > neat to formalize this theme thing - maybe just for the next couple issues, > maybe for good. > > What does the list think of this idea? I like having "half a theme" issues. An issue with two or three related articles makes me more likely to use all of them together--for example, a village and an adventure that could be played in the village, + an additional piece of equipment that fits in the adventure, but the article would hold one or two unrelated articles. That way, if you don't want to use the theme of Undercurrents for some reason, there are still other articles of interest. [I'll respond to the rest when I have more time] -Andy *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@mpgn.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: BIOHZD@aol.com Sent: Monday, December 07, 1998 3:47 PM To: blue_planet@MPGN.COM Subject: [BLUE PLANET] - Undercurrents 6 & 7 Hello All, I've been sitting here working on Undercurrents #5, and as is inevitable, I've begun thinking about future issues. For a while now I thought it would be cool to have a theme for each UC, where all the issue's features, at least in part, explore a single aspect of the BP universe. We did a little of this with the Hydroshot elements of UC #2, and it looks like issue #5 may have a good fast fungus infestation by the time it's done ; ). Anyway, we thought it might be neat to formalize this theme thing - maybe just for the next couple issues, maybe for good. What does the list think of this idea? The current plan is to dedicate the next two Undercurrents to specific social groups on Poseidon, including articles, NPCs, scenarios and even equipment that are unique to the groups in question. Issue #6 is going to be cover hybrid biology, culture and characters, with a chaotic survival scenario set in the colony of Bright Savanna. Issue #7 will be dedicated to cetaceans, including new gear, NPCs and an adventure designed specifically to feature cetacean characters. To this end, I would like to follow up by (1) asking some questions and (2) soliciting some submissions: 1. On the list-serve, and in the various reviews and other public forums, there has been almost no discussion of the hybrids presented in the BP universe - virtually none. I find this a little strange considering the enthusiasm that has been shown for the cetaceans. As a result, I am curious as to what the list thinks about the whole hybrid thing. Do you guys dig/dislike their presence in the BP universe? Do you use them in your games? As PCs or NPCs? Are they an active part of your backstories even if your players to not play them? Personally the hybrid concept has really grown on me, and has actaully become one of my favorite parts of the BP social-political landscape. In fact, one of the only two BP characters I have (that I have ever had, actually) is a Sylvan. 2. We know that cetacean characters and culture have become a favorite of BP players, so we would therefore like to request and encourage submissions for the cetacean issue from you. Articles, equipment, NPCs, scenarios, anything the will add to the culture and playability of orcas and dolphins in BP. In fact, we are so interested creating an anticipated and useful treatment of this popular topic that we are planning on making UC #7 a special double issue - you know, a real whale of a newsletter. ; p So, let us know what you think about the hybrids, and dive in on some cetacean submissions. Thanks all, Jeff "Monkey Boy" Barber Biohazard Games *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@mpgn.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message. From: Kevin C. Carpenter [kccarpenter@sprynet.com] Sent: Monday, December 07, 1998 10:12 PM To: blue_planet@MPGN.COM Subject: Re: [BLUE PLANET] - Undercurrents 6 & 7 I think the concept of themes for an issue is a great idea. That way, it piques everyone's interest to generate items of use for that particular theme. For instance, I'm quite enthused about the idea of a cetacean-themed Undercurrents, both because that is where my personal interest lies and also because I find it an important part of the BP universe. Even though I'm curious to see more about the hybrids, my own personal opinion on them was lukewarm at best, mostly because they seemed to stick out among the rest of the backdrop, like they didn't quite belong there. I can't say for sure about the rest of my gaming group, but I got the feeling that they weren't all that interested in playing one either. Part of the reason is that cats and apes (IMHO) clash with the watery, alien setting of Poseidon. Perhaps they'll make more sense when more focus is placed on Earth, since I think they fit in there a little bit better. I had mentioned the possibility of cetacean hybrids on the list earlier, even though they would be both illegal and (at least to some people) redundant, if only in function. Then again, maybe some new material presented in UC #6 might really change my mind about them. The brief treatment they get in the BP book was part of the reason that they ended up not being featured in my game. - Kevin C. Carpenter *************************************************************************** To unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@mpgn.com with the line 'unsubscribe blue_planet' as the body of the message.