I think there's more emphasis on the 'Victorian-era' part.

Like the History of Robots in the Victorian Age?

This book is currently in writing, so do not get into too much detail please.

Don't know if you remember Iytha but Malarious actually talked to you about clockwork tech a few IG years ago for research on this very topic! For those unaware, the mobs in our nexus world are actually clockwork beings!

When aetherships came out I know myself and a few people were wondering, what, we don't get airships first?

I would not mind more steampunk in Magnagora as that fits for us, but as to having skills for steampunk? We have tinkering that would have been where it would go if I have ever heard of a skillset that sounds steampunk.

I am a big fan of steampunk aesthetics and most of the bands who self-identify as "steampunk bands" as well.

I also rather like the mundane historical Victorian and Industrial period.

I like this magazine, free to download, the first issue talks a bit about what Steampunk actually is.

http://www.steampunkmagazine.com/

Of course, it is pretty hard to classify it hard and fast, since a lot of fans have different ideas about it and no one is really more or less right than the others in this particular case. I think it can be safely said that the writings of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells are a big inspiration for all things steampunk, at least.

Regarding the bit about steam-powered industry not being worthwhile for Magnagora, perhaps it is actually cheaper to mass-produce and construct with technology rather than magic? I don't know how or why, but that could be a reason for using technology which pollutes and generally seems much less "shiny" than magic does.

@Janalon: The aesthetics of the cities in Final Fantasy 6 strike me as very steampunk, since the industry, well, runs on steam and all. Magitek is not inherently a part of steampunk, though, as not everyone incorperates fantasy elements into their steampunk.

Steampunk fits the Mag theme, and Mag has taken slow steps in that direction over the years - mainly at players' instigation. I don't think it's as appropriate for the other cities, and obviously not at all for the communes. I suppose gnome-technology might be considered steampunky, but I'm not sure it's grimy enough..

Just slimy!

Slug slimy.

Gnafia to some degree? Honestly, there are steampunk influences but I don't consider gnome tech to be steampunk itself. Some of it fits well, though, in my opinion... I mean the gnomish fireworks? Magnagora is definitely the most steampunky, but it doesn't always have to be dark themed.



It was technically an Elder God artifact of some such, it just happened to be the treasure of House Inalai of Celest.



I agree. I think by introducing further steampunk into Lusternia we're damaging the view we have on the gnomes and their special role, particularly in the Gnafia.


Ultimately, I like the subtle influences but I don't want it to go past that. Artifacts, Gnafia, watches and other tinkering as well as the Magnagorian themes are good, I like where they're going. I just don't want Lusternia to get too high tech.

"Steampunk" as a term has drifted somewhat, and most people today include the squeaky-clean Jules-Verne-style clockwork-tech stuff within it. I think Fain's making a distinction between the older sense, as you might see in The Difference Engine, where it's rooted in the grime and soot and smoke of the Industrial Revolution; and the more Victorian-fantasy-inspired form that evokes H.G. Wells and Jules Verne, and which tends to gloss over the grittier parts and show it in a more positive, even utopian, light. The former suits Magnagora; some people might be walking around in posh suits and wearing monocles, but we never lose sight of the filth under their feet, and the fact that any one of them might have just been, or might just be, stuck working in the dangerous, dirty engine rooms. The latter is more suited to the gnomes (though even there, the comical aspects of the gnomes don't really fit).

I'm not familiar with either name there, actually. I am however familiar with what Fain is getting at - and just referencing what most people interpret as being steampunk today and acknowledging that steampunk in Lusternia is more wishy washy, the stereotypical in many ways (aside from Magnagora, but I really can't speak for that city.)

Edit: sorry for derailment!

...Are you saying you've never heard of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells?

You have scored a WORLD-SHATTERING CRITICAL hit!
You have slain Lendren.

(and maybe Fain, too, once he sees this.)

I'm sorry. Honestly, I may have read it, but if you knew me you'd know I forget everything.

And a quick google search reveals that I actually have some H.G. Wells at home. Ooops. >.>

Second edit: Oh my god I'm stupid. I know the book titles, but I'd completely forgotten the authors.

...The Mysterious Island? Journey to the Centre of the Earth? Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea?

What about The Time Machine? The War of the Worlds?

They've had very recent well known movies done in the last decade, not to mention before.

Edit: Oh good, I was going to ask you what rock you've been living under!

Yeah, I'm sorry, I should have refreshed my memory first. Some days, I wonder if I have a brain.

Oh no worries now, was just a scary shock is all!

Oh yes, the overkill from that WSC you unleashed on Lendren almost got me as well.

Add in some soot-stained lowly serfs, demonic imagery and increase the pollution = Magnagora?

Also, the water must obviously be contaminated or non-existant.

Actually, you'd probably just have to add the demonic imagery thinking of the Industrial era in London.

Pretty much, yeah.

Man, I would so be Magnagoran if I weren't Hallifaxian.

Maybe it's time to try this "alt" thing again?

AN OUTRAGE. A CATASTROPHE.
Edit: Wow, way to not notice there was this other page floating around over here. Even still. >:C

Don't think Kayte will ever live this down.