Astrographer

I just found this very cool, in depth geek out: http://astrographer.wordpress.com/

If you're a fan of Star Trek (especially), Traveller, or basically anything else sci-fi related, you will not be disappointed.

I'm following through my primary blog: http://realmwright.blogspot.com/

Tag along, won't you?

To Infinity And Beyond

Nils from Enderra.com sent me this link.

Futuristic Mega Projects

I cannot believe people (yes, we upright bald apes) thought this stuff up, but perhaps more incredible is the fact that it's not that far fetched. All of it seems entirely plausible given the necessary research, funding, and supply of . Mustn't forget the qualified engineers, astrophysicists, and of course the brave guinea pigs to go test it out first. You can currently catch the mega pyramid episode of Extreme Engineering on Netflix. 

It got me thinking about what it would take to colonize a new, habitable planet with humans. That led me to look this up.

Wonderquest.com
 
Another buddy of mine (Marcus) and I are always jabbering about BSG, Star Trek, Star Wars, etc and how crazy it will be the day mankind undertakes long term space colonization. We're talking pre-FTL "rudimentary" generation ships with "simple" ion engines. He thinks it's ludicrously exciting and wants to be one of the first on board. I think he's out of his mind! Let someone else wear the red shirt, that's what I say. I get nervous just hearing about current talk concerning Mars and Moon colonies within the next 20 years. Maybe it's because I hate to travel, hate flying, hate the idea of foreign germs and gigantic man-eating bugs, but color me Earthbound. I ain't going nowhere! Picture B.A. Baracus from A-Team getting knocked out and put on a plane. Now picture him a gangly, bearded worldbuilder.....I pity the fool, indeed!

Concept Ships

In the last few posts I have shared various pics of ships from different series. It seems a bit backwards to now share the link the really got me interested in ships designs. I have lots of ideas, but my hand just doesn't gravitate towards the geometry needed for craft design. Maybe as I get better at programs that produce cleaner results than pen and paper scribbles.

Anyway, without further chatter, I present to you:

http://conceptships.blogspot.com/

Starlight: Chronicles of the Empire

My buddy Nils was trying to think of what to call his sci-fi setting. I suggested the name “Starlight” because it’s generic and recognizable. He ended up going with "Somnium" as it is Latin for "the dream". We agree it's pretty awesome....and he tells me "Starlight" was the name of an RPG back in the day, so he wasn't sure if copyright was still valid. Anyway, I came up with this as an intro cinematic.

[Title] Be Careful What You Wish For

A mother tucking a little girl into bed. On the bedside table is a picture of her father in military dress.

"Mommy, will daddy be home soon?"

"Maybe if you wish really hard, he will be sweetie" [mom exits]

The little girl rolls over and looks out the window as the first star winks through a passing cloud.

She begins reciting "Starlight, star bright, first start I see tonight..." [close up on her eye with a star reflected in it] the eye morphs from that of an innocent child to the haunted eye of a soldier "I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight" [her voice fades as a male voice comes up] As it pulls out again, it's a soldier. He looks down from the star to a tattered photo of his daughter.

[Sounds of battle and explosions nearby]

He tucks the photo away and dons his helmet.

[commander yelling] "Ten seconds!"

Heartbeat, huffing inside the helmet. He checks his clip, pulls the slide on his rifle.

commander: 3...2...1...Go. Go! GO! They rush out into battle.

(battle scene here) ends with him hunkered behind some kind of ruins for cover. A grenade lands in from of him. He watches the red light blinking on it, looks up to the star, closes his eyes as the grenade explodes. A wash of bright light fades to black.  

Intro scene ends with his wife and daughter crying as his coffin, draped with the flag of the Empire, is loaded into the back of a hearse. Wish granted. Daddy’s home to stay.

Camera pans up to an overheard shot as the coffin is lowered into the grave. Fade to black except for the insignia. Then the red and gold letters come up “Starlight: Chronicles of the Empire”