Jianghu League: The Lamplighter's Tale

In response to Jadepunk being released for sale as a PDF, I have been working on various versions of the iconic heroes of DC comic. So far I have done a version of Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman. Today I am digging into the elephant in the room for any system, the Green Lantern. Lets see how it goes.

Jordan, The Woman Without Fear

In Darkness, In sorrow

The Fear Maker came

The weak and the sick

Lamented his name

Then came the whisper

the glimmer of light

The lamplighter walking

In darkness to fight

~Translated fragment of the Lamplighter's Tale

In the legends of the Kaiyumi, there is on ehero who rises above the rest. When the ancient gods kept the world of man in darkness and ignorance, their came a being to aid man in his darkest hour. This being was the Lamplighter, the fire bringer, and the founder of the first empire. For his hubris, the gods cursed him and locked him in torment within a volcano for all time.

Now, this is just a story. Something to pass the time and share with friends. there is no truth to this story. Except recently, the people of Kausao and the surrounding lands have begun to tell tales of a phantom Lamplighter. When the people face danger or injustice, a shadowy figure bearing a green lantern steps forward and deals with the problem. No one knows who this man is, or how he is able to do the things credited to him, but he fits many descriptions of the Lamplighter from ancient stories.

The truth is both more mundane and far stranger. Jordan was born and raised in the deep desert, daughter to a great red jade mine owner. Had she been born a man, she would have been sent to the finest schools and trained in all the intellectual arts. Due to her father's attitudes about women, she was forced to train herself. Always tinkering, she learned many great secrets about Jade. Though her father would beat her when he caught her building, Jordan only sought more knowledge. Finally there came a fateful day, as there always does in such stories. The day she was to be wed to the man-nay, the boy her father had chosen for her. Standing at the crossroads, Jordan chose to no longer live in fear. She renounced her family name and left the lands of her father. 

In her travels she learned many things. New ways of utilizing Jade, new technologies, and all the cruelties of man. Jordan finally arrived in Kausao City, the home to the greatest minds in the world and the worst abuses of human dignity. She set to work at anything that would get her closer to the jade tech, closer to knowledge. She became a Jadetech tester. Her job was to test out new innovations in Jade. It was dangerous, but it payed well and she was able to see the cutting edges in Jadetech. 

Finally with enough money to do so, she began to experiment. Over the course of weeks, she built a magnificent Jadetech device. Something unheard of, a constructed intelligence. combining several of her other esoteric ideas for Jadetech, she assembled The Lamp. She was about to test it out, when there was an accident at Low Port. A cargo crane had fallen and crushed a warehouse and two ships. Without really thinking about it, she leaped in and used The Lamp to rescue the people trapped in the wreckage. And thus the legend of the Lamplighter began. 

Portrayal: Fearless Jadetech Engineer

Background: Hope Beats Despair

Inciting Incident: People Need My Help

Belief: Justice Is Its Own Reward

Trouble: They Will Misuse My Inventions

Professions: Engineer +3, Explorer and Scholar +2, Aristocrat and Fighter +1, Scoundrel +0

Assets

Device: The Lamp

Crafted from Green jade to give form to thought and energy, the Lamp is nearing the edges of what is possible with Jade, even in in the theoretical realms. At a basic level it allows the Lamplighter to create green energy constructs(through create advantage rolls). It can create anything that can be imagined. When in use it gives off an eerie green glow.

Function Aspect: Green Jade Energy Matrix

Features: Exceptional(can affect the whole zone), Exceptional(allows wielder to fly or move underwater unimpeded), Harmful 2(add two extra stress to a successful attack), Protective 2(reduce the shifts of incoming attack by two), Sturdy 2(device has two extra stress boxes)

Flaws: Demanding(must make a scholar roll vs a difficulty of +2 in order to utilize the device, for every scene you use it), Consuming(Must spend a Fate Point to use)

Ally: The heart of the lamp

At the center of the lamp lies a metal sphere laced with white jade wires and black jade switches. A constructed Intelligence. Its purpose is to provide the Lamplighter with information on anything he runs across. This almost breaks the rules of the game. with an edge case like this I would definitely get your GM's approval before moving forward with it. Basically this is an ally that the Lamplighter keeps on her person at all times and acts as a mobile library. It can be targeted and destroyed separately from the Lamp itself. If I were running this game I would probably make the two linked. If one breaks, the other no longer works, but that would be up to your table and how you want to use the system.

Function Aspect: Jade Crafted Intelligence

Features: Professional(scholar +1), Resilient(the heart has one minor consequence available), Sturdy(Has one stress box)

Flaws: Demanding(you must spend an action asking the Heart a question in order to gain access to its information)

Alright, then that is my take on a Jadepunk version of the Green Lantern. Oddly enough, the green lantern was pretty simple to do in this system. Let me know what you think, questions, comments, and concerns are all welcome. Next I will be working on the Lord of the Storms and Master of the Sea(Aquaman). There is enough water in the region, that I think we can even avoid the Aquaman problem. I am excited.

Jianghu League: In The Shadow of The Bat

In response to Jadepunk's release as a pdf, I began to build some characters for the game. I based them off certain Iconic DC heroes. So far I have done Superman and Wonder Woman. Today. Today we delve into the darkness of Kausao City. If ever there was a character designed for Kausao, this man is such a character. He is The Batman.

Wei Baatarsai, The Bat

Baatarsai was born to the owner of one of the finest Jadetech Engineering firms in all of Kausao, Wei-Tech Industrial. Over ten percent of all jade in the city was smelted in their Refineries, and Wei-Tech innovations were used in all forms of Jadetech. Life was good for the child Baatarsai, until that fateful night. On their way home from the opera his mother and father were robbed and killed in front of his very eyes. On that day he swore an oath to put a stop to all crime, so that no one else would ever need go through the pain he had just suffered.

Raised by his loyal manservant, Peng An, young Baatarsai set out to accomplish his task. He trained in martial arts, science, and psychology. In learning he discovered that crime was not merely a problem, but a symptom of a larger problem. He knew that as a man he could not be what the city needed. He would need to change the hearts of men, to do this he would need to become a symbol. Bringing hope to the downtrodden and fear to the criminal element. He became the Bat. A rumor in the night. A mad god that swooped down upon the guilty and freed the innocent. The City Watch are often driven to distraction by the graffiti of the bat, written on walls and buildings throughout the city. None suspect that the benevolent business man Wei Baatarsai is this creature of the night. He makes sure to appear as an idle son of a rich man, uninterested in anything but parties and women. Bon Vivant by day, Bat Vigilante by night.

Portrayal: Spirit of Justice

Background: Warrior Detective

Inciting Incident: Let no one suffer as I have suffered

Belief: Fear and Violence keep the Criminals at bay

Trouble: The People Still Suffer

Professions: Scoundrel +3, Fighter and Scholar +2, Engineer and Aristocrat +1, Explorer +0

Assets

Technique: The Way of the Bat

Trained from an early age by Peng An in several forms of martial arts, Baatarsai has developed his own unique style of fighting. It uses stealth and fear alongside sudden and brutal attacks to take his opponents out with minimal danger. As a master of the Way of the Bat, Baatarsai can read his opponents like a book and react with near superhuman speed to their actions.

Guiding Aspect: Fear and Violence Keep the Criminals at Bay

Features: Focus 1(+1 to fighter), Focus +1(Scoundrel +1)

Flaws: Situational(only in the shadows and darkness)

Device: Utility Belt

As the sole owner of Wei-Tech Industrial Baatarsai has access to a great many jadetech innovations. He carries a variety of cutting edge tools in a specially designed belt. It is the rare situation that he is not prepared for.

Function aspect: Utility Belt Full of Minor Jade devices

Features: Exceptional(when utilizing aspects related to gear gain a +3 rather than the normal +2)

Flaws: Demanding 2(Must take a turn and an engineering roll vs +2 difficulty in order to load up your belt, must be done after any scene where you utilize the utility belt more than once)

Technique: Master Detective
Guiding Aspect: Warrior Detective
Features: Flexible(can use scholar in place of explorer)
Flaws: Situational(only when dealing with crime and crime scenes)

Ally: Peng An

A former master of the martial arts, An gave up fighting to become a man of peace. After the death of his master, he sought to help you Baatarsai deal with his pain through the only thing An knew might help. He trained the lad in every form of martial arts he knew. Never had An seen a more gifted or dedicated pupil. Now he is old and he looks at Baatarsai's life's work with no small amount of pride. Though he doesn't say, Baatarsai loves his mentor, and fears for his safety now that the great work has begun.

Function Aspect: Wise and Loyal Manservant

Features: Aspect(Master of the Martial Arts), Professional 4(Scholar +1, Fighter +2, Aristocrat +1), Resilient 2(2 minor consequences), Sturdy(one Stress box)

Flaws: Troubling(The Bat's Hidden Weakness)

Refresh: 1

And there you have it, maybe not the Batman Kausao desires, but perhaps the Batman it needs. I was going to close this up here, but someone made a comment about green lantern, and I think I would like to try and work out how to do Green Lantern in Jadepunk. So next post, the lamp lighter's tale. Let me know what you think, comments, questions, and concerns are always welcome.

Jianghu League: Truth and Love

In honor of the recent release f Jadepunk, I started doing versions of DC superheroes that would work in Kausao City. Yesterday I did Superman, and it went over pretty well. Today we will delve in to the spirit of truth, the ambassador of love, Wonder Woman.

Mahni, Ambassador of Truth and Love
The Ahlmac have legends of the lands far to the south. Deep in the primordial jungles once roamed a people strong and peaceful, the Ter Praeta. They respected the land and made proper sacrifice to both Rapaev and Saivep. But even to such people, war must come. For the Ter Praeta this came in the form of Teltac, the skin stealers. The Teltac killed the Ter Praeta armies, the old, the infirm, and even the children. The women were to be enslaved. When the women saw this they prayed and made sacrifice to the moon goddess Saivep, for salvation. Saivep took pity on her people and made a way for them. Across the river Marjoa, where none may go, lies a great island. This is the land of the Ter Praeta. Only women, they are immortal priestesses and Warriors. So says the stories of the Ahlmac.

These stories are true.

Deep in the rain-forest in the center of the largest river on the planet, lies a hidden island of only women. Far advanced in the use of Jade and other technologies they have whiled away the centuries hidden in their home. But the discovery of Jadetech by the nations of the world has concerned the Council of Priestesses. Man's world is violent and filled with hate. They decided they must send out a scout, to see what the world would do with this dangerous technology. Mahni, daughter of the Voice of Saivep, was chosen for this task. She has only been in the realms of Man for a short while, but Mahni cannot stand by at all the cruelty and suffering she sees. With her weapons and her voice she has become a prominent member of The Jianghu, teaching of Truth and of Love, and standing up to those who would Hate or Decieve.

Portrayal: Chosen Of The Gods
Background: Princess of Peace
Inciting Incident: Man's World Is Filled With Hate
Belief: Truth Will Free Us
Trouble: Fearless and Unashamed

Professions: Aristocrat(+3), Fighter and Explorer(+2), Scholar and Engineer(+1), Scoundrel(+0)

Assets
Technique: Pytah-jovahn
Named after the goddess of war, who gifted this martial art to the Ter Praeta, this martial art focuses on, "shock and awe." It is an impressive art that plays on the psychology of the opponent as much as the body. Only the most pure and dedicated of the priestesses are aloud to learn this holy art. They are known for the ritual scars they carry on the backs of their hands, the mark of the goddess.

Guiding Aspect: Chosen of the Gods
Features: Focus 2(+2 to Fighter)
Flaws: Situational(When Outnumbered)

Device: Blessings of The Grandmother
Up the small river, Yanguai, lies the ruins of the First Men. Only one god of the First Men still exists, Grandmother River. She is an old protective god, who lets no impure person enter her domain. When Mahni was but a child, she heard stories of the First Men and went to look for them. This tickled teh Grandmother so much that she gave little Mahni a blessing, Armored bracers, made from a fine a delicate White Jade. They protect Mahni by allowing her hands to move fast enough to block any attack.

Function Aspect: Bracers of Protection
Features: Focus 2(+2 to Fighter), Sturdy 2(2 extra stress boxes on the bracers)
Flaws: Situational(only against ranged attacks)

Device: Necklace of Angatup
One of the greatest virtues of the Ter Praeta is Truth, personified in the god Angatup, the light in the darkness. In honor of Angatup the priestesses crafted the Necklace. It allows the person wearing it to gain the truth from a deceiver.

Function Aspect: Voice of Truth
Features: Focus 2(+2 Aristocrat)
Flaws: Situational(only when forcing someone to tell the truth)

Refresh: 3

And that is my take on a Jadepunk version of Wonder Woman. Let me know what you think. Next up, i will be doing a take on Batman. I think it is going to be fun, he has all kinds of awesome stuff. And I get to build an Ally, which I had not done prior.

Jianghu League: Year One

Now that Jadepunk is out for sale, I thought I would go through and design a couple of NPCs for it. To be extra fun I thought I would take the core concepts of the Big three from Justice league and build them as Jianghu.

Lord Johnathan Clark
The floating city of Kent was a bastion of peace and honor. Rich in white jade mines and a place of high learning. It was ruled over by the ruling house, Clark. Then came the ambitious General, Xiao, a mercenary who gathered power wherever he could. In one swift stroke he wiped out the Clark's and took control of the city. The Lord Clark was able to get his son secreted away prior to the attack. Now Johnathan lives as an exile in Kausao City. He found an ancient temple deep beneath the earth and there found the power to stand against Xiao and bullies like him.

Portrayal: Champion of the People
Background: True King of Kent
Inciting Incident: House Destroyed, Family Dead
Belief: The Strong Must Protect the Weak
Trouble: I cannot Save Them All

Professons: Explorer(+3), Fighter and Aristocrat(+2), Scholar and Engineer(+1), Scoundrel(+0)

Assets
Device: Raiment of Rao
In the hidden temple of Rao, buried deep beneath the City, Johnathan discovered an ancient Jadetech Power Suit. It is revolutionary and beyond what most alchemists are capable of even in this age of enlightenment. When in direct sunlight the suit allows the wearer to ride the beams of light and a degree of invulnerability. It is a strange mixture of Blue, Red and Black jade. Since he first stepped into the sky over Kausao, the rich and the criminal have been hunting him. They want, nay need, that suit and will do nearly anything to get it.

Function Aspect: Ancient Power Suit
Features: Exceptional(allows you tow fly, maneuver with explorer), Protective 2(reduce Shift Value of attacks against you by two), Sturdy 2(asset has 2 extra stress boxes)
Flaws: Situational(only in direct sunlight), Troubling(everyone wants the suit's secrets

Refresh: 1

And that is my first take on doing a version of superman for Kausao City. Let me know what you think. I will also be doing versions of Wonder Woman and Batman for Kausao. I would love any ideas on how you all think that should work.

Where The Antelope Play: My Personal Old School Renaisance

It has been a while since I last posted. For that, my dear readers I apologize. Life has gotten in the way, as it so often does and I have less and less time to do all the things that bring me joy. That being said, I have not been Idle this last month or so. I have been writing a couple of short stories that I hope to publish soon. I have been plugging away at Jade World(Jadepunk for the Apocalypse Engine) and a major adventure for Jadepunk. Also Jadepunk has just been released for sale in pdf format! How exciting is that?!? Once those projects are done, I have a couple more I am working on, for Jadepunk and for another game that I have been asked to help out on. Busy busy, all the time around here. All that being said, I will try and post more on this blog and hopefully get more than one or two posts a month going on up in here.

I know that you all know of my love, nay obsession, with Gonzo Post Apocalyptic madness. I cut my teeth on After the Bomb, Gamma World, and all sorts of other games, like that. Heck I even built Omnis Mundi, my Fate Post Post-Apocalypse campaign setting. All of that was well and good, but it failed to scratch that itch in just the right way. It is fun, and it does exactly what it said it was going to do, but it felt...too unified. It lacked the craziness that stemmed from the mechanics I loved as a kid.

While all of these thoghts were going on I felt the urge to reread some of my old books, from back when I started gaming. I pulled out my copy of Rifts, dog eared, battered, and curling. I started reading through it. In fact I am currently doing a read through of Rifts over on rpg.net. In reading through it, and writing down my thoughts as I went, i discovered some things. There were parts of that game that I really loved. Parts that are hard to duplicate in the games I play now. So I dug down into my early books and started to suss out what it was I loved about those games. And a great deal of what I loved was the weirdness of the rules, how swingy and random it was. I loved the random tables and the house rules we had to build to shore up these older games. Mostly I loved the sincerity of the games. These games may not have been amazing, though some were, but they lacked that ironic streak to them. They are pure in a way taht is hard to describe, but you know it when you see it.

And then I began to write.

Over the course of a weekend I managed to write something like eleven thousand words. It was game design, sure, but it was stream of consciousness game design. Since that fateful weekend I have gone back and tweaked a thing here or fleshed out a bit there, and it is almost playable. Actually it is completely playable as it stands. However it lacks a few things I will add in later.

So here it is the game I wrote in a weekend. I would love to here what you think. I have left it open to comments, should you wish to make them directly to the game document. If you play it, i would love to hear how the games go.

Where The Antelope Play

JLAccelerated: Trinity

This will be the start of a series of posts about the Justice league for Fate Accelerated Edition. First I will be posting the characters of the league, well...my versions of the heroes. Once I have the heroes laid out I will move on to do a series of adventures staring my favorite villains. All of this, I hope, will be culminated in a massive adventure verses the forces of Armageddon itself. 

Without further ado, here are the first three characters Wonder Woman, Superman and the Batman.

Superman

“Taking lives is something I definitely find offensive! But roughing up criminal terrorists a bit doesn't faze me at all!”

The civilization of Krypton has touched a thousand worlds, from the Techno-Oligarchy of Colu to the exploration colony of Argo. Their science, religion, and philosophy influenced cultures beyond counting. They were a golden people, seeking physical, mental, and moral perfection. The Kryptonian Guard, led by the great General Zod, allied with he Oans and the Guardians of the Galaxy to defend all life. Some of the greatest Green Lanterns were Kryptonian.

Apocalypse came to Krypton. Their colonies went silent, one after the other. Then the shadow fell across their home. The Darkseid, the Omega god, wiped out the Kryptonians. It did not use direct warfare, that is not its way. Darkseid poisoned the very planet, to walk its surface was to step into perdition. Two stood against this menace, the general and the scientist. The general, bravest of men, stood in the path of oblivion and did not blink. His was the last to see Krypton before it exploded. The scientist sought a way to save his world, his people. In the end, he saved just one, his only son. As his world shattered this boy rocketed to a new world, a world where he would be safe.

The boy was found and taken in by a loving couple from Kansas, Johnathan and Martha Kent. They called him Clark. When he was old enough, his adopted parents told him the story of his arrival. Clark wandered the world for a while, trying to find meaning. Everywhere he went, he saw injustice and hopelessness. He helped where he could, but it was not enough. He needed to do more. He need to inspire hope and justice for all. He could not help them all, but he could inspire humanity to help itself. Taking the symbols from his spaceship he created a costume and identity, he became Superman.

As he fought for those who could not help themselves, he found himself losing touch with the common man. The world looks so very small when you fly high above it. Now he spends his days as an investigative reporter, seeing the world from the perspective of the people.

Powers and Devices

As a Kryptonian Superman has tremendous strength, speed, and is nearly invulnerable. When exposed to earth's atmosphere and yellow sunlight he gains the ability to fly as well as tremendous senses, heat vision, and super-breath(the best power EVER).

High Concept: Last Son of Krypton

Trouble: I Cannot Save Everyone

Aspect: Hopes of Tomorrow

Aspect: I Fight For Those Who Cannot Fight For Themselves

Aspect: Soul of Steel

Approaches: Forceful +3, Clever and Flashy +2, Quick and Careful +1, Sneaky +0

Stunts

Because I am an Investigative Reporter I gain +2 to Cleverly Overcome Obstacles when I am confronted with a mystery or secret.

Because I am a Hero of the People I gain +2 to Forcefully Overcome Obstacles when I am helping the little guy.

Wonder Woman

“If it means interfering in an ensconced, outdated system, to help just one woman, man or child…I’m willing to accept the consequences.”

When the Argonauts encountered the Amazons, Hypolita realized it was the beginning of the end. Man's world would continue to expand, explore, and conquer. She called out to the gods to protect her people from the scourge of Man's world. The gods pulled Themyscera, home of the amazons, into a realm hidden from mortal eyes. But the amazons would now never have access to men again, and thus were doomed to die out. Again they prayed to the gods to save them from this doom. Hera took pity on them and granted the Amazons immortality. Never would the ravages of time fall upon the Amazons. And so they lived for thousands of years.

Without fear of external conflict or death, the amazons created many arts and sciences. Over time they became a group of transcendent minds, masters of all sciences and arts. Themyscera is an island of wonders. Even with the peace of millenia, the Amazons never forgot the threat Man's world could potentially be. They trained in war as they trained in all other human endeavors.

As the years wore on, Hypolyta began to long for a daughter, to raise and to train in the ways of the Amazons. After so many years there was nothing new for her to see. And so she set herself to the task of producing a daughter. She crafted her daughter from a mix of her own genetic material and the blood of Heracles, gathered from an ancient sword used against the Argonauts. And so Diana was born. At her birth the gods gathered to witness the last granddaughter of Zeus' birth. Each god presented her with gifts. All save for Ares. He used the gathering of gods to unleash a sneak attack against the Olympians. He failed and was locked away, in the depths of Erebus, swearing vengeance on Zeus, Hyppolyta, and all of their houses.

Diana grew up strong and with no knowledge of hate or despair. She mastered all the skills of Themyscera far faster than any before her. Her curiosity was boundless, and often she was found in the far reaches of the island, exploring. Eventually she grew restive and wished to see the world of Man for herself. After much discussion her mother finally agreed. Diana would go into Man's world as an emessary, to spread love and truth, to bring the peace the amazons know to brutish world of Man.

Powers and Equipment

Beauty of Aphrodite: her empathy, love, and beauty as well as a kind heart

Wisdom of Athena: can understand all languages, all sciences, philosophies, and is a brilliant tactician

Strength of Demeter: incredible strength and endurance. When she is in contact with the earth she is the strongest mortal. If the situation is dire, she can merge with the earth and heal any injury.

Speed of Hermes: Super speed(.5 light speed) and flight

Eyes of the hunter: given by Artemis. Can speak with animals, has enhanced senses

Discernment of truth from Hestia: she sees the truth of things, always. She can speak every language and understand even nonverbal or non-sapient communication

High Concept: Amazon Ambassador of Truth and Love

Trouble: Does not understand Man's World

Aspect: Peace is worth fighting for

Aspect: Truth is Beauty

Aspect: Never give in

Approaches: Careful +3, Quick and Clever +2, Flashy and Forceful +1, Sneaky +0

Stunts

Because I have the Invulnerable Aegis Bracelets I gain a +2 when I Quickly defend against ranged attacks.

Because I have the Lasso of Truth I gain a +2 when I Forcefully overcome rolls to deceive me.

The Batman

“You all know who I am. You know what I can do. But I'm holding a small child here. And if you make me do anything that could possibly endanger this baby, you will be very, very sorry. Forever”

A son witness the death of his parents. An oath is sworn. The boy vanishes into the man. The man becomes a symbol, not of vengeance but of justice. Let no child live in fear. Criminals and bullies should fear doing evil. The bat hunts the night, protecting the weak. He stands against injustice and fear.

Powers and Equipment

Bat-vehicles: batmobile is a car with crime computer and all sorts of gadgets. Batplane lets him fly and all sorts of aerial non-lethal weapons, Batboat is like the batmobile, but a boat

Utility belt: all the toys

Training: Master detective, Master martial artist, master con man, master of disguise, master scientist, master engineer

Bruce Wayne Persona: the mask he wears when in public, hides the fact that he is Batman

High Concept: The Dark Knight

Trouble: Crime never sleeps

Aspect: the World's Greatest Detective

Aspect: No child shall live in fear

Aspect: Let Justice be Done

Approaches: Clever +3, Sneaky and Careful +2, Forceful and Quick +1, Flashy +0

Stunts

Because I have a Utility Belt once per game session I have exactly the right tool for the job.

Because I am a Billionare Vigilante I gain a + when I Cleverly Create Advantages when I buy a new piece of Bat themed crime fighting equipment.

The next heroes will be Lady Blackhawk, Martian Manhunter, and the Flash. After that will come, Big Barda, Aquaman, and Oracle. Then it is on to the adventures!

Fate of the Nova Age: The Secret War

They have existed for eons. Diametrically opposed by their very natures. Fighting a war that few can see. They use the lesser races of the universe as their weapons, their resources, and cats-paws. They would have continued on like that for eternity. They would have, if only they had not found earth. Found humanity.

Humanity has the potential to do what no other species can. They could manipulate all the fundamental forces, quantum and sub-quantum. Humanity was an anomaly, and both sides wished to use them. They tinkered, they altered. The war has changed.

Doyen
the Qin pray to beings of pure thought. Telepathic gods of the mind roam through their myths. The priests of the Doia join their minds into a memetic gestalt to further the faith. The holy warriors of the Qin travel throughout the galaxy on a holy crusade to wipe out quantum demons. Others may worship these spirits, but the Qin know that they are the chosen people. All will serve the Qin and the Doia, or be crushed beneath the heels of their bio-suits.

The people throughout galactic civilization speak sadly of Arles of Ba'arsohm. A great and powerful civilization put down in fire and hate by the holy armies of the Qin and their demonic gods. For centuries the Arles were able to hold them off. The held the Qin back with guile and might. It was the invention of Red Salt that changed everything. Not just on Ba'arsohm, but in the rest of the galaxy. Red Salt is a world ender. It does not just kill your enemies, it kills all life on the planet. Now the lonely red rock of Ba'arsohm sits as a monument to the rage of the Qin, and the Demons twisting their souls.

The Doyen are semi corporeal beings devoted to the ascendancy of the mind. They are linked intrinsically to the noetic universe. They claim to rule over whole galaxies. Their servant species fight a never ending war against the Zeps. They cannot exist in the world without a special environment suit or a host body. They are masters of manipulation, seeing all other beings as means to the Doyens' ends. The Doyen see themselves as higher beings, gods among ants. They view the whole of the universe as something to be shaped and grown, like a garden. A garden of delight for the Doyen and nobody else.

When they discovered humans, the doyens were at once overjoyed and terrified. Overjoyed in they had found powerful weapons to use against the Zeps. Terrified because humans had more potential than any other species. More potential even than the Doyen, say the whispers in the backs of their minds. Humanity has begun to tear apart Doyen society. Some wish to wipe out earth, and the threat it presents. Others wish to guide humanity into their new highest servants, to supplant the Qin and lead the Doyens armies in the fight against the threat of the Zeps.

The Zeps
The Zeps do not care. That must be understood, before anything else can be said. The Zeps do not care about you, or your problems. Extremophiles devoted to personal evolution and physical immortality, the Zeps only care about personal advancement of themselves. They are super-geniuses with the ability to manipulate the fundamental forces of the universe. Long ago they crafted the Ectenic Dynamo, a chamber that allows a Zep to alter itself. Masters of technology and the physical universe, the Zeps seek greater and greater knowledge and power. One Zep alone can take on whole armies. An army of Zeps, has only ever been mentioned in mythology.

They would have left the rest of the universe alone if it were not for the Doyen. The Doyen began the war, this is known. This external threat united the Zeps as nothing else could have done. They put the monstrous intellects toward total war. The Doyen were slippery, hard to pin down. The war has never been direct. Every time the Zeps focus in on a location, the Doyen counter in another area. It has been a stalemate for the last twenty thousand years. The last major skirmish was the destruction of the Zeps greatest creates, the Arles. Now Earth is the new battlefront. Humanity is the greatest weapon the Zeps have ever found. They have been experimenting on humanity for centuries. Finally in the last few years these experiments seem to have come to fruition. The war is moving in a new direction. The Doyen have made a great mistake. The got the Zeps to care.