Experience the world of Imperium first hand
Core Mechanics
- Character Creation & Progression – Custom character creation with manually selected or randomized life paths. Jobs function as front-loaded archetypes (akin to classes), but skills progress organically through gameplay. Social connections and allies play a key role, offering resources and assistance.
- Combat & Encounter System – Turn-based, quasi-tactical gameplay, adaptable for hex grids, traditional grids, or theater of the mind. Simple action economy and quick resolution mechanics.
- Wounds & Recovery – A wound/condition-based system that blends cinematic resilience with real-world lethality. Injuries can be treated quickly with medical aid or magic, but full recovery requires downtime.
- Cyber Warfare – Digital infiltration is fast and intuitive without separate mini-games. Breachers (hackers) use quick, on-the-fly abilities to manipulate networked devices or dive deeper if needed.
Setting & Worldbuilding
- Tech & Magic Interaction – Technology and magic are accessible to all, and in some cases, can be combined.
- Factions & Power Struggles – Corporations, religious orders, governments, and underground movements all compete for power and influence. Players may align with factions, play them against each other, or remain independent to avoid their manipulations.
- Planets & Cities – The primary focus is on Ares, humanity’s new home-world, but the setting spans hundreds to thousands of inhabited and forgotten worlds across the pre-collapse human territories and beyond.
Gear & Equipment
- Cybernetics & Augmentations – Cyberonics blends pre-collapse and modern technology, ranging from functional prosthetics to fully enhanced combat cyborgs. In Ares’ northern tundras, one government has pioneered cybernetic sentinels capable of wielding magic against supernatural foes.
- Weapons & Armor – The tech level mirrors modern-day in some areas, while being far more advanced or lagging in others. Firearms, melee weapons, medical tech, and personal defenses are all crucial to survival.
- Vehicles & Starships – Travel is mostly narrative-driven, but vehicle and space combat rules are included.
Game Flow & Structure
- Missions & Jobs – Players may take on government operations, corporate espionage, underground resistance, exploration, mercenary work, and more. The setting offers a mix of structured missions and emergent opportunities.
- Reputation & Consequences – Character reputation affects interactions with factions, making some missions easier while potentially closing off others. However, in the vastness of space (and the sprawling conurbations of Ares) there are always other groups to work with.
- Downtime – Time between missions is spent recovering or on other structured activities.
Features
- Species – Play as Humans, Altered Humans: the ageless Methuselans, vampiric Amerdus, or enigmatic Ptalar. Alternatively, choose one of three alien species: the shapeshifting Morocaschics, mighty Lacir, or the technological Kyserians.
- Jobs – Commit to a specific career or mix and match from 12 unique character jobs: including soldiers, corporate operatives, magic users, and black market brokers.
- Skill Based System – Develop your character with 27 streamlined skills covering combat, hacking, social influence, and more.
- Reputation System – Engage in a dynamic contact and faction system, where alliances and rivalries shape your progress.
- Comprehensive Lore Reference to immerse yourself in the setting.
- Worldbuilding Tools for endless missions and locales, whether in a group or solo play.
(Still in development, features subject to change)
The public alpha is nearing completion and I’m excited to get this project out into the wild.