Written by Walt Ciechanowski, Chad Bowser and Scott Rhymer

MARVELSSCIENCE

STEAMPUNKOF AND

Marvels of Science and SteampunkVictoriana is certainly a world of magic, but it is also a world of scientific discovery

and invention. While the aristocracy has spent centuries living lives of luxury owed to convenient but expensive sorcery, science and technology have the potential to raise the quality of life for the masses. Increasingly automated factories ship their products across the country on rails, while steamships import raw materials from across the sea and export Britain’s goods throughout the Empire and the world. Airships conquer the skies and increasingly intricate prosthetics replace damaged limbs and organs.

And while steam and the burgeoning fields of electricity and internal combustion have spawned great marvels of technology, the greatest engineers realise even better, more efficient technologies are possible with a little magical assistance. Thus magic and technology walk hand in hand in Victoriana; whether that leads to a new golden age or an industrial wasteland remains to be seen.

Marvels of Science and Steampunk contains:

Rules for designing and building technological marvels.

New character options for engineers, including the Cyclops and the Mechanical Man

Expanded rules for vehicles and vehicular combat

New spells and mechanical medium abilities that affect technology

Dozens of ready-made technological marvels to insert into your Victoriana campaigns

www.cubicle7.co.uk CB7211 $29.99

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CreditsWritten by: Walt Ciechanowski, Chad Bowser, Scott RhymerCover Art: Jon HodgsonInterior Art: Nicole Cardiff, Jon Hodgson, Eric Lofgren, Sam Manley, Scott Neil, Scott Purdy, Lee SmithEditing: Walt CiechanowskiProofreading: Walt CiechanowskiArt Direction: Jon HodgsonLayout: Andrew O’HaraVictoriana Line Developer: Walt CiechanowskiProduction Manager: Dominic McDowall-ThomasPublishers: Angus Abranson and Dominic McDowall-ThomasOriginal Graphic Design: Gabriel Strange and Andrew O’HaraSecond Edition Logo by: Sean Buckley

Published by Cubicle 7 Entertainment LtdRiverside House, Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 0ES, UK, Reg. no 6036414www.cubicle7.co.uk The Victoriana Game World © 1992. This book, including all art, concepts, characters, text and intellectual properties © 2011 Cubicle 7 Entertainment Ltd.Any unauthorised use of copyrighted material is illegal.

Any trademarked names are used in a historical or fictional manner; no infringement is intended.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL GAMES STORE.

Find out more about Victoriana and our other games at www.cubicle7.co.uk

If you have any comments or suggestions about the game, send them to info@cubicle7.co.uk

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Marvels Of sCienCe and steaMpunk

COntents

5 Sorcery and steam

8 Chapter 1 - Introduction

9 The History of Science10 Science and Society12 Power Sources14 Artificers and Engineers14 Historical Accuracy

15 Chapter 2 - Cogs in the System

16 Character Generation16 Races22 Backgrounds24 Talents25 Privileges26 Assets28 Complications29 Skills31 Combat31 Attacking & Damaging Prosthetics31 Damaging Mechanical Men32 Repairing Machines32 Vehicle Chases and Combat33 Chase36 Combat37 Vehicle Damage37 Airship and Naval Combat

39 Chapter 3 - The Spark of Genius

41 Creating New Marvels44 Contraptions of Convenience50 Personal Weaponry50 Melee51 Pistols54 Rifles55 Shotguns58 Unusual Ranged Weapons60 Destructive Devices61 Armour

63 Chapter 4 - Man and Machine

64 Prosthetic Limbs65 Clockwork Limbs70 A Better Man by Design72 A Selection of Automata72 Curiosities75 Servants76 Battlefield Automata78 Workers

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80 Chapter 5 - Marvels of land, air and sea

81 The Coming of Steam83 Creating New Vehicles83 Building Marvellous Vehicles85 Adding Traits and Quirks87 A Tour of Vehicles in Victoriana87 Personal Transportation Aides88 Land Transportation92 Watercraft99 Aircraft103 Battlefield Engines103 Cannons and Other Guns105 Exotic Weaponry108 The Difference Engine on

the Battlefield109 Other Scientific Aids on the

Battlefield

110 Chapter 6 - Marvellous Magic

111 Mechanical Medium113 Enchantment Spells115 Thaumaturgy Spells117 Runelore118 Dark Arts118 Haemomantic Spells120 Necromancy122 Demonology123 Bringing the Dead to Life

124 Chapter 7 - a World of steam

125 How much Steam?127 How much Punk?130 The Big Fight!130 The Airship131 The Factory132 The Scrapyard132 The Tramp Steamer133 The Underground134 Supporting Characters144 Creatures and Monsters

150 Chapter 8 - Appendix

150 Further Reading - Fiction151 Further Reading - Non-Fiction and

Reference151 Filmography152 Television Series

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Miss Clarisse Talbot tried to hold her parasol steady as the open barouche bounced along the dirt carriage road alongside the Serpentine. While the sky was a bleak grey with the sun only a fleeting haze, Clarisse wasn’t taking any chances. If even a hint of sun marked her skin when she got home her mother would imprison her in the house for a week until it faded. One would think that if, with her long-sleeved red taffeta dress and matching hat, Clarisse still felt the need to shield herself from the faint afternoon sun, she would have insisted on a closed carriage for this outing. That, of course, was simply ludicrous; one rides through Hyde Park to be seen; a closed carriage was quite out of the question.

To her credit, Mrs Isabeau Hollingsworth said nothing as she sat next to her friend. Isabeau had the kind of skin most Englishwomen would kill to have, as white as the finest porcelain. It contrasted beautifully with her long curly black hair and she felt no need to hide it from the sun; indeed, the cut of her deep blue dress left most of her shoulders bare. Isabeau did wear a small blue hat, but only to be fashionable. Such was the privilege of being born Eldren.

In spite of Isabeau’s tact Clarisse shot her a jealous look anyway. Isabeau could at least ‘try’ to look like she was concerned. It simply wasn’t fair. Clarisse had her coming out party two months ago; if she had no suitors by the end of the season she’ d worry about becoming an old maid. Isabeau, on the other hand, was a widow, yet thanks to her breeding she looked only a few years older than Clarisse. Suddenly feeling ashamed, she diverted her attention to an airship in the distance, slowly descending onto Kensal Green. It looked majestic against the sky.

“Do you see anything you like, Clarisse?” Isabeau asked as she offered her pet a biscuit. The small, blue-green scaled frendal lizard that was perched on her ivory right shoulder eagerly snatched it up. The Eldren giggled as her pet, Wispy, let out a belch accompanied by a small poof of smoke.

Clarisse tore her gaze away from the airship. It was still jarring to hear Isabeau call her by her Aluminat name; the Eldren had grown up with her grandmother. It was even more difficult for Clarisse to refrain from calling her “Auntie,” as

she had for most of her life. She quickly scanned the park for someone of interest.

“Not yet,” Clarisse lied. In truth, there were several eligible young men that had caught her eye today, but she felt that they should be approaching her, rather than the other way around. If they did not, then she had no prospects.

Isabeau was undeterred. She gently squeezed her young friend’s arm with one hand and discreetly pointed with the other. “Here comes Sir Randall Devonshire and his marvellous carriage! I wonder what magic he uses to propel it?”

Clarisse followed her friend’s guidance to rest on a horseless carriage that was approaching them. It was quite a spectacle; an ornate open carriage with no harnesses for horses. Indeed, it appeared that the wheels were moving on their own, which they likely were. Sir Randall Graham was a young member of the Guild and a bit of a show-off. Isabeau was inexplicably enamoured of the young man.

As his carriage approached, Clarisse’s driver calmed the horses as they tended to get nervous in the presence of magic. Sir Randall smiled as he whispered the word necessary to slow his carriage. Clarisse’s driver did the same. Sir Randall tipped his hat at the two young ladies (relatively speaking in Isabeau’s case) and warmly greeted them.

“Good afternoon, ladies. Prior to your arrival I didn’t believe that there could be anything more beautiful in the park this afternoon. I am obviously mistaken.”

Isabeau giggled, which distracted Clarisse. Her grandmother, Heaven rest her soul, never giggled. Then again, her grandmother never looked so young for her age. Clarisse struck the thought from her mind. In fact, she was a little offended. Why should Isabeau assume that the compliment was for her?

“Why, Sir Randall!” Isabeau teased, pulling out her Chinese fan and overdramatically cooling her face. “You simply must tell me how long it took for you to find just the right words to melt a poor widow’s heart!”

Clarisse noted Isabeau’s emphasis on ‘widow.’ Clarisse feigned disinterest in the conversation to allow Isabeau the opportunity to flirt with the young Guild mage. She was

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genuinely taken aback when Sir Randall, after sharing a polite laugh with Isabeau, turned his attention to Clarisse.

“Miss Talbot, pray tell me that you will be attending the Riggins’ party tomorrow evening?”

Clarisse shot a sideways glance at her Eldren friend, but Isabeau’s face hardened and her nose crinkled the way it always did when she read someone’s aura. Wispy belched a puff of smoke as well. In an instant, Isabeau’s interest in Sir Randall melted away and she bit her lip as to not show her disappointment.

“I…” Clarisse stumbled. She usually wasn’t at a loss for words. She quickly composed herself. “Why, yes, of course, Sir Randall. I shouldn’t miss it. I know that Miss Riggins is quite eager for it.”

That was no exaggeration. As all three of them knew, Abigail Riggins was a Halfling with her child-bearing years even shorter than that of a human’s. Amongst society, a Halfling that didn’t get married within two seasons was practically considered unmarriageable. The only race comparable was the Ogre, but no one in polite society would ever consider marrying one.

Sir Randall opened his mouth to speak, but he was interrupted by the hiss of steam and the neighing of horses. Clarisse’s carriage rocked unexpectedly as the driver struggled to keep control of the horses. Other drivers weren’t so lucky. Clarisse noted at least two carriages veer off into the park, while another unceremoniously dumped its occupants into the

Serpentine. Only Sir Randall’s horseless carriage remained unaffected.

“Oh, for Heaven’s sake,” Isabeau grumbled, clearly annoyed. “That interminable boor Dr Clayburn is responsible for ruining this pleasant afternoon!” As if to help his mistress make her point Wispy stood, extended his wings, and roared.

Clarisse looked ahead to see another horseless carriage approaching them. Unlike Sir Randall’s elegant conveyance, however, this one was blocky and oversized, almost a caricature of a proper carriage. A smokestack protruded behind the seating area and was constantly belching grey-white smoke into the air as the mechanical demon loudly crawled along the trail.

Driving the monstrosity was none other than Dr Julian Clayburn. The Dwarf was almost unrecognisable with his leather cap and large goggles covering most of his head. Only his small brown goatee, a rarity amongst his race, and the curses he was shouting at his own vehicle marked him as Dr Clayburn. He seemed to be struggling mightily with the steering as his gloved hands gripped the shaky wheel and tried to keep him from suffering the same fate as the unfortunate carriage riders currently being fished out of the lake.

“Ah, the miracle of science,” Sir Randall said with mock admiration. “Will the wonders of steam never cease?”

“You are too kind, Sir Randall,” Isabeau said as she fished out a handkerchief to cover her nose and mouth. “I’ d say that contraption could only be a spawn of the Pale.” She turned

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to Clarisse. “Take note, dear, this is what happens when the proletariat aspire to replace magic; a world of dirty, filthy, soulless machines.”

Clarisse nodded. It was hard to argue with Isabeau while Dr Clayburn’s monstrosity was drawing closer. The carriage seemed to eat the park as it moved, with clouds of smoke obscuring everything behind it. “I am quite surprised that Dr Clayburn is allowed to drive that carriage” she said the word as if she had nothing better to use “ into Hyde Park. It is quite disruptive.”

“Indeed,” Sir Randall agreed. He raised his voice to overcome the ever-increasing noise of grinding gears and hissing steam. “Well, I must be off and this is as good a time as any. Please save room on your dance card for me tomorrow evening, Miss Talbot, and for now I bid you good afternoon!”

Clarisse responded but she was certain that her words were drowned out by a blast of steam. She settled for watching Sir Randall’s carriage quietly glide past them, almost ethereal-like compared to the base contraption now slowing in front of them. It was all the driver could do to keep the bucking horses from bolting. Dr Clayburn lifted his goggles and waved toward the two women.

“Cheres Anges,” Isabeau said. Clarisse noted that her friend usually switched to her mother’s tongue when upset. Isabeau continued in English. “He means to speak with us. Perhaps your dance card is going to be a bit full tomorrow, Clarisse. On the bright side, you’ ll likely make Abigail envious!”

Clarisse sighed. Sir Randall’s interest seemed genuine, but if he wasn’t her mother would never allow her to turn down an offer from a professional man. She shuddered as she imagined living in a home full of soot and steam. Proletariat indeed!

“Good afternoon, ladies!” Dr Clayburn said as he pulled a stick and the machine mercifully went almost quiet. Only the gurgling of heating water was emanating from the mud-stained carriage. “I am sorry to trouble you and pray that my afternoon excursion did not unduly trouble your horses. Perhaps one day horses will no longer be needed on the roads.”

“Perhaps one day pigs will fly as well,” Isabeau muttered under her breath. Clarisse’s cheeks flushed red at her friend’s impudence; she hoped Dr Clayburn wouldn’t take offence. Word travelled quickly in her circles and she hoped she wouldn’t garner a reputation based on Isabeau’s momentary lack of decorum. As if to confirm her fears, Dr Clayburn cocked an eyebrow and turned to face Isabeau directly.

“Progress is always difficult to accept Mrs Hollingsworth,” he said with a smile. “Perhaps you may permit me to convince you tomorrow evening at the Riggins’ Party tomorrow evening? I pray that you’ ll keep an opening on your dance card for me?”

Isabeau looked positively mortified by the suggestion. Thankfully obscured by her fan, Clarisse could barely contain her laughter.

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I’ve been waiting since 2003.From the moment I grabbed the then-new first edition

of Victoriana and fell in love with its fantastic world of Victorian adventure, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the day that science would “catch up” to the magically fantastic elements of the setting. If I created a sorcerer I had access to a fair number of spells, but if I created an engineer I had only the vagaries of the Engineering skill to go on. The rulebook offered glimpses of airships and ornithopters and hints of limb replacement, but there were no rules for them.

Fast forward four years. The Second Edition Victoriana Core Rulebook was now in print, but there were still no rules for its steampunk aspects. Fortunately, the supplements that followed began to chip away at such neglect. Faulkner’s Millinery and Miscellanea offers quite a few steampunk items, including clockwork limbs, and an airship is given great detail in The Havering Adventures. Still, there was little for that budding engineer to embrace and take her place alongside the petty magician or the sorcerer.

When I accepted the position of Victoriana line developer, the first thing I wanted to do was to finally address the scientific neglect once and for all. For the last several years I’ve seen the growth of steampunk in popular culture and I’ve always felt that Victoriana would fit right in with just a bit more technological elaboration. In this endeavour I’ve been lucky to draft two authors of the original line, Chad Bowser and Scott Rhymer, to ensure that this book encompasses all that was intended for the game from its inception.

Now, finally, you hold in your hands the dream of many a Victoriana player. This book finally brings science and technology to the forefront with the unique fantasy spin that has always been a part of Victoriana. I pray you find it worth the wait.

- Walt Ciechanowski, 2012

is Victoriana steampunk?Victoriana is a world of fantasy. Beastmen and

Dwarves stand alongside men, eccentric Eldren manifest medium abilities, and professional sorcerers walk the streets of London. Religious witch hunters track down cunning men, Druids, and hedge wizards. Magical enchantments stop bullets and enable people to fly. Ghosts and vampires lurk in the shadows while Her Majesty’s elite flying cavalry ride wyverns.

But Victoriana is also a world of steam. With the Aluminat’s guidance and man’s innate desire to have what others possess, science and technology have made great strides over the past few centuries, in many cases meeting and even surpassing magic; the etheric bolt has nothing on the Gatling gun. While magic remains in the hands of the few, science brings power to the masses.

Perhaps ironically, magic enables Victoriana to rationalise the strange and powerful technologies that were clearly impossible to accomplish in the Victorian age. There is a reason why the strange marvellous machines created by mad inventors works for them but they are hard to replicate, as magic helps fill in the technological gaps in the design. Clockwork limbs are a perfect example; while they require a technological power source to move, the limbs are connected to their users’ thoughts through magic. Aerial dreadnoughts that could never fly do with the aid of sorcery.

That said, the presence of fantastic Victorian inventions alone does not make a setting ‘steampunk.’ Without a focus on the brutal inequity of society and the desire of some to overthrow it or at least reject it, the ‘steampunk’ aspects of a setting is merely window dressing. There needs to be a rebellious fire in the steam machine’s heart.

Fortunately, Victoriana has that in spades.

Chapter One:Introduction

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