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Mars
Jan 14, 2010 19:34:41 GMT -5
Post by Falconer on Jan 14, 2010 19:34:41 GMT -5
Continuing the theme of crossovers, what would be the best way to maximize the use of Burroughs’ Mars in a Star Trek campaign? The most obvious answer is that Astronauts in the 21st century discovered Mars (Sol IV) to be exactly the Barsoom that Burroughs described. But the consequence of this backstory is that the planet itself is not a great place for adventure, because surely its civilizations would have advanced, and you would simply see Red Martians crewing alongside Earthmen in Starfleet; Black Martians carrying on their piratical ways only now interstellar, etc.
The only other idea I can come up with is, if there are so many parallel Earths out there with varying degrees of development, then there could be a parallel Barsoom out there somewhere, circling another star, still at 1910’s level of development and great for an “episode” or two. (I mean, can’t you just see Kirk romancing Dejah Thoris?)
Or maybe both!
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Mars
Jan 14, 2010 19:41:03 GMT -5
Post by finarvyn on Jan 14, 2010 19:41:03 GMT -5
Just imagine if Kirk had to battle Tars Tarkas in "Arena" instead of the Gorn. :-)
Seems like Barsoom would be a great "planet of the week" setting, where the landing party could try to influence some of the same events that occur in the Burroughs books. For example, perhaps they need to break into and fix the atomsphere-making station. Or deal with the scientist who does mind transferrals. Heck, one could swipe a lot of the plotlines and throw 'em at players without them ever knowing they came from Burroughs. :-)
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Mars
Jan 14, 2010 19:45:34 GMT -5
Post by slortar on Jan 14, 2010 19:45:34 GMT -5
Even better, imagine if they run into an Earthman from the 19th century who had been transported there...somehow. How did he get there? Is there some sort of advanced alien culture responsible? Inter-system transport and time travel...that's some serious tech to get your hands on. And throughout all of this, you have to be careful of the Prime Directive. Could be fun.
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