Designers Notes

This project began as a project of mine to convert Space 1889 to GURPS. As part of my research I re-read some of the classics of Victorian science fiction. War of the Worlds is a favourite of mine, except it always bugged me that the humans stood no chance at all. This is arguably realistic, but not really great for adventures.
Steamtech is an original work strongly inspired by War of the Worlds. Initially I included many elements of 'Steampunk' style anachronistic fantasy, but as I began to research the Victorian period I found it interesting enough that I gradually dropped most of the fantasy elements. The current version includes some non-historical elements, but all of them are realistic for late TL5 technology, and are explained by the war and the appearance of the Martians. Tanks for example, inspired by Martian armoured vehicles, are perfectly possible given the technology of the time.
The campaign idea (invading Martians) can be used at any level of realism, from total historical accuracy, through to liftwood Ironclads flying to Mars to take the fight back to the Martians. Steamtech is also useful for GMs intended to run any sort of campaign based in the late Victorian era, since AFAIK their is still no Worldbook covering this time period. Horror has some information, but is strongly biased towards adventures in London.
Recommended Reading 1