Tephra Blog

Tephra Blog

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Weekly Craftable: Messenger Sphere



Written by Marc Seidel


The messenger sphere, supposedly developed by the boy emperor, Deylus Luthricien, for military use during the Evanglessian Civil War, is a handy device for delivering messages, now commonly available to the public. When not in use, the device remains a simple smooth sphere, although many noblemen have custom-designed spheres with elaborate ornamentation. They’re commonly built out of nickel for its low weight, moderate malleability, and overabundance in Evangless’s southern mines. However, nickel is a metal slightly more brittle than most, so those sending important items over long distance would find is sound invest in a more reliable (and expensive) construction.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

The Hangman’s Switch


Mustache’d Musings with Cameron Hare

One thing I love about a steampunk fantasy game like Tephra is the application for trains. I love them. Hell, we all do. They are at the center of steampunk imagery – I mean, they run on steam! We romanticize the olden days where you would sit at a train depot and check your father’s pocketwatch or blow on a silver harmonica, waiting for the trusty old eight o’clock, engine 89, which was always five minutes late, precisely. Also, they can be hella spooky. Have you ever heard one at night, bellowing in the distance? Gives me the damn willies each time. Also, from a gameplay aspect, you can literally railroad your characters on crazy adventures. Trains make great “dungeons,” if you will, that MOVE!

So, it’s perfect if you want to take your party all around Tephra.