FAQ updated, 6/1/06
Project FAQ
Fri, 2006-06-02 22:26
#53
Project FAQ
Fri, 2006-06-02 23:33
#54
Project FAQ
*blink* Ortho replacing... holy....
*gets her butt to work finishing up the Ortho editing!!*
Tue, 2006-06-06 22:46
#55
Project FAQ
FAQ updated, 6/6/6.
/puts on some Iron Maiden
Mon, 2006-06-12 15:35
#56
Project FAQ
Another week, another update
Mon, 2006-06-26 21:01
#57
Project FAQ
How can you ignore the canon that Earth does in fact connect to the Planes, and that Estavan and the Planar Trade Consortium traded goods back and forth prior to the collapse of the Shadow barrier, as presented in the adventure in the last chapter of the Urban Arcana Campaign Setting?
Mon, 2006-06-26 23:46
#58
Project FAQ
Quite simple:
A-That whole thing is just a drop in the ocean. Estavan has tens of thousands of Primes he can do business with.
B-I didn't say that Earth is excluded from the setting...it's just not mentioned.
C-Who said we had to stick to canon?
Mon, 2006-06-26 23:48
#59
Project FAQ
Yeah.. I dont think I like the idea of ortho replacing earth, I know I wont run my urban planescape that way.
Tue, 2006-06-27 00:22
#60
Project FAQ
Yeah.. I dont think I like the idea of ortho replacing earth, I know I wont run my urban planescape that way.
No. You will run the campaign that way. Orcus commands you. 
Seriously, though, it won't be an outright replacement-only for that part of the backstory-and the outcome is going to be adjusted so the Hardheads aren't in control of the Astral or anything.
Tue, 2006-06-27 15:32
#61
Project FAQ
Yeah.. I dont think I like the idea of ortho replacing earth
It doesn't. That statement was indicative of Ortho being stuffed into the slot in the Astral War storyline that Earth had previously occupied.
Besides, despite being modern, this is still Planescape. The prime isn't the main place to focus. Classic Planescape isn't built entirely off of Abeir-Toril, Oerth, or Athas. Likewise, why should Urban Planescape be built entirely off of a single prime? Maybe, as a Prime, you think that should be the case. Those of us on the Wheel know better 
Sun, 2006-09-03 16:34
#62
re
I tend to agree. The first time I ran across the Urban Planescape Project I was turned off by the large part Earth played in it. If I want to focus a game on Earth, I'm not going to turn to planescape for that purpose. It seemed inevitable, and encouraged in the original material, that Earth would play a large part in the updated setting - which I saw no particular worth in. In my opinion, no prime plane should be that integral a part of a planar campaign. (Thus, I can ignore ortha beyond its historic import, but it would be more difficult to shrug off Earth)
Fri, 2006-10-06 18:43
#63
Project FAQ
Quite simple:
I am inclined to agree.
A-That whole thing is just a drop in the ocean. Estavan has tens of thousands of Primes he can do business with.
B-I didn't say that Earth is excluded from the setting...it's just not mentioned.
C-Who said we had to stick to canon?
Earth is as much a prime world as Toril and Oerth. You can see one or two primes from Earth wondering the planes, but they are rare in the extreme. Factol Edward Davis is the only prominent figure in the setting that is said to be originally from that paticular prime. And, yes, even with Earth cut from the Astral War, Edward Davis is still in the setting and he's still from Earth, though how his ended up in the planes is a subject that he's not fond of discussing.
Mon, 2007-01-22 04:27
#64
Project FAQ
The first time I ran across the Urban Planescape Project I was turned off by the large part Earth played in it... In my opinion, no prime plane should be that integral a part of a planar campaign.
Which is something I've thought for quite some time, but mostly just accepted.
So... Earth's back to being ye olde backwater Prime? Shiny. And it seems I have missed a lot.
Mon, 2007-01-22 23:59
#65
Project FAQ
And it seems I have missed a lot.
Yeah. A year's kind of a long time. It's nice to have you back, though.
Tue, 2007-01-23 02:43
#66
Project FAQ
And far, far longer than I'd been planning on. When they say full-time study, they mean it.
But, I should have more time from now on. And people should just poke me with something pointy if I so much as look like vanishing again.
Mon, 2007-05-14 17:51
#67
Project FAQ
I have a couple questions, if I may...?
1. Is there room for more Future-type material? Is the focus primarily in a Planescape based around our supposed present time? I would imagine the multiverse may fluctuate heavily in tech levels and such. (For example, if we assume modrons would translate into robotic or cybernetic lifeforms, how would that be explained?)
2. If "urban" Planescape were to be based on a more "modern time" ... would it not be more prudent to name it "Planescape Modern?" Urban Planescape just means more city-oriented material and not necessarily a time-period or such.
Otherwise, I shall delve a little further into this project and see what I find.
Sat, 2007-10-06 11:52
#68
Project FAQ
Im going to agree with the above statement regarding the name- it sounds as though this is going to be more related to d20 modern then DnD anyway (mechanically at least) and thusly would make more sense to at least allude to that fact.
Which, btw, just turned me off heavily 
Was never a big fan of the d20 modern ruleset- but hey, I guess you dont really have to want to play a game to offer information durings its creation stages....
Sat, 2007-10-06 13:38
#69
Project FAQ
Planescape was never about the mechanics. I never played Planescape during 2e but I've run it with 3.5e and my own system and its still all about the story. If I ever get my own system up and running I will submit it to PW....
One of the more recent posts on the dnd 4e forums was the comment that planescape never really suited dnd, instead the poster felt that a white wolf system would have been better, even going so far as to liken the Factions of Planescape with the Clans of Vampire Masquerade....
Just to be honest with everyone that does contribute to UPS, most of my (few) posts are rules light due to the fact that I too am not a great fan of d20 (in any form) 
Kal
Sat, 2007-10-06 15:10
#70
re
That's kind of amusing, because I found that DnD, 2E at least, fit quite well into planescape.
Each class and creature has a distinct flavor reflecting "what" and sometimes "who" it is.
Mechanics revolve around philosophical things like alignment (which are physical planes in PS, so no "I don't believe in alignment" arguments need really apply there),
The level system gave players a sense of their physical power compared to the other things which dwell in the planes ... so they could automatically make assumptions about how baddass a cutter was. (though assumptions get you killed more often than not on the planes, so they can only take you so far - and before anyone cries "metagaming!" you have to consider most blokes are going to recognize how scary a Baatezu is and mentally measure themselves against it before lipping off to some fiend ... people "metagame" in real life all the time)
The alignment system, again, gave shape to the great wheel which, in my opinion, is a great foundation for understanding the infinity of the multiverse. (and people are going to want to define things to the best of their ability ... there are entire factions based around that idea)
The templates, such as monster type, level, class, etc. served to highlight how different people on the planes were because they defied expectations all the time. (people like to define things and it is always a fun surprise when we find our assumptions proven incorrect ... well, usually a fun surprise)
Hit points work well because the cutters and bloods on the planes should seem superhuman at times - everything is big on the planes and heroes should be no different.
I use my own system when running PS, but it is more like a very complex series of home rules than a system entirely sepperate from 2E - because I feel the baseline really works for fantasy games.
(if I were to take people from earth and place them in PS I'd likely use a different system ... Deliria perhaps ... but that is because I'd be building from different expectations)
Sat, 2007-10-06 15:22
#71
Project FAQ
I didnt play 2e at all, came in just as 3e rolled around.
I'm not a big fan of class based system, simple. Yes alignment is very important is PS, not arguement there. Hit points - shrug - there are plenty of mechanical systems that dont use em and allow high powered (ie level) characters to withstand silly amonts of damage.
BUT my biggest problem with dnd (i can only apply this to 3e/3.5e) is the assumption that the average roll of a d20 is 10!! WRONG!!
Kal
PS Sorry for derailing this thread somewhat. If anyone wants to continue this debate of mechanics, all good, but if so, make a seperate thread in Hal of Records or something and we can continue there or just pm me
Sat, 2007-10-06 23:57
#72
Project FAQ
Well, technically speaking, the average (taking all possible outcomes added together and divided by the number of outcomes possible) is about 10.5
I dont personally mind the d20 system in the least. I think it works quite well to show how luck has a great deal to do with succcess- you can be the most badest ass warrior in the world, but if you screw up and drop your weapon (a 1 on a d20) then you cant expect to hit your foe. Then again, if you get lucky and strike a vein (a critical hit) you do alot more damage.
I suppose that takes alot of control away from the characters or something, but honestly, its always worked fine by me.
Thats realistic I think- theres always a level of invariability to life that you cannot control, no matter how powerful you become.
To remove that and make a game thats based simply on the characters stats seems.... meh, lame.
Then again, Im sure I have not nearly as much gaming experience as others and, as such, am going to resign myself to simply providing information.
As I said, although I would have no intentions of playing an Urban Planescape game using the rules as they are set to be designed, I have no issues with helping to flesh out the game world; which is something I almost enjoy more than playing as is.
And, whatever the case, I personally think UPS is really going to be more of a basis for many DMs that arent particularly in agreement about the rules systems- our goal should be to provide an interesting game world. GMs will decide for themselves what rule system to use, just as they did with the original PS; it wont really have any effect what we decide regarding it.
To get this back on track tho- can someone tell me outright approximately how long it has been between the Faction War and the UPS present?
Sun, 2007-10-07 00:10
#73
Project FAQ
Well said DR.
Hm...faction war to UPS....a long time, measured in epochs originally by UT.
Check out Changes to the Planes, its has the overview of the history.
Kal
PS There is no average roll on a d20. If i roll a d20 100 times, I'm just as likely to roll 100 results of 20, as I am to get an even spread of results.
Sun, 2007-12-16 14:05
#74
Project FAQ
Post edited to explain:
It is more likely that you will get an average roll.
The average roll of 1d6 is 3.5.
The average roll of 2d6 is 7
The possible combinations of 1d6 and what they add up to are:
1 1
2 2
3 3
4 4
5 5
6 6
While it's true that on a single roll of the dice, it is equally likely that you will land on all results, this changes when you take into account multiple dice rolls. As you roll multiple times, the chance that an event will occur decreases. For example:
The chance that you will flip tails on a coin is 1/2, right?
What is the chance that you will hit tails twice?
1/4. That's because the second roll has a 1/2 chance of hitting tails as well. Now you wouldn't meet the conditions of my challenge if the first coin did not land on tails. You wouldn't meet the conditions if the second coin didn't land on tails. Both events have to occur in order to meet the conditions. The same applies for averages. As you roll more dice, the chance that you will roll consistently higher then the average decreases. It is possible, yes, but not "just as likely" and it can barely be considered possible. Let's look at the chances of rolling 20 on a 1d20 200 times shall we?
1/6^200.
2.34287934 × 10-156/1
Trust me. That's not going to happen anytime soon. It's more likely that one of the following things are true:
A: The dice is loaded.
B: You are an expert dice roller.
C: God loves you.
TL : DR You should have paid attention in middle school math.
Oh yeah here is the number spelled out in full:
0.00000000000000000000000000000000000000
0000000000000000000000000000000000000000
000000000000000000000000
0000000000000000000000000000000000000000
000000000000234287934
PS: Capitalize your damn I's.
Tue, 2008-03-04 12:27
#75
questions
Some questions for the powers that be.
Q1: Looking at the Thread of Threads, it looks like no updates have been made since 06. Is that correct, or is there somewhere else I should be looking?
Q2: The D20 Modern thread on the WotC site had write-ups on many planes, cities, gate-towns, and other tidbits that don't seem to have made it over here and aren't included in the Thread of Threads. Or at least I can't find them. Is that because they were vetoed? No consensus on whether to include them? No idea who to credit with them?
Q3: Did all the material from the Forums4Free site get transferred over here? It appears the link in the WotC thread is no longer working.
Q4: Is there a thread for the works in progress where one such as myself can sign up for something, give input, or otherwise contribute without just jumping in and stepping on toes?
Thanks! I love this idea, and I am already getting a group together to play-test some parts of it. I want to know where to post if we run across anything or have any ideas.
Tue, 2008-03-04 21:25
#76
Project FAQ
I'll poke around to see if our forum managers for this section are still around or not. As far as I knew they were but people can vanish on the internet too easily.
Thu, 2008-03-06 08:27
#77
Project FAQ
I'll poke around to see if our forum managers for this section are still around or not. As far as I knew they were but people can vanish on the internet too easily.
Thanks!
6-1-2006
What is Urban Planescape?
Urban Planescape (UPS for short) is a fan-based project to reimagine the Planescape setting in a modernized form. The location and themes would remain the same, but now with modern technology and, more importantly, modern beliefs. Our ultimate goal is to release the end product in PDF format.
When will UPS be released?
Right now, there is no release date-not even an estimate. Just like most fan-based volunteer projects on the internet
Is UPS based off the SRD?
Not exactly. The plan is to use the rules from D20 Modern, Urban Arcana, and mabye a few other sources. The inhabitants of the Planes, however, will be based off the entries from D&D sources. Like any setting, of course, there will be alterations to the rules mentioned in order to achieve the desired play style.
Will I be able to use Urban Planescape in my current game?
That's ultimately what we hope to accomplish. Players in D20 Modern or Urban Arcana will be able to jump into UPS relatively smoothly. Players using the standard D&D rules might have a harder time making the switch, due to rules differences between D&D and D20 Modern.
Is Earth going to be included in UPS?
Originally, Earth played a significant role in bringing about the modernization of the planes. In particular was through its victory over the Githyanki during the "Astral War." While a lot of creative effort was put into this storyline, Earth was ultimately cut as a significant mover and shaker in UPS. As it stands, Earth is either assumed to be not in the setting at all, or it is an insignificant part of the big picture.
Why was Earth cut?
There are two reasons for this decision. First, Planescape has always been about the realities beyond the Prime Material Plane. To your typical planewalker, the Prime Material was utterly backwards, its inhabitants amusingly clueless. The only reason they are important at all is that, when taken as a whole, the Prime Material was the main source of worship Powers drew upon. Ortho, the Prime World that gave rise to the Harmonium, is the exception that proves the rule; afterall, it was not until the Hardheads controlled and converted the entire planet, and then established itself on the Planes, that the rest of the Multiverse took notice. Giving another Prime World any significant place in UPS, one as fractuous and still-backwards as Earth depicted in the "Astral War" plotline, would have ruined this Planar-centric perspective of the Cosmos.
Second, belief-and, by extension, religious beliefs-is Planescape's most central theme. To give Earth a prominent role in UPS and not discuss the place of real-world religious beliefs within the setting would have tarnished a piece of Planescape that really made it unique. On the other hand, any attempt to incorperate real-life religions, from Christianity to Islam to Scientology, would be an open invitation to never-ending flame wars, streams of hate-mail, and perhaps even lawsuits. Dealing with that headache is not something any of us enjoys in our free time.
What about the Astral War?
This will still be included as a plotline in the setting, with Ortho replacing Earth.
06-06-06
What are you guys working on right now?
Currently, Project One is to develop an outline of Sigil, as this will give us a foundation for describing the rest of the setting. Project Two will be to create a timeline of what changes between the Faction War and the time we're setting UPS in.
How can I contribute?
If you have a good idea that fits with the setting, you can either post it in a related thread (the Project threads would be good) or start a new thread. UPS is in such infancy that chances are good that your idea will be incorperated into the setting, one way or another.
06-12-06
Why is the D20 Modern/Urban Arcana ruleset being used instead of the normal Dungeons & Dragons rules?
There are three main reasons. The first is historical. Urban Planescape was born on WotC's D20 Modern Boards, and was originally concieved as an extension of the Urban Arcana setting. While the concept soon transformed into an independent setting, the use of D20 rules was something I believe was always assumed when it was originally developed (but wasn't said explicitly).
The second reason is technical. The whole point of making a modern version of Planescape is to be able to play modern heroes in the setting. It therefore makes the most sense to use the ruleset that best accomodates modern characters and a modern style of play. That said, it's still possible to create more archaic/fantasy-themed heroes, thanks to advance/prestige classes such as the mage, archaic weaponmaster, and holy/unholy knight.
The final reason is the focus of the setting. Not only is UPS supposed to be a Planescape setting (deities, power of belief, the Blood War, Sigil), but it also a modern setting (guns, cars, computers, cities, modern 'civilization', etc.). The D&D rules present elements that can present logical inconsistancies that would compromise the focus of the setting. This is why Urban Arcana is being used as the basis for UPS' rules regarding magic and magical items. Of course, pedestrians won't be quite as clueless as they are presented in UA. Also, excluding high-level magic completely would compromise other elements of the setting, and so allowances are being made.
Such as?
The one area that will be modified is incantations. Certain spells (gate or raise dead, for example) can only be found in rare tomes that require a series of skill checks (research + ritual casting) to pull off correctly. In essence, this is a lite-version of epic spellcasting. Other workarounds for the aspiring archmage will be made as the project progresses.
...Look for more updates later!