Mechanical Dream
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 Mechanical Dream cover | |
| Designers | Francis Larose, Benjamin Paquette |
|---|---|
| Publishers | SteamLogic |
| Publication | 2002 |
| Genres | Fantasy |
| Systems | Custom (Absolute Judge) |
Mechanical Dream is an alternate world fantasy role-playing game published by SteamLogic in 2002. After the company went bankrupt, the game designers founded their own company, SteamLogic Editions, to continue publishing.
The core rulebook for Mechnical Dream is split into two separate books, printed back to back. The first, titled Dream Side, is an introduction to the world. The second book, titled "introduces the game system, character creation, equipment, and other details of playing the game.[1]
Mechanical Dream is set on the disk-shaped world of Kaïnas, lit by a sun-like orb called the Pendulum. A dream world called Naakinis overlaps Kaïnas and comes into being at night. The edge of the world is surrounded by a tall (40-mile-high) wall called the Sofe.[1]
Most inhabitants consume orpee fruit to survive, which naturally concentrates a life-force called "eflow" that fuels life -- without it, death is quick and painful. The politics and economics of Kaïnas are primarily driven by the collection and distribution of orpee.[1]
Player characters are called "Echoes", and are able to harness eflow to produce miraculous effect using their "Gifts." They are also able to gain information and insight through a "Whisper," the so-called voice of eflow that speaks to each Echo. There are ten different "vocations" for Echoes that delineate their personalities and abilities, and ten different indigenous races to choose from.[1]
Publication history
Mechanical Dream was created by Canadian game designers Francis Larose & Benjamin Paquette. Larose later wrote that the idea for the world came to him in a dream and he started working on a role-playing game the same day.[2]The result was Mechanical Dream: The Core's Crusade, a 366-page hardcover book published in 2002 by SteamLogic. An adventure, Thirteenth Wheel, and a 112-page bestiary titled Wilderness followed in 2003.
When SteamLogic folded in 2004,[3] Larose and Paquette started a new company under the name SteamLogic Editions.