Wasp 01

Liftwood was a tree-like plant with natural anti-gravity properties. The Martians had for millennia used liftwood to build galleons that sailed the sky. Flight, for both commerce and warfare, was an integral part of their culture. The Earthmen were quick to meld Martian aeronautical technology with the products of their industrial revolution. This is the universe created by Frank Chadwick for GDW's role playing game Space: 1889. The idea of Victorian age space travelers is not new. Both Jules Verne and H.G. Wells described trips to the Moon, but these were one-time adventures. Space: 1889 expands and extends the concept, providing the means and motivation for widespread space travel. Chadwick uses a foundation of actual 19th century science and society, on which he builds a marvelously detailed science fiction universe that includes Edison's space drive, the Martian Canal civilization, and aerial gunboats.