Sapphire and Steel Crossover?

[grinch]

While our campaign has been on hiatus (or in game terms trapped in a Time Eddy) my gaming group and I have been watching Sapphire and Steel as of late. As well as listening to the excellent and sadly forgotten Big Finish series.

Naturally, this sparked conversation on our part as to how we could possibly have our PCs meet the likes of Sapphire, Steel, Silver, Gold and the rest of the other Operatives and Technicians who keep up the good fight against the forces of Time.

Unfortunately, the nature of the universe Sapphire and Steel inhabits is rather incompatible with the likes of Who so as such I’ve struggled to come up with a good way of incorporating them. Not to mention, keeping the mystery behind Sapphire, Steel and the greater power they work for should I incorporate them.

So, does anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

[Catsmate]

Jul 3, 2022 19:01:17 GMT grinch said:

While our campaign has been on hiatus (or in game terms trapped in a Time Eddy) my gaming group and I have been watching Sapphire and Steel as of late. As well as listening to the excellent and sadly forgotten Big Finish series.

Naturally, this sparked conversation on our part as to how we could possibly have our PCs meet the likes of Sapphire, Steel, Silver, Gold and the rest of the other Operatives and Technicians who keep up the good fight against the forces of Time.

Unfortunately, the nature of the universe Sapphire and Steel inhabits is rather incompatible with the likes of Who so as such I’ve struggled to come up with a good way of incorporating them. Not to mention, keeping the mystery behind Sapphire, Steel and the greater power they work for should I incorporate them.

So, does anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

Aha, an excellent idea and one I've thought about too.

My take would be to have the "Elementals"¹ as part of the Eternals, either lesser members or agents of them².
They operate for a faction of Eternals who seeks to stave off the chaos of time "breaking through" and the physical laws of the universe shattering.






1. Though, if I may be permitted a nitpick, Steel, Sapphire an Jet aren't elements and Diamond is a borderline case. Also if "Transuranic heavy elements may not be used where there is life" what about lighter radioactive elements? Radius is mentioned.

2. Given that they display imagination they may be constructs or ephemerals granted some of teh power of the Eternals.

[grinch]

Jul 3, 2022 19:45:49 GMT Catsmate said:

Jul 3, 2022 19:01:17 GMT grinch said:

While our campaign has been on hiatus (or in game terms trapped in a Time Eddy) my gaming group and I have been watching Sapphire and Steel as of late. As well as listening to the excellent and sadly forgotten Big Finish series.

Naturally, this sparked conversation on our part as to how we could possibly have our PCs meet the likes of Sapphire, Steel, Silver, Gold and the rest of the other Operatives and Technicians who keep up the good fight against the forces of Time.

Unfortunately, the nature of the universe Sapphire and Steel inhabits is rather incompatible with the likes of Who so as such I’ve struggled to come up with a good way of incorporating them. Not to mention, keeping the mystery behind Sapphire, Steel and the greater power they work for should I incorporate them.

So, does anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

Aha, an excellent idea and one I've thought about too.

My take would be to have the "Elementals"¹ as part of the Eternals, either lesser members or agents of them².
They operate for a faction of Eternals who seeks to stave off the chaos of time "breaking through" and the physical laws of the universe shattering.






1. Though, if I may be permitted a nitpick, Steel, Sapphire an Jet aren't elements and Diamond is a borderline case. Also if "Transuranic heavy elements may not be used where there is life" what about lighter radioactive elements? Radius is mentioned.

2. Given that they display imagination they may be constructs or ephemerals granted some of teh power of the Eternals.

...That’s brilliant. In fact, it’s such a simple take on the idea that I’m a little miffed with myself that I didn’t think of that in the first place. Clearly I’m losing my touch.

Personally, I’d have the Operatives be creations of the Eternals (although I’d never confirm in a campaign that they are the higher power they answer to) mainly because of as you say their ability to express emotions and possess imagination. Maybe they were even constructed based off the Eternals observations of Ephemerals? Mind you, they didn’t exactly get them spot on hence why some of them can be rather inhuman in terms of their behaviour.

They also strike me as the sort who probably wouldn’t be too impressed by the Time Lords and find the whole notion of anyone attempting mastery over Time to be a ludicrous one.

Maybe the Transient Beings are another rogue group of Eternals or even what the Operatives like to call those individuals who have made deals with said entities? The Trickster and His Brigade springs to mind for instance. Of course, as shown in the audio series even the Operatives can be swayed if they feel it’s in their best interest. 

Feel like Sapphire and Steel would be most effective if set in a post-Time War universe (which mine thankfully is!) where the building blocks which make up reality is still weak and prone to things slipping through. Ties in rather nicely with the fact that the Eternals allegedly fled our reality so maybe they now choose to operate via their creations while nestled away in some other dimension somewhere?

And any number of the foes they encounter could easily be used for a regular Who campaign. The Man With No Face, the Nostalgia, Maldeb, etc. If I were running a PROBE/Misfit Mob campaign, I’d even include references to prior assignments. Say in their files they have an interview with a woman who is deathly afraid of having her photograph taken or notes regarding the mysterious disappearance of amateur ghost hunter George Tully in the late seventies.

Speaking of the Transuranic Elements I personally think a failing of the audio series was not to include any of them at all. I think having one appear could make for an interesting scenario. With their wildcard and slightly unpredictable behaviour resembling a Time Lord in the early stages of his next incarnation where you’re never quite sure where their allegiance lies. Just have to figure out how to get other that whole “their presence is not to be used where their is life” problem.

[Catsmate]

Jul 3, 2022 20:39:26 GMT grinch said:

Jul 3, 2022 19:45:49 GMT Catsmate said:

Aha, an excellent idea and one I've thought about too.

My take would be to have the "Elementals"¹ as part of the Eternals, either lesser members or agents of them².
They operate for a faction of Eternals who seeks to stave off the chaos of time "breaking through" and the physical laws of the universe shattering.






1. Though, if I may be permitted a nitpick, Steel, Sapphire an Jet aren't elements and Diamond is a borderline case. Also if "Transuranic heavy elements may not be used where there is life" what about lighter radioactive elements? Radius is mentioned.

2. Given that they display imagination they may be constructs or ephemerals granted some of teh power of the Eternals.

...That’s brilliant. In fact, it’s such a simple take on the idea that I’m a little miffed with myself that I didn’t think of that in the first place. Clearly I’m losing my touch.

Personally, I’d have the Operatives be creations of the Eternals (although I’d never confirm in a campaign that they are the higher power they answer to) mainly because of as you say their ability to express emotions and possess imagination. Maybe they were even constructed based off the Eternals observations of Ephemerals? Mind you, they didn’t exactly get them spot on hence why some of them can be rather inhuman in terms of their behaviour.

They also strike me as the sort who probably wouldn’t be too impressed by the Time Lords and find the whole notion of anyone attempting mastery over Time to be a ludicrous one.

Maybe the Transient Beings are another rogue group of Eternals or even what the Operatives like to call those individuals who have made deals with said entities? The Trickster and His Brigade springs to mind for instance. Of course, as shown in the audio series even the Operatives can be swayed if they feel it’s in their best interest. 

Feel like Sapphire and Steel would be most effective if set in a post-Time War universe (which mine thankfully is!) where the building blocks which make up reality is still weak and prone to things slipping through. Ties in rather nicely with the fact that the Eternals allegedly fled our reality so maybe they now choose to operate via their creations while nestled away in some other dimension somewhere?

And any number of the foes they encounter could easily be used for a regular Who campaign. The Man With No Face, the Nostalgia, Maldeb, etc. If I were running a PROBE/Misfit Mob campaign, I’d even include references to prior assignments. Say in their files they have an interview with a woman who is deathly afraid of having her photograph taken or notes regarding the mysterious disappearance of amateur ghost hunter George Tully in the late seventies.

Speaking of the Transuranic Elements I personally think a failing of the audio series was not to include any of them at all. I think having one appear could make for an interesting scenario. With their wildcard and slightly unpredictable behaviour resembling a Time Lord in the early stages of his next incarnation where you’re never quite sure where their allegiance lies. Just have to figure out how to get other that whole “their presence is not to be used where their is life” problem.

Thanks.
One of the great things I find about this forum is the effect of bouncing ideas around and the different perspectives.

Anyway, on to the Elementals (which seems as good a name as any other; quite possibly the Eternals are a bit fuzzy about mere chemistry).

I like your idea about the Elementals being based on Ephemerals, with the issues being perhaps due to the Eternals limited grasp. That fits well.
Certainly they seem to have some of the listed powers of the Eternals (from the wiki):

• They could freeze Ephemerals in time.
• Eternals could also use telepathy and create objects from the memories of Ephemerals.
• They could cloud people's minds and make people accept them, influence their behaviour, and make them forget they were ever there.
• Eternals were time sensitives, that could move through time and space at will, from planet to planet.
  

• Their powers were not limitless, however, as they could not read minds from great distance or from strong minds.
• Eternals could also concentrate and channel great power.... but only if there was a focal point. 
• Eternals could not be destroyed, merely transferred.
• They could assume the form of humanoids, but could change their shape into different individuals.
  
• They were able to control time.

Which matches rather well.

I agree that their relationship with the self-proclaimed Lords of Time is likely to be fraught, with both thinking themselves better able to fix whatever problem is around.
Quite possibly there are, as you suggest for the Transient Beings, other such experiments around.

As you say a campaign with Elementals fits well with a damaged, post-Time War, universe with cracks in reality proliferating and Reapers active.
In one of the TV stories (which I'm re-watching now ) Steel describes the trans-uranics as "unstable", perhaps this applies to their personalities?

ETA: it was the first story. When one of the children asks who many of 'them' there are, Sapphire replies;
"There are a hundred and twenty-seven of us."
To which Steel replies;
"There are a hundred and fifteen of us. You must never rely on the transuranics."..."They're unstable."

Which is slightly odd as there are 92 elements to Uranium, and currently 118 known in total (to Oganesson).

[Catsmate]

Re-watching Assignment Five (Dr. McDee Must Die) I'm struck by how easily it could be adapted and how it might fit as an introduction to S&S.

• A house-party in the style of the 1930s that starts to become the 1930s.
• A hidden, modern (for 1980) office complete with remote-controlled door.
  
• The house is isolated by dead phones, mysterious fog, doors and windows that refuse to open.
• A tear in the fabric of time.
• And then the murders start, in the style of mysteries of the 1930s.
• A dead man joins them for dinner.
  

Just add your favourite PCs, and have them interact with a pair of mysterious, all-knowing (almost) agents.

And of course

SPOILER: Click to show

It's up to them, or the PCs, to save the world from destruction in 1930.

[grinch]

Jul 3, 2022 21:10:33 GMT Catsmate said:

Jul 3, 2022 20:39:26 GMT grinch said:

...That’s brilliant. In fact, it’s such a simple take on the idea that I’m a little miffed with myself that I didn’t think of that in the first place. Clearly I’m losing my touch.

Personally, I’d have the Operatives be creations of the Eternals (although I’d never confirm in a campaign that they are the higher power they answer to) mainly because of as you say their ability to express emotions and possess imagination. Maybe they were even constructed based off the Eternals observations of Ephemerals? Mind you, they didn’t exactly get them spot on hence why some of them can be rather inhuman in terms of their behaviour.

They also strike me as the sort who probably wouldn’t be too impressed by the Time Lords and find the whole notion of anyone attempting mastery over Time to be a ludicrous one.

Maybe the Transient Beings are another rogue group of Eternals or even what the Operatives like to call those individuals who have made deals with said entities? The Trickster and His Brigade springs to mind for instance. Of course, as shown in the audio series even the Operatives can be swayed if they feel it’s in their best interest. 

Feel like Sapphire and Steel would be most effective if set in a post-Time War universe (which mine thankfully is!) where the building blocks which make up reality is still weak and prone to things slipping through. Ties in rather nicely with the fact that the Eternals allegedly fled our reality so maybe they now choose to operate via their creations while nestled away in some other dimension somewhere?

And any number of the foes they encounter could easily be used for a regular Who campaign. The Man With No Face, the Nostalgia, Maldeb, etc. If I were running a PROBE/Misfit Mob campaign, I’d even include references to prior assignments. Say in their files they have an interview with a woman who is deathly afraid of having her photograph taken or notes regarding the mysterious disappearance of amateur ghost hunter George Tully in the late seventies.

Speaking of the Transuranic Elements I personally think a failing of the audio series was not to include any of them at all. I think having one appear could make for an interesting scenario. With their wildcard and slightly unpredictable behaviour resembling a Time Lord in the early stages of his next incarnation where you’re never quite sure where their allegiance lies. Just have to figure out how to get other that whole “their presence is not to be used where their is life” problem.

Thanks.
One of the great things I find about this forum is the effect of bouncing ideas around and the different perspectives.

Anyway, on to the Elementals (which seems as good a name as any other; quite possibly the Eternals are a bit fuzzy about mere chemistry).

I like your idea about the Elementals being based on Ephemerals, with the issues being perhaps due to the Eternals limited grasp. That fits well.
Certainly they seem to have some of the listed powers of the Eternals (from the wiki):

• They could freeze Ephemerals in time.
• Eternals could also use telepathy and create objects from the memories of Ephemerals.
• They could cloud people's minds and make people accept them, influence their behaviour, and make them forget they were ever there.
• Eternals were time sensitives, that could move through time and space at will, from planet to planet.
  

• Their powers were not limitless, however, as they could not read minds from great distance or from strong minds.
• Eternals could also concentrate and channel great power.... but only if there was a focal point. 
• Eternals could not be destroyed, merely transferred.
• They could assume the form of humanoids, but could change their shape into different individuals.
  
• They were able to control time.

Which matches rather well.

I agree that their relationship with the self-proclaimed Lords of Time is likely to be fraught, with both thinking themselves better able to fix whatever problem is around.
Quite possibly there are, as you suggest for the Transient Beings, other such experiments around.

As you say a campaign with Elementals fits well with a damaged, post-Time War, universe with cracks in reality proliferating and Reapers active.
In one of the TV stories (which I'm re-watching now ) Steel describes the trans-uranics as "unstable", perhaps this applies to their personalities?

ETA: it was the first story. When one of the children asks who many of 'them' there are, Sapphire replies;
"There are a hundred and twenty-seven of us."
To which Steel replies;
"There are a hundred and fifteen of us. You must never rely on the transuranics."..."They're unstable."

Which is slightly odd as there are 92 elements to Uranium, and currently 118 known in total (to Oganesson).

Oh most definitely. I’ve got entire notebooks filled with ideas from this very forum alone! Which reminds me I must digitise them when I get the chance.

Presumably as you say the Eternals have a different opinion on what constitutes an Element. Ours is not reason why and all that.

To be honest when you break down the comparisons like that it’s obvious not a lot has to be changed to fit them into the Whoniverse. It’s almost as if they were already purposefully made for such a setting. 

Agreed, depending on the Time Lord they encounter they might be more antagonistic or dismissive. The Doctor they may view as a mere nuisance but otherwise a necessary evil in keeping Time at bay. Mortimus on the other hand? Considering what he used to get up to back in his previous lives he should probably start running and not look back. The amount of triggers he potentially unleashed due to his meddling goes beyond mere description. 

Oh yes, throw in the odd mention of Chronovores and you’ll have a medley of inter dimensional entities just waiting to break through time. 

That’s how I imagined them as well. Very much wildcards who are not used to working with humans. Probably quite curious about them as well. Tolerated at best by other Operatives although I’m sure the more sociable and compassionate elements such as Silver and Sapphire do appreciate them. It’s probably not helped by the fact that their abilities are more than likely more hazardous to their surroundings than the others. “Neptunium and Plutonium have been assigned...” would no doubt get rid of any ghosts or breakages but also kill everyone else as well. 

Good choice. I rather like the atmosphere of the first Assignment especially with the only appearance of the gregarious and hulking Lead. Pretty disappointing he never made a re appearance. Believe it was also novelised from the perspective of the children back in the day so I’ll have to track down the copy when I get the chance. Of course, now that you mention that quote it does make me wonder that there must have been a time where they relied on the Transuranics. Clearly something went wrong though hence Steel’s comment. Perhaps your PCs can offer insights into this matter?

Personally I’m already writing up ideas for new Operatives as we speak. Even if I don’t use them for a Who campaign they might serve well for a S&S one. The ever malleable, ever enigmatic and seemingly untrustworthy Mercury played by David Thewlis is one I’ve already started making notes on. Not to mention I’d quite like to stat up The Man With No Face when I get the chance. Feel like he’d fit right in, in a normal campaign adventure.

[grinch]

Jul 4, 2022 21:01:00 GMT Catsmate said:

Re-watching Assignment Five (Dr. McDee Must Die) I'm struck by how easily it could be adapted and how it might fit as an introduction to S&S.

• A house-party in the style of the 1930s that starts to become the 1930s.
• A hidden, modern (for 1980) office complete with remote-controlled door.
  
• The house is isolated by dead phones, mysterious fog, doors and windows that refuse to open.
• A tear in the fabric of time.
• And then the murders start, in the style of mysteries of the 1930s.
• A dead man joins them for dinner.
  

Just add your favourite PCs, and have them interact with a pair of mysterious, all-knowing (almost) agents.

And of course

SPOILER: Click to show

It's up to them, or the PCs, to save the world from destruction in 1930.

I can definitely see a few PCs really getting into the spirit of things and finding themselves swept up into the narrative when the house begins reverting back to the ‘30s. 

[Catsmate]

There are decent quality transcripts here.

[grinch]

Jul 4, 2022 21:14:51 GMT Catsmate said:

There are decent quality transcripts here.

Splendid. I’ve given them a cursory look and they really translate well into prose. Even for an amateur effort. I’m almost surprised no one has attempted to pen original S&S novels if truth be told.

[grinch]

It might actually be rather interesting to have your PCs encounter S&S sometime after the events of Assignment Six where the pair are still trapped in the cafe with your PCs ultimately being the ones to rescue them. Although I personally always imagined that Silver had a hand to play in their rescue but I digress.

Throw in some suggestions of a hidden history or animosity between your Time Lord PC and the Operatives and it opens up a whole new world for your campaign.

On a somewhat unrelated note, I was digging through some old Twilight Zone episodes and I stumbled across this one from the ‘80s.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunters_(The_Twilight_Zone)

The idea of Time preserving this tribe of early man in the cave paintings they drew for its own nefarious ends strikes me as the basis for the perfect adventure involving your PCs and the Elements. The closing narration basically serves as an adventure seed in itself!

“Time is the invincible enemy of mortal flesh; or so modern man believes. But somewhere in the dark past, a few of our distant ancestors discovered a way to bridge the millennia. It's a secret that was buried 12,000 years ago, and rediscovered for a brief moment...“

[Catsmate]

Jul 5, 2022 20:12:40 GMT grinch said:

It might actually be rather interesting to have your PCs encounter S&S sometime after the events of Assignment Six where the pair are still trapped in the cafe with your PCs ultimately being the ones to rescue them. Although I personally always imagined that Silver had a hand to play in their rescue but I digress.

Throw in some suggestions of a hidden history or animosity between your Time Lord PC and the Operatives and it opens up a whole new world for your campaign.

On a somewhat unrelated note, I was digging through some old Twilight Zone episodes and I stumbled across this one from the ‘80s.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunters_(The_Twilight_Zone)

The idea of Time preserving this tribe of early man in the cave paintings they drew for its own nefarious ends strikes me as the basis for the perfect adventure involving your PCs and the Elements. The closing narration basically serves as an adventure seed in itself!

“Time is the invincible enemy of mortal flesh; or so modern man believes. But somewhere in the dark past, a few of our distant ancestors discovered a way to bridge the millennia. It's a secret that was buried 12,000 years ago, and rediscovered for a brief moment...“

I like this. Perhaps the PC's transport is pulled off course and end up in the pocket universe where Sapphire and Steel are trapped and, assisted by Silver (and perhaps a Time Lord) they escape.

Possibly hindered by the Transient Beings.

Oddly I used a vaguely similar pocket universe and trapped time travellers theme in the Achronic Omnibus campaign.

The Hunters has definite possibilities for a S&S style game.

[grinch]

Jul 6, 2022 10:35:35 GMT Catsmate said:

Jul 5, 2022 20:12:40 GMT grinch said:

It might actually be rather interesting to have your PCs encounter S&S sometime after the events of Assignment Six where the pair are still trapped in the cafe with your PCs ultimately being the ones to rescue them. Although I personally always imagined that Silver had a hand to play in their rescue but I digress.

Throw in some suggestions of a hidden history or animosity between your Time Lord PC and the Operatives and it opens up a whole new world for your campaign.

On a somewhat unrelated note, I was digging through some old Twilight Zone episodes and I stumbled across this one from the ‘80s.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunters_(The_Twilight_Zone)

The idea of Time preserving this tribe of early man in the cave paintings they drew for its own nefarious ends strikes me as the basis for the perfect adventure involving your PCs and the Elements. The closing narration basically serves as an adventure seed in itself!

“Time is the invincible enemy of mortal flesh; or so modern man believes. But somewhere in the dark past, a few of our distant ancestors discovered a way to bridge the millennia. It's a secret that was buried 12,000 years ago, and rediscovered for a brief moment...“

I like this. Perhaps the PC's transport is pulled off course and end up in the pocket universe where Sapphire and Steel are trapped and, assisted by Silver (and perhaps a Time Lord) they escape.

Possibly hindered by the Transient Beings.

Oddly I used a vaguely similar pocket universe and trapped time travellers theme in the Achronic Omnibus campaign.

The Hunters has definite possibilities for a S&S style game.

It does make me wonder how a PCs TARDIS would react to having the Operatives inside of it. Of course, by rescuing S&S it would also put a target on the back of your PCs on the part of the Transient Beings as well. Also makes you wonder just what can be considered a Transient Being. Would entities such as The Great Intelligence count?

Personally, although I think Steel would be dead set against a Time Lord PC (he’d tolerate them in the sense that they do, in their own way, fight against the forces of time) I think Sapphire and Silver would be more willing to co operate. The latter of which could make for a good ally should the PCs ever need to answer to the other Operatives or the Eternals themselves.

Interesting. A case of great minds think alike or merely subconscious inspiration?

I definitely think it does. Much as Ruby has an unique relationship with music, it does make me wonder which Element has a relationship with art. Also found that a lot of Twilight Zone episodes could work with some re imagining as the basis for S&S adventures.

Shadow Play: A criminal finds himself in a trial that never ends. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_Play_(The_Twilight_Zone,_1959)

Perchance to Dream: The trigger being the recurring nightmare of riding on a rollercoaster. Perhaps Maya the Cat Girl is a Transient Being or one of the forces outside of Time? en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perchance_to_Dream_(The_Twilight_Zone)

Walking Distance: A man literally gets the chance to step back to his childhood. Probably would be a good point to introduce the elusive and enigmatic Mercury as well. Statblock and character description coming very soon... en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walking_Distance

And of course, The Chimes of Midnight struck me as a S&S story in all but name.

[Catsmate]

Jul 6, 2022 19:44:39 GMT grinch said:

Jul 6, 2022 10:35:35 GMT Catsmate said:

I like this. Perhaps the PC's transport is pulled off course and end up in the pocket universe where Sapphire and Steel are trapped and, assisted by Silver (and perhaps a Time Lord) they escape.

Possibly hindered by the Transient Beings.

Oddly I used a vaguely similar pocket universe and trapped time travellers theme in the Achronic Omnibus campaign.

The Hunters has definite possibilities for a S&S style game.

It does make me wonder how a PCs TARDIS would react to having the Operatives inside of it. Of course, by rescuing S&S it would also put a target on the back of your PCs on the part of the Transient Beings as well. Also makes you wonder just what can be considered a Transient Being. Would entities such as The Great Intelligence count?

Personally, although I think Steel would be dead set against a Time Lord PC (he’d tolerate them in the sense that they do, in their own way, fight against the forces of time) I think Sapphire and Silver would be more willing to co operate. The latter of which could make for a good ally should the PCs ever need to answer to the other Operatives or the Eternals themselves.

Interesting. A case of great minds think alike or merely subconscious inspiration?

I definitely think it does. Much as Ruby has an unique relationship with music, it does make me wonder which Element has a relationship with art. Also found that a lot of Twilight Zone episodes could work with some re imagining as the basis for S&S adventures.

Shadow Play: A criminal finds himself in a trial that never ends. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_Play_(The_Twilight_Zone,_1959)

Perchance to Dream: The trigger being the recurring nightmare of riding on a rollercoaster. Perhaps Maya the Cat Girl is a Transient Being or one of the forces outside of Time? en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perchance_to_Dream_(The_Twilight_Zone)

Walking Distance: A man literally gets the chance to step back to his childhood. Probably would be a good point to introduce the elusive and enigmatic Mercury as well. Statblock and character description coming very soon... en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walking_Distance

And of course, The Chimes of Midnight struck me as a S&S story in all but name.

The Transient Beings are mentioned by Silver, who says they were confined to the early universe and couldn't travel in time. Unless someone assists them...

My pocket universe was a setting I'd had for a while, with some modifications it suited that part of the campaign with the PCs stranded there along with other time travellers.

The Twilight Zone had many episodes worth copying for scenario ideas.

[grinch]

To be honest, it just occurred to me you could introduce Bilis Manger into a campaign as well as the Elements. We were never made clear just what his exact nature or origin was after all. And he does have a rather curious relationship with Time it seems.

“I can step across eras, like you'd walk into another room. At first, it was the most incredible gift. Now I know the reality, it's a curse I can see the whole of history, but I don’t belong anywhere within it.”

[Catsmate]

Re-watched a couple more series and they really do hold up well as Who scenarios, especially for an Earthbound game, like one with the Misfit Mob. A mysterious deus-ex-machina that arrives during investigations and takes over, must to the annoyance of UNIT.

[Catsmate]

Jul 7, 2022 20:14:44 GMT grinch said:

To be honest, it just occurred to me you could introduce Bilis Manger into a campaign as well as the Elements. We were never made clear just what his exact nature or origin was after all. And he does have a rather curious relationship with Time it seems.

“I can step across eras, like you'd walk into another room. At first, it was the most incredible gift. Now I know the reality, it's a curse I can see the whole of history, but I don’t belong anywhere within it.”

A renegade Operator perhaps? Corrupted by some external force (retcon Abaddon as some creature from outside, perhaps allied to/servant of 'Time' in the S&S sense). Or a created servant, like the Transient Beings?

[grinch]

Jul 10, 2022 20:42:52 GMT Catsmate said:

Re-watched a couple more series and they really do hold up well as Who scenarios, especially for an Earthbound game, like one with the Misfit Mob. A mysterious deus-ex-machina that arrives during investigations and takes over, must to the annoyance of UNIT.

Indeed. Aside from a few of the effects, it’s held up really well. A perfect example of terrific science fiction. Or science fantasy. All rather depends on how you look at it.

And I definitely see the Misfit Mob and PROBE having files on the Elementals and their numerous Assignments. Although admittedly the latter is probably less detailed and more based on conjecture if anything else.

[grinch]

Jul 10, 2022 20:47:18 GMT Catsmate said:

Jul 7, 2022 20:14:44 GMT grinch said:

To be honest, it just occurred to me you could introduce Bilis Manger into a campaign as well as the Elements. We were never made clear just what his exact nature or origin was after all. And he does have a rather curious relationship with Time it seems.

“I can step across eras, like you'd walk into another room. At first, it was the most incredible gift. Now I know the reality, it's a curse I can see the whole of history, but I don’t belong anywhere within it.”

A renegade Operator perhaps? Corrupted by some external force (retcon Abaddon as some creature from outside, perhaps allied to/servant of 'Time' in the S&S sense). Or a created servant, like the Transient Beings?

I like the idea of Bilis Manger having once been an Operative who was corrupted. Given the gift of imagination at the price of his conscience (although he still retains a penchant for good manners) he may no longer possess some of the abilities of his fellow Operatives (I doubt he’s still telepathic) but he is still able to move through Time. Mind you, it does make you wonder whether Sapphire and Steel would recognise him at all if they encountered him. Or whether Bilis Manger was once replaced by a new aspect of the Elemental he once represented.

I envisage that without Abaddon, he’s more an independent agent who acts against both his fellow Elementals and even the Transient Beings.