Mulligan discusses Dimension 20: Cloudward, Ho! and introducing steampunk within the dome in an interview.
Steamy Adventures in Dimension 20's Cloudward, Ho!*
Hop on board as Dimension 20 soars into the skies with its latest season, Cloudward, Ho! says a hearty hello to the steam-powered adventures of yore. With swashbuckling airships and fancy mech suits, this series dives headfirst into the engrossing world of steampunk.
Creator Brennan Lee Mulligan and the merry band of misfits, aka Dimension 20's Intrepid Heroes, turned to the fantastical realm of steampunk after their last campaign, Fantasy High: Junior Year. According to Mulligan, the gang was craving something high-octane and colorful, full of adventurous spirits and daring danger. So what better way to quench their thirst for excitement than with the twisting gears and pulsating airships of steampunk!
As inspiration struck, the land of Gath came to be, along with the fabled and disappeared land of Zood. Drawing from classic tales such as Castle in the Sky and Atlantis, Cloudward, Ho!'s central arc weaves an original and captivating story that goes far beyond its initial sources. Steampunk staples like airships, Victorian-era aesthetics, and biplanes have all found their way into the storyline, but this isn't all Gath has to offer — the continent boasts over 20 continents for the heroes to explore!
Artistic Grandeur abounds
Gath's artistic team, led by the incredible production designer Rick Perry, have outdone themselves with the series' visuals. Just take a peek at the detailed airship Zephyr in the second episode's teaser for evidence of their masterful craftsmanship.
Mulligan also collaborated with game designers Hannah Rose, Mazey Veselak, Dan Dillon, and Brandes Stoddard to create aerial combat rules and stat blocks exclusive to Cloudward, Ho! This talented group of designers has contributed to previous projects with Mulligan, such as co-creating the Witch Class for the narrative podcast Worlds Beyond Number.
A multi-generational party, ready for takeoff Steampunk's adventurous spirit has also played a significant role in shaping the dynamics of Cloudward, Ho!'s party. Four of the six characters are rugged veterans, seasoned adventurers who've carved their names into Gath's history books. On the other hand, two newcomers join the crew for the first time, adding an exciting layer of fresh blood and uncharted territory.
The mixture of seasoned adventurers and fresh recruits resonates with a classic trope found in many steampunk stories: a crew comprised of both veterans and greenhorns, working together to forge a unified force.
Even the decision to start some characters at Level 6 instead of Level 5 stems from the classic steampunk genre. In contrast to fantasy's rapid power growth, steampunk heroes generally begin at a level of competence and grow steadily rather than becoming superhuman. Level 6, a rarity in steampunk gaming, creates that perfect sweet spot between super-heroic capability and achievable accomplishments.
Capitalism and its consequences
As the crew navigates the skies above Gath, they will encounter various perspectives regarding the impact of aviation on their world. Steampunk's focus on technology and innovation breeds intrigue as to who takes control, and who stands to suffer as a result.
Gath's airships and aircraft were birthed by miscreant, eccentric inventors, but over time, the technology has fallen into the hands of empires and capital, widening the generational divide. In the premiere, industrialist Longspot Gotch showcases the money-driven capital approach to innovation, demonstrating how this mindset can lead to destruction and exploitation.
In Cloudward, Ho!, these themes continue to ebb and flow, with the characters grappling with the consequences of capitalism and the choices they make regarding power and control.
So, garb yourself in leather, brass, and gears, fasten your seatbelts, and prepare for a thrilling voyage through the skies above Gath as Dimension 20:Cloudward, Ho!* takes flight every Wednesday at 7 PM ET on Dropout!
- In the realm of technology and entertainment, Instagram stories and Google search trends have shown an increased interest in the steampunk lifestyle, as fans eagerly anticipate the latest episodes of "Dimension 20's: Cloudward, Ho!" streaming on Dropout each Wednesday at 7 PM ET.
- As the Intrepid Heroes of Dimension 20 delve deeper into their steampunk adventures, their exploits have begun to attract the attention of AI-powered tech companies, with some even investigating the possibility of developing steampunk-themed streaming platforms.
- In the world of Gath, where steam-powered machines and biplanes rule the skies, AI-assisted research centers have emerged, often supporting the latest advancements in steampunk technology, such as improved airship designs and biplanes.
- On a recent episode of "Tech Talk," host Alex Kwong analyzed the impact of steampunk aesthetics on contemporary lifestyle trends, pointing out the growing number of steampunk-themed hotel experiences and upcoming steampunk-inspired restaurant menus. The fascination with the steampunk era shows no signs of abating, as fans continue to immerse themselves in the genre across multiple platforms, including Instagram, Google, technology, and entertainment.
