I try to encourage providing a unique atmosphere when it comes to reusing a trope. That being the case, I would like to make some suggestions in that regard, that could give a unique flavor to this project:<br /><br />1) I recommend using professions and occupations to advantage instead of classing. A profession says "fighter", but the occupation says "Ranger", "Knight" or "Paladin". A profession says "Magician", but an occupation says "Wizard", "Conjurer" or "Court Magician". A profession says "Cleric", but an occupation says "Healer", "Monk" or "Priest". You can perhaps change the name of professions to classes, but changing the system to accommodated D&D-style classing would not be recommended. I strongly advise against it (but you are the manager).<br /><br />2) I recommend creating new races to replace old tropes. For crying out loud, keep the Beholder beast and the Troll OUT. I hate them and am tired of seeing them in every nook and cranny of every roleplaying universe. There's a reason why they aren't popular in most fantasy novels: they suck and don't make for an interesting story. They're for uncreative dungeon crawling. At any rate, the Zethra are a good replacement for Beholder beasts. The Sathar and S'sessu make for a good orkine and half-orc replacement (without, of course, having to explain to kids about how half-orcs are created). The Ul-mor would be a great race for the environment, along with their beasts. The Saurians would be just right for such an environment. Also, the dragon from Captive Planet would be a good dragon for the environment, but you'll have to stat it out. There are plenty of races in all the modules and magazines to use without having to bring in the tired stuff. There's a reason why TSR created Star Frontiers, and it has to do with making a conscious deviation from D&D.<br /><br />3) Make sailing an integrated part of the game, like spaceships in SF.
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