Bulldogs! is a Tabletop RPG published by Galileo Games, originally published in 2004 for the d20 System, then in 2011 for Fate 3.0, and then in 2015 for Fate Core.
The default setting is a galaxy split between two major superpowers - the theocratic Devalkamanchan Republic and the oppressive Saldrallan Empire, divided by a broad band of unaligned worlds known as the Frontier Zone, chock-full of smugglers, pirates, crime lords and all sorts of lawless dealings. Players take on the role of characters desperate to make money, hired by major corporations for extremely dangerous jobs.
The Fate Core edition can be obtained digitally on DriveThruRPG
and the publisher's website.
Bulldogs! contains examples of:
- A Long Time Ago, in a Galaxy Far, Far Away...: Bulldogs! is NOT set in the Milky Way Galaxy. With Arsurbarans are a stand-in for humans.
- Cat Folk: Ryjyllians, a feline warrior race native to the ice planet of Ryjyl (hence their thick fur). This is even woven into gameplay with the "Cat-Like Everything" aspect.
- Dark Is Not Evil: Chan Guls are fearsome predators and instinctualy view other sentient species as prey. But they constantly work to suppress their murderous instincts using the mental discipline of of their religion, and prefer resolve disputes peacefully.
- Emotionless Reptile: Saldralla are notoriously ruthless, pragmatic, and morally flexible, ignoring emotional appeals in favor of doing whatever is the most expedient and beneficial.
- The Empire: The Union of the Saldralla fills this role with a desire for peace and order at any cost, even through means such as either destroying or assimilating those they perceive as outside threats.
- Healing Factor: Hacragorkans can receive the "Quick Healers" ability, which allows them to recover physical consequences as if they were one consequence level lower than they are.
- Human Aliens: Arsubarans, who have a wider variation in appearance than humans in aspects such as skin tone, hair and eye colour. Their prominence throughout the galaxy is justified with the fact that they were one of the earliest dominant species in the galaxy to discover space travel, and ended up spreading much faster.
- Humans Are Special: Brought up from their perspective with the Arsubaran aspect, "Center Of The Universe". Their high numbers throughout the galaxy and the cultural influence that comes with this certainly helps with this image.
- Invisibility: The Esterri are naturally invisible.
- Killer Rabbit: Urseminites - they look like living teddy bears, but have a reputation of psychopathic behaviour.
- Master Computer: Infocity, a moon-sized computer tended to by an order of acolytes, which exists for the purpose of gathering and storing information.
- Master Race: The Templari Empire, who believe that every other species exists solely for the purpose of serving them. Hence the "Superior Species" aspect.
- Our Werewolves Are Different: Thalds are an offshoot of the Arsubarans that can essentially transform into a werewolf at will, or if they become angry enough. They prefer to keep this hidden from the larger galaxy.
- Proud Warrior Race Guy: Hacragorkans, to the point where a typical species ability for them is "Pugnacious" which plays into their ability to start fights. Justified in that the planet Hacragorka has so few natural resources that they evolved into a society that has to fight for what they want, even just for the fun of it.
- Ragtag Bunch of Misfits: Most Bulldog crews.
- Shout-Out: The Urseminites are what you'd get if the Ewoks had a much more aggressive streak and a tendency to carry more sophisticated weapons.
- Snake People: Saldrallans, of the "serpentine tail and head, humanoid upper torso" variety.
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Spiritual Licensee: Despite predating the movie by several years, with it's focus on misfit antiheroes in a space opera setting, it has been compared to Guardians of the Galaxy (2014). And with the default setup having the player's as expendable couriers delivering the worst cargoes, Futurama. Especially if the campaign plays up the comedic elements. - Ursine Aliens: The Urseminites, to the point where they are presumed to have been genetically engineered as children's playmates. If this is true, their psychopathic tendencies show how well that turned out.
- Well-Intentioned Extremist: The Saldrallan Empire, particularly through the "Peace at any Cost" aspect, which gives a compel example of the Empire's authorities starting to bring the strong arm of the law down over what was supposedly a bar brawl. The Empire will go to ruthless extents to achieve a peaceful life for its citizens.
