In the year 2090, a mysterious obelisk was discovered in the Tycho Crater on Earth's moon.

Early study of the obelisk discovered maps of the universe, revealed more obelisks, and gravity splitting technologies, allowing space travel to other galaxies to begin. Fueled on promises of resources, nations and corporations competed in a space race, spilling into bloody conflicts to establish control of the inner solar system and expand beyond. Once the dust settled, with new established borders set on earth and the surrounding planets, a new gold rush has begun.

As governments, corporations, and settlers launch expeditions into the the terrestrial wilderness to expand their empires, exploit recourses rich planets, or escape the monolithic organizations of the Milky Way, a single truth remains, something in the universe created the obelisks and we are not alone in the universe.

Unique expeditions venture to planets rich in valuable minerals and gases, generating trillions overnight. Yet every fortune is shadowed by stories of disaster with devastating accidents, lost crews, and untimely deaths.

Reports tell of carnivorous flora consuming entire teams save a lone survivor, of methane-rich atmospheres igniting ships upon entry, and of explorers succumbing to toxic exposure on worlds where the seasons change every seventy-two hours.

Countless stories of danger, failure, and triumph remain untold. We invite you to create them with us.

"Our first universe "Tycho Decay" is released under an open content license. You’re free to create your own stories, art, or projects. What you make, you own."

-Alec Miller, Founder of Royals & Rogues

What is this?

Royals & Rogues is a creative studio expanding into intellectual property development with a radical twist:

Rather than gatekeeping original content through corporate control, we are embracing a bold new vision of "IPs as a sandbox." Inspired by the open-source movement and underground comics, we want to offer an alternative to the current overly litigious and protective story telling industry. We invite storytellers, artists, and fans to engage directly with our worlds without fear of takedowns, copyright strikes, or creative silos.

Just here to watch? That's fine too!

Our first universe, Tycho Decay is released under an open content license. You’re free to create your own stories, art, or projects within the universe -- what you make, you own. We’ll continue to expand the lore and tell our own stories, and if you want your work to be canon, you can submit it for consideration. Use the lore and assets as inspiration for your own learning projects, social posts, and experiments.

Join our growing community of creators on Discord, sign up for our email list for updates, and check out our YouTube channel for upcoming projects.

Want to hire us? Visit our website: Royals & Rogues

Tycho Decay originally began as a Dead Space Fan Film, however as we added more story and characters to the film we realized that the world we built was not aligned with the source material. Instead an entirely new IP revolving around frontier planets and spurred by obelisks inspired as much by 2001: A Space Odyssey, than just the corrupting cult-producing markers from Dead Space.

Expanded Lore

Learn about the details of the current world and dive deeper into the story of Tycho Decay and see behind the scenes.

Stone Marker

A stone totem discovered by an exploratory miner team on HD-154950E. After one of the miners went missing, the consequent search found his highly decomposed body in front of it. Preliminary scans suggested it was hundreds, or possibly thousands of years old. However, a more thorough examination by the mining team discovered evidence leading them to believe modern mining tools were used and instead the stone carving is undergoing a seemingly accelerated rate of decay -- as observed by the increased breakdown of their own equipment. Spurring the Ceylon Mining Corp to contact the ECISS for a professional assistance.

Originally the snake would move around from scene to scene having broken out of the lab to infect Duke and whatever else it could bite, this was cut down to the less direct effect of the marker's ooze.

Ceylon Mining Corporation PLC.

Asmall, exploratory mining corporation specializingin discovering and selling tantalum and niobium, elementsessential to spacecraft. Their former operation on HD-154950E was initially a promising location, but it’s only real value was the discovery of a primitive shrine holding an unknown liquid hypothesized to be contained in the Monoliths. Afterinitial investigation of the stone piller,all mining operations were suspended and theCàrnresearch base was established to begin study.

We did this the Hollywood way with handmade concept art for each major location.

Europan Council of the Inner Solar System (ECISS)

The ECISS represents the common interests of the Inner Solar System, specifically, the competing interests between governments and corporations conducting operations of interstellar space and exoplanets. Originally established in the wake of the Lunarmonoliths and subsequentconflictsfor control of Jupiter fuel resources, the ECISS has grown into a large bureaucratic organization creating various opinions on their existence and activities.

Marmaduke

A Western Lowland Gorilla, Marmaduke (nicknamed "Duke" by the Càrn research crew) was genetically modified in vitro, including the MCPH1, FOXP2, and BDNF genes, allowing for enhanced vocalizations, improved short-term memory, and cognitive functioning.

The Càrn team was approved for use of Marmaduke in their research given the planet's biome and their limited crew, "Duke" is an all-in-one manual laborer, scout, guard dog, and lab hand, saving Ceylon Mining thousands. As a bonus BiOrgs (Biological Organisms) are considered property of their respective corporations and do not have rights or salary requirements. Despite policies against personal relationships with company property, biological or otherwise, the Càrn crew considered Duke family and gave him free roam of the lab.

At first Marmaduke or "Duke", was just a random gorilla that was corrupted by the mysterious compound infecting the local fauna. The entire story ended up clicking into place after we realized he needed to have a personal connection to An and the research team. That realization took Duke from a "monster of the week" to a personal story of loss and corruption.

Security Chief Ann McKay

Security Chief Ann McKay was born into a unique family — her father a neurologist, her mother a combat vet from the Hydrogen Wars of Jupiter. Ann's early life was inundated by discussions of neural plasticity and transhumanism, intermixed with gun drills and CQC training, developing an early fascination with non-human cognition and physical power.

Following a stint in the ECISS marines An used her military scholarship to earn degree's in Zoology and Comparative Cognition. An was quickly identified by Nufauna Technologies and recruited into a classified behavioral research initiative working to develop advanced BiOrgs. After forming a deep attachment to a young Gorrilla in the program (who she would share her lunches with breaking the lab's strict dietary rules) after months of training and development An was heartbroken to find her primate companion was purchased by the Ceylon Mining Corporation and assigned to a research center on a distant frontier planet.

Breaking her contract with Nufauna, Ann set out to find her new friend. Leaning on her mother's old ex-military connections, she found the expedition a security position on the research base. Like most of the team Ann would have more responsibilities than her official role, doubling as a part-time researcher, biologist, and friend.

Nufauna Technologies has no doubt sent a "persuasion team" to inform Ann of the penalties of ending her contract early and if possible return her to them for proper disciplinary action.

An early draft if An had her in a poncho. The idea was scrapped when we realized what a headache it would be to animate.

Coshh Solutions HFA 211-6 Deforesting Tool-- The "Deforestinator"

Designed for heavy industrial use, the 211-6 is a versatile plasma-based system built to clear forest growth, break down debris, and support large-scale mining operations. Each articulated “blade” operates independently, allowing for near-limitless cutting angles and precision adjustments in the field.

Beyond cutting, the 211-6 also functions as a high-efficiency welding instrument, making it indispensable for rapid structural modifications and repairs. At its core, a centralized high-powered plasma beam provides concentrated blasting capability, ensuring the tool can handle both delicate tasks and the most demanding material removal challenges.

Now tell your own story

Artists are encouraged to use our characters, worlds, models, music, and more in their own ways to tell their own stories.

Looking to practice your animation? Take our rigged Ann model for a spin. Need a unique monster in your D&D campaign? Grab a 3D print of Marmaduke and have at it!

We are providing the tools and framework but it is up to the audience to decide how to use it. You are also free to monetize it, run ads and sponsors against content you make in our world or with our assets, we want everyone to win.

*The only thing not allowed is re-packaging and selling of the models themselves without transformative changes.*

If you want to officially partner with us to have your work promoted, added to the official lore, or hosted by us reach out at "info@royalsandrogues.com" or get in contact on our discord.

Support Tycho Decay

(Buy Something)

100% of the funding for Tycho Decay and any other IPs we develop comes from our own pockets.
We don't believe in asking for money without you getting something of value in return. Ideally something you can use or touch.
For now it's digital files that you can use in your own art or to decorate your office, soon we will be adding 3D models, shirts, figurines, physical posters and more!

For now enjoy a free digital poster on us!