Just a quick one—I fed ChatGPT 4 the planetary romance description on TV Tropes and asked it to generate a list of one hundred ideas commonplace to the genre. Here they are below. Maybe of use to some referees like myself who occasionally need a little help while prepping their next science fantasy or sword and planet D&D session.
- Ancient Alien Artifacts: Mysterious remnants of lost civilizations.
- Feudal Future: Societies with medieval-like structures in a futuristic setting.
- Lost Technology: Advanced, often misunderstood technologies from a bygone era.
- Alien Flora and Fauna: Unique and often dangerous wildlife native to alien planets.
- Interstellar Travel: Journeying between stars or planets, typically with advanced spacecraft.
- Mystical Powers: Characters with abilities that blur the line between science and magic.
- Planetary Romance: Epic adventures set on exotic, far-off worlds.
- Spacefaring Hero: A protagonist who travels and explores the cosmos.
- Alien Cultures: Interaction with societies of alien beings.
- Dying Earth: Worlds at the brink of ecological or cosmic collapse.
- Space Opera Elements: Galactic-scale drama and adventure.
- Chivalric Codes: Honor and valor in a futuristic context.
- Lost Colonies: Human settlements that have lost contact with Earth.
- Unexplored Territories: Vast, unknown regions of alien planets.
- Feudal Politics: Power struggles and intrigue in a space-age kingdom.
- Heroic Quests: Epic journeys with a significant goal or purpose.
- Cross-Planetary Romance: Love stories that span different worlds.
- Sword and Planet Combat: Traditional melee combat in a futuristic setting.
- Space Pirates: Outlaws and raiders in the far reaches of space.
- Hidden Civilizations: Secret societies or cultures on alien worlds.
- Space Castaways: Characters stranded on unknown planets.
- Revolutionary Movements: Uprisings against oppressive regimes.
- Interplanetary War: Conflicts that span multiple planets.
- Space Exploration: The discovery and exploration of new worlds.
- Alien Gods: Deities or god-like beings from other worlds.
- Cultural Exchange: The sharing of ideas and customs between different species.
- Space Knights: Warriors upholding a code of honor in space.
- Terraforming Projects: Transforming alien worlds to support human life.
- Alien Languages: The challenge of communicating with extraterrestrial beings.
- Psychic Abilities: Mind-reading, telekinesis, and other mental powers.
- Rogue Planets: Worlds drifting outside of any solar system.
- Space Tyrants: Ruthless rulers commanding vast interstellar empires.
- Ancient Prophecies: Foretellings that drive the plot and character actions.
- Galactic Mysteries: Enigmas and secrets spanning the cosmos.
- Alien Ecology: The study and interaction with alien ecosystems.
- Dimensional Travel: Movement between different planes of existence.
- Interstellar Empires: Massive, galaxy-spanning civilizations.
- Planetary Gods: Deities associated with specific worlds or celestial bodies.
- Space Nomads: Cultures and peoples who travel the stars without a home planet.
- Cybernetic Enhancements: Use of technology to enhance physical and mental abilities.
- Time Dilation: The effects of relativity on space travel and aging.
- Cosmic Events: Supernovas, black holes, and other astronomical phenomena.
- Space Colonies: Human settlements in space or on alien planets.
- Forbidden Knowledge: Information that is dangerous or forbidden to possess.
- Alien Alliances: Partnerships or coalitions between different alien species.
- Planetary Defenders: Heroes who protect a world from external threats.
- Space Monsters: Gigantic or dangerous creatures inhabiting space.
- Cosmic Balance: The delicate equilibrium between opposing cosmic forces.
- Star-Crossed Lovers: A love affair hindered by the vastness of space.
- Alien Religions: Belief systems and practices of extraterrestrial origin.
- Interstellar Trade: Commerce and trade between different planets.
- Space Academies: Institutions for training spacefarers and explorers.
- Alien Artifacts: Objects of unknown origin and purpose from other civilizations.
- Space Espionage: Spying and intelligence gathering in a galactic context.
- Biomechanical Technology: Integration of biological and mechanical systems.
- Galactic Federation: An alliance of planets or species for mutual benefit.
- Cosmic Lore: Ancient and mystical knowledge about the universe.
- Starship Battles: Combat between spacecraft in space.
- Alien Hierarchies: The social and political structures of alien societies.
- Space Mythology: Legends and myths set in the backdrop of space.
- Astro-Archeology: The study of ancient civilizations through their spacefaring remnants.
- Teleportation: Instantaneous travel between distant points.
- Artificial Intelligence: Sentient machines or computer systems.
- Galactic Prophecy: Predictions about the fate of the galaxy.
- Space Witches/Wizards: Individuals wielding mystical powers in space.
- Interstellar Diplomacy: Negotiations and treaties between different planetary races.
- Star-Crossed Species: Romantic or familial bonds between different alien species.
- Quantum Anomalies: Strange phenomena based on quantum mechanics.
- Celestial Phenomena: Unique and awe-inspiring events in space.
- Alien Bestiary: A collection of diverse and exotic alien creatures.
- Space Smugglers: Individuals who transport illegal goods through space.
- Cosmic Cults: Groups devoted to worshiping or venerating cosmic entities.
- Interdimensional Beings: Entities from different dimensions or realities.
- Space Outlaws: Criminals and renegades living outside the law in space.
- Galactic Ruins: The remains of ancient and powerful civilizations.
- Artificial Planets: Man-made or altered worlds.
- Space Archaeology: The study of ancient remnants in space.
- Hyperspace Travel: Faster-than-light travel through another dimension.
- Exotic Energy Sources: Unconventional and powerful forms of energy.
- Celestial Guardians: Beings or forces that protect the cosmos.
- Galactic Disasters: Catastrophic events that impact multiple worlds.
- Alien Enigmas: Mysteries surrounding extraterrestrial life and culture.
- Space Rebellion: Revolts against galactic authorities or regimes.
- Cosmic Consciousness: Awareness or intelligence that spans the universe.
- Interstellar Nomads: Groups or individuals who wander the galaxy.
- Planetary Mysteries: Puzzles and enigmas specific to a single world.
- Space Rangers: Law enforcement in the vastness of space.
- Astrobiology: The study of life in the universe.
- Galactic Cartography: The mapping and exploration of the galaxy.
- Alien Conspiracies: Secret plans or schemes involving extraterrestrial beings.
- Cosmic Artifacts: Powerful and mysterious objects from across the universe.
- Interstellar Refugees: People fleeing their home worlds for various reasons.
- Space Mercenaries: Soldiers for hire in interstellar conflicts.
- Astro-Engineering: The construction of massive structures in space.
- Galactic Legends: Stories and tales passed down through galactic history.
- Celestial Events: Occurrences in space with significant impact.
- Alien Philosophies: Unique and diverse ways of thinking from different worlds.
- Space Hazards: Dangers and challenges inherent in space travel.
- Interstellar Communities: Groups of species or civilizations living in harmony.
- Cosmic Destiny: The preordained fate or future of the universe or its inhabitants.