If you do end up doing it, you should let us know how it goes.
Oh I will.
I plan on posting my thoughts and musings in here until I either run out, get done, or Pooka loses my thread.:p Some other things...
I thought of sonic-powered craft, using tone generators and mechanical oscillators. Haven't worked it out yet. I thought of using raw power sources, maybe harmonic spheres (basically marbles of energy). I'm leaning towards the society being somewhat like the renaissance in appearance, but with vastly different technology. I don't want steam-power to be a focus... it's been done already, and I'm trying to make something truly fantastic. It's alot to think about. Last night I went to bed and dreamed I was strolling through Bosch's Garden and looked up to see a giant version of Dali's flying crucifix, with what I think was a metallic flesh-painted Jesus on it, and it was carrying passengers. The cross's edges were shuttered and I could see passengers peering out.
The plane itself would be divided into distinct realms, and these would be connected somehow so that folks could move freely between them if desired. However, I want to limit the number of "locals" intermingling in neighboring realms. Haven't decided on how I want to do that yet, but I want to do it to keep the feel of the individual realms intact. I also want to make it possible to play natives though, and that implies the ability to travel, so I will have to look into that. I fully expect most of the players to be other races who wandered in however, but I don't want to limit the more adventurous among us from playing something bizarre. Some of the types of realms I have in mind are:
1. One based loosely on a real version of Dante's Hell, looking similar in appearance and hosting a large population, mostly human, living in perpetual gloom, twilight and darkness. Very advanced; the catalyst of the technological advances of the plane. Undead would probably be a major problem there.
2. One based on the works of Bosch, Breugel and similar artists from the period. Very strange races, living in a society rife with intrigue, vice, and sorcery.
3. One based on an area of plains, savannah and desert. This would be inspired by Dali. Haven't really decided on what to do here culture-wise.
4. One based on Topor's work, specifically Fantastic Planet. Two races living there, giants who spend their time in meditation and psychic pursuits, and rather more primitive humans struggling to survive.
5. A vast network of seas and oceans, inspired in large part by Roger Dean. Semi-aquatic races living in towering coral spires that protrude into the sky. Including at least one race that has mastered advanced flight technology.
More to come...