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Background
Page history
last edited
by Steve Johnson 14 years ago
Thoughts on our SteamPunk world:
General (from Steve):
- British Colonial Troops in India along the North West Frontier as part of the Great Game between Britain and Russia.
- The Mad Mullah of Madras (or some such suitably sounding Victorian villain) has been used as a front by Russia to agitate things along said frontier.
- He is ably assisted in this by some new inventions that Russian scientists and military chiefs want to try out. Cue excuse to come up with great sounding names for the Baddies and suitably heroic and stiff upper lip names for the Good guys.
- Unbeknown to them a certain professor Quatermass has a top secret research facility in the foothills of the Himilayas funded by the British Government but far away from the prying eyes of Whitehall.
- Conflict soon breaks out and escalates into full blown warfare (a series of escalating engagements could be used to reflect this).
- Due to the length of time to get Commonwealth troops to the theatre of conflict, Quatermass' new inventions are pressed into service to counter the fiendish new Russian weapons that are unleashed.
- Said weapons are such things as (steam) tanks, airships (lightning powered?), planes, air balloons, Elephants with turrets attached to their back etc (basically anything that your imagination can come up with. Flying carpets anyone? (An example of early forms of hover vehicles)).
- The range of troops available would make this absolutely stunning (and bizarre to look at) on the table. As a show game I think this would be brilliant. Think tanks, elephants, Indian Lancers, Chinese troops, Afghan tribesmen, rocket batteries etc. Pretty much anything you like the look of put it on the table!
- Could even go inter-War period with Germans & Japanese as the baddies (& use SCW / AVBCW stuff)
- Ottoman Empire with such things as a Camel Corps with armoured machine gun nests on their backs or even field guns. Add in some nice Dervishes and you have a pretty cute force.
- I think China deserves a look at with a Fu Manchu type baddie having developed distinctly Oriental machines based upon his Opium profits.
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(Nik's list):
- the colonial tension building to SteamPunk conflict on the NW Frontier (large-ish battles)
- the battle for Mars against the Martians (with beastmen as Martians, large-ish battles)
- heroic / RPG v Cthulhu-type gribblies on Earth (pulp skirmish, dungeoneering etc)
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North-West Frontier [Britain v Russia]
(Luddite):
- The essence has to be colonial conflicts by proxy.
- Lost and hidden wonders and technologies spread across Earth from a lost 'Golden Age' where aliens were among us ('Chariots of the Gods'). Imperial forces engage in a desperate search for these ancient wonders - driving colonial expansion. Key locations are Egypt, the Jungles of South America, Tibet/the Far East, Darkest Africa, Antartica. Each discovery will give a great technological advantage...
- Small scale 'covert' operations in pursuit of this 'secret war'. Already discovered; aether-drives, cavorite, tesla weapons, difference and analytical engines, anthropomorphic gyroscopes for bipedal machines, golem/robot technology (tin men). The war waged by the Illuminati, the Freemasons and the Tong.
- Larger engagements in pursuit of more traditional resources across Africa, Mesopotamia, Siberia, Mars,Venus and the Moon.
- Despite walking landships, robot soldiers, flying gunships, etc. the battlefield is still dominated by infantry and cavalry. These other wonders, and the thrid arm (artillery) are subordinate. NO super-weapons.
- 'Jolly good chaps' and 'dastardly villains' should abound.
- European and Asian powers are dominant. America has yet to become anything but a minor inward-looking proto-country. Russia is still a sleeping giant. China is powerful enough to oppose the whole of Europe on its own, but has little ambition to colonise Luna/Mars/Venus. It prefers to seek the lost treasures of Earth in the cover war - and is concentrated on finding Atlantis.
- The literary greats should be mercilessly plundered (Jules Verne, HG Wells, Arthur Conan Doyle, Lewis Carroll, Alan Moore, etc.) and where possible rather than creating anew we should take (and twist together) their works, ideas, and actual history.
- 'Keep it real'. Everything should be as close to 'Victorian reality' as possible.
Areas of Conflict
Some ideas for consideration
- The Northwest Frontier (as above) Great ancient treasure hidden in the Hindu Kush by Alexander the Great (remnenats of the Library of Alexandria? Sun-engines of Ra? Fountain of Youth? Britain, Russia and China vie for control of the region to let their reserach teams search the area. Native Pathan tribes are fiercely resisting due to an ancient duty to defend these lost treasures. Check out 'The Man Who Would Be King' or anything by Kipling as inspiration?
- Transylvania (Wallachia/Moldavia/the Balkans Strategically vital meeting point between east-west. Also home to an ancient treasure? Some device with energy that has leaked into the land causing the prevalence of vampires and other undead there? Lots of Dracula-style hunting to be had.
- Arctic or Antartic 'The Mountains of Madness'? Hidden lost cities (Hyperboria etc.)? Hidden trasures or simply a search for new more efficient land and air routes for trade? Characterised by winter warfare or perhaps smaller actions and investigations?
- South America The Chinese have effectively occupied Argentina and use its domestic sea fleet to scour the Atlantic in search of Atlantis. Also the Jungles of Brazil and Central America are seething with ancient ruins and lost artefacts of great power. Sun discs, time gates (that periodically open to the Jurassic/Cambrian allowing dinosaurs and rather large apes through into our world), lost cities of gold...All the colonial powers are flooding the area with armies and research teams. And of course, every now and then a Moon-people, MArtian or possibly even Venusian force lands here to look for lost trasures too. Very rich seam of potential that one.
- America/Canada The ancient 'mound dweller' culture and Anasasi ruins are rich mines of possible ancient technology. Post Civil War US has failed to unify the country, particularly the central states and great plains. Much of this area and central Canada has become a lawless place dominated by the 'sky pirates'. US '7th Cavalry' (including mechanised divisions) involved in gaining control of the area from these pirates and from the Native Americans (i'm thinking VSF version of Amtrak Wars here).
- Africa The Dark Continent is rich in raw materials, diamonds and gold, as well as slave labour(?) The 'scamble for Africa' is too good a sorce of conflict to miss?
- Egypt (also Bermuda Triangle and the Sargasso Sea) Possible sites for gateways to other worlds? Rich sources for colonial plunder? Worth fighting over?
- Tibet Hidden in the Himalyas are lost centres of learning and stores of technology. Guarded by yetis and worse, and protected by the Tibetan mountain folk. Lots of opportunity for Chinese, British (from India), Russian (from Siberia) forces scouring the mountains and waring with each other.
- Undergound? The realm of the Morlocks? Maybe look at 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth' for inspiration? Europe looking a transport tunnels to criss-cross the globe?
- Mars Colonial expansion and exploitation of resources there such as the hyper-efficient 'red coal'. Britain, Germany, US mainly. Local factions include Beastmen, Cephalim 'ziggurat culture' overlords, 'red' men. Lots of options for large open battles over territorial control.
- The Moon Colonial expansion involving all the main players of Europe. Excellent staging-point for ether-fleets. Locals are the high-tech 'grey men', and underground Selenites.
- Venus Lush jungle world rich with biodiversity, medical plants, etc. 'Primordial' with native 'lizardmen' and lots of dinosaur-like creatures. Technology soon 'rots' here and requires lots of maintenance. High humidity makes steam power almost redundant. Main colonial powers Britain and France. Germany, USA and Russia also present.
- South China Seas. Krakatoa explosion caused by invading Martian spaceship crashing into Earth.
- Tunguska. Similar to the above, could be Canada, Russia, the Amazon etc.
Politics
Imperial powers/factions
Britain (British Empire)
Dominates half the world (as history), including colonies on the Moon, Mars and Venus. With the advent of cavorite sky-ships and ether-ships, control of the far-flung empire has become easier, facilitating military and trade movement. Flashpoints include: Northwest Frontier, India, Southeast Asia (Hong Kong & Singapore), South Africa, Egypt, South America/Carribbean, Canada, Mars.
Germany
Controls Imperial territories throughout Africa, South America, the Moon, Mars and Venus. Flashpoints include South Africa, South America, Mars.
France
Controls Imperial territories throughout Africa (north mainly), Southeast Asia, South America, the Moon, Venus. Maintains a solid alliance with the United States. Flashpoints include South America, Southeast Asia.
China
Controls Imperial territories throughout South America, Southeast Asia, Siberia/Mongolia. Global network of infiltrators and 'cultural ambassadors'. Flashpoints include South America, Southeast Asia, Mongolia, Northwest Frontier.
Russia
Few Imperial holdings beyond Russia, Eastern Europe, the Urals, Siberia/Mongolia, Northwest Frontier. 'Emergent Empire'. Flashpoints include Siberia/Mongolia, Northwest Frontier.
Ottomans?
Haven't really considered these but they seem jolly inspiring!
Background
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Comments (15)
Steve Johnson said
at 1:59 pm on Nov 9, 2010
This whole concept evolved out of a mail I sent to Nik with regards to FWC. I thought it would be great to be able use all the nice WWII kit and beyond that I liked to create a FWC battlegroup, really so that I could game FWC as I wasn't too keen on a lot of the futuristic forces out there. To be honest it was a bit like being able to be a kid again and play with all the Airfix kits you liked with a ruleset that allowed you to do this.
Nik then suggested a Victorian Sci-Fi slant to this rather than the slightly predicatable SoTR look I was thinking about. (Don't get me wrong, I like the SoTR idea and ruleset). Coupled with Steampunk we decided that this would be a great 'period' to game with lots of great forces being able to share the table together under a 1broadly plausible' premise.
So with this 'period' decided upon, the Great Game concept was born as you can see above, with plenty of options available for broadening this conflict out to include the Ottoman Empire, Germany and China. Havening done a bit of research in my history books at home, there are lots of events that actually happened around the 1890's that can be used as a good background framework from which to hang on campaigns, scenarios etc for this 'period'.
Personally I really fancy having a go at the Russians in this with their Afghan Allies etc, mainly because I like the idea of being able to field some Pendraken Afghans in my FWC force. That's good enough for me. When some more time allows, I will try and add ideas for suitable figures etc that I think we can use for this.
Anyway, must dash a busy morning at work beckons.
TTFN.
Steve J.
ps Must add in Count Ivan Skavinsky Skavar to the list.
Steve Johnson said
at 2:00 pm on Nov 9, 2010
Forgot to add, that Luddites background fluff for his stuff looks really, really good.
Steve Johnson said
at 3:40 pm on Nov 11, 2010
The "Dark Materials" trilogy by Philip Pullman has some nice ideas that can be used for this period. The film of the first book is ok but has some nice shots of airships and gyroscopic driven cars that could be used. At some point I may watch it again with the family to see what grabs my attention.
Luddite said
at 2:16 pm on Nov 14, 2010
I understand Nik is to 'lift' my stuff fairly soon. No worries. I have a bunch of other stuff - mostly notes and planning which i'll contribute. And of course i've also done this in 28mm... http://www.durhamwargames.co.uk/battle_reports/2010/04/index.asp
Steve Johnson said
at 1:13 am on Nov 15, 2010
You could have a Tunguska type event in Siberia (or other places for a simultaneous invasion) heralding the arrival of the Martians on Earth. Cue BEF type forces being sent to investigate.
Luddite said
at 3:03 am on Nov 15, 2010
Agreed but Tunguska itself is out of scope (1911?) isn't it?
But yes i'd definately see these invasions as being covered up in that way. Excellent idea.
That said, the Martian landing at Horsell Common is still viable - as per 'A League of Extraordinary Gentlemen'. (And i've adopted it into my 'game history')
Luddite said
at 3:04 am on Nov 15, 2010
The collapsed 'cephalim' societies, warring over the remnants of their lost world have barely the capacity to launch a full-scale invasion so i'd see these 'bullets fired at the Earth' as rare and limited events - typically taking the entire resources of a failing Cephalim 'house' in a desperate bid for a new territory.
It does make for some good scenarios though, as an invasion tube that lands in a remote area will definately have more success gaining a foothold. Greenwich will presumably be on the lookout, and will despatch a skyship force to destroy the Martians before thay can secure their bridgehead?
Luddite said
at 3:04 am on Nov 15, 2010
For me though, the bigger threat of Earth invasion comes from the 'grey men' of the Moon...although i haven't yet decided why they're invading yet (posibly after the 'ancient lost treasures' too?) or how they relate to the Selenites on the Moon encountered by Mr Bedford and Dr Cavor...
Steve Johnson said
at 3:42 am on Nov 15, 2010
Yes, a bit late time wise, but great for covering up the invasion. Personally, I like the feel of the 1890's as a period to set this in, but then slightly earlier is fine by me.
Luddite said
at 4:14 am on Nov 15, 2010
Good point Steve...when do people see 'now' being set?
I've tended in my own interpretation to avoid dating things really...adopting in anything vaguely appropriate and bashing it into place with the 'hand-wavium' hammer.
Is it desirable to set a date? (Space) 1889? 1899?
Steve Johnson said
at 4:48 am on Nov 16, 2010
Don't forget H Rider Haggard (?), author I believe of King Solomons Mines, another possible source of conflict, exploration etc.
nik harwood said
at 2:34 pm on Nov 18, 2010
The 'now'?... Hmm...good question - to be honest, in my own thinking, I've not been especially specific: somewhere around 1890-1900-ish...
Does it matter *that* much: this is an alternative history & therefore has fantasy elements...so it doesn't matter too much if elements are anachronistic, does it?
Luddite said
at 2:51 pm on Nov 18, 2010
I agree, but theres a theory that says any piece of science fiction should only change a single thing from actual reality. While not advocating anything like that i do rather think the VSF setting is enhanced by dragging in and twisting as much actual history as possible. therefore 'locating it in history' can help in determining who and what to bring in. That does limit anachronisms of course (e.g. including Quatermass).
Personally, my assumptions have been that my game takes place somewhere around the mid 1890's, although the army is still stuck in the 1870-1880s in terms of uniform and weaponry...
As you say...does it matter?
Luddite said
at 2:53 pm on Nov 18, 2010
More importantly perhaps...whats the plan for developments of this setting game?
Steve Johnson said
at 11:27 am on Jan 23, 2011
How about Krakatoa's explosion and resulting devastation actually caused by a Martian invasion? Time period fits in nicely and lots of real but weird events happenend afterwards, ie red sunsets for years (Munchs 'The Scream' depicts the event), green seas, blue moons etc.
Also currently watching the film Stardust and they have lightning powered ships which could also be added.
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