Steam and Steel: AltHist. Victorian STGOD

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2006-09-11 11:09am

The mechanics for luxury resources are as follows:

Luxury reources are good sources of raw cash. They are generally easy to transport and command high prices for low mass. Opium is the most profitable, spices the least, silk is in the middle. The usage of luxury resources is going to be largely abstract, however, there are a handful of "concrete" advantages you can gain.

1. Economic Strength: Selling and recieving luxury goods is good for the economy. It enriches the government and private firms, as well as the general populace. This being the case, at the end of every 3-month period in which your nation has traded off luxury goods to someone else, mention it in your end-of-segment report along with your construction plans, and you will have a random chance of recieving a bonus to your available construction points. The more trade you engage in, the better your chance and the bigger the bonus.

2. Political stability: Having access to luxury goods improves political stability- your populace feels more wealthy and better taken care of. Attempts by other players to destabilize your government by arming natives or doing other nasty things will be stymied and more difficult. Nations with no luxury resources and no trade will be most vulerable, nations with a great deal of both will be less vulnerable. This isn't a hard and fast numbers thing, just something to bear in mind.

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2006-09-11 11:12am

RedImperator wrote:Uh, Thirdfain? Why don't I have any resources?

My bust. I rolled you up:

RedImperator:
Coal, Iron, Sulfur, Food, Silk.

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2006-09-11 11:46am

Thirdfain wrote:The mechanics for luxury resources are as follows:

Luxury reources are good sources of raw cash. They are generally easy to transport and command high prices for low mass. Opium is the most profitable, spices the least, silk is in the middle. The usage of luxury resources is going to be largely abstract, however, there are a handful of "concrete" advantages you can gain.

Well, I guess that trading/dealing in Opium isn't making you quite so likeable in some or other nations... Wouldn't this be a slight problem?

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2006-09-11 11:49am

Dahak wrote:
Thirdfain wrote:The mechanics for luxury resources are as follows:

Luxury reources are good sources of raw cash. They are generally easy to transport and command high prices for low mass. Opium is the most profitable, spices the least, silk is in the middle. The usage of luxury resources is going to be largely abstract, however, there are a handful of "concrete" advantages you can gain.
Well, I guess that trading/dealing in Opium isn't making you quite so likeable in some or other nations... Wouldn't this be a slight problem?

Opium brings high profits and does a good job of keeping the opulace hppy, so I guess you have to make a value judgement, mmm?

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2006-09-11 11:50am

Dahak wrote:
Thirdfain wrote:The mechanics for luxury resources are as follows:

Luxury reources are good sources of raw cash. They are generally easy to transport and command high prices for low mass. Opium is the most profitable, spices the least, silk is in the middle. The usage of luxury resources is going to be largely abstract, however, there are a handful of "concrete" advantages you can gain.
Well, I guess that trading/dealing in Opium isn't making you quite so likeable in some or other nations... Wouldn't this be a slight problem?

whose a nation, I'm a criminal organization, exiled from russia, and using what ever ports of call I can in the area. So basically All I would have are some "Q-ships" a few pirate vessels, and a decent smuggling operation going...

of course, running as the Moriarity/Sunlight meets Nichola Tessla model, I guess my weapons will probably be focused magnetic energy, radio waves, and electronics...

Agent Fisher · Post by **Agent Fisher** » 2006-09-11 11:50am

Just send your Opium by my island. I'll make it disappear.

Crossroads Inc. · Post by **Crossroads Inc.** » 2006-09-11 11:53am

I have a quick question... If we make a Trade pack with another nation, say like SUlfer for Iron, or Rares for Silk, etc. Is it something that should be made in a public statment? Or can such things be kept private? Do we need to at least let you know?

RedImperator · Post by **RedImperator** » 2006-09-11 12:13pm

Crossroads Inc. wrote:
Vanas wrote:In-game, my nation wouldn't dream of even making such threats. The fact of the matter remains, however.
Wow, spoken like a true diplomate. Both threatening, yet smary and open. *jots down notes*

I wouldn't take any notes on that if I were you. Anyone capable of reading a map already knew Vanas is in a position to close the strait. Therefore, him mentioning his ability to do so comes off as nothing more than a threat, and an unprovoked one, at that. Making threats is fine if you're strong enough to withstand the consequences of carrying them out, but with a dozen other states with strong interests in keeping the Indian and Pacific oceans connected (and that's before we consider the action of the NPCs), he can't.

The fact that he was smarmy about it just makes the thought of retaliating if he does pull something that egregiously stupid more appealing.

CaptainChewbacca · Post by **CaptainChewbacca** » 2006-09-11 12:24pm

Three things:

1. Thanks for doing all this, Thirdfain.

2. What are "rares" as growth resources, and how can I use them?

3. Did you see that in an additional post I claimed the 4 or 5 small islands east of me? I was hoping to have "forward coaling points" and a small fortress network.

Crossroads Inc. · Post by **Crossroads Inc.** » 2006-09-11 12:26pm

CaptainChewbacca wrote:2. What are "rares" as growth resources, and how can I use them?.

"Rares" are rare metals which are invauable for advance Science.. I will imagine you will be popular with Nitram now.

Dahak wrote:
Agent Fisher wrote:Just send your Opium by my island. I'll make it disappear.
If you would be willing to sign that as a trade agreement

That goes double for me

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2006-09-11 12:39pm

Agent Fisher wrote:Just send your Opium by my island. I'll make it disappear.

If you would be willing to sign that as a trade agreement

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2006-09-11 12:50pm

Can we trade luxury resources for other resources, like iron or rares, or is it just the abstract benefits mentioned above?

Edit: And how about trading one resources multiple times? Can I give sulfur to more than one other player, or is it one only?

Crossroads Inc. · Post by **Crossroads Inc.** » 2006-09-11 01:30pm

New Map Updated with Resources! I 'think' I have everyone on it.

As for resources, I imagine the bigger the nation, the more you have, for instance I'd imagine I produce WAY More Coal then a nation like Weemadando. The more you have the more you can trade.

Pablo Sanchez · Post by **Pablo Sanchez** » 2006-09-11 01:31pm

Dahak wrote:Can we trade luxury resources for other resources, like iron or rares, or is it just the abstract benefits mentioned above?

Probably if somebody has a resource that they don't really need right at the moment and you do, they could trade it for your luxury resource and then it would be abstracted into cash for them.

Agent Fisher · Post by **Agent Fisher** » 2006-09-11 02:03pm

Dahak wrote:
Agent Fisher wrote:Just send your Opium by my island. I'll make it disappear.
If you would be willing to sign that as a trade agreement

Bah, I be a scurvy dog. What do I need with trade agreements?

Yarr.

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2006-09-11 02:14pm

Agent Fisher wrote:
Dahak wrote:
Agent Fisher wrote:Just send your Opium by my island. I'll make it disappear.
If you would be willing to sign that as a trade agreement
Bah, I be a scurvy dog. What do I need with trade agreements?

Yarr.

People trading with you might be less inclined to shoot at you?

Agent Fisher · Post by **Agent Fisher** » 2006-09-11 02:29pm

Well, if they want trade agreements, then they make them with the puppet government. The puppet will of course, honor those agreements, but the Orcas might not.

CaptainChewbacca · Post by **CaptainChewbacca** » 2006-09-11 03:21pm

Thirdfain, did you research the resources, or do them randomly? I only ask because you got Madagascar's resources rather spot-on, down to the rare metals (bauxite).

Raesene · Post by **Raesene** » 2006-09-11 03:32pm

Imperial Austrian Armed Forces
Navy:

SMS Habsburg
Ship of the Line
armament:50
6 x 28 cm guns in 3 turrets
14 x 12 cm guns

Protection:40
torpedo protection: 10
Speed:25
Maneuver:25
equipped with radio

(modified german Brandenburg-class battleship)
15 000 t; 300 pts 1 ship

Armored Cruisers:

Kaiser class: SMS Kaiser Josef , SMS Kaiser Ferdinand Max and SMS Kaiser Rudolf
armament:30
8 x 19 cm (2 twin turrets, 4 in casements)
6 x 15 cm
10 x 7.6 cm guns on turrets and superstructure

Protection:20
torpedo protection: 10
Speed:25
Maneuver:30
equipped with radio and tethered experimental ballon for reconnaisance purpose on deck
11500 t; 230 pts 3 ships

Protected cruisers
Battle-class:

SMS Novara, Saida, Lissa, Otranto, Lepanto
armament:15
3 x 15 cm
6 x 7.6 cm
6x 50 cm torpedo tubes, 18 torpedoes available
Protection:10
torpedo protection: 5
Speed:15
Maneuver:15

6000 t; 120 pts 5 ships
also equipped with radio

small unprotected cruisers:
City-class
SMS Wien, Prag, Lemberg, Graz, Triest, Pola, Miramare, Ragusa, Olmütz, Brünn
4x 12 cm guns
several machine guns
6 torpedo tubes, 12 topedoes available

radio equipped, used for patrol duties or as leader of torpedo boat flottillas

armament:5
Protection:0
torpedo protection: 0
Speed:5
Maneuver:5

1500 t; 30 pts 10 ships

Torpedo boats:
4 x 50 cm torpedo tubes, no reloads
2 x machine guns
armament:1
Protection:0
torpedo protection: 0
Speed:1
Maneuver:1

50 torpedo boats

fleet uses 2190 points of 4000

if somebody wants to check my calculations, do so - it's already late and I'm not sure that I handled the calculator correctly

EDIT: fixed a typo

Vanas · Post by **Vanas** » 2006-09-11 03:37pm

The Valuan Navy is primarily defensive, emphasising endurance and armour over speed and manoeuvrability. Famed for unusual designs, many are trimarans with outriggers of varying proportions, granting them a stable gunnery platform in many weathers.

Battleships
VAS Bulwark Costs 300 Points
Displacement: 15,000 tons.

Armament:
4x 12.5 inch guns
6x6” guns above the middle
12x3”pounders along the belt

Prot: 55
Speed: 15
Fire: 30
Maneuver: 10
T. Prot: 40
x1 ship at 300 Points

The largest ship available to the Valuans, the Bulwark is slow but resilient and rarely seen outside Valuan territorial waters. A small Difference Engine located in the heart of the ship, assisted by the the stable platform of the trimaran warship, give it worrying accuracy that is only countered by it's somewhat below average main guns.

VAS Charybdis Class Costs 150 points
Armoured Cruiser
7,500 tonnes
Armament:
6x8-inch guns
10x4-inch guns
6x1-pounders
3x18-inch torpedo tubes

Protection: 25
Speed: 15
Fire: 15
Maneuver: 5
Torpedo Protection: 15
6x ships at 900 points

Valuan Armoured Cruisers are a more regular sight around the area. Relatively low in the water and suprisingly slim for a trimaran, these triple hulled ships are known for lurking near the major Valuan ports and conducting customs operations.

VAS Renown Class Costs 120 Points
Fast Cruiser
6,000 tonnes
Armament:
4x8-inch guns
5x4-inch guns
4x1-pounders
2x18-inch torpedo tubes
Protection: 10
Speed: 25
Fire: 10
Maneuver: 10
Torpedo Protection: 5
4 x ships = 480 points

Sleek, long, slim and beautiful ships, these vessels are generally used where a lighter touch is required. They are the ships most likely to be seen conducting diplomatic actions around the area. With slim outriggers attached to the hull by sweeping 'wings', they seem like vessels out of a fantastical novel than a functional ship. Still, they are hardly just showpieces, maintaining a fair level of firepower and with the speed to outrun anything they can't outgun.

VAS Cazadora Class Costs 10 Points
Torpedo Boat Destroyer
500 tonnes
Armament:
1x12-pounder
3x6-pounders
3x16 inch torpedo tubes
Speed: 2
Maneuver: 3
x29 ships = 290 points

This ship is one of the first mono-hulled deisgns produced by the Valuans, and it revels in the extra manoeuvrability granted to it by this decision. Often seen buzzing around larger vessels of the fleet or in small patrol groups, these ships are popular with their crews and are notoriously reliable.

VAS Fantome Class Costs 10 Points
Experimental Destroyer
500 tonnes
Armament:
1x12-pounder
3x6-pounders
Maneuver: 3
x1 ships = 10 points

Based on a modified Cazadora hull, the Fantome is a bizzare, fragile ship. Most of the vessel's armour has been overlaid (and in some cases replaced by) a sun gem 'sheet'. The smoke stack is alot less pronounced on this ship as well, due to the fact that it mainly moves on it's much slower solar drive. The counter to this is that, if exactly the right current is applied to the hull, it emits almost exactly as much light as it absorbs, making it incredibly hard to see at long distances. At night, or with no current, the ship is almost pure black.
The ship's main function is simply to act as a test bed for this idea, as it seems far too fragile for actual combat.

Vencedora Class Costs 2 Points
Motor Torpedo Boats
100 tonnes
Armament:
2x18 inch torpedo tubes
2x.303 Maxim guns
Speed: 1
x50 ships = 100 points

It's a small torpedo boat. Good for races.

Naval defenses:
Fragrarch 'Lighthouse' & attendant fortress
250 points x3:

Positioned in the main naval port of Sumatra, on the Malaccan island of Pulau Rupat and one overlooking the Sunda Strait, these well-armed fortresses are mainly notable for the large mirror array feeding into a large Sun Gem mounted at the base of the central tower. At night, they make rather effective lighthouses and can even, if focused correctly, be used as spotlights.

---2830---

((More to come, once brain recovers from a re-boot. Expect changes and an 'army' to come.))

Crossroads Inc. · Post by **Crossroads Inc.** » 2006-09-11 03:47pm

Raesene wrote:equipped with radio

Are you serious? Radio was in its infancy during the 1890's and that was on land. Ship based Radio was even slower in coming.

http://www.worldwar1.co.uk/pre-dreadnou ... nburg.html

Brandenburg Class. Unusual for a ship of this time in having a powerful main armament of 6 heavy guns and a weaker than normal secondary armament. The central turret guns were however shorter than the others and even then had considerable blast effects when fired. They were the first ships in the German Navy to be fitted with radio.

Point conceded

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2006-09-11 03:48pm

Crossroads Inc. wrote:
Raesene wrote:equipped with radio
Are you serious? Radio was in its infancy during the 1890's and that was on land. Ship based Radio was even slower in coming.

SMS Brandenburg was equipped with Radio at that time.

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2006-09-11 04:04pm

Crossroads Inc. wrote:I have a quick question... If we make a Trade pack with another nation, say like SUlfer for Iron, or Rares for Silk, etc. Is it something that should be made in a public statment? Or can such things be kept private? Do we need to at least let you know?

Of course I need to know. Your dealings can be as secret as you'd like, however, the moving of vast quantities of heavy metal will raise eyebrows.

Thirdfain, did you research the resources, or do them randomly? I only ask because you got Madagascar's resources rather spot-on, down to the rare metals (bauxite).

Random. Entirely random.

As for resources, I imagine the bigger the nation, the more you have, for instance I'd imagine I produce WAY More Coal then a nation like Weemadando. The more you have the more you can trade.

Hmmm. My initial thought: Your resources represent sufficient quantities to cover your own needs plus the needs of 1 other player, regardless of who you are. Certain technological advances can increase the yields of your resources, allowing you to trade them to more people. Any objections? I may tweak the system slightly if it turns out to be too generous or too miserly...

1. Thanks for doing all this, Thirdfain.

Thank you for playing!

3. Did you see that in an additional post I claimed the 4 or 5 small islands east of me? I was hoping to have "forward coaling points" and a small fortress network.

Noted.

Raesene · Post by **Raesene** » 2006-09-11 04:06pm

I like the Brandenburg-class, but when I read they had wireless communication, I had to take one and add this to little feature to the rest of my fleet

I only guessed with the tethered ballon - an austrian ship launched a balloon in 1849 to bomb Venice, but this failed due to bad weather, so tethered ones for artillery observation should be feasible

still, I expect fighter planes to shoot down my poor artillery observers

Question:
is flight (with heavier or lighter than air vehicles) already so common that we should mount some inprovised AAW-guns ?

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2006-09-11 05:17pm

And Thirdfain, what about game mechanics for Q-ships, armed merchantmen, privateers and transports...?