Steam and Steel: AltHist. Victorian STGOD

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2006-09-12 07:44pm

CaptainChewbacca wrote:Nit, what's an etheric cannon do?

Creates a corridor of vacuum in which an etheric shockwave is released, transforming the vacuum from a perfect insulator to a perfect conductor, thus causing all energy bound up in it's creation and whatever is added to shoot along it and react with the target, catastrophically.

It's just a huge freakin' Line Of Sight gun that emits a beam.

Straha · Post by **Straha** » 2006-09-12 09:14pm

A sketch of the internal politics of Tsarist New Guinea (minus the Natives who I'll deal with later):

The Tsar- Young Tsar Nicholas the Second is an enigma. Most of his exile has been spent learning the details of statecraft from his regent Sergei Witte and from the numerous tutors around him. He is an odd man, both Russian and a result of the mixed environment around him. He has said, in private, that his main goal is to return to Russia before all else, but he has shown a great deal of care and thought (admittedly influenced by Witte and Von Peebles) for the future of New Guinea. He has also shown a deep affection for the natives around him, and was greatly impressed when he saw them storming New Richmond from aboard his battle fleet, and was deeply moved by the slave pens that the natives and Russian marines found in the town. His actual chances of ever being returned to the throne in Russia, more focused on repelling foreign invaders then over the squabbling for who should claim the right to lead the country, are slim to none for the time being, though many peasants do support his legitimacy and two Patriarchs have been exiled for lending public support to his claim (and both have since arrived in New Guinea.) As for the loyalty of his new subjects; the Russians are as loyal to him as any you could find in Russia (the fact that they are in New Guinea speaks to that alone,) the Netherlanders viewed him as a tool to remove the last of the Forrest company from the island and now as a method for focusing the industrialization of the Island, but are not loyal to the Tsar beyond the opportunity they offer him. The Americans view loyalty to the Tsar as a necessity, and many have gone out of their way to ingratiate themselves to him as they have no where else to turn but beyond the protection he offers they have no outright loyalty to him either. The natives are mixed in their view of him. Some think of him as merely a more powerful chief who will rule over the island until he is supplanted by another, more powerful, man in an ongoing string of events, whilst others (mainly from the far Eastern part of the island) have developed a almost messianic view of the Tsar, thanking him for removing slavery from their midst and pledging their eternal loyalty to him and his line.

The Russians- The Russians are split between the industrial faction (often called the Witte faction) and the Russian Faction. The Witte faction takes the stance that return to Russia is inevitable and that in the mean time New Guinea must be kept at par with the nations around it and, if possible, be made the most powerful nation in the pacific, starting with the continued industrialization of the Island and a strong fleet to protect trading interests. The Russian Faction advocates that the Tsar’s primary goal should be to raise an army for the return to Russia and the invasion of the homeland to overthrow the usurper dynasty and return Nicholas to the throne. The Tsar has tended to lean towards the Witte Faction in his policies, though in the recent months he has drifted farther away from Witte, not so much out of dislike for his policies but out of growing distaste for the man, and has encouraged the strengthening of the Army, but has not openly declared the intent of invading Russia any time in the foreseeable future.

The Netherlanders- The Dutc are unanimously behind the industrialization of New Guinea, and for increasing international trade. The only real divide in the Netherlands camp is between those who say that an international treaty of military protection should come second to trading interests, loosely headed by Johaan Van Tromp (head of the Imperial Rail Company,) and those who say an international treaty and international military agreement are necessary before serious trade can begin (this faction is loosely organized behind the foreign secretary Martin Van Peebles, who has recently become a close confidante [some would say even closer than Witte] of the Tsar.)

The Americans- The Americans are in a unique position in New Guinea. They are pariahs from their homeland, having not only turned traitor to the Forrest Company but having aided in the capture of the Confederate Pacific Fleet. At the same time they are viewed with mistrust by the Natives and the Netherlanders for their origin and for their turning against the Forrest company. The Americans have thus, merely out of a will to survive, pledged themselves to the Tsar until a more viable option presents itself. Amongst themselves, though, they support the continued industrialization of the Island only to ensure self-sufficiency and to protect it from invasion, beyond that they advocate agriculture as the proper method for gentlemen and for the future of the island.

CaptainChewbacca · Post by **CaptainChewbacca** » 2006-09-13 03:16am

If we have resources nobody will trade for, can they simply be sold to private concerns for wealth, or do we accumulate extra? For example, by not trading my luxury or by keeping extra iron can I build ships faster or get mroe money?

Straha · Post by **Straha** » 2006-09-13 02:36pm

For troop creation, would anyone have objections to me spending, in one unit, half the number of points per man on the understanding that the unit would be cannonfodder in the face of battle against trained armies? I know this hasn't been a problem in past STGODs but I just want to double check here.

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2006-09-13 02:38pm

Straha wrote:For troop creation, would anyone have objections to me spending, in one unit, half the number of points per man on the understanding that the unit would be cannonfodder in the face of battle against trained armies? I know this hasn't been a problem in past STGODs but I just want to double check here.

The lowest number of points you can spend is 1 point per 200 men foot or 1 point per 50 mounted. That represents the lowest level of training and equippage- essentially local auxiliaries armed with spears and a smattering of primitive firearms.

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2006-09-13 04:30pm

For the OOB thread, I can post the oob and description, but the map might take till weekend, when I get home.

Straha · Post by **Straha** » 2006-09-13 05:05pm

Thirdfain wrote:
Straha wrote:For troop creation, would anyone have objections to me spending, in one unit, half the number of points per man on the understanding that the unit would be cannonfodder in the face of battle against trained armies? I know this hasn't been a problem in past STGODs but I just want to double check here.
The lowest number of points you can spend is 1 point per 200 men foot or 1 point per 50 mounted. That represents the lowest level of training and equippage- essentially local auxiliaries armed with spears and a smattering of primitive firearms.

Roight then...

:: changes some numbers::

Adrian Laguna · Post by **Adrian Laguna** » 2006-09-13 05:14pm

Thirdfain wrote:The lowest number of points you can spend is 1 point per 200 men foot or 1 point per 50 mounted. That represents the lowest level of training and equippage- essentially local auxiliaries armed with spears and a smattering of primitive firearms.

Does that mean that some of the fluff in Crossroad's OOB is bullshit?

Crossroads Inc. wrote:10 x 10,000 men = 100,000 Army at 500 Points
Top quality troops, equipped with **** Rifles and horse drawn artillery and maxim guns.

Especially the "horse-drawn artillery and maxim guns" part. "Top quallity" still stands since he doesn't have anything better in the infantry department.

Crossroads Inc. · Post by **Crossroads Inc.** » 2006-09-13 05:16pm

Adrian Laguna wrote:
Thirdfain wrote:The lowest number of points you can spend is 1 point per 200 men foot or 1 point per 50 mounted. That represents the lowest level of training and equippage- essentially local auxiliaries armed with spears and a smattering of primitive firearms.
Does that mean that some of the fluff in Crossroad's OOB is bullshit?

Crossroads Inc. wrote:10 x 10,000 men = 100,000 Army at 500 Points
Top quality troops, equipped with **** Rifles and horse drawn artillery and maxim guns.
Especially the "horse-drawn artillery and maxim guns" part. "Top quallity" still stands since he doesn't have anything better in the infantry department.

<_<
>_>

Let me get back to you on that... (scrambles to edit)

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2006-09-13 05:33pm

My infantry are generally rated as top of the line, but that's less training, and more what a decider having beyond LOS artillery in your army will do for you.

Post by **Beowulf** » 2006-09-13 05:50pm

So what if I have militia troops. They aren't standing army, and don't get the same training or the heavier weaponry, but are still armed with decent weapons.

Adrian Laguna · Post by **Adrian Laguna** » 2006-09-13 06:06pm

Beowulf wrote:So what if I have militia troops. They aren't standing army, and don't get the same training or the heavier weaponry, but are still armed with decent weapons.

1.5 or 2 points per 200 men should cover it.

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2006-09-13 06:16pm

I truly hate trying to make maps. I always suck at it.

Straha · Post by **Straha** » 2006-09-13 06:30pm

My Army Post: (Navy Post to Come after I get the Map Ready)

The Tsar’s Army (Total Points: 1310)

The Imperial Guard 2,000 Men (for 90 Points)

The elite of the elite. The Tsar’s personal bodyguard, almost all came with the Tsar to New Guinea, or made their way there after the overthrow of Alexander. Trained to crack discipline, equipped with the best equipment available (including field artillery contingents) in the pacific, and loyal to their Tsar to the Death. They mostly stay in the Capital of Mariasburgh as the ceremonial guard for the Tsar. They are also the only all white unit in the Army.

The Fifth Siberian Rifle Regiment 10,000 Man Strong (for 150 points)

The main Russian armed forces contingent. Top quality troops, mostly Russian and Cossack refugee in origin.

The Second Imperial Cossack Regiment 10,000 Man Strong (for 150 Points)

Same as the Fifth Siberian Rifle Regiment.

First Utrecht Grenadiers 10,000 Man Strong (for 300 Points)

A majority native unit, comprised of veteran officers from the war across the Island, crack troops and equipped with field artillery. Second only to the Imperial Guard in its prestige and training, and equal to it in equipment.

First Brabant Riflemen 10,000 Man Strong (for 200 points)

Another majority native unit. Less well trained then most, but equipped with full field artillery.

Second Brabant Riflemen 5,000 Man Strong (for 150 points)

A majority native regiment (commanded by a native) in the process of training and expansion. Half of the regiment has been enrolled, trained and equipped (the 5,000 men) to the highest possible standards with the plan of training the other half in the next six months.

The Forrest Cavalry Regiment 3,000 men (for 180 Points)

A largely American force which ties itself back to Nathan Bedford Forrest’s famous raiders in the First War between the States. Equipped and trained to match anything that can be thrown at them they are the pride of the Americans of New Guinea.

Zeeland Dragoons 3,000 Man Cavalry Unit (for 90 Points)

The Netherlander Cavalry Unit.

The Tsar’s Marine Reserve (Total Points: 80)

First Reserve Marine Regiment, 2,000 Men (for 30 Points)

A group of well trained and equipped Marines who, when not called up for active duty service, are required to spend six months of every year either aboard the Imperial Navy serving as ratings or in the Merchant Marine serving as ordinary seaman (and as a deterrent to piracy of Russian shipping,) while spending the other six months in drills and preparations in the homeland.

Second Reserve Marine Regiment 2,000 Men (for 30 Points)

Similar to the First Reserve Marine Regiment, except with the leave staggered so that one regiment is always in the homeland on ready notice to be put into action.

The Native Marine Reserve Regiment 2,000 Men (for 20 points)
Similar to the first two marine reserve regiments, except the Native Reserve has a much higher concentration of native conscripts (60%) and is still undergoing training.

CaptainChewbacca · Post by **CaptainChewbacca** » 2006-09-13 07:19pm

Forgive me, I can't find how many points we get.

Straha · Post by **Straha** » 2006-09-13 07:22pm

CaptainChewbacca wrote:Forgive me, I can't find how many points we get.

4,000.

That being said I just noticed that I mis-calculated the Tsar's bodyguard unit for thirty more points than I should have...

CaptainChewbacca · Post by **CaptainChewbacca** » 2006-09-14 01:00am

Thirdfain, is it ok if the Germanic Kingdom has recently been developing magnetic mines and torpedoes, and that that could translate to some tangible benefit for me if I spend research on it?

CaptainChewbacca · Post by **CaptainChewbacca** » 2006-09-14 01:16am

More OOB as it develops:

Fortresses

Island Fortresses.
Each island fortress serves multiple functions. They are coaling stations, naval bases, and serve as a defensive network to warn Germania of any attack. Fortress compounds exist on Mauritius, Agalega, Reunion, Juan de Nova, Rodriguez Island, and Grande Glorieuse.
3x 10 inch guns in fixed positions
4x 7 inch mobile guns
Extra reinforcement and provisions to make them more durable than usual.
6 fortresses, 450 pts.

Mainland Fortresses.
Madagascar has very excellent geography for defense. A rugged eastern coast and very few harbors mean that any assault is likely to come at one of the few large ports. Antisarana Bay, Toamasina, and Bombetoka Bay all have extensive fortifications.
8x 14 inch guns
12x 10 inch mobile guns

3 Fortresses, 750 pts.

Seejager Class
Armored Cruiser
The pride of Germanic engineering, the Jaegers emphasize speed and hitting power over armor. These ships are always out on the frontier waters of the Kingdom, and will respond to any threat with great ferocity.

8x 10 inch guns, 4 in 2 turrets and 2 on each side.
8x 6 inch guns
10x 4 inch guns
2x 20 inch torpedo tubes w/magnetic torpedoes
armament: 40
Protection: 20
torpedo protection: 15
Speed: 30
Maneuver: 40
8 Cruisers, 2240 pts
9000ts

Raesene · Post by **Raesene** » 2006-09-14 04:27am

the suez canal does not exist, is that correct ?

with a aggressive and hostile muslim government in the near/middle east I would not expect it to, but I want to be sure.

Post by **weemadando** » 2006-09-14 05:04am

Raesene wrote:the suez canal does not exist, is that correct ?

with a aggressive and hostile muslim government in the near/middle east I would not expect it to, but I want to be sure.

Oooh. Dibs on that engineering project!

Murazor · Post by **Murazor** » 2006-09-14 07:42am

Is there any place left for more players? I've some interest and might try if I can find the time for it.

Pablo Sanchez · Post by **Pablo Sanchez** » 2006-09-14 11:41am

Raesene wrote:the suez canal does not exist, is that correct ?

with a aggressive and hostile muslim government in the near/middle east I would not expect it to, but I want to be sure.

The Suez Canal began construction in 1858 and concluded in 1869, so potentially it does exist, depending on how fast European power in Egypt declines, and if they didn't finish it, whether or not the Kaliphate finished it for itself later.

Thirdfain · Post by **Thirdfain** » 2006-09-14 11:46am

CaptainChewbacca wrote: Seejager Class
Armored Cruiser
The pride of Germanic engineering, the Jaegers emphasize speed and hitting power over armor. These ships are always out on the frontier waters of the Kingdom, and will respond to any threat with great ferocity.

8x 10 inch guns, 4 in 2 turrets and 2 on each side.
8x 6 inch guns
10x 4 inch guns
2x 20 inch torpedo tubes w/magnetic torpedoes
armament: 40
Protection: 20
torpedo protection: 15
Speed: 30
Maneuver: 40
8 Cruisers, 2240 pts
9000ts

This is an illegal ship design; you've got 145 pts of equippage on 90 pts of hull size. NO good!

CaptainChewbacca · Post by **CaptainChewbacca** » 2006-09-14 12:56pm

Aw crap, those numbers added up last I looked! Will be fixed in 24 hours.

P.S. Is my research in magnetics ok, or is that a no-go?

Adrian Laguna · Post by **Adrian Laguna** » 2006-09-14 03:32pm

Is it just my imagination, or does Thirdfain have a rather unfortunate tendency of forgetting the latter parts of people's posts while replying to the beginning?