You know it's funny you mention that. I was re-reading the webcomic yesterday to figure out some dates, and that's when I realized it took place in 1897. Not only that, but my re-reading of the comic reminded me how absolutely silly the thing is.
Which isn't a bad thing at all, but I've always played every setting I've ever had as straight as I can, even that ridiculous anime quest. A lot of my players get it right now, and have inserted their own mad science, really flavoring up the quest. But as it is, I'm plodding along with a dark WW1 quest in a setting that has the TF2 hat system for jaegers. It really is leviathan right now :lol
But this turn I've started an actual story, and I'll try and include the insane juxtaposition of the early 1900's, insane people, and the humor of the variety of inventions sparks create. And the way people react to them, and learn to live alongside them.
(Oh and you can build your army whenever, you'll be invading Egypt next turn alongside the rest of the Iron Caliphate's forces)
Don't forget that you also start out with 3 upgrade points and 2 perk points (unless you don't want to use them for whatever reason). Also, if I remember correctly, the air carriers don't come with any planes. Happy formation building!
After battle report:
It has been a hard fought campaign to keep the French out of the Empire. They were able to push us out of Belgium with the force of their war machine, despite traps laid in the area by the stealth divisions. It was only at the Spark Fortress near Cologne that we were able to halt them. We forced them to spend their lives as payment to take those walls but for all that we were able to extract a bloody toll against the French they were able to level the fortress to the ground with their guns. But despite the tentative French victory we have done it, we have brought enough time for the first of the promised solutions to the French war machine to arrive, and it terrifies me. The first sign of the solution arriving was when a woman showed up inside my office sitting in my chair, watching me with the intensity of a hawk, silently judging and evaluating every move I made, I tried to call security but to my horror the only response was silence. That was when the woman told me to take a seat and introduced herself as Artemis Lightbole, the handler for Agent Quarto Septimus, handing me a folder of paper to read.
At this point my breath hitched in my throat, I had heard of rumours of the assassin known as "The Hitman" and until now I had thought them fanciful tales. As I read through the file I realized that the rumours were very real indeed, a master of disguise with a supernatural ability to tell the location and disposition of everyone around him and a mastery of creating "accidents" for his targets. When I reached the end of the folder it was plucked from my trembling hands and burned to pieces in my wastebasket. Artemis then placed contact details in my pocket, told me that this would probably be the first and last time I saw her in person and left me slumped in the chair in front of my desk. It was only afterwards that I found out that the entirety of security had been knocked unconscious and all records erased. No one could remember the face of the one who knocked them out and without security footage it is likely that we will never know.
Composition List:
-Commando/Ranger Battalion
--Human (barely) Soldiers trained for stealth operations.
---Training 1: Partially trained using Smoke Knight training techniques the soldiers are extra effective.
---Training 2: All soldiers undergo treatment to give them peak human condition, the boosts in reaction time, speed, strength, etc. are already showing results.
-Elite Monster Infantry Battalion
--A group of Jagermonsters trained in stealth created from survivors of the Commando/Ranger battalion.
---Camouflage 1: By only offering the promotion to the most stealthy in the division, the Jagers already know the value of not being seen.
---Training 1: Further trained using Smoke Knight training techniques the Jagers retain their stealthiness despite innate disadvantages.
-Anti-Air Company
--A bunch of light cars with AA guns attached to the back.
-Sapper Attachment
--The troops are given extra explosives, axes, wires and rope, etc. for traps, creative rearrangement of the terrain, sabotage, etc. as part of their kit.
-Deep Insertion
--The troops are given extra rations before being deployed well ahead of the main army allowing for extra time for trap setting, infiltration, etc.
Hero Units:
-Agent Quarto Septimus "The Hitman"
--"The second that you've met him is the second that it ends."
--Raised an orphan Agent Quarto Septimus never truly had any friends growing up. Joining the labyrinthine network that is the intelligence agency of the Wulfen-Heterodyne Empire at the earliest possible age he was trained to be an assassin for the cause of the Empire. A brilliant student in all forms of disguise and combat he was assigned the equally brilliant handler, Artemis Lightbole. It was here that he found his first true friendship, build on the trust he and his handler had to give each other. A master assassin already he was selected to be one of the ones to go through the prototype Peak Human Condition treatment, but as the treatment was not perfect in those early days he lost almost all of his memories and personality from before the treatment. Only three things remained, his loyalty to the Empire, his friendship with Artemis and his skills and professionalism as an assassin. With no memory of his name he was renamed Quarto Septimus, a nickname Artemis used based on the last two digits of his agent number. With Peak Human Condition and no dividing loyalties to hold him down his reign of terror amongst high ranking enemies of the Empire began. With masteries of disguise and every weapon and poison ever created, a supernatural ability to tell the location and disposition of everyone around him and blend into the background, and the ability to create "accidents" for targets without leaving a shred of evidence he was unstoppable. Now turned to the war the enemies of the Empire would do well to spend the remaining seconds of their life carefully, after all no one recalls the second they first truly meet "The Hitman".
Standard Battle Doctrine:
-Defending: Create traps for area denial in advance. End goal is to recreate mechanisburg in terms of hostile terrain for the enemy.
-Attacking: Advance ahead of the main army and cause sabotage, assassinate commanders, destroy morale, etc.
-Pre-battle: Infiltrate enemy units, fortifications, command groups, etc. and initiate a alpha strike to cause chaos once the battle starts.
-During battle: Use vicious hit and run tactics to cause chaos, disrupt communications, etc. relying on speed and stealth to disengage.
-Victory: Harrass/flush out surviving enemy units to maximise enemy casualties/secure the area, if safe to do so, if not, call for backup.
-Defeat: Disengage and retreat/exfiltrate to pre-determined secret meet up point in less hostile territory, do not engage unless necessary.
Build:
2x Commando/Ranger Battalion (200-400 soldiers) 200pts
2x Elite Monster Infantry Battalion (100-200) 600pts
2x Anti-Air Company (30-60) 200pts Agent Quarto Septimus "The Hitman"
Vandmeer spent several days on Castle Wulfenbach. The young man had requested five blank easels, and stared at them in his guest suite as he considered his task. Finally, he decided to visit Moscow, since it was the farthest East in Europe he'd need to travel.
When Vandemeer had made his decision known to the Wulfenbach aid, the young man was whisked away and made ready. Vandemeer accepted the heavy fur coats and hats he was offered, then listened as several attendants described the methods of transportation he'd take, as well as the stops along the way.
As the men in uniforms stood around the painter and talked of weather and border crossings, Vandemeer noticed a young woman enter the room. She wore a traveling cloak and held a bag. A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth when she spotted Vandemeer.
"Oh," One of the attendants said, motioning at the woman. "And this will be your liaison, Freida Brumhold, to make the crossings go smoothly,"
Vandemeer nodded in greeting, and Freida gave a small wave back. "I'm excited to meet you in person Herr Vandemeer," Frieda said. "I'm a big fan of your work,"
The young man said nothing, instead adjusting the large fur coat he held. The attendants waited a beat, then when they were sure he wouldn't respond, ushered him out the door. "We must be going," The lead attendant said, walking briskly ahead.
Frieda sided up to Vandemeer as they navigated the busy halls and causeways of Castle Wulfenbach. She hummed, seemingly to herself, then they emerged into a enormous hanger. Smaller airships were docked inside, and soldiers walked in formation towards loading ramps. "Amazing, isn't it?"
Vandemeer looked at Frieda, who had spoken. The young woman gazed at the enormity of the hanger, and the multitudes of people moving about. Vandemeer again said nothing, following the attendant as they headed down a stairway towards the hanger floor.
Once among the airships, Vandemeer was escorted past mechanics, officers and crewmen going about their duties. The young man's group stopped in front of a smaller, sleeker airship. There were several more attendants waiting, as well as a squad of soldier clanks "Quite the party, hm?" Frieda said. "I've seen heads of state with less of an escort,"
Vandemeer eyed the attendants and clanks as he boarded the sleek airship. The clanks had nothing behind their eyes that interested the artist, but each attendant's face told a story to Vandemeer. When he reached the ramp he tore away his gaze and walked up.
Once he and Frieda had sat in the passenger coach of the airship, the engines roared to life. Frieda watched Vandemeer, but the young man ignored her in favor of staring out the window. Mooring lines fell away as airmen ran about underneath. "You don't speak much," Frieda said, tilting her head. "Is it my French? I've been told my accent is almost undetectable. Or perhaps you speak Flemish?"
"Your French is fine Fraulien Brumhold," Vandemeer said, continuing to stare out the window. The airship broke away from the hanger, emerging from Castle Wulfenbach and slowly orienting itself in the air.
"Frieda, please Herr Vandemeer. Then you simply do not speak much?"
Vandemeer's eyes flitted briefly from the window, to the easels packed with his luggage. "We do not always get to choose the ways in which we communicate best Frualien Frieda,"
"Ahhh yes," Frieda said, adopting a mock expression as clouds passed the windows outside. "The artist speaks through his art! How could I forget?" Frieda waited for a response, and when she didn't get one, reached into her bag. "Well, it's over a day's travel to Kiev, so we must prepare you for your visit to the Czar,"
Crewmen and attendants arrived in the couch lounge, as well as the captain. The captain of the airship introduced herself, as did several other key members of the crew. Vandemeer nodded and shook the hands of everyone, smiling politely at those who asked to have a portrait done. They were all jesting of course.
After several crewmen wheeled in a cart with lunch, Frieda instructed them to leave it nearby. She used the table she and Vandemeer sat at to lay out several bound notebooks of paper. "Okay," She said, fishing a pair of glasses from her button-up vest. She turned a piece of paper towards Vandemeer. "First, how's your Russian,"
"I don't speak it," Vandemeer said.
"That's fine," Frieda said, moving the paper aside. "Almost everyone in the Czar's court can speak French, and I speak Russian, so I think we'll be able to get along," She moved a new piece of paper in front of Vandemeer. "This is what you need to know. Russia's ruled by Czars's, who used to be powerful princes, but were replaced by spark families from Novgorod and Moscow. The most powerful of those spark families are the Romanov's, of which Nicholas II is the head of. He's who you're going to be meeting, and painting,"
Vandemeer nodded, studying the pieces of paper Frieda had spread out along the table.
"Nicholas is a lot like the Lady Heterodyne," Frieda continued. "A good member of an evil line. The Romanov's are just as dangerous as the Heterodyne's, and are hated enemies at the moment. Despite this, the Russian court is open to western visitors representing the arts; artists, architects, sparks certainly, though the latter might not be allowed to leave. But I assume Czar Nicholas has heard of you, and will be open to getting his likeness painted,"
Vandemeer took a deep breath. The man's picture on the paper Frieda presented was a thin, stern-looking man in a fine white military uniform. Pictures rarely did justice to a person however.
Frieda spoke at length about various court customs and expectations. They ate, then continued to lounge in the coach. Some of the crewmen came out and spoke with Frieda, and Vandemeer busied himself watching the countryside pass underneath.
After a day of travel, they arrived in Kiev. The major metropolis spread out for many leagues in all directions, with tall spires and ancient arches. Vandemeer and his companions did not spend much time there, quickly boarding a train and traveling north-east.
They had a car to themselves. It appeared the Czar was expecting Vandemeer, as there were several Russian officers on the train, the head of which introduced himself to Vandemeer and Frieda. Eventually they crossed the border into Russia. Deep January snow blanketed the countryside. Vandemeer watched it all pass, along with the occasional village, from his window. It took several days, but soon the young man was being dragged to the observation car by Frieda to watch Moscow come into view.
"I hope you've been listening to what I've been saying these last couple days," Frieda said, pressing her palms to the widows. "Because you're about to see it come to life,"
Vandemeer leaned against the window. The trained turned, and suddenly a city came into view. City was the wrong word. What Vandemeer saw was a wall. One of the largest walls he had ever seen. It reared up like a mountain, with towers and buildings poking up over it. The buildings must have been incredibly tall to reach.
"Moscow," Frieda said, smiling. "One of the heaviest fortified cities in the world. You certainly won't find a wall like that west of the dniper river!"
The train headed straight for the city. The walls only grew larger as they neared. The train passed into a tunnel in the bottom of the wall, past several checkpoints, then emerged back out into the open air.
The interior of the city was equally impressive, with massive block-houses and factories cluttered in miniature villages within the city. The train passed by all of these, eventually arriving in a station. Vandemeer and Frieda disembarked and were greeted by several officers and constructs.
"Welcome to Moscow Mr. Vandemeer," The officer said, bowing slightly at the waist. "And of course, welcome back Ms. Brumhold,"
"Ahh Pietrov," Frieda said, smiling and allowing him to take her hand and kiss. "How I've missed your hospitality,"
Pietrov returned the smile as he straightened up, then gestured towards a waiting horseless-carriage. "The Czar is expecting you Mr. Vandemeer, and greatly anticipates the presence of so-famous an artist,"
Vandemeer headed for the carriage, and Frieda followed. They got in, the officers mounting up in an armored truck behind them. The carriage started forward, then built speed as it raced down the busy streets. The people walking about, as well as the clanks and vehicles, struggled to get out of the way.
Frieda inhaled deeply. "You smell that Vandemeer? That's wood smoke mixed with copper. There's an entire steam-heating system running through this city,"
Vandemeer sniffed twice. "I smell animals, and vomit"
"That too," Frieda said, winking. The carriage slowed, and the young woman drew back the window drapes. "We must be nearing the Kremlin,"
Vandemeer watched through the window as another wall rose up. This one was red, and equally as high as the outer wall. Strange bulbous domes poked up, and airships trawled lazily overhead. The carriage stopped completely at a gate. Soldiers and clanks fanned out as the gate opened, keeping back nearby denizens of the city. The carriage lurched forward, then they passed through the red walls.
There were too many large and impossible structures for Vandemeer to process within. They stopped in front of a palace of sorts, though it rose up impossibly high. The painter and his companion were whisked up into the palace, through the halls and corridors, and finally into the court chamber.
"There they are!" A voice rang out.
A man stood by a throne at the end of the chamber. There were stands on either side, clearly intended to hold an audience. They were empty now. It was just the man, and several others in military dress. The man was clearly the Czar Nicholas II. He wore an elegant military uniform adorned with medals. Vandemeer and Freida approached, stopping and bowing a respectable distance.
"Come," the Czar said, waving them up. "I must confess I'm rather excited for your visit Mr. Vandemeer. I've heard rumors of your work, and have even seen one of the forbidden portraits of the Polar Lords,"
Vandemeer closed his eyes, then opened them, his expression blank. Frieda smiled. "It is a pleasure to be here," She said. "Thank you for having us Czar Nicholas II"
Nicholas studied Vandemeer for a few moments, then opened his arms wide and turned around the court room. "So! What do you think? In front of my throne will be good, will it not?"
"It will," Vandemeer said, nodding. He turned to one of the Russian officers, who held his easel, then back to the Czar. "Do you wish to start now?"
Nicholas laughed. "Ha! No time wasted then, hm? Very well, there is a war going on after all,"
The Russian officer set up the easel, and Vandemeer began unpacking his satchel. Frieda waited nearby, her hands clasped in front of her. She looked eager to watch the young man paint. Vandemeer tried to ignore her as he waited for the Czar to finish affixing a grand cape. "Perhaps after this, you can do a portrait of my family?" He called from the throne.
"I am currently on commission," Vandemeer called back from behind his easel. "But would be happy to afterwards,"
The Czar got comfortable, then waved away his attendants and officers. Vandemeer studied Nicholas as the Czar stood in front of the throne. "Well?" Nicholas said. "What did you think of Moscow?"
Vandemeer didn't respond until he finished mixing his paints. It was a tense few moments, but the young man broke it when he began brushing the canvas. "I have never seen such walls. Not in all my travels,"
Czar Nicholas smiled, almost proudly, but it faded. "Yes, Moscow's walls are mighty. For they must be. Russia's enemies are many; in the past it was Teutonic knights and the Commonwealth. Then the Horde," Nicholas's face seemed to grow harder. "Then the Long War. How we struggled to keep it from our borders, but it pressed ever-stronger from the west, threatening to spill over. And then it did," The Czar fell silent. His words had echoed through the court. Though it was mostly empty, his officers and attendants hung in the shadows against the wall. They seemed to hang on his every word. Vandemeer simply continued to paint. "Russia would have been destroyed," Nicholas said, seemingly deep in thought. "But if nothing else, the Long war gave Russia her own sparks,"
"And the Romanovs are the greatest of them," Frieda said, her voice echoing around the empty court as she smiled sweetly.
Nicholas snorted, then smiled. "Ahh Frieda, forgive me for not greeting you sooner. These are tense times, as I'm sure you understand,"
"Of course," Frieda said, bowing at the waist.
"And this War!" Nicholas said, his voice growing angry. "Can we have no peace! My forbears united us through the Long War, endured through the first and second Other War, and now we have this so-called "Great War"! It is any wonder there is a soul left to walk the streets of any city in Europe!"
The Czar's words echoed around the court. Vandemeer leaned in towards his canvas, studying a color, then went back to mixing on his palate.
"Russia has long endured, yes," The Czar said. "And now that we deign to take our turn at power, the Caliphate dares oppose us? And Frieda. Your master. He and his Lady Heterodyne chose to rebuild the Pax-Transylvania, and so they will inherit the old grudges that come with that!" Frieda said nothing, keeping her head slightly bowed. The Czar stared at Vandemeer. "Well?"
"Well what," Vandemeer said, his voice monotone as he worked.
"Do you not think Russia deserves her due? This is a war over our place in the world order,"
"I have heard this war was started over colonies and greed," Vandemeer said, knocking his brush in his water cup. "And now you tell me differently,"
The court was silent as Vandemeer's words hung in the air. The Czar narrowed his eyes, then slowly smiled. "Well, a war can be started over many things, can it not?" Frieda smiled, and several officers against the wall chuckled. "Wars are expensive," Nicholas continued. "The Bourbons found that out the hard way. The colonies are certainly valuable, as are the things Russia seeks in her war,"
Vandemeer didn't respond, concentrating on his mixing. The silence stretched, though the Czar didn't seem to mind it. He invited Frieda up near the throne to converse while Vandemeer worked. For some reason, the artist had to fight the compulsion to paint her as well.
Heeventually finished, and showed the Czar. Nicholas was clearly impressed, and offered the young artist all manner of additional payments. Vandemeer declined them all, though Frieda assured the Czar that the young man was grateful. Nicholas insisted that Vandemeer at least stay a couple days as his guest as the young man prepared to travel again.
[] Visit Mechanisburg
[] Visit Albia, God Queen of the British Empire
[] Visit Emperor Napoleon III and Lady Colette, Master of Paris
Lore Points: 200 -200= one hero please (0 Lore points)
Active upgrades: 1. Rate of Fire for my Tanks (Armor Company) 2. melee for Big Clank Company 3. Power for Big Clank Company 4. Number Per Unit for Armor Company
perk chosen: Spark Attachment (2 Slot)
Amount of Medals: 1-1 for another 200 points
Army composition:
Four Armor Company (800)
so far it seems like my Tanks are my go to unit/ first unit in and last out sort of deal
"The 23rd Armoured Riders"
One Big Clank Company (600)
what's better then big robots, even bigger robots
"The Iron Giants"
Two Heavy Artillery Company (400)
"Steel Hammer 43rd"
Time to bring in the BIG guns
Assault Clank Battalion (600)
No lore this time.
now pls dice gods don't let me fail in the Suez
Edit: wow, maybe I should be praying more to the dice gods
Once merely a paper pushed who's closest brush with death was signing the execution warrants for criminals incapable of rehabilitation, since almost the beginning of the Great War Kommisar Bazanov has been at the heart of the heaviest fighting Russia has seen since the last attempted invasion by the Polar Lords.
He has seen violence, and death, and destruction far beyond what many could ever dream of in even there most Horrifying nightmares. And he is not dead. The battle for Istanbul, the Siege at Minsk, in every one of these battles he has fought, and in every one he has Thrived!
Now officially recognized for his actions at Minsk, allowing both Tesla's own prototype Great Cannon and the other Lightning Gun to be rescued from enemy hands, the Kommisar is more than ready to stand and fight for Russia.
He stands aided by the remnants of those he has served with so far, those few men and women who have survived every battle, just as him. Though they go unnamed, there strength is as that of Russia, endless and enduring. Beware the Kommisar, enemies of Russia! He comes for You!
I also spend my four medals, and I call upon an Uber Unit!
THE IRON GIANT!!!
In the dread city of Chernobyl, Sparks have worked for decades to create a device that could generate LIMITLESS POWER! But, they have never succeeded.
However! Even in failure, the heart of Chernobyl's research still provides more power than anyone could possibly imagine! That is, until a venerable Spark scion of the Romanov family, Tanya Romanova, became obsessed with actually putting that power to use.
In her own private labs, the Romanov worked day and night. For years she has worked on what her brothers believed to be some idle fancy, but now that War has come she can finally put her experiment to use!
From the city of Moscow it walks. The largest War Clank ever before recorded, taller even the highest peak of the Imperial Palace. IT IS A BEAST OF METAL AND GEARS AND WIRE, filled with years of work by one of the brightest minds in all of Russia! At its heart, there is a terrible glow, the machine powered by a mere fragment of the research conducted at Chernobyl.
Tanya rides the beasts shoulder to battle. There is no internal control scheme. Instead, the beast of metal shaped like a man walks upon under its own will, the sheer Power of its heart enabling the massive computation engine that is its kind to run.
With the fall of Minsk, the people of Russia are finally stirring. Where once the thought of war was far from home and seemed like something unworthy of thought, now people are in the streets. The scenes of Minsk burning are displayed on placards and pictures, trumpeted to all of that horrid thing that draws near.
War has come for Russia, and so Russia shall come for War.
Upgrades (3 + 2 points):
-Air Battleship
--Armour (1)
-Light Armour Company
--Armour (1)
-Artillery Company
--Speed (1)
-Heavy Artillery Company
--Accuracy (1)
-Infantry Battalions
--Training (1)
---
[X] Visit the Czar Nicholas II in the Russian Empire
Jeez, that was bloody.
I'm guessing that uber units are custom-made mad science creations that also happen to be absurdly-powerful, and that to create one you just take a cool idea and have the required amount of medals?
Edit: Put Nearby Airfields as a mistake. I've corrected that.
Wulfen-Heterodyne Empire
Infantry Battalion (500-1000 soldiers) 200pts
Commando/Ranger Battalion (200-400 soldiers) 200pts
Commandos utilize stealth to find enemy positions for the guns.
Anti-Air Company (30-60) 200pts
Protects the artillery by going after bombers with the first company, and planes protecting them with the second
Heavy Artillery Company (15-30)x4 800 pts
2 Upgrade range
1 Upgrade Accuracy
Shells the enemy super units first, heavy artillery second, artillery third, any major air assets next (Carrier/Battleship), then the closest, and walks back the line of fire.
Airship Squadron (5-10) 600pts
Used aggressively to destroy enemy air assets, before targeting largest enemy units.
Perks
Radio Comms (accurate long range fire) 1 slot
Well-Armed (gives infantry anti-armor and anti-infantry weapons) 1 slot
Lore Points: 0/200 - Spending Now, for the Smoke Knight Master extraordinaire Verity Thundervorous, distant relation to the Storm King resurgent himself, loyal servant of the Lady Heterodyne. Looking to end with this before her mistress returns.
Medals: 0/4 Spent on purchasing an Uber unit of Smoke Knight Commandos, highly trained and stealthy. Armed with deadly Smoke Knight poisons and other paraphernalia of their trade.
Lore Snippet
Since the last battle in Vienna, The 31st Imperial Artillery Group, consisting of 1st and 2nd company have further refined their Heterodyne Electrical Impulse Cannons. Allowing for additional range due to the improved muzzle velocity of the cannons. These massive pieces of artillery allow for powerful shocks of electricity to fry the enemies of the Lady. Now from even further away.
After the battle for Athens, it was decided that the enemies extensive use of sheer numbers would have to be offset. The Air Carrier was of limited use for the plane squadrons previously due to enemy anti-air, so it was removed and supplies instead put towards additional planes, commandos, and artillery. The additional range of the Electrical Impulse Cannons was of immense benefit, though the sparks at HQ were considering some additional esoteric effects to add to the ammunition, that was put aside for now in favor of improving the effectiveness of the Commandos. Their failure was unacceptable to the Lady Heterodyne, as well as to themselves. As such they were put through more intense training, and equipped with armor capable of letting them blend in with their surroundings. It is hoped that these improvements will keep another such failure from happening.
The battle of Romania went absolutely horribly. Something needed to change. And so the planes were removed as purely insufficient to achieve their objectives. Training and stealth gear were reused, but a new force. An Airship Squadron was added into the army. This would hopefully be far more capable of doing damage to enemy fortifications, and help to ensure air superiority for the Lady's forces. These large blimps while not nearly the size and scope of an air battleship, had the distinct advantage of numbers and maneuverability. Hopefully they'd be able to surround larger air assets, and attack them from all sides. All of this to help protect the heavy artillery. Other forces had been heard of using Uber Guns, massive artillery pieces that made even the Heterodyne Electrical Impulse Cannons seem small in comparison, but having only a single gun left far too great a risk of it being destroyed, or even worse taken over by enemy commandos. No, keeping to a bevy of Heavy Artillery is a far safer bet.
The battle at Istanbul went much better than Romania. Here, our Cannons did good work at keeping the Russian troops away, whilst our Iron Caliphate allies kept the enemy clanks and tunnelers from taking out our guns with their tanks. Still though, the Russians use of large numbers of infantry and armored units has led higher to suggest a change in our training and equipment. Instead of deep-striking for enemy command centers, something the Russians make little true use of, we'll instead be equipping our Commandos with more versatile weaponry. Our Commandos will be using Static Blasters to take on enemy Infantry, whilst their armor will be destroyed with the Sonic Screechers, shattering their great machines with resonant frequencies. All the while the Impulse Cannons will continue their great work, while overhead, the Airships of Wulfenbach will keep the skies clear.
With the limited success of the Commandos, new leadership was brought to the army. Verity Thundervorous, a veteran Smoke Knight, now in service to the Lady Heterodyne. With her she brought a unit of her juniors, still deadly assassins all. Ready to bring about the end of this war by any means necessary. These new forces necessitated a change in composition of the army. Regular Commandos were no longer needed for most things, instead their previous equipment was given elsewhere, and a renewed investment in the Heterodyne Electrical Impulse Cannons was given. With additional sparks available given the safety from assassination the Smoke Knights represented, the guns were given a significant upgrade. Improving their range with new capacitors and their accuracy with a new cogitator, giving a better indication of where each round will fall. Along with her Smoke Knights however, Verity also brought along a whole new unit of fresh soldiers. To go through the trials of war, and hopefully one day, some of them will live long enough to become commandos themselves.
Edit: Well, it looks like Verity isn't doing so how, but our new improved Artillery, and the Smoke Knights are doing quite well indeed.
1 Air Carrier
1 Air Battleship
2 Fighter Squadrons
1 Bomber Squadron
Upgrades:
Fighter Squadron, Numbers, X 3
Bomber Squadron, Numbers X 2 (using 2 medals)
Perks:
Radio Comms
Engineer Attatchment.
Lore:
In response to the three defeats in the Pacific, an order came down upon from the Emperor. "Fix this." So, the Imperial R&D division came up with the idea of simply sending in more ships. It would work, right? If only as a stopgap until someone came up with a decent idea. And so, tentatively, the doctrine of "If the enemy can't see the sky because there are too many shells, it's a good idea." The title is a work in progress.
See the above, but with planes instead.
I'm at 250 lore points. Also, are medals re-assignable or is it that once they are used on a category they can't be changed to another category?
Because we just hit the Uber Unit threshold
Holy Spanish Empire
Reserves
0/4 medals and 250 lore points
Honors
24 diplomas of graduation from various Universities of Unnatural Science. All of which I founded, my first involving time travel
436.75 medals of recognition for my many accomplishments and deeds of great valor, each awarded by none other than the glorious leader of our nation (myself)
Mainline Units
Uber Gun 600pts X 3
Armor Company (15-30 tanks) 200pts
Upgrades (+4 medal)
Uber Gun - Power X 6
Uber Gun - Rate Of Fire X 1
Perks
Radio Comms (accurate long range fire) 1 slot
Engineer Attachment (fixes basic mechanical problems) 1 slot
Battle Strategy
Defend the uber guns. Annihilate their landing craft.
Lore
(in a calm, measured voice): It is time, I think, to remind the world of a simple truth. A simple truth, in all the clamor and chaos, the world has forgotten. Or perhaps, in overweening pride, chose to forget. We descendants of the great King Ferdinand are the HOLY Spanish Empire. And we and we alone possess Pearly Gates through which he launched his blasphemous invasion of the heavens. And it is time to remind the world of this fact.
It is time to bring forth the Angel Food Cannons, and let their holy light shine forth upon the world. That the angels might feast upon the souls of these sinners
edit: and holy shit, talk about the right time for amazing rolls
It has been several days since my Industrialist friend asked me to man the telescope by myself, and to record what I saw. I held great trepidation over this task, as I had grown increasingly weary of the slaughter that the instrument revealed. Despite this, I agreed. How could I not? I was a stranger in a strange world, no matter how similar it seemed to my own. I would take on this duty, and perhaps discover more about this place.
I arrived at my friend's city estate, and found it to be empty except for the serving staff. I was fed, then shown the study. The telescope stood before me, free of any covering. It was a strange contraption, large, and certainly older than anything I had encountered before. My food settled, and a glass and cigar in hand, I approached the telescope and prepared to witness this world's Great War.
When I pressed my eye to the lens, I was startled to see a face instead. I dropped both the glass and cigar in surprise, then after a moment of shock, I jumped to put out the cigar and clean up the glass. When I looked back up, a thin person perched lazily atop the telescope.
I fell back again in surprise, and demanded to know who the person was. I could not tell whether they were man or woman. They wore a strange suit, though it sparkled in the light. Their strange, piercing eyes regarded mine, then they motioned at the telescope they lounged atop of. "A fine thing, is it not?" I could not answer. I slowly got to my feet, wiping whiskey from my trousers. The person atop the telescope rolled over, staring down it at me. "It is fine," They said. "I've watched as you viewed battles thousands of miles from this very spot,"
"I-it is a...marvelous thing," I said. Then I asked them again who they were.
The person smiled widely. "Yes, marvelous. That is a good word. Tell me, do you know just how 'marvelous' it is?" I confessed I knew very little about it. The person gestured at the view-lens. "It is not just space that it can see, but time as well,"
I tried one last time to ask them who they were. The person shrugged, their suit sparkling in the electric lights of the study.
"You could say I'm the warden of this tool. I accompany it where-ever it goes, and choose which user sees what," I inquired if my socialite friend knew of them. The person laughed. "No! That man is too busy to slow down and truly understand. I have not revealed myself to them. No, it is you I wish to speak with," I asked them why, and the person again smiled widely. "Because I have been oh-so bored! None who have had this tool have taken the time to understand it. But you have been given such a task, yes?" I told them I had been asked to record the War. The person tilted their head back and forth, as if considering my words. "Well, that's close enough. You are a from another world, are you not? And wish to study this one?"
I was astonished. How did they know? The person seemed to find this amusing.
"Come now!" They said. "Being from another world gives you more of a frame of reference then any of these others around here. And you do wish to learn, yes?" I finally confessed that I did. "Excellent! If you wish to understand this world's present, you must first understand its past," The person gestured at the lens. "Come, look through it. We won't go too far back, as I understand the limitations of understanding,"
I hesitated, watching the person atop the telescope. They seemed harmless enough, though they regarded me as a cat might watch a mouse. I finally relented and approached. Before I looked through, I glanced up at them. "You never told me your name,"
"You can call me Glyn," The person said, then nodded towards the lens.
Europe, 1876
"Ahhh yes," Glyn's voice floated to me as I viewed the land before me. "The Baron Wulfenbach's Empire. But we need to go back a little further,"
Europe, 1848
I had read enough to know what I saw. I inquired if this was the Long War. "Yes!" The strange person said. "In the last decades before the Baron ended it, at least briefly. See how different things are from your world. Here you will only find war, and ambition,"
Girl Genius: Infinite War
The Long War
Interested players may choose the title of Duke, Baron, Count or Lord. You will play a Spark head of one of the royal 50 Families of Central Europe. Players will attempt to field their creations and survive in the Darwinist hellscape that is the latter years of the Long War.
Spark Legacy:
Once you have chosen a title, choose a Legacy:
Gifted Statesman- This ruler is on the more practical side of things, choosing to arm their army with special equipment rather than large and outlandish creations.
Eccentric Creator- This ruler will field his armies with a small number of powerful, elite creations
Mad Scientist- This ruler will go for quantity over quality, swarming the battlefield as best they are able to
Chosen Heir- This ruler has been tutored enough to balance their army with elite creations and numerous ones
Spark Slots
Players may select any of the following to fill their 3 Spark slots. You may use one choice more than once if you wish to specialize. Each choice costs one slot.
Mechanic- Specializes in mechanical creations, such as walking-gunboats and clank bodies
Systems Expert- Specializes in the highly complex nature of artificial intelligence
Master Craftsman- Specializes in massive weapons
Biologist- Specializes in the creation of living things
Chemist- Specializes in altering the state of the world
Doctor- Specializes in the modification of living things
Scholar- Specializes in the integration of old, powerful technology
Professor- Specializes in cutting-edge physics
Once you've allotted your 3 Spark slots, as well as chosen your Title and Legacy, roll 3d20 and wait for the action to begin! Players may invest in the lore of their particular Spark fiefdom if they wish.
Something a little different this turn as I play-test the system I've built in RPG maker with last turn's Great War army stats. We'll be doing the Long War for maybe one or two turns, unless my RPG thing works flawlessly, in which case I will be very excited and post the results of the last turn post haste
Long War:
Count Victor Von Frankenberg (Yes this is my attempt of making Victor Von Frankenstein, I always liked the story)
Spark Legacy: Mad Scientist
Spark Slots:
Doctor (2 slots)
Chemist (1 Slot)
Some Lore: Victor von Frankenberg became the count through three different events that suspiciously happened after Victor arrived, the first was the pervious count dying due to some form of poison without a establishing a heir. The second was when a sickness spread thought the fiefdom, Victor was able to reasonably save several important nobles with his medical knowledge and create a cure. And third was the fact that Victor was able to kill a rampaging monster of unknown origins. all of this made it clear that Victor Von Frankenberg was the best man to become the new Count. (Yes he did cause all of those events to happen)
Long War:
Lord Getriebestadt
Spark Legacy: Eccentric Creator
Spark Slots:
Mechanic
Systems Expert
Professor
Lore:
One of many in a long line of rulers,(maybe) the current head of the City of Gears is like all the others. Same outfit, same distorted voice, indeed, the only reason to think that someone swapped Sparks is how long Lord Getriebestadt has been around. Some say he's a Clank, some say he's immortal, and some say there's a secret society dedicated to keeping the illusion of an undying ruler going by use of body doubles. Nobody can say for sure.
EDIT:
Oof, those rolls. Hopefully the crits cancel each other out.
Something a little different this turn as I play-test the system I've built in RPG maker with last turn's Great War army stats. We'll be doing the Long War for maybe one or two turns, unless my RPG thing works flawlessly, in which case I will be very excited and post the results of the last turn post haste
I'm testing out my new rpg system for battles, and its gonna take a couple days (I think) to input everything. So results for last turn will be posted after i do that. In the mean time, this is just a low labor side quest to pass the time
Long War:
Baron Wolfram Gustav von Schwefel und Wasserstoff am Saale
Spark Legacy: Gifted Statesman
Spark Slots (3):
Chemist (2)
Professor (1)
Lore:
The Schwefel und Wasserstoffs have always been fascinated by the elements. The ability to control and manipulate the building blocks of all objects was an allure they could not resist. Over the centuries they have collected and preserved texts on the matter in their remote holdings in the forests of Thuringia, making backups in case the originals became lost. They were perfectly willing to share their knowledge to anyone who asked, though few did or even knew while some members of their house were persecuted for it. They have served in a wide range of professions, becoming respected (if obscure) doctors, philosophers, artisans, alchemists, and the like.
Eccentric Creator- This ruler will field his armies with a small number of powerful, elite creations
Mechanic- Specializes in mechanical creations, such as walking-gunboats and clank bodies
Systems Expert- Specializes in the highly complex nature of artificial intelligence x2
A master of the minds of the machine. Looking to eventually escape death itself by creating a mechanical body to put his mind into. Along the way, he and his subordinate sparks have created masterful examples of artificial intelligence, and crafted bodies for them capable of feats beyond any mortal man.
Eccentric Creator- This ruler will field his armies with a small number of powerful, elite creations
Mechanic- Specializes in mechanical creations, such as walking-gunboats and clank bodies
Systems Expert- Specializes in the highly complex nature of artificial intelligence x2
A master of the minds of the machine. Looking to eventually escape death itself by creating a mechanical body to put his mind into. Along the way, he and his subordinate sparks have created masterful examples of artificial intelligence, and crafted bodies for them capable of feats beyond any mortal man.
Vandemeer's stay in Moscow was both short and eventful. The nightlife of the court of the Czar was exceptionally extravagant, despite the war. Though Vandemeer was invited to a half dozen parties during his two day stay, he only accepted one at the instance of his liaison, Frieda Brudholm.
"Come now," She said, walking side by side with him into another palace in the Kremlin. "It's good to get out and socialize!"
Vandemeer neither agreed nor disagreed, instead taking in the palaces, churches and towers that took up the inner city. Frieda didn't mind. It was clear she had gotten use to the young man's almost constant state of silence. She made up for it with humming, exclamations, and one-sided conversation.
"Tell me though," Frieda said, following Vandemeer gaze as he studied a church. "While you were painting, the Czar spoke at length, did he not?"
"He did," Vandemeer said, nodding.
"Is that unusual?" Frieda said, peering at the young man.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean," The young woman said, leading the way through the snowy street. "Are people supposed to remain still while they're painted?"
Vandmeer frowned as he considered it. "I suppose so. I'm don't need them to stand a certain way though, or remain still. I just have to see them,"
"My," Frieda said, putting a hand to her mouth. "Aren't you a talented artist!"
The pair arrived at the palace. There were already quite a few Russian nobles walking inside, and Vandemeer and Frieda followed.
The young man endured the party as best he was able. Many nobles came up to him, inquiring after his work, and if this and that legend were true. Vandemeer spoke little, and soon enough he was left alone. He spoke with the Czar and met family, and once again promised to paint them all together when he was done with his commission.
The next day, Vandemeer departed Moscow for Berlin. He was still unsure as to where he wanted to go, and so his liaison had suggested Berlin until he decided. They rode in their own private train car again, courtesy of Kaiser Wulfenbach.
"I'm serious," Frieda said, sitting across from Vandemeer as they dined in their car. "Do your subjects always talk so much while you paint them?"
Vandmeer chewed on his lamb, then swallowed. "I suppose so," He said, picking up his glass of wine. "People can tell when they're being studied. It can make them uncomfortable. Most will start to talk about themselves, as if they have something to explain to me,"
"It must be nice," Frieda said, raising an eyebrow. "Hearing things no-one else would,"
"I rarely remember it," Vandemeer said, taking another bite of lamb.
Frieda gave the young man a smile. "Well, this trip has been nice, hasn't it? During a war no less. Tell me, do you think you'll ever paint me?"
Normally Vandemeer brushed off such questions. Everyone who knew who he was asked the question, whether joking or serious. He had learned to ignore it. But this time, strangely enough, the question make him uncomfortable. Vandemeer muttered something about needing to catch up on sleep, and excused himself from the table.
Frieda leaned out from the table and watched him go. "Alright then, I'll meet you here for breakfast!"
[] Visit Mechanisburg
[] Visit Albia, God Queen of the British Empire
[] Visit Emperor Napoleon III and Lady Colette, Master of Paris
Long War:
Count Victor Von Frankenberg (Yes this is my attempt of making Victor Von Frankenstein, I always liked the story)
Spark Legacy: Mad Scientist
Spark Slots:
Doctor (2 slots)
Chemist (1 Slot)
Some Lore: Victor von Frankenberg became the count through three different events that suspiciously happened after Victor arrived, the first was the pervious count dying due to some form of poison without a establishing a heir. The second was when a sickness spread thought the fiefdom, Victor was able to reasonably save several important nobles with his medical knowledge and create a cure. And third was the fact that Victor was able to kill a rampaging monster of unknown origins. all of this made it clear that Victor Von Frankenberg was the best man to become the new Count. (Yes he did cause all of those events to happen)
Long War:
Lord Getriebestadt
Spark Legacy: Eccentric Creator
Spark Slots:
Mechanic
Systems Expert
Professor
Lore:
One of many in a long line of rulers,(maybe) the current head of the City of Gears is like all the others. Same outfit, same distorted voice, indeed, the only reason to think that someone swapped Sparks is how long Lord Getriebestadt has been around. Some say he's a Clank, some say he's immortal, and some say there's a secret society dedicated to keeping the illusion of an undying ruler going by use of body doubles. Nobody can say for sure.
EDIT:
Oof, those rolls. Hopefully the crits cancel each other out.
Long War:
Baron Wolfram Gustav von Schwefel und Wasserstoff am Saale
Spark Legacy: Gifted Statesman
Spark Slots (3):
Chemist (2)
Professor (1)
Lore:
The Schwefel und Wasserstoffs have always been fascinated by the elements. The ability to control and manipulate the building blocks of all objects was an allure they could not resist. Over the centuries they have collected and preserved texts on the matter in their remote holdings in the forests of Thuringia, making backups in case the originals became lost. They were perfectly willing to share their knowledge to anyone who asked, though few did or even knew while some members of their house were persecuted for it. They have served in a wide range of professions, becoming respected (if obscure) doctors, philosophers, artisans, alchemists, and the like.
Long War:
Baron Wolfram Gustav von Schwefel und Wasserstoff am Saale
Spark Legacy: Gifted Statesman
Spark Slots (3):
Chemist (2)
Professor (1)
Lore:
The Schwefel und Wasserstoffs have always been fascinated by the elements. The ability to control and manipulate the building blocks of all objects was an allure they could not resist. Over the centuries they have collected and preserved texts on the matter in their remote holdings in the forests of Thuringia, making backups in case the originals became lost. They were perfectly willing to share their knowledge to anyone who asked, though few did or even knew while some members of their house were persecuted for it. They have served in a wide range of professions, becoming respected (if obscure) doctors, philosophers, artisans, alchemists, and the like.
Eccentric Creator- This ruler will field his armies with a small number of powerful, elite creations
Mechanic- Specializes in mechanical creations, such as walking-gunboats and clank bodies
Systems Expert- Specializes in the highly complex nature of artificial intelligence x2
A master of the minds of the machine. Looking to eventually escape death itself by creating a mechanical body to put his mind into. Along the way, he and his subordinate sparks have created masterful examples of artificial intelligence, and crafted bodies for them capable of feats beyond any mortal man.
As I looked through the telescope, I took in the vastness of central Europe. Its green expanses and mountains seemed so peaceful. But I knew better. I had read enough of this world's history to know what was happening during these years. I inquired if these were indeed the last years of the long war.
"Give or take twenty years," Glyn said. I could hear the shrug in their voice. "Look long enough and you'll start to notice the devastation. Patches of forest destroyed, villages burning,"
I mentioned it was awful, the people who had to live through it.
"Oh some take to it quite readily," Glyn said, a sly edge to their words. "Sparks have a way of inspiring followers,"
I asked if there were any followers left, considering the stories I had read of some of the spark creations. Glyn laughed and bid me to continue looking. The common folk suffered, by they also endured. "For now," Gly said. "Let me introduce you to some minor players in the grand game,"
The Long War, 1848
"Meet Count Victor Von Frankenberg," Glyn said, guiding my gaze and the telescope's to a walled city in a valley. It straddled a small river running through the valley, and a mighty castle rose up in the center. "That's the Frankenberg ancestral manor," Glyn said as I gazed at the towers. "Well, not his exactly, but it will be his heir's manor from now until the Baron arrives in twenty-five years." There were several large lighting rods protruding from the top, and generators seemed to be placed along the ramparts. I commented on this. "Yes," Glyn said, laughing. "The count needs quite a bit of power for what he's creating,"
I asked what he was creating.
Count Victor Von Frankenberg's creation: Reanimated Soldiers
"Next up," Glyn said, again guiding the telescope past forests, rivers and mountains. "The Lord of the Gear city,"
True to Glyn's word, a city appeared before me. Like Frakenberg, Getriebestadt was situated at the tip of a mountain range. It has walls, and a castle as well.
"Behold," Glyn said. "The Gear Lord's castle,"
There were many towers in the city surrounding the castle, all turning moving with some manner of gears. There were more clocks than I have ever seen. I asked if the city was famous for the clocks, perhaps like Munich. Glyn laughed.
"This city has been ruled by the Gear Lord since long before the Long War. It is famous for far more than clocks. The Gear Lord is a mysterious man, and often dabbles in the study of the mind,"
Lord Getriebestadt's creation: Ancient War Clanks (Revived)
I told Glyn I didn't understand. Had this world always had such a strange history?
"Strange? What a curious word!" Glyn said. "Keep looking my friend, we haven't met all the players yet!"
My view changed, the mountains giving way to lush plains dotted with villages. I began to see the destruction Glyn had mentioned. A gouge in the earth here. A smoldering crater there. I could tell there were stories behind each mark. A battle of some sort.
The view of the telescope slowed, and a wide forest spread away from a small mountain peak. A city poked up from the trees, as well as a castle. Almost every roof, tower and wall was adorned with weather vanes. "Thurin," Glyn said. "The capital of the Barony of Baron Wolfram Gustav von Schwefel und Wasserstoff am Saale,"
I observed it was a mouthful, then commented on the weather vanes.
"Oh the Baron, as well as his ancestors, have always been interested in such things. He has quite the library detailing weather, and more!"
Baron Wolfram Gustav Von Schwefel's creation: 1st Lighting Infantry Corp
The telescope moved, forests, rivers and trees again rushing past the lens. The view slowed, and again I was looked at a city. This one was surrounded by mountains, as opposed to the other two who simply had their backs to them.
"Himmeland," Glyn said. "The mountainous duchy of Duke Heimlich Himmelhail. He's a man obsessed with ancient spark artifacts. Anything to do with the Storm King or Van Rinj, the Duke wants!"
I asked how Glyn knew all this, and what's more, why tell me?
"Oh I've had all the time in the world to watch," Glyn said, their voice adopting a whimsical tone. "And I know what's your world's like. A bit of explaining is necessary, even to one who's been here as long as you, yes?"
I agreed, then inquired further about Himmeland.
"As yes, as I said, the Duke loves financing expeditions and secret digs for ancient relics, and his library is certainly equal to Baron Wolfram,"
Duke Heimlich Himmelhail's creation: The Golden Army (revived)
"Lord Isaac Asimova" Glyn said as the telescope changed views once again. I steadied myself as I watched trees rush underneath. The view left the mountains, racing across plains and forests until I reached a small series of mountains. In a valley much like the one Frankenberg rested in, another city rose up.
It was walled like the others, and seemed to be just as populated. Which was to say, very populated. I asked why all the cities seemed to be so filled with people if the Long War had been waging for over a hundred years.
"Oh, well," Glyn said. "The cities are the only safe places left of course! Now, this city is Droidka, and Lord Aismova is famous for his work on the mind as well. It's said he's a hated rival of the Gear Lord, but they're both the greatest of sparks in their own way. The Gear Lord is a lone genius, and Lord Asimova has teams of minor sparks that help him greatly expand the scope of his research. And all the Families hate each other, so what's a rivarly when you think about it,"
Lord Isaac Asimova's creation: Mantis Battle Clanks
The telescope moved again. Who else would I see? The view moved across a mountain range, and on the other side was another walled city.
"The city of Vitalia, ruled by Baron Zolin Miron Vitalievich, as powerful a spark as the others. He's certainly one of the most mad, and is obsessed with cracking the secrets to life,"
The observed the castle with its many spires and castles, as well as the city below. I mentioned that Glyn still hadn't tell me why he was showing me all these walled cities.
"And, and the Baron's labs are full of many, many jars, as well as wires!" Glyn said, again ignoring my question.
Baron Zolin Miron Vitalievich's creation: Reavers
"And now," Glyn said, drumming on the metal of the telescope. "Let me show you what has brought ruin to this land,"
The lens moved until it was over a vast plain. Six armies marched towards each other:
Count Victor Von Frankenberg's reanimated soldiers marched with cannons, cavalry and thousands upon thousands of infantry.
Lord Getriebestadt's ancient war clanks towered over the infantry that marched with their cannons and banners.
Baron Wolfram Gustav's 1st Lighting infantry marched proudly alongside cavalry and the artillery.
Duke Heimlich Himmelhail's Golden Warriors marched in the center of his many infantry and riders.
Lord Isaac Asimova's Mantis Battle clanks spread out among the Lord's army, alongside the cannons and infantry
Baron Zolin Miron Vitalievich's Reavers howled and snarled as they roamed among the Baron's army
I watched as the six armies converged on the plains. It was a slaughter. Undead soldiers surged forth as clanks from a far-gone age smashed the ground. Lighting bolts arced into the air and exploded any calvary rider unlucky enough to get near. Golden armored clanks barreled into cannons, knocking them aside, and giant, delicate clanks sliced soldiers to ribbons with precision and speed. And of course, the reavers, which howled and assaulted infantry with waves upon waves. Bayonets did little good.
In the end, Count Frankenberg's armies, as well as Baren Vitalievich's, seemed to come out on top, though only barely. As I watched the last bits of battle and slaughter, I asked if this type of battle was uncommon.
Glyn laughed again.
"Not at all! These Sparks fight all the time!"
New Players
Interested players may choose the title of Duke, Baron, Count or Lord. You will play a Spark head of one of the royal 50 Families of Central Europe. Players will attempt to field their creations and survive in the Darwinist hellscape that is the latter years of the Long War.
Spark Legacy:
Once you have chosen a title, choose a Legacy:
Gifted Statesman- This ruler is on the more practical side of things, choosing to arm their army with special equipment rather than large and outlandish creations.
Eccentric Creator- This ruler will field his armies with a small number of powerful, elite creations
Mad Scientist- This ruler will go for quantity over quality, swarming the battlefield as best they are able to
Chosen Heir- This ruler has been tutored enough to balance their army with elite creations and numerous ones
Spark Slots
Players may select any of the following to fill their 3 Spark slots. You may use one choice more than once if you wish to specialize. Each choice costs one slot.
Mechanic- Specializes in mechanical creations, such as walking-gunboats and clank bodies
Systems Expert- Specializes in the highly complex nature of artificial intelligence
Master Craftsman- Specializes in massive weapons
Biologist- Specializes in the creation of living things
Chemist- Specializes in altering the state of the world
Doctor- Specializes in the modification of living things
Scholar- Specializes in the integration of old, powerful technology
Professor- Specializes in cutting-edge physics
Perks (Pick 1)
Work Gangs- (Your followers roam the countryside looking for people to press into service)
Mercenary Guilds- (Much of your money goes to hiring outside help to fill your armies)
Lab-Grown Armies- (The rank and file started their lives out in jars)
Cult of Personality- (Your followers roam the countryside looking for people to recruit)
Once you've allotted your 3 Spark slots, as well as chosen your Legacy and perks, roll 3d20 and wait for the action to begin! Players may invest in the lore of their particular Spark fiefdom if they wish.
Returning Players
All players earned 1 upgrade point. You may spend it to upgrade one of the following from level 1, to level 2
Commanders
Standing Army
Spark Creations
City Defenses
City Workshops
City Industries
Alright all you Sparks. You each have your special creation, your own walled city and fiefdom, and an ancestral castle to call your own. Try not to lose it in this sidequest war while we wait for the main quest to resume!
Spark Legacy:
Eccentric Creator
Spark Slots:
Professor- Specializes in cutting-edge physics X 3
Perks (Pick 1)
Cult of Personality- (Your followers roam the countryside looking for people to recruit)
Lore:
"Turn left at the old oak tree. Keep going straight until you see the back of yourself turning left at the tree. As soon as you see that make a right. There should be a ladder trailing up the side of a building. If there is not, you've screwed up and need to walk backwards back to the tree and try again. Climb up the ladder until you reach a zipline. Hook on to that and ride it down to the old oak tree. Put your left hand on the tree and walk 3 full counter-clockwise rotations around the tree. Then walk directly towards whatever direction you see the sun in. That should take you straight to your hotel" - A typical set of directions in the anomalous space-time topography of the Sundered Lands
Eccentric Creator- This ruler will field his armies with a small number of powerful, elite creations
Mechanic- Specializes in mechanical creations, such as walking-gunboats and clank bodies
Systems Expert- Specializes in the highly complex nature of artificial intelligence x2
A master of the minds of the machine. Looking to eventually escape death itself by creating a mechanical body to put his mind into. Along the way, he and his subordinate sparks have created masterful examples of artificial intelligence, and crafted bodies for them capable of feats beyond any mortal man.
Perk: Lab-Grown Armies- (The rank and file started their lives out in jars)
Upgrade City Workshops
With the failure of his forces in the last battle, Lord Asimova decided it was prudent to improve his city's ability to create the more unique aspects of his army. With these improvements, he hoped his Mantis Battle Clanks would be further improved, the only truly unique thing about his forces.
Long War:
Lord Getriebestadt
Spark Legacy: Eccentric Creator
Spark Slots:
Mechanic
Systems Expert
Professor
Perk:
Work Gangs
Upgrade:
City Workshops
Lore:
In a city of clockwork, craftsmanship is highly prized. Anyone pressed into service who seems capable of working with mechanics? Given an apprenticeship, and inducted into a complex hierarchy, leading up to the Engineer-Archeologists, who are the ones trusted with excavating and adapting ancient technology to modern use. Few Sparks rise to the top, but those that do balance out the madness, with the entire structure being a highly efficient and highly effective pillar of the city.
