Post by hardlec on Apr 7, 2017 18:53:45 GMT
Monday, March 27, 2017
9:02 PM
As a former Cold Warrior it was my job to learn about the countries behind the gone and unlamented iron curtain. I studied the culture and the history, including the cultural history of the nations.
In 1908, Russia was an Empire ruled by the Tsar, a member of the Romanov family. The royal court was in chaos, due to the crown prince being severely ill and the antics of Rasputin, who was initially a healer but later an instigator. The royal family and the nobility were isolated from regular society. The peasants were uneducated and poor. The Military had suffered an ignominious defeat hat the hand of Japan. While Russia had the most men under arms of any nations, they were poorly equipped and had poor morale as well.
It is almost certain that with the Martians landing in Siberia in the second invasion, the Russian Empire will collapse. Some members of the nobility will be able to support small private armies. Russian troops will wear any sort of helmet or kepi. Their equipment will be eclectic, which is a nice word for a chaotic mess. Morale will depend on the scenario. Russian soldiers are tough and courageous, but with poor leadership they will think of their survival first. They will have few "forlorn hope" troops. Russian "armies" will be able to use any troops and equipment
The Ukraine is a semi-sovereign nation as part of the Empire and it will split off from the Empire quickly. The legendary Cossacks are part of the Ukraine, elite cavalry on both horseback and motorcycle. The Ukraine has a modest industrial base and they will buy most of their heavy equipment, probably from Germany. Scientists and skilled workers, refugees from Russia, will bring the plans for the Tsar tank to the Ukraine.
Ukraine's army will be tough and disciplined. They will be normal for morale but they will have a much higher chance of success to regroup. Cossacks will be nearly fearless. Ukrainian troops will have forlorn hope as part of regular infantry. Apart form the Tsar tank and Cossacks, Ukrainian armies will use German troops and equipment.
Poland will enthusiastically split from the Russian Empire. What will happen with the half of Poland that is part of Germany is at best a guess. It is possible that Germany will try to annex the part of Poland that was part of the Empire, or the Germans will allow Poland to be a whole, unified nation, or the Germans will try to maintain Status Quo. The most realistic would be Status Quo, but the most interesting from a game point of view would be for Germany to sponsor a reunification. Poland would be a buffer between Germany and the chaos of Russia.
A country with a long history of nurturing the arts and sciences, Poland will attract many Russian scientists and artists. Poland will have the Tsar tank and two or three unique vehicles similar to the Tesla Tank. Polish equipment will be imported, probably French because it will be a good way to have small armies of mostly French stuff. Polish morale will be good and consistent.
Romania and the Balkans will be like Russia, a chaotic blend of whatever they can get. The soldiers of the Balkans will be tough, but not well disciplined. They will be harder to break, but they will not regroup.
Russia allows for the potential of human-vs-human.
The Remnants of the Russian Empire allow players to combine regular and irregular units under one flag.
I am not the ultimate arbiter, of course. Still, a hint or two might be interesting.
9:02 PM
As a former Cold Warrior it was my job to learn about the countries behind the gone and unlamented iron curtain. I studied the culture and the history, including the cultural history of the nations.
In 1908, Russia was an Empire ruled by the Tsar, a member of the Romanov family. The royal court was in chaos, due to the crown prince being severely ill and the antics of Rasputin, who was initially a healer but later an instigator. The royal family and the nobility were isolated from regular society. The peasants were uneducated and poor. The Military had suffered an ignominious defeat hat the hand of Japan. While Russia had the most men under arms of any nations, they were poorly equipped and had poor morale as well.
It is almost certain that with the Martians landing in Siberia in the second invasion, the Russian Empire will collapse. Some members of the nobility will be able to support small private armies. Russian troops will wear any sort of helmet or kepi. Their equipment will be eclectic, which is a nice word for a chaotic mess. Morale will depend on the scenario. Russian soldiers are tough and courageous, but with poor leadership they will think of their survival first. They will have few "forlorn hope" troops. Russian "armies" will be able to use any troops and equipment
The Ukraine is a semi-sovereign nation as part of the Empire and it will split off from the Empire quickly. The legendary Cossacks are part of the Ukraine, elite cavalry on both horseback and motorcycle. The Ukraine has a modest industrial base and they will buy most of their heavy equipment, probably from Germany. Scientists and skilled workers, refugees from Russia, will bring the plans for the Tsar tank to the Ukraine.
Ukraine's army will be tough and disciplined. They will be normal for morale but they will have a much higher chance of success to regroup. Cossacks will be nearly fearless. Ukrainian troops will have forlorn hope as part of regular infantry. Apart form the Tsar tank and Cossacks, Ukrainian armies will use German troops and equipment.
Poland will enthusiastically split from the Russian Empire. What will happen with the half of Poland that is part of Germany is at best a guess. It is possible that Germany will try to annex the part of Poland that was part of the Empire, or the Germans will allow Poland to be a whole, unified nation, or the Germans will try to maintain Status Quo. The most realistic would be Status Quo, but the most interesting from a game point of view would be for Germany to sponsor a reunification. Poland would be a buffer between Germany and the chaos of Russia.
A country with a long history of nurturing the arts and sciences, Poland will attract many Russian scientists and artists. Poland will have the Tsar tank and two or three unique vehicles similar to the Tesla Tank. Polish equipment will be imported, probably French because it will be a good way to have small armies of mostly French stuff. Polish morale will be good and consistent.
Romania and the Balkans will be like Russia, a chaotic blend of whatever they can get. The soldiers of the Balkans will be tough, but not well disciplined. They will be harder to break, but they will not regroup.
Russia allows for the potential of human-vs-human.
The Remnants of the Russian Empire allow players to combine regular and irregular units under one flag.
I am not the ultimate arbiter, of course. Still, a hint or two might be interesting.