Turn: 1780-1781
Technology
The facilities built up on the island output their first designs for use by their militaries.
For the Loyalists, this means the creation of a new type of ship, the 18 gun London-class Brig-Sloop in order to control the waters around the island. Eight guns are mounted to a side, with two chaser cannons able to be shifted from the fore to the aft of the ship. Furthermore, the engineers design fairly major improvements to the infrastructure in the form of the wagonways. This system is only implemented in key areas at the current time, but the output from those areas is vastly increased with the transportation capabilities of the wagonways.
For the Monarchy, an attempt is made in order to construct a ship powered by steam, the Am-MulardA. However, several problems mire the development of the ship, ending with a shadow of the might that was originally planned for the vessel. In their other endeavors, they have much better luck. The rifled gun, the Samara, is put into major production in order to boost the amount to be fielded by the soldiers upon the battlefields that the nation soon finds itself upon.
The Confederate engineers focus their efforts upon working on a technology that one had read about the potential of being produced. The first two of their Victoria rifles are produced, each holding their own advantages and disadvantages in deployment. Due to its more reliable nature, the second of these is produced upon a greater scale than the former, though both see use during the year.
Military
For most of the year upon the waters, regular skirmishes between Loyalist and Pirate gun boats generally go to whoever happened to bring the most ships with them. Occasionally, either the London class "HMS Nelson" or the Jaegar class "Vindicator" would make an appearance, and no amount of converted fishing boats could match the first true warships of the Roberts Islands. In late October, the inevitable occurred. The HMS Nelson and the Vindicator sailed to the same waters. Each ship was escorted by a pack of gunships, and a slow, wide game of chess unfolded. Each side trying to ensnare the opposing warship with their gun boats, in order to place their own in a favourable position for the following combat.
The Vindicator, much more nimble than it's counterpart, constantly harassed the loyalist ship. Nipping into cannon range, firing a volley and then darting out before retaliation could be made. However, the small number of guns, combined with the sturdy construction of the HMS Nelson meant that little serious damage occurred. The pirates started to get cocky, attempting to get closer for each volley before withdrawing. Over stretching themselves, the pirates found themselves within range of a devastating eight gun broadside. The ship's delicate construction meant it's manoeuvrability was compromised and they were not able to get away before the Loyalists were able to fire a second. With several breaches below the water line the Vindicator made its way to the sea floor, becoming the first homebuilt warship to meet its end. <Loyalists 3/7, Pirates 2/7, Confederacy 1/7, Monarchy 1/7>
Between the cities of Port Silver and Montgomery, heavy conflict raged. It was not just between the Confederacy and the Monarchy, as the Loyalists attempted to land troops on a peninsula near Port Silver to attempt to gain a beachhead on the island. Their participation on this front was a disaster, as even with the numbers lost from harassment of pirates and a short conflict with the Atterton navy, they were outmatched by the weapons used by the two forces. While they did see some minor successes, they were ultimately pushed back off the island by the Monarchy's Samara and the Confederacy's sheer firepower from the Victorias. With the other armies, a different story played out.
If caught off guard, the Monarchy would likely not have held the ground that they did. However, the defenses around Port Silver had been increased over concern from either a Loyalist or a Confederate attack on that front. When both showed up, they were prepared for the assault. However, while they managed to push off the Loyalists with relative ease, the Confederacy was a different story. While the Samara outranged the Victoria, a quick sprint to their effective range allowed for the Confederacy to tear through the Monarchy's forces with the Victoria and Victoria II rifles. While the two rifles were much rarer than the Samara, their raw output managed to make up the difference, allowing for the Confederates to gain ground. (Confederacy: 3/4, Monarchy: 1/4, Loyalists: 0/4)
The second assaulting front of the Confederacy proves to be in their favor as well. While the Baby Bess Carbines made by the independent residents of the Fort allow for them to make some moderately effective assaults upon the forces arrayed agains them, these victories are minor, the firepower of the Victoria rifles forcing them back. By the end of the year, the Dunwich Confederacy is within cannon range of Ft. Combe. Fortunately for the defenders, these cannons manage to put a halt to the Confederate army. (<Approach> Confederacy: 3/3, Ft. Combe 0/3)(<Fort Proper> Confederacy: 0/1, Ft. Combe: 1/1)
Along the coast of the central lake to the north of Atterton, several raiding parties sent out from Ft. Combe to supply their forces facing off with the Confederacy are unanswered in most instances. In times where conflict does occur, the carbines of Ft. Combe prove to have much greater effectiveness against the Atterton military than they were against the Confederacy, allowing for the capturing of land that can be held by only a few infantry. Several believe that if not for the Confederacy tying up a large amount of the nation's forces, the land capture by Ft. Combe would have been much greater. (Ft. Combe: 2/4, Atterton: 2/4)
In the east, a different story played out for the Confederacy. Whilst Altonite Infantry engaged Confederate infantry, pistol armed cavalry would flank, fire off several pistols each, before withdrawing out of range to reload. If the Confederates attempted to give chase with their cavalry, the Altonites would keep pace in front, whilst firing their pistols at the pursuing horsemen. The only definite way to deal with these skirmishers is artillery or massed rifle fire. However, neither proved to be as effective as they were out in the west against Ft. Combe, causing the Confederacy to lose ground to the independent nation. <Ft Alton 2/3, Confederacy 1/3>
Atterton Infantry regiments easily outmatched the local militias that attempted to halt their conquering of one of the last small nations, allowing the regiment to follow up by leading strikes into Dunwich territory. The sheer volume of fire provided by the Victoria rifles dropped Attertons in droves, but they had the numbers to keep pressing the attack, overwhelming the defenders despite horrendous losses on their side. <Monarchy 3/5, Confederacy 2/5>
The actions of the spies arrayed by each side may or may not have succeeded. Only the engineering teams of the nations those spies hail to know.
International
New England's Dark Day occurs. When news filters back to the islands, the unknown cause of this event is leading some to believe that it is a signal of the second coming. With the birth of an heir to the throne of King Roberts being on a day near the event, the Atterton Monarchy goes overboard with propaganda, while churches in Loyalist and Confederate territory speak out against these claims.
Details
(You may look through any of these.)
Soldier Gear
Wool Uniforms - These basic uniforms are made of wool and are partially dyed red to mark loyalty to the British Empire.
Technology
Muzzle Loading
Smoothbore
Flintlock
18 mm Musket Shot
6 lb. Cannon Balls
Horse Domestication
Carriages
Fishing Boats
Sabers
Bayonets
Gunpowder
Chaser Cannons
Brig-Sloop War Vessel
Wagonways
Interlocking Carts
Weapons
Infantry
Brown Bess Musket - A smoothbore flintlock weapon that fires a .69 inch (18 mm) shot. It has accuracy variable to a range between 50-100 meters. These are designed to be able to be equipped with bayonets. (Cheap)
Saber - The sword used by boarding crews and Officers of the British Loyalists. (Cheap)
Artillery
6 Pound Cannons - Smoothbore cannons taken from, or based off of the ones found in, the island's city and mountaintop forts. Each has an effective range of around 400 meters. (Very Expensive)
Navy
Gun boats - Fishing boats retrofitted in order to support a single 6 lb. Cannon. (Very Expensive)
London-class Brig-Sloop - A ship with a 95 foot by 27 foot gundeck that is fitted with eighteen six pound cannons. These cannons are arranged in a manner of having eight on the port and starboard, with two cannons able to be shifted between gunports at the fore and aft of the ship. The cannons furthest back on each side have a minor ability to fire backwards, but only by a minor amount. The four foremost cannons of the ship, not including the ones facing directly forewards, have a similar angle towards the front. The ship has a speed and maneuverability slightly lower than that of the future Cherokee-class Brig-Sloop of the British Empire. (Very Expensive)
Transportation Infrastructure
Horse and Carriage - The most basic form of transportation. Able to transport a single material resource for weapons production each year.
Wagonway Trains: A transportation system composed of a number of horses pulling a long train of carts along 2' gauge wagonways. There are numberous issues when trying to use the system down large slopes or taking a curve at speed. Able to transport a second material resource each year.
Resources
Board of Engineers Facility - Provides an ability to design a new creation and revise an existing construction each year.
Colonial Government's Construction Yard - Allows for promotion of production of a single weapon or other piece of technology in a year.
Scouting Operations Headquarters - Allows for the usage of a single espionage action to be performed each year.
1 Ore - Large Infantry weapons (for muskets, greater than ~1 inch (25 mm)) are Expensive. Artillery greater than 3 lbs is Very Expensive.
-The island under the British Loyalists may at most provide two additional resources. Further may be gained through land acquisition or trade with the rest of the British Empire-
Soldier Gear
Wool Uniforms - These basic uniforms are made of wool and are dyed gold, the color of the emblem of the Atterton Monarchy.
Technology
Muzzle Loading
Smoothbore
Flintlock
18 mm Musket Shot
6 lb. Cannon Balls
Horse Domestication
Carriages
Fishing Boats
Sabers
Bayonets
Gunpowder
Paddle Wheel Boat [Expensive]
Steam Engine [Expensive]
Rifling [Expensive]
Weapons
Infantry
Brown Bess Musket - A smoothbore flintlock weapon that fires a .69 inch (18 mm) shot. It has accuracy variable to a range between 50-100 meters. These are designed to be able to be equipped with bayonets. (Cheap)
'Samara' rifled musket - A variation of the Brown Bess designed with 4 rifling grooves cut down the barrel, used with lead bullets that expand into the grooves upon detonation of the gunpowder. The barrel is shortened to facilitate easier loading, resulting in a lower muzzle velocity. However, due to the rifling grooves, the effective range is still improved, but not as much as it could have been. The grooves do cause some problems for reloading on occasion, but very rarely does it prove to be impossible to fix. The Samara's most effective range is 100-150 meters. [Expensive]
Cavalry
Saber - The sword used by the Cavalry forces and Officers of the Atterton Monarchy (Cheap)
Artillery
6 Pound Cannons - Smoothbore cannons taken from, or based off of the ones found in, the island's city and mountaintop forts. Each has an effective range of around 400 meters. (Very Expensive)
Navy
Gun boats - Fishing boats retrofitted in order to support a single 6 lb. Cannon. (Very Expensive)
Am-MulardA - A steamship 115 feet by 23 feet large that carries three fixed guns to the front of the ship, one on each side and one forwards. Its power comes not from sails, but from a steam engine specially designed for it that uses a network of pistons, gears, and a flywheel to provide force to the twin paddle wheels. The engine winds up failing from time to time due to the many cuts to bring it to the minimum required to not have it be too heavy to sink the boat. The wood frame is light and as a result can be sunk fairly easily. The paddles and required shape causes it to perform poorly with even minor waves, so it needs to stick to rivers and the inland lake. (National Effort)
Transportation Infrastructure
Horse and Carriage - The most basic form of transportation. Able to transport a single material resource for weapons production each year.
Resources
Grand Engineering Halls - Provides an ability to design a new creation and revise an existing construction each year.
The Hall of Production - Allows for promotion of production of a single weapon or other piece of technology in one year.
The Hall of Secrets - Allows for the usage of a single espionage action to be performed each year.
1 Ore - Large Infantry weapons (for muskets, greater than ~1 inch (25 mm)) are Expensive. Artillery greater than 3 lbs is Very Expensive.
-Resources will increase as transportation and technology become better-
Soldier Gear
Wool Uniforms - These basic uniforms are made of wool and are dyed blue as an homage to the first colonies who attempted to break free of the British Empire.
Technology
Muzzle Loading
Smoothbore
Flintlock
18 mm Musket Shot
6 lb. Cannon Balls
Horse Domestication
Carriages
Fishing Boats
Sabers
Bayonets
Gunpowder
.46 Caliber Shot
Gravity-Fed Magazine [Expensive]
Compressed Air Reservoir [Expensive]
Paddle and Ratchet [Expensive]
Weapons
Infantry
1) Brown Bess Musket - A smoothbore flintlock weapon that fires a .69 inch (18 mm) shot. It has accuracy variable to a range between 50-100 meters. These are designed to be able to be equipped with bayonets. (Cheap)
2) Victoria Air Rifle - The air rifle is about 4 feet long, and 10 pounds, similar to a normal musket. It fires a .46 caliber ball, and has a tubular, 20-ball gravity-fed magazine that runs under the barrel of the rifle. The gravity magazine jams fairly often due to more than one shot entering the barrel and will render the rifle inoperable until it gets an hour maintenance. The rifleman using the weapon can reload the gun by pointing the rifle into the air, and waiting for a ball to roll down. When the magazine is emptied, the rifleman can merely unscrew the tube, refill it with balls, and screw it back on. Instead of using gunpowder as a propellant, it uses compressed air, stored in a small reservoir in the rifle butt that can crack and render the rifle useless, if the pressure within it is too great, the weapon is treated without delicacy, and after an average of 47 shots. (Very Expensive)
3) Victoria II Air Rifle - The Victoria II Air Rifle is a variant of the Victoria Air Rifle. The gravity fed magazine is replaced with a wheel with paddles perpendicular to the firing chamber, where the gravity fed magazine deposited the rounds. An access is granted on the right side to allow the wielder to rotate a shot from the below barrel fifteen round magazine into the firing position. There is a ratchet is installed in order to prevent the wheel from going to far, which needs to be pressed down when switching to the next round, so that the wheel may move. This innovation prevents the jamming seen in the original Victoria. However, this does come with its own problems of having some of the air escape through it, reducing the effective firing range, and the pressure can sometimes cause the ratchet to become loose or the wheel to get stuck on it. This type of jam is able to be cleared in under a second and the looseness of the ratchet can be fixed with some simple maintenance after every battle. Finally, the air reservoir is replaced by a version to be screwed on an off, but have to be pressurized before use. The effective range of the Victoria II is 50-100 meters. (Very Expensive)
Cavalry
Saber - The sword used by the Cavalry forces and Officers of the Atterton Monarchy (Cheap)
Artillery
6 Pound Cannons - Smoothbore cannons taken from, or based off of the ones found in, the island's city and mountaintop forts. Each has an effective range of around 400 meters. (Very Expensive)
Navy
Gun boats - Fishing boats retrofitted in order to support a single 6 lb. Cannon. (Very Expensive)
Transportation Infrastructure
Horse and Carriage - The most basic form of transportation. Able to transport a single material resource for weapons production each year.
Resources
National Development Force Research Facility - Provides an ability to design a new creation and revise an existing construction each (turn).
National Development Force Production Facility - Allows for promotion of production of a single weapon or other piece of technology for (one turn).
Meritocratic Espionage Facility - Allows for the usage of a single espionage action to be performed each (turn).
1 Ore - Large Infantry weapons (for muskets, greater than ~1 inch (25 mm)) are Expensive. Artillery greater than 3 lbs is Very Expensive.
-Resources will increase as transportation and technology become better-
Soldier Gear
Wool Uniforms - These basic uniforms are made of wool and are dyed brown and gray.
Technology
Muzzle Loading
Smoothbore
Flintlock
18 mm Musket Shot
6 lb. Cannon Balls
Horse Domestication
Carriages
Fishing Boats
Sabers
Bayonets
Gunpowder
Weapons
Infantry
Brown Bess Musket - A smoothbore flintlock weapon that fires a .69 inch (18 mm) shot. It has accuracy variable to a range between 50-100 meters. These are designed to be able to be equipped with bayonets. (Cheap)
Cavalry
Saber - The sword used by the Cavalry forces and Officers of the Atterton Monarchy (Cheap)
Baby Bess - A carbine modified from the Brown Bess to have a 26-inches barrel length. Due to the modification the accuracy is reduced halved to 25-50m, and can no longer use a bayonet. (Cheap)
Artillery
6 Pound Cannons - Smoothbore cannons taken from, or based off of the ones found in, the island's city and mountaintop forts. Each has an effective range of around 400 meters. (Very Expensive)
Navy
Gun boats - Fishing boats retrofitted in order to support a single 6 lb. Cannon. (Very Expensive)
Transportation Infrastructure
Horse and Carriage - The most basic form of transportation. Able to transport a single material resource for weapons production each year.
Resources
Grand Engineering Halls - Provides an ability to design a new creation and revise an existing construction each year.
The Hall of Production - Allows for promotion of production of a single weapon or other piece of technology in one year.
The Hall of Secrets - Allows for the usage of a single espionage action to be performed each year.
1 Ore - Large Infantry weapons (for muskets, greater than ~1 inch (25 mm)) are Expensive. Artillery greater than 3 lbs is Very Expensive.
-Resources will increase as transportation and technology become better-
Soldier Gear
Wool Uniforms - These basic uniforms are made of wool and are dyed a deep green.
Technology
Muzzle Loading
Smoothbore
Flintlock
18 mm Musket Shot
6 lb. Cannon Balls
Horse Domestication
Carriages
Fishing Boats
Sabers
Bayonets
Gunpowder
Weapons
Infantry
Brown Bess Musket - A smoothbore flintlock weapon that fires a .69 inch (18 mm) shot. It has accuracy variable to a range between 50-100 meters. These are designed to be able to be equipped with bayonets. (Cheap)
Cavalry
Saber - The sword used by the Cavalry forces and Officers of the Atterton Monarchy (Cheap)
Lord Locke - A flintlock pistol just over 16 inches long and accurate to about 20m. They are however difficult to reload, especially whilt on a moving horse. Due to the their ubiquity however, cavalrymen have taken to carrying several of them at a time. (Cheap)
Artillery
6 Pound Cannons - Smoothbore cannons taken from, or based off of the ones found in, the island's city and mountaintop forts. Each has an effective range of around 400 meters. (Very Expensive)
Navy
Gun boats - Fishing boats retrofitted in order to support a single 6 lb. Cannon. (Very Expensive)
Transportation Infrastructure
Horse and Carriage - The most basic form of transportation. Able to transport a single material resource for weapons production each year.
Resources
Independent Bonus - Provides an ability to design a new creation or revise an existing construction each year.
1 Ore - Large Infantry weapons (for muskets, greater than ~1 inch (25 mm)) are Expensive. Artillery greater than 3 lbs is Very Expensive.
-Resources will increase as transportation and technology become better-
Soldier Gear
Wool Uniforms - These basic uniforms are made of wool and are customized depending upon the personal tastes of the crew member, within reason.
Technology
Muzzle Loading
Smoothbore
Flintlock
18 mm Musket Shot
6 lb. Cannon Balls
Horse Domestication
Carriages
Fishing Boats
Sabers
Bayonets
Gunpowder
Cutter (Ship)
Weapons
Infantry
Brown Bess Musket - A smoothbore flintlock weapon that fires a .69 inch (18 mm) shot. It has accuracy variable to a range between 50-100 meters. These are designed to be able to be equipped with bayonets. (Cheap)
Saber - The sword used by the Cavalry forces and Officers of the Atterton Monarchy (Cheap)
Artillery
6 Pound Cannons - Smoothbore cannons taken from, or based off of the ones found in, the island's city and mountaintop forts. Each has an effective range of around 400 meters. (Very Expensive)
Navy
Gun boats - Fishing boats retrofitted in order to support a single 6 lb. Cannon. (Very Expensive)
Jaegar - An eight gun cutter, a small, single-masted vessel, that is more manoeuvrable and faster than larger vessels. It is armed with three cannons a side, with another two forward facing. There is however, very little space for crew or loot. (Very Expensive)
Resources
Independent Bonus - Provides an ability to design a new creation or revise an existing construction each year.
1 Ore - Large Infantry weapons (for muskets, greater than ~1 inch (25 mm)) are Expensive. Artillery greater than 3 lbs is Very Expensive.
Author
Topic: Arms Race: 1780 - International/'OOC' Thread - 1782 (Read 29462 times)