Steampunk Air Ship RP (OOC, Open, Interest)

[Heraklea-]

-snip-

Hm. I can work with that, though Germany, Austria and Russia especially didn't have very many that could be termed "middle class."

Raises still more questions. How large are the typical compliments? Oh well, I'll crunch some numbers and give what I figure.

Those numbers I can work with.

I didn't expect them to be able to take out the heavier ships or to really be used for capital ship engagements. I was thinking they would be suited for harassing/"sinking" merchantmen and lighter warships, scouting, harassing settlements and striking to disable port defenses before heavier warships move into range of the "shore guns".

[Senata Populus Que Caelum]

-snip-

Hm. I can work with that, though Germany, Austria and Russia especially didn't have very many that could be termed "middle class."

Raises still more questions. How large are the typical compliments? Oh well, I'll crunch some numbers and give what I figure.

Those numbers I can work with.

I didn't expect them to be able to take out the heavier ships or to really be used for capital ship engagements. I was thinking they would be suited for harassing/"sinking" merchantmen and lighter warships, scouting, harassing settlements and striking to disable port defenses before heavier warships move into range of the "shore guns".

Yeah I meant more the government with the Tzar/Kaiser and a bunch of upperclass people being secondary to that with very little chance to move from lower or middle class into the ruling class. But yes, planes could be used for that but remember at this point they would be still very rare and unpolished.

[Heraklea-]

Hm. I can work with that, though Germany, Austria and Russia especially didn't have very many that could be termed "middle class."

Raises still more questions. How large are the typical compliments? Oh well, I'll crunch some numbers and give what I figure.

Those numbers I can work with.

I didn't expect them to be able to take out the heavier ships or to really be used for capital ship engagements. I was thinking they would be suited for harassing/"sinking" merchantmen and lighter warships, scouting, harassing settlements and striking to disable port defenses before heavier warships move into range of the "shore guns".

Yeah I meant more the government with the Tzar/Kaiser and a bunch of upperclass people being secondary to that with very little chance to move from lower or middle class into the ruling class. But yes, planes could be used for that but remember at this point they would be still very rare and unpolished.

Well, the app I'm working on has 2 carriers with 40-60 planes as the first flight and proof of concept squadron. Would that be too many?

[Senata Populus Que Caelum]

Well a first world war carrier had barely 20 aircraft, so maybe 30 per carrier

[Heraklea-]

Fleet commander app:
Your Nation Name: Heraklea-
Character Name: Nathan Alexander
Gender: Male
Skills: Charismatic Leader, Innovative Thinking, Military Genius, Swordplay
Description: Ambitious and cunning, Nathan is one of the stars of the Imperial Navy. Born to middle class parents, he has shed his more base behaviors in order to ape the aristocratic ones of the upper class he yearns to break into. Skill and political patronage have helped him rise to his current rank, but his middle class roots prevent him from advancing further, barring extraordinary circumstance. Though he is careful to always present the image of loyal son of the Empire, he is in fact quite resentful of the glass ceiling he has hit, and is making plans to smash through it. His charisma and skill have generated a great loyalty amongst his subordinate officers, and his heritage makes him popular amongst the enlisted men as well.
History: Nathan was born the son of a middle class factory manager in Strassis. From an early age, he rubbed up against the upper classes and learned exactly what life above his station could be like. Determined to try and rise above the limitations of his father's position, Nathan used what few contacts he had to successfully gain entry to the Imperial Naval College. After graduating (at a lower class rank than he deserved due to the presence of those better connected in his class) he was commissioned into the Imperial Navy.

Nathan successfully rose through the ranks at a slower rate than many of his classmates. By the time he commanded his first cutter, a number of them were already commanding cruisers of their own. Undeterred, Nathan volunteered his command for numerous dangerous missions, each of which he successfully brought his commands through with little damage and loss. His rescue of a high ranking officer who was a brother of a prominent senator was the boost he needed to make the jump from small commands to large ones. The patronage offered by a small cadre of senators and officers has helped him rise to become the highest ranking officer of such low birth, now commanding a small battle fleet of his own.

Despite past successes, Nathan has been stagnating at his current rank. Seeking to find ways to increase his prestige in hopes of rising again, he has made contact with one of the Empire's most prominent scientists. Together they began developing new weapon concepts to put in service. The fruits of their labor are the newly designed Aeroplanes and the carriers that provide a means of transporting them to and from their battles, which Nathan believes will revolutionize warfare, and possibly grant him an opportunity to complete his rise. And if opportunity will not be given, it may give him a chance to seize it.
Your Character's Possessions: Command Sabre
Which Navy: Imperial
Number of and Types Operational Warships:

• 1 Dreadnaught (80 Guns): Imperator
• 4 Battleships (65 Guns): Dominus, Praetor, Legatus, Principales
• 2 Carriers (16 Guns, 30 Planes): Aquila, Falco
• 8 Cruisers (40 Guns): Vulpes, Lupus, Leo, Ursus, Tigris, Pardus, Hyaenae, Lamiae
• 5 Corvettes (25 Guns): Celeritas, Velox, Rapidus, Agilis, Acer

Number of Marines: 1,500 Marines
Other:

[Arvenia]

Your Nation Name: Arvenia
Character Name: King Lucius I (Lucius Armandon)
Gender: Male
Skills: Intelligence and sword fighting
Description: Intelligent, non-ruthless, clever and older.
Appearance:(Image)
History: Grown up in Octovess, Lucius Armandon was born to a poor family. Both his family and other poor people in Octovess is oppressed by the Empire, who ruled the city and Octovia, the island where the city is located in. But one day, when Lucius was 20 years old, Lucius led a rebellion against the Imperial rule over the city and the whole Octovia. He established a feudal monarchy that would remain neutral from the war between the Empire and the Republic. He hoped that Octovia would be a superpower as well, as it's superpower name would be Octovana.
Your Character's Possessions: Same as a King possesses.
Government Type: Feudal Monarchy
Your Island's name: Octovia (formal name: Kingdom of Octovia)
Your Island's Capital City: Octovess
Number of Ships: 2 Battleships, 3 Battle Cruisers, 5 Cruisers, 30 frigates, 30 corvettes and 20 Sloop of War
Number of Infantrymen: 2000 (knights, riflemen, cavalries and artilleries)
Wealth: 8

App fixed!

[Glovania]

Will definitely be posting an app soon. I'm thinking a low(er) ranking commander for the Republic - probably 3-6 ships. What say you, OP?

[Senata Populus Que Caelum]

Alright, this is what I've got at this point:

Fleet commander app:
Your Nation Name: Heraklea-
Character Name: Nathan Alexander
Gender: Male
Skills: Charismatic Leader, Innovative Thinking, Military Genius, Swordplay
Description: Ambitious and cunning, Nathan is one of the stars of the Imperial Navy. Born to middle class parents, he has shed his more base behaviors in order to ape the aristocratic ones of the upper class he yearns to break into. Skill and political patronage have helped him rise to his current rank, but his middle class roots prevent him from advancing further, barring extraordinary circumstance. Though he is careful to always present the image of loyal son of the Empire, he is in fact quite resentful of the glass ceiling he has hit, and is making plans to smash through it. His charisma and skill have generated a great loyalty amongst his subordinate officers, and his heritage makes him popular amongst the enlisted men as well.
History: Nathan was born the son of a middle class factory manager in Strassis. From an early age, he rubbed up against the upper classes and learned exactly what life above his station could be like. Determined to try and rise above the limitations of his father's position, Nathan used what few contacts he had to successfully gain entry to the Imperial Naval College. After graduating (at a lower class rank than he deserved due to the presence of those better connected in his class) he was commissioned into the Imperial Navy.

Nathan successfully rose through the ranks at a slower rate than many of his classmates. By the time he commanded his first cutter, a number of them were already commanding cruisers of their own. Undeterred, Nathan volunteered his command for numerous dangerous missions, each of which he successfully brought his commands through with little damage and loss. His rescue of a high ranking officer who was a brother of a prominent senator was the boost he needed to make the jump from small commands to large ones. The patronage offered by a small cadre of senators and officers has helped him rise to become the highest ranking officer of such low birth, now commanding a small battle fleet of his own.

Despite past successes, Nathan has been stagnating at his current rank. Seeking to find ways to increase his prestige in hopes of rising again, he has made contact with one of the Empire's most prominent scientists. Together they began developing new weapon concepts to put in service. The fruits of their labor are the newly designed Aeroplanes and the carriers that provide a means of transporting them to and from their battles, which Nathan believes will revolutionize warfare, and possibly grant him an opportunity to complete his rise. And if opportunity will not be given, it may give him a chance to seize it.
Your Character's Possessions: Command Sabre
Which Navy: Imperial
Number of and Types Operational Warships:

• 1 Dreadnaught (80 Guns)
• 4 Battleships (65 Guns)
• 2 Carriers (16 Guns, 30 Planes)
• 8 Cruisers (40 Guns)
• 5 Corvettes (25 Guns)

Number of Marines: 1,500 Marines
Other:

Accepted, well done. IC is up so you can post there whenever you want.

Will definitely be posting an app soon. I'm thinking a low(er) ranking commander for the Republic - probably 3-6 ships. What say you, OP?

Sure, though it more depends on the type of ships rather than the number. Twenty sloops is a lot less prestigious than even 2 Dreadnoughts

[Republic of Hasgriu]

Would a submarine-like airship be acceptable? Being able to dive underneath the clouds, and then rising back up to attack with cannons? Since I doubt you'll allow torpedoes.

[Senata Populus Que Caelum]

Would a submarine-like airship be acceptable? Being able to dive underneath the clouds, and then rising back up to attack with cannons? Since I doubt you'll allow torpedoes.

I'm not entirely sure how this would be any different from a normal air ship? Except for in looks I suppose

[Senata Populus Que Caelum]

Remember to post on the IC thread guys: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=331817

[Heraklea-]

Will do one I get off work (whenever the hell that happens).

[Arvenia]

What about my app?!

[Senata Populus Que Caelum]

What about my app?!

I already said you were accepted

[Olthenia]

Tag.

[Mundeo]

Wait was Inviss bombed and Hannock's ship attacked?

[Senata Populus Que Caelum]

Wait was Inviss bombed and Hannock's ship attacked?

Not that I thought, I was under the impression it was a nameless island in the middle of nowhere between Inviss and Rufk. And if my interpretation is wrong then I use OP powers to make it right. Your island is safe... for now *menacing music*

[Heraklea-]

*shrug*

Recommend keeping OOC comments here than the in the IC. The attack wasn't against a military compound, it was against a minor pirate base (and yes, not yours, there are plenty of pirates around). So kicking the stuffing out of them, even with early planes wouldn't be that unrealistic in my opinion. Still, I said exactly what I had intended them for, so had you wanted to restrict their potential designs you should have told me at that point. I'll tone it down in the future, and certainly a lot against PC ships, but I think what the restrictions for steampunk you are implementing should be a lot clearer.

EDIT: I also clearly stated that I intended wing mounted guns.

[Senata Populus Que Caelum]

*shrug*

Recommend keeping OOC comments here than the in the IC. The attack wasn't against a military compound, it was against a minor pirate base (and yes, not yours, there are plenty of pirates around). So kicking the stuffing out of them, even with early planes wouldn't be that unrealistic in my opinion. Still, I said exactly what I had intended them for, so had you wanted to restrict their potential designs you should have told me at that point. I'll tone it down in the future, and certainly a lot against PC ships, but I think what the restrictions for steampunk you are implementing should be a lot clearer.

EDIT: I also clearly stated that I intended wing mounted guns.

I thought I made it very clear stating that they have very limited payloads, hand cranked guns, short flight times and were prone to jamming. Steampunk by definition is 1860s and I said that in the post. I thought you meant rear gunners like WW1 aircraft, no WW1 planes had wing mounted guns, the wings would have snapped under the weight of flying, turning and the heavy machine guns. Regardless, it was very clear and it was better done against NPCs. They still need to be turned down to 1860's tech with the magic of powered flight

[Heraklea-]

*shrug*

Recommend keeping OOC comments here than the in the IC. The attack wasn't against a military compound, it was against a minor pirate base (and yes, not yours, there are plenty of pirates around). So kicking the stuffing out of them, even with early planes wouldn't be that unrealistic in my opinion. Still, I said exactly what I had intended them for, so had you wanted to restrict their potential designs you should have told me at that point. I'll tone it down in the future, and certainly a lot against PC ships, but I think what the restrictions for steampunk you are implementing should be a lot clearer.

EDIT: I also clearly stated that I intended wing mounted guns.

I thought I made it very clear stating that they have very limited payloads, hand cranked guns, short flight times and were prone to jamming. Steampunk by definition is 1860s and I said that in the post. I thought you meant rear gunners like WW1 aircraft, no WW1 planes had wing mounted guns, the wings would have snapped under the weight of flying, turning and the heavy machine guns. Regardless, it was very clear and it was better done against NPCs. They still need to be turned down to 1860's tech with the magic of powered flight

Firstly: Who told you that steampunk means 1860's and no further? I think H.G. Wells, Steam Boy, Agatha Heterodyn: Girl Genius and numerous other works and authors would disagree with the statement. Steampunk covers a very broad section of technology, and I have definately seen all sorts of things in steampunk fiction, including what amounts to a steam driven Yamato and clockwork mechs. Those are definately way and beyond the capacities of the 1860s. For all intents and purposes, steampunk covers everything less advance than diesel punk. When I have a chance later I'll do some rewriting for the purposes of maintaining continuity, but steampunk is a lot more than 1860's plus flying magic.

Secondly: Like I said, I told you specifically that I was intending for these to be more than just recon planes. So if you wanted them to just be recon planes, you should have told me that. As far as I was concerned, anything from interbellum back would be permissible. I may have to completely rework what I'm doing, or be allowed to gradually ramp them up over time, if you want to restrict them purely to those early WWI types.

Thirdly: I think you are overestimating what I had in mind for these pirates. I was thinking the pirate "batteries" were deserving of the term by the barest possible definition. Not particularly well armored in the least and easily broken. Same goes for the airships, shoddy armor and poorly maintained. So again, breaking them would be easy.

[Senata Populus Que Caelum]

Regardless, the point has been made and that is my final decision.

[Romus Maximus]

Taggity Tag

[Heraklea-]

Regardless, the point has been made and that is my final decision.

I realize, and I'm going to rework my post shortly. But first I need to know if they are going to be locked into that early WWI style, in which case I will need to do some major reworking of what I'm going to do with my character, or if I will get to ramp them up over time.

[Senata Populus Que Caelum]

Regardless, the point has been made and that is my final decision.

I realize, and I'm going to rework my post shortly. But first I need to know if they are going to be locked into that early WWI style, in which case I will need to do some major reworking of what I'm going to do with my character, or if I will get to ramp them up over time.

You can make some small progress into stronger air frames and perhaps interrupter/synchronizes but with no wing mounted weapons, extremely light pay loads and only dedicated fighters OR bombers. Strike fighters only came about in Korea with jet power. Start of with rear gunners and slowly move to forward facing guns but remember the guns are hand cranked so it would possess a lot of issues for the pilot.

[Heraklea-]

Alright, updated. The planes have been nerfed a bit and seperated by purpose. Since these are the weakest of pirates, the planes still dominate, though I have added a little something to demonstrate how truly important the use of tactical targetting is (we live and die by boilers, God dammit).

@Mundeo: Are you coming after me at the moment? Because if you try to fight me, I will rip your fleet apart. And I don't want to kill you just yet. Nathan will eventually have plans for you that don't involve a short drop and a quick stop.