1860's Character War RP [OOC Planning]

[Christstan]

1860's War Character RP

http://toarms.proboards.com/index.cgi - The site being used to primarily plan the RP

I have have been thinking about a Civil War Era Character based Rp. Possibly off-site.

Now, it doesn't have to be the American Civil War scenario, although that is a possibility. It will likely take place in one or two Theaters of combat. If it is not the American Civil War, I believe I would flesh out the story of the war of succession that took place in my nation at that time.

Now here's the twist. Players will command Units and be able to augment the stats of the unit (maybe?). Combat results will be a mixture of Rp (effort of post and logical factors like hight, protection, etc.) and unit stats (maybe?).

Most Characters will be junior officers taking part on the fringes of combat and will advance through the ranks. They will command units (probably starting at a Company [Captain Rank - 100ish men] or battalion [500ish Men].

I am thinking about having Character stats too like Leadership, Intelligence, and Charmisa, each would have some effect in the battle rolls and what not. The rolls would be simple and done rather quickly by a war staff. When characters get promoted, they get to raise their stats.

Initially I am thinking that it would be at the start of the war, thus explaining why some would begin as commanding officers. If a Commanding officer goes inactive, he is presumed to be injured, ineffective, or on leave, meaning that he is replaced by an officer below him in rank.

New players could get commissions in other player's units, but the higher rank you start is the less opportunity for stat enhancement. Meaning, if you start as a Captain, and work all the way up to general, you would be fairly beastly as far as stats go.

You could pick your branch, artillery, Cavalry, Infantry.

As far as Unit stats go, I am thinking that you as an officer raised your initially unit and brought it up to your liking. It Either having lots of troops [like the Union], lots of experience [Like the Confederacy], or a mixture. Lots of troops to start with means that you will take more casualties but your men will eventually build experience. You start with lots of experience, your men only get better but your effectiveness will likely not last as your unit dwindles down to nothing or has to be replenished by crack troops [or very few experienced soldiers].

Essentially, we will build a command structure with each army.

Faction War Mod - Approves of characters, helps with rolls, determines what information units would have in collaboration with the other War Mod. Also approves of promotions etc. Acts kind of like the president of that side, this person may also have a character, likely the commander-in-cheif

Commander-in-Cheif
Corps Commanders [2-3]
Division commanders [10ish]
Brigade commanders [lots]
Regimental commanders [lots]
Battalion Commanders
Company commanders

Each commander can assign new officers to his units, while the rest would be NPC'd, and thus could or could not be mentioned in their Order of Battle. Each officer's order of battle should contain at least the commanders of the units below them. [Brigadier General should have his regimental commanders, Major should have his company commanders]

For example, a Character Joshua Stewart

Name: Joshua Stewart
Affiliation: Brussian Grand Army
Rank: Brigadier General
Unit: 2nd Brigade

- 24th Infantry Regiment - NPC Commander
----1st Battalion: Major L. Armistead
----2nd Bat: NPC

- 25th Infantry Regiment: Lt. Col. G. Humphrey

- 26th Infantry Regiment: NPC

-27th Infantry Regiment: Col. W. S. Grant

Setting - Year of our Lord 1860,

The young Emperor has died without heirs in the immediate family. The two cadet houses, Weiger-Baden and Weiger-Faus, both claim the throne. While Weiger-Baden is the senior house, the Weiger-Faus have the backing of the Church and are fighting for the dearly kept Christstany traditions. Weiger-Faus believe that Weiger-Baden will destroy Christstany society with their near secular policies and unchecked capitalism in a system that keeps the poor, poor and the rich, rich. The Weiger-Baden believe that the Weiger-Faus will impede the nation's growth and modernization and that their heavy feudalistic system of serfdom hurts the people and the economy.

The Prime Minister, acting head of state has recalled the Imperial Army back to the Imperial dominion. Many officers have resigned to go and join their home armies, being raised for the coming fight. Entire units have deserted the Imperial Army to go and defend their homes. So now the country is divided; the Prime Minister barely commanding the Imperial Dominion awaiting the coronation of a new Emperor; the northern Principality of Brussia; the southern Principality of Fausberg; and three independent dukes, as yet to choose their sides.

Each army is scrambling to assemble units for the coming war. Each Brigade has several regiments under it available for command.

Note: Please do not send any soldiers larger than a Regiment, when you send troops it limits people to command them and could alter the balance of the armies. Also, feel free to create Christstany born officers. This seems to be turning into a foreign man's war.

Brussia
House: Weiger-Baden
Economic Type: Industrialized
Brussian Grand Army - Commanded by the Prince of Brussia, the Brussian's are heavily industrialized and have a near endless pool of supplies for their army. Food may be a problem, but they intend on marching quickly to capture the fertile valleys to the south.

Forthcoming ORBAT
Commander: Prince Karl von Weiger-Baden

--1st Infantry Division, Major General Ryan Greene
----1st Brigade, Vacant
----2nd Brigade, Vacant
----1st Artillery Regiment, Vacant

-2nd Infantry Division, Vacant Command
---3rd Brigade, Vacant
---4th Brigade, Vacant
----2nd Artillery Regiment, Vacant

-1st Cavalry Regiment, Colonel Izsak Gyuszi Kocsis III, a.k.a 'Feather Head'
----1st Cavalry Battalion, Vacant
----2nd Cavalry Battalion, Vacant

Brussian Uniforms (Regimental Commanders can pick alternate blue uniforms for their regiments
Standard Infantry Uniform
Standard Cavalry Uniform
Standard Artillery Captain Uniform
Standard Infantry Colonel Uniform
General's Uniform

Fausberg
House: Weiger-Faus
Economic Type: Agricultural
Holy Army of Fausberg - Commanded by the Prince of Fausberg, the HAF is comprised of some of the best fighters in the empire, they have a great deal of manpower but lack the industrial resources of the Brussians. Their aim is to move north and capture several arsenals or enlist the aid of the currently neutral dukes.

Forthcoming ORBAT
Commander: Prince Klaus von Weiger-Faus

--1st Infantry Division, Commodore Guillaume Charlevoix - "Le Philosophe", Brevet Major General
----1st Brigade, Vacant
----2nd Brigade, Vacant
----1st Artillery Regiment, Vacant

-2nd Infantry Division, Vacant Command
---3rd Brigade, Vacant
---4th Brigade, Vacant
----2nd Artillery Regiment, Vacant

-1st Cavalry Regiment, Vacant
----1st Cavalry Battalion, Vacant
----2nd Cavalry Battalion, Vacant

[Vondoria]

So like this?

Name: Anthony Sgro
Affiliation: Imperial Army of Vondoria
Rank: Major
Unit Type: Cavalry

2nd Cavalry Division of the Imperial Army

Is this like it?

[Merieu]

That's actually quite brilliant right there. I've always been a fan of the American Civil War, but I don't think we should set it in that theatre because we all know who won that war. It'd be better to set it in a fictatous theatre so the outcome isn't entierly set in stone.

[Vondoria]

It could be set in a theater like the Amazon or a geographical landscape like Ancient Egypt. but not the technology of it.

[Christstan]

Right, I wasn't to sure about setting it in the Civil War, although that could still be a possibility at this point. Fictitious is still where I am at right now because that would allow for freedom of Uniforms for when the sides are decided.

Vondoria, that format is correct however a Major does not command a division, but that is besides the point. I am heavily considering putting this offsite to allow for more discussion and flexibility.

[Greater Americania]

It defeats the purpose of a character RP if it's grand scale as well. Character RPs are for when you want to RP small scale, in essence get your hands dirty by actually being in the battlefield. Other wise, it's pointless as grand scale RPs are for handling the massive armies.

[Christstan]

Not necessarily, I have experience with several boards that are based on China's Romance of the Three Kingdoms period, and on these boards you create a character, join a kingdom run by another character (NPCed by Admins or players) and you rp as an officer or ruler of the kingdom. This allows you to have the feel of commanding things (if you made a general) but also allowed for great Character Rp and development.

Here you wouldn't technically be rping your soldiers, you would be rping your commander who instructs the soldiers on what to do. What I wanted to do with the small number of stats and rolls is to create the effect that you are not entirely in control. Your troops could break and run after low morale, or they might begin ignoring orders and doing as they will. This also allows for great Military Rp where not everyone is the same Rank and commands legions. Players will have goals (Achieve higher ranks, win battles, etc.) for their characters to achieve. I am also thinking of throwing in a civilian side for reporters, politicians, etc.

Edit: Also you probably wouldn't be commanding "Massive Armies" as I have considered only putting this in one theater of combat and very few people will be high ranking generals. Most will likely be Brigadiers through Major rank, commanding anywhere from a few thousand, to a few hundred.

[Greater Americania]

Ah, I see what you mean. Kind of like an MMORPG except on the forums.

[United States of PA]

This would be interesting, i tried to do a few late 1700s early 1800s RPs back on jolt but they never caught on and died out, so let me think and i might join in here

[Ursava]

Could I possibly join?

[Chetssaland]

Yes if its not too late, I'll join. Looks pretty inteeresting. I just love Character RP.

[Ursava]

I'd love to be an artillery commander.

[Christstan]

Edit: Yeah, GA, thats pretty much how I was thinking of this.

All are welcome, I am still trying to plan this thing out, how it all will work. I am leaning on a fictional setting right now, but I am still wondering whether to go with a more in depth, stated system of Officers and/or units or just something really simple. The link at the top shows some of the thoughts I have. But this has yet to even begin so it is not anywhere near being to late to join.

[Chetssaland]

Well we could all be in the same squad, like Call of Duty. I always liked Call of Duty 3 because of the character traits and story. Maybe something like that.

[Allied Governments]

This could always be set in an Alternate Reality, where the war could turn out differently then how it did.

[Chetssaland]

Name: Preston Olsen
Affiliation: The army that hopefully we'll all be in
Rank: Private
Unit Type: Demolition

[Dhia]

This sounds really bloody interesting.

Name: Gavrël Sumeo Iveri
Affiliation: the King's Royal Army of Dhia. (NOTE: in the time period this RP will take place, Dhia was still a monarchist state and not a republic.)
Rank: Colonel
Unit Type: Infantry

47^th Royal Army Infantry Brigade.

Extra little tidbit:
Motto of the 47^th "Tomorrow, Together We Rise."

[Christstan]

Thats another possibility, the only problem might be people trying to make like Robert E. Lee as their characters. Then everyone already knows the character's strengths and weaknesses and would be like "Give me some rank" when I was really wanting people to come up with their own characters. An Alternate Universe for the war is a possibility if people have to make their own characters.

I haven't actually begun to sign people up yet, I was just giving an example character, as I am still in the planning phase for this.

I could see either something really simple without mechanics and just leave it up to players to rp, or we could implement stats for units and characters and allow for more in depth work. If you see the link at the top of the thread or in my sig, there is a link to how I am planning this.

[Lizardiar]

Name: Ivan Stasya
Affiliation: Mecenary
Rank: Captain
Unit Type: *Company
Basilisk Company - 180 men - 3 Rifle Platoons and 1 Artillery Battery.

Overall Commander- Captain Ivan Stasya
Second-in-Command- Sergeant Major Boris Olesia

1st Platoon - 50 Men
Lieutenant Nicholas Anatoliy
Sergeant Sergey Galina

Infantry use the Spencer repeating rifle.
Officers use the Colt Army Model 1860.

2nd Platoon- 50 Men
Lieutenant Dmitry Mitya
Sergeant Pavel Dima

Infantry use the Spencer repeating rifle.
Officers use the Colt Army Model 1860.


3rd Platoon - 50 Men
Lieutenant Vasily Lyonya
Sergeant Leonid Oksana

Infantry use the Spencer repeating rifle.
Officers use the Colt Army Model 1860

Artillery Battery 30 Men

Lieutenant Andrey Tolik

Consists of 6 12-Pounder Whitworth Breechloading Rifle Cannon
Soldiers use the Colt Army Model 1860 for protection.

Sorry if it's too big.

*Company is both Infantry and Artillery, look it up.

[Ursava]

I'll make an artillery commander for that 'Grand Army' if that is what everybody else is on.

[Christstan]

No, that was just an example for what I thought a character sheet could look like. I am planning on putting this off site, but it seems most people are jumping the gun so I might just go with something simple for now while I work on the real one. All this so far has just been planning but I am just going to go ahead and do something here. If anyone would like to help with the more in depth version, check my siggy.

I'll have a map and some rules up soon. For now, have your characters in one of these two armies. This can be a kind of interest gathering & testing rp for now. Create ether a Christstany officer to lead one of the vacant units, or perhaps a character from your country who either is also a Christstany nobleman/citizen or who offered his services to the army.

Setting - Year of our Lord 1860,

The young Emperor has died without heirs in the immediate family. The two cadet houses, Weiger-Baden and Weiger-Faus, both claim the throne. While Weiger-Baden is the senior house, the Weiger-Faus have the backing of the Church and are fighting for the dearly kept Christstany traditions. Weiger-Faus believe that Weiger-Baden will destroy Christstany society with their near secular policies and unchecked capitalism in a system that keeps the poor, poor and the rich, rich. The Weiger-Baden believe that the Weiger-Faus will impede the nation's growth and modernization and that their heavy feudalistic system of serfdom hurts the people and the economy.

The Prime Minister, acting head of state has recalled the Imperial Army back to the Imperial dominion. Many officers have resigned to go and join their home armies, being raised for the coming fight. Entire units have deserted the Imperial Army to go and defend their homes. So now the country is divided; the Prime Minister barely commanding the Imperial Dominion awaiting the coronation of a new Emperor; the northern Principality of Brussia; the southern Principality of Fausberg; and three independent dukes, as yet to choose their sides.

Each army is scrambling to assemble units for the coming war.

Brussia
House: Weiger-Baden
Economic Type: Industrialized
Brussian Grand Army - Commanded by the Prince of Brussia, the Brussian's are heavily industrialized and have a near endless pool of supplies for their army. Food may be a problem, but they intend on marching quickly to capture the fertile valleys to the south.

Forthcoming ORBAT
Commander: Prince Karl von Weiger-Baden

--1st Infantry Division, Major General Ryan Greene
----1st Brigade, Vacant
----2nd Brigade, Vacant
----1st Artillery Regiment, Vacant

-2nd Infantry Division, Vacant Command
---3rd Brigade, Vacant
---4th Brigade, Vacant
----2nd Artillery Regiment, Vacant

-1st Cavalry Regiment, Colonel Izsak Gyuszi Kocsis III, a.k.a 'Feather Head'
----1st Cavalry Battalion, Vacant
----2nd Cavalry Battalion, Vacant

Fausberg
House: Weiger-Faus
Economic Type: Agricultural
Holy Army of Fausberg - Commanded by the Prince of Fausberg, the HAF is comprised of some of the best fighters in the empire, they have a great deal of manpower but lack the industrial resources of the Brussians. Their aim is to move north and capture several arsenals or enlist the aid of the currently neutral dukes.

Forthcoming ORBAT
Commander: Prince Klaus von Weiger-Faus

--1st Infantry Division, Commodore Guillaume Charlevoix - "Le Philosophe", Brevet Major General
----1st Brigade, Vacant
----2nd Brigade, Vacant
----1st Artillery Regiment, Vacant

-2nd Infantry Division, Vacant Command
---3rd Brigade, Vacant
---4th Brigade, Vacant
----2nd Artillery Regiment, Vacant

-1st Cavalry Regiment, Vacant
----1st Cavalry Battalion, Vacant
----2nd Cavalry Battalion, Vacant

[Lizardiar]

So, I just offer my services to one of the forces?

[Christstan]

Aye, you can put your forces in one of the armies. When the lines have been drawn up, we can begin the rp.

[Ursava]

Name: Izsak Gyuszi Kocsis III, a.k.a 'Feather Head'.
Affiliation: Former Ursavian cavalry commander for the house of Weiger-Baden.
Rank: Colonel.
Unit: 1st Cavalry Regiment.




That good for this simple version?

[Avenio]

Wow, great idea for an RP, I think I'll join on the House of Weiger-Faus for the sake of balance (everyone else is on the side of the Grand Army) as a mercenary unit from royal-era Avenio.

I'll be using Crimean War tech, which is set at just the right time period.


Name: Guillaume Charlevoix - "Le Philosophe"
Affiliation: Noble of the House of Charlevoix in the Kingdom of Avenio, has traveled overseas to seek fame and fortune for his country.
Rank: Commodore
Unit: 1st Infantry Division - Commanding Officer - Commodore Guillaume Charlevoix - Percussion Cap Pistol, Rifled Musket - Bayonets, Sword

----1st Brigade - Lieutenant Francois Auvergne
24th Tiralleurs - 140 Skirmishers - Rifled Muskets - Bayonets, Hand Axes

----2nd Brigade, Lieutenant Jean-Luc Montagnais - Percussion cap pistol, sword
42nd Regiment of Foot - 140 Regulars - Rifled Muskets - Bayonets

----1st Artillery Regiment, Lieutenant Jacques Saguenay - Percussion cap pistol, sword
14th Canon de l’Empereur - 14 12 Pounder Howitzers - Crews are armed with percussion cap pistols