Metal on Metal [WW1 Steam/Diesel Punk] IC(OPEN)

[Clarcia]

Metal on Metal


A WW1 Steam/Diesel punk RP

Discord Link: ‪https://discord.gg/yPtrD3v‬

OOC: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=455019


The year is 1914. Archduke Franz Ferdinand has just been shot while touring Sarajevo by a Serbian extremist. War is now weeks away. Most leaders think this looming war will be over by Christmas.

But this war is unlike any other.

New machines are about to make this war a living hell. Massive steam powered blimps that eclipse the sun drop bombs on diesel fueled land ships that plow through men like a knife through butter. One thing is ever present however. That thing is the ever present smog of war that could suffocate a man if left too long in it. One thing is certain, this war isn’t some small machine aided scuffle...

This is a World War

Welcome to metal on metal! This is a steampunk/dieselpunk RP set in World War 1. This rp starts on June 28th, 1914. The day Franz Ferdinand was assassinated. However, the key difference is that this World is a retro-futuristic one. Most of the Entente and Central powers use either steam or diesel based machines. The aim is to have a fun War scenario with wondrous and powerful machines.

Rules:

1. What OP says goes, however, if you feel strongly enough about something, friendly arguments are encouraged.
2. Make sure to pass machines through OP in the OOC before you introduce them into the IC.
3. Be civil, don’t be rude or impolite.
4. Don’t speak for other countries(example: loses, breakthroughs, etc…). If there’s a dispute, you can ask OP to settle it, ut understand that sometimes you need to let the other side win.
5. Mostly historical sides, but I’ll get into that later.
6. Each day is about 1 week, but time can be adjusted if needed.
7. No god modding
8. The map is the same as real life in 1914. The only difference is the tech.
Have Fun!

The Great Powers:

Entente(Steampunk):

The United Kingdom
The French Republic
The Russian Empire
The United States of America

Central Powers(Dieselpunk):

The German Empire
The Austro Hungarian Empire
The Ottoman Empire
Italy

[Clarcia]

London, United Kingdom

H.H Asquith quietly read the paper. He’s heard the news from their spies in Austria-Hungary early, but he didn’t believe it would actually happen. Those damn Serbs and their hatred for that Archduke. With this luck, they’d all be at war within a few weeks.

He quickly sent for his generals, including Field Marshal Douglas Haig. With a few minutes of short conversation, it was decided. The Royal Navy was to recall all expeditionary ships and garrison the Far Eastern Fleet. Meanwhile, the Home Fleet would move to the Channel and North Sea. At home, preliminary reviews for conscription would begin and the airships would be set on high alert.

While these orders were sent by dispatch, it would take about a couple of weeks to get these things done, which might we too late.

Nevertheless, war was coming, and the British would be damned if they weren’t ready in time.

[Valtrona]

All was quiet in the Italian Prime Minister’s office as he quietly read the newspaper for June 28, 1914. Antonio Salandra was shocked at the death of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. “They’ve done it this time, no turning back. War....is inevitable now.” He relayed the information to King Emmanuel III, at the same time called an emergency military meeting in Rome. After hours of bickering, a consensus was established: Be Prepared for the worse.

The Regina Marina was called to Italy, total mobilization was instituted, and the Italians prepared their newly developed airships for war. Italian garrisons in the colonies were given orders to fortify the border. The Italian high command prepared its plans for invasion.

Italy decided to stick with their allies in the Triple Alliance. Not because they liked the Germans, but the Italian government realized the benefits if they won. This was reinforced with the Conference of Trento, 2 days after the assasination. The Conference forced Austria-Hungary to cede Trento, Gorizia, and Cherso to Italy by July 1, 1914, while establishing the Free City of Trieste under Italian influence. This was all done to guarantee Italian support in case of war, which it achieved.

The gongs of war have yet to be sound, yet it echoes all across the European countryside. Italy refused to be the weak link, refuses to be the battleground of empires. No, they were going to be the ones to come out on top, united. As the old saying goes, “There’s no turning back now.”

[Deutschess Kaiserreich]

Moltke looked over his men. Perhaps only a few thousand stood in the windswept plaza but they were the elite. They were the men that would win this war and save Germany from the Entente. The propaganda had been prepared and the people filled with energy from their Kaisers many speeches. Many recruitment centers had simply been overwhelmed by waves of young patriotic German men and had to impose recruitment quotas for even cripples tried to enter the army. The Imperial Guard had now grown to a massive size in simply just 5 days with even more in training. Moltke had praised the Kaiser in private for his speeches and fearmongering for it had given the Imperial the numbers to fight on two fronts. Now Moltke looked the elite unmoving and regimental army flanked by the giant mech prototype. They may have been nothing more than a tin can with arms and legs but they would prove themselves on the plains of France and Ukraine. The Propaganda was spreading. The army was swelling. The factories producing. ports churning. The army was marching. Germany was ready...

[The Bananic]

Franz Joseph is shaking. The Serbs have killed Archduke Ferdinand. Austria-Hungary would not let this pass. This was reason for war. This was now time to prepare. The command room was abuzz with planning. They mobilize the troops to the border with Serbia, the new airships were preparing for liftoff. This was preparation for the war.

Franz Joseph is not scared he has the help of the Germans, Ottomans, and Italians. He did have to cede Trento, Gorizia, and Cherso and establish a Free City of Trieste in the Conference of Trento to keep the Italians, he thought grimly. The sacrifice would pay off with the help of an extra ally.

The bells were ringing. It was time for war.

[Jerno]

Nikita koshenko was nervous he was just drafted into the Russian army. with the Germans mobilization the Tsar had mobilized russia's army to help out Serbia. the church bells were ringing it was war

[Atheris]

København, Danmarks hovedstad, 1914
Copenhagen, Capital City of Denmark, 1914

Christian X smoked on his pipe, looking out the window of his palace. Today seemed like a good day. Things were looking up for Denmark! The Danish West Indies were profitable, Greenland and Iceland were loyal, the world is peaceful, with the only real tension in recent years coming out of Morocco, Libya, and China, she has the strength of strong allies...

His aide then knocks on his door.

"Your Majesty? We have a report from Austria."
"Can it wait?"
"No, Your Highness. It's urgent."
"Well, then. What is it?"
"The Archduke, Franz Ferdinand... has been, shot, sir."

Dammit! This was supposed to be a good day!

"By who?"
"Reportedly Serbian extremists, sir. Austria has reportedly filed demands to Serbia..."
"Mobilize the troops, even the reserves from the East Indies and the other Colonies, against Sweden and Germany. Prepare the Steamship and the mechs."

He put his pipe on his desk.

"This is not going to end well."

[The neo glactic empire]

The sultan from his palace window was admiring constantinople although the arabs and other ethnic groups have been dealt with in a peacefull way and the country was somewhat inudstrialised the european colonial powers were threatning specifcally those of the UK and france regardless of it it was a nice day untill the papers rolled in
Kemal:
This is it it is our chance to free the middle east out of european control we cant let the entente win this war no
They well be to powerfull and nothing well stop them from going against our people

And so full military mobilaisation was ordered
Factories switched to war time economy and the people braced for what well follow

[Barapam]

June 28, 1914

King Gustaf V had just sent a telegram with his sincere condolences to His Majesty Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, and his wife Sophie, in Sarajevo by the Serbian terrorist Gavrilo Princip had shaken him to the core. It was perhaps not too unusual that leaders were murdered in this day and age, but it was nevertheless both shocking and sad, and it was after all rather unusual that the killer belonged to an organization with connections in the Serbian government and military. Of course the Austrians would be entitled to satisfaction and justice! Surely neither Russia nor England could object to that?

The Swedish king didn't think a war was imminent. Maybe between Austria-Hungary and Serbia, but not a large European war, and definitely not a global one. Everyone knew how the alliance system with the Central Powers and the Entente was built, and that a war would be devastating. Thus the king was confident that diplomacy still had a chance. After all, the monarchs of Europe were one big family, he had himself a German wife and a grandson with Russian blood, just to mention two examples. And regarding the republican France, Gustaf was to meet with president Raymond Poincaré on July 25 when he came on an official state visit. If the crisis was still unresolved by then, which in the king's royal opinion was rather unlikely, the two statesmen would surely reach some sort of solution that also the rest of Europe could agree on.

However, this didn't mean that king Gustaf sat completely idle. The army had been ordered to be extra ready, in case the situation suddenly would change, and on a more personal level, he had canceled all scheduled meetings with his secret lover Kurt Haijby, until further notice, just like queen Victoria had done the same with her lover Axel Munthe (as much as it was possible, since he was also the royal medic, but for now their relationship would remain purely professional). The king and the queen both knew of the other's affairs, but they accepted it and still loved each other. However, it would be a scandal if the truth reached the public (the ongoing gossip which was sometimes heard, was easily deniable, and they could live with that) especially in times like these. So they had to be careful. Right now they sat together on the couch, cuddling, just like they had done when they were young. They discussed various scenarios, should the unthinkable happen, and a war erupt once more in Europe, after a hundred years of peace for the Swedish realm.

"Naturally, we'll have to support our allies... And that principle will of course the people also agree on. Even a war against Russia will be easy to sell, the conservatives want to liberate Finland, while the socialists could rally behind a chance to rid the Russian people of Nikolai, who they view as oppressive. It's a shame he hasn't been able to rule with a softer hand, like I have tried to do, and like to think I've succeeded in... But I digress, my dear Victoria." He gently stroked her hair as she rested on his arm. "What worries me is the state of the army, and Denmark. Ever since the war of 1864 against Prussia, they've become more and more oriented towards England, but the Danes are still our brothers. I'd hate to see us at war."

"Well, Gustaf... We have a strong navy. And hopefully the new machines can boost the capability of the army. As for Denmark, I think you should talk with Christian, and it would be good to include Haakon too. Just because Norway is neutral right now, it doesn't mean it'll be unaffected by a war."

Gustaf kissed her forehead. "A very good idea, my dear. Very good indeed. I'll telegram them both in the morning." He closed his eyes, and could've perhaps fallen asleep in the arms of his beloved, hadn't a new voice suddenly disturbed the peace.

"Your Majesty! Forgive me, but I'm afraid it's urgent! Denmark is mobilizing!" It was Hjalmar Hammarskjöld, the Prime Minister himself, who stormed in and shouted, and panted from running.

"Dear Lord! What do we do?"
"We have to answer, of course. I suggest mobilize our southern troops and have the navy patrol our waters more vicibly, Your Majesty..."
"Very well. See to it that it will be done."
"Yes, Your Majesty."

[The neo glactic empire]

Telegrams have been sent to the german austrian and italian governments assuring
That the ottoman empire well fully support its allies in case of god forbidden war
Though it suggest that the war to remain regional instead of global

[Atheris]

København, Danmarks hovedstad, 1914
Copenhagen, Capital City of Denmark, 1914

Christopher X sighed, looking at an old Swedish flag.

We were brethren of the north. It would be like a war between brothers should Denmark and Sweden be forced to fight. Praying that the opposite happened, and instead the situation was resolved with diplomacy, the King began pen-writing a letter to Gustaf V himself.

"Your Majesty,

I would like to approach you about the situation currently evolving in Austria-Hungary. If possible, would you like to meet in Copenhagen, or Stockholm? For a cup of tea over politics, perhaps?

I know you're aligned to the Central Powers and I to the Entente, but if we were to go to war... it would feel less like a traditional war and more like a civil war. Please, for the love of Nordic unity... If we must go to war, then don't be hasty. I have mobilized in defense, and I trust you will do the same.

King Christopher X of Denmark"

He sighed. He doubted this would prevent war, but if he could at least de-escalate the situation, it would be invaluable.

"Send this to King Gustav in Sweden. Personally. Not to the Prime Minister."
"Yes, my lord."

[Clarcia]

Scapa Flow

The British Home fleet and their support aircraft were quickly staring to undock and leave the port. Three quarters of the massive force of dreagnaughts, cruisers, destroyers and airships were headed to the Channel and the North Sea. The other quarter was meeting up with a troop contingent that planned on heading to Copenhagen. However, they had not yet been given the go-ahead. The forces at Gibraltar which weren’t quite as big, but still prepared to take on the Italians, had to deal with what they had and were supported by the Egyptian and Maltan fleets.

Colonial Territories

Throughout Africa, conscription was started. Large sums of wages and food were offered to the natives for them to fight the Germans and other colonies in the Central Powers. However, it was estimated hat a fighting force couldn’t be mustered for another 2 months, but for now the Brits there could hold out.

Telegram to the King of Denmark

Your majesty,

As you may know, the World is starting to fall apart and it seems Denmark is in the center of it. While you have not formally joined the Entente, we have retained friendly relations and know that Schleswig-Holstein back from the Germans. Would it interest you if we sent some 50,000 British forces and a quarter of the Bristish Home Fleet and airships to protect Denmark in case of invasion? If needed, we could send envoys to quickly sort out an agreement.

[Atheris]

København, Danmarks hovedstad, 1914
Copenhagen, Capital City of Denmark, 1914

"My lord, my lord! We have received a telegram from the United Kingdom!"
"Put it there, I'll read it later."
"My lord, this is related to the Serbian crisis."
"... Read it to me."

After the telegram was read, the King dismissed the man and went into his smoking room to think.

He emerged half an hour later.

"Summon the Prime Minister."
"Yes, my lord!"

Prime Minister Carl Theodor Zahle returned to His Majesty's quarters.

"Your Majesty, you called?"
"I did. I want you to pen a telegram to the UK. Tell them that we are working on relations with Sweden, however, their proposition will be taken up on if war will be soon to break out."
"Yes, Your Majesty."

Dear The Right Honourable Herbert Henry Asquith, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,

We have read your telegram and we have decided to postpone any agreements until war between the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance of Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy is on the horizon. However, we will still be open to any potential agreements and will support the Entente in lend-lease programs until we feel the time is right to enter the war.

With kindest regards,

Carl Theodor Zahle, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Denmark

Meanwhile, throughout Denmark, soldiers from the West Indies, Greenland, and Iceland landed and prepared the march to mobilization. While war was close, Christian thought, he didn't expect a war to come soon. No, the Austrians would react in time, but not soon.

After all, the Austrians were never a strong people. [shade][/shade]

[Valtrona]

Turin, Italy
Soldiers collect around the Franco-Italian border. Turin was declared the headquarters of the Miltary near the border. Airships gather along the Rough terrain. Mobilization continued.

The Regia Marina is shown in high presence near the coast of Corsica and Malta. Newly developed warships are sent out around the Italian peninsula. Ships from across the world gather in the Mediterranean. The Regia Marina began preparing a strategy against the Royal Navy, as the French provide little threat against us. Pre-emptive strikes on French port cities are planned, and official military plans are formalized and approved.

Tripoli, Italian Libya
Plans are made, soldiers are ready. “The French won’t know what hit them. We won’t give up Africa without a fight. Every inch will be met with blood and suffering...” -stated the Commander of the African forces. In the sands of the Sahara hides new technology hidden away in inhospitable lands.

A telegram was sent to the Swiss government in Bern. This telegram is highly encrypted, and no one is certain of its contents. But one things for certain, Monoco doesn’t look so nice this year...

[The neo glactic empire]

the new airships gather in the levant border with egypt and british colonies are fortfied

the russian border is also fortfied ships gather in corfu and mobilaisation continues millions drafted

[Barapam]

While Swedish Landstorm units patrolled the borders, king Gustaf read the telegram he had received from his Danish colleague. He sat quiet for a while, then took up his pen, and wrote a reply. Once he was finished, he gave the letter to his butler. "For king Christian's eyes only. Send it immediately."

The butler bowed his head, and obeyed.

My dear Christian,

The following is strictly confidential.

Since neither of us are neutral, and since it perhaps might be too late to change that fact, I propose a non-aggression pact between our two kingdoms. I also suggest that we both together act to guarantee the neutrality of Norway, should king Haakon not wish otherwise.

I suggest meeting in Malmö, as it lies quite convenient between the three Scandinavian capitals, to discuss further details in person.

Your friend,
Gustaf V, King of the Swedes, Goths and Wends

It was not just out of concern for the well-being of the Norwegians that the Swedish king cared about ensuring that the Norwegian borders were respected. With two Entente powers on each side, Britain and Russia, plus Denmark in the south, Sweden was almost surrounded. A neutral Norway would be the perfect buffer state, and could, the king hoped, ensure important Swedish import of food products, which would be very necessary if it came to war.

[Atheris]

København, Danmarks hovedstad, 1914
Copenhagen, Capital City of Denmark, 1914

"Your Majesty, a letter. Confidential, your eyes only."
"Thank you. I shall attend to it as soon as possible."
"Yes, Your Majesty."

King Christian sighed, puffing on a cigarette before putting it in an ashtray. He takes a letter opener and cuts the folds of the letter, reading its contents carefully.

"A meeting in Malmö with discussions of a pact would be beneficial… and a neutral Norway could suit both of our purposes. It could help us both with trade... and I could focus my forces on Germany without having to worry about Sweden."

A good half hour passed before he sat down and grabbed a piece of parchment and a pen.

Dearest Gustav,

The following is a highly confidential message.

I accept your proposal of a meeting between our three kings in Malmö. It would be most beneficial to meet sooner than later, with the recent issues happening in Austria. However, until these talks are completed and we have a beneficial agreement, I will not order my troops to stand down from the border for security reasons.

Here's to a hopeful conclusion,

King Christian X, King of Denmark, Iceland, the Wends and the Goths, Duke of Schleswig, Holstein, Stormarn, Dithmarschen, Lauenburg and Oldenburg.

He seals the letter and puts it in his messenger's hands.

"This is a confidential letter. Do not open this unless authorized to at any moment in time. Failure to do this will result in your immediate resignation and imprisonment for treason as well as compromising state security. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."

He sighed and sat back down. He prayed to God that this would be a good idea...

[The Bananic]

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/976x549_b/p01nwr88.jpg
Sarajevo, Austria-Hungary
Sarajevo is established as the military command of the Serbian front. Soldiers begin to gather along the Serbian border. Mobilization continues.

Lemburg, Austria-Hungary
Lemburg is established as the command for the Russian Troops the first few groups of soldiers in the area begin to gather at the border.

The Navy begins to leave the ports for the seas around Serbia and Austria-Hungary. The airships begin to head for the Russian and Serbian borders.

Franz Joseph begins to write the declaration of war. He knows what it will entail. It does not matter, Serbia must be defeated.

[Deutschess Kaiserreich]

Manstein stood on the Russian border. The order had been given by the Kaiser and the war cabinet. A preemptive strike on the tsar would give way to a massive breach of the Ukraine border. Once that breach would be made mechanized forces would flood through and take as much land as possible before digging in. The meatgrinder tactic would starve Russia of men and grain. With that perhaps a peace plan would be made. If not they would continue on to Moscow and St. Petersburg and burn it to the ground. Manstein looked back and saw the preparations a million men to conduct perhaps one of the most decisive victories in German history. They would set out from the tip of East Prussia and head down south to cut off the Polish salient. Once that was done they were to throw everything west to destroy France. Manstein looked upon his men and saw the greatest and elite army in the history of the world. They were equipped with massive walkers that could rain death upon legions and airships that could destroy cities. A German soldier was easily worth a dozen Russian and French soldiers. Manstein was not worried. A victory would be assured and he would receive glories untold. His name would be sung in songs and statues of him built in every city. He smiled and looked onto a future with the Reich victorias and dominant over the powers that seeked to destroy it.

[The neo glactic empire]

Airships have now arrived at constantinople
These mighty beast can turn cities to rubble in mere 2 days of bombing and can prove good at naval bombing more of them are build but
The potential of the land aspect using this technology can not be ignored and so further resewrch has started on land vechilles using this powerfull technology
Demascus has been the HQ of the reseach efforts

[The Bananic]

Vienna, Austro-Hungarian Empire
It is now time, Franz Joseph thought to himself. All the troops were in position now it was time to attack. He announces to the world, "People of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the world. The Royal Serbian Government not having answered in a satisfactory manner the note of July 23, 1914, presented by the Austro-Hungarian Minister at Belgrade, the Imperial and Royal Government are themselves compelled to see to the safeguarding of their rights and interests, and, with this object, to have recourse to force of arms. Austria-Hungary consequently considers herself henceforward in state of war with Serbia."

Airships begin to bombard Belgrade. The Navy begins to blockade the area around Serbia to cut it off from its allies and to cut off support that they would bring.

Telegram to Germany, Italy and the Ottomans
We the Austro-Hungarian Empire wish for the support of our allies in this time of war. We wish for our allies to also declare a state of war on Serbia for not having answered in a satisfactory manner to the note of July 23, 1914. We also hope for help in fighting any of allies of Serbia that declare war.
Franz Joseph, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary

[The neo glactic empire]

to the central powers
We the ottoman empire assure our full support to our austrian allies and well help in any military,economic or political actions

Not long after the telegram was sent
War has been declared on serbia
Ottoman borders finish thier fortifacations with 1.2 million troops in egypt and cacusus
Airships are ready to bomb any enemy lines or armies
Defeat is unacceptable

[Valtrona]

Serbia, oh how you have breathed you last breath of air. Your final mistake was believing the insane Austrians wouldn’t react harshly to the assasination. Now with the gongs of war being sound the echo across Europe. The Vienna Congress is dead, and with it begins a war that will decide the fate of Europe for the next Century. And we plan to be on top.

The Regia Marina is ready, their marines ready to seize the vital islands within the Mediterranean. Our commander in Africa is confident he will crush the Franco-British forces. Our army on the mainland is ready to cross the Alps in such a fashion that will shock the likes of Hannibal and Napoléon. Toulon and Marseille will be decimated.

We will bring the cursed French swine down, we will take revenge for what they did to us over 100 years ago. This will be a war to remember, a war to unify the Italian people against an old foe. The Royal Navy will lose its control of the waves, Britain will realized they aren’t the empire they once were. It will be an honor to fight alongside the Central Powers in taking down the old order. We will reign over Europe, and Italy will be on the top.

Veni, Vidi, Vici.

[The neo glactic empire]

General ameen pasha visits italian lybia to cooperate in the african theater against the entente

There he hopes for italian-ottoman planing to kick the old colonial powers as soon as possible
And such his ship arrives at tripoli and he with his staff request a meeting with the italian commander

[Valtrona]

General Pietro Badoglio agrees to meet with the Ottoman General in Tripoli. They eventually come to an agreement. They would launch a joint invasion of Anglo-Egypt with Naval support from the Regia Marina. The Italians will also support the Ottomans in invading and conquering Cyprus from the British. Further negotiations on how to divide the land are in talks.