Wyvernia Campaign: Trimapotamia

The last of the Wessex Wyverns members, Luke, has now supplied his country's background for our Wyvernia Campaign, Trimapotamia.

The Most Marvellous Memoirs of His Excellency the High Lord Lukas Alexander as recorded for the benefit of posterity.

There is no nation so great as Trimapotamia in all the world! Never before has there been a state of such glorious power and technological achievement and all of this is owed to my own brilliance! Without High Lord Lukas and his staggering genius, his charismatic leadership, his economic acumen, (not to mention his handsome good looks and enormous sense of modesty) then Trimopotamia would not be this colossus that bestrides the globe!

It is thanks to his technological genius that the revolutionary steampunk engine was first constructed. Who else but High Lord Lukas could have conceived of an engine that provides almost limitless renewable power from the boiling of spiky-haired punk-rockers? It is this wondrous discovery that has allowed Trimapotamia to dominate the world’s energy market and build such wonders as the great wall of Trim, Mount Trimore and of course the Colossus of Trim. While many bemoan the loss of life that was necessary in constructing these monuments, the sacrifice of those brave souls will be remembered by posterity.

The people of Trimpotamia are happy in knowing that they are lead by such a glorious example of humanity, as can clearly be seen by his 186 consecutive re-elections. Admittedly there are a few malcontents who insist that High Lord Lukas is some kind of dictator, and who say that he has become self-obsessed and egotistical.

There are even some that suggest that Lord Lukas’s habit of referring to himself in the third person suggests some kind of megalomania, High Lord Lukas will not Stand for this!

You know sometimes I worry about the mental state of wargamers. Then I get something like this and I know we're all fine.

Wyvernia Campaign: The Diocese Of Formosa

Another of the Wessex Wyverns members, Phil, has now supplied his country's background for our Wyvernia Campaign, The Diocese Of Formosa.

The Diocese Of Formosa is a quasi-religious state ruled over by Confederators elected from the seven major Theologian Guilds - War, Health, Faith, Truth, Trade, Citizenry and Tilth. The Confederation governs for seven years before the guilds individually elect new Confederators. The outgoing Confederation then selects a Unioner to lead the new Confederation.

The current ruler, Unioner Alberforce Fit, is a former Theologian of the Citizenry Guild. By nature they are the most patriotic of the gulilds, eternally extolling the virtues of the Formosan home, providing guidance and support in the community and advocating the staunch defense (both militarily and diplomatically) of all things Formosan including her soil.

The roles of some guilds are self evident, like the War Guild which sees to the country's not insignificant, but largely volunteer, armed forces and the immensly influential Trade Guild. Others have more complex roles to play. The Truth Guilders consider scientific thought and the legal process amongst their many responsibilities. The Health Guild is considered the most beneficial by all members of society as they look to the welfare of all, from the common man to guild leaders. Faith Guilders provide care for the souls of the citizens and guide them through the many observed religious festivals and practices demanded by the Formosan deity Bakelitian.

The last but by far the largest guild, Tilth, looks to the needs of the peoples diets and daily lives. Regulating industrial production and agriculture.

Overall this sophisticated society fits into the lands of Formosa quite well with natural mountain ranges and island provinces keeping the guilds seperate from each other. The capital, Cathedral City, covers the entire island of Riscraven and houses the formidable Confederat Foundation Building where the Unioner and Confederators oversee matters of state.

Only one more background to come and then I'll post up the map and starting campaign situation.

Wyvernia Campaign: Aipotu

This is the second of the bio's for our club campaign. This one has been submitted by Chaz who will be the 'Hermit at Mink Hollow' the ruler of Aipotu. Chaz provided more details for me to work with but I have embellished and interpreted what he has written a little bit.

Aipotu (From the Wyvernopedia, 3rd edition)

Aipotu is an old land steeped in symbolism and mystery. The current ruler of the country is Chaz the 79th of the family N'Daive the self-styled 'Hermit at Mink Hollow'. The Hermit, as he insists on being called, has ruled for 25 years. He spends the majority of his time considering spiritual matters heavily aided by various hallucinogens.

The prestige of the country suffered a severe below with the loss of their coastal province of Chine to the Lord of Sealand. The Hermit's slow response to the invasion and subsequent declaration that it was the Fate's will that they lose the province did not go down well with the wealthy elite many of whom lost valuable lands in the invasion. The military were also frustrated that they were not allowed to retake the province of Chine.

Since the invasion much has changed within Aipotu. The Hermit has declared that the citizens now wear formalised costumes supposedly signifying their allegiance to one of the Seven Rays or Four Foundations (see below). He also set up the Council of Eleven to look after the day to day running of the country to allow him more time to commune with the Spirits and the Gods.

The Council of Eleven was supposed to be made up of four people chosen by the Merchant class representing the Four Foundations of Aipotu and by seven citizens elected by the populace to represent each of the Seven Rays. But this is a sham. The merchants are represented by the four most powerful merchant houses and the seven citizens are always high ranking officers in the military. Too many vested interests were outraged by the invasion of Chine and the Hermit's subsequent inaction that they co-opted the Council for their own ends. The costumes worn by all citizens have also been subverted by the Council of Eleven into quasi-military uniforms each representing a different role in the military. One day a week is supposed to be devoted to contemplation of the citizen's chosen allegiance but is in fact devoted to military training.

The politics may seem to an outsider to be based on the power of the collective but in reality this is a quasi-fascist regime aimed at restoring Aipotu's power and prestige.

There is no doubt though that there are strong spiritual foundations within Aipotu that provide the values and guidance to which this society adheres. These values, as they have always done, come from the annual pronouncements given by the ruling family, the N'Daives. Despite his ineffectual rule the 'Hermit' is loved and respected by his people making any kind of coup impossible

The national symbol of Aipotu is a pyramid with seven rays of light emanating from its apex. The Four Foundations are based on the 4 corner stones of the pyramid. These corner stones are called :- Price of Victory, Pillar of Virtue, Point of View and Persistence of Vision

The 'Hermit at Mink Hollow' has consumed so many drugs he now apparently considers himself to be a master balladeer as well as an axe wielding god. He does however have his lucid moments and he is not averse to embracing new technologies for the benefit of his country. He believes he has led his people back to the way though initiation into the mysteries of the Seven Rays of Ra and through his compassion and insight he will lead his people forward and all dissenters will enter oblivion. As he is often heard to say 'There is only one victory and we are on our way'. There are those that think that the Hermit is actually aware of the militarisation of Aipotu and that his seeming madness and occupation with spiritual matters merely a front to lull the Council into a state of false security before he uses what they have done to launch the forced conversion of all of Wyvernia to the worship of the Foundations and the Rays.

Below are the words of the Chant of the Rays which must be performed daily at the setting of the sun by all citizens of Aipotu.

"Take one beam of light
Prism acquire
Break the white light down
Seven rays appear

One - red, the ruler seeking freedom
Two - gold, the father seeking unity
Three - orange, the thinker seeking understanding
Four - yellow, the poet seeking harmony
Five - green, the scientist seeking truth
Six - blue, the disciple seeking goodness
Seven - indigo, the artist seeking beauty

This may sound like a bunch of trumped up words
But we keep no secrets today
The only hope for you is in your brothers, my friend
All you need is just six more rays

All we need is the seven rays"

Wyvernia Campaign: The Principality of Sealand

The first of the bio's for the club campaign arrived yesterday. Matt's country will be the Principality of Sealand and he will be titled the Lord of Sealand. As this was all he sent me it gives me carte blanche to slander him & his country outrageously. So here goes:

The Principality of Sealand (From the Wyvernopedia, 3rd edition)

Sealand is the newest of the states of Wyvernia and is regarded by the rest of Wyvernia as a wretched hive of scum and villainy. It was created 21 years ago by it's current ruler Matt Finnishe self styled 1st Lord of Sealand.

The territory now occupied by Sealand was once a lush coastal province of Aipotu. This all changed on September 9th in the Year of the Elephant (now celebrated in Sealand as 'Liberation Day') when the Lord of Sealand's forces sailed out of the morning mist to bring death and destruction to the region. The attack was carried out by three separate forces. Two fast moving forces raced inland to claim the fortifications guarding the two mountain passes which provide the only access to the interior of Wyvernia. The third force led by the Lord of Sealand took the port city of Tortilla which also served as the regional capital.

The defending forces, such as they were, were taken completely by surprise and the whole province was taken with very little loss of life. This was to change in the days that followed though as many prominent merchants and landowners 'gladly donated all their worldly goods to support the Lord of Sealand in his crusade to rescue the oppressed people from the Tyranny of the Hermit of Aipotu'. What happened to these merchants and landowners after they made their donations is unknown as they were never heard of again.

Once news of the invasion reached the capital of Aipotu, The Hermit (the ruler of Aipotu) was slow to react. This was probably due to the copious amounts of hallucinogens he was taking in his 'Quest for the Light'. By the time the Aipotan forces arrived the passes were closed against them. They made a token attack and then gave up and returned to the capital.

The Lord of Sealand portrays his country as a utopian paradise where all are equal and the Lord of Sealand is so beloved by his people that they regularly give him gifts as thanks for his beneficent rule. In return the Lord of Sealand has abolished all taxation and pledged to support the country at his own expense. The reality is somewhat different. The Lord of Sealand uses the 'Corps of Helpers' to keep the citizens in check through the use of intimidation and terror. The Helpers collect the 'voluntary' gifts from the citizens. Those citizens who fail to provide a sufficient gift are 'helped' to the hospital to have their broken limbs treated or 'helped' from their burning houses on to the street.

Matt, Lord of Sealand rarely leaves his palace. The walls of the throne room are reportedly lined with so many boxes and treasure chests that even the Lord of Sealand himself has lost track of their contents. Lord Matt has also added a sunken fighting arena in the centre of the vast throne room where he watches and sometimes even takes part in combats so varied and depraved that one wonders what kind of mind devised them.

Theories abound about where the Lord of Sealand gained enough wealth to fund the initial invasion. Most people believe he ran criminal enterprises in the various cities across Wyvernia and may even have been the fabled 'Grey Man' one time head of the Thieves Guild. All that is known for sure is that asking too many questions about the Lord of Sealand is never good for one's health.

Details on Aipotu and it's ruler the 'Hermit at Mink Hollow' will be available from the Wyvernopedia soon.

Campaign Plans

I've posted previously about wanting to run a club campaign and judging by the interest it looks like it's all systems go. So all I have to do now is write it!

The campaign is going to have club members acting as commanders only. That is they will plan things, manage resources and issue orders to their forces. They will not be fighting any of the battles. I plan on asking people on various forums to fight out the battles that arise. So one battle might be fought with FoW and another a Saga game or a 40K battle or even a Blood Bowl match. The people who fight the battle will report the result with the casualties incurred by both sides and maybe even a batrep with pictures.

You may be wondering how you could possibly run a campaign with such diverse game systems. Well everything will be done with resource points (RP). If the commander commits 120RP of troops to an attack and his opponent commits 100RP the attacker will have 20% more troops available. So if the battle was going to be Saga the attacker would get 6pts worth of forces while his opponent would only have 5 pts. If it was Dystopian Wars you could have 1200pts to your opponents 1000pts or 600 to 500 or any other matching ratio. This way we can move the campaign along quickly and club members aren't tied down to playing the same game system week after week. There's also no issues trying to arrange a time when both commanders are free to play out the battles.

So now I have the players sorted out as well as how the battles will be resolved I need to sort out a campaign map. I also need a way to record what army is where and in what strength. In addition I will have to be able to produce copies of the map for the commanders. So I will either have to draw the map by hand and photocopy it or find a ready made map which suits the needs of the campaign. I thought about using a map from a board game but discounted it as it would be difficult to make copies and also probably a copyright violation. I've found a few maps online but none of them really suited my needs so I'll probably just draw up my own.

Once I get the map sorted out I need to decide on the ground scale. How long will it take an army to move from X to Y. Will that time be increased by bad terrain or shortened by roads and will these times be affected by the weather. The problem here is making the campaign complex enough to engage the people playing as commanders, as they won't be fighting the battles, but not making it so complex that they need a real general staff to keep track of things.

Once I have the map and the scales sorted out I can decide on how many RP's each country produces each turn and how many armies they start with. This has to be a balancing act. Too few resources produced each turn could mean a couple of bad results could wipe out a player as an effective force far too early in the campaign. On the other hand too many resources each turn and you have a situation like Russia in WWII turning out tanks faster than the Nazis could kill them which would mean the campaign would never end.

Luckily I have a number of books such as 'Setting up a Wargames Campaign' by Tony Bath to help me make these decisions. My feeling is to go simple rather than complex as this is the first campaign we've run as a club. Also if things go well I can add in complexity as the campaign progresses.

The first thing I intend to do to start the campaign off is to ask the commanders to name their countries and write me a brief history of their domains to get them to feel a connection to their country and it's citizens. I'll then post the map with brief descriptions of the countries here. I also plan to publish regular updates here for those that are interested.