Commodore Robot

The Age of Steam

WilsonTurner said
.And concerning the handheld weaponry of the roleplay era, is it too much to ask about air rifles? I mean, I think it would be fitting, since airships would require hydrogen or some other gas, so why wouldn't someone think of making a weapon using gas as a propellant? Maybe not as powerful, but it may very well be lighter and quieter. Ideal for a sneak attack or something. Not a big boom and a flash of light like with a musket, or slightly less with a rifle, but not quite as unpredictable as a bow or crossbow, nor needing as much training.

Well such weapons did exist since at least the late 18th century and were actually some of the first "firearms" capable of rapid fire. Having said that they were also stupid expensive, broke with even slight damage, and had absolutely insane maintenance requirements (like pumping over 1500 times to be able to fire a few rounds). But they were in use to a small degree by the Austrian Military and even Lewis and Clark carried one to impress natives with on their expeditions. With all that in mind I wouldn't mind such things so long as they handled somewhat close to reality.

Suppose I should have also mentioned that their range was relative poop and got worse as the air reservoir depleted from firing

The Age of Steam

I'm also inclined to say new map to make things fresh and what have you. But in the end its new to me so I don't particularly care.

The Age of Steam

Just to weigh in on the musket rifle thing, am I wrong in assuming our time period here? I've been assuming that breechloading cartridge rifles would be the go-to for modern militaries as opposed to muzzle-loaders of any type. Is this 1870s steampunk or like 1840s steampunk I guess is what I'm asking.

Also is the right continent part of the starting area or is that our new world to exploit?

The Age of Steam

yeah I noticed. Ugh I hate this new format, my hiders all suck now

The Age of Steam

Holy Kovalkan Empire

Nations Name: Holy Kovalkan Empire

Flag: Golden blade wrapped in oak leaves on a white field

Form of Government: Divine Monarchy

Describe the System
The Holy Kovalkan empire is a two headed state: one secular, one spiritual. The royal family of Kovalka is considered holy by the citizens of the Empire as they are the descendents of the sainted founder of their nation, the enigmatic figure known as Koval. Because of this the monarchs and Vicars of the nation are often seen as living saints themselves by many members of the populace. The offices of the church and the government are often one and the same, such as the Knights of Koval who serve as bodyguards both for vicars of the church and members of the government.
At the secular head of the empire is a hereditary King whose rule is tempered only by a limited constitution and parliament. The King is the commander and chief of all branches of the military (except the anemic air corps which is the plaything of the crown prince) though historical precedent has placed the navy as the favored branch of service, every king has historically worn the uniform of a high admiral for the duration of his nation’s wars. The King’s right hand man is the Master Senechal, who aids him in the logistical running of the empire and helps to keep the Parliament in line as the King’s representative.
Providing spiritual leadership of Kovalka is the Grand Vicar of Koval, a position also held by a member of the royal family. Whereas rule of the nation’s body goes to the eldest son of the previous ruler, the rule over its soul goes to his eldest daughter. The Grand Vicar is always female because Saint Koval is female, one of the few facts that remain about the nation’s mysterious founder. While they are supposed to rule together, the Grand Vicar is technically the final authority in all matters as she is the one who determines whether an action by the government matches the feelings of Koval’s teachings.
The current ruler of the Empire is something that has never been seen before in Kovalkan history. Her Divine Majesty, the Queen and Grand Vicar of the Holy Kovalkan Empire, Aleksa IV is an enigma within Kovalkan tradition. As mentioned it is traditionally the eldest son who takes on the crown but the previous King, Rolak I, had only one daughter. Facing internal turmoil as he neared death, he declared that the heir to the throne would be his twenty year old old daughter who was already being groomed for the Vicariate. Undaunted by the potential sacrilege she took the crown and unified both the church and government into a single body: hers. While hardly a tyrant, Aleksa is resolute in her decisions and will go to any lengths to see her nation’s ambitions realized as she sees fit. This has made her despised by parliament who had been making gains in their authority under the lax rule of her father. She in turn despises them back far more openly once going so far as to call the members of parliament a “pack of faithless parasites.” Her policies towards several ethnic minorities within the empire have also earned her a great deal of ire, yet her standing with the average Kovalkan citizen has been outstanding who see her expansion of the military and move towards further colonization as putting the Empire back on the path of greatness.
Just entering her middle age, Aleksa has spent much of her early career consolidating her position in the royal court and putting down several rebellion in the colonies. She now sets her sights and those of the Empire outward into the unexplored parts of the world to find great riches.

Location on Map Desired: Get to this when the map is up, though Ideally I'd like a narrow peninsula with some nearby islands

Capital: Koval(located on a river inland which leads into the ocean if such a thing exists on the map)

Important Settlements:
The Anvil: an island just off the coast of the Kovalkan mainland, the industrial heart of the Empire as well as home to the Saint Agatha Fleetyards, the Empire's largest naval base.
Nicholbury: a city known for being the holiest site for the Church of Koval. It is here that the largest Cathedral in the Empire resides and is the traditional seat of power for the Grand Vicar. Allegedly the Vicar's throne is built directly above the mausoleum of Saint Koval herself.
Easton
Ingram
Highmount

Description: Just like how the Royal family can trace its lineage back to Saint Koval herself, many citizens can trace their lineage to those of Koval's early followers. In the early days many flocked to hear the prophet's words from all over the world. Thanks to this the Empire boasts what could be considered a loaner culture. Many elements of the Kovalkan Empire's language is drawn from those of her neighbors and beyond. Over time these disparate cultures slowly melded into one distinctly Kovalkan culture. While on the surface the Empire seems homogeneous there are dozens of regional differences in the Empire from the way people say their r's to the foods they eat and beyond.

The one true unifying element of Kovalka has and always has been the church of Koval. While little of the Church's early history remains known in the industrial era, thanks to the Stewardship of the Church the Saint's words remain as they have for the better part of two millennia. The divine is always spoken of in vague terms, whatever god is worshiped by the church is more like a cosmic force than a singular being. The church's message is a relatively simple one, God has given mankind the power to enact great change in the world, but change must come from within. It is believed that the path to heaven is forged in life by trying to better oneself no matter their station. The fisherman strives to be the best fisherman he can just as the King's and Vicar's are supposed to strive to be the most selfless rulers possible. Should everyone work to do their absolute best in everything then the living world will become a paradise second only to the world to come. This has been abused by Kings and unscrupulous Vicars in the past to mistreat citizens of the Empire in numerous ways. However despite these abuses people's faith remains thanks to the church's simple and uplifting message of self-improvement for the common man.

Cities in the Empire are a mixed bag. Koval City itself is a bustling metropolis full of busy dockworks and smoke belching factories. Nicholbury projects an image of immaculate beauty in its cathedrals and abbeys with nary a factory to be found anywhere within ten miles of the Basilica of Saint Koval. The towns located on the Anvil take the industrial revolution to its natural conclusion being little more than mines, forges, factories, and the bare minimum housing needed for the workers who run the former. The other towns and cities all tend towards a specialization of some sort depending on their geography. Architecturally, older cities are where the true architectural marvels of Kovalka can be found with great sweeping cathedrals in a gothic style being not out of place. These buildings have been in place for centuries and in many cities have seen their lands slowly chocked out by the needs for more housing to supporting a city's growing industry. When viewed from the air these mighty buildings are like a great whale breaching in a sea of brick and cobble.

Transit across the Empire is relatively easy thanks to a large number of rivers which in the industrial era have been supplemented by canals and an extensive railroad network which makes the movement of goods across Kovalka incredibly efficient.

While not particularly warlike, the Empire does place great pride in its military and bears the sword on its flag. The sword is a holy symbol in Kovalkan faith dating back centuries and can be found stamped onto official documents, on soldiers uniforms, adorned on the sides of buildings, and stamped onto the hulls of warships. The navy in particular is a branch favored above all others because of the Empire's large coastlines. The army evolved from the Royal Marine Corps and maintains the later's elitist nature and small size. The air corps of the Empire is in a sorry state, being cut from the same cloth as naval development their designs are fully within modern standards but there is a distrust and general lack of approval for the cavaliers of the sky which has translated into little funding and poor maintainance. The Air corps is the only branch of the military that is not commanded by the King at the top. Instead it is commanded by the crown prince, or in the reign of Aleksa IV, Crown Princess Vin. The Air corps primary purpose is recon and screening for the Royal navy, a job that thanks to their poor state of affairs they have trouble accomplishing.
The military is also one of the few places where a commoner can reach true heights in society. Provided a citizen can afford the fees for officer's school then they can be inducted into the ranks once held only by nobility. Many noblemen chaffed at this idea but remained silent in order to avoid an unfortunate meeting with the Knights Koval. This ability to jump station also means that staff officers in the military are willing to do anything to fluff out their record and make their names known to history.

The Knights Koval are another interesting facet of the Empire. Not quite a military organization, not quite a religious organization, and not quite a judicial organization they wear the hats of all three. Their official duty is the protection of church lands and officials but over the centuries has grown to encompass guardianship of the King and Parliament, administration of the law in colonial lands, and defenders of the treasury from counter fitters and other ne'er do wells . The most common depiction of a member of the Knights is a living anachronism. Standing at attention at the gates of the palace are men clad in the same armor their ancestors wore while on crusades; sword, helmet, chain mail, and all. Though the revolvers at their hip and the breach-loaders in their hands are anything but ancient. This armor is reserved solely for those stationed in ceremonial guard duty, other officers instead wear a variant of standard Marine Corps uniforms bearing the mark of their order on their breast. Knights are given warrants by both the Grand Vicar and King which gives them the ability to deliver justice as they see fit within the empire knowing that their actions are backed by the approval of the highest authorities in the land. To make sure that Knights take this privilege seriously, frivolous use of the warrant or outright disregard for the law are met with public execution of the Knight and excommunication of the Knight and his next of Kin.

Important Characters:
Her Divine Majesty, the Queen and Grand Vicar of the Holy Kovalkan Empire, Aleksa IV
Prince Adriatus Ingram, Royal Consort of Her Divine Majesty and father of Crown Princess Vin
Crown Princess Vin
High Senechal: Baron Elend Highmount
High Admiral Gerrik Ragnar
Grand Master Raymond Balben of the Knights Koval

Traits:
Base +4
Professional army -3
Small army +2
ambitious generals +1
Never been out of the village +1
Kings of the sea -3
Sea legs -1
New age ships +/
ships of the line -2
Deflated balloons +2
Strong Industry -2
State Controlled +1
I'm not racist but... +/

Army: (I will roll this, navy, GDP and stability.)
Navy:
GDP:
Stability
Percentage of Population in:
- Industry:
- Farming:
- Mineral Production:

The Age of Steam

Here's a WIP because it seems to be the cool thing to do. Obviously not final, who knows what's gonna be new in the OOC and what have you. Anywho, here's the stuff I got now

Nations Name: Holy Kovalkan Empire

Flag: Golden blade wrapped in oak leaves on a white field

Form of Government: Divine Monarchy

Describe the System

The Holy Kovalkan empire is a two headed state: one secular, one spiritual. The royal family of Kovalka is considered holy by the citizens of the Empire as they are the descendents of the sainted founder of their nation, the enigmatic figure known as Koval. Because of this the monarchs and Vicars of the nation are often seen as living saints themselves by many members of the populace. The offices of the church and the government are often one and the same, such as the Knights of Koval who serve as bodyguards both for vicars of the church and members of the government.
At the secular head of the empire is a hereditary King whose rule is tempered only by a limited constitution and parliament. The King is the commander and chief of all branches of the military (except the anemic air corps which is the plaything of the crown prince) though historical precedent has placed the navy as the favored branch of service, every king has historically worn the uniform of a high admiral for the duration of his nation’s wars. The King’s right hand man is the Master Senechal, who aids him in the logistical running of the empire and helps to keep the Parliament in line as the King’s representative.
Providing spiritual leadership of Kovalka is the Grand Vicar of Koval, a position also held by a member of the royal family. Whereas rule of the nation’s body goes to the eldest son of the previous ruler, the rule over its soul goes to his eldest daughter. The Grand Vicar is always female because Saint Koval is female, one of the few facts that remain about the nation’s mysterious founder. While they are supposed to rule together, the Grand Vicar is technically the final authority in all matters as she is the one who determines whether an action by the government matches the feelings of Koval’s teachings.
The current ruler of the Empire is something that has never been seen before in Kovalkan history. Her Divine Majesty, the Queen and Grand Vicar of the Holy Kovalkan Empire, Aleksa IV is an enigma within Kovalkan tradition. As mentioned it is traditionally the eldest son who takes on the crown but the previous King, Rolak I, had only one daughter. Facing internal turmoil as he neared death, he declared that the heir to the throne would be his twenty year old old daughter who was already being groomed for the Vicariate. Undaunted by the potential sacrilege she took the crown and unified both the church and government into a single body: hers. While hardly a tyrant, Aleksa is resolute in her decisions and will go to any lengths to see her nation’s ambitions realized as she sees fit. This has made her despised by parliament who had been making gains in their authority under the lax rule of her father. She in turn despises them back far more openly once going so far as to call the members of parliament a “pack of faithless parasites.” Her policies towards several ethnic minorities within the empire have also earned her a great deal of ire, yet her standing with the average Kovalkan citizen has been outstanding who see her expansion of the military and move towards further colonization as putting the Empire back on the path of greatness.
Just entering her middle age, Aleksa has spent much of her early career consolidating her position in the royal court and putting down several rebellion in the colonies. She now sets her sights and those of the Empire outward into the unexplored parts of the world to find great riches.

Location on Map Desired: Get to this when the map is up, though Ideally I'd like a narrow peninsula with some nearby islands

Capital: Koval (located on a river which leads into the ocean if such a thing exists on the map)

Important Settlements:
The Anvil: an island just off the coast of the Kovalkan mainland, the industrial heart of the Empire as well as home to the Saint Agatha Fleetyards, the Empire's largest naval base.
Nicholbury: a city known for being the holiest site for the Church of Koval. It is here that the largest Cathedral in the Empire resides and is the traditional seat of power for the Grand Vicar. Allegedly the Vicar's throne is built directly above the mausoleum of Saint Koval herself.

Description:

Important Characters:
Her Divine Majesty, the Queen and Grand Vicar of the Holy Kovalkan Empire, Aleksa IV
Prince Adriatus Ingram, Royal Consort of Her Divine Majesty and father of Crown Princess Vin
Crown Princess Vin
High Senechal: Baron Elend Highmount
High Admiral Gerrik Ragnar
Grand Master Raymond Balben

Traits:
Professional army
Small army
ambitious generals
Kings of the sea
New age ships
ships of the line
Deflated balloons
landlubbers(air version if applicable)
Strong Industry
State Controlled

Army: (I will roll this, navy, GDP and stability.)
Navy:
GDP:
Stability:

The Age of Steam

WilsonTurner said
So what's a country that isn't taken?Australia?If it isn't taken, I claim/reserve it. If it is, suggestions?

'Fraid Australia has been claimed by about 23 million people friend. Though as this is a made up world there are millions of nations waiting just below the surface of that great sea known as Imagination

The Age of Steam

duck55223 said
Also noteI did change the German stuff in my app, but kept Reich and Kaiser, there to cool for me not to use.

speaking of apps, is there an agreed upon frame for a Nation sheet yet?

The Age of Steam

I'm inclined to say that gene-splicing pseudo-magic a la Leviathan wouldn't constitute as "light steampunk" as the GM's have said

The Age of Steam

MrFoxNews said
New name for me will beGrand Fellwick

Works for me. It gets the Holy Kovalkan Empire's stamp of approval.