I posted this in the
Ambush Alley Games forum in Dec 2011. My plans for how I would play in the "Tomorrowverse." Mostly a work in progress, but wanted to see if I could drum up some ideas/suggestions. In re-reading it, I am seeing several similarities not only to Battletech, but also to Heavy Gear, which was not really intentional. It was like I took fluff from other games I liked and tried to add them all. Not sure if that is good or bad. I dont want to be blatent, but I have been influenced by those sources. Go or No-Go?
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Military Tech Level: 2+
Civilian Tech Level: 2+
Standard of Living: Average
Founding
(Treaty of Amman) 2264 in wake of 2nd Iran-Iraq War. Sunni Arab. Next
50 years coalescing into a moderate Arab emirate ruled by elected emirs
who serve five year terms. The Emir is elected by a council of emirs,
composed of the royal families of the UAE’s members nations.
Member
Nations: Former UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan, Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar,
and the Federated States of Iraq (Sunni & Kurdish regions of Iraq).
Friendly
with neighbors is good except for UIT and Yemen. Space expansion ha
been cautious and very cost-conscious. Colony world of Ayrun has
potential to become as productive as Grissom, despite violent and
unpredictable weather patterns (classified Marginal as result). Involved
in mining in Asteroid Belt. Neutral in most disputes between great
powers, but will side with OPS vs UIT.
Military is mixed bag.
Each member state remained protective of their independence. Most
difficulties have been smoothed over, but some resentment and jealousies
remain. Most equipment is a generation or so behind that of most OPS
natioins. Assortment of Russian, French, US, British, and German left
over from pre-treaty days.
Most vehicles track/wheeled, a few
first generation AGV’s fielded primarily by units assigned to ‘security’
in the Asteroid Belt.
Robots mostly used for rear-echelon
duties. Dumbbots are used, AI is anathema to the UAE for cultural
reasons (Iraqis being possible exception). Synthetic humans are often
purchased second hand by wealthier states and used like Janissaries of
old.
Aerospace is still a generation or so behind, but better
than UIT. Pilots highly trained. Cold Navy consists of (four) older
British Frigates and a dozen gunboats purchases from the PRC. Rumor of
UAE contracting with the NEU to build a new light cruiser designed for
naval expansion, but seems contingent on the UAE’s successful
colonization of Aryun.
(from Tomorrows War – p22-24)
Ayrun – Marginal World (UAE)
Roughly
between the size of Earth and Mars, with a vertical axis (I think that
is right.. the planet has no tilt so no seasons), the planet has what
could be considered a typical assortment of earth-like environments. The
southern hemisphere consists of several tropical regions, while the
northern hemisphere has both arid and temperate environments. Both poles
are frozen, standard gravity, abundant water and resources. The storms
that denied the planet Garden World status are a result of both solar
activity and the proximity of several gas giants in the system that are
on non-standard orbits of the sun. With no seasons, this means no
regular system of rain/snow, high winds, or other phenomena. This has
lead to the development of an agricultural base that is not reliant upon
‘sensitive’ crops, and has forced the colonists to adjust to every
possible type of weather.
The planet was opened to each of the
member nations of the UAE, though the ‘good’ land was snatched up by the
more wealthy and influential nations, leaving the others to get what
they could. The counter to this is that most of the wealthier nations
were unable to quickly populate their regions, while the poorer nations
had many of their citizens who were willing to travel to the colony to
start a new life with more opportunity.
While there is no
outright hostility between the nation-states on Ayrun, there is still
conflict between them. Grabs are made for resources and ‘safe havens’
(regions of the planet where the weather patterns are either more
predictable, or have less of an effect). To maintain the unity of the
colonial armed forces in case of an outside attack, a system of rules
were adopted and are accepted by all who live there. Better to have a
set of rules that all can follow to settle their disputes than to end up
in a civil war.
Conflict over territory and resources are
generally announced, and rarely take place near the objects contested.
There are limits to the size of forces allowed to be used in these
conflicts, and to try and claim a territory means you must put up a
stake of similar value should you loose. Surrenders are always accepted,
and prisoners are treated fairly. Those taken in these conflicts are
given the option of either paying a ransom to return home, or to serve
the nation-state that captured them for a set period of time. At the end
of that time, if it is wished, the captured may remain with their
captors and join their armed forces. No social stigma is attached to
this practice, and any dependents are afforded safe passage to their new
state. In this way, some battles can revolve more around who is
captured from the opposing side rather than what is being fought over.
You may loose a town, but if you gain a crack unit in the process (even
for a period of time), it can be worth it. These captured soldiers are
treated like the Mamlukes of old.
In the face of an outside
threat, all internal conflict is set aside so that the whole of the
Colony can deal with the crisis. Even the most deep-seated issues
between nation-states can be put aside until the security of the whole
is assured. As soon as the threat is gone, the conflicts can resume.
While not an ideal system, it seems to work, and has lead to rapid
expansion on Ayrun.
Other efforts have been made to further
safeguard the regular fighting forces of the colony in the use of
dumb-bots as ‘first wave’ troops. It is not uncommon to have battles
decided without the loss of any human life (though “accidents” do happen
from time to time).
The nature of the climate and terrain on
Ayrun has produced an overall military that is capable of operating
almost anywhere. Most units are at least familiar with vacuum/zero-g
operations, arctic, desert, and even limited urban operations. While
their skill is high, their lack of modern equipment is a distinct
disadvantage when fighting non-UAE opponents. They are also very careful
not to let their rules of internal-warfare hamper their operations
against outside threats. It should be noted that they still try to avoid
unnecessary loss of life, both on the part of their forces, as well as
their enemies. Surrenders will be readily accepted, and some converts
from non-UAE forces are known. Efforts are made to limit civilian
casualties, and their tactics lean more towards the defensive when
dealing with off-world operations. This has lead to several units to
strike out on their own as mercenaries in external conflicts, as their
rules and conduct has made them very desirable to those that are worried
about expansionist neighbors.
Notes: I borrowed heavily from
the rules of warfare followed by the Clans of Battletech, as well as
setting up a basis for UAE themed mercenary units. Their skill at arms
and motivation is off-set by their lack of advanced tech, to put them on
par with most other nations. The use of dumb-bots as the first wave
would work with this as well. Bots are not cheap, but better to loose a
dozen replaceable machines than one skilled soldier.
I visualize
the planet as being somewhere between Mars and Earth in size, with a
‘typical’ earth like layout/climate. Some larger continents with oceans.
The southern continents would be similar to southeast asia, as well as
the ‘wetlands’ of the US (Louisiana and Florida). The northern
continents would be more like the steppes of Russia/eastern Europe.
Mountain ranges can be found all over, with more present near the hot
and arid equator.
What I really wanted was a ‘middle-eastern’
style force that felt more like the Arabs of the middle-ages than modern
day middle-eastern conflict. Gone are the IED’s and hordes of
irregulars. Returned are the noble armies of Saladin and Moorish Spain.
Opponents who would prefer you convert to their way of life, but are
content to leave you in peace provided you pay the proper taxes and
abstain from interference. Soldiers you could readily surrender to in a
loosing battle with little fear of mistreatment. That sort of conduct
can be taken advantage of, but it generally stops the sort of atrocities
that have become all too common in war.
Additional Ideas:
NSF (Neo-Soviet Federation) - Synthetic rebels
