Imperial Skies as an RPG

These would come in handy on Mars, but unfortunately
the heavy units are needed on Earth.

Figures from Brigade Models

 

It has always been my intention to treat Imperial Skies as more of an RPG than a strict tabletop wargame. With that said I needed to set up the factions. For me the game had to be played from the perspective of the British Empire in a very Space 1889 fashion. With that in mind I needed to look to the political, economic and military situation on Mars (as well as Earth and Venus).

For the Empire there were certain concerns that needed to be met by the small Royal Navy force on Mars. In no particular order these are:

Piracy	Keep piracy in check and keep the lanes open for free (British) trade.
Great Game	Concerns with the Russian Empire.
Spice Trade	Trying to maintain the monopoly. See trade missions.
Missionaries	Need to protect the Christian faith on the planet.
Trade Missions	Potential conflict with the Americans.
Realpolitik	Issues with the French Republic and the German Empire
Slavers	As with piracy, slavers need to be kept in check. Concern with Brazilian and Belgium interests in the form of trade.

With this done I will be looking to finish writing up the linked campaign, This will be heavy on conflict with the French and Russians as that is how the game is played, but Martians, Germans and Americans will appear as well as dashing pirates and slavers.

Space 1889 - Ground Rules

For me the Space 1889 world is one of great fascination. The thought of using stepped up Victorian technology to reach the stars is on of teams. Now while I prefer that universe I also admire the miniatures from Brigade Models and will  be using them in my gaming on Mars, as well as Earth and Venus. So before starting out wanted to offer a few ground rules on how I am setting out my campaign on Mars.

Here are the ground rules for the period aerial navies.

While I like the look of the dreadnoughts and battlecruisers they are for a future navy, maybe a 1906-ish navy. Battleships (i.e. pre-dreadnoughts) count  as one sixth of historical pre-dreadnoughts lists, cruisers one eight and destroyers and patrol vessels a tenth. This will make cruisers and patrol vessels the most prevalent.

On Mars cruisers are a rarity, mostly used used a flagships or by the local governor. On Venus the only difference is the aerial vessels are hydrogen filled airships. Monitor and their escorts have the greatest value in controlling the Martian populations. Cruisers are of most value against other European navies. Aeroplanes have not yet been invented yet, so once again maybe a possible addition for a 1906-ish fleet.

Mars
British Fleet
Two Colonial Cruisers
Three Monitors
Eight Patrol Vessels

French Fleet
Two Raiders
One Monitor
Six Patrol Vessels

Russian Fleet
Currently Uncertain

German Fleet
One Dig Destroyer
Four Patrol Vessels
Three Merchant Cruisers

America
One Colonial Cruiser on rotation

Venusian Fleets will be forth coming.