Crimson Skies
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Crimson Skies is a tabletop game about 1930's. Except the United States have balkanized into dozen or so countries, and instead of railways and cars, you have giant zeppelins and planes. Which is awesome. And because of that, you have Air Pirates, Air Vigilantes/Militia, and a lot of other Air-related things. Combine this with rapidly advancing plane, zeppelin, and weapon technology, and you have a pretty awesome background on your hands, including Tesla Guns used by Nazis and Zeppelins which can hold airfields-worth of planes.
However, chances are, you probably have heard about the vidja versions rather than original tabletop. And that only makes sense. Saddening in a sense, but mind you, considering that the Crimson Skies were created with the vidja game base in mind, it actually works very well. It does mean that much like BattleTech being known for Mechwarrior games, mentioning tabletop Crimson Skies will probably get you strange looks.
Backstory
1920. Prohibition laws allow individual states to choose if they can sell alcohol freely. This divides the United States into "Dry" and "Wet" states. 1927. United States is hit by Influenza Epidemic, and the movement between states is locked in quarantine. Zeppelin trade is pretty much given exclusive rights. 1928. Regionalist movement becomes a strong figure in United States politics. 1929. After the Stock Market Crash, Texas Secedes from the Union. From then on, most of the states break apart into their own little countries.
In addition to dozen-or-so countries created from the ashes of United States, there are also other countries that actually exist. Amongst the major players is Britain, which continues it's Imperialistic expansion and were last seen trying to annex Hawaii, and due to Hawaii being a Pirate Heaven, they got their asses kicked quite well. USSR is known to openly trade with the North American countries and even field a large fleet of Texan Devastators (you know, instead of developing planes of their own, meaning lack of developments in Il- line of airplanes). Japanese Empire is a major Pacific power and is a major opponent of the British, for rather obvious reasons (that is, Pacific island land-grab). Finally, there is Germany, which is not that fleshed out outside of the video games, where they have enough Wunderwaff(l)e(s) to try and conquer the Americas. Which they tried and failed, but you know those whacky Germans, always out for it with their Tesla Guns and Underground Trains.
Factions
Countries
- Alaska - Undeveloped, currently suffering from aftermath of Russian Civil War between immigrants. Used by Soviets for its' rich oil reserves.
- Appalachian Territory - Pirate/Smuggler Heaven that somehow holds an effective government. Still, one of the more dangerous airspaces in North America.
- Arixo - Small country that is surprisingly prosperous. Assumed to be heading for a conflict with Air Pirates it's currently paying off.
- Atlantic Coalition - Run the largest and longest Zeppelin operations in North America. A large transport business rather than a country.
- British Empire - Brits. Prefer their tea with 3 tea spoons of sugar. With milk.
- Columbia - Columbia is the city of Washington D.C... and that's it. Considered the diplomatic/espionage capital of North America.
- Confederation of Dixie - Confederates. A lose union of states whose main connection is their shared Confederate Air Force.
- Deseret - Mormons. Really, that's all there is to them.
- Disputed Western Territories - Mad Max in Air. Chaotic and uncontrolled region.
- Empire State - New York, New York. Oh, and Jersey.
- Estados Unidos Mexicanos - Mexico. Known to have been in a conflict with Texas in the past. Otherwise, isolationist.
- Free Colorado - Bootlegging capital with a strong Air Pirate presence in certain areas. Self-sufficient and independent, otherwise.
- French Louisiana - French outpost within North America, Louisiana is undeveloped and lacks the military strength to protect itself independently. Houses French Foreign Legion.
- Industrial States of America - Industrial heart of North America. Suffers from tariffs and unions.
- Imperial Japan - Japs are Brit's main opponent in the Pacific. In conflict with China but are not in alliance with Germany.
- Kingdom of Hawaii - Pirate Heaven to the point where pirates are given medals for fighting off British expansionary forces. Otherwise a friendly Absolute Monarchy open for trade.
- Lakota Territory - Militant conservative injuns. No, this isn't an insult, it really is the best way to describe them.
- Maritime Provinces - New England. Holds the largest commercial (and otherwise) naval fleet of the North America. They are also hold a part of Canada.
- Nation of Hollywood - Caw-lih-foh-nia. Best known for Hollywood, Films, and being the Media Capital of the North America.
- Navajo Territory - Very isolationist Indians. Not much else to them, except being more multicultural than Lakota Territory.
- Pacifica - Hollywood's main economic rival. Currently concerned with Air Pirates and White Russians trickling from Alaska.
- People's Collective - Christian Communism. The irony is so delicious it's beyond and mere description. Not friendly to neighbors due to various reasons.
- Protectorate of Ontario - Neutral Canadians. Still protected by Brits but are taking their steps to be self-reliant.
- Protectorate of the Outer Banks - Confederate's protectorate. Kinda just there.
- Republic of Texas - First state to leave the United States. Was in conflict with Mexico. They give no fucks and do what they please (for better or worse).
- République de Quebec - Quebec got it's independence. No one likes them. Is that a surprise to anyone?
- USSR - Russians are going through their 30's like they would do otherwise, except with many more zeppelins. Surprisingly friendly to North American countries.