Crimson Skies
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Crimson Skies is a tabletop game about 1930s. 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 its 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 the Brits' 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 its independence. No one likes them. Is that a surprise to anyone?
- USSR - Russians are going through their 30s like they would do otherwise, except with many more zeppelins. Surprisingly friendly to North American countries.
Pirate Gangs
- Black Hats - Main Antagonists of the Video Games. Considered to be one of the bigger bastards around.
- Fortune Hunters - Main Protagonists of the Video Games. Considered honorable while being sufficiently infamous and piratey. Leader, Nathan Zachary seem to have slept with enough woman to start another North American country. And then to make an airforce to try to kill him.
- Los Muertos - Mexican Mercenary/Bandit/Pirate group. Were supported by Germans until the death of their leader "Muerte".
- Medusas - A Pirate Gang composed of your ex-girlfriends. Even if you never had any before. Well, now you do - and they are angry.
- Ragin' Cajuns - Sea-based Air Pirates. Considered to be efficient at most things that they do. And they do a lot.
- Red Skull Legion - Biggest Air Pirate gang in the entire North America. Their leader is ruthless but honorable (if [Alignment|Lawful Evil] can be called honorable).
Militias
- Blake Aviation Security - Showoffs and glory hogs, they have dropped the BAS a few times. Despite those event, Blake's Security still holds in a positive limelight, if only because most of the time they can come in such a force that it's impossible for the to lose the engagement.
- Broadway Bombers - Elite Militia force of Empire State. Not the most numerous, but are considered the best.
- Hollywood Knights - Hollywood's militia. One of the first to try out the new toys that are out there for public sale.
Planes and Zeppelins
AIRPLANES AND AUTOGYROS
- Bell Valiant Mk II - Agile Speedster. Doesn't bring much dakka to the table, though.
- Bristol Type 140 Balmoral - Slow and steady Bomber. Best used for Rocket Spam.
- Curtiss-Wright J2 Fury - Fast, mainly used as an interceptor against Zeppelins.
- Curtiss-Wright P2 Warhawk - Another Rocket Platform. Somewhat average performance.
- Dassault MD 445 Dauphin - Used by Coastal Gangs like Ragin' Cajuns. Considerable firepower.
- Fairchild F611 Brigand - Air Bandit's favorite. Heavy, Fast, and should be painted Orky Red to go fastah.
- Focke-Wulf Fw 193 Hellhound - Rare German plane, rather average, otherwise.
- Focke-Wulf Fw 206 Doppleganger - Failed experiment of trying to use a bigger gun on a plane. For rather obvious reasons, wasn't that popular.
- Ford Hoplite - Civilian Gyro. Armored like a tank, making it popular amongst militias.
- General Motors Minigyro - One of the first Commercial Gyros. Mobile sniping points more than anything.
- Grumman E-1C Avenger - Good first-strike interceptor, but lacks agility for prolonged and frontal engagements.
- Hughes Bloodhawk - Fast, Agile, considerably armed - and comes with a turbo option. Only problem may be its armor, which may seem reduced in comparison to other planes.
- Hughes Bulldog - Bees. That is all.
- Hughes Firebrand - Flying wing design. Mainly used by Hollywood Knights.
- Hughes P21-J Devastator - Dated but solid design. USSR has a seemingly infinite amount of those, instead of own aerial developments. Texan design created for Texas-Mexican conflict.
- Marquette PR-1 Defender - American Communists' main plane of choice. Used for interception and dogfighting, rather than its intended ground-attack role.
- McDonnell S2B Kestrel - One of the best Rocket Platforms. Not as efficient in combat against other planes.
- Messerschmitt Bf 106 Piranha - Exclusively anti-fighter aircraft. Suffers from inability to do major damage to heavily armored foes.
- Ravenscroft Coyote - Indian and Air Bandit multi-role design. Sufficient, but not excelling in any action.
- Ravenscroft Desert Fox - Updated version of Coyote. Limited production and deployment.
- Ravenscroft Dust Devil - Lightly-armored and lacking in agility, but compensated with 5 machine guns that are able to shred most enemies expecting such firepower from a lowly crop duster.
- Sanderson FB14 Vampire - Heavily armed and armored fighter. Slow and lacking in maneuverability, but is easily able to shrug off most enemy fire with impunity.
- Whittly & Douglas M210 Raven - Agile and fast, created mainly for ease of maintenance, and is therefore generally popular.
- William and Colt Peacemaker 370 - Able to focus on speed and maneuverability or heavy firepower, Peacemaker is highly customizable and is popular amongst those who have the money to tweak it just right.
KNOWN ZEPPELLINS
- Pandora - Zeppelin used by Fortune Hunters. Armed with multitude of machine guns of .30 and .50 calibers.
- Workers' Voyage - Soviet Moscow-class Zeppelin. External engines present a fragile target.
- Gorgons' Head - Medusas' Zeppelin. Poor design choice of external fuel tanks.