Autumn

Autumn is a tabletop wargame currently in the works by a fa/tg/uy using an original setting and system. Autumn is tailored to allow for company level games with grittier play, focusing on ranged combat and strikes. At its core, Autumn uses modern combat as its inspiration but makes a few breaks from reality, such as nearly bulletproof, super-heavy infantry and the introduction of "aether", a nearly invisible gaseous element. In theory, the game is built around 20mm models and uses ten-sided dice to calculate results, but in so far no physical models have been produced. If all goes according to plan, then models will be purchased as elements, or groups of models similar to each other. The players will assemble units and deploy specials by painting the models a certain fashion and organizing them in a fitting manner.

What is Autumn?

Autumn is a world where nine human species live amongst each other. They coexist, more or less, in many countries with differences solved using underhanded politics and/or the occasional drawn-out war. Presently, the main four political spheres are at a stand-off. The Imperial powers are the remnants of the old kingdoms, and as such they adhere to the old concept of conquering regions and creating subservient states to maintain the homeland. To oppose this old doctrine is the new concept of "Centralism". Centralism was created by Gallian General Anthony Hecht, who's many years of military campaigns and occupations prompted him to write his manifesto. Translated as "Centralism of the New Age", Hecht discusses the importance of military integration into a society, as well as economic autonomy through industrialization, in this document. These two powers have been at a stand-off for decades. However, to the far east is the Dominion, an alliance of rogue states that have been all but shunned by foreign powers. The Dominion lacks a specific political doctrine, but more often than not it is a tyrannical, aristocratic government formed around a feudal system. Dominion states are likely to be pro-slave and isolationist, with a tendency to refuse diplomacy with non-Dominion nations. The fourth power is the Kievan Pact. The Kievan Pact was created to maintain the power of the Pereginus Kingdom created after the Great Conquest. It is very diverse, being divided by smaller political lines. Like the Dominion, Kievan governments range from state to state, but most are lead by a king or czar. Most wars are in some way or another proxies with support from greater powers, ranging from mild medical assistance to black-op assassinations. Autumn takes its name from this fictional war-cycle, observed when the war's intensity spikes in an attempt from both sides to take as much ground as possible and the season's harvest before the winter forces a seasonal stalemate. Wars are generally brutal and desperate affairs, unlike in our world (where weapon bans and international treaties force combatants to hold back). There are no limitations; entire cities are exterminated by gas attacks and whole regions flattened by artillery. In fact, most armies employ some sort of terror unit, whether it be ruthless raiders seeking riches through deplorable actions or regiments recruited from prisons and asylums.

Concepts and Themes

Autumn is contemporary fantasy, so it's only logical to have contemporary themes. At first glance some people might think Autumn is a war between races, or a battle between "good" and "evil" powers. In reality the driving force behind this setting is humandkind's fear of itself, and the ambition to control the world through political and armed might. There aren't any clear-cut "good" or "evil" factions, as everyone has their own agenda and a will to carry it out.

World

Autumn is about a world fairly different from our own. There are two moons, eleven continents, and nine human species. However, some of the greatest differences aren't very conspicuous. For example, petroleum doesn't exist, forcing machines to run on ethanol, hydrogen, et cetera. Others are quite obvious, like the longer and harsher winters that even war can't ignore. Most of the big changes, in actuality, are ones caused by the humans that dominate the land. Few countries stay allies for long, and there isn't any major organization that polices the nations of the world. Justice and human rights are totally relative region-to-region. Places like Rhos consider all men equal, while the Dominion champions slavery and fights to the death for its acceptance in the world.

Aether & the Outfield

Throughout time man has attributed complex feats and functions to "magic", undefinable powers with infinite potential. Witches were either honored or hunted for their mysterious abilities. But as science developed, so, too, did our understanding of this power. A Gallian astronomer known as Louie of Beurch was the first to imagine that an invisible substance was responsible for the innate abilities that some had. His observations would inspire Francis the Great to not only discover aether, but also to create the first Aetheric lens that allowed man to view this strange substance. Throughout the span of his life, he studied aether vigorously. His invention of the Aetheric lens allowed him to realize just how common the substance was. In addition to this,he discovered that it was a mutation in the nerves that allowed aether control in humans. Aether is considered part of something known as the "Outfield", a special group of energies that only partially have tangible manifestations and effects on our mass and energy, with a good part of their interactions manifesting in an entirely different field of physics yet to be fully understood by modern science. Along with aether, several other elements are considered part of the Outfield. The slave-ore also known as "famulum" is a solid material, so brittle and black that it could be passed off as graphite. Famulum can be easily manipulated by moving aether currents. Unlike other materials where aether simply "flows" around them, aether attempts to move through Famulum, transferring kinetic energy by doing so. Alone, famulum is a fairly useless material, but it can be smelted into ores to create tools and weapons easily handled by witches and other aether users.

The Nine

The nine species of man are not considered equals. While every species generally considers itself the others' superiors, there is a common sentiment that the races are organized as greater, common, and lesser species. This list of nine is loved by those listed as greater, accepted by those who are common, and detested by those who are described as lesser. Unfortunately for them, this list is here to stay, and all of man shall forever be judged by their rank within the Nine (note that only eight species are posted. A hiccup in development caused me to have to redesign the ninth race, and so it is yet to be posted.)

The Greater Species

Primoris

Traits: Primoris have excellent memory and charisma, and are black-skinned to protect themselves from the scorching sun. They are adapted to hot climates. While not as common as Rimorian traders, there is a significant minority of Primoris merchants who often operate in ports in regions normally hostile to outsiders. Immorti and Adnihilo often seek out Primoris traders for their willingness to trade with so called "lesser species".

History: While they were the first human species to exist, they were not the first to reach civilization, having little need for advanced shelter and irrigation techniques on their fertile continent. Primoris would eventually found the great Babylon, and while their great empire no longer exists today they are still respected for their long history of honor and resilience.

Angeleus

Traits: The Angeleus are an ancient people who's long history is filled with violence against the weak and "undesirable". Their religion teaches the idea that man is imperfect, and only by breeding the strong and culling the weak can they reach divine perfection. Through this ideology the bodies of the Angeleus have changed. Males have been bred to have an extra set of lesser, three fingered arms; limbs they often hide to blend in with others. Women were spared this odd mutation, with the only significant anatomical differences being slightly denser muscles, which wasn't even selected through their history of strict eugenics. Being from a colder environment, the Angeleus skin is a light tan, and most Angeleus are above average in height.

History: They were the first civilized men, and would eventually go on to spread civilization to the Artifex and Primoris, who would quickly unite their land (with Babylon being founded by the Primoris). The Primoris and Artifex were convinced they were gods, and for centuries this continued. The day when the Angeleus cult collapsed two very separate reactions were had by the Babylonians and the Artifex: The former would exile every Angeleus from their lands, while the latter would accept them as the men they were. However, to this day Angeleus are considered daemons by the superstitious, and manipulative schemers by others. They must hide themselves to avoid violence against their kind, often fronting as Pereginus, who share their light skin.

Artifex

Traits: To the far east is a land where the sun rarely penetrates the thick clouds. In this land live the Artifex. Strange and vibrant, the Artifex naturally have a heightened sense of creativity that shows through their history of culture and art. Some see them as mentally unstable; anger and lust never being too far from their minds. Nevertheless the Artifex have a strong charisma about them. The Artifex are gray-skinned with sharp features, setting them apart from most others.

The Common Species

Rimor Traits: Rimor are considered to be mentally balanced and with a strong sense of will. Their coppery skin sets them apart from the Pereginus, who otherwise look remarkably similar. The Rimor are predominately religious, with the Aclarado state technically being a theocracy under the "Order of the Prophet".

History: The Rimor are a people of the west who's curiosity prompted them to explore, map, and conquer many parts of the world. Their homeland of Rhos isn't very large, but acts as the crown for their vast commonwealth (something that they conquered back in the days when most of the world was mostly an untamed wilderness filled with marauding bandits).

Phobus

Traits: The Phobus are named so for their cultural obsession with the sun. To them, the sun represents life, progress, and truth. Living on a chain of islands isn't the ideal ecosystem, and their skin is darker than that of Rimor or Pereginus but is lighter than the Primoris', reflecting their tropical surroundings. Phobus also evolved superior muscle generation to combat predators, with Phobus in peak condition being able to lift about 850 kg.

History: For most of their legacy they lived upon a chain of islands northwest of Babylon. They were primitive and couldn't defend themselves properly, when the Rimor came to conquer their lands as a gift to Babylon. Forced from their homes, they wandered north until they found Makazi, the home of the Umma, commonly known as the "Montis". The Umma allowed them to take refuge on the western shores, as the Montis were not pressed for space. For less than a century the two people lived without hostilities, but when the Great Conquest reached Makazi this small time of peace ended. The Umma effectively combatted the Pereginians until "Red Mouth" crossed the special barrier and decimated the Umma. Now alone in this seemingly hopeless fight, the Phobus turned to science to even the odds. Discovering a strange flammable powder, the Phobus began to create weapons of the future. The Pereginus remember that day well; the day when their aetheric powers failed to protect them from this new weapon: the gun. Able to fight for their right to live upon this continent, the Phobus would eventually end the war. Bordered by an unfriendly power calling itself "Siev", the Phobus united under the banner of Centralism and created the Confederacy.

Pereginus

Traits: The Pereginus homeland is a cold place where harsh winters and rainy summers keep the region cool year round. Pereginus have good control over their body temperature and can easily stay warm or cool. Coming from a cold region Pereginus skin is a light tan, and their hair is thick.

History: In times long past the Pereginus were nomads, straying place to place in hopes to find a land of promise. They used their aetheric abilities to take what they needed. Yakiv, one of the tribal leaders, was the first to envision a united Pereginus. He spoke of a warrior race conquering the world, spreading the idea that they were meant to rule the planet. They trained themselves to better use their special gift, and soon organized into a force to be reckoned with. Finally ready to wage war, entire armies fell before the Pereginus, who's aetheric abilities granted them domination in the battlefield. Even Babylon feared the day when they would be the last free nation. The enemies of the Pereginus either fell or strengthened under the pressure. But all legacies end, and when Yakiv died he left a message of peace. While their future was far from peaceful the Pereginus have settled and given up their way of the marauder.

The Lesser Species

Montis

Traits: Montis have good reflexes, and are extremely fast when their bodies are pumped with adrenaline. This, in addition to good dexterity, makes them excellent with hand-to-hand combat. The effects of Red Mouth also include overproduction of adrenaline, and affect brain chemistry. The right hemisphere of the brain is weakened, and heightened aggression is common. These effects are less profound in females than they are in male Montis. Red Mouth also causes the already slim form of the Montis to wither past the natural. Most Montis have very thin, starved appearances due to their suffering of this disease. The use of Brown Root, a psychoactive stimulant when smoked or injected, adds to their overly slight appearance with side effects like loss of appetite and increased metabolism

History: The Montis were once considered "noble savages", and classified as a common species. However, when the great conquest arrived upon Makazi, the Umma were forced into a massive war. For a while they held their ground, but when "Red Mouth" started afflicting it effectively ended the war, and forced the Montis population into the Angan Mountains. The disease spread and the uninfected became desperate. It wasn't long before they took to the streets and started exterminating the infected masses, who were too weak and in constant agony to fight back. When some of the infected started rising from their pain and fought back, they were named "the undying" or "Immorti", by a foreign herald. Eventually, through this bloody civil war, uninfected Montis no longer existed and the Montis race as a whole was lowered to a lesser species.

Adnihilo

Traits: In the far north there is little to support human populations. Adnihilo evolved to be predators of both man and beast. Their pale skin gives them natural camouflage in snow, and their hearing and sight is sharpened to spot and track prey at long distances. Physically, an Adnihilo is fairly different from most other species. Slightly longer fingers and more canine teeth allow them to consume flesh easily, as well as providing superior natural weapons. Adnihilo generally don't have a problem with eating humans; it isn't immoral or taboo in their culture. This rather unsettling aspect of their society makes them feared and hated by many, forcing them to hide their race. Some Adnihilo can resist their urges to eat the flesh of man, but their natural desire to devour people will never fully wane.

History: The Adnihilo have never really been able to settle anywhere beyond their cold far northern homeland, with the few that live outside of it being either raiders, adventurers, or in hiding. Babylon wished to exterminate them all, but never made the effort to attack their home. Adnihilo have always been on the fringe of society, and dominate the illegal underground.

Factions

Los Aclarado The "Enlightened" are a union of several Imperialist countries and commonwealths. At it's heart is the Rhosian Empire, coordinating the west. It has done so since they inherited control from Babylon. There was a time when many expected the Aclarado to become the new world order. However, when relations with the Kievan Pact diminished it no longer seemed likely that they would be able to unite the world. The Aclarado armed forces are well drilled and very fanatical. What they lack in technological superiority they make up with their mobility and numerous forces. The largest member of the Aclarado, the Rhos Empire, has a conservative leaning when it comes to politics and its military, preferring tried and true methods over innovation. This lack of progress cost the Aclarado in the early months of the North Sea War, the first engagement against the Centralist Confederacy. Stories of Confederate armor being nearly impenetrable by Aclarado anti-armor guns were a testament to their need to re-think their doctrine.

'This page is a WIP, and more information needs to be added before being linked to other pages'