Ever since I was press-ganged, I mean asked to take part in Barry's Herzogtum von Rechburg, I have long had a wanting to make some of my own environments that can drive some table-top games. I have been extremely lucky to have known Archduke Piccolo for a long time, and his creativity has always been electric. That creativity, and that of Barry helped guide my direction to the things I enjoy about narrative campaigns.
Archduke Piccolo documented a lot of the Rechburg games : Rechburg
I have some of Rechburg saved away, and it will be a destination for my WSS figures, if, and an emphasis on the if, they ever get painted. Barry also created Vales of Lyndhurst, but I never took part in those, I recall it was around the time my daughter arrived in the world.
There was a fantasy campaign system called "Rally Round the King" (RRTK) , that had some interesting campaign mechanics. The world, Talomir, was made up of the usual fantasy nations (Elves, Dwarves, Goblins), but also used historical armies for some other nations such as Romans, Huns, Normans and so on. Each nation had a type of government, and other criteria that would to determine I. and went to war with and whom. For instance, Goblins had a liking for raids in Summer, Human Brethren (Anti-evil) would increase the war chance if you had evil do, and it lead to some good solo games I played. It lacked any character development though, which I missed.
I've always wanted to run a similar campaign in Napoleonic times (or the imagi-nations of Rechburg), where operational scale games (or large divisional games could be created). The RRTK mechanics needed would need some adjustment. For instance, RRTK would result in some random wars, and in 1812, Bavaria for instance would not randomly declare war on France, Russia or Prussia.
I could always go with the traditional alliances, but then have some Leader attributes and other situational modifiers that could allow the possibility of something odd, but not completely random.
eg: Prussia and Frederick William III
Frederick William III could have disdain for France modifier, so it makes him less reluctant to "help" the French if allied, or some other chart that could then drive actions if he does need to commit military forces (eg: they become reluctant or slow). Likewise, if he can stick it to the French it increases his chance of doing something. As he was cautious and seemed prone to indecision, would I need to factor in things like Family influence (The Queen) that could sway him
Prussia itself, could have "people modifier", in that if they felt differently to the King, things could happen. What those things are, I would need to consider, maybe a minor uprising could occur which could simply be a modifier on income or could lead to table top.
Could the same approach be taken to Rechburg ?
As Barry had fleshed out a series of characters in the nations, and we knew the main protagonists and I would really like to get back into it using WSS figures or a 1/72 collection I have somewhere.
I will print off his maps and then make some notes, I recall the Southwest of the map had the "Francs" m and a load of little states. Would be a good area to play around with on paper. Perhaps the main players were real people and the minor states became automated.
Of course, in reality, actual time to do any of this or play is at a premium but I do spent a silly amount of time on planes and hotels so I could be more constructive.
