Mars is dying...

Mars is dying...

Not through fault or neglect or wicked reason, not even because of the Gods; though some would say this is so. Mars is dying because it is old.

For time beyond count, our world has floated with the orb of the sun god, basking in the everwarmth that it provides, the Martian brothers sailing around giving constant company.

The Ancients warned the death of Mars might be so. Long, long ago; before the Storm. It is said the Storm lasted for an age or more: I for one, do not believe this to be true even though the clan elders warn me against foolish words.

There are still some Ancient writings in the deep deserts for those who wish to learn and are willing to brave sandstorms and the creatures that live there. Most of our knowledge from before the Storm comes from stories told around the clan fires, told again and again, embellished ever so lightly with each clan teller so who knows what is true and what is not.

With each storm season, the Ancient houses and temples disappear and reappear so fast that is easy to loose them completely, Gods know how large their cites were or what final secrets they contain. Three whole clans have been lost searching for the chief city with no sign or call from them these long years past.

But now we have new troubles and concerns. The Earthers have come to Mars: to steal and pillage what they can and to take it away to their blue world. Curse them to the Gods! They have no right, no honour and no need to be here. Like parasites they come here destroying whatever they touch and leaving mayhem in their wake.

They must be sent back across the sky ocean to their blue world.

They must be stopped.

It must happen now!

Wednesday 4 December 2019

Convoy AAR

A Japanese exploration convoy was passing through some Martian escarpments soon after rescuing the Princess Imperial from the clutches of some, hereto unknown antagonists (on which there will be a report as soon as certain details can be corroborated).

Unfortunately for the Japanese, the escarpments happened to be inhabited...





The Sky Martians quickly got to the surface and started towards the column taking heavy fire as they approached.






The Japanese volleys seemed to have little effect and the when the Sky Martians made contact the fighting was fierce.




The Sky Martians seemed to be beaten off but they were not in full retreat and seemed to be waiting for something; even with the advance of the steam suit RV78 and the Princess Imperials personal guard.







Unfortunately, there were Sky Martian reinforcements waiting behind some mesa just waiting for the Japanese to be distracted enough...






The Japanese had to make a last stand and protect to the Princess Imperial to the last man.





The last shot is of the last Japanese commander on top of the steam walker Type 61 before he got over whelmed. We can only assume that the Princess Imperial was taken captive by the Sky Martians as no sign of her body was discovered by the relief force...



Diary of Archibald Harris-Hampton...

This attack by the Sky Martians appears to have been more than just a simple assault on human forces. What schemes are they planning and just whom are they planning them with...


Game was played using a modified version of Muskets and Tomahawks with thanks to Happy Wanderer for the alterations.

Wednesday 27 November 2019

Convoy - A Red Planet Adventure

North West Frontier, Mars, 4th November 1891. The Offices of the London Illustrated News Overseas Reporting Team.



Aether Correspondent, Archibald Harris-Hampton managed to witness the destruction of a Japanese exploration column and the capture of the Princess Imperial...

The dreaded Sky Martians are seemingly indiscriminate in their attacks on the eathers but to what end?





Wednesday 20 November 2019

Factories and warehouses

To help populate New Victoria I've made several larger buildings using and altering the kits I sell via OSHIRO  here. Most of the buildings have had extensive work done to them from the original designs (and from some designs as of yet unreleased).

Unfortunately there aren't many wips as most of them were made in a rush for Salute a few years ago but when I do some more buildings for New Victoria I shall make sure that there are some progress photos so a decent blog post can be made.

For now I'll leave you with a selection of photos of most of the buildings so far.
















Wednesday 13 November 2019

New Victoria

Quite possibly the greatest man made wonder of the known solar system in this modern age is the city of New Victoria. Established in 1873 to the applauds of the citizens of earth it has quickly become an amazing spectacle.




Initial plans were to build it mirroring the intent of modern Victorian cities but as soon as the foundations began the project came under Sky Martian attack. The difficult decision was made to fortify the city and to add an enormous ring and network of walls and defensive outer works. The walls, for the most part, are 40 feet high and 10 feet wide at the top; enough for five men to stand abreast on. Numerous towers have also been constructed along the length on the circuit with varying uses; from storage rooms to aeroneff docks to gun towers, bristling with quick firing cannon to deter any Sky Martian attack.

The city contains within it a large plateau which was actually the first landing site when humans came to Mars. There is a statue to celebrate the event and a small, fenced, public garden containing many of Mars’ natural flora. The plateau itself has upon it many of the more important buildings of New Victoria including the current Governors mansion and many legations of the leading nations of earth. The Royal Societies also have their establishment located here along with several smaller aeroneff docks.


The harbour and docks of New Victoria are a sight to behold also. With three Martian canals converging it is a place of bustling commerce, trading as it does with City Martian states and other outlying human settlements. The Royal Canal enters New Victoria via huge iron gates placed in the massive walls. It proceeds through the city and out the other side taking the affluence and detritus of New Victoria’s citizens (much to the chagrin of the local City Martians). The other two canals go north east and south connecting two of the largest City Martian state capitals and the area surrounding the convergence is full of warehouses and store yards, narrow boat docks and defensive positions.

New Victoria itself contains some of the best examples of Victorian architecture outside of England. Headquarters buildings, warehouses and universities all vying for attention and new construction beginning almost on a monthly basis. The city is roughly divided into commercial, industrial and residential areas but there are no specific zones as such and one area can blur into another. Work is underway to begin construction of a simple underground train network; mainly to link the main commercial, industrial and residential areas of New Victoria but there is also talks of linking the various barracks to the underground to allow the quick movement of troops when a large Sky Martian attack occurs.


Above ground there is an increasing network of rail viaducts and tracks taking passengers and goods to and from locations where the canals don’t, or can’t go; New Victoria Station being the main terminus of these. From above, New Victoria looks like a spiders web with the tracks and  viaducts radiating out to various points on Mars. There are two main rail companies vying for supremacy in New Victoria; these are The Great Martian Railway and The Metropolitan Martian Line. Both have large numbers of rolling stock and have allowed military adjustments to some of the wagons to help defend them when outside the protection of New Victoria.


The main military holding in New Victoria is the Queen’s Barracks; a massive hexagonal structure incorporated into the walls of the northern stretch (this being the direction of the most frequent Sky Martian attacks). It is slightly taller than the neighbouring walls and has a raised interior parade ground. Three defensive towers are placed on every other corner and several embrasures protrude from the walls housing large cannon. A battalion of the 1st Regiment of Mars (The Queens Own Martians) is stationed at the fort with attached cavalry and a small section of artillery and steam tech. Various companies of the 1st, 3rd and 6th regiments are stationed around New Victoria mainly in the defensive towers but also in a few normal barrack blocks situated throughout the city.


New Victoria is ever expanding, what with the influx of traders, soldiers, workers and even tourists. There is still space inside the walls for new construction but it is feared that the population will soon outgrow this, the Marvel of Mars and the Solar System

Thursday 7 November 2019

The Farm Rendezvous AAR

A regular supply run to a newly established camp 250 miles north of New Victoria seemed to be going according to schedule when forward observers of the column noticed a number of what looked to be Sky Martians in the distance.



The coolies carrying the supplies tried to quicken their pace to gain the safety of the farm building but the Sky Martians were too quite for them and they got caught in the open and were decimated.

The Sky Martians then preceded to charge the columns support artillery but were seen of with a furious fusillade of fire.



Captain Rodger Boyes of Her Majesties Impervious Suit Detachment charged forwards and saw off the Sky Martian attack only to see what appeared to be a Sky Martian skiff bearing down on the farm building.




The Sky Martians on board their skiff threw some rustic javelins and what appeared to be bolas onto the troops occupying the farm but were driven off in a hail of determined rifle fire.




With the Sky Martians in full retreat the only assumption that can be made is that they were trying to disrupt the supplies to the farm; an action which follows the Sky Martian behaviour to the forces of Her Majesty on Mars.

A last view of the Sky Martian leader was gained as they made their escape into a nearby canyon complex...



Diary of Archibald Harris-Hampton...

So the Sky Martians are continuing their campaign of random attacks against the forces of her Majesty and the other powers on Mars. We can only assume that these attacks will continue but will they escalate?


Game was played using a modified version of Muskets and Tomahawks with thanks to Happy Wanderer for the alterations.

Thursday 31 October 2019

The Farm Rendezvous - A Red Planet Adventure

North West Frontier, Mars, 31st October 1891. The Offices of the London Illustrated News Overseas Reporting Team.



Aether Correspondent, Archibald Harris-Hampton reporting back on a chance encounter with the mysterious Sky Martians...

A supply run to a newly established British outpost in the deep desert many miles North of New Victoria encountered hostile action from what can only be assumed to be the local Sky Martians...