News from Exotic Earthly Islands

Kingdom of Hawaii in the Sandwich Isles

An interesting piece of news from our correspondent Mister Eli, from the Sandwich Isles in the warm Pacific waters. He has provided in his own journal [I See Lead People - check it out!] some interesting articles regarding the development of the Kingdom of Hawaii's armed forces. I thought it might be of interest to our readers who follow the development of Her Britannic Majesty's allies around the globe and throughout the solar system. His Excellency the Viceroy had this to say:

"Jolly good! Nice to see a bunch of primitive wogs learning how to behave properly, what? Her Majesty can always use a friendly puppet regime - er, mean to say, a good solid ally in the vast Pacific waters. Good for trade, and good for Britain! I wonder if they've sent any pineapples along? I do so like a nice sweet pineapple..."

Seen above are the provincial militia of the Hawaiian kingdom. While hardly proper professional soldiers, I am sure they can settle for any pirates that might come calling in their quiet island homes.

[Editor's Note: I snagged the photo from Eli's blog - hope you don't mind, Eli! - and I think they look great. If you haven't been following the development of the Hawaiian military, you should immediately go to his blog and check out all 8 (!) installments of the discussions there. Some really interesting imagery and ideas being tossed about.]

Kingdom of Hawaii?

My friend Eli runs his own gaming blog, called "I See Lead People." I've mentioned it before here, I am sure, and there's a link to the blog in my links.

Anyway, he threw out an idea sort of off-the-cuff for a new VSF power: Hawaii. Before you scoff, check out this link: http://leadpeople.blogspot.com/2009/04/atler-nations-kingdom-of-hawaii-part-1.html. It fleshes out the idea a little more, and begins to make some sort of sense. I could see the Kingdom of Hawaii becoming as powerful as, say, the Papal States, Imperial Mexico or even the Republic of Texas, with the right set of circumstances.

At any rate, its a fun idea to kick about. Check it out, and let Eli know what your thoughts are.

Other Empires...

This is all 25/28mm musings...

I have my plans for the British (Empress Miniatures). And the French (No Manufacturer Yet, but leaning towards Askari). And Germany (Copplestone and Eureka). Even Texas, the Papal States, and the United States have at least some thoughts, if not much in the way of purchases or paint applied.

I have (red) Martians from RAFM and Parroom Station. Lizardmen from GW. Plantmen from Hydra. Parrotmen (Kroot) from GW. All planned out, some purchased and painted.

I have a plan for Automatons of various types and manufacturers (Wyrd, Reaper, Hydra and Parroom Station, so far!), and a mad scientist or two to run things.

But there is more out there!

Turks. Exotic. Unusual. Cool. A steam elephant is made by Stonehouse Miniatures. Warrior Miniatures carries some alternate history WWI Turks that would make neat VSF figures. And Ironclad Miniatures out of the UK make some Martians that would make dandy Turks. Find some cavalry figures (preferably lancers) and mount them on steam horses (Mage Knight makes them) for steam cataphractoi. Tiger Miniatures (available via Recreational Conflict http://www.recreationalconflict.com/ in the US) make some interesting Turks as well, in their Balkan Wars line, though I am told they are a bit smaller.

Russians. I haven't yet looked into which Russians would be good. But I think I want some. Any suggestions?

Japan. Like these guys are gonna get left out in the cold? I like Parroom Station's boys. But what else is there? Need more investigation of these.

Did I leave anyone out?

Meanwhile, back on Earth...

Three New Land Ironclad Classes Added to Her Majesty's Ever-Victorious Royal Navy Land Forces!

Hurrah for British engineering! Her Majesty's Royal Navy has put more earth-shakingly powerful land ironclads into production from the Brigade Foundries [actually, Brigade Models, www.brigademodels.co.uk]. Three new classes of ship are beginning to be produced, it was announced today: the Imperator, the General, and the Brunel classes. The photostat above does not, actually, contain any of the three new classes, which are so new as to not even have paint upon them as of yet.

Sadly, these armored leviathans are not going to be available for service here on the Red Planet anytime soon. Their immense weight will require specially designed transport vehicles to cart them across the aether to Mars. Even disassembled, it would take many trips back and forth with current vessels to deliver a single land ironclad to Mars. But what a difference that one leviathan could make in cowing the ambitions of the Kaiser's colonial administration!

[Editor's Note: This is an area of VSF gaming that I am seriously considering getting involved with in the next year. I really like the models, and the fact that the system (Land Ironclads, by Wessex Games) is compatible with an aerial system (Aeronef) and a forthcoming naval system (Aquanef). The models are quite nice, and seem to paint up well from what I have seen online, though they are a bit difficult to get hold of in the States. I took the photo above from Brigade's website. I hope they don't mind, but if anyone does, please let me know and I will remove the image. I am hoping the advertising is worth the picture grab.]

Strange News from Earth

Floating Mystery Island Reported Over Pacific!

My friends, today we have received word that an island - entirely unknown heretofore to Earthly cartographers - has been discovered over the Pacific Ocean. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I said over the Pacific Ocean, and over I meant!

Ancient legends of the Pacific islanders tell of a floating island called by many names, such as "Laputa" or "The High Kingdom" or "The Flying Isle." These Laputans are said to possess some extraordinary technologies, not least of which is whatever diabolical engine allows an entire island to float over the sea and the islands of the Pacific.

These discoveries have been made by a new correspondent to the journal, a one-time faithful reader such as yourself, perhaps, who has made such contributions to the success of our endeavour here that he was rewarded with correspondents' rights. Mister Arndt, our hearty welcome and congratulations, sir!

For more on the initial report, please direct yourself to this location on the telephonic differencing engine weave: http://leadpeople.blogspot.com/2008/11/inspiration-laputa.html.