Janissaries

This entry is part of the PBM List.

Costs: Free
Frequency: Weekly
Email: odrium@gmail.com [ok]
Type: Modern/fantasy wargame
Last-Update: 2011Apr05
Keywords: free, open-ended, email, human, fantasy, modern, wargame, rpg

Description

Every 600 years, a binary star in a distant system drifts close to an Earth-like planet. This causes massive climatic upheaval, heavy migrations, and extensive disruption to the native lifeforms. It also causes one particular native lifeform to flower, producing a powerful drug favored by an alien race.

Every 600 years, these aliens 'rescue' a band of humans from Earth and transport them to Tran. Once there, the humans are told to conquer and pacify a portion of the planet and begin growing this drug. If successful, the humans can trade the drug in return for supplies. If unsuccessful, the humans will die painfully on an alien planet.

Based on Jerry Pournelle's Janissaries series, the game will focus on you as one of the Star Lords, transported from modern times to a planet that is a mixing of ancient cultures. Encounter Romans, Vikings, warriors of the Han Dynasty, Renaissance lords, and more. You will have only a single platoon of soldiers with which to conquer enough territory to begin cultivating madweed, the crop which produces the drug.

The gameplay will be roleplayed, but involves equal parts RP and numbers, about 50/50 'crunch' and 'fluff' as they say. Once a decent amount of land is conquered, large-scale economics, politics, diplomacy, and subterfuge will come into play.

No knowledge of the books necessary. Probably better if there isn't, in fact.

Please contact with questions.

      


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Greg Lindahl