"Would the Czar ally with the Martians?" Topic

Alexander III was one tough cookie, and no doubt. Not only one of the most reactionary of the Czars, but a physically enormous and very powerful man as well. I don't know whether the story of him doing things like bending a silver ruble in his hand or holding up the roof of a train car on his back are historical, but they are certainly typical of what was thought of the man.

So, in a VSF setting, of the "Martian Empires" style (where earthmen are fighting with and against various types of Martians) what does the Czar do? Do Russian infantry and wild Cossacks march in support of Martian tripods, or does the Czar fight alongside the British, French and Americans? Certainly, the Martians would not be full of foolish liberal ideas.

For that matter, what about Kaiser Wilhelm II? He lived so much by his ego, it is difficult to imagine him NOT allying with the Martians, as long as they gave him a few concessions on the red planet…

Doesn't it depend on when? Wasn't Alexander was relatively liberal before Moscow; and reactionary and mystical afterwards?

Never mind – I'm a few Alexanders too early.

H. G. Wells' Martians were found of human blood/flesh, so I don't think a Martain-Russian alliance would be likely.

Easy to do. I've often thought Napoleon might be a Martian.

I couldn't see the Martians allying with anyone. They were trying to wipe out the human race and terraform Earth to suit them.
Mick

A little Martian snacking aside, for a chance to poke Perfidious Albion in the eye? The Tsar would ally with Mars in a heartbeat.

Jerzei Balowski wrote "H. G. Wells' Martians were found of human blood/flesh, so I don't think a Martain-Russian alliance would be likely."

Ah, what's a few Muzhiki more or less?

He lived so much by his ego, it is difficult to imagine him NOT allying with the Martians, as long as they gave him a few concessions on the red planet…

Actually, I would consider his ego a reason for Wilhelm to *not* ally with the Martians- why would the mighty Kaiser kow-tow to squishy aliens? Plus I have heard that Wilhelm also saw himself as heroic and wanted others to think it as well, and I think he'd much rather been seen as the savior of Europe (and the World!) then a Martian lackey. Even if allying with the Martians was the most pragmatic course, Wilhelm was never pragmatic.

As for Alexander III, I'm not as familar with him, but I would imagine allying with what most 19th century people would consider souless alien monsters would be a tell sell even to him.

-Will

wminsing wrote "As for Alexander III, I'm not as familar with him, but I would imagine allying with what most 19th century people would consider souless alien monsters would be a tell sell even to him."

You're probably right, but it would be GREAT fun to game. It's a pity the Martians didn't show up a little later. I'm sure they could've gotten Father Grigory to make the Czarina agree to an alliance, if one of the Martians dressed up as the Virgin. From there, it would be a short step to convincing her husband.

As to the Martian's attitude toward humans, I don't see the Martians allying with anyone, except to double-cross them later. That might make an interesting novel or campaign. I have no plans (yet) of introducing aliens into my VSF world. Vampires, werewolves, and other horrors abound--along with political intrigue--but no aliens yet.

Hey, it's your world, your friends are just living in it. Make the martians in your games a little less blood thirsty and more interested in slave labor or land conquest or food from the ocean. They are octopussy type things, arn't they? Then the czar or kaiser might ally with them.

You're probably right, but it would be GREAT fun to game.

Would certaintly be interesting, and since it's your game I'd say go right ahead- one of the wonderful things about VSF is just about anything goes!

-Will

Didn't he support the Afghans/Pathans against the Brits? I would think the alliance with the Martians would be a natural after that.

I would say that AFTER the Great Powers strike back on Mars, Russia would quickly be lording it over the green-skins…

Once the Martians, with their command of blood-based technology showed they could cure hemophilia, he would gladly ally with them. What was the blood of a few million peasants compared to that of a future Tzar.

This blood cure was obviously sent by God for the benefit of the Romanov family, and who is he to deny fate and God?

As with CPBelt, I don't see the HG Wells-style Martians working with any humans. If you want any interesting take the Martian Invasion of Earth, seek out the story collection War of the Worlds: Global Dispatches (Ed. Kevin Anderson (?)) The Scarlet Traces graphic novels by Dark Horse comics offers an interesting post-Martian invasion take.

If talking about ER Burroughs, I could see Alexander III working with the Martians who controlled the religion of Mars. (Gold Men? White Men? They wore golden wigs, lived at the poles, and controlled the apes and the plant men.) Between the Czar and them, they could establish an Orthodxy for the stars.

Bradbury and CS Lewis I will someday get to reading.

I'm sure the Russians and Germans would find the HG Wells Martians just as abhorant as everyone else. Also, to the Martians, humans are little better than cattle so I can't see any side considering an alliance.

Now, humanoid Martians are an entirely different matter of course..

Actually, I've rethought this one somewhat on the basis of some of these comments. While the Czar and Kaiser might not ally with the martians, they certainly might ally with EACH OTHER, and use the war on Mars -where so many British and French soldiers are now fighting, to launch a dastardly invasion of western Europe themselves. In fact, I might even have the Czar invade the USA and Canada through Alaska.

If the Martians agreed to assist Alex with his takeover of Afghanastan, I dare say he'd jump at the chance, eh? Except of course those dreadful chaps with the tripods and all those tentacles! The Metropolitan of Moscow should surely put paid to any such notion with that lot!