"Any Napoleonic Imagi-Nations ?" Topic

Curious if any exist and under what context? Thanks to all whom reply.

The problem I see with Napoleonics imagi-nations is that each nation of the Naps Wars had very recognizable uniforms (compared to SYW, where they are pretty standard for everyone). So you end up with "French painted in red" or "British in green".

I'm not saying it can't be done, but that's a drawback I can see.

I promised myself I would do one or two Napoleonic "imagi-regiments" one of those days, though. I already know what they would be…

I started a topic that touched on this a little while ago, and it did come across that 18th Century players went for imagiNations in a big way, whereas Napoleonic players did not.

Being only very new to Napoleonics I can't comment from experience, but I think imagi-regiments or equivalent formations would fit better. I heard a convincing argument that this way, you could play without dishonouring or misrepresenting any particular regiment, whilst still keeping things on the right side of the historical/fictional border.

If it turns out that FoG napoleonics – to cite one upcoming example from many – happens to be damn good fun, even if it is historically piffle, I think I would consider using that to kick start an imagination.

otherwise, why bother? the real armies and units are far to interesting to make up.

Besides, slaughterloo kind of killed off the idea by taking the imagination idea to the logical extreme (why stop at uniform colours, when you can have imaginary species too).

I think there's also a sense that the 18th century imagiNations are relatively equal in their abilities, size, and tactics. Whereas one of the distinctive features of Napoleonics is that there is one continental superpower that has also invented a whole new way of fighting, and has realigned everything and everyone. It's hard to imagine a Napoleonic "universe" without Napoleon.

Especially if you're doing Sharp Practice or other skirmish-style battles (as opposed to Grand Armee-style battles, where one batallion of line is the same as another) then I can imagine inventing a regiment, like Sharpe's South Essex, but distinctions like that would only really be important if you were going down an roleplay-gaming route.

ArchiducCharles hit the nail on the head.

If you wanted to go down that route look at painting up some of the smaller German States in the Confederation of the Rhine.

I do 18thC and cut my teeth on Charles Grant – but I'm not a great fan of the Imagi-nations; I'll do the Emperor v the Elector on odd occasions and that's about it. (Yes I know that's from Peter Young but the principle works the same.)

Well, I do! See TMP link for starters (and the rationale), and then either my blogs, "Ober Nord Westfalen" and "Schloss Neuhaus", (accessible through the Emperor vs Elector blog-site)or my web-site at obernordwestfalen.com.

Good gaming to all

I can see several uniform adaptations for imaginations in the Napoleonic era . maybe basing headgear on bicornes, Fr Revoluntionary Tarletons. Plenty of isolated regions along the Austro-Turkish-Russian border regions in which to field Euro-type backgraounds. Plenty of 'island nations' possible as well.

Also Moslem-Central Asia type regions adopting Euro-uniforms earlier than they did. Only a few decades for some like the Egyptians.

A more fractured South- Central American regions than reality develops. The Empty American region west of the Mississippi as well as a less unifoed Australia all present endless possibilities.

Not exactly Napoleonic, but I'm doing 1790's countries based on those in "fictional country" novels. Right now I have a Turanian force based on the Ottoman Empire and an Axphainian one based on Russia (Potemkin uniforms). For those not familiar with the canon, Axphain is Graustark's nasty neighbor. Graustark will be Austrian-based, and Ruritania follows Prussian fashions.

I have plans for further countries, including a French analog split three ways between Royalist (those French tarletons Rudy mentioned), Directorial (bicornes), and Consular (Napoleon in Egypt) factions.

The Grand Duchy of Nordmark certainly survived the Seven Years War as an ally of Prussia. So allied in fact that they were also there in 1806 as flank guard to the main Prussian body as it advanced on Auerstadt that fateful morning. The napoleonic history of the Grand Duchy is completed through to the end of Wagram and can be read on the blog.

Nick

link

I am extremely fond of imagi-nations, but unfortunately I only have Napoleonics. Soon, that shall change… just one question – would it be legal to have a predominantly 18th Century army with some 19th Century soldiers in it, as Hussars, Grenadiers and Jägers did wear almost 19th Century style uniforms?

Well, simple, it is your imagination

Well, yes, but if there were to be some battle between Imagi-Nations, would people hate me for using 19th Century infantry in an 18th Century battle?

not yet.

I do plan on doing a couple of "fictional regiments"

A Scandanavian regiment in British service.
A English/Irish regiment in Austrian service.
A fictional Birmingham light infantry volunteer regiment that volunteers for service in Spain and America.

I think imaginations are plausable, but mainly as small German landgraves that would be in the Holy Roman Empire. Small nations with a smattering of battalions and a cavalry regiment. something like that.. 17th/18th century seems more viable but so what. Your game, your money, your time..

Gazzola already thinks that considering the Holy Roman Empire as a German state is an imagi-nation ;-)

I think that fictionalised nations/maps roughly balanced for an ongoing campaign game would be great, with or without historical uniforms. If you have a sufficient assortment of different armies, that would be a great way to give them all plenty of action time on the gaming table.