"Darwinists vs. Steam-powered mechs?" Topic

I ran across this book in the book store today. Haven't read it yet, so I can't vouch for its quality, but the plot intrigues me:

link

It's a young adult novel imagining a very different WWI. England is a "Darwinist" society that breeds strange animals for a variety of purposes, including flying whales (which substitute for airships, I think.) Germany and Austro-Hungary are mechanists whose technology is centered around giant steam-powered mechs and other machines.

At the very least it makes for an interesting setting for games. I've never been sure why World War I has been ignored for "weird wars" campaigns, given it was the dawn of modern warfare and perhaps the first "science" war. (Although, yes, I understand war is a main driver of technological innovation.) It's a fascinating time period as well, with the old monarchies and empires in their death throws.

I'm guessing GASLIGHT would be a good system for this, although having never played it, I understand it is really for 19th century warfare. Any suggestions?

Gaslight works well for many many different genres.
as long as the battles are between smaller armies.
units are based on 10 mqan groups with vehicles in support.
if the battles are larger, there's "battles by gaslight' which also works nice for many different timeframes.

Very cool,
I'll be buying that book!

How does a 100 ton whale fly? Had a Hitchhikers Quide to the Universe moment. Anyone who's read the book, heard the radio show or seen the movie knows the moment.

>How does a 100 ton whale fly?<

Ponderously.

>How does a 100 ton whale fly?<

Just yesterday I was mad that pigeons had messed my car, I guess things could have been worse.

>Just yesterday I was mad that pigeons had messed my car, I guess things could have been worse.<

Would've given a whole new spin on Capt. Ahab's obsession.

The whale is a "hydrogen Breather" which, not so much as the name suggests, has a gasbag with bacteria processing its waste to make hydrogen.
The creatures in the book are not single organisms, but unholy conglomerations of many, the whale having dozens of organisms blended into its DNA matrices, plus having many others stuck in to form a flying ecosystem.
I just read the whole book yesterday. I had to buy it because it has Keith Thompsons art in it. I like books for teens, as this book actually is (young adults maybe, but when I was 12 I didn't need my books doublespaced) as they read so quickly and aren't bogged down in page after page of graphic sex acts like adult books.

>I like books for teens, as this book actually is (young adults maybe, but when I was 12 I didn't need my books doublespaced) as they read so quickly and aren't bogged down in page after page of graphic sex acts like adult books.<

Amen brother. I've long said the most imaginative fantasy being written today is for young adults. Once they cross the line into adult fantasy, all the life seems to be sucked out of the books. That and author's seem to think it is necessary to include all that internet porn they watch in some half-ed attempt to be literary.

Not that sex can't be part of a good fantasy read, it is just that most fantasy authors tackle it so clumsily.

Jeez. Come a long way from a thread that started about flying whales, unless you want to mention… no, not going there.

I'm sold- I'll be grabbing this when I have the chance….

-Will

Coolest map of Europe via WWI you will ever see:

link

Make sure to read the descriptions at the side.

PS. Look around on that site and you'll find more artwork from the book. Just read it: It is pretty good, although incomplete. It is the first book in a series, so the plot isn't brought to a conclusion. No cliffhanger, per se, just a "to be continued."

Sadly, it looks like the sequel isn't due until Oct. 2010.

Speaking of flying whales, did anyone catch the NASA Twitter Post about flying whales? Er, rather, about falling whales?

link

Ordered it yesterday

And check out the quote "Do you oil your war machines? …or feed them?"

Grabbed it yesterday, about a 1/3 of the way through it- very enjoyable yarn. Lots of great gaming fodder as well.

-Will

Finished it, liked it, how do we game it?

I'm thinking Aeronef/Land Ironclads would probably be usable with little modification.

-Will

If you use Aeronef perhaps a fleet based on Blue Whales add turrets a few smoke stacks?

If you use Aeronef perhaps a fleet based on Blue Whales add turrets a few smoke stacks?

I've been looking at whale toys this weekend, actually- I think the Leviathan looked more like a sperm whale but same general idea.

-Will

Some of the soft plastic fishing baits available now (unscented/salted obviously!) would work for whales. One wouldn't want to go with the hyper-detailed baits as they're too obviously tailored to a bait fish, but some of the generic ones would pass for whales (I know I have some in my tackle box that would work, but no idea now on brand).

Came across them while raiding my sinkers for balloons, dirigibles, blimps, and VSF rockets.

Chris

I cannot see what would be "Darwinist" about breeding whales that fly. That's a process which would a very, very, very long time. but I am being to much of a rationalist. Sounds intriguing.