In 2021, I started developing a fictional world to set my wargames in. After writing up a starter post, detailing some of the Bazi nations and then actually getting a few games in, I took a little break to work on Gunslinger and its real-world but future setting.
Well, now I’m back, planning to develop my setting further and (more importantly for you, the reader) actually get the information out there. I’ve always been a keen reader of Osprey’s series of books, with copies filling my shelf and PDFs my Google Drive – what could be a better goal for how to get the information about my wargaming setting across?
The question I asked myself was where to begin? I’ve already started talking about Bazistan but that’s a major power, so pulling on that particular thread tugs the whole damn map, requiring reference to other areas of the world that have not yet been explained and a larger amount of maps and other documentation. Ideally, it would be somewhere smaller, still playing a vital part in the world but providing a slightly more gentle introduction to the setting. Perhaps more importantly, it would need to be a nation that I have some rough ideas for figures to use for it. At which point I went all the way back to the very first ChargeReal game I ran…
“It is said in ancient times that the people of Shyluz built fortresses among the mountain tops of their land so that they could challenge both the forces of humankind and those of the Gods. In the present day, after centuries of rule by outside forces to both the north and south, The Republic of Shyluz now finds itself proudly independent, supported by a partner nation Rettung that more than happy to supply it’s neighbour with increasingly modern equipment alongisde other support.
However, the Time of Strife may be over but all is not peaceful for this republic in the mountains. The Great Road of Friendship built by Tsar Nikolev and Emperor Al-Bazi to connect the Imperial Tsarist lands and Bazistani Empire still carves it’s way through Shyluz lands from North to South, providing a key transport route between the two nations that both seek to control. The wild mountainous lands outside of the populated core are still home to various factions that arose during the civil war against the Tsarists, using their remote location to fight against both the Republican government and assist those seeking to strike the empires to the North and South. Finally, the Great Game of spies and mercenary groups continues on, bringing other stranger forces to nations close to the Greater Powers of the world.
It is into this situation that the Republic of Shyluz Armed Forces (RSAF) find itself. Emerging from being an element of the Tsarist forces, they are mid-transition from the old ways to the new doctrine and equipment that Rettung can provide. However, the RSAF finds itself more than willing to protect their country, with Airmobile Infantry and Scout Cadres hard at work among the ancient ruins that pierced the sky.”
As you can see, we’ll be taking a look at the Republic Of Shyluz, a nation freed of its imperial master in the past but now sitting between two great powers that seek to control and influence it. A land of mountains scraping the sky and riches below the surface, while its forests and isolated valleys allow for the existence of forces outside of government control, each with their own agendas and plans.
For players, it can play host to all sorts of missions, from covert encounters between small special forces groups and small-scale counter-insurgency operations to large-scale force-on-force engagement, within a landscape ranging from mountainous valleys and forests to the largely urbanised sections around the capital and major roadways. It’s a great starting point, providing plenty of hooks to begin playing all within a reasonable-sized setting.
The roughly planned project features for this project are:
- Basic information on Shyluz’s history and society
- An overview of Shyluz’s current defence situation and challenges
- Basic Structure of the Republic of Shyluz Armed Forces (RSAF)
- Focus on the platoons of the RSAF Airmobile Infantry, RSAF Scout Cadres, RSAF Mechanised Forces and RSAF Internal Security Forces
- Details of the various Libertalian (we’ll talk about them in the future) and Covert forces involved in Shyluz
- An updated version of the Al-Baawaba Patrol Generator, updated for the Shyluz situation and designed around the type of fighting that is ongoing in the “present day” of the ChargeReal
The end goal of the project will be wrapping it up into a PDF that will be freely downloadable once all elements are completed, with printing options to be investigated depending on demand. However, patrons (especially those at the recently rebranded “ChargeReal Researchers Tier” will receive the first look at all pieces that are going to be produced as well as an element of input into some specific details. Finally, Patrons will also have their names included in the PDF, thanking them for their assistance.
This will not be a quick project, with lots of elements to bring to it before it’s done. I’m already a chunk of the way through the basic planning and sketching out the elements, but I’m excited to get to work on the next stages, especially as it involves assembling some new models and getting some games in. If you’re interested in helping out and seeing development details early, then the ChargeBlog Patreon is going to be the home for all the latest updates as well as an element of discussion. In fact, they have already got some extra details on what gameplay stuff will be included in the book, as well as some additional thoughts.
I’m beginning on my end by preparing the infantry troops, as this is the focus for most of the games I play and will be shared between both the Airmobile Infantry and the Mechanised Infantry formations. These are done by taking the Combat Octopus Bundeswher, using the G3 and MG3 arms and then adding the heads from the Russians in Chechnya kits that came out recently. I’ll do a more detailed post on these guys soon, as well as some painting details. And then I can get onto all the helicopters I’ll be needing…
I’m really excited to get started on the project – the ChargeReal has been living in my brain for far too long, and there are too many exciting opportunities to bring a new slant to Ultramodern gaming. It’s also going to be a good excuse to get more stuff built, painted and played with, as well as give you the reader something exciting to follow along with. It’s going to be a fun adventure!