Ironclad Battles in The Blakes Sea

Another Steamy Party High in the Skye

We had a wonderful time dancing, battling, and having all kinds of silly fun while Frequency played an ecclectic and excellent list of music!

Our often shy trio of shipbuilders, MrBunwah, Justinian, and Nowwer (who is usually the silent partner) even seemed to have a great time showcasing their toy ironclads, blowing things up, and (gasp!) even dancing. :)



Many more years of success to you, young gents!!

Up in Flames

Stress is a fact of life. It is part of the natural order of things. Not all stress is bad, of course. Sometimes it is very stressful going up in one of the latest models of lighter than aircraft, but it is also fun despite the known risks that are causing one to feel tense and stressed.

In general, stress is related to both external and internal factors. External factors include the physical environment, one's job, relationships with others, one's home, and all the situations, challenges, difficulties, and expectations one is confronted with on a daily basis. Internal factors such as physical health, emotional well being, mental health, and how rested one is will contribute to how well one responds to the external stressors.

For those of us in virtual environs the in-world tension producing stressors can sometimes become quite overwhelming or debilitating in and of themselves. Add to those the demands and stresses of real life, and one has the making of quite a drama or disaster.

Despite all the growth in the Steamlands of SL, the communities remain relatively close knit. Many of us not only communicate in world, but also on any number of social networking sites. This can increase our chances of talking with and enjoying one another, but can also increase the distribution of hurtful, painful comments - fueling stress and problems. The flip side to this is that we can be quite a support group for one another.

Fortunately the number of outlets for this stress are legion in SL. Find what you like to do and relieve that tension. Like to create content? To build? To tell stories? Go for it! Like to dance, strip, make a little whoopie? SL's got all that, too. Feel like smelling of smoke, cordite, steel? Feel like blowing the daylights out of someone or their ship? We can manage that, too! And DO most every Thursday night.

Those of you who know me well, understand that I am generally quite even keeled. It takes a lot to provoke me. I will calmly work my way to a happier place if at all possible. I am a glass half full kind of person. But I am also a realist. Sometimes things just are what they are and there is no improving them. What can sometimes really take the edge off of RL and SL stress is to participate in the Ironclad battles.

Nix Sands, Amplebeak Tinlegs, and I watch the first round

After changing back into human form, Nix makes his airship ready.

Our battle last night was to attempt to take down the behemoth - the beast - of Admiral Calamari's Navy. I was only able to be a gunner in one round. The rest of the time I was working and ensuring that other avatars were not roaming into the war zone. Admiral Calamari was bested the small attack boats every single time. Congratulations to all!!

Earlier in the evening, though, I sent MrBunwah and AngusGraham a message via secure channel. They helped me bring an idea to life. For some time now we have been talking about ways to run combined Navy and Infantry operations to life. We had some prototypes that could use some testing (AngusGraham's 'splody shack - as I like to call it). And I asked MrBunwah to make me something that we could put textures on for target practice, "and make them with lots of BOOM and fire!" Because of the roughly (very roughly) human shape of his prims, we began affectionately calling them effigies.

At the end of our battles we put the call out. Come have some fun! Blow stuff up!!



People came from all around, actually. And blow things up we did!

Jed, MrB, Linus, Hotspur, Caladon, and I watch as Magdelena sets her flamethrower to the task.

Mags and her flame thrower

Lunar, Caladon, and Riven

Everyone was commenting about how fun it was. How they were feeling better than they had in ages. We passed mod copies out and some decided to put pictures of things/avatars/ideas that they wanted to blow to the high heavens.

'Splody things!!

Cannon wielding ladies

Damn you all to hell, "right-sizing"!!

Take THAT ex-lover!!

Eat iron, cancer diagnosis!!

You'll never hurt me again, mean person!

Think you can steal MY content and not die!! HA!

Take ownership of THIS!

Nabila and I jig with glee!

It was ridiculous! And therapeutic.

Come on punk. Make my day.

Personal Journal Entry: Battle in New Babbage (reference case # 8774-NB)

**This first section written Out of Character**

The Role Play events developed by the folks in New Babbage have been quite brilliant. Most of the play has occurred out of world in the Ning and in other blogs. Story-telling is an art and the shared story among many of the residents (and those of us related to them) has been very interesting and fun. Kudos to all involved. Various journals have reported on events, however, the bulk of the story may be found in the Primgraph blog and the New Babbage Ning.

I first really became involved in this story when the Wrath Fleet group were asked to assist in the wrap-up of the story. I was sent the telegram verbiage by the New Babbage Navy's Commodore, Jedburg Dagger. I was happy to assist as I could in the role of the head of MI-5, and as Commander in Wrath Navy.

The culminating event - the ironclad battle - was fought this past Thursday evening. Several of us met during the week of the event and plotted out the scenes and familiarized ourselves with the story that would be told....and would continue. (hee hee)

As someone who has run not a few events, and who has assisted with many an ironclad battle scenario, let me just say that this event went really very well, particularly given the numbers of observers and participants, the lag in the script-heavy, texture-heavy sims, and the numbers of folks who were part of story development.

Gathering for the briefing: Dia, Eva, Aeoleus, Hotspur

We all gathered at the docks at 7pm SLT - when I say all, I mean a very large contingent from New Babbage (from both the good and evil sides), a strong group from the Wrath Fleet, Caledon Navy members, Steelhead Navy members, and at least one from Steeltopia's fleet (actually, Mr. Calamari himself). We also had press members there covering the event.

Emperor of Steeltopia and several of the New Babbage group.

Hotspur gives the rules of the engagement to the growing crowd.

Cross section of New Babbage crowd.

The organization of this large group including the rules of engagement and specifics to the scenarios was conducted in about 30 minutes, and then the first of two mammoth battles was begun. There were about 8-10 boats (ironclads and subs) in the water, a battery of cannon at Dr. O's island, and several airships about the sims. Each battle lasted around 20-30 minutes.

Yes, there were many crashes among players. Yes, sometimes folks steamed off world for a while - but they did make it back to the site of the battle. In the end, I heard no complaints at all only folks really hamming it up in character and discussing how fun the thing had been despite the limitations or problems.

A lot of fun, really!

**And now my in character journal entry (with the odd way that stories and roles in the Steamlands can be combined, I write it not only as the head of intel for Wrath Fleet, but also as Director of MI-5).**

Personal Entry
This allied flotilla came into the Vernian Sea as the sun was beginning to show first rays over the horizon. We had our orders from Commodore O'Toole and Mayor Tenk. I was in one of the Holland class subs. My objective was to sneak into the city while the battle raged and to bring a small group of marines with me. We had several purposes: the marines were to secure any anti-ship guns, and to capture or dispose of any of Obolensky's minions; I was to be in contact with them via ætheric transmitter - guiding Master Sergeant Abernethy as needed, but the crusty old marine would hardly need me, he had his orders directly from O'Toole and would follow them (perhaps creatively) to complete his mission or die trying. Meanwhile, I would also be surveying the area for the strong-holds (perhaps Obolensky, himself), and the resistance fighters, and maintain communication with command central.

The sub departs after dropping us at the designated point.

It did not take long to spot the Doctor's cannon (they were not trying to hide them, really)
Regardless I transmitted the position to the fleet and marines via secure channel.


My initial view of the beginning of the engagement
A dragon perched atop an airship - was that a good or ominous sign?

More of Obolensky's followers found (or just some of the residents watching the show - it was not always clear, nevertheless). Positions sent to Abernethy and command.

*must be getting closer*

I found where the villain was on his island at about the time I heard chatter on the allied fleet's channel about it.

I spotted Dr. Fabre observing the battle as I moved through the area.


The battle raging on

*note to self: interrupted by a call from the Royal Society offices, must go and return to complete my personal note on this incident later - pick up journal entry at battle conclusion*

The Prodigal "Sister" Returns

My agents in New Babbage have been diligently sending reports to me about Dr. Oblensky's overthrow of Mayor Tenk's government (while he was away, mind you) for weeks now.



The mysterious telegram initially seemed to have no connection to such activities, but once I began investigating it's origin and sender identity, it seemed obvious.

Jed Dagger had sent the telegram remotely from outside New Babbage. "Tell Papa to expect six guests for supper." She meant that she and some of her officers &/or sailors would be heading to Roatan, I suspect for shelter or assistance (I still don't know which). And Papa was the name that some of the sailors had taken to calling Commodore O'Toole (most simply called him The Old Man).

I had been in close contact with Desmond and Lunar regarding the intelligence that we were getting from Babbage so that both Caledon and Steelhead could be prepared to take whatever action the nations felt appropriate as conditions in Babbage changed. I had also been giving regular briefings to the Wrath officers. In fact I was just on my way to discuss the telegram with O'Toole and Somme when I heard the excitement on the docks. Commander Murakami and the Commodore were on deck with a young signalman who was was sending a message. I looked in the general direction that he was facing.

"Ah - I see the telegram had been delayed in transit. She's already here!"

I took off running, grabbing every seaman in my path to meet the Babbage exiles; to assist in the mooring of the boats, and to help with any medical needs that might be present since they had likely not been escorted genteely out of the port.

What more will Jed and her crew be able to tell us? What do they need?

**** (OOC)****
For detail on the kinds of intel that MI-5 has received in this growing story please do refer to the following sites for the work of some of the Steamlands' residents:

The Primgraph - there are many entries in this journal from various authors. The first entry in the series appears to be here by Beq Janus. The rest of them may be found in reverse order including the story which runs parallel with the entry above in The Primgraph.

The New Babbage Ning also carries many stories and announcements regarding this.

Jedburg Dagger's Journal - here and here.

A Caledonian Journey

And Hibernia on the Skids

We'll see you Thursday for the battle in Port Babbage - part of our Ironclad Melee series. 7:30pm SLT.

The Guns of Port Merrimac Take A Beating - or "The Most Fun the ol' Port Has Seen Yet"

Mars and Bacchus would have both felt at home in Port Merrimac last night as the Thursday Night Iron Melee hosted an event of a different sort. I shall let the Commodores (Dagger and O'Toole) give you the detail of the strategy and/or the After Action Reviews, but I shall greatly enjoy sharing my thoughts, photos, and some anecdotal evidence of a merry time had in scenario battling.

The general premise was that we would once again pit Red against Blue. Teams were chosen (self-identified) as the crowd gathered and learned what each would be doing. Red would defend the guns and port; Blue were to attack from Sea and Land.

"What's that?" you say.

Yes indeed - a landing party scenario. Or at least the first runs with the MMCS system used by our friends in New Brunswick.

We had an excellent crowd! By my count at the height of our participation we had 18 folks. Everyone was anxious to give the infantry battle a try along with the now normal use of the ironclads and guns on the dock.

We ran the scenario (variations on the theme) three times. Despite the casualties on both sides, at the end of each attack (Blue won all three!) we were friendly and ready for the next thing. No drama! Just so much fun that Bacchus would barely have been able to keep up with us. :) Why is that, I wondered briefly. But I think the reason is that the rules of the road are always clearly spelled out, and everyone knows the mission here is to have a good time, and to run generally authentic scenarios (i.e. one's gun does not work underwater in RL, therefore, we do not shoot guns underwater) for the time period. When the battle is over (or each round) then we are back to our "normal" SL selves.

Let me show you the evidence - and after you've read and viewed I'm sure you will want to join us next week. I'm in favor of running the same kind of scenarios next time since we are just scratching the surface of possibilities on this.

Blue Team prepares for the first round.
(l-r) Remington Pinion, Exrex Somme, Hotspur O'Toole,
that's me with my back to you (sorry), and Krystine Qinan

Oh - here I am. :)

For the first two rounds, I had the honor of gunning for Mr. Easterman of the Caledon Navy. We totally killed the mortar on the dock at least twice! Hee hee hee!

Red Team members: (l-r) Commodore Nabila Nadir, TotalLunar Eclipse, Tensai Hilra

We gather between battles.
(l-r) Alex Chadbourn, Eva, Nabila Nadir, Justinian Huszar

Oh the huge manatees! The Penzance and one of the cannon are aflame!

Lunar is down (round two)

MrBunwah, Dale, and Maxim

Group shots after round three.

And then things really got silly...

Climbing aboard Alex's "Happy Missile"
O-0

This was at least as fun as Cow Jumping at IBM.

Now don't you want to come play next week??
Thursday nights at 7pm SLT, Port Merrimac, Roatan.

BATTLE ON!

*

Recalling the Fun from Last Week