1801...
The world is at war. Self-entitled Consul of France, Napoleon Bonaparte, continues to claim nation after nation in central Europe, supported by his brother in Spain, Denmark-Norway and his various puppet states, trophies from the last war, in the Alps and the Netherlands.
A Second Coalition has been put hastily together to impede his advance - led by Austria, Russia, the Ottoman Empire, and the brand new United Kingdom; an uneasy union of Britain and Ireland. Sicily and Tuscany join the southern front, and allied Portugal desperately holds its borders against a combined Franco-Spanish force. Yet the French advance is unending. The future looks grim for Europe.
Elsewhere, the Great Powers continue their struggle to hold fast to colonial empires. Britain wars with African tribes and Australian Aborigines in their world-spanning realm, as France attempts to quell a series of violent rebellions in Haiti.
The 200 year old Qinq Empire's grip on the Far East finally begins to grow slick from age, and the Orthodox Greeks seem more than ready to take up arms against their Muslim overlords.
With chaos victorious, the world rests on the brink of a new age. An age of smoke and metal.
That's Where We Come In
The Barbary States of North Africa (Tunis, Algiers, and Tripolitania) have long dominated the coffers and nightmares of the European elite. For they demand a constant stream of tribute, in either money or sailing supplies, from the various nations that wish to trade in their “domain” of the Mediterranean sea. If they were to not receive this tribute from a certain monarchy, merchants of that poor country would be attacked; their ships stolen, their belongings taken, and their crew and passengers sold into slavery. Children on-board were usually taken by Barbary crew members for “comfort”. There was no choice for most of Europe, the Barbary tribute was a requirement for both commerce and security.
This ruthless cycle, beginning in the 17th century, proved to be more than an annoyance, but a grave danger. Such exploitation of lives for riches could only lead to war.
It was in 1796 that Yusuf, the Pasha of Tripoli, took no less than 8 ships belonging to the Kingdom of Sweden because his tribute was late. The tribute eventually arrived in the harbor of Tripoli, but was short compared to what had been promised. The Swedish captain explained that they had been attacked by a French privateer, who took some of the money intended for the Pasha, but his pleas went unheard. Yusuf instead demanded compensation for “his lost cargo” from the Swedish government. Later that year, three Swedish ship boys, who had been captured and converted to Islam by Barbary forces, snuck out of Tripoli and returned home to Sweden. Pasha Yusuf considered this an insult to his faith, and demanded the Swedes pay for this as well.
When Sweden’s response was too slow for his liking, Yusuf declared war on Sweden. More Swedish ships were soon taken and brought to Tripoli, where they were thoroughly plundered. But Yusuf was still unsatisfied, and demanded Sweden pay reparations for tempting him to declare war. This sum was the largest ransom yet. The Swedish government was already near bankruptcy, and decided to respond in force. A Swedish Flotilla was sent to war.
Barely an infant on the world stage, the United States was as well indebted to the Pasha. American merchants, previously safe under Britain’s tribute, were taken and enslaved as soon as their country’s War for Independance concluded. The American government was at first hesitant to become involved in foreign affairs, just recently coming into existence. But when a fleet of Tunisian ships invaded and massacred Sardinia in 1799, the King of Sardinia had no choice but to turn to the United States for help. He himself was poor from Napoleon’s war, too poor to afford the ransom, and the rest of the world was busy enough with their own wars, and denied to spare any aid.
The American government finally yielded, and sent over a tribute on behalf of both themselves and Sardinia to the Dey of Algiers. The Dey thanked them, and then took over the ship that delivered the tribute, and sold its entire crew into slavery. The Barbary States then demanded another, even greater, tribute when the US elected a new president, considering it a “regime change” which nullified the previous agreement. When these demands were unmet, Pasha Yusuf declared on the United States by cutting down a flag post at their embassy. The US Navy, a new force built specifically for this conflict, was dispatched.
The US and Sweden then petitioned the Kingdom of Sicily to join their cause, and put an end to the Barbary exploitation. King Francis of Sicily was in throes of war with Napoleon, and in a bit of financial predicament, and so couldn’t be a major help to their cause, but nonetheless agreed to loan the alliance manpower, ships, and supplies.
Also given to the US-Sweden force were the ports of Syracuse, Palermo, and Messina, which could be used as a base of naval operations if needed. Of the entire American-Swedish naval force, 1/10th of the crewman were either Sicilian or Neapolitan.
The RP
This Three-Nation Navy formed into almost one force during the war, sharing crew between ships, and sometimes even ships between crews. This means that you, the player, have the utmost choice in the creation of your character, completely undictated by the choice of your fellows. That is to say, if Inq wants to be Sicilian, Vess can still be American.
This RP will also heavily rely on cooperation and continue-the-story style posting. This means there won't be a GM, nor a DM, nor even an FM. Everyone contributes to the story in their own way, and everyone is excpected to build off of and take part in the plots of their comrades.
Also incorporated will be many democratically decided decisions. The first two will be the ship's class, the flag it bares, and eventually its name.
Be wary, the Med is infested with Barbary Pirates. We may switch ships often, as a result of boarding parties and damage. But do not fret. Let them take their petty prize. As the old North African saying goes:
The Wisest Falcon Struggles Not.
This time period, the Barbary Wars, is perfect in that it appeals to everyone currently on our site.
It is:
- An obscure historical event (Sean)
- Full of cool Swedes (Inq)
- Lots of Naval Combat (Vessel)
- An excuse to fight Muslims (Red)
- An RP (CT, Das, Zero)
- A convuluded political nightmare (Fire)
- A balance between action and character development (Dab, Thel)
- A Story With Pirates (Stars)
Character Card
Name: Put yer name here.
Age: Age goes here.
Gender: Male for this time period, unless you can do a convincing enough backstory.
Nationality: Sicilian, Neapolitan, American, Swedish (including Finnish), or Greek/Arab (mercs)
Appearance: Hair color, eye color, height, build, attire, etc.
Rank: Any here except Commissioned Officers. We don't need all of these rolls filled, obviously but any of them are available. Note, the ranks are in English. If you know Italian or Swedish, you can translate them in your card if you want.
Equipment: Higher officers would have a sword of some kind, and possibly a pistol. Lower ranks would have daggers, axes, and maybe swords as well. All have some form of uniform.
Biography: You know what to do...
I hear those Pirates don't take prisoners....
Good luck and god speed.