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The Secret Project: Unveiled
Documentary I; Concept: The Rebellion of Nat Turner is a concept that has never been invented before. In the past, before the American Civil War, of course, there were slave rebellions. John Brown, South Carolina rebellions, etc. But the one that made the most success was the Rebellion of Nat Turner, in which slaves in Virgina met together to discuss a plan for rebellion, in leadership with the preacher, Nat Turner. They killed about 30 farmers, I believe, then were caught by local milita and killed, while Nat Tuner ran away and was later found. However, I have been talking to several historians who have composed literature on the subject, believing that if Nat Turner had the right supplies, the Rebellion could have gotten off the ground, and could have actually been success, later banning slavery before even the American Civil War. Of course, Nat Turner never did this in history, as he did not make the right steps, but you as a player can make the right steps, get the right supplies, get the right help, and win the Rebellion of Nat Turner. This project has been in development for about a year now, and is nearing the stages of unit placement and events.
Documentary II; Unit Creation: I realize some are doubles or just flipped; they are there because I want you folks to tell me which one(s) are more efficient for the game.
It took me two hours plus for each unit. I tried to get them to look like actual human beings, using over 25 sources, it was difficult to draw at the same scale, although in the end, I finally did it. Of course, some units are better than others. Still needed to be drawn are vessels of war, trade, transport, and other vessels/ships. Also, a cannon needs to be drawn, and other powerful weapons in the United States of America's military at the time. I will probably draw some city and farm units as well, or use the conversions from 1602 AD that I have done.
Documentary III; Terrain Creation:
To create this farmland piece of terrain, I simply re-drew the little corn fields one by one, taking around an hour to do so, then enlarging them, taking another 30 minutes. This farmland will be used in Nat Turner next to the standard cotton field, which is seen here:
...which was also used in Captain Nemo's American Civil War scenario.
I am using this terrain in TERRAIN2.gif, also seen in Spartacus, Jesús Balsinde scenarios, and other scenarios. Kudos to these folks.
Documentary IV; Map Creation: Of course, after all the art, you get the main part. The gameplay, etc. The map is a medium-sized map of Virginia, including some of Maryland, Washington, D.C., Chesapeake Bay area, etc.
In one word, the map took time. Scott F even tried to draw one for me as well; the Chesapeake area was excellent, but he told me he was not good at doing rivers. Rivers are essential to this scenario. Both rivers in standard river terrain, and rivers in ocean terrain. Thus, I went ahead and tried to make my own map, and ended up with the result above, taking an entire day. I am very pleased with the result.
Documentary V; Gameplay: In Nat Turner, you will be the rebellion, of course. Throughout you will do the following:[*]Capture naval vessels to try to escape to the North, later to return with some northern aid.[*]Sail into the rivers from the Chesapeake and perform bay assaults on important trade cities.[*]Raise an army of slave rebels, armed slaves (rifles), and northern helpers.[*]The concept of "Scortched Earth" will be used by your rebels; destroying farms, crops, livestock, etc. is how you survive. If you do not do this, armed farmers may have the best of you.[*]Trying to work up to an early Underground Railroad.
And, of course, there is more where that came from.
[This message has been edited by PolarisGL (edited August 21, 2000).]
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