Martian Native Forces

Martian history stretches back millions of years, and what was once a thriving, water covered planet, suffered enormous climactic changes, transforming the planet to the dry and barren desert it is today. From over 33, 000 years ago to today, empires and civilizations of Martian people rose and fell. 

From  ancient beginnings, technological advancement reached a peak around 25,000BC, before catastrophic drought and global warming stripped the fertile lands of water, and forced the Martian peoples to work together and complete the global canal-building project. Over 10,000 years of collective work resulted in the magnificent canals seen on Mars today. These canals, sometimes a mile wide, allow water from the natural ice caps to be distributed all over the planet, and maintain the life and vitality to Martians all over.

Following the success of the canal-builders, war and devastation followed; over 10,000 years of war plunged Martian civilization into the Dark ages, where technology and knowledge was lost forever. In 3000BC, King Seldon rose and conquered large parts of Mars, and produced a dynasty stretching for over 30 generations. This era of the Seldon Empire saw rediscovery of lost ancient knowledge, repairs to essential canals falling into disrepair, and rebirth of lost cities. 

The era of success ended with the mad King Seldon XXX1 (31), who waged a war against technology, destroying much of the recently re-gained knowledge, and leading to a civil war between those for and against technology. It wasn't until the reign of Seldon LVII (57) that the wars cam to an end, and technology became a focus of mysticism and religion. The last of the line, Seldon LXVII died in AD1 with no heir, leaving his nephew to inherit the throne, however his rule was widely unrecognized. The empire fractured into individual city states, and scientific development stagnated mars-wide.

Mars today features city dwellers known as canal Martians, desert tribes known as hill Martians, and savage cave dwellers known as high Martians. Access to limited resources drive rivalries between the hundreds of cultures and traditions that exist across the planet, and now the arrival of humans has shaken once again the state of affairs on Mars.

All of my Martian units in a combined force.

The units available to me today, to fight on behalf of Mars. I've built models that represent a diverse range of Space 1889 Martians, and in lore terms, they wouldn't necessarily always work side-by-side, so in the future I'm planning to expand on all the factions. As usual, the units are organized to fight with The Men Who Would Be Kings (TMWWBK) rules.

Finding models to represent Space 1889 Martians isn't that easy, only RAFM specifically make them, and the range isn't that large, so I've kit-bashed a lot of my models to build up the diversity.

Oenotrian Legionnaires (Choppers)

Finding themselves head-to-head with the British invaders are the ground forces of the Oenotrian Empire. This is a canal Martian civilization with a strong military tradition that structures its soldiers into Legions, with half-companies of Choppers - armed with vicious melee weapons - and Shooters - armed with martian firearms.

These Choppers include a few RAFM figures, two Ironclad leader figures, and lots of kit-bashed spearmen. The recipe for these includes Victrix Spartan bodies, arms and weapons, and Wargames Atlantic Goblin heads. I think the pointy ears and painting them yellow gives a good Space 1889 appearance. 

Oenotrian Shooters

Here are the Oenotrian Shooters to back up the melee fighters. They will fight in tandem with the Chopper soldiers, I'm picturing a similar fighting style to the pike-and-shotte tactics seen on Earth. Their firepower is not good for modern earth standards, utilizing obsolete Martian muskets. 

My models include RAFM and a Mirliton/Grenadier Shadow-Elf. Some more kit-bashed recipes too:

> Agema Republican Roman body, head + Perry Firearm Zulu arm, weapon.

> Wargame Atlantic goblin body, weapons + Perry Afghan tribesmen head.

I'll be adding more of these Shooters to bulk up the Legion, which will come from the Agema Roman/Firearm Zulu kitbash, and an actual RAFM Legion model set.

Six Cities Militia

This group of Irregular Infantry can be used to represent any canal Martian faction, and has been painted deliberately non-specific to allow so. In my current games, they are representing levied allies of Oenotria, and will be fielded with some sort of handicap, such as poor shots, or unenthusiastic.

The models include an RAFM swordsmen as the leader, Ironclad Martians, and kitbashed extras.

> Perry Afghan bodies, weapons + Perry Zulu heads (or any bald head) + green-stuff molded pointy ears. 

Canal Martian levy infantry

Some extra infantry I built and painted up without much thought to what unit they are part of exactly.  The swordman in white is RAFM and usually represents a unit leader in my games, while the others are Perry Afghan kitbashes. I think I'll create more melee armed canal Martian models, and field them as a unit of Tribal Infantry, perhaps levied farmer and tradesmen from the canal villages.

Canal Martian gashant cavalry

The first Martian riding a native Martian mount (the gashant). The gashant is a plastic toy dinosaur with a bird-like beak and bony faceplate added with greenstuff. Crafting all my gashants like this is a bit laborious, but is a money saver considering the cost to buy on ship each model from Canada-based RAFM. The rider is a Grenadier/Mirliton Elf rider I managed to find on eBay as a rider-only model (so perfect for me).

I plan to eventually add an entire unit of Oenotrian imperial gashant cavalry (probably fielded as Irregular Cavalry with 8 models). In addition, I would like to have a unit of hill Martian Tribal Cavalry, canal Martian imperial guards/lancers and a unit of colonial gashant mounted infantry. So yeah, a lot of toy dinosaur conversions to do...

Also to note, I don't like the rectangular bases, I think I'm going to try basing my cavalry models on 32mm round bases from now on.

Rummet breehr team weapon

In addition to the gashant, the rummet breehr is a species native to Mars, and has been domesticated and utilized by the Martian peoples for millennia. A strong hauling beast, with tough skin and angry temper, its military applications have been recognized by some civilizations. Directing this beast into war is best left to the experts, but under the command of talented handlers provides a flexible platform for waging war.

This model is completely scratch built, based off a plastic triceratops toy, and crewed by kitbashed soldiers (the usual parts, goblins/afghans/spartans/zulus, etc.). I have some photos taken during its construction, so could share some more details on that another time.

In the game, I've not decided how to field it. Its homebrewed rules will probably be inspired by the Elephants special rules found in Hail Caesar, but it could also be fielded as a troupe of 3 and called Irregular Cavalry with each model given 3 hit points. Lastly, it could be called a Team Weapon by game rules, albeit more mobile. Happy to hear any suggestions how it could be fielded in game.

Hill Martian Tribal Infantry

The Hill Martian tribesmen often live a nomadic lifestyle from the saddle, also fighting from gashant-back. But this unit represents a dismounted contingent, armed with a range of rustic but dangerous weapons. Tribal Infantry in TMWWBK are 16 model strong units, that fight primarily by charging and attacking in melee. They can be upgraded to have an improved ranged attack, by arming them with bows and obsolete muskets. My group has a few ranged attackers, but ought to have a few more models made up to properly represent a unit like this on the gaming table.

They are all kitbashed, utilizing pieces from Perry Afghans/Zulus/Sudan, Wargames Atlantic Goblins/Aztecs and some greenstuff additions for ears and big toes, to give a reasonably Martian appearance. 

For future hill Martian models, I plan to use Native American and Plains Wars models, perhaps Foundry, as the Space 1889 illustrations shows the hill Martians often wearing leggings and attire similar to the Native Americans.

Sanwar tribesmen armed with jezails

The Sanwar tribes of Mars are underground dwellers, hiding under the desert sands to escape the blazing sun and heat. Talented crafters and tinkerers, they are skilled at building crude but powerful firearms from materials they have scavenged and raided.

Technically Sanwar aren't mentioned in Space 1889, but I loved the look of the models on Ironclad, and ordered a bunch of them. Regardless, I think they could represent well any one of the diverse tribes and communities of the Martian hinterlands. I field them as Irregular Infantry. To expand on the faction, Ironclad also offer a range of melee weapon armed Sanwar.

Sanwar rocket artillery crew

Fanatical producers of gunpowder and pyrotechnics, the Sanwar use scratch built rocket artillery to bombard enemies for base defense, and on raids. The models are all Ironclad again, and actually the figure with his big staff is the Sanwar Shaman.

In game terms, I use the standard team weapon gun rules for the unit. But the Bolt Action style rules for the Nebelwerfer rocket launcher could be an exciting addition. In that game, the weapon would always only hit on a roll of 6, but can simultaneously target all other enemy units within 12cm of the primary target unit, thus the player rolls for a 6 to hit on each targeted unit. On a hit, the player then rolls for damage as usual.

A fearsome crew of kraag warriors

The high Martians are a evolutionary distinct sub-species of Martians. Their lineage separated eons ago, and today they maintain a primitive appearance along with wings and an ability to fly. The live filthy and violent lifestyles, raiding canal and hill Martians alike, and residing in cavernous rock hideouts, called kraags. The strongest and most alpha of the tribe ascends to the position of leader, until he is challenged and displaced.

These models are the original RAFM Kraag Warrior metal figures. I have another units-worth of these models unpainted and stored away to expand the faction one day.

In TMWWBK rules, I field them as Fierce Tribal Infantry, with a unique ability to move through difficult and impassable terrain at no movement cost (on account of their flying ability). Additionally they can attack an enemy unit behind an obstacle at no disadvantage (envisioning them swooping and diving to make their attacks).

Conclusion

So that wraps up my current collection of Martian forces. In the future I'd like to expand quite heavily, into different directions. I have at least 3 distinct factions I would like to build up (Oenotrian, hill Martians, and high Martians). I've also recently come across a very dangerous range of Martians made by Ral Partha Legacy (dangerous in the sense that I may spend all my money on it). They have very suitable models for martian militia, musketmen, artillery teams, royal infantry, cavalry riders and civilians).

To Build list:

• Oenotrian Legion. To paint up a bunch of RAFM Legionnaires, including shield gunners and all that lovely stuff. Will continue to paint them in the red and orange colors I've decided on for Oenotria.
• Oenotrian Native artillery crew.
• Hill Martian Tribal Cavalry. Will kitbash and greenstuff my way to 10 gashant mounted tribal warriors.
• Second unit of high Martians.

Long term ideas:

• Oenotria imperial gashant cavalry (armed preferably with carbines or lances).
• Second unit of hill Martian tribal cavalry, based on native American riders.
• More canal martian factions (Shastapsh, Tossia).