1918, a dark year.Weakened by dissensions with the French generals, the British army decided to use the Telin gas, an experimental weapon that had been developed in the greatest secrecy. The gas, aimed at dissolving complex molecular chains, was supposed to deal a fatal blow to their German foe. On the 9th of October, the British bomber “Damocles” dropped its terrible load on the city of Pforzheim, eradicating all of its 57 000 citizens.
Against all odds, the scientific calculations of the British proved wrong and the gas, designed to dilute quickly, started to spread death westward. Soon, France was stricken by its horrible effects. The military and civil losses were horrendous, starting a public uproar with no equivalent in history. People demanded retaliation.
Paying no heed to its French ally and convinced that their action was legitimate, the British generals got ready to launch further strikes. The alliance between the French and the British was thus put to a sudden end.
An immediate cease-fire was signed between France and Germany and a new alliance was sealed against the British.
And that’s how a terrible arms-race began. An arms-race that revolved around natural gas deposits -since natural gas is the main ingredient of Telin - and every side coveted the now extremely precious resource. In North-America, the discovery of vast deposits at the border between Alaska and Canada triggered new tensions. In June 1919, helped by the Russian Empire, Canada annexed Alaska, creating a new battlefront for the USA.
1924...
The First World War has lasted for ten years without anyone taking the upper hand, and no one can foresee how it shall end. Telin gas has been used by all armies, either to threaten or to punish.
On each continent, vast portions of territories have become toxic no man’s land. Whole provinces are isolated and states are divided. In many cases, neither men nor goods can travel by land anymore and sea control has become vital. In this context, each faction is developing a new generation of submarines.
The reduced crews of these new machines are ordered to make a difference.
In 1923, deeply nested in the Atlantic coast, the port of La Rochelle witnessed the birth of the new breed of French-German submarines: the Panzer La Rochelle. This model has both excellent handling and great versatility, combining powerful weaponry and sturdy defenses. It is easily recognizable thanks to the powerful Fat Martha canon that decorates its conning tower, a canon named by its inventor after his wife, Martha Hoffmeister, a great connoisseur of French gastronomy.
The Talion submarine is the model of choice for many independent groups. Attracted by gain only, they plunder in the tradition of 16th and 17th centuries pirates.
Its generic structure allows the Talion to be a very versatile weapon. Telescopic Shaft, Radiofrequencies Scrambler… Talion crews outdo each other in cunning innovation to neutralize the enemy they hunt and board its submarine!
Build your own deadly submarine by combining immersion packs and boosters compartment tiles!
Original design: Ludovic Roudy and Bruno Sautter
Artwork: Ludovic Roudy
© 2011 Serious Poulp – all rights reserved