The Rich Five aka The Kentucky Free State

[dragoon500ly]

Ah, the KFS...they seem to be everyone's favorite villain in TMP! According to TM 1-1; the Rich Five are located in the area covered by: Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama. Their tech level is described as "Atomic Age (circa 1980+) unlimited power, fusion and laser technology and population. Some weapons equivalency to TMP. Limited only be available materials and population." It is also mentioned "Power/Resources: Equal to TMP but not as widespread. Special Attributes: Highly developed empire far outnumbering TMP's personnel." And finally, "The Rich Five are the survivors of a group of five industrialists who had been frozen before the war along with portions of their empires. They have gathered a following and are building a city in the Kentucky highlands. They are a slave culture and are easily insulted."

Well now...

Bullets & Bluegrass and Fall Back! both mention this group under the name of The Kentucky Free State, reading both modules leaves the impression of a medium-sized group inhabiting the state of Kentucky and only recently expanding out of their borders. They are capable of rebuilding WWII-era aircraft as well as crude copies of M-60/M-1 tanks and M-2 IFVs.

But TM 1-1 hints at a much larger, better organized group covers the area claimed by the KFS. Hmmmmm...

Being accused of being an evil PD, , I prefer that my players have at least one major threat to their rebuilding efforts, typically I choose either the Warriors of Krell or my own, twisted version of the KFS. Herein, the KFS is a much larger power, covering all or major portions of 4-7 states with a much larger population base, a major industrial complex and a larger security force willing to engage and pursue MP Teams. For an added twist, I pirated portions of New America (from T2K), added a dash of extreme survivalists, a pinch of utter ruthlessness and baked for 150 years before serving to my players.

[mikeo80]

Originally Posted by dragoon500ly

Being accused of being an evil PD, , I prefer that my players have at least one major threat to their rebuilding efforts, typically I choose either the Warriors of Krell or my own, twisted version of the KFS. Herein, the KFS is a much larger power, covering all or major portions of 4-7 states with a much larger population base, a major industrial complex and a larger security force willing to engage and pursue MP Teams. For an added twist, I pirated portions of New America (from T2K), added a dash of extreme survivalists, a pinch of utter ruthlessness and baked for 150 years before serving to my players.

I LIKE IT!!!

And here is my little twist on KFS....

1) Let us imagine that the KFS military was actually run somewhat realistically. NOT as good as 1st Cav in Lonestar, but better than the disorganized mess that is portrayed.

2) Let us further imagine that KFS had expanded southwest towards Texas. They were after the remaining oil and refining industry of Texas.

3) Another little twist in time...1st Cav is NOT there.....Smashed by the invasion from Mexico

4) But the survivalists are still in business......Now they have not only some T-72's...They have REAL M1's...Possibly even a few M1A1's!!!

5) And guess what lies between the two.... Yep, PB2 and your team of heroes....

6) Oh, btw, you team JUST found PB2...no one is awake yet...You have about, oh....two, maybe three days....MAX...

Enjoy the carnage!!!!!!



My $0.02

Mike

[ArmySGT.]

Meh the KFS should be a challenge.

Or just kill them when the tube opens.....


why game it at all?

[dragoon500ly]

Here is my on twisted view of the KFS..comments and suggestions are welcome as this is a work in progress. This is based on a variety of sources that I've pooled together to make a better back story.

The Kentucky Free State has its roots in the right-wing, militant organizations which proliferated throughout North America during the 1970s and 1980s. The Free State Movement was an unusual coalition of survivalists, neo-Nazis and ultra-right wing militant religious organizations. The FSM was convinced that it was "their sacred duty before God" to create a society that "would rise from the ashes of a destroyed United States and rebuild a new nation based on traditional American values and principles." But these traditional values and principles would reflect the twisted social and political philosophies of the Free State Movement's founders.

From its inception, the FSM was protected by an almost impenetrable layer of secrecy. It maintained a careful cover as a conservative, respectable political action committee; this low-key, outwardly respectable cover allowed the FSM to avoid the fate of similar organizations such as the Posse Comitatus and the Covenant, Sword and Arm of the Lord, each of which were broken up in various government crackdowns.

Rather than resort to public pronouncements or holding public recruiting drives, the FSM was kept small. Prospective recruits were carefully screened and investigated before being approached. Highly intelligent individuals were preferred, particularly those with industrial, law enforcement, survivalist, military and other essential skills. But the single most important criteria was complete loyalty to the FSM. As the years passed, the Movement membership grew steadily larger and assets were acquired which allowed the necessary preparations for the coming Armageddon: the secret stockpiling of foodstuffs, petroleum products, vehicles, tools, spare parts, medical supplies and weapons and ammunition as well as other critical supplies in secret locations centered around the FSM's headquarters at Mount Sterling, Kentucky.

By the end of the 1980s, the Movement had a membership of over 750,000, scattered across the nation, with the largest concentrations (over 600,000) in the states of Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee and Ohio. Throughout these states, the Movement carefully acquired locations to secure their envisioned border. Rich and influential members would use the cover of their various businesses to target small towns for acquisition. They would buy out the town's key industries, forcing mass lay-offs and forcing the local citizen's to seek work in other areas. Other FSM front companies would move in, buying real estate and small businesses and establishing total control of the town's economy, law enforcement and government. Within a year or two, the entire town would be a Free State enclave.

Each enclave was designed to be independent. Each contained stockpiles of critical supplies, usually carefully stored in underground bunkers.

The leaders of each enclave also maintained secret copies of detailed instructions that were to be placed into operation once the fall of civilization began. Various portions of these secret files were concerned with what actions were to be taken in the event of a massive nuclear exchange; a limited exchange involving only a few cities; a minor exchange targeting military bases; a massive revolution; a military coup; a terrorist biological attack; total crop failures; wide spread epidemics and even invasion from outer space.

No matter what happened, the enclave leaders were to undertake no actions beyond that of insuring the survival of their enclave. The final form of their plan would be decided by the FSM leadership.

[mikeo80]

This is a great start to the story of the KFS. I can not wiat to see how you bring in the five families, freeze tech, fusion, and other parts of the KFS story.

Keep up the good work.

My $0.02

Mike

[dragoon500ly]

The Free State Movement borrowed heavily from the structures of existing secret societies to organize their system. The cell, or enclave, concept was taken from various revolutionary groups, although FSM "cells" would often contain hundreds and even thousands of members rather than just a few. THe locations and leaders of all the cells were known to only a handful of senior FSM leaders, the individual enclave leaders did not know of the location of any other enclaves.

Members were ranked according to numerical levels used in Masonic socities. New members are 1st Tier and serve as low-level works and soldiers. Promotion is automatic (as well as based on merit) up through the 12th Tier.

Next are the ranks corresponding to the middle-level management and they run from the 13th through the 30th Tier. These are responsible for day-to-day operations and planning, security, recruitment and procurement. Advancement comes again, through a combination of merit and time in service.

Above the 30th Tier, promotion is won through political maneuvering and occasionally, as a reward for exceptional service. These are the Executive ranks of the Free State and the are responsible for the long-term planning and governing of the Free State. The Committee of Five are the supreme rulers of the KFS and are believed to be the only 40th Tier Executives and their positions are strictly hereditary.

In addition to the Committee of Five, various Committees of Public Safety are organized at the county, city/town/village level; these control a bureaucracy which includes various subcommittees controlling domestic duties such as treasury, supply, population control, resource recovery, social reeducation, medical, employment, education and housing.

NOTE, much of this material is based on Twilight 2000's New America society.

[Father Fletch]

Excellent write up! Keep up the good work!

[dragoon500ly]

The bulk of close combat and the heaviest casualties, falls upon the shoulders of the Poor Bloody Infantry, and therefore the largest fraction of the Free State's combat power comes from its thirty infantry regiments.

Each regiment is made up of four "line" battalions, supported by a Headquarters Company (108 men); a Service Company (114 men); a Armor Company (92 men equipped with 13 M-60A1 MBTs); a cavalry troop (165 men equipped with 4 V-300/90mm, 12 V-300/25mm and 3 V-300/81mm vehicles); an Engineer Company (165 men) and an Mortar Battery (145 men equipped with 8 120mm mortars).

Each Infantry Battalion is made up of four "rifle" companies (each of 193 men equipped with 9 MG-1 SAWs, 2 MG-3 GPMGs, 1 M-2HB HMG, 3 60mm mortars and 3 90mm RR); a Weapons Company (166 men equipped with 8 MG-3 GPMG, 2 M-2HB HMGs, 6 81mm mortars and 6 90mm RRs) and a Headquarters Company (126 men). Those regiments bearing the title motorized are equipped with enough 2.5-ton trucks to transport at least 70% of its men and equipment. Those regiments bearing the title mechanized are equipped with V-300s throughout.

The Volunteer Infantry Regiments are considered to be the very worst of the SSF-L, made up of minorities, crinimals and other dregs of society. The VI Regiments have no armor company, no cavalry troop and the regimental mortar battery is equipped with 81mm mortars. The battalion weapons companies field 4 MG-3 GPMGs, 4 M-2HB HMGs, 4 60mm mortars and 2 90mm RRs). No assault rifles or squad automatic weapons are issued to the Volunteer Infantry Regiments. The usual weapon is the Free State Trade Rifle, a single-shot, muzzle-loaded and percussion-capped black-powder weapons.

The SSF-L fields twelve companies of Rangers (each of 193 men) recruited from the citizen-class. Rangers are used as special reconnaissance units are responsible for strategic reconnaissance no less than 50 miles from the official borders and no more than 300 miles from the the official borders. In reality, the Ranger Companies supports SSS counter-Project operations, conduct pre-emptive strikes on Free State enemies and update maps with current terrain information. In addition, two Ranger Battalions (equipped as line battalions) are organized and used as rapid-reaction forces in the event of the discovery of an active Morrow Project team.

The SSF-L fields no less than 12 regiments of cavalry. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Cavalry Regiments are exclusively a citizens-only club. They are considered to be elite formations and are equipped with the V-300 armored car in various configurations. Thre are four squadrons in each regiment; each is made up of four troops (197 men and equipped with 4 V-300/90mm, 15 V-300/25mm and 3 V-300/91mm each). A headquarters troop (264 men, equipped with 10 V-300/25 and 4 V-300/120mm) rounds out the squadron. A Headquarters Troop (180 men), a Service Company (212 men), a engineer company (193 men) and a artillery battery (120 men with 6 towed 105mm howitzers) round out the regiment.

The 9th, 10th and 11th Cavalry Regiments are recruited from the ranks of the seconds and are made up of four squadrons, each of 4 troops (193 men). A Headquarters Troop (140 men) and a Service Troop (180 men) round out the Regiment. Transportation is either by horse or by pack mule. They are equipped with standard infantry weapons.

The 6th, 7th and 8th Armored Cavalry Regiments are exclusively citizens-only. They are nicknamed "The Praetorians" and they are recruited from the most loyal personal available to the SSF-L. Each regiments fields six battalions, four consisting of one mechanzied infantry company (193 men and 14 M-2 Bradleys) and three armor companies (96 men and 14 M-1A1 Abrams MBTs), one battalion of three mechanized infantry and one armor company and a cavarly squadron made up of four troops (197 men and equipped with 4 V-300/90mm, 15 V-300/25mm and 3 V-300/91mm each). Rounding out the Regiment is a Headquarters Company (180 men), a Service Company (240 men), an engineer company (193 men) and a artillery battery (180 men and 6 towed 155mm howitzers).

When they were first activated over sixty years ago, the 6 Border Scout Regiments were highly controversial. They are they only uints in the SSF-L that recurits from all classes. These units serve only in the border regions and are rarly withdrawn. This enables the units to acquire a very detailed knowledge of the terrain adn the peoples surrounding the Free State. The Border Scouts maintain horse and foot patrols out as far as 200 miles from the official border. These units normally operate in squad or platoon-strong patrols, with an occasional troop strength patrol to show the flag. The Border Scout Regiments are made up from 4-6 squadrons, each of four 180-man horse-mounted troops. A headquarters troop (140 men) and a service troop (240 men) round out the regiment. Weapons are the standard infantry issues.

Artillery units are organized into abtteries of six tubes or launchers. Three batteries are organzied with a Headquarters and Service Battery to form a battalion. Four battalions, with a Headquarters & Service Battalion form an Artillery Regiment.

[dragoon500ly]

The standard service rifle of the SSF is the M-7 assault rifle (based on the prewar Spanish CETME-L). It is issued in folding or fixed stock versions. The rifle grenades issued are of the bullet-catcher variety and require no special ammunitions to use.

The standard squad automatic weapon is the MG-1 (based on the prewar CETME Ameli) chambered in 5.56mm. Heavier weapons include the MG-3 general purpose machine gun (chambered in 7.62mm) and the M-2HB heavy machine gun (chambered in 12.7mm).

Heavy weapons include: the 60mm, 81mm and 120mm mortars, and the 90mm recoilless rifle, based on prewar American issues.

The grenades issued are standard US Army versions.

The standard sidearm is the Smith & Wesson Model 59, normally issuued to officers, NCOs, vehicle and weapons crews. These weapons are all reliable and simple designs manufactured to the highest standards.

The armor units use the M-2 Bradley and the M-1A1 and M-60A1 main battle tanks. While these are sophisticated designs, they are built to the standards that the Free State can maintain. For example, the tanks have thinner armor and of much lower quality. Cannon rounds are limited to solid shot, high explosive and canister. There no TOW launchers on the M-2s, and these vehicles lack stabilized gun platforms, laser rangefinders and night vision gear.

[dragoon500ly]

Few working aircraft survived the war. What few that did exist were used until they fell apart. But having planes is useful and so the Free State looked for designs of proven ruggedness and utility. Originally, the intention was to build jet fighters, but two factors prevented this. First, none of their neighbor's, indeed, no one else in the world as far as the know, had jet aircraft. Second, the technical problems of manufacturing jet engines were simply to great. Instead, the Free State duplicated four aircraft that they had prototypes of, courtesy of a Confederate Air Force air show at Bowling Green. The standard fighter of the Free State is the P-47D Thunderbolt, a proven design (max air speed of 428 mph and a combat radius of 450 miles on internal fuel) noted for its extreme ruggedness and its heavy firepower (eight .50 caliber machine guns and a 2,000lb bomb load). For the air support mission that the SSF would need, it was perfect. Currently, sixteen squadrons of eight aircraft each are in service.

The second aircraft is the B-25 medium bomber. This twin engine aircraft is built in two versions, the first is the B-25H ground assault aircraft, which is armed with a 75mm cannon, fourteen .50-caliber machineguns (mounted in twin tail and dorsal turrets, two single side mounts and eight fixed in the nose) and a 3,200lb bomb load. Two squadrons of eight aircraft are in service.

The second version is the B-25J medium bomber, which is armed with eighteen .50-caliber machine guns (mounted in twin dorsal and tail turrets, two single side mounts and twelve fixed in the nose) and a 4,000lb bomb load. Four squadrons of eight aircraft each are in service. Both versions have a maximum air speed of 275mph and a combat radius of 675 miles.

The fourth and final aircraft is the C-47 transport. This twin engine aircraft has a max speed of 227 mph and a combat radius of 773 miles with a useful payload of 4,000lbs. Ten squadons of eight aircraft each are in service.

The SSF-A is a status service and its pilots are chosen only from the ranks of Citizens. This has a detrimental effect on the quality of its pilots since many marginal pilots stay in due to their political connections. Further the SSF-A has a somewhat callous attitude towards the SSF-L in that whn calls for support are received, the pilots tend to be somewhat careless as to where they dump their ordnance. This has the effect of making the SSF-L reluctant to call in air strikes under any but the most desperate situations.

[dragoon500ly]

The SSF-A continues its policy of construction of twelve auxiliary fields that, once completed, will allow for greater flexibility in its flight operations. It is intended to provide a Maintenance Flight, a Support Flight and a Ground Defense Flight for each of the auxiliary strips. This, needless to say, is running into a great deal of resistance from Council Member Madsen Wilson Kirby III. Also facing serious opposition from the Council Member are expansion plans to build two new air fields, along with the personnel and equipment to man them.