Operation Proud Lion: T2K in Kenya

[Olefin]

very interesting - never saw this before - working on my own Kenyan source book as well - in mine the Tanzanian invasion is turned back easily by the Kenyans but they then get overwhelmed by marauders and guerrillas from other nations hitting them because they see Kenya as ripe for the knife due to having to concentrate their forces to stop the Tanzanians -

the US comes in because Kenya appeals to them for aid to stop those other invaders so they can concentrate on the Tanzanians

[Raellus]

Originally Posted by Olefin

very interesting - never saw this before - working on my own Kenyan source book as well...

I posted a link to it when you put up a new thread on Kenya a little while back. Since you mentioned a Kenya sourcebook today, I thought I would bump this old thread since some of us old-timers (forum history-wise, that is)have already put a bit of thought into it.

I would never argue that my version is canon, but I was pretty stoked with the Frank Frey endorsement. He helped out with some info from his old notes and I added a couple of my own flourishes (the Tanzanian invasion, namely).

I just feel like what I've written up so far is a little thin for a sourcebook. Would it be helpful if I broke Kenya down into some geographical regions and got a little more specific with the local conditions found there? Would more detailed write-ups of the OPFOR be useful?

[Olefin]

its what I am doing - took frank's notes and so far have 35 pages on not only Kenya but other areas too

[Legbreaker]

Originally Posted by Raellus

I just feel like what I've written up so far is a little thin for a sourcebook. Would it be helpful if I broke Kenya down into some geographical regions and got a little more specific with the local conditions found there? Would more detailed write-ups of the OPFOR be useful?

A full on source book would seem to be a bit of overkill for just one small(ish) African country not directly involved with the overall war. Eastern Europe, a dozen or so countries which were, only got one book between them.

I'd say aim for something that would fit into 6-10 pages - what you might expect to see in Challenge. Either that or expand to cover the entire continent (which is far more work than I think any of us here would want to do given there's virtually no foundation material).

Realistically, the only countries/small regions which deserve a "book" are the US, UK, France (and it's dependencies and colonies), the Mediterranean (focusing on Greece and Italy), Korea and it's immediate neighbours including China (pretty easy - melted glass with the odd scorched bone sticking out of it), and perhaps Pakistan/India and Australasia (Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific islands and including Indonesia and up to about Singapore). Might be worth exploring South and Central America in one book also, but as none of them were a part of the main conflict zones...

[Olefin]

Actually a sourcebook is what the area needs. And Kenya is critical to the war - you dont send an airborne regiment plus a lot of support units plus naval and air units there unless its damn important considering all of those units are really needed in the RDF.

That refinery and the port are critical for the RDF.

I am working on such a sourcebook now to cover Kenya, the area around it, and how it fits into the whole war, using other modules and canon information plus what Frank Frey has posted or approved from other posters in order to use it as a source for those who want to play in the area and as a basis for modules and adventures.

Should be ready soon.

Oh and for those who follow the news Mr. Kony and his fun guys from the LRA are part of those the US is having conflict with.

The way I see it - if GDW was going to issue a module/sourcebook on the country and the area around it then as far as they thought it was pretty important to the overall war effort.

[Legbreaker]

It's just a Regiment. That's roughly three Battalions plus a few supporting units. It's not a major deployment for a military as big as the US. It's only about a third of what's in the US 8th ID way over in the Baltic states.

It's an interesting sideshow and gives players and GMs something different to play with, but strategically it's fairly insignificant. Chances are neighbouring African tin pot dictators are fielding greater manpower.

[Tegyrius]

Leg, I'd like to be sure I understand your position before I attempt to address it. Are you saying that you feel only major combat and large geographic areas are worthy of receiving sourcebook attention?

- C.

[Legbreaker]

Not exactly, just that giving too much detail on a small area could constrain another GMs creativity. IMO there should be plenty of opportunities for others to develop on the framework initially provided.

This isn't to say the initial writer should feel in any way limited in fleshing things out for themselves, just that if their main intent is to provide a resource for others to use, then they should use a similar level of detail as the original GDW writers.

Individual countries/regions should be able to be adequately covered by shorter articles of the 6-10(ish) pages size.

Of course it's absolutely fine, even encouraged for writers to post more detailed work if they're looking for constructive criticism to help make their personal game world more believable/playable, but as far as "source material" goes, it should remain fairly skeletal, but with plenty of potential plot hooks.