Shipbucket

This AU will consist of three nations which receive attention (with two bound in a "Commonwealth" but retaining separate armed forces, and the other being an independent empire) and a multitude of other nations which will be mentioned frequently but will not have any equipment drawn.

Yes, it's ambitious but it's my life's greatest work, encompassing four years of work so far and it's far from being complete (about 15%, I estimate).

The nations which will receive attention:
The Kingdom of Aufzen (Diotan Commonwealth)
The Kingdom of Morsig (Diotan Commonwealth)
The Great Hymuth Empire

Nations which participated in the war but will not be focused on (in no particular order):
Feoran Empire
Suikanian Empire
Dahrmian Empire
White Crane Society (Hakutori-Shakai)
Kanenku Shogunate
Kingdom of Bade
Kingdom of Ledsz
Kingdom of Zeiss
Dassault Republic
Kingdom of Aure
Yohou Republic
Jamesonian Republic
Raleighan Unitary Republic
Seolhan Independent Protectorate
Xinshan-Ostland Borderlands State
Korigian Federation
Chaldean Kingdom
Fleian State
Otorian National Republic
Kingdom of Sudovia (in personal union with Morsig)
Kingdom of Posen (in personal union with Morsig)
Kingdom of Teryek

Keep in mind these nations are not necessarily less important, rather I find drawing their equipment less interesting (in the case of Suikan, which is effectively a Japan clone) or they lack access to ocean (in the case of the Feoran and Dahrmian Empires)

World Map
(mega wip lol its like 20000x12000 px)

A Basic Overview

This is a world where magic exists, but one where technology would keep pace with and eventually overtake it. Set in a time corresponding to our interwar period, it focuses on one cataclysmic conflict that would unfold over fifteen bloody years; a war so great that one like it had never been seen before-- and would never been seen again. A war worthy of being called "Great."

This world is not the one we are familiar with. Geography, languages, ethnic compositions, history, these are all changed as opposed to ours and cannot be used to describe this world. Rather, I will describe the relevant history of the nations involved, starting in 1865.

Do note: the timeline in this world is set about 15 years behind, with 1921 (the start date of the Great War) corresponding to roughly 1936. SB drawings are denoted with their equivalent year rather than in-AU year.

History: 1865 and the Legacy of the Brimstone War

In 1865, the Hymuth Empire had stunned the world with a rapid two year victory against the rising power of Aufzen. Off this victory, Hymuth acquired even more land to augment their already massive empire, one built over hundreds of years of military victory, but would earn the unquenchable hatred of Aufzen because of it. The northern territories of Aufzen, collectively called Nordia-Ospia (or Norda-Ozpa in Haimuttan), were handed over, and a period of oppression for the Nordia-Ospians began.

Devastated by the war, forced to disarm, and pay hefty reparations, Aufzen was engulfed by a civil war in the 1870s which would see the monarchy manage to keep its power in the face of a coup led by an ultra-nationalistic faction with the support of much of the military. With the Aufzenian monarchy supported by the Morsignian monarchy to their south, the beginnings of the Diotan Commonwealth began to take shape here.

The civil war had meant that reparations had been ceased, and with the Morsignians pledging to support them, the Aufzenians refused to continue payments after the civil war and renounced many of the terms set in the Gransern Accords made after the Brimstone War. Unwilling to go to war with Aufzen, Morsig, and the numerous Morsignian tributary states, Hymuth was forced to accept this. With this agreement, the Aufzenians began to rearm in the 1890s and, upon the urging of Morsig, officially banned the use of Mage Corps (Kampfzauber Korp), though use continued in smaller appellations and in research divisions until their reinstatement in the 1950s. Known as the "Natürlich-Bewegung," or "Natural Movement," it emphasized magic as "unnatural" and argued its use was morally wrong. The new Aufzenian King, Karl II, had recently taken the throne from his disgraced father, who had stepped down in 1890, and was a staunch naturalist, as well as a proponent of the "Generation of Shame" idea which stated that Aufzenians had a moral incentive to cleanse the stain on their honor after the Brimstone War. His militarism and consistent policies of brinkmanship would define the early 20th century.

As the 20th century dawned, the well developed Aufzenian industrial base, no longer bound by restrictive treaties, returned to building a powerful navy and rearming its once-powerful army. Meanwhile, in the north, these rumblings were not ignored by Hymuth, and so began the inevitable path to war.

Relations between Hymuth and Aufzen grew more and more strained as both sides continued inflammatory rhetoric, with the Aufzenians claiming that Trans-Ospenian and Aufzenian minorities were being persecuted under Hymuth administration (an accusation which held a good measure of truth), while the Hymuths claimed to be defending themselves from "blatant militarism" from Aufzen (again, an accusation which was mostly true). This culminated with the Freidenia Incident of 1921, where naval war games situated intentionally close to Hymuth waters led to Hymuth gunners firing on Commonwealth warships. Both sides issued protests, which led to threats, which led to ultimatums. With a final ultimatum from Hymuth demanding that Aufzen permanently unincorporate Nordia-Ospia and that pro-liberation rebel groups stand down being flatly denied by Karl, the war started in earnest on October 18, 1921.

The Mage's Union - defeated with the capitulation of Feora in 1935.
Led by Hymuth and Feora. Fley, Otoren, Aure, Korigs, Chaldea, Jameson, Raleigh, Dahrmia (since 1925).

The Trans-Oceanic - victorious, with the exception of Suikan which descends into civil war in 1930 and withdraws.
Led by Morsig and Aufzen. Dassault, Zeiss, Bade, Ledsz, Sudovia, Posen, Suikan (since 1923), Seolhan (since 1923), Xinshan-Ostland (since 1923).

The history of the war will be detailed in the future. (Hymuth capitulates in 1927, Feora capitulates in 1935).

Kingdom of Aufzen
Location: North-East Sudenia, borders Hymuth, Morsig, Bade, Zeiss, Ledsz, Dassault
Capital: Aufzeria-Hohenburg
National Language: Diotan (Standard German)
Recognized Languages: Salegonian Zeissian (Flemish dialects of Dutch), Dassault Aureian (Franco-Provençal dialects of French), Beydian (no equivalent)
Minority Languages: Hymuth (no equivalent)
Government: Constitutional Monarchy
Population (1921): 90,224,157
Foundation: Established in 1731 from the Unification of the Hohenburg Confederation Crown Lands

10 Largest Cities:
1. Aufzeria-Hohenburg Greater Metropolitan Area: 6,106,504
2. Marianen: 1,727,612
3. Kassel-Bestüng: 1,685,713
4. Gransern: 1,344,891
5. Tsaschen: 1,051,815
6. Wieslen: 932,070
7. Tiele: 927,419
8. Katzburg: 848,693
9. Vierstadt: 704,492
10. Gneistal (Genais): 695,503



Kingdom of Morsig
Location: Eastern Sudenia, borders Aufzen, Ledsz, Zeiss, Xinshan-Ostland, Seolhan, Sudovia, Posen, Langueia
Capital: Aizbach
National Language: Diotan (Standard German)
Recognized Languages: None
Minority Languages: Seolhan (Korean), Xinshan (Tibetan), Sudovian (Kashubian), Zeissian (Dutch), Posenian (Polish), Langueian (Occitan)
Government: Constitutional Monarchy
Population (1921): 72,310,261
Foundation: Centralization of the Morsignian Crown Lands in 1510

10 Largest Cities:
1. Aizbach 4,610,551
2. Krainsburg 1,898,400
3. Bieren 1,332,614
4. Rammier (Rżowam) 1,271,050
5. Lischen 1,091,499
6. Eiverstauffel 1,003,774
7. Altmark 999,451
8. Alsen-Tirol 952,062
9. Essen 951,992
10. Seylandburg 925,871

Hymuth Empire
Location: South-Eastern Heomays and North-Eastern Sudenia
Capital: Ibesia
National Language: Hymuth (no equivalent)
Recognized Languages: Pelasian, Feoran, Heorian, Dasyiiamin, Federian, Siadrian
Minority Languages: Aggrenarian, Nieronian, Adrianian, Aufzenian, Beydian, Kielan, Odesinian
Government: Semi-Constitutional Monarchy
Population (1921): 71,061,752
Foundation: Proclamation of the Hymuth Empire in 1521

10 Largest Cities:
1. Ibesia 3,610,644
2. Sirasia (Sirasen) 2,550,120
3. Revika (Rivak) 2,006,712
4. Trigazana (Tregzanip) 1,811,853
5. Reitinova 1,750,781
6. Tarina (Takhrina) 1,690,731
7. Bargoseka (Birgoska) 1,528,657
8. Varokina (Varolinka) 1,502,842
9. Karaka (Kalaka) 1,239,185
10. Azgaria (Izragena) 1,172,094

Commonwealth Vessels
Currently being redone. Don't expect anything anytime soon.

Hymuth Ships
Currently being redone. Don't expect anything anytime soon.

Albert Welkin-class Battlecruiser


The Albert Welkin on the even of the war.

The Albert Welkin was a battlecruiser built in the Phase II Fleet Modernization of the Morsignian Navy. She was built with conflicting demands, with the navy wanting a capital ship that could exceed 30 knots while carrying 8 355 mm rifles, while the government wanted a ship under 25,000 tons for budgeting reasons. The compromise ended up producing Albert Welkin, a design which could go 30 knots, carry the 8 355 mm guns as asked, and weighed ~27,000 tons, however, the drawback was her pitiful armor at 131 mm. This was deemed acceptable according to Morsignian doctrine, but it was disastrous in practice. Both Albert Welkin and her sister Otto Rieve were sunk within two years of the start of the war.

Albert Welkin - fate: sunk by aerial torpedo in 1922.
Otto Rieve - fate: sunk by mage strike in 1923.

Length: 217 m
Beam: 28.3 m
Draught: 8 m
Displacement: 27,512 tons
Main battery: 4x2 355 mm/43
Secondary battery: 8x2 105 mm/50
AA battery: 12x4 20 mm Lirovias, 30x1 8 mm Lirovias
Speed: 30.1 knots
Range: 4000 miles at 18 knots
Main Belt: 135 mm
Ends: 13 mm
Upper Belt: 72 mm
Torpedo Bulkhead: 22 mm
Armored Deck: 120 mm max
Main Battery: 280 mm face, 150 mm sides/top, 300 mm barbettes

Dresindaris-class Battleship


Dresindaris in pre-war 1921 cream.

The Dresindaris was a single dreadnought of the Mirius-Artaki class of 1895 which had been retained and partially modernized. Originally from a class of three, the Dresindaris was the last of the them and was on her way to the scrapyard when the war broke out, at which point she was reactivated.

Her service life was interesting, and she ultimately survived the war even after the capitulation of Hymuth in 1927. Despite a relatively uneventful early service life due to her status as a second-rate battleship, she escaped after the fall of Hymuth under cover of night and fog, as well as radar jamming conducted by a small group of mages fleeing to allied territory in Jameson. Subjected to air attack on the way to meeting up with the remnants of the Hymuth fleet-in-exile in Jameson, she survived with minor damage and is responsible for the destruction of the destroyer Grete on the way. She fought with the Hymuth fleet in the battles off the Ikembrian coast in 1928 and 1929, miraculously surviving every one until finally being stationed (technically interned) in the Mage's Union-sympathetic state of Tera after overwhelming losses to the remaining Hymuth ships and the threat of Suikanian landings in Jameson. She stayed there until the end of the war, being alloted to the post-war state of Federia as the "Solopin." She was intended to be scrapped, however she was purchased from the Federian government by the Haimuttan government, and restored as a museum ship, as well as being the last ceremonial ship of the Haimuttan Republic Navy, with Hymuth becoming landlocked after the territorial cessions of the post-war.

Dresindaris - fate: Survived the war, preserved as a museum.

Length: 175.5 m
Beam: 29.7 m
Draught: 7.7 m
Displacement: 22,423 tons
Main battery: 4x2 325 mm/45 (equivalent, mana cannons)
Secondary battery: 14x1 130 mm/51, 4x1 120 mm/42 - all equivalent
AA battery: 8x2 25 mm (equivalent, mana cannons), 16x1 7.5 mm (equivalent, mana cannons)
Speed: 23 knots
Range: 5000 miles at 10 knots
Main Belt: 200 mm
Ends: 130 mm
Upper Belt: 185 mm
Torpedo Bulkhead: 135 mm (bulge 55 mm)
Armored Deck: 70 mm max
Main Battery: 255 mm face, 130 mm sides/top, 300 mm barbettes

It looks good mate, good to see you stuff on the site finally and it looks very good too

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Work list: 1. various pre-1900 Zipang ships 2. Some protected cruisers and other miscellaneous projects

Looks really good!

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Klötaler-class Destroyers


Klötaler as built in 1906.


Hiel in green jungle camoflage in 1921.

The Klötaler-class was a class of 9 destroyers built for the Aufzenian Reichsmarine between 1906 and 1909. Intended to be the backbone of the destroyer force in Aufzen's early rearmament period, and were well-rounded but not exceptional for their time. They were replaced by the Bistritz-class, effectively an upgraded version of the Klötaler, and were showing their age by 1918. All members but one had their front single-purpose mounts replaced with DP mounts, and had a new director installed, while the rear mounts were replaced with quadruple 20 mm mounts at the start of the war, with these later being replaced with quad 37 mm throughout the war as they became available. One, Gotthen, was instead turned into a minelayer briefly before being sunk. They were relegated to escort duties or patrol duties for most of the war, and only two survived the war.

Klötaler - sunk by ground based aircraft, 1922.
Walen - survived, scrapped 1938.
Viesel - sunk by mage strike, 1930
Hiel - survived, sold to Odesinia and renamed "Avelimish," scrapped 1942.
Oberblut - struck mines off Jameson, 1932.
Gotthen - sunk by carrier borne aircraft, 1922.
Gefecht - sunk by ground based aircraft, 1926.
Marlov - sunk by mage strike, 1925.
Koln - struck mines off Jameson, 1932.

Length: 109 m
Beam: 9.7 m
Draught: 3.5 m
Displacement: 1,550 tons
Main battery: 4x1 125 mm/42 (2x1 125 mm/45 in 1921)
AA battery: 1x2 25 mm, 2x1 8 mm Lirovias (3x4 20 mm Lirovias and 1x2 8 mm Lirovias 1921, 3x4 37 mm Lirovias 1924-1935)
Speed: 37 knots
Range: 1500 miles at 10 knots

Hey that's pretty good.

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Work list: 1. various pre-1900 Zipang ships 2. Some protected cruisers and other miscellaneous projects