They look just like mine! Have you been peeking?
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John Dallman
Hero
Notes from the session-before-last of my Weird War II in India game. Some additions from the session.
10th: German–Soviet Border and Commercial Agreement is signed.
27th: Subhas Chandra Bose excaped from his house arrest in Calcutta on the night of 16-17th, with the aid of relatives and members of Forward Bloc.
Claire Chennault, who has been an air adviser to Chiang Kai-Shek since 1937, starts recruiting US pilots for his American Volunteer Group (“AVG”).
Battle of Keren in Italian East Africa, from 3rd February.
Bill Wright wants you to try to convince General Auchinleck of what’s going on behind the scenes. He seems a lot smarter than Linlithgow, and has demonstrated that he understands India far better.
How best to do it? Rashid Hamza would be convincing, but is too much of a risk. Can you do it? Bill is going to be busy with the INC. He can get you the appointment, because of your role in stopping the Shimla stranglings.
His Excellency General Sir Claude Auchinleck, GCIE, DSO, etc (1884-) (“The Auk”) is an Indian Army officer, originally comissioned in the 62nd Punjabis (now 1st Batalion, 1st Punjab Regiment) and speaks Hindi, Urdu and Punjubi well. His early service included the Punjab, the Norh-West Frontier, southern Tibet, Sikkim, and Benares, and being Assistant Recruiting Officer in the North Punjab (after being Regimental Adjutant) before WWI. Vijay’s father met him then, and thought he wasn’t a bad chap.
The 62nd Punjabis served against Turkey in WWI, defending the Suez Canal and Aden, then serving in Basra and the advance to Bagdad. He became acting CO of his regiment during the advance, because the CO had taken command of the brigade. When the CO returned, Auchinleck was posted as Brigade Major (head of the Operations & Intelligence staff) to a different brigade.
After WWI, he attended Staff College in India, married Jessie (1900-, born in the USA, no children) on a long leave in Europe, and became Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster-General at GHQ India. That’s the job of making sure that units actually have their proper equipment. He was then 2i/c of 1st/1st Punjabis, attended Imperial Defence College in Egland, commanded 1st/1st Punjabis, and was an instructor at Staff College in India.
His first big command was the Peshwar Brigade, trying to keep the peace on the North-West Frontier, after that he was Deputy Chief of Staff at GHQ India in 1938-39. His job was modernisation and training, especially Indianisation of the officers. Decent plans were made, although the situation was dire. Then the war broke out, and he became commander of 3rd Indian Division, trying to modernise it without any new equipment. In January 1940 he was called to England and became commander of IV Corps, due to go to France in June 1940. Then it was sent to Norway, which was a fiasco. He returned to the UK as commander of V Corps, and then as commander of Southern Command, then sent here as the new C-in-C India.
He’s strongly aware of the importance of supply and administration, and is overhauling the Indian Army to improve them. Munitions production is increasing rapidly. He’s also accelerating the process of Indianisation of the officer corps.
He’s a very self-contained fellow, not dependent on social activities. He’s well-liked by most of the Indian Army, far more so than his predecessor. Book on NW Frontier as a present (6, 6, 1).
How to demonstrate?
Auchinleck is aware that the party stopped the stranglings in Simla, and that it’s unclear how. He’s also aware of the declarations of friendship between Afghanistan, Patiala State and Chitral. He presumes Vijay wants to do more of that?
As a junior officer, Auchinleck expected British India to go on forever. He’s learned better now! He’s entirely accepted that India will become independent. He wants to see India remain united in independence, but does not see how to achieve unity, given the Muslim League’s natural fear of Hindu dominance.
His current problems are getting enough good Indian candidates for officer training and getting equipment for newly raised troops. He wants to pay Indian troops the same as British ones, which will help with the officers, but getting the money is hard.
He is not fond of politics, but they are inescapable in his position. He is sure that the form of government for an independent India is very important. Once the war against Japan is won, India will have powerful military forces of its own, and having them fight a civil war is a really bad idea. It’s clear something like the current states will be needed above purely local government. The problem is how to organise national government.
The INC appears to want a presidential republic.
The princely states want to retain significant self-control, which clashes with that.
The Muslim League wants a separate Pakistan. The hardline Hindus don’t want independence soon. Etc., etc., etc.
An outside emperor who is not partisan in India’s internal conflicts hasn’t been a terrible thing in itself; the problem is that the government has not been run in the interests of India.
Who could be a non-partisan president of India? Ghandi, maybe, but there’s only one of him. Vijay disagrees!
So being a dominion with an Indian governor-general and replacement of the British officials within a specified time, say 3 or 5 years, would be feasible, if the British and Indian politicians will accept it. As C-in-C India, he reports to Linlithgow, and to the Secretary of State for War, David Margesson.
If the demonstrations are convincing, Auchinleck will be overjoyed by the prospect of new ways of fighting that don’t need expensive equipment from industry, and will be keen to form training units. He realises they will have to be secret for now; the Army can do that. Their cover could be as religious advisers to the troops. If they make the Indian Army powerful enough that some British troops can be withdrawn, that will suit London.
Now, how do we recruit and train these men? Recruit in numbers, filter them.
He’ll grant the characters Corps of Indian Military Police (“CIMP”) rank equivalent to their Indian Imperial Police Rank (this does not cost more points), and Nischint and Hanna axillary nurse status.
If the characters impress him with their sense, he has a question for them:
The armies of the Princely States have a large reserve of officers. Their quality is rather variable, because the quality of their training varies widely. The ones who have passed the IMA in Dehradun, the school in Mhow, Sandhurst, or Woolwich we can be confident in, although obviously we can’t take all of them.
I need a system for evaluating Princely State officers, that isn’t seriously susceptible to prejudice between British and Indians, Hundus vs Muslims vs Sikhs, castes, and ethnic groups. It also needs to avoid insulting the prouder officers if they are not taken.
Clearly, we start by asking for volunteers, and make it clear that everyone will be examined. An interview with a regional board with a mixture of officers (and a senior NCO or two), seems like a good idea. But I’m missing the idea to make it good.
… and I think I’ve had it. We need at least one Indian officer on every board. The directive to the boards needs to make clear that this is a step towards unifying standards in Indian armies, and the boards recommend duties for officers they accept, which can include serving on these boards. We need to place obvious trust in the boards, not try to give them lots of detailed directives, which will make them try to follow all the rules.
February 1941
News from January
6-13th: New Fourth Army incident in China ends significant military cooperation between Nationalists and Communists.10th: German–Soviet Border and Commercial Agreement is signed.
27th: Subhas Chandra Bose excaped from his house arrest in Calcutta on the night of 16-17th, with the aid of relatives and members of Forward Bloc.
Claire Chennault, who has been an air adviser to Chiang Kai-Shek since 1937, starts recruiting US pilots for his American Volunteer Group (“AVG”).
February events
The Japanese government grown more and more military. Their Ministers of the Army and Navy have been officers since last July, and their Minister of Justice has been a general since December. Now, their former Military Attache in Berlin has become the Ambassador. Hiroshi ŌshimaBattle of Keren in Italian East Africa, from 3rd February.
Initiation of the Dalai Lama
Dhṛtarāṣṭra, King of the East, Upholder of the Nation. This is to defend against the Japanese (and the Chinese).Auchinleck
General Auchinleck was appointed to the Viceroy’s Executive Council 21-DEC-1940, and took up the post of C-in-C India 27-JAN-1941. He has started overhauling the Indian Army.Bill Wright wants you to try to convince General Auchinleck of what’s going on behind the scenes. He seems a lot smarter than Linlithgow, and has demonstrated that he understands India far better.
How best to do it? Rashid Hamza would be convincing, but is too much of a risk. Can you do it? Bill is going to be busy with the INC. He can get you the appointment, because of your role in stopping the Shimla stranglings.
His Excellency General Sir Claude Auchinleck, GCIE, DSO, etc (1884-) (“The Auk”) is an Indian Army officer, originally comissioned in the 62nd Punjabis (now 1st Batalion, 1st Punjab Regiment) and speaks Hindi, Urdu and Punjubi well. His early service included the Punjab, the Norh-West Frontier, southern Tibet, Sikkim, and Benares, and being Assistant Recruiting Officer in the North Punjab (after being Regimental Adjutant) before WWI. Vijay’s father met him then, and thought he wasn’t a bad chap.
The 62nd Punjabis served against Turkey in WWI, defending the Suez Canal and Aden, then serving in Basra and the advance to Bagdad. He became acting CO of his regiment during the advance, because the CO had taken command of the brigade. When the CO returned, Auchinleck was posted as Brigade Major (head of the Operations & Intelligence staff) to a different brigade.
After WWI, he attended Staff College in India, married Jessie (1900-, born in the USA, no children) on a long leave in Europe, and became Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster-General at GHQ India. That’s the job of making sure that units actually have their proper equipment. He was then 2i/c of 1st/1st Punjabis, attended Imperial Defence College in Egland, commanded 1st/1st Punjabis, and was an instructor at Staff College in India.
His first big command was the Peshwar Brigade, trying to keep the peace on the North-West Frontier, after that he was Deputy Chief of Staff at GHQ India in 1938-39. His job was modernisation and training, especially Indianisation of the officers. Decent plans were made, although the situation was dire. Then the war broke out, and he became commander of 3rd Indian Division, trying to modernise it without any new equipment. In January 1940 he was called to England and became commander of IV Corps, due to go to France in June 1940. Then it was sent to Norway, which was a fiasco. He returned to the UK as commander of V Corps, and then as commander of Southern Command, then sent here as the new C-in-C India.
He’s strongly aware of the importance of supply and administration, and is overhauling the Indian Army to improve them. Munitions production is increasing rapidly. He’s also accelerating the process of Indianisation of the officer corps.
He’s a very self-contained fellow, not dependent on social activities. He’s well-liked by most of the Indian Army, far more so than his predecessor. Book on NW Frontier as a present (6, 6, 1).
How to demonstrate?
- Nischint and Parm will go in stealthy. Parm is noticed. Nischint will appear at some point.
- Vijay can demonstrate regrowth.
- Hanna can summon things.
- Iqbal can answer difficult questions, but vaguely.
- Ardeshir is not here, maintaining his arts contacts.
Auchinleck is aware that the party stopped the stranglings in Simla, and that it’s unclear how. He’s also aware of the declarations of friendship between Afghanistan, Patiala State and Chitral. He presumes Vijay wants to do more of that?
As a junior officer, Auchinleck expected British India to go on forever. He’s learned better now! He’s entirely accepted that India will become independent. He wants to see India remain united in independence, but does not see how to achieve unity, given the Muslim League’s natural fear of Hindu dominance.
His current problems are getting enough good Indian candidates for officer training and getting equipment for newly raised troops. He wants to pay Indian troops the same as British ones, which will help with the officers, but getting the money is hard.
He is not fond of politics, but they are inescapable in his position. He is sure that the form of government for an independent India is very important. Once the war against Japan is won, India will have powerful military forces of its own, and having them fight a civil war is a really bad idea. It’s clear something like the current states will be needed above purely local government. The problem is how to organise national government.
The INC appears to want a presidential republic.
The princely states want to retain significant self-control, which clashes with that.
The Muslim League wants a separate Pakistan. The hardline Hindus don’t want independence soon. Etc., etc., etc.
An outside emperor who is not partisan in India’s internal conflicts hasn’t been a terrible thing in itself; the problem is that the government has not been run in the interests of India.
Who could be a non-partisan president of India? Ghandi, maybe, but there’s only one of him. Vijay disagrees!
So being a dominion with an Indian governor-general and replacement of the British officials within a specified time, say 3 or 5 years, would be feasible, if the British and Indian politicians will accept it. As C-in-C India, he reports to Linlithgow, and to the Secretary of State for War, David Margesson.
If the demonstrations are convincing, Auchinleck will be overjoyed by the prospect of new ways of fighting that don’t need expensive equipment from industry, and will be keen to form training units. He realises they will have to be secret for now; the Army can do that. Their cover could be as religious advisers to the troops. If they make the Indian Army powerful enough that some British troops can be withdrawn, that will suit London.
Now, how do we recruit and train these men? Recruit in numbers, filter them.
He’ll grant the characters Corps of Indian Military Police (“CIMP”) rank equivalent to their Indian Imperial Police Rank (this does not cost more points), and Nischint and Hanna axillary nurse status.
If the characters impress him with their sense, he has a question for them:
The armies of the Princely States have a large reserve of officers. Their quality is rather variable, because the quality of their training varies widely. The ones who have passed the IMA in Dehradun, the school in Mhow, Sandhurst, or Woolwich we can be confident in, although obviously we can’t take all of them.
I need a system for evaluating Princely State officers, that isn’t seriously susceptible to prejudice between British and Indians, Hundus vs Muslims vs Sikhs, castes, and ethnic groups. It also needs to avoid insulting the prouder officers if they are not taken.
Clearly, we start by asking for volunteers, and make it clear that everyone will be examined. An interview with a regional board with a mixture of officers (and a senior NCO or two), seems like a good idea. But I’m missing the idea to make it good.
… and I think I’ve had it. We need at least one Indian officer on every board. The directive to the boards needs to make clear that this is a step towards unifying standards in Indian armies, and the boards recommend duties for officers they accept, which can include serving on these boards. We need to place obvious trust in the boards, not try to give them lots of detailed directives, which will make them try to follow all the rules.
Jd Smith1
Hero
Three Word docs:
Encounters & Sidebars, 9 pages
Campaign Notes, currently 13 pages, but only half the campaign has been fleshed out.
Seeds, which is the grand overview of the campaign, and also ideas and twists that haven't been plugged in yet. currently 7 pages.
On Roll 20 maps: Information dots with room/area description, loot, and notes.
On Discord: Channel for Loot, another for handouts & images of NPCs.
A electronic pad on which I keep notes which I use to update quotes and the campaign log after the session.
Combat Sheets: Just scratch paper with NPCs Damage resistance (Soak), weapon speed, and total hit points, plus each creature's token number and space to jot their actions. The rest of combat data is on the tokens themselves, with the NPC sheet up but minimized.
Electronic counter: To track overall time, such as the passing of time in a crawl.
Actual use: pre-session review of campaign or E&S notes; use Seeds for travel and non-tactical actions.
In a tactical situation, such as a crawl or outdoor operation, all the info needed is on the map.
Encounters & Sidebars, 9 pages
Campaign Notes, currently 13 pages, but only half the campaign has been fleshed out.
Seeds, which is the grand overview of the campaign, and also ideas and twists that haven't been plugged in yet. currently 7 pages.
On Roll 20 maps: Information dots with room/area description, loot, and notes.
On Discord: Channel for Loot, another for handouts & images of NPCs.
A electronic pad on which I keep notes which I use to update quotes and the campaign log after the session.
Combat Sheets: Just scratch paper with NPCs Damage resistance (Soak), weapon speed, and total hit points, plus each creature's token number and space to jot their actions. The rest of combat data is on the tokens themselves, with the NPC sheet up but minimized.
Electronic counter: To track overall time, such as the passing of time in a crawl.
Actual use: pre-session review of campaign or E&S notes; use Seeds for travel and non-tactical actions.
In a tactical situation, such as a crawl or outdoor operation, all the info needed is on the map.
TwoSix
Everyone's literal second-favorite poster
It's like you plagiarized right out of my "notebook"!
Ulorian - Agent of Chaos
Legend
!!!
aiouh
Adventurer
Shots in the Dark #1 for Shadowdark RPG Spores from the Undercity by Brynjar Már Pálsson
My process is to just retype stuff in my own words and screengrab stuff from the module, add headers for each scene/room and just go from there. After I am done I paint in some blank spaces which I feel are missing.I think retyping and writing things really helps me internalize what the adventure still needs and commits it to memory, old university hack I suppose.
I tried to apply stuff from the Lazy GM guide in spirit (Secrets and Clues) by incorporating a (pretty truthful) rumour table, that foreshadows the dungeon and hints towards whats about to come or could come. I decided that people lying about the health crisis was too complicated and took away too much focus from what the game is about and therefore not fun so I did not do it. Mind you, this is only surface information, which people in the city reasonably will know.
Yellow: Fun Flavor
Red: Clue to a Fact
Green: Schrödinger's Fact. Might or might not be true, but not relevant either way.
Either way, full notes with headers below.
Last edited:
MNblockhead
A Title Much Cooler Than Anything on the Old Site
Man, you can't post such a great example at the beginning of a thread, you intimidate the rest of us from posting!
Since I'm running a published game that has all the content entered and cross-linked in Foundry, most of my notes are to remind me of what happened in the last session and any housekeeping we need to go over. For the upcoming game session, I usually just have a bulleted list with links to the relevant adventure content. Any changes or notes I generally add directly to the adventure content so I'm reminded in context. If I'm working in some home brew or if the session will be particularly complex I may get more detailed.
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