Farm-from-a-box

This is a “real-world” idea: a 20-foot container that contains everything necessary to set up a 2-acre farm.  With the addition of a few animals (3 or 4 goats, a couple of pigs and 10 chickens) it could feed 10 people a year.  .

The preinstalled modules make the system as plug-and-play as possible.   This includes a photovoltaic system comprising of 10 high-efficiency solar modules, off-grid inverters, a transformer and distribution box and deep-cycle batteries for energy storage. The array is backed up by a 3,000-watt generator. The yellow drum is a water tank

Farm from a Box includes WiFi, irrigation system, solar panels, weather tracking devices, batteries and more. It also contains seedlings, farming equipment and a training program to provide communities with the tools the need to feed themselves.

It’s also equipped with high-efficiency LED lighting, secured storage, a mobile charging area, Wi-Fi and a remote monitoring solution. Also, seeds and farming tools .

Each unit is capable of producing crops for one hectare of land (2.47 acres).  This should be enough to support 10 people.  Although, it would be wise to add a few animals: Something like 3 or 4 goats, a similar number of pigs and 10 or 12 chickens

The farm also comes with a training program that covers ecological farming practices, technology use, maintenance and basic business and entrepreneurship.

Ideas for Local Initiatives

Your RECON team has defeated some local enemies and now wants to help the local people.  What are they going to do?  They have limited gold and  equipment but they have skills and knowledge .  How do they apply these?  What do they buy or build?

The following is a list that might inspire some ideas for the team’s specialists.

Suri “Quick” Temprana and her mail-carrier

Suri was always an ambitious woman.  She chose her career because it gives her status,  daily challenges – and the chance to prove that women can do the job.

She is also very fond of speeding around on her (homemade) buggy.

What everybody knows:
Suri has a minor mutation: “extra” teeth in her upper jaw.   This has given her a lisp and makes her slightly self-conscious about smiling and laughing.
At some point, she had dental surgery to remove several teeth (she still has an extra set of canines).
She’s very professional and will deliver mail to anyone, anywhere.
She is very supportive of EmDees, midwives and other medical types.

What some people know:
The nickname “Quick” is only partially due to the speed of her buggy.  Suri chose it because it’s easier for her to say clearly.  It is her radio callsign.

What very few people know:
She cannot have children

What nobody knows:
The dental surgery  was performed by a group associated with the Breeders.   In partial payment, she agreed to have a Tubal Ligation operation.

PD Roleplaying notes:
1. Remember the lisp.
2. She’s a feminist

Task Group Michigan – Campaign Notes #5: The Nuns of Lunar Convent

The Lunar Convent is one of the major powers in Traverse City.

The nuns have a strong economic powerbase (the Convent owns extensive amounts of property).  They also have extensive political influence because they run schools and provide spiritual/financial/medical help to the poor and the outcast.

First Impressions

The Convent is based in an old water-park resort at the edge of Traverse City and is surrounded by well-kept fields and gardens. In summer, a few crop-marks indicate the possible presence of pre-collapse buildings, but the convent structures are all in good repair and there is a general air of peace and tranquility

What everyone knows

The Nuns regard themselves as Roman Catholic and try to follow the teachings of the Church as best they can. However, their rules of celibacy are a little “different”. Nuns wishing to become mothers can be (temporarily) released from their vows and can rejoin the convent once their youngest child reaches the age of 13.

The convent is a sanctuary for abused women (ranging from “battered wives” to prostitutes and escaped slaves).

There are numerous jokes about visitors who mistake the convent for a brothel.

what some people know

They have 3 patron saints

Saint Cyprian
Our Lady of the Lakes
Our Lady of the Night

Sailors (including some Lakers/Shipmen) and fishermen make offerings to Our Lady of the Lakes.

Our Lady of the Night is the protector of those who are in danger during darkness.  Candles are lit in her name

What very few people know

The Lunar Convent is a sanctuary for Witches/Warlocks.

Saint Cyprian of Antioch is the patron saint of occultists

What Nobody knows

A few of the Nuns are psionic.

They deliberately select candidates who have psionic ability and encourage these women to have children.

Our Lady of the Night is Santa Muerte, or Saint Death. Yes, the good sisters of Lunar Convent are Inquisitors, but they do not torture. Their “official” theology is that – just as women can’t be catholic priests – they can’t be Inquisitor torturers

The main Inquisitor church has a grudging respect for the Lunar Convent but is unsure of how to deal with these nuns. There will undoubtedly be a problem in the future but – for the moment – the Church hierarchy is unwilling to confront the situation.  They want to avoid any risk of schism within the Church.

Breeder/Slaver weaponry: gas grenades

Small “pocket-sized” grenades… that can be launched from a revolver.

Because sometimes it’s not just the good guys who get the weird stuff.

 

 

Task Group Michigan – Campaign Notes #4: Slavers

The lower Michigan peninsula (like many areas) has a problem with Slavers.  However, they do not identify themselves as “slavers” and will claim to be Agents of the Michigan Emergency Prisoner Workfare System, or MEPWS.

History of the Michigan Emergency Prisoner Workfare System

The MEPWS dates back to the beginning of Maxwell’s Militia.  When the Militia seized power, it had to make decisions about the fate of prisoners held in Michigan’s jails.  Many (mostly old, sick and non-white) were killed, but some inmates were incorporated into a “Prisoner Workfare” system where they were given the choice of working or starving.

The system was always corrupt (especially with the female prisoners) but – in general – the prisoners were a useful asset.  They were used on farms, road repair and in the more dangerous salvage operations.  Also, the Militia found that some prisoners had useful skills such as mechanics and welders.  The MEPWS was so useful to the Militia that it “became necessary” to keep prisoners for life.  Propaganda stated that the Prisoners were incapable of life “outside” and needed to be kept under supervision.   In other words, there would be no chance of parole, or even release.  Children born to female prisoners were given the status of “inmate by birth”.

The MEPWS operated for decades and partially survived the collapse of Maxwell’s Militia.  It now operates out of pre-war Prison facilities in Ionia and Jackson.  Naturally, it is on very good terms with the Steel Crusaders.

Task Group Michigan – Campaign Notes #3: The Steel Crusaders, Bikers of Grand River Valley

The Steel Crusaders, are a large, heavily-armed group of Bikers, the primary “military” force of Southern Michigan. They might be encountered anywhere in Michigan, but are most likely to be found near the Grand River. The SC roam – at will – along the river valley; they prey upon the communities that exist between the ruins of Jackson and the ruins of Grand Haven.  The majority of the Crusaders are in their late teens or early 20’s.  Most of them are simply swaggering thugs – lording it over people who are too frightened or too weak to fight back.

Task Group Michigan – Campaign Notes #2: Traverse City “Everything’s for sale, but only life is cheap”

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THIS IS A PLACE HOLDER.  ADDITIONAL DETAILS WILL BE REQUIRED

Background note: In this campaign, Traverse City (aka “TC, or “The City”) provides an opportunity for a different “style” of play.  Players can involve themselves in the intrigue between the City’s political/economic/military powers.

The City is a trading hub for Lake Michigan. Everyone comes to TC.  Everyone buys and sells.  Shipmen (of course), Truckers, Slavers, Wanderers and many others sell their goods and services.  Wines and fruits are the main agricultural exports, but the city also has a strong manufacturing sector.

At first glance, Maxwell’s Militia has the greatest amount of power.  The Overlord’s son is “Sheriff” and his M1 tanks have the most visible power.  The MM could close the port, or stop food coming into the city at any time.  However, that would remove all value from the city.

POLITICAL POWERS

The Sheriff – Maxwell’s Militia
The Lawmen – A group that traces its ancestry back to Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources (and still call themselves “Conservation Officers”)
The Academy – Great Lakes Maritime Academy.  The Lakers’ university
The Medics – Medical professionals operating out of the old Munson Medical Center.  Emdees, with surprising links to Breeders and Inquisitors
The Lunar Convent – Psionic Nuns
The Vintners – Merchants in wine, spirits, maple syrup and other luxury foods
Dockers
Craft workers
Power Workers – the people who run the power stations and maintain the power transmission infrastructure

Task Group Michigan – Campaign Notes #1: Morrow Project Set-Up

This is intended to be a continuing series and will outline  a (4th ed)  TMP campaign set in the lower peninsula of Michigan.  It is assumed that players will begin with characters that are members of a Recon Team.   Their first major scenario will be ‘Liberation at Riverton’

please also see Note #0 “Commander’s Intent”

Task Group Michigan is assigned the following.

Command Team.

Ten personnel with extensive experience in “herding cats”, crisis management and strategic planning.  Their job is directing/coordinating the various MP teams and ensuring that the Morrow Project is being effective in the Reconstruction Effort.  This team is equipped with 2 vehicles

• V-150 APC (equipped with Heavy Machine Gun)
• M35 2-1/2 ton truck with Medium cargo trailer

Recon Teams:

There are 4 Reconnaissance and Contact teams.  Each is made up of 6 people and is equipped with 2 vehicles

• V-150 – armed with 20mm cannon
• HMMWV – armed with MK19 grenade launcher

MARS TEAMS:

The Military Assistance, Rescue & Security unit has 12 people and 4 vehicles

• V-150 – armed with 20mm cannon
• V-150 – armed with 20mm cannon
• V-150 – armed with 81mm mortar
• V-150 – armed with TOW launcher

Medical and Civil Action Teams:

These are 2 large teams with 12 personnel each.  Each team has the following vehicles

• Commando Ranger
• HMMWV Ambulance
• HMMWV – armed with Heavy Machine Gun

Three trailers are also assigned to each team: 1 water purification, 1 fusion power generator and 1 work shop trailer

Agricultural:

Michigan has a substantial agricultural economy and produces an extensive range of products (second only to California).  Therefore, Task Group Michigan has 2 fully equipped Agriculture Teams.  Each Team has 10 personnel and the following vehicles

• HMMWV – armed with Heavy Machine Gun
• 3 M35 2-1/2 ton truck with Medium cargo trailer

An additional cargo trailer is set up as a portable laboratory.

Engineering:

There is one Engineering Team.  This has 9 personnel and the following vehicles

• v-150 – ARV variant
• 2-1/2 ton truck with portable machine shop
• HMMWV – armed with MK-19 Grenade Launcher

Three trailers are also assigned to each team: 1 portable forge, 1 fusion power generator and 1 general cargo

Science Team:

No specific Science Team is assigned to Task Group Michigan.  However, the Command Team has the capability to communicate with a Science -One unit operating in Wisconsin.

Specialty Teams

OIL TEAM: As implied in the “Commander’s Intent” briefing, one Specialty Team is capable of operating an oil well.  It consists of 10 personnel (geologists, and mechanics/technicians).  It has 4 trucks which carry the necessary equipment to extract and refine fuel, lubricants and various other petrochemicals.
AIR TEAM: Two Airscouts are assigned to Task Group Michigan, along with 8 personnel to fly and maintain them.
COMMUNICATION & LIAISON TEAMS: There are five C&L Teams. These are small (3-person) units that are intended to ensure continuous communication between MP units and also between the Project and survivors.  They have extensive communications gear and equipment such as cameras, loudspeakers and printers. Each team has 1 HMMWV and a cargo trailer
PORT INFRASTRUCTURE TEAM: This is a large (20-person) team of civil engineers and technicians.  Their role is to clear, maintain and operate river and lakeshore ports.  They have the same equipment as the Engineering Team, plus a bulldozer and front-loader.

 

 

 

 

4th edition equipment: “Cellular-network-in-a-box”

KNIGHTHAWK CELLULAR TACTICAL EDGE NODE — NETWORK IN A BOX – or a backpack

The 4th edition timeline gives us new possibilities and it seems a shame to overlook those useful electronic gadgets like the cellphone and the tablet.  Especially when there are some interesting possibilities

This is a real-world device: the  Harris KnightLite™.  According to its manufacturer, it is a “cellular network in a backpack” that provides secure, high-bandwidth networking with absolute confidence under battlefield conditions.”

The website goes on to mention “Designed for dismounted operations, KnightLite provides the benefits of cellular connectivity wherever operators can penetrate. Whether operating stand-alone, multi-node, or connected to backhaul networks, KnightLite provides the bandwidth and connectivity necessary to take advantage of smartphone and tablet mobile apps for battlefield situational awareness. KnightLite increases the safety and effectiveness of warfighters by delivering enhanced situational awareness in the form of up-to-date voice, video, data, and SMS messaging. Enabling operators ac ting as a unit to collaborate using both commercial and specially designed applications. ”

(emphasis added)

This link will take you to the specifications .  The most important details for TMP are its weight (5.4kg with battery) and range: 1km when used in backpack mode.  Judging by Harris’ other products, I would suspect that it could reach about 3km when vehicle-mounted.  Simply placing it in a tall position would probably extend the range even further – perhaps to about 10 or 15km.

The Harris website implies that several (up to 99?) smartphones and tablets can communicate as if  they were linked via a “real” cellphone network.  But note that this unit can only handle 8 simultaneous users.  Naturally, there are larger and more capable systems and – no doubt – the MARS-ONE and Science-ONE vehicles will have something