VSF in the Realm of the Czar

[gloriousbattle]

And here is the other oddball VSF campaign I might run, if I don't do Greyhawk.  Of course, it wouldn't exactly be Victorian Science Fiction, more Alexandrine, I
suppose.

Anyway, Russia is often neglected, though it is a land of great mystery and
wonder. The Czar in the Winter Palace. Ignorant, superstitious peasants.
Villainous Cossacks. Vengeful Tartars. Battling the British in Afghanistan. A
church deeply steeped in mysticism. The terrible winter full of yetis,
werewolves, leshis, vampires, and God knows what else. The trans-Siberian
Railway. The Siberian Explosion. Rasputin (and what exactly is he?) behind all
pulling the strings.

Curious who has done what with this. I was thinking of doing a VSF campaign
centered in a world where Holy Russia was still threatened by the Golden Horde.
Less room, I suppose, for steam contraptions than in most VSF campaigns, but
more for magic.

Anyone done anything similar?

By the way, oddly enough, several of the Axis and Allies Miniatures figures are
really good for this period, if you like 15mm:

http://www.12-7-games.com/index.php/item/allies-soviet-union/axis-allies-early-w\ar-25-mongo/lid=2626049

http://www.12-7-games.com/index.php/item/allies-greece/axis-allies-early-war-11-\greek/lid=2626020

http://www.12-7-games.com/index.php/item//axis-allies-set-ii-06-cavalrym/lid=266\7017

http://www.12-7-games.com/index.php/item/allies-soviet-union/axis-allies-contest\ed-skies-08/lid=2665351

Also check out the Flames of War Soviet Naval Infantry:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0LBgj1Pbbtg/S8pWszvRO1I/AAAAAAAAA30/9uJYuFzuDdI/s1600/HPIM2165.JPG

Even though all of these figs are technically for WWII, remember that Russian
uniforms and equipment changed more slowly than elsewhere, and also tended to
have enormous variety.

God save the Czar!
 

[commissarmoody]

And don't forget all the central asian stans that the Czars conquered dearing 1800s and there many wars against the Turks

[gloriousbattle]

And don't forget all the central asian stans that the Czars conquered dearing 1800s

I know the Turkish Wars reasonably well, but not these.  Interesting!  Got any sites or book titles?

[Sterling Moose]

I have a Russian colonial VSF army.  Some pics are here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28981624@N02/sets/72157624116238170/show/

[gloriousbattle]

I have a Russian colonial VSF army.  Some pics are here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28981624@N02/sets/72157624116238170/show/

Nice looking force indeed!  Can you give us a little background on it?

[Fjodin]

If you need help with russian name translation - pm me. I am russian (but now live in Australia)

[gloriousbattle]

If you need help with russian name translation - pm me. I am russian (but now live in Australia)

Actually, if you could translate this I'd greatly appreciate it!

Thanks

[rob_the_robgoblin]

If you need help with russian name translation - pm me. I am russian (but now live in Australia)

I did wonder why your English wasn't perfect (but it is very good). Didn't want to appear rude by asking though!

[Fjodin]

2 rob_alderman  I am actually only 5 years in english speaking country. Before that I lived in russian speaking country. So I am in everlasting language learning. At least now my English in better that 5 years before (Actually my hearing and reading english is good, but I still have some problem with grammar when I speak or write)

2 gloriousbattle - OK. I've made a small research (just typing several sentences from song to google) and here are name of song:

Песня о Щорсе - Pesnya o Schorse - song about Schors

Here are russian text (actually I've never heard it before)

Шёл отряд по берегу,
Шёл издалека,
Шёл под красным знаменем
Командир полка.
Голова обвязана,
Кровь на рукаве,
След кровавый стелется
По сырой траве.

"Хлопцы, чьи вы будете,
Кто вас в бой ведёт?
Кто под красным знаменем
Раненый идёт?"
"Мы сыны батрацкие,
Мы за новый мир,
Щорс идёт под знаменем -
Красный командир.

В голоде и холоде
Жизнь его прошла,
Но недаром пролита
Кровь его была.
За кордон отбросили
Лютого врага,
Закалились смолоду,
Честь нам дорога".

Тишина у берега,
Смолкли голоса,
Солнце книзу клонится,
Падает роса.
Лихо мчится конница,
Слышен стук копыт,
Знамя Щорса красное
На ветру шумит.

[Fjodin]

I try to translate it, but please bear in mind that my translation woun't be in best literary language. Unfortunately Russian language is not as strikt as english and it is possible to change some words to add more emotions in text. Also there are ussually some old russian words in songs and affectionate diminutive endings in words. But I try.

[Fjodin]

Here are my atempts. In () I put other meanings of word (because sometimes 1 russian word can be translated as something "in between" of 2 english words. I think there are same with other languages)
Here are my attempt to translate 1 couplet:




There was a group (war party, group) goes along coast,
It went from apart,
The commander of the regiment goes under a Red Banner,
Head  wrapped,
Blood  on the sleeve
The blood trail on wet grass.

[Fjodin]

Damn. After translation songs always loose all it beauty and in a literary styleand become a pale parody of original text

Second cuplet:

Lads whose you will be,
and who leads you into battle?
Who goes wounded under a red banner?
We are sons of farm-labourer's,
We for the new world,
Its a Schors who goes under a banner- the Red commander.

[Fjodin]

OK! Here are my attempt.

There was a group (war party, group) goes along coast,
It went from apart,
The commander of the regiment goes under a Red Banner,
Head  wrapped,
Blood  on the sleeve
The blood trail on wet grass.

Lads* whose you will be,
and who leads you into battle?
Who goes wounded under a red banner?
We are sons of farm-labourer's,
We for the new world,
Its a Schors who goes under a banner- the Red commander.

In famine and a cold
his Life has passed,
But its Blood has not been spilled
without reason.
For a cordon we have thrown the vicious enemy,
We have become tempered from the youth,
Honour dear to us

There are silence at coast,
All voices have ceased,
The sun sats ***
Dew Falls.
Cavalry charges laliantly,
We can here knock of hoofs,
Shors' Red Banner is making audible rustles on a wind**

 
* Actually in original it unkrainian word Hlopets wich is close to Lad.
** OMG! Terrbile translation! Please Help to make it proper english!
***actually this part have lost everything in translation. More correct but absolutely non literal translation of this sentence will be something like this:
"Sun moves from top (of the sky) to bottom (of the sky or horizon)

I tried my best. But because my translation song have lost more than half of it sharm All old-style words can be translated properly in english.

[Whiskyrat]

Interesting ideas - looking forward to the pictures.

For those (like me) who may be interested. 

The Leshi (Leshii) is a guardian species found in Russian forests. These shifters are known to be mischievous and tricksters. They’ve been seen in many forms – the most common a tall man covered in unkempt black hair. The Leshi have also been seen with cloven-hoofed feet, a tail, devil-like horns, and carrying a whip to signify he is master of the forest and all animals within it. This cunning shifter can also take the form of a large tree or a small blade of grass, or as any number of animals including a hare, bear, raven or wolf.

[gloriousbattle]

OK! Here are my attempt.

There was a group (war party, group) goes along coast...

I tried my best. But because my translation song have lost more than half of it sharm All old-style words can be translated properly in english.

Hey, thanks very much for this, man!  That must have taken some work.  I'd love to help try to beautify it and do some justice to the original Russian, but I am not much of a versifier. 

Maybe somebody else could help out?