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Some documents stored within the littered crumbling archives reaccount an ancient empire, radiant in glory and strength, that was unrivaled by any other known faction on Valanka, the continent on which the empire was founded. It is unknown how far their technology developed, but before space-faring machinery could be made, disaster slapped them round the face, most likely due to rebellions toppling the rulers that were already weak from centuries of hedonism. Discord reigned in it's wake for many years.
An uncertain amount of time later, a fella named Guiseppe Borgion took control through a combination of military might and religious unity and managed to establish a stable leadership, controlled by a church with his family at the head. This was known as the New Roman Empire, founded upon the legends of their predessesors, and even achieving where they had failed, managing to colonise other nearby planets. Unfortunately, the rapid expansion weakened the heart of the nation, meaning the revolution could once again send the empire into anarchy. In order to stop complete annihalation, the Borgions ordered for bunkers to be constructed for those loyal to the Empire, and created a magical weapon known as the Doomsday Bomb. After threatening to detonate it in the rebelling civilian areas, the location was siezed and the Bomb accidentially detonated.
The resulting fallout demolished much of the established civilisation, warping the natural world and rousing the dead from their graves. After two years of hiding, the Borgion children emerged, recieving news that their father, Guiseppe, was dead. Angry at his failure, they resolved to retake the land from anarchy, founding the Clockwork League.
An uncertain amount of time later, a fella named Guiseppe Borgion took control through a combination of military might and religious unity and managed to establish a stable leadership, controlled by a church with his family at the head. This was known as the New Roman Empire, founded upon the legends of their predessesors, and even achieving where they had failed, managing to colonise other nearby planets. Unfortunately, the rapid expansion weakened the heart of the nation, meaning the revolution could once again send the empire into anarchy. In order to stop complete annihalation, the Borgions ordered for bunkers to be constructed for those loyal to the Empire, and created a magical weapon known as the Doomsday Bomb. After threatening to detonate it in the rebelling civilian areas, the location was siezed and the Bomb accidentially detonated.
The resulting fallout demolished much of the established civilisation, warping the natural world and rousing the dead from their graves. After two years of hiding, the Borgion children emerged, recieving news that their father, Guiseppe, was dead. Angry at his failure, they resolved to retake the land from anarchy, founding the Clockwork League.
INFANTRY
Recruits
The navy-blue ranks of Recruits make up the bulk of the infantry. Though basic, quite unfashionable and largely unaltered, they serve their purpose well enough
Stovepipe Gunners
Toting long heavy rocket launchers, these troops take care of heavily armoured enemies and even, to an extent, large swathes of infantry who happen to be standing too close together.
Quagmire Gunner
An experimental weapon, these heavily armoured troops operate chunky guns which fire acidic goop on enemies, slowing them and corroding their legs.
Shadow Snipers
These veteran infitrators are frequently used in stealth operations, due to their black camoflage and prestigious aim with their long-range rifles.
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They are not unprepared for close combat either, always carrying a dirk sheathed on their back.
Though their cartoonish bayonet-lances may appear ungainly, encountering them would teach you that they are anything but that. The Ironclads, often higher-class citizens, fire the rifles at enemies, and then charge, skewering what remains on the bayonet.
Field Surgeons
Amputating limbs can be a pretty grim job, so only the most cold minifigs become Field Surgeons. In one hand is a scalpel and in the other is a bottle of laudanum to help the troops ignore the pain of having only one leg, both physical and psychological.
Army Statistician
Journalists who fall out of favour with the government are frequently given the role of reporting from the field as an Army Statistician. It's a dangerous and horrific task, but at least you get to wear a really sharp suit.
Officers
Leading the troops to a clueless eminent demise in style is the Officer, usually found controlling (and hiding behind) squads of Recruits.
Field Mechanics
The role of a mechanik is vital considering the vast amount of automota that the Clockwork League employ in battle, so the positions are always in high demand.
Balloon Mechanic
Sometimes, a particuarly zany Field Mechanic will decide that walking is for peasants, and instead travel via backpack-mounted balloons, allowing them to float dreamily across the battlefield and repair flying contructs.
(Admittedly, this concept is not my idea).
AUTOMATA
Sentry Automata
These automata are aptly named, due to the fact that their inability to climb stairs means that they serve mainly as a defensive force. Though their clockwork programming is fairly basic, it doesn't need to be, since slicing up enemies with their arm-mounted blade doesn't require much design.
Scuttler Automata
A step up in complexity from the Sentry Automata, the Scuttlers are mobile, more sophiticated, and carry some serious supporting firepower in three variations, hence their nickname: 'The Artillery Triplets'.
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The Autocannon Variation.
This is used mainly as an anit-armour weapon, able to fire a series of high-power shots in quick succession.
The Mortar Variation.
The gun is designed to launch size 3" explosives at long range, which are stored in a rear compartment. It might be perhaps the least mobile of the trio.
The Gramophone Variation.
Unsurprisingly, this design was created by a group of drunk Field Mechanics, which somehow got approved for use in combat. It blasts propaganda at high volume at enemy infantry; those who do not suffer permanent ear damage or death, are converted.
This is used mainly as an anit-armour weapon, able to fire a series of high-power shots in quick succession.
The Mortar Variation.
The gun is designed to launch size 3" explosives at long range, which are stored in a rear compartment. It might be perhaps the least mobile of the trio.
The Gramophone Variation.
Unsurprisingly, this design was created by a group of drunk Field Mechanics, which somehow got approved for use in combat. It blasts propaganda at high volume at enemy infantry; those who do not suffer permanent ear damage or death, are converted.
Sometimes, infantry just need to be... softened up a little before they encounter the bulk of the forces. This is what the Icarus is made for; buzzing over the battlefield, peppering the hapless ninnies down below with dual gatling guns and just being a right nuisance.
Doodlebug Automaton
Comprising of a barrel filled with explosives, the Doodlebug is programmed to long for the sweet relief of death, and will charge at enemy fortifications, where it will either blow it up, or blow up trying.
Goliath Automaton
Field Mechanics looked at other tank designs and concluded that one cannon isn't enough. Thus, the Goliath is equipped with dual cannons and dual flamethrowers to deal with pesky infantry. It's thick armour absorbs quite a bit of fire, so the Goliath is often seen leading assaults.
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The size 2" explosive ammunition is kept in the rear of the automaton.
Maelstrom Artillery
Due to the magical fallout, there will often be spontaneous bouts of storms, crackling with electricity. To take advantage of this, the Maelstrom Artilery was designed, able to conduct the sporadic bolts of lightning and channel them into blasts of extremely deadly electrical energy.
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A rear view. The device is usually manned by 2 or more Artillerists.
Artilerists
Artilerists are chosen for their sense of reckless bravado, which is a necessity when dealing with weapons that might at any moment explode and turn everyone around it into frogs.
Manned by only the most unstable of pilots, the Inferno Mech is equipped with shoulder-mounted missiles, a massive Flame Spitter and a grabbing claw for close combat. The design remains largely unchanged, other than in the arm length and leg strength.
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Every civilised individual always carries a pocketwatch on their person.
Unfortunately, not all terrain is favourable for a land-based assault, such as mountain ranges, which enemies may rely on for defence. As a result, it was the only natural for a machine to be designed to negate that and annoy opponents even further. Even by itself, the Zeppelin packs a punch, making use of two manouverable guns mounted on the hull of the craft, and a deck-based gatling gun.
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A side view, allowing a view of the engine. The crafts are usually manned by two aircraft crew members.
Investigators
The Black Wing is the Secret Police force of the Clockwork League, it's black-clad ranks mostly comprised of Investigators, who are also known to the public as 'the Boogeymen'. Each are highly trained combatants that wield Tommy Guns with ruthless efficiency. Their prowess also means that Investigators are used as shock troopers in battle.
Executioner
If noting else, the Black Wing does enjoy traditional execution. Hence the existence of the Executioner, used for breaking down doors, intimidating civilians with scary armour and, well, executing. Similar to the Invesigators, they are also often utilised in combat, equipped with daggers in case they encounter a situation where an axe is too unwieldy.
MAJOR CHARACTERS
Admiral Lorenzo Hamodominus (Cliche: hot tempered admiral)
Although of noble birth, Hamodominus still had to sacrafice his hand to attain his position. Though hot tempered and prone to flying into firey rages, he has become more reserved as of late with the knowledge of how delicate his position is- one wrong word to General Lucresia, who is already not a fan of noblity, could cost him his head.
Cogmaster Antonio Amerigo
Previously the genius Head Engineer under the New Roman Empire, Amerigo is an utterly insane Scientist. After a tragic accident involving several ex girlfriends, half a ton of dynamite and a gerbil cost him every limb on his body and his ability to reproduce, he grafted what remained onto a robotic suit. Equipped with a jetpack and a massive Tommy Gun, he spends his time wrecking havoc on the battlefield when not repairing or designing his Automata.
The Umrbravir (Cliche: Secret Police manager with weaponised umbrella)
The enigmatic leader of the Black Wing, the Ubravir is the masked manager of all internal affairs. Whether due to habit or paranoia, he always carries a weaponised umbrella on his person, carrying out silent acts in the night for the good of the League.
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The Ubravir leading a Black Wing Squad.
The older of the siblings, Rodrigo is known as a sly calculating businessman, which is probably why he is theMinister of Diplomatic affairs. He was rumoured to be more loyal to his father than his sister was, which is a constant source of conflict between them.
General Lucresia Borgion
Sister of Rodrigo, Lucresia is the intelligent and passionate mistress of the Clockwork League. Hellbent upon reclaiming Valanka and succeeding where her father failed, the white gloved hands with which she controls her forces contain an iron fist. She was raised upon the legends of the ancient empires, and desires to not merely to match their achievements, but exceed them.