The Sun Never Sets - As a Solo Campaign

 "The Sun Never Sets" is a set of multi-player campaign game covering the high era of British Imperialism. In the game, players represent members of Parliament, British commanders in one area of the Empire, and Native commanders in a different area. As a member of Parliament, a player tries to strengthen the colonial assets in his area of interest as a British commander and weaken those assets in the area where he is a native commander, all while balancing the Imperial budget and negotiating international events of the period.

The original idea behind the game was to generate meaningful and connected battles for a wargame club. In such a setting, one could reasonably expect to get the 10 or more players required together somewhat regularly. My situation, here in rural Colorado, is not ideal for getting anyone together for a game, much less regularly.

That being said, I would still like to participate in a grand campaign of Empire. What follows is a brief description of how I can accomplish this, "The Sun Never Sets Parliament Emulator".

Starting a new campaign on January 1st, 1860, the yearly budget is generated.

This is accomplished by clicking the button on the Exchequer sheet or on the Events Phase sheet. The initial budget is randomly determined. Notice, in the Remaining Budget row, that the salaries for the theater commanders has been deducted. 

Next, I go to the Events Phase sheet to determine what international event occurs. An event is drawn on each odd numbered turn, including the first.

I click the button and an event number is calculated. I compare the number to the list of events with requirements on the left of the sheet. As 16 is not an event requiring a specific event occurring beforehand, I click the button to confirm event 16. The tables on the right keep track of events used.

On the bottom half of the Events Phase sheet, the particular events for card 16 are listed. In this case, two events occur. Each of these events has a special button on the right that describes the effects of the event.

I click the Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal button and find that any gunboats I have in the area are lost at sea.

Next, I click the Influenza outbreak in China button. It appears that the outbreak is confined to the native army.

The native loses are added to the Native Forces sheet.

After the Events phase, I move to the Native Political Level phase. There are a number of modifiers to be checked and set as appropriate. As this is the first turn, these will all be set to No.

I click the Compute Political Level button to see how the Empire is doing. It appears that the natives are restless. It was not a good day for the Foreign Office.

 Now I go to the Native Mobilization sheet and generate a native force for each indicated theater. Note, the Zulus do not mobilize as they have a "Standing Army". The mobilization totals are added to the Native Forces sheet.

It looks like Parliament will be busy this month, so it is time to meet this august body.

Each member of Parliament has a picture, Name and native faction, along with three traits that can affect his voting. If an MP holds a political grudge, the MP he has a grudge against is also listed. For example Adrian Donaldson - MP N.W.F. Faction has a grudge against Simon Harrison - MP Maori Faction.

Seeing that South Africa is in a sad state, I decide that I would like to send some units there. I set up the Voting sheet to send 2 regular infantry units from England to South Africa.

Next I click the Set Vote button. This tells me how Parliament feels about this issue.

I see that most members are undecided and only 7 leaning in favor of the proposition. I feel that the situation in South Africa could become critical, so I decide to twist some arms in order to get this vote through. I click the Sway Vote button.

This has garnered two more leaning in favor and has flipped the two against to undecided. I only have 4 sway the vote options each year, so I'll have to trust to luck here and save the 3 remaining Sways for later.

Drat! the vote failed by 1! Maybe they will be more inclined to add some auxiliary troops instead. It looks like I can add 1 native auxiliary unit.

The game starts with 4 infantry and 3 cavalry units in South Africa, so it could be worse (like if the Boers declare war in February). Looking at the Exchequer Phase sheet, I see the colonial auxiliary unit there along with the additional expenses for being at war.

Here is a list of things that can be voted on.

I can continue to call for votes as needed. I place the new units on the appropriate map and move units as needed. When I've completed the map movements and determined if any battles are to be fought, I am ready to move onto the next month. Play can continue in this manner for 72 months, which is all we have events for at this time.

In this way, I can be a participant in the building of an Empire!

The Sun Never Sets - Boers and Burmese

 I finally got some Boers painted. The problem with painting Boers is that you have to paint two, twenty man units to make a single unit. I've finished three such units mounted and dismounted with twenty horses.

Boer Commando - Here are the Boers, mounted and dismounted. The horses with empty saddles are the same as those with riders.

Ras Gun - During the First Boer War, the Boers made two cannon, built by  Marthinus Nikolaas Ras, in 1880. The gun model is of "Martienie", the first gun built by Ras (and also the only one to fire shots in anger). It has a 3" bore and fired a 7 pound lead shot. It was used against the British at Rustenburg.

 

Burmese War Elephants - These war elephants have a crew of two in the howdah plus the mahout. They are armed with a lantaka or swivel gun. The elephants are cast in 3 pieces, 2 halves  of the body and the head. The howdah is a 3D printed scaled wicker basket model.

This is the Burmese artillery. Like two of the lantakas pictured above, this cannon has a decorative barrel, based on a fish.

Daquoits - These are Burmese irregular infantry. The British referred to them as daquoits, a term that translates to "bandit". These men all carry swords and spears, but they could also carry firearms.

Regular Infantry - These guys have spiffy uniforms and carry rifles.

Regular Cavalry - The cavalry are armed with the Dha, a type of short sword, and ride "Bama Myinn", a breed of Burmese horse.

The Sun Never Sets - The Action at Umbopa Drift - Part 2

 After the scrape with the two ivyo, the mounted troops regrouped.

The N.M.P. Moved forward to scout to the right of the square.

Upon reaching the crest of the ridge, they discovered 4 more ivyo.

The ivyo immediately charged.

The N.M.P. fell back while the hussars moved up in support.

The cavalry continued to fall back, firing all the while.

The zulu turned from the cavalry and slammed into the square. In the first attack, the 2nd platoon lost 7 killed and 2 wounded. The second ivyo inflicted 2 killed and 1 wounded. Both ivyo were repulsed.

The charging zulus triggered 3 more units.

The hussars move up to protect the battered 2nd platoon. The zulu failed their charge and are pinned.

The hussars make a charge and rout the ivyo.

The 1st platoon took the charge of two ivyo. These were defeated, at the cost of 7 killed and 3 wounded.

The devastation about the square was great, but the convoy was intact.

The Sun Never Sets - Zulu!

 I have finally gotten around to taking a few pictures of the Zulu. It should be noted that the Zulu are the oldest figure designs in the "The Sun Never Sets" collection. These were originally sculpted back in the late 1980's for a giant Isandlwana game. But, for good or bad, my sculpting style hasn't changed that much over the years, so they will still fit right in.

inGobamakhosi - The "Humblers of Kings" were part of the left horn as Isandlwana where they were engaged with Durnford's command.

iNdlondlo - "Horned Vipers" were part of the Loins at Isandlwana, so did not see much action. Some of the regiment did participate in the battle of Rorke's Drift though.

isAngqu - The "White Tails" were part of the chest at Isandlwana, so they saw a good amount of action.

uMbonambi - The "Seers of Evil" were part of the left horn as Isandlwana and helped to cut off the path of retreat for the British.

umKhulutshane - The "Straight Line" were in the chest at Isandlwana against the companies commanded by Younghusband, Mostyn and Cavaye.

These  Zulu are stripped of much of their regalia for fighting.

Induna -  These are the leaders of the Zulu Army.