Military Bluesheet

Firepower

Military strength in Shadow Over Babylon is represented by units of firepower, not manpower. A highly trained unit of one hundred soldiers armed with cutting edge weaponry may be the equivalent of a force ten (or more) times its size. For the purposes of this game we will only be dealing with units of firepower.

The Map of Iraq

Iraq contains 20 provinces, each labeled on the Map of Iraq. Most units will be displayed on the map. Units will be color-coded by their controller. The map included here only shows the presence of units, not numbers of units. The map during the game will show the number of units in a given province.

Covert Units

Not all units operate out in the open. Insurgent groups and cultists do not generally advertise their location or strength. For this reason covert units are not displayed on the map by default. However, certain actions can cause covert units to be revealed. These actions will be noted below. Please note that Covert units will automatically go back into hiding one turn after they are revealed.

Turns

The military mechanic will operate in turns. Every 30 minutes of game time represents a single turn. At any time during a given turn players controlling military units may call in one order by filling out an Order Form and turning it into the Map GM. At the end of every turn the Map GM will carry out the orders received and post News Announcements. The Map GM will give a 5-minute warning before the end of each turn.

Control

If a faction has the most military units in a province, they control the province. If two or more forces are tied for the most units and one of them previously controlled the province, they retain control. If none of the tied forces previously controlled the province, there is no effective control. If there are no units in the province, there is no effective control.

If a faction controls a province and any other units in the province receive non-movement orders, the controlling faction will be informed and have the opportunity to intervene. If they choose to intervene they may issue one order to their units in that province for free.

Example: The Iraqi government controls Province X. Unknown terrorists attack Blackwater units in Province X. The Iraqi government may choose to attack either party, or even run away, potentially losing control of the province.

Orders

An order only affects the units in one province. However, the order can affect any number of units in that province. Only one order can be issued in a given turn.

Example: Blackwater has 2 units in Province X. Blackwater can issue an order affecting either 1 or 2 units in Province X. They can not issue an order for units in both Province X and Province Y. Different orders can not be given for each of the units in Province X.

Below are the two basic types of orders that can be issued to any unit. There may be other orders available to certain groups (e.g., Perform Ritual, Surprise Attack, Carpet Bombing).

Movement

A unit can be ordered to move to an adjacent province. Note that if more than one unit is ordered to move, they do not have to go to the same province. The Movement order does not cause covert units to be revealed.

Example: Aegis has 2 units in Province X. Aegis can issue an order for 1 unit to move to Province Y and a second unit to move to Province Z.

Attack

A unit can be ordered to attack any other units in the same province. Note that if more than one unit is ordered to attack, they do not have to attack the same force. After an Attack order is issued, all covert units in the province controlled by the attacker are revealed.

Example: Sunni insurgents have 3 covert units in Province X. Blackwater and the Iraqi government each have 1 unit in Province X. The Sunni insurgents can send an order for 1 unit to attack the Blackwater unit and a second unit to attack the Iraqi government unit. The third Sunni insurgent unit is revealed on the map after the attack.

Combat

Most combat works in a relatively simple manner. Each unit destroys one enemy unit and is then destroyed.

Example: The Iraqi government has 2 units in Province X. Blackwater has 1 unit in Province X. The Iraqi government orders an attack on the Blackwater unit. The Blackwater unit is destroyed and 1 of the Iraqi government units is destroyed. This leaves the Iraqi government with 1 unit in Province X and some questions to answer for the attack on the military contractor.

Headquarters

Several factions have headquarters. A faction defending its headquarters loses 1 less unit in combat. If control over a headquarters is ever lost, the faction forfeits its unrestricted political capital to the attacker.

General Caveat

Some special abilities or orders may trump the above rules.