Sieg Zeon is a multithread Play-by-Post Game on Space Battles Dot Com that's set in the Universal Century Gundam universe that could be best described as a cross between the Gihren's Greed and Zeonic Front games. Another way to put it would be a more grounded and serious version of Zeon Quest.
Starting off in UC 0078, it's set up as an account on the events leading up to and during the One Year War through the eyes of Valeria Caine, a lieutenant from the Principality of Zeon serving in the 7th Unit, aka the "Dusk Wraiths." At the same time, it also focuses on the wider struggle between Zeon and the Earth Federation and all that entails. It soon becomes evident however that this tale isn't a simple retelling of the war...
A rather interesting point about it is that rather than just following the source material episode-by-episode, it's structured as "What If" Alternate Continuity, with events either happening much earlier than in the series or giving way to entirely new ones depending on one's actions. This in turn gives the characters (and thread players) an opportunity to really help the Spacenoids finally gain the upper hand that they never had. But whether or not Valeria, her comrades or all of Zeon succeed is ultimately up for grabs.
It can be found in
these links. While the fourth part, set around the same time as Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam can be found here. A fanfiction project is currently in the making.
Tropes Exemplified by this RPG:
- Alternate History/Alternate Continuity: Even early on, changes big and small start to make themselves felt, though it takes quite a bit of time before they really become obvious.
- Alternative Calendar: The thread begins in Universal Century 0078, the OYW kicking off in January UC 0079.
- Awesome, but Impractical:
- Zigzagged with the Jormungand. While it is an immobile sitting duck, and very expensive to operate, if it deployed efficiently, it becomes strategically vital.
- Played straight with the Dolos.
- Been There, Shaped History: While Valeria and company do participate in some key events, it's only later on that they actually make clear changes. And then there's the attack on Torrington Base.
- Big Damn Heroes: The Dusk Wraiths have a habit of doing this, and given their original purpose as a propaganda unit are pretty much required to pull this off and succeed. In the alternate Battle of Odessa however, Ramba Ral manages to step in just before a Federation ship is able to fire directly on the Dusk Wraiths.
- Big Bad: The Federation. General Revil in particular.
- Big Good: Garma Zabi is effectively this for Zeon, with Dozle not that far behind. In fact, it's all but stated that his survival compared to his in-canon death is crucial for Zeon's chances of victory. Fortunately, and unlike in canon, he not only survives but goes on to lead an assault on the White Base.
- Big, Screwed-Up Family: The Zabis are still this. Though just as in the source material, Dozle and Garma are the more decent and sympathetic of the lot.
- Cool Big Sis: Valeria eventually joins the Flanagan Institute after the War as an instructor. Her prodige? Haman Karn.
- Curb-Stomp Battle: The early stages of the war are largely this for Zeon as the Earth Federation is literally caught off-guard. Though like in canon, it's gradually averted later on as the Feddies really start to mobilize...that is unless the Spacenoids can stop them first.
- David Versus Goliath: Lampshaded. The Earth Federation simply has that much more manpower and resources on standby than Zeon does. In addition to the deployment of mobile suits and Operation British, the aim instead is to grind down the Federation and use their strengths against them in order to get a far more favorable peace treaty than in canon.
- Difficult, but Awesome: The Gelgoog Jäger is one of the most powerful Mobile Suits fielded in the One Year War, but it needs strong trigger an thruster discipline, to do not deplete the ammo and fuel reserves in an alarming rate.
- Dropped a Bridge on Him: A number of canon Federation characters get killed off either directly by Valeria and the Dusk Wraiths or as an indirect consequence of their actions. Up to the entire 08th MS Team; dying in Odessa, meaning Shiro never gets to meet Aina.
- Exact Words: The "Three Second Warning" following the declaration of war is a reference to the first Federation casualty in the OYW...which occurred three seconds after the declaration was made.
- Elites Are More Glamorous: Lampshaded by M'Quve, the one who brought Valeria's MS team into the newly formed Dusk Wraiths. Part of their purpose is to serve as morale-boosting propaganda for Zeon (complete with media and a growing in-verse fandom) similarly to Char Aznable or the Black Tri-Stars. But like them however, their other purpose is to live up to those expectations by instilling fear into the Federation forces.
- I Did What I Had to Do: It's made clear that many in Zeon aren't exactly giddy over the stuff they had to do, but believe nonetheless that it had to be done even if only to force the Federation to surrender and end the war quickly.
- The Federation: The antagonists this time around, though their portrayal is more sinister and reminiscent of Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn.
- For Want Of A Nail: Lampshaded. A single crucial action, whether on the drawing boards of Side 3 or on the battlefield can have long and at times unforeseen repercussions down the line.
- Gender Is No Object: Women can be found in many areas of Zeon society, including the armed forces. Then again, the Federation also has females among its ranks.
- In Spite of a Nail: Especially early on, with events like the Battle of Loum, Operation British and the Antarctic Treaty happening more or less as in canon, though the Battle of Loum ends up becoming a more total victory for Zeon than in canon. This is gradually averted later on as changes begin to make themselves felt.
- Magikarp Power: M'Quve's "United Maintenance Plan," which essentially streamlines Zeon's logistics and standardization, is approved before the war in this version of events. While it initially allows for cheaper mobile suits and research policies, it really becomes a significant factor months into the OYW, as it actually gives Zeon's forces a more equal footing against the Federation.
- Minovsky Physics: Yup, this is Gundam all right. There are also some in-verse elaborations as to why Minovsky Particles made it possible for mobile suits and beam weapons to replace lasers and long-range conventional weapon systems like cruise missiles and automated drones.
- My Country, Right or Wrong: Valeria, though she's not a fan of war and doesn't necessarily approve of the things her superiors are doing (especially Gihren Zabi), is very much a Zeon loyalist. For all the chaos, she still would prefer her homeland's survival and working for a better future than what the Feddies have in mind for Spacenoids.
- Original Character: Valeria Caine, who serves as the individual protagonist and the Dusk Wraiths in general.
- Putting on the Reich:
- Zeon's Axis Powers-based imagery and symbolism is very much in effect.
- After the War, the remnants of the Federation wind up becoming like the Titans.
- Really Gets Around: Downplayed with Valeria. Not only does she have her own one night stands, at one point her own mother even approves of it in secret.
- Reasonable Authority Figure: Valeria considers her superior, Duncan as well as both Dozle and Garma Zabi as being this.
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Rooting for the Empire: Lampshaded. Zeon may have committed many questionable acts in the UC canon, but in a sense they're justified. Whether or not those justifications are worth the costs is another matter. - Set Right What Once Went Wrong: A major point in the RP is to try this for Zeon, and hopefully win the One Year War along the way. The OYW ends with a resounding Zeonic victory.
- Shout-Out/Continuity Nod: Quite a number are made to the UC Gundam shows.
- The Hildolfr mobile tank and Jormungand cannon from MS IGLOO fare much better this time around.
- As a result of the United Maintenance Plan being approved before the OYW begins, many of Zeon's more advanced mobile suits like the Dom and Gouf come into play considerably earlier and in larger numbers than in canon.
- Valeria and the Dusk Wraiths eventually have mobile suits and equipment colored in almost the exact same scheme as the Titans.
- During the attack on Torrington Base, the Dusk Wriaths unwittingly end up killing many of the White Dingo Team from Rise from the Ashes.
- As a teacher in the Flanagan Institute after the OYW, Valeria winds up mentoring a promising young lady by the name of Haman Karn.
- Eventually, Valeria's comrades in arms in the Dusk Wraiths begin musing that she might be a Newtype. Which turns out to be the case.
- Shown Their Work: As per the course for a Space Battles Dot Com work, with considerable attention put to the minutiae of Universal Century technology and even politics.
- Spiritual Successor: Of sorts to Zeon Quest.
- Think Nothing of It: At least initially, though Valeria never lets it go over her head. She's more interested in getting the job done than hogging all the glory.
- Took a Level in Badass: The Dusk Wraiths in general and Valeria in particular. So much that they catch Garma Zabi's attention.
- Villain Protagonist: Zeon in general, including Valeria, though their portrayal is pretty sympathetic.
- War Is Hell
- Wave-Motion Gun: The Apsalus III is actually used for its intended purpose in Jaburo. With devastating results.
- Wham Episode: Several
- Garma's survival and him succeeding in capturing the White Base.
- The Battle of Odessa resulting in Zeon victorious.
- The fall of Jaburo, which leads to Revil surrendering and thus the end of the War.
- Wide-Eyed Idealist: Valeria starts off as this, though not to the degree of Anavel Gato. Even after her experience with war, she retains shades of this.
