Snow Raven campaign questions.

[Kallor]

Hello, there is a game I'm running set in 3062, just as the Steel Vipers are returning to the Kerensky cluster. In this scenario the Snow Ravens have despatched a large portion of their fleet to intercept the Steel Vipers before they arrive at the Kerensky cluster.

The Steel Vipers, having just been defeated by the Jade Falcons, so will be sore and bitter. They have been forced to accept hegira and ejected from the Inner Sphere.

The Snow Ravens know that they do not stand a chance against the ground forces of the Steel Vipers. So the Ravens intend to claim or destroy those ground forces, while they are buttoned up in their dropships.

My question is when confronted by the Snow Raven fleet, would the Steel Vipers be more likely to only use their warships and fighters to defend their cargo ships? Or would they throw all of their vessels at the Ravens including transport carriers trying to cause as much damage and safe their army?

[Sjhernan3060]

In the scenario are the vipers arriving in one big fleet?

[Kallor]

Yes, it made sense that they would group up for the trip back to the home worlds. 10 warships to protect a convoy of about 59 jumps ships.

[rebs]

The Steel Vipers would defend with everything they have.  If there is a usable planet or planetoid near by, the Vipers would most likely land as many of their ground forces as possible to keep them from dying in space. 

To answer you question, yes the Steel Vipers would defend with all of their aerospace and assault droppers, as well as all their warships.  The Ravens are a hated foe, and the Vipers would know they are coming to curbstomp them at their most vulnerable point. 

[Kallor]

Thanks for your input Rebs. I never thought about the Vipers using a planetoid, great idea!

[rebs]

No problem, Kallor.  It's a good idea on your part to rewrite clan history by destroying or severely crippling the Vipers at their most vulnerable point.

Put one of those lunar maps to good use, because they would use anything.  And moons around jovian planets, even in otherwise uninhabitable star systems, would be prime places for transport to drop them while a space battle rages.

Keep us updated.  Let us know how the battle goes and the results.

[Kallor]

Brilliant! That could be the scenario, to drive past their escort and knock out as many transports before they make planet fall. Far easier to recover mechs and materials in space.

I will have to think on it, as it is I have to strip half the naval fleet to break them. But if they get to ground there is no way I could muster the ground troops needed.

Even with no witnesses I cant justify orbital bombardment...

[rebs]

Right on.  The Ravens, no matter how Machiavellian they are described, are ultimately white hats.  Thats why they wanted to get away from the Clans in the first place.  They wouldn't use Orbital Bombardment not even on the Vipers. 

But they sure would strand the Viper's three main galaxies if they could. 

[Foxx Ital]

Just blockade the planet they land on! If the viper get hit bad enough the rest of the clans will start trailing for their remains.

[Kallor]

A blockade would be standard practice for the Ravens, and if there was no atmosphere where the Vipers landed it would only take a few days? For them to capitulate... or die then recover the equipment.

Of course, I read that the Scorpuons have a bit of a rivalry with the Vipers, and if they were to find out where the Vipers were marooned...

Both your insights have been great, I cant wait read more. This sight is fantastic!

[rebs]

This is what I like about this site, too.  Sharing ideas about a great game. 

You'll be marooning Alpha, Beta, and Gamma galaxies as far as I know.  Maybe even Psi galaxy brought in for garrison, but I'm not sure.  The first three are elite galaxies and this will likely stop lots of latter events from happening.  Such as the Vipers invasion of Lum.  If that doesn't happen, then the Vipers never get the plans for the Leviathan and they don't build the Perigard Zalman.  Brett Andrews never gets elected IlKhan, and the Reavings nevrr get called.   

The Vipers will still have a military force, but it will now be busy fending off trials from other clans, like Foxx was saying.

You may not get clans to come and destroy the Vipers you strand on a moon.  But you will get them to keep the rest of the Vipers busy.  And the Snow Ravens are perfect for it. 

[Kallor]

According to the Warden field manual there are 8 galaxies; Alpha, Neta and Gamma front line and Zeta, Rho,Chi, Omega and Psi are secondary. Leaving one frontline and one second line Galaxy.

Those were my thoughts, and my clan would not keep the bulk of the troops, too suspicious of outsiders. But it could get me great concessions perhaps even a blood name or two whether from a ransom or trade with other clans. I'm sure the Ghost bears would be interested in a galaxy or two of viper troops, since they will be into their first War with the Combine.
 

[Foxx Ital]

Instead of the bears who will be a 6 month long journey, I could see the ravens taking them. Supply will start running low and you could start some harvest trials if the survivors are desperate enough. Otherwise I'd keep an eye out for cloud cobras coming in for a rescue if they feel they can take on the snow ravens. At the very least you could start trialing for genetic legacys and bloodname. The viper are honorable enough they would accept the trials, specially if they could counter to start getting rid of the blockade or rides back.

[rebs]

That leaves the Vipers with only 4 or 5 galaxies after stranding their elite force (plus a second line Psi).  That's up to you how much force you want the Vipers to have.  I was just rattling off what I remember the Vipers having in the Inner Sphere.

And that's a good idea about the Ghost Bears.  They may want the extra troops.  Or they may not, since the Bears see their selves as a family. They may not be so welcome of outsiders.  But with a war going on, who knows. 

The beautiful part is you decide it.  BT canon is filled with improbable events.  Players and GMs are welcome to create more improbable moments.

(Foxx is right.  6 months at the fastest between the Homeworlds and the Inner Sphere)

[Kallor]

You're right Foxx, I hadn't thought of that. Another great perspective. I'm sure the Blood Spirits would enjoy the extra troops as well...though I dont plan on crossing the Adders. Not yet anyway.

Yes there are endless possibilities, I just want to erase the innate bumbling they wrote for the Ravens in the wars of Reaving. For a clan that is supposed to be politically astute they really fumbled that one.

[rebs]

The Blood Spirits are a better choice.

Even the Scorpions would want to harvest trial for Viper warriors.  All rivalry aside, the Scorpions appreciate highly trained warriors. 

And yeah, the Ravens in the Wars of Reaving are beffudled.  Granted, they were victims of a ganging up by stronger Clans.  When they made their final escape with one big fleet, I was practically screaming "NOOOOOOOOOO ITS A TRAP!!!"  Why they would not split it into 3 convoys each taking a different route just eats at me something fierce.  That one was telegraphed and the Ravens by that woeful point should have known better.

[Foxx Ital]

The Blood Spirits are a better choice.

Even the Scorpions would want to harvest trial for Viper warriors.  All rivalry aside, the Scorpions appreciate highly trained warriors. 

And yeah, the Ravens in the Wars of Reaving are beffudled.  Granted, they were victims of a ganging up by stronger Clans.  When they made their final escape with one big fleet, I was practically screaming "NOOOOOOOOOO ITS A TRAP!!!"  Why they would not split it into 3 convoys each taking a different route just eats at me something fierce.  That one was telegraphed and the Ravens by that woeful point should have known better.

 To be fair they had to explain somehow why the ravens had a much smaller fleet post republic. They fact it took multiple clans ganging up says something. Could be worse, could have your clan given evidence of the not named that makes you go beserker only to have nothing that corroborates it. I love uncle chandy but that was a dirty play.
 While politically astute, the ravens have also had their machinations blow up in their face, aka seafox/diamondshark. Could be worse, you didn't get the nickname clan butterfingers 😉.

[Orwell84]

Keep us updated.  Let us know how the battle goes and the results.

Likewise. You've come up with an interesting scenario and a starting point for a non-Wars of Reaving alternate history.

Could be worse, could have your clan given evidence of the not named that makes you go beserker only to have nothing that corroborates it. I love uncle chandy but that was a dirty play.
 While politically astute, the ravens have also had their machinations blow up in their face, aka seafox/diamondshark. Could be worse, you didn't get the nickname clan butterfingers 😉.

Did the Bears ever actually find this out? I can't recall ever seeing an answer to that in a source.

Who got the nickname Clan Butterfingers?

[Foxx Ital]

Despite scraping every bit of DNA they came across they never found any evidence of the not named. If they did it wasn't mentioned.
 The Ghost Bears got the nickname because of how they fumbled logistics during the clan invasion.

[Kallor]

I had to put the book down and stop reading once I read that they were massing their ships in a well known jump point.

As for trying to explain why they didnt have as many ships later in the lore... "Given the lack of threat from other warships and the cost of maintaining active warships, clan Snow Raven mothballed 4/5 of their navy. Out in the middle of nowhere, not near a system or anything. Making extremely unlikely anyone would stumble onto them in the void." There explained Haha!

I think I felt betrayed when they didnt even give as good as they got. If they had say crippled the fleets of the other clans at the same time I could have accepted it. But they just got hammered, for nothing but to make the plot points match.

I have to make some changes given the input, and will let you all know how it turns out.

[rebs]

Let us know what changes you make, too.  This is an interesting "what if" scenario you're playing out. 

Avenge the Ravens!  And curbstomp those Vipers.

[Kallor]

*Priority Alpha Message*
To Khan McKenna

 Khan Lynn McKenna greetings. Since you negotiated for "Significant" news in the Inner Sphere as part of our continued trade agreement. I believe this certainly qualifies; Clan Steel Viper has been defeated and ejected from the Inner Sphere after accepting Hegira from the Jade Falcons.

I have no information as to the damage they suffered but it must have been grievous for them too accept honourable withdrawal from their holdings. I expect them to relieve their frustrations out on the home clans when they arrive.

May we continue to work together in furthering Kerensky's dream.
Khan Bjorn Jogensson.

*End Message*

 Three weeks after I received this message, I read a report from our Periphery facility TJ239H2 that a massive Viper fleet was passing through. Being a refulling station the Vipers topped up there fuel tanks for the long trip home. Between this and what we have been able to buy out of the Sharks, we can confirm the Vipers are slithering back to the hole.

 saKhan Bryn Cooper we can not allow the Steel Vipers to return to the home worlds with such are large force. They will undoubtedly be spoiling for a fight to prove they are still a viable threat. I will be finishing my efforts on Homer with Alpha Galaxy to rid the Cobras of the Vipers encroaching on their holding. I will be taking the 4th and 5th Raven Wing Clusters with my Naval Star.
 You are to head to Lum and collect the Corvidae and Drake, and load 4 stars of Tug dropships and technicians. I have sent orders to Star Admiral Lydia Sukhanov, to bring her Storm Crow star to the P7 system where you and I will rendezvous with the Circe Naval Star returning from escorting the Nova Cats. Together we will challenge the Vipers for their flotilla, catching just as they are leaving their P9 system with resupply base.

-message to saKhan Bryn Cooper from Khan Lynne McKenna.

Arriving at the Nadir jump point in the P7 system, we began planning for our comming trial. There is a gas giant 4 days from our Jump point with several moons in its orbit. My saKhan believes the Vipers will head for one of these moons to land their troops so as not to be slaughter in their bays. Despite his oddities, Bry Cooper is quite a capable tactician. So we have planned to move the buck of our fighters and dropships to lay 8 hours between the Nadir point and the moon. Star Admiral Hinda Shu has written a program that will have those fights and dropships slowly rotate and move to make them look like a large debris field.

Actual trial and results to follow.
 


 
 

[rebs]

Sounds like a good setup so far. 

So when do you plan on playing it out?

[Kallor]

Thanks, I really enjoy the writing. Kind of wish I still had a computer, typing this up on my phone is painful. Haha

We will be playing this tomorrow.

[rebs]

Good luck. May the Vipers fall and the future order change for the better. 

[Foxx Ital]

Thanks, I really enjoy the writing. Kind of wish I still had a computer, typing this up on my phone is painful. Haha

We will be playing this tomorrow.

I respond on phone so I feel ya. Just have fun!! Turning points tokasha just came out and I plan on rocking that!!

[Kallor]

Battle set up:
The Raven fleet was broken up into three groups;

R1. Snow Raven, Lord Death, Blue Quest, Corvidae, Drake, James McKenna, Blizzard, White Terror, Spur, White Cloud, Mountbatton, Kerensky's Hope, Ark Royal, and Storm Crow and 340 fighters.

R2. 2 Miriborg, 11 Titan, and 23 Carrier dropships carrying 620 aero fighters.

R3. Wild Swan, Rook, Trachery, Scavanger, Tenacity, Muninn, Blackbeard and the Nestling. 50 aerofighters.

Viper forces were broken into three as well;

V1. Dark Asp, Ophidian, Serpantes, Zalman's Endeavor, Snake Pit, Martial Legacy, Constrictor, Snake-in-the-Grass and Coiled Serpent. With 27 Carrier and 17 Noruff dropships with 430 aerofighters.

V2. This group is all the jump ships, 7 Comitatus, 5 Hunter, 20 Invader, 11 Odessy, 2 Starlord and 14 Tramp. They sent there escort fighters with V1.

V3. Pit Viper, 31 Broadsword, 10 Confederate, 24 Lion, 12 Overlord, 14 Sassanid, 20 Union and 175 aerogughters.

V1 and R1 are the main battle, R2 is reserve and recovery. V2 is non-combatants and the prize for the R1-V1 battle. V3 is attempting to land on the closest moon 4 days away not realizing that the debris field is actually Raven forces. R2 is sitting 8 hours away from the jump point directly in the path of the Viper dropships. R2 only has enough fuel for 2 passes on the transports, then they must break off. They can still dogfight if the Viper escort wants to fight but cant dog the Vipers if they continue on to the moon.

R1 and V1 met and the fighting was fierce. In the opening salvos Zalman's Endeavor destroyed the Whitecloud(must have been fate.)

The second round saw the near complete annihilation of the Viper warship fleet. Zalman's Endeavor was cut in half by the Ark Royal's cannons. The Snake Pit was destroyed by the Blizzard, the Coiled Serpent fell to the Lord Death.

The Constrictor was the only Viper ship to only recieve light damage the rest received crippling damage.
With the Viper warships out of the way it was little effort to relieve the Raven aerofighters from their slugging match the Viper Dropship and fighter.

V3 headed straight into the Raven trap, when the debris field stopped floating and formed up and attacked. The Vipers were caught flat footed. This explained the initial success but the Vipers regrouped quickly and the second pass was far less effective. The Viper warship and fighters stayed for one more round to allow the dropships a chance to escape. When it became clear the Ravens weren't following the dropships the Vipers broke off and followed. Many of the fighters made good their withdrawal, the Pit Viper was not so lucky, losing her engines to LRM volleys from Kirghiz fighters.

VIPER losses:

Alpha Galaxy;
2nd Viper Guard: Sassanid
4th Viper Guard: Overlord, Sassanid
400 Assault Cluster: Sassanid
Alpha Newt Cluster: Sassanid, Union

Beta Galaxy;
195 Striker Cluster: Union x2
233 Battle Cluster: Sassanid
9th Viper Guard: Overlord

Gamma Galaxy;
94 Battle Cluster: Overlord
428 Assault Cluster: Overlord
57 Striker Cluster: Union x2

Zeta Galaxy;
1st Fang: Union
2nd Fang: Lion
38 Phalanx: Lion

Rho Galaxy;
141 Phalanx: Confederate, Lion
3rd Fang: Lion, Union
4th Fang: Union
164 Phalanx: Lion
5th Fang: Union

Chi Galaxy;
11 Viper Regulars: Sassanid

Omega Galaxy;
80 Fang: Confederate

Psi Galaxy;
144 Phalanx: Confederate, Lion
83 Fang: Confederate, Lion

Ravens were able to recover;
39 Frontline Mech Stars
25 Secondline Mech Stars
12 Elemental Stars
10 Infantry Stars
12 Aero Stars and 4 points
2 points of Broadsword
1 Star 4 point Carrier
2 point Confederate
1 point Lion
2 star 3 point Noruff
3 point Overlord
3 point Sassanid
1 star Union
Dark Asp
Ophidian
Serpantes
Martial Legacy
Constrictor
Snake in the Grass
Snake Pit- drifted into the gravity well and has to be tugged out before it can jump. This will take several days.
Lastly V2 was taken as Isorla.

Khan Zalman died on the Dark Asp, saKhan Andrews is in charge on the surface. Raven forces were occupied making salvage operations and repairs before saKhan Cooper is to return to Lum with the Command star, Storm Crow Star, Circe Star, and all Isorla taken. Leaving Swift Wing Naval star, 4th and 5th Wing clusters, Drake and Corvidae as replacements for the Whitecloud, to work as blockade. The two newly acquired Starlords are staying as well as two stars of Noruffs.

[rebs]

That ended up being a pretty one-sided affair, huh?

Did you finish it all in one night or do you have more to play out?

[Kallor]

It became very one sided because of the sheer number of Raven  fighters and battleships. The damaged warships will cost a lot to repair and be down for a while. Even though I am pleased with the warship battle. The Viper touman lost less then a Galaxy of its ground force. So they weren't nearly as mauled as i had hoped, plus the cost in Naval repair is going to hurt.
My two friends each took a side and rolled the attacks. It was there crash course intro into large scale battles. I only rolled for classification of the dropships and to what unit they belonged.

I made the point of limiting the attack runs available on the dropships to balance it out and it seems to have really worked. I am making plans for which clans will move to attack the Viper ground Forces or offer to transport them home.
 

[Sjhernan3060]

May I ask which rules you used and how long the game lasted? I want to run something similar