Author Topic: 3145 Hotspots and Interesting Points of Conflict! (Read 9118 times)

Bratwurst · « **on:** 31 December 2013, 14:49:33 »

Hello, chaps! I've decided on my new year's resolution, and it will be that I will start a new BattleTech campaign in an attempt to sucker some local fencesitters into the depths of the game, in hopes of converting full-fledged ~~robosexuals~~ BattleTech afficionados.

At first I thought of starting from the easiest point of entry, the year 3025 and the introbox, but to be honest, the idea fell off the table and into obscurity for the simple reason that while it would be easy, it wouldn't be nearly as interesting as the fascinating new era of no holds or reservations we are, in a sense, living now. The sheer span of technological wonder and chaotic turmoil available to us in 3145 is to my eyes like an open toystore of mayhem and glee.

Admittedly, though, a problem appeared. I know much less of the canonical fluff events of the era. I could very well pull the situations I want from the back of my pants, but I have always enjoyed the idea that if my players were to feed some names and details of their missions to google, they would get appropriate results. As such, I decided to refer to your kind expertise in the subject of the era, in form of a simple question:

What are your 3 most favourite combat operations, invasions, broader conflicts or single battles of any kind of the Dark Ages?

(Warning, answers ~~may~~ will be jacked ;D)

Gray Jaguar · « **Reply #1 on:** 31 December 2013, 14:51:05 »

Invasion of Hesperus II by EVERYONE.

martian · « **Reply #2 on:** 31 December 2013, 14:56:38 »

Combat operation is a quite broad term. But I will name three things:

Reunification of the Free Worlds League + Lyran and Wolf invasion
Battle of Hesperus II - the Wolves[/Falcons/Lyrans
the Nova Cat Rebellion

Tai Dai Cultist · « **Reply #3 on:** 31 December 2013, 15:17:45 »

Palmyra would be the aerospace battle to replicate. The following ground campaign wouldn't be as much fun (for the Davion side), but perhaps it'd be a killer Red Dawn-style RPG campaign...

In the same theatre, we have the situation on Parma: the Conroe Training Battalion (reeling and fleeing the invasion) finally cornered by the elite Wolf's Dragoons. It shouldn't be a competitive fight, but neither should David have slain Goliath, either. The battle has been set up in FM3145 but we don't know anything yet about how it'll play out.

If you like grand campaigns, the Capellan Tide finally claiming Tikonov after several waves crashing against Davion defenders would be epic to play out.

If you like Clans in your BattleTech, the Tharkad & Hesperus campaigns would be awesome large-scale alternatives to Tikonov.

glitterboy2098 · « **Reply #4 on:** 31 December 2013, 15:45:47 »

many places in the 'rimward' Republic, outside the walls, could easily boast three or four sided campaigns for some worlds as the Republic Remnant, local dissidents, Davion's, and Capellan's go at it. maybe toss in some Clan wolf in some spots.

Scotty · « **Reply #5 on:** 31 December 2013, 15:58:52 »

Reunification of Free Worlds League
Blackout-period Republic
Wolf Empire Migration

Those are the three I enjoy the most. The two involving the FWL because it's my favorite faction, and the Republic because EVERYBODY FIGHT EVERYBODY.

Bratwurst · « **Reply #6 on:** 31 December 2013, 16:39:27 »

Quote from: martian on 31 December 2013, 14:56:38

Combat operation is a quite broad term.

Ayup. I am going to have my players form a smalltime mercenary company, and then I intend to put them on the roam from conflict to conflict, touring them through the most interesting parts of the era. As such, I am taking the kitchen sink approach and requesting everything on a scale range from "little Timmy Calderon and Larry Davion had a slappyfight on the kindergarten yard once again" to "Oh God My Nation Was Eaten By Wolves". >:D

Alan Grant · « **Reply #7 on:** 31 December 2013, 17:18:59 »

There have been several academies that have been the site of battles. Sakhara, the Nagelring, Athene, that's just off the top of my head. I think it would be fun running a game centered around one of those battles. If the Combine does assault New Avalon, we'll be adding Albion and NAIS to that list.

MadCapellan · « **Reply #8 on:** 31 December 2013, 18:58:16 »

Chesterton is bound to be exciting right now, what with a very active FedSuns insurgency running against a CCAF that is doing their darndest to look like benevolent liberators.

ANS Kamas P81 · « **Reply #9 on:** 31 December 2013, 20:32:38 »

Quote from: MadCapellan on 31 December 2013, 18:58:16

Chesterton is bound to be exciting right now, what with a very active FedSuns insurgency running against a CCAF that is doing their darndest to look like benevolent liberators.

Dagger Point with the heroes and villains swapped?

glitterboy2098 · « **Reply #10 on:** 31 December 2013, 21:25:53 »

Quote from: ANS Kamas P81 on 31 December 2013, 20:32:38

Dagger Point with the heroes and villains swapped?

no.. just their locations in the city.. :)

the idea of a Liao force stuck in a base and beseiged on all sides by insurgents does have an appeal. but somehow i can't see the Cappies having as much restraint as the ELH did..

Kitsune413 · « **Reply #11 on:** 31 December 2013, 21:48:33 »

Spirit Cat invasion of Marik. Long campaign with a grand finale!

Wrangler · « **Reply #12 on:** 31 December 2013, 22:30:52 »

I think some other events that should be interestings reads is:

Fall of Robinson to House Kurita
Fall of New Syrtis to House Liao
Sacking of Tharkad by Clan Wolf & Jade Falcons

Dragoons Campaign into Draconis Reach would be great Operational Turning Point. Rag-tag remains of Kell Hounds lead by Callandre Kell running amok in JF OZ would be fun one try play with i would think too.

wolfgar · « **Reply #13 on:** 31 December 2013, 23:47:45 »

Reinforcing or retrieving Kell and her hounds would also be fun.

FedSunsBorn · « **Reply #14 on:** 01 January 2014, 13:24:36 »

Besides some of the ones already mentioned, one particular battle that I am interested in would be the Fall of New Ivaarsen against the DC. Probably richer than most of the Draconis March combined, New Ivaarsen is/was home to two Battlemech regiments, has some of the best architecture this side of Terra, is home to one of the richest Davion families in the Realm and probably has an educational system that could rival any of the Davion Golden Worlds or the Inner Sphere as a whole.

Tai Dai Cultist · « **Reply #15 on:** 01 January 2014, 13:37:01 »

Quote from: FedSunsBorn on 01 January 2014, 13:24:36

Besides some of the ones already mentioned, one particular battle that I am interested in would be the Fall of New Ivaarsen against the DC. Probably richer than most of the Draconis March combined, New Ivaarsen is/was home to two Battlemech regiments, has some of the best architecture this side of Terra, is home to one of the richest Davion families in the Realm and probably has an educational system that could rival any of the Davion Golden Worlds or the Inner Sphere as a whole.

I would have mentioned New Ivaarsen too, but I had to limit myself to 3 and I already had 2 nominees in the Kurita/Davion Theatre :D

There's enough fluff out there to set up a New Ivaarsen campaign, and it'd be interesting for both sides. The Kurita side is fighting for the pride of taking a major world while the Davion side is fighting for the pride of giving better than they get from the larger force. Instead of playing the canonical invasion you might even make your own hypothetical (and entirely plausible) Round Two where the Chasseurs return to raid occupying garrison and/or attempt to liberate their homeworld.

Edit: And if hypothetical campaigns in the 3145 era is more your thing than simulating the canonical outcomes.. you'd have a hard time finding a better candidate than Julian's not-yet-canonically-revealed exploits with Task Force Navarre.

Darth Nichos · « **Reply #16 on:** 01 January 2014, 20:18:58 »

Well if the Fall of Terra to the Wolf Empire is canon, I would go with that.

Kojak · « **Reply #17 on:** 01 January 2014, 21:05:18 »

A couple months ago I sat down and combed through the various 3145 materials (the Era Report, Field Manual and all the factional TROs) and put together a master doc outlining any battles that took place in the Dark Age era that had listed participants on both sides (so if a battle occurred but none of the participants were described more specifically than their faction, I didn't list it). The information contained lists the units on each side of the battle and the skills, loyalties and equipment ratings of the forces involved, using info from FM 3145 (or in a handful of cases, FM 3085); if the unit in question has never had an FM entry, I simply listed them with no other information. Hopefully this is useful for other folks who enjoy recreating "historical" battles as much as I do.

EDIT: I should also mention that I left out any battles between a named unit and a planetary militia.

EDIT 2: Corrected for Oystein's update to the Palmyra battle.

snakespinner · « **Reply #18 on:** 01 January 2014, 22:31:09 »

Impressive bit of work there Kojak. O0

SpaceCowboy1701 · « **Reply #19 on:** 01 January 2014, 22:32:46 »

Quote from: Bratwurst on 31 December 2013, 14:49:33

Hello, chaps! I've decided on my new year's resolution, and it will be that I will start a new BattleTech campaign in an attempt to sucker some local fencesitters into the depths of the game, in hopes of converting full-fledged ~~robosexuals~~ BattleTech afficionados.

Admittedly, though, a problem appeared. I know much less of the canonical fluff events of the era. I could very well pull the situations I want from the back of my pants, but I have always enjoyed the idea that if my players were to feed some names and details of their missions to google, they would get appropriate results. As such, I decided to refer to your kind expertise in the subject of the era, in form of a simple question:

What are your 3 most favourite combat operations, invasions, broader conflicts or single battles of any kind of the Dark Ages?

(Warning, answers ~~may~~ will be jacked ;D)

I think a great campaign can be made out of any of the Republic-based "pirate" factions, as they try to seize worlds and / or resources early in the Dark Age ... although at least some of those end up getting gobbled up by Kurita, Liao, and the Falcons when the Republic "goes Fortress." I liked the battle(s) for Skye ... except for how it ended ... good multi-faction slugfest. The Wolf campaign against the Lyrans is an interesting one. If your potential players will be attracted / hooked by fiction, there are novels that cover some of these.

Check out the Dark Age Turning Points: Vega PDF if you want a campaign with a variety of factions ... it covers the events before and after the novel Trial by Chaos. You've got Clansmen, Clansmen Freeminders, Vega / Republic Militia, Warlords, Kurita / Dragon's Fury (the all-female Amaterasu regiment), and Bannson-sponsored mercenaries ... and hardware ranging from ICE 'mechs and Constable battle armor up to top-of-the-line Clan and House machines.

Panthros · « **Reply #20 on:** 02 January 2014, 22:34:14 »

Very impressive work indeed. You might want to think about moving this to a spreadsheet so you can filter. I am always impressed with the community. This must have taken much time, thank you!

Bratwurst · « **Reply #21 on:** 03 January 2014, 02:48:44 »

Quote from: Kojak on 01 January 2014, 21:05:18

A couple months ago I sat down and combed through the various 3145 materials (the Era Report, Field Manual and all the factional TROs) and put together a master doc outlining any battles that took place in the Dark Age era that had listed participants on both sides (so if a battle occurred but none of the participants were described more specifically than their faction, I didn't list it). The information contained lists the units on each side of the battle and the skills, loyalties and equipment ratings of the forces involved, using info from FM 3145 (or in a handful of cases, FM 3085); if the unit in question has never had an FM entry, I simply listed them with no other information. Hopefully this is useful for other folks who enjoy recreating "historical" battles as much as I do.

I'd email you a beer for that, but I fear it might taste a little... flat. :P

Thanks, Kojak. Really appreciate the doc.

Kojak · « **Reply #22 on:** 03 January 2014, 03:00:26 »

No problem. I make these documents for my own reference purposes, but sharing them with the community is always a nice perk.

verybad · « **Reply #23 on:** 03 January 2014, 03:16:45 »

Quote from: Tai Dai Cultist on 31 December 2013, 15:17:45

Palmyra would be the aerospace battle to replicate. .

It wasn't a battle, it was a massacre. Wouldn't be much fun for the FedSuns player, and it was by no means balanced. They were essentially burning ants with magnifying lenses... The Davions really didn't have any defense of their own.

Lorcan Nagle · « **Reply #24 on:** 03 January 2014, 10:20:33 »

The naval battle at Palmyra's Jump Point looks to have been pretty hairy, check the TRO:3145 writeup for the Cutlass and I think the Koroshiya mention vicious dogfights

Tai Dai Cultist · « **Reply #25 on:** 03 January 2014, 11:58:44 »

Quote from: verybad on 03 January 2014, 03:16:45

It wasn't a battle, it was a massacre. Wouldn't be much fun for the FedSuns player, and it was by no means balanced. They were essentially burning ants with magnifying lenses... The Davions really didn't have any defense of their own.

Quote from: Lorcan Nagle on 03 January 2014, 10:20:33

The naval battle at Palmyra's Jump Point looks to have been pretty hairy, check the TRO:3145 writeup for the Cutlass and I think the Koroshiya mention vicious dogfights

Indeed. The Aerospace phase of the battle was hotly contested. Sure, the Kuritans had surprise and numbers. So that means the Kurita side doesn't win by just killing stuff; the objective is to kill stuff fast all while suffering minimal losses so that the subsequent ground phase (beyond the scope of the aerospace battle) still has its Ortillery. The Davion side would win victory points by managing to retreat units and major points for every Kurita unit they kill.

And besides. Palmyra is the only battle with a WarShip.. where the WarShip wasn't used as a lawn dart.

Lorcan Nagle · « **Reply #26 on:** 03 January 2014, 13:40:49 »

There's a pretty awesome naval battle in Blood of the Isle between the remaining Mjolnir and a Jade Falcon Nightlord too.

Kojak · « **Reply #27 on:** 03 January 2014, 18:46:14 »

Quote from: Tai Dai Cultist on 03 January 2014, 11:58:44

Indeed. The Aerospace phase of the battle was hotly contested. Sure, the Kuritans had surprise and numbers. So that means the Kurita side doesn't win by just killing stuff; the objective is to kill stuff fast all while suffering minimal losses so that the subsequent ground phase (beyond the scope of the aerospace battle) still has its Ortillery. The Davion side would win victory points by managing to retreat units and major points for every Kurita unit they kill.

And besides. Palmyra is the only battle with a WarShip.. where the WarShip wasn't used as a lawn dart.

The Kuritan pocket WarShips at Palmyra must've done one helluva job reducing the AFFS task force there, because as far as I can find from my research, the DCMS only brought two 'Mech regiments (and their attending support forces) to finish off the survivors: the Fifth Sword of the Light and the Seventh New Samarkand Regulars (although they also had McFadden's Sky Storm, a veteran merc aero regiment, in support). I guess ortillery + air superiority = automatic win.

Tai Dai Cultist · « **Reply #28 on:** 03 January 2014, 19:20:35 »

Quote from: Kojak on 03 January 2014, 18:46:14

The Kuritan pocket WarShips at Palmyra must've done one helluva job reducing the AFFS task force there, because as far as I can find from my research, the DCMS only brought two 'Mech regiments (and their attending support forces) to finish off the survivors: the Fifth Sword of the Light and the Seventh New Samarkand Regulars (although they also had McFadden's Sky Storm, a veteran merc aero regiment, in support). I guess ortillery + air superiority = automatic win.

As verybad said, the ground attack phase was very one sided and unfun for the Davions. With Kurita having orbital control the PWSs could systematically pick off ground units one by one. With special forces having disabled Davion comm nets, the ortillery strikes would keep catching new units unawares each time. Total mess.

ANS Kamas P81 · « **Reply #29 on:** 03 January 2014, 20:28:22 »

Quote from: Kojak on 03 January 2014, 18:46:14

I guess ortillery + air superiority = automatic win.

Not just air superiority but air supremacy. The Feds just couldn't touch the air power, and it turned into Japan in 1945 or Iraq in 2003. Once you establish air supremacy (complete control of the skies, your aircraft may move without threat) versus air superiority (there's still hostile air power in some regions, and you have to escort your non-AS aircraft - Europe 1944, for example) then it's pretty much going to mean one entire arm of your military operates without danger to itself...and that's a hell of a long way to victory. The Dracs could just sit there, untouchable, and their only concern became ammunition.

FedSunsBorn · « **Reply #30 on:** 04 January 2014, 01:57:53 »

A number of jumpship captains panicked and the FedSuns units probably lost more than a few key units when they jumped out system without orders. With the Dracs fully organized and probably already knowing the positions of most the Davion aerospace units(those DEST teams were probably already relaying info back etc) I could see how they probably split up the Davions aerospace units and shot them up piecemeal. Probably the Andrew Davion on one side and the rest of the Davion aerospace fighters on the other side and neither of them able to help the other. An Avalon class cruiser is easy pickings without a strong aerospace unit to back it up.

Lorcan Nagle · « **Reply #31 on:** 04 January 2014, 06:23:02 »

Even worse, Andrew Davion was orbiting the planet and not defending the fleet at the jump point. She was either destroyed or heavily damaged by bearings-only missile barrages from the Kuritan missile boats.

Øystein · « **Reply #32 on:** 04 January 2014, 06:36:43 »

Quote from: Kojak on 03 January 2014, 18:46:14

The Kuritan pocket WarShips at Palmyra must've done one helluva job reducing the AFFS task force there, because as far as I can find from my research, the DCMS only brought two 'Mech regiments (and their attending support forces) to finish off the survivors: the Fifth Sword of the Light and the Seventh New Samarkand Regulars (although they also had McFadden's Sky Storm, a veteran merc aero regiment, in support). I guess ortillery + air superiority = automatic win.

The DCMS hit Palmyra with almost 7 regiments of BattleMechs.

With regards,
Øystein

Kojak · « **Reply #33 on:** 04 January 2014, 08:43:15 »

Any chance you'd be willing to tell us which ones I missed?

Wrangler · « **Reply #34 on:** 04 January 2014, 11:46:21 »

Quote from: Lorcan Nagle on 04 January 2014, 06:23:02

Even worse, Andrew Davion was orbiting the planet and not defending the fleet at the jump point. She was either destroyed or heavily damaged by bearings-only missile barrages from the Kuritan missile boats.

Personnally, I think the Andrew Davion was knocked out of orbit by a solid author's Fiat. Properly 500 or FIAT 131 ABARTH OLIO. Gave it a good solid dent before it crashed.

Øystein · « **Reply #35 on:** 04 January 2014, 13:12:14 »

Quote from: Kojak on 04 January 2014, 08:43:15

Any chance you'd be willing to tell us which ones I missed?

All the units shown in the Palmyra thumb on the deployment map. Any mention of the 7th New Samarkand on Palmyra is an error, it was the 2nd New Samarkand that was there (not including the 11th Ghost).

With regards,
Øystein

Kojak · « **Reply #36 on:** 04 January 2014, 16:12:47 »

Interesting and useful information, Oystein, thanks for that. Especially since I'm fairly certain (if I'm remembering my research correctly) that the 7th New Samarkand was mentioned in multiple sources as having been at Palmyra (but of course obviously you would know better). I will correct my own documents and if I catch any references in the sourcebooks I will be sure to report them as errata.

Kojak · « **Reply #37 on:** 04 January 2014, 16:24:47 »

Quote from: Øystein on 04 January 2014, 13:12:14

All the units shown in the Palmyra thumb on the deployment map.

Quick clarifying question: does that include Wolf's Dragoons' Beta and Gamma Regiments, or their independent battalions?

Øystein · « **Reply #38 on:** 04 January 2014, 16:31:51 »

Everything of WD except Alpha Regiment.

Kojak · « **Reply #39 on:** 04 January 2014, 16:32:25 »

Excellent, thank you for responding so quickly.

roosterboy · « **Reply #40 on:** 04 January 2014, 16:36:03 »

Quote from: Kojak on 04 January 2014, 16:12:47

Interesting and useful information, Oystein, thanks for that. Especially since I'm fairly certain (if I'm remembering my research correctly) that the 7th New Samarkand was mentioned in multiple sources as having been at Palmyra (but of course obviously you would know better). I will correct my own documents and if I catch any references in the sourcebooks I will be sure to report them as errata.

In fact, it's mentioned in ER3145. Looking at my notes, I must have mixed up Second and Seventh somehow because they clearly say 2nd.

Kojak · « **Reply #41 on:** 04 January 2014, 16:39:39 »

Alright, if anyone is interested, I've updated my Battle of the Dark Age doc to match the info Oystein has so graciously dispensed vis-a-vis Palmyra.

Bratwurst · « **Reply #42 on:** 05 January 2014, 07:37:21 »

Härregud, all this information. This'll bring a great deal of spice to the campaign in the works. I'm going to start building a timeline out of those battles as soon as I can, so I can throw them out in groups for my players to choose mercenary contracts from.

pensiveswetness · « **Reply #43 on:** 05 January 2014, 13:08:09 »

so in all these one sided conflicts between the DCMS vs AFFS or CCAF vs AFFS units, i take it the winners took many pages from AFFC rule books in beating the Davions (sheer mass and excessive dishonorable conduct to insure victory)?

Kitsune413 · « **Reply #44 on:** 05 January 2014, 15:28:34 »

Quote from: pensiveswetness on 05 January 2014, 13:08:09

so in all these one sided conflicts between the DCMS vs AFFS or CCAF vs AFFS units, i take it the winners took many pages from AFFC rule books in beating the Davions (sheer mass and excessive dishonorable conduct to insure victory)?

Even historically most battles are one sided. One side hits the other until one force hits a point of attrition, or a breaking point. Then that other side usually just sweeps it... With the rare battles where things break at the same time so everyone just grinds eachother into the dust.

This generally happens in tabletop battletech as well. Unfortunately for the AFFS their military has been in a downswing and imperiled since 3085...

Palmiyra may count as dishonorable conduct.

Kitsune413 · « **Reply #45 on:** 05 January 2014, 15:34:31 »

At present moment the AFFS is outnumbered 3 to 1 in total regiments by its combined enemies.

If the Republic and Ghost Bears start swinging soon they may have a chance.

templarmagnus · « **Reply #46 on:** 05 January 2014, 17:18:20 »

Quote from: Kojak on 01 January 2014, 21:05:18

A couple months ago I sat down and combed through the various 3145 materials (the Era Report, Field Manual and all the factional TROs) and put together a master doc outlining any battles that took place in the Dark Age era that had listed participants on both sides (so if a battle occurred but none of the participants were described more specifically than their faction, I didn't list it). The information contained lists the units on each side of the battle and the skills, loyalties and equipment ratings of the forces involved, using info from FM 3145 (or in a handful of cases, FM 3085); if the unit in question has never had an FM entry, I simply listed them with no other information. Hopefully this is useful for other folks who enjoy recreating "historical" battles as much as I do.

EDIT: I should also mention that I left out any battles between a named unit and a planetary militia.

EDIT 2: Corrected for Oystein's update to the Palmyra battle.

This is an AWESOME document. Thanks for the hard work.

Bratwurst · « **Reply #47 on:** 06 January 2014, 06:34:05 »

Quote from: Kitsune413 on 05 January 2014, 15:28:34

Even historically most battles are one sided. One side hits the other until one force hits a point of attrition, or a breaking point. Then that other side usually just sweeps it... With the rare battles where things break at the same time so everyone just grinds eachother into the dust.

This generally happens in tabletop battletech as well. Unfortunately for the AFFS their military has been in a downswing and imperiled since 3085...

Palmiyra may count as dishonorable conduct.

Indeed. You could even say that the entirety of strategy revolves around producing or spotting circumstances that enable odds like that.

On another note, I was quite impressed by the amount of elite-rated units marked in Kojak's documents. Based on that, it's hard to call the FS military to be on a qualitative downswing. Rather a downswing of top echelon leadership and grand strategy, as well as being the victim of circumstances, if anything.

Kitsune413 · « **Reply #48 on:** 06 January 2014, 09:15:58 »

Exactly that. Like Sun Tzu says, the greatest victory is the one where you dont have to fight at all. The second greatest the one where you bombard them from space without real fear of repurcussion.

IronLichRich · « **Reply #49 on:** 07 January 2014, 01:32:50 »

Tharkad and Hesperus. Though Hesperus is invaded so often it feels like the rocky of battletech

FedSunsBorn · « **Reply #50 on:** 10 January 2014, 20:51:50 »

Quote from: Bratwurst on 06 January 2014, 06:34:05

Indeed. You could even say that the entirety of strategy revolves around producing or spotting circumstances that enable odds like that.

On another note, I was quite impressed by the amount of elite-rated units marked in Kojak's documents. Based on that, it's hard to call the FS military to be on a qualitative downswing. Rather a downswing of top echelon leadership and grand strategy, as well as being the victim of circumstances, if anything.

I would say that their aerospace training has been on the down swing since well, the great Lee Turkey Shoot. The entries on one Liao dropship is a victory for Liao of course, the "elite" Aerogrenadiers get slaughtered during an incident over Tikonov, the chronic warship "ramming speed" option I won't even go into details about. I think Palmyra was just the final end result with multiple military ship captains "panicking" before the fighting even began. I think the Davion's emphasis on aerospace being just a supporting unit of the army has finally shown its cracks and things are now breaking.

Edward Longstake · « **Reply #51 on:** 26 January 2014, 15:47:15 »

From what I have seen so far (been out of battletech stuff for a few years) the action is on the FS, with Julian coming back to settle things. If I ever do a campaign anytime soon I will probably set the characters there, trying to turn the tide and kick some capellan/combine assets ;) back.

Tai Dai Cultist · « **Reply #52 on:** 26 January 2014, 15:52:28 »

Quote from: FedSunsBorn on 10 January 2014, 20:51:50

I think Palmyra was just the final end result with multiple military ship captains "panicking" before the fighting even began. I think the Davion's emphasis on aerospace being just a supporting unit of the army has finally shown its cracks and things are now breaking.

I'm not sure that's entirely fair.

Remember, a 'military jumpship' is distinct from a civilian jumpship only in the uniforms being worn by the crew. The Captain of an Invader-class JS is going to react the same way to an ambush whether he's AFFS, DCA, or civilian- Jump away while I still can. That they got away in the first place is a credit to their skills, not an indictment.

Molossian Dog IIC · « **Reply #53 on:** 26 January 2014, 18:38:16 »

Only saw this now. Excellent work on that document.

We should have a separate place to gather all these fan-made overviews.
I know there is Fan Articles (and i love that part of the forums) but a place only for downloadable content would make it easier to find these gems.

FedSunsBorn · « **Reply #54 on:** 26 January 2014, 20:42:54 »

Quote from: Tai Dai Cultist on 26 January 2014, 15:52:28

I'm not sure that's entirely fair.

Remember, a 'military jumpship' is distinct from a civilian jumpship only in the uniforms being worn by the crew. The Captain of an Invader-class JS is going to react the same way to an ambush whether he's AFFS, DCA, or civilian- Jump away while I still can. That they got away in the first place is a credit to their skills, not an indictment.

I can kinda see it that way but panicking under fire is never a good thing no matter what.

Colt Ward · « **Reply #55 on:** 27 January 2014, 05:07:19 »

My best suggestion would be for them to experience the Dark Ages from inception . . .

First they work as security forces for in Prefecture IX though you have to be careful about the set up as the Republic frowned on mercs inside their borders. You might make the facility being guarded something like a mech final assembly or perhaps the Prefecture refurbishment depot. Make it a mix of infantry, armor and battle armor guarding the facility and when the Blackout occurs there are four or six mechs and as many pilots.

The security force goes on protecting the facility for X determined time until a group of raiders jumps in. Whatever world of IX, the security force ends up integrated with any planetary defenses available- say the planetary police who find some PALs in the back of their warehouses, noble guard infantry, even converted armored cars no longer picking up cash from stores. Win, lose or retreat whatever happens . . .

Before the second raid, the group becomes a bit more integrated with perhaps some of the other forces in the defenders joining the proto-merc unit. Still guarding the tech facility they might upgrade some IndiMechs they take in as well as using them to train new Mechwarriors. Next raid will be a different group, perhaps an appearance by some of Bannson's Raiders trying to clean the tech site out. The staff is going to be important to the proto-mercs, specialists at refurbishing machines will help them form. The forming unit is either made to feel unwelcome or abandoned by the planet- perhaps they decide to flee when the local government tries to take over their equipment. The collection of battlemechs, IndiMechs, armor, BA and infantry all board a cargo dropship to leave the planet for Galatea.

The group officially forms a merc unit enroute to Galatea, signing papers and setting up an official unit. Perhaps throw a training match at them before they move off back into Prefecture IX for a garrison contract . . . or perhaps they got hired as raiders by someone else trying to get what they need to build their own personal empire. This can keep up until you get to the timeframe where the Falcons arrive with their desant. Now desperate worlds are throwing a lot of money at the unit- question is have they taken in enough salvage and skilled warriors to survive facing the Clans?

They can continue on in Prefecture IX until the Fortress Wall goes up which should cause a lot of fun panic and civil issues. Raiding becomes more rampant and systems start to form coalitions. They can be involved in brush wars between groups. Then the Crusader Wolves start to run through Prefecture IX, and now the whole prefecture units to attempt to hold off the Wolves.

After the Wolves move through- I think- the Falcons start to snap up worlds and the Lyrans reclaim some of them. Question is does the unit retreat back to Galatea, answer the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth's call for mercs or perhaps enter Oriete's employ as the FWL starts to reform.