Power is a goal. Pleasure is eternal. Welcome to Canopus.

[Raj Whitehall]

Perhaps it is the only jumpship that they were able to get a licence for to build.  Notwithstanding what governments might think about selling the periphery jumpship manufacturing licences, corporations might have reservations about selling them a licence for say, an Invader, as they might see that as a potential loss of revenue in the future.    For governments, they could see this as a way of the Magistracy to spend large amounts of c-bills on a jumpship with limited lift capability.

It could also be that the Magistracy are thinking of rebooting their exploration/colonisation efforts.  A Scout class has certain characteristics that lend itself to exploration than a larger jumpship.  Hook a Seeker dropper on to it, and I think you have a pretty good exploration team.

But to me, the obvious is that it's a TPTB decision.  There is a lot within the BT universe that has never made sense.  This could well be one of those carrot and stick decisions, by giving the Magistracy the ability to build jumpships, but throwing a spanner in the works by giving them a design that is not what they truly need.  Bit like those 1,000 Leopard's parked out the back in long term storage that Dunianshire has built over the last couple of hundred years.  You can only build so many before you wonder what the heck we are going to do with them all.

[Maelwys]

Licensing is a good IC point for the Scout I suppose, along with its probably being easier to produce the Scout than any other JumpShip.

I always figured the Leopards were either being produced in small numbers, only when needed, or else they were being sold off to fund the MAF.

STill, its interesting to see the shape of the Magistracy in 3145. Though I'm concerned about their military.

[jimdigris]

The 2765 Periphery Field Report is being planned. Perhaps we'll finally get a listing of our warship assets. [drool]

[Maelwys]

And hopefully the stats on the Athena.

So been looking over 3145 a bit more. Maybe the MAF isn't quite as bad as I thought it was.

First of all, there don't seem to be any E rated units, so that might mean the Magistracy's 3025 era technology is out of the MAF and restricted to use in such things as training and militia units.

Second main point...very few of the MAF units are at 100%. I'm rather surprised by this, especially with the product that they seem to have and have access to. Its even more surprising since one of the passages describes the Magistracy's units at "Full or above operational readiness" to the point where they're thinking of creating new units. I guess they consider operational readiness something other than I do :)

I think the Independent MAF units are some of the big winners in 3145. They went from 2 F rated units to 2 A's and a B. The Canopian Brigade units still lack attached support units however.

Magistracy Royal Guards are up to 4 units strong, all A rated, but have varying degrees of readiness. Presumably in order to keep the Elite ratings, Raventhir's Iron Hand is small. 1-2 battalions per regiment it seems. The 3 Cuirassier units are likewise affected, but not to the same extent. All the units do have an Air Guard unit attached (at various strength percentages), which are lead by Majors. If I had to guess, that means 3 squadrons each, for 18 fighters total, but I could be wrong.

The newer Canopian Lancers are C rated, and like the Canopian Brigades, lack attached units. On the other hand, they're closer to being fully staffed than some of the Royal Guard units.

The Light Horse units seem to have slipped in the supply chain, but then again, considering what the Magistracy's supply train is like now, even slipping into B and C rated units might put them ahead of where they were. Like the Royal Guard units, few of the units are close to being fully staffed, with the 2nd and 3rd looking like they're missing almost entire battalions. They do however also have integral air support units.

The Fusiliers have rebuilt, but seem to have lost both experience and loyalty during their downtime. On the plus side, they seem to be rather high up in strength percentages, but lack attached aerospace assets.

The Highlander regiments have made out pretty well, coming near the top of experience, unit quality and actual strength. Unfortunately, they still only have their attached infantry regiments. Still no Armor or aerospace assets directly attached to them. Unfortunately the biggest loss was the Canopian Highlanders who were hit by a nuclear strike in 3101. The survivors were folded into the 1st and 2nd Highlanders (I can't help but wonder if they were done in because they were forgotten about in FM:3085 and only showed up in the TO&E and not the unit writeups).

The Raventhir Cuirassiers are like the Unaffiliated MAF units, but haven't quite reached dizzying heights on the supply chain. On the other hand, they have their attached infantry and armor units, and have gained alot of experience from fighting off pirates. Considering one of the units is on Dunianshire, I can't imagine they'll have much trouble with supplies.

So that's the general gist of the Magistracy units. They're not too bad off technology wise, though some of them are hurting with their actual strength. I'm glad to see aerospace assets attached to the units, though I'm sort of surprised that they haven't spread further. I'm also surprised that all the regiments don't have attached units so far. You'd think they'd have built them up by now (take for instance the Marians. All their units are 5 Cohorts, 2 Auxilla Legios and a Wing of Aerospace fighters.). I'm not saying they have to be 100% regiments, but I'm just surprised that units haven't been permanently attached over the years. Of course, that may just be the little "Make everything the same" organizational voice in my head :)

[False Son]

Still a bit saddened by the omission of Ramile's Raiders.  Now where am I going to get my Canopian pirate themed merc anctics from?

[Maelwys]

I'm not sold on them being gone, but perhaps just not listed as "Notable."

Or maybe at some point they disbanded. Maybe Newton didn't have kids or something.

Oh well. We'll see hopefully. Or get some news of them atleast.

Could be amusing if there's a daughter or granddaughter and someone pushes her forward as a heir instead of Danai...

[False Son]

I'd be curious to see how that plays out.  Seeing as how the Magistracy is matralineal, and they have that fascinating naming convention in the MoC where males take their father's sirname, I do wonder if a Ravinthiri or Ramilie would be legal to take the throne.

[Tai Dai Cultist]

So here's a question that's sort of been floating around in the back of my mind.

Just what do you use a Scout-class JumpShip for?

I mean, obviously its great that the MoC is producing a JumpShip. I might have preferred the Invader-class, but I'll be happy with the progress that producing a JumpShip shows.

So again, what do you do with the Scout?

The obvious (and tongue in cheek) answer of course is that you transport a single DropShip 30 L-Y.

But what do you do with that DropShip?

Commerce seems a little iffy. A single DropShip doesn't seem like it can carry the amount required to make it viable, unless you're talking about Mammoths and Behemoths.

Militarily, a single DropShip again seems iffy, even in the smaller, combined arms conflicts of the post-Jihad (not to mention most Canon DropShips seem to lack cargo capacity for single DropShip raiding).

The fluff of the Scout has it used for exploration and reconnaissance. Normally I'd think that a single DropShip isn't enough for that (cargo issues), but the Scout itself can carry 1000 tons of cargo, so I'm willing to believe it can be useful in that regard.

It probably proved quite beneficial when the Blackout hit. A small JumpShip with only a single docking collar in a nation the size of the Magistracy was probably incredibly useful as a pony express component.

Or am I just overthinking it, and not seeing the forest for the trees? Is the best thing about the single DropShip collar on the Scout is that where you once had 3 collars handling commerce before the Scout, now you have 4 with the Scout?

What are the two things that come to mind when someone mentions "Canopus" and "economic activity" together?

Canopian Pleasure Circuses

Canopian Medicine

Either enterprise can be transported in one dropship, and must range far and wide beyond the Magistracy to be profitable (not to mention well known).  A shipbuilding industry that neatly supports these money-making activities, if not necessarily raw trade, still makes sense.

[Kitsune413]

The magistracy has seen some action in the free worlds league and against the republic. Not surprised that they arent at full strength.

[Maelwys]

What are the two things that come to mind when someone mentions "Canopus" and "economic activity" together?

Canopian Pleasure Circuses

Canopian Medicine

Either enterprise can be transported in one dropship, and must range far and wide beyond the Magistracy to be profitable (not to mention well known).  A shipbuilding industry that neatly supports these money-making activities, if not necessarily raw trade, still makes sense.

I dunno. I've always thought Pleasure Circuses were bigger than a single DropShip, though I suppose it depends on the DropShip and the Circus (and I've always sort of been off on just how big the interior of DropShips really are...). Medicine is possible as well, though I also can't imagine that either would like to go traipsing around in certain areas without an escort of some kind. But its definitely another option I hadn't thought of.

The magistracy has seen some action in the free worlds league and against the republic. Not surprised that they arent at full strength.

Oh, I know. And I expected that somewhat,  but I'm still somewhat shocked by some of the numbers. Ravinthir's Iron Hand is missing 2 Battalions of `Mechs, 2 of Armor, 50% of its Infantry and 50% of its Fighters (roughly). Even taking into account the want to keep the force elite, that's a bit much. The 1st Canopian Cuirassiers are likewise down 1-2 Battalions per regiment. I suppose that some of the units could have been pulled from those two commands to build up the 3rd Canopian Cuirassiers, since they're relatively new (And well stocked compared to the other two, and only started with a Battalion from Andurien).

Oh well, something to build on I suppose.

Sort of a shame that all the rumors about the 4th Light Horse never came to pass.

[tassa_kay]

Checking in, gents. I can't imagine a better fit for me in the Periphery than Canopus, given my proclivity for strong female characters. Now someone pass me a drink.

[Maelwys]

And you can theoretically keep all the cybernetics and `Mechs you're used to using with your Thugees.

[tassa_kay]

Oh, I was gonna keep them regardless. Maybe even upgrade!  :D

[False Son]

Switch out the wings for cat ears?  Or better, your cybernetic eyes have cat's eyes!

[tassa_kay]

...no. Cats are silly.

[False Son]

Well, then you're in the wrong region of space.

[tassa_kay]

Nah, I just need to avoid the weirdos in the fan base.  :D

[jimdigris]

Now someone pass me a drink.

This is Canopus.  We'll be passing you something stronger than a drink. O0 [cheers]

[Death by Zeus]

Nah, I just need to avoid the weirdos in the fan base.  :D

Hey!  Don't talk about Wierdo like that........ ;) :D ;D

The Magistracy is like Catgirl Central Control.  O0

[Kit deSummersville]

Yeah, they've shown up a few times in canon.

[tassa_kay]

So have bird people, mermaids, and now zombies. Still don't have to acknowledge them. ;)

[False Son]

Cosmetic surgery seems more acceptable to me than some of the Thugee cybernetics.  We already have oddballs in present day that disfigure themselves to look more like animals.  But, whatever.  That's one of the things that makes the Magistracy so much fun.  A bunch of weirdos, hedonists and amazons. 

[tassa_kay]

The Thuggee cybernetic alterations were explained in detail, in a way that works for their mindset.  I will *never* understand what would make one want to be a permanent furry.  :P

[Kit deSummersville]

Luckily Canopians are generally an open-minded people, accepting of their fellow citizens.

[tassa_kay]

Okay, so can we move on from this, please? I didn't come here for a browbeating over my personal tastes, thank you.

[False Son]

You will take the beatings and like it  #P


Question:  Has anyone run a Ebon Magistray type of battle armor unit using Full Dermal armor?  The extra point of pilot toughness seems helpfull on the Theseus and IS Standard, but i'm not sure it is justified on the Amazon.  It seems like Full Dermal is one of those rules that begs the troopers to be conventional infantry ala Assault Commandoes rather than battle armor.

[tassa_kay]

Tell me more of this Ebon Magistrate. I think I read once that they're super-secret and super-effective, which is a pretty neat distinction for a Periphery power. Would they really use armor like that (which also sounds like a cybernetic upgrade)? Any notable ops?

[False Son]

The Ebon Magistrate is good by house standards and spooky good by periphery standards.  They have a mystery about them, as to how their operations got to be so good.  One rumor is that Wolf Net trained them.  Might be part of the ongoing "how'd the Canopians do that?" storyline along with the Vengeance.

And yes, the Assault Commandos listed in TRO3085 have Full Body Dermal Armor and cybernetic eye implants.  They are the one noted non-Blakist unit to make extensive use of cybernetics.  Full Body Dermal is a huge boost for conventional infantry, and really what makes the Assault Commandos and Tau Zombies so dangerous.  The extra support weapon, armor divisor and no-double damage for being out of cover is huge.  HUUUUUUUGE.

[Marveryn]

ebon Magistrate were doing the cybernetic thing the same time that blakist did so it made there shadow war interesting. I don't think any Ebon went to the same degree but they weren't shy about the enhancement .

[jimdigris]

The Ebon Magistrate may have been around for centuries.  They were so good, that no one noticed that they existed until the 3060s.