Author Topic: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread  (Read 170294 times)

chanman

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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #180 on: 13 July 2012, 19:29:49 »
Given that their government consists of Chairpersons and a Director, that makes sense: with Niops having been a colony dedicated to astronomical research of red dwarf stars, the "Niops Association" may have started as an NGO organized by various universities, with the chairpersons each heading a department originally, and the director overseeing operations.

I was going to say that it sounds equally academic. It could be that by the 25th century the endowments for premier schools were absolutely astronomical? (Ba-dum-pshhhhh)

Samhain21

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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #181 on: 15 August 2012, 23:23:33 »
Would the Niops trade... "Stripped down" Star League-model stuff to other Periphery neighbors, for like... Harvesting combines, or whatnot? Something along the lines of, "We need those parts to keep our agriculture running. Here is a CRB-20 for your support."?

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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #182 on: 16 August 2012, 01:02:22 »
Well, we know by the 3130s they were trading with Regulus and the Rim Commonality, what is not quite specified.  Might be the best fix-it shop in that area for Jumpships and Dropships, but the hand built parts are going to cost you?
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Samhain21

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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #183 on: 16 August 2012, 11:36:36 »
Sorry, I should've specified... I was thinking around the 3020-3030 era.

Has Niops struck you as strictly isolationist? Or would you occasionally find, like, an old, but well-kept Confederate dropship land on your Periphery world, looking to trade once in awhile...?

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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #184 on: 16 August 2012, 11:42:41 »
Sorry, I should've specified... I was thinking around the 3020-3030 era.

Has Niops struck you as strictly isolationist? Or would you occasionally find, like, an old, but well-kept Confederate dropship land on your Periphery world, looking to trade once in awhile...?

They were isolationist for the longest time.  If word got out about their technology, they would become the target of every Great House and Periphery state seeking to gain their secrets for themselves.
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snewsom2997

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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #185 on: 16 August 2012, 11:48:04 »
Sorry, I should've specified... I was thinking around the 3020-3030 era.

Has Niops struck you as strictly isolationist? Or would you occasionally find, like, an old, but well-kept Confederate dropship land on your Periphery world, looking to trade once in awhile...?


Confederate no, Buccaneer or Mule yes. Dropping comabt troops for a trade deal, may not yield the best trade deal, not in the long run anyway.
Now under the guise of some type of colonial marshal or knights errant, who generally keep the peace, that might be an angle to pursue, but it would have to be a solid effort at doing it, you cannot just pop in once in a while, and play cop, you would have to be pretty regular at it to get the respect, that would open up further trading.

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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #186 on: 16 August 2012, 12:26:34 »
As to the Confederate thing... Heh... That is really the only dropship I know off the top of my head that was used by the Star League... So I ran with it... Yoinks.

If they're predominantly isolationist, would they operate under something akin to the Scorpion Seekers, or Snord's Irregulars... ie, the acquisition, taking, and holding onto Star League technology? Or would that be very out of character? Or would they be more concerned with their Own little corner of Star League advanced technology?

Concerning their later activities in the wider galaxy, does the Major Periphery States book have a good write up of them? Or should I check oneof the Jihad books?...

Terminax

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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #187 on: 16 August 2012, 13:04:26 »
Niops "magic workshop" was announced as destroyed during the Jihad. Likely what they end up trading in the future is their still not insignificant mineral wealth. I don't think their construction capacity was all that tremendous, essentially providing only for their needs and the exceedingly rare trade.

Mind you, I'm partial to the idea that Niops was the source of the Magistracy's infusions of mysterious tech like the shiny Dictators and some other odd things that fell into the Magistracy's hands over the years. But I've got no evidence that it's true. Could be the work of some yet unseen deep periphery nation we don't know about yet.

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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #188 on: 16 August 2012, 13:07:23 »
Mind you, I'm partial to the idea that Niops was the source of the Magistracy's infusions of mysterious tech like the shiny Dictators and some other odd things that fell into the Magistracy's hands over the years.

Y'know, I never thought about that, I rather like it! Even if they're not building them, they could sell the plans to Canopus in exchange for food and/or medical aid(which they probably really need right now). I don't recall the Dictator being particularly advanced, so they may not be too hard to build.
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snewsom2997

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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #189 on: 16 August 2012, 13:26:45 »
Mind you, I'm partial to the idea that Niops was the source of the Magistracy's infusions of mysterious tech like the shiny Dictators and some other odd things that fell into the Magistracy's hands over the years. But I've got no evidence that it's true. Could be the work of some yet unseen deep periphery nation we don't know about yet.

I am thinking some lost RWR or SL shipyard or storehouse on those.

snewsom2997

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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #190 on: 16 August 2012, 13:32:38 »
If they're predominantly isolationist, would they operate under something akin to the Scorpion Seekers, or Snord's Irregulars... ie, the acquisition, taking, and holding onto Star League technology? Or would that be very out of character? Or would they be more concerned with their Own little corner of Star League advanced technology?

Concerning their later activities in the wider galaxy, does the Major Periphery States book have a good write up of them? Or should I check oneof the Jihad books?...
I don't see them doing much of anything other than repair the damage of the Jihad, I never really got the space archeologist vibe from them.

Before the Jihad, i get them as isolationist, after the Jihad, they have to trade with the outside for tech, for what and with what I don't know, with their workshops destroyed, I cannot see them as having much technology to trade. If I remember correctly they had internal problems, a 2 class system, along TH (Educators Scientists)/House (Laborers Technicians) lines. The old guard didn't like to get their hands dirty, so during the SW they used the people fleeing the wars as laborers. After the Jihad, the lines may have gone away, but now they are just a backwater like the rest of the periphery. My Opinion anyway.

Niopsian

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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #191 on: 22 August 2012, 16:27:07 »
I don't see them doing much of anything other than repair the damage of the Jihad, I never really got the space archeologist vibe from them.

Before the Jihad, i get them as isolationist, after the Jihad, they have to trade with the outside for tech, for what and with what I don't know, with their workshops destroyed, I cannot see them as having much technology to trade. If I remember correctly they had internal problems, a 2 class system, along TH (Educators Scientists)/House (Laborers Technicians) lines. The old guard didn't like to get their hands dirty, so during the SW they used the people fleeing the wars as laborers. After the Jihad, the lines may have gone away, but now they are just a backwater like the rest of the periphery. My Opinion anyway.

I like the idea of Niops becoming a marshaling point for Interstellar Expeditions missions into the Rimward/Spinward Deep Periphery. It keeps it relevant for the short term and provides a good amount of traffic in and out of the system for trade - which they can use to rebuild infrastructure and/or hire additional defenders.


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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #192 on: 22 August 2012, 18:14:24 »
Are the telescopes still intact?  If they are, that's a further continued source of revenue - stellar data and observations can be darned useful for a company like IE.
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Archangel

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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #193 on: 28 August 2012, 03:58:06 »
The only question is how paranoid are they after the Jihad?  With Blakist forces masquerading as friendly forces during (and after) the Jihad how welcoming are they going to be to outsiders?
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Niopsian

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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #194 on: 28 August 2012, 10:34:33 »
The only question is how paranoid are they after the Jihad?  With Blakist forces masquerading as friendly forces during (and after) the Jihad how welcoming are they going to be to outsiders?

I think long term their desire would be to build up the Association Militia to pre-Jihad strength or higher, along with more robust production capabilities. Short term, however, things are very precarious - the only thing saving them from being overrun by the Hegemony at the moment is the fact that Alphard is likely still a bigger mess than Niops VII.

That's why I like the idea of a partnership with IE - the Niops government can profit off of units and ships signing on with IE for expeditions and act as a clearing house world if any of those expeditions make contact with uncharted Periphery worlds or powers open to trade. If they play their cards right, as the Great Houses slowly pare down the number of available mercenary contracts Niops could pick up some of the slack as a mini Hiring Hall world. Of course, they run the risk of someone attempting to pull off an Outreach style sub rosa sneak attack but the factors that led to that happening in the first place would be hard to duplicate.

Meanwhile, with the loss of so much military and industrial power the Niops government has to relearn the art of maintaining a regional balance of power - from a far less advantageous position than it is used to. And perhaps with lingering internal strife, as well.

Really, I think Niops makes for an ideal post-Jihad campaign setting - it provides a little something for everyone. (Ok, maybe not Homeworld Clan fans...)


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truetanker

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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #195 on: 18 September 2012, 21:24:49 »
I'd say they used Trojans and Danais for trade.

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Giovanni Blasini

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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #196 on: 26 November 2012, 23:49:03 »
[delurk]
Hey, kids, anything new with Niops?
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Col.Hengist

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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #197 on: 27 November 2012, 10:47:57 »
[delurk]
Hey, kids, anything new with Niops?

 I've just folded space from IX. Many new machines on IX.
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Niopsian

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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #198 on: 27 November 2012, 14:16:31 »
I was sad to see that my hopes of an Niops/IE partnership were not to be. I don't think there was a single Niops reference in ISP3. :'(


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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #199 on: 27 November 2012, 16:23:05 »
I was sad to see that my hopes of an Niops/IE partnership were not to be. I don't think there was a single Niops reference in ISP3. :'(

Hari Seldon's image probably appeared in the First Vault to warn them away from it.  :P
« Last Edit: 27 November 2012, 17:42:02 by glitterboy2098 »

Giovanni Blasini

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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #200 on: 28 November 2012, 20:32:01 »
Quote from: Niopsian
I was sad to see that my hopes of an Niops/IE partnership were not to be. I don't think there was a single Niops reference in ISP3. :'(

Just a passing reference to a similar colony past Canopian space.  Don't remember more: just got ISP3, then the latest Dresden Files novel, which totally coopted ISP3 reading time.
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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #201 on: 28 November 2012, 20:44:45 »
Don't remember more: just got ISP3, then the latest Dresden Files novel, which totally coopted ISP3 reading time.
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Giovanni Blasini

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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #202 on: 28 November 2012, 22:21:13 »
Dude, new Dresden Files novel!
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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #203 on: 28 November 2012, 23:36:46 »
I'll admit to having not read any of them.

But...dude! ISP3!
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chanman

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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #204 on: 29 November 2012, 01:15:51 »
All I wanted for them was to become space Switzerland. With Nukes. That's not much, right?   :D

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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #205 on: 29 November 2012, 02:34:38 »
Dude, new Dresden Files novel!
What he said. And shame on you Weirdo for not reading them
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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #206 on: 29 November 2012, 19:35:45 »
I loved the tv show. Haven't read the books or played the game.
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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #207 on: 30 November 2012, 00:05:02 »
I loved the tv show. Haven't read the books or played the game.

Dude, it's called Battletech and its like metal crack only higher based. You got these 4 story tall walking robots with missiles, lasers and cannons and stuff.  ;)

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« Last Edit: 30 November 2012, 00:06:48 by truetanker »
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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #208 on: 30 November 2012, 10:50:24 »
What he said. And shame on you Weirdo for not reading them

I've barely know they exist, much less anything that would convince me to go out and buy any of them.
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Re: Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread
« Reply #209 on: 30 November 2012, 11:15:48 »
Nothing new on Niops in ISP3 sadly.

In my ongoing 3030-ish ATOW campaign, my intrepid players are the bodyguards for an agent of the Oberon Confederation trying to broker a secret deal with the Niops Association. One of the player characters is freelancing on the side to the LIC and is trying to discover what the actual deal is about. Unfortunately for all of them, the MIM, ROM and SAFE are also aware something is going on and are all acting in some fashion against the players team. Add in that the players in the last session were tempted by two separate potentional defectors... one who's bait by Niops folks against the deal with Oberon and the other which is the genuine article. Talk about a snake pit eh?