So I have been focused on this idea of growing the 3060 Blood Spirit fleet. Recognizing they could not afford to trade or purchase more warships how would they go about trialing for some?
The clans are not know to hide information, so trialing for some is a perfectly fine attempt to get them, the downside is that most of the warships in a cache are in a state they would likely need dedicated shipyard slips to bring them to full strength - and that would likely require a trial itself, though trade is possible. A formal trial (or one that would leave the least bad feelings on the other side) would probably include a challenge made directly to the Khans of the cache’s owning clan, and then bargaining for the size and forces on either side would be hashed out. Just showing up and declaring a trial to the dedicated defenders is entirely possible, and given the psychology of the Blood Spirits at the time is probable, but is also much more likely to rub the opposing clan the wrong way and cause reprisals – which the Blood Spirits are unlikely to be able to deal with at this time.
I know in the WoR many Naval Caches were opened up and or plundered. Could say the Spirits declare a trial of possession for a cache or part of a cache?
Yep
Especially in the early 60’s do we have an idea of what forces would have defended them?
Nope, odds are that the dedicated defenders are Freebirth Solahma, and are unlikely to have more than a couple old SLDF dropships and maybe a star of old SLDF ASF. More likely there will be a smallish space station, mostly with technical crew, but with a small number of Solahma, probably enough to fill out a mixed star, but some of the points will likely be the equivalent of unarmored infantry (also performing a dual role, maintenance and defense). I'll emphasize that this is merely my own theory, use whatever works for your game.
Could you send an elite star and declare: “ We are declaring a trial of possession for ummmm the coolest ship you have!”
Seriously what do you think defended the caches ( Solahama? Green kids? Vets? ) and how much would it take to get what you wanted?
I would think that early on if you sent in an ultra elite unit you could crush what ever was guarded it and take what you wanted
Whatever you decide to do, the size and the quality of forces are going to indicate to other clans the level of want/need the Blood Spirits are putting into acquiring these assets. An elite star is probably not too much if a formal trial is declared - unless it is part of a Keshik – that much or more may smack of the overuse of force if they are only going up against the dedicated defenders.
My 2 cents at least.