Empire of the Nerds: The Niops Association Thread

[tapdancingbeavers]

Out of curiosity, how close is the Niops Association from Novo Franklin? The fluff says that its only a few light years away & within easy reach. That implies that they're within one or two jumps of each other. Would that mean Novo Franklin is close to the FWL border?

Novo Franklin and Niops are on opposite sides of the inner sphere, Niops is on the FWL side and Franklin on the Outworlds Alliance/Draconis Combine side.

[hpackrat]

Novo Franklin and Niops are on opposite sides of the inner sphere, Niops is on the FWL side and Franklin on the Outworlds Alliance/Draconis Combine side.

I am aware that on a 2D map, Niops & Novo Franklin are on opposite sides but the fluff still says that they're within easy reach of each other. Is it possible that under a 3D map, the two systems are closer than they seem?

[BrokenMnemonic]

I am aware that on a 2D map, Niops & Novo Franklin are on opposite sides but the fluff still says that they're within easy reach of each other. Is it possible that under a 3D map, the two systems are closer than they seem?

Not really. Which fluff are you looking at?

[Arkansas Warrior]

That's weird, because I'm pretty sure Novo Franklin is over by the Outworlds.

[Nerroth]

Perhaps you're thinking of Astrokaszy?

[tapdancingbeavers]

I am aware that on a 2D map, Niops & Novo Franklin are on opposite sides but the fluff still says that they're within easy reach of each other. Is it possible that under a 3D map, the two systems are closer than they seem?

What background says that?  I can't see how changing to a 3-D map is going to bring the systems closer since all you are doing is adding an extra axis, if anything that is going to make them further apart.

[hpackrat]

Field Manual: Periphery 10982 pg-108 "The Niops Association is just a few light years distant, however, and several of Novo Franklin's city-states actively trade with the tiny power, assuring that resources needed to keep the world and its society functioning are present."

This statement pretty much states that Niops & Novo Franklin are near enough for there to be active trading between the two systems.

[tapdancingbeavers]

That statement is wrong then, even in Periphery 1st edition the two locations were on opposite sides of the inner sphere; maybe they meant another planet rather than Niops or it's just a case of mistaken location but there's no way the two places could be said to be just a few light years apart.

[Niopsian]

So, FM3145...

Spoilers Abound.

The national government was apparently unable to get its act together until 3097, so it really was a miracle the Space Romans didn't pick us off before then. The new government sounds kind of weak, to be honest, propped up by The Republic (well, until they went away) and Interstellar Expeditions (who now funds nearly half of the NAM's yearly budget). It also seems that the Jihad has reinforced the populations' isolationist streak - not to the point of closed borders, because Niops is more reliant on trade now than ever, but I imagine there's definitely a much stronger anti-foreigner atmosphere than pre-Jihad. Also, it seems like there's growing planetary rivalry between V, VI and VII

The IE thing makes me semi-happy, because, to quote myself:

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.

I'd be happier if it didn't mean we're mostly a banana republic now but I'm so rarely right I'll settle for half a loaf.

The Project Workshop is still gone. Goodbye, hand built 'Mechs of awesomeness. We do have a military academy now, so there's that.

All in all, I'm kind of bummed. I mean, I realize Niops is never going to shake the pillars of the universe or anything, but I will admit I was hoping for more. I'm not asking to be the Canopians, just better than the Fronc Reaches.  :P
[/spoiler]

[Giovanni Blasini]

Ye gods...can't pick up my copy till late tonight, but sounds like something I need to get.

So, with the workshops gone, what the heck is the Militia fielding?

[Niopsian]

Ye gods...can't pick up my copy till late tonight, but sounds like something I need to get.

So, with the workshops gone, what the heck is the Militia fielding?

Whatever it can pick up in trade with the Rim Commonality, the Regulans, the Magistracy and - get this - the Marians.

[Giovanni Blasini]

Whatever it can pick up in trade with the Rim Commonality, the Regulans, the Magistracy and - get this - the Marians.

Say what now? The Marians?  Seriously?  I can see the others, but that makes the kind of sense that doesn't.

So. Banana republic for IE and the RotS, complete loss of domestic production...wow. Niops really took it in the shorts.

[Arkansas Warrior]

IIRC it said they barely have any PA(L)s anymore, and the ones they have are basically stuck guarding important things where they hopefully won't get destroyed, maybe.

[Niopsian]

IIRC it said they barely have any PA(L)s anymore, and the ones they have are basically stuck guarding important things where they hopefully won't get destroyed, maybe.

Specifically, they're all on Niops VII protecting "government facilities". From whom, I wonder? Disgruntled civilians from Niops V and VI?

[Giovanni Blasini]

Well, that's a depressing thought.

[Giovanni Blasini]

IIRC it said they barely have any PA(L)s anymore, and the ones they have are basically stuck guarding important things where they hopefully won't get destroyed, maybe.

OK, picked it up and read through it tonight.  I found that section on the NAM especially odd:


"The one bright spot in an otherwise bleak recent history has been the formal addition of infantry forces to the NAM in both unarmored and battle armor alike."

1.  Wasn't it always?
2.  With an equipment rating of D, which would  preclude availability of BA, how does that work?  Just the token Nighthawks?

"The NAM currently has four squads of the ancient Nighthawk Mk XXI power armor— representing all of the suits left in active service today. These assets are used exclusively to protect the government facilities on  Niops VII."

That makes it sound like Niops is the only nation still actively fielding the Nighthawk XXI, but it's still on the Lyrannd Republic lists.

[Arkansas Warrior]

I read it as those 4 squads being all the BA (or at least all the Nighthawks) left in Niops service.   As you mentioned, with an ER of D, they shouldn't have BA at all

[Moonsword]

I read it as those 4 squads being all the BA (or at least all the Nighthawks) left in Niops service.   As you mentioned, with an ER of D, they shouldn't have BA at all

No, that means they shouldn't use the BA RATs at all.  I'm also not especially inclined to take FM3145's statement that minor Periphery factions completely lack access to BA at face value.  Among other things, Niops is importing from the Marians.  One of the Hegemony's major military exports for years has been the Ravager.  Then there's the part where the book itself goes out of its way to mention they still have a handful of Nighthawks.  I take that remark more as guidance and an instruction on how to use the RATs.

As far as force availability goes where the MUL is concerned, Niops actually has access to everything on the Periphery General list, or it will once we get the full Dark Age era lists out.  We expect players to use their own discretion, creativity, and preferences to guide them when they use the MUL and that goes double for factions that are too small to be tracked at that level.

[chanman]

No, that means they shouldn't use the BA RATs at all.  I'm also not especially inclined to take FM3145's statement that minor Periphery factions completely lack access to BA at face value.  Among other things, Niops is importing from the Marians.  One of the Hegemony's major military exports for years has been the Ravager.  Then there's the part where the book itself goes out of its way to mention they still have a handful of Nighthawks.  I take that remark more as guidance and an instruction on how to use the RATs.

As far as force availability goes where the MUL is concerned, Niops actually has access to everything on the Periphery General list, or it will once we get the full Dark Age era lists out.  We expect players to use their own discretion, creativity, and preferences to guide them when they use the MUL and that goes double for factions that are too small to be tracked at that level.

Bubbamechs it is.

[Adacas]

Send Nyops may make instruction to Collegium Caelum bellorum or Collegue for Mechwarrior and Aerospace Fighter, maybe BA Pilot

[Colt Ward]

The option of the Theseus or Asterion (cannot remember which) also exists since it is being exported and the neighboring Canopus also sells the Amazon.  Niops makes a good stop on the trade route from the Magistrix to the Rim Commonality (via Astrokrazy) or the Hegemony.

[truetanker]

I'd also include all the 3025-era list as well, as such tech is low enough to be assumed eiter built or salvaged.

TT

[Giovanni Blasini]

Know what I'd love to see them buy?  Marauder battlesuits off the Marians, and MAD-3Ms off the FWL states or MAD-3D milsurp off the Lyrans.

Marauders carrying Marauders. :)

[Moonsword]

...and the neighboring Canopus also sells the Amazon.

Considering that the Amazon didn't proliferate to the Capellans until the Dark Age, I rather doubt they're selling them the way you're implying.

[Colt Ward]

Which happened in 3132 . . . so a bit over twelve years to sell a few to a neighboring trade partner & minor faction who also just happens to be a minor block to the Hegemony.  Or given as part of a diplomatic initiative from Canopus.

I am not suggesting battalions of the design, but rather maybe a squad or two.

[Moonsword]

And I'm suggesting that the Canopians probably aren't spreading the design around that way, especially when they have the Theseus handy to offer in large numbers.

If it works for your game, fine, but "sell" is not the verb I'd use to describe how Canopus is handling the Amazon.

[truetanker]

Know what I'd love to see them buy?  Marauder battlesuits off the Marians, and MAD-3Ms off the FWL states or MAD-3D milsurp off the Lyrans.

Marauders carrying Marauders. :)

Heh... I thought something alike.

But instead of MAD-3D or -3M, I'd go more: Maurader MAD-9S.

ECM and Probe with TAG(Light).

Good Niopian armor: Testudos and Heavy LRM Carriesr supported by Gladius and Light SRM Carriers.

TT  >:D

[Giovanni Blasini]

Wow, that would be nasty. So much so, I have to wonder if the Marians would sell them to Niops then.

[Giovanni Blasini]

Meanwhile, chanman has figured out the first 'Mech Niops will put back into production with their degraded industrial infrastructure: the Hicklander.

http://btechunits.com/index.php?topic=320.0

[truetanker]

Wow, that would be nasty. So much so, I have to wonder if the Marians would sell them to Niops then.

Hint: Third-party trading.  [legal]

TT