« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: CLAN SNOW RAVEN XI PENAL SOLAHMA (BLACK OPS) ("THE UNKINDNESS, THE GILDED CAGE")  (Read 2470 times)

Natasha Kerensky

  • Major
  • *
  • Posts: 3454
  • Queen of Spades, First Lady of Death, Black Widow
CLAN SNOW RAVEN XI PENAL SOLAHMA (BLACK OPS) ("THE UNKINDNESS, THE GILDED CAGE")
« on: 16 October 2018, 11:09:55 »

[Will fully fluff later, but putting in the TO&E for now for reference elsewhere...]

CLAN SNOW RAVEN
XI SOLAHMA (“THE UNKINDNESS”, “THE GILDED CAGE”)

The Clans waste almost nothing, and the Snow Ravens waste the least of all, most especially their warrior caste.  Even old, infirm, deranged, insubordinate, and disgraced Raven warriors find a place in the Clan’s outsized solahma formations.

Even the criminals.

A penal unit, Xi Solahma is led and mostly staffed by Raven warriors who are convicted of criminal wrongdoing by the Snow Raven Clan Council or a lesser warrior council.  Some of the convictions stem from the trumped up charges and framings that are endemic in the Machiavellian world of Raven politics.  Other convictions are for lesser crimes like cowardice in combat, theft and trafficking with the Bandit Caste, or abusive treatment of freeborn or lower caste members.  But Xi also takes on the sociopaths, sadists, and serial murderers, giving Xi Solahma a hushed but fearsome reputation.

The Snow Raven Khans make the most of this reputation, employing Xi warriors as boogeymen, enforcers, and troubleshooters for the Clan.  Whispers of the visits from the “Unkindness” among Raven ranks refer to the dirty deeds Xi is tasked with completing inside and out of the Clan.  Officially, Xi Solahma does not exist and sits outside any galaxy chain of command.  Instead, Xi reports directly to the Raven Loremaster, and through the Loremaster, to the Khans. 

The Loremaster, as the top judicial official within the Clan, recommends to the Khans when a Xi warrior can perform their surkairede and return to the Clan, based on their battlefield performance, behavior off the field, and Scientist Caste psychological reviews and medications.  Such recommendations are carefully doled out to keep Xi warriors incentivized in combat and loyal to the Clan leadership as they strive to earn their Khans’ forgiveness. 

Tactics

Except for the truly old filling out the cluster’s tanker and conventional infantry ranks, Xi warriors fight hard to leave their “Gilded Cage” as soon as possible, but they do not throw their lives away in suicidal charges like other solahma.  Most Xi Warriors can earn a second chance to serve their Clan before old age sets in.

Historically, Raven Khans have employed Xi Solahma against enemies inside their Clan as outside.  These internal enforcement duties have ranged from roughing up and putting the fear of the Khans into an insolent lower caste council leader to exterminating a separatist Raven command.

Since relocating to the Outworlds, Xi Solahma has...

XI SOLAHMA


Trinary Supernova Command

Nova Command

Woodsman A
     Surat (Grey Death) Point

Woodsman Prime
     Surat (Grey Death) Point

Lupus B
     Surat (Grey Death) Point

Coyotl A
     Surat (Grey Death) Point

Coyotl A
     Surat (Grey Death) Point

Rogue Star

Shamash Reconnaissance Vehicle
Shamash Reconnaissance Vehicle

Emerald Harrier

Shamash Reconnaissance Vehicle
Shamash Reconnaissance Vehicle

Emerald Harrier

Shamash Reconnaissance Vehicle
Shamash Reconnaissance Vehicle

Nova Artillery

Odin Scout Tank (Spotter)
Battlemech Recovery Vehicle/Gun Trailer (LRM)/Gun Trailer (Missile Artillery/Anti-Aircraft)
     Clan Foot Infantry Point

Odin Scout Tank (Spotter)
Battlemech Recovery Vehicle/Gun Trailer (LRM)/Gun Trailer (Missile Artillery/Anti-Aircraft)
     Clan Foot Infantry Point

Odin Scout Tank (Spotter)
Battlemech Recovery Vehicle/Gun Trailer (LRM)/Gun Trailer (Missile Artillery/Anti-Aircraft)
     Clan Foot Infantry Point

Odin Scout Tank (Spotter)
Battlemech Recovery Vehicle/Gun Trailer (LRM)/Gun Trailer (Missile Artillery/Anti-Aircraft)
     Clan Foot Infantry Point

Odin Scout Tank (Spotter)
Battlemech Recovery Vehicle/Gun Trailer (LRM)/Gun Trailer (Missile Artillery/Anti-Aircraft)
     Clan Foot Infantry Point


Trinary Hold

Hold Star

Wakazashi

ARC-2R(C) Archer

ARC-2R(C) Archer

WHM-6R(C) Warhammer

WHM-6R(C) Warhammer

Nova Support

Nuberu 2 Anti-Aircraft Tank
Badger D (C) Tracked Transport
     Clan Assault Infantry Point

Pike Support Vehicle (Clan)
Badger D (C) Tracked Transport
     Clan Assault Infantry Point

Demolisher Heavy Tank (Clan)
Badger C (C) Tracked Transport
     Clan Assault Infantry Point

Pike Support Vehicle (Clan)
Badger D (C) Tracked Transport
     Clan Assault Infantry Point

Demolisher Heavy Tank (Clan)
Badger C (C) Tracked Transport
     Clan Assault Infantry Point
 
Mix Star

Gorgon
Gorgon
Gorgon
Gorgon
Gorgon

Urbanmech IIC

Gorgon 2
Gorgon 2
Gorgon 2
Gorgon 2
Gorgon 2

Urbanmech IIC

Gorgon 2
Gorgon 2
Gorgon 2
Gorgon 2
Gorgon 2


Trinary Cavalry

Cavalry Star

Bowman 2

VTR-9B(C) Victor

Corvis

SHD-2H(C) Shadow Hawk

SHD-2H(C) Shadow Hawk

Nova Support

SM3 Tank Destroyer
Bandit B (C) Hover Transport
     Clan Assault Infantry Point

SM1 Tank Destroyer
Bandit B (C) Hover Transport
     Clan Assault Infantry Point

SM1A Tank Destroyer
Bandit B (C) Hover Transport
     Clan Assault Infantry Point

SM1 Tank Destroyer
Bandit B (C) Hover Transport
     Clan Assault Infantry Point

SM1A Tank Destroyer
Bandit B (C) Hover Transport
     Clan Assault Infantry Point

Mix Star

Roc
Roc
Roc
Roc
Roc

Hunchback IIC

Roc 3
Roc 3
Roc 3
Roc 3
Roc 3

Hunchback IIC

Roc 3
Roc 3
Roc 3
Roc 3
Roc 3


Trinary Sweep

Sweep Star

Clint IIC

Stinger IIC

Commando IIC

Stinger IIC

Commando IIC

Nova Support

Balac (LRM) Strike VTOL
Anhur Transport
     Clan Assault Infantry Point

Donar (Recon) Assault Helicopter
Anhur Transport
     Clan Assault Infantry Point

Gossamer VTOL
Anhur Transport
     Clan Assault Infantry Point

Donar (Recon) Assault Helicopter
Anhur Transport
     Clan Assault Infantry Point

Gossamer VTOL
Anhur Transport
     Clan Assault Infantry Point

Mix Star

Hippogriff
Hippogriff
Hippogriff
Hippogriff
Hippogriff

Howler “Devil” 3

Roc 5
Satyr 4
Roc 5
Satyr 4
Roc 5

Howler “Devil” 3

Roc 5
Satyr 4
Roc 5
Satyr 4
Roc 5


Trinary Fighter

First Fighter Star

Issus Erika
Issus Erika

Corax C (Standard) Point
Corax C (Standard) Point

CRX-OR Corax R Point
CRX-OR Corax R Point

Corax C (Standard) Point
Corax C (Standard) Point

CRX-OR Corax R Point
CRX-OR Corax R Point

Second Fighter Star

Issus Erika
Issus Erika

Corax C (Standard) Point
Corax C (Standard) Point

CRX-OR Corax R Point
CRX-OR Corax R Point

Corax C (Standard) Point
Corax C (Standard) Point

CRX-OR Corax R Point
CRX-OR Corax R Point

Nova Marine

Chippewa IIC
NL-45 Gunboat Point
   Aerie Point

Chippewa IIC
NL-45 Gunboat Point
   Aerie Point

Chippewa IIC
NL-45 Gunboat Point
   Aerie Point

Chippewa IIC
NL-45 Gunboat Point
   Aerie Point

Chippewa IIC
NL-45 Gunboat Point
   Aerie Point


R-Team (False-Flag) Binary Attachment

R-Team 1

MAD-3R(C) Marauder

Maxim Hover Transport (Clan)
     Clan Foot Infantry Point

Maxim Hover Transport (Clan)
     Clan Foot Infantry Point

Saladin Assault Hover Tank (Clan Cargo)

Saladin Assault Hover Tank (Clan Cargo)

R-Team 2

RFL-3N(C) Rifleman

Kestrel VTOL (Clan)
     Clan Foot Infantry Point

Kestrel VTOL (Clan)
     Clan Foot Infantry Point

Planetlifter Air Transport

Planetlifter Air Transport


Dropship Attachment
Lion x4
Arcadia x3
Confederate
Carrier x2
Titan Monitor x1
(Names TBD)
« Last Edit: 14 October 2021, 10:20:54 by Natasha Kerensky »
Logged
"Ah, yes.  The belle dame sans merci.  The sweet young thing who will blast your nuts off.  The kitten with a whip.  That mystique?"
"Slavish adherence to formal ritual is a sign that one has nothing better to think about."
"Variety is the spice of battle."
"I've fought in... what... a hundred battles, a thousand battles?  It could be a million as far as I know.  I've fought for anybody who offered a decent contract and a couple who didn't.  And the universe is not much different after all that.  I could go on fighting for another hundred years and it would still look the same."
"I'm in mourning for my life."
"Those who break faith with the Unity shall go down into darkness."

truetanker

  • Lieutenant Colonel
  • *
  • Posts: 9952
  • Clan Hells Horses 666th Mech. Assualt Cluster
Re: CLAN SNOW RAVEN XI SOLAHMA
« Reply #1 on: 16 October 2018, 17:39:13 »
Well looks like 2x Lion, a Lion C and a Lion WD... meaning a Cluster of Infantry and 36 Vehicle bays, 24 for the Lion and 14 for the WD, not to mention the 36 Mechs carried.

Confederate either carries 4 or 5 Mechs, while the Titan Monitor would carry only 10 Aero, I see your Carriers, which would carry the missing Aero Stars lost from the Titan.

Your Arcadias could be 2 standard and an 3080 variant to carry some BA to the fight, leaving you unable to transport all unless as cargo. Have you decided on a Transpo for these yet?

TT

Edit: Unless your planning on using the extra Infantry bunks on the Lion C to carry them...
« Last Edit: 16 October 2018, 17:40:55 by truetanker »
Logged
Khan, Clan Iron Dolphin
Azeroth Pocketverse
That is, if true tanker doesn't beat me to it. He makes truly evil units. ~ Col.Hengist on 31 May 2013
TT, we know you are the master of nasty  O0 ~ Fletch on 22 June 2013
If I'm attacking you, conventional wisom says to bring 3x your force.  I want extra insurance, so I'll bring 4 for every 1 of what you have :D ~ Tai Dai Cultist on 21 April 2016
Me: Would you rather fight my Epithymía Thanátou from the Whispers of Blake?
Nav_Alpha: That THING... that is horrid ~ Nav_Alpha on 10 October 2016

DOC_Agren

  • Major
  • *
  • Posts: 4930
Re: CLAN SNOW RAVEN XI SOLAHMA
« Reply #2 on: 16 October 2018, 18:48:56 »
A black ops Clan Force I'm interested
Logged
"For the Angel of Death spread his wings on the blast, And breathed in the face of the foe as he passed:And the eyes of the sleepers waxed deadly and chill, And their hearts but once heaved, and for ever grew still!"

Natasha Kerensky

  • Major
  • *
  • Posts: 3454
  • Queen of Spades, First Lady of Death, Black Widow
Re: CLAN SNOW RAVEN XI SOLAHMA
« Reply #3 on: 16 October 2018, 21:28:16 »
Quote from: truetanker on 16 October 2018, 17:39:13
Well looks like 2x Lion, a Lion C and a Lion WD... meaning a Cluster of Infantry and 36 Vehicle bays, 24 for the Lion and 14 for the WD, not to mention the 36 Mechs carried.

Confederate either carries 4 or 5 Mechs, while the Titan Monitor would carry only 10 Aero, I see your Carriers, which would carry the missing Aero Stars lost from the Titan.

Your Arcadias could be 2 standard and an 3080 variant to carry some BA to the fight, leaving you unable to transport all unless as cargo.

You're probably right.  I just have not run through the variants and numbers in detail.  For now, the dropship complement is a thumbnail estimate relying on those canon designs with old solahma-ish and Raven flavor.  I roughly thought one Lion and one Arcadia each for Trinaries Hold, Cavalry, and Sweep, another Lion and a Confederate for Supernova Command, and two Carriers and the Titan Monitor for Trinary Fighter.  However, I don't know where the NL-45s will be carried and have not accounted for the R-Teams.

I'm more proud of how the fighter trinary came out.  I thought the marine nova was fairly innovative pairing of NL-45s and Aerie Points with Chippewa IICs for escort.  The NL-45s and Chippewas also provide great standoff and electronic support for the faster fighter stars.

Quote
Have you decided on a Transpo for these yet?

Two Star Lords would do it with a docking ring or two to spare.  But I might divide the dropships between smaller jumpships as the trinaries probably conduct a lot of independent bandit hunting and false flag ops around the Outworlds' borders.

Despite this being a Raven cluster, I'm pretty sure dedicated warship escort is out given its solahma status and sometimes black ops missions.  But given that it is a Raven cluster, I think a Titan Monitor or two could be justified.

« Last Edit: 18 October 2018, 12:25:06 by Natasha Kerensky »
Logged
"Ah, yes.  The belle dame sans merci.  The sweet young thing who will blast your nuts off.  The kitten with a whip.  That mystique?"
"Slavish adherence to formal ritual is a sign that one has nothing better to think about."
"Variety is the spice of battle."
"I've fought in... what... a hundred battles, a thousand battles?  It could be a million as far as I know.  I've fought for anybody who offered a decent contract and a couple who didn't.  And the universe is not much different after all that.  I could go on fighting for another hundred years and it would still look the same."
"I'm in mourning for my life."
"Those who break faith with the Unity shall go down into darkness."

Natasha Kerensky

  • Major
  • *
  • Posts: 3454
  • Queen of Spades, First Lady of Death, Black Widow
Re: CLAN SNOW RAVEN XI SOLAHMA
« Reply #4 on: 16 October 2018, 21:56:52 »
Quote from: DOC_Agren on 16 October 2018, 18:48:56
A black ops Clan Force I'm interested

Yeah, I figured the Machiavellian Ravens would be the most likely to employ such a dishonorable unit and that only solahma with no other choice would allow such a stain on their honor and codexes.  A "Dirty Dozen" penal unit seemed a nice fit on top of that.

I'm intrigued by the possibility of using the (C) variants of Succession Wars-era Spheroid mechs for false-flag operations from the Periphery.  But that was a late-breaking idea, and I have not worked it all the way through the TO&E.

« Last Edit: 18 October 2018, 12:23:46 by Natasha Kerensky »
Logged
"Ah, yes.  The belle dame sans merci.  The sweet young thing who will blast your nuts off.  The kitten with a whip.  That mystique?"
"Slavish adherence to formal ritual is a sign that one has nothing better to think about."
"Variety is the spice of battle."
"I've fought in... what... a hundred battles, a thousand battles?  It could be a million as far as I know.  I've fought for anybody who offered a decent contract and a couple who didn't.  And the universe is not much different after all that.  I could go on fighting for another hundred years and it would still look the same."
"I'm in mourning for my life."
"Those who break faith with the Unity shall go down into darkness."

truetanker

  • Lieutenant Colonel
  • *
  • Posts: 9952
  • Clan Hells Horses 666th Mech. Assualt Cluster
Re: CLAN SNOW RAVEN XI SOLAHMA
« Reply #5 on: 16 October 2018, 21:58:14 »
I'd state no more than 1 Titan Monitor and go with Odysseys, three or so with, if this is an AU, the Fredasa CSR Black Beard in escort service.

And why not a clan version of the DRosT IIb?

It'll allow you to transport 8 SC and 10 Platoons or a Binary of Infantry and cargo assigned to a Solahma unit. I'd give it all ER weapons, 6 LRM-20's w/ Artemis and triple LB-X-AC/10's with more ammo for all. Probable up the armor if I can. You could also replace those 2 Carriers, as the Fredasa carried them.

Allowing you 9 droppers from 11 original, three jumpers and a, laughable warship assigned to take planets!

TT
Logged
Khan, Clan Iron Dolphin
Azeroth Pocketverse
That is, if true tanker doesn't beat me to it. He makes truly evil units. ~ Col.Hengist on 31 May 2013
TT, we know you are the master of nasty  O0 ~ Fletch on 22 June 2013
If I'm attacking you, conventional wisom says to bring 3x your force.  I want extra insurance, so I'll bring 4 for every 1 of what you have :D ~ Tai Dai Cultist on 21 April 2016
Me: Would you rather fight my Epithymía Thanátou from the Whispers of Blake?
Nav_Alpha: That THING... that is horrid ~ Nav_Alpha on 10 October 2016

Natasha Kerensky

  • Major
  • *
  • Posts: 3454
  • Queen of Spades, First Lady of Death, Black Widow
Re: CLAN SNOW RAVEN XI SOLAHMA
« Reply #6 on: 18 October 2018, 12:47:10 »
Quote from: truetanker on 16 October 2018, 21:58:14
I'd state no more than 1 Titan Monitor and go with Odysseys, three or so with, if this is an AU, the Fredasa CSR Black Beard in escort service.

And why not a clan version of the DRosT IIb?

The DRosT is an excellent idea.  Very much in keeping with Xi's gritty, outdated, solahma flavor while also solving their NL-45 transport issue.  Thanks.

For jumpship support, I'm actually tempted to go in the other direction with four old Tramps.  The Odysseys seem too new and good for these criminals and would give away black ops as originating from Clan space.  But it's hard to deny the utility of their LF batteries.  Maybe I'll just do a mixed fleet of two each so there's some strategic flexibility as well as gritty black ops flavor.

Even if this was my personal unit, the Black Beard seems too much for solahmas.  But since they are Ravens, maybe a second fighter binary on a Comitatus to augment the Titan Monitor and NL-45s.  Sort of a disaggregated junkyard warship capability in spirit.

I'm also tempted to add a Hunter for pirate hunting recon and intel before false flag ops.  But maybe not.

Thanks again for the DRosT suggestion.

Logged
"Ah, yes.  The belle dame sans merci.  The sweet young thing who will blast your nuts off.  The kitten with a whip.  That mystique?"
"Slavish adherence to formal ritual is a sign that one has nothing better to think about."
"Variety is the spice of battle."
"I've fought in... what... a hundred battles, a thousand battles?  It could be a million as far as I know.  I've fought for anybody who offered a decent contract and a couple who didn't.  And the universe is not much different after all that.  I could go on fighting for another hundred years and it would still look the same."
"I'm in mourning for my life."
"Those who break faith with the Unity shall go down into darkness."

truetanker

  • Lieutenant Colonel
  • *
  • Posts: 9952
  • Clan Hells Horses 666th Mech. Assualt Cluster
Re: CLAN SNOW RAVEN XI PENAL SOLAHMA (BLACK OPS) ("THE UNKINDNESS, THE GILDED CAGE")
« Reply #7 on: 18 October 2018, 17:15:52 »
Yeah I can see a Dark Caste Comitatus in the mix, and that Hunter would be great, communicating with the Titan about potential targets and all.

Sounds like you got a plan, and your welcome about the DRosT.

TT
Logged
Khan, Clan Iron Dolphin
Azeroth Pocketverse
That is, if true tanker doesn't beat me to it. He makes truly evil units. ~ Col.Hengist on 31 May 2013
TT, we know you are the master of nasty  O0 ~ Fletch on 22 June 2013
If I'm attacking you, conventional wisom says to bring 3x your force.  I want extra insurance, so I'll bring 4 for every 1 of what you have :D ~ Tai Dai Cultist on 21 April 2016
Me: Would you rather fight my Epithymía Thanátou from the Whispers of Blake?
Nav_Alpha: That THING... that is horrid ~ Nav_Alpha on 10 October 2016
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »
 

Register