3145 Periphery

[Bergie]

So, what do you think of what happened?

1) I am happy that it seems that the Taurian Nations are opening a dialog.  We'll see if Kaff Doru is willing to let it happen (military Juntas are not entirely known for being the most open for diplomacy and democracy).  Then again, if enough people want it, it will happen.  It is just a matter of how much blood is to be spent.

2) The Magistracy is. . . boring as usual.  Ever since they became the Mini-Capellans, I've lost all interest in them.  They are TOO successful for their own good.  The Magistrix is interesting, for much the same reason Caleb Hasek-Sandoval-Steiner-Davion was also interesting (that "what kooky, horrifyingly immoral thing is he going to do next?!" kind of thing).

3) The Raven Alliance is also kind of blah, but has its high points.  Turning into an interesting experiment, but all of the OA character seems to have been lost.

4) The Hegemony seems to have entered a major holding pattern ever since losing the Lothan Worlds and gained a few former CF and FWL worlds.  I was hoping for more, at least a couple more CF worlds now that they have given up their claim on Logan Prime!

5) Disappointed that the Barrens, Fronc, and the Rim Territories didn't get a mention, but you can't have everything you want in 200 pages ;)

[Aleksandr]

I find it interesting that the RA and Concordat are still doing business. Similarly, the commercial relations between the Concordat and Hegemony seem to have grown stronger as well. There isn't much to indicate if these relations are deeper than commercial, but it's nice to see that at least some of the Periphery is still trying to work together.

[Saint]

I was also hoping for a little more myself about the periphery.

1.)The TC and CP should have a long way to go before they patch things up, but there is some good story lines there.

2.) Totally agree here, so far they just seem to be a way to make the CC powerful enough to take on their neighbors.

3.) This is the one faction in all the BT universe that should have more growing pains, how does a peaceful nation accept a warrior clan so easily?

4.) I don't mind the consolidation of the Hegemony, I just want some real info on them. I'm hoping for a Objectives style book to clear things up.

5.) Again I agree how about a Periphery 3145 book?

[Crunch]

3.) This is the one faction in all the BT universe that should have more growing pains, how does a peaceful nation accept a warrior clan so easily?

It's worse than that actually. Remember that the OWA's highest award for valor is named after the group that fought the Star League after the Star League decimated (literally killed 10%) the population of a dozen OWA worlds. How a group for whom the Star League is a curse word peacefully merged with a bunch of warrior fanatics who worship the league is something that has never been explained.

My personal theory is that no one at WizKids bothered to read any part of the OWA's fluff before saddling them with a clan.

[tapdancingbeavers]

The Outworlds Alliance was based on pacifism, the military buildup of the Long Road programme wasn't particularly liked and the Ravens have largely kept to themselves while improving things like medical technology.  The Star League starved, killed and oppressed the population of the OA to get them fighting so it's not surprising that the reaction to the Ravens, who have done none of this, has been very low key.  I also think that the main problem is in having very little information about the nation, things on the surface are fairly peaceful but the President satirizes the Clan and his brother is rumoured to be involved in extremist anti-Raven groups so things might not be as nice as they seem.

[Baldur Mekorig]

I was surprised about the Calderon Protectorade new BA. Either they have a very goo PR department, or they are making some deals with the Fox, because even the Dominion are using that tiny BA.

[rebs]

The Outworlds Alliance was based on pacifism, the military buildup of the Long Road programme wasn't particularly liked and the Ravens have largely kept to themselves while improving things like medical technology.  The Star League starved, killed and oppressed the population of the OA to get them fighting so it's not surprising that the reaction to the Ravens, who have done none of this, has been very low key.  I also think that the main problem is in having very little information about the nation, things on the surface are fairly peaceful but the President satirizes the Clan and his brother is rumoured to be involved in extremist anti-Raven groups so things might not be as nice as they seem.

And when we remember that the Ravens had plan B (hostile takeover) in the back of their minds in case negotiation did not work out with the OA, that last bit could lead to lots of trouble soon.

[Maelwys]

2) The Magistracy is. . . boring as usual.  Ever since they became the Mini-Capellans, I've lost all interest in them.  They are TOO successful for their own good.  The Magistrix is interesting, for much the same reason Caleb Hasek-Sandoval-Steiner-Davion was also interesting (that "what kooky, horrifyingly immoral thing is he going to do next?!" kind of thing).

Unfortunately I can't really rebut this too much. I'm hoping that with the FM and most likely the Capellan TRO (sigh..too much to hope its labeled the CapCon/Magistracy TRO?) that we might get more data about anything that's going on. As it is, they're in the same position the Horses find themselves it seems. Not doing much, except how it relates to some other faction.

[jeyar]

1) I am happy that it seems that the Taurian Nations are opening a dialog.  We'll see if Kaff Doru is willing to let it happen (military Juntas are not entirely known for being the most open for diplomacy and democracy).  Then again, if enough people want it, it will happen.  It is just a matter of how much blood is to be spent.

Maybe they will have a multi-round swearing contest and for each round that goes to a side that side gets to add an element to the reconstituted TC?   >:D

[Adacas]

I think it's quite unfortunate the writing on the Marian Hegemony, CF and worlds conquered FWL listed are the usual suspects since 3080. Unable to take a miserable world of Circinus Ex? Paulinus recolonize Failed? I remember that was left by the destruction of its water purification in 50 years no one thought it would be a good idea recolonizarlo to have a jump point nearest the Lothians? Lathi and San Nicolas indepedientes there are just as many nearby worlds, the MH does not have the strength to conquer or colonize those worlds? It seems to me that if the only thing good are the BA and the tank and little else.

A book Periphery 3145 would be fine as long as they write a bit more of the MH because there is too much writing

[Martius]

The Legions really have lost their bite after the Jihad- or we suffer from weak leadership. Or both.

[Adacas]

Until 3090 the veteran leadership and the veteran legions and cohorts were many elite, I think it's more likely a chain of 1 or 2 Rulers useless for any service ...

[GreekFire]

The Legions really have lost their bite after the Jihad- or we suffer from weak leadership. Or both.

You're suffering from extremely bipolar leadership. Someone needs to ship that guy some meds.

The thing that's really bugging me about the periphery is the marriage between Ilsa Liao-Centrella and Ari Humphreys, especially with Andurien trying to become little-neutral-space-switzerland for years. was Was it a quick reaction to the creation of the FWL to maintain Andurien's independence? Are they aiming for a merger? What's going onnnnn

The succession issues in that little corner of space are going to be ugly, made only worse by the fact that the only possible heir to the three realms, Danai, is a bad politician AND suffers from untreated PTSD that makes her go batcrap-insane whenever she's a bit stressed out.

[Maelwys]

The succession issues in that little corner of space are going to be ugly, made only worse by the fact that the only possible heir to the three realms, Danai, is a bad politician AND suffers from untreated PTSD that makes her go batcrap-insane whenever she's a bit stressed out.

Which is really kind of odd. The only time in the book she's mentioned as going a little extreme is on New Hessen. The earlier novels have her dealing with her issues, but also confronting and putting them behind her. The traits provided in the ER are rather...well.

I would note that they say she's just a "regular" level politician, not that she's necessarily bad at it. After all, she renegotiated the treaty with Jessica Marik, and did it without giving away anything about Andurien.

[Red Pins]

The Legions really have lost their bite after the Jihad- or we suffer from weak leadership. Or both.

+1

[Warriors of Blake]

2) The Magistracy is. . . boring as usual.  Ever since they became the Mini-Capellans, I've lost all interest in them.  They are TOO successful for their own good.  The Magistrix is interesting, for much the same reason Caleb Hasek-Sandoval-Steiner-Davion was also interesting (that "what kooky, horrifyingly immoral thing is he going to do next?!" kind of thing).

Wasn't hard to see where the Magistracy was going when they must have gained a patron author to boost them above the Taurians so quickly. Taurians had the best Periphery military academy? BAM! Now Canopus doe. Taurians have professional generals? BAM! Now Canopus has a Taurian-born commander. Taurian have the largest Periphery military? Well let's add about 5 BattleMech regiments in a 3 year in-game period out of thin air, and heck, let's beef up two militia formations into full-blown line regiments themselves! BAM!

[Niopsian]

Which is really kind of odd. The only time in the book she's mentioned as going a little extreme is on New Hessen. The earlier novels have her dealing with her issues, but also confronting and putting them behind her. The traits provided in the ER are rather...well.

I would note that they say she's just a "regular" level politician, not that she's necessarily bad at it. After all, she renegotiated the treaty with Jessica Marik, and did it without giving away anything about Andurien.

Wait.

Heir to multiple realms? Middling politician? Friends with nobility of other Great Houses?

Danai is the CapCon's Victor Steiner-Davion.

The Wheel truly does turn. ;D

[tapdancingbeavers]

The entire era suffers from too little information generally as well as some of the filled in details not giving much room for development imo.  Now that we are pretty much past the section mapped out by/under Wizkids i think all bets are off with regards to stagnancy like the Hegemony and Magistracy.

[Colt Ward]

As for the MH . . . we know the Rim Commonality took Astrokrasy at some point before the Dark Ages, besides fighting any on planet forces what about the MH weighing in?  They fought over the world before in a three way fight, and this time around the FWL is not there to be a giant squishing bugs.

A bad bad loss on Astrokrasy between the Jihad and Dark Ages could have definately checked any potential growth and discouraged adventurism with the Legions.

[GreekFire]

Who in their right mind would actually *want* Astrokrasy?

That's like saying you want someone to leave a big, steaming pile of Bantha poodoo on your doorstep.

[Weirdo]

...welcome to the Periphery?

[Colt Ward]

The Rim Commonality took it . . . probably to wipe out the pirate nest Blakist encouraged, and I think its on their trade route to Niops.  It also provides a check to the Marians IIRC.

[GreekFire]

Nothing like a bit of interstellar politics to make everyone sad.

[blackjack]

 >:D [skull] >:D No need to be sad!!! Soon all hell will break loose death & mayhem will be visited upon them all. it is the dark ages after all!!!!!

[Korzon77]

The Outworlds Alliance was based on pacifism, the military buildup of the Long Road programme wasn't particularly liked and the Ravens have largely kept to themselves while improving things like medical technology.  The Star League starved, killed and oppressed the population of the OA to get them fighting so it's not surprising that the reaction to the Ravens, who have done none of this, has been very low key.  I also think that the main problem is in having very little information about the nation, things on the surface are fairly peaceful but the President satirizes the Clan and his brother is rumoured to be involved in extremist anti-Raven groups so things might not be as nice as they seem.

MAybe-- but equally remember that the OA suffered all out slave raids before the Raven's came, complete with pedigrees for citizens who supposedly knew where star league goodies were.  So If I had a choice between making nice with the big tough warriors and going back to the day when half my family could end up on the slave block, I can think a bunch of OA citizens figuring that things actually aren't so bad.

[Scrollreader]

It's actually sort of a win for the OA.  They never seemed like they had much Nationalistic fervor, just were smart enough to stick together for mutual survival.  If the birds allow local sovereignty, and essentially provide national defense for a tithe, most OA citizens (and planets) will likely be happy enough.

How long they stay happy, if a resurgent Combine or Suns army comes looking for revenge is an entirely different matter, however.

[Baldur Mekorig]

 Dont remember where i read it, but some of the 3085 book told something about the RC leadership making some deals with some of the stronger pirate bands, destroying the others and absorving the place into the Commonality.

Who in their right mind would actually *want* Astrokrasy?

That's like saying you want someone to leave a big, steaming pile of Bantha poodoo on your doorstep.

[Neufeld]

So, The Periphery:
- The Raven Alliance is the only faction that is doing something outright interesting.
- Filtvelt, Taurians and Calderons are at least doing things that shows potential for future evolution.
- Fronc Reaches was one of the big six at the end of the Jihad, now they barely gets mentioned. A total sleeper.
- As for the Magistracy the only thing interesting is Ilsa's marriage, and it is old news. A big disappointment. It has reached a point where I am starting to consider dropping it from my top six factions.
- The Marians are at least building some interesting new units, so they are saved from being a total disappointment, but they have still been too stagnant for my taste.

[Maelwys]

Part of the problem with the Magistracy is it seems any new units/equipment was folded into (most likely) the Capellan XTRO, or however they're going to do it. I'm waiting on that and the FM before I worry too much about the Periphery nations not doing anything.

[tapdancingbeavers]

So, The Periphery:
- The Raven Alliance is the only faction that is doing something outright interesting.

Only because they aren't classed as Periphery anymore and thus got more details in 3145 than any of the Periphery states.  The Raven Alliance has its own section while the Periphery is lumped in together, saying the Periphery nations aren't doing anything interesting seems to be based off of a lack of information rather than a lack of action imo.  Now once we get more info i could be proven wrong but i'm still optimistic that things will be more interesting than the Era Report would suggest since it is an Inner Sphere-centric book.