I mean, that's true, but a legitimized bastard is still Legitimate. For that to be the reason why Literally All Of Her Siblings Hate Her and bend over backwards to find any excuse to Further Hate Her, no matter how much it goes against their other goals? Like, Violet was literally going to hand her the keys to the throne, and her mindset immediately jumped to "OUTSIDER = EVIL = MASTERMIND = MIND CONTROL BULLSHIT = SHE MUST HAVE KILLED FATHER" and she proceeded to then give Violet literally all of the ammunition she needed to gain All The Causus Belli, but then didn't have the balls to actually use her Genius Idea as a public excuse to give her own?
Like, what the fuck? Seriously? Has literally none of these idiot kids realized just what's going on except arguably Violet, who's doing everything in her power to get rid of the hot potato? Do they all think this is all still playroom politics?
A good question. Admittedly, our only viewpoint so far is the "Governor" Princess, who is certainly not a reliable source. We don't know what the Prince's thinking was, or if indeed, the First Princess did sabotage the King's ship. Still, the Prince did try and kill his father. The Governor Princess has pretty much spat on Helm culture and the King would never have stood for it.
Which, thinking it over, may provide the real reason she certainly can't articulate: suspicion haunts the guilty mind, as Shakespeare put it. Deep down, she (and perhaps they) know they are not worthy, while Violet is. Particularly if all three born of the Queen are like this - something is definitely wrong.
Her opinion might also have been poisoned by her mother during her formative years (if the legitimization occured while the legitimate wife was still alive).
And her current lover seemed rather resentful of our handling, as an asset.
As an aside Celeshiro, do we know what type of weapons her ground forces are using? From back when we did the military espionage? Not necessarily the stats just whether they're battle rifles or more long range, that kind of thing.
Hrm. Given the patchnote on militia I'm supportive of rapid mobilization now. Get our forces on our enemy's planet first and quickly and they won't have time to muster counters or open up fronts on other planets. (hopefully).
Keep our militia for home defense if necessary. But press the assault home now.
[X] Plan: Alpha Strike
--[X] [Stratagem] Transit Overtime. Optimize and micromanage the timetables of transport craft going between orbit and atmosphere, forcing as much efficiency out of the system as possible. They must run on time. Costs two (2) Command Points. Units can move between orbit and ground for free this Subcycle.
[X] Plan: Alpha Strike
--[X] [Stratagem] Transit Overtime. Optimize and micromanage the timetables of transport craft going between orbit and atmosphere, forcing as much efficiency out of the system as possible. They must run on time. Costs two (2) Command Points. Units can move between orbit and ground for free this Subcycle.
Just whipped together a quick look at what a House Iris escort looks like. It's unnamed at the moment, it'll probably get a proper name when I actually go ahead with that escort expansion in the future. I might go back and redo Wisteria first though, I feel like I can do her better now with the rust knocked off.
Scheduled vote count started by Celeshiro on May 25, 2024 at 2:56 AM, finished with 11 posts and 8 votes.
[X] Plan: Alpha Strike
--[X] [Stratagem] Transit Overtime. Optimize and micromanage the timetables of transport craft going between orbit and atmosphere, forcing as much efficiency out of the system as possible. They must run on time. Costs two (2) Command Points. Units can move between orbit and ground for free this Subcycle.
Now the question was if there was a way to make even more, the appointed governor of Andernia considered. She pursed her lips and looked up to meet the look of the most trusted advisor at the moment, the talented ambitious man who had provided incredible insight all this while. From the remarkable commentary on her sister's destroyers to the lack of public response to the reactivated 92nd Intercessors, he was the only one she actually could somewhat lean on these days. Even though sometimes, it felt like it was nothing useful, his words, they still...reassured her. Comforted her.
I reread this, and I realized this is the guy who got the dinner invitation thanks to us, and then thought he could welch consequence-free. So I doubt he has anything to do with what happened to the Solar King. But if Governor Princess learned the truth - her absurdly paranoid head would explode.
You considered for a moment if mobilizing militias across Andernia was the right move, to perhaps even solve your lack of air superiority. But then you reminded yourself that it was still going to likely result in militia pilots and whatever other fighters could be pulled from storage, thus leaning more towards stocks of outdated Hornet fighters. While it was ultimately going to be serviceable, considering that you so badly wanted to retire it fully and override its popular image with that of the Witchfire. Having it fight in a civil war on both sides was not going to help there then.
Plus, it also meant needing to mobilize a populace as well, which took time to gather and organize. Time in which your sister too could be mobilizing her own militias to match. That was the ultimate factor in making your choice as to what the campaign plan was. Unfortunately, as the self-appointed leader of Battlegroup Iris, you couldn't shovel this talk with the commanders to Dorothea and had to meet with them directly.
You tried your best to avoid a dead eye expression when talking to the gathered officers of sufficient rank. "I do not wish to prolong this conflict," You declared, trying to muster up some sort of confidence to cover up your eternal ache of public appearances. "Though I understand that given enough time, our superior industry will simply crush whatever my sister could muster, it is time in which she herself could draft and conscript more to join her forces. More bodies that we share heritage with that stand between us and victory. Keep in mind that we are ultimately fighting our blood siblings as such, and understand that a swift triumph is the undoubtedly desired resolution to this conflict."
The tactical display hologram activated to show off the Andernia system, then unit markers in blue popped up to represent friendly forces. There was a slightly shocked murmur from the ranks when they realized that already, troops were almost ready for a direct planetary invasion. "Currently, the 1st and 2nd Andernian Guard are in orbit around us," You described and then gave an acknowledging nod in the direction of the naval section. "HMS Wisteria and HMS Callerya are also on standby and ready to escort the infantry to their target landing."
This caused an even greater stir and somebody voiced a half-question, half-observation. "So everything is already set. Not much left for us to do, is there?"
"No, we still have something more important to decide!" One of the ground officers barked and crossed their arms sternly. "We need to decide where we will be landing to begin our conquest!"
That definitely set a debate between the planning staff, one that you quickly paused with a raised hand. You hoped it didn't tremble too much when the focus of attention returned to you, and coughed to help cover up the panic. "Ahem. Perhaps it would be more prudent to take in an estimate of our opposition first."
"Don't we need planetary scans first for that?" Somebody asked with a confused look. "We need something in orbit to scout then, but all our forces are in orbit here."
"About that." You pressed your lips tightly together, trying to avoid from breaking into a massive grin when the tactical display suddenly flashed with new data. "It seems that some enterprising private citizens have taken it upon themselves to hire mercenaries to move ahead of us and gather such data!"
There was a chorus of awed cheers mixed with sour looks at the news, the former born of eagerness at this welcomed news while the later quite reluctant to work with such irregular forces. You could hardly blame them for such caution and cynicism, with how mercenaries were often foreign fighters that were only here for the credits. But you revealed one important detail now about this group that these mysterious benefactors (you, obviously) had hired. "They're Brilliance Knights."
You took some delight at the abrupt surprised looks on the critics' faces before giving a small shrug. With the FTL beacon still inoperable, there was no way they would actually be a different people. Yet the news that these were elites was a definitely welcomed one and many leaned forwards, eagerly anticipating the ability to actually deploy and demonstrate their prowess on the battlefield. You had to admit you were too, but there was a more pressing operation that their anonymous contractor had commissioned.
You let the tactical staff know of this and they bemoaned, needing you to make mention of something critical. "Once they are finished with their operation, I have been informed that they will be participating alongside the regular forces for bonus pay. It stands to reason then that once we have a proper battle, we can expect them to make contact and coordinate their assault." This placated them somewhat and you raised your voice to issue a final command. "All that remains is for us to determine where to distribute and strike."
With that, all attention was finally taken off the Solar Princess and onto the stream of incoming data being reported.
House Iris Stratagems: - Transit Overtime. Units can move between orbit and ground for free this Subcycle.
House Iris (Separatists) Stratagems:
- Raise Supporters. Militia troops have been raised on Andernia III. - Informed Strikes. Directed Airstrikes on Andernia III gain a +10 Modifier.
REPORTING (ANDERNIA SYSTEM)
Enemy Ground Troops detected on Andernia III.
Enemy Airwings detected on Andernia III.
- Now we get into the real swing of things. As a heads up for all images, you should be able to open in a new tab and zoom in to see them in high def details. Bless imgur.
- I only realize after people pointed out how good the Transit Overtime action is that I definitely need to split it up. Maybe a same cost version for immediate planetary invasions this turn, and then a more expensive one for the original "pack up and redeploy quickly."
- Definitely am also considering something like an deck format for stratagems, where you can can have X stratagems active and available at one time while the others will then need to be swapped in between Cycles. Something like the Tactic cards from Endless Space, would make each side having their own different cards feel much more varied.
- You only need to issue orders for units you want to move. For units to stay where they are, just leave them out of the plan.
14 hour moratorium to come up with an order plan.
- I only realize after people pointed out how good the Transit Overtime action is that I definitely need to split it up. Maybe a same cost version for immediate planetary invasions this turn, and then a more expensive one for the original "pack up and redeploy quickly."
It is good, but I don't think it is ridiculously so. It really shines in a conflict like this that is contained to one system. There are a lot of options for nerfs. Maybe it could be a "double size" Stratagem so you can't do any others at the same time? You mentioned building decks of Stratagems. Will they be upgradeable or new ones researchable with military research?
On the note of the invasion, the fact that there are destroyers on the planet tells me that we managed to catch our sister before she completed her project to rebuild the colony ships. It seems that her Regs are the ones out guarding that site whilst the ground forces in Bastion are her newly raised Militia. If we can initiate combat immediately then I would kind of prefer that. Remove her ability to raise any more Militia and potentially hit her whilst her forces are divided. I'm not sure if we can land "in" a city tile to immediately initiate an invasion. If we can, this is what I suggest.
[ ] Plan Straight into Hell
-[ ] [Unit] All Regiments
--[ ] Bastion -[ ] [Unit] All Ships
--[ ] Andernia III orbit
EDIT: I should clarify that I still want to give warning/assist civilians in evacuating before the battle commences.
As the Battlegroup mechanics revolved around a system focus, it unfortunately is that good. Especially when you realize that it means as an exploit, you could just withdraw troops into orbit then immediately redeploy them to another spot on a planet for free all throughout the system. It's a defending side's instant redeploy that gives them the ability to almost immediately reinforce any attempted breaches, so long as they can try to keep some ships in orbit. That definitely wasn't the intent given the price, so it'll have to be split up with more specific versions.
Yeah the intent was to have more stratagem options open up with civic research options, but then I realized how annoying it would be for your opponents to also be working with the same set. Hence the idea of active vs inactive stratagems to help differentiate each side.
A list of various terrain markers on the battlefield, along with their stated effect. This is an extensive list that will undoubtedly grew with new landscapes and scenery, so check back often when you see something you don't realize.
Well-developed infrastructure for quick and hasty redeployment.
A unit that begins on a Highway can choose to ConvoyMove and travel up to twice their regular Movement. But they may only do so following a Highway route and are immediately stopped if there is an opposing unit on or adjacent to their path.
A treacherously deep or hazardous liquid that is impossible to ford or cross by normal means.
Units cannot move into this tile.
It was a quiet neighborhood until the tanks started rolling in.
Units on this tile have a +5 Cover modifier to reduce damage. However, they must spend two (2) Movement points to travel through or from this tile. Infantry may move regularly through this tile.
Soaring skyscrapers amid commercial centers lead to heated close quarters combat.
Units on this tile have a +10 Cover modifier to reduce damage. However, they must spend four (4) Movement points to travel through or from this tile, and all their weapons are reduced by one (1) Range to a minimum of one (1). Infantry may move regularly through this tile, but their weapons are still affected.
A fortified position to deter attackers.
Units on this tile gain a +10 Cover modifier to reducing damage. If a unit does not move from this tile, any opposing unit that moves towards or passes by adjacent is immediately stopped.
A devastated and exposed killzone that hangs about with an ominous aura of death on the battlefield.
Units on this tile suffer a -15 modifier to resisting the chance for Critical Effects.
It's just where the Airwings are based. Their effective range is already the planet+orbit so it's not really adding to the opposition directly. What matters more is if they have sorties available.
