Speaking of carriers, I think that a big tender could be a good way of reducing jump dispersion. Dock a dozen each escorts, drop tanks, scouts, and the like, and a lot of smaller attack boats or missiles, onto one big, survivable jump-vehicle that'll take them all into a system at the exact same time. That means we can coordinate bigger fleets without the issues of them arriving at different times and in different locations.
Traveller, The Rise of Empire: A Naval Design, Procurement and Command Quest
- Thread starter 4WheelSword
- Start date
- Original Art Quest Sci-Fi
Hmmm... I wonder if it would be possible to do 'Jump Harnesses'. Connect multiple ships with frames and girders, jump together, detatch frames and girders after the jump.
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4-8: End of an Era
4WheelSword
The original N-body Problem
- Pronouns
- It/She/They
There is a large population of low technology human or human-adjacent people living on a habitable planet very nearby to us. What should we do? Part-fund an SIS orbital platform to conduct long-term studies of the planet.
Explorers have found some sort of data cache. Contained on them are details of: Advanced Drive Layouts
How should we proceed? Flotilla Support Ship
Scientific Endeavours
With little in the way of utility, the people of -01,02 (designation pending) are to be 'handed-off' to the Society for Interplanetary Science. We will help to fund an orbital station for a long term research study and, if necessary, we will assist in the transport of personnel from Home to -01,02 and respond to any emergencies in the system. For now, however, it seems our efforts there are completed for the time being. With no threats, and seemingly little else of military merit to find, it is easy enough to allow the scientists and researchers full access.
What should we name -01,02?
[ ] Name it 'Trove' linking it to the ancient data cache.
[ ] Name it 'Rockcut' for the way the cities on the surface are built.
[ ] Name is something else - write in.
Elsewhere, analysis of the recovered data wafers indicates a great deal of theoretical work on gravitic drives, both those used for interplanetary and interstellar travel. It would appear that whoever left this cache behind had a far deeper understanding of our technology than we do, indicating that we are not the first to discover these grand systems. Our scientists are still unclear as to the depths of discoveries they will dredge up from this cache, but they have some immediate successes with applications of design language to create more efficient drives.
DRIVE TECH LEVEL INCREASED TO 9
Production Jump-1 available. Size reduced by 50%.
Production Manoeuvre-6 available. Size reduced by 50%.
Efficient Manoeuvre-1>5 available. Size reduced by 5-10%.
Construction Quandaries
The first ship to be laid down in S'Taxu yards will not be a combat ship or some sleek cruiser - it will be another piece of vital infrastructure to enhance the capabilities of the fleet as a whole. The second Fleet Logistics Ship, the HSLS Ikapati, will be laid down in 'foreign' yards (as much as they can be called foreign at this point) but thanks to the capabilities of our ship builders the construction time will be reduced to just seventy-two weeks. This second ship will thus be ready circa 07y11m00w, simultaneously with the jump-monitor that has occupied our yards so heavily.
Meanwhile, our two surviving Interstellar Surveyors - the HSWS Janus and the HSWS Culsans - will finally enter the yards for a major overhaul. Replacing their Jump and Manoeuvre drives will take just six months, and they will simultaneously receive new sensors, new defensive weapons to better defend themselves against potential attackers and the fittings for external drop tanks in case the Home Space Warfare Service would like to extend their range dramatically, though stores and onboard fuel will still restrict them somewhat.
Doctrinal Questions
The Home Space Warfare Service is going to enter its seventh year as a truly independent, interstellar force. In less than a decade it has grown from a fleet of just a few customs boats to a powerful star-spanning force with eight combat ships, five scouts and a series of support vessels and stations spanning four different star systems. The galaxy is far denser and more populated than anyone could have ever suspected and much of that density will give rise to threats we cannot possibly foresee. As such, an all-hands meeting of the senior command and administrative staff of the Home Space Warfare Service is called.
Our concept of the future of warfare is one that includes defence as a primary matter. The Home system and her neighbours will surely remain a primary factor in all of our thinking but with so much 'out there' out there, it is only a matter of time before we are forced to find a way to stretch out wings. At least, that is the argument made by some within the Service.
Our principal objective as a service is: (Note that this is the metric by which all decisions will be judged)
[ ] The defence of Home at all costs.
[ ] The peaceful exploration of space and the stars.
[ ] The projection of power beyond our own borders.
[ ] Other - write-in
We're heading into part five of T:tRoE and I'm going to make some changes. The first is going to be reducing the current budget significantly - currently our choices have never really been impacted by the budget and that's a failure of design. No previous choices will be retracted, but I doubt we're going to be building another monitor for a while.
I hope you're enjoying the game so far - I certainly am!
Please present any votes as a plan. Voting opens at
Judged? Who does the judging? I'm a strong proponent of players being constrained by previous decisions, but I'd be good to know in advance what we can expect.
It's a great Quest. It's simple enough and with little enough lore that one can jump in without knowing Traveller. It's regular, not an upgrade was missed. Plus, it deals with design and planning operations, one of my favourite themes.
What's Efficient Manouvre?
4WheelSword
The original N-body Problem
- Pronouns
- It/She/They
Me! I do the judging.
Reduces those drives tonnage by 5-10%.
I think "The projection of power beyond our own borders." will be the easiest to shoehorn designs into later. Exploration is scouting for future power projection, and system defence is freeing up valuable tonnage for power protection abroad. We also have to deal with the Hermosa system as a long term threat, and that's best done in deep space and not in orbit around our inhabited worlds.
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The problem with exploration is that we'd want to shed scouts to Scouting Service at some point and focus on military matters. Plus, scouts are light and building just them would leave our resources underutilized.
The problem with power projection is that we'd be expected to do interventions. That said, both both the Flotilla Support Ships and the future Lancers align with this approach, so it would be the easiest one to implement without doing redesings.
Perhaps we would want to do 'Protect Trade & Protect the Sphere of Influence'? Basically, commit to defending the Interstellar Conveyors that are flying between us and worlds allied to us. Build up lots of space infrastructure and maintain regular patrols. Patrol vessels are something that could double up for offensive operations and we wouldn't be constrained having to maintain non-jump vessels.
Rat King
Izutsumi-pilled
That's what you'd like us to do, I obviously think we should keep building scout and exploration vessels lol.
Doubloon
Quelle horreur!
Gonna suggest:
[ ] Name it Shambhala, after the spiritually enlightened land known in old Buddhist religious practice. This evokes the elaborate spiritual traditions of the pre-industrial world, as well as the knowledge recouped from the data cache.
The game's been amazing, @4WheelSword! You've done an excellent job with prose, with worldbuilding, and with game mechanics alike.
[ ] Name it Shambhala, after the spiritually enlightened land known in old Buddhist religious practice. This evokes the elaborate spiritual traditions of the pre-industrial world, as well as the knowledge recouped from the data cache.
The game's been amazing, @4WheelSword! You've done an excellent job with prose, with worldbuilding, and with game mechanics alike.
- Location
- Somewhere in the stacks
- Pronouns
- She/Her
I like exploring personally.
MordredRaal
Agitating
- Pronouns
- She/They
[X] Plan: Rock! Exploration!
-[X] Name it 'Rockcut' for the way the cities on the surface are built.
-[X] The peaceful exploration of space and the stars.
[X] Plan: Rock! Power!
-[X] Name it 'Rockcut' for the way the cities on the surface are built.
-[X] The projection of power beyond our own borders.
-[X] Name it 'Rockcut' for the way the cities on the surface are built.
-[X] The peaceful exploration of space and the stars.
[X] Plan: Rock! Power!
-[X] Name it 'Rockcut' for the way the cities on the surface are built.
-[X] The projection of power beyond our own borders.
Not a bad idea, but is that tradition still known in Home?
Nah, I've planned and voted for building scout vessels. But to put the main focus of the Home Space Warfare Service on exploration alone? That's a waste of our potential, there has to be more to it. Below is a quick draft that includes reconnesaince, but doesn't neglect other interests:
[ ] Trade Protection Doctrine / Support Civilian Interests Doctrine / Zone Doctrine
-[ ] HWSW strives to ensure the security of all interstellar trade lanes within its sphere of influence, to facilitate uninterrupted commerce and promote cooperation between Home and associated states.
-[ ] HWSW defends and supports the construction of vital infrastructure, including spaceports, shipyards, resource extraction sites and fuel depots.
-[ ] HWSW prevents via deterrence and responds to internal and external threats to ensure a stable and prosperous Home.
-[ ] HWSW maintains numerous patrol ships, small, short-ranged but long-duration, expected to patrol along set routes. HWSW maintains reconnaissance ships sufficient to support exploration and expansion of civilian interests. HWSW facilitates long-range deterrence capabilities via logistical support ships and tankers. HWSW will not continue to build ships without jump capabilities.
Yup. Same idea appeared just as was writing. Feel free to add details and suggestions.
- Location
- Somewhere in the stacks
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] The peaceful exploration of space and the stars.
[X] Name it Shambhala, after the spiritually enlightened land known in old Buddhist religious practice. This evokes the elaborate spiritual traditions of the pre-industrial world, as well as the knowledge recouped from the data cache.
[X] Name it Shambhala, after the spiritually enlightened land known in old Buddhist religious practice. This evokes the elaborate spiritual traditions of the pre-industrial world, as well as the knowledge recouped from the data cache.
Rat King
Izutsumi-pilled
[X] Name it Shambhala, after the spiritually enlightened land known in old Buddhist religious practice. This evokes the elaborate spiritual traditions of the pre-industrial world, as well as the knowledge recouped from the data cache.
[X] The peaceful exploration of space and the stars.
[X] The peaceful exploration of space and the stars.
- Location
- 51.005635, -0.143671
[X] Name it Shambhala, after the spiritually enlightened land known in old Buddhist religious practice. This evokes the elaborate spiritual traditions of the pre-industrial world, as well as the knowledge recouped from the data cache.
[X] The projection of power beyond our own borders.
I'm leaning towards power projection, protecting the interests of ourselves and our allies is going to mean that we'll have to do some kind of fleet action far from Home at some point. Plus having the biggest stick in the region and the ability to hit people far away with said stick, is a powerful tool in diplomacy for both our allies and enemies.
I'm also a bit concerned with Hermosa they seem to be a likely hostile power with jump capabilities, that is far but not too far from us. I'd like to extend the olive branch to them to see what they are up to, but we should have sufficient means to projection power in our region first, we don't really have enough ships right now to do that.
[X] The projection of power beyond our own borders.
I'm leaning towards power projection, protecting the interests of ourselves and our allies is going to mean that we'll have to do some kind of fleet action far from Home at some point. Plus having the biggest stick in the region and the ability to hit people far away with said stick, is a powerful tool in diplomacy for both our allies and enemies.
I'm also a bit concerned with Hermosa they seem to be a likely hostile power with jump capabilities, that is far but not too far from us. I'd like to extend the olive branch to them to see what they are up to, but we should have sufficient means to projection power in our region first, we don't really have enough ships right now to do that.
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Nah, doctrines are multipage documents. That said, I can cut the specifics of ship design.
-[X] HWSW strives to ensure the security of all interstellar trade lanes within its sphere of influence, to facilitate uninterrupted commerce and promote cooperation between Home and associated states.
-[X] HWSW defends and supports the construction of vital infrastructure, including spaceports, shipyards, resource extraction sites and fuel depots.
-[X] HWSW prevents via deterrence and responds to internal and external threats to ensure a stable and prosperous Home.
[X] Name it Shambhala, after the spiritually enlightened land known in old Buddhist religious practice. This evokes the elaborate spiritual traditions of the pre-industrial world, as well as the knowledge recouped from the data cache.
I'd be willing to switch to 'the projection of power beyond our own borders', but not 'peaceful exploration' or 'defense at all costs', because these two are just too restrictive. Like, we wouldn't even be building Lancers under either of those, since it wouldn't fit our doctrine.
EDIT: More concise version in latter post.
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Doubloon
Quelle horreur!
Most of our ships are named after real-world deities. If we know who Tlaloc is, we can know what Shambhala is.
Also, for a more concise version of what Magnificate is suggesting, how's:
[ ] To promote the continuous outward growth of trade and scientific discovery by protecting peaceful traffic throughout known space.
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[X] Name it Shambhala, after the spiritually enlightened land known in old Buddhist religious practice. This evokes the elaborate spiritual traditions of the pre-industrial world, as well as the knowledge recouped from the data cache.
[X] The projection of power beyond our own borders.
Fascism is a threat to us all, and it must be met by a well-equipped Service
[X] The projection of power beyond our own borders.
Fascism is a threat to us all, and it must be met by a well-equipped Service
Close enough:
[X] Write-In: To promote the outward growth of trade via protecting civilian traffic throughout known space.
[X] Name it Shambhala, after the spiritually enlightened land known in old Buddhist religious practice. This evokes the elaborate spiritual traditions of the pre-industrial world, as well as the knowledge recouped from the data cache.
Doubloon
Quelle horreur!
Yep, looks like it! The spreadsheet shows M-6 drives, which we just discovered from the cache.