>>5887382
You are Angelica Heinrich, secondborn daughter of Alphonse Heinrich, first Emperor of his line, and acting Head Admiral of the Imperial Armada by decree of your younger brother, Emperor Albin. At 57 years of age, you've finally been entrusted to head a campaign in force. You've worked to rise the ranks for decades in diligent service to the Empire, and despite your blood, only a rare tactical genius has taken you this far.

Billions of women are watching your every move, desperate to see the fairer sex vindicated. You don't care. Your eyes are on the throne on Mars, and the memory of the one who once sat there. Your father was a ferocious and brilliant man, who took a failing Empire by the reigns and remade it in his image of what it should have been. In a short time, he masterminded propaganda and intrigue on such a scale that the dynasty's stability was established almost as soon as it began. More, he did it without sacrificing the masses.

Far from it. He loved them and they, the lowly, weak-minded commoners they are, killed him for it. The beloved Emperor of billions, beaten to death by a hammer in the hands of a nameless wretch. Your own father... Oh, vengeance was had. Your mother Anna had every member of the seditious militia responsible castrated and put to backbreaking labour on Cradus XVII, frigid rock turned landfill. Justice, however, has not yet been rendered. The Federation of Uvarth is a longstanding democratic state that dares consider itself independent of the Eternal Empire.

As if any man could be freed from the memory of old Earth! Billions of commoners have been led astray by the same rotten breed of rabble-rousing filth that led to your father's untimely death. He is not here to see your triumph, because their lowborn brothers in the same, lie-stained illegitimate bastard rhetoric killed him! So you will conquer their worlds, see them put to their sword and the fruits of their treachery set aflame! Victory alone can soothe the grief in your heart. You've never been so certain of anything in your life.

>>5887384
Fortunately, the armada below you is mighty and the Federation of Uvarth is vulnerable. Recently, they were invaded by a species of alien vermin, the Vrakaks, whose rate of reproduction and willingness to throw themselves into massed gunnery makes a poor substitute for their lack of sophistication and will. To the best of the Empire's knowledge, the Federation of Uvarth won, at a great cost. Their fleets have been deplenished and destroyed and their frontier worlds war-ravaged. It's likely they'll never be more vulnerable than they are now.

Meanwhile, the Empire is stronger than ever and you have been given the privilege of forcing these dissidents back into the imperial fold. You consider the fleets under your command and more importantly, their admirals. The worth of officers will make or break a campaign.

>Armada #1:
>Imperial Fleet (Angelica Heinrich): You, the first woman to reach admiralty in living memory, and eager to define yourself in the annals of history as more than a novelty of your sex.
>Imperial Fleet (Seamus Arthen): A capable but untested scion of the chivalrous House Arthen, hungry to prove his worth in battle.
>Imperial Fleet (Harold): A talented commoner of no substance, who earned his rank through display of skill at Heinrich's School of Hard Knocks.
>Imperial Fleet (Oskar II, Schafer): The son of a famous admiral who fought alongside Alphonse, and the image of his namesake in more ways than one.
>Heinrich Fleet (Robert Heinrich): A distant cousin of yours and the best admiral who both wasn't in the imperial navy and shares your name. That is to say, decent. Your nephew and the imperial heir, Otto, is aboard his fleet.
>Soluton Fleet (Thomas Soluton): An unusually bloodthirsty member of House Soluton, likely driven by the same anger you are.
>Minor Noble Fleet (Carsten Phillips): The nephew of an admiral who sacrificed himself for Alphonse, and no less loyal to the throne on Mars.
>Mercenary Fleet (Brett Jensen): An incompetent fool who's managed to survive this long, and among the cheapest hired guns your brother could find.

>>5887385
Eight fleets in total, each consisting of hundreds of vessels of more than a dozen varieties. Most tried and tested, some new and promising. An enormous force but by the sacrifice of admiral Scott Phillips, you know it is far from invincible. Your armada has embarked toward Federation of Uvarth space. As the warhost was gathered on very short notice to take advantage of their weakness, you've had little time to coordinate an overarching strategy. Be that as it may, you are your father's daughter and managed to expertly get your subordinate admirals on the same track. It's unlikely the Federation of Uvarth is expecting an invasion after centuries of neutrality but as war leader, it would be wise to assume the worst.

First, how should you open the conflict?

>Seize the frontiers! These barrier stars are almost unprotected and have been made weary by years of struggle against the Vrakaks. If you conquer them swiftly, it should be little trouble to liberate the masses from their own mismanagement.
>Assault the core! The beating heart of their military-industrial complex, as well as its nerves, stomach, and sinews. If you overwhelm the heightened resistance of their developed worlds, the campaign should come easily.
>Burn thrusters for Uvarth! The capital of their Federation, at the center of their stars and sure to be fiercely defended. If you can break the crowning achievement of their civilization early on, the Federation's will to resist will surely evaporate.

Second, should the armada be kept together?

>Yes. Overwhelming force concentration is an advantage you aren't willing to part with. The Federation of Uvarth will face the Empire's armada, and it will kneel or be knelt.
>No. The Federation is immense and its navy is in tatters, it's only sensible to cover more ground. This way, you could put pressure on more regions at once. (If so, how should the fleets be distributed?)

>>5887387
>Assault the core! The beating heart of their military-industrial complex, as well as its nerves, stomach, and sinews. If you overwhelm the heightened resistance of their developed worlds, the campaign should come easily.
>Yes. Overwhelming force concentration is an advantage you aren't willing to part with. The Federation of Uvarth will face the Empire's armada, and it will kneel or be knelt.
The frontier worlds are broken after years of war, they're of little value to the Empire as is. Breaking the core worlds before they can rally their war-weary population is a surefire way to coclude the war as early as possible.

>>5887387
>Assault the core! The beating heart of their military-industrial complex, as well as its nerves, stomach, and sinews. If you overwhelm the heightened resistance of their developed worlds, the campaign should come easily.
The frontiers are irrelevant to their ability to wage war, take their heartland so they cannot recover their strength.
>Yes. Overwhelming force concentration is an advantage you aren't willing to part with. The Federation of Uvarth will face the Empire's armada, and it will kneel or be knelt.
I want to bait them into believing we will split however, to fish for an attempt at defeat in detail. Our target being their heartland also puts additional pressure on them to take the seemingly great opportunity.

>>5887387
>Assault the core! The beating heart of their military-industrial complex, as well as its nerves, stomach, and sinews. If you overwhelm the heightened resistance of their developed worlds, the campaign should come easily.
Cripple their logistics.
>Mercenary Fleet (Brett Jensen): An incompetent fool who's managed to survive this long, and among the cheapest hired guns your brother could find.
Lol. Looks like we have our meatshields.
>Yes. Overwhelming force concentration is an advantage you aren't willing to part with. The Federation of Uvarth will face the Empire's armada, and it will kneel or be knelt.

>>5887387
>Burn thrusters for Uvarth! The capital of their Federation, at the center of their stars and sure to be fiercely defended. If you can break the crowning achievement of their civilization early on, the Federation's will to resist will surely evaporate.

>No. The Federation is immense and its navy is in tatters, it's only sensible to cover more ground. This way, you could put pressure on more regions at once. (If so, how should the fleets be distributed?)
1 for every region

>>5887387
>Assault the core! The beating heart of their military-industrial complex, as well as its nerves, stomach, and sinews. If you overwhelm the heightened resistance of their developed worlds, the campaign should come easily.
>Yes. Overwhelming force concentration is an advantage you aren't willing to part with. The Federation of Uvarth will face the Empire's armada, and it will kneel or be knelt.
Sweet, it's back!

>>5887387
>Burn thrusters for Uvarth! The capital of their Federation, at the center of their stars and sure to be fiercely defended. If you can break the crowning achievement of their civilization early on, the Federation's will to resist will surely evaporate.

>No. The Federation is immense and its navy is in tatters, it's only sensible to cover more ground. This way, you could put pressure on more regions at once. (If so, how should the fleets be distributed?)
1 for every region

>>5887387
>Burn thrusters for Uvarth! The capital of their Federation, at the center of their stars and sure to be fiercely defended. If you can break the crowning achievement of their civilization early on, the Federation's will to resist will surely evaporate.
Head of the snake, also most of the enemy fleet will be there so we can defeat them all in one go
>Yes. Overwhelming force concentration is an advantage you aren't willing to part with. The Federation of Uvarth will face the Empire's armada, and it will kneel or be knelt.
No point in splitting up if we are going to the core worlds

>>5887387
>Assault the core! The beating heart of their military-industrial complex, as well as its nerves, stomach, and sinews. If you overwhelm the heightened resistance of their developed worlds, the campaign should come easily.

>Yes. Overwhelming force concentration is an advantage you aren't willing to part with. The Federation of Uvarth will face the Empire's armada, and it will kneel or be knelt.

The core is what matters. Dispersal was necessary last time to preempt mercenary reinforcements or allies being called in, but it cost us dearly. This time we ought to strike the bleeding heart of the enemy.

I'm going to lock the vote here, so we can move on to the action. Here's a refresher on the rules we'll be using for void warfare.

Mechanics for Naval Combat:
>https://pastebin.com/cxN0ifTW

Even if you crush the enemy decisively, there's a chance that this will be a long campaign. They've been savaged by aliens, but the Federation of Uvarth remains twice the size of the Merchant Holdings and much more ideologically motivated.

I pity the enemies of Angelica. More than even the first fool to find himself standing across from Otto. May her drive and fury ensure her swift victory and overwhelming success.

Rolled 3 + 1 (1d6 + 1)

>>5887392
>>5887396
>>5887408
>>5887415
>>5887433
>>5887436
>>5887444
>>5887451
You're tempted to burn thrusters for Uvarth directly and scatter your fleets to end this war as quickly as possible but after some thought, opt for a more straightforward approach. The fleets are gathered into a vast formation and make for the core! If you can secure the brunt of their wartime industry, this conflict will be over in a heartbeat... by the standards of interstellar politicking.

You move through the frontier in contempt. You make an excellent pace. Their shattered colonies and forgotten barrier worlds are powerless to stop you, and the broken, pithy garrisons that are even still capable of traversing the void don't dare resist. As you go, you broadcast inconsistent signals to give the impression your fleet could split in separate directions at any time. Ideally, this will convince the Federation that an ambush is possible. If so, they'll likely put their eggs in one basket, which you can then shatter underfoot!

If the Federation sees through your ruse, which is rather likely, they still won't be capable of stopping the armada without committing their own forces. It costs nothing to try. You do your best to neutralize possible courier vessels in the systems you pass through but with their lack of centralization, it's likely some could slip through. Even if none do, the Federation's sitting Parliament may be shrewd and suspect hostilities are imminent. If the fools can stop puffing hot-air long enough to put an actual decree into motion, there may be cause for concern.

>Roll 1d6+1 for deception to bait the Federation into battle. +1 [Military Skill].

>The Federation is rolling 1d6+1 for speed of their reaction. +1 [Position of Weakness], +1 [Core at Risk], -1 [Sudden Invasion]

Rolled 6 + 1 (1d6 + 1)

>>5887478

>>5887479
This is how Democracy dies.

>>5887483
...And how monarchy rises! Hail Heinrich!

>>5887479
>we will ambush them, we're geniuses!
>OH FUCK THEY AMBUSHED US BACK

>>5887479
HAHAHA. The fucking rolls on this quest.

>>5887478
>>5887479
You think back to the games you played with your father as a little girl. Static defenses and prolonged attrition were never your style. You had a fondness for the sort of misdirective subtlety to make an enemy second-guess your every move and take his formation apart. Then following through with a blitzkrieg at his weakest point, just when he least expects it! This held true for your years at the Academy and as a commodore.

This is no different.

You don't know the composition of the Federation's forces or where they are, but your honed instincts read them like a book. You send mercenary elements into distant systems, taking care to conceal their movements just well enough that civilian vessels couldn't easily discern them. One piece on the gameboard, pushed. A tantalizing target, made all the more tempting by the implication they're no more than a reconnaissance force.

The Federation scrambles to pursue. They must know they're outmatched. Their remnant fleets are sent, all motley four of them, and they intercept your scouts near a critical refinery world on the verge of frontier space. To their credit, this is a well-executed maneuver leveraging their limited strength in the most efficient manner possible. To yours, there never were any scouts to pursue. Rather, a handful of stolen civilian vessels staffed by a skeleton crew of greedy mercenary volunteers, packed to the brim with broadcasting equipment blasting on encrypted military frequencies.

Harmless from a combat perspective, useless for tactical goals, but just loud enough to draw the attention of alert Federal sentries. As they rerouted their border patrols and snatched up every battered ship they could find on short notice, you anticipated when and where they would make their move. Drifting through depopulated systems, you reached this lonely star with your armada, cleanly dispatched the local messengers, and laid in wait on the far side of the planet's moon.

As the Federation enters and begins the chase, you waited... waited... waited... then...

SPRUNG INTO ACTION!

The Federation is caught utterly off-guard!

>>5887525
>The Empire's Armada

>Imperial Fleet (Angelica Heinrich)
>Cohesion: 8/8. Rolls 1d6+2. +1 [Armada Flagship], +1 [Military Skill]
>Imperial Fleet (Seamus Arthen)
>Cohesion: 6/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]
>Imperial Fleet (Harold)
>Cohesion: 6/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]
>Imperial Fleet (Oskar II, Schafer)
>Cohesion: 6/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]
>Heinrich Fleet (Robert Heinrich)
>Cohesion: 10/10. Rolls 1d6+3. +1 [Imperial Heir's Presence], +1 [House Retinue], +1 [Military Skill]
>Soluton Fleet (Thomas Soluton)
>Cohesion: 8/8. Rolls 1d6+2. +1 [House Retinue], +1 [Military Skill]
>Minor Noble Fleet (Carsten Phillips)
>Cohesion: 6/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]
>Mercenary Fleet (Brett Jensen)
>Cohesion: 6/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]

Your armada, grand and glorious, is perfectly positioned to strike the gutter scum foe in the rear!

>The Federation's Armada:

>Federal Fleet (Roger Perkins)
>Cohesion: 5/8. Rolls 1d6+2. +1 [Armada Flagship], +1 [Military Skill]
>Federal Fleet (Franklin Graham)
>Cohesion: 2/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]
>Federal Fleet (Sean Hodges)
>Cohesion: 4/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]
>Federal Fleet (Adam Compton)
>Cohesion: 3/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]

The enemy's vessels are so few, so battle-worn and dented, you almost pity them, but they are deserving of none!

FOR THE EMPIRE!

FOR HOUSE HEINRICH!

TO WAAAR!

>You've staged a successful ambush! During the first turn of battle, every one of your fleets gains +1 to its roll and suffers halved damage!

How do you want to engage the enemy?

>>5887479
Nice.

>>5887526
ENCIRCLE THEM!

>>5887526
I say we engage their flagship with the Heinrich fleet, send the Mercs and minor nobles after the weakest enemy ship, send Seamus and Harold after Adam and the remaining three on Sean Hodges.

Basically distract their healthiest and strongest while we have the damage reduction up, then crush their other ships with superior numbers so we can all-in on their flagship the next turn.

>>5887526
>Imperial Fleet (Angelica Heinrich) feints Federal Fleet (Roger Perkins)
>Imperial Fleet (Seamus Arthen) feints Federal Fleet (Roger Perkins)
>Imperial Fleet (Harold) charges Federal Fleet (Roger Perkins)

>Imperial Fleet (Oskar II, Schafer) charges Federal Fleet (Franklin Graham)

>Heinrich Fleet (Robert Heinrich) feints Federal Fleet (Sean Hodges)
>Soluton Fleet (Thomas Soluton) charges Federal Fleet (Sean Hodges)

>Minor Noble Fleet (Carsten Phillips) feints Federal Fleet (Adam Compton)
>Mercenary Fleet (Brett Jensen) defends Federal Fleet (Adam Compton)

It makes sense that we'd use the 'offensive' strategies given we are ambushing and they are being ambushed. Though I had Brett Jensen defend because even though the bait were stolen vessels, I imagine we had a few mercenaries along with the fleet to make the bait more realistic, and to swat scouts that got too close. Plus, Jensen would probably want to preserve his personnel inside the bait fleet and his own, so I think it'd be in character.

The priority is the fleets with the most cohesion.

>>5887536
>>5887526
+1 to this. Divide and conquer, full encirclement means they will fight to the death.

>>5887526
>Imperial Fleet (Angelica) [FEINT]
>Imperial Fleet (Seamus) [FEINT]
>Heinrich Fleet [CHARGE]
Engage
>Federal Fleet (Roger Perkins)
Crush their most cohesive unit decisively in the opening strike.

>Mercenary Fleet [CHARGE]
Engage
>Federal Fleet (Franklin)
Give the mercs the easiest target.

>Soluton Fleet (Thomas) [CHARGE]
>Imperial Fleet (Oskar II) [DEFEND]
Engage
>Federal Fleet (Sean)
Use the bonus from House Soluton to hopefully smash this one quickly.

>Minor Noble Fleet [FEINT]
>Imperial Fleet (Harold) [CHARGE]
Engage
>Federal Fleet (Adam Compton)

Guys, read the naval mechanics in the linked pastebin >>5887468

Only my vote >>5887540 and >>5887542 are even formatted correctly to give QM all the information he needs to compute who we are voting to attack and how.

>>5887546
More than half the voters not voting properly really is a /qst/ moment of all time.

>>5887549
For sure.

To be fair to them, the naval mechanics are the most complex part of a quest that has Simple in its title. They aren't that complex though.

>>5887542
>>5887551
My only question is what determines the choice of strategy. Is it circumstance or simply rock paper scissors? Because if it's circumstance then all of our fleets should [FEINT] no?

>>5887378
I'll be keeping the girl and naming her Maggie. The rest of 'em are already spoken for, all going to good homes.

>>5887552
It's a rock-paper-scissors situation. Because every warship is moving at extreme velocities, even a fixed positional defense entails a high amount of manuevering, so in effect, every one of the three is aggressive. There's a lot of leeway for tactics. If you wanted to Encircle them, for example, the vessels pinning them would roll an attack for halved damage rounded down, which if successful, would keep a fleet from withdrawing unless it escaped. The tactics would then determine the approach to the Encirclement, or pinning. Just one example off of the top of my head.

>>5887552
We choose the strategy for each individual fleet to use against their target enemy fleet of choice. The enemy likewise chooses their own strategies for each individual fleet.

The 1d6+1 roll for the initial ambush may seem like it may not have gained us much, since mass (raw numbers) counts for so much in this system, but it has imo. While fighting the entire remnant of their fleet is not ideal (particularly as the anon calling for the ambush wanted a defeat in detail), we do gain a first turn +1 to our rolls, which is the same thing as +1 damage if we beat their roll, plus our damage taken is halved, basically guaranteeing we don't lose any fleets in this battle.

Not to mention, I think the real benefit of our first roll was that we aren't facing the enemy over their planetary defences, which may have given them a big bonus, just guessing based off the descriptions of the Mukvir homeworlds for example. That, and the ideal scenario for the feddies was a combination of us wasting our time conquering the frontier and them not engaging at all. That way they can retain and repair their battle hardened fleets and get to construct new ones.

So the real benefit is destroying the enemy before they can add new fleets to the mix, even though we have to face all of the remnants all at once.

>>5887556
>>5887558
I don't know if you guys understood my question, Im talking about the rock paper scissors system. What goes behind the enemy's choice in that? Is it based on random chance or the circumstances involved like the character of the commander, for instance.

Also Im the guy that wanted (defeat in detail) but I was talking about wanting the enemy to try to do that to us and then take advantage of that. No way they were going to split up their fleet in the state they're in.

>>5887563
QM chooses which option the enemy uses. I imagine based on character and circumstance.

Also, the rest of that post was mostly me blathering, only the first line was really a response to your question, my bad for blabbing too much.

>>5887563
Reading the first battle with the Merchant Holdings will probably give you a better idea of how the whole thing actually works in practice.

>>5887565
If that's the case then, again, shouldn't pick [FEINT] for all our fleets? Though if an enemy is being target by multiple fleets and they pick a strategy that counters all of ours, does it counter one or all three? I don't think the rules covered that unless I missed it.

>>5887542
Imma support this one
>>5887549
I love /qst/ user

Regardless, any anons have any ideas how to deal with the peace conference? I was assuming we take 20 worlds and then loot the remainder + tribute

>>5887573
Full annex plus loot bro. We won't be warring for a while after it but it's better than fighting them again.

>>5887540
The mercenaries did have several of their own ships mixed-in with the bait fleet. Brett Jensen is shocked that this went off without a hitch, as despite his high hopes for the Imperial Navy, he wasn't sure it could be done.

>>5887558
Orbital defenses are a significant factor in void combat. While planetary fortifications are largely irrelevant to the struggle for void supremacy, orbital defenses such as battle satellites and ground turrets can have an effect on combat fought over them. In practice, it's a random chance to cause damage to an enemy fleet, scaling by the cost and investment that have gone into it. Mars had 12/12 orbital defenses with a 60% chance to inflict 1d6 points of damage on an enemy fleet. These were partially restored to 6/6, with 30% to-hit for 1d3 before Alphonse's coronation, while the skirmishing from loyalist holdouts was still ongoing. You can also build orbital defenses but they are expensive, (requiring 1 economy per 2 points by default, although once built they're nearly a static feature), less versatile and lethal than war-fleets, and none of your Emperors (or Empress) so far have had a paranoid or defensive personality type that would've made the investment a default choice.

>>5887563
Ah, my mistake. Every admiral has a preferred tactic based on their personality that they'll default to until they lose, in which case they'll switch to a random tactic. If that works, they then have an even chance of reverting to their preference or continuing. If they're hit by the same tactic twice, they're likely to switch to its counter but not guaranteed. For an example, if Angelica weren't under your control her preferred tactic would be to Feint, and she'd then have a 50/50 chance to Charge or Defend if that didn't succeed.

>Also Im the guy that wanted (defeat in detail) but I was talking about wanting the enemy to try to do that to us and then take advantage of that.
That's why I assumed by the wording of it. If you rolled a crit fail, they would've outmanuevered you and ambushed a random section of your armada. This is almost certainly the worst possible opening battle for the Federation of Uvarth.

>>5887582
To clarify the cost of orbital defenses, they are bought for an entire region, rather than individual planets.

>>5887572
If three fleets are making a [Charge] at an enemy fleet and it [Defends] against one fleet, the target fleet takes the full increased damage and the other two are also countered, but their (likely otherwise extreme) damage is halved after the bonus is applied.

>>5887582
What about the circumstances of the engagement. Is the fact that they've been ambushed by a bigger and better fleet relevant to the decision?

>>5887588
Then better to diversify than commit to one strategy for all attackers. Unless you know what they're gonna choose which goes back to the previous question.

>>5887572
All three strategies are valid for attack or defence, so mixing it up is to prevent putting all our eggs in one basket, making sure that even if we lose one exchange, we win another. An enemy can only chooses one strat, it doesn't choose a different one for each fleet engaging it, I think. Hence why numbers matter so much.

>>5887573
Full annexation if we manage it. If not, then as many of the core worlds as we can manage + the frontier near our borders. Let them manage the frontier on the other factions borders, we don't want the extra trouble. In exchange they'll get peace and a time-limited non aggression pact. I'd also like us to write in a clause allowing us to choose (and it being specifically a choice, not an obligation) to come to their defence in the event they are attacked without breaking the treaty. Just because I don't want filthy aliens or the Chavenacs eating up rightful human clay before we finish the conquest. Or getting the credit for snuffing out democracy.

>>5887582
Thanks for the info. Seems a lot of thought went into this system, especially considering its origins.

>>5887597
The fact that they're ambushed, outnumbered, and already damaged means there's a chance (counted separately per fleet) they'll attempt to withdraw rather than fight. If they do fight, they'll revert to their preference. Sometimes, flavour text may hint at their plans for the next turn, especially if an enemy fleet is engaged with a naturally talented admiral, but the only way to be sure is to see it in action.

>>5887602
So it's relevant only to the decision to withdraw not to the choice of strategy? I think this is the last question.

>>5887605
Yes. Although for those fleets that choose to fight, it'll be seen as either a last stand or prelude to a fighting retreat. The odds are stacked against them here, but they know that surrender means almost guaranteed death or disenfranchisement. At least according to centuries of propaganda.

>>5887610
Found another question, from the pastebin:
>If a withdrawing fleet is engaged, if it wins, it doesn't damage the enemy fleet but flees.
What counts as winning here? Countering their strategy?

>>5887613
Winning the roll I think. The strategies chosen are just a means to the end of winning the roll. Though I guess I should just let QM answer.

>>5887600
I've spent a lot of time thinking on the combat system in general. Once I get back from work, I'll start up the next update with the highest voted set of tactics.

>>5887613
This is correct >>5887623, it's winning the roll. Don't hesitate to ask anything else if you're curious.

Rolled 5, 5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 5, 5 = 33 (8d6)

>>5887533
>>5887536
>>5887540
>>5887541
>>5887542
>>5887573
This is it. The moment you’ve spent your entire life waiting for. There can be no fear, no hesitation. Only action!

You mobilize your imperial fleet to [Feint] Roger’s federal fleet!

Seamus’s imperial fleet moves to [Feint] Roger’s federal fleet!

Robert’s noble fleet rushes in to [Charge] Roger’s federal fleet!

Brett’s mercenary fleet swoops in to [Charge] Franklin’s federal fleet!

Thomas’s noble fleet [Charges] at Sean’s federal fleet!

Oskar II’s imperial fleet shifts to [Defend] against Sean’s federal fleet!

Carsten dives to [Feint] Adam’s federal fleet!

Harold burns thrusters to [Charge] Adam’s federal fleet!

Roger attempts to [Withdraw] from the battlefield!

Franklin tries to [Feint] Brett’s mercenary fleet!

Sean digs in to [Defend] against Oskar II’s imperial fleet!

Adam attempts to [Withdraw] from the battlefield!

The first round of battle commences!

Please say what you're rolling for.

>Roll 1d6+5 for Angelica’s Feint against Roger. +1 [Ambush], +1 [Armada Flagship], +1 [Military Skill], +2 [Numerical Advantage], +0 [Strategic Match (Charge)]

>Roll 1d6+4 for Seamus’s Feint against Roger. +1 [Ambush], +1 [Military Skill], +2 [Numerical Advantage], +0 [Strategic Match (Feint)]

>Roll 1d6+6 for Robert’s Charge against Roger. +1 [Ambush], +1 [Imperial Heir's Presence], +1 [House Retinue], +1 [Military Skill], +2 [Numerical Advantage], +0 [Strategic Match (Charge)]

>Roll 1d6+4 for Brett’s Charge against Franklin. +1 [Ambush], +1 [Military Skill], +2 [Strategic Counter (Charge)]

>Roll 1d6+4 for Thomas’s Charge against Sean. +1 [Ambush], +1 [House Retinue], +1 [Military Skill], +1 [Numerical Advantage], +0 [Strategic Disadvantage (Charge)]

>Roll 1d6+3 for Oskar II’s Defense against Sean. +1 [Ambush], +1 [Military Skill], +1 [Numerical Advantage], +0 [Strategic Match (Defend)]

>Roll 1d6+3 for Carsten’s Feint against Adam. +1 [Ambush], +1 [Military Skill], +1 [Numerical Advantage], +0 [Strategic Match (Feint)]

>Roll 1d6+3 for Harold’s Charge against Adam. +1 [Ambush], +1 [Military Skill], +1 [Numerical Advantage], +0 [Strategic Match (Charge)]

>The enemy’s rolls are, in order-
>3d6+2 for Roger to Withdraw from the battlefield, against Angelica, Seamus, and Robert. +1 [Armada Flagship], +1 [Military Skill], +0 [Strategic Match (Withdraw)]
>1d6+1 for Franklin to Feint against Brett. +1 [Military Skill], +0 [Strategic Disadvantage (Feint)]
>1d6+3 for Sean to Defend against Thomas. +1 [Military Skill], +2 [Strategic Counter (Defend)]
>1d6+1 for Sean to Defend against Oskar II. +1 [Military Skill], +0 [Strategic Match (Defend)]
>2d6+1 for Adam to Withdraw from the battlefield, against Carsten and Harold. +1 [Military Skill], +0 [Strategic Match (Withdraw)

Making a withdrawal doesn't have any strategic counter but it also lacks any strategic disadvantage. It's a neutral action, with little risk and less reward. At best, a withdrawing fleet keeps its life. At worst, it loses both its honour and its life.

Rolled 6 + 6 (1d6 + 6)

>>5887743
Damn they get 3d6 to run away? Man fuck that guy. Shoot em.
>Rolling for Robert.

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16 KB JPG

>>5887757
>12vs7=5 damage
>they only have 5 cohesion
>instagibbed their flagship
Get fucked.

Rolled 6 + 5 (1d6 + 5)

>>5887743
Angelica

Rolled 3 + 4 (1d6 + 4)

>>5887743
>Rolling for Brett

>>5887763
Don't mess with the princess

Rolled 4 + 3 (1d6 + 3)

>>5887743
>Harold

Rolled 5 + 4 (1d6 + 4)

>>5887743
Seamus

>>5887743
thomas
been a while since i rolled

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>5887823

>>5887826
lmao they fucked

Rolled 3 + 3 (1d6 + 3)

>>5887743
Oskar

carsten still needs a roll if any lurkers are here

Rolled 2 + 3 (1d6 + 3)

>>5887743
>Carsten’s Feint against Adam

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>5887743
Rolling for Carsten

>>5887845
Wrong die size my guy. We roll d6s here in this quest.

Rolled 1 + 3 (1d6 + 3)

>>5887743
Rolling for Harold.

>>5887865
Harold already got rolled

>>5887847
Yeah, my bad. Luckily, I wasn't fast enough anyway

>>5887743
Links in order

>Angelica 11
>>5887763
>Seamus 9
>>5887775
>Robert 12
>>5887757
>Brett 7
>>5887765
>Thomas 10 (the +4 was forgotten)
>>5887823
>>5887826
>Oskar II 6
>>5887832
>Carsten 5
>>5887844
>Harold 7
>>5887768

>>5888015
I believe we got them

It looks like a massacre.

>>5887757
They get a d6 to withdraw for each fleet engaging them and need to win every roll to flee.

>>5888135
Oooh. That's rough.

>>5887743
5+2 vs 11, 4 on Roger
5+2 vs 9, 2 on Roger, dead
1+2 vs 12, 9 on Roger, overkill (jesus)
2+1 vs 7, 3 on Franklin, dead
4+3 vs 10, 3 on Sean, 1 HP left
6+1 vs 6, 1 on Oskar (0.5?)
5+1 vs 5, withdraw success 1/2
5+1 vs 7, withdraw failure, 1 on Adam, 2 HP left, still in combat

We didn’t win all the exchanges. That said, with only two ships left for the enemy we’re very unlikely to not kill them next turn. Numerical superiority being what it is.

>>5888135
I almost feel bad for the Feddies. They win a brutal war for their lives with the Vrakaks and no sooner are the fireworks finished than the Empire comes at them with a steel chair and absolutely T-poses all over them. Still, it's not over yet and those republican scum are nothing if not resourceful. Stay sharp.

>>5888160
Imagining it from their perspective, the arrival of the empire is a terrifying, but seeing it from the empire's perspective, its fucking hilarious

>>5887743
>>5887763
>>5887775
>>5887757
>>5887765
>>5887823
>>5887826
>>5887832
>>5887844
>>5887768
The federal fleet flees as fast as their engines can burst. Unfortunately for them, you anticipated this and have a screen of frigates and cruisers ready to drive the filth into your heavy gunnery. The plan is executed perfectly. An overwhelming majority of what remains after long years of war is annihilated in mere minutes.

>Angelica rolls 11, Roger rolls 7
>Roger's fleet loses -4 cohesion

Seamus, scion of Arthen follows his orders well and baits the few vessels left into better target vectors through an audacious maneuver. The enemy admiral counters well but with so little tonnage, any more than survival is impossible. In the end, they can't even manage that. Roger Perkins' fleet has lost all cohesion!

Roger Perkins' flagship, the 'Tattered Banner' has been destroyed!

>Seamus rolls 9, Roger rolls 7
>Roger loses -2 cohesion

Just as the shattered ruin of the once-veteran fleet spirals out, the glory of House Heinrich surges forth in full regalia! You had your doubts of Robert's tactical expertise but this puts them to the grave. Every shot is excellent, every move calculated, and in the midst of it all, 'Anna's Hand' orchestrates destruction. By the time it is done, not even rubble remains of the foe.

>Robert rolls 12, Roger rolls 3
>Roger loses -9 cohesion

Brett breaks his usual protective protocol to charge at the enemy and Franklin makes the grave error of trying to feint! In a surprising show of competence, the mercenary tears through his feeble screen and eviscerates all that awaits. Franklin Graham's fleet has lost all cohesion!

Franklin Graham's flagship, the 'Pride of Uvarth' has been destroyed!

>Brett rolls 7, Franklin rolls 3
>Franklin loses -4 cohesion

Thomas burns thrusters to go turrets-screaming toward the foe, who meets him with a stalwart phalanx! For all of Sean's desperation and tactical aptitude, his federal scrap cannot stand against House Soluton's artifice, and his fleet is broken apart.

>Thomas rolls 10, Sean rolls 7
>Sean loses -3 cohesion

>>5888203
Oskar II moves with meticulous ferocity to break the handful remaining, however, Sean matches him blow-for-blow and clings to life! The imperial navy has such a vast advantage in this engagement that Oskar II's fleet is nonetheless left intact.

>Oskar II rolls 6, Sean rolls 7
>Oskar II loses -0 cohesion

Carsten moves to intercept Adam as he flees but his contingent of minor houses is disorganized! Adam sees right through his deception and evades it skillfully.

>Carsten rolls 5, Adam rolls 6
>Adam continues to withdraw

Harold assaults the enemy with the savagery only a commoner knows, and pins him in place! Adam fights well and mitigates losses but it's become clear that there is no escape.

>Harold rolls 7, Adam rolls 6
>Adam loses -1 cohesion

Rolled 4, 6 = 10 (2d6)

>>5888205
You analyze the sensor data.

>The Empire's Armada:

>Imperial Fleet (Angelica Heinrich)
>Cohesion: 8/8. Rolls 1d6+2. +1 [Armada Flagship], +1 [Military Skill]
>Imperial Fleet (Seamus Arthen)
>Cohesion: 6/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]
>Imperial Fleet (Harold)
>Cohesion: 6/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]
>Imperial Fleet (Oskar II, Schafer)
>Cohesion: 6/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]
>Heinrich Fleet (Robert Heinrich)
>Cohesion: 10/10. Rolls 1d6+3. +1 [Imperial Heir's Presence], +1 [House Retinue], +1 [Military Skill]
>Soluton Fleet (Thomas Soluton)
>Cohesion: 8/8. Rolls 1d6+2. +1 [House Retinue], +1 [Military Skill]
>Minor Noble Fleet (Carsten Phillips)
>Cohesion: 6/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]
>Mercenary Fleet (Brett Jensen)
>Cohesion: 6/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]

In a stunning display of expertise, the Empire's armada has suffered no damage!

>The Federation's Armada:

>Federal Fleet (Roger Perkins)
>Cohesion: -10/8. Rolls 1d6+2. +1 [Armada Flagship], +1 [Military Skill]
>Federal Fleet (Franklin Graham)
>Cohesion: -2/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]
>Federal Fleet (Sean Hodges)
>Cohesion: 1/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]
>Federal Fleet (Adam Compton)
>Cohesion: 2/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]

Meanwhile, the enemy has been devastated so thoroughly it would be a miracle if their ships could limp back to the core.

It has become abundantly clear to them that there is not even the remotest possibility of victory.

>The enemy's rolls are, in order-
>1d6+1 for Sean to keep the will to fight. +1 [Ideological Opponents], +1 [Deep Propaganda], +1 [Human Enemies], -2 [Overwhelming Odds]
>1d6+1 for Adam to keep the will to fight. +1 [Ideological Opponents], +1 [Deep Propaganda], +1 [Human Enemies], -2 [Overwhelming Odds]

>>5888207
There are a few minutes of silence as both sides reposition your vessels, then you receive a wide-spectrum broadcast.

"Give me liberty, or give me death."

So be it.

Sean and Adam continue to fight!

The ambush is over but the Empire's armada holds an overwhelming advantage. This battle is as good as won.

How do you want to engage the enemy?

>>5888211
Since it's a 4 on 1 for both, or even worse odds for one one them, can they actually win the rolls? The Heinrich fleet would roll a +7 even if it got countered in that situation. It can't roll less than an 8 and the enemy fleet can't roll more than 9 if they do counter. Considering that both of them are a sneeze away from death I think they'd just die.

But if you insist. Down the pipe then
>Angelica Charges Sean
>Seamus Defends Sean
>Harold Feints Sean
>Oskar 2nd Defends Sean

>Robert Feints Adam
>Thomas Charges Adam
>Carsten Defends Adam
>Mercs Charges Adam

The absolute lowest modifier our fleets will have is +5 for the lesser fleets.

>>5888219
Sounds fine to me +1. Also how are we gonna divide the feddie lands? Give them to existing nobles, or allow them one last disgusting democratic action by forcing them to vote who amongst them gets uplifted to the station of the newest and least of the empire's noble houses?

>>5888160
House Heinrich is as ruthless as it is pragmatic, and obscenely lucky. Seriously, what the hell's going on with these rolls? Hahaha.

>>5888219
At this point, it's a formality. If your own armada was in as hopeless a situation, I'd also have you roll for it, if you also chose not to surrender. The Federals might've gotten good terms if they had but it seems they'd rather fight to the last.

>>5888211
Sure, I'll go with >>5888219

>>5888223
Partition between the participants of this campaign except the mercs. House Heinrich gets the lion's share whilst the rest is divied up to it's biggest supporters.

We really carried this a lot more than the last campaign so it's only fair we get more than last time as well. (I want our House to have a core of holdings to rival the other major houses)

>>5888223
We did invite along some friends, so they're going to want a slice of the pie. Given that losses have been minimal thus far, we shouldn't have to give away so much as we did in the Merchant War in order to make it worth our allies' while. After that, I think we should claim the choiciest bits for House Heinrich and use the large windfall to bring some more smaller houses to prominence.
As far as postwar handling goes, we'll need to be really careful with the Feddies. Unlike the Merchants, they have a deeply entrenched democracy and a lot of cultural conditioning to go with it, so if we try and bring the boot down we could end up mired in Space Vietnam. Some political concessions will likely need to be made in the interests of maintaining order until we can eventually disabuse them of this nonsense.
I've also been giving some thought to what we're going to do after this. There's only so many planets to reconquer, so eventually we'll have to look for other options if we want to keep the momentum up. We've been on the fourth X for a while, perhaps we should go back to the first three Xs for a while - the stars do belong to us, after all. QM, how explored is our neck of the woods? Stepping back from the unpleasant business of war once we're done here to kick off a new golden age of discovery and expansion while our remaining rivals rest on their laurels sounds like a grand prospect.

Side note, what's going on with the archive? Why are we at -4? Is it Angry Anon still throwing a tantrum?

>>5888275
I think someone is downvoting a number of quests at random. Several that have been archived this month have been hit with downvotes without any real reason I can tell from glancing through them.

But yeah, its probably that one crazy guy who threw a shit fit for half the thread, in our case

>>5888278
Oh that guy was unhinged AF. Hating on us for allowing woman to have equal rights, in huge parts of being afraid of the daughters curse. Fucker knows we are still playing as an autocratic militaristic empire right? We are may be enlightened despots at the friendliest and ruthless punishers at the harshest. Above all pragmatic and adapting, but always on top.

>>5888219
I will support this
>>5888232
Personally I want to give planets to those houses (the former admirals and the minors) who are on the verge of becoming Majors so we have a solid noble backing. Also some to our older sister since she is basically about to usurp Ustong with her monetary power.
>>5888278
He was my favourite goofy goober

>>5888291
Sure, but before we do that we should take enough to establish ourselves as a major house. It's been said before by the QM that, besides the imperial throne, House Heinrich is a minor house at best. I want to remedy that before doing a handout and it's only fair since we've carried this campaign so much.

>>5888293
This is true, even if we only take half the federation planets though I believe we can accomplish both since the only ones who helped is the imperial navy, the Solutons and the minors. Also I believe we can increase our houses personal strength after looting everything through a funny little trick by giving a fleet or two to the imperial guard instead of our personal retinue, though functionally it will behave the same, we get a free excuse

Regardless as for the major houses, Soluton and Nightshayd are in our pocket while Arthen will become a lot friendlier once that sack of bones bites the dust. The Rothsford and De Croizes are neutral while Ustong is almost belligerent because of our older sister. I say we just throw Ustong under the bus.they haven’t helped at all.

>>5888295
Perhaps we could provoke a little civil war? QM has said they can be a useful tool if used properly and, once we're finished with Uvarth, we should have a strong domestic position. We could bait them into doing something stupid and slap them around a bit to put them in their place.

>>5888310
Not really a need for a civil war. Just let our sister outdo them and the rest will flow naturally but yeah we would win regardless

>>5888312
That depends on whether they come round in the future after their leadership cycles out or if we have other means to bring them onside (by hook or by crook) - note that Otto will not have our diplomatic acumen. If they refuse to do so, we cannot tolerate internal enemies like that, especially Ustong.

>>5888319
I was hoping we just marry Otto to a De Croize so we can finally start turning around this technological stagnation and make our fleets even better

>>5888319
Otto will be a bit like the beast Rabban if too many people would start rebelling. We need to get him even more tempered. If he needs to throw down he can crush anything, but he needs something get out his urges without causing damage.

>>5888330
Speaking of Otto, he'd be a born ground leader but thus far we have done 0 (zero) ground combat. Are there special mechanics lined up for invading planets (which I assume we'll have to do shortly, unless the Feddies surrender)?

>>5888341
We did have ground combat last thread against merchant holdings, let’s hope Otto doesn’t die

>>5888364
Did we? I thought the Merchants just rolled over after they lost in space.

Rolled 3, 2, 2, 6, 2, 2, 1, 4 = 22 (8d6)

>>5888219
>>5888223
>>5888232
>>5888291
The federals have already lost. You simply need to inform them firsthand.

You mobilize your imperial fleet to [Charge] Sean's federal fleet!

Seamus shifts to [Defend] against Sean's federal fleet!

Harold makes a daring [Feint] on Sean's federal fleet!

Oskar II moves to [Defend] against Sean's federal fleet!

Robert pivots to [Feint] Adam's federal fleet!

Thomas makes a frenzied [Charge] at Adam's federal fleet!

Carsten assumes a formation to [Defend] against Adam's federal fleet!

Brett attempts to replicate his success and [Charges] Adam's federal fleet!

Sean makes a suicidal [Charge] on your own imperial fleet!

Adam attempts a last-ditch [Defense] against Carsten!

The second round of battle commences!

>Roll 1d6+5 for Angelica's Charge against Sean. +1 [Armada Flagship], +1 [Military Skill], +3 [Numerical Advantage], +0 [Strategic Match (Charge)]
>Roll 1d6+6 for Seamus's Defense against Sean. +1 [Military Skill], +3 [Numerical Advantage], +2 [Strategic Counter (Defend)]
>Roll 1d6+4 for Harold's Feint against Sean. +1 [Military Skill], +3 [Numerical Advantage], +0 [Strategic Disadvantage (Feint)]
>Roll 1d6+6 for Oskar II's Defense against Sean. +1 [Military Skill], +3 [Numerical Advantage], +2 [Strategic Counter (Defend)]
>Roll 1d6+7 for Robert's Feint against Adam. +1 [House Retinue], +1 [Military Skill], +3 [Numerical Advantage], +2 [Strategic Counter (Feint)]
>Roll 1d6+5 for Thomas's Charge against Adam. +1 [House Retinue], +1 [Military Skill], +3 [Numerical Advantage], +0 [Strategic Disadvantage (Charge)]
>Roll 1d6+4 for Carsten's Defense against Adam. +1 [Military Skill], +3 [Numerical Advantage], +0 [Strategic Match (Defend)]
>Roll 1d6+4 for Brett's Charge against Adam. +1 [Military Skill], +3 [Numerical Advantage], +0 [Strategic Disadvantage (Charge)]

>The enemy's rolls are, in order-
>1d6+1 for Sean to Charge against Angelica. +1 [Military Skill], +0 [Strategic Match (Charge)]
>1d6+1 for Sean to Charge against Seamus. +1 [Military Skill], +0 [Strategic Disadvantage (Charge)]
>1d6+3 for Sean to Charge against Harold. +1 [Military Skill], +2 [Strategic Counter (Charge)]
>1d6+1 for Sean to Charge against Oskar II. +1 [Military Skill], +0 [Strategic Disadvantage (Charge)]
>1d6+1 for Adam to Defend against Robert. +1 [Military Skill], +0 [Strategic Disadvantage (Defend)]
>1d6+3 for Adam to Defend against Thomas. +1 [Military Skill], +2 [Strategic Counter (Defend)]
>1d6+1 for Adam to Defend against Carsten. +1 [Military Skill], +0 [Strategic Match (Defend)]
>1d6+1 for Adam to Defend against Brett. +1 [Military Skill], +0 [Strategic Counter (Defend)]

Rolled 2 + 5 (1d6 + 5)

>>5888377
Those rolls
They never stood a chance
Rolling for Angelica

>>5888368
We did, it was before we engaged their fleet but we first invaded a planet

Rolled 2 + 5 (1d6 + 5)

>>5888377
Dice.

Rolled 3 + 6 (1d6 + 6)

>>5888377
I think with those rolls they legit cannot hurt our fleets. Even if we roll only 1s.
>Seamus
Guess I'll roll anyway.

Rolled 4, 1, 2, 2, 5 = 14 (5d6)

>>5888377
I'll just put in the next five dice since this is basically just a formality as the feds are dead anyhow. This is for Oskar down to Brett.

>>5888275
>>5888278
Now that is interesting. I suspect it's the anon that was irate last thread, which is ironic, as rigging a vote like that is samefagging. I figure the vote on the suptg doesn't matter as long as it's archived. Maybe it'll even get a red banner to stand out on the listing, kek.

>QM, how explored is our neck of the woods?
To answer your question, both extensively and not at all. During past ages of expansion, Mankind spread across the stars and the Empire held an incredible knowledge of the cosmos. However, the Empire has declined significantly to reach its (historically) current state and its potential was squandered by previous dynasties. Most of the knowledge of the stars beyond the border regions has been lost, and what remains is conjecture. I plan to make a crude map of the Empire and its neighbours once the war with the Federation is over, but getting it will be an in-character project to centralize the Empire's navigation charts. I'll also be making another internal map documenting how much territory the various major houses have.

>>5888341
There are some. Essentially, if you've established orbital supremacy you can conquer a planet at your leisure. The difficulty of the campaign is partially set by how fortified and militaristic the region is, but also by how heavily you choose to bombard their facilities on the ground. Generally, heavier bombardment means an easier conquest but less loot (and as some houses are insistent on, glory in battle) to be gained.

>>5888368
They did but before that, you invaded the Merchant Holdings' frontier to hedge your bets. It was a very brief campaign and their hired mercenaries surrendered almost instantly, so I don't blame you for forgetting about it. It had honestly slipped my mind before I saw you all talking about ground combat.

>>5888381
>>5888385
This battle was brutal, on your part.

>>5888391
Fair, fair, hahaha.

>>5888393
Both disappointing and excellent. Not only is there a whole galaxy to be rediscovered, there could be archaeology to do and lost colonies to bring back into the fold waiting out there. This should definitely go on the todo list, though if Albin doesn't get the ball rolling it's very unlikely to be promoted until whoever comes after Otto or even longer.

It'd like to have an interlude PoV switch to the Federalist High Command as they plan and execute their 'ingenious' maneuver to ambush and destroy part of the Imperial Navy. Seeing how their hope of possible victory shatter immediately as they realize they've been played for fools would be magnificent.

>>5888377
>>5888381
>>5888384
>>5888385
>>5888391
You crash against the last scraps of Sean's fleet! They strive against the throne in futility! You scatter the scum with your gunnery! Sean Hodges' fleet has lost all cohesion!

Sean Hodges' flagship, 'Homeward Bound' has been destroyed!

>Angelica rolls 7, Sean rolls 4
>Sean loses -3 cohesion

Seamus, Harold, and Oskar II methodically dismantle what remains in an inspiring display of imperial prowess!

>Seamus rolls 7, Harold rolls 9, Oskar II rolls 10, Sean rolls 3, 3, 7
>Sean loses -13 cohesion

Robert's attempt at a feint is clumsy and obvious as 'Anna's Hand' is too vast a danger to ever ignore, but his tonnage is such that he overwhelms Adam anyway! The federal ships are obliterated in short order! Adam Compton's fleet has lost all cohesion!

Adam Compton's flagship, 'Freedom Resounds' has been destroyed!

>Robert rolls 8, Adam rolls 3
>Adam loses -5 cohesion

Thomas, Carsten, and Brett hammer the enemy from all directions! The destruction is so complete and total, not even a tactical miracle could've saved them!

>Thomas rolls 7, Carsten rolls 6, Brett rolls 9, Adam rolls 5, 2, 5
>Adam loses -10 cohesion

You analyze the sensor data.

>The Empire's Armada:

>Imperial Fleet (Angelica Heinrich)
>Cohesion: 8/8. Rolls 1d6+2. +1 [Armada Flagship], +1 [Military Skill]
>Imperial Fleet (Seamus Arthen)
>Cohesion: 6/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]
>Imperial Fleet (Harold)
>Cohesion: 6/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]
>Imperial Fleet (Oskar II, Schafer)
>Cohesion: 6/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]
>Heinrich Fleet (Robert Heinrich)
>Cohesion: 10/10. Rolls 1d6+3. +1 [Imperial Heir's Presence], +1 [House Retinue], +1 [Military Skill]
>Soluton Fleet (Thomas Soluton)
>Cohesion: 8/8. Rolls 1d6+2. +1 [House Retinue], +1 [Military Skill]
>Minor Noble Fleet (Carsten Phillips)
>Cohesion: 6/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]
>Mercenary Fleet (Brett Jensen)
>Cohesion: 6/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]

The Empire's armada remains not a step short of immaculate, to your delight and expectations.

>The Federation's Armada:

>Federal Fleet (Roger Perkins)
>Cohesion: -10/8. Rolls 1d6+2. +1 [Armada Flagship], +1 [Military Skill]
>Federal Fleet (Franklin Graham)
>Cohesion: -2/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]
>Federal Fleet (Sean Hodges)
>Cohesion: -15/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]
>Federal Fleet (Adam Compton)
>Cohesion: -13/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]

Against you, the Federation armada has been annihilated so utterly that opportunistic salvagers will be sorely disappointed.

The 1st battle of the Federation of Uvarth has been won!

More than that, it was a Flawless Victory! This shall go down as one of the proudest days of House Heinrich! All thanks to you, Angelica, daughter of Alphonse, and the games you and your father played together. The battle was a total victory, but you find yourself weeping with joy and sorrow.

>>5888414
You soon regain your composure. The Federation of Uvarth has at the very least lost the overwhelming majority of its navy, but it retains a strong hold on the hearts and minds of the masses here. The war is not over.

What are your commands?

>Turn back for the frontier. While the masses there have been devastated by war and are likely to surrender outright, you're more concerned that Federation officials may flee and start a guerilla insurgency.
>Continue for the core, as planned. It's likely they'll be able to scrounge up a fleet or two if given time, so it is critical that you break their defenses and seize their industry swiftly.
>Make for Uvarth itself. The capital of their Federation and symbolic core of their ideology, if it falls into your hands, the spirit of resistance is likely to be shattered in one fell stroke.

>>5888415
>Continue for the core, as planned. It's likely they'll be able to scrounge up a fleet or two if given time, so it is critical that you break their defenses and seize their industry swiftly.
Make a fleet with what industry bozo? Get em!

>>5888415
>>Continue for the core, as planned. It's likely they'll be able to scrounge up a fleet or two if given time, so it is critical that you break their defenses and seize their industry swiftly.
I sure hope we caught that battle on camera for the Propaganda reel.

>>5888415
>Continue for the core, as planned. It's likely they'll be able to scrounge up a fleet or two if given time, so it is critical that you break their defenses and seize their industry swiftly.
Spread out and seize them! go go go go~

>>5888415
>Continue for the core, as planned. It's likely they'll be able to scrounge up a fleet or two if given time, so it is critical that you break their defenses and seize their industry swiftly.
We may shatter this force but we cannot let them make 1 more.

>>5888415
>Continue for the core, as planned. It's likely they'll be able to scrounge up a fleet or two if given time, so it is critical that you break their defenses and seize their industry swiftly.
Seizing Uvarth could backfire by rallying their spirits just as it could break them. They can’t build ships solely on spirit alone though. Take the core.

>>5888415
>Continue for the core, as planned. It's likely they'll be able to scrounge up a fleet or two if given time, so it is critical that you break their defenses and seize their industry swiftly.
Good job chaps (and chapette), now let's get what we came for. And start stocking up on ticker tape and fireworks for their triumphant return.

>>5888399
If you're (un)lucky, whatever's out there might rediscover the Empire beforehand, or another of the factions for that matter.

>>5888413
That's a brilliant idea. I'll do it once the warfighting here is over.

>>5888419
The propaganda reel is constant and inevitable.

File: worry.png (726 KB, 760x1020)

726 KB PNG

>>5888453
That's not concerning at all, I'm sure they'll be friendly and eager to have us back. We should just find and greet them first!

>>5888417
>>5888419
>>5888424
>>5888425
>>5888427
>>5888429
You have no hesitation. It is imperative that you seize the core worlds before they can build up their forces. The armada reaches them in a matter of months. Compared to the richness of the Merchant Holdings, these fifteen stars are subpar, but they boast numerous urban areas, bustling industrial centers, and limping orbital fortifications. It appears the Vrakaks struck at them here as well, though not in sufficient force to win their war of expansion.

They don't hail your vessels as you approach but you know they must be monitoring communication frequencies.

How should you approach them?

>Demand their full, unconditional surrender under pain of bloody execution. They are in no position to resist and should know this.
>Offer to show them leniency if they yield. This will cause them to expect concessions if they agree, but it's sure to hasten the campaign.
>Ignore protocol and launch the invasion. These egalitarian reprobates are undeserving of mercy and you will not hesitate to crush them.

>>5888453
>thought we were the USC/TER this whole time
>turns out we're Argon instead.

>>5888477
>Demand their full, unconditional surrender under pain of bloody execution. They are in no position to resist and should know this.

>>5888477
>Demand their full, unconditional surrender under pain of bloody execution. They are in no position to resist and should know this.

>>5888477
>Demand their full, unconditional surrender under pain of bloody execution. They are in no position to resist and should know this.
The merchants got leniency and look what that got us

>>5888477
>>Ignore protocol and launch the invasion. These egalitarian reprobates are undeserving of mercy and you will not hesitate to crush them.

>>5888477

>Ignore protocol and launch the invasion. These egalitarian reprobates are undeserving of mercy and you will not hesitate to crush them.

Wew, great quest QM. I just caught up! I would argue for full military press - these guys are filthy ideologues and will literally never surrender. Better to smash them utterly.

Rolled 6 + 0 (1d6 + 0)

>>5888490
>>5888521
>>5888530
>>5888550
>>5888558
The Federation is a blight on Mankind. You are disgusted by their affairs and their chief rabble-rousers deserve no better than death, but you are the daughter of the most upright and righteous man the galaxy has seen in centuries. Sinking to their level is unacceptable.

You offer the core worlds your terms. Full, unconditional surrender or bloody execution. They are each given twelve hours to convene and "vote" on their decision. You pace the bridge of the 'Emperor's Judgement', hoping against hope that they refuse and give you an excuse to commence invasion.

>The enemy's roll:
>1d6+0 to keep the will to fight. +1 [Ideological Opponents], +1 [Deep Propaganda], +1 [Fear of Parliament], -2 [Overwhelming Odds], -1 [Recent Major Defeat]

>>5888567

Jesus, are they going to self-destruct their suns or something? Too hardcore for us…

>>5888567
Real Battotai hours here.

>>5888567
OH BOY HERE WE GO KILLIN AGAIN
bet the heir is happy he gets to do some door kicking soon

>>5888567
Their votes are so swift and unanimous you are convinced they must've been rigged. They begin broadcasting patriotic music and won't reply to your hails. Personally, you are delighted. You are considerably less pleased when you realize they intend to sabotage their own shipyards and critical infrastructure!

Moreover, of all things, a volunteer militia sallies out to meet you! Civilian ships, gutted to make room for cannons, crewed by those too old or crippled to fight in the navy! Mere fodder against imperial steel, but still, you have a fight on your hands!

There's no time to waste!

The Empire's armada has engaged with the core world's defenses!

>The Empire's Armada:

>Imperial Fleet (Angelica Heinrich)
>Cohesion: 8/8. Rolls 1d6+2. +1 [Armada Flagship], +1 [Military Skill]
>Imperial Fleet (Seamus Arthen)
>Cohesion: 6/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]
>Imperial Fleet (Harold)
>Cohesion: 6/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]
>Imperial Fleet (Oskar II, Schafer)
>Cohesion: 6/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]
>Heinrich Fleet (Robert Heinrich)
>Cohesion: 10/10. Rolls 1d6+3. +1 [Imperial Heir's Presence], +1 [House Retinue], +1 [Military Skill]
>Soluton Fleet (Thomas Soluton)
>Cohesion: 8/8. Rolls 1d6+2. +1 [House Retinue], +1 [Military Skill]
>Minor Noble Fleet (Carsten Phillips)
>Cohesion: 6/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]
>Mercenary Fleet (Brett Jensen)
>Cohesion: 6/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]

Your fleet is no weaker than it was at the beginning of the campaign. You're confident in your chances of victory.

>The Federation's Defenses:

>Core World Orbital Laser (Harry Bridges)
>Cohesion: 5/8. 40% chance to strike for 1d8 damage.
>Core World Ground Turret (Dave Pickett)
>Cohesion: 3/8. 40% chance to strike for 1d8 damage.
>Militia Fleet (Nicholas Porter)
>Cohesion: 6/6. +0 [Civilian Volunteers]

Against you, the Federation of Uvarth has dredged a motley band of floating wrecks and idealistic fools. They are soon to die. However, you must be swift if you don't want to lose valuable plunder.

>Orbital Defenses have a chance to strike per turn without tactics. As they are always on Defense and designed with heavy sensors, you can only engage them directly, rolling 1d6 (applying applicable bonuses) against theirs. They are dangerous but much weaker without naval support.

How do you want to engage the enemy?

>>5888588
>Heinrich Fleet [DEFEND]
>Minor Nobility Fleet [CHARGE]
>Mercenary Fleet [FEINT]
Engage
>Civilian Militia

>Imperial Fleet x3 (Angelica, Seamus, Harold)
Engage
>Orbital Batteries

>Soluton Fleet
>Imperial Fleet (Oskar)
Engage
>Ground batteries

>>5888588
Support >>5888597

>>5888597
+1

>>5888597
Support

>>5888588
Let them crush their own stuff while we just watch then leave to burn Uvarth to the ground leaving them to stew in the ashes of their own defiance with a simple picket blockade, we will see if in a few months of brutal starvation they'll be more amenable.

I caught up just now, good to see this quest back!

>>5888597

Supporting.

>>5888618

This is tempting but these people are like cockroaches, and we shouldn’t let the fringe worlds get up to mischief. Better to crush their core worlds and then move to the fringes.

If we steamroll these guys flawlessly, we should probably just smash right into the alien space next and Exterminatus them while our boys reclaim the Feddie worlds

at the end of the day if the core world sabotages all their shit and makes the loot worthless we should just crack the planet and make it an example for the lesser planets that remain

If nothing else, nobody could call them cowards. Fools perhaps, but not craven unlike the spineless Merchants.

>>5888624
You mean the Vrakaks? That's a good point, there's no better time than now to keep going and crush that threat as well now they're also still crippled.

Rolled 5, 1, 2, 2, 6, 3, 4, 4 = 27 (8d6)

>>5888597
>>5888601
>>5888603
>>5888611
>>5888618
>>5888624
>>5888629
You are sorely tempted to let the Federals sabotage their own livelihood and wallow in filth of their own making, but deem their resources are too valuable to the Empire. You can't let them be squandered in their selfish, shortsighted hands!

You can't and you won't!

"TO WAR!"

Robert's noble fleet shifts to [Defend] against Nicholas's militia fleet!

Carsten's noble fleet [Charges] to crush Nicholas's militia fleet!

Brett's mercenary fleet makes a [Feint] on Nicholas's militia fleet!

You mobilize your imperial fleet to engage their Orbital Lasers!

Seamus's imperial fleet moves to engage their Orbital Lasers!

Harold's imperial fleet moves to engage their Orbital Lasers!

Thomas's noble fleet moves to engage their Ground Turrets!

Oskar II's imperial fleet moves to engage their Ground Turrets!

The Orbital Lasers try to target Seamus's imperial fleet!

The Ground Turrets try to target Thomas's noble fleet!

Nicholas's militia fleet makes a desperate [Feint] against Robert's noble fleet!

The first round of battle commences!

>Roll 1d6+4 for Robert's Defense against Nicholas. +1 [House Retinue], +1 [Military Skill], +2 [Numerical Advantage], +0 [Strategic Disadvantage (Defend)]
>Roll 1d6+5 for Carsten's Charge against Nicholas. +1 [Military Skill], +2 [Numerical Advantage], +2 [Strategic Counter (Charge)]
>Roll 1d6+3 for Brett's Feint against Nicholas. +1 [Military Skill], +2 [Numerical Advantage], +0 [Strategic Match (Feint)]

>Roll 1d6+3 for Angelica's attack on the Orbital Lasers. +1 [Military Skill], +2 [Numerical Advantage]
>Roll 1d6+3 for Seamus's attack on the Orbital Lasers. +1 [Military Skill], +2 [Numerical Advantage]
>Roll 1d6+3 for Harold's attack on the Orbital Lasers. +1 [Military Skill], +2 [Numerical Advantage]

>Roll 1d6+3 for Thomas's attack on the Ground Turrets. +1 [House Retinue], +1 [Military Skill], +1 [Numerical Advantage]
>Roll 1d6+2 for Oskar II's attack on the Ground Turrets. +1 [Military Skill], +1 [Numerical Advantage]

>The enemy's rolls are, in order-
>1d6+2 for Nicholas to Feint against Robert. +0 [Civilian Volunteers], +2 [Strategic Counter (Feint)]
>1d6+0 for Nicholas to Feint against Carsten. +0 [Civilian Volunteers], +0 [Strategic Disadvantage (Feint)]
>1d6+0 for Nicholas to Feint against Brett. +0 [Civilian Volunteers], +0 [Strategic Match (Feint)]
>3d6+1 for Orbital Lasers to defend against Angelica, Seamus, and Harold. +1 [Military Skill]
>2d6+1 for Ground Turrets to defend against Thomas and Oskar II. +1 [Military Skill]

Rolled 61, 37 = 98 (2d100)

>>5888643
>For Orbital Defenses to successfully target enemy fleets, it's roll under. In a separate post, as the board can't roll different types of dice in the same post.
>1d100 for Orbital Lasers to strike Seamus's imperial fleet.
>1d100 for Ground Turrets to strike Thomas's noble fleet.

Rolled 4 + 4 (1d6 + 4)

>>5888643
ROBERTOOOOOOOO

Rolled 4 (1d8)

>>5888647
The Ground Turrets manage to strike Thomas's noble fleet!

Rolled 6 + 5 (1d6 + 5)

>>5888643
>Carsten just murders the civvies with his buffs
What a guy.

File: 1666022193914301.jpg (26 KB, 600x338)

26 KB JPG

>>5888652
>carsten just dealt 10 damage in a single round

Rolled 4 + 3 (1d6 + 3)

Rolling for Brett

Rolled 6 + 3 (1d6 + 3)

>>5888643
Thomas.

Rolled 4 + 3 (1d6 + 3)

>>5888643
I'll keep rolling to expidite this again. Angelica strikes!

Rolled 6, 6, 6 = 18 (3d6)

>>5888643
Last roll for Seamus, Harold and Oscar in that order. Add bonuses seperately, though it seems this is already over. House Soluton once again eating damage but surviving, just like with Alphonse's invasion.

>>5888667
what the fug

>>5888667
Dear satan what a roll!

That does it, we need to sacrifice Uvarth and make it hell, the devil asks his due.

>>5888667
The Imperial army once again proving they are unmatched, our cousins on the other hand are gonna need a few bandages it seems

>>5888672
Glassing Uvarth itself from orbiy as a symbolic action to show what happens to those who defy the Emperor's will and would seek to divide Mankind against itself is the most based action we can undertake during this campaign and we should absolutely do it

>>5888643
>>5888652
>>5888667
Jesus. These two posts alone could have wiped the map.

>>5888667
What the actual fuck.

Satan take the wheel!

>>5888667

This IS pretty bullshit, lol.

I vote for glassing the aliens next, it’s clear that Angelica has a lifetime of mass murder to make up for

Angelica is proving the haters to be whiny little numale bitchboys.

>>5888722
turns out having our own Lotara Sarrin is one hell of a boost

File: Death of Nicholas Porter.png (24 KB, 1000x800)

24 KB PNG

>>5888643
>>5888647
>>5888650
>>5888649
>>5888652
>>5888654
>>5888658
>>5888664
>>5888667
Despite the utter inferiority of their vessels, the audacity of the enemy’s maneuver leaves Robert wide-open! Only fierce noble discipline brings them to close ranks before the militia can score their hulls! Some of their number must’ve been veterans, because they pulled back before the worst damage could be dealt.

>Robert rolls 9, Nicholas rolls 7
>Nicholas loses -2 cohesion

Just as the militia begins to recover, Carsten proves that while the Minor Houses may be small, their martial prowess is no less noble! The contingent crashes into their side with such reckless ferocity there can be no escape! In moments, the back of the militia is broken! Nicholas Porter’s fleet has lost all cohesion!

Nicholas Porter’s flagship, ‘One Last Shot’ has been destroyed!

>Carsten rolls 11, Nicholas rolls 1
>Nicholas loses -10 cohesion

The mercenaries under Brett earn their pay by mopping up the survivors with merciless precision.

>Brett rolls 7, Nicholas rolls 2
>Nicholas loses -5 cohesion

You, Seamus and Harold plunge toward the Orbital Lasers, guns-blazing, and as they fight alongside you with demonic tenacity, you are proud to call yourself their admiral! Harry Bridge’s Orbital Laser has lost all cohesion!

Harry Bridge’s Orbital Laser has been destroyed!

>Angelica rolls 8, Seamus rolls 9, Harold rolls 9, Orbital Laser rolls 3, 7, 4
>Orbital Laser loses -11 cohesion

As Thomas swoops into low-orbit, the Ground Turrets manage to get a bead on the noble fleet! In seconds, the atmosphere is filled with flak and half of the Soluton ships, each beautiful works of craftsmanship, are irreparably punctured and crash to the earth or explode in mid-air!

The remainder of the Soluton fleet and the imperial voidsmen under Oskar II fight with hellish fury, and avenge their losses by inflicting a localized cataclysm below! Dave Pickett’s Ground Turret has lost all cohesion!

Dave Pickett’s Ground Turret has been destroyed!

>Thomas rolls 9, Oskar II rolls 8, Ground Turret rolls 5, 5
>Ground Turret loses -7 cohesion

>>5888784
You analyze the sensor data.

>The Empire's Armada:

>Imperial Fleet (Angelica Heinrich)
>Cohesion: 8/8. Rolls 1d6+2. +1 [Armada Flagship], +1 [Military Skill]
>Imperial Fleet (Seamus Arthen)
>Cohesion: 6/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]
>Imperial Fleet (Harold)
>Cohesion: 6/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]
>Imperial Fleet (Oskar II, Schafer)
>Cohesion: 6/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]
>Heinrich Fleet (Robert Heinrich)
>Cohesion: 10/10. Rolls 1d6+3. +1 [Imperial Heir's Presence], +1 [House Retinue], +1 [Military Skill]
>Soluton Fleet (Thomas Soluton)
>Cohesion: 4/8. Rolls 1d6+2. +1 [House Retinue], +1 [Military Skill]
>Minor Noble Fleet (Carsten Phillips)
>Cohesion: 6/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]
>Mercenary Fleet (Brett Jensen)
>Cohesion: 6/6. Rolls 1d6+1. +1 [Military Skill]

The fleets under you have fought well, and with great distinction! Sadly, their groundbound batteries managed to inflict heavy casualties on your cousins in the Soluton fleet. You have your sympathies, and House Soluton will have its reward.

>The Federation’s Defenses:

>Core World Orbital Laser (Harry Bridges)
>Cohesion: -6/8. 40% chance to strike for 1d8 damage. +1 [Military Skill]
>Core World Ground Turret (Dave Pickett)
>Cohesion: -4/8. 40% chance to strike for 1d8 damage. +1 [Military Skill]
>Militia Fleet (Nicholas Porter)
>Cohesion: -11/6. +0 [Civilian Volunteers]

The Federation’s feeble effort to gainstay the march of the Eternal Empire has failed no less miserably than it deserves. All that remains of the feckless commoners is wreckage. Although, you must admit a faint degree of martial respect. It took courage to die with honour when they could’ve lived with shame. Then again, you suppose any cornered dog will fight…

The 2nd battle of the Federation of Uvarth has been won!

Thanks to your swift victory, the enemy shipyards were preserved!

Now, the ground invasion can commence!

>>5888785
Before it can begin in earnest, you have two significant tactical considerations.

Firstly, how much should you leverage your orbital supremacy? Too little bombing and the conquest will be difficult, too much and the Empire will lose assets it could’ve otherwise gained.

>No Bombardment: The Empire’s ground forces will land and prove their might by conquering the core worlds of the Federation unsupported.
>Light Bombardment: The Federation has a number of obvious military installations, needless to say, these must be removed post-haste.
>Heavy Bombardment: There are abundant urban centers filled with ardent believers in democracy, easing future assimilation is worth losing some industry.
>Apocalyptic Bombardment: The Federation is an abomination that must be cleansed, therefore, the armada will target every sign of habitation without a care for future plunder.

Secondly, should your nephew Otto be allowed to participate in the ground invasion?

>Yes. How is this even a question? The boy is strong and vigorous, by all means, let him at the Federals! Besides, you would be something of a hypocrite to hold him back.
>No. As much as you emphasize with his bloodlust, the boy is the Imperial Heir and cannot be risked. The Empire has already lost your father to a nameless thug, it will not to do to lose a prince!

>>5888786
>Heavy Bombardment: There are abundant urban centers filled with ardent believers in democracy, easing future assimilation is worth losing some industry.
>Yes. How is this even a question? The boy is strong and vigorous, by all means, let him at the Federals! Besides, you would be something of a hypocrite to hold him back.

>>5888786
>Heavy Bombardment: There are abundant urban centers filled with ardent believers in democracy, easing future assimilation is worth losing some industry.

Originally was gonna choose light bombardment, like with the Merchant Holdings, but then I remembered their fervour for democracy.

It is sad to lose such prize industry, particularly when we know this is the industry that made a larger fleet than ours, but we have to break their spirit and avoid this turning into an urban slugfest or a rat warren for guerilla warfare.

>Yes. How is this even a question? The boy is strong and vigorous, by all means, let him at the Federals! Besides, you would be something of a hypocrite to hold him back.

He's useful, we know he wants this, how can we deny him the opportunity when we were given ours? He'll be furious if he isn't allowed.

>>5888784
Poor Porter kek

>>5888786
>>Heavy Bombardment: There are abundant urban centers filled with ardent believers in democracy, easing future assimilation is worth losing some industry.
Y'all probably voted for this. Enjoy the unmatched power of the god of war, artillery.
>Yes. How is this even a question? The boy is strong and vigorous, by all means, let him at the Federals! Besides, you would be something of a hypocrite to hold him back.
You can do it

>>5888786
>>Heavy Bombardment: There are abundant urban centers filled with ardent believers in democracy, easing future assimilation is worth losing some industry.
>>Yes. How is this even a question? The boy is strong and vigorous, by all means, let him at the Federals! Besides, you would be something of a hypocrite to hold him back.
an example must be n made

>>5888786
>Light Bombardment: The Federation has a number of obvious military installations, needless to say, these must be removed post-haste.
Terror tactics don’t work
>Yes. How is this even a question? The boy is strong and vigorous, by all means, let him at the Federals! Besides, you would be something of a hypocrite to hold him back.
Otto I swear you better not die

>>5888786
>Heavy Bombardment: There are abundant urban centers filled with ardent believers in democracy, easing future assimilation is worth losing some industry.
>Yes. How is this even a question? The boy is strong and vigorous, by all means, let him at the Federals! Besides, you would be something of a hypocrite to hold him back.

Give the boy a prestigious target to capture and let him have his fun.

>>5888786
>Light Bombardment: The Federation has a number of obvious military installations, needless to say, these must be removed post-haste.
>Yes. How is this even a question? The boy is strong and vigorous, by all means, let him at the Federals! Besides, you would be something of a hypocrite to hold him back.

I will laugh if Otto dies here and we're left with the imbecile son

>>5888786
>Heavy Bombardment: There are abundant urban centers filled with ardent believers in democracy, easing future assimilation is worth losing some industry.
>Yes. How is this even a question? The boy is strong and vigorous, by all means, let him at the Federals! Besides, you would be something of a hypocrite to hold him back.

Make them regret defying us

>>5888786
>Light Bombardment: The Federation has a number of obvious military installations, needless to say, these must be removed post-haste.
>Yes. How is this even a question? The boy is strong and vigorous, by all means, let him at the Federals! Besides, you would be something of a hypocrite to hold him back.

>>5888786
>>5888914
(Conquering ashes and dust is no victory at all… shouldn’t a future Imperator be offered a chance for g l o r y?)

>>5888786
>Heavy Bombardment: There are abundant urban centers filled with ardent believers in democracy, easing future assimilation is worth losing some industry.
Were it not for the fact that they zealously voted to defy us, I would've voted for light bombardment. Send a message that such defiance will be met with destruction, they've made their bed and they must now lie in it.
>Yes. How is this even a question? The boy is strong and vigorous, by all means, let him at the Federals! Besides, you would be something of a hypocrite to hold him back.

>>5888915
the mongols established their empire by offering surrender once then annihilating those who refused these people not only refused they are fanatical in their resistance i honestly think we should round them all up and ship them off world and get our men to work the shipyards here
the only reason i did not go with the Apocalyptic Bombardment is because I want those shipyards
i have voted but that was on my laptop differnt ID

>>5888920
as add this the biggest planet but it is still one of many if every planet thinks they can pull some shitty insurgency because they think we are soft that will make this war alot longer

>>5888922
>biggest planet
i mean best planet

>>5888920
A. We aren’t the mongols. We’re in the space age.

B. If they continue to defy us, *then* we can break out increasing levels of suppression- but Otto’s first battlefield being on what’s basically a neutered wasteland is just… uninspiring.

C. Obliterating their civilian infrastructure will also sharply ravage the value of the planet.

>>5888786

>Light Bombardment: The Federation has a number of obvious military installations, needless to say, these must be removed post-haste.

We should preserve as much infrastructure as possible.

>Yes. How is this even a question? The boy is strong and vigorous, by all means, let him at the Federals! Besides, you would be something of a hypocrite to hold him back.

Let the boy off the chain!

>>5888786
>Light Bombardment: The Federation has a number of obvious military installations, needless to say, these must be removed post-haste.
Otto won’t want it to be too easy. On that note:
>Yes. How is this even a question? The boy is strong and vigorous, by all means, let him at the Federals! Besides, you would be something of a hypocrite to hold him back.
I refuse to be a hypocrite. Also, if he does die we have a second heir, and watching House Heinrich go further off the rails from a death at the hand of commoners would be interesting to watch.

>>5888786
>Light Bombardment
>Yes

>>5888926
these guys rolled better then the merchant houses for fighting spirit they will not go quietly into the night they will try to sabotage our ships and kill our family they need to crushed utterly and scattered to the 4 corners of the galaxy to frontier prison planets they cannot leave they will never accept our rule infrastructure and money matter but so dose security stability all the value we gain means nothing if they act against us in the shadows or in open rebellion further down the line especially if they try to get in league with what remains of the malcontent's from the merchant houses and that one royal house that hates our guts

>>5888942
Although I expect an insurgency, I hardly believe it will be as bad as you fear. We hold complete orbital supremacy; we’ve devastated anyone who can reach us. Base our naval assets out of reach; just… don’t personally visit their territories, and how would they sabotage our navies or threaten our family to any significant degree?

Beyond the obvious issues of preemptively massacring future citizens who we suspect will but haven’t yet done anything- and ruining a perfectly good world in the process- we also have to consider the diplomatic angle. In doing this, we are the warmongers- striking a neighbouring state for no reason than their weakness. If we at least wait for an insurgency to *do something*, before slaughtering at minimum thousands, more likely millions of civilians- well, we’ll still be brutal conquerors, but at least it won’t be quite so easy to despise us.

>>5888947
I'm unconvinced
Agree to disagree then it all depends on how the QM plays it in end

>>5888786
>Light Bombardment: The Federation has a number of obvious military installations, needless to say, these must be removed post-haste.
>Yes. How is this even a question? The boy is strong and vigorous, by all means, let him at the Federals! Besides, you would be something of a hypocrite to hold him back.
I want to conquer a planet, not a rubble pile, and Otto wants his fun.

>>5888786
>No Bombardment: The Empire’s ground forces will land and prove their might by conquering the core worlds of the Federation unsupported.
>Yes. How is this even a question? The boy is strong and vigorous, by all means, let him at the Federals! Besides, you would be something of a hypocrite to hold him back.

>>5888947
>>5888952
For whatever it’s worth, I’ll offer a different reasoning for light bombardment over heavy.

The most sensible leader for tat least some of these worlds is Otto. He’ll be able to lay a stronger claim for them if he does well in the ground campaign, but more importantly he’ll have to deal with the fallout.

We know what he’s like. He’s violent and hungry for battle, things that have been channeled more constructively due to his training but still make up his core. If he’s going to indulge in that behavior in the future then he needs to effectively manage what comes after a war. A world with disrupted military capability is easier to conquer while remaining a jewel, but someone has to then run that planet with more limited assets and seditious elements throughout the populace.

It won’t be a fun lesson. It’s not playing to his strengths, and he may in fact make it worse if he uses too heavy a hand in policing his worlds. But it should let him better respect the work that goes into managing the “peace” that comes after a war. Mechanically, I’m hoping to give him an integration bonus for conquered territories since he knows what new planetary governors will need to pacify their populations. Destroy too much of the planets and he may not learn enough to justify that.

>>5888786
>Light Bombardment: The Federation has a number of obvious military installations, needless to say, these must be removed post-haste.
>Yes. How is this even a question? The boy is strong and vigorous, by all means, let him at the Federals! Besides, you would be something of a hypocrite to hold him back.

>>5888788
>>5888800
>>5888801
>>5888805
>>5888817
>>5888819
>>5888829
>>5888908
>>5888914
>>5888917
>>5888928
>>5888939
>>5888940
>>5888984
>>5889044
>>5889172
Some degree of bombardment is non-negotiable. Not only is it common sense, bar some penance needing to be served by the troops, it is a tactically sound and incredibly cost-effective means of softening the enemy before an invasion. The only question is how thoroughly this planet, among others, warrants bombarding. On one hand, it’s populated by a sweeping democratic consensus that will almost certainly take a hardline approach to noble rule with the potential to become a major pain.

On the other hand, it’s an industrialized region with a considerable amount of potential plunder, which would greatly improve the standing of House Heinrich to those who receive it. The armada is so numerous that victory is all-but assured. The only factors the core worlds are in a position to influence are time and casualties. In the end, though it pains you to spare their lives, you determine that the conquest of material profit is more important than the potential loss of manpower.

These ranks of men, in their hundreds of thousands, volunteered for this when they signed onto the Astronomicon Academy. They are baying for blood! Who are you to condemn them to thirst? Otto as well. You know the martial urge burning inside because it was the work of a lifetime for you to subdue your own. This may be the boy’s only chance to prove himself to be of worth outside of the throne. You will not deny him. He shall live or die by his strength alone. As an admiral, the thought of solitude is nearly alien. For you, the crew, mechanisms, and targeting vectors determine your survival. Your own input merely tilts the odds.

>>5889250
On the ground? Otto’s might and tactical acumen have a pronounced effect. Even a poor captain may do well if he has high tonnage and a competent crew. A poor general will only find himself an early grave. You are confident in your nephew. Your sole hope is that if he dies, he kills a score of the uppity commoners before he goes. He is grateful.

"You have my gratitude, aunt Angelica. I'll carve your name in the barrel of my gun."

The light bombardment commences!

The core’s fortifications are softened!

The bloody ground war commences. Every fleet contributes a contingent of armour and infantry. Artillery is moot with the fleet overhead, but there are an abundance of portable mortars nonetheless.

Your strength is overwhelming but the Federals are stubborn. The men must march through mountains of smoke and gore to win these worlds for the Empire.

>Roll 1d6+1 for imperial forces. +1 [Military Skill]
>Roll 1d6+1 for imperial forces. +1 [Military Skill]
>Roll 1d6+1 for imperial forces. +1 [Military Skill]
>Roll 1d6+1 for imperial forces. +1 [Military Skill]
>Roll 1d6+4 House Heinrich’s forces. +1 [Imperial Heir’s Presence], +1 [Martial Tradition], +1 [House Retinue], +1 [Military Skill]
>Roll 1d6+2 House Soluton’s forces. +1 [House Retinue], +1 [Military Skill]
>Roll 1d6+1 Minor Noble forces. +1 [Military Skill]
>Roll 1d6+1 mercenary forces. +1 [Military Skill]

The total must be 16 or higher to succeed.

Rolled 2 + 1 (1d6 + 1)

>>5889251
I will roll a 4

Rolled 1 + 1 (1d6 + 1)

>>5889251
First imperials

>>5889251
>The total must be 16 or higher to succeed.
We can't actually fail based on modifiers and numbers. Is this a "how hard do you win" type of deal?

Rolled 3 + 1 (1d6 + 1)

>>5889251
Taking 3nd imperial fprces

>>5889256
It's to determine how many casualties are taken. There'll be two more to take the core after this, as the Federation is much larger than the Merchant Holdings and much more fortified.

Rolled 5 + 1 (1d6 + 1)

>>5889251

Rolling

Rolled 6 + 4 (1d6 + 4)

>>5889251
Heinrich forces

>>5889267

Our house is truly blessed.

>>5889268
We are, after all, a martial house. One that's clearly found its land legs.

Rolled 1 + 2 (1d6 + 2)

>>5889251

Rolling for Soluton

>>5889267
>War chant of the forces under the command of Imperial heir, Otto Heinrich, broadcasted on local and planetary frequencies

https://youtu.be/KjWrNgcHEuY

Looks like the Feddies are putting up a really good fight here.

Rolled 3 + 1 (1d6 + 1)

>>5889251
Rolling for minor nobles.

>>5889274

I mean, we already have 28 out of 16, so I'd expect a decent enough victory, but it will see us take noticeable enough losses.

Rolled 5 + 1 (1d6 + 1)

>>5889251
Mercs I believe are all that’s left

>>5889252
>>5889254
>>5889259
>>5889265
>>5889267
>>5889272
>>5889275
>>5889277

38 total out of 16

File: disapproval.png (4.99 MB, 3094x2185)

4.99 MB PNG

>>5889277
mfw a bunch of mercs showed up most of the regular Imperial forces

>>5889278
Now how good is that is the question.

>>5889279
The rest of our armies were too busy watching Otto and his men tear through the feddie lines with awe and arousal to fight effectively

>>5889279
Worse is house Soluton taking another L.

>>5889279
It’s what we are paying them for
>>5889281
This will do great for his marriage prospects
>>5889282
At least our cousins actually participate in our family outings

>>5889279
Of course. They're there for profit. They want to win. They don't need the glory so they're going fight so fucking dirty it's unreal. But our poor imperial forces and Soluton's regiments are going to be mightily reduced and have a lot of shellshocked veterans. The Heinrich units though are a lot of very much alive and grizzled veterans.

>>5889282
They're shipbuilders, not warriors. It is to be expected.

>>5889287
>This will do great for his marriage prospects
If we can get the damn boy to sit still for long enough

>>5889288

We’ll have to reward them with a prime Feddie world since they got absolutely chewed up on assault here.

I’d also like to see House Heinrich take a couple worlds here, we’re still pretty poor as a House.

>>5889288
Not worried about ground units, we have infinite amount of people to take their place, such is the power of an intergalactic empire
>>5889289
We managed to get Albin to do his job properly and we only had to let him create his environmentalist SS unit to do so, Otto should be easier I think
>>5889290
We will have lots of spoils so don’t worry about it

>>5889252
>>5889254
>>5889259
>>5889265
>>5889267
>>5889272
>>5889275
>>5889277
The opening stage of the campaign goes well.

The imperial forces on the ground seize a number of key natural checkpoints and metropolitan areas. However, they suffer significant losses against federal militants and one contingent takes too many casualties to continue fighting. Another is damaged to the brink of routing, but are still able to march and fight. The war is complicated by the waves of volunteer citizenry who often overwhelm infantry squads in urban fighting.

The forces of House Heinrich fight with aristocratic distinction! Every engagement they personally attend, the resistance of the federation evaporates as they receive magnitudes more casualties. Rather than be an accessory to their efforts, Otto naturally takes a commanding role and proves himself an excellent commander, so much so more experienced generals defer to his advice and he soon gains an influence that outweighs his official rank. Further, his insistence on leading from the front and decapitating militants will do well for the propaganda reel.

The forces of House Soluton were already depleted by their losses in orbit, and are somewhat in disarray. They fight well but the cautious approach of their house does not avail them in the rapid-paced savagery of the field. In the end, the few hundred of them remaining must withdraw.

The minor nobles fight well and reach an accordance with the mercenaries, as both are driven by a desire to profit. The former, for the houses, the latter, for themselves, both without hesitation. Numerous cities are broken under their efforts. You find yourself reconsidering your initial appraisal of Brett, as he’s rather savvy when he isn’t piloting a warship.

The bloody ground war continues. Many casualties have been taken, but less than there could’ve been. The campaign isn’t over yet. Their efforts have weakened the enemy, but unlike void warfare, the struggle on the ground is long and brutal.

>Roll 1d6+0 for imperial forces. +1 [Military Skill], -1 [Heavy Casualties]
>Roll 1d6+1 for imperial forces. +1 [Military Skill]
>Roll 1d6+1 for imperial forces. +1 [Military Skill]
>Roll 1d6+4 House Heinrich’s forces. +1 [Imperial Heir’s Presence], +1 [Martial Tradition], +1 [House Retinue], +1 [Military Skill]
>Roll 1d6+1 Minor Noble forces. +1 [Military Skill]
>Roll 1d6+1 mercenary forces. +1 [Military Skill]

The total must be 14 or higher to succeed.

>>5889290
I don't want to reward them more just for dying, they'll still get rewarded but more for their contribution.

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>5889295
First imperial forces.

Rolled 5 + 1 (1d6 + 1)

>>5889295
We'll need to bring the normal imperial forces up to snuff after this war is concluded, this showing is piss-poor right now. Otto has a lot of work cut out for him when he ascends the throne.

Second Imperial Forces die.

Rolled 4 + 1 (1d6 + 1)

>>5889295
Third Imperial

Rolled 5 + 4 (1d6 + 4)

>>5889295
OTTO!

Rolled 6 + 1 (1d6 + 1)

>>5889295
Show me what you got minor houses!

Rolled 5 + 1 (1d6 + 1)

>>5889295

mercs

>piss-poor first roll
>everyone else went on a slaughter spree
Otto must've taken overall command after the first retinue of Imperial Forces was destroyed and co-ordinated the whole campaign to victory. What a lad.

>>5889307
I still am of the mind the 1's are just that force getting decimated cause they paused to watch Otto go full john wick or Kingsman church scene on the federation soldiers

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>5889295

>>5889299
We should do some massive scale wargames in advance of our next campaign, I'm talking planetary scale OPFOR exercises. Practice at taking cities, outmanoeuvering armies, cooperating with the Navy in orbit and the Air Force in the sky, integrating with allied units, resilience to EWAR/decapitation/loss of contact and so on. The Navy should also get the space equivalent. It'll definitely be an expensive undertaking, but worth it I think.

>>5889312
I could see Otto and Angelica working that out together, if she’s still alive by the time Otto ascends.

>>5889297
>>5889299
>>5889301
>>5889302
>>5889304
>>5889305
The second stage of the campaign goes as expected.

The damaged imperial contingent is lured into a pincer maneuver that leaves forty-thousand dead or dying. The shattered handfuls who remain are evacuated. The remainder of the imperial forces fight well, laying a determined siege to their industrial center and razing much of the heartland the defenders rely on. This is no concern. Soil can be made productive once more much swifter than cities.

In a show of audacity only a royal heir would be capable of, Otto pulls rank to seize control of the minor nobility. In a show of competence customary of House Heinrich, he leads aristocratic forces to break the imperial siege and shatter their capital, finishing what should’ve been a year-long siege within the month.

With Otto’s permission, the mercenaries break from the ground forces proper to begin harrying outlying borderlands. Their efforts do little for the campaign on a tactical basis, but strategically, they delay reinforcements and ease the campaign, at great risk to themselves. Luckily for them, the risk pays off.

The bloody ground war continues. The imperial forces have been halved at best and House Soluton is no longer participating, but the remaining nobles and mercenaries are going strong. Though the federals are weakened by the day, the resolve of those left is no less fanatical than when the fighting began.

The end of the campaign is in sight.

>Roll 1d6+1 for imperial forces. +1 [Military Skill]
>Roll 1d6+1 for imperial forces. +1 [Military Skill]
>Roll 1d6+4 House Heinrich’s forces. +1 [Imperial Heir’s Presence], +1 [Martial Tradition], +1 [House Retinue], +1 [Military Skill]
>Roll 1d6+1 Minor Noble forces. +1 [Military Skill]
>Roll 1d6+1 mercenary forces. +1 [Military Skill]

The total must be 12 or higher to succeed.

Rolled 6 + 1 (1d6 + 1)

>>5889318
First imperial go!

Rolled 2 + 1 (1d6 + 1)

>>5889318

imps two

Rolled 5 + 4 (1d6 + 4)

>>5889318
Heinrich

Now start publishing photos of the Imperial flag flying over the Reichs--er, Senate House.
Speaking of which, any drawfags want to have a crack at a flag?

Rolled 4 + 1 (1d6 + 1)

>>5889318
Minor Nobles, away!

Rolled 2 + 1 (1d6 + 1)

>>5889318
Mercs engage.

>>5889322

That's our boy !

>>5889329

Poor sods finally ran out of luck.

>>5889322
Otto. Otto, plz relax, you’re making everyone else look bad!

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>5889318

>>5889267
>>5889302
>>5889322

>Otto whenever he encounters a single feddie soldier

https://youtu.be/-L5aCoB_SDg

File: 78653876376675.png (290 KB, 599x391)

290 KB PNG

>>5889322
>otto the exact millisecond a target is placed in front of him
That boy just can't stop killing.

>>5889359
alternatively https://youtu.be/iRE2Pgp47jI

>>5889364
>Otto "Candyman" Heinrich