Quest Deep Periphery Quest (Battletech Sandbox Empire Builder)

IceWing_mk1

Well-known member
Idle curiosity, have we considered bringing some fairly massive orbital bodies (I'm thinking LARGE asteroids) close to desirable locations and ballooning them with the goal turning them into true fortress type bases that are measured in millions of tons?

Yes, I'm thinking about Troy Class Battlestations
 

Bear Ribs

Well-known member
Idle curiosity, have we considered bringing some fairly massive orbital bodies (I'm thinking LARGE asteroids) close to desirable locations and ballooning them with the goal turning them into true fortress type bases that are measured in millions of tons?

Yes, I'm thinking about Troy Class Battlestations
Those wouldn't work in real life. The structural strength of nickle-iron isn't remotely enough to hold itself together if you blow it up into such a base. I did the math once (can't find it now) and concluded that even a smaller Troy would need to be about 65-75% wall to hold itself together under even mild acceleration, which means tiny usable area relative to an ungodly massive hull to have to waste propellant on moving.

The larger asteroids get increasingly sphere-shaped as they grow larger because the structural strength isn't enough to keep them from basically flowing into balls. You can't blow something like that up and expect it not to just flow back into a ball, it's like trying to build a life-sized replica of the Titanic out of pudding, no matter how you try to mold it you'll wind up with a pool of pudding, not a Titanic. I'm not sure if it would work in Battletech but I wouldn't bet on it.

[X] Plan: Invasion Support Structures
 

Jarow

Well-known member
Though, one of the potential DoME actions (that, admittedly, we're probably never going to use) is to turn an asteroid into a level 10 starbase, so there is some level of "turn asteroid into stellar fortress" type actions, just not at the level of a true superfortification.

Note that in combat, the main value of such a starbase is holding 10 flights of ASFs. Other than that, they can sometimes help with some research.
 
Turn 48 - We Slay the Dragon

LordSunhawk

Das BOOT (literally)
Owner
Administrator
Staff Member
Founder
Turn 48 - We Slay The Dragon

Meta-Event Roll - 2 - got 2 auto-successes on rolls + early access to tech
Dynasty Luck Roll - 64 - No event

Imperial Approval - 1
Approval Change - 5
Political Event - -1

Economy Rating - 2
Economy Event - 6
Research Event - 4

Griffin’s Roost Economy - 10
Griffin’s Roost Pop Growth - 5
Griffin’s Roost Rating Change - 3

Nowy Gdansk Economy - 11
Nowy Gdansk Pop Growth - 6
Nowy Gdansk Rating Change - 3

Griffon Inner Asteroid Belt Economy - 3
Griffon Inner Asteroid Belt Rating Change - -2
Griffon II Orbitals Economy - 7 (critical)
Griffon II Orbitals Rating Change - 2

Griffon 4 Economy - 6
Griffon 4 Pop Growth - .3
Griffon 4 Rating Change - 7

Military [$ 2,363,923.26 ]

Construct Armed Defense Stations Griffin IV* [75]
Target - 75
Roll - 62
Result - SUCCESS

Construct dedicated expanded Defense HQ*
[Auto]

Expand Orbital Factory 42 (DHS) [90]
Target - 90
Roll - 88
Result - SUCCESS

Build Orbital Factory Ferro-Aluminum GIAB [100]
Target - 100
Roll - 92
Result - SUCCESS

Lay Down Major Unit [Construction - $857,262.96 ]
-Defiant [80]
Target - 80
Roll - 91, ShadowArxxy reroll - 79
Result - SUCCESS

-Defiant [80]
Target - 80
Roll - 98, Gurk reroll - 73
Result - SUCCESS

-Defiant [80]
Target - 80
Roll - 13
Result - SUCCESS

-Defiant [80]
Target - 80
Roll - 76
Result - SUCCESS

-Troodon [80]
Target - 80
Roll - 40
Result - SUCCESS

-Troodon [80]
Target - 80
Roll - 100, ShadowArxxy reroll - 72
Result - SUCCESS

-Langley [80]
Target - 80
Roll - 76
Result - SUCCESS

-Tyrannosaurus [80]
Target - 80
Roll - 11
Result - SUCCESS

-Tyrannosaurus [80]
Target - 80
Roll - 73
Result - SUCCESS

-Tyrannosaurus [80]
Target - 80
Roll - 1
Result - Critical SUCCESS

-Tarawa [80]
Target - 80
Roll - 97, Jarow reroll - 46
Result - SUCCESS

-Osumi [80]
Target - 80
Roll - 6
Result - SUCCESS

-Sosumi [80]
Target - 80
Roll - 35
Result - SUCCESS

Purchase New Units [$ 380,015.80 ]

-3 Flights of Eagles [auto]

-1 Planetary Defense Wing [75]
Target - 75
Roll - 36
Result - SUCCESS

-1 Standard Carrier Wing [75]
Target - 75
Roll - 91, ShadowArxxy reroll - 24
Result - SUCCESS

-2 Light Carrier Squadron [75]
Target - 75
Roll - 2
Result - SUCCESS

-1 Training Wing [75]
Target - 75
Roll - 23
Result - SUCCESS

-1 Star Fort Wing [75]
Target - 75
Roll - 68
Result - SUCCESS

-1 Mechanized Assault [75]
Target - 75
Roll - 74
Result - SUCCESS

-1 Standard Armored Regiment [75]
Target - 75
Roll - 44
Result - SUCCESS

-1 Rapid Reaction Regiment [75]
Target - 75
Roll - 20
Result - SUCCESS

Interior [$ 16,060,000 ]

Build Orbital Factory Ferro-Aluminum GIAB [100]
Target - 100
Roll - 61
Result - SUCCESS

Build Orbital Factory Ferro-Aluminum GIAB [100]
Target - 100
Roll - 84
Result - SUCCESS

Expand Factory 3 [95]
Target - 95
Roll - 45
Result - SUCCESS

Expand Factory 6 [95]
Target - 95
Roll - 51
Result - SUCCESS

Expand Factory 9 [95]
Target - 95
Roll - 25
Result - SUCCESS

Focus Development on Nowy Gdansk* [auto]

Expand Orbital Shipyard Griffons Roost [95]
Target - 95
Roll - 50
Result - SUCCESS

Expand Orbital Shipyard Nowy Gdansk [95]
Target - 95
Roll - 59
Result - SUCCESS

DOME - Asteroid Redirect Mission Nowy Gdansk* [60]
Target - 60
Roll - 50
Result - SUCCESS

Diplomatic [$ 1020000 ]
Have Exploration Fleet Survey GIAB* [75]
Target - 75
Roll - 87, Economist reroll - 17
Result - SUCCESS

Diplomatic Courier Service* [auto]

Political [$ 30000 ]

Have Exploration Fleet Survey Griffin VIII* [75]
Target - 75
Roll - 61
Result - SUCCESS

Have Exploration Fleet Survey Griffin VII* [auto]

Build Relations with Chamber of Delegates [60]
Target - 60
Roll - 71
Result - FAIL

Research [$ 24800000 ]

Spheroid Dropships (Maximum)* [auto]

Improved Gauss Rifle* [auto]

Improved LRM* [auto]

Intelligence [$ 185000 ]

COINTEL - Basic Security Screening* [auto]

COINTEL - Public Employee Security Screening* [auto]

Justice [$ 2010000 ]

Prison Reform* [auto]

Anti-Corruption Investigations [55]
Target - 55
Roll - 33
Result - SUCCESS

-----

Just when you thought it was safe to walk the streets, the Department of Periphery Studies is at it again, somehow managing to organize a massive protest march straight through the center of downtown Griffsport. Protesting, as far as you can tell, for ‘volcano privacy rights’ concerning geologists observing the ongoing eruptions on Griffon II. Evidently, according to the signs carried by the not very coherent but very enthusiastic protestors, showing videos of volcanic eruptions is pornographic as it is showing a ‘naked’ planet, stripped of her crust and exposed to the lewd and lascivious eyes of perverted scientists.

Most of the marchers are kids who are obviously treating it as a joke and an excuse to take a day off from school. Said enthusiasm for goofing off vanishes rather quickly when an enterprising police sergeant starts broadcasting through a megaphone that any school age kids still on the streets in ten minutes will be reported to their mothers and that the Empress has personally recommended that they get sent to bed without dessert.

Even many of the Periphery Studies professors take THAT threat seriously.

You do have a few decisions to make, however. General Stewart was serious when she spoke of the need to modernize equipment in light of the latest advances in technology, but the reality is that a wholesale replacement of everything would be ruinously expensive. Therefore she wants to prioritize, and wants you to decide on the priority. Lovely.

[]PriorityDesigns to be Upgraded
[]1st Conventional Vehicles
  • Legionnaire
  • STuG G Hetzer
  • Lion II
  • Jaguar
  • Tiger
  • Bear IFV
  • Gavin M3 ‘Hetz’
  • Arbalest
  • Bombard
  • Skysweeper
  • Fox Terrier
  • Bloodhound
[]1st Battlemechs
  • Shortbow
  • Crossbow
  • Archer
  • Mongol
  • Uhlan
  • Rittmeister
  • Pathfinder Mk II
[]1st Aerospace Fighters
  • Goshawk IIG
  • Eagle
  • Roc
  • Griffon
[]1st Dropships
  • Defiant
  • Microraptor
  • Velociraptor
  • Warrior
  • Lightning
  • Tyrannosaurus
  • Utahraptor
  • Megaraptor
  • Devastation
  • Langley
  • Troodon


[]PriorityDesigns
[]2nd Conventional VehiclesSee above
[]2nd BattlemechsSee above
[]2nd Aerospace FightersSee above
[]2nd DropshipsSee above


[]PriorityDesigns
[]3rd Conventional VehiclesSee above
[]3rd BattlemechsSee above
[]3rd Aerospace FightersSee above
[]3rd DropshipsSee above


[]PriorityDesigns
[]4th Conventional VehiclesSee above
[]4th BattlemechsSee above
[]4th Aerospace FightersSee above
[]4th DropshipsSee above

QM Note - vote for 1 option in each of these 4 categories TRO is HERE

Reports come in from the survey crews of the Inner Asteroid Belt. They’ve mapped out the orbital dynamics of the single largest asteroid in the belt, that resembles nothing so much as a slightly distorted rugby ball in appearance. The stability of this asteroid, combined with the relatively clear space around it, makes it highly suitable to serve as an anchor for an Asteroid Base, which would increase the population of the Belt by nearly a factor of 10 and allow for the construction of a single orbital shipyard, if so desired.

Reports from the two outermost giant planets are… interesting. Griffon VIII has far stronger magnetic fields than expected, at least close in to the planet itself, and has a number of scientifically interesting moons, moonlets, ring formations, and other astronomical phenomena, but relatively little in the way of commercially viable resources. Griffon VII, with the massive protoplanet moon, is an extremely radioactive environment. Surveys concentrated on the moon, and have found large deposits of metals that, if the radiation issue can be dealt with satisfactorily, be commercially viable.

The arrival of the large captured asteroid in Nowy Gdansk orbit, combined with the economic incentives and focus, have resulted in a massive economic boom on the planet, sending its GDP soaring. The Planetary government on Nowy Gdansk is taking the increased funds from trade and taxation and investing it in a massive capital construction project inspired by DoME, specifically a Megafactory complex oriented towards Battlemech construction, joining the current complex that is already the primary source of Assault weight mechs in the Empire.

Jake is incredibly grumpy. The opposition leaders he’d been scheduled to meet with and schmooze stood him up in favor of a fundraiser, in a blatant show of disrespect for the Crown by the most… obstreperous elements of the opposition. Several of the more extreme members are demanding significant concessions from the Crown before being willing to even discuss a proper meeting. Most of the opposition rank-and-file are far less salty, and do meet with Jake and indicate that they would like to be more supportive, and are convinced that their voters want them to be, but the party leadership is in the hands of the more obstructionist faction at the moment.

Factory expansion, shipyard expansion, and the construction of new orbital foundries for Ferro-Aluminium armor all come off without any actual issues of note.

The new Orbital Defense Station comes on line in Griffon IV orbit, providing the planet with high-grade fixed defenses. Likewise, all military procurement proceeds with little hitch, apart from some paperwork snafus that are dealt with without causing any schedule slippages.

There is one event, though, in regards to procurement of interest. HMS Vistula, a Tyrannosaurus-class vessel, has been presented to the Navy by the citizens of Griffin’s Roost as part of their commemoration of their liberation and joining the Empire. They’d managed to build her sub rosa alongside HMS Attacker… you hear some good-natured grumbling from the Fleet about where to put her, but in the end she’s assigned to the Capital Fleet.

The new Diplomatic Courier Service is up and running, although they’ll need Jumpships to be truly effective your Foreign Office has made arrangements with the Free Folk to serve as transports for Courier shuttles.

It yields almost immediate results, in early December a message is couriered back with an offer from the NRI.

[]Accept
  • Griffin’s Roost will…
    • Design a basic single-collar Jumpship for the NRI
  • NRI will
    • +1 Trade Route NRI
    • Provide technical assistance in regards to designing larger Jumpship cores.
[]RejectNo change

Design work on theoretical 100,000 ton spheroid dropships has been completed, along with the final details on dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s for the improved gauss and long range missile systems.

Basic security screening and employee screening protocols are put in place with remarkably little public concern, mostly thanks to the educational campaigns. The opposition does howl, moan, and cry about ‘encroaching dictatorial oppression’, but it seems their howls, moans, and cries are falling on fairly deaf ears.

Prison reform is finally fully on track. A combination of the construction of new prisons for maximum security inmates, mostly on the continent of Phoenix, combined with significant increases in non-prison alternative sentences for non-violent criminals. Significantly, despite early fears that such reforms would result in rich criminals being able to wiggle out of their sentences most of the reforms instead target crimes most prevalent amongst the poorest elements of society.

So you have rich kids cooling their heels in jail (when appropriate to their crimes, which tend to be rather more violent, ironically, than poorer kids) while poorer kids are ‘forced’ to participate in apprenticeship schemes that give them significant life skills, thus potentially raising them out of poverty. As Janet puts it, win-win.

The anti-corruption probes, however, reveal something that bothers you. Pollux, for all the jokes about Pollux-man and the reputation of the place, is probably the cleanest major jurisdiction, followed by Nowy Gdansk and Capricorn. The single most corrupt jurisdiction, in regards to official corruption in all of it’s forms, is Castor, which everybody had always considered to be the well-run counterpart to the dumpster fire that was Pollux. What is galling is that the party that supports you the most fervently is up to their well-bred eyeballs in that corruption.

That doesn’t protect them, you aren’t called The Just for nothing after all, and ironically it seems to strengthen your reputation for probity.

QM Note - the 'free' Tyrannosaurus-class ship is due to a goof on my part, you only had 2 slips free for them, but I recommended building 3, then RNJesus reached down and saved me from my blunder by critically succeeding on the roll for the 'extra' ship.
 

ShadowArxxy

Well-known member
Comrade
Being sent to bed without dessert is serious business, yo.

Perhaps you need to take away more dessert from Castor.

[X] 1st Dropships

Dropships are the backbone of our space defenses, especially the bigger ones mounting heavy armor and subcapital weapons which are our primary counter to the larger numbers that the Dracs can deploy.

[X] 2nd ASFs

ASFs are an important supporting element in space, and ultimately, space is where we stop the Dracs *without* eating damage to our critical infrastructure. Therefore, space takes priority over ground.

[X] 3rd Conventional Vehicles

Conventional vehicles are the most cost effective element of our surface defenses. Investing here first gives us a larger and faster increase in ground defense than investing in Battlemechs.

[X] 4th Battlemechs

Battlemechs are the "most powerful" ground units, and while expensive, having superior numbers of superior tonnage 'Mechs is ultimately our best answer to their elite light Battlemechs *if* they succeed in getting past us in space.


[X] Accept

This is a good deal -- effectively giving our trusted allies a piece of something we *need to design anyway* in exchange for expertise we don't have in JumpShips.
 
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Jarow

Well-known member
Dropships: large enough that lots of changes happen
ASFs: we have a lot forming a pretty important part of our defenses
Mechs: most valuable ground forces
Vehicles: Lower base values means small changes have larger proportional effects

Not quite sure what order for everything yet, will wait for more discussion. I would argue for dropships being #1 though.
 

Artifex

Well-known member
Well, considering as things stand that we're about to engage into conflict with the first mini boss ( Kurita ) I'd say we should focus on the ability to achieve Air superiority, which in turn means the ASFs to me, therefore I'd suggest to focus on them first in order to provide more punch and survivability to our crack pilots.

Then I'd go with Vehicles -> Dropships -> Mechs

Also deffo
[] Accept
on the NRI proposal - that +1 Trade Routes and Research assistance on jumpships is nothing to sneeze at.
 
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kelgar04

Well-known member
Need to be stronger in space before our ground side though we start getting a single collar jumpship we can star exploring and get some limited trade going.
 

kashim3

Texan, Mandalorian, Alabamian.
[X] 1st Dropships
[X] 2nd ASFs
[X] 3rd Conventional Vehicles
[X] 4th Battlemechs
[X] Accept
 

lordmcdeath

Well-known member
[X] 1st Dropships
[X] 2nd ASFs
[X] 3rd Conventional Vehicles
[X] 4th Battlemechs
[X] Accept

It is also the opposite of our enemies typical Doctrine. So that will also be helpful
 

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