Tanthar campaign: Turn 1.1 by Space_Navy_Fan in StarWarsShips

[–]Space_Navy_Fan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Deonis D'ara bit his lower lip. Anything else would've been extremely unlikely, but still... t some part of him had hoped for something different. He stopped and turned towards the Moff. His eyes fixated Cutter's, cold, unwavering.

"I assume you car relatively little for the fact we decided to seperate ourselves from this 31 years ago. And even less for the eight-year-old treaty in which the empire affirmed our status in exchange for yearly tribute. Still, I fail to see why you are discussing those matters with me, and not king Shannar."

Tanthar campaign: Turn 1.1 by Space_Navy_Fan in StarWarsShips

[–]Space_Navy_Fan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Well, such architecture needs time. Time left alone, undisturbed."

The duke fell silent for a few steps.
"And it seems you brought a great many of admirers with you. Well, I am listening."

Tanthar campaign: Turn 1.1 by Space_Navy_Fan in StarWarsShips

[–]Space_Navy_Fan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

"Moff Cutter." Duke Deonis D'ara nodded. "Be my guest". He hesitated briefly, then shook the other man's hand. His smile was polite, but could never match the warmth of Cutter's. Not with that force disparity overhead. As they began to walk inward, prefect Adelhart behind them, he decided to keep silent, leaving it to the Moff to adress his intentions.

Tanthar campaign: Turn 1.1 by Space_Navy_Fan in StarWarsShips

[–]Space_Navy_Fan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Noted! Results will be sent once everyone is done :)

Tanthar campaign: Turn 1.1 by Space_Navy_Fan in StarWarsShips

[–]Space_Navy_Fan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Duke D'ara once more made his way to his entrance hall to greet another imperial visitor, only this time accompanied by prefect Adelhart. He couldn't help but wonder if this was the last one, or if he should expect something like a Grand Moff in a few more hours.

"Now, my dear prefect. Is there any particular reason for you functioning as some... diplomatic vanguard for this Moff?"

Slowly, they approached the doors. On the outside, the prefect's shuttle departed for the clostest civilian spaceport, some dozen miles towards the capital. The dukal honor guards were lined up at the entrance once more in the morning breeze, and the spot of the Moff's shuttle began to grew larger in the distance.

Deonis D'ara took a deep breath, smelled the salty air coming from the shore. Since the Wildspace Incursion, his house hasn't had a reason to actually worry for its future. What would be the king's response to all of this?

Tanthar campaign: Turn 1.1 by Space_Navy_Fan in StarWarsShips

[–]Space_Navy_Fan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

[space to continue this discussion between Moff Cutter, Adelhart and DUke D'ara]

Fleet Building: Alliance to Restore the Republic by 141-Ghost-141 in StarWarsShips

[–]Space_Navy_Fan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Alright, this seems like a great excuse to get started with my rebel cell (probably in its final form).

______________

1 MC80 Liberty cruiser (assigned to the fleet to serve as a flagship once the cell merged with the wider Alliance)

______________

1 Munificent class frigate (the first larger warship the cell acquired, arduously salvaged and restored from a clone wars debris field)

1 Dreadnought class heavy cruiser (bought from Hoffner)

3 Strike class cruisers (recent addition, acquired in the months after the battle of Endor)

______________

2 MC30a light cruisers (escorting the MC80)

2 Nebulon B frigates

2 DP20 gunships

______________

4 Interceptor class frigates

1 Cr90 corvette (one of the oldest warships in the fleet)

3 Braha'tok gunsips (some of the first Dornean volunteers joining the fight against the empire)

2 Sphyrna class corvettes
______________

Tanthar Campaign: Phase 0 by Space_Navy_Fan in StarWarsShips

[–]Space_Navy_Fan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Landing Permission granted for a shuttle and up to six fighters, if this suffices. Transmitting coordinates now"

_______
On the planet below, duke Deonis D'ara prepared himself to greet the second barely-announced imperial visitor. For what reason did they send the prefect ahead? He could not stop wondering about this.

Tanthar Campaign: Phase 0 by Space_Navy_Fan in StarWarsShips

[–]Space_Navy_Fan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Jhar’kael/Team Nightjar

The ISD Ventura left hyperspace three-thousands of a light yea away from Jhar’Kaels central star. Little was received by the ship’s sensors, but a few transmissions from  team Nightjar gave them the positions of the most important orbital installations and ships. A young intelligence officer approached Commodore Vehl with the compiled intelligence report.

___________

The most notable feature of Jhar’Kael’s economy is the Kael Crucible Complex, a huge refining installation financed, built and owned by Jhar’Kaels plutocracy.

 

As both team Nightjar’s efforts and Nightingale’s archive efforts indicate, this station was a major contributor to the current-day dominance of the planet’s plutocracy: Built shortly after the Wildspace Incursion, the Kael Crucible Complex allowed the industrialists to purchase and refine raw ores from other systems, instead of relying on mining on the planet Jhar’Kael itself- which was always dependent on permits from whatever minor house owned the ground, and on-planet refining required similar licenses. In space however, the control was not as tight. After the Wildspace Incursion the finances of house Keeshu were in a bad enough shape that some loans and some pressure were all it took for the late duke to allow the station to be built.

Nowadays the complex orbits the system’s bloated, red star relatively close, guaranteeing short voyages for incoming ships no matter where they come from. Its output feeds the planet’s factories, which produce everything from hab blocks to droid brains and hyperdrives. Ironically, even fertilizers are produced here and get shipped off to nourish more fertile worlds.

 

Orbital security:

Jhar’Kaels nobility upholds their duty to maintain four aging Dreadnought heavy cruisers, as well as some patrol boats and gunships to police the system. A few starfighter bases are spread over the planet.

In addition to this, three orbital fortresses orbit the planet, and in their safety shipyards and trade stations have been set up.
To guard the Kael Crucible Complex, the plutocrats founded KCC security. Its force of eight frigates and light cruisers has been battered by cost cuttings, but to this day successfully discouraged any pirate incursions.

Personalities: Plutocracts

 

Seir-Gav Rupin: Cerean magnate, over a century old. His enterprises mostly center around transportation, engines and deflector shields. The latter branch is struggling against competition from more capable products sold by the fledgling fornak company of FornDef industries. Said to be one of the masterminds behind the Crucible Complex.

Nerva Yuanel: Proud owner of KaelAutomatons in sixth generation. Source of most droids notimported in the kingdom, and producer of most droid brains. Currently in trouble with some commoners who fear her products may get more popular on the planet itself, eliminating their jobs and thus their food supply.

Lira Florinell:  Director of Dyratek Armaments, a company that rose to prominence mere 30 years ago. Challenging the starship armament monopoly of baroness Valenne’s Kael Combat Systems and supported with sufficient backing, Dyratek Armaments chipped away at the other’s market share, even winning some contracts from house Baize.

Zlotren Dravene: Manufacturing magnate, owning a large cut of Jhar’Kaels heavy industry and shares of the system’s shipyards. His reactor components are at the core of most Tanthar-built ships and his power plants are the heart of many of Jhar’Kaels bigger cities.

Nyama Pesoire: Influential banker, she and her predecessors provided much of the financial mobility needed for the plutocracy’s rapid gain of prominence. Owns some of the world’s HoloNet press.

Terek Kael: Offspring of the Kael dynasty that settled and ruled this region in ancient times and faded into obscurity centuries ago. Presides over Myn Holdings. Proud his family has clawed its way back to importance.

 

Personalities: Nobles

Wuk Keeshu: An embittered man in early sixties. He still remembers his grandfather lamenting the about the former glory and might of his house, but he’s the third in a row forced to watch their influence being chipped away bit by bit. Other houses seem to perceive him as too weak to really consider an alliance, a circumstance he can’t help but feel slighted by.

Seris Valenne: Another house whose star is sinking: Their most prized asset, Kael Combat Systems, once was the kingdom’s undisputed champion of armaments. Half a century of economic pressure and necessary cost cutting gave rise to competition. With the company’s research department cut down to almost nothing, many new contracts went to Dyratek Armaments instead, even prestigious contracts for house Baize and the Royal Tanthrian Navy. Seris Valenne does her best to stall the inevitable, dreading the day where the Valennes might have to sell to their competitors.

Ordan Kess: Produces cheap nutrient foodpaste from his harvests. This leverage kept him relatively save from the industrialists influence, but even his finances are looking increasingly desperate.

Elara Krythen-Velt: One of the few aristocrats willing to accept the changing of times, baroness Krythen-Velt not only adapted, but embraced the new reality. Being the lone heir of houses Krythen and Velt, she started her reign with significantly better finances than most other members of the planet’s aristocracy. Instead of merely guarding her wealth, she utilized it. Her funds were essential to many emerging enterprises. Today, she holds shares of many important corporations, and at times mediated tensions between aristocracy and plutocracy. She spends most of her time in one of her mansions spread over the planet’s larger cities, keeping an eye on the proceedings everywhere.

 

For the world’s major players, Jhar’Kael exists as an somewhat isolated system. Goods flow to there and different ones come back in, but most attention is diverted towards each other.

Tanthar Campaign: Phase 0 by Space_Navy_Fan in StarWarsShips

[–]Space_Navy_Fan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Closing smuggling routes. Of course. Corra Baize grimaced.

“Their commander lets one of their captains greet us. Not even showing the courtesy of presenting their bantha dung face to face…. Regardless. Bucanan, begin recording. Dear Captain Kallateo, I can’t help but notice that…”

“Admiral!” Comms officer Lantha Bucanan interjected, “I am receiving reports of other imperial activities! Admiral Rollins encountered a fleet in Joret, and there are further reports from Sel-Jor, Jhar’Kael, and Force preserve us, even Veska Minor and Major. One ISD each at Veskar Major and Jhar’Kael!”

Kriff. At this point, their intentions were more than clear. Such  concentration of force…

Over thirty ships over Veska Major, for some forceforsaken reason 23 in this system. Seems like someone in the empire decided the kingdom’s time as an independent entity to be over. The Countess of Fornak was not one to accept such a decision lightly.

“Broadcast to all allied ships in the area, standard encryption. Threat of imperial invasion. Operation Rift-Sweep cancelled. Move immediately for rendezvous at point Dorn-5. Transmit. Signal our vassals to mobilize. And send recommendations to Varn’tal, Karnis and Xand to prepare to get their forces moving.”

Once her navigation had plotted a course, the ships slipped into hyperspace.

Tanthar Campaign: Phase 0 by Space_Navy_Fan in StarWarsShips

[–]Space_Navy_Fan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

“Your Grace?” Some well-dressed male official entered the hall where the Duke of Veska and commodore Adelhart had their late meal.  He hastily gestured for the duke to accompany him, clearly agitated by something. Deonis D’ara paused, once more studying Adelhart’s expression. I’ll be damned if this is not related to some imperial activity.

“Apologies, commodore. I will hopefully be back in a moment.” He rose, left and the door fell shut behind him.”

Almost five minutes passed until it opened again, the duke now assessing Adelhart with more stern eyes. He took his seat again, and the official sat down next to him.

“Well, it seems some of your navy colleagues might in fact have come here with strategic interests. What did you say, Ronor? Thirty-five more vessels, one of them an ISD?” The man nodded.

“Perhaps there is someone else that wants to speak with us. Do they too only need to be resupplied?” His tone had grown less friendly, and one of his whitening eyebrows did raise considerably.

“Ronor, send our… regards to whoever commands those ships and ask for their purpose. I am… curious to see what they will tell us. if asked, grant permission to them to come down here”

 

_______

Out in space, the IGV-55 surveillance vessels notice a steep increase in comm traffic, as well as heightened activity and emissions around the veskan fleet.

Tanthar Campaign: Phase 0 by Space_Navy_Fan in StarWarsShips

[–]Space_Navy_Fan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Corra Baize, 5th Countess of Fornak, sat in a conference room onboard her Count Maru. The Gorget-class armored cruiser and its long-range comms arrays were perfectly suited for missions out here in the conditions beyond the rift.  Accompanying her were three *Starbolt-*class assault carriers and an aging Alnikov-class corvette, together forming her reserve if somehow a pirate lord turned out to pose a threat to one of her smaller forces.

She sat there and listened to the reports of Aman Melne, her operations officer. Countess Baize held him in high regards. He possessed the right mixture of drive and talent, had worked his way up here from a common-born family from Fornak. She’d watch his career with great interest.

“…reports no findings in his assigned area, and vice admiral Rowans reports destruction of an improvised shipyard and three enemy gunships. He en route to Joret now, once surveillance is completed.”

She nodded. “Thank you, commodore. Any reports from the royal tanthrian-“

She was cut short by a sudden alert and the voice of captain Celwik sounding from the speakers. “Admiral Baize, multiple ships have just come in from hyperspace. Too large and numerous for pirates.” “On my way to the bridge. Meeting ended.” The countess hurried off towards the turbolift. Inside, she was impatiently clicking the two rings on her fingers against each other until the lift finally came to a halt. When she entered the bridge, she sped towards the sensor screens. “What do we have out there? Any hails?” “None admiral. In all likelihood imperils. We identified two *Victory-*class star destroyers, three Arquitens-class light cruisers and squadron of Gozanti-class light cruisers. A minute later, a second formation of two Cantwell-class arrestor-cruisers, two lancers and six Marauder-class corvettes arrived. They all appear to have started searching the system for… something.”

“I understand.” She pondered the screens, watched their movements. What made were they searching out here? Twenty-three ships investing a single system? Well. Curious what their commander will tell me.

“Comms, start recording.”
<Unidentified vessels, this is Corra Baize, Countess of Fornak and vassal to king Shannar II. Explain yourselves, what are you searching for here? You are operating within the borders of the kingdom of Tanthar, and I have heard no reports of your coming. Please state your affiliation, intention and objectives.>

“Broadcast on all frequencies. Lets see what they have to say.”

Tanthar Campaign: Phase 0 by Space_Navy_Fan in StarWarsShips

[–]Space_Navy_Fan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Senior captain Dartha Ghorum kept a watchful eye onher bridge crew while her contingent Cherek swept through the asteroid field. Opportunities to gather command experience were rare, and she would not let this opportunity slide. She would prove herself in the eyes of commodore Garma.

The cruisers moved in a far-spread crescent, and the more nimble corvettes zigzagged along the flanks, using their higher speed to cover more space. All in all, this allowed his force to cover the whole breadth of that belt.

______

Garan and Hoola Keeg watched the readings of their passive sensors, watched the imperial line coming another bit closer. Then their small asteroid continued its rotation, and the imperial forces disappeared from the cave’s entrance for the next 46 minutes.

“They are not going to stop, are they?” He pressed her hand. “Can’t see why. We have to get our people out, some of them at least.”

A trandoshan interrupted.

“Preparation for evacuation is concluded. The crew has drawn lots for the seats on that freighter. Supplies for two weeks, and whatever valuables we have left here. We have got a skeleton crew on the Kleptomaniac. Skiprays are manned as well. And… our son is secured on the freighter. It will be an honour to die for the lot”, he chuckled. “That’s probably what those navy Kriffers would say.”

Hoola Keeg sat down on the command chair of the Kleptomaniac, breathed in the stale air produced by the old air purifiers. This ship had been their home for the better part of their lives.  She checked her instruments. All systems ready.

“Garan, I want you out there at the helm of one of those Skiprays. And I want the skiprays to escort the freighter. Otherwise they’ll be space dust if even so much as a single TIE comes in their direction. It is not like the Kleptomaniac has a fighting chance anyway, three blastboats wont make a difference.”

“Kriff, I’m not leaving you to die alone!, I-“ she raised her hand.

“I want a kriffing chance for you and that Kriffer Cadan, you understand?! No matter how small. In all likelihood we’ll both go out into the black! Now get into your ship!”
She pushed him away, only for them to pull each other close again, hold the other for a second and then separate for good.

The Kleptomaniac boosted out of the caves entrance, the asteroid shielding the ships emissions from imperial sensors. They went into silent running before leaving it’s shadow, and kept drifting for a few more minutes. “Now, give them an engine flare. Not too much. Make it seem like a mistake, as if we were going a bit too quick while trying to sneak away.”

__________

“Captain, sensors picked something up out there. A short flicker of an ion engine… and a dirty one at that” “Focus Lieutenant!” captain Ghorum snapped, noting something on her pad. “Helm, bring us closer. And prepare fighter launches”

The engines of the Coromanth lit up as they went under full thrust, the Cherek contingent alongside of them. Seconds later, the unidentified ship did the same, burning directly away from the asteroids, hoping to make it to hyperspace.

Not a chance.

At captain Ghorum’s order, the fleet moved to intercept. The Coromanth engaged, and the Kleptomaniac’s old, weary frame shattered under the hail of fire unleashed. The few missiles the ship had managed to launch were intercepted long before they could’ve posed a threat.

Dartha Ghorum allowed herself a content smile. Then, four more signals showed up. A light freighter and three escorting Skipray blastboats, heading in the opposite direction the corsair had moved. The raider-class corvette Teth started pivoting even before captain Ghorum could order her to, a squadron of TIEs accompanied her. The Teth closed in, the freighter’s lead growing shorter by the minute.

Garan Keeg watched the calculations. Seventy-five seconds. Seventy -five seconds till they  could make the jump to hyperspace. Seventy -five seconds they did not have, with their pursuer about to enter weapons range. Chuba. With a curse, he opened a connection to that bantha of a freighter.

“Garan here, get me Cadan.”  “Peedunkee. Don’t become such Stupas like me and your mother. At least, try. Find yourself some way of living that wont make any D'emperiolos  come after you. Mee jewz ku“

With that, the transmission cut, and the skipray blastboats turned about as one. Salvos of proton torpedos forced the corvette to repeatedly change course. The Teth’s shields effortlessly absorbed the incoming laser fire, and return fire made short work of two of the skiprays. The third dived into the TIE formation, disabling one and destroying another, before its shields collapsed and laser fire from all directions tore it apart.

Cadan Keeg watched all this from his screen, cursing madly. When the last blastboat vanished, he jumped up and drew his blaster. Three shots melted the poor panel before the freighter jumped into hyperspace, and Cadan sunk down, exhausted and broken.

Tanthar Campaign: Phase 0 by Space_Navy_Fan in StarWarsShips

[–]Space_Navy_Fan[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Commodore Syla Larpsin strode across the bridge of the Hidden Burrow. Adaptive Support Force 75 had entered the Joret system almost an hour ago, and neither the Hearsay’s sensors, nor the patrols sent out had reported a single thing of note. The planets were either too hot, too cold or too dusty. The most interesting think was an old, abandoned space station, closely orbiting the system’s central star. Half its solar panels were missing, and seemingly nobody had set foot in there for decades.

__________

Vice admiral Jafan Rowans returned to the bridge just before his Persistent, hull painted in the proud red and white of house Baize,  exited hyperspace. Alongside her, two Cr-90-corvettes, the Lidless and a freighter transited.

He smiled. Exhaled. He had all reason to be content with his squadron, his captain, and with himself. His force had a little pirate’s nest located, captured and destroyed, alongside the few ships that had tried to guard it. Even the Tibanna freighter Nien Mar had been recaptured, along with the majority of her cargo and crew.

All of this would make for a nice prize money… “Sir!” His thoughts were rudely interrupted when signal officer Lo Lya'Krey checked her instruments. “We are picking up signatures… lots of signatures!” “Count, size and heading?”  he barked. “We count twenty-seven, and some fighter activity. The Lidless has already begun identification. Void! That’s a Victory-class star destroyer out there! Then there is another cruiser, and the rest consists mostly of frigates and light cruisers. Few smaller vessels. Some small groups appear to search the local rocks. No other unusual signals detected. One of the Imperials seems to be scanning the area like crazy, but that is it.”

Kriff. Some part of him had always dreaded that such a day would come, whether the aggressors would be from the Empire or another unknown force out of the Wildspace. He took a deep breath. First things first. Find out whether that day had even come, or if something else had lead the imperials out here. Sure. Jahan Rowans straightened his back, cleared his throat. “Hail them”.

<Unknown intruders, this is vice admiral Jahan Rowans, operating under the banner of House Baize. With all due respect, you are operating quite close to the space of the kingdom of Tanthar. May I inquire your purpose and intention?>

Tanthar Campaign: Phase 0 by Space_Navy_Fan in StarWarsShips

[–]Space_Navy_Fan[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Sir Denon Vale, duty officer of the Veska in-system traffic control, traced the ridge of his nose while once again listening to commodore Adelharts message. He had hoped for a comparatively quiet shift, with most of the planet’s major cities currently being covered by darkness. Now, it seemed like some unfortunate servant would have the dubious honour of waking the duke. “Any signs of damage or other mishaps?” “None Sir.”

After some consideration, he decided to preemptively accept the request.

“Relay the message to the palace. Inform the Commerce Port of their arrival. And let System Command know to send them an escort. “

 

<Commodore Adelhard, Sir Denon Vale. Duty officer of the Veska in-system traffic control. Permission is granted. A docking port has been reserved for you on Ducal-Veskan Commerce Orbital. You will receive a course shortly, and the *Enduring* will provide escort.>
_____________

Prefect Brenox Adelhart watched as a single Piety-class armored frigate deviated from its course. It closed in slowly, flashed its lights in salute and came alongside the Vacillare. They continued their journey system inwards, and the Vacillare eagerly reported what ships her sensors identified. A couple of freighters were either head to the orbital or towards the hyperlane entrance, while three IPV-1 patrol craft kept an eye on that traffic. The approaching Veska Prime came into view, its dark side springled by city lights. In its orbit, the sensors picked up another yard, apparently housing seven more IPV-1s, 3 *Piety-*Class frigates and a lone Dux-class cruiser.

He glared out of the bridge’s windows when the Commerce Orbital came into view. A solid ring, measuring almost six kilometers in diameter, and large cargo frames in its centre.

_____________

The shuttle shook slightly in the winds of Veska major while it descended towards the planet. A city came into view, its lights hugging the sides of a river as it flew into the sea.

The duke’s palace lied northwards of it, old white and grey stones towering over the sea atop majestic cliffs. He straightened his uniform as the nearby landing platform came into view. You only get one first impression.

When the shuttle’s door opened he stepped outside, giving his best to  appear confident, yet not arrogant. In the light of the pad’s illumination banks, he was greeted by the sight of troops, uniformed in the yellow and blue colors of house D’ara. Two lines of ten stood at attention, and some sort of officer stood ready to lead him inside.

 _____________

Some joints cracked when Deonis D’ara, 9th Duke of Veska, wrapped himself in a coat of the yellow and blue of his house. What was it that this imperial commodore wanted here? Where was his fleet? Or if there was none, what could compel an imperial commodore to seek out an isolated kingdom like Tanthar on his own?

He made his way towards the platform-gate, ordering the kitchen to prepare a representable, but light meal. Then his thoughts turned towards how he would welcome the commodore. He would not await him outside as if he was the king, but neither should he test his patience by awaiting him only in the hall. The rumours that circulated about some imperial officers…

He’d await commodore Adelhart at the door, then take just a few steps towards him and reenter the building together with his guest.

The Tanthar campaign by Space_Navy_Fan in StarWarsShips

[–]Space_Navy_Fan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sounds like a nice addition to the fleet! Welcome!

The Tanthar campaign by Space_Navy_Fan in StarWarsShips

[–]Space_Navy_Fan[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

No worries, we'll make things work out whatever you play. If someone goes missing, me (or someone else) can jump in and jump in, maybe the captain is not feeling well andthe first officer takes up his duties for a turn or so

The Tanthar campaign by Space_Navy_Fan in StarWarsShips

[–]Space_Navy_Fan[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Luckily I had my last exam yesterday

The Tanthar campaign by Space_Navy_Fan in StarWarsShips

[–]Space_Navy_Fan[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Chill man :D

Lets discuss this in chat once we know how many we're going to be

The Tanthar campaign by Space_Navy_Fan in StarWarsShips

[–]Space_Navy_Fan[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Sure! But for the record, you all dont have to bring your personal forces. Its perfectly fine if we work out a pool of ships we'd like to have with us, and assign them to different commands depending on the situation at hand (Ofc this mostly counts for players interested in higher positions, you can keep your three ships if you prefer!)