5th FW info wanted (event, not game)

[Icosahedron]

Strange as it may seem, I'm struggling to find info on the 5th Frontier War. I've been asked to GM an OTU game, and I need to cram.

I know it officially began on 187-1107, but presumably things happened before then - the question is what and when?

What I'm looking for ideally is a blow by blow account - where did the Zhos attack from and when, which planets were overrun and when, etc.

A set of typical 'theatre of war' maps with unit symbols, movement arrows and battle dates would be great.

Or maybe very little was written in canon so that players could create their own version using the 5FW game?

Can anyone point me to some online canon data?

Thanks.

Edit: Just found Don's Integrated Timeline - brilliant resource (thanks Don). Using that, I could plot out a war events map given time, but has someone already invented that particular wheel? Cheers.

 

[The Oz]

What you want is a copy of the "Spinward Marches Campaign" from GDW, which has all you need.

It might/should be available as a download from FFE, I think.

 

[rancke]

5FW timeline, pt. 1

Here's my timeline of the Fifth Frontier War. They're all canonical. If anyone has a canonical reference that's missing here, please let me know.


CHRONOLOGY
==========

[179-1107] Substantial Zhodani battle fleet appear at Ruie. [JTAS9:5]

179-1107 Zhodani battle fleet appears at Ruie. [SW:21]

186-1107 News of Zhodani fleet at Ruie reach Regina carried by
detatched Scout/Courier WAYWARD DREAM. [FFW:5]

-"- Zhodani ambassador Shterbifriashav hands declaration of war
to Norris. [FFW:5]

-"- Zhodani battle fleets appear at Ruie. [Oh dear! Someone
forgot to account for communications lag!] [SMC:16]

[ ] Zhodani declaration of war delivered to Imperial government
at Jewell and Regina simultaneously. [SMC:9]

Early in war Sword World terrorist attack on Wardn. [C32:30]

" " " Merchant starship KTER attacked by Sword World commerce raiders
in Datrillian System. All hands are killed. [C32:30]

" " " Light cruiser PRIDE OF MORA ambushed by Vargr and destroyed
with all hands, including 1st Officer Karl Ericsson, youngest
brother of Arabella Ericsson. [MTJ3:22]

186-1106 Zhodani ambassadors deliver declaration of war to Imperial
authorities on Regina and Jewell. [SW:21]

187-1107 Norris announces state of war between Imperium and Zhodani
Consulate. [FFW:5]

-"- Zhodani declaration of war delivered. [SMC:16]

Early in war Joyeuse Fleet moves towards Vilis, but never makes any progress
against the 23rd Fleet. [SW:20]

Early in war Unhampered ny the Sacnoth Fleet, which remains content to
to mid 1109 patrol the rimward border of the Sword Worlds, The 214th Fleet
moves forward from Glisten, fortifying and consolidating worlds
one by one under the Imperial banner. [SW:20]

Early in war Gram Fleet attacks into the Lanth subsector and reaches as far
as Lanth and D'Ganzio, where it is opposed by the Corridor
Fleet and stalemated until the end of 1108. [SW:20]

201-1107 News of invasion of Regina, capital of the Spinward Marches
[?!?] reaches Rhylanor by fleet courier. [JTAS9:5] [Note: This
news is false; see 210-1107 below.]

-"- Imperium begins evacuation of Regina in anticipation of
Zhodani invasion. [SMC:16]

190-1107 The Sword Worlds Confederation attacks Lanth without declaring
war first. [SW:21]

192-1107 Latest date the sword Worlders can attack Lanth if news is to
reach Rhylanor by 204-1107 [And that only if two couriers both
had 6-day jumps].

204-1107 News of attack on Lanth by Sword World forces has reached
Rhylanor. [JTAS9:5]

-"- Imperium announces presumed state of war with Sword Worlds.
Lanth under attack [There's that communication lag mistake
again!]. Efate under Zhodani siege. [SMC:16]

-"- Imperium announces presumed state of war with Sword Worlds.
[SW:21]

206-1107 Detached Imperial Scouts called up. [SMC:16; SW:21]

210-1107 Regina reports no invasion to date. [SMC:16]

-"- Arden declares for the Zhodani [SW:21]. A Zhodani fleet is
expected a week later. [Stranded on Arden:3]

212-1107 Norris' office announces that he has become ill and has
transferred the routine functions of state to a nominee
pending his recovery. [JTAS10:5]

-"- Duke Norris of Regina reported ill or deposed. [SMC:16]

214-1107 Heavy fighting takes place at Efate and Louzy. [SMC:16]

Early in war Battle of Thanber. [Tarsus&Beltstrike]

Early in war Forces of the 40th Squadron attacked through Dentus and
Kinorb and soon had pushed as far as Beck's World. [SMC:9]

The 40th Squadron contributed two fleets (the Gireel Fleet
and the Uthith Fleet) to the war and attacked into the
Regina Subsector through Dentus toward Enope. The initial
attacks met with little resistance, but the Vargr forces
nevertheless wasted some time mopping up and consolidating.
[SMC:11]

243-1107 Serious guerilla attacks by Ine Givar at Equus, Meleto, and
Bendor. [SMC:16]

251-1107 Authorities on Tureded claims to have exposed a network of
Zhodani sleeper agents high in planetary government.
[JTAS11:5]

268-1107 Sector Admiral Santanocheev reinforces ban against landing on
several redzoned worlds (Pscias, Shionthy, Algine, Victoria,
Ylaven, Sonthert, Djinni, and Grant) without incontrovertible
evidence that enemy forces have landed on these worlds or
intend to. [JTAS11:5]

[ ??-?? ] Norris leads a secret expedition to Algine to find an Imperial
Warrant issued to him and carried on a cruiser wrecked on
Algine. [SMC:16]

001-1108 The 212th has been sent to confront the Vargr fleets and is
covering Beck's World, Enope, Shionthy, Keng, and Moughas.
The Gireel Fleet cover Dentus and Kinorb while the Uthith
Fleet cover Heya and Yorbund. [SMC:12]

Early 1108 Jewell is sealed off by Zhodani 10th Fleet and the Zhos have a
foothold on Jewell's minor northern continent. [SMC:10]

14-1108 Yorbund falls to a small Vargr flotilla. [HRM]

35-1108 Admiral Santanocheev on Regina announces that Yorbund has
fallen to Vargr forces and Ruby, Emerald, and Lysen to Zhodani
forces, but that fighting continues on Jewell and the other
worlds of the subsector, as well as on Kinorb. [JTAS13:5]

-"- Yorbund taken by Vargr. [Communication lag forgotten again!
(Henceforth abbreviated to 'CLFA!')] [SMC:16]

36-1108 Ruby, Emerald, and Lysen taken by Zhodani. [CLFA!] [SMC:16]

37-1108 Jewell and Kinorb continues to resist. [SMC:16]

97-1108 Zhodani raiding fleet strikes Inthe; cripples massing Imperial
fleet. [SMC:16]

98-1108 Zhodani 2nd Assault Fleet, having successfully reduced Ruby,
transfers its ships to the 3rd and 15th Fleet and is dissolved.
Its admiral, Vleniziatl, is transferred to a staff position at
the High Command. [SMC:10]

168-1108 Sword World troops invade Saurus. [SMC:16; SW:21]

180-1108 Having been pushed out of Vilis, the Joyeuse Fleet is reduced
to holding the Sword World border. [SW:20]

180-1108 The Gireel Fleet has advanced to Beck's World. The 212th is
holding the rest of its front. [SMC:12]

Mid 1108 Zhodani 15th Fleet pushes closer to the Lanth border and the
Corridor Fleet is assigned to protect the Abyss. [SMC:10]

[The distance from Rhylanor to Khukish (capital of Corridor) is 61 parsecs. If
we figure that the Zhos only delivered declarations of war to Jewell and
Regina, then Rhylanor learns of the invasion about 14 days after 187-1107, on
201-1107. 61 parsecs takes 11 jumps to cover, which can be done in 77 days, so
the news could reach Khukish around 278-1107. If the whole Corridor Fleet is
stationed at Khukish and is ready to set off at a moment's notice (the last
is a pretty big if), and if it is composed entirely of jump-4 ships, then it
can cover the 61 parsecs in 16 jumps. Figure at least 8 days per jump (more
likely 10) and the Corridor Fleet could reach Rhylanor by 041-1108. 'Mid 1108'
sounds perfectly plausible for the arrival of the Corridor Fleet.]

<cont.>

 

[rancke]

5FW timeline, pt. 2

<5FW timeline, pt. 2>

229-1108 Zhodani fleet strikes Boughene. [SMC:16]

281-1108 Imperial fleet strike against Lysen unsuccessful. [SMC:16]

302-1108 Imperial and Zhodani fleets clash at Tremous Dex. [SMC:16]

310-1108 (Or shortly before that) Heya and Beck's World fall to Vargr
forces. [By inference: The news takes two jumps to get to
Regina and two more jumps to get to Rhylanor. If it is known
on Rhylanor on 338-1108, it must haven happened 28 days or so
earlier (jump variation and administrative delay may affect
the dates.]

338-1108 TNS on Rhylanor reports that Heya and Beck's World have fallen
to Vargr forces. [JTAS15:5]

-"- Heya and Beck's World capitulate to Vargr invasion fleets.
[CLFA!] [SMC:16]

Late 1108 Zhodani foothold on Jewell forced to withdraw. [SMC:10]

Late 1108 Pressure by Zhodani 1st Assault Fleet at Efate induces Admiral
Santanocheev to move the Corridor Fleet into Regina subsector,
leaving the Abyss unprotected. [SMC:10]

362-1108 IN at Regina announces that Mirriam/Vilis and Calit have fallen
to the Zhodani and that there is fighting in the Denotam and
Frenzie systems. [JTAS15:5]

-"- Mirrian occupied by Zhodani fleet. Calit under attack.
[CLFA!] [SMC:16]

End of 1108 The Corridor Fleet replaced by the newly formed 100th Fleet.
[SW:20]

001-1109 The situation on the Vargr front is unchanged. [SMC:13]

Early 1109 Zhodani siege of Efate prosecuted half-heartedly. Squadrons
face off, but rarely engage. [SMC:9]

Early 1109 Zhodani 40th Fleet, reinforced by squadrons from 1st and 3rd
Fleet, pushes into the Abyss. [Seems more like Mid 1109; see
entry for 170 to 200-1109] [SMC:10]

[ ] Zhodani establishes a new foothold on Jewell, on the major
northern continent. [SMC:10]

21-1109 IN at Regina announces that the Naval Base at Ghandi is under
attack by Zhodani naval and ground forces, including several
units of the Consular Guard. Ghandi is said to have been
recently reinforced. [JTAS15:5]

-"- Ghandi attacked by Zhodani fleet and forces including the
Zhodani Consular Guard. [CLFA!] [SMC:16]

29-1109 Drive to break the siege of Efate (Operation Iedshrpr) by
elements of Corridor Fleet launched. [JTAS16:5]

-"- IN Press conference on Regina reportedly interupted by
Zhodani hit-and-run raid. [JTAS16:5]

-"- Imperial operations to relieve Efate fail. [SMC:16]

041-1109 The 100th Fleet forces the Gram Fleet out of the Lanth system,
just as Lanth's defenses were about to collapse. [SW:20]

059-1109 Couriers from Jewell [to where?] report the world continues
to hold out. [SMC:16]

[ca. 080-1109] 193rd Fleet jumps to Tavonni to intercept rumored Sword
World buildup. [JTAS16:5]

080-1109 The 100th Fleet jumps to Tavonni, leaving Lanth virtually
unguarded. [SW:20]

[ca. 082-1109] Sword World forces appear at Lanth and immidiately begin
landing forces. [JTAS16:5]

082-1109 Sword World forces appear at Lanth and immidiately begin
landing troops. [SW:20, 21]

083-1109 Destruction of Vargr battle squadron by Battle Squadron 203
and several cruiser squadrons under Vice-Admiral Elphinstone
announced on Kinorb. Imperial 85th Infantry Field Army is
said to have moved in to secure the surface of Heya.
[JTAS16:5]

-"- Imperial fleets retake Yorbund. Operations continue against
Heya. [CLFA!] [SMC:16]

[ca. 094-1109] 193rd Fleet returns from Tavonni and, catching Sword World
forces by surprise [what a bunch of incompetents!], inflicts
severe losses on them.

094-1109 The 100th Fleet returns from Tavonni and catches Sword World
forces by surprise, inflicting severe losses on them. [SW:21]

096-1109 News of the 193rd's victory dispatched. Mopping up of the
Sword World forces on Lanth continues. [JTAS16:5]

096-1109 News of the 100th's victory dispatched. Mopping up of the
Sword World forces on Lanth continues. [SW:21]

-"- Sword World forces driven off Lanth. [SMC:16]

122-1109 Last remnant of Vargr battle fleet from Yorbund run down in
Beck's World system and destroyed. [JTAS17:4]

-"- Vargr battle fleet destroyed off Dentus. [SMC:16]

128-1109 Major Imperial raid against Zhodani at Ninjar announced on
Rhylanor. [JTAS17:4]

-"- Imperial forces raid Ninjar. [CLFA!] [SMC:16]

132-1109 Duke Norris relieves Admiral Santanocheev of command and
takes personal control of the 1st Provisional Fleet.
[JTAS17:4]

-"- Admiral Santanocheev relieved and replaced by the Duke of
Regina. [SMC:16]

After 132-1109 Norris reinforces 23rd Fleet which retakes Mirriam and Calit,
cutting off the Zhodani 40th Fleet's line of communication
and escape route. [SMC:10]

147-1109 Delayed news of the retaking of Calit by Imperial naval
forces and attached army and marine units reaches Rhylanor.
[JTAS18:5]

-"- Imperial forces retake Calit. [CLFA!] [SMC:16]

Mid 1109 Zhodani have begun rotating the better classes of ships out
of the siege at Efate for engagement at other parts of the
front, enabling the Imperium to do the same and shifting the
focus of the war to other fronts. [SMC:9]

Mid 1109 Gireel Fleet has been destroyed and Uthith Fleet forced back.
[SMC:11]

180-1109 Gireel Fleet is gone and the Uthith Fleet has been forced
Back to Dentus. [SMC:13]

Mid 1109 The 214th Fleet stands off the rimward border of the Sword
Worlds. [SW:20]

170 to 200-1109 Zhodani 40th Fleet takes Mirriam/Vilis Calit, Ghandi, Ylaven,
Quopist, and Tureded before being repulsed at Fulacin and
forced back to Tureded. [SMC:10]

190-1109 Norris has diverted the Corridor Fleet from the vincinity of
Roup and Feri to Rhylanor and Porozlo.

[ ] From Tureded the 40th Fleet jumps to attack both Porozlo and
Rhylanor. [SMC:10]

211-1109 Gram Fleet entirely forced out of Lanth subsector. [SW:21]

231-1109 Unconfirmed reports of major battle at Rhylanor posted on
Porozlo. [JTAS18:5]

-"- Battle of Rhylanor. [CLFA!] [SMC:16]

239-1109 Reports at Porozlo that major fleet and ground elements
arrived in system the day before and is refuelling and
refitting prior to jumping to Rhylanor. [JTAS18:5]

[ ] Corridor Fleet and 40th Fleet clashes in a brief, but bloody
battle. The 40th breaks and flees. [SMC:10]

241-1109 Mop-up of Sword World forces on Lanth officially declared
completed. [JTAS18:5]

241-1109 Mop-up of Sword World forces on Lanth declared officially
completed. [SW:21]

-"- Sword World forces expelled from Lanth subsector. [SMC:16]

252-1109 Kinorb reports that the supreme commander of all Vargr
forces allied with the Outworld Coalition [What? The Vargr
had a supreme commander!?!] has instructed them to surrender
to Imperial forces or present themselves to a neutral power
for internment.

-"- Vargr forces surrender; negotiate separate peace. [SMC:16]

-"- Uthith Fleet negotiates separate peace and withdraws from
Regina subsector. [SMC:11]

285-1109 The 214th Fleet launches attack on Steel, Mithril, Bronze, and
Iron in a quick operation lasting less than 60 days.
[SW:20, 21]

312-1109 Battle for Rhylanor is over; Zhodani action in-system has
ceased except for minor engagements in the outer fringes.
[JTAS19:5]

348-1109 Sources at Rhylanor reports that a major Zhodani naval force
was badly mauled in an attempt to retake Calit system which
was defended by Imperial and colonial forces that had been
heavily reinforced after the Imperials retook it. [JTAS19:5]

-"- Zhodani fleet fleeing Battle of Rhylanor ambushed at Calit
and severely mauled. [CLFA!] [SMC:16]

-"- Zhodani 40th Fleet ambushed at Calit by elements of the 23rd
Fleet and severely mauled before escaping and racing across
the border. [CLFA!] [SMC:10]

356-1109 213th Fleet launches attack on the Gram Fleet from Lunion.
[SW:21]

<cont.>

 

[rancke]

5FW timeline, pt. 3

<5FW timeline, pt. 3>


001-1110 The Uthith Fleet is gone and the 212th covers Dentus. [SMC:13]

004-1110 Short blood-less coup on Arden replaces the pro-Zhodani
government with a pro-Imperial coalition representing both
on- and off-world commercial interests. [JTAS19:5]

-"- Arden discards neutrality and allies with Imperium. [SMC:16]

-"- Arden abandons neutrality and allies with Imperium. [SW:21]

016-1110 The 214th Fleet destroys the Sacnoth Fleet at Sting. [SW:21]

023-1110 Operations to relieve Jewell begin. Lysen retaken. [SMC:16]

043-1110 Darrians retake the Entropic Worlds. [SW:21]

099-1110 Armistice declared effective 120-1110. [SMC:16]

099-1110 Armistice between Imperium and Consulate declared, effective
120-1110. Sword Worlds tacitly comply. [SW:21]

By the end of The 213th and 214th occupies Beater, Biter, Bronze, Durendal,
hostilities Dyrnwyn, Hofud, Iron, Mithril, Steel, and Sting. [SW:21]

360-1110 Peace treaty signed on Quar ends the war as of 001-1111.
[SW:21]


Other information: Lysen's few cities were, for the most part, levelled during
the war, first by the Zhodani, then by the Imperium. By the end of the war,
Imperial and Zhodani troops were fighting on the surface. After the war the
Zhodani were actually repatriated before many Imperial troops got passage
offworld. [AR:2]

Emerald is likewise invaded by the Zhodani. In 1111 it has recently been
reclaimed "after having been the site of almost continuous low-level conflict
between Zhodani occupation forces and local rebel [sic.] leaders for over a
year". [AR:10]

Alell was hard hit by Zhodani invasion fleets in both 4FW and 5FW. Some time
during 5FW, a Zho cruiser squadron was severely damaged in low orbit and
several ships crashed into the Fara Ocean. None have as yet (1110) been
salvaged. [MT2]

Some time during the 5FW, a mercenary force working for the Zhodani tried to
take over Tureded; the initial invasion succeeded, but the locals mounted an
intensive guerilla campaign that effectively denied the port to the Zhodani.
[BtC:88-89]


Note: A number of TNS newsbriefs refer to the exploits of the 193rd on the
Sword World front, but other evidence proves that they're actually talking
about the 100th.

Unit location at start of war
-----------------------------


1st Fleet (1st Provisional) Regina
23rd Fleet Vilis
125th Fleet Defending Jewell. Small detachments at Quar
and Mongo.
193rd Fleet Defending Efate. Independent squadrons
stationed in Louzy, Menorb, and Yres.
193rd Fleet Regina
212th Fleet Rhylanor
213th Fleet Lunion
214th Fleet Glisten

43rd Provisional Army plus Efate
supporting naval squadron

Marine regiments:
-----------------

1071st, 5 battalions, elite
1931st, -"- , elite. Served at Lanth and Rhylanor.
2091st -"-
3277th -"-
5722nd -"-
6127th -"- . Served at Quopist and Rhylanor.
8041st -"-
8327th -"- . Served at Thanber and Garda-Vilis.

All are combat factor 5, TL 15, Lift/Grav. They are not doubled in combat the
way armored infantry, armored cavalry and tanks are, so they're not
mechanized.

Duke of Regina's Own Huscarles, 6 battalions (5 mechanized), elite

Imperial Scout Squadron 497 [JTAS16:5]
Imperial 85th Infantry Field Army [JTAS16:5]
Imperial 850th Lift Infantry Division. Served at Efate and Menorb.
3rd Vilis Colonial Division. Garda-Vilis.


_Tarsus_ and _Beltstrike_ contains some ready-made PCs with brief biographical
sketches, some of which may be of interest to anyone trying to chart the
history of the 5th Frontier War:


Sten Commarre [AO3] Service with the Imperial 850th Lift Infantry Division
at Efate and Menorb.

Gaz Donnerkindt [M?] Served with 6127th Imperial Marine Regiment at Quopist
and Rhylanor.

Talia Calcidor [MO4] Ship's Troops commander aboard CL-10867 _Vilishu_ in
operations over Efate. Later involved in operations on
Quopist.

Lise Elhodiri [A?] Served as Imperial Army Aide on the staff of Admiral
Elphinstone in the Yorbund Campaign.

Enli Eriskany [MO3] Served with 1931st Marine Regiment at Lanth and
Rhylanor. Awarded MCG for rescuing a squad trapped in
a downed assault shuttle during campaign around Lanth.

Joan Eshunnak Service with Scout Squadron 53. Captured at Battle of
Thanber; exchanged. Later served at Lanth and Rhylanor
as boat gunner attached to Marine landing force.

Lee Huseyin [MO4] Served with the 8327th Imperial Marine Regiment at
Thanber and Garda-Vilis.

Dr. Arpad Nushur [NO4] Medical Officer of colonial cruiser BC-9525 _Agidda_.
Served in the Querion and Vilis subsectors, and at
the Battle of Thanber.

Anicia Pantabreve [NO1] Served as boat pilot and assistant navigator aboard
CL-10867 _Vilishu_ in operations over Efate.

Ganidiirsi hault-Reitan [AO3] Duty as Imperial Army Aide on the staff of
Admiral Stvi at his headquarters on Equus.

Tsutomu Woronow [NO3] Served as engineer aboard colonial cruiser BC-9525
_Agidda_ at the Battle of Thanber.

Angelin U [AO3] Served in the 3rd Vilis Colonial Division. Wounded and
invalided out of service after the defense of
Garda-Vilis.

Sharik Resteff [NO3] Served as relief and fighter pilot aboard 60,000 T
frontier cruiser CF-6405 _Bard Refuge_.

Dr. Amun Shimullu [NO3] Served with Imperial Navy Medical Service at the Naval
base on Inthe.


Vargr Admirals
--------------

Thuekhs
Orzaekh
Gvungughz


Sword World Admirals
--------------------

Riksdatter
Eyolfsson
Tryggvesson

 

[Matt123]

Great stuff Hans, consider it borrowed & filed in my Traveller files of damn interesting Naval stuff.

Cheers
Matt

 

[Icosahedron]

Thanks Oz but that book seems to be available only as a secondhand purchase.

[179-1107] Substantial Zhodani battle fleet appear at Ruie. [JTAS9:5]

179-1107 Zhodani battle fleet appears at Ruie. [SW:21]

Early in war Joyeuse Fleet moves towards Vilis, but never makes any progress
against the 23rd Fleet. [SW:20]

Early in war Gram Fleet attacks into the Lanth subsector and reaches as far
as Lanth and D'Ganzio, where it is opposed by the Corridor
Fleet and stalemated until the end of 1108. [SW:20]

Thanks Hans, another great resource (duly copied and filed away).

My game is starts a few months before the beginning of the war, so initial questions are about the opening events:

Is there any evidence to state where the Ruie invasion 'appeared' from? ie its approach route?

Need to look up Joyeuse and Vilis, so this question may be redundant, but is there an indication of where it was halted?

Likewise need to look up the map - is there evidence of the route taken by the Gram Fleet?

Do you think that at the beginning of 1107 the general public of the Imperial border subsectors would be aware that war was about to break out?

Thanks.

 

[Matt123]

Thanks Oz but that book seems to be available only as a secondhand purchase.

Its on the CT disc from MM.

 

[rancke]

Is there any evidence to state where the Ruie invasion 'appeared' from? ie its approach route?

No. Nor where it moves to subsequently. It's not even mentioned in the description of the war in SMC, so it's not a full fleet. One thing it doesn't do is proceed to Regina. It might be a decoy force designed to make the Imperials withdraw units from Efate before the siege there starts.

Need to look up Joyeuse and Vilis, so this question may be redundant, but is there an indication of where it was halted?

Practically at once. you'll see when you examine the map.

Likewise need to look up the map - is there evidence of the route taken by the Gram Fleet?

No, but there aren't many options. For Lanth, either through Tavonni or Arba or a prepositioned deep space fuel cache (or with tankers). For D'Ganzio, either Arba of a DSFD. Arba was invaded, so that's the likeliest. One thing: the Arba system doesn't appear to have any water.

Do you think that at the beginning of 1107 the general public of the Imperial border subsectors would be aware that war was about to break out?

IIRC there were people who thought it was imminent, people who thought it'd probably come one of these days, and people who thought it wouldn't come at all.

Someone did take the threat seriously enough to create an extra Imperial Fleet, the 1st Provisional (Note that the 1st Fleet was at Capital).


Hans

 

[shield]

Berka's Zhodani Base site has the TNS entries for 1105 to 1112. It covers the period before, during and after the war. You can see the build-up, increased reports of piracy, nervous naval units, difficulty in hiring mercs.

Cheers
Richard

 

[Icosahedron]

Thanks Matt, I'll check out the CTCD - online info led me to believe it wan't included there.

Thanks guys, useful info there to look up.


Having now looked at the map:

The only way a Zho attack could reach Ruie without passing through the Federation of Arden, is from Ninjar or Sheyou via a 12 parsec advance that includes a Jump-6 from Gougeste to 871-438. I feel this is unlikely, even if the Zhos have the tech (which I'm not sure about).

A Zho attack on Ruie would therefore have to come via the Federation of Arden, probably from Sheyou or Rapp's World, through Arden itself. It would need to launch from either Utoland or Tremous Dex and stopover at either 871-438 or Tionale. Either way, there would be a Jump-3 final assault needed.

The better facilities at Tremous Dex and Tionale would suggest this route is more likely, but OTOH, a base at Utoland to strike Lysen, cutting off the Jewell worlds might make strategic sense, and the same base could strike Ruie.

However, Arden doesn't declare for the Zhos until Circa 211-1107, a month after the invasion of Ruie, and although the Zho 10th fleet is described as 'sealing off' Jewell in early 1108, Lysen isn't mentioned until 035-1108, six whole months after the Ruie invasion...

Maybe the Ruie assault takes the Tremous Dex/Tionale route and then the Lysen assault is carried out from the military base at Zircon after a six month delay to give the Impies a sporting chance?


Another early strategic strike I think the Zhos would make is against the Naval Base at Denotam, cutting the Regina-Vilis supply route - especially if they knew the Sword Worlds were going to attack Vilis and Lanth.

But Denotam isn't mentioned in the above timeline until 362-1108...

Maybe the Admiral leading the Denotam assault was playing cards with the Admiral leading the Lysen assault?

No wonder the Zhos lost.

Of course, knowing the fleet dispositions could make a difference to adopted strategy - I'm just going from astrography. Maybe my thinking is based too much on land warfare.

 

[rancke]

The only way a Zho attack could reach Ruie without passing through the Federation of Arden, is from Ninjar or Sheyou via a 12 parsec advance that includes a Jump-6 from Gougeste to 871-438. I feel this is unlikely, even if the Zhos have the tech (which I'm not sure about).

Nothing says they attacked Ruie. They were spotted there, that's all.

The Zhos have TL14, so they can do up to Jump-5.

Maybe the Zhos wanted their task force to be spotted earlier and it's due to happenstance/Imperial incompetence that it wasn't reported when it passed through 871-438 or Tionale. (The decoy theory).

If they wanted to get to Ruie as a surprise, they could have jumped from Farreach and used drop tanks, accompanying tankers, Kuiper belt objects, or deep space fuel depots.

However, Arden doesn't declare for the Zhos until Circa 211-1107, a month after the invasion of Ruie, and although the Zho 10th fleet is described as 'sealing off' Jewell in early 1108, Lysen isn't mentioned until 035-1108, six whole months after the Ruie invasion...

We only have a rough overview of the course of the war plus a semi-random selection of TNS newsbriefs, some of which are demonstrably inexact. That something isn't mentioned isn't proof that it didn't happen.


Hans

 

[shield]

There is an amber zone in JTAS 9. It is a merc campaign. A merc trading platoon is hired by the locals to train up some of the pop into a guard force to combat some unfriendly local aliens. Whilst on field training the zho arrive, take the planet, and grab most of the equipment. Govt gives last order to mercs and local troops in the field to resist. Zho's move on and leave a battalion of TL9 troops from Querion to keep order.

I am sure the planet was Tionale, which matches a route that the zho fleet would take to get to Ruie.

Given they are carrying TL9 aux troops, it would suggest that this a decoy attack to keep imperial forces pinned at Regina instead of supporting Efate or Jewell.

Lets face it, a single type S evaded the fleet at Ruie and got away with battle damage. Most naval guns would have reduced that scout to fine ash.

Aslo the Federation of Arden has minimal space control on its possessions (low tech and lack of shipyard) so they would not have been able to stop a Zho fleet passing some of their outer colonies

Cheers
Richard

 

[rancke]

There is an amber zone in JTAS 9. It is a merc campaign. A merc trading platoon is hired by the locals to train up some of the pop into a guard force to combat some unfriendly local aliens. Whilst on field training the zho arrive, take the planet, and grab most of the equipment. Govt gives last order to mercs and local troops in the field to resist. Zho's move on and leave a battalion of TL9 troops from Querion to keep order.

I am sure the planet was Tionale, which matches a route that the zho fleet would take to get to Ruie.

Given they are carrying TL9 aux troops, it would suggest that this a decoy attack to keep imperial forces pinned at Regina instead of supporting Efate or Jewell.

Yes, that fits and it's quite likely.

Lets face it, a single type S evaded the fleet at Ruie and got away with battle damage. Most naval guns would have reduced that scout to fine ash.

We've no idea what other ships were in the Ruie system and where they were when the Zhodani jumped in. Nor do we know if the reports of battle damage were true.

Aslo the Federation of Arden has minimal space control on its possessions (low tech and lack of shipyard) so they would not have been able to stop a Zho fleet passing some of their outer colonies

Arden has a population of one billion. Even with TL8 it can afford a sizable defense force. It would also be a tempting target for marauders if it didn't. If it's unable to build them for itself, it can buy them from others. Arden also has colonies on other worlds. That means it has at least some jump-capable ships.

Arden wouldn't be able to prevent the Zhos from passing through, but in the adventure 'Stranded on Arden' there is no mention of any such event.


Hans

 

[shield]

Yes, Arden can defend its home system, but it has to buy in all its jump capabale ships + their maint. It will have to buy everything in, and most of the cash will have to go on the merchants that keep its little empire together.

So limited number of ships, and probably low tech levels - same level as sword worlds (who is going to sell then a first line battlewagon and how would they maintain it in battle). Nothing that could stop a zho fleet out in the colonies.

The zhos would not send a battle fleet via such a populated system anyway - much too likely someone would see it and report it to the 3I.

Given the low TL and hence low jump numbers of the Arden ships, it would be months before news of a fleet passing through the top of the demilitarised zone reached arden and event of the "Stranded on Arden" adventure.

As for the scout ship. The reports of battle damage were from starport personnel not navy so probably true, which means the scout was close enought to the fleet to be engaged by picket vessels before it could jump out.

Given the firepower to the naval pickets (something like a zho version of a Sloan Fleet Escort) then the scout should be toast. Which implies it ran into something smaller or less capable (low tech zho version of a gazelle). This supports the idea that this fleet was a decoy with 2nd or 3rd line ships.

Cheers
Richard

 

[rancke]

Yes, Arden can defend its home system, but it has to buy in all its jump capabale ships + their maint. It will have to buy everything in, and most of the cash will have to go on the merchants that keep its little empire together.

A TL8 world with a population of one billion has a GWP of 8 trillion credits. A military budget of 3 or 5% of that will buy a lot of ships. It's true that TL12 ships will be quite a bit more expensive than building TL8 SDBs, and that maintenance will be a challenge, but you can still afford a tidy little fleet.

Given the low TL and hence low jump numbers of the Arden ships, it would be months before news of a fleet passing through the top of the demilitarised zone reached Arden and event of the "Stranded on Arden" adventure.

Arden's own TL would give them jump-0 (unless its space TL is greater than its High Common TL), so it's the TL of the ships they chose to buy foreign that's interesting. It's perfectly feasible for Arden to have a small fleet of jump-3 ships. I'll put it stronger and say that it's rather unlikely that they wouldn't have some J3 ships.

As for the scout ship. The reports of battle damage were from starport personnel not navy so probably true, which means the scout was close enought to the fleet to be engaged by picket vessels before it could jump out.

We've no idea who the starport personnel were, what they saw or imagined they saw, what they told the reporter and what the reporter believed and didn't believe. We've no way of knowing one way or the other.

Given the firepower to the naval pickets (something like a zho version of a Sloan Fleet Escort) then the scout should be toast. Which implies it ran into something smaller or less capable (low tech zho version of a gazelle).

The problem with jumping into a system within firing range of the defenders is that you're jumping into the system within firing range of the defenders. And arriving with your ships spread out across several combat rounds. If Ruie doesn't have a defending force (something I've always assumed) then that's not a concern, but letting anyone get a close look at your ships is (See below).

This supports the idea that this fleet was a decoy with 2nd or 3rd line ships.

The problem with letting the enemy know that the ships of your decoy force are 2nd or 3rd line ships is that this pretty much gives away the nature of the force. It would be a lot cleverer to jump in near the gas giant and crank up your power plants to emit neutrinos like they were dreadnaughts. The Wayward Dream could have been at the starport and taken off as soon as the enemy 'fleet' was detected. Maybe it made a dangerous jump from just outside the 10D limit and got its paint scorched. Maybe it was just dirty.


Hans

 

[McPerth]

The Zhos have TL14, so they can do up to Jump-5.

Yes, the Zhos have access to jump 5, but Spinward Marches Campaign divides its fleets among those with jump 3 and those with jump 4, so, IMHO, we have to consideer their fleets as jump 4 capable at most.

Do not forget 3I has jump 6, but his fleet effective jump is 4, with some squadrons capable of jump 5.

Given they are carrying TL9 aux troops, it would suggest that this a decoy attack to keep imperial forces pinned at Regina instead of supporting Efate or Jewell.

Nothing says they didn't carry higher TL troops.

They could as well carry those TL 9 troops just to garrisson Tionale, as they dubtless counted on occuping it in ther pre war plans, and higer TL troops for further opperations.

Lets face it, a single type S evaded the fleet at Ruie and got away with battle damage. Most naval guns would have reduced that scout to fine ash.

I guess this scout, if alone, jumped out of the system as soon as it detected the Zho fleet. The fact he had battle damage may represent just he had to fight some picket fighters before jumping, and fighters are not as strongly armed as the major ships.

 

[Hemdian]

A Zho attack on Ruie would therefore have to come via the Federation of Arden, probably from Sheyou or Rapp's World, through Arden itself. It would need to launch from either Utoland or Tremous Dex and stopover at either 871-438 or Tionale. Either way, there would be a Jump-3 final assault needed.

The better facilities at Tremous Dex and Tionale would suggest this route is more likely, but OTOH, a base at Utoland to strike Lysen, cutting off the Jewell worlds might make strategic sense, and the same base could strike Ruie.

However, Arden doesn't declare for the Zhos until Circa 211-1107, a month after the invasion of Ruie,

Hmmm … what are the internal politics of the Federation of Arden, and the system of Arden itself? Maybe the Zho fleet jumped into the Arden system (catching the locals completely by surprise) broadcasting a message to the effect that they meant no harm and were just passing through. The Arden Navy would probably prefer not to engage under the circumstances and it then takes a month for the local political elite to come to a consensus as to how to respond beyond mere ‘words’ with the Zho ambassador ... especially if there was any collusion between the Zho and elements in the Arden upper classes.

 

[G. Kashkanun Anderson]

Do you think that at the beginning of 1107 the general public of the Imperial border subsectors would be aware that war was about to break out?

Yes. Absolutely. A TNS human interest-style story dating from 157-1107 (30 days prior to the Zhodani declaration of war) reported that sales of consumer-grade psi helmets were going through the roof, to the point where it was considered something of a hot fashion item in some regions of the Spinward Marches. The 'war scare in the marches' [sic] is directly cited as a major reason for this development [JTAS #11, pg 30].

 

[Icosahedron]

Thanks guys, this is helping me to plot events and decide what the PCs may or may not run into in certain areas. :devil:

So the consensus is that probably a decoy force passed through a couple of FofA systems with or without the approval of the Federation's government, and 'arrived at' if not 'attacked' Ruie from Tionale.

Zho forces may have simultaneously attacked key strategic targets such as Lysen and Denotam, but if so, the evidence hasn't filtered down into 'recorded history'.

In which case, I'm free to plot the course of the war any way I want, just keeping an eye on the snippets of canon that were recorded.

Sounds good.

Is there a record of what units were involved and where they were stationed?