IO - The Mechanicum Abyssii

[simison]

So, why does the first contact between the Imperium and the Abyssii escalate into open conflict?

[MikhalLeNoir]

If 3 years are e ough to reform a legion and introduce caerbannog elements. Then the date fitd.

[simison]

If 3 years are e ough to reform a legion and introduce caerbannog elements. Then the date fitd.

 

Does Gwal not get a period of tutelage with the Emperor?

[MikhalLeNoir]

So it is even less time to establish the changes right?

[simison]

So it is even less time to establish the changes right?

 

Well, the core of the Legion that's with Gwal could have probably completed the transition in a year or two. As a Primarch, he can fast-track requested arms and armour to make the change. Other fleets will take longer as they have to wait for the supplies to arrive and slowly shift their tactics to Gwal's vision. 

 

That's if Gwal doesn't go to Terra. 

 

So, I'd say that most of the transition would 5-7 years and then maybe a decade or two until that last marine makes the switch. 

[MikhalLeNoir]

When the distress signal of the drowned comes he takes the fastest ship and hurries ahead which just a few (hundred) marines.aybe he was in the middle of reorganizing his troops.

[simison]

It's not necessary. We can just push back the discovery of the Abyssii to the year where Gwal has finished reorganizing.

[Talonair]

So, why does the first contact between the Imperium and the Abyssii escalate into open conflict?

Essentially, the Drowned scout ships encounter an Abyssii interdiction fleet. The Abyssii order them to stand down, identify and prepare to be boarded. The Drowned refuse, and the Abyssii then open fire, is the gist of what Hesh, Mikhal and I have worked out

[simison]

Thank you! Now, I can write the next Drowned part. Was afraid that I would have to switch Legions for a moment there.

[Talonair]

Oh? What're you writing?

[simison]

I'm composing the Abyssii first contact with the Imperium. I would like for you to take a look and tell me how it holds up. I've been editing the last post I made a couple of days ago, so you'll find it there. I just finished adding the new paragraphs.

[Talonair]

Sure, will go look now

[Talonair]

Ok so I've had a look, and I really like it. The only things to mention are that the encounter was intended to happen outside the actual Nox system itself. The gist of the idea was that the Drowned scout force would be decimated with a few ships escaping to limp back with news. Morro would fly into a rage, and declare an attack on Nox itself, which Gwal races to try and halt. The reason for it to happen outside the Nox system was so that ships could reasonably escape; a small scout fleet would not survive open hostilities that close to Nox proper

[simison]

Ah, so my first idea was correct. 

 

My only issue with this is that Morro shouldn't arrive to Nox before Gwal arrives. Gwal is already in the right region of space, while Morro is operating elsewhere. 

 

That said, I agree that my current outline of the battle, everything might be happening too quickly. Hmmmm.

 

Actually, we might have a problem. The intention is that the Drowned under Hennasohn suffer grievous casualties that are high enough to pull Morro from his current warzone. But the destruction of a small scout force doesn't seem high enough to trigger that extreme of a reaction. 

 

Furthermore, if the few scout ships return to the main fleet, would Gwal allow an escalation? He is by far the most pacifistic of the Primarchs, why wouldn't he try diplomacy first after this bad first encounter? Or, if he doesn't trust himself to handle negotiations, why not summon Von Salim as it happens in Hesh's notes? 

 

The only solution I see is to go with the Gettysburg battle I'm currently working with and have the battle end when Gwal appears on the field with the bulk of the fleet. The Drowned are ordered to fall back, and a standoff ensues between the Wardens of Light and Abyssii. Given the sheer strength of the Abyssii, calls for reinforcements are sent out. Morro, Russ, and Alexandros arrive with Alexandros taking over negotiations. Alexandros is able to calm things done, which leads to the infamous chess game between Morro and Russ, now that they know they aren't about to deploy for combat together.

[Talonair]

That works then. How big should the initial battle be?

[simison]

I'm going to commit Hennasohn's entire pathfinder fleet before Gwal and his Wardens show up. Feel free to give me any details about the Abyssii defenses. Theoretically, they're in the halfway between the 'exit point' (what's that called again?) and Nox Prime. 

 

If this battle gets too large for this section, we can simply replace it with a quick summary and make it one of the Drowned's exemplary battles. 

[Talonair]

Nox is a primus-grade forge world, so their defenses are substantial. Similar to Xana, they will have orbital platforms and planetside emplacements, as well as a highly coordinated Void-automata contingent, and the defense fleet would be commanded by Ariana Furia, the Nox shipmaster, an outstanding naval strategist. The Abyssii commands two Arks, but one can be absent for the fight itself (Perhaps further-aflung Abyssii battlegroups arriving at Nox at the same time or just after Gwal's fleet arrives to add tension). The system's gas giant is, as expected for a system containing a forge world, ringed with orbital stations as well

[simison]

Hm, maybe we should move the fleet battle to the outer edges of the system so that the Drowned aren't simply annihilated by orbital platforms. 

 

So, I've been playing Battlefleet Gothic Armada. Where does an Ark fall in terms of firepower and tonnage compared to standard Imperial warships? How long would it take for it to become battle ready, considering that Nox was unprepared for this Imperial presence?

[Talonair]

Going off Lords of Mars, Arks are gigantic, with the displacement of a small moon. Battleships act as escorts for Arks, and their firepower is awesome, since they were all technological marvels even in the Dark Age of Technology

 

In Lords of Mars it takes an Ark a few weeks I think to prepare for an Explorator mission, however that was primarily getting a Guard regiment loaded, as well as press-ganging crew and getting supplies for the massively long voyage. The Arks would probably be kept at a state of readiness, but the Abyssii would be reluctant to commit them recklessly, keeping them centre-rear of their formations

[simison]

Alright, it sounds like the Abyssii Ark would've been on standby but required a few hours to make it battle-worthy and then another hour to get it into position. That leaves more than enough time to have the other Abyssii warships engage the Drowned before Gwal shows up to implement a cease-fire.

[Talonair]

Sounds good to me, prevents the Glory of Summer's fractal cannon just shredding the flagship

[simison]

What are the Mechanicum defences/tactics for repelling boarders?

[Nomus Sardauk]

Theoretically, they're in the halfway between the 'exit point' (what's that called again?) and Nox Prime.

That would be the Mandeville Point, the safest location in-system for a warp jump.

[Talonair]

What are the Mechanicum defences/tactics for repelling boarders?

Depends on the ship in question, but generally speaking, combat servitors, Skitarii, automata on large enough ships. I also imagine the Mechanicum wouldn't be opposed to depressurising decks (I don't imagine space-faring Tech-priests would care too much, nor would servitors), flooding areas with radiation or gas etc

[Grifftofer]

Just to butt in for a moment :P I believe that the Mechanicum Arks are all pretty unique. In the Battlefleet Gothic tabletop game they had rules for Mechanicum ships and they had an Ark as a Battleship-tier ship (tonnage/weaponry wise at least). Also based off of those rules the Mechanicum ships were not fantastically well defended in boarding actions. I think the implication was that Adepts and servitors made for ineffective/predictable defenders. I would anticipate that in 30K the usage of Automata and other defensive measures would be more widespread and powerful than in 40K.