-
We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.
Years 82 - 83: A Friend in Need ...
The respite was needed: the Empire was in no state for intense fighting. Damage to the Sirius system would take years to repair and the Navy was still outnumbered, despite the annihilation of the Kha'Zann fleet. Our allies are nowhere to be seen, but word is that the Ix'Idar colonies have been under attack. Armies have been raised on Craw't and Uqallon. Public confidence was further shaken with the loss of Governor Publius Ibanzez, one of the most venerated of our leaders. Dead at 87, his accumulated wisdom could not easily be replaced. Appointed in 2228 at the age of 33, Governor Ibanzez has governed Terra for my entire life: his agricultural and architectural skills will be sorely missed but not as much as his steady and responsible hand.
Analysis of the widespread debris fields in the Sirius system have been very rewarding. As well as the standard physics and engineering benefits, a great deal has been learned from the wrecks of Kha'Zann spaceships about plasma acceleration and advanced shields. That additional knowledge allowed the Physics researchers to complete the Advanced Shields project well ahead of schedule and encouraged them to start study of plasma accelerators. The Princpes is convinced that the improved shields could give us the edge against the DQT and insists that before the inevitable battle with 2nd Bouquet that all ships be upgraded.
For millennia the shield has been the protector of the Roman army: now it will be the protector of the Roam navy
Much of the year was spent in manoeuvring our fleets around, trying to get an advantage over the DQT. Little was achieved: whenever "Marcia" attempted to push into enemy territory it was chased out. Towards the end of the year "Marcus" headed for Ynessa: perhaps we can make some ground at the far edge of DQT space.
Allowing access to the debris fields in Ynessa was the first objective for "Marcus" but to send one of our existing science ships was unrealistic due to the distances and the already important work being conducted. A new ship, "Columba V" was built at Zif Prime and the archaeologist Linda Nicholson was appointed to command her. Also in the Zif region, six defence armies were raised on Trast, which freed an invasion force for fresh duties. The transport fleet left for Bazzanac.
Alas, all this planning was for nought. "Marcus" was busy destroying the defence platform and spaceport when it detected a wormhole appearing in the Ynessa system. Unable to make it to the outer reaches for a standard warp when 2nd Bouquet burst through close to its location, it had to emergency jump. Several ships were badly damaged and when the fleet does emerge from hyperspace, they will require extensive repairs. The DQT can concentrate on what we Terrans insist on calling the "East" of their empire.
"Marcus" caught at Ynessa
There was not a lot of time to get prepared. Our spaceport at Uqallon worked around the clock installing the advanced shields on the ships of "Marcia", but there was no time or minerals to increase the size of that fleet. The need to protect our distant territory with a fleet is proving to be a real problem.
Luckily, help was at hand. The Ix'Idar had been attacked earlier and had lost a system to the Kha'Zann. With our destruction of the Kha'Zann fleet, the Ix'Idar have been freed from having to protect their colonies and have sent a fleet to assist us. It has arrived at the Sirius system (still rebuilding after the DQT attack) and is moving to join "Marcia".
Just in time: 1st Navy Cluster arrives at Sirius
As the Ix'Idar use hyperlanes for space travel, orders were sent to "Marcia" to move to Baltris. That way the fleets can move on Mareid together: there is no direct hyperlane linking Uqallon and Mareid.
With the Empire on the brink of the largest space battle in our history, there was what could be seen as a farcical incident at Barnard's Star, our westernmost possession. Two mining stations in the system have been attacked, apparently by a sole Aztani corvette. This may be the entire Aztani fleet, and it would be laughable were it not for the fact that every single warship has been sent to fight the DQT. All that could be done was to start to construct a destroyer. (The corvette took too long to break the defences of our mining station: the destroyer was built, commissioned and sailed in plenty of time to blast it from our space).
That did not distract the population of the Empire. All eyes were, metaphorically at least, on the Mareid system. There the powerful DQT fleet orbited as the High Inquisitor considered which of our colonies it would devastate next. On 10th September 2283, the Imperial Navy threw down the gauntlet. "Marcia" warped into normal space, willing to pit our 12 cruisers, 15 destroyers and 14 corvettes against the 21 cruisers, 24 destroyers nad 50 corvettes of 2nd Bouquet. Only in one area did we have an advantage: the experience of the veteran Praeceptus Sergius di Bartolomei far exceeded that of his adversary, Admiral Indigo Shoot.
The initial clash did not go as planned. It had been expected that our new shields would protect us from most of the enemy fire, but we had not anticipated the barrage launched by 2nd Bouquet. Also, we had calculated that the fact that many of the DQT ships showed signs of earlier battles would make them more vulnerable. That may be the case, but we still need to penetrate their shields, and those seem to be in peak condition.
2nd Bouquet begins the battle, attacking "Marcia" as it emerges from warp.
It took 8 days for the Ix'Idar to join us, and by them both we and the DQT had lost a cruiser. Unfortunately that loss ratio would lead to defeat. The arrival of a further 4 cruisers, 26 destroyers and 14 corvettes helped balance the odds, but not enough to give us parity. This would be a bitter and hard-fought battle, with no quarter given on either side and the DQT had the advantage.
1st Navy Cluster arrives at Mareid
After months of constant fighting, neither side had an advantage. Colossal amounts of energy and munitions had been expended, and losses were horrendous. "Marcia" had just one cruiser still in action, and the Ist Navy Cluster had only one more, while 2nd Bouquet still had nine capital ships. But it was the destroyers that now possessed the most firepower, and that is where the allied fleets had a marked superiority.
Both sides have suffered dreadful casualties, but our morale is high
Praeceptus di Bartolomei, having kept his nerve during the anxious early weeks of the battle, now showed that as well as bravery, he had steel in his heart. "Remember Nova Roma! Destroy them all!" was his broadcast to his troops as the Imperial destroyers and corvettes raced to close with the remnants of the DQT fleet. As the last days of the year ticked away, we waited to see if his encouragement would be enough.
Really the report ends just when we were about to see whether we won? Think that Hippo got hungry again or something?
Regardless of the result, please put your faith in corvettes!
The Roman Legion was build on legionaries!
The Roman Legion was build on legionaries!
Too bad you didn't have a couple more cruisers, but you have to live with the results now. The question now is, will this be a pyrrhic victory or a glorious defeat. The QDT are seeming more and more like a second Carthage, hopefully with similar results.
Alas, the tension, the cliffhanger. (By my understanding you should try to get fewer missiles on your ships. They are good for the opening salvo but then no more at all, since ships don't try to keep the distance.)
Actually from what I understand its the opposite: they're worse in the opening at long range, because of their travel time.
The biggest problem with missiles is that they don't instantly hit, so when the target dies, the missiles that your ship has been firing the last few rounds are now wasted. Energy & Kinetics don't have that problem due to no travel time.
This means that Missiles are better at short range, as it reduces the travel time of the missiles and mostly eliminates said waste.
Interesting and possible.
But the real thing making them nigh useless also on the short range is they still have the travel time, and beyond being lost if their target dies while they travel, missiles are apparently also lost if their launcher dies while they travel, which will be happening a lot more in the melee..
True, but they die at long range too; my point still stands, as at short range the (massive) detractor of their travel time is reduced... although it still exists as a unique problem which no other weapon from has.
First, sorry for the long delay between posts. Legal letters required a long and exhaustive reply - hopefully all fixed now. Give me a few days to get back in the saddle.
No spoilers here. Victory conditions - I think I went for all three. Not that it really matters at this point. All of them seem unreachable.
It could be but I have a feeling there will be more in the future. Will those be the fulcra of fate? Or the fulcrum of fates? In Latin it is easy.
Purely accidental: I write in yearly chunks and the battle didn't fit neatly. Don't blame me: it is out of my hands. I can't change my policy now.
I have seen arguments that it was built on the NCOs, but let's not quibble. I think I will go for blended fleets: maybe not the most effective but they fir my desire for a vaguely realistic game. The idea of pure corvette fleets or single battleships cruising about just seems wrong.
It does look as though it will solve my naval capacity problem. Bad planning about when to declare war and lack of info about the enemy are obviously issues with the game. I blame Paradox and the AI.
What I am hoping to achieve is that the larger vessels hang back. It does happen sometimes but I am still trying to work out exactly what I need to do. I am beginning to suspect it is something to do with the ratio of escorts.
Looking at the damage dealt, missiles seem to be doing a fair bit, but I haven't really analysed it. I try to keep a mix of weapons in my fleet so that one defence system doesn't require a change in ships/designs.
Newton's Third Law of Argument: For every argument there is an equal and opposite argument.
Ahhh! Too hard!. And I thought it was as easy as "Oh, I like that one!"
If I start to lose battles where forces are about equal I will probably investigate further, but as I am winning such battles with "blended" fleets I'll stick with it. But I will look closely at the battle reports and try to judge the effectiveness of the missiles, purely on the basis of proportion of missile launchers to total weapon systems compared to missile versus total damage.
No spoilers here. Victory conditions - I think I went for all three. Not that it really matters at this point. All of them seem unreachable.
It could be but I have a feeling there will be more in the future. Will those be the fulcra of fate? Or the fulcrum of fates? In Latin it is easy.
Purely accidental: I write in yearly chunks and the battle didn't fit neatly. Don't blame me: it is out of my hands. I can't change my policy now.
I have seen arguments that it was built on the NCOs, but let's not quibble. I think I will go for blended fleets: maybe not the most effective but they fir my desire for a vaguely realistic game. The idea of pure corvette fleets or single battleships cruising about just seems wrong.
It does look as though it will solve my naval capacity problem. Bad planning about when to declare war and lack of info about the enemy are obviously issues with the game. I blame Paradox and the AI.
What I am hoping to achieve is that the larger vessels hang back. It does happen sometimes but I am still trying to work out exactly what I need to do. I am beginning to suspect it is something to do with the ratio of escorts.
Looking at the damage dealt, missiles seem to be doing a fair bit, but I haven't really analysed it. I try to keep a mix of weapons in my fleet so that one defence system doesn't require a change in ships/designs.
Newton's Third Law of Argument: For every argument there is an equal and opposite argument.
Ahhh! Too hard!. And I thought it was as easy as "Oh, I like that one!"
If I start to lose battles where forces are about equal I will probably investigate further, but as I am winning such battles with "blended" fleets I'll stick with it. But I will look closely at the battle reports and try to judge the effectiveness of the missiles, purely on the basis of proportion of missile launchers to total weapon systems compared to missile versus total damage.
Personally, I find that I get to the divergent systems of the same type before enemy defences get too solid in one aspect; i.e. As an Energy-start, I get to disrupter before my opponent can get sufficient shields that my laser malus becomes a sufficient aspect to battles.
I tend to diverge to missiles for my carrier-ships, as that gives them longer-range weapons that I can use to swamp my enemy's Point Defence for extra survival for my bomber/fighters (small missiles have longer range than small energy/projectile weapons).
Focusing on one branch of weapon research is better because, for example, in the time you research Tier 2 in laser, mass driver and missile, I've research to Tier 4 in laser. And chances are that even if you focus on shields, that isn't enough to overcome my specialization qualitative advantage.
Something i came across in a complete other game actually (Age of Myhtology, in Cavalry-V-Archers-V-Infantry) - when you focus on one branch out of three Rock-paper-scissors, unless Hard Counters are involved, you will often have an advantage.
Especially since in Stellaris I can just research debris, giving me said other weapons research (or at least a head start).
All that said, I can understand why you're not playing that 'crunchy' (or whatever the term is). I don't play naked corvettes for the same reason as you.
...And now I'm off to play Stellaris, even if I should be revising for my test tomorrow.
That has become such a stock phrase in this AAR, hasn't it?
You should write that phrase in Latin! And end every AAR chapter with it. How about like this:
Ceterum censeo, Paradoxam et intelligentiam artificialitem esse culpandam.
Years 84 - 85: " .... Is a Friend Indeed"
The Celebration of Janus, usually a time of relative madness across every Roman territory, went largely unnoticed this year. The battle still raging in the Mareid system was far too important, the fate of the empire possibly hanging in the balance. Could Praeceptus di Bartolomei and what was left of "Marcia" outlast the superior numbers and firepower of 2nd Bouquet? Would our Ix'Idar allies stay by our side as 1st Navy Cluster rapidly dwindled in size?
It did not take long to find out, although it seemed like an eon. Before Januarius had expired the sound of the victory cornu rang out over the city. (Another "tradition" introduced by the Princeps: she felt that broadcasting the ancient trumpets gave victory a sense of the old triumphs. Having soldiers march around the streets blowing the old musical instruments definitely boosts public confidence and support. She is a genius.)
A strangely compelling sound, calling the plebs out to celebrate
Not long after the first brief messages arrived through hyperspace, more details including visuals were available. The enemy fleet, reduced to a single destroyer, could be seen desperately attempting to flee. It is not clear whether it survived: if our sailors were content to let it go nobody will hold it against them.
Victory: the sole surviving DQT vessel makes its escape
The reason for such a relaxed view of the navy failing to eliminate the enemy completely was apparent when the casualty lists were provided. The navy suffered dreadfully. Not one cruiser survived the battle, and only two corvettes. A third of our destroyers were lost. Across the entire empire, the joy of victory was tempered with the knowledge that so many of our men and women would never return, having given their lives for Rome. No funerals: the ashes of the dead would forever circle Mareid.
The final cost: most of "Marcia" has been destroyed in obtaining victory
Unexpectedly for many here in the capital, there was a huge swell of gratitude and friendship for our Ix'Idar allies. Praeceptus di Bartolomei himself led a massive ceremony to both mourn the Ix'Idar dead and confirm the bond between our races. As he emphasised during his oration, broadcast across both empires, regardless of the courage and sacrifice of the Roman soldiers and sailors, we would have been defeated by the DQT without the contribution of 1st Navy Cluster. Had the Ix'Idar not sent a fleet at the crucial moment, Terra itself could have been bombarded into ruins. We owe those crustaceans a great deal.
A temple built for the Ix'Idar god of warfare: at least that is what we told the visiting journalists (they were not allowed inside)
After a few days of exultation, reality returned. We may have won a battle, possibly a decisive battle, but the war continued. The rebuilding of the destroyed Nova Roma spaceport required an upgrade to allow it to handle cruisers and while the fighting had raged the physicists had kept working on the problems of plasma acceleration. They completed that project and began to investigate the design of an orbital sensor array. Again that celebration was muted: the death of Nennius Zhang deeply affected the scientific community.
Still, life goes on. Antonella Hernandez, a biologist, took over Columba I and more analysis of battle debris revealed secrets of disruptors and subspace sensors. There was some alarm at the loss of Columba III, or at least at the unknown manner of its loss. Far away from Terra, at the very "eastern" edge of the galaxy, it entered the Algorab system and reported finding what it described as a "Spectral Wraith" close to the sun. That was it: contact was lost almost immediately. With the DQT war still to be won, not a lot of attention could be given to a possible threat so far away. Even so, in some dusty office somewhere in the Imperial Navy headquarters, someone will have been delegated to prepare a contingency plan for the future. The loss of our ship and its scientific crew will not have been in vain.
All the information sent by the ill-fated ship
There have been more developments in the war, largely positive. "Marcia" (or what is left of it) has begun to bombard the planet of Bulb in the Mareid system and a fleet of transports has been ordered to move there and prepare for invasion. That should make the enemy more likely to come to the negotiation table. Just as encouraging, an Explorator corvette on the other side of DQT space is being followed by an enemy fleet. Although the news may not sound too good, the navigator in charge of the unarmed vessel headed straight for Ynessa, where "Marcus" was waiting for the DQT ships to arrive.
As 2086 began there was a sense of déjà vu: twelve months ago a battle was raging in the Mareid system, now a battle has begun on the opposite side of enemy space, in the Ynessa system. It had been thought that "Marcus" would have an easy time of it, as the fleet chasing our scout vessel was small and lightly armed. Unfortunately the DQT have been working hard, both in research and production. Another fleet has appeared, apparently following first, and this one contains a battleship.
A challenge for "Marcus"
Praeceptus Gabriella Bello, showing that her warlike surname was warranted, did not hesitate. No help could be expected, it was up to her and her ships to deal with the two enemy fleets and, while defeating them, find out what she could about the new class of spaceship.
The DQT battleship "Defender of Yax Imix"
Even while our ships manoeuvred into position and waves of missiles were launched at the closest enemy fleet, our scientists were at work. The Engineering division, having finalised the design of what are being called "Marauder Missiles" will start immediately to design our own battleships and the necessary spaceport improvements to manufacture and supply them. The Physics division, not to be left behind, completed its work on orbital sensor arrays and began an investigation into developing a disruptor weapon analogous to those that our enemies use.
Surprisingly the battle of Ynessa did not last too long. Even the battleship did not survive the combined firepower of our entire fleet, once its escorts had been eliminated. A well deserved promotion for the Praeceptus, and a mass of debris for our scientists to analyse.
In what is now becoming routine, attention switched to a completely different area. A small group of our ships has been escorting a science ship charged with surveying previously unexplored regions controlled by the Citizen Alliance of Kha'Zann. The Columba II was damaged but escaped and our warships ran for Sirius. There is some concern however: the Kha'Zann fleet is far more powerful than the handful of ships we have in the homeworld systems, and Sirius is still repairing the damage done after the last attack.
"Marcia", busy bombarding the planetary defences of Bulb, was the closest (and in fact the only realistic) defence. Nevertheless, the Princeps stayed firm. We would not recall the main fleet, not without something more substantial than the presence of an enemy fleet nearby. Construction yards were commissioned to produce a few more ships, all we could afford, and we waited.
Our other combat fleet, "Marcus", was also busy. Having cleared Ynessa of tow fleets, it settled down to reduce Golden Flower to rubble. Twelve armies had been loaded from Trast, now defended by its own Tiyal defence units, and were on their way to Ynessa to invade the planet. The DQT was not yet finished however, and two more fleets entered the system. Bad judgment on the part of the DQT meant that they arrived separately, and they posed little threat to our ships, though it did mean the bombardment had to be abandoned temporarily, allowing the defenders to repair the damage.
Still, the year ended with vision from Mareid of our invasion shuttles spiralling down to Bulb. That should show the DQT that their defeat is only a matter of time.
The planetary defences in ruins, our armies can land to deal with the militia
That was what I too believed, in my first game. Then I focused on missiles and got my entire fleet killed much too easily after an incident when an enemy fleet warped in almost upon it. But it was also not punching even half as well as the opposition.
A new start with cannons instead allowed a similar research strategy to conquer the galaxy.
I would have preferred a more cosmetic difference, myself.
Years 86 - 88: Another step towards our goal
The invading armies on Bulb showed little mercy. The Divine Queptilium Tribunal has been the enemy of Rome for too long, it has cost the populus too many lives. Imperator Laura Pemberton II gave her troops full freedom to relieve the years of animosity and the planet ran with sap. The plantoid militia had no hope of holding of the regular soldiers and the cry "Messem facite!" spread terror. A terrible harvest it was, and though the imperator gained a promotion from her efficient conquest, she also acquired the nickname "Macella". Not a name to be used to her face, but "the Butcher" is how she will be remembered by her troops.
Although not by the Queptilians. Their society revolves around worship of a pantheon of plant deities, but one god is different. Perhaps appropriately for species of plants, the god of death is a winged humanoid creature armed with a scythe. From terrified prisoners we have heard that the common soldiers see Imperator Pemberton as the personification of the death god, flying down with her scythe and slaughtering plants by the millions. They refer to her as "The Grim Reaper".
A Shrine for the Queptilian God of Death
The loss of the planet and its billions of Alvothari citizens did not force the DQT to negotiate. The war must continue, though now it appears that victory is certain. The success of the innovative "Disruptors" program will lead to new weapons, but it is unlikely that ships armed with these will be used in this war. Even less likely would be the deployment of the objective of the next project adopted by the Physics section: the mining drone laser. The constant delivery of data from the analysis of the vast debris fields left after the battles in the Ynessa system is of great assistance to all areas of research.
Diplomatically, some new civilisations have made contact, but they are from so far away that their arrival made little impact. Another group of merchants were a bit more interesting, but their offers to trade energy credits for minerals (and vice versa) are no different from those already available.
The obvious way to end the war quickly was to seize another DQT colony: to show them that nothing could stop the Empire from grinding them to fertiliser. Golden Flower, a colony in the Ynnessa system, was a prime candidate, as we already had a fleet there and it was virtually defenceless. No need wasting lives needlessly.
Unfortunately the arrival of a DQT battleship with two escorting cruisers forced Praeceptus Bello to pull her ships from their task of bombarding the planet in order to deal with the intruders. It did not take long, but long enough for the desperate colonists to repair the damage to their defences.
An interruption, but more proof we can deal with battleships
There was a flare up of panic when our ships in the Mehmez system sent an urgent message that a powerful Kha'Zann fleet led by a battleship had appeared. Survey activities were immediately halted and all ships fled, but after the attack on Sirius that saw its space-station destroyed, the citizens of the inner planets are nervous. The Princeps moved swiftly: a new ship building program was begun and a number of ships in the area were ordered to assemble to provide at least some defence should the enemy approach.
Not what we needed: a new threat
As sign that the peril was seen a real, our sole "Artifex" constructor ship was recalled and work begun on a massive "Gargantua" class fortress to defend the Sirius system. If we can complete this in time it will give any attacking fleet something to think about.
For months we waited with our hearts in our mouths, but the enemy never took the opportunity to strike us when we were vulnerable. 2086 ended and the months passed, allowing our researchers to complete both the Galactic Administration and Mining Drone Laser projects and start to investigate the art of the Galactic Campaign and the development of Subspace Sensors. (The scientific community was saddened by the death of Senator Domitian Bauer but at 83 it had to be expected. Many of our prominent leaders are getting very old, and this could cause some strain on administration in the years to come.)
All this was routine however. The action was, as everyone knew, in the Ynessa system. Or, to be more precise, the planet of Golden Flower, one of the DQT homeworlds. The enemy were not going to give it up without a fight, and a fleet surprised our invasion fleet and caused some consternation. "Marcus" had to race to its assistance, again delaying the destruction of the planetary defences. The interference only delayed the inevitable. "Macella" Pemberton was sent to command the invasion and it went like clockwork, if that is an appropriate analogy for the annihilation of millions of plantoids. Her reputation remains intact.
The Imperator now has planetary conquest down to a set routine: she can run it easily from her command room above Golden Flower
Then it was just a matter of sitting back and waiting for the DQT to come to their senses. Their fleets were gone, two of their planets occupied, their allies reluctant to commit to a war that was over in all but the formalities. During that period, a new Empire Capital Complex was completed on Terra and a working subspace sensor was completed. The search for a method of locating and refining Satramene was next on the list of things to do. With the economy picking up, it was even seen as worthwhile to sponsor the Artisan Troupe. It was worth the cost in energy credits to gain the increased unity the announcement generated.
Mineral reserves have plummeted, while the number of non-human citizens is growing
Just before the middle of the year the delegates from the DQT arrived with their acceptance of our original demands. Tule's Glory, Star Grove and Bulb will be handed over to the Imperium and a truce will be in effect for 10 years, allowing our ships free access through DQT space.
This called for a reorganisation of our administration: our bureaucrats cannot hope to directly control so many planets. Izval and our colony in Uqallon have been attached to the Titus sector, relieving some of the burden. The three captured planets are seething with resentment and while Bulb is well covered with the invasion army still maintaining control, the other two new additions to the empire are in turmoil. Recruitment of local troops to impose order started immediately.
Patrolling a rebellious planet is not a task to be taken lightly: heavy armour is a must
Sadly, it was not enough. The Queptilians on Tule's Glory were cowed into submission, but the spirit of liberty apparently still survived among the Alvothari on Star Grove and they rebelled, slaughtering the few militia that had been trained. That was annoying, but the army was not worried. The end of the war had freed up the armies that had been used on Golden Flower and they were ordered to make the long voyage back to suppress the revolting masses.
That took time, however, and the rebels used that time wisely. They forged links with the Alvothari Cartel, a group of liberated Alvothari determined to keep the freedom they had seized from their conquerors. That would have been nothing to worry about as militarily they were no match for our navy, depleted though it was by years of combat. Unfortunately the Alvothari had also been active diplomatically, and their independence is guaranteed by our friends, the Mith-Fell Empire. That complicated matters greatly.
I sat in on discussions between the Princeps and her key advisers, and one thing was certain. The Imperium Universalis Romanorum could not be split for much longer: the DQT and the Tiyal Blessed Foundation must be destroyed. To do this we must focus "east". We cannot afford to lose our allies (and potential allies) to the "south", not for short term gain. The rebels can have their planet for now, but the Princeps will not forget. She has a long memory and she has no history of forgiving those who cross her. The Alvothari are living on borrowed time.
Our region of space: a complex web of alliances and treaties: we must tread carefully
There was grumbling of course, with many navy officers unhappy that our hard earned victory was robbed of some its sheen by some revolting snails. A few transfers to remote frontier outposts put an end to that. In the meantime the existing "Praesidium" fortress orbiting Terra was dismantled and work begun on a new "Gargantua" class. A raiding fleet would find both our homeworlds well defended, at least for long enough for a battle fleet to be recalled from the front. Even if the front might be some distance away: a secret order has been sent to Praeceptus Bello: she is to take "Marcus" to Zif and await further orders. I happen to know that an extensive contract has been signed for the Zif space station to built what is virtually a small fleet.
I think the Tiyal could find themselves at war soon, a war that will only end with their complete destruction. Unless of course they accept the domination of the SPQR.
I suppose I might have concentrated on one weapon system, but as far as I can remember, I didn't have much choice. Usually only one of the research options looks useful (or obtainable in a reasonable amount of time) and I don't recall ever having had a choice of weapons. Maybe that is just my luck, or maybe I should have deferred some weapon options and only taken the selected ones. Not sure how that would go, but I don't normally play like that. A bit like playing Germany in a WW2 game and only developing panzers, doing nothing about U-boats or the Kriegsmarine. Probably a good strategic decision, but removes a lot of the sense of being involved.
Still - thanks for the advice. If I get completely trashed in this game, you can shake your head and say "I told you so".
That has become such a stock phrase in this AAR, hasn't it?
You should write that phrase in Latin! And end every AAR chapter with it. How about like this:
Ceterum censeo, Paradoxam et intelligentiam artificialitem esse culpandam.
Good old Cato the Elder: he has always struck me as a person I would not like to sit next to at dinner. A fanatical grumpy old man. I always barrack for the Carthaginians.
("Barrack" means the same as the US "root", but in Australia that has a very different meaning. Never tell someone you are rooting for his wife or daughter. Our word comes from the Middle English "rut", periodic sexual excitement of male deer, goats etc I believe the US version comes from the same word, but it also meant the roars and noise the deer or goat whatever made while in this state of excitement. Tell that to the person next to you at the football: "You are rooting like a randy goat").
The translation is good, but just one correction.
"Paradox" is a noun, and so does not have to agree in gender with "intelligentia', unlike "artificialis" . You have it as feminine accusative but the noun "paradoxum" (or sometimes "paradoxon") is actually neuter. It could be used as a plural "paradoxa" but that is usually only when referring to the contradictory goals of the Stoic philosophers. But not with the "am" ending anyway.
There is a masculine noun "paradoxus" but that refers specifically to an athlete who has won both the lukta (a sort of wrestling you won by either forcing any part of the opponent onto the ground or by having him signify he surrendered) and the pankration on the same day. The pankration sounds a bit like cage fighting.
Pankration, which literally means 'all force', is a combination of wrestling and boxing. It was a dangerous sport, in which everything was permitted except biting, gouging (stabbing with your finger in your opponent's eye, nose or mouth) and attacking the genitals
That is the Greek sports obviously, and the word came from them (παραδοξονίκης). Because the sports needed different skills and body shape, it was felt that someone who could do both was marvellous and contrary to expectations. So the word entered Latin and of course Cicero (I think) used it as a sort of metaphor for achieving opposite things at once.
Here endeth the lesson.
(You have to forgive me - it has been a while since I finished my Honours Classics and I find it hard to restrain myself once I get going.)
Must ... stop ... going ....on ... NOooooooo!
Though I should add that the adjective "artificialis", although used correctly, is a bit anachronistic. It is, I think, a late Medieval Latin word. The Romans didn't really distinguish between "natural" and "artificial". They had an adjective "artificiosus" but that meant skilfully, artfully, in an organised manner. "Artifex" itself meant a builder or an artist (Again, no difference really, not like us who see builders as mundane and artists as more sophisticated). They saw man-made things as an expression of the skill of the manufacturer (made by hand) and not inferior to an "original".
I bet you are sorry you started this: it does not take me much to get going. Feel sorry for my wife and three daughters who have had to put up with this for decades.
I don't think napalm is needed in this game: land warfare is (at least what I have seen of it) pretty simple.
Peace? Peace? While there are systems that do not acknowledge Rome as their master? We have short periods of rest between wars.
That was what I too believed, in my first game. Then I focused on missiles and got my entire fleet killed much too easily after an incident when an enemy fleet warped in almost upon it. But it was also not punching even half as well as the opposition.
A new start with cannons instead allowed a similar research strategy to conquer the galaxy.
I would have preferred a more cosmetic difference, myself.
Hmmm - I lost one fleet to a suddenly appearing enemy, but put that down to bad luck and being massively outgunned. Anyway, I have already started to diversify. Some of my cruisers have hardly any missiles, and my large ships have a mix.
Wars seem to take a long time when you have a limited number of ships, limited resources and it takes so long to move long distances. Because I have a split Empire and many threats, my warships spend a lot of time travelling rather than fighting.