Introduction 1 - wargamedownloads.com · The Mystery of the Kiralina.....43 First Contact .....44 The Raider Wars .....46 Circasian Government.....48 Circasian Military.....48 Events

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© 2000-2004, T© 2000-2004, T© 2000-2004, T© 2000-2004, T© 2000-2004, Tyrel Lyrel Lyrel Lyrel Lyrel Lohrohrohrohrohr The Escalation WThe Escalation WThe Escalation WThe Escalation WThe Escalation Wars: Empire Risingars: Empire Risingars: Empire Risingars: Empire Risingars: Empire Rising

IntroductionIntroductionEmpire RisingEmpire Rising

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The Last Flight of the Solukar ................... 41.0 Introduction ..................................... 5

1.1 Campaign Rules .................................... 51.2 General Rule Modifications.................... 51.3 Hyperspace Travel ................................. 8

1.3.1 Jump Lane Types ............................. 81.3.2 The Jump Gate Network .................. 9

1.3.2.1 Building Jump Gates ................... 91.3.2.2 Upgrading Jump Lanes ............. 101.3.2.3 Destroying or Deactivating

Jump Gates ..................................... 101.3.2.3.1 Political Ramifications of

Destroying Jump Gates .................. 111.3.2.4 Disengaging from Scenarios

Using Jump Gates .......................... 121.3.2.5 Optional Rule: Simplified

Jump Gate and Jump Lane Rules .. 121.3.3 Jump Engines................................. 12

1.3.3.1 Disengaging from ScenariosUsing Jump Engines ....................... 13

1.3.4 Hyperspace and Exploration .......... 131.3.4.1 Exploration in the

Historical Campaign Scenario ......... 131.3.4.2 Exploration in the

Freeform Campaign Scenario ......... 131.3.5 Terrentium ...................................... 14

1.3.5.1 Special Resources: TerrentiumDeposits (Optional Rule) ................. 14

1.3.6 Hyperspace Combat andDeep Space Encounters .................... 14

1.3.6.1 Hyperspace DeepSpace Scenarios ............................. 15

1.3.6.2 Hyperspace Intercept Scenarios . 151.3.6.3 Hyperspace Pursuit Scenarios ... 15

1.4 Raiders in theEscalation Wars Universe .................... 15

1.4.1 Raider Affiliation & Disposition ....... 161.4.2 Change to Raider Encounters ........ 161.4.3 Effects of Raider Success .............. 16

1.5 New Campaign Rules .......................... 161.5.1 Stealth and Concealed Movement . 161.5.2 Retreating from Combat ................. 18

1.5.2.1 Performing a Retreat ................ 181.5.2.2 Multi-Unit Retreats .................... 181.5.2.3 Catastrophic Drive Failure ........ 181.5.2.4 Location of Retreated Units

at the End of the Turn ..................... 191.5.3 Unit Availability ............................... 19

1.6 CSCR Unit Abilities .............................. 20

2.0 History of the Chouka War ........... 25State of the Galaxy, Pre-War ..................... 25The War Begins (1971) ............................. 29The Mishtuki Plan (1972) ........................... 30The Fight to Chouka (1973)....................... 36

Table of Contents

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The Escalation WThe Escalation WThe Escalation WThe Escalation WThe Escalation Wars: Empire Risingars: Empire Risingars: Empire Risingars: Empire Risingars: Empire Rising © 2000-2004, T © 2000-2004, T © 2000-2004, T © 2000-2004, T © 2000-2004, Tyrel Lyrel Lyrel Lyrel Lyrel Lohrohrohrohrohr

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The Fall of Breth ........................................ 38Post-War .................................................... 39

3.0 The Circasian Empire ................... 40Introduction ................................................ 40Background ............................................... 40

Taking to Space ....................................... 41The Mystery of the Kiralina...................... 43First Contact ............................................ 44The Raider Wars ..................................... 46

Circasian Government ............................... 48Circasian Military ........................................ 48Events after the Chouka War .................... 49Circasian Technology ................................. 50

Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) ........ 50Kinetic Weapons ..................................... 52Ballistic Weapons .................................... 52History of the Lancer Design Project ....... 53Circasian Variants.................................... 56

Starships .................................................... 56Bases, Satellites, & Mines ......................... 67Fighters & Shuttles .................................... 68

4.0 The Chouka Theocracy ................. 70Background ............................................... 70

Intermediate Period ................................. 70Middle Period........................................... 70The Modern Period .................................. 72The Aliens Appear ................................... 72Ther Interstellar Period ............................ 73War With the Circasians

and the Aftermath .............................. 74Chouka Technology ................................... 75

Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) ........ 75Ballistic Weapons .................................... 76

Gravitic Technologies .............................. 77Chouka Military .......................................... 78Starships .................................................... 78Bases, Satellites, & Mines ......................... 85Fighters & Shuttles .................................... 88

5.0 The Sshel’ath Alliance .................. 90Background ............................................... 90

The Cold War .......................................... 90The Birth of the Alliance .......................... 91The First Novon War ............................... 93The Aftermath of War .............................. 93The Second Novon War .......................... 94A New Opportunity .................................. 95

Sshel’ath Technology ................................. 96Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) ........ 96Kinetic Weapons ..................................... 98Ballistic Weapons .................................... 99

Sshel’ath Military ........................................ 99Sshel’ath Marines .................................... 100Starships .................................................. 100Bases, Satellites, & Mines ....................... 108Fighters & Shuttles .................................. 110

6.0 Raiders & Pirates .........................111Background ............................................. 111Chouka Pirates ........................................ 112

Starships ................................................ 112Fighters & Shuttles ................................ 114

The Unsheathed Claw ............................. 115Starships ................................................ 116Bases, Defenses & Mines ..................... 119Fighters & Shuttles ................................ 120

The Blood Swords ................................... 121Blood Sword Crews ............................... 123Starships ................................................ 123Fighters & Shuttles ................................ 125

Other Raiders .......................................... 126Starships ................................................ 126

Fighters & Shuttles .................................. 127

7.0 Civilians ....................................... 128Background ............................................. 129The Solassi Corridor ................................ 129Starships .................................................. 131Bases, Defenses & Mines........................ 134Fighters & Shuttles .................................. 135

8.0 Other Races ................................. 136Borillians ................................................ 136Ingalli Democratic Republic ................... 136

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Kástan Imperial Monarchy ..................... 136Kholran Republic ................................... 136Neliste Empire ....................................... 136Novon Trade Lords ................................ 136Ragalthan Gerontocracy ....................... 136Solassi Republic .................................... 137Th’sook Dominion .................................. 137Thaline Union ........................................ 137Thrikin Planetary Assembly ................... 137Ukal Combine ........................................ 137

9.0 Campaign Setup .......................... 1389.1 Historical Campaign Scenario Setup . 138

9.1.1 Affiliation Selection ....................... 1389.1.2 Player Starting Locations.............. 1389.1.3 Starting Assets .............................. 1389.1.4 Purchasing Starting Forces .......... 1399.1.5 Placing Starting Forces ................ 1399.1.6 Jump Gate Placement .................. 1399.1.7 External Trade Routes.................. 1399.1.8 Victory Conditions ........................ 140

9.2 Freeform Campaign Scenario Setup . 1409.2.1 Affiliation Selection ....................... 1409.2.2 Player Starting Locations.............. 1419.2.3 Starting Assets .............................. 1419.2.4 Off Map Trade .............................. 1419.2.5 Victory Conditions ........................ 142

9.3 Elite Officers ...................................... 1429.3.1 Circasian Elite Officers ................. 143

Captain Larha Karrn ............................ 143Rear Admiral Tas Rallarn .................... 143Admiral Haelitis Xan ............................ 143Captain Toran Xan .............................. 144

9.3.2 Chouka Elite Officers ................... 145First Hand Marzuula Tien .................... 145First Hand Shcuizkho Yular ................. 145

9.3.3 Blood Sword Elite Officers............ 146Brahaen Ghaira ................................... 146Jenehn Tayare .................................... 146

9.4 Miscellaneous Campaign Rules ........ 1469.4.1 Raiders ......................................... 1469.4.2 Playing the Sshel’ath

in a Campaign ................................. 1479.4.3 Uninvolved Powers ....................... 147

9.5 Systems of the Chouka War .............. 147

10.0 The Nature of Hyperspace ........ 161The Environment of Hyperspace ............. 162Dimensions of Hyperspace ...................... 162

High-Level Hyperspace ......................... 163Psi Level .............................................. 163Iota Level ............................................. 163Theta Level ......................................... 163

Mid-Level Hyperspace ........................... 163Beta Level ........................................... 163Alpha Level ......................................... 163Delta Level .......................................... 163

Low-Level Hyperspace .......................... 164Kappa Level ........................................ 164Mu Level .............................................. 164Omega Level ....................................... 164

11.0 Afterword .................................... 16511.1 Authors’ Notes .................................. 16511.2 Submission Guidelines .................... 16611.3 Contact the Author ........................... 166Copyright Information .............................. 166

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The Last Flightof the Solukar

Captain Ralon Tazeel gripped thearms of his command chair, his knucklesturning white as his grip continued totighten. His body bucked, his grav harnessthe only thing keeping him in his commandchair.

The tactical video screen on theforward wall of the bridge was filled with afrantic swarm of lights and symbols. Tazeelwatched as swarms of blue and red blipsmoved across the display, individual lightsgrowing brighter for an instant before fadingand disappearing. One symbol, then another,and then another disappeared before hiseyes. Some belonged to the enemy, butmany of them—too many of them—wereCircasian.

A solid blow rocked Tazeel’s ship, theSolukar. Ralon Tazeel gritted his teeth. HisKolanis Cruiser had come under fire fromone of the Chouka’s heavy cruisers and allof the Solukar’s escort and fighter supporthad already been scattered and dispersedby the enemy fleet’s counterstrike. Theattempt to beat back the enemy flankingfleet had failed, and now the Solukar andher crew were to pay the price for thisfailure.

“Damage to all decks,” reported Lt.Nalun Lasucir, Tazeel’s tactical officer.“Damage repair crews report that the portstructure has taken substantial damagefrom the last shot. Chouka plasma weaponshave melted through the cargo bays andthat entire section of the ship has beendepressurized.”

“Give me a firing solution on theChouka heavy cruiser,” commanded Tazeel.

“Firing solution acquired, Captain.”“Fire, Lieutenant.”The Solukar’s four forward plasma

cannons came alive, firing volley after volleyof super-heated plasma at the Choukacruiser as it continued to close on the

Solukar’s position. Several shots went wideof their target, but most managed to hitthe oncoming behemoth, causing visibleexplosions upon impact. Despite thedamage the ship showed no signs ofbreaking off its attack run and continuedto lumber slowly towards the Solukar.

“Minor damage to target’s forwardhull,” Lt. Lasucir reported.

The Solukar was rocked again byweapons fire, this time coming from a wingof enemy fighters that had joined in theattack on the wracked Solukar. The soundof metal upon metal and the echo ofexplosions filled the bridge. Tazeel thoughtthat he could hear the screams of his crewas each new girder gave way, collapsing andcrumpling like foil under the intensebombardment.

The tactical officer turned his headand looked Tazeel in the eyes. Tazeel couldsee the look of anguish upon her face anddemanded, “Report!”

“Captain, another one of our particlecannons has gone offline. Remainingweapons still have a lock on the enemycruiser. I don’t know how much longer wecan hold out, sir.”

Tazeel nodded gravely and replied,“Continue with the attack.” Swiveling hischair, Tazeel turned to the communicationsstation and asked, “Communications, try tosignal other nearby ships and fighters andrequest immediate assistance.”

“Aye, aye, sir,” replied thecommunications officer.

Tazeel returned his attention to theprimary tactical display, manipulating thedisplay through his chair’s control pad soas to zoom in and take a closer look at theimmediate threat. Although the Solukarcontinued to fire a hail of weapons fire atthe Chouka cruiser it seemed as thoughnothing could slow it down. Tazeel growledand his hands dug deeper into the arms ofhis chair. Tazeel didn’t notice the pain thatnow shot through his fingers. His totalattention was devoted fully to the battlethat unfolded all around him. The life of hiscrew, as well as his own, hinged on how thenext few moments would play out.

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The Solukar fired another wave ofchemical-reaction rockets towards thetarget while the ship’s remaining particlecannons and plasma cannons continued topummel the enemy’s hull. The weapons firelashed out across the dark void seeking theirprey in the dark shadow of the enemyhomeworld. Plasma and rocket volleys foundtheir target, exploding violently upon impactwith the hull while particle cannons rakedslowly and surely across the enemy’s hull.Explosions and fire dotted the cruiser’s hull,followed by an even larger explosion thatshattered the cruiser’s side. Huge sheetsof metal were pushed outward from thebreach by escaping gases. Wraith-liketendrils of flame emitted from the gapingrents in the Chouka vessel’s side.

Tazeel turned his head anddemanded, “What happened to thecruiser?”

Lt. Lasucir answered, “One of ourrockets punctured the primary plasmaintake valve on their reactor. Sensorsindicate that their reactor’s power levelsare fluctuating wildly – sir, their reactor isgoing to go critical at any moment!”

As the words escaped the officer’smouth, the view of the enemy Apostle HolyCruiser disappeared in a blinding flash oflight. As Tazeel’s eyes readjusted he triedto look to see what remained of the enemycruiser. All that remained was a burnedout black hulk spiralling out of control intothe darkness and a field of debris that layscattered across the view screen. Theyhad done it. They had destroyed anApostle…

Tazeel nodded. “Good work, people!Now fall back to support the fleet…”

Tazeel was interrupted as Lasucirannounced, “Captain! Three Revelation WarBarges are moving in on attack vector. Theyare entering missile range….” Her voicetrailed off as the data appeared on herscreen. After a pause she continued, “Sir,we have eighteen missile volleys incoming.”

Tazeel sighed and resigned himself tohis fate. “Begin evacuation procedures, geteveryone off the ship!”

1.0 IntroductionWelcome to The Escalation Wars:

Empire Rising, the first of the supplements setin The Escalation Wars universe. What arethe Escalation Wars and the universe thatsurrounds them? Quite simply put, they are thefateful wars of supremacy fought between theCircasian Empire and the Courata Imperiumbetween the years 2004 and 2025. This seriesof wars would engulf the whole of known spaceand bring it to the brink of destruction. TheEscalation Wars universe is an epic settingcovering thousands of years of history anddozens of alien races, each a thread in thedazzling tapestry that is the Escalation Warssaga.

The Chouka War details the Circasian’sfirst major interstellar conflict. In their war withthe fanatical Chouka, the Circasians took thefirst step towards dominance in their region ofspace. This pivotal moment in history would leadto the rise to power of the Circasian Empire, anascension that would ultimately cost hundredsof millions of sentients their lives.

1.1 Campaign RulesThis section of Empire Rising includes

all of the additional and optional rules requiredto play a campaign in the Escalation Warsuniverse. Some of the rules contained hereaftersupercede rules found in the Victory by AnyMeans Campaign Guide. In most cases, rulenumbers from the campaign guide (precededby “CG” and then the rule number) are includedfor easy reference.

1.2 General RuleModifications

Wartime EconomiesThe CG 4.1 Wartime Economies should

be used for all Escalation Wars campaigns.

Production TimesShip construction in the Escalation Wars

universe takes considerable time and effort. Assuch, the CG 4.10 Extended Construction rulesare in force.

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ColonizationIn our own history, a large percentage

of those who colonized far distant lands weremembers of the disenfranchised, persecuted,or criminal segments of society. The same holdstrue for the Escalation Wars universe. Allcolonists sent to new worlds are not drawn fromthe “productive” local populace. Use CG 4.8Quick Expansion Colony Fleets rule to simulatethis fact.

Non-Atmospheric & Atmospheric-OnlyFlights

Some of the flights in the EscalationWars universe are capable of either only non-atmospheric or atmospheric operations. Non-atmospheric flights may not be based on planets,but instead must rely on space-based basing.Atmospheric-only flights are the opposite. Theyare only capable of being based at planetarysites and can never be based by space unitsnor participate in combat encounters. Becauseof this, atmospheric-only flights have very limitedusefulness in a campaign. Their primaryapplication is in ground combat, where they caneither function directly as ground combat unitsor else provide CG 3.6.5.3 Tactical Support forother friendly ground units.

The only way to transfer atmospheric-only flights between systems is by transportingthem aboard either military supply ships orTransport Fleets. Atmospheric-only flights havea cargo size equal to their DV for this purpose.

BasingUnder the standard rules, units are given

a single Basing Capacity statistic (often referredto simply as Basing), which is equal to thenumber of flights the unit can operate. In thisbook, Basing is broken down into two types:Standard Basing Capacity (BS-s) and HeavyBasing Capacity (BS-h). Both types of Basingare governed by the standard basing rules asoutlined in the Campaign Guide. For that matter,Standard Basing operates exactly like traditionalBasing. All types of flights can be based fromStandard Basing.

Heavy Basing on the other hand isreserved for use by larger craft. Shuttles, assaultshuttles, breaching pods, and super-heavy

fighters are the only flight types that can makeuse of Heavy Basing. Shuttles, assault shuttles,and breaching pods (but not super-heavyfighters) may also make use of Standard Basing,but Heavy Basing is designed explicitly for theiruse.

This supplement contains several shipsthat are restricted to Heavy Basing Capacity.Such ships are incapable of basing fighter flightsbut are fully capable and in fact designed tooperate shuttles and other auxiliary small craft(for example, the Chouka Covenant Minelayerand its Ark Minelaying Shuttles). Futuresupplements will make greater use of thisdifferentiation, including older Lleskathdestroyers that based large super-heavy fighterson a catapult-launch assembly.

Weapons of Mass DestructionAlthough rarely employed, most ships in

the Escalation Wars universe are capable ofbeing equipped with weapons of massdestruction. This category of weaponry includesnuclear weapons, mass drivers, and any moreexotic forms of weapons capable of causingwidespread planetary destruction. Weapons ofmass destruction cost 2 economic points each.

Refer to the updated bombardment chartlisted in this source material’s appendices todetermine the maximum number of weapons ofmass destruction each class of ship can operateat any one time.

Listening PostMany governments operate Listening

Posts along their borders. These posts are usedto gather vital intelligence information about fleetmovements in their own system as well as tocoordinate offensive Intel missions intosurrounding systems. If used properly, ListeningPosts can increase the security along anempire’s borders.

Listening Posts are treated like ground-based Supply Depots (see CG 3.6.1.2 SupplyDepots) for purposes of transport andpurchasing. Instead of providing supply benefits,Listening Posts instead provide benefits to Inteloperations performed from the system in whichthe Listening Post is located.

There are two benefits to establishing aListening Post at a planet or system. Firstly, the

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2.0 Historyof theChouka WarState of the Galaxy,Pre-War

The history of the familiar region of thegalaxy, called ‘known space’ by those that dwellthere, is a rich one. Much is remembered aboutthe region’s past through the texts, stories,memories, and ruins scattered across a hundredworlds. Songs, poems, articles, treatises, andartifacts betray the sometimes-mysterioushistory of known space.

The earliest recorded information of theinhabitation of known space dates back to theHastan Empire in 8100 B.C.E., a great powerthat stretched forth its hand into what is nowknown space long before many of today’spowers had discovered fire or agriculture. It isstill unknown what caused the downfall of sucha megalithic empire as that carved out by theHastan, we only know that the Hastandisappeared from this region of space long agoleaving behind marvelous ruins and glimpsesof a time before recorded history.

The rebirth of interstellar civilizationwithin known space began roughly 500 yearsbefore the outbreak of the Chouka War. It wasduring this time that many of the races took tothe stars in search of their destinies. The Ukal,Kholran, and Vendrizzi are perhaps the most wellknown races to have arisen during this period,founding great empires that would endure forcenturies to come.

During this early period of nativeexploration and expansion, the elder racesexperienced a renaissance of technology andculture not seen before or since. With nooutward threats, their people were free to livetheir lives in peace and work towards whateverends they found appealing or worthy of theirtime.

As Prometheus brought fire to man, soto these elder races brought technology andspace travel to the developing civilizations theyencountered along their borders. The Ukal arelargely responsible for the formation of themodern jump gate network. In addition to theirown exploratory programs, the Ukal spread jumptechnology to the other younger races that theyencountered, providing these races newtechnologies in exchange for raw materials and/or basing rights in their system.

While the elder races were exploring andexpanding, the northern frontier of known spacewas changing. Long controlled by theLossoleguul and their star empire, the

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Senshuka

Res`den

CIRCASIA

Talynn

Kosica

Tro'Pac

VatalKalinos

Maloria

Drayac

Quadrant 1

THALAMAS

MishtukiSha'al

Vola

Jalun

A'lara

Litara

CHOUKA

Taul'ra

BORILOS

Entyte

Tidun

THRIKIN

Kolir

KHOLCHAK

Dreben

Toth

Kafoth

Ula

Ma'kal

Breth

SSHEL'A

NOVONOUS

Phaltwa

Rogon

TONA

Solarran

Vreimen

Sembot

Rorra

Iolor

Kosta

Locsor

Akkar

KÁSTA

Scirra Intera

Tacis

Stacis

X'CHUKTA

Kati'did

Huplat

Quadrant 4

WOLST

TrataKam

Sector84

Yonnea

ToTH'SU

To LASGORRAM

Emishi

Gagrran

Maudi

UPSPIN

DOWNSPIN

CO

REW

ARDO

UTW

ARD

ChoukaTheocracy

CircasianEmpire

KholranRepublic

SolassiRepublic

NovonTrade Lords

Sshel'athNeliste

Thrikins

ThalineUnion

Ragalthan

KástanImperial

Monarchy

Th'sookDominion

UkalCombine Ru'herur

Chensit

Major Colony

HOMEWORLD

Colony

Controlled

Neutral

Minor Colony

Minor Outpost

Outpost

Dead

SYSTEMS OF THE CHOUKA WAR

Major Lane

Minor Lane

Unimportant Lane

Restricted Lane

This map shows the general extent of the Circasian Empire’s knowledge ofsurrounding territories circa the Earth year 1970. The Circasian Empire wasfairly isolated prior to the Chouka War, limiting their contact with the outsidegalaxy. In contrast, the Chouka were located near the rich Solassi Corridorand the opulent commerce meccas belonging to the Novon Trade Lords.

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homeworlds of the Lossoleguul had come underattack by wave after wave of barbarian racesfrom outside their borders. Weakened by yearsof war in the previous decade against theneighboring Gammaks, the Lossoleguulhomeworlds eventually fell to the new invaders.With the destruction of their capital theLossoleguul Star Empire began to collapse. Theimperial provinces bordering known space werethrown into chaos, a chaos that they would notescape for hundreds of years.

The fall of the Lossoleguul in 1600 C.E.occurred while the races of known space wereat their height. The Ukal Combine controlledmuch of known space, with its borders reachingfrom Yulonn to Khalir and Vinatra to Toss. Thehordes that attacked the Lossoleguul wouldnever enter the borders of known space, but thepressure they put on other races in the regionled to a series of brutal wars on the northernfrontier. It was the Ukal’s war with one suchprovincial power, the Takaarans, which ultimatelyled to the Ukal abandoning many of theirterritories.

The recession of the Ukal and thebeginning of their eventual decline as a majorinterstellar power marks the beginning of theSecond Age of interstellar history. Youngerraces emerged all across known space andbegan establishing their own presence acrossthe stars. The Ukal’s former protectorates,including most of the races that would later formthe ak-Tai Hegemony, began exploiting theoutward sectors of space while races such asthe Courata and Ragaltha appeared coreward.

The 19th Century would prove to be acrucible for those races fortunate to survivethem. Great wars raged across the entirety ofknown space. In the outward sectors, agenocidal race known as the E’chekri had beguntheir campaign of destruction, destroying entireworlds and killing billions upon billions ofsentients in the process. Along the Vendrizziborder, raids by the mysterious Ingalli led to theoutbreak of the Ingalli War. It was as if a firehad swept over known space and the futurelooked bleak indeed. Somehow these threatswere put down and order restored, but notwithout fundamentally changing the survivors.

The Circasian Empire at the beginningof the Chouka War was a relatively minor power

controlling a handful of systems in a relativelyuninteresting and untouched region of knownspace. The area of space that the Circasianscontrolled lays nested between the “dead zone”,an area cleansed of life by the malevolentE’chekri during the Great War of the early 19th

Century, and the heavily populated corewardsectors. Few (if any) alien explorers hadpreviously journeyed into the Circasians regionof hyperspace. This left the Circasians in a goodposition for future expansion, something thatthey took full advantage of.

Outward of the Circasians another race,the Th’sook, had also started to cut out anempire for themselves in the abandonedsystems of the E’chekri dead zone.

The Great WarThe Great War, fought between the

Earth years 1817 and 1833, enveloped theoutward sectors and left the region in ruins.The invasion of the genocidal E’chekriwould lead to the formation of a mightyalliance of worlds, including the Kholran,ak-Tai, Lleskath, Ghotekhen, and Solassi.This alliance and the remnants of thebattered worlds left in the wake of theE’chekri advance fought valiantly againstthe invading E’chekri hordes, eventuallymanaging to turn the tide and defeat theirenemy.

The E’chekri earned a vilereputation that lives on today for their totaldisregard for sentient life. The E’chekri didnot take prisoners, nor did they occupy alienworlds. Instead, the E’chekri went out oftheir way to destroy enemy worlds from orbitusing mass drivers, fusion bombs, andbiological weapons. Very rarely did E’chekriground troops set foot on alliance worlds.

Following the war and theextermination of the E’chekri, the alliesformed a strong defense pact that wouldlead to the formation of the ak-TaiHegemony. The Kholran were not a part ofthis new compact, instead retreating backto their homeworld and largely withdrawingfrom the galactic milieu.

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The Kholran and Ukal, two major powersupspin of the Circasians, had begun contractingtheir borders and pulling away from the galacticscene. The Ukal found themselves occupieddefending their northern borders from themarauding races of the northern wastes, whilethe Kholran had simply become disenfranchisedwith galactic affairs. Both remained majormilitary forces in the time period, but neither wasoverly active in the affairs of the “lesser races”that surrounded them.

Coreward of the Circasians lies a heavilypopulated region of known space. The KástanImperial Monarchy controlled a region of spaceseparated from much of known space by virtueof the volatile and unpredictable nature of localhyperspace in the region. The Thaline Unionstood on the border of the Circasian’s worldview,a gateway leading to the unknown territories andpowers further coreward.

Outward of the Circasian Empire sprawlthe former Ukal protectorates, worlds formerlydefended by the Ukal before their departure fromthe region. The war torn region is home to theak-Tai Hegemony and its member states.

The Circasian Empire is in many ways acontradiction in terms. The government isgenerally republican in nature, with an electedbody overseeing the domestic affairs and policyof the Circasian people. At the same time, themilitary-staffed oversight and control body,known as the Circasian War Council, controlsall aspects of the Circasian military machine. Intimes of national crisis, the War Council has fullauthority to take control of the government inorder to persevere. Law delineates thesituations in which these actions are warrantedand the decision to activate the War Council’swar powers is in the hands of the democraticallyelected ruling body. This has not stopped theWar Council from pressing the issue in situationswhere they feel decisive action is needed, andthe Council often acts as a guiding hand evenduring times of peace.

In contrast, the Chouka Theocracy isruled by the religious elite of their world. TheChouka Circle of Elders, the organizationdescended from the members of their order’sfirst convocation, rule Chouka and her colonieswith an iron fist. Edicts of law, as well as faith,are handed out equally by the Circle and neither

one is challenged by the common man. Thetotality of the Theocracy’s hold over its peopleis amazing in that it has endured for hundredsof years.

The Circasians never held any great lovefor the Chouka. Social as well as physicaldifferences helped to drive a wedge betweenthe two races early on. Still, the Circasians wereopen to developing a peaceful, mutuallybeneficial relationship with the Chouka. TheCircasians were still relatively new to space andwished to befriend as many alien cultures asthey could in hopes of procuring advanced alientechnologies. The Chouka on the other handwere interested less in trade than they were inconverting the Circasians to their one true faith.The Chouka knew that the Circasians were amore primitive people technologically than theirown and had no use for Circasian trinkets.Without an economic justification for relations,the Chouka were uninterested in establishingrelations with such a barbaric, heathen state.

The Circasian government continued tomake overtures to the Chouka, but the membersof the War Council could see that the Choukawould not budge. They had no reason to openup relations or favorable trade routes with theCircasians, as they had nothing to gain in return.What few concessions the civilian governmentcould acquire with the Chouka were one-sidedand nearly pointless. A border treaty and non-aggression pact were negotiated and ratified in1961, but the Chouka were not interested indiscussing provisions that would cover futureterritorial claim issues.

As additional intelligence informationbecame available, the War Council beganactively entertaining the idea of war with theChouka. It was true that the Chouka militarywas more advanced than that of the Circasians,but what the Circasians lacked in quality theymade up for in quantity. The Circasian Empirehad been harassed by pirates and foreign raidingvessels for years and the result of these “raiderwars” was a larger than average fleet, althoughnot yet powerful enough to counter the Choukafleet. However, the rewards of pursuing a warwith the Chouka were evident. Not only didseveral Chouka systems have access to majorand lucrative trade routes, they also had accessto new territories into which the Circasian Empire

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5.0 TheSshel’athAllianceBackground

A race of insect-like aliens, the Sshel’athare amazing in that they are able to reshapetheir bodies at will. The secret behind this abilityis the fact that a Sshel’ath’s body is made up ofan intertwined mass of rope-like elastic fiberswhich allow for limited rearrangement of thebody’s form. Some of these fiber segmentscontain the equivalent of major body organs thatserve normal life functions. These sections arelarger, thicker, and more durable than thesecondary fibril structures that comprise mostof the Sshel’ath body. Each fiber section has athick exoskeleton that protects the soft, fleshycartilage within. The only section of theSshel’ath not rearrangeable is the face. Akin toa large fibroid cyst, the Sshel’ath face containsvisual sensory and highly sensitive motiondetection organs. All other senses aredistributed throughout the body. Sshel’ath havea fast metabolism and can easily regenerateentire sections of their body given time. Theyare also highly resistant to radiation.

The Cold WarThe Sshel’ath race for space began in

the late 19th Century in the midst of a cold warinvolving the two most powerful planetarycoalitions on Sshel’a. These two powers, theA’hel’is and the Mst’as, had both reachedsuperpower status during their wars ofexpansion fought during the previous century.The A’hel’is and Mst’as were the largest andmost powerful planetary powers on Sshel’a, yetneither power ever came into direct conflict withthe other. Instead, each controlled its own cadreof satellite states that acted as proxies. As thecold war escalated and tensions increased it wasnot uncommon for one power to direct one of itsclient states to attack the other’s client who

would then return in kind. Like a game, thepower brokers on either side willfully sacrificedtheir ‘pawns’ for the greater good. Hundreds ofthousands of Sshel’ath were killed in the firstten years of the 20th Century as a result of theseproxy wars.

Shortly after satellite technology hadbecome available, both powers began todevelop orbital defense platforms. Bothpossessed nuclear capabilities and hoped thattheir network of satellites would be able tosuccessfully intercept any incoming enemyICBMs and provide orbital launch capabilities fortheir own nuclear weapons.

Construction of new satellites came at afrenzied pace, the A’hel’is matching Mst’asproduction and vice versa. Whenever one nationwould launch a new satellite the other wouldquickly follow in kind. By 1918, the orbit ofSshel’a was riddled with an intricately woven webof defense and communications satellites. Ahandful of “orbital fortresses” were alsoestablished; these large military stations allowedsmall crews of twenty to thirty officers to servein space for extended periods. The fortressesacted as command nodes, keeping tabs on theoperational status of other nearby satellites.Such installations were seen as a necessity formaintaining control of orbital assets should atotal nuclear war destroy ground basedcommand and control facilities.

In 1922, a Mst’as geologic probe sent toinvestigate a large proto-planetary object in thedense outer asteroid belt relayed news of an

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navy to spread itself thinly across the populatedregions of the Sshel’a system.

The Novon attack on Sshel’a came asexpected, and with deadly consequences. Thefleet jumped out near the Sshel’ath asteroid beltand began moving to attack any and all nearbysettlements in the region. What few defenseships were present tried to slow the Novonadvance, but all failed.

After destroying five asteroid coloniesand murdering over fifty thousand civilians, LordTlalac communicated a warning to the Sshel’athpeople: do not attempt to do battle with theNovon trade lords again, or it would be theirundoing. With that Tlacal and his fleet exitedthe system and returned to Huplat. TheSshel’ath pulled their remaining naval units backto Sshel’a and proceeded to bide their time andrebuild their shattered forces and colonies.

A New OpportunityWhen the Circasians attacked the

Chouka in 1971, the Sshel’ath were quitepleased. They had dreamed of expanding intonew systems, but the Chouka and Novon hadalways blocked available avenues of expansionin the past. Both neighbors possessed atechnological advantage over the comparativelyprimitive Sshel’ath, and the Sshel’ath couldn’tafford to maintain an expensive exploratoryprogram, eliminating that alternative.

The Sshel’ath realized that the Chouka’sdefeat was imminent by the end of 1972. TheSshel’ath military received a dramatic increasein defense funding to help them take advantageof the Chouka’s increasingly bleak situation. Theconstruction of several new warship hulls wasordered in anticipation of an invasion of Choukaspace. Resources were also invested intoseveral languishing design projects in an attemptto get them readied for possible use against theChouka.

The conquest of the Chouka colonies inBreth gave the Sshel’ath their first chance topractice empire building. The Sshel’ath now hadanother system under their control and a number

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The BloodSwords

The Kástan raiders known as the BloodSwords were one of the most fearsome raiderbands to rear their heads in known space inrecent memory. The Blood Swords were formedand financed by Brahaen Ghaira, a member ofthe Kástan nobility whose family’s ties to the linesof succession had been cut a century beforedue to scandal. Brahaen Ghaira was the secondchild of his house and a playboy in his youth,winning great favor among the women of theImperial Court.

As a young man, Brahaen Ghaira tookgreat interest in space warfare. Unwilling toenter the Kástan imperial navy and give up hisautonomy, Brahaen instead purchased his ownship and gathered a group of cutthroats,convicts, and social outcasts to serve as theship’s crew. This first ship, called RainingThunder, gave Brahaen an outlet for his dubiousdesire to earn himself a name as a great militarycommander – on his own terms.

The Raining Thunder started its serviceas a mercenary vessel, escorting freighters inand out of the Rapids of Rodirra and guardingthem from attack. These routine escort missionsdid not satisfy Brahaen, however, and he beganto look for other opportunities for adventure.

After conversations with severalmembers of his crew that had served aboardraider vessels elsewhere, Brahaen decided thatprofit and excitement lay in swashbuckling.Instead of escorting freighters as they hadpreviously done the Raining Thunder would raidthem!

Using those family resources at hisdisposal Brahaen purchased several morerundown warships and outfitted them for raidingoperations. A freighter and two small frigatessoon joined the Blood Sword fleet alongside theRaining Thunder.

The first seven months of operations asraiders proved less successful than Brahaen hadhoped. Battles against slow moving freightersdidn’t excite him in the least, and the few run inswith military vessels often left his small raiderfleet badly beaten and in retreat. Theirsuccessful raids had netted them enough moneyto continue operations, but the Blood Swordswere definitely not making money, nor wasBahaen enjoying the rogue’s life he hadimagined.

All of that was about to change. In thespring of 1942, Brahaen’s contacts funneled himinformation on a substantial Thaline terrentiumshipment being routed through Chouka spacebound for the Novon trading junction at Kolir.As soon as Brahaen received the informationhis fleet was rerouted to intercept and capturethe terrentium. The raid on the Thaline convoywas a success and the Blood Swords got away

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with most of their cargo. What they left behind,however, would help to cement the name of theirraiding clan. The crews of the Thaline freighterswere cruelly tortured and then slaughtered bythe Blood Swords. The Chouka crews thatanswered the ships’ distress calls found bodyparts and fluids strewn throughout the ship.

Brahaen Ghaira reveled in his catch andquickly returned to Kásta to sell his ill-gottenterrentium. More than a few buyers were willingto look the other way to purchase someterrentium on the cheap (compared to the pricesthey normally paid for the rare element).Brahaen netted enough credits to fully refit hisfleet with the latest in hardware and still havecredits leftover.

Ghaira didn’t sell all of the terrentium henetted from the raid on the Thaline freighter,however. Instead he hoarded it and waited until,after several more years of successful raidingof alien shipping, he had saved up enoughmoney to purchase a larger, more powerful hullto act as his flagship. He then used this secretstash of terrentium in the construction andinstallation of a small jump engine aboard thenew cruiser, which he fondly named The Ladyof Dark Souls.

It was around this time that his familyand other members of the Kástan elite tooknotice of Brahaen’s good fortune and began toquestion where—and how—he had acquired hisnewfound wealth. His family began to distancethemselves from him, but Brahaen didn’t careabout what others thought about him or hisoccupation. In the taverns and brothels heboasted of his accomplishments, knowing thatno security force could ever touch him due tohis family name. He had everything that he everwanted: he was in command of his own starship,leading his forces into battle, and enjoying theriches that the spoils brought him.

Brahaen moved his flag to the Lady ofDark Souls upon its completion, leaving hissecond in command to assume the captaincyof the Raining Thunder. No expense was sparedon the construction of the Lady of Dark Soulsand it did not take long for it to earn a reputationof its own far surpassing that of the RainingThunder. The Lady’s jump engine eliminatedany predictability from the attack and no shipcould rest safely knowing that at any time they

could be targeted by a surprise Blood Swordattack.

The Lady also made Brahaen muchbolder in his attacks and the types of targets hewas willing to do battle with. Before he had stuckto fairly standard raids on lone freighters orsmall, undefended convoys. With the Ladyunder his control he began choosing to strike atany convoy of his choosing knowing full well thatthe fleet’s escorts were no match for the Ladyin combat. Brahaen and the Lady had manyclose calls where the ship was obviously in overits head fighting a superior opponent, butsomehow Brahaen’s luck never failed him andhis ship always survived such engagements.

As the years marched on the strength ofthe Blood Swords grew. Their identity and thatof their (in)famous leader was commonknowledge to most that stayed abreast of suchthings. The Blood Swords foolishly flaunted theirstrength and their ability to strike quickly andwithout notice. The Kástan authorities didnothing to interfere with Ghaira’s forces for thesame reason that he himself was not arrestedor detained; his family had status, albeit waning,and a move by the military or government couldresult in unnecessary (not to mention unwanted)political ramifications. The safety of Kástanspace and the Rapids of Rodirra provided theBlood Swords with a fallback point in which theycould always hide from authorities. Few non-Kástan were familiar enough with the Rapids tosafely navigate them, something that the BloodSwords fully exploited to protect themselves andtheir stolen cargoes.

Perhaps one of the most famousencounters with the Blood Swords was in 1950when their forces ambushed and massacred aCircasian patrol fleet. Circasian authorities hadbeen harrying Blood Sword vessels operatingin the Senshuka system for some time, butrecent Circasian policing actions had beensuccessful, costing the Blood Swords three outof the last five raids. Brahaen Ghaira knew thatsomething had to be done to silence theCircasian threat or, at the very least, to relievethe pressure on his raiding forces.

Brahaen formulated a plan wherein hewould use his recently acquired second DarkSoul Battlecruiser to lure the local Circasianpatrol fleet into a trap. Brahaen knew from the

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scuttlebutt in port that the Circasian military wasdesperately trying to counter raider operationsin their territory in order to make it safe formerchant vessels passing through the region.The desperation of the Circasian authoritiesmade Brahaen reasonably sure that they wouldtake the bait.

The Circasians didn’t disappoint. Aftertwo weeks of making its presence known inSenshuka, the Dark Soul Battlecruiser waitedpatiently for the Circasian fleet to find andintercept it. The fleet could have easily retreatedat any time to prevent capture, but Brahaenhoped that the Circasians would overlook thisobvious tell in their haste to capture or destroythe raider vessels. The Circasians obviously didnot consider this, as their fleet walked right intothe trap that had been set for them.

Bringing the Lady of Dark Souls out ofhyperspace and using it to encircle the Circasianforces, the Blood Swords were successful indestroying the Circasian patrol fleet to the lastship. In the short-term the attack had the desiredeffect of giving the Blood Swords the freedomto continue their reign of terror in the area.However, in the long-term, Brahaen’s trap wouldlead to the ultimate destruction and dispersal ofthe Blood Swords.

That destruction came in 1955 when,after gathering their forces in preparation for araid on a major terrentium convoy, the BloodSwords were themselves ambushed by a fleetof Circasian Xandar Lancer Frigates. The BloodSword fleet present at the staging area wastaken offguard by the surprise attack and mostof their ships were destroyed before they couldretreat. Once again, Brahaen Ghaira and theLady of Dark Souls managed to escape disasterand flee back to Kástan, but the Circasian attackleft the Blood Swords in shambles. Fully one-third of their raiding fleet, including the only otherDark Soul Battlecruiser, was destroyed in theattack.

The Blood Swords could haverebounded from this loss but, unfortunately forBrahaen, this was not destined to happen. Manymembers of the Blood Swords saw the writingon the wall and fled the area, taking their shipswith them. The loyal followers that stuck byBrahaen were too few to allow the Blood Swordsthe striking power they had once enjoyed. After

three more years of intermittent raiding, Brahaenretired from the raiding business and took uppermanent residence on Kásta where heinvolved himself in other projects and returnedto the life that he had lived before his career asa raider had begun. He took with him intoretirement the Lady of Dark Souls whichremained his personal transport for decades tocome.

With Ghaira out of the picture, the BloodSwords slowly broke apart. Without a strongand charismatic leader to hold them togetherthe clan could not find the proper direction tosustain itself. Eventually the Blood Swordssimply ceased to exist as a viable raiderorganization.

Blood Sword CrewsBlood Sword ships were crewed primarily

by Kástan nationals and as such benefited fromthe Kástan’s almost natural navigational abilities.All Blood Sword fleets gain a +1 to their surpriserolls. This is in addition to any other surprise rollbonuses the fleet may be benefiting from.

In addition to their surprise roll bonus,the crews of Blood Sword craft were often veryexperienced and excelled in the art of raiding.Many of the Blood Sword ships historically hadan Elite Officer or Elite Crew aboard. 9.3.3 BloodSword Elite Officers contains information on theElite Officers available to the Blood Swords in acampaign environment. Units with an Elite Crewreceive a +1 bonus to their DV, AS, and AFvalues. Units noted as having Elite Crews in theirdescriptions have this bonus already calculatedinto their base statistics.

Starships

Dark Soul BattlecruiserBase Hull (Rare)

These rare raiding cruisers were thepinnacle of Blood Sword technology and theultimate expression of Blood Sword power. DarkSoul Battlecruisers are equipped almost solelyfor combat, foregoing extensive cargo facilitiesin favor of more weapons and, perhaps moreimportantly, a jump engine. These warships are

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9.0CampaignSetup

9.1 HistoricalCampaignScenario

The historical Chouka War campaignbegins in January of 1972, nearly two monthsafter the Circasians failed first strike into theMishtuki system. The Chouka and Circasianshave both been staring over the border at oneanother, waiting for a full war to commence.

Setup

9.1.1 AffiliationSelection

At this step in the campaign setup,players should choose which of the threefactions to play in the campaign. There are threeplayable factions in the historical campaignscenario: the Circasian Empire, the ChoukaTheocracy, and the Sshel’ath Alliance. TheCircasian raider wars were long ago resolved,so all raider and/or civilian ships will only beincluded when CG 3.6.2.2 Raiding occurs.

9.1.2 Player StartingLocations

Refer to the system information includedin the source materials for a list of each empire’sterritories as they exist at the start of thecampaign. Refer to the Chouka War era mapfor the location of these systems. 9.5 Systemsof the Chouka War includes additionalbackground and information on these systems.

9.1.3 Starting Assets

Starting Turn: 1972.1

Circasian EmpireThe Circasians are ready for war. Their

military gear up is complete, meaning theCircasians begin the campaign at a WartimeEconomy. This will give the Circasian player anearly edge in his or her war against the Chouka.

Starting Income:78 (system income) + 8 (trade income)= 86 economic points

Starting Military Forces:300 economic points. At least 50

economic points must be spent on units with anin-service date prior to 1940, and at least 100economic points must be spent on units with anin-service date of 1960 or later.

Starting Shipyards:2 Shipyards at Circasia

Starting Fleets:2 Transport Fleets2 Trade Fleets

Chouka TheocracyThe Chouka have known about the

Circasian military buildup for some time andhave answered in kind. The Chouka economyis Gearing Up at the start of the campaign. Fourturns of the Gear Up have already beencompleted as of 1972.1. The Chouka economywill hit full Wartime Economy status in 1972.3.



economic points must be spent on units with anin-service date prior to 1940.

Starting Shipyards:2 Shipyards at Chouka

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Starting Fleets:2 Transport Fleets2 Trade Fleets

Sshel’ath AllianceThe Sshel’ath begin the campaign in a

Peacetime Economy, waiting and watching asthe Chouka War begins to unfold. They maybegin their Economic Gear Up at any time,though all the normal penalties apply should theynot declare hostilities/war against an opponentwithin the allotted time.



economic points must be spent on units with anin-service date prior to 1965.

Starting Shipyards:2 Shipyards at Sshel’a

Starting Fleets:1 Transport Fleet1 Trade Fleet

9.1.4 PurchasingStarting Forces

Each player begins the campaign with acertain number of economic points to spend onstarting military forces. These points can be usedto purchase military units, not for purchasingProductivity increases or civilian fleet units (e.g.,Colony, Transport, and Trade Fleets). The pointsare intended to be spent on such things as spaceunits, ground troops, and Intel that will be usedin the coming war.

9.1.5 Placing StartingForces

Before the historical campaign begins,players must place their starting forces insystems under their empire’s control. With theexception of one-system powers, no power mayplace more than 50% of their forces (byeconomic cost) in any one system. This is to

help prevent players from starting with their fullmilitary force on the borders in preparation of afirst-turn blitzkrieg, something that would havebeen historically impossible.

Players may choose to start with anyamount of their starting forces in mothballs atany planet possessing one or more shipyards.This can be especially useful for the Choukaplayer who may not be able to support themaintenance expense of their full military forcesuntil after economic gear up has beencompleted.

9.1.6 Jump GatePlacement

In the historical scenario, refer to the 9.5Systems of the Chouka War for information onthe number and type of jump gates in each ofthe systems on the map.

9.1.7 External TradeRoutes

The Chouka maintained several lucrativetrade routes moving through their space.Similarly, the Circasians benefited from somevaluable trade routes of their own, though noneas rich as those passing through Chouka space.Both the Circasians and Chouka begin play withthese trade routes and associated Trade Fleetsin place. Each of the routes connects to a singleChouka- or Circasian-controlled system, whichacts as a trade node for that route. The TradeFleets operating these routes are not controlledby either power and do not count account theirstarting Trade Fleet allotments. Rather, they areneutral, off-map assets which performcommerce operations as long as the trade routeis not suspended.

If during the course of the campaign anenemy force captures or blockades a tradenode, the external trade route connecting to thatnode will be temporarily suspended and theowning player will cease to receive the route’snormal commerce income. If the system remainsin one player’s control for six consecutive turns,then the external trade route will be reactivatedand the player controlling the trade node willreceive the income from the route.

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Thaline Trade Fleet(Mishtuki Thalamas Rorra)

Income: 82 x 10% = 8 economic points

Novon Trade Fleet(Chouka Kolir Novonous) Income: 179 x 10% = 17 economic points

Thrikin Trade Fleet(Senshuka Tidun Thrikin) Income: 36 x 10% = 3 economic points

Th’sook Trade Fleet(Kosica Tro’Pac Th’su) Income: 59 x 10% = 5 economic points

9.1.8 Victory ConditionsThe campaign will end once a state of

peace has existed between all remainingempires for six consecutive turns. Once thismilestone is met, the historical campaign is overand the Chouka War scenario is consideredcomplete.

Victory in the scenario is determined bywhich power earned the most victory points (VP)over the course of the scenario. Victory pointsare calculated as follows:

• 5 VP per Homeworld• 1 VP per System• 2 VP per Census• 1 VP per Economic Point of System

Output• 1 VP per 10 Economic Points of Military

Units, Intel (round up)• 10 VP per Tech Advancement

The empire with the most victory pointsat the end of the campaign wins. In the event ofa tie, the player with the largest military (byeconomic cost) wins.

Example 1: A homeworld has 10 Census, 5RAW, and 7 Productivity at the end of thecampaign. The player earns 5 VP fromholding the homeworld system, 20 VP fromCensus, and 35 VP from System Output fora total of 60 VP.

Example 2: At the end of the campaign, theCircasian fleet has been reduced to just 7destroyers, each with an original constructioncost of 4 economic points. This gives theCircasians a military economic cost of 28points. This number is divided by 10 (roundingup), giving the Circasians a scant 3 VP fortheir military forces.

Example 3: During the course of thecampaign, the Chouka managed to makethree Tech Advances, increasing their TechYear from 1972 to 1975. This techadvancement garners the Chouka 30 VP.

9.2 FreeformCampaignScenario

The Choukar War was not a very large-scale military campaign and it would have beenconsidered little more than a brush war if not forits ramifications within a greater historicalcontext. As a result, players may be moreinterested in playing a freeform campaign setduring the Chouka War time period.

In this freeform campaign scenario, allof the systems are considered neutral andplayers begin the game from a single system,their homeworld, from which they explore andexpand in search of dominance.

Setup

9.2.1 AffiliationSelection

Each player first selects his or herempire’s affiliation. The playable factionsincluded in these source materials include: theCircasian Empire, Chouka Theocracy, Sshel’athAlliance, Unsheathed Claw, Blood Swords,Chouka Pirates, Other Raiders, and Civilians.Of these factions, the first three possess thelargest and most balanced force lists. However,the raider/civilian factions can still best them,given the right combination of skill and luck.

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History: The A’lara system was once a colonyof the Chouka Theocracy. Established in 1912,the A’lara colony, christened Ulham’a D’e’nzallby its inhabitants, soon grew into a flourishing,and by all outside impressions model, colonyworld. Unfortunately for the colony, a strongsecessionary movement began to gain supporton A’lara circa 1920. A group of dissidents withinthe colonial leadership began actively trying todivorce the colony from the Theocracy, claimingthat the Theocracy had twisted scripture to suittheir own devices. The Circle responded violentlyand destroyed the colony from orbit. The Circleforbade any further colonization outward fromChouka, going so far as to abandon the Litaracolony as well. The Theocracy never re-colonized the system, opting instead to leave itfallow. The system would remain largely vacantuntil a second wave of Chouka colonists beganarriving in 2029 during one of many massexoduses that took place at the end of theEscalation Wars.

System: AkkarAffiliation: Thaline UnionImportance: Minor ColonyJump Gate(s): 1 TemporaryNotable Settlements: Memtramo Colony(destroyed)History: Akkar was at one time a burgeoningThaline colony world. The planet of Memtramoin the Akkar system contained a world perfectfor Thaline colonization. Unfortunately for itsinhabitants, the Ingalli knew of the system’slocation and attacked and destroyed the colonyfollowing the destruction of the First RorraColony in 1834.

System: BorilosAffiliation: Neutral (Borillian Governments)Importance: HomeworldJump Gate(s): 3 TemporaryNotable Settlements: BorilosHistory: The Borilos system contains the titularplanet of Borilos, homeworld of the Borillianspecies. At the time of the Chouka War, theBorillians were a high-industrial civilization withonly modest space travel capabilities. Thesystem had been contacted and charted byseveral neighboring species, but the extreme

xenophobia of the Borillians kept the systemfrom falling into any one empire’s hands.

System: BrethAffiliation: Chouka TheocracyImportance: OutpostJump Gate(s): 2 Standard, 1 SmallNotable Settlements: P’entae, SaltoresteHistory: A former Novon-held system, Breth wasultimately abandoned by the Trade Lords andabsorbed into the Chouka Theocracy. TheChouka established over a dozen colonies inthe Breth system after its acquisition, the firstmajor reversal in the Circle’s tight emigrationrestrictions in over thirty years. Many of thesystem’s colonies were placed on the moons ofthe third planet, a gas giant known as Sair’ven.Sair’ven’s innermost moon, Saltoreste, hadpreviously been home to a major trade lord base.The moon’s atmosphere was barely breathableby the Chouka, but still better than most otherworlds they had found in other systems.Saltoreste also boasted basic plant life, all ofwhich were Novon flora which had beengenetically engineered to live on the moon.

System: ChensitAffiliation: Novon Trade LordsImportance: Minor ColonyJump Gate(s): 2 StandardNotable Settlements: NoneHistory: Chensit is a minor Novon system.Chensit is of little strategic importance to theNovon Trade Lords, though some use thesystem to conduct under the table negotiationsor black market dealings. The out of the waylocation of Chensit helps to ensure that suchmatters have a better chance to remain secret.

System: ChoukaAffiliation: Chouka TheocracyImportance: HomeworldJump Gate(s): 2 Large Jump Gates, 2 StandardJump GatesNotable Settlements: Chouka, Mastouka,Partika, FrotellaHistory:

The Chouka home system was morethan the center of the Chouka’s universe, tothem it was the center of the universe itself. Theybelieved fervently that the motherland was the

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source of all life, a “well of souls” from which allother life had sprung. And those born of thewaters of Chouka were by definition purerpeople, more in-tune with the universe and itsmysterious inner workings.

Despite their draconian laws, the ChoukaCircle of Elders allowed and even encouragedcolonization of their home star system. Thiscontinued even after the A’lara rebellion led to acrackdown on extra-solar colonization. Majorcolonies in the system, besides the homeworlditself, included a retreat on the Chouka sisterworld, Mastouka; an outer system mining colonyat Partika; and a small research outpost on theicy gas giant moon of Frotella. Of these colonies,all remained in place during the Circasianadministration of the system from 1973-2013.After the system’s conquest by the CourataImperium, the Frotella colony was laid waste toand the Mastouka colony became an internmentcamp. The Chouka system remained under theCourata yoke until the end of the EscalationWars in 2025, at which point Chouka once moreemerged as an independent, sovereign nation.

System: CircasiaAffiliation: Circasian EmpireImportance: HomeworldJump Gates: 2 Large, 2 StandardNotable Settlements: Circasia, JenholenStationHistory: The orange star of Circasia (knownas Lhonshfar in Circasia) is circled by tenplanets, of which the planet of Circasia itself is

the third from the sun. The system is heavilyutilized and is home to scores of Circasiansettlements.

As the heart of the Circasian Empire, theCircasia system was the source of most militaryconstruction during the Chouka War. Acontinuous stream of warships and auxiliaryvessels streamed out of Circasia and intoSenshuka throughout the conflict.

System: DrayacAffiliation: NeutralImportance: ColonyJump Gate(s): 1 Standard, 1 SmallNotable Settlements: NoneHistory: As with Maloria, the Circasians had notyet colonized Drayac before hostilities eruptedwith the Chouka. Unlike Maloria, Drayaccontained a verdant world almost perfectlyhabitable for Circasian life. This world rivaledeven Senshuka II in its natural affinity forsupporting the Circasian species. By 1972several small research and test colonies hadbeen established in the northern hemisphere ofthe planet, Dalain, but no substantial inhabitationhad yet taken place.

System: DrebenAffiliation: Kholran RepublicImportance: Minor ColonyJump Gate(s): 3 Standard, 1 SmallNotable Settlements: NoneHistory: Dreben was once a heavily populatedworld which connected Kholchak to the outercolony worlds. As the Great War engulfed the

Circasia

Chouka

PPPPPRELUDERELUDERELUDERELUDERELUDE TOTOTOTOTO FFFFFIREIREIREIREIRE ANDANDANDANDAND SSSSSORROWORROWORROWORROWORROW.. .. . .. . .. . .. . .Thirty years before the outbreak of the Escalation WThirty years before the outbreak of the Escalation WThirty years before the outbreak of the Escalation WThirty years before the outbreak of the Escalation WThirty years before the outbreak of the Escalation Wars, thears, thears, thears, thears, theCircasian Empire was a small, largely insignificant power locatedCircasian Empire was a small, largely insignificant power locatedCircasian Empire was a small, largely insignificant power locatedCircasian Empire was a small, largely insignificant power locatedCircasian Empire was a small, largely insignificant power locatedon the edge of known space. Howeveron the edge of known space. Howeveron the edge of known space. Howeveron the edge of known space. Howeveron the edge of known space. However, the Circasians were not, the Circasians were not, the Circasians were not, the Circasians were not, the Circasians were notweak. Decades of brutal anti-raider warfare forced the Circasianweak. Decades of brutal anti-raider warfare forced the Circasianweak. Decades of brutal anti-raider warfare forced the Circasianweak. Decades of brutal anti-raider warfare forced the Circasianweak. Decades of brutal anti-raider warfare forced the CircasianStar FStar FStar FStar FStar Forces to learn and adapt to the hostile universe whichorces to learn and adapt to the hostile universe whichorces to learn and adapt to the hostile universe whichorces to learn and adapt to the hostile universe whichorces to learn and adapt to the hostile universe whichsurrounded them.surrounded them.surrounded them.surrounded them.surrounded them.

The lessons learned in the RThe lessons learned in the RThe lessons learned in the RThe lessons learned in the RThe lessons learned in the Raider Waider Waider Waider Waider Wars would be put to the testars would be put to the testars would be put to the testars would be put to the testars would be put to the testwhen, after years of thinly veiled hostility over the negotiatingwhen, after years of thinly veiled hostility over the negotiatingwhen, after years of thinly veiled hostility over the negotiatingwhen, after years of thinly veiled hostility over the negotiatingwhen, after years of thinly veiled hostility over the negotiatingtable, the actions of the Chouktable, the actions of the Chouktable, the actions of the Chouktable, the actions of the Chouktable, the actions of the Chouka Theocracy finally forced thea Theocracy finally forced thea Theocracy finally forced thea Theocracy finally forced thea Theocracy finally forced theCircasian Empire to makCircasian Empire to makCircasian Empire to makCircasian Empire to makCircasian Empire to make a fateful decision. By order of the We a fateful decision. By order of the We a fateful decision. By order of the We a fateful decision. By order of the We a fateful decision. By order of the WarararararCouncil, a fleet was dispatched to begin a pre-emptive invasionCouncil, a fleet was dispatched to begin a pre-emptive invasionCouncil, a fleet was dispatched to begin a pre-emptive invasionCouncil, a fleet was dispatched to begin a pre-emptive invasionCouncil, a fleet was dispatched to begin a pre-emptive invasionof Choukof Choukof Choukof Choukof Chouka space. The Chouka space. The Chouka space. The Chouka space. The Chouka space. The Chouka Wa Wa Wa Wa War had begun.ar had begun.ar had begun.ar had begun.ar had begun.

The Escalation WThe Escalation WThe Escalation WThe Escalation WThe Escalation Wars: Empire Risingars: Empire Risingars: Empire Risingars: Empire Risingars: Empire Rising details both the histor details both the histor details both the histor details both the histor details both the history ofy ofy ofy ofy ofthe Choukthe Choukthe Choukthe Choukthe Chouka Wa Wa Wa Wa War and the powers involved in the conflict. All ofar and the powers involved in the conflict. All ofar and the powers involved in the conflict. All ofar and the powers involved in the conflict. All ofar and the powers involved in the conflict. All ofthe materials and special rules needed to play out the war arethe materials and special rules needed to play out the war arethe materials and special rules needed to play out the war arethe materials and special rules needed to play out the war arethe materials and special rules needed to play out the war areprovided within the pages of this supplement. Unit lists areprovided within the pages of this supplement. Unit lists areprovided within the pages of this supplement. Unit lists areprovided within the pages of this supplement. Unit lists areprovided within the pages of this supplement. Unit lists areprovided for the Circasian Empire, Choukprovided for the Circasian Empire, Choukprovided for the Circasian Empire, Choukprovided for the Circasian Empire, Choukprovided for the Circasian Empire, Chouka Theocracya Theocracya Theocracya Theocracya Theocracy, Sshel’ath, Sshel’ath, Sshel’ath, Sshel’ath, Sshel’athAlliance, various raiders, and civilians.Alliance, various raiders, and civilians.Alliance, various raiders, and civilians.Alliance, various raiders, and civilians.Alliance, various raiders, and civilians.

THIS IS NOT A STTHIS IS NOT A STTHIS IS NOT A STTHIS IS NOT A STTHIS IS NOT A STAND ALONE PRODUCTAND ALONE PRODUCTAND ALONE PRODUCTAND ALONE PRODUCTAND ALONE PRODUCTAND REQUIRES THE VICTORY BAND REQUIRES THE VICTORY BAND REQUIRES THE VICTORY BAND REQUIRES THE VICTORY BAND REQUIRES THE VICTORY BY ANYY ANYY ANYY ANYY ANYMEANS CMEANS CMEANS CMEANS CMEANS CAMPAMPAMPAMPAMPAIGN GUIDE TO FULLAIGN GUIDE TO FULLAIGN GUIDE TO FULLAIGN GUIDE TO FULLAIGN GUIDE TO FULLY USE.Y USE.Y USE.Y USE.Y USE.

VBM 301VBM 301VBM 301VBM 301VBM 301

Documents

Introduction 1 - wargamedownloads.com · The Mystery of the Kiralina.....43 First Contact .....44 The Raider Wars .....46 Circasian Government.....48 Circasian Military.....48 Events