The 5th Outrim War: 297th Imperial Fleet - Gamelea Redux

Once I realized I had messed up the set-up budget for my campaign, I had to sit down and recrunch the numbers. While I was about it, I expanded the Fleet Support Squadron to include Medical Transports, Troop Carriers capable of moving a brigade-sized ground force per ship, and a number of fast, heavy Planetoid Monitors for system defense. The Support Squadron also includes a small flotilla of Heavy Carriers - each capable of lifting a Planetoid Monitor. As the Fleet Battleships are also 200,000 dtons in size, these Heavy carriers can retrieve up to Battleship sized ships that have suffered Jump Drive failure.

The Duchy of Gamelea has a population of 142.687 billion sophonts. Out of a Navy Budget of approximately TCr28.85, Gamelea Subsector contributes TCr10.119 to support and sustain 297th Imperial Fleet. For the set-up for this campaign, 297th Imperial Fleet was given the equivalent of thee years' budget - TCr30.358 - for initial assigned ships.

Lymethius (L) and Gamelea (R) Subsectors

There are five Naval Bases in Gamelea Subsector: - Gamelea (0508), Feor (0407), Varch (0108), Canblyne (0705), and Ventura (0607). There is also a Naval Base at Anar (Lymethius 0805) and a patrol station at Findual (Lymethius 0802).

The senior Navy Command Officers are as follows:
Gamelea/Gamelea
Fleet Admiral Dame Silvera Gaarthorn hault-Opernarcy, Baron Ythelorn
Vice-Admiral Sir Ankorl hault-Criolarsos
Rear-Admiral Dame Anastasia Eppo, Count Cappatachi
Rear-Admiral Sir Jerhon hault-Anseen
Varch/Gamelea
Rear-Admiral Sir Adryos Juharl
Feor/Gamelea
Vice-Admiral Sir Lexon Zarquestuiir
Rear-Admiral Sir Clyn hault-Asheranon of Exxilon
Ventura/Gamelea
Vice-Admiral Sir Constantine Fairweather von Lukaskow of Kartivia/Gazul
Canblyne/Gamelea
Commodore Dame Gessemina Mahoult
Anar/Lymethius
Commodore Dame Erika Santo Killmany-Ustmar
Finduil/Lymethius
Commodore Sherri Li Kem

Squadron Deployment

Gamelea		Varch		Feor		Canblyne		Ventura
BatRon 215		BatRon 220		BatRon 219		BatRon 231		BatRon 224
BatRon 216		BatRon 229		BatRon 221				BatRon 227
BatRon 226
CruRon 634		CruRon 665		CruRon 663		CruRon 640		CruRon 666
CruRon 667		CruRon 638		CruRon 639		CruRon 655
CruRon 650		CruRon 648		CruRon 661
CruRon 670				CruRon 668
DesRon 821		DesRon 822		DesRon 823		DesRon 824		DesRon 825
DesRon 847		DesRon 853		DesRon 848		DesRon 854		DesRon 849
DesRon 860		DesRon 856		DesRon 855		DesRon 865		DesRon 851
DesRon 862		DesRon 861		DesRon 857				DesRon 890
DesRon 892		DesRon 868		DesRon 864				DesRon 893
DesRon 867				DesRon 869
SupRon 1183

Anar		Finduil
CruRon 664
DesRon 850		DesRon 858
DesRon 852		DesRon 859
DesRon 891

297th Fleet has 998 ships assigned to it, crewed by 598,515 personnel, with a total tonnage of 48, 075,000 tons. 3180 Marines are deployed as Ship's Troops, drawn from 351st Marine Division, as well as 37,845 Navy Security personnel.

BatRons 215, 216, 219, 220, 221, 224, 226, 227, 229, 231 consist of:
4 x 200,000 dton Kalsorlicalii Class Battleships
6 x 60,000 dton Kiirvular Class Strike Cruisers
4 x 10,000 dton Reshanan Class Heavy Destroyers
8 x 5,000 dton Alicapanii Class Destroyer Escorts

CruRons 648, 650, 655, 661, 664, 665, 666 consist of:
8 x 60,000 dton Kiirvular Class Strike Cruisers
1 x 60,000 dton Kiirvular Class Strike Cruiser Leader
8 x 5,000 dton Alicapanii Class Destroyer Escorts

Heavy CruRons 663, 667, 668, 670 consist of:
8 x 60,000 dton Kiirvular Class Strike Cruisers
1 x 60,000 dton Kiirvular Class Strike Cruiser Leader
8 x 10,000 dton Reshanan Class Heavy Destroyer

CruRon 634, 638, 639
8 x 60,000 dton Kiirvular Class Strike Cruisers
1 x 60,000 dton Kiirvular Class Strike Cruiser Leader
Carrier Group 232, 238, 239
1 x 35,000 dton Niiarsanor Class Escort Carrier
7 x 5,000 dton Alicapanii Class Destroyer Escorts
1 x 5,000 dton Alicapanii Class Destroyer Leader
DesRon 855, 865, 866
8 x 5,000 dton Gilsurmii Class Destroyers

CruRon 640
8 x 60,000 dton Kiirvular Class Strike Cruisers
1 x 60,000 dton Kiirvular Class Strike Cruiser Leader
Carrier Group 241
1 x 35,000 dton Niiarsanor Class Escort Carrier
6 x 5,000 dton Alicapanii Class Destroyer Escorts
1 x 5,000 dton Alicapanii Class Destroyer Leader
DesRon 867
6 x 5,000 dton Gilsurmii Class Destroyers

DesRons 821, 822, 823, 824, 825
8 x 7,000 dton Matador Class Destroyer Escorts

DesRons 847, 848, 849, 850, 853, 854, 855, 859, 864, 865, 867, 868, 869, 893
8 x 5,000 dton Alicapanii Class Destroyer Escorts

DesRons 851, 852, 856, 857, 858
7 x 5,000 dton Alicapanii Class Destroyer Escorts
1 x 5,000 dton Alicapanii Class Destroyer Leader

DesRons 860, 861, 862, 890, 891, 892
8 x 5,000 dton Gilsurmii Class Destroyers

SupRons 1183
100 x 2,000 dton Oudiir Class Medical Transport Frigates
5 x 50,000 dton Da'sanai Class Marine Troop Carriers
60 x 104,000 dton Corosanear Class Troop Carriers
80 x 200,000 dton Goiir Class Planetoid Monitors
7 x 370,000 dton Albachoor Class Heavy Carriers

---

The 5th Outrim War: Eanzhshent Geithurebr Epliavlefr - The Republic of Geithur Naval Force

The Geithurian Republic is an alliance of ten non-Imperial systems in the Lymethius subsector, and a member polity of the Outrim Alliance. With a total population of 101.121 billion sophonts, the Republic is dominated by humans of mixed Zhodani, Solomani and Vilani origin (99.2% of the population). Non-human Minor Races (Aaronites of Lysarnor and Tharoysa of Dysa Metharoth, plus smaller sophont groups) make up about 0.7% of the total population.

While supposedly a democratic alliance, in reality the Council of the Geithurian Republic has been dominated by the Edlchtel Clan, hereditary Konzevrs of Appaer and Presidents of the Republic, for the last two centuries. Of Zhodani origin, the Edlchtels have driven both the Geithurian Republic's, and the Outrim Alliance's, opposition to Imperial expansion into Lymethius Subsector.

- Library Data: Geithurian Republic

The Geithurian Republic has a Navy budget of TCr14.222 The bulk of the shipbuilding for the Navy passes through the Tech Level 12 yards of Appaer. TCr0.142 is deducted from the Navy Budget to maintain bases and support personnel. While the Trillion Credit Squadron rules suggest an initial start-up campaign budget of ten times the annual Navy budget, I decided to limit this initial budget to four times the annual budget, or TCr56.866.

The Geithurian Republican Navy - the Eanzhshent Geithurebr Epliavlefr, or EGE -  currently favors a tactical doctrine of Battleriders over Battleships in potential conflicts with the Imperium. With a maximum native technology level of 12, Republican planners believe that inefficiencies in Drive technology can be addressed by building Navy Combat Groups around several massive Carriers and their attendant Riders. Recently, the EGE has acquired a squadron of TL14 Carriers and Battleriders from the Hand of Ssra'Ka Aissr - a Tsalur-dominated polity in the Entorth Subsector, spinward of the Geithurian Republic.

The EGE has four main bases: Geithur (0202), Lysarnor (0302), Vermorzol (0304) and Dysa Metharoth (0601). Patrol Stations are maintained at Hiona (0206), Fiona (0602) and Jul'ni (0505). An unofficial Fleet Station is maintained in the Appaer system.

The senior Navy Command Officers are as follows:
Geithur/Lymethius
Fleet Admiral Stietlchiapr Jinchniz Jdiezhdodrzdikr
Vice Admiral Zashi Iiarki
Rear-Admiral Ergur Prebrtsafl
Vermorzol/Lymethius
Vice Admiral Sara Kashgiish
Rear-Admiral Frensi Kuusnashkhaa
Lysarnor/Lymethius
Vice Admiral Zhdil Shiirgishe
Rear-Admiral Ikiaan Qletl
Dysa Metharoth/Lymethius
Vice Admiral Sluritmav Spiap
Rear-Admiral Ibrde Ietsiivr
Appaer/Lymethius
Vice Admiral Octavian Eprkaiad
Rear Admiral Kupuud Gadu
Hiona/Lymethius
Commodore Dana Evriaprzheqr
Fiona/Lymethius
Commodore Herrod Jabline Eudiish
Jul'ni/Lymethius
Commodore Gusam Gelish Afrzho'

Squadron Deployment

Geithur		Lysarnor		Appaer		Vermorzol
1 Epl Staql		3 Epl Staql		2 Epl Staql		4 Epl Staql
10 Epl Staql		8 Epl Staql		7 Epl Staql		6 Epl Staql
11 Epl Staql
202 Epl Stiabsedr		204 Epl Stiabsedr		203 Epl Stiabsedr		205 Epl Stiabsedr
209 Epl Stiabsedr		211 Epl Stiabsedr		207 Epl Stiabsedr		212 Epl Stiabsedr
215 Epl Stiabsedr		216 Epl Stiabsedr		213 Epl Stiabsedr		214 Epl Stiabsedr
				217 Epl Stiabsedr		218 Epl Stiabsedr
104 Epl Ienshbresh		101 Epl Ienshbresh		110 Epl Ienshbresh		102 Epl Ienshbresh
107 Epl Ienshbresh		108 Epl Ienshbresh		115 Epl Ienshbresh		111 Epl Ienshbresh
112 Epl Ienshbresh		113 Epl Ienshbresh		121 Epl Ienshbresh		116 Epl Ienshbresh
120 Epl Ienshbresh				Ivl Epl Pianta

	Dysa Metharoth	Hiona	Fiona	Jul'ni
	5 Epl Staql
	9 Epl Staql
	206 Epl Stiabsedr		200 Epl Stiabedr	201 Epl Stiabedr
	208 Epl Stiabsedr
	210 Epl Stiabsedr
	219 Epl Stiabsedr
	105 Epl Ienshbresh	100 Epl Ieshbresh	106 Epl Ieshbresh	103 Epl Ieshbresh
	109 Epl Ienshbresh	117 Epl Ieshbresh	118 Epl Ieshbresh	119 Epl Ieshbresh
	114 Epl Ienshbresh

The Geithurian Republican Navy - the Eanzhshent Geithurebr Epliavlefr, or EGE - consists of 1414 ships, crewed by 503,105 personnel, with a total tonnage of 63,240,000 dtons. 19,004 Marines are deployed as Ship's Troops, drawn from 9th (Marine) Division, as well as 34,630 Navy Security personnel.

Epl Staql - Combat Group. The EGE is built around 11 Combat Groups.
1, 3 - 4, 6 - 7 and 11 Epl Staql consist of:
1 x 300,000 dton Khalermu-L Class Battleship
12 x 70,000 dton Tedr Edrial Class Battle Riders
3 x 700,000 dton Edfrevl Class Fleet Carriers
8 x 70,000 dton Plaljansh Class Heavy Cruisers
8 x 20,000 dton Datsshianzh Class Heavy Destroyers
12 x 10,000 dton Dlazhchteb Class Destroyers
16 x 5,000 dton Stojiebl Class Destroyer Escorts

2 and 5 Epl Staql consist of:
1 x 300,000 dton Khalermu-L Class Battleship
18 x 40,000 dton TL14 Nophla Class Battle Riders
3 x 500,000 dton TL14 Hituphl Class Fleet Carriers
8 x 70,000 dton Plaljansh Class Heavy Cruisers
8 x 20,000 dton Datsshianzh Class Heavy Destroyers
12 x 10,000 dton Dlazhchteb Class Destroyers
16 x 5,000 dton Stojiebl Class Destroyer Escorts

8, 9 and 10 Epl Staql consist of:
1 x 300,000 dton Khalermu-L Class Battleship
5 x 300,000 dton Khalermu Class Battleships
8 x 70,000 dton Plaljansh Class Heavy Cruisers
8 x 20,000 dton Datsshianzh Class Heavy Destroyers
12 x 10,000 dtons Dlazhchteb Class Destroyers
16 x 5,000 dtons Stojiebl Class Destroyer Escorts

Epl Stiabsedr - Strike Group.
200 Epl Stiabsedr consists of:
6 x 70,000 dton Plaljansh Class Heavy Cruisers
2 x 90,000 dton Diefshto' Class Strike Carriers
8 x 10,000 dton Dlazhchteb Class Destroyers
10 x 5,000 dton Stojiebl Class Destroyer Escorts

201 - 214 Epl Stiabsedr consist of:
6 x 70,000 dton Plaljansh Class Heavy Cruisers
2 x 90,000 dton Diefshto' Class Strike Carriers
8 x 10,000 dton Dlazhchteb Class Destroyers
8 x 5,000 dton Stojiebl Class Destroyer Escorts

215 - 219 Epl Stiabsedr consist of:
6 x 70,000 dton Plaljansh Class Heavy Cruisers
8 x 10,000 dton Dlazhchteb Class Destroyers
8 x 5,000 dton Stojiebl Class Destroyer Escorts

Epl Ienshbresh - Escort Group.
100 - 121 Epl Ienshbresh consist of:
8 x 15,000 dton Si'zenz Class Destroyers

Ivl Epl Pianta - Support Group.
72 x 75,000 dton Ebr Shtodiz Class Troop Carriers, also known as "Brigade Carriers".
50 x 10,000 dton Itlprie Class Medical Transports
36 x 99,900 dton Shukshaiin Class TL11 Gunned Planetoids
36 x 40,000 dton Ishkhashre Class Light Carriers - each carries 4 x 1100 dton System Defense Boats

Note: Now that I have worked out the Geithurian Republican Navy with my revised and self-imposed campaign budget rules, I will have to give the 297th Imperial Fleet another pass to ensure that it complies.

The 5th Outrim War: 297th Imperial Fleet - Gamelea

Working out the details of Imperial Task Force hault-Criolarsos, a division of 297th Imperial Fleet, required me to also work out 297th Imperial Fleet in detail.

Each Imperial Subsector has an Imperial Fleet assigned to it. All Subsector Imperial Fleets fall under Imperial Navy Sector Command based at the Sector capital, Thiroor/Gazolan. Each Subsector contributes to the maintenance and upkeep of the Imperial Fleet units stationed within its volume.

The Imperial Duchy of Gamelea covers most of Gamelea Subsector and consists of 17 systems, plus the Protectorate of Por'via (consisting of Por'via, Finduil and Ouron), administered from Julnar/Gamelea; and the Barony of Anar (currently consisting of the Anar System, but with claims to Auru and Nearo). Por'via, Finduil, Ouron and Anar all lie within Lymethius Subsector but are considered administratively to be part of the Duchy of Gamelea. The Kalar-Wi system is the capital and homeworld of the Kalar-Wi Minor Race, and is not part of the Imperium.

The Duchy of Gamelea has a population of 142.687 billion sophonts. Out of a Navy Budget of approximately TCr28.85, Gamelea Subsector contributes TCr10.119 to support and sustain 297th Imperial Fleet.

Lymethius (L) and Gamelea (R) Subsectors

There are five Naval Bases in Gamelea Subsector: - Gamelea (0508), Feor (0407), Varch (0108), Canblyne (0705), and Ventura (0607). There is also a Naval Base at Anar (Lymethius 0805) and a patrol station at Findual (Lymethius 0802).

The senior Navy Command Officers are as follows:
Gamelea/Gamelea
Fleet Admiral Dame Silvera Gaarthorn hault-Opernarcy, Baron Ythelorn
Vice-Admiral Sir Ankorl hault-Criolarsos
Rear-Admiral Dame Anastasia Eppo, Count Cappatachi
Rear-Admiral Sir Jerhon hault-Anseen
Varch/Gamelea
Rear-Admiral Sir Adryos Juharl
Feor/Gamelea
Vice-Admiral Sir Lexon Zarquestuiir
Rear-Admiral Sir Clyn hault-Asheranon of Exxilon
Ventura/Gamelea
Vice-Admiral Sir Constantine Fairweather von Lukaskow of Kartivia/Gazul
Canblyne/Gamelea
Commodore Dame Gessemina Mahoult
Anar/Lymethius
Commodore Dame Erika Santo Killmany-Ustmar
Finduil/Lymethius
Commodore Sherri Li Kem

Squadron Deployment

Gamelea		Varch		Feor		Canblyne		Ventura
BatRon 215		BatRon 220		BatRon 219				BatRon 224
BatRon 216				BatRon 221
CruRon 634		CruRon 665		CruRon 663		CruRon 640		CruRon 666
CruRon 667		CruRon 638		CruRon 639		CruRon 655
CruRon 650
DesRon 821		DesRon 822		DesRon 823		DesRon 824		DesRon 825
DesRon 847		DesRon 853		DesRon 848		DesRon 854		DesRon 849
DesRon 860		DesRon 856		DesRon 857				DesRon 851
DesRon 862		DesRon 861		DesRon 855				DesRon 890
DesRon 892								DesRon 893

Anar		Finduil
CruRon 664
DesRon 850		DesRon 858
DesRon 852		DesRon 859
DesRon 891

297th Fleet has 518 ships assigned to it, crewed by 118,374 personnel, with a total tonnage of 14, 282,000 tons. 2240 Marines are deployed as Ship's Troops, drawn from 351st Marine Division, as well as 7852 Navy Security personnel.

BatRons usually consist of:
4 x 200,000 dton Kalsorlicalii Class Battleships
6 x 60,000 dton Kiirvular Class Strike Cruisers
4 x 10,000 dton Reshanan Class Heavy Destroyers
8 x 5,000 dton Alicapanii Class Destroyer Escorts

CruRons 650, 655 consist of:
6 x 60,000 dton Kiirvular Class Strike Cruisers
1 x 60,000 dton Kiirvular Class Strike Cruiser Leader
6 x 5,000 dton Alicapanii Class Destroyer Escorts

CruRons 664, 665, 666 consist of:
7 x 60,000 dton Kiirvular Class Strike Cruisers
1 x 60,000 dton Kiirvular Class Strike Cruiser Leader
8 x 5,000 dton Alicapanii Class Destroyer Escorts

Heavy CruRons 663 consists of:
6 x 60,000 dton Kiirvular Class Strike Cruisers
1 x 60,000 dton Kiirvular Class Strike Cruiser Leader
8 x 10,000 dton Reshanan Class Heavy Destroyer

Heavy CruRons 667 consists of:
7 x 60,000 dton Kiirvular Class Strike Cruisers
1 x 60,000 dton Kiirvular Class Strike Cruiser Leader
8 x 10,000 dton Reshanan Class Heavy Destroyer

CruRon 634
6 x 60,000 dton Kiirvular Class Strike Cruisers
1 x 60,000 dton Kiirvular Class Strike Cruiser Leader
Carrier Group 232
1 x 35,000 dton Niiarsanor Class Escort Carrier
7 x 5,000 dton Alicapanii Class Destroyer Escorts
1 x 5,000 dton Alicapanii Class Destroyer Leader
DesRon 855
8 x 5,000 dton Gilsurmii Class Destroyers

CruRon 638
6 x 60,000 dton Kiirvular Class Strike Cruisers
1 x 60,000 dton Kiirvular Class Strike Cruiser Leader
Carrier Group 238
1 x 35,000 dton Niiarsanor Class Escort Carrier
7 x 5,000 dton Alicapanii Class Destroyer Escorts
1 x 5,000 dton Alicapanii Class Destroyer Leader
DesRon 865
8 x 5,000 dton Gilsurmii Class Destroyers

CruRon 639
6 x 60,000 dton Kiirvular Class Strike Cruisers
1 x 60,000 dton Kiirvular Class Strike Cruiser Leader
Carrier Group 239
1 x 35,000 dton Niiarsanor Class Escort Carrier
7 x 5,000 dton Alicapanii Class Destroyer Escorts
1 x 5,000 dton Alicapanii Class Destroyer Leader
DesRon 866
8 x 5,000 dton Gilsurmii Class Destroyers

CruRon 640
6 x 60,000 dton Kiirvular Class Strike Cruisers
1 x 60,000 dton Kiirvular Class Strike Cruiser Leader
Carrier Group 241
1 x 35,000 dton Niiarsanor Class Escort Carrier
6 x 5,000 dton Alicapanii Class Destroyer Escorts
1 x 5,000 dton Alicapanii Class Destroyer Leader
DesRon 867
6 x 5,000 dton Gilsurmii Class Destroyers

DesRons 821, 822, 823, 824, 825
8 x 7,000 dton Matador Class Destroyer Escorts

DesRons 847, 848, 849, 850, 853, 854, 855, 859, 893
8 x 5,000 dton Alicapanii Class Destroyer Escorts

DesRons 851, 852, 856, 857, 858
4 x 5,000 dton Alicapanii Class Destroyer Escorts
1 x 5,000 dton Alicapanii Class Destroyer Leader

DesRons 860, 861, 862, 890, 891, 892
8 x 5,000 dton Gilsurmii Class Destroyers

SupRons 1183
8 x 2,000 dton Oudiir Class Medical Transport Frigates
5 x 50,000 dton Da'sanai Class Marine Troop Carriers

---

Notes: I've always had a bit of difficulty with the OTU's Naval vessel numbers.The "1000" ship Sector Fleet of various Traveller editions just does not seem to stack up against the, admittedly rudimentary, economic data.

If the Gross Planetary Product is figured from Population x Trade Code Modifiers x Base GPP, and the Base Military expenditure is factored as 3% of GPP, and the Imperial Military tax is factored as 30% of the Base Military expenditure, and the population of Gamelea Subsector is 142 billion, then we have a Military budget of TCr71, before allowing for planetary Government modifiers, and the conversion rate between local credits and Imperial Credits. In the case of Gamelea Subsector, the Imperial Navy budget component is TCr10, while the Subsector Navy budget is TCr28. Even deducting TCr0.1 from the Imperial Navy budget (1% of the budget) and committing this to maintain Imperial Navy Bases within Gamelea Subsector, pay for support personnel, etc, there is still easily sufficient funds to support 518 Imperial ships of various tonnages within Gamelea Subsector.

Local conditions vary from subsector to subsector - both Nolgor and Miazan Subsectors, for example, have large proportions of the resident local population on non-Imperial worlds, and so of the four 'original' subsectors I developed (Gamelea, Nolgor, Miazan and Gazul), Gamelea Subsector is possibly the best resourced. It may be that as I work out the budgets of the other Subsectors I will have to reassign units from 297th Fleet to support other Fleet deployments, but at the moment Imperial Sector Fleet - RimWorlds is looking like a fairly powerful force.

Having already determined the number of marines available for deployment from 351st Marine Division, I suddenly realized that I had to be careful when assigning security details to the ships I was designing for the fleet. An initial design pass resulted in over 9000 Marines assigned as Ships' Troops - approximately a division's worth. After a second pass, I reduced the number of Marines to 2240, about a regiment, by increasing the number of Security personnel. This tallied better with my notes on 351st Marine Division and the proportion of personnel assigned as Ship Troops. I have been considering doubling the Marine deployment to two divisions per subsector - this would allow more Marines as Ship's Troops, as well as allowing larger groundside deployments - but I am trying to work within the concept that Imperial Marines do not do protracted ground deployments (that is the job of the Unified Imperial Army), and are deployed purely as shock troops.

Each of the  Kalsorlicalii Class Battleships carries 20 Fighters, and there are 4 Escort Carriers assigned to 297th Fleet, each carrying 80 Fighters. These fighter wings both protect the larger ships from smaller warships, as well as extend the Fleet's sensor sphere well out beyond the range of the main fleet. I imagine that Fighters would have little impact in an actual fleet battle, instead being used for scouting other bodies in a system, driving off hostile scouts, and interdicting trade.

Edit: Discovered that I had neglected to deduct the 1% of budget for maintaining the Naval Bases. And once I had sorted out the spread sheet, I found a number of other errors. When this was all tidied up, and a few ships shaved off the budget to bring expenditure under budget, I found myself feeling a little less smug about how powerful the 297th Fleet was.

The 5th Outrim War: Auru

A quick look at Auru/Lymethius, the site of the opening moves of the 5th Outrim War.

Auru/Lymethius

C-477342-B S 725 Ni/Lo NA F9V

System Primary: Binde F9V

Binde V - local name Auru

Three small moons, Disar - 768 miles in diameter; Amoloth - 528 miles in diameter; Kheal - 72 miles in diameter

C Class Port - Routine Quality Installation

Diameter: 4000 miles (6437.4 kilometers)

Atmosphere: Standard (Tainted - respirators required in coastal areas during spring when kelpweed blooms, and in late autumn when previous season's growth dies off)

Hydrographics: 70%

Population: 3 (7300)

Government: 4 (Representative Democracy)

Law Level: 2 (Portable Energy Weapons Prohibited)

Technology Level: B (Average Imperial)

Scout Base present (at Auru Downport)

Population Modifier: 7; Planetoid Belts in System: 2; Gas Giants in System: 5

Nearest Gas Giant to Auru - Binde VII

Trade Classification: Non-Industrial/Low Population

Allegiance: Non-Aligned

Auru/Lymethius - planetary map made in Donjon SciFi World Generator http://donjon.bin.sh/scifi/world/

As can been seen from the map, there are three main settlements south of the Joolian Mountains - Auru Down (site of the C Class Downport and a small Scout Base), Karas and Balshibar - that date back to the colonization of Auru in 1007. During the subsequent century, a number of smaller settlements and hamlets have been established along the southern coast and across the plain north of Auru Down. Settlements further inland, and at higher altitudes, suffer less from the annual bloom and die-off cycles of kelpweed - a large and prolific aquatic filter-feeder plant species.

In the last five years, the Geithurian Republic has established three small enclaves in the northern hemisphere - Shtad at Leena Bay, Iavlej, and the mining settlement of Chiebr.

The Auruis - as the local inhabitants now call themselves - remain Imperial in outlook, even though they feel that they have been abandoned by the Imperium. For the last 70 years, they have felt under pressure of annexation from both the Geithurian Republic and the Huiha Esoyatre. Occupied by the Outrim Alliance during the 4th Outrim War of 1080 - 85, many older Auruis have bitter memories of that time.

Huiha Esoyatre - an Aslan Minor State Part 3

I needed to create new Aslan terms to describe some of the larger formations deployed by the Trekhyair of Huiha Esoyatre. Using Space Corsair's Word Generator, I added to the word list I had already found:

Trokh Word List
aikoho	"many ships", fleet
afeahyalhtow	popular Aslan pet; flying carnivore/killer
ayakyuir	carnivore native to Kusyu, noted for speed and ferocity
Akoaft	"Far Throwing" - artillery
Khoiaya	armor
Soarl	"elite"
Trekhyair	"land protector" clan military force
Areiale	"they who sprint" – marines
Hraye	"wanderer" – scout
Ekho’ear	"armed family" – squad
Ahr’eah	"armed pride" - platoon or company
Hryo	"half dozen" - a squadron
Huih’eal	"armed clan" – battalion or regiment
Ahr'ekhaoa	"pride brotherhood" – brigade
Huih'aisai	"dewclaw of the clan" – division
Kheheasoikhir	"gathering of warriors" – corp or army

With terminology established for the higher echelons of the Trekhyair, and a basic plan of unit assignments worked out, I began thinking how large Aslan forces might be mustered.

While I otherwise enjoy and use the material in GURPs: Traveller Alien Races 2, I am reluctant to accept that the Aslan military is essentially based around Light Infantry formations. Perhaps this is how clan military units operate in the Aslan Hierate, but in the RimWorlds, Aslan ground forces face opponents who do not follow the Rules of War and Honour. Consequently, the Aslan of the Huiha Esoyatre have evolved formations that match those that they come into conflict with.

Given that Aslan forces are clan based, and that Aslan culture shares parallels with Medieval and Early Renaissance Japanese culture, I had a brief look at some famous Japanese battles of the Edo Period, such as Sekigahara. I also looked at another clan-based military culture, that of the Scots and their order of battle at Culloden. It occurred to me that the name of the officer who leads a formation might be significant in Aslan culture, as names accrue power in a culture that values individual prowess.

This made me consider a culture in transition between the individual prowess of heroic feudal leaders
and the mass produced, die stamped military of the machine age of total warfare. If the Huiha Esoyatre is currently working its way through this process, we might see the numerically inferior, but dominate, Esoyatre Clan producing the numbered regiments of a modern society, while the numerically superior clans that owe fealty to the Esoyatre muster battalions or regiments of various sizes under the personal names and banners of their Colonels. And even the Esoyatre, in their elite formations, may still know their brigades by the Brigadier-Generals who take control of the groupings of battalions, much as Americans recall the brigades of their Civil War.

So, a first pass at part of the Huiha Esoyatre's elite formations:

1st TL14 Elite Amoured Corp			Kheheassoikhir Soarl fyo Esoyatre Khoiaya
1st Armoured Division			Alr Huih’aisai Soarl Khoiaya fyo Yuwe
	Ahr’ekhaoa fyo Ye'oa'ai (Ye’oa’ai’s Brigade)
		1st Elite Regiment Scouts of Yuwe				Alr Huih’eal Soarl Hraye fyo Yuwe
		Taulauh’s Elite Armoured Regiment				Huih’eal fyo Taulauh Soarl Khoiaya fyo Yuwe
		Waoeha’s Elite Armoured Regiment				Huih’eal fyo Waoeha Soarl Khoiaya fyo Yuwe
		1st Elite Infantry Regiment of Yuwe				Alr Huih’eal Soarl Khir fyo Yuwe
		1st Elite Artillery Regiment of Yuwe				Alr Huih’eal Soarl Akoaft fyo Yuwe
		Ahr’ekhaoa fyo Khteaes (Khteaes' Brigade)
		2nd Elite Regiment Scouts of Yuwe				Hlai Huih’eal Soarl Hraye fyo Yuwe
		Koaaiea’s Elite Armoured Regiment of Yuwe				Huih’eal fyo Koaaiea Soarl Khoiaya fyo Yuwe
		Hkehealr’s Elite Armoured Regiment				Huih’eal fyo Hkehealr Soarl Khoiaya fyo Yuwe
		2nd Elite Infantry Regiment of Yuwe				Hlai Huih’eal Soarl Khir fyo Yuwe
		2nd Elite Artillery Regiment of Yuwe				Hlai Huih’eal Soarl Akoaft fyo Yuwe
		Ahr’ekhaoa fyo Ealeiktyes (Ealeiktyes’ Brigade)
		3rd Elite Regiment Scouts of Yuwe				Kheh Huih’eal Soarl Hraye fyo Yuwe
		Uikhaiw’s Elite Armoured Regiment of Yuwe				Huih’eal fyo Uikhaiw Soarl Khoiaya fyo Yuwe
		Eariylu’s Elite Armoured Regiment of Yuwe				Huih’eal fyo Eariylu Soarl Khoiaya fyo Yuwe
		3rd Elite Infantry Regiment of Yuwe				Kheh Huih’eal Soarl Khir fyo Yuwe
		3rd Elite Artillery Regiment of Yuwe				Kheh Huih’eal Soarl Akoaft fyo Yuwe
		Syehoiye's Brigade Artillery				Ahr’ekhaoa fyo Syehoiye Akoaft
		4th Elite Artillery Regiment of Yuwe				Hryeh Huih’eal Soarl Akoaft fyo Yuwe
		1st Elite Esoyatre COACC Regiment of Yuwe				Alr Huih’eal fyo Esoyatre Soarl Afeahyalhtow fyo Yuwe

The First Armoured Division, Alr Huih’aisai Soarl Khoiaya fyo Yuwe, is an Elite formation raised from E'kho Hleahayaou on Yuwe. As E'kho Hleahayaou is a progressive family, and is the dominant family within Huiha Esoyatre, the Huih'aisai has adopted the progressive fashion of numbering individual battalion-regiments, at least within their elite formations. Brigades are still known by the name of their commanding Brigadier.

Huiha Esoyatre - an Aslan Minor State Part 2

Trokh is the main Aslan language and has remained fairly constant across both millenia and parsecs of space. In the RimWorlds, the three known Aslan states are at least 10 parsecs distant from each other and rarely interact. Each Huiha speaks Trokh but with slight local variations. I discovered a partial Aslan dictionary online which has some useful terms, and which seems to either be derived from the word list in MegaTraveller Alien Vol 2: Solomani and Aslan - the Rimward Races, or to have helped form it, as well as a word list in GURPs Traveller: Alien Races 2: Aslan, K'kree, and Other Races Rimward of the Imperium. Further Trokh words will need to be generated as required from Space Corsair's excellent Traveller word generator programme.

Trokh Word List
aikoho	"many ships", fleet
khoiaya	armor
afeahyalhtow	popular Aslan pet; flying carnivore/killer
ayakyuir	carnivore native to Kusyu, noted for speed and ferocity
Akoaft	"Far Throwing" - artillery
Soarl	"elite"
Trekhyair	"land protector" clan military force
Ahr’eah	"armed pride" - platoon or company
Areiale	"they who sprint" – marines
Ekho’ear	"armed family" – squad
Hraye	"wanderer" – scout
Hryo	"half dozen" - a squadron
Huih’eal	"armed clan" – battalion or regiment

This list of words provides some useful starters, but I think I will have to generate more.

The Personnel figures I generated for each Huiha and E'kho of the Huiha Esoyatre in part 1 of this article were drawn from the populations of each of the Aslan worlds within the hasoi of Huiha Esoyatre. Consulting Alien Races 2 and Solomani and Aslan I determined that 10% of the population, or population resource equivalent, were currently available for Military service. This is a little higher than normal, but the Huiha Esoyatre shares border space with two potential enemies - the Imperium and the Kalar-Wi - and annexed a Kalar-Wi system only four years ago, so political tensions are elevated.

I had earlier determined, using the tables in GURPs Traveller Ground Forces, that the Huiha Esoyatre had some 3000 battalion equivalents available for offworld deployment as a Tech Level 12 force. The choice was made by the Huiha government to upgrade part of this force to Tech Level 14, and this produced 3 Elite Corps, 3 Elite Divisions and two Elite Independent Regiments equipped to TL14, and 10 Corps, two Independent Divisions and one Independent Brigade equipped to TL12. The equipment upgrade reduced overall numbers to about 1000 battalion equivalents.

When I looked at the Geithurian Republic Table of Organization, I essentially started with the first formation and then assigned battalions to it, before moving on to the next formation. With the Unified Imperial Army Gamelea Command, I worked out possible ranges of unit numbers across all Imperial Subsectors in the RimWorlds, and then assigned units to each formation within the Gamelea and Miazan Subsectors from the available units for those Subsectors. The Huiha Esoyatre, however, was a little different.

.With essentially a feudal form of government, each E'kho is required to contribute personnel and units towards the trekhyair, or "land protector", force of the Huiha, or clan, and each lesser clan is required to contribute units toward the trekhyair of the dominant clan of the Huiha. All these subordinate forces remain under the control of the contributing E'kho or Huiha, even if they fall under the command of the senior E'kho or Huiha. To begin to untangle this knot, I had to know how many personnel each E'kho was able to contribute; work out the percentage of the total trekhyair this represented; and then work out what percentage of the 1000 battalion equivalents already determined as making up the Huiha trekhyair each E'kho's contribution actually numbered.

Did I really need this information? No. But I did want to capture the flavour of an Aslan force, and creating this background material contributes to the richness of the mileau. Also the numbers, as they came up, posed questions as to how politics within the Huiha Esoyatre actually worked, and answering these questions gave me a clearer picture of the Huiha as a whole.

After a little number crunching, I arrived at the following raw figures:

Huiha or Clan	Battalions by system
Huiha Esoyatre	Yuwe: 18 Battalions; Yuakteisye: 192 Battalions; Faiwawhwe: 75 Battalions
Huiha Uahwil	Yuakteisye: 1230 battalions; Faiwawhwe: 72 battalions
Huiha Aiaihfa	Yuakteisye: 600 battalions; Faiwawhwe 66 battalions
E’kho Hraktiskear	Atlasiykh: 1 battalion
Huiha Hwouwoahiw	Faiwawhwe: 132 battalions
Huiha I’iyheas	Faiwawhwe: 141 battalions
Huiha Eakteaei	Faiwawhwe: 153 battalions
Huiha Awuahra	Faiwawhwe: 150 battalions
Huiha Htualraluikh	Faiwawhwe: 144 battalions
E’kho Hroukhteftai	Yaitlaorail/Kidan: 1 battalion

As these battalion equivalent numbers were based on the original TL12 3000 battalions, I decided that I would arbitrarily reduce the strength of the larger clans by a third to reduce the over-all total of battalions to better match the formations I had originally generated from GURPs Traveller Ground Forces. One thing that did give me a little wriggle room was the fact that the Aslan don't have set sizes for various units - squads, for example, can vary between 4 and 12 soldiers.

Huiha Esoyatre is both the dominate clan of Yuwe, and the clan that dominates the wider hasoi, even though in military numbers Huiha Esoyatre falls behind Huiha Uahwil and Huiha Aiaihfa. However, Esoyatre's strength may lie in the fact that its four families work more in harmony under the leadership of E'kho Hleahayaou then the eight familes of Huiha Uahwil and the seven families of Huiha Aiaihfa work together under their leading E'khos. Add in political and traditional ties between E'khos of the Great Huihas, as well as alliances with the Lesser Huihas of Faiwawhwe, and interfamily and interclan relationships, and the political landscape of the Huiha becomes a scintillating web of connections. A web that can become an armoured sphere around the hasoi in the event of outside aggression.

Next: A look at the Huiha and E'kho tables of organisation.

Huiha Esoyatre - an Aslan Minor State Part 1

While I haven't written much here, of late, I have been working on a couple of Traveller related projects that tie together.

Looking to be able to game out an escalating ground war between the Outrim Alliance and the Imperium, I have been painting up infantry and armoured units for the main protagonists in 6mm scale. Progress photos are on my modeling log and my gaming blog.

I've also been working on Tables of Organisation for the various factions, extrapolated from the figures I generated for Lymethius Subsector, Gamelea Subsector, and Miazan Subsector, as well as the two articles on the Imperial Marines here and here.

When I came to look at the Aslan of the Huiha Esoyatre, I realized that I needed to take a closer look at the internal political structure of the Huiha. The Aslan are clan and family orientated, and each clan and family maintains their own defense force, recruited from their members and retainers.

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Huiha Esoyatre

Huiha Esoyatre is an Aslan polity of five non-Imperial systems in the Lymethius subsector. Consisting of the four systems of the Yuakteisye Cluster (Yuwe, Atlasiykh, Faiwawhwe, and Yuakteisye) as well as the former Kalar-Wi system of Kidan (annexed in 1106 in the aftermath of the Kalar-Wi War and now known as Yaitlaorail), Huiha Esoyatre has a total population of 85.0136 billion sophonts, 99.9% of whom are Aslan. As one of the major polities in the Outrim Alliance, Huiha Esoyatre has been involved in four wars with the Imperium as the Alliance has resisted Imperial expansion into the Lymethius subsector.

E'kho Hleahayaou dominates the polity from their capital of Hyufteirleryeweiwiy (tr. "the place where the people meet by the swirling spire") in the crater Yuwaol ("great basin") in the northern hemisphere of Yuwe (0408). From this, their ancestral seat, E'kho Hleahayaou has been the most senior family within the Esoyatre Clan for most of the last 700 years. The current Hleahayaouko is Tlehiui V (born 1030), a venerable leader who is still fit and active, having guided the Huiha for over fifty years.

Clan Esoyatre leads an alliance of eight clans. The other seven vassal clans that make up the alliance are: Huiha Uahwil, Huiha Aiaihfa, Huiha Hwouwoahiw, Huiha I'iyheas, Huiha Eakteaei, Huiha Awuahra, and Huiha Htualraluikh. Of the five systems that form the hasoi of Huiha Esoyatre only Yuakteisye has anything like a breathable atmosphere and it is on this world that the bulk of the population of the Huiha are concentrated.

The following table shows the relationships of the various E'khos that make up the member Huihas of Huiha Esoyatre. It also shows the number of E'kho members, vassals and retainers that are contributed to the armed forces of the Huihas, and who crew the Huiha fleets and form the Trekhyair – “land protector” clan military force:

Yuwe:	Huiha Esoyatre		Personnel	Fleet		Trekhyair
	E'kho Hleahayaou		(45,000)	(15,000)		(30,000)
		E'kho Eahikh	(15,000)	(5,000)		(10,000)
		E'kho Oukeihtoi	(7000)	(2,300)		(4,700)
		E'kho Steiai	(3000)	(1,000)		(2,000)
			(70,000)	(23,300)		(46,700)
Yuakteisye:	Huiha Esoyatre
	E'kho Hleahayaou		(25,000)	(8,300)		(16,700)
		E'kho Eahikh	(9,900)	(3,300)		(6,600)
		E'kho Oukeihtoi	(4,700)	(1,500)		(3,200)
		E'kho Steiai	(854,000)	(284,500)		(569,500)
			(893,600)	(297,600)		(596,000)
	Huiha Uahwil
	E'kho Oakhwohkal		(1,205,000)	(401,500)		(803,500)
		E'kho Tliyuftea	(992,000)	(330,500)		(661,500)
		E'kho Iysutreah	(907,000)	(302,300)		(604,700)
		E'kho Suhliy	(825,000)	(275,000)		(550,000)
		E'kho Ahwao	(673,000)	(224,300)		(448,700)
		E'kho Seyu	(258,000)	(86,000)		(172,000)
		E'kho Htuayur	(171,000)	(57,000)		(114,000)
		E'kho Eawaeirl	(127,000)	(42,300)		(84,700)
			(5,158,000)	(1,718,900)		(3,439,100)
	Huiha Aiaihfa
	E'kho Eahei		(339,000)	(113,000)		(226,000)
		E'kho Orakhtoi	(609,000)	(203,000)		(406,000)
		E'kho Hiaui	(515,000)	(171,600)		(343,400)
		E'kho Kawyahlyu	(495,000)	(165,000)		(330,000)
		E'kho Auakhah	(223,400)	(74,500)		(148,900)
		E'kho Hfosaa	(159,000)	(53,000)		(106,000)
		E'kho Oiyas	(98,000)	(32,500)		(65,500)
			(2,438,400)	(812,600)		(1,625,800)
Atlasiykh:	E'kho Hraktiskear		(4000)	(1,300)		(2,700)
Faiwawhwe:	Huiha Esoyatre
	E'kho Hleahayaou		(84,000)	(28,000)		(56,000)
		E'kho Eahikh	(79,400)	(26,500)		(52,900)
		E'kho Oukeihtoi	(74,200)	(24,700)		(49,500)
		E'kho Steiai	(72,200)	(24,000)		(48,200)
			(309,800)	(103,200)		(206,600)
	Huiha Uahwil
	E'kho Oakhwohkal		(52,000)	(17,400)		(34,600)
		E'kho Tliyuftea	(45,500)	(15,100)		(30,400)
		E'kho Suhliy	(44,400)	(14,800)		(29,600)
		E'kho Ahwao	(42,000)	(14,000)		(28,000)
		E'kho Seyu	(38,000)	(12,500)		(25,500)
		E'kho Htuayur	(37,200)	(12,400)		(24,800)
		E'kho Eawaeirl	(35,000)	(11,600)		(23,400)
			(294,100)	(97,800)		(196,300)
	Huiha Aiaihfa
	E'kho Eahei		(59,000)	(19,500)		(39,500)
		E'kho Orakhtoi	(57,000)	(19,000)		(38,000)
		E'kho Hiaui	(35,000)	(11,600)		(23,400)
		E'kho Kawyahlyu	(34,500)	(11,500)		(23,000)
		E'kho Auakhah	(33,700)	(11,200)		(22,500)
		E'kho Hfosaa	(30,000)	(10,000)		(20,000)
		E'kho Oiyas	(29,000)	(9,600)		(19,400)
			(278,200)	(92,400)		(185,800)
	Huiha Hwouwoahiw
	E'kho Yukheaiw		(94,500)	(31,500)		(63,000)
		E'kho Aewi	(86,200)	(28,700)		(57,500)
		E'kho Htoioua	(74,700)	(24,900)		(49,800)
		E'kho Fihoilreil	(74,300)	(24,700)		(49,600)
		E'kho Ewoheah	(73,700)	(24,500)		(49,200)
		E'kho Oisehwih	(73,200)	(24,400)		(48,800)
		E'kho Weoiyah	(69,300)	(23,100)		(46,200)
			(545,900)	(181,800)		(364,100)
	Huiha I'iyheas
	E'kho Ahoaolr		(107,000)	(35,700)		(71,300)
		E'kho Yesiwarl	(82,000)	(27,300)		(54,700)
		E'kho Ouhkyu	(76,200)	(25,400)		(50,800)
		E'kho Iysealeah	(74,000)	(24,600)		(49,400)
		E'kho Eaaiy	(64,700)	(21,500)		(43,200)
		E'kho Ktelriykhoi	(63,000)	(21,000)		(42,000)
		E'kho Iywaifaur	(62,100)	(20,700)		(41,400)
		E'kho Eoahfi	(61,500)	(20,500)		(41,000)
			(590,500)	(196,700)		(393,800)
	Huiha Eakteaei
	E'kho Aoia		(121,000)	(40,300)		(80,700)
		E'kho Khtoahar	(96,700)	(32,200)		(64,500)
		E'kho Hwourlii	(94,500)	(31,500)		(63,000)
		E'kho Ketreh	(84,200)	(28,000)		(56,200)
		E'kho Kheoua	(82,000)	(27,300)		(54,700)
		E'kho Sahuirea	(80,100)	(26,700)		(53,400)
		E'kho Yoleaiy	(79,000)	(26,300)		(52,700)
			(637,500)	(212,300)		(425,200)
	Huiha Awuahra
	E'kho Aaih		(97,200)	(32,400)		(64,800)
		E'kho Hlyeseaas	(85,100)	(28,300)		(56,800)
		E'kho Aaolruiw	(83,000)	(27,600)		(55,400)
		E'kho Uiai	(73,700)	(24,500)		(49,200)
		E'kho Eaui'alr	(73,000)	(24,300)		(48,700)
		E'kho Roiftealroi	(72,900)	(24,300)		(48,600)
		E'kho Khtakhafah	(70,100)	(23,300)		(46,800)
		E'kho Fteawalei'	(69,000)	(23,000)		(46,000)
			(624,000)	(207,700)		(416,300)
	Huiha Htualraluikh
	E'kho Earla		(104,000)	(34,600)		(69,400)
		E'kho Ftyuhrolyel	(83,400)	(27,800)		(55,600)
		E'kho Taaooul	(81,100)	(27,000)		(54,100)
		E'kho Iylraoa	(71,200)	(23,700)		(47,500)
		E'kho Oulelye	(70,000)	(23,300)		(46,700)
		E'kho Fteasoih	(69,300)	(23,100)		(46,200)
		E'kho Kyekhealryo	(68,000)	(22,600)		(45,400)
		E'kho Oilreaweh	(53,000)	(17,600)		(35,400)
			(600,000)	(199,700)		(400,300)
Yaitlaorail:	E'kho Hroukhteftai		(4100)	(1,300)		(2,800)
			(12,448,100)	(4,146,600)		(8,301,500)

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Aslan khoiaya (armour)

A half-hryo (squadron)

Armed Forces of the Outrim Alliance

The Outrim Alliance is a collection of at least seven small, non-Imperial Interstellar Polities lying to Spinward of Gamelea and Miazan Subsectors in Per Vulia, Entorth, Lymethius and Cabria Subsectors. Coalescing as an alliance during the late 8th Century, the disparate states were united in their opposition to Imperial expansion to Spinward. While membership has fluctuated over the course of two and a half centuries, the current alliance consists of: the Geithurian Republic; Huiha Esoyatre; Hand of Ssra'Ka Aissr; Khedivate of Nutharal; Huiha Khysokhou; Hunt of Rronurl; and the Johdari Association.

Initial skirmishes along the Spinward-Rimward frontier of Daltharmai Subsector led to a state of undeclared war as Imperial colonists moved into the Trailing end of the Tallu Cluster in Lymethius Subsector. During the 2nd Rimward War of 793 - 794, Sector Duke Liarb I launched a series of reprisal raids against the Geithurian Republic which galvanized that state to ally with the neighboring Aslan of the Huiha Esoyatre. Following the end of the Rimward War, Sector Duke Liarb II sought to pacify the Geithurians with a rapid campaign of deep Cruiser strikes against their trade and starport facilities. Unfortunately for Liarb II, the Ko of Huiha Esoyatre had been actively recruiting allies from amongst the scattered minor polities to Spinward and these responded to the Imperial raids with overwhelming force. Duke Liarb II's death in a skirmish in the outer system of Anar in 810 resulted in a temporary peace that lasted for over a century as the Imperial Sector Government became distracted by its own internal upheavals.

By the early 10th Century, the Imperium began to push into Lymethius Subsector again, only to find that the Outrim Alliance was still firmly opposed to their expansion. A series of four wars fought between 925 and 1085 have resulted in stalemate, with the political borders essentially unchanged. A Black War run against the Geithurian Republic by Siridar-Lord Elmar Hendrian, Head of Imperial Intelligence under Sector Duke Kanus II, during the decade prior to the outbreak of the 4th Outrim War in 1080, effectively paralyzed the Republic politically for nearly twenty years after the Battle of Anthorann and the end of the war in 1085.

Since the end of the Kalar-Wi War in 1105, and the accession of Konzevr Ashtebr Edlchtel of Appaer/Lymethius as President of the Geithurian Republic, the Outrim Alliance has shown increasing signs of a resurgence. This development is beginning to worry Imperial Officials, especially as relationships with the Kalar-Wi, who were instrumental in the military defeat of the Outrim Alliance at the end of the 4th Outrim War, are still at a low ebb.

It is against this background that I take a look at the Ground Forces of the Outrim Alliance.

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As before, I am using GURPsTraveller: Ground Forces by Douglas Berry as my guide. As with the development of figures for Imperial armed forces, it seems logical that non-Imperial planets above a certain population and Tech Level will produce "Battalion Equivalents" from a percentage of their population. These "Battalion Equivalents" can either be grouped into Battalions and higher formations at the producing planet's tech level, or traded-in/amalgamated into Elite formations, or higher Tech Level formations. In the latter case, the assumption is that the planetary Government imports higher Tech equipment, which makes individual formations more efficient, and permits the Government to enlist fewer soldiers.

In the case of non-Imperial planets and polities, it would seem unlikely that they would be able to import Tech Level 15 equipment as I have yet to generate a non-Imperial Tech Level 15 planet. This indicates that the degree to which local armed forces may be upgraded is more limited than with the Imperial Unified Army.

As previously, to determine the number of Battalion Equivalents each planet produces, the Battalion Equivalent Table is used. This table is my adaption of the original Classic Traveller table that appeared in Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society Issue 10, rather than the one from Ground Forces as I find it easier to use.

Defence Battalions or Battalion Equivalents (BEs)
Population	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	A
TL
3	-	1	10	1C	1K	10K	50K	100K
4	-	1	10	1C	1K	2K	20K	200K
5	1	2	3	30	3C	3K	30K	300K
6	1	2	3	30	3C	3K	30K	300K
7	-	1	2	20	2C	2K	20K	200K
8	-	1	2	20	2C	2K	20K	200K
9	-	-	1	15	150	15C	15K	150K
A	-	-	1	15	150	15C	15K	150K
B	-	-	1	12	120	12C	12K	120K
C	-	-	1	12	120	12C	12K	120K
D	-	-	1	10	1C	1K	10K	100K
E	-	-	7	7	70	7C	7K	70K
F	-	-	-	5	50	5C	5K	50K

Working with these figures and applying them to Lymethius Subsector, we begin to see the following emerge:

Lymethius Subsector Worlds
Planet	Port	Pop	TL	BEs	Reserve	Raw BE	Units
Bilas	C	2	A	-	-	-	Nil
Geithur	A	9	A	15C	24C	8C	1 TL12 Elite Armoured Division, 1 TL12 Elite Armoured Regiment, 2 TL12 Elite Infantry Divisions, 1 TL12 Elite Infantry Brigade, 2 TL12 Armoured Divisions, 1 TL12 Armoured Brigade, 2 TL12 Infantry Corps, 1 TL12 Infantry Brigade, 1 TL12 Regiment (overstrength)
Evvikkim	D	4	6	1	2	1	1 TL6 Infantry Battalion
Welthor	C	4	9	-	-	-	Nil
Lysarnor	B	8	8	2C	3C	1C	1 TL12 Elite Armoured Regiment, 1 TL12 Elite Infantry Regiment, 1 TL12 Infantry Regiment, 1 TL12 understrength Regiment (4 battalions)
Tian	C	6	A	1	-	1	1 TL10 Infantry Battalion
Vermorzol	A	6	7	20	30	10	1 TL7 Brigade
Appaer	B	A	C	120K	180K	60K	1 TL14 Elite Armoured Field Army, 1 TL14 Elite Armoured Division, 1 TL14 Elite Armoured Regimrnt - the Konzevr's Guard, 2 TL 14 Infantry Field Armies, 2 TL 14 Infantry Corps, 2 TL14 Infantry Divisions, 1 TL14 Infantry Brigade, 27 TL12 Armoured Field Armies, 54 TL12 Infantry Field Armies.
Hiona	C	5	B	-	-	-	Nil
Yuwe	A	5	C	-	-	-	Nil
Atlasiykh	C	5	A	-	-	-	Nil
Jul'ni	B	8	9	14C	21C	7C	1 TL14 Elite Armoured Division, 1 TL14 Elite Armoured Regiment, 2 TL14 Elite Infantry Divisions, 1 TL14 Elite Infantry Brigade, 4 TL14 Infantry Divisions
Faiwawhwe	C	5	A	-	-	-	Nil
Yuakteisye	A	A	A	150K	225K	75K	5 TL13 Elite Armoured Field Armies, 10 TL13 Elite Infantry Field Armies, 10 TL13 Armoured Field Armies, 50 TL13 Infantry Field Armies
Dysa Metharoth	B	4	9	-	-	-	Nil
Fiona	A	4	9	-	-	-	Nil
Coroson	C	6	8	2	3	1	1 TL8 Infantry Battalion
Tallu	A	5	C	1	-	1	1 TL12 Infantry Battalion
Auru	C	3	B	-	-	-	Nil
Kidan/Yaitlaorail	C	4	7	-	-	-	Nil
Kalar-Wi Empire
Masaad	B	3	8	-	-	-	Nil
Kalar-Wi/Gamelea	A	7	C	120	180	60	1 TL12 Armoured Brigade, 2 TL12 Infantry Divisions
Loa-Wi/Cabria	A	8	B	120	18	60	1 TL12 Armoured Regiment, 1 TL12 Infantry Division
Gaidon/Cabria	B	9	9	15K	24K	8K	1 TL12 Armoured Corp, 2 TL12 Elite Infantry Divisions, 1 TL12 Elite Infantry Brigade, 2 TL12 Infantry Corps, 2 TL9 Elite Armoured Corps, 2 TL9 Elite Armoured Divisions, 1 TL9 Elite Armoured Brigade, 1 TL9 Elite Infantry Field Army, 10 TL9 Infantry Field Armies, 2 TL9 Infantry Corps, 1 TL9 Infantry Division, 1 TL9 Infantry Regiment
Yolurlund/Cabri	A	5	C	-	-	-	Nil
Geithurian Republic Expeditionary Force - Ingeki Kargesu
Personnel for the Geithurian Republic Expeditionary Force are recruited from all member worlds of the Republic	3060	TL12	2 TL14 Elite Infantry Corps, 2 TL14 Elite Infantry Divisions, 1 TL14 Elite Infantry Brigade - Geithurian Republican Marines, 2 TL14 Armoured Corps, 2 TL14 Armoured Divisions, 1 TL14 Armoured Brigade, 5 TL14 Infantry Corps, 1 TL12 Armoured Corp, 3 TL12 Armoured Divisions, 1 TL12 Armoured Regiment, 3 TL12 Infantry Corps, 1 TL12 Infantry Division, 1 TL12 Infantry Brigade
Huiha Esoyatre Expeditionary Force
Personnel for the Huiha Esoyatre Expeditionary Force are primarily recruited from E'kho Oakhwohkyal of Yuakteisye	3000	TL12	1 TL14 Elite Armoured Corps, 1 TL14 Elite Armoured Division, 1 Elite Armoured Regiment, 2 TL14 Elite Infantry Corps, 2 TL14 Elite Infantry Divisions, 1 TL14 Elite Infantry Regiment, 3 TL12 Armoured Corps, 2 TL12 Armoured Divisions, 1 TL12 Armoured Brigade, 7 TL12 Infantry Corps
Kalar-Wi Empire Mobile Force - JKW/Orsh
Personnel for the Kalar-Wi Empire Mobile Force are recruited from all member worlds of the Empire	286	TL12	1 TL14 Elite Infantry Brigade, 1 TL14 Infantry Division, TL14 Infantry Brigade - Kalar-Wi Marines, 2 TL12 Armoured Divisions, 1 TL12 Armoured Brigade, 1 TL12 Infantry Corps, 3 TL12 Elite Infantry Battalions

Since the end of the 4th Outrim War in 1085, both the Huiha Esoyatre and the Geithurian Republic have been upgrading the equipment and training of their respective Ground Force Lift Formations as well as Planetary Defense units. Much of the High Tech equipment is being sourced from the Hand of Ssra'Ka Aissr and the Johdari Association to Spinward.

Secrets in Sulfur Part 2: On the Trail of the Worm #1

Our cast of characters:

John – Boris Clapshaw, ex Army Infantry Sergeant
Jonathan – Riishaa Daanel, ex Marine
Dylan – Count Asenault “Chivers” Washington-Pipps, retired Marine Colonel
Chris – “Bunty” Staffburger, ex Marine Force Commander

Recap:

Bunty Staffburger meets up with his old friend Count Asenault "Chivers" Washington-Pipps, Chivers' batman Riishaa Daanel and Boris Clapshaw, a friend of Daanel's, on Por’via. The three of them are heading off to do some mercenary work in the Geithurian Republic and have stopped over on Por’via before leaving Imperial Space.

Bunty’s girlfriend, Selia Vuir – a sulfur miner – is overdue from her shift. She has mentioned finding a cache of sunstones – opal-like gemstones – which she had intended to sell, under the counter, to Jorgan Kiorpanos, the local VenGems Holdings agent. Bunty and his companions venture out into the badlands above the sulfur flats to try and locate her. Instead they discover mysterious vargr, vicious alien lifeforms called irrijari, and a buried shuttle craft belonging to a mysterious methane-breathing species called the Mi’yargin. The ship has been on Por’via for around 200 years. The Mi’yargin have managed to save Selia, who was injured by the irrijari, by melding her mind into their Collective Consciousness, while they alter her body to better survive in a methane atmosphere.

Once the companions deal with the Vargr, and with the irrijari, the Mi’yargin shuttle takes off to rejoin its mothership, hidden in the rings of the Por’via system’s gas giant. While heading out-system, the companions realize that they are being followed by the Vargr freighter Akhska that was in port, and which was noted for its crew not speaking Gvegh – the standard Vargr language.

The Mi’yargin Nullship is a planetesimal-sized, icy structure, deep in the gas giant’s ring system. A crater near the equator turns out to be a large, external shuttle bay. Gaining access to the Mi'yargin's internal transportation system, Chivers and his companions are able to ambush Captain Vegh and the Akhska’s crew and seize their ship by emerging directly beneath the freighter through the nullship’s surface. The Mi’yargin Collective, having successfully reintegrated the Collective of the shuttle crew, are able to assist Chivers and his companions in translating some of the information discovered aboard the Akhska, and interrogating the one surviving Vargr crewbeing. The Akhska has come a long way – from Waystar in Cabria Subsector where someone called Aia issues orders to Captain Vegh and the crew of the Akhska. The Vargr aboard the Akhska speak an ancient Vargr language called Arrghoun - older than, and distinct from, Gvegh, the language of most Imperial Vargr. The Arrghoun Vargr refer to their employer as Aeroukh Doaengosra - “Lord (or Prince) Whipworm”. The Mi’yargin Collective wonders if Lord Whipworm may in fact be a Danshihabi, an ancient enemy of the Mi’yargin and referred to, by them, as “thieves and carrion worms”.

The Mi’yargin ask Chivers and his companions to journey along the Akhska’s back trail to Waystar to learn more about Lord Whipworm, and to report back to the Collective at a rendezvous point in the Yuar Outsystem in Cabria Subsector. The Collective turns the Akhska over to Civers and throws in a little something to continue their association – a large, sarcophagus-like object.

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The sarcophagus-like object delivered to the ship turns out to be a very old Lowberth capsule, and when this is activated, Chivers and his companions meet Amin Soshousis, a Scout. Exploring the Por’via system in 922, just before the 1st Outrim War, Amin’s Scout ship collided with the Mi’yargin Nullship. She managed to get into her Lowberth before the catastrophic failure of her ship’s life support system. The Mi’yargin managed to retrieve her Lowberth, did a preliminary scan of its systems, and then put it into storage as events unfolded on Por'via, keeping it safe for 200 years.

Music tastes change in 200 years

It takes Amin several days to recover from her extended Lowberth time, and Boris and Bunty are surprised at how well she seems to adjust to the massive time displacement she has experienced. Apart from her slightly antiquated figures of speech, and her very old style Scout uniform, there is little to distinguish her from someone of a more contemporary origin. When asked about this, Amin admits that every day she is having to make little adjustments as she discovers items that work slightly differently, or products that taste or function slightly differently. But, having served as a Field Scout for a number of years, she is used to being transient - never making attachments as duty usually moves one on - and she is used to discovering and experiencing new things. Working a Vargr ship is actually less of a culture shock than discovering all the people she knew are gone and all the bands she used to listen to are now considered Classical Music.

Once Amin, and Knaes – the captured Vargr whom Daanel has convinced to join the new pack – have worked out the basic bridge control layout, the Akhska leaves the Nullship. Slipping back to Por’via in an attempt to recover Selia’s Sunstone stash, the companions find that it has been picked clean. An attempt to hunt down the scavengers, thought to possibly be associates of Jorgan Kiorpanos, the VenGems agent who was killed by the irrijari, proves fruitless, so Chivers and his associates decide to leave Por’via and set out on their mission for the Mi'yargin.

The Akhska is a Gaeouz Class Far Trader, with a three parsec Jump range and 3Gs of acceleration. Having extracted more data from the Akhska’s log, Chivers and his associates have learnt that the ship transited through Evvikkim while heading for Por’via, and that there seems to have been some message traffic between Captain Vegh and an agent of Aia's operating on-planet. Amin is very reluctant to enter Geithurian space, even when assured that some time has passed since the last Outrim War (the 4th which, Amin argues, proves her point as she entered her Lowberth just prior to the 1st Outrim War). Having assured her that they will not remain longer than necessary in-system, they eventually plot a course from Por’via, via Jul'ni and Hiona in Geithurian space, before jumping on to Evvikkim.

On approach to Evvikkim, Amin informs Chivers and his companions that she is picking up an automated message being tight beamed to their ship. The message is in code and in Arrghoun, which the Bunty and Daanel are able to crack. The message appears to be from a local agent of Aia’s, saying that a strange ship has been spotted in the Evvikkim system and asking the Akhska to get word to Aia.

Evvikkim Downport shows signs of decay, as if it was once a lot busier than it now is. Very few Evvikkimians are evident, and all look pale and drawn. Also, no children are evident within the starport concourse, while the bulk of the service work at the starport is performed by gangs of Vargr of different origins. Large areas of the starport have been mothballed, or partially shut down, and many areas are dusty and unserviced, as if no-one has ventured into them in many years. Even snack food dispensers are lightly coated in a film of dust, and are stocked with older style packets of snacks.

Chivers and Boris Clapshaw meet Sholoam Kharii, Head of Security for Evvikkim Downport, a tall and cadaverous Vilani and who, like all Evvikkimians, wears slightly archaic styled clothing. Amin is convinced that she recognises him, and that he was head of security when she last passed through Evvikkim – over 200 years ago. Sholoam seems a little suspicious when Chivers talks of picking up a cargo, and advises Chivers and his associates to be wary of the Vargr groups that frequent the starport, and in particular a group lead by Angtuez.

While Chivers and his companions are out looking for cargos and news, Amin is abducted from the Akhska by a Vargr gang. Giving chase, Chivers and company track down her assailants in an abandoned maze of tunnels between the starport and Evvikkim City and, after a shootout, rescue her from the band of Vargr led by Angtuez.

Getting back aboard the ship, Chivers and his associates are thoroughly convinced that Evvikkim is getting all a bit too creepy, and so they perform an emergency takeoff, damaging the access tunnel to their docking bay in the process. With threats of legal retribution reverberating from the ship’s comm., the Akhska heads for the system gas giant, Lamo VIII, to refuel while a debate rages over their next move.