OBT Forum

Takiro Battlezone: Lambrecht « on: March 19, 2007, 09:51:47 PM »

Lambrecht
Star Type: G6IV
Position in System: 1 (of 9)
Number of Moons: None (asteroid ring)
Days to Jump Point: 7
Surface Water: 82%
Atmospheric Pressure: Standard (Tainted)
Surface Gravity: 1.03
Equatorial Temp: 33° C
Highest Native Life: Reptiles
Planetary Ruler: Duke Lucas Kyle

In many respects Lambrecht was considered an ideal candidate for colonization. Abundant mineral and metal deposits, ripe for mining and refining on the surface and in the orbiting debris field from a failed moon, promised a booming industrial economy, while fertile soil, terrestrial seasons, and a biosphere suitable for human life all described a virtual paradise. The only drawback, settlers quickly learned, was that the planet was entering a stage of geological settling, stirred constantly by gravitational tides caused by its large G6-class sun. The resulting earthquakes, common all over the world, have generally been mild, but prevented the colonists from establishing large structures or concentrated cities, a trend that continues despite advances in building materials and planetwide expertise in earthquake damage-control procedures. As a result, Lambrecht’s five island continents are dotted with small to medium-sized towns, the largest of which, the planetary capital of Middle Park, boasts a population of just under one million. During the Star League era, Lambrecht became one of the League’s most heavily fortified worlds, ironically enough, because of its chronic tremors. As home to the University of Lambrecht, one of the Star League’s “Golden Ten” institutions of higher learning, and a school geared toward the hard sciences (such as physics, astronomy, and geology), the League chose Lambrecht as a test bed for a Castle Brian design using high-boron alloy, a rare building material resistant to earthquakes. Six Castles Brian were constructed on Lambrecht by the mid-twenty-fifth century, including one that housed the Success Mint, which printed currency for the Draconis Combine. During the Amaris crisis, Lambrecht was hit pretty hard, with the Usurper’s troops obliterating four of the Castles Brian, the University of Lambrecht, and the Success Mint, from orbit. Using neutron weapons on the ground to capture and secure the remaining two, Amaris’ forces dug in when Kerensky’s troops returned to liberate the planet. In the ensuing battle, Kerensky’s troops used their own tactics against them, raining fire down from several orbiting WarShips to destroy the core of Amaris’ defenders, then overwhelming the surviving troops with sheer numbers on the ground. In the month-long fighting, the Usurper’s troops, employing a scorched-earth policy, destroyed all of Lambrecht’s high-boron alloy mills and several nearby towns. Damage thanks to the extensive use of biochemical weapons by the Usurper’s minions left the atmosphere tainted by harmful toxins. Despite this the armor industry on world was rebuilt thanks to substantial government aid and a group of new Terran investors who returned home after the war. Their new company, Armortechnik, has already developed a reputation for excellence in its field and is currently trying to keep up with the high demand for its product. It remains to be seen if Lambrecht’s other notable sites will ever be restored. However, under three of Lambracht’s Castle Brians largely undamaged catacombs have been found beneath their collapsed ruins. Aside from the large island continent of Galapagos in the northern hemisphere of this world, where Middle Park stands, Lambrecht’s four other continents are Brattanios, and Falkos, in the northern hemisphere, east of Galapagos, and Phillipharos, and Shasia in the south. Shasia, dominated by tundra, is by far the least populous of these landmasses.

Takiro Re: Battlezone: Lambrecht « Reply #1 on: March 22, 2007, 12:20:19 PM »

The Defenders

2nd Astan Borderers Elite/ Reliable CO: Major General Shelton Northcutt
1st Provisional Combat Brigade Elite/ Fanatical CO: Brigadier David Williams
2nd Provisional Combat Brigade Veteran/ Fanatical CO: Brigadier Aaron Walters
Lambrecht SDF Regular/ Fanatical CO: Colonel William Bekker
65th Attack Wing Veteran/ Fanatical CO: Lt. Commander Adam Wolf
22nd Interceptor Wing Regular/ Reliable CO: Lt. Commander Jen Hastings
6th Pursuit Wing Veteran/ Reliable CO: Lt. Commander Cris Timmons

SitRep: The Royal Command long ago realized the value of Lambrecht and the threat posed by the nearby Draconis Combine to it. As a result one of the TRAS first acts was to station the elite 2nd Astan Borderers to this planet’s defense. Recently promoted Major General Shelton Northcutt took charge of these defenses when he arrived with the Second and has very ably led these efforts since that time. Northcutt’s effectiveness as a commander has even exceeded the expectations of his mentor, Lieutenant General Sardius Grey. While unable to spare any further BattleMech forces to defend this world from attack it has been gradually been reinforced by two Provisional Combat Brigades. Premier General Arnold Collins made sure to devote some of his best armor and infantry regiments to this task upon taking command of the Draconis Front. Additionally the Lambrecht SDF is perhaps the finest unit of its type currently fielded by the Terran nation. Led by Colonel William Bekker, a veteran himself, it trains almost constantly and resembles a line unit in regards to quality of performance. The 65th Attack Wing arrived on planet with the 2nd Borderers and have worked with the capable 22nd Interceptor Wing to secure aerospace control of the planet since that time. Recently the 6th Pursuit Wing has buttressed these efforts forming an impressive aerospace cap for Lambrecht’s ground defenses. All these units also have one other thing in common, past experience with the DCMS. Either in serving along side or fighting against the Dragon almost all of the soldiers defending Lambrecht are familiar with their enemy. Major General continues to lead efforts to rebuild the once insurmountable fortifications of Lambrecht shattered during the Amaris Coup. One new Castle Brian has been constructed on planet along with several other strong points to slow the enemy’s advance.

Takiro Re: Battlezone: Lambrecht « Reply #2 on: March 26, 2007, 04:23:28 PM »

The Attackers

1st Ronin Taskforce (the Chosen Ones)
Commander: General Daisuke Toyotomi
Force Skill/ Loyalty Ratings: Veteran/ Reliable
Description: When General Toyotomi was assembling his own taskforce for Operation Katana he selected the finest Ronin to help him accomplish his goal. Additionally the General was allowed by the Coordinator to selected several volunteers from around the Draconis Combine to fill out this force. While they might not have common backgrounds the personnel of the First have a singular common vision, the conquest of Dieron. The result is a massive taskforce that nearly achieves an elite skill level. Easily the heaviest Ronin Taskforce it is equipped with BattleMechs of all sizes including assault weight machines. Additionally it is the best supplied of these forces with access to Star League technology and designs. General Daisuke Toyotomi while not a ronin himself is well respected by every person under his command. In fact most Ronin revere Toyotomi as their personal savior and military genius who recognized their skill and bought them back to the Combine for a renewed purpose. Toyotomi’s second-in-command and chief aide is Brigadier General Luke Kingsley who has served the Dragon throughout his life. Kingsley performs many of the First Taskforce’s day to day leadership functions is an elder officer in the DCMS. His long history of dutiful service has led to a steady advance within the military of the House Kurita. A stickler for rules and procedure he is best described as a loyal, precise, and exacting soldier who lacks imagination. Overshadowed by General Toyotomi he is a devoted follower of his younger commander’s overriding vision.

Takiro Re: Battlezone: Lambrecht « Reply #3 on: March 26, 2007, 04:37:29 PM »

By the Numbers

Type of Unit     TR     DC
BattleMechs     180    432
AeroFighters      54    108
Warships            0       9

Please Note that Armor & Infantry Numbers will follow eventually

BattleMechs for the Terrans include two battalions (Reserves and Nobles) in the SDF

Also actual Ronin forces are only Mechwarriors the rest of their troop is made of DCMS and DCA personnel

ScouseJedi Re: Battlezone: Lambrecht « Reply #4 on: April 06, 2007, 04:58:54 PM »

Hello Smiley

Intriguing project here. I'm sorry if this is stepping on toes but the overview of Lambrecht was a solid block of info and difficult to read and take in the information. To read it, I threw it into an editor and broke it up into paragraphs. I then rewrote it a little so it was in a more logical order.

Then I drew a map sorry is sooo big 190kb Sad (I reduced it down to 800 x 600 as it is)

If I offend anyone by doing this then please delete it and I appologise - (only trying to help:))


EDIT :

A couple of questions..

1. 4:1 odds against the defenders seems nicely dangerous. Are there any offworld forces available to either side?
2. If so how soon can they arrive?
3. Is the Ronin attack an invasion or a raid. I assume its an invasion as 400+ 'Mechs is a tidy force
4. What timeframe to the Ronin have in mind for this operation.

/EDIT

Matt


Lambrecht
Star Type: G6IV
Position in System: 1 (of 9)
Number of Moons: None (asteroid ring)
Days to Jump Point: 7
Surface Water: 82%
Atmospheric Pressure: Standard (Tainted)
Surface Gravity: 1.03
Equatorial Temp: 33° C
Highest Native Life: Reptiles
Planetary Ruler: Duke Lucas Kyle

MAP: Star League Geological Survey # 143-0028736-NU86


From the initial surveys, Lambrecht was considered an ideal candidate for colonisation. There were abundant metal deposits both on the surface and in the orbital debris produced by a failed moon. These raw materials promised a profitable industrial economy based on mining and refining while fertile soils, close to terrestrial seasons and a suitable biosphere seemed to promise a virtual paradise.

Initial expectations were quickly dashed. The planet was undergoing a period of high tectonic activity, aggravated by the gravitational impact of its large G6 class star, resulting in a constant series of earthquakes. Tremors are generally mild but on occasion there are more serious episodes. Consequently, man's impact on the planet has been significantly reduced. The huge sprawling industrial complexes common on many planets do not exist on Lambrecht. Any major facilities are carefully planned and tend to be limited in scope. This trend has been replicated with the centres of human population. Cities on Lambrecht tend to be small, largely single story and built to some of the finest earthquake control standards available anywhere.

There are five continents on Lambrecht, however, the majority of the population can be found on the major landmass, Galapagos. The capital and primary spaceport is Middle Park which is home to almost a million people. Other cities tend to specialise, so places like Emmon's Caldera and Bleak Valley are mining and metal processing centres while Lakeside and Depot provide organic produce.

Human settlement on the other four continents is more limited, although Wayland, on Falkos is expanding rapidly due to some significant investment in its military facilities run by Armortechnik.

Lambrecht's importance has declined since the Star League Era as it suffered greatly during the Amaris Crisis. Its once proud universities and scientific institutions, particularly in the fields relating to Geology, had given Lambrecht the highly respected place within Star League centres of learning and it was well known as a member of one of the 'Golden Ten' research facilities.

It was the expertise in physics and geology that led to the selection of Lambrecht for the testing of a new type of Castle Brian utilising a high-boron alloy, a rare material resistant to earthquakes. Eventually Lambrecht housed six Castles including the Success Mint that produced currency for the Draconis Combine.

The initial impact of the Amaris Crisis was the orbital destruction of four Castle Brians and the university, followed by the application of neutron weapons on the ground to secure the remaining facilities. By the time Kerensky's troops arrived in system, Amaris' forces were well prepared and secure. Kerensky's solution was to order his warships in orbit to rain down fire on strongpoints and then drop an overwhelming superiority of force on to the surface to clean up the remainder.

The fighting lasted a month, during which the Usurper's forces adopted a scorched earth policy, destroying every facility they could. Mines, refineries, processing plants and factories were rendered useless, including some of the highly sophisticated high-boron facilities. In agricultural areas, biochemical weapons were extensively used which has greatly reduced the capability of Lambrecht to grow a food surplus and left many dangerous toxins in the air.

With enough investment Lambrecht is capable of being a world of major importance to the Terran Republic. The crucial factor is the time it will take to replace the population and infrastructure lost. Recent progress here has been made with the welcome private initiative from Armortechnik who have made a huge and welcome commitment to Lambreacht, rebuilding and expanding the old Coulderfield facilities in Wayland. The Republic is seeking more partners for other ventures and there are excellent candidates for further projects, for instance there are initial reports that some of the Castle Brians have intact areas beneath them waiting to be explored.

Takiro Re: Battlezone: Lambrecht « Reply #5 on: April 06, 2007, 06:00:46 PM »

Wow, if this is offensive please keep offending me! Grin Welcome to the boards. An excellent first post. Love that map!! Please send me the larger map via e-mail. I had complied the Lambrecht information from MWDA and my Project Phoenix Fanbook. If you'd like please help out some more.  Wink

And now to answer your questions.
1. What you see is what you got. For the Ronin failure is not an option. If the defenders are being forced back there is a chance depending on the situation that the Republic might try to extract their line brigade if possible.
2. If you had any to send say a week more likely two but again not really an option for the Republic or the Ronin.
3. This is an invasion during the 1st Succession War. All tactics are available. Look for nuke strikes or orbital bombardment if things bog down for the Dracs. I doubt the Terrans would be so quick to wreck their own homeland however.
4. Conquest must be completed in four months to proceed with next wave. Remember it is just their first step towards the promised fifth District, Dieron. Terrans don't know or care about this.

Welcome aboard once again. Tremendous job!

ScouseJedi Re: Battlezone: Lambrecht « Reply #6 on: April 06, 2007, 06:54:53 PM »

OK heres a link to the big jpg

You can have the .psd if you really really need it want but its 17.3Mb Smiley

Also I like to put faces next to people so I knocked up a little piccy of Major General Shelton Northcutt



FILE_ID:ShelNorthcutt/00123/4F
Date: September 3, 2785

Name:   Shelton Northcutt
Title/Rank:   Major General
Position:   Commander 2nd Astan Borderers
Age:      29
Sex:      Male

Brief Personal History:

The Northcutt family was prosperous and well embedded into the political structure of  Asta. Shelton enjoyed a privileged upbringing and viewed service with the military as a step to achieving political office. To this end he attended the prestigious Weatherby Heights  Military Academy.

Like millions of others, Northcutt's life was completely turned on its head by Stefan Amaris. The Northcutt family had a little too much power and influence for the Usurper's taste and all of Shelton's family were interred, never to be seen again.

For the first time in his life Shelton was without the protection of his name. It is typical of him that he rose to the occasion and pledged himself to the freedom of Asta despite his tender years – he was ten when the Amaris flag was first raised on his homeworld. Throughout the occupation, Shelton impressed time and time again, and at the liberation by SDLF forces,  he had attained the brevet rank of Major – quite an achievement considering his age.

The resistance was placed under the command of a regular SLDF regiment, the 280th Mechanised Infantry Division, where Northcutt came to the attention of its commander, Lieutenant General Sardius Grey. Grey, himself a native of Asta, had heard many tales about the young warrior who had organised a sophisticated and wide ranging harassment campaign against the Amaris troops. Grey used his position to mentor Shelton and this has been the main reason for his meteoric promotion.

With the departure of Kerensky and the formation of the Asta Borderers, Grey was persuaded to come out of retirement and take over leadership. He returned the favour and has recently placed Shelton Northcutt in command of the 2nd Asta Borderers.

Like most of the personnel within the Borderers, Northcutt has spent the majority of his career confronting the DCMS. With the increase in border tensions he is expecting his latest posting, Lambrecht, to be a hotly contested one and is eager to prove himself once again.

Personality:
Motivation/Desires/Goals:

The loss of his family at such an early age forced Shelton to find a new family and he has adopted first the SDLF and then the TRAS. His involvement with the military is much more than a career to him, it is a cornestone of his life.

Despite this he is ambitious and views further promotions in his career as essential. This shows itself in the way he drives both himself and the men who serve beneath him. Luckily, he seems to have the talent to back his ego up and his men recognise this and work hard to live up to his expectations.

The planet and people of Asta are important to Northcutt. In his mind the Terran Republic is the only power than can govern it. Anyone who attempted to sieze his home would have a ruthless and deadly enemy indeed.

Sadly, like many career soldiers, there is seemingly little time for anything else in Northcutt's life. He is unmarried with no children.

Manner:

Northcutt is well educated and well spoken but has spent time living in sewers fighting for scraps. He is just as capable speaking at the opera as he is chatting to a private getting drunk in a seedy bar – something that has endeered him to the people under his command.

No matter the situation, Shelton seems to have an instinctive grasp of how to hold himself to get the best result. This is not too great a surprise as the Northcutt's have bred politicians for generations.

Special Skills/Powers:

As part of his formal training within the Borderers Shelton specialised in large scale battle manoeuvres. Its whispered in high command circles that he has it down to a fine art. All he lacks is a platform to demonstrate it.

ScouseJedi Re: Battlezone: Lambrecht « Reply #7 on: April 06, 2007, 08:21:05 PM »

An old grizzled face. I figure he is a Lambrecht local official. Someone who lived through the neutron attacks, orbital combardment and biochemical attacks. One hard nasty dude.

Anyone think of role / backstory?

Takiro Re: Battlezone: Lambrecht « Reply #8 on: April 06, 2007, 09:29:15 PM »

WOW!! Who are you? Shocked This is some fantasic stuff! I love it. Great job.  Smiley

Your best bet would be Colonel William Bekker (just made up the name recently from the Bekker on Lambrecht in MWDA so the family has ancentral roots on planet) the commanding officer of the Lambrecht SDF.

Other Terran names with their are;
1st Provisional Combat Brigade Elite/ Fanatical CO: Brigadier David Williams
2nd Provisional Combat Brigade Veteran/ Fanatical CO: Brigadier Aaron Walters
65th Attack Wing Veteran/ Fanatical CO: Lt. Commander Adam Wolf
22nd Interceptor Wing Regular/ Reliable CO: Lt. Commander Jen Hastings
6th Pursuit Wing Veteran/ Reliable CO: Lt. Commander Cris Timmons

MechRat Re: Battlezone: Lambrecht « Reply #9 on: April 06, 2007, 10:54:39 PM »

I have to agree with Takiro, and I would have to add "how did you find us?"

Welcome to BTSD and please keep up the incredible work!

Takiro Re: Battlezone: Lambrecht « Reply #10 on: April 06, 2007, 10:56:16 PM »

Just great stuff on this, I really can't say enough about it.

ScouseJedi Re: Battlezone: Lambrecht « Reply #11 on: April 07, 2007, 07:08:08 AM »

If you don't mind I think the grizzled face will belong to Harold Larson, the Head of Armortechnik on Lambrecht. His facilities will be a primary target anyway. It will create a dilema for the defenders. The forces they divert to Wayland to protect the Armortechnik plant will be on a different continent to the other major targets.

Colonel Willie Bekker :



Some artwork





@ MechRat

 "how did you find us?"

I found some of my old BTech stuff recently and checked out the net to see what was going on. OMG FASA = kaput!!! Mooched around some fans site and started some bad fan fiction. There was a link here from Takiro's post "Fan Fiction Challenge" on the ClassicBattletech Forums.

I did have a news article roughed out but despite a skim of the 2 BTSR sourcebooks I felt a little intimidated by my lack of knowledge about the core changes to the cannon.

This thread will give me a much better introduction and I hope to flesh Lambrech out enough for you to consider producing a sourcebook like Twycross - some fiction, history of the invasion, a set of scenarios etc.

In terms of the art I love black and white ink pictures. Sadly I cannot even hold a pencil properly but photoshop comes to the rescue.

Now, some important questions

1. Do TPTB know the outcome of the campaign?
2. Are the Ronin 'bad guys' - a black and white conflict or one painted in shades of grey?

ScouseJedi Re: Battlezone: Lambrecht « Reply #12 on: April 07, 2007, 07:55:49 AM »

OK, just done a write up of Armortechnic's CEO:Lambrecht, Harold Larson

A few problems with it...

1. I need the name of a Major Corporation that fragmented and spawned Armortechnics and the name of a planet Larson was based on.
2. I have written Larson in a way that could see him back the Ronin if his facilities are threatened with destruction. Not sure if this is the way you want to play it thought.



FILE_ID:HaroLarson/06012/2C
Date: June 27, 2784

Name:   Harold Larson
Title/Rank:   Regional Manager
Position:   Head of Armortechnik on Lambrecht
Age:      63
Sex:      Male

Brief Personal History:

From an early age, Harold Larson showed an aptitude for mechanics. As a child he could often be found in his fathers workshop stripping down all manner of machines. This interest in engineering led him to a win a scholarship from XXXX BIG ENGINEERING CORPS XXXX. With the successful completion of his Masters, Larson joined the corporate machine and advanced steadily up the corporate ladder, eventually heading up the Advanced Materials Division on XXXX Planet Name with big corp on it XXXX, which was developing a cheaper method of producing curved Ferro-Fibrous Battlemech armour.

With the Amaris Crisis, Larson was captured and asked to work for the Usurper. His refusal placed him in a gulag work camp for almost seven years. With the removal of Amaris and his cronies from power came freedom and rehabilitation. To this day, Larson's face is scarred from frost damage suffered during his time as a guest of his captors.

With all the upheavals going on though the Exodus, XXXX Big Corp Name XXXX decided to fragment its operation and Armortechnics was set up. It actively sought out and recruited Larson and he was placed in charge of their new facility on Wayland, Falkos continent, Lambrecht. The challenge of repairing and expanding the shattered facility was something that Larson relished and he has thrown himself into the task with an energy that belies his years.

Personality:
Motivation/Desires/Goals:

Despite a highly technical understanding of the engineering his company is involved with, Larson is primarily a manager. He is Armortechnics public face on Lambrecht and he takes this role seriously. He is a popular figure on local newscasts and makes many appearances at all the local social gatherings.

Larson, despite his friendly exterior is a corporate animal. He has put a lot of work into the project on Wayland and would be quite willing to make a deal with the devil to safeguard the progress made there. The only thing that matters is the projects eventual success.

Time in a gulag changes a man, and buried deep below the surface, Larson is iron. He is a man who has killed with his bare hands for a meal. It is rare for this side of his character to be seen, but those who have crossed him in the corporate world have caught a glimpse as their careers were destroyed.

Manner:

Larson comes across as very easy going and friendly. Its a image he has cultivated even to the point of accepting the nickname 'Uncle Harry' from his workers. It could be argued that this is a cynical ploy to keep the ever expanding number of workers and citizens in Wayland happy but those who meet him report that he seems a genuinely nice man.

Despite his outgoing nature, Larson is very private when it comes to his personal life. His first wife died during the civil war and he has remarried. Sadly it appears that his children have not really accepted their new step mother and this causes Harold pain so he tends not to speak much about his family.
 
Special Skills/Powers:

Larson is a born administrator and a highly skilled media manipulator. He has a good understanding of military technology and is a cunning political animal.

Takiro Re: Battlezone: Lambrecht « Reply #13 on: April 07, 2007, 09:21:33 AM »

Hmmm the Ronin viewed the SL as oppressive and out to change DC society. This is their chance to reentrer Draconis society after years in exile. So they are out to rejoin Kurita in glory.

ThyssenKrupp is a possiblity I geuss. Earth is always good. Sorry I don't have more time for you today ScouseJedi. Moving today from our apartment to a house.

Takiro Re: Battlezone: Lambrecht « Reply #14 on: April 08, 2007, 11:23:42 PM »

Ok Scouse did a little more research and Ceres Metals could also be a good possiblity. They are truly an interstellar corp far beyond ThyssenKrupp size it maybe a good choice. Perhaps it was a subsidary that didn't go with Federated Defense Systems. If so Kimball 2, Ward, Coventry, Capella, and Terra all open up as possiblities.

I know we didn't detail Lambrecht but my original thoughts were not of a splinter corp but a new congolmerate of investors possibly from the Lyran Commonwealth (given the Germanic name of the company) who have come to Terran space to serve the true First Lord. FYI.

What do you think?