Making a Minor Power, was Re: First Order of Business

This from the GZGPedia List:

The Brain said:
> One problem with homebrew nations is the 'ubernation' trap: Someone

> This means a comparitively small ground force. So that has to be Hi

Similarly the Alarishi Empire. We live and work in space, so high tech and a
large proportion of people suitable for the Fleet. No planets, so not really
worth grabbing in the eyes of most other nations, and enough of fleet to deter
raiding. A severe manpower shortage, so not much army (but a
popular destination for emigrants--want to double your pay?  Come to
Alarish). High cost of labor again reduced by high tech. An empire in
which any social pattern is acceptable--want an all-lesbian homeworld?
all conservative nuclear families? group marriages? a monastery? your own
planetoid and everyone leave me alone? We have it all. On the other hand, the
Emperor doesn't bail out failing colonies, so economic competition can get
fierce. What does this leave me with? A small power, a good fleet but too
small to invade anyone, mercenary ship builders, and a place where
anyone--such as agents and unofficial ambassadors from nearby
powers--can
find neutral ground. Also, people cheer for the underdog.

> At 07:37 PM 2/9/99 -0500, you wrote:
The
> OU technological superiority (if it exists at all) in grav unit

The ONLY human power that has the endorsement of the Illuminati, I might
add.  The Illuminati themselves don't have delusions of grandeur--they
KNOW that they are superior to the rest of the universe. Technologically, they
have a small edge on the rest of humanity...but not in any areas that are
going to have an effect on the gaming table. Scenarios are another thing
entirely, of course. The one innovation that I want to include is a
self-destruct mechanism: Any Illuminati tank that is Disabled in combat
(mobility or firing systems lost) is treated as though it had just been hit
with a "boom" counter. And no, the crew don't know about this. The Illuminati
wants its secrets to remain secrets....

In a message dated 99-02-09 20:35:15 EST, you write:

<< >Agree. HiTech in small doses, quite OK, but anything other than
> Homeopathic doses would be poisonous. Case in point: OU Grav Bikes.
The
> OU technological superiority (if it exists at all) in grav unit
The UBW will be along the samelinfes, after things settle out with the Gawain
Accords, the forces will mostlikly going to be two squadrons of 4 Companys of
8 Tanks (most likly size 6 to get the extra Firecon), 12 MICVs (Size 4, 1
Squad of 4-8 Power Armour Troopers), 2 MRLS/MARS tanks, 4 Missile
support Tanks (also ADS carriers), all Grav, I'll do up a gif of the TE&O
email me at