Alien Sky:Unit History Rules

Terms and Concepts

Manpower

Pilots (1 or 3): Military or civilian, hardened or raw. Pilots are the backbone of a unit since they do most of the fighting. Pilots are not generated and have their stats defined by your Doctrine Ratings. Elites may be purchased at three times the cost, but they receive double CP during generation.

Characters (5): The important ones. Y'know, the guys who aren't mooks who'se Fractals don't blow up in a stiff wind. Characters are the heroes of the story, and each one is unique, so their stats are determined individually.

Doctrine

Doctrines represent the discipline and training of your troops. When unassigned doctrines may be put into Training, which reflects the skill of your regular forces, and Morale, which represents their esprit de corps.

Training: Training represents the veterancy and relative skill of your regular pilots, affecting most of their abilities. A smaller but better trained unit in outdated equipment can decimate rookies in the latest gear. One point of training equals one CP to generate a standard pilot, or two for standard elites.

Morale: Esprit de corps, fighting spirit and the general mood of your troops. Even in a unit consisting only of characters, low morale generally means a tense and unfriendly atmosphere among the crew. Low morale pilots are more likely to abandon your unit or turn traitor at a critical juncture, as well! Morale is damaged by casualties and failures and increased by victories and resting.

Logistics

Logistics refers to the ability of your army to function outside of combat, as well as during long-term military campaigns. It is split into Support, which reflects ease of arms acquisition and ability to secure ammo and components, and Transport, which is your means of traveling around the world.

Support: Support is a measure of how well supplied your unit is. Even if your unit has the best, most cutting edge technology, if they don't have food or ammo, they won't be doing much.

Transportation: Gaia is a large planet plagued by the issues of an early colonial society. Without an dry navy vessel like an air or landship, you're confined to flights between airbases and lots of time on wet naval carriers. Particularly high transportation might even allow for several vessels. Essentially, Transportation covers not only how much equipment and staff you can move around, but also how fast you can move them around.

Fractal

Your ability to procure the basic weapons platform for Centauri colonials on Gaia. Fractal score doesn't necessarily reflect the number of units you have, as higher ranked units might cost additional score.

A-Fractals (1-2 Fractal Score): Generally dumbed down clones of N-Fractals or Vector lifeforms spliced to express growth along human fractal patterns, A-Fractals are the ubiquitous platform for combat on Gaia. A-Fractals are your KLFs, your Zaku IIs, your GN-Xs, driven by your normal pilots and sometimes by extremely well skilled Characters.

N-Fractals (5 Fractal Score): The definitive hero unit for the eco-friendly, N-Fractals are natural vector lifeforms that express psychodynamic sympathies with human beings, allowing them to be controlled with minimal interface technology. It is often theorized that they actually 'grow' such systems to accomodate each pilot individually, and can adapt to the implantation of human technology quite well.

AN-Fractals (5 Fractal Score): AN-Fractals represent the best of human and Gaian-derived technology, and sit at the apex of the A-Fractal tree. They are powerful machines that require intensive maintenance and constant tuning, and often push their pilots to extremes. If the N-Fractal represents the desire to coexist with the planet, the AN-Fractal couples this with humanity's underlying willingness to survive at all costs.

Wealth

Wealth allows for the purchase of additional Logistics and Fractal Score at a rate of 10 for one Wealth. Wealth also unlocks AN-Fractals, at the cost of 1 Wealth for Access.

Prestige

Prestige allows for the purchase of additional Doctrine and Manpower at a rate of 10 for one Prestige. Prestige also unlocks N-Fractals, at the cost of 1 Prestige for Access.

History Pathing

All units begin with 10 Manpower, 10 Training, 10 Morale, 10 Support and 10 Transport.

Origins and History

Ori-1) National Indentity

Centauri Union (+30 Manpower, +10 Training, +30 Morale, +40 Fractal, +30 Logistics, Go to Ori-2)

New Sargasso City States (+20 Manpower, +20 Training, +10 Morale, +40 Fractal, +20 Logistics, +2 Wealth, Go to Ori-3)

Tsiolkovsky Community (+10 Manpower, +30 Training, +30 Morale, +40 Fractal, +30 Logistics, +1 Wealth, Go to Ori-4)

Messian Concordat (+40 Manpower, +20 Training, +40 Morale, +20 Fractal, +20 Logistics), Go to Ori-5)

Parabolic Grove (+20 Manpower, +30 Training, +10 Morale, +50 Fractal, +1 Prestige, +2 Wealth, Go to Ori-6)

Galina Society (+20 Manpower, +20 Training, +30 Morale, +40 Fractal, +30 Transport, Go to Ori-7)

Heng Sha Collective (+40 Manpower, +30 Training, +20 Morale, +40 Fractal, +10 Logistics, Go to Ori-8)

Independants (+7 Wealth, +7 Prestige, Go to Ori-9)

Ori-2) Centauri League

May use A-Fractals

Liner and Extended Only

No Wealth or Prestige Restriction

Ori-2a) Centauri League Demographics

Peacekeeper Idealists (+10 Training, +10 Morale)

"Continuing the tradition of UN peacekeeping, the Centauri League's peacekeepers are soldiers who fight to preserve the peace under the League's interventionist mandate."

Veterans (+20 Training)

"Lifers in the League Peacekeeping Service are are less idealistic than their juniors, but are among the most dedicated to the cause of peace. Flawed characters are all the nobler for their failings, as long as they struggle against them."

National Guard (+20 Morale)

"When not called upon to defend the homeland, the Centauri National Guard is often deployed abroad on humanitarian missions. When these turn deadly, they act the same as any soldier."

Ori-2b) Funding and Political Backing

Corporate Assisted Militia (+3 Wealth, Access to Cosmos)

"Many defense contractors provide equipment and personnel in exchange for economic incentives from the League's government."

Heroes of the Union! (+3 Prestige, Access to Rays)

"Some units are well-rewarded for their efforts, and receive additional prestige for their service."

Political Lapdogs (-20 Morale, +20 Fractals, +30 Transport, Access to Talents)

"Others are not so fortunate, and fall into the back pockets of corrupt officials. Although somewhat unpleasant and bad for morale, the benefits tend to outweigh the downsides."

Ori-2c) Master and Commander

A Father to His Men (+10 Morale, +10 Training)

"Young recruits from broken families tend to view their commanders as surrogate parents. This has an effect on unit dynamics, strengthening the bonds between the officers and crew."

Colonel Kilgore (-10 Manpower, -10 Morale, +20 Training, +20 Fractals, Access to Remade and AN-Fractals)

"When Peacekeeeper officers remain in the field for too long they are often profoundly changed by their experiences. While most of these were given discharge, others were rewarded and given special resources because of their ability to get the job done."

Commander Shepard (+1 Prestige, +1 Wealth, Access to Linked and N-Fractals)

"Some commanders are simply exceptional by virtue of their great charisma and willpower. Being able to rise to any challenge and make allies in the most unusual of places are the hallmarks of greatness."

Ori-3) New Sargasso City States

May use Rank 2 A-Fractals Only

Liner, Ray and Extended Only

Cannot Spend Prestige on Morale

Ori-3a) NSCS Demographics

Mercenary Company (+10 Training, +1 Wealth)

"You make your living by combat; there's profit to be found by fighting where it's needed, as long as you know what to charge."

House Guard (+2 Prestige)

"Being the personal guard of a rich family means that you have a wide variety of options open to you. Your fame rises with that of your sponsor, and even beyond."

Working-class Conscripts (+20 Morale)

"There's always a bottom rung in a meritocracy, and that rung has nothing to do but find a way up. Blue-collar labourers are often eager to be drafted into military service, hoping to win glory and an a better life than pulling a switch all day."

Ori-3b) Funding and Political Backing

Merchant Magnates (+2 Wealth, +10 Logistics, Access to Talents)

Elite House Masters(+2 Prestige, +1 Wealth)

SunCon Clerics (+20 Morale, +10 Manpower, Can Spend Prestige on Morale)

Ori-3c) Master and Commander

Prince Ali Mighty Is He! (-30 Morale, +30 Training, +20 Fractals, Access to Remade and AN Fractals)

"Some leaders just love violence above all else. Certain sadistic individuals thrive as commanders, where their evil appetites can bring victory rather than simple ruin."

SunCon Elite (+10 Support, +10 Transport)

"The highest member of the social order has the most opportunity. Such commanders often bring their own resources to assist their companies."

Undefeated of the East! (+10 Morale, +10 Training)

Ori-4) Tsiolkovsky Community

May use AN-Fractals Only

Talents, Cosmos and Remade Only

Cannot spend Manpower on Pilots/Elites (Training determines AI abilities)

Ori-4a) Tsiolkovsky Demographics

Student Volunteers (+10 Manpower, +10 Fractals)

"Many students, in an effort to gain field experience or merely to pay off tuitions, volunteer for service."

Defensive Subroutine (-10 Manpower, +20 Fractals)

"In a pinch, AIs can compensate for a lack of human resources."

Test Division Pilots (+1 Wealth, +1 Prestige)

"Test pilots are often well-trained, because they are required to pilot the most advanced Fractals and stress every aspect for flaws."

Ori-4b) Support Network

Aerospace Collegiate (+10 Training, +10 Support, +10 Transport, Access to A-Fractals)

"Flight schools have a their own personnel and infrastructure for maintaining Fractals, many of which are combat-capable."

Biology Research Firms (+20 Manpower, +10 Fractals, Access to Linked and Marked)

"Study of the Vectors is key to survival on Gaia. Research groups who unlock their secrets achieve staggering physical and Fractal possibilities."

Joint Community Service Group (+10 Morale, +10 Manpower, +10 Fractals)

"You could blame the death of the professional soldier in some parts of Alpha Centauri on transhumanism. With skillsofts and an abundance of bodies built to tolerate the rigors of the warfare, well-equipped ad-hoc militias can present a serious threat to the average national military."

Ori-4c) Community Leaders

Schehenberg Plan (+3 Prestige, -10 Fractals, Cannot exceed 20 Manpower or Fractals; excess is converted to Training)

"The Founders of the Community were visionaries in their own right, but not all espoused belief in peace and the power of the scientific tradition. Elders with more political goals often nurtured their own private armies to some day deploy against the other factions.

Foreign Advisor (+10 Support, +10 Transport, Access to Liners and Rays)

"Institute leaders can act as consultants for independent settlements, assisting them in their development. Those that benefit the people's way of life gain great influence among them."

Tactical Intelligence Network (-20 Morale, AI count as elites)

"Some Artificial Intelligences are so advanced that they rival the best human commanders, making flawless decisions and blinding speed. They tend to work extremely well with other AIs, optimizing them on the fly, though human pilots can resent being ordered about by a machine."

Ori-5) Messian Concordat

May use A-Fractals only

Elites cost 2 instead of 3

Liners only

Cannot buy Access to Fractal types

Ori-5a) The Messian Flock

Redemptionist Firebrands (+10 Manpower, +10 Morale)

"Those who have sinned often preach the loudest, desperate to prove their faith both to their leaders and to themselves."

Martyrdom Candidates (+20 Morale)

"To die in the service of God is to gain glory and reward in the next life. The faithful rarely hesistate with such a boon waiting for them."

Defenders of the Faith (+10 Fractals, +1 Prestige)

"Truth is always under assault by the non-believer and the heretic. Fortunately, there are those who will do anything to protect the faith."

Ori-5b) Great Works of the Faithful

Crusade! (+10 Morale, +1 Wealth, +1 Prestige)

"We can no longer tolerate the presence of blasphemers on our Promised Land! To arms!"

Purge the Unclean! (-10 Fractals, +30 Morale, +1 Wealth)

"Satan's ilk are all around us, in the writhing beasts that coat this world and pollute our children. Those with the Devil's Mark must die!"

Gundamjack! (+20 Fractals, +10 Training, Access to AN-Fractals)

"Faith in God justifies evil in the name of good. Let us use the weapons of the wicked against them!"

Ori-5c) Leaders of the Flock

Living Messiah (+10 Morale, +10 Training, Access to Marked)

"Be they Prophets, or the Second Coming, some leaders are seen as signs of Christ's return and harbingers of the Apocalypse. Those who are born unjustly tainting flock to them for salvation, zealously following their every command in hope of release from their taint. "

Walk with Planet (+20 Logistics, Access to Linked and N-Fractals)

"There are some who see Gaia as the new Eden, and those creatures that live within as Angels created by the Divine. Such holy messengers are to be welcomed, and their Nephilim are to be cherished as God's blessings."

Exalted Marshall (-10 Manpower, +20 Training, +10 Fractals)

"The Knights of Christendom are the true Protectors of the word, bringing light to the darkness of ignorance and heresy. Though they are few, they are the greatest of Heaven's soldiers."

Ori-6) Parabolic Grove

May use N-Fractals and A-Fractals

All Human types and Linked Only

Pilots cost 2 and Elites cost 5; N-Fractals cost 4

Ori-6a) People of the Grove

Bioconservatives (-10 Morale, +20 Fractals, +10 Manpower, May not use Rays and Talents)

"Resistance to transhumanist philosophy is strong amongst some Liners, afraid of losing their humanity. They strictly monitor genetic research, suspicious of any attempts to 'improve' upon the human condition."

Eco-Guerillas (+10 Fractals, +10 Training)

"There are some who just won't stand for the rape of Gaia's natural world by greedy, short-sighted individuals and corporations. These people fight a ceaseless war to preserve the ecosystem."

Terraforming Engineers (-10 Training, +30 Logistics)

"Agricultural, biological, and meteorological study allows for alterations to Gaia's ecosystem to make it more accommodating to human life. Vast arable tracts of land and agreeable weather abound."

Ori-6b) Preservation Zones

Borehole Lockdown (-10 Fractals, +3 Prestige, +10 Transport)

"Thermal Boreholes, massive shafts dug directly into the planet's mantle to harvest geothermal energy, also produce staggering amounts of pollution. Parabolic Grove states, up discovering this terrible price, endeavored to patch up the holes and prevent further damage."

Linear Navroutes (+20 Transport, +10 Support)

"Using the Vectors' natural pathways can greatly speed travel. Specially designed cargo ships traveling Linears can drastically reduce transport time."

Hybrid Forests (+10 Fractals, +2 Wealth)

"The Vectors' ability to assimilate with human life extends to other Earth genetics, as well. Forests of Linked coniferous and deciduous trees provide startling new resources and possibilities."

Ori-6c) Guerrilla Commanders

Nature Explorer (+20 Logistics)

"Some Guerrillas yearn to plumb the depths of the Vector forests, and to travel the Linears into the unknown reaches of Gaia. These wayfarers become very skilled at supply management."

Wildlife Ranger (+10 Manpower, +10 Support)

"Sections of Gaia are keystones of the ecosystem; sadly, they are also often reserves of natural resources. Some Grove leaders become wardens to these areas, patrolling them for signs of exploitation."

Enlightened Naturalist (+10 Morale, +1 Prestige)

"Some people choose to life amid Gaia's natural wonder alone, eschewing civilization as physically and mentally unhealthy. They advocate living off the land, and often attract many idealists to their causes."

Ori-7) Galina Society

May use N-Fractals and A-Fractals

Liners, Marked and Linked Only

May not purchase Pilots with Manpower, Elites cost 2

May not spend Prestige on Manpower

First two air or landships begin with 10 CP free, in addition to spent Transport

Ori-7a) A Society of Travelers

Roving Mercenaries (+2 Prestige)

"To you, I pledge my allegiance and swear upon my honor service to your house. For now..."

Nomadic Traders (+2 Wealth)

"What do you call an honest Galinian merchant? Asif!"

Vagabonds (-1 Wealth or -1 Prestige, +20 Morale, +10 Transport)

"I've seen things... that you people couldn't imagine. Fields of Cradles on fire off the Orion Coast... I've seen Vector Beams glitter in the darkness at the Tannhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost... in time. Like... tears, in the rain."

Ori-7b) Survival on the Endless Green

Ride the Worm (+10 Fractals, +20 Manpower)

"The Galina do not strictly protect the environment, but they do not exploit it either. The relationship the desert nomads share with the Vectors is often more akin to commensal and occasionally mutual symbiosis."

Long Live the Fighters! (+20 Morale, +20 Training, -10 Fractals)

"Fighting to be recognized as a people while fighting off interloping by landless colonials, the Galina know warfare. And knowing, as they say... is half the battle."

Water Debt (-10 Morale, -1 Wealth, +10 Training, +20 Support, +20 Transport)

"Rising inter-tribal warfare between Galina sects has forced more than one group to leave a region for an extended period of time. Traveling the world and interacting with other cultures is enriching experience for many Society members."

Ori-7c) Warlords and Chieftains

The One-Eyed Dragon (+20 Morale, +10 Support, -10 Fractals, Elites cost 1)

"Sometimes, exceptional leaders arise in the harsh crucible of the remote polar regions. These are often boisterous and brave characters who lead their forces from the front as conquering heroes."

Mortar Headd King (+10 Fractals, +1 Wealth)

"The Linked are exceptional to begin with, but some rise above their kin and become truly powerful beings. There are many tales of Galina warbands being led by a slender and elfin lord of supernatural beauty."

Overman King Gainer (+10 Morale, +10 Manpower, Access to AN-Fractals)

"Not all Galina fighters are led by nomads. Many regular people hire Galina specialists to move their colony, only to become leaders in their own right."

Ori-8) Heng Sha Collective

May use A-Fractals

Liner, Ray, Talent and Cyborgs only

May not purchase Airships

Ori-8a) Faces of the Collective

Workers (-10 Training, +10 Manpower, +10 Fractals, +10 Support)

"The swords forged from plowshares cut sharpest."

State Merchants (+1 Wealth, +10 Logistics)

"The merchants are tolerated as long as they operate on the state's behalf only, as are small thefts of profit that rightly belong to Heng Sha. When the merchants are conscripted, they put their ill-gotten wealth to the task of keeping their own lives."

Heng Sha's Elites (+1 Prestige, +1 Wealth, May use AN-Fractals)

"The houses of the Englightened ones lend their wealth and prestige to the banner armies of the State. Some of the Collective's finest troops have been culled entirely from the youngest sons of the Great and Few."

Ori-8b) Reputations in the Collective

Necessary Evil (-10 Morale, +20 Training, +20 Transport)

"All that matters is survival of the State. Men and women, children and the elderly. These distinctions are informal if they are to be made among the barbarian dogs outside of our great cities."

Loyalist Old Guard (+1 Prestige, +10 Manpower, +10 Fractals)

"Obedience and strength are the hallmarks of veteran banner armies."

Rising Stars (+10 Morale, +10 Training, +1 Wealth)

"The young of this era are exceptional, if wanting in their adherence to tradition. The influence of the outside world is beginning to show, empowering the new citizens of the Collective, while weakening the power base of the old elites."

Ori-8c) Enlightened Despots

The Philosopher (+2 Prestige, Purchases of characters and AN-Fractals increased +50% for free.)

"Philosophers of great wisdom often attract retinues of wealthy and powerful individuals."

The Exiled Prince (+2 Wealth, Purchases of pilots and A-Fractals doubled for free.)

"First generation colonists who were banished from Chiron by their fearful fathers became great leaders of the Collective on Gaia. Even after centuries of living, they have the same zeal and vigor that frightened their complacent contemporaries."

The Buccaneer (-1 Prestige, +30 Transport, May purchase Airships)

"Not all despots inherited their titles. Many earned their power and prestige abroad as mercenaries and bandits, returning home to topple their rivals."

Ori-9) Independent

Liners and Rays only.

May purchase 1 Fractal type and 2 races for 1 Wealth or Prestige.

Ori-9a) Freedom on the Fringes

Defeated Colonials (+20 Transport, Negate Manpower Penalty for Counterculture!)

"Colonials of powers that lost space race to Chiron often found themselves as landless vagabonds. Such conditions often breed dissent against the status quo."

Ex-Military (+10 Manpower, +10 Fractals, Access to Cyborgs and Talents)

"Many soldiers find themselves disillusioned with their respective causes and decide to strike it out on their own, living on the fringes of society."

Isolates (+2 Prestige or +2 Wealth, Access to Artificials and Marked)

"Not all independents lost something to put them where they are. There are many who retreated to small settlements in the wilderness for the opportunity to escape the conflict and pursue their own agendas."

Ori-9b) Struggles of the Landless

Counterculture! (-10 Manpower, +2 Wealth, +2 Prestige, Access to 1 Fractal Type and 1 Human Type)

"Open rebellion and civil war are often preceded by social unrest and the formation of cultural identities that run counter to the norms."

Freedom Fighting (+2 Prestige, +1 Wealth, Access to 1 Fractal Type and 1 Human Type)

"Fight for your own lives! The right to pursue happiness and have a country you can truly call you own!"

War Profiteering (+2 Wealth, +1 Prestige, Access to 1 Fractal Type and 1 Human Type)

"Mercenaries and arms dealers don't have to begin wealthy. Desperation and the lure of easy money brings many landless peoples to follow unscrupulous careers."

Ori-9c) Icons

Holland (+2 Prestige, Access to all Fractals)

"To be a counterculture icon is to stand at the forefront of the revolution and face the authorities head on."

Rance (+2 Wealth, Access to all Races)

"Ignoble characters sometimes rise to power by accident or sheer luck. Like the God-Kings of legend, their selfishness and ambition sometimes brings happiness and prosperity to those around them."

Char (+1 Wealth, +1 Prestige, +10 CP to all Characters)

"Some men stand above all others, their brilliance flashing overhead like the passing of a comet. Beneath the facades of greatness and the masque of nobility however, lies nothing more than a man and the will to fight."