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Which team did you play in the last game?

Glorious Arstotzka
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Glorious Moskurg
- 13 (12.3%)
Ingloriously Didn't Play
- 76 (71.7%)

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Author Topic: Intercontinental Arms Race: Finale  (Read 603378 times)

Sensei

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Re: Intercontinental Arms Race: Summer 1944 (Revision 2 Phase)
« Reply #6345 on: June 04, 2018, 07:36:14 pm »

Quote from: Spy Gear!
New Spy Technology: "Bookmark"

Though given a rather innocuous and misleading name, the Bookmark is a bit more complex than a strip of paper used to keep one's place in their latest novella.  The Bookmark is instead a rather nifty piece of spy gear that makes use of the sensitive piezoelectric quartz from our Whalesong sonar mines and the audio-to-digital processing from our Tigers Roar radio.

This piece of equipment is a handheld parabolic microphone - a handheld directional listening device that enables the user to hear private conversations from far away, in noisy areas, or even through walls.  Similar to the massive concrete curved structures ground forces use to listen for incoming aircraft, the Bookmark is scaled down to a light one foot wide dish constructed out of aluminum.  When aimed towards a targeted noise source, the incoming sound waves bounce off of the curved dish and coalesce into a single focal point, where a directional microphone is mounted in order to meet the amplified and isolated audio.

The Bookmark comes with a reel-to-reel tape recorder to save the captured audio, as well as a set of headphones to allow the user to listen in, in real-time.  The device is considerably smaller than your standard FM radio, as it does not require the bulky emitter and transceiver that a two-way radio requires.  The device can be disassembled and reassembled quickly to be stored in your typical briefcase, as well as be mounted to a tripod for long-duration listening sessions.  The battery and vacuum tube assembly come in a block that can be clipped to the users belt in order to make the device easier to hold for longer periods of time.

Each Bookmark comes with two additional pieces of spy gear:
The first is a small baggy of sand for an agent to pour into their pockets.  This "Pocket Sand" can be thrown into the eyes of an alerted guard or unwitting civilian in order to facilitate a hasty get away.

The second is the large cardboard box the Bookmark actually comes in.  Extensive analysis shows that cardboard boxes are one of the best ways an agent can balance both stealth, and mobility.

Very Hard: 5
Bookmark:
The Bookmark is a long-range sound recorder which uses a focused dish like that of a radar array to receive sound from a considerable distance in the direction where it is pointed. The dish (about 40cm across) and piezoelectric microphone (inspired by the Whalesong) themselves are on a pistol grip, and attach to a magnetic tape recorder, which imprints a recording onto paper tape with a ferrous film, which runs on a reel-to-reel. It can record 40 minutes of audio and also features headphones, which can listen while sound is being recorded (or without recording) but there is no playback device in the portable kit itself. The entire apparatus including electric amplifier fits into an inconspicuous but very heavy briefcase. [Very Complex] Agents are not issued sand and cardboard boxes to carry them around, but are encouraged to procure this items while in the field.
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Re: Intercontinental Arms Race: Summer 1944 (Revision 2 Phase)
« Reply #6346 on: June 04, 2018, 07:50:17 pm »

Quote from: Votes
Strategy:
(4) Top: eS, ConscriptFive, Wizgrot, QuakeIV
(0) Middle:
(3) Bottom: ConscriptFive, Wizgrot, QuakeIV
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NAV

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Re: Intercontinental Arms Race: Summer 1944 (Revision 2 Phase)
« Reply #6347 on: June 04, 2018, 08:44:57 pm »

Quote from: Votes
Strategy:
(5) Top: eS, ConscriptFive, Wizgrot, QuakeIV, NAV
(1) Middle: NAV
(3) Bottom: ConscriptFive, Wizgrot, QuakeIV

Deploy NE VV Frightening with radar to:
(1) Top: NAV
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Powder Miner

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Re: Intercontinental Arms Race: Summer 1944 (Revision 2 Phase)
« Reply #6348 on: June 04, 2018, 08:55:44 pm »

Quote from: Votes
Strategy:
(6) Top: eS, ConscriptFive, Wizgrot, QuakeIV, NAV, Powder Miner
(1) Middle: NAV
(4) Bottom: ConscriptFive, Wizgrot, QuakeIV, Powder Miner

Deploy NE VV Frightening with radar (though it didn't matter last time) to:
(2) Top: NAV, Powder Miner
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Caesar Josephus

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Re: Intercontinental Arms Race: Summer 1944 (Strategy Phase)
« Reply #6349 on: June 05, 2018, 08:59:37 pm »

Sensei, is there a way I can get a list of all currently used equipment and vehicles? I'm new as of summer 1944 design phase and I don't really know our equipment. I may be missing something in the pregame summary, but as far as I know that's old war tech.

I guess I vote top.
« Last Edit: June 05, 2018, 09:03:47 pm by Caesar Josephus »
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Re: Intercontinental Arms Race: Summer 1944 (Strategy Phase)
« Reply #6350 on: June 05, 2018, 09:06:37 pm »

The non-legacy Forenian equipment is actually available two posts above the battle reports, in a spoiler under the bit where Sensei describes the turn's designs.
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Taricus

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Re: Intercontinental Arms Race: Summer 1944 (Strategy Phase)
« Reply #6351 on: June 06, 2018, 03:43:06 am »

Quote from: Votes
Strategy:
(7) Top: eS, ConscriptFive, Wizgrot, QuakeIV, NAV, Powder Miner, Taricus
(2) Middle: NAV, Taricus
(4) Bottom: ConscriptFive, Wizgrot, QuakeIV, Powder Miner

Deploy NE VV Frightening with radar (though it didn't matter last time) to:
(2) Top: NAV, Powder Miner
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Caesar Josephus

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Re: Intercontinental Arms Race: Summer 1944 (Strategy Phase)
« Reply #6352 on: June 06, 2018, 03:03:33 pm »

The non-legacy Forenian equipment is actually available two posts above the battle reports, in a spoiler under the bit where Sensei describes the turn's designs.
Where are the battle reports?
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Re: Intercontinental Arms Race: Summer 1944 (Strategy Phase)
« Reply #6353 on: June 06, 2018, 03:49:01 pm »

The battle reports can be read through turn links in the second post of the thread.
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Caesar Josephus

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Re: Intercontinental Arms Race: Summer 1944 (Strategy Phase)
« Reply #6354 on: June 07, 2018, 10:56:48 am »

Thanks. If only the rest of the world new what was going on.
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Re: Intercontinental Arms Race: Summer 1944 (Strategy Phase)
« Reply #6355 on: June 07, 2018, 11:11:27 am »

They do, but it is World War 2 and they have, needless to say, their own problems to deal with.
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Sensei

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Re: Intercontinental Arms Race: Summer 1944 (Strategy Phase)
« Reply #6356 on: June 08, 2018, 08:50:57 pm »

Battle Report 25: Summer 1944

New Equipment:

The Forenians have build an artillery system to counter the Cannalan Firebrand, the UF-MLRS-44 "Artemis". An advancement on rocket technology from the Sarukh, the Artemis includes an amphibious truck platform which is mechanically somewhat similar to the Salamander but unarmored, and includes a flat bed on which the actual weapon system is situated. The rockets themselves are arranged in a 4x10 array, and are 120mm in diameter, making for an impressive bunch. They fire out of tubes and the entire batch can be away in 20 seconds, with reloading from another truck taking a couple minutes. With 12km accurate range, they rival many cannons, and have huge firepower. For their revision, the Forenians have worked on a secret project.

Cannala has attempted to match Forenia with a multi-pointed infantry gear replacement, the M1944 Infantry Equipment Kit. First is the M1944 Anti-Materiel Rifle, a bolt-action rifle loosely adapted from the M1913 which is chambered for .50 caliber Muerte rounds. It holds three rounds and is more difficult to shoot than one might expect, with huge recoil and so-so accuracy from most shooters. With it comes the M1944 Service Rifle Scope, which has similar performance to the older service rifle scope (notably: 3.5x magnification) but is now inexpensive and will be a common fixture on not just AMR's, but Sushi Rifles and SSRA assault rifles when desired. There is also an under-barrel grenade launcher adapted from the Thumper, the M1944 Rifle Module, Grenade Launcher (RMGL). Unfortunately it's still bulky enough that it's unlikely to see much use compared to the standalone Thumper, but it's available for soldiers who want to launch a grenade in a hurry. Lastly there is the M1944 Rapid Field Rum Equipment, a portable still which makes alcohol in the field. It comes with flavor packets which can convert foreign swill such as flavorless vodka into rum. Like M1924 portable still, the effects of improved morale and time wasted by drunk soldiers exactly cancel each other out. For their revision the Cannalans worked on a secret project known as Project Railway.

The Forenian Army currently has the following equipment, not including legacy equipment which can be found near the OP:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
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Sensei

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Re: Intercontinental Arms Race: Summer 1944 (Strategy Phase)
« Reply #6357 on: June 08, 2018, 08:51:23 pm »

The Cannalan army currently has the following equipment, not including legacy equipment which can be found near the OP:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
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Re: Intercontinental Arms Race: Summer 1944 (Strategy Phase)
« Reply #6358 on: June 08, 2018, 08:55:07 pm »

The War This Turn:
This season, Cannala has decided to withhold from attacking in the north, in the hopes that they can maintain their jungle foothold and the ore there, but they are attempting a foray into the Forenian Mountains in the middle lane. Forenia is attacking Cannala's defensive jungle positions in the north, and both sides are making a push for ground on Titan in the south.

The Battle at Sea
No new equipment was deployed at sea this season, so Cannala still has an advantage just as they did before. Forenian General Tereshkova has avoided Cannalan General Cortez until she can get the upper hand, but she has reportedly begun keeping a photograph of him (cut from a Turbados Today article) in her cockpit, "So I never forget who I need to kill."

Cannala has an advantage at sea.

The Battle for the Tereshkova Jungle
Attacking: Forenia
The dry season begins.

Forenia's new Artemis is an excellent match for Cannala's Firebrand artillery. Its (clumsy) amphibious abilities are adequate to get it around the jungle and it can unload a lot of firepower in a hurry. It actually out-ranges Cannala's aging 6-inch Nightstorm howitzer, and each rocket packs explosives enough to do damage comparable to the Firebrand's proxy-fuzed rounds on a direct hit, which is an impressive feat. For short range shots, it does sometimes suffer from being blocked by trees, a problem not suffered by conventional artillery which can simply aim to a high angle without much loss in accuracy. Its sudden strike capability is excellent, and its ability to rapidly lay down fire makes the best of intelligence regarding the location of targets before they can move. It does still slightly lack in sustained fire (a truck carries less of the large missiles than it might of shells) but on the whole it's a mobile and powerful artillery, one Artemis can hit like a group of conventional cannon artillery (for a moment) and a group of Artemis launchers can hit like nothing else.

"New shipment's in, boys! We get to be the first to try out a new toy Command sent us." Ricardo's eyes gleamed as his officer opened up the box: Those were some fat rifles. "Since you're our designated marksman, you can hand in your sushi rifle and lug this thing around." Before setting out for the day's assault, the first thing Ricardo did was show his friend. "Mateo! Is your leg better?" "Not quite. Doc says I should sit this one out." "Listen." Ricardo held up the M1944 AMR proudly. "We're gonna get Fuck Cannala-Guy." An hour later, the pair sat a distance back from a battle over a Forenian trench. Autocannons were keeping the Raiders at bay. Mateo spotted through binoculars, and pointed silently. Up ahead from the lines, there he was: a Forenian stood proudly in the field. He wasn't trying to hide: his Tiger Armor was painted red and blue, split down the middle, and he had even gone to the length of writing in Spanish on his chest plate "FUCK CANNALA". Last time, two hornet missiles had missed him before he hit Mateo in the leg with a bullet from one of his two AS-MC16A sub machine guns (he liked to fire both at once from a standing position, apparently, and after a few clumsy magazine changes he managed to hit somebody). He was doing the trick again, standing up in the field and spraying bullets like a movie star. Ricardo took a shot. The lurch of the rifle surprised him, and he missed, but Fuck Cannala-Guy must have heard the unusually large bullet snap past. He looked in Ricardo and Mateo's general direction and dropped one empty MC16A to raise a middle finger, while spraying the other gun around. Ricardo slid the bolt back, forced it forward, and breathed for another shot. Boom! Through the scope he saw his target fall over backwards. That ridiculous medieval knight armor could be beaten.

Cannala's new anti-materiel rifles are a mixed bag. The scope deserves mention first, the 3.5x magnification is adequate for jungle engagement ranges and finds use on Sushi rifles and SSRA's, whose single fire mode is accurate enough that the magnification is useful at the end of their range. The scopes aren't as nice as Forenia's but for the jungle's limited ranges of engagement, it serves its purpose just as well. The Anti-Materiel rifle doesn't actually serve much value in attacking Cannalan vehicles, because the Salamanders have a thick skin, but it does serve one specific purpose rather well. Hitting a man-sized target from range could take two or three attempts (the three-bullet capacity is actually quite ideal for this) but on a hit, loaded with steel AP rounds, it will reliably punch through that god-damn Tiger Armor. Despite its drawbacks, it's enough to really reduce the effectiveness of Forenia's armor and defensive strategies based around it. A few marksmen can reliably focus on Velociraptor gunners, preventing Forenia from relying on trench tactics and forcing a more mobile fight.

Cannala's night vision sees extensive use as well. Short engagement ranges and an environment which provides many opportunities to hide from spotlights make the jungle a very ideal place for them. Frequent night strikes and the invention of a weapon which means that Tiger Armor isn't a huge thorn in Cannala's side are enough to secure Cannala a victory here, since they're not being bombed to smithereens from above (thanks to the Cannalan Air Force's Balefire air-to-air missiles).

Cannala holds their ground. [Cannala 4/4, Forenia 0/4] Cannala will benefit from 1 Ore gain next turn.

The Battle for Mt. Forenia
Attacking: Cannala

Forenia's high mountain region is a formidible defense. Few roads are present and they are at low points, exposed to fire from ridges above and forcing travellers into choke points and across vulnerable bridges. Roads crumble around cliff edges and occasional landslides stop traffic- few vehicles can get through here, and the smaller they are the better chance they have of finding an expedient route. Many areas are accessible only by foot or perhaps by helicopter, so infantry are crucial. Footmen walk alongside vehicles on the road, or up narrow paths higher in the mountain where they can move unopposed by enemy vehicles or get an advantage attacking the roads. Engagements usually occur at long range, with rocky outcroppings available for cover, and often there are steep valleys or slopes in between groups of combatants which make closing distance challenging.

As soon as infantry skirmishes begin, it's clear that Forenia has an upper hand. Both sides have begun to do most of their fighting with their standard rifles (Forenia's Osprey and Cannala's Sushi Rifle) and new anti-materiel rifles. Assault rifles aren't used as much because there is a considerable risk of getting into an engagement where their range is inadequate. Though there are some small differences between the weapons, the more important factor is the optical sights on top of them. Forenia's are simply better, coming with greater magnification, adjustability, and better eye relief. The ridiculously heavy Horsekiller II rifle doesn't see quite as much use as the Forenians had hoped. Though no soldier would be caught dead complaining about the weight of the rifle (that would be unpatriotic!), they can sometimes be seen falling behind, and officers limit their use in squads. The Horsekiller is nearly as heavy as a Velociraptor Autocannon (albeit much, much more ammo efficient). Since mobility in the difficult mountain terrain is an asset, this weight is problematic. Its best use case is near roads, when a squad can ride in by motorcycle and then walk a short distance before lying in ambush to attack Cannalan vehicles. The Cannalans' AMR is less useful against vehicles, but it does effectively deter Forenia from using Tiger Armor much (armored velociraptor gunners at choke points would otherwise be very difficult to remove). Both sides make regular use of their light machine guns, sometimes with optical sights, which are effective at medium range.

Cannala's night vision is of limited use here, its short range and the need to look through a rifle scope means that trying to walk on mountain paths is outright dangerous, and open mountainous areas are easy for defenders to watch with spotlights.

Anti-vehicle combat is prevalent on both sides, since vehicles still carry great firepower but are outnumbered by infantry. In short, both sides have weapons here which are adequate for the job. Forenians use primarily Horsekillers as effectiveness of their RPGs against Cannalan slat armor is somewhat a matter of luck. The Horsekiller isn't extremely reliable for its lack of actual explosive firepower, but considering the advantage infantry already have against vehicles it gets the job done fine. Cannala uses their Hornets, and when their infantry aren't suppressed by Forenian infantry they are highly effective, and they're not much more difficult to lug around than Forenia's Horsekillers. MURD-ER rockets still see a lot of use as well, they're lighter and are the weapon of choice for closer engagement ranges. Forenia's Velociraptor autocannons are light enough to be packed in by a group of four (two for the weapon parts and two for ammo, and they can all carry rifles too) so they make great weapons against Raiders if the infantry can set up in advance.

Air support is something of a wash. The mountains craggy shapes prevent air-drops and there are somewhat limited opportunities for air support at the best of times. Forenia's Haast is suitable for bombing vehicles (especially artillery positions) but Cannala's Balefire missiles mean that their fighters are equipped to defend against them. Both sides get some bombing in, but nothing that decisively turns the battle towards one side or the other. There are some Twinblade deployments called in by officers who desperately want close air support, until they're reminded that what the Twinblade is best at is failing to shoot any of its targets and then getting shot down or possibly colliding with a cliff face.

Artillery has changed a bit since last time there was fighting in mountainous terrain. Forenia's Sarukh is still the most portable artillery. While the amphibious transports that Cannala has chosen for their Firebrand and Forenia for their Artemis work great in the jungle, they aren't quite so ideal for the mountains here, both are rather large and wide. The Sarukh, pulled on a trailer a humble Tiger Truck (or horses in a pinch!), can get up roads the others can't, so despite its relatively humble range and power it claims many kills. For the larger artillery (which do still provide more effect in the circumstances where they can be used) Cannala's Fireband cannons fare somewhat better for their ability to provide steep-angle fire over intervening ridges or peaks, and their proxy-fuzed rounds help hit infantry in a wider area, although the Artemis can usually push out more firepower overall.

Overall, Forenia's better long-range infantry weapons make the biggest difference, and the mountains are held by careful marksmanship.

Forenia holds their ground. [Cannala 0/2, Forenia 2/2] If Forenia attacks next turn, they will force the fighting into the jungle.

The Battle for Titan
Attacking: Both

Cannala immediately sees an improvement in infantry fighting thanks to their cheapened optical sights and AMRs capable of punching through Tiger Armor. Like in the mountains they're still at a disadvantage to the Forenians but it isn't the night-and-day difference that it was here last season. This in turn allows them to make better use of forward spotters for their Hornet missiles and even the playing field some between the Bull and the Bjorn tanks, and deal with Forenia's relatively well-armored Salamander APCs at ranges outside of what the MURD-ER rocket launcher can reach. Forenia's Horsekiller II continues to be effective against Raiders, but it's not very good as a weapon for stopping Bulls.

While Cannala's great Hornet missiles gives them an advantage against armor with their infantry, Forenia turns the battle with support weapons somewhat in their favor by introducting the Artemis. An group of Artemis launchers can lay utter waste to a large area, and to a greater range with a shorter flight time (important for hitting armored vehicles) than Cannala's Firebrand. With the good performance of their Bjorn tank, it's enough to help Forenia trudge forward here.

Forenia gains ground. [Cannala 1/4, Forenia 3/4]

Events outside the War:

The Outside World:

In the pacific, Australian and Phillipine soldiers fight the Japanese, who are engaged in a fighting retreat against American forces. The Soviet Union ceases production of the venerable M1891/30 Mosin-Nagant rifle. With support from Balefire-equipped fighters, the Royal Air Force successfully drops 2,300 tons of bombs on Berlin. Fighting continues in Italy, and a continued investigation of the bombing of the Vatican which occurred some months ago is ultimately found to be the result of a transferred Cannalan airman. Once arrested, he claimed the act was revenge for the excommunication of the entire country of Cannala by Pope Leo XIII. In northern Italy, strikes are held to protest the fascist government.

The German propaganda film Theresienstadt is filmed by Jewish actors imprisoned in Theresienstadt Concentration Camp. To be shown in 'neutral' countries such as Sweden, it is meant to demonstrate that concentration camp prisoners are held humanely and in good condition. Upon the film's completion, nearly the entire Jewish cast and crew is moved to Auschwitz and gassed upon arrival. In the United States, Louis Buchalter, (along with Emanuel Weiss and Louis Capone) is executed for his involvement in organized crime, being the leader of "Murder, Inc." a group thought to have been responsible for carrying out 400-1000 contract killings. He is mourned in Cannala.

Local Events:
In Forenia, Cannala has begun broadcasting propaganda from their occupied territory. First and most of all they claim that thousands of Forenian citizens who have left Forenia for the Cannalan recruitment center, and are presently enjoying rum and tequila before being transported to Cannala itself to be given a home and gainful employment. Forenian spies staying in the recruitment center have verified that these numbers are grossly exaggerated, but nonetheless some dozens of Forenian citizens have passed through and left on boats to Cannala (how they fare is unknown) or, more worryingly, returned to Forenia after speaking in private with a Cannalan agent. Another common theme of the propaganda broadcasts is that United Forenia is inherently fascist (which ordinary Forenians recognize as a dubious claim given the incredible rate of turnover in Parliament) and that Arstotzka and Moskurg have both been robbed of their independence by foreign "continentalists". Russian-language broadcasts claim that Arstotzka deserved to win the war and claim Forenia, while Arabic-language broadcasts claim the opposite, that Moskurg was done an injustice by losing its independence.

In Cannala, Allied representatives initially met the Balefire missile with skepticism. "Are you sure it's not a knock-off of that Nazi missile?" "You say it's less expensive, AND it's better? Are you quite sure your craftsmanship hasn't suffered to keep down the costs?" Complaints like these were rife event through early testing and the protests of Cannalan engineers fell on deaf ears. However, it very quickly became clear in actual combat just how much better the Balefire was compared to the Piracy Warning. They agree to work more closely with Cannalan engineers in the future, although it isn't entirely certain that the British man who wanted to ask some questions for a book he was publishing got his story straight about the Forenians having reverse-engineered Cannala's missiles rather than the other way around.

Cannala has gained a Research Credit.


Espionage Credit:
Forenia has a remote audio recording device. It is somewhat visually conspicuous, but it nobody will expect a listener from two blocks away! (+2 to rolls) Agent Achmed will use it to listen for something that will help him sneak into a factory in Magnitogorsk.

Bookmark: The Bookmark is a long-range sound recorder which uses a focused dish like that of a radar array to receive sound from a considerable distance in the direction where it is pointed. The dish (about 40cm across) and piezoelectric microphone (inspired by the Whalesong) themselves are on a pistol grip, and attach to a magnetic tape recorder, which imprints a recording onto paper tape with a ferrous film, which runs on a reel-to-reel. It can record 40 minutes of audio and also features headphones, which can listen while sound is being recorded (or without recording) but there is no playback device in the portable kit itself. The entire apparatus including electric amplifier fits into an inconspicuous but very heavy briefcase. [Very Complex] Agents are not issued sand and cardboard boxes to carry them around, but are encouraged to procure this items while in the field.

Cannala has developed a tiny, concealed camera which can help photograph documents mainly. (+1 to rolls) A Juraki agent codenamed Signo de Interrogación will attempt to infiltrate Forenia and discover what manner of spy device the Forenians are using and warn the Russians.

Hidden Camera, Coat Button (HCCB): The HCCB is a camera whose lens appears to be an ordinary black coat button. It is remarkably inconspicuous, with a low profile and the "button" lens appearing to merely be a hole in the button. Matching buttons are included with the coat as well as spares, a kit can adapt the HCCB to another coat such as a uniform acquired in the field. It can take good pictures only of objects which are within a few feet (such as documents) and can shoot 24 photos on a reel of film before being refilled. It can be activated by pulling a string attached to a lever on the camera, which might appear as a loose string on the clothing or fit up a sleeve. It does make a small shutter noise when photographing. [Complex]

January 24th, 1944.
Agent Signo de Interrogación enters the Forenian Embassy in Berlin. (1d6+1: 7) He has successfully posed as a Japanese representative. "Let me check your bag, sir." Says the guard. "No cameras... no lighters... AS-SP30, excellent tast in pistols, if you don't mind my saying... alright, you're clear to enter." The building was hit by two bombs in the Allied attack a few days prior, and it's a miracle they're still doing business here. The guards leads him up a wooden scaffold, over the ruins of the entance room. "Just wait here, and, please, don't touch anything." To Signo's surprise, he is left alone in three-quarters of a waiting room. There is a huge hole in of the interior walls covered by a tarp, which says, "SECRET- DO NOT ENTER." Naturally he enters, and finds filing cabinets full of documents. He hurriedly photographs everything he can, going through two rolls of film without thoroughly reading anything, but it seems to include design documents and operational plans to be coordinated with the Germans. He returns unseen to the waiting room, and leaves after pretending to be offended (and also, actually somewhat offended) at a Forenian diplomat's poor Japanese.

February 2nd, 1944
Agent Ahmed (a name chosen to be "unmemorable") was chosen for his Moskurg descent to pose as an Afghan oil broker in Russia. (1d6+2: 4) He has the briefcase locked ("private business documents") and avoids it being searched. A border guard does ask why he carries sand in his pocket, and he says that it's "to remind me of home." He's able to get a hotel room not too far from the factory, it's packed with businessmen and other people who are staying temporarily for factory operations. The area is choked with smog and the nearby "magnetic mountain" is so full of iron, it disturbs compasses. The factory below him is rife with activity, and he sets the Bookmark's microphone out the window and listens, after obscuring it somewhat with a hanging pot of flowers. After listenign for a couple days unnoticed, he learns enough names and procedures that he should be able to sneak into the plant and sabotage the construction of a new blast furnace.

February 5th, 1944
Agent Signo, after developing his photos in Liverpool, has learned already of the plan to sabotage Magnitogorsk and traveled to Russia. Once there, he alerted the local police about the plot, with illustrations of the Bookmark listening device. Authorities managed to spot Ahmed's listening device, still posted in his window, but he wasn't there when they raided the hotel room. The hunt is on! Signo is allowed into the factory to search for his rival. Meanwhile Ahmed is already in, having learned about a group of Turkish workers being brought in and disguising himself as one of them, then changing into a business suit while in a toilet stall to make his way near the construction of a new blast furnace as an "inspector", he had got the clothes by listening to an actual inspector talk about where he got them dry-cleaned and stealing them from the cleaner. Signo had caught up to him, though. He pointed at Ahmed, who he recognized from photos, and shouted "There he is!" (1d6+1: 2) vs (1d6+2: 4) Signo tried to tackle Ahmed, but Ahmed was ready: With a shout of "Pocket sand!" he threw sand at his eyes, and ran around the corner into a small crowd. His cover blown, he forgot about he more elaborate plan of rigging a crane to collapse and instead jumped into an unoccupied diesel excavator. He simply climbed into the cockpit, wrapped his coat around a drive lever and the seat to force it into reverse, and ran out the other side of the cockpit. This simple, last minute plan resulted into spectacular destruction: The excavator plowed into the under-construction blast furnace tower which it had been his coal to destroy, and that tower collapsed and hit a second one, which hit a third, the latter two spilling molten contents across the work floor. Workers fled for their lives.

His job already done, Ahmed's only goal was to escape with his life. Signo had managed to follow him around another corner, through the chaos of the collapsing steel mill, but didn't see him. (1d6+1: 7) vs (1d6+2: 3) Where could he have gone? Singo thought. There was an open yard with shipping pallettes, but not much to hide behind and he couldn't have already run as far as the fence. And then he spotted it: A cardboard box moved a little. Signo stood in the field as Russian police up to him, demanding to know if he had seen where the saboteur had fled to. "See that cardboard box? Don't get any closer. Just shoot it."

Ahmed did not survive, but having completed their mission, Forenia gains an espionage credit.

A Weapon to Surpass All Others:

The Axis has reached out to Forenia, and the Allies to Cannala, regarding research of a nuclear-fission explosive. Since the discovery of nuclear fission, each one has been working in secret to prepare a weapon based on the principle. Seeing that such a weapon could bring an early end to the war, and the minds of the Archipelago have proven themselves to be some of the world's best and brightest, the world powers have deigned to risk the secrecy of their projects by conferring with them. In the short term, the most concerning matter is that of acquiring Uranium, as Germany lacks good sources altogether and American supplies in Colorado are turning out to be much less than projected. Then, a new source was discovered: an American prospector looking for Uranium had been sent to Vlanlados as the unfortunate result of losing five consecutive rounds of rock-paper-scissors, but to his surprise, he actually found a rich Uranium source there. Vlanladosians had been using Uranium-rich rock as the foundations of homes, the factory (Vlanlados has one factory), millstones for grist, stone tabletops, sculptures, gravestones, and even as mugs. The American prospector explained radioactivity to the local Vlanladosians. Though he was sworn to secrecy, he said he had an ethical duty to explain the incredible cancer risk that the locals were exposing themselves to (indeed, tumors were incredibly common there and few lived past the age of 45). Shortly thereafter, the Americans negotiated an exclusive deal for exports of Uranium from Vlanlados. However, the saying "Never trust a Vlanladosian" exists for a reason (at least in the Archipelago). Vlanlados negotiated an exclusive deal for exports of Uranium to Germany no more than three days later. Naturally, Germany and the United States have asked their close-at-hand allies, Forenia and Cannala, to invade Vlanlados.
Invading Vlanlados: Located south of Titan, Vlanlados is a "one" sized region, with one Uranium resource. Made (barely) liveable by ocean currents, it has some mountains and a thin taiga forest surrounded by sheets of ice. The urban area is abandoned since people learned of the harm of radiation and the populace lives in camps nearby. The area which is actually being fought over is some distance from the shore and populated area, limiting the direct effect of naval units. If you gain Uranium, you will receive addition instructions from your allies about a nuclear weapons program.
Turn 26, Commence!

You may now begin voting for your design phase!
« Last Edit: June 08, 2018, 08:56:58 pm by Sensei »
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Madman198237

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Re: Intercontinental Arms Race: Autumn 1944 (Design Phase)
« Reply #6359 on: June 08, 2018, 09:16:51 pm »

Congratulations, Forenia, where we have a more balanced army (/one that's been more screwed over by rolls) than Cannala, and yet still lose every credit contest.

We need air dominance, and we need sea advantage, dangit, dangit, and also dangit.

So, modular countermeasures package, anyone?
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