Parley with the Gorettis

I've been feeling like crap so I haven't done the RP bit for our upcoming Turn 7. What makes this Turn special is that we've finally beaten the Gorettis back to their stronghold. This means we are at a crossroads and need to decide on how to proceed. Rather than clog up the other thread with this discussion, I thought it was best to start a new one on how we specifically want to deal with the Gorettis.

We have them with their backs against the wall. Not surprisingly, Boss Benito Goretti is starting to have a change of heart. He is willing to offer us a ceasefire, but before any decision can be met, there are quite a few issues that must be resolved. Here's all the factors (I can think of) to keep in mind:

Prior Alliances

• We currently have the support of the local partisan force that has been supplying us with infantry and support vehicles
• Boss Goretti is willing to extend the ceasefire to the partisan forces as well
• If the partisans refuse his ceasefire, we MUST cease our support in their war against the Goretti Family.
• In return, the Gorettis will support us as best they can in destroying the Martillos.
• Requires negotiation check to alter these demands.

Prisoners

• Both sides have taken a significant number of prisoners
• Among these prisoners is some members of Beta Lance
• Boss Goretti offers a prisoner exchange with no strings attached
• Requires negotiation check to alter these demands.

Equipment

• We have taken significantly more equipment from the Gorettis than they have of us
• they hold ALL of Beta Lance's mechs
• Boss Goretti offers a 1:1 exchange on these mechs
• Requires negotiation check to alter these demands.

Holdings

• We took Outpost Ignis and a heavily fortified bunker in the mountains from the Gorettis a month ago
• The fortified bunker also features an underground tunnel that cuts through the mountains north to Beaconlight
• The Goretti Stronghold has better maintenance facilities than our current holdings
• Boss Goretti is willing to offer us full access to one of his Class D maintenance hangars for the remainder of our stay on Novo Cressidas. In return we must return all captured holdings to him (not to the local partisans as we originally planned).
• check the following link to see what Class D facilities get us: https://www.dropbox.com/s/h8ju305sgdn37vh/Tables - Economy & Upgrades 4.2.xls?dl=0
• Requires negotiation check to alter these demands.

The Harbinger

• We aided Lily Morgana in covertly stealing the Harbinger from the Gorettis. After Morgana fell off the radar, it was not known for sometime if she had succeeded in her mission. Evidence found in the wreckage at Outpost Ignis has made it clear that she and her crew succeeded and used it to wipe out most of the Gorettis in that area before we arrived.
• The current status and location of Morgana and the Harbinger remain unknown. It is assumed that Morgana left us to rot on this planet. The status of our members who were directly assisting her remains unknown.
• Boss Goretti is willing to offer up ONE of the locations of the Harbinger's legendary treasure caches; made by the Harbinger's last legitimate captain, Buck "Starhound" Harrison (who died tragically on Crow's Nest). In return we are to hand over all information on Lily Morgana and where she might be headed.
• Requires negotiation check to alter these demands.

Other Factors

• Above all, remember that we must neutralize (one way or another) both the Goretti and Martillo Orbital Defense systems at their respective strongholds. Even if we come to an agreement with the Gorettis, that still leaves the Martillos to deal with.
• The hazardous nature of Star's End combined with local ECM signals has made it impossible to establish long distance communications with our dropships. The Goretti's stronghold might have what we need to achieve contact with them.
• It was Boss Benito Goretti who was ultimately responsible for all the events that happened on Crow's Nest. He bribed Harrison's XO, Ben Kingsley, into committing mutiny, stealing the Harbinger, and leaving Harrison and others to die slow deaths on Crow's Nest.
• Ben Kingsley remains among the Gorettis as captain of one of their dropships. His current whereabouts are unknown to us.
• Boss Goretti is also ultimately responsible for the outbreak of Crana on not only Crows Nest, but apparently in some towns on Novo Cressidas as well. The viscous insects appear to be his preferred tool of spreading fear and confusion among his enemies.
• Based on the current political environment in this region, it is uncertain what long term effects our actions will have on the welfare of the local population if we decide to side with the Gorettis. The Gorettis might be able to bring more order with the Martillos gone, but things could also get much worse; Boss Goretti is not exactly known for being a benevolent leader.
• Evidence we have found during our time in Star's End indicates that Boss Goretti (not surprisingly) has an established pattern of treachery. While he has not expressed it with us directly, we have few guarantees unless we find a way to make them.
• We've heard very unsettling rumors about "unidentified ships" sighted deeper in the periphery. For what purpose, we do not know. Regardless, the sooner we can link up with our dropships, the better.

 

NOTE: in regards to those of you who have Negative Quirks on your mechs (Trev, Dihm, etc.), refer to this recent rule change: http://www.theskjaldborg.com/index.php?threads/admin-progress-report.8048/page-6#post-231923

 

Make no mistake, this is exactly what would happen.

 

All that's fine. Just be aware that without that Class D facility we won't have access to better upgrades. Some of our guys are still running around with single heat sinks on their mech.

I'm not trying to push anyone in any specific direction. There are definitive consequences for how we go about this. I'm just trying to paint as full a picture as I can without feeding everything on a silver platter.

EDIT: updated poll to give us more options; remember that you may change your vote at any time!

 

Also, you guys should probably be aware of what you are up against. We are in "Assault" mission territory now. The first time ever. These missions are what seperate the men from the boys:



A "Siege" mission will give us a swift victory, but prepare to face an extremely tough fight (enemy gets +30% BV on top of the normal +20%). This mission is only recommended with a good Leadership roll that will give you Heavy Support forces.

A slower, but safer alternative is to whittle them down with constant raids until they have nothing left to defend with (but that takes more time).

Assuming we can get intel on where they are holding our prisoners, we can use an "Espionage" mission to rescue them (if we want to take them by force).

 

Really was expecting more votes/input on this by now, guys. Don't make me decide for us.

Would like us to reach a consensus no later than Monday.

 

There are way more than 6 people involved in this campaign. I'm not pointing any fingers, but some people need to wake up. Lance leaders should be contacting their members.

There is more at play here than just "sneak in and wreck up the place". I have provided ample information, but if people don't ask the right questions, don't discuss, don't formulate a plan, you guys are going in with a half-ass plan and can expect similar results.

I'm not afraid to pull a "Rocks Fall...", not out of spite either. If you guys epicly fail this, people are going to die.

I'm not mad, but if I can't get you guys to give me a little more feedback, there is only so much I can do to help you.

For starters... do we want to fully accept Boss Gorettis terms as is? If not, we need negotiation checks for the parts we want to change.