War Intensifies

Dateline: Mykonia
The War between the Dominion and the Tharinian Republic intensified today, as Axis squadron continued it's rampage with a victory over the Mykonian Grand Fleet at Mykonia. The battle was intense, and according to a Mykonian government official the Grand Fleet was "not completely destroyed" and has retreated to another position. The Axis Squadron is currently blockading Mykonia.

Dateline: Traxon
In other war news the Praetorians have clearly entered on the side of the Dominion by attacking a small Tharinian force over Traxon. According to our sources they arrived just several hours ago to find the un-named Tharinian force making a hasty retreat. Though this has created some relief on Axis, several other Dominion planets are still under blockade by the Tharinians. The UK and FDE still remain uncommitted, though there were unconfirmed rumors that the Dominion was in talks with the FDE. Also, the Tharinian Senate is rumored to be considering opening talks with the UK, an empire which has thus far maintained general neutrality in galactic politics. Only time will tell how this will unfold, and when it does, you can count on the GNN to bring you the most detailed and up to date information, assuming there aren't any laser cannons trained on our broadcasting equipment. This is the Galactic News Network, Thain.

Announcement

Starting this Friday players may not take another turn until they have their status reports in for the week.

Dominion and Tharinians at War

Location: Thain
Yesterday the Axis squadron attacked the Tharinian home world of Thain. The events leading up to this attack are as follows:
-The Dominion caught several Tharinian spies that had infiltrated the Axis Squadron. This caused general outrage in the Dominion's government, which issued a demand for resource reparations to the Tharinians.
-The Tharinian government apologized for the spies, and agreed to pay reparation on the following turn.
-While the Tharinians were collecting the reparations, the Axis squadron warped in above Thain.

When the Axis squadron had fallen out of warp, the order was given for the high fleet to engage. It did, and do to gross mismanagement of forces, was obliterated in minutes. Axis squadron is said to have taken minimal casualties. It was rumored that Admiral Benbow had been ordered to attack with his Strikers, but the order was never carried out do to the fact that Axis Squadron left Thain early this morning. It is rumored they were headed toward the Mykonian Star Empire, which had allied itself with Thain. When reached for comment, Admiral Benbow said that he was "smoking a pipe right now, so bugger off you vultures!" It is not yet completely clear whether the UK, Praetorians, or FDE have aligned themselves yet, though we have gotten a report that the Praetorians are currently Allied with the dominion. That is all the information we have at the moment. Look for an investigative report by Snapper Carr in the coming days. This has been a Galactic New Network Report.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: If you are outside of the Thain system, you may be getting this report later than we would have liked to get it out to you. This is because the Tharinian government ordered a strict radio silence while the planet was under blockade. We tried to transmit anyways, but our station was almost instantly blown off the face of the planet by spaceship fire. As it turned out, it's a lot easier to get a firing lock on places that are transmitting radio signals. We assume that is why the radio silence was ordered. We are working on this problem, and hope that next time, if our headquarters come under attack, we will have a way to transmit and not get blown up. As it is, it would be reasonable to expect a delayed story if Thain comes under attack again. Thank you, and goodnight.

Week 2 Status Reports

The Dominion:
(Utopia)

Planets: 5
Axis
Traxon
Radris
Kadish
Char

Uncolonized Planets: 17

Armies: 4
Traxon Guard (green)
Radris Guard (green)
Kadish Guard (green)
Axis Guard (green)

Fleets: 1
Axis Squadron (green)

Mykonian Empire:
(Planetary council)

Planets: 5
Mykonia
Taerwadi
Drak
Hyde
Mnosjetz

Uncolonized planets: 11

Armies: 2
Mykonia Guard (green)
Drak Guard (green)

Fleets: 1
Mykonia Grand fleet (green)

Praetorian Empire:
(Utopia)

Planets: 8
Hôgdig
Çheroñ
Jinion
Miry
Novæle
Wentyre
Seränt
Preatoria

Uncolonized Planets: 8

Armys: 1
Quasar Legion (green)
Çheroñian Army (green)

Fleets:1
Hôgdigian Fleet (green)

The Tharinian Republic:
(Utopia)

Planets: 6
Thain
Khalen
Arisne
Antioch
Texla
Midgard

Uncolonized Planets: 26

Armies: 5
Thain’s Crusaders (green)
Guardians of Khalen (green)
Argonauts (green)
Spartans (green)
Alpha Legion (green)

Fleets: 2
High Fleet (green)
Admiral Benbow’s Strikers (green)

The United Kingdom:
(Planetary Council)

Planets: 6
Great Britain
Greenland
India
New World
Shanghai
Greece

Uncolonized Planets: 20

Armies: 4
Her Majesty's Royal Highlanders (green)
Indian Guard (green)
Redcoats (green)
Savage Norsemen (green)

Fleets: 1
British Navy (green)

Colonized: 30
Total: 112

Allowed: 60
Needed to Win: 20

Planet Cap

Just to clairfy, the planet cap only takes effect on a friday. So you all have another week to find as many planets as you can.

Week 1 Status Reports

The Dominion:
(Utopia)

Planets: 3
Axis
Traxon
Radris

Uncolonized Planets: 4

Armies: 2
Axis Guard (green)
Traxon Guard (green)

Fleets: 1
Axis Squadron (green)

Mykonian Empire:
(Planetary Council)

Planets: 4
Mykonia
Taerwadi
Drak
Hyde

Uncolonized Planets: 2

Armies: 2
Mykonia Guard (green)
Drak Guard (green)

Fleets: 1
Mykonia grand fleet (green)

Praetorian Empire:
(Utopia)

Planets:4
Hôgdig
Çheroñ
Jinion
Miry

Uncolonized planets:2

Armys:1
Quasar Legion (green)

Fleets:1
Hôgdigian Fleet (green)

Tharinian Republic:
(Utopia)

Planets: 3
Thain
Khalen
Arisne

Uncolonized Planets: 11

Armies: 3
Thain’s Crusaders (green)
Guardians of Khalen (green)
Argonauts (green)

Fleets: 1
High Fleet (green)

The United Kingdom:
(Planetary Council)

Planets: 5
Great Britain
Greenland
India
New World
Shanghai

Uncolonized Planets: 9

Armies: 1
Her Majesty's Royal Highlanders (green)
Indian Guard (green)

Fleets: 1
British Navy (green)

Colonized: 19
Total: 47
Allowed: 60
Needed to Win: 13

Rule Clarification

Each planet may only be grown once per turn. One of the players was growing multiple population per turn. He has been set straight and given a small handicap to offset his mistake. Just making sure that the other players are doing this right.

Praetorians and FDE on Brink of War

At 17:45 this afternoon a tip came in from the GNN station on Mykonia that war had supposedly broken out between the FDE and the Praetorium. This statement has been investigated, and though open hostilities have not yet broken out, the situation is at a critical juncture. In a statement issued by the Praetorium the Praetorians "do not wish to have war but... refuse to pay the FDE any money to stop it". Fred has not yet put out any official statement. The situation remains tense, and tonight the Tharrinian Senate and the Mykonian government officials are both in special sessions discussing plans of actions for any and all contingencies. It is not yet known whether word has spread to the Dominion and the UK or not. Expect further updates as the situation develops. This has been a Galactic News Network report.

Rules Q&A No. 1

I'll be putting up rule questions and my answers up hear so that we all can see them. I'll also slowly compile a sort of rule FAQ.

• Do Artillery and Command Ship specials stack? Yes
  

• Do unit powers that negate the abilities or bonuses effect only the opposing column or do they effect the entire enemy army or fleet in general? They only effect the opposing column.

• Can you recon uncolonized planets? No, and when you recon a player you don't see the names or number of the uncolonized planets they control.

• Do the combat bonuses of planetary guns and star fortresses stack? Yes

• Can multiple buildings be built on the same turn? No, only one per planet per turn.

• Can class B and D upgrades be added to an army out of stated order? Yes, but they still must be researched in order.

• Does moving population between colonized planets require a colony center? No, it does not
  

If you have other questions don't be afraid to ask. Hope this helps!

Christmas Time

Christmas is coming and so is the busyness that comes with it. If you are going to be unable to take your turns please let me know. We will consider pausing Galaxy.

The Unfall of Fred

Dateline: Proximas Daphnar
Tharinian explorers who landed on the world they called Proximas Daphnar have discovered the remains of an empire there. They have read the historical records, and found that the world was once known as Kalulula. It was supposedly the center of an intergalactic empire led by Fred. How the Heck Fred got to where he is now, no one knows but us. And soon you will too! We go now live to our reporter on Galactic.

Dateline: Galactic

This is Snapper Carr reporting. I've just finished an extensive look into the history of how Fred came to be ruler here. I also think that I haven't broken any laws, though that may be disputable. Anyhow, here is a rough timeline of how Fred got here, after he was supposedly murdered by crazed revolutionaries:

1 day after the fall of Kalulula: Fred's body was analyzed by forensic scientists, who determined that it was not Fred after all, but his little known twin brother, Ed.

3 days after the fall of Kalulula: Records are re-assessed. As fate would have it, a small interstellar ship left orbit shortly before the attack at Fred's office. Fred was on this ship, and meant to find another empire to rule.

About 2 years ago: Fred lands on a semi-modern planet that had been thrown into civil disorder by massive anti-cheese riots. In the confusion that follows Fred's arrival, Fred somehow seizes control of the military, takes over the planet, modernizes it, and calls it Galactic. The details of how he did this are sketchy, but it is rumored that more than a few people were kicked into jet engines during the ensuing war. Either way, now Fred is in charge of a peaceful and stable planet. And those are the facts, as far as we can tell. And you've heard it strait from an investigative reporter's mouth. This is Snapper Carr, coming to you from Galactic, signing out.

The Players

These are the factions vying for control of the galaxy. This list will be expanded as more players join in.

The Dominion:
Jordy Shute

Homeworld -- Axis
Army -- Imperial Guard
Fleet -- Axis Squadron

Steps of the Senate, Axara City, Axis - The crowd grows silent as the chairman begins to speak, "Today, people of Axis, is the day we have long awaited. At 14:38 this morning the starship Valkyrie broke the light barrier and cruised to the outside of our star system." People explode into cheers. After a minute the man continues, "With this new technology our ultimate dreams can and will be accomplished. We will push back the black tide of space, our empire will expand and our citizens will grow wealthy. Today is the beginning of a new era, an era of peace and prosperity. For, from this day forth, we shall spread our influence throughout the galaxy. We shall establish dominion over all." The man picks up his notes and quietly walks inside as the crowd erupts into wild shouts of joy.

Fred's Dominating Empire:
Caleb Clemmons

Homeworld -- Galactic
Army -- The Dominating
Fleet -- The Destruction

Fred's Dominating Empire has returned and there is nothing you can do about it.

The Mykonian Empire:
Noah Shute

Homeworld -- Mykonia
Army -- Mykonian Guard
Fleet -- Mykonian Grand Fleet

Praetorian Empire:
Marc Cartier

Homeworld -- Hôgdig
Army -- Quasar Legion
Fleet -- Hôgdigian Fleet

The Tharinian Republic:
Dominic Blanchard

Homeworld -- Thain
Army -- Thain's Crusaders
Fleet -- High Fleet

From the desk of the President, to the People of Thain: The Nations of Thain were once on the brink of destruction. Years of war had wracked our continent. Then it happened. The spaceship wrecked at the center of the continent. It changed everything. With the realization that Thain was not the only world possessing sentient life, we put aside our differences as counties and came together as a world. That was nearly three years ago. Since then, we have analyzed, and reproduced, this technology. And today, Thain launched its first interstellar spaceship. With a successful jump to Proximus Daphnar, and a safe return trip, we have proven our mastery of this technology. My fellow Tharinians, our destiny now lies with the stars!

The United Kingdom:
Michael Swift

Homeworld -- Great Britain
Army -- Her Majesty's Royal Highlanders
Fleet -- British Navy

Shortly after the European Hegemony's hostile takeover of Great Britain on Earth, the British Anti-EH movement was rounded up en masse, put into suspended animation, and launched on a decades-long flight to a distant colony world. When they arrived on this planet, our ancestors named it after the country they loved, and built their civilization on memories of the glorious British Empire. Now, faster-than-light travel has allowed Her Majesty the Queen to look beyond the confines of our world and expand the rule of the Crown into outer space. The sun will never again set on the British Empire.

All armies and fleets are experience level green. All nations are governed by planetary councils and have no uncolonized planets. Thank you all for playing!

Colonized Planets: 6
Total Planets: 6
Planets Allowed: 60

Welcome

Welcome to the blog for Galaxy II.

To join the game email me at shutebros@npgcable.com. Include your empire, starting planet, army and fleet names. If you like you can write a paragraph about the history of your empire.

We would like be start on Saturday, December 13 if you can all make it (tell me if you can't). Please read the rules a couple of times before we start and make sure you understand everything. If you have any questions or comments about the rules please email me or comment to this post.

Dominic will be giving us news reports about the events in galaxy from GNN news. While we play he will be making news bulletins and posting them here. During the game if you have any major news (battles, government changes, etc) you can send it to him.

Welcome to the game!

Strategy Tips for Beginners

These are just a few tips for beginners. The main tip is NEVER ASSUME THAT OTHER PLAYERS ARE DOING WHAT YOU ARE! There are many different ways to rule the galaxy. Here are few tips...

• Expand quickly. Only a certain number of planets can be discovered, so it is important to claim as many as possible as quickly as possible. Dominic had way more planets then the other players at the end of the beta because he built two more observatories. But watch out for power hungry nations who want to grab your planets.

• Defend yourself. I would suggest at first to build up a large fleet to defend against blockades and build a smaller army on each planet to prevent invasion. I did the opposite during the beta and ended up being blockaded a couple of large fleets which rendered my huge army worthless.

• Govern wisely. Take advantage of the utopia or bureaucracy governments early in the game to help economic growth. Utopia's bonus of allowing planets to produce while constructing improvements will allow you to build up your planets without sacrificing production. Bureaucracy allows two expansion operations per turn at the same building, allowing you to expand rapidly.

• Make friends. Giving a few resources or breaking a blockade to aid struggling player may seem to be a waste of resources but those players will be much more likely to came to your aid if you find yourself in a similar situation. Having a reputation for being honest and gracious will make players much more likely to take your side in a conflict.

Hope this helps!