| I can't recall the sourcebook, but I vaguely remember that the Lothian League (before its demise at the hands of the Marians) was primarily defended by a unit known as the 242nd Hussars. Was this unit the 242nd Hussars Division of the SLDF's 19th Army, the one that was "lost" during the Reunification War? | | Precentor_Martial | <A>Not gonna answer that. ;-) |
| Kojak | <Q>Vairdic: When I met you in person a few months ago in Everett, I believe we discussed beginning a monthly gaming group including those you, Randall, and myself, and anyone else who wanted to come. Are we still on for that? Because I'm ready whenever you guys are. |
| Vairdic | <A>Yea, we're very interested in starting that up. We've been looking for a good location, and hope to have a set answer and schedule after GenCon. |
| Vairdic | <Q>To all the authors... Care to tell us what the titles of your next stories are going to be? |
| Recovering_Shrink | <A>Yes. My next story/novella, should it be accepted, is called "A Mystery before Dying." |
| Paul | Please welcome Kevin Killiany, yet another author of some reputation. Works on CBT, BattleCorps and MWDA. |
| Kojak | <Q>With that answer to my question about C*/WoB BA organization: would it be tournament-legal to use 6-man Purifier squads (or other such BA), printed from HMLite or HMBA? |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>No. Again, it's that way in the 'fiction,' but not that way in the BMR; only makes a difference between Clan/IS, not IS organizations. |
| Cavalier | <Q>How has Interstellar Players done? About as well as you expected, or were you surprised? Any organizations there you thought would get a better reception, or proved to be real favorites? |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>To be honest, still a little too early to tell on that. However, the general response has been positive enough that I've penciled in a tentative IP2 for 2007. I think the two that are probably the most surprising are the Illuminati and the Genecaste. From what I've seen, the Illuminati have not been liked very much (who doesn't like the illuminati!) and I thought for sure I'd get a lot more vehemence for my Genecaste, where as over all, most people really like them, albiet they're "strange and weird." ;_) |
| Kojak | <Q>Does the WoB (or should I say Terra?) still produce the Kanga hovertank (or for that matter, does anyone)? If so, where? If not, can they still be found with any regularity in the WoBM? It'd be nice to know for my upcoming article on the Kanga on the CBT boards. |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>I do not believe anyone still produces the Kanga. As for regularity, I'd say no. Can it still be found here and there? Sure. Just not with regularity. |
| Kojak | <Q>Can you reveal the composition of the Star Adder force blockading York? Certain pieces of information have lead me to believe that it is the Alpha Reserve Naval Star, but it'd be nice to have confirmation one way or the other. |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>Nope. Sorry. ;-) |
| Vairdic | <Q>To all the authors... Care to tell us what the titles of your next stories are going to be? |
| WindhamSandoval | <A>Well - there's the continuing Isis saga, which runs through SunTzu's Art of War. As for something new, Paul Sjardijn and I have been working on the sequel to En Passant, which once it's accepted, will be called "Epaulet Mate" (but it still needs tweaking - that whole political intrigue thing compounded with 'Mechs). I also have a new serial starting up in the Deep Periphery for the Jihad timeline, entitled "A Distant Thunder". |
| IronSphinx | <Q>To all the authors (but probably Randall): Are there sections of the Jihad storyline/history that WizKids has forbidden you to explore in fiction or sourcebooks, or do you have free rein to write what you want? |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>Well it 'was' hands off for several years. But as I explained at the front of the Dawn of the Jihad sourcebook, there were many reasons for that and in the end, I think it all ended up for the best (i.e. gave FP and I time to get out badly needed revisions, start up some great new series of products and 'prepare' for the Jihad. Now, however, while they have final say on the Jihad storylines, the writers and I are proving to them that we work well within their framework, and that generally speaking, they like the direction we take things. As such, I've yet to really have WK come down hard on something we're trying to do for BC/CBT and so "no," that's not how we want the Jihad to work. |
| RedLancer | <Q>Also in regards to Kojak's BA question, is it safe to assume that goes double for Taurian and Marian conventional infantry platoons? |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>Oh yes. ;-) |
| RedLancer | <Q>Whose idea was it to make the characters on the cover of Interstellar Players look like the ones on the Inner Sphere Sourcebook cover? |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>Mine. ;-) After all, smoke and mirrors...how can you tell who is what and who has who in what pocket... ;-) |
| Vairdic | <Q>To all the authors... Care to tell us what the titles of your next stories are going to be? |
| SMohanJr | <A>I've got three stories in the pipeline right now: "Echoes of Disgrace", "A Loyal Son of Terra", and "Red Khopesh." Still waiting to see if Loren can use them, of course. : ) |
| RedLancer | <Q>Is there any chance of BC compiling some of the pseudo-official BattleMech designs from, say, Battletechnology Magazine? |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>Something we've touched upon, but haven't really persued it, as we've got other brands in the fire taking up our time. Just have to wait and see on that one. |
| Bytor | <Q>This one is for Kevin and Phaedra: You both had writing credits in Dawn of the Jihad. What sections did you work on and was this the first time writing for a game product? |
| KeVinK | <A>I did about 20% of the LA section and maybe 70% of the FWL section. My first Source book experience was one article in Merc Sup 2 |
| Bytor | <Q>Steve, I really enjoyed "Of War and Peace and Cherry Trees". Will we see Shintaro Yamada again? |
| SMohanJr | <A>Thanks very much! Of all my BT stories this is one of my favorites. I don't have active plans to include Yamada in another story, but I kind of left the door open by making him a Clanner. Maybemy subconscious is trying to tell me something . . . : ) |
| Kojak | <Q>A question about Caph: I've pieced together the following summary of events as to what happened there before they became a Blakist protectorate world. "Lindon's Battalion's contract expired in 3062, and they pulled off of Caph. At some point, the 17th Arcturan Guards were there (I would assume they were reinforcing the Denebola FTM). However, they pulled out at some later unspecified point, and at another point post-3062, the Denebola FTM left as well. When the Word of Blake arrived to bring peace and order to Caph (Quality of Mercy III-delta appears to have been tasked with this), they brough Carson's Renegades with them, and since Always Faithful and the Stealthy Tigers had both long since lost their support from Houses Marik and Liao, they both left to find greener pastures. I don't know what happened to Gustafson's Grenadiers; I think it's a safe bet to assume that they were destroyed in the fighting." |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>Possibly...sure does sound like good fodder for a BC story... ;-) |
| IronSphinx | <Q>Randall: how much of your job is writing CBT product and how much is project management of the other writers and playtesters? |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>Most of my time is management and development of the product, as well as art direction. Ive not written a good chunk of any book in a while...the Genecaste are the largest chunk of 'original' writing I've done on a sourcebook in a long time. Course, I'm changing that significantly with Handbook: House Kurita. |
| IronSphinx | <Q>To all the authors (but probably Randall): Are there sections of the Jihad storyline/history that WizKids has forbidden you to explore in fiction or sourcebooks, or do you have free rein to write what you want? |
| WindhamSandoval | <A>Not that I know of. I recently stumbled into a whole mess of storyline by proposing an ideaÑnow that idea is actually tying bits and pieces together. Haven't hit on a "No, no, no" yet. Uhm...but give me time. I usually get a sigh from Loren now and then. |
| Aleksandr | <Q>Has there ever been a canon mention, or thought of making canon, actions of the Dark Caste? They've been mentioned many times in Clan texts, but to my knowledge there's never been a mention of something they've actually -done-. |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>That's a really good question. ;-) |
| Kojak | <Q>Is Loren Coleman's serial story involving the events of Mechwarrior 3, and which was originally posted on the MW3 webpage, considered canon? |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>Yes. |
| Kojak | <Q>Will we ever again see the Iron Cheetah assault OmniMech, which was (I believe) featured in BattleTechnology? |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>I believe that first appeared on the K'NEX website, if I'm remembering the right OmniMech and yes, you'll see it eventually. |
| KeVinK | <Q>I've got one in the pipeline and I'm workingon another Lex Atreus story -- which I hope to sandwich in between Chaos Irregulars instalments (Loren willing) sometime in the fall. "Dragons of Despair" |
| Vairdic | <A> |
| Bytor | <Q>This one is for Kevin and Phaedra: You both had writing credits in Dawn of the Jihad. What sections did you work on and was this the first time writing for a game product? |
| WindhamSandoval | <A>Hrm...I think I did less than %20 for the DC. It was my first sourcebook work for Classic BattleTech and for someone who jumped head first into the FedSuns starting out... working on DC was great experience. |
| Aleksandr | <Q>In reference to HB: HK, can we expect to see more details of the Star League and 1st SW era DCA? Or, in a more broad question, how much concentration can we expect to see on the SL and early Succession Wars era vs the Modern/post-jihad era? |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>To be honest, simply too early to tell. I'd like to try and make the entire history section as even as possible. However, there is just so much that has happened in 'recent' years and so much that is important for the current player and the coming future, that it's all too easy to slip into putting more information into the current era. But I'll be out to try and keep it balanced. |
| IronSphinx | <Q>To all the BC Authors: how difficult did you find it to get a story accepted by BattleCorps? Did you go through multiple rejections? Revisions? |
| SMohanJr | <A>I was quite fortunate to sell my first, "Commerce is All |
| IronSphinx | <Q>Randall, approximately how many new 'Mechs seen in the MW:DA timeline will we see in the Jihad and will there be a FanPro or WizKids produced TRO:Dark Age? |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>As each Hot Spot book comes out, it will include a 'mini readout' for the units that in the MWDA setting have a specific date setting them within the timeline covered by the Hot Spots book. Clear as mud? ;-) As for a TRO: DA, while that is being discussed, there is no hard plans at this time. |
| RedLancer | <Q>I'm sure this has already been answered, but when a TRO: 3058 is put together will we get Clan names for the Hankyu/Grendel/Cauldron Born? Someone informed me that the Cauldron Born as a Clan name in German canon.... |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>As far as I'm aware, those are the Clan names; i.e. I've never seen or tracked down anything to contradict that. |
| Kojak | <Q>This is actually a MWDA question of sorts: there is a large and extremely useful interactive map of the RotS. It has extremely in-depth info on every planet of every Prefecture...except Prefectures VI and VII. Will those sections of the map *ever* be completed? The info presented would be fantastically useful to a great number of CBT players. |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>I believe the plan is to finish those, yes. |
| RedLancer | <Q>Is it Ilsa or Lisa Liao, I've seen it as both in several places. |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>For what? CBT (ancient history Chancellor), or MWDA (Daoshen's older sister)? In both cases it is Ilsa. |
| Kojak | <Q>I'm not sure whether this is a touchy subject or not...what are your, and FanPro/Wizkids', feelings on the popular MegaMek online program? Do you feel that it's cutting in on the business? |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>I don't believe it is, no. Can't speak for WK, though. |
| IronSphinx | <Q>To all the BC Authors: how difficult did you find it to get a story accepted by BattleCorps? Did you go through multiple rejections? Revisions? |
| SMohanJr | <A>Sorry--think that one got away from me. I was fortunate to sell my first, "Commerce is All" right out of the box. After saying he wanted it, Loren asked me to change a bunch of stuff--which I did immediately. Then Randall returned the continuity edit with another group of changes. I'm not complaining, though. Loren and Randall's reviews are very helpful! |
| munniec | <Q>When is the first Hot spots book slated to come out? |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>December. Most of it is written and in development and the rules are just about finished going through some terrible playtest beatings... ;-) |
| IronSphinx | <Q>To all the BC Authors: how difficult did you find it to get a story accepted by BattleCorps? Did you go through multiple rejections? Revisions? |
| KeVinK | <A>How hard was it to get into BC? Ijust kept sending Loren stories until he gave up and printed one. |
| IronSphinx | <Q>To all the BC Authors: how difficult did you find it to get a story accepted by BattleCorps? Did you go through multiple rejections? Revisions? |
| Recovering_Shrink | <A>Actually, I've been very fortunate to have my stories accepted pretty much first go-round, without much in the way of editing. I think the only time we went back and forth, and then only for a little while, was when Loren felt that he wanted the story to happen a little earlier and with a different character. That was easy to rewrite, though, because the story didn't really change. So I've been lucky. Knock on wood. |
| Cavalier | <Q>To Randall: Are you thinking about addressing some of the Snow Fire incident in HB:HK, as you have mentioned that was a particular favorite incident of yours, or do you want to save that for something special? Or elaborate on the circumstances surrounding Jinjiro Kurita going over the edge? Any incidents in the Kurita closet you already know feel you must address, or any that you feel simply should not be elaborated on and left mysterious? |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>I believe in both cases I want to elaborate 'some.' However, the real impact of those stories is only going to be done justice if it comes out in a story; hence why Snow Fire will get a 'full reveal/coverage' in a future BC serial. But yeah, I plan on trying to explore some more of those 'secrets' in sidebars and so on. |
| Kojak | <Q>In TRO: 3067, it is said that WoB ROM agents were able to steal the light fusion engine technology, which they then implemented in the White Flame and Blue Flame quad BattleMechs. Yet in TRO: 3055 Upgrades, it is said that the Word acquired LFE technology via a series of technology trades with Katherine Steiner-Davion during her "reign". Which is the truth? |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>Likely both. |
| roosterboy | <Q>Ilsa Centrella-Liao is Daoshen's older sister? Not younger? |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>Yes, per the INN Touring the Stars on the CC/MoC, she is his older sister. |
| Recovering_Shrink | You know, I wish I knew if "Ilsa" was thought of for this pretty weird, sadistic and freaky woman before or after Loren and I met . . . |
| IronSphinx | <Q>Is there a CBT 'bible' containing every actual fact about the cbt universe that FASA/FanPro/WKids works from? Kind of like a metaplot that all the writers work their faction's perspective from--but if you looked at the metaplot, you'd see what "actually" happened in the CBT universe? |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>Nothing so concrete and organized. There is a rather large spread sheet(s) and so on, but nothing with 'all facts in it' by any means. There are some 'absolutes,' but the universe is to large and active to not need 'breathing room,' so you can grow various storylines and characters, as needed. |
| Kojak | <Q>Recently, the question came up on the CBT boards as to what the various salutes of the various militaries were. While I could give less than a damn about the other factions, what does the Word of Blake use as a salute? If there isn't already one, could you make one up right now and declare it canon? Pretty please? |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>Um...to be honest, off the top of my head, no idea. If it exist, it's burried somewhere in a piece of fiction...just not something that has really come up before. |
| Paul | Alright, last call! Last call for any questions. Submit them now, or hold your peace until the next chat. If the Speakers have any lingering questions they need some time with, drop me a private message. |
| Kojak | <Q>As a follow-up to my last question: why bother with one, if they accomplished the other? |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>Um...sorry, just lost you. could you clarify that question? |
| RedLancer | <Q>Do you know what the reasoning was behind the decision to retcon the Northwind Highlanders into Mercenaries from House Troops and will this whole situation be better explained in the new Handbook: House Liao |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>Well I wrote the Northwind Highlanders scenario pack (along with the new Highlander write-ups in MercSuppII) and beyond filling in some holes, I don't believe I retconned anything. Now, that was years ago (years and YEARS ago with the scenario pack), so I can't draw up an answer off the top of my head, but everything I did in that book was based on references published in numerous products and an attempt to make them all mesh together. |
| Diedre_Lynx_Lancaster | <Q>Konnichi-wa. I am curious about the story "Heretic's Faith" I have seen it mentioned here on the boards, yet I have not found it anywhere else. Is it one of the stories put up here on BattleCorps. or is it a novel from Mechwarrior DarkAge? |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>It is the newest MWDA novel. |
| IronSphinx | <Q>To all the BC Authors: how difficult did you find it to get a story accepted by BattleCorps? Did you go through multiple rejections? Revisions? |
| WindhamSandoval | <A>How hard to get into BC? Sometimes easy...and sometimes not. Most of what I've done I've had to pound out a synopsis or something with Loren. But rewrites, and sometimes complete redrafts (of which I think Paul and I are facing) are a constant. But if you're trying... PLEASE don't stop. Slam Loren with as many submissions as you can. :) |
| Kojak | <Q>I mean, suppose the Word of Blake managed to steal the tech. Why would they bother to trade for it later? Similarly, why would they do it vice-versa? |
| Precentor_Martial | <A>D'OH. Sorry. I blame the screaming kid. ;-) If Katherine didn't know they already had it and it was part of a larger deal and the WoB were manipulating the situation to get X or Y, when they already had Z and Kattie dearest didn't know that? Any House might stoop to such tactics, if it allowed them to manipulate the situation and get the X they reallyw anted. |
| Paul | That concludes today's Chat. |
| Precentor_Martial | Thanks all...sorry to type and run, but have to deal with kids and I still have to pack for Gen Con. For those I'll see at Gen Con, seeyou there. If not, type at you next week! |
| WindhamSandoval | Isn't Randall cool? |
