Se7en Sagas

The Protestant Union, a powerful coalition of German Protestant states and allies during the Thirty Years’ War, stands as one of the most formidable factions in the Ars Mechanica setting. The inclusion of Machina has reshaped the Protestant Union’s military doctrine, emphasizing innovation, strategic adaptability, and technological superiority. In this post, we’ll explore how the Protestant Union approaches mech warfare, detailing their unique designs, battlefield strategies, and the influential figures who have driven their military success. We’ll also dive into the skills, Perks, and Passions that define the elite pilots and engineers within this faction.

The Protestant Union’s Approach to Machina Warfare

The Protestant Union’s reliance on Machina stems from their need to counter the overwhelming resources and manpower of the Catholic League. As a result, their war machines emphasize adaptability and speed over brute force. They focus on creating versatile, mid-weight machines that can perform various battlefield roles without sacrificing mobility. While the Catholic League may favor heavy, unstoppable war machines, the Protestant Union prefers Machina that can hit hard, retreat quickly, and strike again from a new angle.

Machina Designs of the Protestant Union

The Protestant Union’s Machina are often lighter and more versatile than those of their opponents. They rely heavily on Ironclads and Clockwork Knights, using their speed and maneuverability to launch hit-and-run attacks and exploit gaps in the enemy’s defenses.

Key Protestant Union Machina Designs:

• The Silver Lancers (Ironclad): The Silver Lancers are a hallmark of the Protestant Union’s battlefield strategy. These Ironclads are armed with medium cannons and lances for close combat, allowing them to engage at range and quickly close in for decisive melee strikes. With reinforced steel armor, they balance durability with speed, making them effective in both offense and defense.
• Wraithstriders (Clockwork Knights): The Wraithstriders are fast and agile, often used for reconnaissance and flanking maneuvers. Armed with repeating crossbows and pikes, they can strike vulnerable targets and retreat before the enemy can react. Their lighter armor allows them to remain highly mobile, making them difficult to pin down in battle.
• The Hammer of Magdeburg (War Golem): Although the Protestant Union typically avoids heavy Machina, the Hammer of Magdeburg is a notable exception. This War Golem is designed for siege warfare, carrying a massive cannon capable of breaching fortifications. Its slow speed is offset by its devastating firepower, making it a crucial asset in key battles.

Strategic Doctrine: Speed, Precision, and Tactical Flexibility

The Protestant Union’s doctrine revolves around rapid strikes, tactical withdrawals, and exploiting weaknesses in the enemy’s formations. Their commanders understand that they cannot outnumber their enemies, so they focus on precision and flexibility.

• Hit-and-Run Tactics: Protestant forces frequently employ hit-and-run tactics, using their fast-moving Machina to strike at weak points in the enemy’s lines. Clockwork Knights often lead these assaults, disrupting supply lines or eliminating key targets before disappearing back into friendly territory.
• Combined Arms: Protestant commanders excel at integrating their Machina with traditional infantry and cavalry forces. Ironclads support infantry advances, providing firepower and protection, while Clockwork Knights act as mobile scouts and rapid-response units.
• Strategic Retreats: When faced with overwhelming odds, Protestant Union forces are not afraid to retreat. However, these retreats are often carefully planned, using terrain and ambushes to draw enemy forces into unfavorable positions where their Machina can counter-attack effectively.
• Innovative Engineering: The Protestant Union is known for its engineering ingenuity. Their Machina designs are constantly evolving, and their pilots are encouraged to improvise on the battlefield. This culture of innovation gives them a tactical edge, as they are more willing to adapt to changing conditions than their more rigid opponents.

Notable Figures of the Protestant Union

Several key figures have shaped the Protestant Union’s approach to Machina warfare. From brilliant engineers to daring commanders, these individuals have played pivotal roles in some of the most important battles of the Thirty Years’ War.

• Johann von Tilly: While known historically as a general of the Catholic League, in this alternate setting, Tilly defects to the Protestant Union, disillusioned with the League’s tactics. His mastery of field maneuvers and keen strategic mind make him one of the most feared commanders on the battlefield.
• Elsbeth Reiner: A brilliant Machina engineer, Elsbeth is responsible for many of the Protestant Union’s most advanced Machina designs, including the Wraithstriders. Her innovations in clockwork mechanisms have allowed the Union’s machines to outperform their Catholic counterparts in terms of speed and precision.
• Captain Heinrich Falkenrath: One of the most skilled Machina pilots in the Protestant Union, Falkenrath is known for leading daring raids deep into enemy territory. His mastery of the Ironclad Silver Lancers has earned him a fearsome reputation among Catholic forces.

Key Battles Involving the Protestant Union’s Machina

The Protestant Union’s Machina have played pivotal roles in several key battles throughout the Thirty Years’ War. Their ability to rapidly deploy and strike at key targets has made them invaluable in both offensive and defensive operations.

• The Battle of Breitenfeld (1631): In this reimagined battle, Protestant forces under Gustavus Adolphus utilized Machina to devastating effect. The rapid deployment of Ironclads along with Wraithstriders outflanking the Catholic forces led to a crushing Protestant victory, forcing the Catholic League into retreat.
• The Siege of Magdeburg (1631): During the siege, the Protestant Union’s War Golem, the Hammer of Magdeburg, was instrumental in holding back Catholic forces. Its massive cannon obliterated enemy siege engines, allowing the defenders to hold the city for far longer than expected.
• The Ambush at Dessau Bridge: Protestant forces led by Captain Falkenrath used the terrain to their advantage, ambushing a Catholic convoy with their Clockwork Knights. The hit-and-run tactics of the Wraithstriders decimated the convoy, denying crucial supplies to the Catholic forces.

Faction Skills, Perks, and Passions

The Protestant Union’s elite pilots and engineers possess a unique set of skills, Perks, and Passions that reflect their faction’s focus on adaptability, innovation, and precision.

Skills:

• Machina Piloting (Clockwork Precision): Protestant pilots excel in handling fast and agile Machina, with a particular emphasis on maneuvering through difficult terrain and outflanking enemies.
• Tactical Engineering: Engineers of the Protestant Union are masters of on-the-fly repairs and modifications, allowing them to quickly adapt their machines in the middle of battle.
• Ranged Combat (Marksman’s Eye): Given the emphasis on ranged weapons like cannons and crossbows, many Protestant pilots are highly skilled at targeting weak points in enemy armor from a distance.

Perks:

• Field Innovator (Lower Perk): This Perk grants pilots the ability to modify or repair their Machina mid-battle, giving them a tactical edge in long engagements. Provides a +1 bonus when improvising repairs or adapting to battlefield conditions.
• Master of Retreat (Lower Perk): Protestant forces are not afraid to retreat when necessary, and this Perk allows pilots to gain a +1 bonus when executing strategic withdrawals, ensuring they escape intact.
• Clockwork Knight (High Perk): Only the best Protestant pilots earn the title of Clockwork Knight, giving them access to superior equipment and training. This Perk grants a +2 bonus to Piloting Skill when using Clockwork Knights in hit-and-run tactics.

Passions:

Goals:

• The Defender’s Mission: Pilots driven by the desire to protect Protestant lands and faith gain bonuses when their actions align with defending these territories. This Passion fuels strategic decision-making in defense-focused scenarios, giving pilots added resolve when the odds are against them.

Motivations:

• Legacy of the Faithful: Protestant pilots are often motivated by the desire to leave behind a legacy of righteousness and military success. This Motivation grants bonuses when engaging in crucial battles that could alter the course of the war or when seeking to make a lasting mark on history.

Relationships:

• Loyal to My Command: Bonds between commanders and pilots in the Protestant Union are vital. This Passion reflects the deep loyalty between the Machina pilot and their leaders, providing mechanical benefits when working directly under a trusted commander or protecting comrades in battle.

Flaws:

• Pride in Precision: The Protestant Union’s emphasis on precision can lead to overconfidence. This Flaw causes pilots to seek perfection, sometimes at the cost of speed or safety, leading to mechanical penalties when the pilot hesitates or makes tactical errors in pursuit of an ideal outcome.

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Conclusion

The Protestant Union’s approach to Machina warfare is a reflection of their strategic doctrine: adaptable, precise, and innovative. With a focus on speed and flexibility, their Ironclads and Clockwork Knights dominate the battlefield, while brilliant engineers and fearless pilots drive their success. By leveraging their unique skills, Perks, and Passions—fueled by Goals, Motivations, Relationships, and Flaws—the Protestant Union presents a formidable challenge to any opposing force.