Se7en Sagas

As one of the primary factions of the Thirty Years’ War, the Catholic League stands in stark contrast to the Protestant Union. Where the Protestants favor speed, adaptability, and tactical retreats, the Catholic League believes in the power of overwhelming force, unyielding defense, and unshakeable faith. Their approach to Machina warfare reflects their commitment to traditional values, durability, and religious conviction, making them a daunting force on the battlefield. This post explores the Catholic League’s Machina designs, strategic doctrines, key figures, and the skills, Perks, and Passions that define their elite pilots and engineers.

The Catholic League’s Approach to Machina Warfare

The Catholic League prides itself on unbreakable defense and overwhelming power. Their Machina are designed to be towers of steel and iron, emphasizing armor and firepower over mobility. While slower than their Protestant counterparts, these machines are almost impervious to damage, designed to grind down their enemies through sheer might. Siege warfare, battlefield dominance, and religious fervor are all part of the Catholic League’s approach, seeking to crush any opposition and reclaim territory for the Catholic faith.

Machina Designs of the Catholic League

The Catholic League relies heavily on War Golems and heavily reinforced Ironclads, leveraging their durability and firepower to hold the line and deliver decisive blows. Their Machina are built to withstand sustained combat, taking on multiple opponents without faltering. The Catholic League’s Machina emphasize thick armor, large cannons, and reinforced defensive structures, becoming fortresses on legs that are nearly impossible to bring down.

Key Catholic League Machina Designs:

• The Iron Monoliths (War Golems): True to their name, the Iron Monoliths are heavily armored War Golems that serve as the backbone of the Catholic League’s armies. Outfitted with heavy cannons and thick iron plating, these Machina are nearly invincible on the battlefield. Their slow speed is a trade-off for their incredible durability and devastating ranged attacks.
• The Stalwart Guardians (Ironclads): These heavily armored Ironclads are designed to hold strategic points on the battlefield. With medium cannons and reinforced cockpits, they are excellent at defense and support roles. The Stalwart Guardians protect supply lines, guard flanks, and provide covering fire for infantry advances.
• Stormbringers (Heavy Clockwork Knights): Though the Catholic League generally favors heavier Machina, the Stormbringers represent their adaptation to more mobile warfare. Heavier than traditional Clockwork Knights, these Machina carry blunderbusses or pikes for close combat. They act as vanguard units, disrupting enemy lines and sowing chaos before the heavier machines advance.

Strategic Doctrine: Faith, Fortification, and Overwhelming Force

The Catholic League’s doctrine centers around the principles of defense, power, and religious righteousness. They seek to overwhelm their enemies with the sheer weight of their Machina, relying on superior firepower and armor to win battles through attrition and dominance.

• Unyielding Defense: The Catholic League’s strategy relies on creating fortified positions and using their War Golems and Ironclads to hold critical areas. They excel in siege warfare, using their Machina to defend cities, castles, and key fortifications against any attack.
• Shock and Awe: The Catholic League believes in psychological warfare. The sheer sight of their massive War Golems advancing across the battlefield is intended to demoralize and intimidate their enemies. When these machines open fire with their heavy cannons, it sends a clear message: resistance is futile.
• Religious Zeal: The Catholic League’s devotion to their faith permeates every aspect of their warfare. Pilots see their role as not just warriors, but defenders of the faith, fighting a holy war against Protestant forces. This conviction provides both inspiration and a moral imperative to push forward, regardless of the odds.
• Close Combat Supremacy: Unlike the more maneuverable Protestant Machina, the Catholic League’s machines excel in close combat, where their armor and weaponry can be used to full effect. Stormbringers and Stalwart Guardians lead the charge, using pikes and blunderbusses to shatter enemy formations before the War Golems deliver the final blow.

Notable Figures of the Catholic League

Several influential figures have left their mark on the Catholic League’s approach to Machina warfare. These commanders and engineers embody the League’s commitment to power, faith, and martial prowess, guiding their forces to victory through sheer determination and tactical brilliance.

• General Albrecht von Wallenstein: A military genius known for his ruthlessness and strategic insight, Wallenstein commands respect and fear on the battlefield. He is credited with the development of the Iron Monolith design, ensuring that the Catholic League’s War Golems are among the most powerful and durable machines in Europe.
• Father Cornelius Reinhardt: A priest-turned-engineer, Father Reinhardt combines his religious devotion with a deep understanding of Machina mechanics. He blesses the Catholic League’s machines before battle, and his designs for reinforced cockpits have saved countless pilots from enemy fire.
• Dame Isabella di Ferrara: A formidable Machina pilot, Isabella is known for her aggressive tactics and fearless attitude. As one of the first to use Stormbringers effectively, she leads vanguard charges into enemy lines, embodying the Catholic League’s doctrine of unyielding force and religious fervor.

Key Battles Involving the Catholic League’s Machina

The Catholic League’s Machina have played decisive roles in many battles throughout the Thirty Years’ War. Their emphasis on fortification, powerful artillery, and close combat has made them a force to be reckoned with.

• The Siege of Nördlingen (1634): In this reimagined battle, the Catholic League deployed Iron Monoliths to defend their fortified positions against Protestant forces. The War Golems’ heavy cannons crushed the enemy’s advance, allowing the Catholic League to maintain control over the city.
• The Assault on White Mountain (1620): The Catholic League’s first major deployment of Machina, where Stalwart Guardians played a critical role in breaking through Protestant defenses. This victory showcased the effectiveness of their heavily armored machines in both ranged combat and close-quarters fighting.
• The Defense of Würzburg: During a surprise attack by Protestant forces, Stormbringers led by Dame Isabella di Ferrara managed to hold the city’s gates long enough for War Golems to be deployed. The combination of hit-and-run tactics and a powerful counter-attack turned the tide in favor of the Catholic League.

Faction Skills, Perks, and Passions

The Catholic League’s elite pilots and engineers possess a unique set of skills, Perks, and Passions that reflect their faction’s focus on durability, power, and unwavering faith.

Skills:

• Machina Piloting (Unyielding Stance): Catholic pilots are trained to hold their ground against all odds, gaining bonuses when piloting heavily armored machines or defending critical positions.
• Close Combat Mastery: With an emphasis on melee and close-range combat, Catholic pilots are skilled in wielding pikes, blunderbusses, and other close-quarters weaponry to devastating effect.
• Battlefield Fortification: Engineers and pilots of the Catholic League are adept at using terrain and defenses to their advantage, quickly fortifying positions and turning the battlefield in their favor.

Perks:

• Immovable Defender (Lower Perk): Catholic pilots gain bonuses when holding key positions, making them more difficult to dislodge and granting a +1 bonus to defense rolls when in a fortified location.
• Blessed Armaments (Lower Perk): Pilots who receive a blessing from Father Reinhardt or another priest gain a +1 bonus to weapon damage for the duration of a battle, representing divine favor.
• Iron Monolith (High Perk): Only the most experienced Catholic pilots can pilot an Iron Monolith. This Perk grants a +2 bonus to armor and resistance against status effects, making them nearly unstoppable in combat.

Passions:

Goals:

• Holy Crusader: Driven by the goal of reclaiming land and restoring the Catholic faith, these pilots receive bonuses when engaging in battles deemed critical to the League’s cause or when reclaiming lost territory.

Motivations:

• Faithful Protector: Pilots who are motivated by their faith seek to protect their comrades and the Church above all else. They gain advantages when defending allies, civilians, or religious sites during battle.

Relationships:

• Bond of Brotherhood: The Catholic League values camaraderie among its soldiers. Pilots with close relationships with their fellow Machina operators receive benefits when fighting side-by-side, gaining bonuses when protecting or assisting their bonded allies.

Flaws:

• Zealous Fury: While faith drives many Catholic pilots to greatness, it can also lead to recklessness. Pilots with this Flaw are prone to overextending themselves in battle or becoming overly aggressive, which can lead to penalties in situations requiring restraint or tactical withdrawal.

Conclusion

The Catholic League’s approach to Machina warfare is grounded in their core principles: faith, power, and endurance. Their War Golems, Ironclads, and Stormbringers stand as symbols of their commitment to reclaiming Europe for the Catholic faith, bringing overwhelming force and unyielding defense to every battle. By leveraging their unique skills, Perks, and Passions, the Catholic League’s pilots

On another note…

I plan on releasing the Dawnfall: The Ironbound Express before Christmas this year. Also, there will be an Ars Mechanica pdf sometime in the future – maybe this year, if not the next, but expect more options for characters, more detailed mechanics for Machina construction, operation and war, and more detailed descriptions of the 30 Years War with mecha. These will be on sale on DriveThruRpg.

Especially, early next year, you can expect my new game Durandal: A game of mythic chivalry, on crowdfunding on GameFound – so start spreading the word.

Cheers!