Recent political developments in the Fertile Caldaria have brought about
a number of changes in the factions vying for control of the region.
These abilities replace the original special abilities specified in the
rulebook.


Sathrican Tories (blue)

After a hasty evacuation through the Sathrican superwormhole with the
Separatist fleet on their heels, the Royalist faction has settled in
territory formerly held by the Libra Coterie, and established a new
capital on the planet High Tor. The Tories (as they're now known) have
repelled several Libral attempts to dislodge them, and a new attack is
expected within weeks.

Advanced Fighters: Double the cost of all fighters. Replace both
kinds with a single type that has the abilities of both; use the Skirmish
Fighters models to represent this type. May either fire Grav Blasters or
Missles with a single Fire order, not both.

Culture of Secrecy: Block off the Royalist setup area from sight
with a cardboard screen. Forces may be set up freely behind the screen,
or redeployed at will, while opposing players are setting up. Other
players may not look behind the screen, or even verify that the Tories
have a force of the correct size. The Tory player may attempt to sneak
in extra forces; if they make it to the end of the game without being
discovered, they score an additional 25 VP, plus twice the amount that
was concealed. If the Tories are caught at this, the opposing player
may force Tory ships to explode (yielding full VP) until the balance is
redressed.

In addition, roll one die for every officer modchip other than the
Fleet Admiral in the Royalist fleet. On a 5+, roll on the following
table:

1-4: The Fleet Admiral thinks that the officer in question is doing a
great job, and refuses to comment on the allegations surrounding
him or her.
5: The officer in question performs the opposite of their expected
duties. The opposing player may insert the word "not" into the
rule text on the modchip that describes the officer's effects,
wherever desired, or change "add" to "subtract." The Fleet
Admiral has full confidence in this officer, who may not be
removed.
6: The Fleet Admiral abruptly throws the officer out the airlock.
Remove the modchip and lose an equal number of VP.


New Sathris (orange)

The Sathrican Separatist fleet settled on a green planet they've named
"New Sathris." Weary of the fighting in their recent Civil War, the New
Sathricans prefer to focus on building their cities, establishing
transit systems and universities, healing their people, and other such
peaceful activities.

Defence Cuts: Reduce the size of the New Sathrican force by 25%
from the level specified in each scenario. With the proceeds, purchase
Dedicated Doctors (same game effects as Experienced Engineers) for every
ship in the fleet. If any points are left over, score double that total
in VP. The New Sathricans may not purchase Missile Fighters or Heavy
Railguns.

The New Sathricans always lose the Advantage to the Librals.


The Libra Nomad Coterie (red)

The Librals controlled the region of space near the Sathrican
superwormhole for years, until the Tories arrived and pushed them out.
They still see themselves as the natural rulers of the region, and
have waged a series of inconclusive campaigns to try to dislodge the
Tories from "their" territory.

Coalition Builders: Libral fleets may include up to 25% New
Sathrican and Bloc vessels.

Absentee Leadership: Roll one die for the Libral Fleet Admiral
at the beginning of the scenario. On a 3+, he's absent from the battle.


The Pirate Bloc (gray)

When the Sathrican fleets transited the superwormhole into the Fertile
Caldaria, they landed directly in the middle of a fleet of space pirates,
who lost a battle against the Verusians years ago, and have hungered for
revenge ever since. The Pirates don't care about the Nomads or the
Sathricans, and just want more resources for themselves, and to get away
from the other groups to go deal with the Verusians once and for all.

Under The Brave Black Flag I Fly: The Bloc receives a free Skilled
Commander.

Escape Capsule: Bloc ships may separate into two sections. The
part of the ship where the officers live breaks away from the parts of
the ship that do most of the work, and proceeds under stealth to the
nearest wormhole home. The procedure requires a Special Order, and
succeeds on a 4+; if it fails, it may not be attempted for another ten
turns. If successful, the ship is destroyed (give full VP to the
opponent for this), including all equipment modchips, but all officer
modchips on board escape unharmed, and the Bloc player receives 50% of
the ship's value, plus one, in VP.


Green Verusians (green)

May not appear in scenarios involving the Tories or Librals.

Wow, I like it. By Green Verusians, do you mean the 'Republic' faction of Verus? If so, can you explain your reasoning behind cutting contact between the Republic and the Tories/Librals?

After a week of playtesting, it seems that I've overrated the Dread Pirate Gilles and underrated Commander Layton of the New Sathricans. Here are some revisions:

New Sathris (orange)

Defence Cuts: as above.

Commander Layton's Offensive: The New Sathricans receive a free Skilled Commander.


Pirate Bloc (gray, or aqua if you feel like kitbashing them)

Escape Capsule: as above.

Communications Scrambler: Bloc Command ships are equipped with a Model 101 communications scrambler. So long as any uncrippled Command ship remains in the play area, opposing officer modchips may only produce effects aboard their own ships. This negates any Fleet Admiral's ability to command from afar.


Green Verusians

Excluded From Power: May not appear in scenarios involving the Nomads or Sathrican Tories. Do not have any Fleet Admirals, Legendary Commanders, or Skilled Commanders at this time.

No Nukes: May not purchase Missile Salvos. Ships equipped with them by default do not receive them.