Who will dominate RIFTS North America?

[allmarduk]

Who will end up dominating North America on RIFTS Earth? I rule out the Coalition States since that nation was somewhat weakened by it's war with Tolkeen. The next big battle involving the Coalition States must be with the Federation of Magic, which will further weaken the CS and might soften up the Federation of Magic.

Who ends up dominating North America? Two leading candidates are the Mexico-based, undead-dominated Vampire Kingdoms from the south and the Canada-based, insectoid Xiticix from the north. Remember: both the vampires and Xiticix are inherently expasionist!!!!!

There is also the Atlantis-based Splurgoth and their minions, too.

[allmarduk]

If you were an inhabitant of RIFTS North America and were forced to choose between becoming a Splurgoth slave, becoming a vampire or a source of blood/food for vampires, or being killed by Xiticix, what's is your choice? My answer: none of the above!!!

My choice: I'd try and fight my way to a dimensional rift and take my chances eslewhere!!!! I'd never want to be a slave, killed by insectoids, or submit to vampire rule.

[Josh Sinsapaugh]

I doubt anyone will ever come close to conquering all of Rifts North America.

Though, if the Xiticix aren't stopped, I'll be proven wrong...

~ Josh

[Jack Daniels]

If you were an inhabitant of RIFTS North America and were forced to choose between becoming a Splurgoth slave, becoming a vampire or a source of blood/food for vampires, or being killed by Xiticix, what's is your choice? My answer: none of the above!!!

My choice: I'd try and fight my way to a dimensional rift and take my chances eslewhere!!!! I'd never want to be a slave, killed by insectoids, or submit to vampire rule.

But he didn't ask what you'd prefer to be conquered by, he asked who has the best chance of doing the conquering.
I really don't know, but of the three I am inclined towards the vampires. With all their weaknesses they are a formidable threat, and many of their weaknesses can be overcome or at least minimized, which if accomplished would just make them that much more dangerous.
But very strong arguments can be made against them also, as well as for and against each of the others. I'd say it depends on writer's fiat, GM preference, and what makes the best story.

[cornholioprime]

In all likelihood, the Splugorth will probably kill off anybody else who tries to establish too firm a foothold in North America...and at some point in the next few decades, will probably give the Coalition States a spankin' to thin the herd, so to speak, and keep it from getting powerful enough to start testing Atlantis in their arrogance. It will be the Coaltition...but I doubt that Splynncryth will ever let them expand much further than they are now.

(The Coalition to this day still does not have any real inkling of what they face in the Sploogs. They have incomplete data on Atlantis at best, like everyone else they think that the Slavers are the actual Splugorth, and they have NO idea at all that Splynnie cold just Rift in reinforcements -as if he even needs them.)

Splynncryth might decide to finally exterminate the Icks Icks once and for all, OR he might sabotage the Coalition's efforts to fight them long enough for them to multiply..and then place Megaversal bets on the outcome of a Icks-Icks/Coalition all-out war.

Of course, unbeknownst to EVERYBODY, the Demons are coming The Demons are coming!!!

[Colt47]

My bets are on the Tundra Rangers. If they can convert Simvan they can do anything.

[wolfsgrin]

what about the repubublicans and ARCHIE getting hacked. thats going to be a lot of hi-tech bots. and yes they are coming too

[asajosh]

Vampires and Xiticix eventually wear down the other powers in NA. ARCHIE holds out the longest. Splugorth minions send in shock troops, eventually establish outposts/colonies and move westward, slaughtering along the way.

[AzathothXy]

Where do I sign up for the Bio-wizard augmentation?

[rat_bastard]

Whoever has the psi-cola.

[Lucas]

i think if the FOM attacked then the Q's would pounce on them, if the squid tried for a big push into na then everyone would push back, and vamps would get snuffed by the squids, and last but not least the tix's are going to get nuked so they don't matter....the only good bug is a dead bug

[tundro]

Whoever has the psi-cola.

Drink one, and you're a recreational drinker.

Drink six, and you're an addict.

Drink them all, and you're a GOD!

...until your head explodes.

Dave Mustaine couldn't have said it better himself.

[Colt47]

I vote complete annihilation of all said forces.

[Hotrod]

I vote mosquitos. They've dominated North America since before it was North America. Those blood-sucking bastards'll be dominating it long after all the current powers are gone.

[asajosh]

I vote mosquitos. They've dominated North America since before it was North America. Those blood-sucking bastards'll be dominating it long after all the current powers are gone.

SDC mosquitos cannot penetrate MDC hides. When the Splugorth invade, mosquitos will dwindle

[Library Ogre]

I vote mosquitos. They've dominated North America since before it was North America. Those blood-sucking bastards'll be dominating it long after all the current powers are gone.

SDC mosquitos cannot penetrate MDC hides. When the Splugorth invade, mosquitos will dwindle

Spoken like someone who is unaware of Houston's anti-aircraft defenses. The flak is heavy each summer, shooting down the calf-sized mosquitos flying out of Pasadena...

[Ziggurat the Eternal]

I vote mosquitos. They've dominated North America since before it was North America. Those blood-sucking bastards'll be dominating it long after all the current powers are gone.

SDC mosquitos cannot penetrate MDC hides. When the Splugorth invade, mosquitos will dwindle

Spoken like someone who is unaware of Houston's anti-aircraft defenses. The flak is heavy each summer, shooting down the calf-sized mosquitos flying out of Pasadena...

And roaches....never forget the roaches.....

[Library Ogre]

I vote mosquitos. They've dominated North America since before it was North America. Those blood-sucking bastards'll be dominating it long after all the current powers are gone.

SDC mosquitos cannot penetrate MDC hides. When the Splugorth invade, mosquitos will dwindle

Spoken like someone who is unaware of Houston's anti-aircraft defenses. The flak is heavy each summer, shooting down the calf-sized mosquitos flying out of Pasadena...

And roaches....never forget the roaches.....

The roaches aren't so bad. Sauteed in butter, they make a nice entree.

[Kelorin]

Let's see. Leaving things as they are now:

1: CS just barely won against Tolkeen, & Tolkeen was supposed to be a pushover for the mighty Coaltion states.
2: The CS has no real inkling of how big a problem the Vampires are.
3: The CS does have an idea of how bad the Xiticix situation is, but due to recent squandering of resources isn't likely to regroup & take the fight to the bugs until after the bugs reach the critical mass to become nigh unstoppable.
4: Vampires will continue expanding north. CS will try their best to ignore, & hope the problem will go away on its own.
5: Xiticix will continue expanding in all directions, eventually reaching the doorstep of Lazlo & the CS.
6: Splugorth will keep pushing west.
7: A.R.C.H.I.E. will continue to lay low while taking potshots at the Sploogs from the sidelines.
8: Eastern powers such as Kingsdale, FoM, the CS will start getting pushed closer together by external forces (Vamps, Sploogs, Bugs).
9: Massive combat will ensue. CS, FoM, Lazlo, Psyscape, Kingsdale, Pecos all weakened.
10: Battle for N. America will come down to Sploogs, Vamps, & Bugs.

[Jack Daniels]

Actually I suspect that eventually Prosek will return to golden age forest fire fighting techniques for vampires, wait for night then send wave after wave of flying vehicles (Death Head Transports et cetra) with large buckets filled with water to dump out over infestation sites, keep soaking until dawn, then go into all possible hiding holes and kill whats left.

Sadly enough, it isn't that simple. Sorry.

But question here on the vampire issue,
Isn't it told in Vampire kingdom Rift book, that they can't cross to NA, because of the massive river that cuts a line(forgot the name I don't have the book with me here, for the moment), and they can't cross it???

The Rio Grande/Colorado River? It's not like that river completely cuts Mexico off from the States (both of which are in NA bye the way). They could walk around it eventually.

[Mouser13]

Well, personally I think alanitis though I don't know how they would deal with CS long range weapons since they don't have any of the spells tolkeen used for defense against nukes. Or CS airforce since I don't know of any real alanitis magic/ technology aircraft.

[Ahulane]

Nobody mentioned the Mechanoids? wow...I'm shocked...personally I think thats the biggest threat even if there are a limited amount of them. All they would need is a way to contact some of their buddies back home who may or may not be active. Regardless if they are active or not if the signal is received then you'd have to consider that if a mothership was sent to earth that everyone on the planet would be up **** creek without a paddle.

Given the choices....Vamps...and if I was an inhabitant...Vamps

[oni no won]

Nobody mentioned the Mechanoids?
Given the choices....Vamps...and if I was an inhabitant...Vamps

While it depends on GM fiat, the Mechanoids are pretty much a passed danger.

The most immediate threat is Ix (can't spell the bug race). They are rapidly multiplying and every land they gain, they turn it into some alien landscape that is only useful to them and no other creature.

The threat of Vampire incursion is next.

[Nightshade37]

I'm reserving judgement until after Megaverse in Flames is out...

[The Galactus Kid]

vamps versus xiticix would be a crazy fight. Man, I'm glad that I don't live on this fictional world so I have to live to see that.

[Talavar]

vamps versus xiticix would be a crazy fight. Man, I'm glad that I don't live on this fictional world so I have to live to see that.

Though xiticix would have a heck of a time hurting the vamps - almost no magic and limited psionics means that the xiticix would have a lot of problems.

[Jack Daniels]

vamps versus xiticix would be a crazy fight. Man, I'm glad that I don't live on this fictional world so I have to live to see that.

Though xiticix would have a heck of a time hurting the vamps - almost no magic and limited psionics means that the xiticix would have a lot of problems.

Except their TK-rifles. Those might help a little. . .
The real problem for the Xiticix is whether or not they are able to figure out how to kill a vamp for real. Would their weird PPE-goo mold whatever food stuff be able to process a vampire like it does other stuff?

[Colt47]

Rifts Earth is in so much chaos and crap from all of the different forces, there will never be an end to it. If there were no K-Sats I'd probably feel safer dealing with space travel then dealing with the craziness on Rifts Earth.

[Lenwen]

Ok the northern Territories CS is still alive (bearly) after Tolkeen war .. FoM an Dweormer still around with gods an dragons galore in them not to mention the Xitixic so there are at Least still the Playoffs to go as for those 4 contestents for the North . East is easy .. Archie and Spulgs not to mention the new Madhaven peeps so thats a playoff between those three powerhouses .. for the South its the Vampires IF they can actually find a way to A get across the whole moving water thing .. Then there are the Pacos Empire .. an the whole Desmond Bradford led genetics at the CS Lone Star complex to deal with . So there are Three powerhouses there in the playoffs .. an now for the west .. Vampires Already there IF they can take out key locations .. they own the west period . Course doing so an taking the West might actually propel some one else into the fight like it usually does .

My Bet is that the CS will control the middle section of NA as for Archie taking the eastern section Pacos Empire will be hard to topple even by desmonds many genetic creations .. an for the West I admittidly dont have much knolodge of that area YET so I cant honestly say atm .

-Lenwen

[Subjugator]

I'm going to say that the Black Market will own North America in the end.

/Sub

[Colt47]

In Canon I'd say the Coalition States is going to pretty much dominate the whole eastern half of the US eventually. As for the Coalition expanding westward, don't underestimate those freaking Native Americans. They have way better knowledge of the terrain, got equipment that is nearly the equal to the CS, and are well adapted to the area. Not to mention the Apaches are like the North American version of Spartans (at least our GM plays them that way).

[Rockwolf66]

In Canon I'd say the Coalition States is going to pretty much dominate the whole eastern half of the US eventually. As for the Coalition expanding westward, don't underestimate those freaking Native Americans. They have way better knowledge of the terrain, got equipment that is nearly the equal to the CS, and are well adapted to the area. Not to mention the Apaches are like the North American version of Spartans (at least our GM plays them that way).

IRL the Apache were so good at Raiding other's the Spanish of Aztec crushing fame PAID the APACHE to stop raining them. Yeah that's right the Spanish were paying protection money(guns, booze, and trade goods) to the Apache. When the Mexican's took over they couldn't afford the bribes so they put a bounty on Apache scalps. Needless to say the Apache were not happy with that and it took one of the best generals in the US army to wear the Apache down.

So yeah the Apache are a very militant tribe if your their enemy. by the same token most Apache are some of the most loyal friends you can have.

[Library Ogre]

My guess is that, in about a century, the CS will have most of the central US between the Mississippi and the Appalachians. Their western expanse at this point will likely be around Ft. Pinnacle (modern day Beaumont, Texas), simply from the need to consolidate their gains. Lone Star will remain an outlyer... a part of the nation that is non-contiguous, but I would expect them to have Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana (what remains of it) sewn up, along with Illinois, Indiana, and a good chunk of Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. They'll probably have a good portion of Southern Michigan under their control. It won't quite be "a virgin with two sacks of gold can ride across it", but it will be a lot more controlled.

The plains will be a lot more difficult, and without them, points west will be impossible to hold conclusively. East of the Applachians are the domain of Archie AND, more importantly, make them Big Fish to the Splugorth.

[Talavar]

My guess is that, in about a century, the CS will have most of the central US between the Mississippi and the Appalachians. Their western expanse at this point will likely be around Ft. Pinnacle (modern day Beaumont, Texas), simply from the need to consolidate their gains. Lone Star will remain an outlyer... a part of the nation that is non-contiguous, but I would expect them to have Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana (what remains of it) sewn up, along with Illinois, Indiana, and a good chunk of Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. They'll probably have a good portion of Southern Michigan under their control. It won't quite be "a virgin with two sacks of gold can ride across it", but it will be a lot more controlled.

The plains will be a lot more difficult, and without them, points west will be impossible to hold conclusively. East of the Applachians are the domain of Archie AND, more importantly, make them Big Fish to the Splugorth.

I don't know, holding the territory east even to the Appalachians would be pretty tough for the CS - that is the Magic Zone after all. Even with the Federation of Magic defeated at some point, that's a lot of nexuses (nexi?) and random rifts spewing nastiness. Expanding to the west would probably be easier than that.

[Library Ogre]

I don't know, holding the territory east even to the Appalachians would be pretty tough for the CS - that is the Magic Zone after all. Even with the Federation of Magic defeated at some point, that's a lot of nexuses (nexi?) and random rifts spewing nastiness. Expanding to the west would probably be easier than that.

It can kinda go either way. Once they've got the active opposition stopped, holding it becomes a lot easier... keep everyone pointed at a Rift that opens, and blast anything that comes out. You're right, though, I didn't consider the non-FoM societies that are in that area as much.

[Kagashi]

Its a 3 way victory, Xiticix in sheer numbers, Vampires with numbers and supernatural abilities, Splugorth with sheer numbers, supernatural abilities, and super high tech to augment.

The only thing keeping Splynn from dominating all of Rifts Earth is...other Splugorth. If he gained too much power, other Splugorth would step in and keep Splynn in check. So, that rules out Atlantis.

Vamps are too restricted in a tactical sense. When they hit the Mississippi or any other river, they have to travel thousands of miles AROUND the river just to cross it. The bugs have no such restriction. Heck, the bugs can travel in the day, and during a rain storm. that will KILL a vamp... So, not saying the Vamps cant do it, but the bugs have speed on their side.

So, I say, the bugs have the greatest chance of dominating North America.

All other societies, to include the CS and Archie, have limited resourses that will eventually run out to the endless supply of bugs an their fast reproductive cycle (and more pouring through the rifts every day).

From a strategic point of view, the CS, FQ, Lazlo, FoM, Archie, and even the Pecos Empire need to put their differences aside and push the bugs back to the Rift they came from. Until they do that, the bugs will remain the biggest threat to North America, and eventually the world. The window is still open to do that, but is rapidly closing every day the bugs are allowed to reproduce. And knowing human nature, they will debate about stupid stuff well before the decision is made to band together.

the bugs will win.

[Library Ogre]

I think the Xiticix are ultimately going to be defeated. While they are powerful, both individually and as a hive, they've given no sign that they adapt to tactics used against them.

[Talavar]

The Xiticix don't have the means to defeat another major power; they've only become as big a threat as they are because they've largely gone ignored until now. Against any major technological power, the Xiticix are woefully inadequate because they can't fight well at range. Sure, they've got those TK guns, but they hardly compare to long, medium, short and mini-missiles, rail guns, etc., in terms of damage output. And though the Xiticix can fly, like most natural flyers their speed is a lot slower than any type of high tech flyers, like power armour, jets, helicopters, or hover vehicles. They are dangerous up close, but any group of them large enough to fight an army could never close that distance without getting devastated at range first. Other than that, their only threat is sheer numbers. And sure, they reproduce quickly, but how many airstrikes could a hive really take before cracking open like a pinata?

The Splugorth of Atlantis, as has been mentioned in numeous places, have no interest in conquering other parts of Rifts Earth, including North America. They definitely could if they wanted to, but that does open them up to the danger of reprisal from other powerful groups, like other alien intelligences, gods, and others, but still, the main thing keeping Splynn from dominating Rifts Earth is his lack of desire to do so.

[Library Ogre]

The Xiticix don't have the means to defeat another major power; they've only become as big a threat as they are because they've largely gone ignored until now. Against any major technological power, the Xiticix are woefully inadequate because they can't fight well at range. Sure, they've got those TK guns, but they hardly compare to long, medium, short and mini-missiles, rail guns, etc., in terms of damage output. And though the Xiticix can fly, like most natural flyers their speed is a lot slower than any type of high tech flyers, like power armour, jets, helicopters, or hover vehicles. They are dangerous up close, but any group of them large enough to fight an army could never close that distance without getting devastated at range first. Other than that, their only threat is sheer numbers. And sure, they reproduce quickly, but how many airstrikes could a hive really take before cracking open like a pinata?

The airstrikes are, I think, important to note. Stick a heavy warhead on a mini-missile propulsion system, and you have a laser-guided bomb. Drop these by the DHT-load onto a hive you're going to crack it. Use laser targeting, and you're not going to miss much. The Xiticix own response to being attacked (come out in force) will play in your favor, as they run out to get slaughtered (especially if you air drop a few dozen skelebots into/onto the hive about 3 minutes beforehand, to start shooting like mad and get them riled up).

[Talavar]

Exactly. Sure, there are a lot of Xiticix, and they breed fast, but they're totally unprepared to fight a high-tech war. Beyond that, they don't have any magic, and little in the way of psionics, so they're pretty well straight-up brawlers.

As an example of this weakness versus high-tech combat, a while ago I ws GMing a game where I sent a group of Xiticix after my players, one of whom was a Glitter Boy pilot. On a random table it worked out to be a large group of Xiticix, so I thought a nasty fight was on the way. My mistake - the GB killed the majority of the Xiticix before they were even in range of the other players' weapons. At the maximum flying speed of a Xiticix, it would take them 4 rounds to close with the GB from the edge of its firing range. Four rounds taking pot-shots from a GB, which has 10 attacks per round at level 4 - not much can take that and keep smiling.

And that's just an example of one GB. What about Free Quebec's army of them? They could wade into Xiticix territory - which is nicely clear of firing obstructions - and shoot until the Xiticix hives were buried in dead Xiticix.

[Kagashi]

Yup, thats why everybody needs to band together and fight them back to the rift they came from...before there are more bugs than bullets. Judging by the latest books, there is still time to do that. Wait X years...and who knows?

[Subjugator]

If Larsen's Brigade can take out an entire hive in two weeks, surely the CS can do so as well.

/Sub

[Wōdwulf Seaxaning]

[quote
Seriously, the Coalition can rebuild. Give them half a generation, and they'll be many times more powerful than they were before the two front war. That's the nature of the beast.[/quote]

Viva la CS!!! The Coalition WILL dominate norAmerica sans Mexico.
Sgt. Leo MacKenzie CSA Commando

[The Galactus Kid]

Splynncryth is the Reset button for RIFTS earth.

[dark brandon]

CS Reigns Supreme.

Splugorth will be a suishi item in Chi-town and atlantis will be a nuclear dump by the time CS is done with them.

The bugs will have been crushed by the mighty Carbon-plated heel of the CS boot.

Vampires will find their fangs broken and shattered upon the mighty CS armor. They will have no where to hide from the ever-vigilant dog boys and psi-stalkers who will devour them whole.

In the end, Not only does NA belong to the CS...but the world.

[Daniel Stoker]

CS Reigns Supreme.

Splugorth will be a suishi item in Chi-town and atlantis will be a nuclear dump by the time CS is done with them.

The bugs will have been crushed by the mighty Carbon-plated heel of the CS boot.

Vampires will find their fangs broken and shattered upon the mighty CS armor. They will have no where to hide from the ever-vigilant dog boys and psi-stalkers who will devour them whole.

In the end, Not only does NA belong to the CS...but the world.

Tomorrow belongs to me?


Daniel Stoker

[Talavar]

CS Reigns Supreme.

Splugorth will be a suishi item in Chi-town and atlantis will be a nuclear dump by the time CS is done with them.

The bugs will have been crushed by the mighty Carbon-plated heel of the CS boot.

Vampires will find their fangs broken and shattered upon the mighty CS armor. They will have no where to hide from the ever-vigilant dog boys and psi-stalkers who will devour them whole.

In the end, Not only does NA belong to the CS...but the world.

And is your reasoning for this just because you love them sooo much? Because there's no believable way the CS can defeat Atlantis. Atlantis is at least their equal in technology (& that's being generous to the CS), far outpowers them in magic, clearly, and has the CS outnumbered.

I believe the CS will come to dominate North America (mostly the old US), but that's about it. The world beyond that is a scary place for the Nazis of the future.

Daniel Stoker, I always forget how disturbing Cabaret really is, but that clip is just messed up.

[Daniel Stoker]

Well I figured he was projecting and the post reminded me of that clip. I'm not in any way, shape or form calling Brandon a Nazi. (I save that for sweeps week.)


Daniel Stoker

[dark brandon]

And is your reasoning for this just because you love them sooo much? Because there's no believable way the CS can defeat Atlantis. Atlantis is at least their equal in technology (& that's being generous to the CS), far outpowers them in magic, clearly, and has the CS outnumbered.

I believe the CS will come to dominate North America (mostly the old US), but that's about it. The world beyond that is a scary place for the Nazis of the future.

Daniel Stoker, I always forget how disturbing Cabaret really is, but that clip is just messed up.

No, there is a way. It's just but a hope, but hope is better than none.

CS, filled with the divine spirit of humanity will turn this hell into a paradise for humans once again.