EoC Coastal Defense and terror threats (Spoilers)

We know from the recent snippets and additional explanations by RFC the following:
- Desnair is building light privateering ships in sufficient numbers to actually harass EoC cargo shipping.
- The ICN is - for now - unable to maintain a blockage of the Desnairian coast.
- The ICN will try to burn out harbours and shipyards in Desnair for ending that threat. To that end, they'll use the River-class ships.
- Offensive operations against the RDN in their home waters are imminent.

I strongly assume the following:
- South Harchong harbours will be part of the ICN campaign in the Gulf of Dohlar.
- Desnairian privateering success should trigger similar programs for Dohlar and Harchong.
- The ICN will be unable to blockade all privateers for quite some time.
- Similarly, securely patrolling all coastlines of the EoC is not feasible.

Now, the references to the War of 1812 got me wondering. For US privateers, it was no goal to wreck havoc on the British isles, burning villages and slaughtering civilians - there's no money to be made with that. For the Inquisition, though, this might be quite the reverse. In addition, Charis proper is quite sparsely populated (and most population should be on Howell Bay); Margaret's Land was even described as rather recently settled. And, the coastlines are really long. There will be large unconsecrated areas where no one is living. (The same applies to other parts of the EoC.)
Thus, I'm wondering: Could the CoGA successfully put Rakurai terror squads onshore using privateering vessels and start murdering civilians and burning villages in Charis?
In the end, a suicide mission, but probably to the taste of Clyntahn. And, (how) could the ICN or the ICA successfully defend against such a terror campaign?

No. Burn a village take some captives, yes. However, landing a small group of soldiers in unfamiliar land without an possibility of resupply is a suicide mission(fine by the Grand Inquisitor) with no chance of getting near anywhere important(not fine by the Grand Inquisitor). That said, a small number of people could be smuggled in this way, though OWL would see them, so while it could be tried it would fail.

As for landing a small group of Rakurai, there are easier ways which have already been used and remain more or less open.

anwi wrote:Thus, I'm wondering: Could the CoGA successfully put Rakurai terror squads onshore using privateering vessels and start murdering civilians and burning villages in Charis?
In the end, a suicide mission, but probably to the taste of Clyntahn. And, (how) could the ICN or the ICA successfully defend against such a terror campaign?

In theory, this is possible. The complete sea coverage without the radio is nearly impossible, and some sort of dispersed infiltration navy may be able to partially penetrate the charisian defense.

The problem is, that Charis is more than 9000 kilometers from the Deshnarina coastline, and there is plenty possibilites for invaders to be intercepted.

Dilandu wrote:(snip)
The problem is, that Charis is more than 9000 kilometers from the Deshnarina coastline, and there is plenty possibilites for invaders to be intercepted.

True, but the same goes for privateering. The question is how good are coastal defense arrangements. I assume that major harbours and cities are covered. But the countryside?

Highjohn wrote:No. Burn a village take some captives, yes. However, landing a small group of soldiers in unfamiliar land without an possibility of resupply is a suicide mission(fine by the Grand Inquisitor) with no chance of getting near anywhere important(not fine by the Grand Inquisitor). That said, a small number of people could be smuggled in this way, though OWL would see them, so while it could be tried it would fail.

The point is: having several groups of brigands on the loose could actually achieve more for the CoGA than costly attacks on the ICA or ICN . They resupply from their victims. Actually finding small and rather mobile groups (kill the heretics!) in a sparsely populated area could be difficult, unless someone with access to OWL takes direct command. And then, you'd still need the troops - which are mostly occupied elsewhere. Regarding not getting near important things - of course they can't burn down Tellesberg; but as I understand Clyntahn, he'd see slaughtering heretics as a worthy goal in itself - sadly. The question is if this asymmetrical warfare is something he, Rayno, or Magwair might pick up on. My thoughts are Rayno might if privateering shows good early results.
As to actual Rakurai-like attacks: A terror campaign might set the scene (and tie down resources) for someone who choses to blow herself up at an inconvenient spot in the Delthak works . I'm kind of wondering that we haven't seen more of that. And delivering those people with privateering vessels might be easier than some of the other alternatives.

anwi wrote:True, but the same goes for privateering. The question is how good are coastal defense arrangements. I assume that major harbours and cities are covered. But the countryside?

Not completely. The main defense of privateer is his unpredictability. He could be in any point of avaliable naval space, and could simply avoid the most dangerous.

In the coastal raid, the raiders is much more restricted, because they have the point that they must go to.

anwi wrote:Actually finding small and rather mobile groups (kill the heretics!) in a sparsely populated area could be difficult, unless someone with access to OWL takes direct command.

Actually, it wouldn't be difficult to found the relatively large armed group on the area completely unknown to them. The sucsessful gurella warfare always based on the support from the local population (or at least the significant part of it) and better knowlege of territory.

You should also remember that "sparsely populated area" is a synonym for "area with little value". The exception would be say one of the mines on Silverload Island, but that is on the wrong side of Charis to be raided.

I find myself wondering how tight the security at Delthak is. Could a raid get through? Edward has access to the snarcs. I hope that is being well monitored. Were I in charge, I think would establish a perimeter well manned by nasty marines.

Don

It's in Howell Bay thus behind The Throat and Lock Island fortress so direct assault from the sea side requires really good deception.

Landward, IIRC it's at least a hundred miles in mountainous terrain. Good for cover maybe but it'll take serious supplies. And then in the final approach you enter country that's been settled densely in the last five years and suddenly you have to blend in.

It's not impossible, but getting a force through that is big enough to make an impact is daunting.

n7axw wrote:I find myself wondering how tight the security at Delthak is. Could a raid get through? Edward has access to the snarcs. I hope that is being well monitored. Were I in charge, I think would establish a perimeter well manned by nasty marines.

Don

Are the raiders the type to cross the open waters of the seas, or would they stick to shipping lanes, or at least with in sight of land? From the series, the charisians were the only sailors that sailed out of sight of land and sailed the blue waters. If the raiders are limited sailors, then it would be simpler to watch for them and deal with the threat.
Des air are building raide s, so could the empire build coastal ships for defence and patrol. I doubt the raiders are going to be supplied the latest weaponry, so if the local defence force have the right stuff and fortifications, they could be pretty hard nut to crack.

SYED wrote:Are the raiders the type to cross the open waters of the seas, or would they stick to shipping lanes, or at least with in sight of land? From the series, the charisians were the only sailors that sailed out of sight of land and sailed the blue waters. If the raiders are limited sailors, then it would be simpler to watch for them and deal with the threat.
Des air are building raide s, so could the empire build coastal ships for defence and patrol. I doubt the raiders are going to be supplied the latest weaponry, so if the local defence force have the right stuff and fortifications, they could be pretty hard nut to crack.

What you are describing here was true as of OAR. We pretty much have to assume that even such a lubberly lot as the Desnairians have learned something about blue water sailing by now. After all those merchant raiders raiding convoys weren't staying in sight of land.

Don