Orochi Squadron is the name of a group of 8 venerable Irim-Class Heavy Gunships vessels serving together as one of the Eighth Fleet's top-tier system defense squadrons. Originally assigned to secure Valentine and the surrounding Samurai Sector in the waning years of the Second Mishhuvurthyar War, they were dispatched by Taisho Shizuka Endo as a first-response unit to deal with interdicting and destroying the threat of NMX raiders that has suddenly appeared on the southern frontiers of the empire.

After their success at the Battle of Jun and a return to their home port of Virgo Star Fortress for repairs and modernization, Taisa Hachitmitsu's veteran squadron was recently called upon once more in a time of war to join forces with Legion IX as a vital escort/space superiority component for their planetary operations to secure the rest of the vulnerable South-east Frontier from the NMX and others who would dare to challenge the Empire. Together they formed the formidable combined arms Task Force 0.

(Awesome title screen art by Primitive Polygon!)

Orochi Squadron is an Open RP plot originally created December 5, 2015 by paladinrpg, who is the current Game Master. Roleplay takes place primarily via SP, and players are expected to post frequently to keep things moving. Also, JPs may be scheduled from time to time (usually as character development interludes/asides).

This plot's feel aims to capture the classic SARP action of yesterday, when PA combat was the focus of any space engagement. Think of it like arcade shooter action, with your Mindy catapulted at high speed into a chaotic swarm of battlepods and anti-armor turret fire, all while two massive fleets fight in the background dramatically! Reach the enemy vessels successfully and cut a hole in them to board and disable, rescuing civilian hostages. Make Mishhuvurthyars and their Neko & human thralls eat aether in the name of the Empress! There's even some small squad ground cleanup action and investigation after space superiority is secured. This is just an example of what's in store for players to enjoy.

Newbies to SARP are also highly encouraged to apply, since the Open RP format makes it easy to create a basic Nekovalkyrja character and start playing right away. There is no minimum age requirement to join. The plot also serves as a great introduction to some of the most dramatic space combat elements that the Star Army of Yamatai faction has to offer, and a good jumping off point to more seasoned plotships.

With the ambitious resuming of the plot in November 2017 alongside of Legion IX, Orochi now has access to exciting new technologies like the Ke-M2-4 Series "Mindy" Armor as well as Ke-V10 "Mamushi" Multirole Starfighter. Rest assured you will have plenty of chances to use them on a variety of new and interesting foes, and starfighter pilots will especially have the ability to also crossover and support the Legion's efforts with CAS missions!

RPG Rating: http://www.rpgrating.com

• OOC Interest/Signup Thread
• Main RP Thread - Mission 1

• YSS Orochi (NG-S8-15), Irim-class Heavy Gunship {CMDR}
• YSS Awaji (NG-S8-16), Irim-class Heavy Gunship
• YSS Iyo (NG-S8-17), Irim-class Heavy Gunship
• YSS Iki (NG-S8-18), Irim-class Heavy Gunship
• YSS Ogi (NG-S8-19), Irim-class Heavy Gunship
• YSS Sado (NG-S8-20), Irim-class Heavy Gunship
• YSS Tsukushi (NG-S8-21), Irim-class Heavy Gunship
• YSS Tsushima (NG-S8-22), Irim-class Heavy Gunship

All ships have a complement of:

• 100 Ke-M2-4 Series "Mindy" Armor (800 total, in 8 Infantry Wings)
  • Wings take the name of launching ship.
• 6 Ke-V10 "Mamushi" Multirole Starfighter (48 total, in 4 Fighter Squadrons).
  • Heartbreak
  • Suzume (“sparrows”)
  • Karasu (“crows”)
  • Washi (“eagles”)
• 2 Ke-T7 "Raccoon" Transport Shuttle (16 total, enough to transport up to 384 Infantry)
  • Chidori (“plovers”)

All of the Irim Gunships within Orochi Squadron have the following modifications:

• Maximized hangar/vehicle bay to accommodate the new Ke-V10 "Mamushi" Multirole Starfighter (which replaces the older Ke-V6-1D "Hayabusa" Starfighter at 2:1 ratio)
• Power armor catwalks & netting replaced with Armor Storage Rack (Type 31) to accommodate the latest Ke-M2-4 Series "Mindy" Armor (replaces Ke-M2-3A "Mindy" Power Armor)
• Science Lab has been modernized with a fully-featured Sakura-type Medical Laboratory
• Sensor dome systems have been upgraded to be compatible with the Type 31 Electronic Warfare Suite
• Hull strength has been slightly reduced, due to recent battle damage repairs to outer armor plates being made with pure Yamataium in place of the older, unmaintainable Zesuaium. [ Tier 12 ]

See: Characters Wanted

While the sleepy Jun mining system is preparing for their YE 37 end of year holiday celebrations, a several-ship strong fleet of NMX "Pillager" Light Cruiser sneaks in using the Great Southern Nebula as cover and also their volumetric projection systems posing as light freighters to pick up ores at the planet. By the time the small SAOY frontier starport garrison realizes their true nature, they are quickly overwhelmed and the settlement falls into chaos as the Mishhuvurthyar invaders hurriedly begin seizing as many colonists as they can can grab and load them into their prisoner cells and vehicles. And smash a few Yuletide trees along the way just to be extra evil!

But, all hope is not lost. Upon hearing of the distress call before all the Emerys Satellites in orbit were destroyed, Taisho Shizuka Endo of 8th fleet quickly mobilizes a portion of Valentine's system defense garrison to fold over to Jun and respond immediately to the crisis. These 8 Irim-class Heavy Gunships, the Orochi Squadron, led by the YSS Orochi and the battle-tested Taisa Hachimitsu Mikoto, are tasked with interdicting the NMX's raiding fleet before it can escape the Jun system and back to southern space with its ill gotten gains of people and treasure. Will they be able to make it in time, or will the Mishhu really have stolen Xmas?

After a hard fought and costly battle in space that saw hundreds of Neko soldiers killed, the brave infantry of Orochi were able to successfully board and commandeer the NMX cruisers, liberating the prisoners from their Mishhu jailors, as well as a handful of alien warriors. Though his Nightmare-type XO Perchta was slain in battle on the bridge of the XSS Krampus, commander Belsnickel was able to escape capture and flee to the Tivurthinth-class patrol ship which engaged its fold drive as soon as reinforcements from the 8th fleet's support element arrived in system. While the hospital ships tended to the mass casualties and wounded efficiently, the ground assault against the remaining NMX infantry would unfortunately continue on for some time into the new year before Jun was once again safe for the colonists to return.

Following these events, the Taisho ordered Orochi Squadron to return to Valentine for repairs and modernization, as Star Army Intelligence began its silent search for the source of the raiders. The failure of the ground offensive to quickly capture objectives using spacey infantry alone prompted a call to eventually join with the Legion IX Rikugun as a combined-arms group, eventually leading to the formation of Task Force Inquisition.

See: Task Force 0

• Raku Kishi [ Grey Library ] (went inactive)
• pavel_lazarev [ ] (transferred)
• eguchi_eisei [ Primitive Polygon ] (transferred to YSS Ryujo)
• Freyja Yuuki [ ArsenicJohn ] (transferred to YSS Eucharis)
• Junko Hasegawa [ Mad Stylus ] (transferred to YSS Eucharis)
• Shiho Ishii [ Dumont ] (transferred to YSS Eucharis)
• Seo Mayu [ Eistheid ] (player left site)
• Sigrid Fukuzawa [ OsakaMoose ] (went inactive)
• Koguchi Eizo [ Bloodyscarlet ] (went inactive)
• Yamato Rinka [ Natsune ] (never posted)
• Jace Coven [ Jace ] (never posted)

1. All members of the plot are expected to post as often as the plot permits…
2. …and at least once every 3-4 days.
3. Do not wait on another player to post for more than four days.
4. If you will be absent or cannot post as often as required, post notice in the OOC thread. Common courtesy goes a long way!
5. Players who have not posted in more than four days may have their characters' actions posted or chosen by the GM to keep the plot moving.
6. Players who have not posted in more than ten days, without any notice to the GM, may be removed from the RP. Your character may fade into the background, be sent home, or become target practice for the enemies. Don't worry about perma-death due to inactivity though, as I will be very forgiving in this regard seeing how its oriented for folks who may come and go. That is not to say you will get out of a fight without taking some nice hits for dramatic effect, though.
7. Characters should follow the standard Star Army Regulations or expect IC punishment. If rules are not followed due to lack of knowledge OOCly - or players are OOCly ignoring or flouting rules their characters would ICly know to follow - OOC coaching, assistance or punishment may be required instead of IC consequences.
8. We will generally work along these guidelines and Readiness Conditions.

Orochi is the name of the ancient 8-headed serpent in Japanese folklore, which is also why there are 8 ships in the squadron. They carry the names of the original islands of Japan that were formed from the union of the demi-gods Izanagai & Izanami.