Alternate Reality: Dominion Victory

So here's the million credit question: what if the Dominion had successfully defeated the UFP/Klingon/Romulan Alliance and conquered the Alpha and Beta Quadrants?

This is a scenario that, thanks to the Dominion War Supplement, I am now able to investigate (thanks Steve and Don!).

What would the consequences of a Dominion victory be? Obviously the dismantling of the UFP and the Klingon and Romulan Empires, but what about the Cardassians, the Breen, and the various independents (and not so independents) such as the Tholians, Gorn, So'na, and so on? What about the inevitable Dominion-Taurhai conflict?

Expanding this concept further, what about possible conflicts involving the Borg and/or the Krenim Imperium? Imagine a war involving temporal weapons (with which the Dominion apparently has no experience) or titanic conflicts between massive Jem'Hadar armies and swarms of Borg drones... WOO HOO!

In my notes, I've considered an evacuation of several planetary populations and tactical retreats deep into Romulan space, perhaps even beyond. I've also considered the partisan forces seeking aid from the Taurhai Unity and other, previously unknown races from beyond the edge of explored space.

Additionally, I've tossed in some more material involving Voyager having contacted home ("Message in a Bottle"), but never being able to reestablish contact. There's more on this angle, but the information is sketchy at best.

What would a post-Dominion victory series look like? Would the Founders be unnecessarily brutal, wiping out entire populations (they have a history of doing so)? Would the Cardassians realize that they got screwed and are truly no better off than the conquered races? Would the Breen play a prominent role or would they, too, be relegated to "client species" status?

Does anyone else have an opinion on this topic? Please post your ideas and let me know.

mactavish out.

http://www.trekrpg.net/Board/ubb/eek.gif Spooky thought...but a good idea for an alternate reality adventure. Hmmm....

I think that the Dominion would regulate the Breen into a role like that of the Cardassians toward the end of the role, as witnessed on DS9. The Dominion would only use the Breen to get what they want (victory over the Federation Alliance) and then they would slowly be phased out.

In terms of Dominion victory, I think that you'd first have to define exactly what that victory would entail. I could imagine that the Dominion would see victory, at least in the short term, as a massive reduction of Federation space, pushing the Federation back to its core systems, and subjegating the outlier Federation systems into the Dominion. Also, I would imagine that a near-complete destruction of Starfleet would be in order, with the remaining ships forming a core "rebellion" fleet, and probably siding with what would remain of the Romulans and Klingons.

I could also see the Romulan government trying to re-establish ties with the Dominion, to perhaps work out some sort of agreement, through which they would "sell out" the Federation in some way, possibly by revealing strategies, fleet strengths, etc.

I do agree that it would make for an interesting scenario, and possibly a alternate reality story arc in a series. It would certainly make the players appreciate the Federation victory all the more!


Greg

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Cry woe, destruction, ruin and decay.

The worst is Death...

Death shall have his day.

I've been running such a game. It hasn't got very far just yet. Take a look a my website for more details. http://homepage.ntlworld.com/thunder...minionmain.htm

Essentially the Dominion won because Sisko failed to get the Romulan's into the war because Garak's bomb failed to detonate. Subsequently the Dominion infected Andoria with the quickening virus and the Federation surrendered.

Bajor remains neutral , although the Defiant was destroyed. DS9 is under the command of Colonel Kira. The Klingons are still fighting.

I plan to have the players be the guiding light for the freeing of the Federation. They will learn about the Taurhai, and must unite the Taurhai the Klingons and other smaller factions to free the Federation.

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Greg

"Calm may work for Locutus of Borg here, but I'm freaked and intend to stay that way."
Xander, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Prophecy Girl.

One of the sidebars I cut from the DWS was on "Alternate Histories" -- various ways Narrators could change things around. One option was, of course, a Dominion victory, though I didn't go into the subject in nearly the detail outlined above. If I ever get 'round to doing the Dominion War Companion, I'll definitely make sure to include it. http://www.trekrpg.net/Board/ubb/smile.gif

Steve Long

I don’t know which is more frightening: the fact that Steve actually cut text from that mammoth manuscript or the fact that he still has enough to talk about to merit another book!


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Don
trekrpg@trekrpg.net
http://www.trekrpg.net/Board/ubb/sig_don.gif

[This message has been edited by Don (edited 05-09-2001).]

Do you really think conquering Alpha and Beta would lead to the Borg? Maybe its an easier path than the distant Sagittarius Constellation? Maybe it will be easier because they gain strength from the conquest of Fed, Rom, and Kling?

Hey, maybe someone's gaming group could travel back from a Dominion Victory Future aboard a Premonition-class starship and fix things! What do you think Timefleet would think of that?

And then in the 29th Century, the Dominion invades the Kelvans in the Andromeda Galaxy...

I'm writing an adventure for my players (maybe someday I'll try my hand at a module?)

That involves an alternate-universe dominion war without the Klingons.

Basically, back in prehistory, Kahless failed to unite Qo'nos, having been killed in a battle that would have been crucial.

The Klingon Houses continued their infighting with greater and greater ferocity and weapons, until they annihilated each other.

So the Federation never met the Klingons, but the Romulan and Tholian Empires expanded into their space, the Romulans going far enough to colonize the world that had been Qo'nos.

So in the present, there was no one to ally with against the Dominion at the start of the war. The Romulans allied with the Cardassians and Dominion, and are crushing the Federation, which has lost two-thirds of its territory, including Bajor and DS9, Betazed, Bolius, Benzar, etc. in a two-front war.

The minor powers remain largely uninvolved, (except in my universe the Kzin Empire is on the Federation side) but the Federation is making overtures to the Tzenkethi, Talarians, and even the Breen.

I ran a scenario in my current campaign set during DS9 series three where the USS Sovereign was propelled into a parallel timeline where the Founders sent a quarter of a million ships through the wormhole about a week before the time of Starfleets first encounter with the Jem'Hadar in order to destroy any threaght from the Alpha Quadrant. The crew only just escaped from the Dominion with the help of a fleet of Federation, Klingon and Romulan ships and fled back to their own reality. All in all a very strange advanture.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Greg Davis:
I think that the Dominion would regulate the Breen into a role like that of the Cardassians toward the end of the role, as witnessed on DS9. The Dominion would only use the Breen to get what they want (victory over the Federation Alliance) and then they would slowly be phased out.

In terms of Dominion victory, I think that you'd first have to define exactly what that victory would entail. I could imagine that the Dominion would see victory, at least in the short term, as a massive reduction of Federation space, pushing the Federation back to its core systems, and subjegating the outlier Federation systems into the Dominion. Also, I would imagine that a near-complete destruction of Starfleet would be in order, with the remaining ships forming a core "rebellion" fleet, and probably siding with what would remain of the Romulans and Klingons.

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It was stated on-screen that the Dominion considered victory to be the total conqering of all civilizations in the Alpha Quadrant (which will be the prelude to the rest of the galaxy)... and the elimination of all life on Earth.

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"I'd rather die standing than live on my knees..."
Shania Twain

Quote:

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Originally posted by calguard66:
It was stated on-screen that the Dominion considered victory to be the total conqering of all civilizations in the Alpha Quadrant (which will be the prelude to the rest of the galaxy)... and the elimination of all life on Earth.

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Well, as we all know, alternate realities provide limitless possiblities! http://www.trekrpg.net/Board/ubb/smile.gif


Greg



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Cry woe, destruction, ruin and decay.

The worst is Death...

Death shall have his day.

A short time ahead, in a galaxy...well, here.

It is a period of civil war.
Rebel starships, striking from a hidden base, have won their first victory against the evil Dominion Empire.

During the battle, Rebel spies managed to steal plans for the Dominion's ultimate weapon, the DEATH STAR, an armoured space-station with enough power to destroy an entire planet.

Persued by Jem'Hadar attack ships and Vorta spies, Kira Nerys races home aboard her battered starship, custodian of the plans that can save her people and restore freedom to the Alpha Quadrant....

Sound like a good seed for a campaign?
(Wouldn't use Kira, obviously...she was just the first name that sprang to mind - besides, I sense that her hair is somehow wrong...*wierd rumbling sound*)
http://www.trekrpg.net/Board/ubb/smile.gif

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"Every atom in our bodies was forged in the furnace of ancient stars - it is our destiny to return home..."

[This message has been edited by Aldaron (edited 05-12-2001).]

This message has been removed on request by the
poster

I think that the Dominion had always considered the UFP in general and Earth in particular as their main adversaries and greatest threats. The Romulans and the Cardassians were fairly powerful but easily dealt with, especially after the Tal Shiar/Obsidian Order incident. The Klingons are also fairly impotent if you know how to deal with them-give them a glorious cause and point them in the right direction and let them go! The Martok-Founder had Gowron leashed for what, over a year? Two? The UFP was the true threat, and Earth has always been seen as the symbolic heart of the Federation. Destroy the Earth, and the UFP looses hope. (At least I think that's the reason. That, ansd the show is watched by us Earthlings)
My 2 cents.

Quote:

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Originally posted by verbena76:
Destroy the Earth, and the UFP looses hope. (At least I think that's the reason. That, ansd the show is watched by us Earthlings)

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I don't think the Federation would lose all hope if Earth was wiped out. The humans might lose morale, but the Federation as a whole would keep on fighting the Dominion to the last man.
An alternate-universe Dominion victory series could focus on resistance fighters trying to drive the Dominion from the Alpha Quadrant. The people of the Federation are stupid enough to try something like that, you know.



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"And not only is that a breach of Bajoran security... it also annoys us."

You know, to wander off topic slightly for a moment, a possible cool campaign idea that could tie into the whole Dominion War would be a Titan A.E. sort of campaign, with the Dominion as the enemy, and with them having literally destroyed Earth...then along come the PC's, determined to right the wrongs committed by the Dominion.

Heck, you could even expand that into the destruction or near destruction of a variety of major Federation worlds, particularly core worlds.

Then you could paraphrase the classic Picard line, "They take our territory, and we fall back...They obliterate entire worlds, and we fall back. Never again! The line must be drawn here! This far...no further! And we, the Player Characters, shall make the Dominion pay for what they've done!"

Anyway, it sounds cool to me...but your opinions may, and probably will, vary! http://www.trekrpg.net/Board/ubb/smile.gif

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Cry woe, destruction, ruin and decay.

The worst is Death...

Death shall have his day.

>I'd love to see a Star-Trek take on lightsabers.

Actually, in the First Line there is a sort of 'phaser energy knife'. http://www.trekrpg.net/Board/ubb/smile.gif
I just had to laugh when I first saw that.

Furthermore, aboot (sorry, I'm not over the South Park movie yet) the Dominion/Borg war, an assimilated Founder would be an awesome enemy.
-Robbert shudders at the thought-
Damn, I always manage to scare myself.

By the way, did the Jem'Hadar destroy the USS Odessey before or after Voyager left?

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Your past does not excuse unethical or immoral behavior, sir.
- Data, to Kivas Fajo, the most toys

After. The Odyssey was destroyed at the end of DS9's season 3, while Voyager disappeared about mid-season 4.

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http://www.trekrpg.net/Board/ubb/sig_staff.gif

Tanks Admiral. Would you also happen to know what Capt. Janeways previous command was?

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'I can still see your... nipulary area...'
Chandler, to Rachel wearing nothing but a thin towel.

Actually, if my memory serves correctly, The Voyager is Janeway's first command. Perhaps that's why she's doing such a poor job...


Back on the subject, though, I can't see the Romulans siding with the Dominion. D'era wouldn't have nice things to say about that. helping arm the Resistance I could see, though.

As far as canon goes, the only ship we know Janeway to have commanded is Voyager. The only other ship we know she served on is the Al-Batani, as a science officer.

Or so says startrek.com...
--Re'k

Having just gotten the Dominion War Sourcebook, I have some ideas on possible results of Dominion victory, regardless of how it happens.
1) the Klingons will probably be the first to be wiped out. They're just too stubborn to be conquered.
2) the Romulans will withdraw from everybody. Remember what happened after the Earth/Romulan war.
3) UFP/Starfleet will probably get it's rear waxed, unless...
the USS Voyager can convince the Borg to ally with itself versus the Dominion. Someone mentioned earlier about the Borg assimilating a Founder. In my mind, this can't be done. The Founders biology is too fluid for even nanites to affect it. However, beware the assimilated Jem'Hadar! This is just an idea I had to make the Borg friendlier. Also, it makes the war last a long time, because the Founders can't be assimilated, but the Jem'Hadar are their main troops.
BTW, the Dominion War Sourcebook rules!

Im not sure the Borg would ally itself with the Federation anyway.

Species 8472 was one thing, they were kicking borg arse accross the quadrant, thus neccesity forced an adaption to their modus operandi, which is the borg way.

But the Borg would see the Dominion as a target, not a threat. Like you say, the Jem'Hadar (and the Vorta) would make good drones, but the Founders would be too small in number to affect the borg.

After all the founders main weapon is the ability to blend in amongst an enemy population. But how could this be employed by a hive-mind species?

If the Borg were involved (thats the true borg, not Voyagers 'cuddly' borg, not that I'd mind cuddling seven mind... http://www.trekrpg.net/Board/ubb/wink.gif ). Then the situation would likely be reversed with the Dominion seeking an alliance with the Federation for help...

hmmm. A possible episode or campaign here, set about 10-years AFTER the war...

Perhaps a joint task force sent to work with Dominion forces to halt a Borg invasion of the Gamma quadrant...

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Dan.

"A couple of thoughts from a random mind!"
http://www.theventure.freeserve.co.uk

I'm reminded of something that Machievelli
said, re. conquering and ruling different
kinds of countries. If memory serves me
correctly, he compared two countries: France
(a disorganized feudal kingdom, infested with
grasping, squabbling princelings), and Turkey
(a tightly organized country, ruled by an
autocrat with nearly absolute power).

According to Machievelli, it's very hard to
conquer a well-organized autocracy, but once
you've disposed of its current rulers, it's
easy to hang on to power there. On the other
hand, it's easy to conquer a disorganized
country, but once you're there, ruling it
is a never-ending challenge (because there's
always some feudal princeling with a claim on
the throne and enough loyal followers to make
trouble).

So, what does this mean for "Star Trek" and
the Dominion War?

The Klingons would be a never-ending source
of trouble to the victorious Dominion. Yes,
the "Empire" might be conquered, but
individual generals and admirals wouldn't
meekly lay down their arms -- they would keep
fighting for their own Houses. After a
Dominion victory, there would be countless
Klingon splinter-states -- individually weak,
and perhaps prone to squabbling among
themselves, but as difficult to nail down
as quicksilver...

The Romulans, on the other hand, have no
tradition of resisting authority. After a
ruthless purge of their ruling class, they
would become an excellent servant-race.
Indeed, after a generation or two, the Vorta
might face some stiff competition!

Re: Janeway's previous postings.

In the episode "Night", Tuvok relates a story about Janeway's tendency to seek redemption for what she sees as her mistakes. He mentions a starship (don't remember the name but it wasn't the Al-Batani: began with a "B") and says it was her first command. This may tie in with the "Pathways" novel by Jeri Taylor which gives Tuvok's backstory and first meeting with Janeway.

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"Captain Hunter, you are clearly outgunned. I suggest you surrender your vessel": Romulan Commander Terev, Imperial Warbird Senex

"Cmdr.Terev, you clearly have no idea we're carrying quantum torpedoes. I suggest you duck!": Capt.Matt Hunter, USS Tempest

Interesting quotes from Machiavelli, John.

I think the Romulans would be hard to keep down though, if you go with the Way of D'era boxed set. The Romulans beleive it is the destiny to rule the universe, each and every romulan. And many romulans have loyalty to their senators, much in a way similar to the way the Klings also have Great Houses.

I could see many Senatorial House fleets and armies battling on after the empire has fallen.

The Federation too, may splinter into it's component parts. Though that would be far less likely.

Here is an idea, kind of play it like Gene Rodenbery's Andromeda has set the fall of the Commonwealth. If you follow what I mean.

Quote:

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Originally posted by John Raynor:

Bthe average Romulan citizen is *used*
to being spied on, ordered around, and
generally mistreated by his or her superiors.

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True. But the Romulan "religion" holds that Romulans are destined to rule the universe... not be ruled by someone else. It would take an entire re-vamp of their culture and outlook to accept that they were somebody else's servant race.

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"I'd rather die standing than live on my knees..."
Shania Twain

Quote:

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Originally posted by calguard66:
True. But the Romulan "religion" holds that Romulans are destined to rule the universe... not be ruled by someone else. It would take an entire re-vamp of their culture and outlook to accept that they were somebody else's servant race.

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And add the Serona tour, and you have an active resistance of an entire population, all of whom have served some time in their societys military structure in some way...

Ouch.



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Dan.

"A couple of thoughts from a random mind!"
http://www.theventure.freeserve.co.uk

I don't have access to the LUG's boxed set
re. the Romulans, only the TNG core rulebook
and the two hardback supplements, so my
information re. LUG's interpretation of the
Romulans is limited.

I didn't say that breaking the Romulans to
servitude would be *easy*. Since they're
paranoid, reclusive, and conspiracy-minded,
controlling them with shapeshifters would be
very difficult (in a more liberal society,
like the Federation, where personal privacy
is both expected and protected, shapeshifters
would be far less likely to be identified).
I'd say the Dominion's conquest of the
Romulans would involve at least a decade
of incredibly brutal "total" warfare. The
Dominion would probably "mop up" the rest of
the region first, gather its strength, and
*then* bit the proverbial bullet and turn on
the Romulans...

But...the average Romulan citizen is *used*
to being spied on, ordered around, and
generally mistreated by his or her superiors.
And I get the feeling that ambitious Romulans
try to get ahead by "using the system," even
if "the system" isn't fair or just. So,
after the war, and after the bloody purges,
the Romulans would probably make pretty good
servants (although I suspect that they
might have "secret long-term plans," to
gather power and influence, and eventually
"adjust" the Dominion to suit themselves...)