Editing House Ricol
Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
The edit can be undone.
Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, and then save the changes below to finish undoing the edit.
Latest revision
Your text
Line 1:
Line 1: − {{Update Needed|[[BattleTech: Legends]]|[[Tamar Rising]]}} − {{InfoBoxHouse − | image = HouseRicolCrest.jpg − | name = House Ricol − | titles = − [[Duke of Chekaar]] − ---- − [[Duke of Kirchbach]] − ---- − [[Duke of Rodigo]] − | founded = − | died out = − | affiliation = [[Draconis Combine]] − | cadet lines = − }} ==Overview== ==Overview== − '''House Ricol'''<ref>"House Ricol" is expressly mentioned as such in ''Mercenary's Star'', ch. 14</ref> was an influential noble house from the [[Draconis Combine]], holding the title of [[Duke of Chekaar]]<ref>''Decision at Thunder Rift'', ch. 27</ref> (though apocryphally, the principal duchy was that of [[Rodigo]]; see below) and implicitly that of (a) Duke of the [[Rasalhague Military District]].<ref name=CMK47>''Combat Manual: Kurita'', p. 47: Duke Hassid Ricol sidebar</ref> + '''House Ricol'''<ref>"House Ricol" is expressly mentioned as such in ''Mercenary's Star'', chapter 14</ref> was an influential noble house from the [[Draconis Combine]], holding the title of Duke of [[Chekaar]]<ref>''Decision at Thunder Rift'', chapter 27</ref> (though apocryphally, the principal duchy was that of [[Rodigo]]; see below). Having several other worlds in the [[Rasalhague Military District]] placed under the duchy's administrative jurisdiction gave the ruling duke the actual power of an archduke (whereas dukes generally had responsibility for only a single world).<ref>''The Price of Glory'', chapter 22</ref> As of [[3018]] Duke [[Hassid Ricol]] had petitioned to be elevated to the position of Archduke over the five worlds he governed at the time, and his enemies at the court in [[Luthien]] had almost but not quite the power to deny his petition.<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', chapter 3</ref> − Having several other worlds in the Rasalhague Military District placed under the duchy's administrative jurisdiction gave the ruling duke the actual power of an archduke (whereas dukes generally had responsibility for only a single world).<ref>''The Price of Glory'', ch. 22</ref> As of [[3018]] Duke [[Hassid Ricol]] had petitioned to be elevated to the position of Archduke over the five worlds he governed at the time, and his enemies at the court in [[Luthien]] had almost, but not quite, the power to deny his petition.<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', ch. 3</ref> Ricol was elevated to Archduke at some point.<ref name=CMK47/>+ House Ricol essentially lost their holdings in the [[Fourth Succession War]], and the last ruling Duke apparently denounced his title in [[3072]], shortly before his death, as "Not even a title, but a mockery of one. A flimsy shell from decades ago, when my name brought fear to many."<ref name=JHS72>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3072'', p. 77: "Passing The Gem"</ref> − − House Ricol essentially lost their holdings in the [[Fourth Succession War]], and Hassid Ricol, the last ruling Duke, apparently dismissed his title in [[3072]], shortly before his death as "Not even a title, but a mockery of one. A flimsy shell from decades ago, when my name brought fear to many."<ref name=JHS72>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3072'', p. 77: "Passing the Gem"</ref> ==History== ==History== {{ApocryphalContentStart}} {{ApocryphalContentStart}} − Author [[William H. Keith]], who had created the character of Hassid Ricol, provided a detailed (but technically [[apocryphal]]) write-up on Hassid Ricol and House Ricol in [[BattleTechnology#Issue 0102|''BattleTechnology'', Issue #0102]] (Hiring Hall: The Red Duke). The magazine is written as an in-universe publication from October [[3027]]. + Author [[William H. Keith]], who had created the character of Hassid Ricol, provided a detailed (but technically [[apocryphal]]) writeup on Hassid Ricol and House Ricol in ''[[BattleTechnology]]'' magazine, issue #0102 (Hiring Hall: The Red Duke). The magazine is written as an in-universe publication from October [[3027]]. − According to this write-up, the Ricols are an old and established family on [[Rodigo]] dating back to when the world was first settled in the [[twenty-third century]]. In [[2785]] one General Henri Ricol became the first Duke of Rodigo. The third duke, Stefani Ricol, was the first to adopt the descriptive honorific "Red Duke" that would be revived by Hassid Ricol in the [[thirty-first century]]. + According to this writeup, the Ricols are an old and established family on [[Rodigo]] dating back to when the world was first settled in the 23rd century. In [[2785]] one General Henri Ricol became the first Duke of Rodigo. The 3rd Duke of Ricol, Stefani Ricol, was the first to adopt the descriptive honorific "Red Duke" that would be revived by Hassid Ricol in the 31st century. − Beyond Rodigo, thirteen [[Lyran Commonwealth]] worlds, several of them formerly belonging to the [[Tamar Pact]], were annexed for the Draconis Combine in three separate campaigns since ca. [[2997]] (more likely after Hassid Ricol came to power in [[3002]] and began to build a personal army for conquests<ref name=CMK47/>) and put under the administrative jurisdiction of the Duchy of Rodigo. + Beyond Rodigo, thirteen [[Lyran Commonwealth]] worlds (several formerly belonging to the [[Tamar Pact]]) were annexed for the Draconis Combine in three separate campaigns since ca. [[2997]] and put under the administrative jurisdiction of the Duchy of Rodigo. − Hassid Ricol was 34 years old when he inherited the Duchy of Rodigo from his father in [[3011]] and became the twelfth ruling Duke of Rodigo in his line. (He was granted permanently detached duty from the [[DCMS]] to assume the mantle of Duke of the Rasalhague Military District in 3002, it is possible he was only formally made Duke in 3011.) The ducal seat is in Alexis on [[Rodigo]]. Duke Hassid Ricol is described as the de facto lord of 14 worlds within the Rasalhague Military District from [[Kufstein|Kufstein's World]] to [[The Edge]]; other named worlds include [[Verthandi]], [[New Caledonia]], [[Basiliano]], [[Dahlgren]], and [[Harvest|Auric II (Harvest)]]. + Hassid Ricol was 34 years old when he inherited the Duchy of Rodigo from his father in [[3011]] and became the 12th ruling Duke of Rodigo in his line. The ducal seat is in Alexis on [[Rodigo]]. Duke Hassid Ricol is described as the de-facto lord of 14 worlds within the Rasalhague Military District from [[Kufstein|Kufstein's World]] to [[The Edge]]; other named worlds include [[Verthandi]], [[New Caledonia]], [[Basiliano]], [[Dahlgren]], and [[Harvest|Auric II (Harvest)]]. It was noted that the double setbacks at Trell I and Verthandi had seriously jeopardized Duke Ricol's political standing. It was noted that the double setbacks at Trell I and Verthandi had seriously jeopardized Duke Ricol's political standing. {{ApocryphalContentEnd}} {{ApocryphalContentEnd}} − The [[Seventeenth Rasalhague Regulars]] attempted to seize [[Tamar]] in [[3016]] at the behest of Duke Ricol, but failed.<ref>''Combat Manual: Kurita'', p. 43</ref>+ House Ricol apparently lost most if not all of its holdings to the [[House Steiner]] invasion in the [[Fourth Succession War]]. When the [[Free Rasalhague Republic]] was formed in [[3034]], Duke Hassid Ricol used his copy of the [[Helm Memory Core]] as a bargaining chip to become governor of the newly formed [[Alshain Military District]] (which was formed from what remained of the Rasalhague Military District and ten worlds of the Buckminster Prefecture).<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', chapter 51</ref> − House Ricol apparently lost most if not all of its holdings to the [[House Steiner]] invasion in the [[Fourth Succession War]]. When the [[Free Rasalhague Republic]] was formed in [[3034]], Duke Hassid Ricol used his copy of the [[Helm Memory Core]] as a bargaining chip to become governor of the newly formed [[Alshain Military District]] (formed from what remained of the Rasalhague Military District and ten worlds of the Buckminster Prefecture).<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', ch. 51</ref> Besides the civilian administrator, he also became the district's Warlord (''Tai-shu'') at some point prior to the [[War of 3039]].<ref>''Combat Manual: Kurita'', p. 46</ref>+ In [[3046]] Duke Ricol used his influence to create a training cadre battalion of [[MechWarrior]]s loyal to him, people who would not have been considered for the old [[DCMS]] but who would have a chance to prove themselves in [[Theodore Kurita]]'s reformed army. Ricol had invested much in the training battalion, which he hoped would seed officers who owed him into the DCMS. However, their first trial raid against [[Ryde]] ran afoul of the [[12th Donegal Guards]] whose presence on Ryde the [[ISF]] had failed to notice or to report. The cadre suffered devastating casualties, losing seven out of nine lances.<ref>''Vengeance''</ref> − In [[3046]] Duke Ricol used his influence to create a training cadre battalion of [[MechWarrior]]s who would not have been considered for the old [[DCMS]] but who would have a chance to prove themselves in [[Theodore Kurita]]'s reformed army. Ricol had invested much in the training battalion, which he hoped would place officers loyal to him into the DCMS. However, their first trial raid against [[Ryde]] ran afoul of the [[Twelfth Donegal Guards]] whose presence on Ryde the [[ISF]] had failed to notice or to report. The cadre suffered devastating casualties, losing seven out of nine lances.<ref>''Vengeance''</ref>+ The Alshain Military District fell to the [[Clans]] in the [[Clan Invasion]], and House Ricol apparently lost what wealth and infrastructure they had retained or regained. By [[3062]] House Ricol was apparently essentially reduced to the person of the visibly aged Duke Hassid Ricol who now was an influential shadow agent and leading conspirator with the [[Black Dragon Society]] (''Kokuryu-kai''), his power apparently based in his connections rather than his actual wealth. He was a chief engineer of ''[[Operation Batsu]]'' that saw the [[Alshain Avengers]] lured into launching their unsanctioned attack against [[Alshain]] (which triggered the [[Combine-Ghost Bear War]]).<ref>''Path of Glory'', chapters 12, 21</ref> Although Ricol's involvement was suspected, there was no proof and no official action was taken against him.<ref>''Path of Glory'', chapter 29</ref> − The Alshain Military District fell to the [[Clans]] in the [[Clan Invasion]], and House Ricol apparently lost whatever wealth and infrastructure they had retained or regained. By [[3062]] House Ricol was apparently essentially reduced to the person of the visibly aged Duke Hassid Ricol who now was an influential shadow agent and leading conspirator with the [[Black Dragon Society]] (''Kokuryu-kai''), his power apparently based in his connections rather than his actual wealth. He was a chief engineer of ''[[Operation Batsu]]'' that saw the [[Alshain Avengers]] lured into launching their unsanctioned attack against [[Alshain]] (which triggered the [[Combine-Ghost Bear War]]).<ref>''Path of Glory'', chs. 12, 21</ref> Although Ricol's involvement was suspected, there was no proof and no official action was taken against him.<ref>''Path of Glory'', ch. 29</ref>+ Unconfirmed transcripts of ''Kokuryu-kai'' meetings suggest that Duke Hassid Ricol suffered from deteriorating health after ca. [[3072]];<ref>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3072'', p. 53, "Council of Gems"</ref> he was dead by [[3074]] and his connection with the ''Kokuryu-kai'' was officially considered proven by then.<ref>''Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents'', p. 43, "Black Dragons Unmasked"</ref> − Unconfirmed transcripts of ''Kokuryu-kai'' meetings suggest that Duke Hassid Ricol suffered from deteriorating health after ca. [[3072]].<ref>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3072'', p. 53: "Council of Gems"</ref> He was dead by [[3074]] and his connection with the ''Kokuryu-kai'' was officially considered proven by then.<ref>''Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents'', p. 43: "Black Dragons Unmasked"</ref>+ In a message attributed to Duke Ricol and apparently written to Warlord [[Kiyomori Minamoto]] in 3072, he designates Minamoto his heir over ''Kokuryu-kai'' member "Jade" and warns Minamoto that Jade will be unhappy with this arrangement; he goes on to call Jade just a tool and suggests that one discards of a tool once it is dulled. Jade is expressly described as his own flesh and blood and had referred to Ricol as ''otosan'', father, at one point in the recorded meetings, suggesting he is in fact Duke Ricol's son but was disinherited. Jade's actual name is not revealed. − In a message written to Warlord [[Kiyomori Minamoto]] in 3072 that is attributed to Duke Ricol, he designates Minamoto his heir over ''Kokuryu-kai'' member "Jade" and warns Minamoto that Jade will be unhappy with this arrangement and probably become an antagonist; he goes on to call Jade just a tool and suggests that one discards of a tool once it is dulled. Jade is expressly described as his own flesh and blood and had referred to Ricol as ''otosan'' ("father") at one point in the recorded meetings, suggesting Jade is in fact Duke Ricol's child but was disinherited. Jade's actual name or gender is not revealed.<ref name=JHS72/> + In the same message the author (Ricol) mentions that he had no lands or riches to bestow and only a mockery of a title. This, together with the fact that he apparently disinherited his son in favor of Minamoto, suggests that House Ricol effectively ceased to exist in or shortly after 3072. − In the same message the author (Ricol) mentions that he has no lands or riches to bestow and only a mockery of a title.<ref name=JHS72/> This, together with the fact that he apparently disinherited his only known child in favor of Minamoto, suggests that House Ricol effectively ceased to exist after Hassid Ricol's death in or shortly after 3072.+ ==Assets== + House Ricol, or at least Duke Hassid Ricol, were considered to possess a vast wealth and resources at leat up until the Fourth Succession War. − ==Known members of the family==+ Duke Ricol was known for owning the only privately operated ''[[Behemoth (DropShip)|Behemoth]]''-class [[DropShip]] in existence.<ref>''Handbook: House Liao'', p. 162, "Mówáng-class courier"</ref> Beyond that, he used his private DropShip ''[[Alpha (Individual DropShip)|Alpha]]'' as a command/HQ vessel during military ventures abroad; although the class of the ''Alpha'' is indeterminate, it is not a ''Behemoth'' as it is shown to be capable of landing on standard gravity planets, something the ''Behemoth'' class is incapable of. It is implied that Ricol had several additional DropShips at his disposal; he brought six DropShips to [[Helm]] in [[3028]] on two [[JumpShip]]s<ref name=PG23>''The Price of Glory'', chapter 23</ref> − The best known scion of House Ricol is arguably [[Hassid Ricol]], also known as the "Red Duke" or "The Red Hunter". − As of ca. [[3025]], one General [[Voren Ricol]], [[Duke of Kirchbach]], was the CO of seven regiments in the Rasalhague Military District's Kirchbach Prefecture<ref name=HKDCp134>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 134</ref>+ Ricol also owned at least one private [[JumpShip]], the ''[[Huntress (Individual JumpShip)|Huntress]]''. − ==Family Heirlooms and Holdings== + ===Military=== − House Ricol, in the person of Duke Hassid Ricol, were considered to possess a vast wealth and resources at least up until the Fourth Succession War. + Although technically a civilian administrator position, the noble title of duke allowed House Ricol to maintain what seems to have been a sizeable private army including [[BattleMech]]s but also professional interrogation teams.<ref name=MS14>''Mercenary's Star'', chapter 14</ref> They had their own uniforms sporting a characteristic piping<ref name=MS14/> and kana symbols spelling out "Kurita" and "Duke Ricol" and displaying the House Kurita symbol.<ref>''Mercenary's Star'', chapter 5</ref> On Helm in [[3028]], Hassid Ricol had brought a [[company]] of twelve 'Mechs and also deployed a lance of [[Galleon]] tanks and an infantry company of ninety men from the ''Alpha''.<ref name=PG23/> − Duke Ricol owned at least one private [[JumpShip]], the ''[[Huntress (Individual JumpShip)|Huntress]]''. + Duke Hassid Ricol also commanded [[House Kurita]] forces on occasion, including a [[DEST]] unit in one instance, although there is no clear indication that he ever served in the regular Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery. − He was also known for owning the only privately operated ''[[Behemoth (DropShip class)|Behemoth]]''-class [[DropShip]] in existence.<ref>''Handbook: House Liao'', p. 162: "Mówáng-class courier"</ref> Beyond that, he used his private DropShip ''[[Alpha (Individual DropShip)|Alpha]]'' as a command/HQ vessel during military ventures abroad; although the class of the ''Alpha'' is indeterminate, it is a separate vessel from the ''Behemoth'' as the ''Alpha'' is shown to be capable of landing on standard gravity planets, something the ''Behemoth'' class is incapable of. It is implied that Ricol had several additional DropShips at his disposal; he brought six DropShips to [[Helm]] in [[3028]] on two [[JumpShip]]s<ref name=PG23>''The Price of Glory'', ch. 23</ref>+ Duke Hassid Ricol was a renowned [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarrior]] in his red ''[[Marauder]]'' with black legs and trim, both the pilot and the 'Mech known as "The Red Hunter". House Ricol warleader Captain Lord [[Harimandir Singh]], who had been serving under Ricol for fifteen years as of [[3024]] (i.e. since [[3019]]), commanded the "Red Hunter Special Operations Group" from a ''[[Crusader]]'' painted in a similar red-and-black scheme but he was killed in action on [[Trell I]] in 3024<ref>''Decision at Thunder Rift''</ref> and the unit was not mentioned again afterwards. − ===Military===+ At an unspecified time in ca. [[3027]], several years after Duke Hassid Ricol had lost several 'Mechs in his private service in an adventure across the border in [[House Steiner]] space (implicitly referring to the abortive invasion of Trell I in 3024), he recruited [[dispossessed]] MechWarrior [[Salvadore Tyrell]] and charged him with creating a new private BattleMech company that Tyrell would name Tyrell's Terrors. They were garrisoning the unruly world of [[Verthandi]] in the aftermath of the [[Gray Death Legion]]-supported uprising there, but were ordered to meet Duke Ricol at [[Kajikazawa]] upon his return from the [[Free Worlds League]] where he had recovered the Helm Memory Core.<ref>''Dance of Vengeance''</ref> − Although technically a civilian administrator position, the noble title and his military background allowed Duke Hassid Ricol to build and maintain what seems to have been a sizeable private army including [[BattleMech]]s but also professional interrogation teams.<ref name=MS14>''Mercenary's Star'', ch. 14</ref> They had their own uniforms sporting a characteristic piping<ref name=MS14/> and kana symbols spelling out "Kurita" and "Duke Ricol" and displaying the House Kurita crest.<ref>''Mercenary's Star'', ch. 5</ref> On Helm in [[3028]], Hassid Ricol had brought a [[company]] of twelve 'Mechs and also deployed a lance of [[Galleon]] tanks and an infantry company of ninety men from the ''Alpha''.<ref name=PG23/> − Duke Hassid Ricol also commanded [[House Kurita]] forces on occasion, including a [[DEST]] unit and aerospace assets in one instance (at Verthandi).+ ==Crest== + House Ricol does have a crest or flag, but it is never described in detail beyond a DropShip bearing "the red chevron of [Ricol's] flag".<ref>''Decision at Thunder Rift'', chapter 26</ref> − Duke Hassid Ricol was a renowned [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarrior]] in his ''[[Marauder]]'' which was painted red with black legs and trim. Both the pilot and the 'Mech were known as "The Red Hunter".<ref>''Decision at Thunder Rift'', ch. 10</ref> However, his heydays as a MechWarrior appear to be behind him as of 3024, judging from his internal dialogue on Trellwan.+ ==Personnell== + The best known scion of House Ricol is arguable [[Hassid Ricol]], also known as the "Red Duke" or "The Red Hunter". − House Ricol war leader Captain Lord [[Harimandir Singh]], who had been serving under Ricol for fifteen years as of [[3024]] (i.e. since [[3009]]), commanded the "[[Red Hunter Special Operations Group]]" from a ''[[Crusader]]'' painted in a similar red-and-black scheme. He was killed in action on [[Trell I]] in 3024, and his 'Mech was destroyed.<ref>''Decision at Thunder Rift''</ref> The Red Hunter Special Operations Group was not mentioned again afterwards.+ As of ca. [[3025]], one General [[Voren Ricol]], Duke of [[Kirchbach]], was the CO of seven regiments in the Rasalhague Military District's Kirchbach Prefecture<ref>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 134</ref> − − At an unspecified time in ca. [[3027]], several years after Duke Hassid Ricol had lost several 'Mechs in his private service in an adventure across the border in [[House Steiner]] space (implicitly, the abortive invasion of Trell I in 3024), he recruited [[dispossessed]] MechWarrior [[Salvadore Tyrell]] and charged him with creating a new private BattleMech company that Tyrell would name [[Tyrell's Terrors]]. They were garrisoning the unruly world of [[Verthandi]] in the aftermath of the [[Gray Death Legion]]-supported uprising there, but were ordered to meet Duke Ricol at [[Kajikazawa]] upon his return from the [[Free Worlds League]] where he had recovered the Helm Memory Core.<ref>''Dance of Vengeance''</ref> − − ==Crest== − A House Ricol crest or flag is mentioned, and at one point described in the context of a DropShip bearing "the red chevron of [Ricol's] flag".<ref>''Decision at Thunder Rift'', ch. 26</ref> Over the course of the [[2023 Mercenaries Crowdfunding Campaign]] an official crest for House Ricol was shown as part of the campaign description. ==References== ==References== Line 78:
Line 57: ==Bibliography== ==Bibliography== − * [[BattleTechnology#Issue 0102|''BattleTechnology'', Issue #0102]]+ *''[[BattleTechnology]]'' issue #0102 − * ''[[Combat Manual: Kurita]]'' + *''[[Decision at Thunder Rift]]'' − * ''[[Dance of Vengeance]]'' (in: ''Shrapnel'')+ *''[[Jihad Hot Spots: 3072]]'' − * ''[[Decision at Thunder Rift]]'' + *''[[Heir to the Dragon]]'' − * ''[[Jihad Hot Spots: 3072]]'' + *''[[Mercenary's Star (novel)]]'' − * ''[[Heir to the Dragon]]'' + *''[[Path of Glory]]'' − * ''[[Mercenary's Star (novel)|Mercenary's Star]]'' (novel) + *''[[Shrapnel]]'' anthology (''[[Dance of Vengeance]]'') − * ''[[Path of Glory]]'' + *''[[The Price of Glory]]'' − * ''[[The Price of Glory]]'' + *''[[Vengeance (Blitzkrieg)]]'' − * ''[[Shrapnel (anthology)|Shrapnel]]'' (anthology) − * ''[[Vengeance (novella)|Vengeance]]'' (novella) [[Category:Noble Houses|Ricol]] [[Category:Noble Houses|Ricol]]
The edit can be undone. Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, and then save the changes below to finish undoing the edit.
| Latest revision | Your text | ||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
| − | '''House Ricol'''<ref>"House Ricol" is expressly mentioned as such in ''Mercenary's Star'', | + | '''House Ricol'''<ref>"House Ricol" is expressly mentioned as such in ''Mercenary's Star'', chapter 14</ref> was an influential noble house from the [[Draconis Combine]], holding the title of Duke of [[Chekaar]]<ref>''Decision at Thunder Rift'', chapter 27</ref> (though apocryphally, the principal duchy was that of [[Rodigo]]; see below). Having several other worlds in the [[Rasalhague Military District]] placed under the duchy's administrative jurisdiction gave the ruling duke the actual power of an archduke (whereas dukes generally had responsibility for only a single world).<ref>''The Price of Glory'', chapter 22</ref> As of [[3018]] Duke [[Hassid Ricol]] had petitioned to be elevated to the position of Archduke over the five worlds he governed at the time, and his enemies at the court in [[Luthien]] had almost but not quite the power to deny his petition.<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', chapter 3</ref> |
| − | + | House Ricol essentially lost their holdings in the [[Fourth Succession War]], and the last ruling Duke apparently denounced his title in [[3072]], shortly before his death, as "Not even a title, but a mockery of one. A flimsy shell from decades ago, when my name brought fear to many."<ref name=JHS72>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3072'', p. 77: "Passing The Gem"</ref> | |
| − | |||
| − | House Ricol essentially lost their holdings in the [[Fourth Succession War]], and | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
{{ApocryphalContentStart}} | {{ApocryphalContentStart}} | ||
| − | Author [[William H. Keith]], who had created the character of Hassid Ricol, provided a detailed (but technically [[apocryphal]]) | + | Author [[William H. Keith]], who had created the character of Hassid Ricol, provided a detailed (but technically [[apocryphal]]) writeup on Hassid Ricol and House Ricol in ''[[BattleTechnology]]'' magazine, issue #0102 (Hiring Hall: The Red Duke). The magazine is written as an in-universe publication from October [[3027]]. |
| − | According to this | + | According to this writeup, the Ricols are an old and established family on [[Rodigo]] dating back to when the world was first settled in the 23rd century. In [[2785]] one General Henri Ricol became the first Duke of Rodigo. The 3rd Duke of Ricol, Stefani Ricol, was the first to adopt the descriptive honorific "Red Duke" that would be revived by Hassid Ricol in the 31st century. |
| − | Beyond Rodigo, thirteen [[Lyran Commonwealth]] worlds | + | Beyond Rodigo, thirteen [[Lyran Commonwealth]] worlds (several formerly belonging to the [[Tamar Pact]]) were annexed for the Draconis Combine in three separate campaigns since ca. [[2997]] and put under the administrative jurisdiction of the Duchy of Rodigo. |
| − | Hassid Ricol was 34 years old when he inherited the Duchy of Rodigo from his father in [[3011]] and became the | + | Hassid Ricol was 34 years old when he inherited the Duchy of Rodigo from his father in [[3011]] and became the 12th ruling Duke of Rodigo in his line. The ducal seat is in Alexis on [[Rodigo]]. Duke Hassid Ricol is described as the de-facto lord of 14 worlds within the Rasalhague Military District from [[Kufstein|Kufstein's World]] to [[The Edge]]; other named worlds include [[Verthandi]], [[New Caledonia]], [[Basiliano]], [[Dahlgren]], and [[Harvest|Auric II (Harvest)]]. |
It was noted that the double setbacks at Trell I and Verthandi had seriously jeopardized Duke Ricol's political standing. | It was noted that the double setbacks at Trell I and Verthandi had seriously jeopardized Duke Ricol's political standing. | ||
{{ApocryphalContentEnd}} | {{ApocryphalContentEnd}} | ||
| − | + | House Ricol apparently lost most if not all of its holdings to the [[House Steiner]] invasion in the [[Fourth Succession War]]. When the [[Free Rasalhague Republic]] was formed in [[3034]], Duke Hassid Ricol used his copy of the [[Helm Memory Core]] as a bargaining chip to become governor of the newly formed [[Alshain Military District]] (which was formed from what remained of the Rasalhague Military District and ten worlds of the Buckminster Prefecture).<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', chapter 51</ref> | |
| − | + | In [[3046]] Duke Ricol used his influence to create a training cadre battalion of [[MechWarrior]]s loyal to him, people who would not have been considered for the old [[DCMS]] but who would have a chance to prove themselves in [[Theodore Kurita]]'s reformed army. Ricol had invested much in the training battalion, which he hoped would seed officers who owed him into the DCMS. However, their first trial raid against [[Ryde]] ran afoul of the [[12th Donegal Guards]] whose presence on Ryde the [[ISF]] had failed to notice or to report. The cadre suffered devastating casualties, losing seven out of nine lances.<ref>''Vengeance''</ref> | |
| − | + | The Alshain Military District fell to the [[Clans]] in the [[Clan Invasion]], and House Ricol apparently lost what wealth and infrastructure they had retained or regained. By [[3062]] House Ricol was apparently essentially reduced to the person of the visibly aged Duke Hassid Ricol who now was an influential shadow agent and leading conspirator with the [[Black Dragon Society]] (''Kokuryu-kai''), his power apparently based in his connections rather than his actual wealth. He was a chief engineer of ''[[Operation Batsu]]'' that saw the [[Alshain Avengers]] lured into launching their unsanctioned attack against [[Alshain]] (which triggered the [[Combine-Ghost Bear War]]).<ref>''Path of Glory'', chapters 12, 21</ref> Although Ricol's involvement was suspected, there was no proof and no official action was taken against him.<ref>''Path of Glory'', chapter 29</ref> | |
| − | + | Unconfirmed transcripts of ''Kokuryu-kai'' meetings suggest that Duke Hassid Ricol suffered from deteriorating health after ca. [[3072]];<ref>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3072'', p. 53, "Council of Gems"</ref> he was dead by [[3074]] and his connection with the ''Kokuryu-kai'' was officially considered proven by then.<ref>''Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents'', p. 43, "Black Dragons Unmasked"</ref> | |
| − | + | In a message attributed to Duke Ricol and apparently written to Warlord [[Kiyomori Minamoto]] in 3072, he designates Minamoto his heir over ''Kokuryu-kai'' member "Jade" and warns Minamoto that Jade will be unhappy with this arrangement; he goes on to call Jade just a tool and suggests that one discards of a tool once it is dulled. Jade is expressly described as his own flesh and blood and had referred to Ricol as ''otosan'', father, at one point in the recorded meetings, suggesting he is in fact Duke Ricol's son but was disinherited. Jade's actual name is not revealed. | |
| − | In | + | In the same message the author (Ricol) mentions that he had no lands or riches to bestow and only a mockery of a title. This, together with the fact that he apparently disinherited his son in favor of Minamoto, suggests that House Ricol effectively ceased to exist in or shortly after 3072. |
| − | + | ==Assets== | |
| + | House Ricol, or at least Duke Hassid Ricol, were considered to possess a vast wealth and resources at leat up until the Fourth Succession War. | ||
| − | + | Duke Ricol was known for owning the only privately operated ''[[Behemoth (DropShip)|Behemoth]]''-class [[DropShip]] in existence.<ref>''Handbook: House Liao'', p. 162, "Mówáng-class courier"</ref> Beyond that, he used his private DropShip ''[[Alpha (Individual DropShip)|Alpha]]'' as a command/HQ vessel during military ventures abroad; although the class of the ''Alpha'' is indeterminate, it is not a ''Behemoth'' as it is shown to be capable of landing on standard gravity planets, something the ''Behemoth'' class is incapable of. It is implied that Ricol had several additional DropShips at his disposal; he brought six DropShips to [[Helm]] in [[3028]] on two [[JumpShip]]s<ref name=PG23>''The Price of Glory'', chapter 23</ref> | |
| − | |||
| − | + | Ricol also owned at least one private [[JumpShip]], the ''[[Huntress (Individual JumpShip)|Huntress]]''. | |
| − | == | + | ===Military=== |
| − | House Ricol, in | + | Although technically a civilian administrator position, the noble title of duke allowed House Ricol to maintain what seems to have been a sizeable private army including [[BattleMech]]s but also professional interrogation teams.<ref name=MS14>''Mercenary's Star'', chapter 14</ref> They had their own uniforms sporting a characteristic piping<ref name=MS14/> and kana symbols spelling out "Kurita" and "Duke Ricol" and displaying the House Kurita symbol.<ref>''Mercenary's Star'', chapter 5</ref> On Helm in [[3028]], Hassid Ricol had brought a [[company]] of twelve 'Mechs and also deployed a lance of [[Galleon]] tanks and an infantry company of ninety men from the ''Alpha''.<ref name=PG23/> |
| − | Duke Ricol | + | Duke Hassid Ricol also commanded [[House Kurita]] forces on occasion, including a [[DEST]] unit in one instance, although there is no clear indication that he ever served in the regular Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery. |
| − | + | Duke Hassid Ricol was a renowned [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarrior]] in his red ''[[Marauder]]'' with black legs and trim, both the pilot and the 'Mech known as "The Red Hunter". House Ricol warleader Captain Lord [[Harimandir Singh]], who had been serving under Ricol for fifteen years as of [[3024]] (i.e. since [[3019]]), commanded the "Red Hunter Special Operations Group" from a ''[[Crusader]]'' painted in a similar red-and-black scheme but he was killed in action on [[Trell I]] in 3024<ref>''Decision at Thunder Rift''</ref> and the unit was not mentioned again afterwards. | |
| − | + | At an unspecified time in ca. [[3027]], several years after Duke Hassid Ricol had lost several 'Mechs in his private service in an adventure across the border in [[House Steiner]] space (implicitly referring to the abortive invasion of Trell I in 3024), he recruited [[dispossessed]] MechWarrior [[Salvadore Tyrell]] and charged him with creating a new private BattleMech company that Tyrell would name Tyrell's Terrors. They were garrisoning the unruly world of [[Verthandi]] in the aftermath of the [[Gray Death Legion]]-supported uprising there, but were ordered to meet Duke Ricol at [[Kajikazawa]] upon his return from the [[Free Worlds League]] where he had recovered the Helm Memory Core.<ref>''Dance of Vengeance''</ref> | |
| − | |||
| − | + | ==Crest== | |
| + | House Ricol does have a crest or flag, but it is never described in detail beyond a DropShip bearing "the red chevron of [Ricol's] flag".<ref>''Decision at Thunder Rift'', chapter 26</ref> | ||
| − | + | ==Personnell== | |
| + | The best known scion of House Ricol is arguable [[Hassid Ricol]], also known as the "Red Duke" or "The Red Hunter". | ||
| − | + | As of ca. [[3025]], one General [[Voren Ricol]], Duke of [[Kirchbach]], was the CO of seven regiments in the Rasalhague Military District's Kirchbach Prefecture<ref>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 134</ref> | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 78: | Line 57: | ||
==Bibliography== | ==Bibliography== | ||
| − | + | *''[[BattleTechnology]]'' issue #0102 | |
| − | * ''[[ | + | *''[[Decision at Thunder Rift]]'' |
| − | + | *''[[Jihad Hot Spots: 3072]]'' | |
| − | * ''[[Decision at Thunder Rift]]'' | + | *''[[Heir to the Dragon]]'' |
| − | * ''[[Jihad Hot Spots: 3072]]'' | + | *''[[Mercenary's Star (novel)]]'' |
| − | * ''[[Heir to the Dragon]]'' | + | *''[[Path of Glory]]'' |
| − | * ''[[Mercenary's Star (novel) | + | *''[[Shrapnel]]'' anthology (''[[Dance of Vengeance]]'') |
| − | * ''[[Path of Glory]]'' | + | *''[[The Price of Glory]]'' |
| − | * ''[[ | + | *''[[Vengeance (Blitzkrieg)]]'' |
| − | * ''[[ | ||
| − | * ''[[Vengeance ( | ||
[[Category:Noble Houses|Ricol]] | [[Category:Noble Houses|Ricol]] | ||