Editing Successor States
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− The '''Successor States''' (named as such due to their being the "Successors" of the [[Star League]]) are the major military powers of the [[Inner Sphere]], each governed by one of the Great Houses with its own customs and culture. After [[House Cameron]] was wiped out in the [[Star League Civil War]], the five remaining Great Houses spent [[Succession Wars (History)|the next several centuries fighting each other]] to determine who would succeed as the next [[First Lord]]. By the mid-[[thirty-first century]] the endless pursuit of this goal had left the Successor States ravaged by apocalyptic wars and widespread technological decline, but with no clear winner. + {{Update Needed|[[Handbook: Major Periphery States]]}}
− The [[Clan Invasion|surprise invasion]] by the [[Clans]] in [[3050]] temporarily led to an alliance between the Successor States, as they formed a [[Second Star League]] in [[3058]] to defeat the invaders. Once this goal was achieved, however, the Successor States fell back into struggling against one another, dissolving the new League in [[3067]]. + In the [[BattleTech]] universe, the '''Successor States''' (named as such due to their being the "Successors" of the [[Star League]]) are the major military powers of the [[Inner Sphere]], each governed by one of the Great Houses. Each Successor State has its own culture and customs.
− Despite working together again to defeat the [[Word of Blake]] during the Blakist [[Jihad]], the decades of peace that followed ended with the [[Blackout]] of [[3132]]. By the mid-[[thirty-second century]] all of the Successor States had again attacked their rivals, leading to a [[Dark Age|new era]] of constant warfare.+ ==The Great Houses of the Successor States==
+ ===House Davion===
+ {{seealso| Federated Suns| Federated Commonwealth}}
− ==The Successor States==+ Strongly influenced by Great Britain, United States, and France.
− ===Federated Suns===
− [[Image:Federated Suns Logo.png|right|150px]]
− ''[[House Davion]]'' has ruled the [[Federated Suns]] since the nation's founding in [[2317]] by [[Lucien Davion (23rd c.)|Lucien Davion]], Prime Minister of [[New Avalon]], who negotiated a [[Crucis Pact|mutual defense and assistance agreement]] with several nearby star systems. From their capital of New Avalon, the Anglo-French House Davion led the Federated Suns to become one of the largest and most militarily powerful states in the Inner Sphere. The Federated Suns traditionally sees itself as the champion of freedom, democracy, and human rights, especially compared to its authoritarian neighbors, although the reality is not so clear-cut. Additionally, the state's economic growth was uneven, with a small number of overdeveloped worlds making up for the larger number of underdeveloped ones. To counteract this deficiency and recover [[lostech]], the pursuit of scientific knowledge was strongly encouraged by Davion leadership, and the [[New Avalon Institute of Science]] quickly became the premier research and development center of the thirty-first century.<ref>''House Davion (The Federated Suns)'', p. 4</ref><ref name=CBT166>''Classic BattleTech RPG'', p. 166</ref><ref name=MW2-115>''MechWarrior: Second Edition'', p. 115</ref>
− For a brief period of time the Federated Suns joined with the Lyran Commonwealth to form the [[Federated Commonwealth]], a massive superstate spanning the length of the Inner Sphere. There was internal resistance to this merger of the two realms, particularly in the Lyran half, which bore the brunt of the Clan offensive. In [[3057]] the Lyran worlds seceded from the alliance, splitting FedCom in two and creating the [[Chaos March]].<ref name=CBT166/><ref name=MW2-115/> The split was made permanent after the [[FedCom Civil War]].+ Capital world: [[New Avalon]]
− ====Notable Personalities==== + The [[Federated Suns]] is an interstellar nation set within the BattleTech game universe, introduced by [[FASA]] Corporation in the 1980s. The Federated Suns have been ruled by the Davion Family, or [[House Davion]], since the nation's founding in [[2317]].
+
+ The FedSuns was founded in [[2317]] by [[Lucien Davion]], Prime Minister of New Avalon, when he negotiated a mutual defense and assistance agreement, known as the [[Crucis Pact]], with 20 nearby star systems. Lucien became the federation's first president and [[New Avalon]] its capital. A member of the Davion family has led the Federated Suns in unbroken succession for the past 700 years. Presently on the throne is [[Yvonne Steiner-Davion]], youngest sister to the former ruler, [[Victor Steiner-Davion]]. Both are children of [[Hanse Davion]] and [[Melissa Steiner]], whose marriage effectively sealed the Federated Suns' alliance with the [[Lyran Commonwealth]]. The Federated Suns claim approximately 400 inhabited star systems under its aegis, nearly double the number of worlds controlled at the beginning of the [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]]. In addition, uncounted other worlds are claimed and exploited by Davion forces.
+
+ Much of House Davion's growth over the past 200 years has taken place at the expense of Liao's [[Capellan Confederation]]. This was particularly true at the end of the [[Fourth Succession War]], when the Federated Suns took more than 100 worlds from [[House Liao]].
+
+ An even more serious enemy to the Federated Suns has been the [[Draconis Combine]], ruled by [[House Kurita]], which nearly succeeded in conquering the Davion realm during the [[First Succession War]]. By forging an alliance with the Lyran Commonwealth in [[3022]], Davion forced Kurita to spread its [['Mech]] resources along two frontiers, leaving many worlds thinly defended. Prior to the Fourth Succession War, Davion forces were able to exploit this vulnerability, seizing the Combine worlds of [[Tancredi II]] and [[Galatea]], as well as [[Star League]] storehouses at [[Galtor III|Galtor]] and [[Rowe]], while losing very few units themselves. With the outbreak of war, however, the Federated Commonwealth had to rearrange its priorities. By the end of the Fourth War, House Kurita had managed to seize 15 worlds, including Galtor, along its border with [[House Davion]].
+
+ Surprisingly, the [[Clan]] threat has done much to destroy the traditional Davion-Kurita rivalry. There is even rumor of a love affair between [[Victor Steiner-Davion]] and [[Theodore Kurita]]'s daughter, [[Omiko Kurita]], although official sources consistently deny the connection. It is known that [[Victor Davion]] led a mission to a Clan-held world to rescue Theodore Kurita's son, [[Hohiro Kurita II|Hohiro Kurita]] (the younger). With the Clan threat diminishing for a time, tensions will no doubt resurface. Clashes, at least minor ones, between Davion and Kurita forces will recur.
+
+ Common Nicknames: Davionist
+
+ Pejoratives: FedRat
+
+ ====Notable characters====
* [[Hanse Davion]] * [[Hanse Davion]]
− * [[Morgan Hasek-Davion]]
− * [[Victor Steiner-Davion]]
− * [[Yvonne Steiner-Davion]]
− * [[Harrison Davion]]
− * [[Caleb Davion]]
− * [[Julian Davion]]
− ===Draconis Combine=== + ===House Kurita===
− [[Image:Draccombine.gif|right|150px]] + {{seealso| Draconis Combine}}
− ''[[House Kurita]]'' is the ruling family of the fearsome [[Draconis Combine]], the only Great House that proclaims unabashedly its right to rule all of the Inner Sphere. House Kurita has dominated the Draconis Combine since its founding in [[2319]] by [[Shiro Kurita]], who imbued the state with its strong Japanese culture from the capital [[New Samarkand]], which would eventually move to [[Luthien]] in the [[twenty-seventh century]]. Embracing "the way of the warrior," the Draconis Combine has had a long history of antagonism with and aggression against its neighbors. Personal honor and a self-reliance bordering on xenophobia are also encouraged by House Kurita.<ref>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', pp. 6, 8</ref><ref name=CBT167/><ref name=MW2-120>''MechWarrior: Second Edition'', p. 120</ref> +
+ Strongly influenced by Japanese culture.
+
+ Capital world: [[Luthien]].
+
+ The [[Free Rasalhague Republic]] (FRR) was once part of the [[Draconis Combine]].
+
+ In the '''BattleTech''' universe, [[House Kurita]] is the ruling family of the fearsome [[Draconis Combine]]. The only Great House that proclaims unabashedly its right to rule all of the [[Inner Sphere]], House Kurita has dominated the Draconis Combine since its founding in [[2319]]. Its progenitor was [[Shiro Kurita]], the first Coordinator of the Draconis Combine. The current Lord of House Kurita is Coordinator [[Theodore Kurita]], who succeeded his father [[Takashi Kurita]] in [[3054]]. House Kurita has had a long history of antagonism with and aggression against its neighbors. Though its official symbol is the serpentine Chinese dragon, humorist [[Homer Kellogi]] thought the octopus a more appropriate symbol, since House Kurita's tentacles are everywhere. Though driven by an archaic sense of honor spelled out in the [[Dictum Honorium]], House Kurita is not above using subterfuge and guile to further its goals.
+
+ A massive tome comprising many volumes, the [[Dictum Honorium]] would require several lifetimes to master. It spells out in fine detail the code of conduct for all citizens of the Draconis Combine, from the Coordinator to his Samurai to the lowest Unproductive. Due to its length and general impenetrability, few manage to read more than a few pages, and the Dictum has little actual effect on daily life. Several passages, such as the special rules allowing the taking (instead of summary execution) of prisoners of war valuable to military intelligence and ransom are kept secret from the public.
+
+ Common Nicknames: Kuritan
− The Draconis Combine suffered significant territorial losses to the Federated Commonwealth during the [[Fourth Succession War]], mitigated somewhat when it willingly allowed the creation of the [[Free Rasalhague Republic]] as a buffer between it and the Lyran state. Greater losses were suffered at the hands of the Clan invaders, but in a historical turn of events Luthien was saved when the Kuritans allied with their traditional enemies against the Clan invaders. This ultimately resulted in the reconquest of nearly all Combine worlds lost to the Clans thanks to the Second Star League.<ref name=CBT167/><ref name=MW2-120/>+ Pejoratives: Drac, Draco, Snake
− ====Notable Personalities==== + ====Notable characters====
− * [[Takashi Kurita]] + * [[Minoru Kurita (28th c.)|Minoru Kurita]]
+ * [[Hohiro Kurita II|Hohiro Kurita]]
+ * [[Omiko Kurita]]
+ * [[Theodore Kurita]]
* [[Yorinaga Kurita]] * [[Yorinaga Kurita]]
− * [[Theodore Kurita]]
− * [[Hohiro Kurita (31st c.)|Hohiro Kurita]]
− * [[Omiko Kurita]]
− * [[Vincent Kurita]]
− * [[Yori Kurita]]
− ===Capellan Confederation=== + ===House Liao===
− [[Image:Capellan Confederation logo.png|right|150px]]+ {{seealso| Capellan Confederation}}
− The [[Capellan Confederation]], and its ruling family ''[[House Liao]]'', has long been considered the underdogs of the Inner Sphere. The smallest of the Successor States, the socialistic Capellan Confederation was the last to form, created on [[Capella]] by neighboring states in [[2366]] as a "temporary" alliance in response to Davion aggression. Tracing their lineage back to the controversial [[Elias Liao]], House Liao gave the Confederation its Han Chinese character and ensured the survival of the realm through strong (if frequently erratic) rule from the Celestial Throne on [[Sian]]. Although popularly disparaged as a totalitarian police state, many citizens enjoy a high degree of personal freedom and willingly serve the State in return for the generous services it provides.<ref>''House Liao (The Capellan Confederation)'', p. 5</ref><ref name=CBT167/><ref name=MW2-127>''MechWarrior: Second Edition'', p. 127</ref><ref name=CBT167/> +
+ Strongly influenced by Chinese, Russian, and Scottish culture.
+
+ Capital world: [[Sian]]
+
+ The [[Capellan Confederation]] has long been considered the underdogs of the [[Inner Sphere]], known for mentally unstable leaders that are often violently oppressive towards their own people and great military losses in each succession war leading them to a shadow of their former size.
+
+ However, in more recent years, the Capellan Confederation has strengthened incredibly under the leadership of [[Sun-Tzu Liao]]. Often manipulative but the best leader the empire has seen in years, the Confederation has a strong alliance with the [[Free Worlds League]], resulting in rapid technological increase, as well a social reformation among the people (known as ''[[Xin Sheng]]'') restoring their pride. This culminated in the Confederation re-taking a pocket of territory on the Davion border known as the [[St. Ives Compact]] which revolted with [[Federated Commonwealth]] help in the [[4th Succession War]], during Sun-Tzu's grandfather's rule.
− During the Succession Wars, the Capellan Confederation lost three-fourths of its original territory to Davion and Marik invasions. The Fourth Succession War was particularly devastating, with parts of the Confederation seceding to form the [[St. Ives Compact]] and [[Tikonov Free Republic]]. The Confederation was untouched by the Clan invasion though, and thanks to the efforts of Sun-Tzu Liao the realm was able to rebuild and [[Operation Guerrero|reconquer]] much of its former territory, including the Compact.<ref name=CBT167/><ref name=MW2-127/>+ More recently the Confederation has gained strong alliances with both major [[Periphery]] factions on its borders, giving it access to the rear guard of both the [[Free Worlds League]] and [[Federated Commonwealth]] ([[Federated Suns]] in the post civil war era), as well as strong but technologically inferior military allies. This leaves the Confederation as one of the strongest factions in the post-civil war classic period.
− ====Notable Personalities==== + ====Notable characters====
− * [[Maximilian Liao]] + * [[Maximillian Liao]]
− * [[Romano Liao]]
− * [[Candace Liao]]
− * [[Kai Allard-Liao]]
* [[Sun-Tzu Liao]] * [[Sun-Tzu Liao]]
− * [[Daoshen Liao]]
− * [[Danai Liao-Centrella]]
− ===Free Worlds League=== + ===House Marik===
− [[Image:Free Worlds League logo.png|right|180px]]+ {{seealso| Free Worlds League}}
− The [[Free Worlds League]], the oldest of all Successor States, was long ruled by ''[[House Marik]]'' as a matter of custom rather than decree. Founded in [[2271]] after the collapse of the [[Terran Alliance]], the League was an open, multicultural state, consisting of many great and small realms loosely joined together. It was also the only one to lay claim to being (on paper at least) a true democracy, with Parliament meeting on [[Atreus (FWL)|Atreus]]. This same openness also left the state politically fragile and frequently riven with instability; throughout its history the League fought against itself almost as much as it did the neighboring Lyran and Capellan nations. House Marik relied heavily on free trade and technological advancement to keep pace with its rivals.<ref>''House Marik (The Free Worlds League'', pp. 6, 8</ref><ref name=MW2-124>''MechWarrior: Second Edition'', p. 124</ref>
− The Free Worlds League was untouched by the Clan invasion, allowing it to become the industrial base to supply the other Successor States in fending off the invaders. The League underwent an economic growth that quickly made it one of the richest Successor States. However, during the [[ComStar Schism]] House Marik chose to side with the [[Word of Blake]].<ref name=CBT167>''Classic BattleTech RPG'', p. 167</ref> The dire result of this alliance was the Free Worlds League's destruction during the [[Jihad]], though efforts to re-form the League during the thirty-second century have taken place.+ Multicultural, with strong European, American, and Indian overtones.
− ====Notable Personalities==== + Capital world: [[Atreus (FWL)|Atreus]]
+
+ The [[Free Worlds League]] is notable as the first successor state founded in the [[Inner Sphere]]. While their history is wracked with many vicious civil wars and tensions along the Liao border, much of the Leagues territory there originally belonged to the Capellan Confederation. The dawn of the [[Clan]] invasion changed their role in the galaxy considerably as one of the two untouched nations and, until [[Operation Serpent]], neutral factions in the war.
+
+ This led the [[Free Worlds League]] to becoming an economic powerhouse, supplying materials ranging from food to [['Mech]]s, to other factions in need; often trading for advanced Clan technology. During this time the split between the [[Word of Blake]] and [[Comstar]] impacted the League as well, making them the first House to remove Comstar from control of House communications, in favor of the Blakeists.
+
+ The Free Worlds League has a strong emphasis on combined arms tactics, with almost all of their regiments featuring a large number of infantry, armor and aerospace assets, as well as one of the largest navies in the [[Inner Sphere]]. The focus on [['Mech]]s, however, does exist within their elite regiments that make up the [[Knights of the Inner Sphere]], in an effort to return to [[Star League]] tradition of minimizing loss of life by reducing war to just a handful of combatants. Near the end of [[3067]], the Free Worlds League had a space navy that greatly outpaced those of the other [[Successor States]].
+
+ After the Word of Blake [[Jihad]], the Free Worlds League dissolved and is now a defunct power.
+
+ ====Notable characters====
+ * [[Thomas Marik]]
* [[Janos Marik]] * [[Janos Marik]]
− * [[Anton Marik]]
− * [[Thomas Marik]]
− * [[Corinne Marik]]
− * [[Jessica Marik]]
− * [[Nikol Marik]]
− ===Lyran Commonwealth=== + ===House Steiner===
− [[Image:House Steiner Logo.jpg|right|150px]] + {{seealso| Lyran Alliance | Lyran Commonwealth | Federated Commonwealth}}
− The [[Lyran Commonwealth]], largely under the leadership of ''[[House Steiner]]'', has long been considered the Inner Sphere's greatest economic power. Formed in [[2340]] from the combination of several smaller defense pacts, its original capital was on [[Arcturus]] before moving to [[Tharkad]], where it came under the stewardship of the Steiner family and gained its Germanic trappings. With many resource-rich worlds, shrewd business acumen and a strong industrial base, the Lyran Commonwealth prospered even during the worst of times: in spite of the destruction of the Succession Wars, overall industrial output and average standard of living exceeded that of any other Successor State. This vast wealth helped the Lyran state weather any military reversals - especially [[Social General|self-inflicted]] ones - by quickly replacing their matériel losses.<ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 8</ref><ref name=MW2-116>''MechWarrior: Second Edition'', pp. 115–116</ref> +
+ Greatly influenced by Scandinavian and German culture.
+
+ Capital world: [[Tharkad]]
+
+ The [[Lyran Commonwealth]] was considered the [[Inner Sphere]]s greatest economic power. While as much involved with the Succession Wars as every other state, their focus had historically been on defense and border skirmishes, rather than invasion. The [[Lyran Commonwealth]] is frequently contested by the [[Draconis Combine]] and the [[Free Worlds League]], which no doubt helped lead to the creation of the [[Federated Commonwealth]] in later years, when the [[Lyran Commonwealth]] merged with the [[Federated Suns]].
− In the early part of the thirty-first century, the Lyran Commonwealth joined in a political union with the Federated Suns to form the [[Federated Commonwealth]], a vast superstate spanning the length of the Inner Sphere. Resistance to this merger was strong within the Lyran state, and both its economy and territorial integrity suffered heavily during the Clan invasion. Katherine Steiner-Davion successfully engineered the secession of the Lyran worlds from the FedCom alliance in [[3057]], forming the [[Lyran Alliance]] in its place.<ref name=CBT166/>+ The Lyran Commonwealth is also classically known for inept military commanders, who gain their status through social settings and favors rather than training and skill, often hailing from rich families. This has been known as a crippling factor for the successor state, as their equipment and technology easily outpaced their rivals in the first three succession wars.
− ====Notable Personalities==== + ====Notable Characters====
* [[Katrina Steiner]] * [[Katrina Steiner]]
* [[Melissa Steiner]] * [[Melissa Steiner]]
+
+ ===House Steiner-Davion===
+ {{seealso| Federated Commonwealth| Federated Suns| Lyran Alliance}}
+
+ Capital worlds: [[Tharkad]] and [[New Avalon]]
+
+ The [[Federated Commonwealth]] came into being with the marriage of [[Hanse Davion]] and [[Melissa Steiner]], joining the [[Federated Suns]] and the [[Lyran Commonwealth]] into what was the most powerful of the Successor States.
+
+ The union lasted only 20 years, as unrest caused by the [[Clan]] invasion and the assassination of [[Melissa Steiner-Davion]] enabled Melissa and Hanse's second child [[Katherine Steiner-Davion]] to seize much of the former [[Lyran Commonwealth]] from her brother, [[Victor Steiner-Davion]]'s control. Katherine went on to stage a coup against her younger sister, [[Yvonne Steiner-Davion]] and took control of the former [[Federated Suns]] half of the Commonwealth while Victor was off fighting [[Clan Smoke Jaguar]]. This lead to a civil war which raged for five years before Victor's allied forces successfully defeated Katherine and her supporters.
+
+ Rather than try to reforge the union of the two nations, Victor opted to aid the healing process by returning both nations to their prior separate constitutions and abdicating as [[Archon-Prince]] in favor of his surviving younger siblings; Archon [[Peter Steiner-Davion]] and Regent [[Yvonne Steiner-Davion]].
+
+ ====Notable characters====
* [[Katherine Steiner-Davion]] * [[Katherine Steiner-Davion]]
− * [[Peter Steiner-Davion]] + * [[Victor Steiner-Davion]]
− * [[Adam Steiner]] +
− * [[Melissa Steiner (32nd c.)|Melissa Steiner]] + ==ComStar==
− * [[Trillian Steiner-Davion]] + {{seealso| ComStar}}
+
+ Capital: [[Terra]]
+
+ While not strictly defined as one of the [[Successor States]], [[ComStar]] is politically influential, as it maintains a monopoly over the [[HyperPulse Generators]] (HPG), which are crucial to interstellar communication; the threat of a communications blackout makes ComStar a significant power within the [[Inner Sphere]].
+ ComStar, itself, is composed of quasi-mystical technicians who tend the [[HPG]] arrays. They profess to be neutral to the politics of the [[Inner Sphere]]. [[Jerome Blake]] is something of a religious figure to ComStar; oaths such as "''By the blessed Blake''" or epithets such as "''Blake's Blood!''" are not uncommon. [[Jerome Blake]] was the original founder of ComStar, after the [[Star League]] fell, and is considered by those within ComStar to be the savior of the [[Inner Sphere]].
+
+ ===Notable characters===
+ * [[Anastasius Focht]]
+ * [[Jerome Blake]]
+ * [[Julian Tiepolo]]
+ * [[Myndo Waterly]]
+
+ ==Word of Blake==
+ {{seealso| Word of Blake}}
+
+ The [[Word of Blake]] was once part of [[ComStar]], but splintered from the order due to a difference in beliefs. It was founded by [[Demona Aziz]], the then-Precentor of Atreus. Created after the death of Primus [[Myndo Waterly]] and the [[Battle of Tukayyid]] that halted the [[Clan]] invasion, it at first received support and refuge from the [[Free Worlds League]], who employed them to control their hyperpulse communications network. However, it launched an invasion of [[Inner Sphere]] territory, and eventually captured [[Terra]] from ComStar in [[3058]]. When the [[Star League]] was disbanded in [[3067]], the Word of Blake launched a [[jihad]] against the rest of the [[Inner Sphere]]. The opening of the Jihad included an attack by allegedly rogue mercenary units on the [[Wolf's Dragoons]] homeworld of Outreach, as well as assaults on [[Tharkad]], [[New Avalon]], [[Luthien]] and several other important worlds. The goal of the Word of Blake Jihad was an extension of the original plans of ComStar's founder, [[Jerome Blake]], [[Operation Silver Shield]], to capture some of the [[Terran Hegemony]] worlds and hold them under ComStar's control.
+
+ However, resistance began to grow when Professor [[David Lear]] and the [[Republic of the Sphere]]'s future founder, [[Devlin Stone]], escaped from a Word of Blake reeducation camp and organized a local resistance movement that destroyed Word of Blake forces on [[Kittery]]. Soon, the resistance developed into a widespread organization that was joined by [[ComStar]], the Successor States, the [[Clans]], and the mercenary unit [[Wolf's Dragoons]]. Once united, they succeeded in pushing the Word of Blake back, until their final defeat on [[Terra]] in [[3081]].
+
+ Common Nicknames: Blakist
− ==References==+ Pejoratives: Wobbie
− <references/>
− ==Bibliography== + ==Mercenaries==
− *''[[Classic BattleTech RPG]]''+ Also not a true Successor State, mercenaries play a large role in the [[Inner Sphere]], and some of the larger groups ([[Wolf's Dragoons]], for one) have considerable political and military influence.
− *''[[House Davion (The Federated Suns)]]''
− *''[[House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)]]''
− *''[[House Liao (The Capellan Confederation)]]''
− *''[[House Marik (The Free Worlds League)]]''
− *''[[House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)]]''
− *''[[MechWarrior: The BattleTech Role Playing Game, Second Edition]]''
+ ===Notable Units===
+ * [[Wolf's Dragoons]]
+ * [[Eridani Light Horse]]
+ * [[12th Star Guards]]
− [[Category:Inner Sphere Culture]]+ {{wikipedia|92703649}}
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− | + | {{Update Needed|[[Handbook: Major Periphery States]]}} | |
− | + | In the [[BattleTech]] universe, the '''Successor States''' (named as such due to their being the "Successors" of the [[Star League]]) are the major military powers of the [[Inner Sphere]], each governed by one of the Great Houses. Each Successor State has its own culture and customs. | |
− | + | ==The Great Houses of the Successor States== | |
+ | ===House Davion=== | ||
+ | {{seealso| Federated Suns| Federated Commonwealth}} | ||
− | + | Strongly influenced by Great Britain, United States, and France. | |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | + | Capital world: [[New Avalon]] | |
− | ====Notable | + | The [[Federated Suns]] is an interstellar nation set within the BattleTech game universe, introduced by [[FASA]] Corporation in the 1980s. The Federated Suns have been ruled by the Davion Family, or [[House Davion]], since the nation's founding in [[2317]]. |
+ | |||
+ | The FedSuns was founded in [[2317]] by [[Lucien Davion]], Prime Minister of New Avalon, when he negotiated a mutual defense and assistance agreement, known as the [[Crucis Pact]], with 20 nearby star systems. Lucien became the federation's first president and [[New Avalon]] its capital. A member of the Davion family has led the Federated Suns in unbroken succession for the past 700 years. Presently on the throne is [[Yvonne Steiner-Davion]], youngest sister to the former ruler, [[Victor Steiner-Davion]]. Both are children of [[Hanse Davion]] and [[Melissa Steiner]], whose marriage effectively sealed the Federated Suns' alliance with the [[Lyran Commonwealth]]. The Federated Suns claim approximately 400 inhabited star systems under its aegis, nearly double the number of worlds controlled at the beginning of the [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]]. In addition, uncounted other worlds are claimed and exploited by Davion forces. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Much of House Davion's growth over the past 200 years has taken place at the expense of Liao's [[Capellan Confederation]]. This was particularly true at the end of the [[Fourth Succession War]], when the Federated Suns took more than 100 worlds from [[House Liao]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | An even more serious enemy to the Federated Suns has been the [[Draconis Combine]], ruled by [[House Kurita]], which nearly succeeded in conquering the Davion realm during the [[First Succession War]]. By forging an alliance with the Lyran Commonwealth in [[3022]], Davion forced Kurita to spread its [['Mech]] resources along two frontiers, leaving many worlds thinly defended. Prior to the Fourth Succession War, Davion forces were able to exploit this vulnerability, seizing the Combine worlds of [[Tancredi II]] and [[Galatea]], as well as [[Star League]] storehouses at [[Galtor III|Galtor]] and [[Rowe]], while losing very few units themselves. With the outbreak of war, however, the Federated Commonwealth had to rearrange its priorities. By the end of the Fourth War, House Kurita had managed to seize 15 worlds, including Galtor, along its border with [[House Davion]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Surprisingly, the [[Clan]] threat has done much to destroy the traditional Davion-Kurita rivalry. There is even rumor of a love affair between [[Victor Steiner-Davion]] and [[Theodore Kurita]]'s daughter, [[Omiko Kurita]], although official sources consistently deny the connection. It is known that [[Victor Davion]] led a mission to a Clan-held world to rescue Theodore Kurita's son, [[Hohiro Kurita II|Hohiro Kurita]] (the younger). With the Clan threat diminishing for a time, tensions will no doubt resurface. Clashes, at least minor ones, between Davion and Kurita forces will recur. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Common Nicknames: Davionist | ||
+ | |||
+ | Pejoratives: FedRat | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====Notable characters==== | ||
* [[Hanse Davion]] | * [[Hanse Davion]] | ||
− | |||
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− | === | + | ===House Kurita=== |
− | [[ | + | {{seealso| Draconis Combine}} |
− | ''[[House Kurita]] | + | |
+ | Strongly influenced by Japanese culture. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Capital world: [[Luthien]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The [[Free Rasalhague Republic]] (FRR) was once part of the [[Draconis Combine]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | In the '''BattleTech''' universe, [[House Kurita]] is the ruling family of the fearsome [[Draconis Combine]]. The only Great House that proclaims unabashedly its right to rule all of the [[Inner Sphere]], House Kurita has dominated the Draconis Combine since its founding in [[2319]]. Its progenitor was [[Shiro Kurita]], the first Coordinator of the Draconis Combine. The current Lord of House Kurita is Coordinator [[Theodore Kurita]], who succeeded his father [[Takashi Kurita]] in [[3054]]. House Kurita has had a long history of antagonism with and aggression against its neighbors. Though its official symbol is the serpentine Chinese dragon, humorist [[Homer Kellogi]] thought the octopus a more appropriate symbol, since House Kurita's tentacles are everywhere. Though driven by an archaic sense of honor spelled out in the [[Dictum Honorium]], House Kurita is not above using subterfuge and guile to further its goals. | ||
+ | |||
+ | A massive tome comprising many volumes, the [[Dictum Honorium]] would require several lifetimes to master. It spells out in fine detail the code of conduct for all citizens of the Draconis Combine, from the Coordinator to his Samurai to the lowest Unproductive. Due to its length and general impenetrability, few manage to read more than a few pages, and the Dictum has little actual effect on daily life. Several passages, such as the special rules allowing the taking (instead of summary execution) of prisoners of war valuable to military intelligence and ransom are kept secret from the public. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Common Nicknames: Kuritan | ||
− | + | Pejoratives: Drac, Draco, Snake | |
− | ====Notable | + | ====Notable characters==== |
− | * [[ | + | * [[Minoru Kurita (28th c.)|Minoru Kurita]] |
+ | * [[Hohiro Kurita II|Hohiro Kurita]] | ||
+ | * [[Omiko Kurita]] | ||
+ | * [[Theodore Kurita]] | ||
* [[Yorinaga Kurita]] | * [[Yorinaga Kurita]] | ||
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− | === | + | ===House Liao=== |
− | + | {{seealso| Capellan Confederation}} | |
− | The [[Capellan Confederation]] | + | |
+ | Strongly influenced by Chinese, Russian, and Scottish culture. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Capital world: [[Sian]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | The [[Capellan Confederation]] has long been considered the underdogs of the [[Inner Sphere]], known for mentally unstable leaders that are often violently oppressive towards their own people and great military losses in each succession war leading them to a shadow of their former size. | ||
+ | |||
+ | However, in more recent years, the Capellan Confederation has strengthened incredibly under the leadership of [[Sun-Tzu Liao]]. Often manipulative but the best leader the empire has seen in years, the Confederation has a strong alliance with the [[Free Worlds League]], resulting in rapid technological increase, as well a social reformation among the people (known as ''[[Xin Sheng]]'') restoring their pride. This culminated in the Confederation re-taking a pocket of territory on the Davion border known as the [[St. Ives Compact]] which revolted with [[Federated Commonwealth]] help in the [[4th Succession War]], during Sun-Tzu's grandfather's rule. | ||
− | + | More recently the Confederation has gained strong alliances with both major [[Periphery]] factions on its borders, giving it access to the rear guard of both the [[Free Worlds League]] and [[Federated Commonwealth]] ([[Federated Suns]] in the post civil war era), as well as strong but technologically inferior military allies. This leaves the Confederation as one of the strongest factions in the post-civil war classic period. | |
− | ====Notable | + | ====Notable characters==== |
− | * [[ | + | * [[Maximillian Liao]] |
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* [[Sun-Tzu Liao]] | * [[Sun-Tzu Liao]] | ||
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− | === | + | ===House Marik=== |
− | + | {{seealso| Free Worlds League}} | |
− | |||
− | + | Multicultural, with strong European, American, and Indian overtones. | |
− | ====Notable | + | Capital world: [[Atreus (FWL)|Atreus]] |
+ | |||
+ | The [[Free Worlds League]] is notable as the first successor state founded in the [[Inner Sphere]]. While their history is wracked with many vicious civil wars and tensions along the Liao border, much of the Leagues territory there originally belonged to the Capellan Confederation. The dawn of the [[Clan]] invasion changed their role in the galaxy considerably as one of the two untouched nations and, until [[Operation Serpent]], neutral factions in the war. | ||
+ | |||
+ | This led the [[Free Worlds League]] to becoming an economic powerhouse, supplying materials ranging from food to [['Mech]]s, to other factions in need; often trading for advanced Clan technology. During this time the split between the [[Word of Blake]] and [[Comstar]] impacted the League as well, making them the first House to remove Comstar from control of House communications, in favor of the Blakeists. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Free Worlds League has a strong emphasis on combined arms tactics, with almost all of their regiments featuring a large number of infantry, armor and aerospace assets, as well as one of the largest navies in the [[Inner Sphere]]. The focus on [['Mech]]s, however, does exist within their elite regiments that make up the [[Knights of the Inner Sphere]], in an effort to return to [[Star League]] tradition of minimizing loss of life by reducing war to just a handful of combatants. Near the end of [[3067]], the Free Worlds League had a space navy that greatly outpaced those of the other [[Successor States]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | After the Word of Blake [[Jihad]], the Free Worlds League dissolved and is now a defunct power. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====Notable characters==== | ||
+ | * [[Thomas Marik]] | ||
* [[Janos Marik]] | * [[Janos Marik]] | ||
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− | === | + | ===House Steiner=== |
− | [[ | + | {{seealso| Lyran Alliance | Lyran Commonwealth | Federated Commonwealth}} |
− | The [[Lyran Commonwealth]] | + | |
+ | Greatly influenced by Scandinavian and German culture. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Capital world: [[Tharkad]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | The [[Lyran Commonwealth]] was considered the [[Inner Sphere]]s greatest economic power. While as much involved with the Succession Wars as every other state, their focus had historically been on defense and border skirmishes, rather than invasion. The [[Lyran Commonwealth]] is frequently contested by the [[Draconis Combine]] and the [[Free Worlds League]], which no doubt helped lead to the creation of the [[Federated Commonwealth]] in later years, when the [[Lyran Commonwealth]] merged with the [[Federated Suns]]. | ||
− | + | The Lyran Commonwealth is also classically known for inept military commanders, who gain their status through social settings and favors rather than training and skill, often hailing from rich families. This has been known as a crippling factor for the successor state, as their equipment and technology easily outpaced their rivals in the first three succession wars. | |
− | ====Notable | + | ====Notable Characters==== |
* [[Katrina Steiner]] | * [[Katrina Steiner]] | ||
* [[Melissa Steiner]] | * [[Melissa Steiner]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===House Steiner-Davion=== | ||
+ | {{seealso| Federated Commonwealth| Federated Suns| Lyran Alliance}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | Capital worlds: [[Tharkad]] and [[New Avalon]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | The [[Federated Commonwealth]] came into being with the marriage of [[Hanse Davion]] and [[Melissa Steiner]], joining the [[Federated Suns]] and the [[Lyran Commonwealth]] into what was the most powerful of the Successor States. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The union lasted only 20 years, as unrest caused by the [[Clan]] invasion and the assassination of [[Melissa Steiner-Davion]] enabled Melissa and Hanse's second child [[Katherine Steiner-Davion]] to seize much of the former [[Lyran Commonwealth]] from her brother, [[Victor Steiner-Davion]]'s control. Katherine went on to stage a coup against her younger sister, [[Yvonne Steiner-Davion]] and took control of the former [[Federated Suns]] half of the Commonwealth while Victor was off fighting [[Clan Smoke Jaguar]]. This lead to a civil war which raged for five years before Victor's allied forces successfully defeated Katherine and her supporters. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Rather than try to reforge the union of the two nations, Victor opted to aid the healing process by returning both nations to their prior separate constitutions and abdicating as [[Archon-Prince]] in favor of his surviving younger siblings; Archon [[Peter Steiner-Davion]] and Regent [[Yvonne Steiner-Davion]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====Notable characters==== | ||
* [[Katherine Steiner-Davion]] | * [[Katherine Steiner-Davion]] | ||
− | * [[ | + | * [[Victor Steiner-Davion]] |
− | * [[ | + | |
− | * [[ | + | ==ComStar== |
− | * [[ | + | {{seealso| ComStar}} |
+ | |||
+ | Capital: [[Terra]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | While not strictly defined as one of the [[Successor States]], [[ComStar]] is politically influential, as it maintains a monopoly over the [[HyperPulse Generators]] (HPG), which are crucial to interstellar communication; the threat of a communications blackout makes ComStar a significant power within the [[Inner Sphere]]. | ||
+ | ComStar, itself, is composed of quasi-mystical technicians who tend the [[HPG]] arrays. They profess to be neutral to the politics of the [[Inner Sphere]]. [[Jerome Blake]] is something of a religious figure to ComStar; oaths such as "''By the blessed Blake''" or epithets such as "''Blake's Blood!''" are not uncommon. [[Jerome Blake]] was the original founder of ComStar, after the [[Star League]] fell, and is considered by those within ComStar to be the savior of the [[Inner Sphere]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Notable characters=== | ||
+ | * [[Anastasius Focht]] | ||
+ | * [[Jerome Blake]] | ||
+ | * [[Julian Tiepolo]] | ||
+ | * [[Myndo Waterly]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Word of Blake== | ||
+ | {{seealso| Word of Blake}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | The [[Word of Blake]] was once part of [[ComStar]], but splintered from the order due to a difference in beliefs. It was founded by [[Demona Aziz]], the then-Precentor of Atreus. Created after the death of Primus [[Myndo Waterly]] and the [[Battle of Tukayyid]] that halted the [[Clan]] invasion, it at first received support and refuge from the [[Free Worlds League]], who employed them to control their hyperpulse communications network. However, it launched an invasion of [[Inner Sphere]] territory, and eventually captured [[Terra]] from ComStar in [[3058]]. When the [[Star League]] was disbanded in [[3067]], the Word of Blake launched a [[jihad]] against the rest of the [[Inner Sphere]]. The opening of the Jihad included an attack by allegedly rogue mercenary units on the [[Wolf's Dragoons]] homeworld of Outreach, as well as assaults on [[Tharkad]], [[New Avalon]], [[Luthien]] and several other important worlds. The goal of the Word of Blake Jihad was an extension of the original plans of ComStar's founder, [[Jerome Blake]], [[Operation Silver Shield]], to capture some of the [[Terran Hegemony]] worlds and hold them under ComStar's control. | ||
+ | |||
+ | However, resistance began to grow when Professor [[David Lear]] and the [[Republic of the Sphere]]'s future founder, [[Devlin Stone]], escaped from a Word of Blake reeducation camp and organized a local resistance movement that destroyed Word of Blake forces on [[Kittery]]. Soon, the resistance developed into a widespread organization that was joined by [[ComStar]], the Successor States, the [[Clans]], and the mercenary unit [[Wolf's Dragoons]]. Once united, they succeeded in pushing the Word of Blake back, until their final defeat on [[Terra]] in [[3081]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Common Nicknames: Blakist | ||
− | + | Pejoratives: Wobbie | |
− | |||
− | == | + | ==Mercenaries== |
− | + | Also not a true Successor State, mercenaries play a large role in the [[Inner Sphere]], and some of the larger groups ([[Wolf's Dragoons]], for one) have considerable political and military influence. | |
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+ | ===Notable Units=== | ||
+ | * [[Wolf's Dragoons]] | ||
+ | * [[Eridani Light Horse]] | ||
+ | * [[12th Star Guards]] | ||
− | + | {{wikipedia|92703649}} |