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	Prior to [[Erdelmaine Randis]]' arrival on [[Hope IV]], the planet's population was under constant harassment from [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarriors]] and other former military members seeking to either subjugate their own little patch of the Periphery or merely trying to stay alive. That changed in [[2988]] when Randis formed a very small cadre of these misfits into a dedicated band of Christian soldiers (though practicing a variant of the religion that was unique in its methodology). Along with the proclamation of control of the planet (now renamed Randis IV), the unit began to cleanse the world of troublemakers and sought to defend it from outworlder attacks (primarily pirates).<ref name=P96-76>''The Periphery, Second Edition'', p. 76: "Galahad Frews"</ref><ref name=ISP2-40>''Jihad Conspiracies: Interstellar Players 2'', pp. 40–44</ref><ref name=P88-129>''The Periphery, First Edition'', p. 129</ref><ref name=FMP-116>''Field Manual: Periphery'', p. 116</ref>		Prior to [[Erdelmaine Randis]]' arrival on [[Hope IV]], the planet's population was under constant harassment from [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarriors]] and other former military members seeking to either subjugate their own little patch of the Periphery or merely trying to stay alive. That changed in [[2988]] when Randis formed a very small cadre of these misfits into a dedicated band of Christian soldiers (though practicing a variant of the religion that was unique in its methodology). Along with the proclamation of control of the planet (now renamed Randis IV), the unit began to cleanse the world of troublemakers and sought to defend it from outworlder attacks (primarily pirates).<ref name=P96-76>''The Periphery, Second Edition'', p. 76: "Galahad Frews"</ref><ref name=ISP2-40>''Jihad Conspiracies: Interstellar Players 2'', pp. 40–44</ref><ref name=P88-129>''The Periphery, First Edition'', p. 129</ref><ref name=FMP-116>''Field Manual: Periphery'', p. 116</ref>
−	The Brotherhood, from inception, was very exclusive and bound to the [[BattleMech]] as its weapon of choice. Indeed, they perceived non-'Mech combat as beneath their status, declaring it wretched and "unchivalrous." They based their quasi-religious order around a dedication towards developing what they viewed as the ultimate form of combat. Their devotion was complete: they turned over their lives, their financial assets and even their families to the needs of the order.<ref name=P88-129/>	+	The Brotherhood, from inception, was very exclusive and bound to the [[BattleMech]] as its weapon of choice. Indeed, they perceived non-'Mech combat as beneath their status, declaring it wretched and "unchivalrous." They based their pseudo-religious order around a dedication towards developing what they viewed as the ultimate form of combat. Their devotion was complete: they turned over their lives, their financial assets and even their families to the needs of the order.<ref name=P88-129/>
	The Brotherhood's military might during this period was questionable: they were assumed to have control of fewer than 12 operational 'Mechs in [[3025]], mostly of the [[BattleMech#Light|Light]] variety, and of dubious capability. The strict and harsh training method resulted in MechWarriors with equally dubious combat skills. Despite their intentions to improve the quality of life on Randis IV, their focus on MechWarrior training came at the expense of the planet's development. The unit would, however, seek offworld contracts, which provided a steady (but meager) source of income for the planet's economic base. Because of this tendency to seek employment, the unit was seen not as a private militia of the planet, but a mercenary unit. The few off-world jobs taken all resulted in near disasters, and the unit barely survived the closing years of the [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]]. Their sole victories came from defensive operations against less organized attacks on Randis IV.<ref name=P96-76/><ref name=P88-129/><ref name=FMP-116/>		The Brotherhood's military might during this period was questionable: they were assumed to have control of fewer than 12 operational 'Mechs in [[3025]], mostly of the [[BattleMech#Light|Light]] variety, and of dubious capability. The strict and harsh training method resulted in MechWarriors with equally dubious combat skills. Despite their intentions to improve the quality of life on Randis IV, their focus on MechWarrior training came at the expense of the planet's development. The unit would, however, seek offworld contracts, which provided a steady (but meager) source of income for the planet's economic base. Because of this tendency to seek employment, the unit was seen not as a private militia of the planet, but a mercenary unit. The few off-world jobs taken all resulted in near disasters, and the unit barely survived the closing years of the [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]]. Their sole victories came from defensive operations against less organized attacks on Randis IV.<ref name=P96-76/><ref name=P88-129/><ref name=FMP-116/>

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{{Cleanup|reason=review needed|date=September 2023}} {{infoBoxMilitaryCommand | image = [[Image:BrotherhoodRandis.gif]] | Designation = Brotherhood of Randis | Formed = [[2988]] | Disbanded = | Previous Designation = | Nickname = | Affiliation = [[Fiefdom of Randis]] | Parent Command = | Sub-Command = }} The '''Brotherhood of Randis''' (also known as the '''Randis Brotherhood''') has grown from a cult of personality to a [[Periphery]] state unit of some renown, famous for both its harsh initiation practices and the missions of mercy it has undertaken to rescue planetary populations from the deprivations of piracy. They hold the protection of [[Randis IV]] as their top priority.<ref name=P88-130>''The Periphery, First Edition'', p. 130</ref><ref name=ISP2-44/> ==Unit History== ===Erdelmaine Randis=== Prior to [[Erdelmaine Randis]]' arrival on [[Hope IV]], the planet's population was under constant harassment from [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarriors]] and other former military members seeking to either subjugate their own little patch of the Periphery or merely trying to stay alive. That changed in [[2988]] when Randis formed a very small cadre of these misfits into a dedicated band of Christian soldiers (though practicing a variant of the religion that was unique in its methodology). Along with the proclamation of control of the planet (now renamed Randis IV), the unit began to cleanse the world of troublemakers and sought to defend it from outworlder attacks (primarily pirates).<ref name=P96-76>''The Periphery, Second Edition'', p. 76: "Galahad Frews"</ref><ref name=ISP2-40>''Jihad Conspiracies: Interstellar Players 2'', pp. 40–44</ref><ref name=P88-129>''The Periphery, First Edition'', p. 129</ref><ref name=FMP-116>''Field Manual: Periphery'', p. 116</ref> The Brotherhood, from inception, was very exclusive and bound to the [[BattleMech]] as its weapon of choice. Indeed, they perceived non-'Mech combat as beneath their status, declaring it wretched and "unchivalrous." They based their pseudo-religious order around a dedication towards developing what they viewed as the ultimate form of combat. Their devotion was complete: they turned over their lives, their financial assets and even their families to the needs of the order.<ref name=P88-129/> The Brotherhood's military might during this period was questionable: they were assumed to have control of fewer than 12 operational 'Mechs in [[3025]], mostly of the [[BattleMech#Light|Light]] variety, and of dubious capability. The strict and harsh training method resulted in MechWarriors with equally dubious combat skills. Despite their intentions to improve the quality of life on Randis IV, their focus on MechWarrior training came at the expense of the planet's development. The unit would, however, seek offworld contracts, which provided a steady (but meager) source of income for the planet's economic base. Because of this tendency to seek employment, the unit was seen not as a private militia of the planet, but a mercenary unit. The few off-world jobs taken all resulted in near disasters, and the unit barely survived the closing years of the [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]]. Their sole victories came from defensive operations against less organized attacks on Randis IV.<ref name=P96-76/><ref name=P88-129/><ref name=FMP-116/> ===Galahad Frews=== In [[3037]], Brother [[Galahad Frews]], an expatriate of the [[Federated Suns]], successfully challenged Randis to leadership of the Brotherhood, and assumed the title of Grand Knight. Frews initiated a new training program that changed the nature of the unit, as well as instituted policies that similarly affected Randis IV. By [[3051]], the professional and organized Brotherhood demonstrated its new capabilities by defeating [[Fuchida's Fusiliers]] in a claim to a [[Star League]]-era cache on [[Antallos (Port Krin)|Antallos]], suffering at least three losses while retrieving a large number of 'Mechs, some from the Star League, others from the [[Rim Worlds Republic]], including some [[Rampage]]s, and even mothballed 'Mechs from the [[Age of War]]. Following this victory, they were invigorated and fresh and developed a further level of fame between the years of [[3054]] and [[3064]], as they became a source of hope for their neck of the [[Deep Periphery]]. This attention brought to their numbers two former [[Clans|Clanners]], who sought new lives around moral codes similar to their own.<ref name=P96-76/><ref name=ISP2-40/><ref name=FMP-116/><ref name=TR50U-196>''Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade'', p. 196</ref> ===Lucas Beckett=== By late [[3062]], Frews had been dismissed by the Council and succeeded by [[Lucas Beckett]], one of the former Clanners who joined in [[3060]]. Beckett inserted a number of his own Clan standards into the Brotherhood's philosophy and he has demonstrated some skill at politicking with the Council. There has been a small movement of sorts that has developed that seeks to put Frews back into the position of Grand Knight, so that the Clan influences would be removed. Frews, however, has distanced himself from this, as he feels any disruption of the leadership would be detrimental to the unit.<ref name=ISP2-40/><ref name=FMP-116/> Under Beckett's aegis, the Brotherhood has become known to target those forces that victimize the downtrodden, providing the unit's own source of justice. In [[3069]] a third former Clansman, known now as Brother [[Nyleith]], arrived on Randis IV with his ''[[Kingfisher]]'' and trophies of dead Blakists. His vocal anti-Word of Blake debates and hardened assaults on Blake-hired units in the Periphery has brought negative attention from that warring faction. Concern has been raised, too, by the increased amount of pirate attacks on Randis IV, in spite of the Brotherhood's history of anti-pirate victories.<ref name=ISP2-40/><ref name=FMP-166>''Field Manual: Periphery'', p. 166</ref><ref name=TR58U-188>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', p. 188</ref><ref name=MMSD>''Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers'', p. 234: "Lucas Beckett"</ref> The Brotherhood appears to be operating on a long-range plan that is known only to the Inner Circle. It has been known to violate the boundaries of both the [[Taurian Concordat]] and [[Outworlds Alliance]], in order to pursue its missions of mercy and pirate hunts. The organization has most recently sought to improve Randis IV's industrial and commercial assets by updating the transportation infrastructure and seeking trading partners. While it is known to be in control of a secret source of wealth, the Brotherhood remains self-sufficient via a small tax upon the population of the [[Fiefdom of Randis]]. Other than the tax, it allows Randis IV to remain largely self-governed.<ref name=ISP2-44>''Jihad Conspiracies: Interstellar Players 2'', pp. 44–45</ref> Local worlds to Randis IV have approached the Brotherhood for educational and religious missions, for both the educational benefits and the promise of protection that comes with the Randis missionaries. The Brothers place the security of the missions as almost a high of a priority as that for Randis IV itself, and have been known to seek vengeance when the missions have been harmed. Other mercenaries have been hired to provide this protection as well, and also to gather intelligence on future targets. Their code of conduct generally means they will treat a defeated enemy with compassion and respect, but they will just as likely put human rights violators on trial.<ref name=ISP2-44/> In 3066, a new pirate group, the [[Black Scarabs]], attacked the capital of Randis, New Hope. They jumped into a pirate point, with a ''[[Leopard]]'' DropShip, debarking two 'Mechs, a ''[[Hunchback]]'' and a ''[[Panther]]'', attacking a water purification plant, looting a lot of spare parts, retreating burning houses, killing most of two hundred civilians.<ref>''Red Khopesh'' in ''First Strike'', p. 241</ref> Not much later, [[Mark Castor-Davion]], an envoy of [[Interstellar Relief Fund]] arrived on the planet to deliver humanitarian items to help the Randis people: pharmaceuticals, seed grain, water purification units, and two billion C-bills. At that moment, as half of Brotherhood warriors are busy searching for the Black Scarabs, they've been forced to hire a small mercenary unit, the [[Malfont Raiders]] to help them defend Randis, and Mark contracts them to help escort a convoy with part of the money.<ref>''Red Khopesh'' in ''First Strike'', p. 239</ref> During the way, the escorts, led by Mark's ''[[Banshee (BattleMech)|Banshee]]'', and Brother [[Richard Kittrick]]'s ''[[JagerMech]]'', the Brotherhood's representative, saw a ''[[Koshi]]'' OmniMech red painted, with a Red [[Khopesh]] insignia, but it retreated before they could attack it.<ref>''Red Khopesh'' in ''First Strike'', p. 247</ref> In a narrow gap between rocks, the Black Scarab's attacked the convoy, but Mark, instead of attacking them, turned against Malfont's 'Mech, forcing her to order the attackers to a ceasefire under the threat of killing her. She complied, and then Mark revealed that the Scarabs, pirates, and Raiders are the same groups, and they intend to kill Mark and Kittrick and steal their 'Mechs and money. But then, a full company of Red Khopesh 'Mechs appeared and destroyed a Raider's 'Mech.<ref>''Red Khopesh'' in ''First Strike'', p. 253</ref> Then Mark revealed that he was the leader and founder of the Red Khopesh, a pirate group created by him to destroy the Clans. He searched pirated and mercenaries without any honor, and he recruited the Raiders to his group. Kittrick tried to oppose it, but under the threat of all weapons, he must retreat. It appears, however that the humanitarian help of IRF was real. It is implied [[The Red Khopesh]] left Randis soon, without causing havoc.<ref>''Red Khopesh'' in ''First Strike'', p. 255</ref> By the end of the [[Jihad]], the Brotherhood remained a viable combat force, despite a series of pirate raids that seemed to be specifically targeting the Brotherhood, rather than anything of importance on the world of Randis. While some members of the Brotherhood had been lost in the pirate raids, by [[3079]] it was looking increasingly likely that the Brotherhood would have sufficient numbers to raise a third battalion. As it was, both of the two existing battalions were already substantially over standard size, and all bar a tenth of the 'Mechs in the over-strength second battalion had been upgraded to use advanced technology.<ref name="FR:Pp16">''Field Report: Periphery'', p. 16: "Lesser Periphery States' Forces"</ref> By [[3081]] the Fiefdom of Randis was manufacturing [[BattleMech]]s based on [[RetroTech]] technology<ref name="J:FRp117">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 117: "Lesser Periphery States"</ref> and was purchasing small quantities of the ''[[Star Dagger]]'' [[aerospace fighter]] from the [[Calderon Protectorate]] to equip local defense forces with.<ref name="J:FRp117cp">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 117: "Calderon Protectorate"</ref> The ties between the Fiefdom and the Calderon Protectorate grew in the early years after the [[Jihad]], as did those between the Fiefdom and the [[Filtvelt Coalition]]; by [[3085]] the three nations had established an exchange program for students and staff teaching at the various military training institutes within each nation, despite the unusual nature of the training the Brotherhood engaged in.<ref name="FM:3085p133">''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 133: "Fiefdom of Randis"</ref> The Brotherhood did lose some monks to other nations after experiencing the training programs in other nations, but the Brotherhood held no ill-will toward those who defected; most of those monks who traveled to the Coalition or the Protectorate returned with a renewed sense of dedication to the ideals of the Brotherhood. The influx of aerospace fighters also led to the Brotherhood expanding the program at their monastery to include aerospace training, in hopes that they would be able to extend the protection the Brotherhood could provide beyond the surface of Randis.<ref name="FM:3085p135"/> The Fiefdom benefited from the development of the [[Hope Industrial Works]] economically after the Jihad; the RetroTech 'Mechs produced there provided substantial profits that the Brotherhood divided into two parts - one part was used to provide for the refugees who had flocked to Randis, while the other part was used to upgrade the Brotherhood's equipment.<ref name="FM:3085p135">''Field Manual: 3085'', p. 135: "Fiefdom of Randis"</ref> === William Dirac === Cooperation between the Fiefdom and other nations continued, and in [[3100]] the government of Grand Knight [[William Dirac]] signed a number of pacts - both economic and military - with its two closest allies, the Calderon Protectorate and the Filtvelt Coalition. These pacts brought a number of benefits to the Fiefdom, such as improved BattleMech technology - allowing the Fiefdom to upgrade its iconic home-produced ''[[HawkWolf]]'' 'Mech<ref name="TRO:3145Mp44"/> - with raw materials from the Randis system being used to not only initiate a number of small terraforming projects in the Protectorate but also to support BattleMech production in the Coalition.<ref name="FM:3145p185">''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 185: "Fiefdom of Randis"</ref> The level of cooperation between the Fiefdom, the Coalition and the Protectorate was tested in [[3128]]; a bandit raiding force from the [[Tortuga Dominions]] a battalion in size raided Randis and inflicted substantial damage on the Hope Industrial Works. Grand Knight Dirac called on his allies for a retaliatory strike,<ref name="FM:3145p185"/> and in [[3129]] the Fiefdom embarked on [[Operation TRIDENT]] in conjunction with the Protectorate and the Coalition. Operation TRIDENT saw all three nations combine forces to strike at the Tortuga Dominions, with forces from all three nations working alongside each other on the various Dominion worlds.<ref name="TRO:3145Mp44">''Technical Readout: 3145 Mercenaries'', p. 44: "HWK-4F ''HawkWolf''"</ref> The campaign saw the Brotherhood's First Battalion fight alongside battalions drawn from the [[Second Taurian Pride]] and the [[Thumpers|Thumper Assault Regiment]] for almost a year.<ref name="FM:3145p185"/> Operation TRIDENT was a notable success, and between the end of the operation and [[3145]] raids on Randis from the Dominion were rare; the Fiefdom enjoyed a decade of industrial and cultural expansion, and in 3145 the establishment of a mining operation on Eminence, Randis' moon, was proposed - a major civic project for the small Periphery realm.<ref name="FM:3145p186">''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 186: "Fiefdom of Randis"</ref> The drop in raids also allowed the Hope Industrial Works to expand significantly, not only upgrading to produced more advanced 'Mechs but also expanding the designs available, expanding the capabilities of the Brotherhood in turn.<ref name="FM:3145p189">''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 188: "Fiefdom of Randis"</ref> ===References in Fiction=== In [[3073]], novelist [[Clyde Cutler]] released a book titled ''[[Dark Periphery]]'', in which he ties the events of the [[John Paul II Square Massacre]] to a missing construction crew from [[Sandro Manufacturing]], and finally to the Brotherhood. His novel suggests that the Brotherhood is charged with protecting the [[Roman Catholic Church|Vatican]]'s historical valuables smuggled off [[Terra]] in [[2768]], basing this conjecture on their missions of (nonprofit) mercy.<ref name=ISP2-40/> Circa 3073, the pirate band called [[Johnson's Jackals]] was beaten by the Brotherhood of Randis after having raided one town of [[Oscar]].<ref name=ISP2-42>''Jihad Conspiracies: Interstellar Players 2'', pp. 42–43, ''Word on the Streets''</ref> ==Officers== {| class="wikitable" |- ! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Rank ! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Name ! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Command |- | colspan="4" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Commanding Officers of the Brotherhood of Randis''' |- | [[Grand Knight of the Brotherhood of Randis|Grand Knight]]||[[Erdelmaine Randis]]|| <ref name=P88-129/> |- | Grand Knight||[[Galahad Frews]]|| <ref name=ISP2-40/><ref name=FMP-116/> |- | Grand Knight||[[Lucas Beckett]]|| <ref name=ISP2-40/><ref name=FMP-116/> |- | Grand Knight||[[William Dirac]]||[[3142]]-[[3150]] <ref>''Field Manual: 3145'', pp. 176 </ref> |- |} ==Tactics== Unknown. ==Membership== The Brotherhood is still considered an exclusive unit and membership remains hard to attain. While they will accept candidates with less than stellar personal histories, they eschew anyone who continues to practice questionable behavior. The moral code requires the practice of the Christian faith, with a large amount of study and reflection a requirement. Missionaries and retired knights have been known to actively recruit for the Brotherhood.<ref name=ISP2-44/><ref name=ISP2-40/><ref name=FMP-164>''Field Manual: Periphery'', p. 164</ref> =====Known members of the order===== * Brother [[Anathis]]: patrolled the perimeter of the Antallos cache with Brother Zontar<ref name=P96-76/> * Brother [[Andrew (Brotherhood of Randis)|Andrew]]: died in battle against [[Fuchida's Fusiliers]] on [[Antallos]]<ref name=P96-76/> * Grand Knight [[Lucas Beckett]]: third leader of the Brotherhood<ref name=ISP2-40/><ref name=FMP-116/> * Brother [[Carson (person)|Carson]]: second of the first two Clanners to join<ref name=FMP-116/> * Brother [[Cray "Rabbit"]]: Ex–[[Clan Smoke Jaguar]] warrior who rose to the rank of Knight-Errant<ref>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 20'', p. 8: "Longbow"</ref> * Grand Knight [[William Dirac]]: leader of the Brotherhood at the dawn of the [[IlClan Era]].<ref>''Field Manual: 3145'', pp. 98 </ref> * Sister [[Dolores Anahera]]: Ex–Federated Suns officer, piloted a ''[[Toro]]''. Died in [[3148]].<ref>''Technical Readout: TR-B-9 Toro'' in ''[[Shrapnel #10]]''</ref> * Brother [[Seth Heinrich]], commander of the Second Battalion at the end of [[Dark Age]].<ref>''Field Manual: 3145'', pp. 98 </ref> * Brother [[Ward Dilmore]]: single-handedly tied up a Fusilier lance on Antallos with the unit's sole ''[[Wyvern]]''<ref name=TR50U-196/> * Grand Knight [[Galahad Frews]]: second leader of the Brotherhood<ref name=ISP2-40/><ref name=FMP-116/> * Brother [[Jan (MechWarrior)|Jan]]: died in battle against Fuchida's Fusiliers on Antallos<ref name=P96-76/> * Brother [[Richard Kittrick]], piloted a ''[[JagerMech]]'', and in 3066 was assigned the task of receiving the IRF donatives and oversee their protection.<ref>''Red Khopesh'' in ''First Strike'', p. 255</ref> * [[Patty Krail]]: a successful candidate<ref name=P88-130/> * Brother [[Thaddeus MacEoghan]]: Piloted a ''[[Valkyrie]]''. Disappeared on [[Novo Franklin]], presumably a victim of [[Black Marauder|the Dark One]].<ref name=rg9p7>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 9'', p. 7: "Valkyrie"</ref> * Sister [[Mayleen]]: died in battle against Fuchida's Fusiliers on Antallos<ref name=P96-76/> * Brother [[Nyleith]]: vocal anti-Blake former Clanner, third to join<ref name=ISP2-40/><ref name=TR58U-188/> * Grand Knight [[Erdelmaine Randis]]: founder of the Brotherhood<ref name=P88-129/> * Brother [[Relchard]]: patrolled the perimeter of the Antallos cache with Brother Zontar<ref name=P96-76/> * Brother [[Perseus Schell]]: Piloted an ''[[Archer]]''. Vowed to defeat [[Black Marauder|the malevolent Dark One]].<ref name=rg5p8>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 6'', p. 8: "Marauder"</ref> * Brother [[Zontar]]: author of a journal detailing his perspective of the Antallos mission<ref name=P96-76/> ==Initiations== During the time of Erdelmaine Randis' leadership, initiates who had demonstrated their readiness for testing would go through four dangerous trials in one day: ; Test of Endurance: The initiate would run through parallel lines of twenty of the Brotherhood's elite, each of whom was armed with a club, knout, or whip ; Test of Strength: The initiate would be pulled by two driven horses in opposing directions for a length of time, once reportedly for at least an hour ; Test of Dexterity: Loaded with a 30 kilogram pack, the initiate would attempt to climb up and down a 90 meter cliff, in order to retrieve an electronic key to the Red Master's [[Griffin]] ; Test of Courage: The initiate must remain calm as the left leg of the Griffin was slowly lowered onto the initiate's prone body Passing the tests would result in the immediate medical and compassionate care by the Brotherhood's squires, and receipt of the uniform: red and black silk, steel mesh, and a sword.<ref name=P88-130/> ==Facilities== The Brotherhood has established a training academy in [[Randis IV]]: the [[Brotherhood Monastery]].<ref>''Objectives: Periphery'', p. 29: "Brotherhood Monastery"</ref> ==Unit Structure== As of 3064, the Brotherhood was assessed to have 30 working BattleMechs, with enough Knights-MechWarrior to form into almost two battalions (with a source of additional candidates filling in as a MechWarrior reserve). Of the BattleMechs available for use, most are of Star League vintage and two are Clan [[OmniMechs]]. Three more 'Mechs were assumed to be undergoing repairs. An assessment released in 3073 determined the unit had a mix of 'Mechs from the [[Rim Worlds Republic]] and Star League, including a few that hail from the [[Age of War]] era. Four of the 'Mechs retrieved on Antallos are rumored to be ''[[Rampage]]s''.<ref name=ISP2-40/><ref name=FMP-116/> The Brotherhood continued to expand during the [[Jihad]], reaching a size of two over-strength battalions by [[3079]]; in [[3081]] the need for a more flexible defense force for the growing population protected by the Brotherhood prompted a reorganization that resulted in the Brotherhood splitting the two battalions into three, although each of the three would only be able to muster approximately 85% of a full battalion's combat strength.<ref name="J:FRp116">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 116: "Lesser Periphery And Pirates"</ref> The following are titles associated with the Brotherhood: *<span id="Brother">'''Brother'''</span>: Title for any male member<ref name=P96-76/><ref name=ISP2-44/> *<span id="Grand Knight">'''Grand Knight'''</span>: As the leader of the Brotherhood, he also heads the Council<ref name=ISP2-44/><ref name=P96-76/> *<span id="Knight-Candidate">'''Knight-Candidate'''</span>: Generally offworlders seeking to join as Knights-MechWarriors, they receive no official BattleMech or ASF instruction, instead having to arrive with the knowledge or seek it from a Knight-MechWarrior mentor. Their duties include supervising squires, assisting in maintenance, escorting non-native military guests while on-planet and providing for the defense of Randis IV, when necessary. In order to receive a small salary and have their other needs met, they must pass a background and security check, as well as demonstrate technical proficiency.<ref name=FMP-116/><ref name=ISP2-44/> *<span id="Knight-Errant">'''Knight-Errant'''</span>: Lance commander<ref name=ISP2-44/> *<span id="Knight-MechWarrior">'''Knight-MechWarrior'''</span>: Member of the initiated Brotherhood<ref name=FMP-116/> *<span id="Knights of Randis">'''Knights of Randis'''</span>: As the fighting force of the Brotherhood, the Knights are made up of ASF pilots and Knights-MechWarrior who have demonstrated extensive skill in their chosen area of combat, as well as in-depth knowledge of religion and philosophy. Though physical tests are no longer required, a duel must be performed. An elaborate initiation rite still exists, however. The Knights may also mentor a Knight-Candidate and may represent the candidate to the Grand Knight, when deemed ready for testing.<ref name=ISP2-44/> *<span id="Lord Knight">'''Lord/Lady Knight'''</span>: Company commander<ref name=ISP2-44/> *<span id="Paladin">'''Paladin'''</span>: Brevet title given to the commander of a battalion, if such a formation is stood up<ref name=ISP2-44/> *<span id="Red Master">'''Red Master'''</span>: Presumably the most senior member of the initiation committee, though may also be another name for the Grand Knight<ref name=P88-130/> *<span id="Sister">'''Sister'''</span>: Title for any female member<ref name=ISP2-44/> *<span id="Squire">'''Squire'''</span>: Members who provide technical, labor and other noncombat support for the military members of the Brotherhood; typically from the native Randis IV population, they are paid well and provided room & board. Some are known to tithe all of their salary. They must undergo a background check and a security interview, before passing the initiation rites.<ref name=ISP2-44/> The following are associations within the Brotherhood: ; Council: Comprised of all Lord and Lady Knights and led by the Grand Knight; acts as a legislative body and can dismiss and elect a new Grand Knight. The Council also knows the secrets of the Brotherhood of Randis.<ref name=ISP2-44/><ref name=ISP2-40/> ; First Circle: An unknown organization within the Brotherhood that was known to wear black during early initiations<ref name=P88-130/> ; Inner Circle: An unknown organization within the Brotherhood, presumably made up of the top echelon; no known members have ever retired or left Randis IV.<ref name=ISP2-40/> ==Unit Colors== The Brotherhood of Randis paints its BattleMechs in blue, with silver highlights.<ref name=FMP-116/> <gallery> Saladin (Brotherhood of Randis) FMPeriphery.jpg|A [[Saladin|Saladin Assault Hover Tank]] in Brotherhood of Randis colors </gallery> ==Combat Style== Since the reformation by Frews and victories since 3054, and influenced by Beckett's Clan training, the Brotherhood has developed a one-on-one style of 'Mech combat, though they will seek to use topography to their advantage. They prepare for the anticipated battles and conduct fast strikes with hidden units or attack in waves. The unit has also been known to employ feints and flanking maneuvers.<ref name=FMP-116/> ==Source Analysis== * The information regarding the initiation practices of the Brotherhood comes from an essay by an unknown writer in a book (or possibly pamphlet) titled "''The Brotherhood of Bastards''," published circa [[3002]]. Because the source is anonymous and unverified, there is room for doubt, though the harsh nature of the Brotherhood initiation and training was known via other sources.<ref name=P96-76/><ref name=P88-130/><ref name=P88-129/> * The use of the report contained in ''[[Jihad Conspiracies: Interstellar Players 2]]'' is predicated on the use of the verifiable interviews of two historians on the ''[[Universal Truth]]'' program, as well as the interview of author [[Clyde Cutler]] on the same program. The statements by Cutler regarding the Inner Circle and the defense of Randis IV being a priority for the Brotherhood has been accepted at face value for this subject article. As both of these interviews fall outside the normal conspiracy theories put forth through much of the source material, the facts contained in them have been granted a higher degree of validity.<ref name=ISP2-40/> ==References== <references/> ==Bibliography== * ''[[Field Manual: Periphery]]'' * ''[[Field Report: Periphery]]'' * ''[[Jihad: Final Reckoning]]'' * ''[[Jihad Conspiracies: Interstellar Players 2]]'' * ''[[Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers]]'' * ''[[The Periphery (sourcebook)|The Periphery]]'' * ''[[The Periphery, 2nd Edition (sourcebook)|The Periphery, 2nd Edition]]'' * ''[[Red Khopesh]]'' (short story) * ''[[Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade]]'' * ''[[Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade]]'' [[Category:Fiefdom of Randis Commands|Brotherhood of Randis]] [[Category:Religious Organizations|Chanthers]] [[Category:Orders of Knighthood]]

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