Brotherhood of Randis
Sarna News
The Brotherhood of Randis (also known as the Randis Brotherhood)[1] has grown from a mercenary 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.
Contents
Unit History
Erdelmaine Randis
Prior to Erdelmaine Randis' arrival on Hope IV, the planet's population was under constant harassment from 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[2] when Randis formed a very small cadre of these misfits into a dedicated band of Christian solders (though practicing a variant of the religion that was unique in its methodology).[3][4] 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).
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.[3]
The Brotherhood's military might during this period was questionable: they were assumed to have control of less than 12 operational 'Mechs in 3025, mostly of the Light variety, and of dubious capability.[3][2] The strict and harsh training method resulted in MechWarriors with equally dubious combat skills.[2] 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 off-world 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.[3]
Galahad Frews
In 3037, Brother Galahad Frews, an expatriate of the Federated Suns,[4] successfully challenged Randis to leadership of the Brotherhood, and assumed the title of Grand Knight.[2] 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, suffering at least three losses while retrieving a large number of 'Mechs.
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[1]:
- 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 & black silk, steel mesh and a sword. Randis' successor, Galahad Frews, was known to have reformed the training program, though it is uncertain if this initiation process was also modified.[2]
Known Members
- Brother Anathis[2]: patrolled the perimeter of the Antallos cache with Brother Zontar
- Brother Andrew[2]: died in battle against Fuchida's Fusiliers on Antallos
- Galahad Frews[4]: second leader of the Brotherhood
- Brother Jan[2]: died in battle against Fuchida's Fusiliers on Antallos
- Patty Krail[1]: a successful candidate
- Sister Mayleen[2]: died in battle against Fuchida's Fusiliers on Antallos
- Erdelmaine Randis[3]: founder of the Brotherhood
- Brother Relchard[2]: patrolled the perimeter of the Antallos cache with Brother Zontar
- Brother Zontar[2]: author of a journal detailing his perspective of the Antallos mission
Unit Structure
- Brother: title for a member[2]
- First Circle: an unknown organization within the Brotherhood that was known to wear black during early initiations[1]
- Grand Knight: head Brother[2]
- Red Master: presumably the most senior member of the initiation committee, though may also be another name for the Grand Knight[1]
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.[1][2][3]