Editing Duchy of Tamarind-Abbey

{{Update Needed|[[Jihad: Final Reckoning]]|[[Shattered Sphere]]}}
{{InfoBoxState
| image = TA District.jpg
| Founded = [[3071]]
| Dissolved = [[3139]]
| capital = [[Tamarind]]
| systems = 27 (as of 3079)<ref>''Field Report: FWLM'', p. 17</ref>
17 (as of 3139)<ref>''To Ride the Chimera'', Map of the Free Worlds League in 3139</ref>
| population = 
| currency = 
| language = 
| demonym = 
| Head of State = [[Duke of Tamarind-Abbey|Duke]]
| cintel = 
| army = [[Unified Duchy Military Command]]
| navy = 
| mintel = [[SAFE]] elements
}}
The '''Duchy of Tamarind''' was a province of the [[Free Worlds League]]. It seceded from the League during the [[Word of Blake]] [[Jihad]], and would later combine with the [[Abbey District]] to form the '''Duchy of Tamarind-Abbey''', an independent state. In [[3139]] the Duchy would join the reestablished Free Worlds League.

==History==
[[File:Therese Marik.jpg|right|thumb|Duchess [[Therese Marik]], in her later years.]]

===Succession Wars===
Established at some point between [[2866]] and the early [[thirty-first century]]<ref>''Handbook: House Marik'', p. 38: "Free Worlds League after Second Succession War'' (Map) - Duchy of Tamarind was not established at this point</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Marik'', p. 42: "Free Worlds League after Third Succession War'' (Map) - Duchy of Tamarind established by 3025</ref>, the [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]] were brutal to the four-world province, and by the end of the [[Third Succession War]], much of its industrial strength had been destroyed and its people were impoverished. Around [[3013]], valuable radioactive minerals were found in the [[Kosciusko]] system that led to a minor renaissance for the province. In addition, the Duchy's considerable voting bloc in the League's [[Free_Worlds_League#Parliament|Parliament]] led to their political support being sought.<ref name=HMFWL65>''House Marik (The Free Worlds League)'', p. 65</ref> As of [[3025]], the Duchy controlled a respectable twelve votes, and consistently sided with the government.<ref name=HMFWL62>''House Marik (The Free Worlds League)'', p. 62</ref>

===Reversal of Fortune===
In [[3032]], the corrupt and inefficient government of Otho Korituk, Prime Minister of Tamarind, was dissolved and succeeded by the leadership of [[Duke#Free_Worlds_League|Duchess]] [[Therese Marik]], the estranged daughter of [[Captain-General of the Free Worlds League|Captain-General]] [[Janos Marik]]. Therese was very popular with the people of [[Tamarind]], and had never expressed a desire for her father's throne. Despite her problematic relationship with her father, Therese enjoyed a good rapport with her brother [[Thomas Marik]], who would become Captain-General in [[3036]]. The following years were good ones for both the Duchy and the Brett-Mariks. Teresa's husband, [[Jeremy Brett]], would be named [[Marshal_(rank)#Free_Worlds_League_Military|Marshal]] of the [[Tamarind Military District]], commanding nearly a quarter of the League's [[Free Worlds League Military|military]]. Tamarind's industries would recover and it became a mecca of the fine arts, exporting expensive works throughout the League.<ref name=HBHM70>''Handbook: House Marik'', p. 70</ref>

===Jihad===
[[File:JeremyBrett.png|thumb|left|Marshall [[Jeremy Brett]] in [[3067]]]]
With the failure of the [[Star League]] at the [[Fourth_Whitting_Conference#Fourth_Whitting_Conference|Fourth Whitting Conference]] and the dawn of the Word of Blake's Jihad in late [[3067]], war soon spread throughout the [[Inner Sphere]]. When [[General#Free_Worlds_League_Military|General]] [[Helen Thrall]] of the [[Sirian Lancers]] was assassinated on December 24, supposedly at the hands of [[Lyran Alliance]] operatives,<ref name=DJ73>''Dawn of the Jihad'', p. 73</ref> Sirian radicals retaliated against the Alliance by sending the [[Eagle (WarShip class)#Named Vessels|FWLS ''Percival'']], the [[Second Sirian Lancers]] and a flotilla of DropShips against the district capital of [[Skye]]. Stymied in the efforts to invade the planet on the ground, the Free Worlds fleet instead bombarded Skye from orbit, inflicting massive damage and casualties against both defending forces and civilians.<ref name=DJ4547>''Dawn of the Jihad'', pp. 45–47</ref> Duke [[Robert Kelswa-Steiner]] retaliated by declaring war against the League, in cooperation with the [[Bolan]] Province.<ref name=DJ77>''Dawn of the Jihad'', p. 77</ref> The Lyran invasion, codenamed [[Operation ÜBERSCHATTEN]], was initially overwhelmingly successful. They achieved complete surprise over the League forces, and with Thomas Marik still in transit back to Atreus from [[Tharkad]] and favoring a diplomatic response, the FWLM was unable to coordinate itself.<ref name=DJ73/>

It fell to Marshal Brett to rally the League's military, initiating [[Operation BROKEN FIST]] to not only recover worlds lost due to Lyran aggression, but also to strike into Alliance territory, making the Lyrans pay for their invasion. Though limited in troop reserves, Brett's call to action galvanized the forces he could call upon, and made him a hero amongst the people.<ref name=DJ73/><ref name=MMSD66>''Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers'', p. 66</ref> Brett also began hiring mercenary units such as the [[Langendorf Lancers]]<ref name=MSU82>''Mercenaries Supplemental Update'', p. 82</ref> and [[O'Gordon's Rifles]]<ref name=MSU92>''Mercenaries Supplemental Update'', p. 92</ref> to join in his counteroffensive. In the following months, Brett's forces would return many worlds to the Eagle's banner, beginning with [[Colfax]] and [[McAffe]].<ref name=DJ81>''Dawn of the Jihad'', p. 81</ref> These counterstrikes effectively destroyed the [[Fourth Lyran Regulars|Fourth]] and [[Eleventh Lyran Regulars]] and the mercenary [[Gabhardt's Carabineers]], all this helping to stall the Lyrans' momentum.<ref name=JSBD22>''Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents'', p. 22</ref> By the end of July [[3068]], [[Cascade]], [[Gallatin]] and [[Ideyld]] would be liberated, shattering the [[First Skye Jaegers]] and forcing them to retreat along with the [[Skye Guards]].<ref name=JSBD22/> The third wave of strikes in September also included attacks across the Lyran border.<ref name=JSBD22/> League worlds retaken included [[Preston (FWL)|Preston]], [[Rexburg]], [[Pingree]], [[Sheridan]], [[Thermopolis]], [[Togwotee]] and [[Megrez]].<ref name=MSU82/><ref name=DJ81/><ref name=JHS307017>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3070'', p. 17</ref> Meanwhile, Thomas Marik and the LCCC would soon bolster Brett's counterassault, driving the Lyrans back across the border, and invading several Lyran worlds.<ref name=DJ73/>

By mid-September, League forces had seized [[Alchiba]], [[Milton]], [[Phecda]], [[Wyatt]], [[Timbiqui]], [[Poulsbo]], [[Dixie]] and [[Arcadia (LC)|Arcadia]] from the Lyrans, throwing Kelswa-Steiner's supply lines into chaos.<ref name=JSBD22/><ref name=JHS307017/>  One most notable event took place on [[Giausar]], where the [[First Knights of the Inner Sphere]], the [[Twentieth Marik Militia]] and the mercenary company [[Pico's Pathfinders]] quickly destroyed the [[Wilde Turkeys]] mercenary unit. The mercenary [[One-Eyed Jacks]] and the planetary militia rallied, however, crushing the Pathfinders and striking the Twentieth Militia hard. Near the height of the campaign, the Knights unexpectedly withdrew, recalled to Atreus by the Captain-General and leaving the Militia to fend for itself. Jeremy Brett's forces would ultimately prevail, however, forcing the Lyran mercenaries to retreat. The battle was termed a bloodbath, with severe damage to supply caches and contaminated water supplies.<ref name=DJ73/><ref name=JSBD22/><ref name=DJ82>''Dawn of the Jihad'', p. 82</ref><ref name=MSU93>''Mercenaries Supplemental Update'', p. 93</ref> This recall would also apply to the [[Second Knights of the Inner Sphere]], who had only just landed as part of a taskforce attacking [[Cavanaugh II]]. The recall of the Knights, and several other units, came just as Brett's offensive into Lyran space was gaining ground. Despite the loss of support from those elite troops, Brett's forces would soon Cavanaugh II as well as [[Loric]], [[Ford]], [[Khon Kaen]] and [[Penobscot]].<ref name=JHS307017/><ref name=DJ82/> Though Brett's forces were weakened by these departures, by mid-October, 3068, League forces had struck at [[Syrma]] and [[Zebebelgenubi]].<ref name=JHS307020>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3070'', p. 20</ref>

On October 25, 3068, the Word of Blake attacked Atreus by unleashing a massive chemical attack, killing most of the League's Parliament and much of the First Knights of the Inner Sphere. Simultaneously, the Blakists reveal that the Thomas Marik who had served as Captain-General had been put in place years before by [[ComStar]]. The Word then floods the [[Hyperpulse Generator|HPG Networks]] with "white noise", crippling communications throughout the Sphere.<ref name=JHS307020/> Surprisingly, most of the extended Marik family including Therese and Jeremy Brett, threw their public support behind the Captain-General, calling on their people to support federal authorities.<ref name=MMSD66/><ref name=JHS30704>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3070'', p. 4</ref><ref name=JHS307055>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3070'', p. 55</ref> By mid-November, 3068, Operation BROKEN FIST was still ongoing, but Brett's forces suffered a major setback when the [[Thera#Named_Vessels|FWLS ''Sardis'']] and its entire battle group went rogue, leaving their post in the Tamarind system and departing for space unknown.<ref name=JHS30702324>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3070'', pp. 23–24</ref> By late November, Syrma was under counterattack by the Lyrans, forcing the [[First Free Worlds Guards]] to withdraw.<ref name=JHS307024>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3070'', p. 24</ref> Zebebelgenubi was also retaken by the Skye forces.<ref name=JSBD22/>

In April [[3069]], facing a lack of support from Atreus and acknowledging the dangers now posed by the Word of Blake, Brett commanded Free Worlds forces to withdraw to their prewar borders.<ref name=JHS307046>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3070'', p. 46</ref> In August 3069, Thomas Marik was removed from power in a coup that left [[Corinne Marik]] as the Captain-General on Atreus, supported by the Word of Blake.<ref name=MMSD66/><ref name=JHS307073>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3070'', p. 73</ref> In late October 3069, Brett made a formal offer of a ceasefire to the Lyran Alliance, citing Blakist activity and the interests of peace. Due to Blakist interference, the message was not received for over a month.<ref name=JHS307220>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3072'', p. 20</ref><ref name=JHS307076>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3070'', p. 76</ref> The offer was accepted by the Duke of Bolan.<ref name=JHS307221>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3072'', p. 21</ref> By the end of December, the League's withdrawal from Alliance worlds was complete.<ref name=JHS307222>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3072'', p. 22</ref>

===Independence===
In January 3070, in covert communications between Therese, Jeremy and [[Alys Rousset-Marik]], Therese expressed a desire to declare herself Captain-General while Alys indicated her support.<ref name=JHS307087>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3070'', p. 87</ref> Even after the ceasefire with the Lyrans, the Duchy of Tamarind and Marshal Brett continued to be a major employer of mercenaries in the Inner Sphere, facing pressure from the [[Word of Blake Protectorate]], the Marik Commonwealth and elements within the Alliance.<ref name=MSU130>''Mercenaries Supplemental Update'', p. 130</ref> In February [[3071]], the [[Principality of Regulus]] pulled the [[Second Regulan Hussars]] from Brett's command over his protests to use them in operations against the [[Duchy of Oriente]].<ref name=JHS307227>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3072'', p. 27</ref>

On October 7, 3071, Marshal Jeremy Brett met with an old adversary, [[Richard Steiner (31st c.)|Richard Steiner]], who had been Margrave of the Lyran Alliance's Cavanaugh II Theater until he fled on suspicion of war crimes
during the FedCom Civil War. Steiner had suddenly appeared on Tamarind, seeking an audience and claiming to have information regarding the Word of Blake's plans for Tamarind. Despite a thorough scan, Brett's aides did not detect that explosives had been grafted to Steiner's skeletal structure, nor were able to learn that Word of Blake had, at some point, captured and brainwashed Steiner. After shaking Brett's hand and declaring "Blake's Vengeance be done!", Steiner detonated the explosives, killing Brett, himself and the Marshal's aides.<ref name=MMSD66/><ref name=JHS307260>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3072'', p. 60</ref>

In response, Therese Brett-Marik declared the Duchy of Tamarind independent of the pro-Blake [[Marik Commonwealth]] on the 19th of November 3071,<ref name="JHS3076p20">''Jihad Hot Spots: 3076'', p. 20: "Timeline of the Jihad"</ref><ref name="J:FRp50">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 50: "The Jihad in Review"</ref> arguably representing the last nail in the coffin for the once mighty Free Worlds League. She further named Photon Brett-Marik as his father's successor as Marshal of Tamarind. While not formally declaring war on the Commonwealth, she made clear any further Blakist attacks would be met with force.<ref name=MMSD66/><ref name=MM70>''Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers'', p. 70</ref><ref name=JHS30726061>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3072'', pp. 60–61</ref> In time, Therese would send her other son, Reginald Brett-Marik, to act as an emissary to [[Devlin Stone]]'s coalition against the Blakists.<ref name=MM70/>

In [[3075]], the [[Circinus Federation]] (supported by the Word of Blake) began attacking the border worlds of the collapsing Free Worlds League, conquering Poulsbo and [[Khon Kaen]]. The Duchy responded by expanding its borders, as many worlds were eager for protection against so many potential mutual enemies.<ref name=JHS307625>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3076'', p. 25</ref><ref name=FRFWLM11>''Field Report: FWLM'', p. 11</ref> The Duchy then undertook a joint offensive with Lyran forces to repel the invaders. As part of the Tamarind task force, Photon Brett-Marik's [[Second Free Worlds Guards]] deployed a [[battalion]] flying the colors of the [[Second Fusiliers of Oriente]]. In heavy fighting that saw the loss of the detachment from the Guards among other casualties, the [[Periphery]] [[Pirate Groups|pirates]] were repelled.<ref name=JHS307638>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3076'', p. 38</ref><ref name=FRFWLM11/>

Although the Duchy were willing participants in [[Devlin Stone]]'s coalition against the Blakists, even providing the [[Thirteenth Marik Militia|Thirteenth]] and [[Thirty-first Marik Militia]], the questionable leadership of Alys Rousset-Marik combined with further attacks by the [[Buena]] [[Archonette]] of the Lyran Alliance compelled them to withdraw on the eve of the attack on [[Terra]].<ref name=FRFWLM11/><ref name=JHST78>''Jihad Hot Spots: Terra'', p. 78</ref> Among other things, this soured relations between the Duchy and Alys Rousset-Marik.<ref name=FRFWLM4>''Field Report: FWLM'', p. 4</ref> In January [[3078]], with the tenuous alliance between the Duchy and the Lyran Alliance had fallen in tatters, Therese Marik sent a letter to the new Lyran Archon, [[Adam Steiner]], imploring him to stop the attacks by the forces in the Buena Archonette.<ref name=JHST8182>''Jihad Hot Spots: Terra'', pp. 81–82</ref> Later that same year, the Abbey District formally joined the Duchy for mutual protection.<ref name=TS75>''Touring the Stars'', p. 75</ref> On the 1st of December 3078, having already declared itself independent of the Marik Commonwealth, the Duchy of Tamarind formally declared itself independent of the [[Free Worlds League]].<ref name="J:FRp60">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 60: "The Jihad in Review"</ref>

Despite their impressive showing overall, by the conclusion of the Jihad, the Duchy's military found itself defending from multiple enemies with an inadequate force.<ref name=FRFWLM11/> Indeed, by [[3079]], the Duchy had grown to 27 worlds, making it a significant player in post-Jihad politics, albeit one with enemies on nearly all sides. Some nearby, most notably only one of three of the [[Southwest Trinity worlds]], still maintained their independence, however.<ref name=FRFWLM17>''Field Report: FWLM'', p. 17</ref>

===After the Jihad===
In the wake of the Jihad the de facto military for the Duchy was the former Tamarind Theater Command, and the various units within the Duchy continued to function as if they were a theater command, including keeping the same [[FWLM]] uniforms in use. The military lacked the unifying purpose that some other League successor militaries possessed, though; many of the troops and units within the Duchy were expatriates from areas like the [[Marik Commonwealth]]. Many of those who stayed in the Duchy did so because they felt betrayed by [[Corinne Marik]], or out of loyalty to House Brett, or simply because the Duchy was the major buffer between the Lyran Alliance and the interior worlds of the former League.<ref name="J:FRp92">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 92: "The Duchy of Tamarind Abbey"</ref>

In the 3080s the Duchy found itself embroiled in a legal and economic tangle with [[Brooks Incorporated]] of [[Irian]]. A manufacturer within the Duchy, [[Maxwell Planetary Defense Consortium]] (MPDC), had been producing a version of the [[Thumper (Combat Vehicle)|Thumper Artillery Vehicle]] since the later years of the Jihad. The Duchy government had given the MPDC a production contract as a means of growing the Duchy's military defense industry, despite the Duchy's lack of experience in such matters. The production had been rife with problems... and the design was also based on Brooks' intellectual property rights. As the Inner Sphere began to return to normal, Brooks found out about the MPDC vehicle, and immediately filed a civil suit with the Duchy government.<ref name="TRO:Pp54">''Technical Readout: Prototypes'', p. 54: "Thumper (Angel) Artillery Vehicle"</ref>

When MPDC and the Duchy of Tamarind rejected the initial suit on grounds of national security, Brooks used their substantial interstellar economic pull to embargo MPDC sales to other states in the region. Following swift negotiations on all parts, the matter was finally resolved with a token cash payment for royalties to Brooks in recognition of the licensing for the Thumper, and government-furnished construction of plants within the Duchy of Tamarind to produce the chassis and ECM components for the Thumper. In exchange, Brooks used their expertise to assist in the construction of the various plants within Duchy space, and began line production of the new Thumper vehicle from their plants on [[Irian]] from [[3089]]. Whether the funds for building the factories came directly from the Duchy or from breach of contract penalties against MPDC is unknown.<ref name="TRO:Pp54"/>

In [[3092]], the [[Marian Hegemony]] seized three former League border worlds. In response, the Duchy sought to expand to better defend their borders.<ref name=TS75/>

===The Dark Age===
By the [[Dark Age]] era, the Duchy was ruled by Duke [[Fontaine Marik]], a descendant of Therese Brett-Marik. He ruled jointly with his wife, [[Karli Marik]], until her death in [[3134]].<ref name=TS75/>

In May of [[3137]], the [[Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces]] launched [[Operation HAMMERFALL]], a military campaign against former League states which struck the Duchy, neighboring independent worlds and the Commonwealth at the same time. Not prepared for such an attack, the Duchy suffered numerous losses to Lyran invaders. With the Duchy cut nearly in half by November, [[Trillian Steiner-Davion|Trillian Steiner]] was sent by Archon [[Melissa Steiner II|Melissa Steiner]] to confront Fontaine to convince him sign a treaty on the Commonwealth's terms, thus ending the invasion of the Duchy. Fontaine refused and struck back with military force, forcing Trillian and her aide to go into hiding during the conflict.{{cn}}

On November 29th, Lyran reinforcements from the [[First Steiner Strikers|Broken Swords]] Battalion arrived, under the command of [[Hauptmann]] [[Roderick Steiner|Roderick Frost]]. In response, Duke Marik accused her of not to negotiating in good faith. Duke sent forces to seize Lyran Consulate and order her arrested.  However, she would again escape capture with her aide. The Lyran battalion fought a running battle over the course of several weeks against the world's defending [[First Tamarind Regulars]]. When the [[Third Lyran Regulars]] arrived and linked up with the battered Broken Swords, they were able to overwhelm the Tamarind defenders. The Lyran forces captured [[Tamarind]], although they failed to capture Duke Fontaine.{{cn}}

Later, Duke Fontaine ordered his Grand Vizier, Sha Renkin, to negotiate an armistice to end the bloodshed, but not ending the war. He then began a campaign to retake portions of his Duchy back, with the aide of [[Christopher Marik (32nd c.)|Christopher Halas-Hughes Marik]].{{cn}}

By [[3139]], the Duchy had joined with [[Jessica Marik]] (daughter of the impostor Thomas Marik) under the flag of a new Free Worlds League, although the Duchy's capital had been relocated to [[Gibraltar]], and only 17 worlds remained.<ref name=mapfwl3139>''Map of Duchy of Tamarind-Abbey included with Free Worlds League map as of 3139''</ref>

The forces of the Duchy periodically raided [[Mundrabilla]], an independent world that was once part of the Free Worlds League.<ref>''Technical Readout: 3145 Draconis Combine'', p. 12</ref>

==Era Specific Data==

===3079===
*Founding Year: [[3071]] (as an independent power)
*Capital (City, World): Zanzibar, [[Tamarind]]
*Total (Inhabited) Systems: 27 (3079)<ref name=FRFWLM17/>
*Ruler: Duchess [[Therese Marik]] (3079)<ref name=FRFWLM11/>

===3130===
*Founding Year: [[3078]] (as the Duchy of Tamarind-Abbey)<ref name=TS75/>
*Capital (City, World): Zanzibar, [[Tamarind]]
*National Symbol: An abstract purple eagle, with five-pointed stars in each wing, being clutched at the tail by a human hand, set against a green field. The eagle’s claws are each holding cornstalks.
*Location ([[Terra]] relative): Antispinward of Terra, exterior
*Total (Inhabited) Systems: 26
*Estimated Population ([[3130]]): 75,000,000,000
*Government: Military Governorship
*Ruler: Duke [[Fontaine Marik]] (3130)
*Grand Vizier: [[Sha Renkin]]<ref name=TRtCc16>''To Ride the Chimera'', ch. 16</ref>
*Dominant Language(s): English (official), Spanish
*Dominant Religion(s): Christianity (Catholicism), Judaism
*Unit of Currency: Peso (1 peso = 0.48 C-bills)

==Historical Map Gallery==
<gallery>
File:DoTA3079.jpg|Duchy of Tamarind-Abbey in [[3079]]
File:DOTA 3085.jpg|Duchy of Tamarind-Abbey in 3085
File:DoTA3139.jpg|Duchy of Tamarind-Abbey in [[3139]]
</gallery>

==References==
<references/>

==Bibliography==
* ''[[Dawn of the Jihad]]''
* ''[[Field Report: FWLM]]''
* ''[[Fire at Will]]'' (novel)
* ''[[Handbook: House Marik]]''
* ''[[House Marik (The Free Worlds League)]]''
* ''[[Jihad: Final Reckoning]]''
* ''[[Jihad Hot Spots: 3070]]''
* ''[[Jihad Hot Spots: 3072]]''
* ''[[Jihad Hot Spots: 3076]]''
* ''[[Jihad Hot Spots: Terra]]''
* ''[[Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents]]''
* ''[http://cf.sarna.net/data/planets/free_worlds_league_3139.pdf Map of Duchy of Tamarind-Abbey included with Free Worlds League map as of 3139]''
* ''[[Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers]]''
* ''[[Mercenaries Supplemental Update]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: Prototypes]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3145 Draconis Combine]]''
* ''[[To Ride the Chimera]]'' (novel)
* ''[[Touring the Stars]]''


[[Category:Nation States]]
[[Category:Noble Landholds]]
[[Category:Free Worlds League Regions]]
[[Category:Duchy of Tamarind-Abbey Related Categories]]