Blackstar Stables

Logo of Blackstar Stables
Blackstar Stables
Team Profile
Sport 'Mech Dueling
League Solaris Games
Affiliation Federated Suns
Home Solaris VII
Colors Black and copper. A black compass star against a copper field

Blackstar Stables is a Solaris VII based BattleMech stable, which was known for its loyalty to Federated Suns, and House Davion family. The Stable is based in Black Hills.[1]

History[edit]

The stable was formed in 3033.[1]

Solaris Riots of 3062[edit]

As the divided Federated Commonwealth and Lyran Commonwealth were experiencing increasing tensions during Archon-Princess Katrina Steiner-Davion's joint rule, Drew Hasek-Davion attempted to take advantage of the situation by elevating his stable's Champion Michael "Stormin" Searcy the "Champion of the Federated Suns", to be the 3063 Solaris Champion. Matches leading to Searcy's match with House Steiner comeback hopeful Victor Vandergriff were marred in violent riots, secretly stoked by Hasek-Davion. On August 15th, 3062 the Champion match between the Blackstar's champion and Lynch Stables went out of control. A failure of Steiner Stadium's detonator grid pushed the brutal match into the streets of Solaris City, triggering a city wide riot between Solaris Warriors, fighting mostly along national lines. Hasek-Davion had prepared for this and Blackstar's Michael Searcy led the most organized group in the fighting. During the initial fighting at the Stadium Blackstar MechWarrior Garrett, a former Clan Smoke Jaguar, murdered Solaris Champion Thomas Gross and stole his newly acquired Masakari OmniMech. Garrett went on a violent spree through the Kobe district of Solaris City, where went to destroy anything affiliated the destroyer of his Clan. Near end of the '62 riots Blackstar lost its champion due to his differences with Drew Hasek-Davion's methods of doing "business". After Searcy-Vandergriff rematch in the ruins of Steiner Stadium, Blackstar's owner was killed at his mansion.[2]

After this events, the Stable suffered massive defections and nearly disappeared.[3]

New owner and rebuilding[edit]

The Stable was purchased by a wealthy New Avalon businessman named Nigel Daelun. Despite his lack of experience with as stablemaster, he was able rebuild the near ruin stables into fighting stable shy of what had been prior to the riots as of 3062.[3] In the words of the new stablemaster Nigel Daelun, "The actions of Michael Searcy and Drew Hasek-Davion badly tarnished Blackstar's reputation". He started to search for fighters with talent, but more importantly, with integrity.[4] Ryveg "Greystar" career in Class IV did help on this resurgence.[5]

Dark Age[edit]

The Stable was still active during the Dark Age.[6]

Operations[edit]

Unknown.

Stablemasters and Owner[edit]

  • As of 3056, Drew Hasek-Davion was owner of Blackstar. He started as a politician who attempted to use his bride's maiden name to elevate him politically, and who was stopped first by Victor Steiner-Davion and then by Kai Allard-Liao on his objectives. Technically fleeing his home to avoid any political repercussions against him, he traveled to Solaris where he bought Blackstar Stables and tried to use it to promote his political agenda until his death during the Solaris Riots of 3062 in a car bombing at his manor (The Green Mansion, located in Black Hills). He had been trying to manipulate the Solaris Riots and control them for his own needs, resorting to sabotage (robbing shipments from other stables, Lyran allied if possible, and also direct 'Mech sabotage one which also ended in the death of Torrence Klein), and even trying to have killed James Stroud, stable owner from the Skye Tigers Stables.[7]
  • As of 3067, Nigel Daelun was the owner of Blackstar, a man without noble pedigree and without experience when he bought the Stable, he has shown good managerial skills which have saved the Stable.[3]

Notable Personnel[edit]

Instructors[edit]

Master Technician[edit]

  • Gordon Willner is the Senior Tech of the stable. His technology expertise is unquestioned, though his interpersonal skills are lacking.[10]
  • Erin Cornsbuck also doubles as Weapons Master in 3067.[3]

Weapons Master[edit]

  • Erin Cornsbuck is the Weapons Master of Blackstar, he served with stables during the reign of Drew Hasek-Davion. Among his duties, he acts as stable's Chief Technician, he in his later years with stables kept the rebuilt stables ahead technology to give its edge needed to survive. He is known also for his teaks of the Stables' weaponry.[11]

MechWarriors[edit]

In 3051 20 MechWarriors were fighting for Blackstar Stables,[12] though after the death of Drew Hasek-Davion it lowered a lot, numbering only 11 MechWarriors in 3067.

Known MechWarriors[edit]

MechWarrior Era Comments References
Larry Allen Barttelbort Civil War,
Jihad
[13]
Jason Bloch Clan Invasion 3050 and 3054 Solaris Games Grand Champion [14]
Elizabeth Dahler Civil War Ranked among Solaris VII's top fifty MechWarriors [15]
Karl Edwards Civil War,
Jihad
[16]
Garrett Civil War Ranked among Solaris VII's top twenty MechWarriors [17]
Shayne Hasseldorf Dark Age 3132 Solaris Games Grand Champion [8]
Laura Kidane Civil War [4]
Aubry Larsen Civil War [18]
Ryveg "Greystar" Jihad Class IV Champion in 3066 [5]
Michael Searcy Civil War [19]
David Singh Civil War [4]
Kenyata Woods Dark Age [20]

Tactics and Style[edit]

As of 3067, the Stable tactics had become undefined due to new influx of warriors joining the stable help rebuilt it. In order to cope, new stablemaster uses his great wealth to purchase latest in weapons technology to make up difference lack of style and tactics.[21]

Facilities[edit]

The main facility is the Donner Lake Compound, situated at Donner Lake, several hours from Solaris City.[14]

Stable Characteristics[edit]

  • Experience = Veteran (3067)
  • Rating = A in 3054 and B in 3067
  • BattleMech = 28 in 3054 and 13 in 3067

Notes[edit]

As per 3067, the standard contract is for 1,500 C-bills and a 20% of the earnings.[22]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrade, p. 16: "Stable-Specific Rules"
  2. Illusions of Victory, - Rise and fall of Blackstar during the Solaris '62 Riots
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 MapPack: Solaris VII, p. 22: Thumbnail History of events between 3062 and 3067
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Lion's Roar
  5. 5.0 5.1 Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 7, p. 10: "MechWarrior Ryveg"
  6. 6.0 6.1 Dark Age: 3132-3134 INN, p. 120: "Blackstar's Kirkpatrick Claims 3132 S7 Championship"
  7. Illusions of Victory
  8. 8.0 8.1 Dark Age: 3132-3134 INN, p. 326: "3132 Solaris VII Championships Season Review (Conclusion)"
  9. Solaris VII: The Game World – Gamemaster's Book, p. 16: "Instructor"
  10. Solaris VII: The Game World – Gamemaster's Book, p. 16: "Senior Tech"
  11. MapPack: Solaris VII, p. 22: Blackstar Stables/Notable Personnel - Weapons master & Chief tech
  12. Solaris VII: The Game World – Gamemaster's Book, p. 16: "Blackstar Stables"
  13. Experimental Technical Readout: Boondocks, p. 6: "TMC-NB Temax Cat Ninjabolt"
  14. 14.0 14.1 Solaris VII: The Game World – Gamemaster's Book, p. 16: "Blackstar Stables"
  15. Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade, p. 140: "TS-P1D Tsunami"
  16. MapPack: Solaris VII, p. 30: "Stables of Solaris VII - Starlight Stables"
  17. Illusions of Victory, ch. 4, p. 22
  18. Illusions of Victory, ch. 10, p. 50
  19. Illusions of Victory, publicly known story of Searcy
  20. MechWarrior: Dark Age Collectable Miniatures Game, p. 171: "Thomas Tabor"
  21. MapPack: Solaris VII, p. 22: Blackstar Stables/Tactics - No tactics due to lack of experience warrior, stable relies on technology
  22. MapPack: Solaris VII, p. 27: "Lynch Stable"

Bibliography[edit]