Golden Century

The Golden Century was a period in Clan history filled with unprecedented growth, technological progression, and a maturation of each Clan's individual self-identity. It was directly followed by the Political Century.[1][2][3]

General Overview[edit]

After IlKhan Nicholas Kerensky's death in 2834, the fledgling Clans could very well have shattered. Instead, they prospered to a degree that has never been seen since. This period of time, stretching for roughly a century after the ilKhan's death, came to be known as the Golden Century.[1][2]

While Kerensky's directives would start the process, it was during the Golden Century that Clan society began to settle into its current recognizable form. The perfection of the Iron Wombs cemented the difference between Trueborn and Freeborn in the Warrior Caste, and entrenched the Caste system into Clan society. Debate about the Inner Sphere led to the creation of the Crusader and Warden philosophies. Each Clan also settled into a comfortable sense of self, as they grew and colonized the Kerensky Cluster, helped by an increase in medical technology.[2][4]

Equally as notable is the development of military technology. Spurred on by the leadership of the Warrior caste, the Scientist Caste continued to develop the weapons technology of the Star League. It was during the Golden Century that the OmniMech, OmniFighter, and Elemental battle armor would be developed. Additionally, most of the existing Clan weapon systems were also perfected during this period of time.[5][6]

Individual Clan Achievements[edit]

While all the Clans matured and settled into their distinct identities during the Golden Century, many of them contributed their own individual achievements to Clan society and warfare.[6]

Clan Blood Spirit[edit]

Clan Blood Spirit pioneered the Clan's anti-missile system.[7]

Clan Burrock[edit]

Clan Burrock developed the Clan's modern Gauss rifle.[7]

Clan Cloud Cobra[edit]

Said to have some of the finest laboratories and technical knowledge in the Clans, Clan Cloud Cobra also helped to develop the Clan SRM systems.[7]

Clan Coyote[edit]

Clan Coyote created the first OmniMechs. They would exploit their advantage to the fullest, becoming a dominant force (along with their Wolf allies) militarily and politically for the greater part of two centuries. They also developed the associated CASE ammunition storage equipment, the Large Pulse Laser and helped to miniaturize the Clan's LRM technology, reducing the weight of systems by half.[6][7]

Clan Diamond Shark[edit]

Clan Diamond Shark (then called Clan Sea Fox) colonization efforts also led to the discovery of the substance that they would develop into HarJel on the world of Strato Domingo. The Diamond Sharks also created the Chatterweb, a Clan-wide communications system eventually used by every Clan. Pioneering the Chatterweb gave the Clan several advantages, including spying into other Clans' networks undetected.[8] They were said to have assisted Clan Coyote in the development of the OmniMech (having discovered the research through the Chatterweb), and helped to miniaturize Clan heavy Machine Gun technology.[6][7]

Clan Fire Mandrill[edit]

Clan Fire Mandrill worked to perfect the Clan's Flamer technology.[7]

Clan Ghost Bear[edit]

Clan Ghost Bear was the first Clan to profit from mining the asteroids of the Kerensky Cluster. They also created Shipeley Wheat. They also worked out technology for the Small Pulse Laser.[7]

Clan Goliath Scorpion[edit]

Clan Goliath Scorpion developed the modern Clan Active Probe.[7] They also synthesized goliath scorpion venom into a potent hallucinogenic relatively safe for human consumption called necrosia, imbibed mostly for ceremonial reasons.[9]

Clan Hell's Horses[edit]

Clan Hell's Horses developed the biomedical sciences behind advanced breeding protocols, giving rise to the modern Clan Elemental.[10] They also worked toward the development of TAG and the NARC Missile Beacon systems used by the Clans.[7]

Clan Ice Hellion[edit]

Clan Ice Hellion developed MASC technology.[7]

Clan Jade Falcon[edit]

Clan Jade Falcon developed the Medium Pulse Laser.[7] They also developed systems of banking that helped them to keep pace with even the mercantile prowess of Clan Diamond Shark.

Clan Mongoose[edit]

Clan Mongoose developed the Ultra Autocannon/5.[7] In the journals of their last Loremaster, Giovanni Mercedes, he claims that they also developed the advanced Targeting Computer.[11]

Clan Nova Cat[edit]

Clan Nova Cat perfected ER Large Laser technology during this period of time. Their Merchant Caste also reintroduced the concept of futures trading.[7]

Clan Smoke Jaguar[edit]

Clan Smoke Jaguar developed the modern Clan ECM Suite.[7]

Clan Snow Raven[edit]

Clan Snow Raven developed the modern Clan ER PPC.[7]

Clan Star Adder[edit]

Clan Star Adder developed the modern Clan Streak SRM.[7]

Clan Steel Viper[edit]

Steel Viper scientists created the Clan version of the Ultra AC/20.[12]

Clan Wolf[edit]

Perfected the Elemental battle armor developed from Clan Goliath Scorpion diving suits.[5] They also developed the LB 10-X Autocannon.[7]

Clan Wolverine[edit]

The Not-Named Clan was said to have developed an enhanced damage PPC.[7]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Era Digest: Golden Century, p. 4: "Golden Age
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 The Clans: Warrior of Kerensky, pp. 15–16: "Golden Century"
  3. Era Digest: Golden Century, p. 10: Early Clan History: A Comparative Timeline, Cont.
  4. Historical: Operation Klondike, p. 33: "Building a New Society"
  5. 5.0 5.1 Field Manual: Crusader Clans, pp. 135–136: "The Golden Century"
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Field Manual: Warden Clans, pp. 40–41: "Birth of the Titans"
  7. 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 7.16 7.17 Era Digest: Golden Century, p. 6: "Out with the Old, in with the New"
  8. Field Manual: Warden Clans, p. 59: "Clan Diamond Shark, Golden Century"
  9. Field Manual: Warden Clans, pp. 103–104: "The Golden Time"
  10. Field Manual: Crusader Clans, p. 54: "Golden Century"
  11. Era Digest: Golden Century, pp. 11–12: "Life as a Mongoose"
  12. Invading Clans, p. 84: "Golden Century"

Bibliography[edit]