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Line 1: − {{InfoBoxBattle + {{Cleanup|reason=review needed|date=September 2023}} − | conflict = ilClan Trial + {{InfoBoxConflict − | partof = Dark Age Era + | image = − | image = + | partof = − | startdate = 16 April [[3151]] + | date = 16 April [[3151]] − | enddate = + | place = Ottawa, Canada, North America<ref>''Hour of the Wolf'', p. 388</ref> − | planet = [[Terra]]+ | planet = [[Terra]] − | place = Ottawa, Canada, North America<ref>''Hour of the Wolf'', p. 388</ref> + | commander1 = Khan [[Alaric Ward]];<br /> General [[Chance Vickers]] − | result = Clan Wolf becomes ilClan + | forces1 = [[Clan Wolf Touman|Clan Wolf ''touman'']];<br> [[Clan Wolf-in-Exile Touman|Clan Wolf-in-Exile ''touman'']];<br> [[Wolf's Dragoons]];<br> The [[Fidelis]] (as Clan Wolf bondsmen)<br> ex-[[Republic of the Sphere|Republic of the Sphere]] soldiers (as Clan Wolf bondsmen) − | territory = + | commander2 = Khan [[Malvina Hazen]];<br /> Galaxy Commander [[Stephanie Chistu]] − | faction1 = [[Clan Wolf]]+ | forces2 = [[Clan Jade Falcon Touman|Clan Jade Falcon ''touman'']] − | commander1 = Khan [[Alaric Ward]];<br /> General [[Chance Vickers]] + | commander3 = − | command1 = [[Clan Wolf Touman|Clan Wolf ''touman'']];<br> [[Clan Wolf-in-Exile Touman|Clan Wolf-in-Exile ''touman'']] + | forces3 = − | faction2 = [[Clan Jade Falcon]]+ | environment = n/a − | commander2 = Khan [[Malvina Hazen]];<br /> Galaxy Commander [[Stephanie Chistu]]+ | conditions = [[Republic of the Sphere]] disbanded − | command2 = [[Clan Jade Falcon Touman|Clan Jade Falcon ''touman'']]+ | result = Clan Wolf becomes ilClan − | faction3 = [[Wolf's Dragoons]];<br> The [[Fidelis]] (as Clan Wolf bondsmen)<br /> ex-[[Republic of the Sphere|Republic of the Sphere]] soldiers (as Clan Wolf bondsmen) − | commander3 = General [[Thomas Brubaker]] − | command3 = The entire Wolf's Dragoon Mercenary Unit;<br /> [[Republic Armed Forces]] (as Clan Wolf bondsmen) <br /> [[Fidelis]] (as Clan Wolf bondsmen) }} }} − The '''ilClan Trial''' was the final battle between Clans [[Clan Wolf|Wolf]] and [[Clan Jade Falcon|Jade Falcon]] to determine which Clan would become the [[ilClan]], and whose leader the First Lord of a reborn Star League on Terra. Wolf Khan [[Alaric Ward]] displayed diplomatic and strategic acumen through his willingness to incorporate elements of the [[Clan_Wolf-in-Exile|Wolves-in-Exile]], the Wolf's Dragoon's mercenary unit, former Republic personnel, and Paul Moon's Fidelis into his forces; while Falcon Khan [[Malvina Hazen]] approached the Trial with her typical brutal and Jade Falcon-supremist strategy. + The '''ilClan Trial''' was the final battle between Clans [[Clan Wolf|Wolf]] and [[Clan Jade Falcon|Jade Falcon]] to determine which Clan would become the [[ilClan]], and whose leader the First Lord of a reborn Star League on Terra. Wolf Khan [[Alaric Ward]] displayed diplomatic and strategic acumen through his willingness to incorporate elements of the [[Clan_Wolf-in-Exile|Wolves-in-Exile]], the Wolf's Dragoon's mercenary unit, former Republic personnel, and Paul Moon's Fidelis into his forces, while Falcon Khan [[Malvina Hazen]] approached the Trial with her typical brutal and Jade Falcon-supremist strategy. ==Origins== ==Origins== ====A Major Setback==== ====A Major Setback==== − During the last stages of the [[Battle of Terra (3151)|Battle of Terra]], as [[Devlin Stone]] was losing his grip on both Terra and the Republic of the Sphere, he would execute [[Damien Redburn]]'s plan to assassinate both Khans: [[Operation Nighthawk]]. However, this plan backfired when both Wolf and Falcon forces destroyed Redburn and his group before they could kill either Khan.<ref>''Hour of the Wolf'', p. 256</ref> The operation's failure would only make matters worse for Stone, as significant Republic forces on world were crushed. To save his people's lives, Stone was forced to surrender to Clan Wolf. Alaric insisted that Stone also contact Malvina Hazen to discuss terms of surrender. Realizing that he had no other choice, Stone agreed. When the Exarch met the two leaders in person, He proposed surrender to both Clans, and to not interfere with their battle. Alaric countered with much more dire terms: that Stone disband the Republic of the Sphere once and for all.<ref>''Hour of the Wolf'', pp. 346, 352</ref> Stone resisted and even offered himself to the Wolves to make up for the assassination attempt, but Alaric refused. Realizing he could not negotiate his way out of Alaric's demand, Stone reluctantly agreed. With Stone and his Republic out of the way, Alaric could now focus on his ultimate goal: The rise of the ilClan. + During the last stages of the [[Battle of Terra (3151)|Battle of Terra]], as [[Devlin Stone]] was losing his grip on both Terra and the Republic of the Sphere, he would execute [[Damien Redburn]]'s plan to assassinate both Khans, [[Operation Nighthawk]]. However, this plan backfired when both Wolf and Falcon forces destroyed Redburn and all his group before they could kill either Khan.<ref>''Hour of the Wolf'', p. 256</ref> This would make matters worse for Stone as, with the Republic forces had been crushed. To save lives, Stone would be forced to contact Clan Wolf to surrender. Having already angered Alaric by this decision, he insisted that he also contact Malvina Hazen as well to discuss terms of surrender. Stone, realizing that he had no other choice, agreed to do so despite his dismay. When the Exarch met the two leaders in person, He would propose that he would not compete and surrender to both the Wolves and the Jade Falcons. However, that was not good enough for either Khan, as the Exarch was already on Khan Ward's bad side after the failed assassination attempt, Alaric made his own proposal: to disband the Republic of the Sphere once and for all.<ref>''Hour of the Wolf'', pp. 346, 352</ref> Stone resisted and even offered himself to the Wolves to make up for the assassination attempt, but Ward would not accept the offer. Stone, realizing he could not talk his way out of this deal, decided to make good on his promise and disband the Republic as a result. With Stone and his Republic out of the way, Alaric would now focus on his true goal: The rise of the ilClan. ====The Battle for Terra==== ====The Battle for Terra==== − After the end of the battle, Alaric and Malvina discussed the final battle terms before initiating their final Trial: the Trial for ilClanship and the right to be named First Lord of the reborn Star League. Like the [[Refusal War]], both sides bid everything they had to fight each other. To mark the momentous occasion, both Wolf and Jade Falcon warriors participated in their own ceremonial traditions, including ceremonial garb. The two sides agreed to use the plains of Canada, in North America, as their battleground. The Wolf Headquarters was in Ottawa, to the East, and the Falcons' in Winnipeg, to the West. Both sides bid all their forces on land or in the sky, but left the orbital assets and [[WarShip]]s out of the fight, as with any other force they could bring.<ref>''IlClan'', p. 84</ref> + After the end of the battle, Alaric would declare one final Trial to Malvina Hazen, the Trial for ilClanship and to be called the First Lord of the Reborn Star League. This Trial would essentially become a [[Trial of Refusal]]. Like the [[Refusal War]], both sides would bid everything they had to fight each other. To mark the ceremonious occasion, both Wolf and Jade Falcon members would have their own ceremonial uniforms and traditions to signify its importance. The two sides would agree to fight on the plains of Canada, in North America, as their staging ground. The Wolf Headquarters was in Ottawa, to the East, and the Falcons' in Winnipeg, at the West. Both sides bid all their forces on land or in the sky, but left the orbital assets and [[WarShip]]s out of the fight.<ref>''IlClan'', p. 84</ref> ==The Trial of the ilClan. First Day== ==The Trial of the ilClan. First Day== − Both Clans began the Trial by launching aerospace sorties before dawn. As the Hunters, the Falcons attacked first, trying to destroy Alaric's headquarters in a bid to kill him. This failed, and the Falcons' aerospace assets suffered heavy losses. The Wolves' air attack was much more successful: they destroyed the Falcons' Watch Command post, killing their commander, [[Abzug Helmer]], temporarily blinding the Falcons.<ref name=IlClanp88>''IlClan'', p. 88</ref> + Both Clans began the Trial launching aerospace sorties before dawn. As the Hunters, the Falcons attacked first, trying to destroy Alaric's headquarters in a bid to kill him. This failed, and the Falcons' aerospace assets suffered heavy losses. The Wolves attack was much more successful: they destroyed the Falcons' Watch Command post, killing their commander, [[Abzug Helmer]], temporarily blinding the Falcons.<ref name=IlClanp88>''IlClan'', p. 88</ref> − An hour later, both Clan's ground forces approached and engaged. The Falcons attacked and retreated, attempting to bait the Wolves far from their starting positions to crush them. This ploy failed; Alaric had ordered his forces to not cross ''Phase Line Charlie'', a line of advance midway to Winnipeg. All Falcon attacks were repelled by the Wolves. Also, Alaric's forces launched a minor attack southward: a contingent of 'Mechs and Elementals of [[Beta Galaxy (Clan Wolf)]] traveled under the Lake Superior waters, taking a beachhead on Thunder Bay, but didn't advance further, and the Falcons did not stage a counterattack to this landing on the first day.<ref name=IlClanp88/> + An hour later, both Clan's ground forces approached and engaged. The Falcons attacked and retreated, attempting to bait the Wolves far from their starting positions to crush them. This ploy failed; Alaric had ordered his forces to not cross ''Phase Line Charlie'', a line of advance midway to Winnipeg. All Falcon attacks were repelled by the Wolves. Alaric's forces launched a minor attack southward: a contingent of 'Mechs and Elementals of [[Beta Galaxy (Clan Wolf)]] traveled under the Lake Superior waters, taking a beachhead on Thunder Bay, but didn't advance further, and the Falcons did not stage a counter attack to this landing on the first day.<ref name=IlClanp88/> ==The Trial. Day Two== ==The Trial. Day Two== − The Wolves took advantage of the Thunder Bay beachhead at first hours of day two: [[Zeta Galaxy (Clan Wolf)]] [[Ninth Wolf Assault Cluster]] and the [[Seventy-ninth Wolf Battle Cluster]] traveled across the lake bed, striking the Falcons' repair and munitions facilities, in case of the Ninth, and the Falcons primary supply depot, in the Seventy-Ninth's. They achieved total surprise... or almost: Malvina, expecting such attack against their logistics, though not the force employed on it, had posted all [[Rho Galaxy (Clan Jade Falcon)]] to guard the facilities. The underwater approaching allowed the Wolves to deal massive damage before falling under the Falcons' counterattack: they were slaughtered, without any prisoners; only a Trinary of the Ninth, and a Star of the Ninety-Ninths managed to escape through the lake. This attack managed to eliminate most of the Falcons munitions.<ref>''IlClan'', p. 90</ref> + The Wolves took advantage of the Thunder Bay beachhead at first hours of day two: [[Zeta Galaxy (Clan Wolf)]] [[Ninth Wolf Assault Cluster]] and the [[Seventy-ninth Wolf Battle Cluster]] traveled across the lake bed, striking the Falcons' repair and munitions facilities, in case of the Ninth, and the Falcons primary supply depot, in the Seventy-Ninth's. They achieved total surprise... or almost: Malvina, fearing such attack, had posted all [[Rho Galaxy (Clan Jade Falcon)]] to guard the facilities. The underwater attack allowed the Wolves to deal massive damage before falling under the Falcons' counterattack: they were slaughtered, and only a Trinary of the Ninth, and a Star of the Ninety-Ninths managed to escape through the lake. This attack managed to eliminate most of the Falcons munitions.<ref>''IlClan'', p. 90</ref> − The initial Falcons' counterattack was the expected: a frontal assault, using ''solahma'' as disposable units. The Falcons' attempts to kill Alaric failed again, in part thanks to his new bondsman, [[Tara Campbell]]. That was only the first stage of Malvina's plan. Three Wolf Galaxies advanced in a counter attack after crushing the Falcons, geting into a carefully laid trap. A huge section of the forest caught fire, trapping the three Wolf Galaxies. The hellish region, which was dubbed "[[The Cauldron]]" became a deathtrap. Alaric called firefighters from Ottawa, but the Falcons shot down their air units and attacked the fire brigades, forcing the Wolves to protect them. The blaze became too much hot and big to extinguish it, and the firefighters only managed to contain it, and with some difficulty, open a path to those Wolves trapped inside to escape.<ref>''IlClan'', pp. 90–91</ref> + The initial Falcons' counterattack was the expected: a frontal assault, using ''solahma'' as disposable units. The Falcons' attempts to kill Alaric failed, in part thanks to his new bondsman, [[Tara Campbell]]. That was only the first stage of Malvina's plan. Three Wolf Galaxies advanced in counter attack after crushing the Falcons, into a carefully laid trap. A huge section of the forest caught fire, trapping the three Wolf Galaxies. The hellish region, which was dubbed "[[The Cauldron]]" became a deathtrap. Alaric called firefighters from Ottawa, but the falcons shot down their air units and attacked the fire brigades, forcing the Wolves to protect them. The blaze became too much hot and big to extinguish it, and the firefighters only managed to contain it, and with some difficulty, open a path to those Wolves trapped inside to escape.<ref>''IlClan'', pp. 90–91</ref> − The Falcons attacked any Wolf unit which managed to escape the fire, and punished those inside the fire with air and artillery attacks. However, an ''ad hoc'' team, led by [[Star Captain]] [[Noran Kerensky]] managed not only to survive, but to cross the Cauldron and destroy all the Falcons' remaining artillery units, before retreating to their lines. [[Theta Galaxy (Clan Wolf)]] [[Iota Galaxy (Clan Wolf)]] and [[Upsilon Galaxy (Clan Wolf)]] were effectively destroyed, with about a seventy percent of losses.<ref>''IlClan'', pp. 91–93</ref> + The Falcons attacked any Wolf unit which managed to escape the fire, and punished those inside the fire with air and artillery attacks. However, and ''ad hoc'' team, led by [[Star Captain]] [[Noran Kerensky]] managed not only to survive, but to cross the Cauldron and destroy the Falcons' remaining artillery units, before retreating to their lines. [[Theta Galaxy (Clan Wolf)]] [[Iota Galaxy (Clan Wolf)]] and [[Upsilon Galaxy (Clan Wolf)]] were effectively destroyed, with about a seventy percent of losses.<ref>''IlClan'', pp. 91–93</ref> ==The Trial. Day Three== ==The Trial. Day Three== + On the third day, Alaric brought up all available forces, and he ordered to cut the bondcords of all Republic of the Sphere loyal bondsmen. Meanwhile, the Falcons were suffering the loss of their depot, and most non-Mongol warriors were running low on ammunition.<ref>''IlClan'', p. 93</ref> On the third day, Alaric brought up all available forces, and he ordered to cut the bondcords of all Republic of the Sphere loyal bondsmen. Meanwhile, the Falcons were suffering the loss of their depot, and most non-Mongol warriors were running low on ammunition.<ref>''IlClan'', p. 93</ref> Despite the supply problems, the Falcons attacked frontally again, intending to crush what they perceived as the weakened Wolves. Once again, Alaric was a priority target, but the Falcons failed in this goal once more. The fighting was very intense, and by 1400 hours, the Wolves were on the brink of defeat, with the Falcons feeling that their strategy had paid off.<ref>''IlClan'', p. 96</ref> Despite the supply problems, the Falcons attacked frontally again, intending to crush what they perceived as the weakened Wolves. Once again, Alaric was a priority target, but the Falcons failed in this goal once more. The fighting was very intense, and by 1400 hours, the Wolves were on the brink of defeat, with the Falcons feeling that their strategy had paid off.<ref>''IlClan'', p. 96</ref> − At the precipice of defeat, Alaric called ''Task Force Athena'', his last reserves. The Khan had been preparing for the Trial for decades. Months before, knowing he would need more forces to ensure victory, he launched two secret operations: ''Operation Reunion'', tasked to [[Anastasia Kerensky]], which was to convince [[Clan Wolf-in-Exile]] to rejoin the Wolves, and ''Operation Amalgamation'', tasked to Star Captain [[Marotta Kerensky]] to do the same with the [[Wolf's Dragoons]] mercenary unit. Both formed Athena, a unit that was kept hidden not only from the Falcons but also from the majority of Clan Wolf. The Fidelis would also join as part of the deal with Alaric to reconstitute the Jaguars, but they didn't fight, only providing intelligence. Task Force Athena suffered heavy losses while engaging the Jade Falcons forces. When the Dragoons were to crush the Falcons, Alaric ordered them to pull back and retreat. Anastasia would be the one to deal the final blow to Chinggis Khan Malvina Hazen, ending the battle for Terra. Caught between two fires, the Falcons were crushed. Galaxy Commander [[Stephanie Chistu]], after Malvina's falling, took the command of the Falcons and ordered to cease fighting. However, most Mongol Doctrine followers ignored her and the Wolves were forced to kill those who refused to give up arms to a man, nearly annihilating the Falcons.<ref>''IlClan'', pp. 97–101</ref> + At the precipice of defeat, Alaric called Task Force Athena, his last reserves. The Khan had been preparing for the Trial for decades. Months before, knowing he would need more forces to ensure victory, he launched two secret operations: Operation Reunion, tasked to [[Anastasia Kerensky]], which was to convince [[Clan Wolf-in-Exile]] to rejoin the Wolves, and Operation Amalgamation, tasked to Star Captain [[Marotta Kerensky]] to do the same with the [[Wolf's Dragoons]] mercenary unit. Both formed Athena, a unit that was kept hidden not only from the Falcons but also from the majority of Clan Wolf. The Fidelis would also join as part of the deal with Alaric to reconstitute the Jaguars, but they didn't fight. Task Force Athena suffered heavy losses while engaging the Jade Falcons forces. While the Dragoons were ordered to pull back and retreat, Anastasia would be the one to deal the final blow to Chinggis Khan Malvina Hazen, ending the battle for Terra. Caught between two fires, the Falcons were crushed. Galaxy Commander [[Stephanie Chistu]], after Malvina's falling, took the command of the Falcons and ordered to cease fighting. However, most Mongol Doctrine followers ignored her and the Wolves killed those who refused to give up arms to a man, nearly annihilating the Falcons.<ref>''IlClan'', pp. 97–101</ref> ==Aftermath== ==Aftermath== Line 59:
Line 57: ==Legacy== ==Legacy== [[File:Devlin Stone ER3145.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Devlin Stone's death would mark the end of the [[Dark Age Era]].]] [[File:Devlin Stone ER3145.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Devlin Stone's death would mark the end of the [[Dark Age Era]].]] − The ilClan Trial would not only change the political aspects of the Clans, but the personal aspects as well. When it came to Alaric Ward, he caused the most significant changes of all. One of the first things that his Trial did is change the landscape of the Clan political doctrine. As where the [[Crusader Clans|Crusader philosophy]] was created as a way to take over the Inner Sphere and dominate Terra, it was often derided as a stereotype of why all Clan warriors hated the Inner Sphere by their inhabitants. However, after many generations had passed, the Invading Clans had matured. Alaric had managed to transform the Crusader philosophy into a more peaceful endeavor, in opposition to Malvina's brutal views of ruling Terra through her [[Mongol Doctrine]]. Even when he had the tomb of [[Aleksandr Kerensky]], he grew to understand the reason for why he left the Inner Sphere and why his son, Nicholas created The [[Clans]] to return. It was at this moment, he used the Crusader way as a means to defend the Inner Sphere rather than to act as its conqueror as stereotyped by many spheroids as the basic Clanner attitude. Clan Wolf, Clan Jade Falcon, and Clan Smoke Jaguar were the only three Crusader Clans who fulfilled what the Crusader movement was about. For Clan Wolf, they reunited with their [[Clan Wolf in Exile|Warden brethren]] into a united Clan Wolf once more. As for the Smoke Jaguars, when it came to their near destruction during the [[Great Refusal]], they became a quasi-Warden Clan, learning from their mistakes of how they had failed the Crusader way, while fighting for the Inner Sphere as a way to redeem themselves as the Fidelis. Lastly, Clan Jade Falcon, a Clan known for their sheer tenacity and honor was tainted from the inside out and turned into a dishonorable Clan that disregarded honor for the sake of brutality and fear under the leadership of Malvina Hazen. + The ilClan Trial would not only change the political aspects of the Clans, but the personal aspects as well. When it came to Alaric Ward, he caused the most significant changes of all. One of the first things that his Trial did is change the landscape of the Clan political doctrine. As where the [[Crusader Clans|Crusader philosophy]] was created as a way to take over the Inner Sphere and dominate Terra, it was often derided as a stereotype of why all Clan warriors hated the Inner Sphere by their inhabitants. However, after many generations had passed, the Invading Clans had matured. Alaric had managed to transform the Crusader philosophy into a more peaceful endeavor, possibly due to his own maturity and his genefather being Victor Steiner-Davion. Even when he had the tomb of [[Aleksandr Kerensky]], he grew to understand the reason for why he left the Inner Sphere and why his son, Nicholas created [[The Clans]] to return. It was at this moment, he used the Crusader way as a means to defend the Inner Sphere rather than to act as its conqueror as stereotyped by many spheroids as the basic Clanner attitude. Clan Wolf, Clan Jade Falcon, and Clan Smoke Jaguar were the only three Crusader Clans who fulfilled what the Crusader movement was about. For Clan Wolf, they reunited with their [[Clan Wolf in Exile|Warden brethren]] into a united Clan Wolf once more. As for the Smoke Jaguars, when it came to their near destruction during the [[Great Refusal]], they became a quasi-Warden Clan, learning from their mistakes of how they had failed the Crusader way, while fighting for the Inner Sphere as a way to redeem themselves as the Fidelis. Lastly, Clan Jade Falcon, a Clan known for their sheer tenacity and honor was tainted from the inside out and turned into a dishonorable Clan that disregarded honor for the sake of brutality and fear under the leadership of Malvina Hazen. With Clan Wolf as the ilClan, Clan Smoke Jaguar reconstituted as a full Clan once more, and Clan Jade Falcon converted as a bodyguard Clan, it is likely that the three Clans have abandoned their Crusader beliefs and animosity for each other in order to protect Terra and the New Star League as well as begin the healing process between the three Clans. With Clan Wolf as the ilClan, Clan Smoke Jaguar reconstituted as a full Clan once more, and Clan Jade Falcon converted as a bodyguard Clan, it is likely that the three Clans have abandoned their Crusader beliefs and animosity for each other in order to protect Terra and the New Star League as well as begin the healing process between the three Clans. Line 67:
Line 65: ==Gallery== ==Gallery== <gallery> <gallery> − BloodRibbon ceremony at tomb of Kerensky.jpg|Kerensky's tomb in Unity City.+ Kerenskygrave01.jpg|Kerensky's grave on Unity City. </gallery> </gallery>
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| − | {{ | + | {{Cleanup|reason=review needed|date=September 2023}} |
| − | | | + | {{InfoBoxConflict |
| − | | | + | | image = |
| − | | | + | | partof = |
| − | | | + | | date = 16 April [[3151]] |
| − | + | | place = Ottawa, Canada, North America<ref>''Hour of the Wolf'', p. 388</ref> | |
| − | + | | planet = [[Terra]] | |
| − | | place = Ottawa, Canada, North America<ref>''Hour of the Wolf'', p. 388</ref> | + | | commander1 = Khan [[Alaric Ward]];<br /> General [[Chance Vickers]] |
| − | | | + | | forces1 = [[Clan Wolf Touman|Clan Wolf ''touman'']];<br> [[Clan Wolf-in-Exile Touman|Clan Wolf-in-Exile ''touman'']];<br> [[Wolf's Dragoons]];<br> The [[Fidelis]] (as Clan Wolf bondsmen)<br> ex-[[Republic of the Sphere|Republic of the Sphere]] soldiers (as Clan Wolf bondsmen) |
| − | + | | commander2 = Khan [[Malvina Hazen]];<br /> Galaxy Commander [[Stephanie Chistu]] | |
| − | + | | forces2 = [[Clan Jade Falcon Touman|Clan Jade Falcon ''touman'']] | |
| − | | commander1 = Khan [[Alaric Ward]];<br /> General [[Chance Vickers]] | + | | commander3 = |
| − | | | + | | forces3 = |
| − | + | | environment = n/a | |
| − | + | | conditions = [[Republic of the Sphere]] disbanded | |
| − | + | | result = Clan Wolf becomes ilClan | |
| − | |||
| − | | | ||
| − | |||
}} | }} | ||
| − | The '''ilClan Trial''' was the final battle between Clans [[Clan Wolf|Wolf]] and [[Clan Jade Falcon|Jade Falcon]] to determine which Clan would become the [[ilClan]], and whose leader the First Lord of a reborn Star League on Terra. Wolf Khan [[Alaric Ward]] displayed diplomatic and strategic acumen through his willingness to incorporate elements of the [[Clan_Wolf-in-Exile|Wolves-in-Exile]], the Wolf's Dragoon's mercenary unit, former Republic personnel, and Paul Moon's Fidelis into his forces | + | The '''ilClan Trial''' was the final battle between Clans [[Clan Wolf|Wolf]] and [[Clan Jade Falcon|Jade Falcon]] to determine which Clan would become the [[ilClan]], and whose leader the First Lord of a reborn Star League on Terra. Wolf Khan [[Alaric Ward]] displayed diplomatic and strategic acumen through his willingness to incorporate elements of the [[Clan_Wolf-in-Exile|Wolves-in-Exile]], the Wolf's Dragoon's mercenary unit, former Republic personnel, and Paul Moon's Fidelis into his forces, while Falcon Khan [[Malvina Hazen]] approached the Trial with her typical brutal and Jade Falcon-supremist strategy. |
==Origins== | ==Origins== | ||
====A Major Setback==== | ====A Major Setback==== | ||
| − | During the last stages of the [[Battle of Terra (3151)|Battle of Terra]], as [[Devlin Stone]] was losing his grip on both Terra and the Republic of the Sphere, he would execute [[Damien Redburn]]'s plan to assassinate both Khans | + | During the last stages of the [[Battle of Terra (3151)|Battle of Terra]], as [[Devlin Stone]] was losing his grip on both Terra and the Republic of the Sphere, he would execute [[Damien Redburn]]'s plan to assassinate both Khans, [[Operation Nighthawk]]. However, this plan backfired when both Wolf and Falcon forces destroyed Redburn and all his group before they could kill either Khan.<ref>''Hour of the Wolf'', p. 256</ref> This would make matters worse for Stone as, with the Republic forces had been crushed. To save lives, Stone would be forced to contact Clan Wolf to surrender. Having already angered Alaric by this decision, he insisted that he also contact Malvina Hazen as well to discuss terms of surrender. Stone, realizing that he had no other choice, agreed to do so despite his dismay. When the Exarch met the two leaders in person, He would propose that he would not compete and surrender to both the Wolves and the Jade Falcons. However, that was not good enough for either Khan, as the Exarch was already on Khan Ward's bad side after the failed assassination attempt, Alaric made his own proposal: to disband the Republic of the Sphere once and for all.<ref>''Hour of the Wolf'', pp. 346, 352</ref> Stone resisted and even offered himself to the Wolves to make up for the assassination attempt, but Ward would not accept the offer. Stone, realizing he could not talk his way out of this deal, decided to make good on his promise and disband the Republic as a result. With Stone and his Republic out of the way, Alaric would now focus on his true goal: The rise of the ilClan. |
====The Battle for Terra==== | ====The Battle for Terra==== | ||
| − | After the end of the battle, Alaric | + | After the end of the battle, Alaric would declare one final Trial to Malvina Hazen, the Trial for ilClanship and to be called the First Lord of the Reborn Star League. This Trial would essentially become a [[Trial of Refusal]]. Like the [[Refusal War]], both sides would bid everything they had to fight each other. To mark the ceremonious occasion, both Wolf and Jade Falcon members would have their own ceremonial uniforms and traditions to signify its importance. The two sides would agree to fight on the plains of Canada, in North America, as their staging ground. The Wolf Headquarters was in Ottawa, to the East, and the Falcons' in Winnipeg, at the West. Both sides bid all their forces on land or in the sky, but left the orbital assets and [[WarShip]]s out of the fight.<ref>''IlClan'', p. 84</ref> |
==The Trial of the ilClan. First Day== | ==The Trial of the ilClan. First Day== | ||
| − | Both Clans began the Trial | + | Both Clans began the Trial launching aerospace sorties before dawn. As the Hunters, the Falcons attacked first, trying to destroy Alaric's headquarters in a bid to kill him. This failed, and the Falcons' aerospace assets suffered heavy losses. The Wolves attack was much more successful: they destroyed the Falcons' Watch Command post, killing their commander, [[Abzug Helmer]], temporarily blinding the Falcons.<ref name=IlClanp88>''IlClan'', p. 88</ref> |
| − | An hour later, both Clan's ground forces approached and engaged. The Falcons attacked and retreated, attempting to bait the Wolves far from their starting positions to crush them. This ploy failed; Alaric had ordered his forces to not cross ''Phase Line Charlie'', a line of advance midway to Winnipeg. All Falcon attacks were repelled by the Wolves. | + | An hour later, both Clan's ground forces approached and engaged. The Falcons attacked and retreated, attempting to bait the Wolves far from their starting positions to crush them. This ploy failed; Alaric had ordered his forces to not cross ''Phase Line Charlie'', a line of advance midway to Winnipeg. All Falcon attacks were repelled by the Wolves. Alaric's forces launched a minor attack southward: a contingent of 'Mechs and Elementals of [[Beta Galaxy (Clan Wolf)]] traveled under the Lake Superior waters, taking a beachhead on Thunder Bay, but didn't advance further, and the Falcons did not stage a counter attack to this landing on the first day.<ref name=IlClanp88/> |
==The Trial. Day Two== | ==The Trial. Day Two== | ||
| − | The Wolves took advantage of the Thunder Bay beachhead at first hours of day two: [[Zeta Galaxy (Clan Wolf)]] [[Ninth Wolf Assault Cluster]] and the [[Seventy-ninth Wolf Battle Cluster]] traveled across the lake bed, striking the Falcons' repair and munitions facilities, in case of the Ninth, and the Falcons primary supply depot, in the Seventy-Ninth's. They achieved total surprise... or almost: Malvina, | + | The Wolves took advantage of the Thunder Bay beachhead at first hours of day two: [[Zeta Galaxy (Clan Wolf)]] [[Ninth Wolf Assault Cluster]] and the [[Seventy-ninth Wolf Battle Cluster]] traveled across the lake bed, striking the Falcons' repair and munitions facilities, in case of the Ninth, and the Falcons primary supply depot, in the Seventy-Ninth's. They achieved total surprise... or almost: Malvina, fearing such attack, had posted all [[Rho Galaxy (Clan Jade Falcon)]] to guard the facilities. The underwater attack allowed the Wolves to deal massive damage before falling under the Falcons' counterattack: they were slaughtered, and only a Trinary of the Ninth, and a Star of the Ninety-Ninths managed to escape through the lake. This attack managed to eliminate most of the Falcons munitions.<ref>''IlClan'', p. 90</ref> |
| − | The initial Falcons' counterattack was the expected: a frontal assault, using ''solahma'' as disposable units. The Falcons' attempts to kill Alaric failed | + | The initial Falcons' counterattack was the expected: a frontal assault, using ''solahma'' as disposable units. The Falcons' attempts to kill Alaric failed, in part thanks to his new bondsman, [[Tara Campbell]]. That was only the first stage of Malvina's plan. Three Wolf Galaxies advanced in counter attack after crushing the Falcons, into a carefully laid trap. A huge section of the forest caught fire, trapping the three Wolf Galaxies. The hellish region, which was dubbed "[[The Cauldron]]" became a deathtrap. Alaric called firefighters from Ottawa, but the falcons shot down their air units and attacked the fire brigades, forcing the Wolves to protect them. The blaze became too much hot and big to extinguish it, and the firefighters only managed to contain it, and with some difficulty, open a path to those Wolves trapped inside to escape.<ref>''IlClan'', pp. 90–91</ref> |
| − | The Falcons attacked any Wolf unit which managed to escape the fire, and punished those inside the fire with air and artillery attacks. However, | + | The Falcons attacked any Wolf unit which managed to escape the fire, and punished those inside the fire with air and artillery attacks. However, and ''ad hoc'' team, led by [[Star Captain]] [[Noran Kerensky]] managed not only to survive, but to cross the Cauldron and destroy the Falcons' remaining artillery units, before retreating to their lines. [[Theta Galaxy (Clan Wolf)]] [[Iota Galaxy (Clan Wolf)]] and [[Upsilon Galaxy (Clan Wolf)]] were effectively destroyed, with about a seventy percent of losses.<ref>''IlClan'', pp. 91–93</ref> |
==The Trial. Day Three== | ==The Trial. Day Three== | ||
| + | |||
On the third day, Alaric brought up all available forces, and he ordered to cut the bondcords of all Republic of the Sphere loyal bondsmen. Meanwhile, the Falcons were suffering the loss of their depot, and most non-Mongol warriors were running low on ammunition.<ref>''IlClan'', p. 93</ref> | On the third day, Alaric brought up all available forces, and he ordered to cut the bondcords of all Republic of the Sphere loyal bondsmen. Meanwhile, the Falcons were suffering the loss of their depot, and most non-Mongol warriors were running low on ammunition.<ref>''IlClan'', p. 93</ref> | ||
Despite the supply problems, the Falcons attacked frontally again, intending to crush what they perceived as the weakened Wolves. Once again, Alaric was a priority target, but the Falcons failed in this goal once more. The fighting was very intense, and by 1400 hours, the Wolves were on the brink of defeat, with the Falcons feeling that their strategy had paid off.<ref>''IlClan'', p. 96</ref> | Despite the supply problems, the Falcons attacked frontally again, intending to crush what they perceived as the weakened Wolves. Once again, Alaric was a priority target, but the Falcons failed in this goal once more. The fighting was very intense, and by 1400 hours, the Wolves were on the brink of defeat, with the Falcons feeling that their strategy had paid off.<ref>''IlClan'', p. 96</ref> | ||
| − | At the precipice of defeat, Alaric called | + | At the precipice of defeat, Alaric called Task Force Athena, his last reserves. The Khan had been preparing for the Trial for decades. Months before, knowing he would need more forces to ensure victory, he launched two secret operations: Operation Reunion, tasked to [[Anastasia Kerensky]], which was to convince [[Clan Wolf-in-Exile]] to rejoin the Wolves, and Operation Amalgamation, tasked to Star Captain [[Marotta Kerensky]] to do the same with the [[Wolf's Dragoons]] mercenary unit. Both formed Athena, a unit that was kept hidden not only from the Falcons but also from the majority of Clan Wolf. The Fidelis would also join as part of the deal with Alaric to reconstitute the Jaguars, but they didn't fight. Task Force Athena suffered heavy losses while engaging the Jade Falcons forces. While the Dragoons were ordered to pull back and retreat, Anastasia would be the one to deal the final blow to Chinggis Khan Malvina Hazen, ending the battle for Terra. Caught between two fires, the Falcons were crushed. Galaxy Commander [[Stephanie Chistu]], after Malvina's falling, took the command of the Falcons and ordered to cease fighting. However, most Mongol Doctrine followers ignored her and the Wolves killed those who refused to give up arms to a man, nearly annihilating the Falcons.<ref>''IlClan'', pp. 97–101</ref> |
==Aftermath== | ==Aftermath== | ||
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==Legacy== | ==Legacy== | ||
[[File:Devlin Stone ER3145.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Devlin Stone's death would mark the end of the [[Dark Age Era]].]] | [[File:Devlin Stone ER3145.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Devlin Stone's death would mark the end of the [[Dark Age Era]].]] | ||
| − | The ilClan Trial would not only change the political aspects of the Clans, but the personal aspects as well. When it came to Alaric Ward, he caused the most significant changes of all. One of the first things that his Trial did is change the landscape of the Clan political doctrine. As where the [[Crusader Clans|Crusader philosophy]] was created as a way to take over the Inner Sphere and dominate Terra, it was often derided as a stereotype of why all Clan warriors hated the Inner Sphere by their inhabitants. However, after many generations had passed, the Invading Clans had matured. Alaric had managed to transform the Crusader philosophy into a more peaceful endeavor, | + | The ilClan Trial would not only change the political aspects of the Clans, but the personal aspects as well. When it came to Alaric Ward, he caused the most significant changes of all. One of the first things that his Trial did is change the landscape of the Clan political doctrine. As where the [[Crusader Clans|Crusader philosophy]] was created as a way to take over the Inner Sphere and dominate Terra, it was often derided as a stereotype of why all Clan warriors hated the Inner Sphere by their inhabitants. However, after many generations had passed, the Invading Clans had matured. Alaric had managed to transform the Crusader philosophy into a more peaceful endeavor, possibly due to his own maturity and his genefather being Victor Steiner-Davion. Even when he had the tomb of [[Aleksandr Kerensky]], he grew to understand the reason for why he left the Inner Sphere and why his son, Nicholas created [[The Clans]] to return. It was at this moment, he used the Crusader way as a means to defend the Inner Sphere rather than to act as its conqueror as stereotyped by many spheroids as the basic Clanner attitude. Clan Wolf, Clan Jade Falcon, and Clan Smoke Jaguar were the only three Crusader Clans who fulfilled what the Crusader movement was about. For Clan Wolf, they reunited with their [[Clan Wolf in Exile|Warden brethren]] into a united Clan Wolf once more. As for the Smoke Jaguars, when it came to their near destruction during the [[Great Refusal]], they became a quasi-Warden Clan, learning from their mistakes of how they had failed the Crusader way, while fighting for the Inner Sphere as a way to redeem themselves as the Fidelis. Lastly, Clan Jade Falcon, a Clan known for their sheer tenacity and honor was tainted from the inside out and turned into a dishonorable Clan that disregarded honor for the sake of brutality and fear under the leadership of Malvina Hazen. |
With Clan Wolf as the ilClan, Clan Smoke Jaguar reconstituted as a full Clan once more, and Clan Jade Falcon converted as a bodyguard Clan, it is likely that the three Clans have abandoned their Crusader beliefs and animosity for each other in order to protect Terra and the New Star League as well as begin the healing process between the three Clans. | With Clan Wolf as the ilClan, Clan Smoke Jaguar reconstituted as a full Clan once more, and Clan Jade Falcon converted as a bodyguard Clan, it is likely that the three Clans have abandoned their Crusader beliefs and animosity for each other in order to protect Terra and the New Star League as well as begin the healing process between the three Clans. | ||
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==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
| − | + | Kerenskygrave01.jpg|Kerensky's grave on Unity City. | |
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||