Editing Aurigan Coalition

{{InfoBoxState
| image = Crest of House Arano.jpg
| Founded = [[2910]]<ref name=HA:TACp11>''House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition)'' p.11</ref>
| Dissolved = 
| capital = [[Coromodir VI]]<ref name=HA:TACp21>''House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition)'' p.21</ref>
| systems = 22<ref name=HA:TACp31-35>''House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition)'' pp.31-35</ref>
| currency = 
| language = English (primary), Spanish, Samoan, Urdu, a dozen others.<ref name=HA:TACp21/>
| demonym = 
| Head of State = [[High Lord of the Aurigan Coalition|High Lord]]
| cintel = 
| commander     = 
| army = [[Aurigan Coalition Military]] (ACM)
| navy = 
| mintel = 
}}
The '''Aurigan Coalition''' is an interstellar nation located in the [[periphery]] region known as the [[Aurigan Reach]], which borders on the [[Capellan Confederation]] and the [[Taurian Concordat]], along with the [[Galactic Directions#Rimward|Rimward Frontier]] space.
==Canonicity==
The Aurigan Coalition was originally created for the [[apocryphal]] ''[[BattleTech (Video Game)|BattleTech]]'' video game, in a part of the game world that was largely neglected and poorly detailed in previous publications. The game's storyline, events, characters and setting, including namely the Aurigan Coalition, were later adopted (in broad strokes at least) into [[canon]] proper through the ''[[House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition)]]'' sourcebook. This retroactively inserted the Aurigan Reach region and its history as detailed in this sourcebook into BattleTech canon.

To wit, the video game itself (and the preceding crowdfunding campaign) was not canonized as such and thus remains apocryphal, unless canonized through the fully canonical sourcebook or other canonical sources.

==History==
===Early Years===
The seeds of the Aurigan Coalition were planted when [[Coromodir VI]], [[Guldra]], [[Mechdur]], and [[Itrom]] were colonized by a coalition of traders and industrialists originally from the [[Free Worlds League]], inspired by the settlement of [[Taurus]]. The culture was predominantly Polynesian with elements of Spanish Catholicism and Pakistani Islam.<ref name=HA:TACp21/>

The [[Reunification War]] and its aftermath saw significant growth in the Aurigan Reach. The [[SLDF]] built fortifications on planets across the region, the [[Taurian Concordat]] erected the fortress that would later become the Arano palace on Coromodir VI, and the [[Capellan Confederation]] built vast industrial works on [[Mechdur]]. At the time of the [[New Vandenberg Uprising]], the worlds of the future Aurigan Coalition straddled the border between the Capellan and Taurian states.<ref name=HA:TACp10>''House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition)'' p.10</ref>

The Uprising, followed by the [[Amaris Civil War]], followed by the [[First Succession War]], led to the Capellans withdrawing their resources from the Aurigan Reach. The [[Taurian-Canopian War]] ended with the Concordat withdrawing as well.<ref name=HA:TACp10-11>''House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition)'' pp.10-11</ref>

The Reach worlds were largely forgotten by the [[Inner Sphere]], which believed them dead or abandoned. [[Guldra]]'s HPG station was destroyed, and the Capellan base on the northern continent of [[Itrom]] was rendered a radioactive wasteland. [[Panzyr]]'s orbit was filled with debris from the wars. [[Mechdur]] was written off by the Capellans due to gross mismanagement. The fortresses of [[Smithon]] were decommissioned and abandoned, while the world of [[Katinka]] suffered a strike from a [[Mass Driver]].<ref name=HA:TACp32-35>''House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition)'' pp.32-35</ref> Yet a few systems, such as [[Coromodir]], [[Itrom]], [[Tyrlon]] and [[Guldra]] were able to continue offering a decent standard of living to their people. <ref name=HA:TACp11/>

===Aurigan Trade Partnership===
In 2870, [[House Arano]] and [[House Espinosa]] of the Coromodir system proposed a pact of mutual defense and trade with [[House Madeira]] and [[House Decimis]] of Guldra, [[House Karosas]] of [[Smithon]], [[House Gallas]] of Itrom, and [[House Parata]] of Tyrlon. To defend against piracy and bolster their economies, they joined together in a new Trade Council under the leadership of [[Wiremu Arano]]. This was not a nation-state yet; they believed that the powers of the Inner Sphere and the Concordat would eventually return to reclaim their holdings there.<ref name=HA:TACp11/>

===Aurigan Coalition===
At the beginning of the thirtieth century, amidst the [[Third Succession War]], the hope of being rejoined with the great powers was abandoned. [[Keona Arano]], daughter of Wiremu, proposed to the Trade Council that the partnership be remade as an independent nation: the Aurigan Coalition. In [[2910]], she became [[High Lady of the Aurigan Coalition]], though only by the [[Magistracy of Canopus]] recognized the Coalition as a state .<ref name=HA:TACp11/>

The industrial system of [[Mechdur]] was first to join the initial worlds of the nascent Coalition. This heralded a period of expansion, bringing other independent worlds under the Aurigan Coalition banner. As the Coalition expanded by the early [[thirty-first century]] to worlds that the Taurian Concordat had abandoned a century earlier but still technically claimed, the Taurians began to take note. Taurian diplomats went to Coromodir to negotiate treaties, but the Aurigan representatives and the emissaries of [[Protector of the Realm|Protector]] [[Thomas Calderon]] could not reach a compromise. [[Santiago Espinosa]], High Lord [[Tamati Arano II]]'s chief advisor, proposed dissolving the Founding Council and bringing all power under the High Lord, which would allow Tamati to negotiate with the Taurians directly.<ref name=HA:TACp11-12>''House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition)'' pp.11-12</ref>

===Aurigan Directorate===
High Lord Tamati II and his wife [[Serena Espinosa|Serena]] were killed in a [[JumpShip]] accident in [[3022]]. Santiago repeated his proposal to Tamati's daughter and heir [[Kamea Arano]], who rejected it immediately. This led to a bloody coup during which Kamea was presumed to have been killed. House Espinosa changed the democratic Coalition into an autocratic Directorate with Santiago Espinosa as Director, keeping the other Houses in line with bribes, threats, and hostages.<ref name=HA:TACp12>''House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition)'' p.12</ref> Santiago disbanded the elected portion of the Council, restricting it to the Noble Houses.<ref name=HA:TACp17>''House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition)'' p.17</ref> All House military forces were brought under the Director's control,<ref name=HA:TACp24>''House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition)'' p.24</ref> and he formed a covert alliance with the Taurian Concordat for heavy and assault [[BattleMech]]s.<ref name=HA:TACp12/> On the planet [[Weldry]], a notorious prison that came to be known as the "Icebox" was built.<ref name=HA:TACp47>''House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition)'' p.47</ref><ref name=HA:TACp35>''House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition)'' p.35 Weldry profile</ref>

===Arano Restoration===
{{main|Restoration War}}
Lady Arano was still alive, and she was able to secure financial support from the [[Magistracy of Canopus]] under the oversight of Lady [[Ana Maria Centrella]]. With the aid of a mercenary company that had formerly worked for her family, she began reclaiming worlds and building her forces. After House Espinosa's alliance with the Taurians was sundered, Restoration forces were able to reclaim Coromodir, placing Lady Kamea on the throne and ending the war. Santiago Espinosa was executed for treason.<ref name=HA:TACp12-13>''House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition)'' pp.12-13</ref> 

===Post-Restoration===
House Arano's problems were not over. The crash of the [[DropShip]] ''[[Iberia]]'' on [[Coromodir VI]] during the final moments of the Restoration campaign created a "little ice age" expected to last for at least a decade, even with the aid of [[Lostech]] atmosphere scrubbers and terraforming equipment obtained through salvage and allies.<ref name=Guns>''Almost Sounds Like the Guns Themselves''</ref> The border dispute with the Taurians that had precipitated the crisis was still unresolved.<ref name=HA:TACp13>''House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition)'' p.13</ref> Two of the Founding Houses, Espinosa and Karosas, had been wiped out, their affairs under administration by the High Lady and her deputies.<ref name=HA:TACp18>''House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition)'' p.18</ref><ref name=HA:TACp20>''House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition)'' p.20</ref><ref name=HA:TACp17>''House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition)'' p.17</ref><ref name=HA:TACp27>''House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition)'' p.27</ref> Like Coromodir, worlds such as Panzyr and Smithon had to rebuild from the ravages of the war.<ref name=HA:TACp27>''House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition)'' p.27</ref><ref name=HA:TACp18/><ref name=HA:TACp28>''House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition)'' p.28</ref>

An end to the war did not mean an end to conflict. The loyalty of the Noble Houses ranged from questionable to speaking of open revolt.<ref name=HA:TACp13/> Armed organizations from the just-concluded civil war, including [[Forever Vigilant]] and [[Ibex Rampant]], sought to reinstate the toppled Aurigan Directorate.<ref name=HA:TACp6>''House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition)'' p.6</ref> Lady Arano created a special operations command, [[Rampart Company]], to deal with these and other threats.<ref name=HA:TACp24>''House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition)'' p.24</ref>  

In many ways, the Post-Restoration Coalition resembled the Directorate, with autocratic rule, a unified military, and military governors over various systems.<ref name=HA:TACp17/>

== Politics ==
The High Lord (or High Lady) is traditionally an elected monarch chosen by the Founding Council and elected representatives from the Coalition's major systems, though this was always a formality: until the Espinosa coup, the position was always filled by an Arano.  Members of the Founding Council were usually either the head of the House or the heir apparent.  Post-Restoration, much of this was in abeyance.

=== Rulers ===
{| class="wikitable"
|- 
! scope="col" width="150" style="background: #dedede;" | Name
! scope="col" width="150" style="background: #dedede;" | Reign
! scope="col" style="background: #dedede;" | Descent
|-
| colspan="3" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Aurigan Trade Partnership'''
|-
| Governor||[[Wiremu Arano]]||[[2870]]<ref name=HA:TACp11/>
|-
| colspan="3" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Aurigan Coalition'''
|-
| High Lady||[[Keona Arano]]||[[2910]] - ****<ref name=HA:TACp11/>
|-
| High Lord||style = "background: #ffffcc"|[[Tamati Arano I]]<ref name=BTVGtt>''BattleTech (Video Game)'', Tamati Arano II tooltip</ref>||**** - [[2988]]<ref name=BTVGtt/>
|-
| High Lord||[[Tamati Arano II]]||2988{{cn}} - [[3022]]<ref name=HA:TACp12/>
|-
| colspan="3" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Aurigan Directorate'''
|-
| Director||[[Santiago Espinosa]]||3022<ref name=HA:TACp12/> - 3025<ref name=HA:TACp13/>
|-
| colspan="3" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Aurigan Coalition'''
|-
| High Lady||[[Kamea Arano]]||[[3025]]<ref name=HA:TACp13/> - 
|-
|}

==Military==
{{main|Aurigan Coalition Military}}
==Society and Culture==
The Aurigan culture is a melting pot. The original settlers came from the Free Worlds League, with a mixture of Polynesian, Spanish, and Pakistani language, culture, and religion.  Cultural isolation due to the scarcity of JumpShips means that people from neighboring systems may need translators.  Arts and architecture were strongly influenced by the Capellan Confederation and Taurian Concordat.  The palace on Coromodir VI was originally a Taurian fortress and remains a beautiful example of Taurian architecture.<ref name=HA:TACp21/>

A meld of Taurian and Capellan traditions on social duty is also strongly seen among the Aurigans.  Each individual should feel a strong sense of duty to the state. Also, there is a tradition of heroes arising in times of adversity to safeguard the region.<ref name=HA:TACp21/>

==Economy==
The Aurigan Reach's great strength is agricultural self-sufficiency.  The most common occupation and the largest industry is agriculture, including genetically modified crops.<ref name=HA:TACp22>''House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition)'' p.22</ref>

The Coalition is not without other industry, however.  The industrial oligarchs of [[Mechdur]] fooled their Capellan governors into believing that their industry was failing, but after the Capellans withdrew, they became the main supplier of manufactured goods to the region.  Their products include ores, refined metals, armor for vehicles and 'Mechs, and even a maintenance facility for JumpShips.<ref name=HA:TACp22/>

:See Also: [[:Category:Aurigan Coalition Corporations|Aurigan Coalition Companies]]

==Historical Maps==
<gallery>
File:Duchy_of_Dont.PNG|Aurigan Reach in year 2890
File:AuriganCoalition3022.png|Aurigan Coalition in year 3022
File:RimwardPeriphery3025.jpg|Aurigan Reach in year 3025 (Apocryphal Source)
</gallery>



==BattleTech Video Game==
''The following is from the [[BattleTech (Video Game)]]. While it is an official product, it does not meet the criteria for Canon.''
{{ApocryphalContentStart}}
===Aurigan Coalition===
Under the rule of the oligarchic Founding Council and the High Lieges from their number, the Aurigan coalition expanded into the Frontier Reach and fended off piracy. The Aurigan people enjoyed various political, personal, and economic rights across the Coalition to the point that they were considered something to be championed by Kamea Arano when she led the Arano Restoration during the Aurigan Civil War. <ref name=BTVG>''BattleTech (Video Game)''</ref>

===Directorate===
[[File:Crest of House Espinosa.png‎|left|thumb|135px|The Aurigan Directorate insignia.]]
High Lord [[Tamati Arano II]] and his wife [[Serena Arano]] (née Espinosa) were killed in an accident in [[3022]], leaving their daughter [[Kamea Arano|Kamea]] as heir. With Kamea refusing to listen to her uncle about how to rule the Coalition, [[Santiago Espinosa]] decided to take matters into his own hands. Along with his daughter, [[Victoria Espinosa]], he would successfully stage a coup, forcing Lady Arano off [[Coromodir]] and taking the throne, installing himself as "Director" of the realm.

{{quote|We are here today because if Lady Arano will not act, someone must. I know what I am asking of you. You will face former comrades or even loved ones on the battlefield. I take up arms against my own niece. But remember: today we sacrifice, so that tomorrow we can return our kingdom to its proper glory. To its proper strength! So should you fall tonight - know that you did so as true heroes of the Reach! To your stations! For the Directorate!"}}
'''- Lord Santiago inspiring his Directorate troops before deploying on Cormodir.'''

As ruler of the rechristened '''Aurigan Directorate''', Santiago would form a brutal dictatorship in his wake, creating concentration camps on Weldry to hold possible dissident factions' relatives hostage including of the Founding Houses, and torturing and murdering political prisoners. His daughter, Victoria would slaughter anyone who did not support the Directorate, whether it be civilians or other House Lords of the Reach. Further, on Coromodir personal and political liberties were lost in exchange for increased economic luxuries under the police state in order to placate the population.<ref name=BTVG/>
{{ApocryphalContentEnd}}

==See Also==
* [[:Category:Aurigan Coalition Systems]]

==References==
<references/>

==Bibliography==
* ''[[Almost Sounds Like the Guns Themselves]]'' (short story)
* ''[[BattleTech (Video Game)|BattleTech]]'' (Video Game), apocryphal
* ''[[House Arano (The Aurigan Coalition)]]'' (sourcebook)
* [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/webeharebrained/battletech/posts/1614948 Harebrained Schemes LLC: Kickstarter Update #28: "History of the Aurigan Reach"], apocryphal
* [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/webeharebrained/battletech/posts/1745111 Harebrained Schemes LLC: Kickstarter Update #33: "Introducing the Main Characters"], apocryphal

[[Category:Nation States|Aurigan Coalition]]
[[Category:Aurigan Coalition Related Categories]]