Fiefdom of Randis

Fiefdom of Randis

Name: Fiefdom of Randis

Capital World: Randis

Number of Worlds: One

Political Leader: Grand Knight Lucas Beckett

Military Leader: Grand Knight Lucas Beckett

Approximate Population: 8,000

Self-Sufficiency Index: 88 percent

The Brotherhood itself is dedicated to both spiritual and humane ideals, with honor and justice being the most prevalent. Its current leader is a neophyte to the political make up of his region of space, however, making the not-insignificant Brotherhood potentially easy to influence. The world of Randis is home to one of the last remaining bastions of hope in the galaxy, the Brotherhood of Randis. Though no one can positively determine exactly when Randis was colonized, it somehow became a destination for the refugees and deserters looking to escape the ravages of the Succession Wars. Without the resources of a Great House or large corporation to underwrite their colonization efforts, the world's first inhabitants had to overcome both the vastness of space and their new home's native environment in order to build their new civilization Many did not survive. Those that did, however, found at least a shadow of what they were looking for: a world far away from the war and intrigue plaguing the Inner Sphere. Though not immune to the problems of humanity, the people of the world, known as hope persevered.

As the Succession Wars dragged on, more and more of the dregs of humanity found their way into the Periphery. Piracy, always a problem that had plagued the outer reaches, became a veritable way of life as people became more and more disenfranchised during the long decades of war. This world, stranded among the vast expanses of space past the Taurian Concordat, was no exception. The soldiers and citizens who simply sought a new life among the stars were forced to deal with local pirates just to survive. In many cases they turned directly to piracy, lured in by the potential rewards. It was during these "formative" years that they world slowly transformed into a crossroads of sorts, with pirates and other traders from across the Periphery using the system to trade and exchange their goods. The world's name changed to reflect its changed position, and it quickly became known as Lost Hope.

It wasn't until the middle of the Third Succession War that matters began to change. Erdelmaine Randis left the Free World's League military in disgust, traveling for years throughout the Inner Sphere on a quest worth of Diogenes. With no simple answers at hand, he eventually found himself on Lost Hope amid a group of broken and dispirited MechWarriors who were looking for answers. Together, they found a new beginning. In 2988, Randis announced the formation of the Brotherhood of Randis. The people of the world rallied behind his cause and renamed the planet in honor of the man who brought about this change.

Since then, life on Randis has changed significantly for the better. The reforms of Erdelmaine Randis brought new hope, not only to his own people, but also to people scattered throughout the Periphery. As word of his work spread, a new generate of "seekers" found their way to Randis, hoping against hope that the rumors were true. The world's population grew slowly, and the influx of new dreams brought a renewed sense of pride in Randis' people and the quality of living grew.

Unfortunately, those same rumors also brought with them renewed raids and attacks, with the Brotherhood barely hanging on against the constant threat for the next half century. Even when there were no resources to try to plunder, shady MechWarriors came to Randis to prove themselves against the vaunted Brotherhood.

It wasn't until 3037 that Randis took its next and greatest leap [Something that can be credited solely to Galahad Frews. -CSJ]. The brotherhood reevaluated itself and, after instituting a new training regimen, became the fighting force they were destined to be. Soon afterward, Randis became not only a lone have for the free, but one rid of the daily threat of violence from outlaw bands.

Today, inhabitants have finally linked their cities by modern rail. The world's three largest cities have now turned into true commerce centers, each with it-sown spaceport. Though the standard of living still hovers below that of the average "civilized" world, life on Randis is the best it has even been, certainly better than most Periphery worlds can boast.

Interstellar Relations

A mere blip on the map of any major power, the Fiefdom of Randis has no official contact with any nation. Both the Federated Commonwealth and the Taurian Concordat are aware of the tiny nation. Neither imposes any special requirements on those traveling to and from the world, with or without wares. The minions of the Tortuga Dominions are also well aware of Randis' existence, as are most pirates and outlaws operating on that side of the Periphery, especially following the Brotherhood's successful action on Antallos in 3051.