Difference between revisions of "Hassid Ricol"
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| − | Author [[William H. Keith]], who had created the character, provided a detailed (but technically [[apocryphal]]) writeup on Hassid Ricol and House Ricol in ''[[BattleTechnology]]'' magazine, issue #0102 (Hiring Hall: The Red Duke). The magazine is written as an in-universe | + | Author [[William H. Keith]], who had created the character, provided a detailed (but technically [[apocryphal]]) writeup on Hassid Ricol and House Ricol in ''[[BattleTechnology]]'' magazine, issue #0102 (Hiring Hall: The Red Duke). The magazine is written as an in-universe publication from October [[3027]]. |
| − | According to this | + | According to this write-up, Hassid Ricol is technically an Archduke. He was 34 years old when he inherited the Duchy of Rodigo from his father in [[3011]], and became the 12th ruling Duke of Rodigo in his line. The capital and ducal court are maintained at Alexis on Rodigo. |
At least five plots against his life failed between 3019 and 3027. It is noted that Ricol's private intelligence-gathering network has a reputation for unrivalled thoroughness and efficiency. | At least five plots against his life failed between 3019 and 3027. It is noted that Ricol's private intelligence-gathering network has a reputation for unrivalled thoroughness and efficiency. | ||
Revision as of 04:22, 20 November 2015
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Hassid Ricol | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal | |
| Also known as | The Red Duke The Red Hunter "Ruby" |
| Born | ca. 2977[1] (apocryphal) |
| Affiliation | House Ricol House Kurita |
| Career | |
| Profession | Duke (Draconis Combine) MechWarrior |
| Family | |
| Siblings | (see text) |
| Children | (see text) |
A tall and heavy-set man, Hassid Alexander Ricol, Duke of Chekaar[2] and Rodigo, was an influential Draconis Combine noble of House Ricol and a MechWarrior. He was known as the Red Duke for his flamboyant, usually red wardrobe, and as a MechWarrior was known throughout the Successor States as the Red Hunter.[3] Within a conspirator ring in the Rasalhague Military District and later the secret Black Dragon Society (Kokuryu-kai), both of which used gemstone codenames, Ricol used the alias Ruby.
Although he was technically a civilian administrator,[4] he maintained private military forces by virtue of his noble status, complete with their own uniforms sporting a characteristic piping[5] and kana symbols spelling out "Kurita" and "Duke Ricol", with the House Kurita symbol;[6] he also commanded House Kurita forces on occasion, including at least one DEST unit, although there is no clear indication that he ever served in the regular Draconis Combine military.
Contents
Character History
Rise
Author William H. Keith, who had created the character, provided a detailed (but technically apocryphal) writeup on Hassid Ricol and House Ricol in BattleTechnology magazine, issue #0102 (Hiring Hall: The Red Duke). The magazine is written as an in-universe publication from October 3027.
According to this write-up, Hassid Ricol is technically an Archduke. He was 34 years old when he inherited the Duchy of Rodigo from his father in 3011, and became the 12th ruling Duke of Rodigo in his line. The capital and ducal court are maintained at Alexis on Rodigo.
At least five plots against his life failed between 3019 and 3027. It is noted that Ricol's private intelligence-gathering network has a reputation for unrivalled thoroughness and efficiency.
By 3027 Hassid Ricol is described as the de-facto lord of 14 worlds within the Rasalhague Military District from Kufstein's World to The Edge; other named worlds include Verthandi, New Caledonia, Basiliano, Dahlgren, and Auric II (Harvest).
Against the Gray Death Legion
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Fourth Succession War
In the Fourth Succession War, the Lyran Commonwealth participated on the Draconis Combine front through Operation Götterdämmerung and, although ultimately stalemated, captured many worlds. Ricol's private army fought well in the Kurita counterattacks and it was acknowledged that he achieved a limited success, but was ultimately unable to stop the Steiner juggernaut. By 3034, it was noted that Ricol's forces and estates had suffered greatly and that he had been dispossessed of his estates in the Steiner invasion.[7]
Alshain Military District
On the eve of the formation of the Free Rasalhague Republic in 3034 Ricol bought himself back into House Kurita's good graces by providing them with a copy of the Helm Memory Core, a full six years after he had obtained it himself. (House Kurita had known about copies of the core being distributed, but had been unable to procure one for themselves before for unknown reasons, speculating possible obstruction by ComStar could be the reason.) As a reward, he was installed as duke and civilian administrator in the newly formed Alshain Military District which consisted of the remnant of the former Rasalhague Military District plus ten worlds from the Buckminster Prefecture.[7]
Jihad
In 3071, Ricol, under the codename of "Ruby", had dealings with the Council of Gems. They discussed the problems of Clan Nova Cat disobeying the Combine's current government and civil disobedience of the Azami people. Ricol suggested to have their agents influence the crew of the Kirishima-class WarShip DCA Siriwan to attack one of the worlds of the Azami.[8]
By late 3072, elements of the Sons of the Dragon and a DEST team managed to capture two of the Black Dragon's ruling members on Luthien, Pearl and Diamond. They revealed names of their leading members after interrogation. It was revealed that the "late" Duke Ricol had been a member of the Kokuryu-kai.[9]
Positions
It was noted that Hassid Ricol's rule over several worlds gave him the actual power of an archduke; dukes generally had responsibility for only a single world.[10]
BattleMech
As a MechWarrior, Hassid Ricol preferred to pilot a Marauder painted red with black legs and trim.[11] In at least one instance, the 'Mech itself was also to as "The Red Hunter", a name otherwise applied to Hassid Ricol personally.[12]
Notes
- Duke Ricol was known for owning the only privately operated Behemoth-class DropShip in existence. [13] He used his private DropShip Alpha as a command/HQ vessel during military ventures abroad; although the class of the Alpha is indeterminate, it is not a Behemoth as it is shown to be capable of landing on standard gravity planets, something the Behemoth class is incapable of. Ricol also owned at least one private JumpShip, the Huntress.
- It is interesting that the Black Dragon ruling council used Council of Gem code-names. That system was also used by Rasalhague resistance movement that attempted to assassinate Takashi Kurita in 3019 (by sabotaging the DropShip Startreader). Ricol was part of that conspiracy, and also went by the name "Ruby".
References
- ↑ BattleTechnology issue #0102, pp. 65, "Hiring Hall: The Red Duke" (apocryphal)
- ↑ Decision at Thunder Rift, chapter 27
- ↑ Decision at Thunder Rift, chapter 10
- ↑ As per the description of the position of Duke in the Draconis Combine in House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 95 "Governmental Structure"
- ↑ Mercenary's Star, chapter 14
- ↑ Mercenary's Star, chapter 5
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Heir to the Dragon, chapter 51
- ↑ Jihad Hot Spots: 3072, p. 53, "Council of Gems"
- ↑ Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, p. 43, "Black Dragons Unmasked"
- ↑ The Price of Glory, chapter 22
- ↑ Decision at Thunder Rift, chapter 33
- ↑ Decision at Thunder Rift, chapter 28
- ↑ Handbook: House Liao, p. 162, "Mówáng-class courier"