Difference between revisions of "House Ricol"
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==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | '''House Ricol'''<ref>"House Ricol" is expressly mentioned in ''Mercenary's Star'', chapter 14</ref> was an influential noble house from the [[Draconis Combine]], holding the title of Duke of [[Chekaar]].<ref>''Decision at Thunder Rift'', chapter 27</ref> | + | '''House Ricol'''<ref>"House Ricol" is expressly mentioned in ''Mercenary's Star'', chapter 14</ref> was an influential noble house from the [[Draconis Combine]], holding the title of Duke of [[Chekaar]] (though apocryphally, the principal duchy was that of [[Rodigo]]; see below).<ref>''Decision at Thunder Rift'', chapter 27</ref> Having several other worlds in the [[Rasalhague Military District]] placed under the duchy's administrative jurisdiction gave the ruling duke the actual power of an archduke (whereas dukes generally had responsibility for only a single world).<ref>''The Price of Glory'', chapter 22</ref> |
The best known scion of House Ricol is arguable [[Hassid Ricol]], also known as the "Red Duke" or "The Red Hunter".<br />As of ca. [[3025]], one General [[Voren Ricol]], Duke of [[Kirchbach]], was named as the CO of seven regiments in the Rasalhague Military District's Kirchbach Prefecture<ref>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 134</ref> | The best known scion of House Ricol is arguable [[Hassid Ricol]], also known as the "Red Duke" or "The Red Hunter".<br />As of ca. [[3025]], one General [[Voren Ricol]], Duke of [[Kirchbach]], was named as the CO of seven regiments in the Rasalhague Military District's Kirchbach Prefecture<ref>''House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)'', p. 134</ref> | ||
| − | House Ricol apparently lost most if not all of its holdings to the [[House Steiner]] invasion in the [[Fourth Succession War]] | + | House Ricol apparently lost most if not all of its holdings to the [[House Steiner]] invasion in the [[Fourth Succession War]]. When the [[Free Rasalhague Republic]] was formed in [[3034]], Duke Hassid Ricol used his copy of the [[Helm Memory Core]] as a bargaining chip to become governor of the newly formed [[Alshain Military District]] (which was formed from what remained of the Rasalhague Military District and ten worlds of the Buckminster Prefecture).<ref>''Heir to the Dragon'', chapter 51</ref> |
The later fate of House Ricol is not well documented. The Alshain Military District fell to the [[Clans]] in the [[Clan Invasion]], and by the 3070s Duke Ricol had apparently fallen on hard times, having lost his vast wealth and the infrastructure of House Ricol. He died during the [[Jihad]], but apparently left a son behind to inherit what was left of House Ricol.{{cn}} | The later fate of House Ricol is not well documented. The Alshain Military District fell to the [[Clans]] in the [[Clan Invasion]], and by the 3070s Duke Ricol had apparently fallen on hard times, having lost his vast wealth and the infrastructure of House Ricol. He died during the [[Jihad]], but apparently left a son behind to inherit what was left of House Ricol.{{cn}} | ||
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House Ricol, or at least Duke Hassid Ricol, were considered to possess a vast wealth and resources. | House Ricol, or at least Duke Hassid Ricol, were considered to possess a vast wealth and resources. | ||
| − | Duke Ricol was known for owning the only privately operated ''[[Behemoth (DropShip)|Behemoth]]''-class [[DropShip]] in existence.<ref>''Handbook: House Liao'', p. 162, "Mówáng-class courier"</ref> Beyond that, he used his private DropShip ''[[Alpha (Individual 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. It is implied that Ricol had several additional DropShips at his disposal; he brought six DropShips to [[Helm]] in [[3028]] on two [[JumpShip]]s, | + | Duke Ricol was known for owning the only privately operated ''[[Behemoth (DropShip)|Behemoth]]''-class [[DropShip]] in existence.<ref>''Handbook: House Liao'', p. 162, "Mówáng-class courier"</ref> Beyond that, he used his private DropShip ''[[Alpha (Individual 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. It is implied that Ricol had several additional DropShips at his disposal; he brought six DropShips to [[Helm]] in [[3028]] on two [[JumpShip]]s<ref>''The Price of Glory'', chapter 23</ref> |
Ricol also owned at least one private [[JumpShip]], the ''[[Huntress (Individual JumpShip)|Huntress]]''. | Ricol also owned at least one private [[JumpShip]], the ''[[Huntress (Individual JumpShip)|Huntress]]''. | ||
==Military== | ==Military== | ||
| − | Although technically a civilian administrator position, the noble title of duke allowed House Ricol to maintain what seems to have been a sizeable private army including [[BattleMech]]s but also professional interrogation teams<ref>''Mercenary's Star'', chapter 14</ref>. They had their own uniforms sporting a characteristic piping<ref>''Mercenary's Star'', chapter 14</ref> and kana symbols spelling out "Kurita" and "Duke Ricol" and displaying the House Kurita symbol.<ref>''Mercenary's Star'', chapter 5</ref> Duke Hassid Ricol also commanded [[House Kurita]] forces on occasion, including | + | Although technically a civilian administrator position, the noble title of duke allowed House Ricol to maintain what seems to have been a sizeable private army including [[BattleMech]]s but also professional interrogation teams<ref>''Mercenary's Star'', chapter 14</ref>. They had their own uniforms sporting a characteristic piping<ref>''Mercenary's Star'', chapter 14</ref> and kana symbols spelling out "Kurita" and "Duke Ricol" and displaying the House Kurita symbol.<ref>''Mercenary's Star'', chapter 5</ref> Duke Hassid Ricol also commanded [[House Kurita]] forces on occasion, including a [[DEST]] unit in one instance, although there is no clear indication that he ever served in the regular [[Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery]]. |
| − | Duke Hassid Ricol was a renowned [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarrior]] in his red ''[[Marauder]]'' with black legs and trim, both the pilot and the 'Mech known as "The Red Hunter | + | Duke Hassid Ricol was a renowned [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarrior]] in his red ''[[Marauder]]'' with black legs and trim, both the pilot and the 'Mech known as "The Red Hunter". House Ricol warleader Captain Lord [[Harimandir Singh]], who had been serving under Ricol for fifteen years as of [[3024]] (i.e. since [[3019]]), commanded the "Red Hunter Special Operations Group" from a ''[[Crusader]]'' painted in a similar red-and-black scheme but he was killed in action on [[Trell I]] in 3024<ref>''Decision at Thunder Rift''</ref> and the unit was not mentioned again afterwards. |
At an unspecified time in ca. [[3027]], several years after Duke Hassid Ricol had lost several 'Mechs in his private service in an adventure across the border in [[House Steiner]] space (implicitly referring to the abortive invasion of Trell I in 3024), he recruited [[dispossessed]] MechWarrior [[Salvadore Tyrell]] and charged him with creating a new private BattleMech company that Tyrell would name Tyrell's Terrors. They were garrisoning the unruly world of [[Verthandi]] in the aftermath of the [[Gray Death Legion]]-supported uprising there, but were ordered to meet Duke Ricol at [[Kajikazawa]] upon his return from the [[Free Worlds League]] where he had recovered the Helm Memory Core.<ref>''Dance of Vengeance''</ref> | At an unspecified time in ca. [[3027]], several years after Duke Hassid Ricol had lost several 'Mechs in his private service in an adventure across the border in [[House Steiner]] space (implicitly referring to the abortive invasion of Trell I in 3024), he recruited [[dispossessed]] MechWarrior [[Salvadore Tyrell]] and charged him with creating a new private BattleMech company that Tyrell would name Tyrell's Terrors. They were garrisoning the unruly world of [[Verthandi]] in the aftermath of the [[Gray Death Legion]]-supported uprising there, but were ordered to meet Duke Ricol at [[Kajikazawa]] upon his return from the [[Free Worlds League]] where he had recovered the Helm Memory Core.<ref>''Dance of Vengeance''</ref> | ||
==Crest== | ==Crest== | ||
| − | House Ricol does have a crest or flag, but it is never described in detail beyond a "red chevron". | + | House Ricol does have a crest or flag, but it is never described in detail beyond a DropShip bearing "the red chevron of his flag".<ref>''Decision at Thunder Rift'', chapter 26</ref> |
==Background information== | ==Background information== | ||
{{ApocryphalContentStart}} | {{ApocryphalContentStart}} | ||
| − | Author [[William H. Keith]], who had created the character of Hassid Ricol, 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 of Hassid Ricol, 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 writeup, the Ricols are an old and established family on [[Rodigo]] dating back to when the world was first settled in the 23rd century. In [[2785]] one General Henri Ricol became the first Duke of Rodigo. The 3rd Duke of Ricol, Stefani Ricol, was the first to adopt the descriptive honorific "Red Duke" that would be revived by Hassid Ricol in the 31st century. | According to this writeup, the Ricols are an old and established family on [[Rodigo]] dating back to when the world was first settled in the 23rd century. In [[2785]] one General Henri Ricol became the first Duke of Rodigo. The 3rd Duke of Ricol, Stefani Ricol, was the first to adopt the descriptive honorific "Red Duke" that would be revived by Hassid Ricol in the 31st century. | ||
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Beyond Rodigo, thirteen [[Lyran Commonwealth]] worlds (several formerly belonging to the [[Tamar Pact]]) were annexed for the Draconis Combine in three separate campaigns since ca. [[2997]] and put under the administrative jurisdiction of the Duchy of Rodigo. | Beyond Rodigo, thirteen [[Lyran Commonwealth]] worlds (several formerly belonging to the [[Tamar Pact]]) were annexed for the Draconis Combine in three separate campaigns since ca. [[2997]] and put under the administrative jurisdiction of the Duchy of Rodigo. | ||
| − | Hassid Ricol 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 ducal seat is in Alexis on [[Rodigo]]. Duke Hassid Ricol is described as the de-facto lord of 14 worlds within the Rasalhague Military District from [[Kufstein|Kufstein's World]] to [[The Edge]]; other named worlds include [[Verthandi]], [[New Caledonia]], [[Basiliano]],[[Dahlgren]], and [[Harvest|Auric II (Harvest)]]. | + | Hassid Ricol 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 ducal seat is in Alexis on [[Rodigo]]. Duke Hassid Ricol is described as the de-facto lord of 14 worlds within the Rasalhague Military District from [[Kufstein|Kufstein's World]] to [[The Edge]]; other named worlds include [[Verthandi]], [[New Caledonia]], [[Basiliano]], [[Dahlgren]], and [[Harvest|Auric II (Harvest)]]. |
It was noted that the double setbacks at Trell I and Verthandi had seriously jeopardized Duke Ricol's political standing. | It was noted that the double setbacks at Trell I and Verthandi had seriously jeopardized Duke Ricol's political standing. | ||
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*''[[BattleTechnology]]'' issue #0102 | *''[[BattleTechnology]]'' issue #0102 | ||
*''[[Decision at Thunder Rift]]'' | *''[[Decision at Thunder Rift]]'' | ||
| + | *''[[Heir to the Dragon]]'' | ||
*''[[Mercenary's Star (novel)]]'' | *''[[Mercenary's Star (novel)]]'' | ||
*''[[Shrapnel]]'' anthology (''[[Dance of Vengeance]]'') | *''[[Shrapnel]]'' anthology (''[[Dance of Vengeance]]'') | ||
Revision as of 06:03, 20 November 2015
Contents
Description
House Ricol[1] was an influential noble house from the Draconis Combine, holding the title of Duke of Chekaar (though apocryphally, the principal duchy was that of Rodigo; see below).[2] Having several other worlds in the Rasalhague Military District placed under the duchy's administrative jurisdiction gave the ruling duke the actual power of an archduke (whereas dukes generally had responsibility for only a single world).[3]
The best known scion of House Ricol is arguable Hassid Ricol, also known as the "Red Duke" or "The Red Hunter".
As of ca. 3025, one General Voren Ricol, Duke of Kirchbach, was named as the CO of seven regiments in the Rasalhague Military District's Kirchbach Prefecture[4]
House Ricol apparently lost most if not all of its holdings to the House Steiner invasion in the Fourth Succession War. When the Free Rasalhague Republic was formed in 3034, Duke Hassid Ricol used his copy of the Helm Memory Core as a bargaining chip to become governor of the newly formed Alshain Military District (which was formed from what remained of the Rasalhague Military District and ten worlds of the Buckminster Prefecture).[5]
The later fate of House Ricol is not well documented. The Alshain Military District fell to the Clans in the Clan Invasion, and by the 3070s Duke Ricol had apparently fallen on hard times, having lost his vast wealth and the infrastructure of House Ricol. He died during the Jihad, but apparently left a son behind to inherit what was left of House Ricol.[citation needed]
Assets
House Ricol, or at least Duke Hassid Ricol, were considered to possess a vast wealth and resources.
Duke Ricol was known for owning the only privately operated Behemoth-class DropShip in existence.[6] Beyond that, 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. It is implied that Ricol had several additional DropShips at his disposal; he brought six DropShips to Helm in 3028 on two JumpShips[7]
Ricol also owned at least one private JumpShip, the Huntress.
Military
Although technically a civilian administrator position, the noble title of duke allowed House Ricol to maintain what seems to have been a sizeable private army including BattleMechs but also professional interrogation teams[8]. They had their own uniforms sporting a characteristic piping[9] and kana symbols spelling out "Kurita" and "Duke Ricol" and displaying the House Kurita symbol.[10] Duke Hassid Ricol also commanded House Kurita forces on occasion, including a DEST unit in one instance, although there is no clear indication that he ever served in the regular Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery.
Duke Hassid Ricol was a renowned MechWarrior in his red Marauder with black legs and trim, both the pilot and the 'Mech known as "The Red Hunter". House Ricol warleader Captain Lord Harimandir Singh, who had been serving under Ricol for fifteen years as of 3024 (i.e. since 3019), commanded the "Red Hunter Special Operations Group" from a Crusader painted in a similar red-and-black scheme but he was killed in action on Trell I in 3024[11] and the unit was not mentioned again afterwards.
At an unspecified time in ca. 3027, several years after Duke Hassid Ricol had lost several 'Mechs in his private service in an adventure across the border in House Steiner space (implicitly referring to the abortive invasion of Trell I in 3024), he recruited dispossessed MechWarrior Salvadore Tyrell and charged him with creating a new private BattleMech company that Tyrell would name Tyrell's Terrors. They were garrisoning the unruly world of Verthandi in the aftermath of the Gray Death Legion-supported uprising there, but were ordered to meet Duke Ricol at Kajikazawa upon his return from the Free Worlds League where he had recovered the Helm Memory Core.[12]
Crest
House Ricol does have a crest or flag, but it is never described in detail beyond a DropShip bearing "the red chevron of his flag".[13]
Background information
Author William H. Keith, who had created the character of Hassid Ricol, 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 writeup, the Ricols are an old and established family on Rodigo dating back to when the world was first settled in the 23rd century. In 2785 one General Henri Ricol became the first Duke of Rodigo. The 3rd Duke of Ricol, Stefani Ricol, was the first to adopt the descriptive honorific "Red Duke" that would be revived by Hassid Ricol in the 31st century.
Beyond Rodigo, thirteen Lyran Commonwealth worlds (several formerly belonging to the Tamar Pact) were annexed for the Draconis Combine in three separate campaigns since ca. 2997 and put under the administrative jurisdiction of the Duchy of Rodigo.
Hassid Ricol 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 ducal seat is in Alexis on Rodigo. Duke 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).
It was noted that the double setbacks at Trell I and Verthandi had seriously jeopardized Duke Ricol's political standing.
References
- ↑ "House Ricol" is expressly mentioned in Mercenary's Star, chapter 14
- ↑ Decision at Thunder Rift, chapter 27
- ↑ The Price of Glory, chapter 22
- ↑ House Kurita (The Draconis Combine), p. 134
- ↑ Heir to the Dragon, chapter 51
- ↑ Handbook: House Liao, p. 162, "Mówáng-class courier"
- ↑ The Price of Glory, chapter 23
- ↑ Mercenary's Star, chapter 14
- ↑ Mercenary's Star, chapter 14
- ↑ Mercenary's Star, chapter 5
- ↑ Decision at Thunder Rift
- ↑ Dance of Vengeance
- ↑ Decision at Thunder Rift, chapter 26