Difference between revisions of "Lyran Commonwealth"

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| crest = [[Image:House Steiner Logo.jpg|Crest of House Steiner]]
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| crest = [[Image:House Steiner Logo.jpg|Crest of House Steiner|200px]]
 
| factionname = Lyran Commonwealth
 
| factionname = Lyran Commonwealth
 
| year = [[3025]]
 
| year = [[3025]]
| timeperiod = [[2341]]<ref name=founding /> &ndash; present<br />Part of [[Federated Commonwealth]] from [[3055]] to 18th September [[3057]]<br />Named [[Lyran Alliance]] from 18th September [[3057]] to [[3084]]
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| timeperiod = [[2341]]<ref name=founding>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 14, "False Start: Reign of the Nine"</ref> &ndash; present<br />Part of [[Federated Commonwealth]] from [[3055]] to 18th September [[3057]]<br />Named [[Lyran Alliance]] from 18th September [[3057]] to [[3084]]
 
| classification = [[Successor State]]
 
| classification = [[Successor State]]
 
| systems = over 300
 
| systems = over 300
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| secretservice = [[Lyran Intelligence Corps]] (LIC)
 
| secretservice = [[Lyran Intelligence Corps]] (LIC)
 
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The '''Lyran Commonwealth''' (also known as the '''Federated Commonwealth''' or the '''Lyran Alliance''') is a large [[Inner Sphere]] [[Successor State]] in the [[BattleTech]] universe.  The Lyran state is located in the coreward, anti-spinward part of [[Terra]].  For the majority of its history, the Lyran capital was located at the Triad on the icy world of [[Tharkad]].  While the Commonwealth was the realm of [[House Steiner]], the Lyran Alliance was ruled by the Steiner-Davion family.
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The '''Lyran Commonwealth''' (also known as the '''Federated Commonwealth''' or the '''Lyran Alliance''') is one of the major [[Successor State]] of the [[Inner Sphere]], located in the coreward, anti-spinward region of space relative to [[Terra]], and traditionally regarded as the wealthiest.  For the majority of its history, the Lyran capital was located at the Triad on the icy world of [[Tharkad]].  While the Commonwealth was the realm of [[House Steiner]], the Lyran Alliance was ruled by the Steiner-Davion family.
  
The Lyran Commonwealth is renowned for its strong economy, powerful nobility, and its military policy of promotion based on pedigree as well as talent.  Unfortunately for the Lyran state, the promotion of so-called "social generals" has resulted in a military of varied capabilities.  Even though incompetent "social generals" are not the rule, the prevalence of many poor officers has hindered the Lyran state throughout its history.  Additionally, the [[Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces]] tend to fight defensive campaigns with heavier BattleMechs.   
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The Lyran Commonwealth is renowned for its strong economy, powerful nobility, and its military policy of promotion based on pedigree as well as talent.  Unfortunately for the Lyran state, the promotion of so-called "[[Social General]]s" has resulted in a military of varied capabilities.  Even though incompetent "social generals" are not the rule, the prevalence of many poor officers has hindered the Lyran state throughout its history.  Additionally, the [[Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces]] tend to fight defensive campaigns with heavier BattleMechs.   
  
 
Though the military history of the Commonwealth is filled with missteps, the Lyran state has endured for many hundreds of years based on the capabilities of its industrial base and by the merits of the rare, capable officers produced by the system.
 
Though the military history of the Commonwealth is filled with missteps, the Lyran state has endured for many hundreds of years based on the capabilities of its industrial base and by the merits of the rare, capable officers produced by the system.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
[[File:Lc-2341.png|thumb|right|Map of The Founding States, [[2341]]]]
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{{Main|History of the Lyran Commonwealth}}
''Main Article: [[History of the Lyran Commonwealth]]''
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The Lyran Commonwealth was formed in [[2341]] as a merger between three mercantile alliances, the [[Protectorate of Donegal]], [[Federation of Skye]], and [[Tamar Pact]]. The founding charter called for nine "Archons" to rule to nation, but the impracticality of this system led to a coup by the leader of Donegal, [[Robert Marsden]], who declared himself Archon Basileus in August [[2375]]. An invasion by the [[Draconis Combine]] in [[2407]] resulted in the death of then-Archon [[Alistair Marsden]], brother of Robert, in [[2408]]. Rule fell to his wife, [[Katherine Steiner]], safely ensconced on the new capital of [[Tharkad]]. The reign of [[House Steiner]] had begun.
===Founding===
 
The Commonwealth was founded in [[2341]] through the merger of three mercantile alliances, the [[Tamar Pact]], [[Federation of Skye]], and [[Protectorate of Donegal]].<ref name=founding>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 14, "False Start: Reign of the Nine"</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 14, "The Three Who would become One"</ref> The three nations were trading partners whose respective specialties complemented each other well.<ref name=HHS12 />
 
  
The merchant princes realized the need for a larger nation and mutual defense because of the rise of large nations on their borders, the militaristic [[Draconis Combine]], mercantile [[Free Worlds League]], and powerful [[Terran Hegemony]]. Nonetheless, it was his nation's discovery of the [[Rim Worlds Republic]] that led [[Kevin Tamar]] to call a summit with his two neighboring leaders, [[Thomas McQuiston]] of Skye and [[Simon Marsden]] of Donegal in [[2339]].<ref name=HS11>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', pp. 11-12, "Hegemony, Prosperity, and Foundation"</ref> They quickly agreed on the need to merge, but had trouble settling how to rule the nascent realm. It was Tamar's idea to model the government after classical Greek city-states, with a council of nine archons, including one Archon Basileus.<ref name=HHS12>''Handbook: House Steiner'', pp. 12-13, "Foundation of the Lyran Commonwealth"</ref>
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The Lyrans lost territory to their neighbors, but the tide turned when a [[2455]] commando raid gave House Steiner plans for powerful new war machines, [[BattleMech]]s. The [[Age of War]] gave way to the golden era of mankind, watched over by the [[Star League]], which the Steiners pledged to join in [[2558]]. The Commonwealth economy prospered during this era, but it did not last. The [[Amaris Civil War]] laid waste to many worlds in the [[Terran Hegemony]], though the Commonwealth was enlarged when it absorbed many [[Rim Worlds Republic]] systems.
  
The leaders also agreed to adopt the Greek lyre as their emblem. This crest inspired the name of their union, one which privileged none of the founding alliances over the others, Lyran Commonwealth.<ref name=HS11 /><ref name=HHS12 />
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The [[First Succession War]] between the remaining five [[Great Houses]] broke out in [[2785]]. The 1st and [[Second Succession War|2nd Wars]] blasted the [[Inner Sphere]] back into the industrial age as total war resulted in the deaths of millions, cities were destroyed, and [[JumpShip]]s annihilated. The [[Third Succession War|3rd War]] lasted generations, but saw a return to the [[Ares Conventions]] that limited the collateral damage. The Commonwealth traded worlds with the [[Free Worlds League]], but steadily lost ground to the Combine.
  
===Crisis and Coup===
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In [[3020]], the waning years of the Third Succession War, Archon [[Katrina Steiner]] circulated a peace proposal to the other Great House rulers. Though they all rebuffed her, [[First Prince]] [[Hanse Davion]] of the [[Federated Suns]] was intrigued and the duo began a dialogue that resulted in an alliance the betrothed Hanse to Katrina's daughter and heir, Archon-designate [[Melissa Steiner]]. Coinciding with their marriage ceremony on [[Terra]] in [[3028]], the two nations launched invasions of their neighbors. The Commonwealth used Rasalhagian revolutionaries to their advantage during the [[Fourth Succession War]], taking many systems away from the Combine. These gains were neutralized when [[Theodore Kurita]] recognized their independence in [[3034]], forcing the Lyrans to give up their hard-won planets to the nascent [[Free Rasalhague Republic]]. The abortive [[War of 3039]] was intended as a full-scale invasion of the Combine, but the surprising strength of House Kurita caused the allied nations to rethink their intentions, calling off the attack in short order. The two nations merged together more closely after the failed war, resulting in the informal creation of the [[Federated Commonwealth]].
The years after the Commonwealth's founding were not kind to the new nation or its people. It took five years to name the nine archons, but the council could not agree upon a leader. The Draconis Combine began a buildup of troops that threatened an invasion. The failure of the leadership to properly integrate the three separate economies created serious financial woes.<ref name=founding /> After twenty-five years of economic crisis and military uncertainty, the people had taken to the streets in protest. There was little trust in the new nation and there was tension to secede from all three founding alliances. Into this breach strode [[Robert Marsden]]. In August [[2375]], Marsden seized power in a populist coup, declaring himself Archon Basileus. He created a representative body made up of one person from each world, which swore him in. With the support of the military, Marsden brought resisting worlds to heel.<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', pp. 14-17, "Rebirth: The Marsden Coup"</ref>
 
  
Archon Marsden leaned on his strength and instituted a series of reforms in the financial sector, including the establishment of a new, nationwide currency and negotiating a trading relationship with the Terran Hegemony. It took fifteen years, but the Lyran economy recovered. Marsden poured the wealth of his nation into its military, giving it the strength to oppose the Combine.<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 17, "The Commonwealth Recovery"</ref>
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In [[3050]], the [[Clans]] invaded the Inner Sphere, and Commonwealth forces lost battle after battle to [[Clan Jade Falcon]] and [[Clan Wolf]]. The [[3052]] [[Truce of Tukayyid]] stalled the [[Clan Invasion]], thanks to [[ComStar]], but many Commonwealth worlds remained vulnerable to attack. The [[3055]] assassination of Archon Melissa Steiner resulted in the formal union of the Lyran Commonwealth and Federated Suns with the acceding of Archon-Prince [[Victor Steiner-Davion]]. Because of his younger sister's manipulations, he quickly became unpopular among his subjects. When Free Worlds [[Captain-General]] [[Thomas Marik]] discovered in [[3057]] that Victor had replaced his son [[Joshua Marik|Joshua]] with a body double, he allied with [[Capellan Confederation]] [[Chancellor]] [[Sun-Tzu Liao]] and launched an invasion. [[Katherine Steiner-Davion]] seized on the opportunity and invoked war powers to secede the Lyran half of the nation from the alliance, calling it the "Lyran Alliance", and signed a peace treaty with Marik, resulting in the creation of the [[Chaos March]]. Grand Duke [[Morgan Kell]] all but seceded from the Alliance, creating a semi-autonomous region along the Falcon border known as the [[Arc-Royal Defense Cordon]].
  
The military High Command launched an unprovoked assault on the Free Worlds planet of [[Promised Land]] in [[2395]]. Weeks later, a heart attack killed Archon Marsden. The feared military takeover was averted when the High Command asked Marsden's brother, [[Alistair Marsden|Alistair]], to lead the Commonwealth. Though reluctant to do so, Alistair agreed. He became the second Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth.<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 17, "Alistair's Ascension"</ref>
 
 
===Age of War===
 
The [[2398]] conflict between the Free Worlds League and [[Capellan Confederation]] that sparked the [[Age of War]] led Archon Alistair to order a buildup of the Lyran military. Years of peace dulled the Archon's efforts to keep the nation on alert, and no action was more at fault than his own marriage to [[Katherine Steiner]] in [[2405]]. The entire nation was taken aback when the Draconis Combine led its first major offensive into the Commonwealth on 1 January [[2407]]. The thrust surely seemed to be headed for the capital world, [[Arcturus]].<ref name=HHS18>''Handbook: House Steiner'', pp. 17-18, "Age of War"</ref>
 
 
The Kurita invasion swept aside the ill-prepared Lyrans, and even the High Command's efforts to blunt the assault failed. Scorched-earth tactics barely slowed them down. Embarrassed and enraged, Alistair dismissed the High Command and took control of the national defense personally. He rallied his troops and was able to halt the Combine at [[Morningside]], one jump away from Arcturus.<ref name=HHS18 />
 
 
With the seat of government in such a precarious position, Alistair invoked war powers to move the capital. Bureaucrats and representatives hustled to the now-centrally-located world of [[Tharkad]]. Alistair's wife [[Katherine Steiner]], a professor at Tharkad University, oversaw the construction of the new capital.<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 18, "Relocation"</ref>
 
 
In [[2408]], Archon Alistair headed to the Skye region to oversee the defense there, hoping that his presence would also help heal the rift between Donegal and Skye. At the head of a lage number of troops, a group split off to execute a heavy raid on [[Vega]], which Alistair had learned was being used as a staging area. The raid was perhaps the most successful military endeavor in the Commonwealth's history; munitions stores, [[DropShip]]s, and spaceports were in flames. Alistair traveled to [[Menkent]] to assist the defenders there against a Kurita raid. Three days after arriving on Menkent, Alistair was killed in combat.<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 18, "Death and Rebirth: The Steiner Dynasty"</ref>
 
 
====House Steiner====
 
Alistair's widow Katherine pressed her claim to become Archon and, with the support of both Tamar and Skye, was confirmed by the Estates General in April 2408 over three other claimants. She reverted to using her maiden name, choosing to be called "Katherine Steiner", inaugurating the rule of House Steiner over the Lyran Commonwealth. She assigned [[Fatima]]'s Duke [[Devon Reynolds]] (whom she would later marry) to lead the [[LCAF]], allowing her to focus on domestic matters. She formed the Commonwealth Council, an advisory body, the Commonwealth Scout Corps to explore space, replaced the lyre with the Steiner fist as the emblem of the nation, and began instilling Germanic culture throughout the Commonwealth. Katherine created a new noble class with Teutonic titles, used German as the official language, and encouraged the kroner's establishment as the nation's currency. Katherine was a party to the [[Ares Conventions]], and signed them in [[2412]].<ref name=STtH>''Handbook: House Steiner'', pp. 18-19, "Steiner Takes the Helm"</ref>
 
 
Katherine encouraged colonization of worlds within the Commonwealth's territory and spearheaded economic assistance plans to help the nation recover from war. These programs helped right the economic ship but also enriched House Steiner.<ref name=STtH />
 
 
In the meantime, the Commonwealth warred with the [[Free Worlds League]]. The powers traded worlds, but the League's seizure of the Bolan Thumb put the Commonwealth at a strategic disadvantage.<ref name=STtH />
 
 
====The BattleMech====
 
In [[2445]], Katherine abdicated the throne after thirty-seven years as ruler. She was succeeded by her son, [[Alistair Steiner]].<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 19, "Turning the Tide"</ref> Alistair inherited a militarily-weak nation that was losing ground against both of its aggressive neighbors. Alistair tasked the LCAF with a mission that required them to succeed where the [[Lyran Intelligence Corps]] had failed for a decade: steal the specifications for the [[Terran Hegemony]]'s new war machine, the [[BattleMech]]. A [[2455]] commando raid on the Hegemony's BattleMech production facility on [[Hesperus II]], a world jointly-held by the Hegemony and the Commonwealth, got them what they needed. Alistair ordered secret facilities built on [[Alarion]] and [[Coventry]] to produce this fearsome new weapon.<ref name=TT>''Handbook: House Steiner'', pp. 19-20, "Turning the Tide"</ref><ref>"Prometheus Unbound (Proliferation, Part II)"</ref>
 
 
Lyran 'Mechs made their first appearance in battle in [[2459]], halting an advance by [[Captain-General]] [[Geralk Marik]], literally crushing the man known as "the Bloodthirsty" under the heel of a Lyran 'Mech on [[Loric]]. The battle showed off the might of the Lyran 'Mechs but also clued the Terrans in to the fact that their technology had been stolen. They hit the Lyrans with trade restrictions, but declined to take military action. Alistair's gamble had paid off. Before the other nations could field BattleMechs of their own, Alistair sent the LCAF on the offensive in [[2463]]. Known as the Long March, the four-year offensive reversed many of the Commonwealth's territorial losses.<ref name=TT />
 
 
Archon Alistair was assassinated in [[2467]], ushering in the era of Lyran history known as The Dark Years. Alistair was succeeded by his eldest son [[Michael Steiner|Michael]]. Hoping to improve the morale of the nation, Michael and his brother [[Steven Steiner|Steven]] were married in a double ceremony. Unfortunately, their goal was undermined by the suicide of their sister, Tatyana<!--Not to be confused with the 30th century Archon of the same name-->. An earthquake in Tharkad City killed Michael's bride and a number of Estate General representatives less than a month later. As the nation focused on disaster relief and grieving, the Draconis Combine struck at [[Nox]]. General Steven commanded the troops, but Michael raced to the front anyway. in his grief, he abdicated as Archon in favor of Steven and took command of troops on Nox. The [[Battle of Nox]] was the first major battle between BattleMechs and claimed the life of the former Archon four years after his abdication.<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', pp. 20-21, "The Dark Years"</ref>
 
 
====Civil War====
 
[[File:Margaret_Olsen.jpg|right|thumb|Margaret Olson]]
 
Steven Steiner was unprepared to be Archon. He was indecisive and inexperienced, and his wife [[Margaret Olson]] largely ruled in his stead. Unfortunately for the Lyrans, Olson relied heavily on mystics, gurus, omens, portents, and superstitions. The weak, ineffective leadership allowed the nobility to seize more power, so, when Steven died, Duke [[Samuel Natash]] of Tamar and [[Connor Gilderoy]] of Skye backed her for Archon. The Estates General refused to confirm Olson and convinced [[Robert Steiner]], illegitimate son of the late Tatyana, to stand for the throne. The trio fled Tharkad to consolidate their power. In late [[2503]], the Estates General declared for Robert. Civil war was inevitable.<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', pp. 21-22</ref>
 
 
Robert tried to capture Olson quickly, but she fled to [[Skye]]. Surging on a groundswell of public support, Robert captured Skye after a two-month battle, though Duke Natash's forces managed to spirit both Olson and Duke Gilderoy away to [[Tamar]]. Robert's troops caught up with them four months later. Tamar was ready for him, though, with fresh troops and well-prepared defenses. Robert's exhausted forces were no match. Now April [[2505]], a [[Terran Hegemony]] mediator arrived to negotiate a peaceful settlement. After only a day, the mediator gave up and left Tamar. As Robert's troops prepared for their final battle, Duke [[Nels Reynolds]] of [[Fatima]] arrived with fresh troops for Steiner. The combined might of Steiner and Reynolds spelled the end for Olson and the rebel Dukes. Finally confirmed as Archon in [[2506]], Robert Steiner stripped the holdings and titles of Tamar and Skye from their families and awarded them to two loyal families, the Kelswas and the Lestrades, respectively. Robert advocated for peace and shifted the LCAF to a defensive footing, though that didn't stop them from conquering [[Megrez]] in [[2508]].<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', pp. 22-23, "Civil War" & "Aftermath"</ref>
 
 
Robert abdicated in favor of his son and heir [[Craig Steiner|Craig]] in [[2528]]. An assassination attempt in [[2529]] prompted him to modify the throne room to allow for two BattleMech guards. Craig largely continued his father's attempts to rule peacefully, going so far as to sign the [[Treaty of Megrez]] in [[2531]], which called for the Terrans to garrison peacekeepers on all worlds contested between the Commonwealth and the Free Worlds League. Archon Craig's business loan policy, coupled with migration from densely populated worlds in the Federation of Skye to newly-settled Protectorate of Donegal worlds, created an economic boom and increase in industrial output. Craig also created the Commonwealth Supreme Court, sharing some of his power with the judicial body. In [[2554]] Craig named his niece, Chief Justice [[Tracial Steiner]], as his heir. He died in [[2555]]. The Age of War officially ended the following year.<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 23, "Golden Years"</ref>
 
 
===Star League===
 
[[File:Viola_Steiner-Dinesen.jpg|thumb|left|Viola Steiner-Dinesen]]
 
[[File:Lc-2571.png|thumb|right|The Lyran Commonwealth in [[2571]]]]
 
On 25 May [[2558]], Tracial signed the Tharkan Accords, which pledged the Lyran Commonwealth to the nascent [[Star League]]. Tracial spent the rest of her reign advocating and preparing her nation for the creation of the League. She died on 6 January [[2570]], inaugurating the rule of her daughter, [[Viola Steiner-Dinesen]]. Viola signed the [[Star League Accords]] in Geneva along with the other House Lords on 9 July [[2571]].<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', pp. 23-24</ref>
 
 
The growing pains of joining the League were apparent almost immediately. The Commonwealth spread the tax burden out to each planet equally. The increased taxation was not much of a burden to highly-populated and industrialized worlds, such as Skye, but was a serious problem for poorer or less well-developed systems. This culminated with the [[Main Street Tax Revolt]] of [[2573]], which saw rioting and strikes in several worlds on the Coventry Province [[Periphery]] border, centered on [[Main Street]]. Viola opted not to send in the military. Instead, she invited the leader of the "Rich Worlds Coalition", Duke [[Carlo Lestrade]], to have a debate. The Archon's proposed reform carried the day and the Estates General, endearing her to the common person. With reform passed, the revolt ended.<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 24, "Period of Adjustment"</ref>
 
 
====Reunification War====
 
{{Main|Reunification War}}
 
House Cameron had never been shy about their intention to unite all of humanity under their banner. It was no surprise when the Star League began to rattle their sabres in the direction of the [[Periphery]], four nations who refused to join the League. A series of incidents led to [[First Lord]] [[Ian Cameron]] issuing the [[Pollux Proclamation]] in [[2575]], which threatened the Periphery states with war if they did not join the Star League peacefully. All four nations refused.<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 26, "The Reunification War"</ref>
 
 
The war against the [[Rim Worlds Republic]] was codenamed "Operation Mailed Fist". President [[Gregory Amaris]] was actually pro-Star League, but his administration had been toppled in late 2575 and replaced with a provisional government, which refused entry into the League. The Star League, already at war with the [[Taurian Concordat]] and [[Magistracy of Canopus]], gathered eighteen [[Star League Defense Force]] units, nine from the [[Free Worlds League Military]], and three from the LCAF. The SLDF planned a campaign they thought would take about five years and hinged on driving directly for the Rim Worlds capital of [[Apollo]]. Archon Viola, who did not support the invasion, convinced them to change the plan to include a broader offensive to reduce the number of Republic troops available to counterattack into the Commonwealth.<ref name=OMF>''Handbook: House Steiner'', pp. 26-27, "Operation Mailed Fist: The Commonwealth Front"</ref>
 
 
When they entered the fight in [[2584]], Viola led the Lyrans personally, leaving her heir, Archon-designate [[Kevin Steiner-Dinesen]], to rule with the assistance of the Dukes of Skye and Tamar, [[Aldo Lestrade I|Aldo Lestrade]] and [[Selvin Kelswa II|Selvin Kelswa]], respectively. The career military officer saw the offensive bog down badly, with the coalition making virtually no progress after eight years. Poor worlds suffered under the strain of supporting the campaign.<ref name=OMF /><ref>''Historical: Reunification War'', p. 152</ref>
 
 
At home, Kevin attempted to lower taxes in [[2589]] to appease those who were suffering under the strain. Pressure from the Star League forced him to reverse his decision, which prompted criticism, especially from the Estates General Steering Committee. On 13 July [[2591]], Kevin was kidnapped. Suspicion immediately centered on Dukes Lestrade and Kelswa, especially after they fled Tharkad. When Viola received word on 10 September, she saw red. The Archon assaulted the [[Twenty-fifth Skye Rangers]] and [[Tamar Tigers]]. Her guard was drawn into the fight and over one hundred Lyrans were dead before SLDF troops could intervene and stop her "Day of Rage". Archon Viola was badly wounded and lay in a coma for a month.<ref name=Rage>''Handbook: House Steiner'', pp. 27-28, "Crisis at Home: Day of Rage"</ref>
 
 
The SLDF released the Archon to deal with her internal crisis. She returned to Tharkad to find the LIC cleared the Dukes of all wrongdoing, instead fingering Speaker Graf [[Henry Gram]]. The Archon arrived at the Government House with LCAF and LIC operatives just as Gram was able to break the filibuster and pass a bill to secede from the Star League. The Archon and her Loyalist forces seized the Government House, crushed Gram under the foot of her ''[[Warhammer]]'', and disbanded the legislative body. Viola attempted to make amends, but the rift between House Steiner and Skye and Tamar became irreparable.<ref name=Rage /><ref>''Historical: Reunification War'', pp. 56-57, "Henry Gram"</ref>
 
 
Viola reinstalled her son as her regent and returned to the front. On 24 March [[2595]], Archon Viola led her command into the inner defense of the provisional government on Apollo and was severely wounded. The Republic government surrendered on 3 September [[2596]].<ref name=Rage />
 
 
====Star League Years====
 
{{Main|Amaris Civil War}}
 
 
The 27th century was a golden age for mankind and the Commonwealth, which prospered under the free trade of the Star League thanks to its industrial and economic might.<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', pp. 28-29 , "Rise and Fall of the Star League"</ref>
 
 
The beginning of the end came in [[2741]] when a "pirate" attack resulted in the massacre of five hundreds Lyrans on [[The Edge]]. The bandits, who used [[BattleMech]]s, were tracked back to [[Butte Hold]] and were determined to be mercenaries in the employ of [[House Kurita]]. On Terra, Archon [[Michael Steiner II]] confronted [[Coordinator]] [[Takiro Kurita]], and both nations rattled sabres by shuffling around troops on their border. The supposed pirate raids continued for ten years, prompting First Lord [[Simon Cameron]] to embark on a Sphere-wide goodwill tour in [[2750]]. Tragedy struck when an accident with a mining robot resulted in the First Lord's death.<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 30</ref>
 
 
Commanding General [[Aleksandr Kerensky]] ruled as Regent for [[Richard Cameron]], who was eight years old when his father was killed. President [[Stefan Amaris]] of the Rim Worlds Republic ingratiated himself to the young heir. The Council Lords levied heavy taxes on the Territorial (Periphery) States and increased the sizes of their military forces, both edicts that were technically illegal because they lacked Kerensky's signature. For their part, the Lyrans raised thirteen new BattleMech regiments. When Cameron came of age in [[2762]], his first edict called for the disbanding of the House armies. The ridicule he earned for it isolated him further from everybody, save Amaris. The [[New Vandenberg Revolt]] signaled a full-scale rebellion in the Periphery (except for the Rim Worlds). Kerensky sent SLDF troops to quell the revolts, allowing Amaris to garrison Hegemony worlds with Republic troops. In [[2766]] Amaris' long plan came to fruition; he assassinated every Cameron he could find and took the Terran Hegemony in a coup, then declared himself Emperor of mankind.<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', pp. 30-32</ref>
 
 
General Kerensky quickly extricated the SLDF from the rebellious Periphery states and converged on the Rim Worlds Republic. His troops conquered the nation and used its industry to rebuild. None of the House Lords openly supported Kerensky's offensive on the Hegemony, though a few, including Archon [[Robert Steiner II]], allowed him to stage from their nations. Robert's decision not to openly support Kerensky made him very unpopular among his own people. Droves of Lyrans left to the Republic to pledge themselves to Kerensky's cause. At great cost, the SLDF troops were able to liberate the Hegemony and Terra.<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', pp. 32-34</ref>
 
 
When Kerensky abandoned the Periphery in [[2772]] to liberate the Hegemony, House Steiner moved in to garrison the Rim Worlds Republic. They found pockets of resistance and some military forces still loyal to Amaris. Over one hundred LCAF regiments secured and pacified the Republic in an undeclared war.<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 34, "The Taking of the Rim Worlds Republic"</ref>
 
 
Following the liberation of [[Terra]], the Council Lords assembled in [[2780]], but could not agree on which of them should accede as First Lord. They stripped Kerensky of his title of Protector of the Realm and appointed [[Jerome Blake]] to rebuild the shattered [[HPG]] network. The Lords declared the League disbanded in [[2781]]. Shortly after this announcement, Archon Robert contracted pneumonia and died, leaving his sister [[Jennifer Steiner|Jennifer]] to succeed him. Each of the House Lords prepared for war, including by trying to hire SLDF and Rim Worlds troops on as mercenaries or House troops. In [[2784]], rather than wait for his forces to be bought away, Kerensky led eighty percent of the SLDF into exile, removing the last barrier to bloodshed.<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', pp. 34-35, "Dawn of the Succession Wars"</ref>
 
 
===First Succession War===
 
[[File:Lc-1sw-2822.png|thumb|right|Map of the Lyran Commonwealth after the First Succession War]]
 
{{Main|First Succession War}}
 
The Commonwealth went on the offensive to begin the [[First Succession War]], so named because the House Lords were ostensibly fighting over which of them would become First Lord. In May [[2785]] LCAF troops attacked [[Bolan]], then controlled by House Marik, in response to reports of a troop buildup there. The FWLM forces lost, but used nuclear weapons and scorched-earth tactics to deny the Lyrans any substantive advantage from their conquest. This signaled the beginning of a different kind of war, one that ignored the [[Ares Conventions]] in favor of total war.<ref name=FSW>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 35, "First Succession War"</ref>
 
 
The Draconis Combine distracted House Steiner with a raid on [[Bone-Norman]]. Remembering their "bandit" raids of years past, the LCAF redeployed to the Periphery border to counter the threats. The DCMS then struck at [[Skondia]] in [[2786]], devastating the planet and running circles around the Lyran defenders. Coordinator [[Minoru Kurita]] decided that the Lyrans were too weak to even pose a challenge for his troops, so he turned them on the [[Federated Suns]]. The Lyrans matched their rivals in securing worlds of the collapsed Terran Hegemony. In December, Minoru declared himself First Lord. Though she believed that the Star League was dead and gone, Archon [[Jennifer Steiner]] made the same assertion.<ref name=FSW /><ref name=37T>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 37, "Timeline: The Commonwealth and the First Succession War"</ref>
 
 
The Commonwealth traded worlds with the Combine and Free Worlds over the course of the war. Archon Jennifer Steiner was killed in action in [[2791]] on [[Styx]]. She was succeeded by her son [[Richard Steiner I|Richard]]. In [[2811]], the Commonwealth defended against a Marik assault on [[Poulsbo]]. The Lyran victory forced the Mariks to abandon the Bolan Thumb. By [[2812]], commerce was at a standstill and the economy was in shambles. Even the Estates General found it too difficult to convene due to a lack of JumpShips, forcing Speaker [[Timothy Aths]] to disband the legislative body. The Commonwealth and League began peace talks in [[2820]], and those talks were formalized with the [[Bella Accords]]. No formal treaty was signed, but the conflict with the Combine ground to a halt in [[2821]], signaling the end of the First Succession War.<ref name=37T />
 
 
===Inter-War Period===
 
After reigning for thirty years, Archon Richard Steiner's nation was broken. They had lost thirty star systems, a greatly reduced military that was barely operational, dozens of major industrial facilities wrecked, a mostly-destroyed navy, greatly-diminished capacity to produce JumpShips, and shipping that was so thoroughly disrupted that basic supplies that made worlds habitable were difficult to come by. Richard called the Estates General to session and presented them with a plan for reconstruction that focused on heavy industry first. To deal with the worlds conquered from the Rim Worlds Republic decades earlier, Richard created [[Archonette]]s. Each Archonette hailed from a world that was wealthier than those within one jump and had total authority over the nobility and bureaucracy of that region to coordinate the reconstruction of those worlds, ensuring that each receive a balanced number of supplies. Once each world in the region was able to at least provide for itself, the Archonette's job was done and he or she would be rewarded with a land grant and title on an interior world.<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 39, "Second Succession War (2830-2864)"</ref>
 
 
Richard was succeeded by his son [[Marcus Steiner|Marcus]] in June [[2823]]. Marcus released all transports that had been conscripted for military service, though he required that each one deliver supplies to three needy worlds. Marcus opened up House Steiner's coffers to help industrial centers of national importance move from border systems to interior worlds, an opportunity few passed up on. Marcus's major error in rebuilding was a tax on [[ComStar]]. Then-[[Primus]] [[Conrad Toyama]] countered by shutting down the [[HPG]] on [[Tharkad]]. After a [[Exclusion of Tharkad|year of blackout]], Marcus relented and rescinded the tax.<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 39, "Reconstruction"</ref>
 
 
===Second Succession War===
 
[[File:Lc-2sw-2864.png|thumb|right|Map of the Lyran Commonwealth after the Second Succession War]]
 
{{Main|Second Succession War}}
 
The Draconis Combine's first action of war after 2821 came in [[2825]] and became known as the [[Chain Gang Missions|Chain Gang raids]]. The Combine equipped criminals with poor BattleMechs to raid the Lyrans, intending to set back reconstruction. The Commonwealth waited for further assaults, but none came. The LCAF sent their own raids in [[2826]] and [[2827]], to which the DCMS responded. Tensions on the Free Worlds League front were increased after failed prisoner exchange talks broke down and the Commonwealth delegate was killed.<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 39, "Preludes to War"</ref>
 
 
The Combine launched an invasion on multiple fronts on 14 March [[2830]], and House Marik did the same later that year. The [[Second Succession War]] was just as brutal as the first, with total war the name of the game. In [[2843]], Archon Marcus contracted meningitis on [[Loric]] and returned to Tharkad. With no heir, his wife, [[Melissa Nin]], declared her intention to become Archon. This claim was shortly followed by a similar one from [[Claudius Steiner]], CO of the [[Second Lyran Guards]]. When Marcus passed away, the Estates General, led by Speaker [[Harlan Dinesen]], declared Nin to be Archon in [[2844]]. Five months later, the Second Lyran Guards and Claudius Steiner assaulted Tharkad City and defeated the defending forces. Both Nin and Dinesen were captured, charged with high treason, and executed. Claudius dismissed the Estates General and declared himself Archon, ruling with an ever-tighter grip. Claudius neglected the borders, allowing the Combine and League to launch assaults. The nation breathed a sigh of relief when he died in [[2849]].<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 42</ref>
 
 
The Estates General met again and created a regency council for nine-year-old [[Elizabeth Steiner]], Claudius's daughter. The council consisted of her mother [[Rebecca Morgan]], Speaker [[Henry DeCalidore]] of [[Furillo]], and Duchess [[Ilysa Aten]] of [[Skye]]. The [[Triumvirate Regency|Triumvirate]] ruled when the Lyrans successfully defended [[Hesperus II]] from the DCMS in [[2853]]. Elizabeth became Archon in her own right in [[2859]], overseeing the end of the Second Succession War in [[2863]]. Again, the Lyran state was damaged, its economy in downturn, and industries needed repair.<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', pp. 42-45</ref>
 
 
===The Lyran Alliance===
 
 
{{InfoBoxFactions
 
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| crest = [[Image:Lyran Alliance Logo.png|Crest of the Lyran Alliance]]
 
| crest = [[Image:Lyran Alliance Logo.png|Crest of the Lyran Alliance]]
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| secretservice = [[Lyran Intelligence Corps]]
 
| secretservice = [[Lyran Intelligence Corps]]
 
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====Genesis====
 
The Lyran Alliance was created when [[Katherine Steiner-Davion]] invoked Emergency Powers and seceded the Lyran half from the [[Federated Commonwealth]]. She used her brother's apparent duplicity and the war that followed as her rationale. To prevent the [[Free Worlds League]] from discontinuing supplies for the war against the [[Clans]] to the rest of the [[Inner Sphere]], [[Victor Ian Steiner-Davion]] had [[Operation Doppelganger|substituted a double]] in place of Thomas' son, [[Joshua Marik]], since the boy had died of leukemia despite his treatment in the [[New Avalon Institute of Science]].  When Thomas was informed of the deception, [[Operation Guerrero|he launched a war]], allied with [[Sun-Tzu Liao]] and his [[Capellan Confederation]], to retake worlds he lost to Victor's father, [[Hanse Davion]], in the [[Fourth Succession War]].  Victor directly controlled the half of the [[Federated Commonwealth]] formerly known as the [[Federated Suns]], while Kathrine was his regent in the half formerly known as the Lyran Commonwealth.  Thomas sent a message to Kathrine reassuring her that he had no quarrel with her, and accordingly would not attack any of her worlds, though he would understand if she sided with her brother and would bear no ill-will.  Instead, Kathrine decided to give Victor no support and to effectively sever her half of the realm and christen it the Lyran Alliance (not reverting completely to the original name of Lyran Commonwealth because she claimed Victor's actions had tainted the word 'commonwealth.')
 
  
Almost immediately, however, there was opposition. Victor still had supporters in Lyran half of his realm, the most powerful of whom was [[Morgan Kell]]. Kell used his title as Duke of [[Arc-Royal]] and his position on the [[Clan Jade Falcon]] border to create what was effectively an independent state known as the [[Arc-Royal Defense Cordon]]. Grand Duke Morgan Kell paid lip service to Archon Katherine, but ran his affairs to his own liking. The ARDC became a haven for military units, House and mercenary alike, that did not approve of Katherine's secession and maintained loyalty to Archon-Prince Victor.
+
A Clan Jade Falcon incursion in [[3058]] was stalled at [[Coventry]] by a multinational coalition led by Archon-Prince Victor. The powers recognized the need for cooperation to end the Clan threat, resulting in the resurrection of the [[Star League]]. Archon Katherine offered Tharkad to host the Whitting Conferences, though her scheming never resulted in assuming the mantle of [[First Lord]] for herself. When Victor led a task force to Clan space to ensure the destruction of [[Clan Smoke Jaguar]], Katherine seized on the opportunity to take over the remaining half of the Federated Commonwealth. Though he initially did not contest Katherine's reign, Victor's hand was forced in [[3062]]. The [[FedCom Civil War]] engulfed the Lyran nation for five years, including another Jade Falcon incursion in [[3064]]. Katherine's loss in the civil war allowed Victor to set the lines of succession. He formally separated the Lyran Alliance from the Federated Commonwealth and installed [[Peter Steiner-Davion]] as archon in [[3067]].
  
====Jade Falcon Incursion====
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In December 3067, the Star League fell apart as the Lyrans and others refused to support it any longer. The [[Word of Blake]], a faction that was about to gain legitimacy with League membership, was furious and launched a [[Jihad]] against the other Inner Sphere and Periphery powers. The Lyran Alliance was devastated by the fourteen-year conflict because the Word targeted the Lyran's strong industrial base. The Alliance also faced off against the Free Worlds League and the Clans at the same time. [[Devlin Stone]] emerged as a state-less leader who united many of the various factions against the Blakists, eventually ejecting them from the Alliance and liberating [[Terra]] in [[3079]].
The creation of the ARDC seemed fortuitous, because in [[3058]] [[Clan Jade Falcon]] launched an invasion. This invasion, however, was initially confused for a pirate raid as it came from a vector that originated in the [[Periphery]], not the Clan Occupation Zones. This was compounded by the fact that Archon Katherine (or "Katrina," as she preferred to be called) was on a secret diplomatic mission to the Clans, so her chief advisers, General of the Armies [[Nondi Steiner]] and [[Tormano Liao]] had to deal with the problem in her name while maintaining the secrecy of her absence.  
 
  
The invasion was led by Khan [[Marthe Pryde]] herself and, while the Lyran leaders did not know it at the time, her goal was simply to blood her warriors. Because life in the [[Inner Sphere]] was more peaceful than that of the [[Clan]] homeworlds, her warriors did not have the same battle-hardened edge of other Clan warriors. In addition, the tremendous losses of the [[Refusal War]] forced her to give warrior status to some [[sibko]] members before they were ready, as well as allowing more [[freeborn|freebirth]] warriors in the Clan's ''[[touman]]'' than normal. Marthe also needed to make her Clan look powerful in the eyes of the other Clans so that they would not attack the Falcons or call for [[Trial of Absorption|Absorption]]. Because of this, she decided to execute a series of raids that penetrated deeper and deeper into Lyran space, rather than initiating a more traditional offensive across a broad front.
+
On 5 January [[3084]], the nation was renamed back to the Lyran Commonwealth. The nation enlarged at the expense of the fractured Free Worlds League, including a full-scale invasion in [[3136]]. Archon [[Melissa Steiner (32nd c.)|Melissa Steiner]]'s attempt to ally with Clan Wolf and settle them on the former League border backfired. The Wolves conquered dozens of worlds, batting aside every unit the LCAF threw at them. Simultaneous invasions by Clans Jade Falcon, Hell's Horses, and Wolf was more than the nation could take. The Wolves landed on Tharkad and routed the Lyran defenders, killing the archon, though the Clans did not attempt to hold the Lyran capital. After returning home and attaining the rank of khan, [[Alaric Ward]] revealed that he is genetically the child of Katherine Steiner-Davion and announced his intention to become archon.
  
By the time the Falcon assault force landed on [[Coventry]], most [[Inner Sphere]] observers were of the belief that the Falcons intended to cross the Tukayyid Truce line and reignite the Clan Invasion, with themselves already in possession of a hefty head start. With this in mind, the Lyrans decided to make a stand at the important industrial world of [[Coventry]], a mere two jumps from [[Tharkad]] and barely above the truce line. In the meantime, Archon Katherine returned with news that she had signed a secret pact with Khan [[Vlad Ward]] of [[Clan Wolf]]. She had been captured by Vlad during a naval battle that her Lyran flotilla had happened upon, and the two leaders negotiated a mutual defense agreement aimed at [[Clan Jade Falcon]], with whom they both shared a border. In order to improve the defense of [[Coventry]], the Lyrans hired elements of [[Wolf's Dragoons]] as well as the [[Waco Rangers]]. The intense enmity between the two [[mercenary]] commands led to a lack of command cohesion that threatened the defenders.
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==Politics==
 +
The Lyran state has enjoyed remarkable stability throughout most of its history, thanks to a combination of a strong feudal monarchy and democratic representation which has given the government the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances.  When it was originally founded , inspired in part by ancient Athens, the Lyran Commonwealth was heading by nine Archons - the rulers and their deputies of the three founding members, as well as the military commander, treasurer and transportation minister of the Commonwealth. Beset by corruption and threated by the Draconis Combine, Robert Marsden deposed the other eight Archons in [[2735]].  He then introduced the Estates General and the Articles of Acceptance, guaranteeing the rights of the planets and people of the Commonwealth, and winning enough popular support to become the sole Archon in [[2736]].  Thus while the Archon theoretically has absolute power, basic rights are protected and the will of the people can and has forced many Archons to reverse unpopular decisions.<ref name=HSTLC86>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 85-86</ref><ref name=HHS91>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 91, 93</ref>
  
Also around the same time, a large war-game was scheduled with participants from around the [[Inner Sphere]] at [[Tukayyid]]. When Prince Victor got wind of the Battle of Coventry, he decided to divert the massive force there in order to stop the Falcons. Katherine allowed the erstwhile Archon-Prince to come at the head of the expeditionary force because she hoped that he would be killed in the fighting and she could take over the [[Federated Commonwealth]]. In addition, while Khan [[Phelan Kell]] could not spare a detachment of his Wolves for the fight, he did lend Victor Star Captain [[Ragnar Magnusson|Ragnar]], the captured son of [[Free Rasalhague Republic|Rasalhague]] Prince [[Haakon Magnusson]]. Victor landed with his force amid reports that [[Clan Wolf]] had launched an invasion of the Falcon Occupation Zone. However, Clan honor dictated that the Falcons stay until they won. On the advice of Ragnar, Victor and [[Caradoc Trevana]] (one of the few officers who had led a successful campaign against the Falcons) offered Khan Pryde [[Clans#Language|hegira]], the privilege of a defeated enemy to leave unmolested. Khan Pryde, eager to extricate her forces from the battle, accepted the offer. Archon Katherine was furious, however, as it denied her the opportunity to see Victor dead in battle.<ref>''Malicious Intent''</ref>
+
The Lyran capital was originally on [[Arcturus]] until [[2407]], when [[Alistair Marsden]] moved it to [[Tharkad]] in response to the threat posed by the Combine. Tharkad City is the heart of the state and home to the Triad, the triangular compound which houses the three buildings that make up the government: the Royal Palace, the Royal Court, and Government House.<ref name=HSTLC86/><ref name=HHS91/>  Below that are the provincial and planetary governments, a system of various feudal allegiances and political agreements made under the aegis of the Articles of Acceptance. Each planet is free to choose its own system of government, so long as they pay their taxes, provide military aid as needed, and adhere to the laws passed by the Archon and Estates General (with the right to ask for exemptions and alterations per local needs).  The government also reserves the right to inflict punitive actions on any planet which fails to adheres to these rules or abuses the rights of its citizens.<ref name=HSTLC94>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 94</ref><ref name=HHS101>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 100-101</ref>  
  
====New Star League====
+
===Archon===
The cooperation fostered from this venture led the [[Inner Sphere]] leaders to desire further cooperation against the [[Clans]]. Archon Katherine, in the spirit of the Battle of Coventry, offered for [[Tharkad]] to be the site of the summit that came to be known as the [[Whitting Conference]]. The leaders of all the [[Inner Sphere]] powers were present at the Whitting Conference, and they decided to fight the [[Clans]] by giving them their objective: the resurrection of the [[Star League]]. The new [[Star League]] Council also decided to take the fight to the [[Clans]] by [[Trial of Annihilation|annihilating]] one of them. While Archon Katherine argued for that Clan to be the Jade Falcons, the decision was made to attack [[Clan Smoke Jaguar]] instead, because they were more powerful and a defector had provided [[ComStar]] with a route to the Smoke Jaguar capital of [[Huntress]].<ref>''Grave Covenant''</ref>
+
The [[Archon]] is the head-of-state of the Lyran state. He or she is also the commander-in-chief of all Lyran military forces, including local militias and private armies, and has the authority to make any and all decisions relating to domestic and foreign policy. The Archon also has ultimate authority over the [[Nobility#Lyran Commonwealth/Alliance|nobility]], being the only person who can grant or take away any titles. While an Archon's decisions are not bound by it, unless time is of the essence most will submit their proposals to the Council and the Estates General for consultation and debate, if only so that the final product can be issued in a form more palatable to the general public.<ref name=HSTLC86/><ref name=HHS91/>
  
Lyran units participated in [[Operation Bulldog]]. The 10th Lyran Guards also accompanied Prince Victor on his follow-up mission to help the [[Task Force Serpent]] forces that assaulted [[Huntress]].<ref>''Prince of Havoc''</ref>
+
The Archonship was not originally intended to be a hereditary title, but after Robert Marsden's death House Steiner quickly came to dominate the position and make it the birthright of their family.  This was particularly thanks to the efforts [[Katherine Steiner]], who created the Commonwealth Council as a check on other pretenders to the throne and used the Commonwealth Scout Corps to claim dozens of newly-discovered worlds and dole them out to create a base of loyal noble supporters.<ref name=HSTLC86/><ref name=HHS91/>  Their power is also helped in no small part due to their vast wealth: in [[3025]] House Steiner directly controlled the four worlds nearest Tharkad ([[Gallery]], [[Furillo]], [[Porrima]], and [[Duran]]), had major landholdings on 200 other worlds, and controlling shares in fifty Lyran corporations.<ref name=HSTLC86/>
  
====FedCom Civil War====
+
===The Council===
Katherine took advantage of Victor's absence to usurp her sister's regency of the [[Federated Commonwealth]], which necessitated her presence on [[New Avalon]]. She left Nondi Steiner as her regent on [[Tharkad]] in the meantime. When [[Arthur Steiner-Davion]] was presumed dead after the stadium he was giving a speech in was bombed in [[3062]], Victor decided that he could not stand idly by and placed the blame for Arthur's death on Katherine. He also called on anybody who resisted Katherine's rule to arms and began a bloody civil war. This conflict lasted until [[3067]].
+
Katherine Steiner created the '''Commonwealth Council''' in order to secure support from the leaders of the Tamar Pact and Federation of Skye in establishing the Steiner dynasty. While its power has waxed and waned over the centuries, the Council has served as an advisory body to the Archon and a "middleman" between it and the Estates General.  Legislation passed by the Estates General must first go to the Council to be debated and critiqued and, if it survives, is passed on to the Archon for final approval.  Likewise the Archon can (as a courtesy) submit proposals to the Council to receive their advice before bringing them before the Estates General. The Council can also propose its own legislation for approval by the Archon and Estates General, though normally it refrains from doing so out of political safety.<ref name=HSTLC87>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 86-87</ref><ref name=HHS93>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 93</ref>
  
Damage to the LAAF was not as great as what occurred to the [[Armed Forces of the Federated Suns]]. This was mostly due to the fact that most Lyran units were united in their support of Katherine, and most of the units that did not support her moved to the ARDC. Despite this, major conflicts did break out on some worlds, such as [[Dalkeith]]. It would be three other events that caused damage to the Alliance.
+
Membership in the Council has changed over the years.  Prior to the FedCom coalition, the Commonwealth Council numbered eight: the dukes of the Tamar Pact and Federation of Skye, the Chancellors of the Departments of Finance, Internal Policies, Foreign Affairs, and the Lyran Intelligence Corps, and the Chancellor of the Peoples who is chosen by the Estates General.<ref name=HSTLC87/>  After the schism with FedCom and reorganization of the Lyran state, the '''Alliance Council''' was increased to eleven members, consisting of the previous Chancellors and the dukes of the five provinces which now made up the Lyran Alliance.<ref name=HHS93/>  Restrictions have also been added over who can serve: after [[2812]], only one member of House Steiner could serve on the Council (expanded to two during the FedCom years), a rule that was extended to all other noble houses in [[2821]].<ref name=HSTLC87/><ref name=HHS93/>
  
First, Victor was on [[Mogyorod]] at the time of his declaration. From the first, he planned to cut a swath through the Alliance, into [[Federated Commonwealth]] space, and ultimately to [[New Avalon]]. He quickly ran afoul of [[Adam Steiner]] on [[Newtown Square]], then was harassed by General [[Maria Esteban]]. Victor did eventually break through to the FedSuns, but not before securing important worlds like [[Coventry]] and [[York]] for his cause. After he received news of the death of his lover, [[Omi Kurita]], Victor retreated to [[Muphrid]] and mourned for her for a year before finally pushing on to [[Tikonov]].
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===Estates General===
 
+
The '''Estates General''' was originally a representative body with little actual authority, essentially a forum where three hundred Representative could air their grievances, but it has since grown into a true parliament. Each planet (or group of planets as the case may be) can chose in their own way who will be their Representative, with delegates serving for six-year terms with no term limits. Strict rules govern who can serve as a delegate: no member of the nobility higher than a Baron or person convicted of a major crime in the last fifteen years may serve, and during their time as a Representative all of their personal property must be placed into a blind trust. The Estates General also recognizes delegates from planets which are occupied by a foreign power. The "Homeless" as they are known are housed in Tharkad City at the Archon's expense and are hereditary positions based on the last elected Representative before the territory's hostile occupation.<ref name=HSTLC91>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 90-91</ref><ref name=HHS95>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 94-95</ref>
Secondly, [[Clan Jade Falcon]] launched an invasion in [[3064]]. Khan Pryde sought to take advantage of Lyran distraction by actually making real gains for her Clan this time. The invasion unified elements of the Lyran people, and they came together to fight the Falcons. Loyalist General [[Adam Steiner]] and hero of the Allied cause General [[Archer Christifori]] jointly led the defense and counter-assault. While the Lyrans retook [[Blackjack]] (though its infamous private military academy had been dismantled), the Falcons were able to capture the theater headquarters of [[Pandora]]. History repeated itself as [[Clan Wolf]] launched an invasion of Falcon territory, and both Lyran and Falcons sought an end to the conflict. In a unique arrangement, the borders were left as they were occupied, and the world of [[Blair Atholl]] became a jointly-held world intended to be a sort of live-fire training ground for the Falcons. The Blair Atholl Agreement ended the invasion in [[3065]].
 
 
 
Third, [[Skye]] Province attempted to secede from the Alliance. Skye Province (and the [[Isle of Skye]] before it) had been a hotbed of discontent, but, with Duke [[Robert Kelswa-Steiner]] imprisoned, his chief military adviser [[John Dundee]] attempted to formally break away. Maria Esteban went over to [[Free Skye]] and led a new unit known as the [[Skye Guard]]. Skye forces were able to secure the provincial capital of [[Skye]] and the theater headquarters of [[Freedom]], but Esteban did not have sufficient forces to wrest the all-important industrial world of [[Hesperus II]] from the Lyrans. With that defeat, the rebellion collapsed and the Skye forces were vanquished.
 
 
 
Even though the Alliance was relatively quiet, and the Loyalists were on the run in the [[Federated Commonwealth]], [[Nondi Steiner]] still held power on [[Tharkad]]. [[Morgan Kell]] convinced [[Peter Steiner-Davion]] to come out of his self-imposed exile on [[Zaniah]] III and fight for the throne. Peter led a pan-Lyran coalition to [[Tharkad]] that was composed of national regiments, a Skye Ranger unit, mercenaries from the ARDC, and [[Phelan Kell]] with some of his [[Clan Wolf-in-Exile|Wolves]]. The Battle for Tharkad was hard-fought, but, after Peter secured his alma mater the [[Lyran Alliance Armed Forces#Nagelring|Nagelring]], he was able to take the fight to the capital itself and defeated his great-aunt Nondi in single combat amid the bitter street-to-street fighting. With her death, resistance collapsed and Peter was acclaimed Archon by the Estates General in [[3067]] after Victor officially abdicated in his favor.<ref>''The FedCom Civil War''</ref>
 
 
 
====Word of Blake Jihad====
 
[[3067]] saw the return of the Whitting Conference to [[Tharkad]]. Despite that, Peter announced his intention to pull out of the League, citing financial constraints. His sentiment was echoed by [[Yvonne Steiner-Davion|Prince-Regent Yvonne]] of the [[Federated Suns]]. Chancellor [[Sun-Tzu Liao]] was more scathing in his absentee remarks, but he also announced his intention to pull the [[Capellan Confederation]] out of the [[Star League]]. First Lord [[Christian Mansdotter]] admitted the provisional members, including the [[Taurian Concordat]] and [[Word of Blake]], and called for a vote of no-confidence in the hope that such a vote would succeed and the other members could force them back in. The measure did have the required majority, however, and the [[Star League]] disbanded once more. The [[Word of Blake]], however, was not content. A radical element placed a great deal of hope of their interpretation of a prophecy that included the Star League. They attempted to force the Lyrans and FedSuns back into the League with a show of force around their capital worlds.<ref>''Dawn of the Jihad''</ref> This failed, however, and they lashed out in a brutal war that lasted for 14 years and engulfed all of humankind.
 
 
 
The Blakists attacked the Lyrans savagely and repeatedly because they desired control of the Lyrans' massive industrial base. Worlds such as [[Tharkad]], [[Coventry]], [[Hesperus II]], [[Donegal]], and [[Alarion]] suffered tremendously. In the meantime, the Blakists sought to expand their [[Blake Protectorate]] at the expense of Lyran worlds including [[Thorin]] and [[New Earth]].<ref>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3070''</ref>
 
 
 
The Jihad ended in [[3081]] when forces under the command of [[Devlin Stone]] conquered [[Terra]].<ref>''Ghost War''</ref>
 
  
At some point, the [[Brotherhood of Cincinnatus]] gained enough power and influence to depose [[Peter Steiner-Davion]] as Archon and put in his place his cousin, General of the Armies [[Adam Steiner]] as part of a plan to put a "pure" Steiner onto the throne. The plan was discovered by Adam and he had the order purged and their headquarters on the planet [[Gacrux]] destroyed as a result of their betrayal.<ref>''Mechwarrior: Technology of Destruction''</ref>
+
The Estates General meets every spring in the Great Assembly at Government House on Tharkad for four-month sessions, though they may go longer as necessity requires.  In the weeks leading up to the legislative session, the Steering Committee determines the itinerary of the session with its head, the Speaker of the Assembly, also controlling the debate in the Great Assembly.  While intended as little more than a rubber-stamp to approve the Archon's policies, the Estates General has taken on more authority and responsibilities, including tax reform and creating the annual budget.  Perhaps its most audacious action was its vote of no confidence against Archon [[Alessandro Steiner]] in [[3007]], an act which would lead to his resignation.  Most of the time though, the Estates General works with the Council and the Archon on policy compromises for the good of the state.<ref name=HSTLC91>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 90-91</ref><ref name=HHS95>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 94-95</ref>
  
===Lyran Commonwealth once again===
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===Royal Court===
In [[3084]], the Lyran Alliance was renamed "Lyran Commonwealth" since the [[Federated Commonwealth]] reverted to its usage of [[Federated Suns]].<ref>''Technical Readout: 3085'', p. 60</ref>
+
The Royal Court refers to one of the three buildings of the Triad, a massive complex of recreational facilities, museums, ballrooms, and the Throne Room where the Archon sits under the protective gaze of a pair of ''[[Griffin]]'' [[BattleMechs]]. It also refers to the social sessions sponsored by the Archon to entertain important visitors from across the Lyran state; everyone from nobles and generals to scientists and artists are invited (or expected) to attend these festivities.  Typically there will be three such sessions in a year, each lasting two months with at least a month in between to allow the Archon's Entourage to plan and execute the events.  To be one of the young people appointed to the Archon's Entourage is considered an honor and a path towards greater service in the Lyran state.  Less opulent that similar gatherings elsewhere in the Inner Sphere, the Royal Court is nevertheless an important event for the Lyran elite to meet and make decisions which might affect the entire state.<ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 87</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 100</ref>
  
 
==Military==
 
==Military==
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{{main|Lyran Commonwealth Military Ranks}}
 
{{main|Lyran Commonwealth Military Ranks}}
 
The military ranks for the Lyran Commonwealth were originally established in [[2413]] by Archon Katherine Steiner's [[Brandenberg Edicts]]. They were merged with those of the [[Federated Suns]] during the formation of the [[Federated Commonwealth]], but re-established after [[Katherine Steiner-Davion|Katrina Steiner-Davion]] separated the nation from the FedCom, forming the [[Lyran Alliance]].
 
The military ranks for the Lyran Commonwealth were originally established in [[2413]] by Archon Katherine Steiner's [[Brandenberg Edicts]]. They were merged with those of the [[Federated Suns]] during the formation of the [[Federated Commonwealth]], but re-established after [[Katherine Steiner-Davion|Katrina Steiner-Davion]] separated the nation from the FedCom, forming the [[Lyran Alliance]].
==Manufacturing centers==
+
==Economy==
A detailed list of some Lyran manufacturer and companie centers.
+
The Lyran economy is helped in no small part by the fact that some of the most resource-rich planets ever discovered are located within its borders.<ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 5</ref>  Beyond that though is the fact that the government is a partner in helping both new businesses to start up and existing businesses to expand, doing so by investing in diverse industries and encouraging trade between member-planets and with other realms.  For the most part the state allows the free market to work, but can exert its influence in several ways.  The Commonwealth Mint (later Alliance Mint) is responsible for minting the ''[[Kroner]]'', with sprawling facilities on six worlds - Tharkad, Donegal, Skye, [[Bolan]], [[Australia]] and [[Alarion]] - each as well defended as any fortress.  The Commonwealth (Alliance) Reserve Bank, also on Tharkad, regulates the money supply and works to maintain the strength of the kroner, including buying and selling off its supply of commodities (particularly [[germanium]]) which back the currency.  Lastly are the five Stock Exchanges, located on the same worlds as the nation's mints barring Tharkad, which are run as partnerships between the national and planetary governments.  Investors buy and sell stocks, bonds and commodities at the exchanges, which are funded by the government and monitored by the Ministry of Finance.  Beyond regulating the markets to ensure insider trading and other unfair practices don't take place, the Ministry can follow trends and, if something should threaten the Lyran economy, take actions such as halting trading and closing down markets.<ref name=HSTLC136>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 125-136</ref><ref name=HHS133>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 133</ref>
===Heavy Aerospace Industry<ref>''Strategic Operations'', p. 14</ref>===
+
 
====3067====
+
The Lyran economy was not always so strong: the period of the nine Archons was a veritable roller-coaster ride as the nation's rulers fought over everything from economic planning to which currency would dominate, all while under constant threat from House Kurita.  This was eventually solved with Robert Marsden's rise to power and implementation of various financial reforms, providing much-needed stability.<ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 12-13</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 14, 16-17</ref>  The decision to join the [[Star League]] also caused serious disruptions, even in the years before its formal creation.  At the [[Terran Hegemony]]'s insistence, trade and immigration barriers were removed, creating a sudden shock of new immigrants and foreign businesses which threatened to overwhelm the economy.  [[Tracial Steiner]] was forced to completely close the Commonwealth's economic borders in [[2562]] and ordered lawmakers to reform the nation's financial laws to better accommodate the expected flow of new capital and people.  Two years later, a gradual easing of the restrictions began so that the nation's economy would be ready when the Star League formally came into being in [[2571]].  Fears that the rich Lyran Commonwealth would bear the burden of propping up less developed members of the League proved unfounded and the Lyrans entered a golden age of economic expansion under the aegis of the Star League.<ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 31-31</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 22</ref>
 +
 
 +
Even during the waning years of the Star League, the Lyran economy enjoyed enormous prosperity thanks to increased military spending in order to match the increasing threats to the safety of the Commonwealth.<ref>''Era Report: 2750'', p. 50</ref>  The Succession Wars were no less devastating to the Lyran economy than to those of the other Successor States, yet the Commonwealth was still able to maintain its position as the wealthiest among them, with its citizens experiencing less disparities in living conditions and technology than elsewhere.<ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 130</ref>  By the end of the [[Third Succession War]], there still remained a remarkably large number of surviving [[lostech]] artifacts spread throughout the Commonwealth.<ref name=HSTLC136>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth'', p. 136</ref>  The creation of the Federated Commonwealth would lead to both economic growth and struggles as the economies of the Federation and Commonwealth began integrating with each other.<ref>''20 Year Update'', p. 18</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 58</ref>  The [[Clan Invasion]], though ultimately ending in victory for the Inner Sphere, was an economic disaster for the Lyran half of the FedCom alliance, helping to fuel discontent among those opposed to it and leading ultimately to the [[FedCom Civil War]] which would again cause major disruptions.<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 62, 64</ref>
 +
 
 +
===Manufacturing centers===
 +
A detailed list of some Lyran manufacturing and company centers.
 +
 
 +
;3067
 +
Heavy Aerospace Industry<ref>''Strategic Operations'', p. 14</ref>
 
*[[Ioto Galactic Enterprises]]
 
*[[Ioto Galactic Enterprises]]
*[[N&D Shipyards]]
+
*[[N&D Shipyards of Alarion]]
===Major Defense Industries<ref>''Tactical Operations'', p. 14</ref>===
+
 
====3067====
+
Major Defense Industries<ref>''Tactical Operations'', p. 14</ref>
 
*[[Arc-Royal MechWorks]]
 
*[[Arc-Royal MechWorks]]
 
*[[Blackstone BattleMechs Limited]]
 
*[[Blackstone BattleMechs Limited]]
Line 222: Line 120:
 
*[[Yankee Weapons Systems]]
 
*[[Yankee Weapons Systems]]
  
==Politics==
+
==Society & Culture==
Lyran Commonwealth (and Lyran Alliance) was basically a feudal monarchy with an assembly that served in a largely advisory capacity. This does not mean, however, that the people do not have rights and freedoms. The Steiner Archons have traditionally been rather liberal rulers, allowing their people the right to assembly, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press. Indeed, occasions in which these rights were taken away have been cause for crisis in and of themselves.
+
The Lyran state is often defined by its Germanic cultural heritage, and in one sense this is true. Katherine Steiner is mostly responsible for this state of affairs, indirectly as a highly popular and inspirational cultural icon and purposefully with actions such as championing German as the state language and assigning [[w:Nobiliary particle#Germany and Austria|German nobiliary particules]] for the Lyran nobility.<ref name=HHS116>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 116</ref>  However, actual Lyrans come from a diversity of backgrounds and trace their lineage to a variety of ethnic heritages, including Eastern European, Australian and New Zealander, East Asian, African and Black American.<ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 92-92</ref>  Rather than try to replace these local identities, this Lyran identity instead seeks to supplement them, giving people of various backgrounds a common ground to communicate and understand one another.  As it is, discrimination based on categories such as race, gender or sexual orientation are largely a thing of the past among Lyrans, though in their place there remains significant prejudices based on class.<ref name=HHS116/><ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 132</ref>  At the same time, given the central government's loose hold over how member-worlds govern themselves, many Lyrans have an independence streak which sees them identifying themselves by their particular world first and the Lyran state second, which has lead to frequent flare-ups of unrest and rebellion.<ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 101</ref>
 
 
===Archon===
 
The [[Archon]] is the head-of-state of the Lyran Commonwealth. He or she is also the commander-in-chief of the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces and has the authority to make any and all decisions relating to domestic and foreign policy.
 
  
===Nobility===
+
Even in the midst of the devastating Succession Wars the Lyran state, as the wealthiest and most economically stable nation in the Inner Sphere, could boast the highest average standard of living for its citizens.<ref name=HSTLC5>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 5</ref>  Lyran citizens are among the most educated of any within the Inner Sphere thanks to generous government investment, national education standards and initiatives such as corporate-public partnerships and the [[Pilgrim Professor Program]].  While most institutions and teachers had been swallowed up in the conflagration of the Succession Wars, in [[3025]] the Lyran Commonwealth still had five major research universities, with significant expansion in the years of peace afterwards.<ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 129-130</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 116-117</ref>  Significant government investment and few censorship rules also ensure a thriving arts scene and media footprint, with even the most sparsely populated world boasting [[Holovid]] broadcasting.<ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 130-131</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 118-119</ref>  Lyrans also enjoy a basic right to food and housing, but such public options tend to be of sufficient quality as to encourage citizens to work harder to improve their situation.<ref name=HSTLC136/>
The Lyran nobility is very powerful. For instance, in the time of the Lyran Alliance, the state was divided into five provinces named for their capital worlds, [[Alarion]], [[Bolan]], [[Coventry]], [[Donegal]], and [[Skye]]. The rulers of these planets hold the title Duke or Duchess, and also serve as provincial rulers for those areas. They could essentially serve as head of state in their province so long as they did not override the authority the Archon. Indeed, some of these rulers were powerful enough to challenge the central authority.
 
  
Other noble rulers existed at every possible spectrum. Some ruled multiple worlds, while others ruled a city or tract of land. For every layer of nobility, a ruler could exercise his or her authority so long as he or she did not infringe upon the rights of the people or go against what a higher authority decreed.
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While the Steiners themselves tend towards Protestantism or Buddhism, there is no official state religion, and indeed a strict separation of church and state combined with guaranteed freedom to worship has lead to a history of religious tolerance. Traditional religions from Terra remain the most prominent, while the variety of new faiths that had sprung up in since humanity colonized the stars are not as popular. Christianity is the largest single religion in Lyran space, spread across many different sects, followed by Judaism. Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism are also prevalent though tend to be clustered around specific areas. Dozens of worlds are majority Hindu, with [[Chahar]] and [[New India]], the two with the two largest populations, seen as centers of the faith.  Likewise for Buddhism, [[New Kyoto]] and [[Kwangchowwang]] are regarded as centers of the religion's traditions.  [[Dar-es-Salaam]] serves as the focal point for most Islamic sects, with the Black Muslim tradition strongest within the Coventry and Trellshire provinces.  Of the newer faiths which have come into existence, the most popular within Lyran space is known as the [[One Star Faith]].<ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 102-106</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 122-124</ref>
 
 
===Estates General===
 
The Estates General was integrated into the governance of the [[Federated Commonwealth]] rather than subsumed. The Estates General is an assembly that meets on [[Tharkad]] and is theoretically composed of one individual from each world in the Lyran state, but in fact the least populous worlds are not represented. A member of the Estates General is elected to a six-year term and cannot hold a title more powerful than Baron.  
 
 
 
The primary function of the Estates General is confirming the Archon, though this is often little more than a rubber stamp that grants legitimacy to [[House Steiner]]. In fact, it was originally created in [[2376]] by [[Robert Marsden]] in order to grant his coup legitimacy.  Despite its origins, the Estates General has taken a leading role in determining who holds position of Archon, as it did in [[3007]] when it voted no-confidence in [[Alessandro Steiner]], paving the way for his niece [[Katrina Steiner|Katrina]] to take power.<ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)''</ref>
 
  
 
==Era Specific Data==
 
==Era Specific Data==
Line 246: Line 135:
 
*Dominant Language(s): German (official) , English, Scottish Gaelic, Italian, French
 
*Dominant Language(s): German (official) , English, Scottish Gaelic, Italian, French
 
*Dominant Religion(s): Christian (Protestant), Judaism, Muslim
 
*Dominant Religion(s): Christian (Protestant), Judaism, Muslim
*Unit of Currency: Kroner (1 kroner = 2.13 C-Bills)
+
*Unit of Currency: [[Kroner]] (1 kroner = 2.13 C-Bills / 3.88 C-Bills ([[3145]])<ref> ''Era Report: 3145'', p.194, "Currency Conversion Table"</ref>)
  
 
==Maps==
 
==Maps==
Line 259: Line 148:
 
File:Lc-3052.png|The Lyran State of the Federated Commonwealth during [[Clan Invasion]] ([[3052]]).
 
File:Lc-3052.png|The Lyran State of the Federated Commonwealth during [[Clan Invasion]] ([[3052]]).
 
File:Lc.3067.png|The Lyran Alliance after [[Clan Invasion]] ([[3067]]).
 
File:Lc.3067.png|The Lyran Alliance after [[Clan Invasion]] ([[3067]]).
File:Lc.3085.png|The Lyran Commonwealth in ([[3085]]).
+
File:LC-3081.png|The Lyran Alliance after the [[Jihad]] ([[3081]]).
 +
File:LC-3085.png|The Lyran Commonwealth in ([[3085]]).
 +
File:Lc.3130.png|The Lyran Commonwealth in ([[3130]]).
 +
</gallery>
 +
==Historical Maps==
 +
 
 +
<gallery>
 +
File:LC-2596.png|after [[Reunification War]]
 +
File:LC-2750.png|[[Star League]] Era
 +
File:LC-2822.png|after [[First Succession War]]
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File:LC-2864.png|after [[Second Succession War]]
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File:LC-3025.png|after [[Third Succession War]]
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File:LC-3030.png|after [[Fourth Succession War]]
 +
File:LC-3040.png|after [[War of 3039]]
 +
File:LC-3050.png|beforce [[Clan Invasion]]
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File:LC-3052.png|after [[Clan Invasion]]
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File:LC-3057.png|in [[3057]]
 +
File:LC-3063.png|after [[Operation Guerrero]]
 +
File:LC-3067.png|during [[Second Star League]]
 +
File:LC-3075.png|during [[Jihad]]
 +
File:LC-3079.png|after [[Jihad]]
 +
File:LC-3081.png|in [[3081]]
 +
File:LC-3085.png|creation of the [[Republic of the Sphere]]
 +
File:LC-3130.png|before [[Gray Monday]]
 +
File:LC-3135.png|in [[3135]]
 +
File:LC-3145.png|in [[3145]]
 +
 
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
Line 267: Line 182:
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references />
 
<references />
 +
 
==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
 
*''[[Blake Ascending]]''
 
*''[[Blake Ascending]]''
Line 273: Line 189:
 
*''[[Ghost War]]''
 
*''[[Ghost War]]''
 
*''[[Grave Covenant]]''
 
*''[[Grave Covenant]]''
 +
*''[[Field Manual: Lyran Alliance]]''
 
*''[[Handbook: House Steiner]]''
 
*''[[Handbook: House Steiner]]''
 
*''[[Historical: Reunification War]]''
 
*''[[Historical: Reunification War]]''

Revision as of 16:10, 15 December 2017

Crest of House Steiner
Lyran Commonwealth
Faction Profile
Time period: 2341[1] – present
Part of Federated Commonwealth from 3055 to 18th September 3057
Named Lyran Alliance from 18th September 3057 to 3084
Classification: Successor State
Controlled systems: over 300
Capital world: Tharkad
Ruler title: Archon
Military: Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces (LCAF)
Secret Service: Lyran Intelligence Corps (LIC)

The Lyran Commonwealth (also known as the Federated Commonwealth or the Lyran Alliance) is one of the major Successor State of the Inner Sphere, located in the coreward, anti-spinward region of space relative to Terra, and traditionally regarded as the wealthiest. For the majority of its history, the Lyran capital was located at the Triad on the icy world of Tharkad. While the Commonwealth was the realm of House Steiner, the Lyran Alliance was ruled by the Steiner-Davion family.

The Lyran Commonwealth is renowned for its strong economy, powerful nobility, and its military policy of promotion based on pedigree as well as talent. Unfortunately for the Lyran state, the promotion of so-called "Social Generals" has resulted in a military of varied capabilities. Even though incompetent "social generals" are not the rule, the prevalence of many poor officers has hindered the Lyran state throughout its history. Additionally, the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces tend to fight defensive campaigns with heavier BattleMechs.

Though the military history of the Commonwealth is filled with missteps, the Lyran state has endured for many hundreds of years based on the capabilities of its industrial base and by the merits of the rare, capable officers produced by the system.

History

The Lyran Commonwealth was formed in 2341 as a merger between three mercantile alliances, the Protectorate of Donegal, Federation of Skye, and Tamar Pact. The founding charter called for nine "Archons" to rule to nation, but the impracticality of this system led to a coup by the leader of Donegal, Robert Marsden, who declared himself Archon Basileus in August 2375. An invasion by the Draconis Combine in 2407 resulted in the death of then-Archon Alistair Marsden, brother of Robert, in 2408. Rule fell to his wife, Katherine Steiner, safely ensconced on the new capital of Tharkad. The reign of House Steiner had begun.

The Lyrans lost territory to their neighbors, but the tide turned when a 2455 commando raid gave House Steiner plans for powerful new war machines, BattleMechs. The Age of War gave way to the golden era of mankind, watched over by the Star League, which the Steiners pledged to join in 2558. The Commonwealth economy prospered during this era, but it did not last. The Amaris Civil War laid waste to many worlds in the Terran Hegemony, though the Commonwealth was enlarged when it absorbed many Rim Worlds Republic systems.

The First Succession War between the remaining five Great Houses broke out in 2785. The 1st and 2nd Wars blasted the Inner Sphere back into the industrial age as total war resulted in the deaths of millions, cities were destroyed, and JumpShips annihilated. The 3rd War lasted generations, but saw a return to the Ares Conventions that limited the collateral damage. The Commonwealth traded worlds with the Free Worlds League, but steadily lost ground to the Combine.

In 3020, the waning years of the Third Succession War, Archon Katrina Steiner circulated a peace proposal to the other Great House rulers. Though they all rebuffed her, First Prince Hanse Davion of the Federated Suns was intrigued and the duo began a dialogue that resulted in an alliance the betrothed Hanse to Katrina's daughter and heir, Archon-designate Melissa Steiner. Coinciding with their marriage ceremony on Terra in 3028, the two nations launched invasions of their neighbors. The Commonwealth used Rasalhagian revolutionaries to their advantage during the Fourth Succession War, taking many systems away from the Combine. These gains were neutralized when Theodore Kurita recognized their independence in 3034, forcing the Lyrans to give up their hard-won planets to the nascent Free Rasalhague Republic. The abortive War of 3039 was intended as a full-scale invasion of the Combine, but the surprising strength of House Kurita caused the allied nations to rethink their intentions, calling off the attack in short order. The two nations merged together more closely after the failed war, resulting in the informal creation of the Federated Commonwealth.

In 3050, the Clans invaded the Inner Sphere, and Commonwealth forces lost battle after battle to Clan Jade Falcon and Clan Wolf. The 3052 Truce of Tukayyid stalled the Clan Invasion, thanks to ComStar, but many Commonwealth worlds remained vulnerable to attack. The 3055 assassination of Archon Melissa Steiner resulted in the formal union of the Lyran Commonwealth and Federated Suns with the acceding of Archon-Prince Victor Steiner-Davion. Because of his younger sister's manipulations, he quickly became unpopular among his subjects. When Free Worlds Captain-General Thomas Marik discovered in 3057 that Victor had replaced his son Joshua with a body double, he allied with Capellan Confederation Chancellor Sun-Tzu Liao and launched an invasion. Katherine Steiner-Davion seized on the opportunity and invoked war powers to secede the Lyran half of the nation from the alliance, calling it the "Lyran Alliance", and signed a peace treaty with Marik, resulting in the creation of the Chaos March. Grand Duke Morgan Kell all but seceded from the Alliance, creating a semi-autonomous region along the Falcon border known as the Arc-Royal Defense Cordon.

Crest of the Lyran Alliance
Lyran Alliance
Faction Profile
Time period: 30573084
Classification: Successor State
Controlled systems: 350+
Capital world: Tharkad
Ruler title: Archon
Military: Lyran Alliance Armed Forces
Secret Service: Lyran Intelligence Corps


A Clan Jade Falcon incursion in 3058 was stalled at Coventry by a multinational coalition led by Archon-Prince Victor. The powers recognized the need for cooperation to end the Clan threat, resulting in the resurrection of the Star League. Archon Katherine offered Tharkad to host the Whitting Conferences, though her scheming never resulted in assuming the mantle of First Lord for herself. When Victor led a task force to Clan space to ensure the destruction of Clan Smoke Jaguar, Katherine seized on the opportunity to take over the remaining half of the Federated Commonwealth. Though he initially did not contest Katherine's reign, Victor's hand was forced in 3062. The FedCom Civil War engulfed the Lyran nation for five years, including another Jade Falcon incursion in 3064. Katherine's loss in the civil war allowed Victor to set the lines of succession. He formally separated the Lyran Alliance from the Federated Commonwealth and installed Peter Steiner-Davion as archon in 3067.

In December 3067, the Star League fell apart as the Lyrans and others refused to support it any longer. The Word of Blake, a faction that was about to gain legitimacy with League membership, was furious and launched a Jihad against the other Inner Sphere and Periphery powers. The Lyran Alliance was devastated by the fourteen-year conflict because the Word targeted the Lyran's strong industrial base. The Alliance also faced off against the Free Worlds League and the Clans at the same time. Devlin Stone emerged as a state-less leader who united many of the various factions against the Blakists, eventually ejecting them from the Alliance and liberating Terra in 3079.

On 5 January 3084, the nation was renamed back to the Lyran Commonwealth. The nation enlarged at the expense of the fractured Free Worlds League, including a full-scale invasion in 3136. Archon Melissa Steiner's attempt to ally with Clan Wolf and settle them on the former League border backfired. The Wolves conquered dozens of worlds, batting aside every unit the LCAF threw at them. Simultaneous invasions by Clans Jade Falcon, Hell's Horses, and Wolf was more than the nation could take. The Wolves landed on Tharkad and routed the Lyran defenders, killing the archon, though the Clans did not attempt to hold the Lyran capital. After returning home and attaining the rank of khan, Alaric Ward revealed that he is genetically the child of Katherine Steiner-Davion and announced his intention to become archon.

Politics

The Lyran state has enjoyed remarkable stability throughout most of its history, thanks to a combination of a strong feudal monarchy and democratic representation which has given the government the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances. When it was originally founded , inspired in part by ancient Athens, the Lyran Commonwealth was heading by nine Archons - the rulers and their deputies of the three founding members, as well as the military commander, treasurer and transportation minister of the Commonwealth. Beset by corruption and threated by the Draconis Combine, Robert Marsden deposed the other eight Archons in 2735. He then introduced the Estates General and the Articles of Acceptance, guaranteeing the rights of the planets and people of the Commonwealth, and winning enough popular support to become the sole Archon in 2736. Thus while the Archon theoretically has absolute power, basic rights are protected and the will of the people can and has forced many Archons to reverse unpopular decisions.[2][3]

The Lyran capital was originally on Arcturus until 2407, when Alistair Marsden moved it to Tharkad in response to the threat posed by the Combine. Tharkad City is the heart of the state and home to the Triad, the triangular compound which houses the three buildings that make up the government: the Royal Palace, the Royal Court, and Government House.[2][3] Below that are the provincial and planetary governments, a system of various feudal allegiances and political agreements made under the aegis of the Articles of Acceptance. Each planet is free to choose its own system of government, so long as they pay their taxes, provide military aid as needed, and adhere to the laws passed by the Archon and Estates General (with the right to ask for exemptions and alterations per local needs). The government also reserves the right to inflict punitive actions on any planet which fails to adheres to these rules or abuses the rights of its citizens.[4][5]

Archon

The Archon is the head-of-state of the Lyran state. He or she is also the commander-in-chief of all Lyran military forces, including local militias and private armies, and has the authority to make any and all decisions relating to domestic and foreign policy. The Archon also has ultimate authority over the nobility, being the only person who can grant or take away any titles. While an Archon's decisions are not bound by it, unless time is of the essence most will submit their proposals to the Council and the Estates General for consultation and debate, if only so that the final product can be issued in a form more palatable to the general public.[2][3]

The Archonship was not originally intended to be a hereditary title, but after Robert Marsden's death House Steiner quickly came to dominate the position and make it the birthright of their family. This was particularly thanks to the efforts Katherine Steiner, who created the Commonwealth Council as a check on other pretenders to the throne and used the Commonwealth Scout Corps to claim dozens of newly-discovered worlds and dole them out to create a base of loyal noble supporters.[2][3] Their power is also helped in no small part due to their vast wealth: in 3025 House Steiner directly controlled the four worlds nearest Tharkad (Gallery, Furillo, Porrima, and Duran), had major landholdings on 200 other worlds, and controlling shares in fifty Lyran corporations.[2]

The Council

Katherine Steiner created the Commonwealth Council in order to secure support from the leaders of the Tamar Pact and Federation of Skye in establishing the Steiner dynasty. While its power has waxed and waned over the centuries, the Council has served as an advisory body to the Archon and a "middleman" between it and the Estates General. Legislation passed by the Estates General must first go to the Council to be debated and critiqued and, if it survives, is passed on to the Archon for final approval. Likewise the Archon can (as a courtesy) submit proposals to the Council to receive their advice before bringing them before the Estates General. The Council can also propose its own legislation for approval by the Archon and Estates General, though normally it refrains from doing so out of political safety.[6][7]

Membership in the Council has changed over the years. Prior to the FedCom coalition, the Commonwealth Council numbered eight: the dukes of the Tamar Pact and Federation of Skye, the Chancellors of the Departments of Finance, Internal Policies, Foreign Affairs, and the Lyran Intelligence Corps, and the Chancellor of the Peoples who is chosen by the Estates General.[6] After the schism with FedCom and reorganization of the Lyran state, the Alliance Council was increased to eleven members, consisting of the previous Chancellors and the dukes of the five provinces which now made up the Lyran Alliance.[7] Restrictions have also been added over who can serve: after 2812, only one member of House Steiner could serve on the Council (expanded to two during the FedCom years), a rule that was extended to all other noble houses in 2821.[6][7]

Estates General

The Estates General was originally a representative body with little actual authority, essentially a forum where three hundred Representative could air their grievances, but it has since grown into a true parliament. Each planet (or group of planets as the case may be) can chose in their own way who will be their Representative, with delegates serving for six-year terms with no term limits. Strict rules govern who can serve as a delegate: no member of the nobility higher than a Baron or person convicted of a major crime in the last fifteen years may serve, and during their time as a Representative all of their personal property must be placed into a blind trust. The Estates General also recognizes delegates from planets which are occupied by a foreign power. The "Homeless" as they are known are housed in Tharkad City at the Archon's expense and are hereditary positions based on the last elected Representative before the territory's hostile occupation.[8][9]

The Estates General meets every spring in the Great Assembly at Government House on Tharkad for four-month sessions, though they may go longer as necessity requires. In the weeks leading up to the legislative session, the Steering Committee determines the itinerary of the session with its head, the Speaker of the Assembly, also controlling the debate in the Great Assembly. While intended as little more than a rubber-stamp to approve the Archon's policies, the Estates General has taken on more authority and responsibilities, including tax reform and creating the annual budget. Perhaps its most audacious action was its vote of no confidence against Archon Alessandro Steiner in 3007, an act which would lead to his resignation. Most of the time though, the Estates General works with the Council and the Archon on policy compromises for the good of the state.[8][9]

Royal Court

The Royal Court refers to one of the three buildings of the Triad, a massive complex of recreational facilities, museums, ballrooms, and the Throne Room where the Archon sits under the protective gaze of a pair of Griffin BattleMechs. It also refers to the social sessions sponsored by the Archon to entertain important visitors from across the Lyran state; everyone from nobles and generals to scientists and artists are invited (or expected) to attend these festivities. Typically there will be three such sessions in a year, each lasting two months with at least a month in between to allow the Archon's Entourage to plan and execute the events. To be one of the young people appointed to the Archon's Entourage is considered an honor and a path towards greater service in the Lyran state. Less opulent that similar gatherings elsewhere in the Inner Sphere, the Royal Court is nevertheless an important event for the Lyran elite to meet and make decisions which might affect the entire state.[10][11]

Military

Since the fall of the Star League, the Lyran Commonwealth's High Command had a reputation for being bloated, inept, and ineffective. Early in its existence, the Commonwealth created the title of "Social General" for those important individuals who lacked other titles. Social generals are not unique to the Lyrans, but there is a preponderance of them compared to other nations. These individuals are officers (not necessarily high-ranking, despite the term) who received their position through networking as opposed to martial talent. These social generals decided in time that they possessed military authority and began overseeing actual military operations. Rank and awards were handed out like so many party favors and the structure soon became top-heavy. The incompetent leadership of the Lyran military has been responsible for many a bad decision, and poor leadership has reflected in the performance of their troops.

To compensate for the shortcomings or their High Command, the Lyrans are known for their use of large 'Mechs. Using their well-established industrial base, the LAAF fields a higher ratio of Assault 'Mechs than any other nation in the Inner Sphere. This has not always been a boon, however, as their enemies have been able to use more balanced forces to outmaneuver and defeat the Lyrans on many occasions.

The problems with the Lyran military only began to be reduced during the Archonship of Katrina Steiner, but even then, the command structure was often distrusted by the regular troops that engaged in battle. During the Third Succession War, the Commonwealth lost several worlds to the Draconis Combine due to poor planning, logistics, and support by the Lyran command structure despite strong commitment by ground forces. The Federated Commonwealth Alliance did much to change that, even eliminating social generals for a short time. Though the Federated Suns tried to help the Lyrans bring their military up to par with the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns, much of that effort was undone when Katherine seceded the Lyran Alliance and removed many of the quality officers because they remained loyal to her brother. In addition, Katherine brought back the so-called "social generals."

Recruits can enter the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces (LCAF) at the age of sixteen. The LCAF has and does implement drafts to bolster unit strengths, especially in periods of intense warfare (such as the start of the Fourth Succession War in 3028).

Military Ranks

The military ranks for the Lyran Commonwealth were originally established in 2413 by Archon Katherine Steiner's Brandenberg Edicts. They were merged with those of the Federated Suns during the formation of the Federated Commonwealth, but re-established after Katrina Steiner-Davion separated the nation from the FedCom, forming the Lyran Alliance.

Economy

The Lyran economy is helped in no small part by the fact that some of the most resource-rich planets ever discovered are located within its borders.[12] Beyond that though is the fact that the government is a partner in helping both new businesses to start up and existing businesses to expand, doing so by investing in diverse industries and encouraging trade between member-planets and with other realms. For the most part the state allows the free market to work, but can exert its influence in several ways. The Commonwealth Mint (later Alliance Mint) is responsible for minting the Kroner, with sprawling facilities on six worlds - Tharkad, Donegal, Skye, Bolan, Australia and Alarion - each as well defended as any fortress. The Commonwealth (Alliance) Reserve Bank, also on Tharkad, regulates the money supply and works to maintain the strength of the kroner, including buying and selling off its supply of commodities (particularly germanium) which back the currency. Lastly are the five Stock Exchanges, located on the same worlds as the nation's mints barring Tharkad, which are run as partnerships between the national and planetary governments. Investors buy and sell stocks, bonds and commodities at the exchanges, which are funded by the government and monitored by the Ministry of Finance. Beyond regulating the markets to ensure insider trading and other unfair practices don't take place, the Ministry can follow trends and, if something should threaten the Lyran economy, take actions such as halting trading and closing down markets.[13][14]

The Lyran economy was not always so strong: the period of the nine Archons was a veritable roller-coaster ride as the nation's rulers fought over everything from economic planning to which currency would dominate, all while under constant threat from House Kurita. This was eventually solved with Robert Marsden's rise to power and implementation of various financial reforms, providing much-needed stability.[15][16] The decision to join the Star League also caused serious disruptions, even in the years before its formal creation. At the Terran Hegemony's insistence, trade and immigration barriers were removed, creating a sudden shock of new immigrants and foreign businesses which threatened to overwhelm the economy. Tracial Steiner was forced to completely close the Commonwealth's economic borders in 2562 and ordered lawmakers to reform the nation's financial laws to better accommodate the expected flow of new capital and people. Two years later, a gradual easing of the restrictions began so that the nation's economy would be ready when the Star League formally came into being in 2571. Fears that the rich Lyran Commonwealth would bear the burden of propping up less developed members of the League proved unfounded and the Lyrans entered a golden age of economic expansion under the aegis of the Star League.[17][18]

Even during the waning years of the Star League, the Lyran economy enjoyed enormous prosperity thanks to increased military spending in order to match the increasing threats to the safety of the Commonwealth.[19] The Succession Wars were no less devastating to the Lyran economy than to those of the other Successor States, yet the Commonwealth was still able to maintain its position as the wealthiest among them, with its citizens experiencing less disparities in living conditions and technology than elsewhere.[20] By the end of the Third Succession War, there still remained a remarkably large number of surviving lostech artifacts spread throughout the Commonwealth.[13] The creation of the Federated Commonwealth would lead to both economic growth and struggles as the economies of the Federation and Commonwealth began integrating with each other.[21][22] The Clan Invasion, though ultimately ending in victory for the Inner Sphere, was an economic disaster for the Lyran half of the FedCom alliance, helping to fuel discontent among those opposed to it and leading ultimately to the FedCom Civil War which would again cause major disruptions.[23]

Manufacturing centers

A detailed list of some Lyran manufacturing and company centers.

3067

Heavy Aerospace Industry[24]

Major Defense Industries[25]

Society & Culture

The Lyran state is often defined by its Germanic cultural heritage, and in one sense this is true. Katherine Steiner is mostly responsible for this state of affairs, indirectly as a highly popular and inspirational cultural icon and purposefully with actions such as championing German as the state language and assigning German nobiliary particules for the Lyran nobility.[26] However, actual Lyrans come from a diversity of backgrounds and trace their lineage to a variety of ethnic heritages, including Eastern European, Australian and New Zealander, East Asian, African and Black American.[27] Rather than try to replace these local identities, this Lyran identity instead seeks to supplement them, giving people of various backgrounds a common ground to communicate and understand one another. As it is, discrimination based on categories such as race, gender or sexual orientation are largely a thing of the past among Lyrans, though in their place there remains significant prejudices based on class.[26][28] At the same time, given the central government's loose hold over how member-worlds govern themselves, many Lyrans have an independence streak which sees them identifying themselves by their particular world first and the Lyran state second, which has lead to frequent flare-ups of unrest and rebellion.[29]

Even in the midst of the devastating Succession Wars the Lyran state, as the wealthiest and most economically stable nation in the Inner Sphere, could boast the highest average standard of living for its citizens.[30] Lyran citizens are among the most educated of any within the Inner Sphere thanks to generous government investment, national education standards and initiatives such as corporate-public partnerships and the Pilgrim Professor Program. While most institutions and teachers had been swallowed up in the conflagration of the Succession Wars, in 3025 the Lyran Commonwealth still had five major research universities, with significant expansion in the years of peace afterwards.[31][32] Significant government investment and few censorship rules also ensure a thriving arts scene and media footprint, with even the most sparsely populated world boasting Holovid broadcasting.[33][34] Lyrans also enjoy a basic right to food and housing, but such public options tend to be of sufficient quality as to encourage citizens to work harder to improve their situation.[13]

While the Steiners themselves tend towards Protestantism or Buddhism, there is no official state religion, and indeed a strict separation of church and state combined with guaranteed freedom to worship has lead to a history of religious tolerance. Traditional religions from Terra remain the most prominent, while the variety of new faiths that had sprung up in since humanity colonized the stars are not as popular. Christianity is the largest single religion in Lyran space, spread across many different sects, followed by Judaism. Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism are also prevalent though tend to be clustered around specific areas. Dozens of worlds are majority Hindu, with Chahar and New India, the two with the two largest populations, seen as centers of the faith. Likewise for Buddhism, New Kyoto and Kwangchowwang are regarded as centers of the religion's traditions. Dar-es-Salaam serves as the focal point for most Islamic sects, with the Black Muslim tradition strongest within the Coventry and Trellshire provinces. Of the newer faiths which have come into existence, the most popular within Lyran space is known as the One Star Faith.[35][36]

Era Specific Data

3130

  • Location (Terra relative): Coreward and Anti-Spinward quadrant[37]
  • Total (Inhabited) Systems: 319
  • Estimated Population (3130): 955,000,000,000
  • Government: Constitutional Monarchy (with German feudal stylings)
  • Dominant Language(s): German (official) , English, Scottish Gaelic, Italian, French
  • Dominant Religion(s): Christian (Protestant), Judaism, Muslim
  • Unit of Currency: Kroner (1 kroner = 2.13 C-Bills / 3.88 C-Bills (3145)[38])

Maps

Historical Maps

See Also

References

  1. Handbook: House Steiner, p. 14, "False Start: Reign of the Nine"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 85-86
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Handbook: House Steiner, p. 91, 93
  4. House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 94
  5. Handbook: House Steiner, p. 100-101
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 86-87
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Handbook: House Steiner, p. 93
  8. 8.0 8.1 House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 90-91
  9. 9.0 9.1 Handbook: House Steiner, p. 94-95
  10. House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 87
  11. Handbook: House Steiner, p. 100
  12. House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 5
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 125-136 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "HSTLC136" defined multiple times with different content
  14. Handbook: House Steiner, p. 133
  15. House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 12-13
  16. Handbook: House Steiner, p. 14, 16-17
  17. House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 31-31
  18. Handbook: House Steiner, p. 22
  19. Era Report: 2750, p. 50
  20. House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 130
  21. 20 Year Update, p. 18
  22. Handbook: House Steiner, p. 58
  23. Handbook: House Steiner, p. 62, 64
  24. Strategic Operations, p. 14
  25. Tactical Operations, p. 14
  26. 26.0 26.1 Handbook: House Steiner, p. 116
  27. House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 92-92
  28. House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 132
  29. House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 101
  30. House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 5
  31. House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 129-130
  32. Handbook: House Steiner, p. 116-117
  33. House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 130-131
  34. Handbook: House Steiner, p. 118-119
  35. House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 102-106
  36. Handbook: House Steiner, p. 122-124
  37. Touring the Stars, p. 55
  38. Era Report: 3145, p.194, "Currency Conversion Table"

Bibliography