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Difference between revisions of "Philip Capet"

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'''Philip Capet''' was an Early 31st Century [[House Davion|Davion]] and later [[Solaris VII]] [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarrior]].
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{{InfoBoxCharacter
He is a native of the World of [[Uravan]] and [[Federated Suns]]'s [[Capellan March]].
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| image              =
He also had a strong hatred against Chinese/Liao people.
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| name                = Philip Capet
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| birthdate          =
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| died                = 26 May [[3027]]
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| othernames          =
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| affiliation        = [[Federated Suns]]
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| rank                = [[Sergeant]]<ref name=WeGc8>''Warrior: En Garde'', ch. 8</ref>
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| title              = [[Solaris Grand Champion]]
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| position            =
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| profession          = [[Arena Gladiator]]
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| parents            =
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| siblings            =
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| spouse              =
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| children            =
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}}
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A native of [[Uravan]] in the [[Federated Suns]]' [[Capellan March]], '''Philip Capet''' was an early [[thirty-first-century]] [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarrior]], and later a champion in the [[Solaris Games]] [[Class Six Champions|Grand Champion]].
  
==Character History==
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==History==
===Davion Service===
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===AFFS Service===
While in service with House Davion, Philip rose up the ranks to become a [[Sergeant]].  He became a celebrated hero in the Capellan March of the Federated Suns in [[3020]]s due to his actions on [[Uravan]], and was given the [[Gold Starburst]] of the Federated Suns. Secretly, [[Hanse Davion]] had given Philip the medal due to his celebrity status in the Capellan March and hoped he would retire since he had disobeyed orders and gotten half a dozen Mechwarriors killed in the process of him attempting to save his family during the Liao Raid.
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While in service with the [[AFFS]], [[Sergeant]] Capet became a celebrated hero in the Capellan March of the Federated Suns in the 3020s following his actions during a [[Capellan Confederation]] raid on his homeworld Uravan, during which it is said he downed dozens of Capellan 'Mechs, winning time for his men to withdraw from an ambush. He was awarded the [[Golden Sunburst]] of the Federated Suns.
  
He had refused to retire and was given a position of command of a Mechwarrior training company on [[Kittery]]. His commander, [[Major]] [[Justin Allard]] dismissed him from military service when he discovered that Capet was planning to hijack a [[JumpShip]] and get revenge against House Liao.<ref>''Warrior: En Garde'', p. 5, "Major Allard talks to cadet Craon about his how real classified story of Philip Capet".</ref>
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The actual truth of the matter was that Capet had disobeyed orders and gotten half a dozen fellow MechWarriors killed in a reckless and futile action, trying to save his home village and family during the raid. But he failed: The attacking Capellan forces, apparently enraged by Capet's attack, leveled the town and killed all his family. [[Hanse Davion]] had given Capet the medal due to his celebrity status in the Capellan March and hoped he would retire. However, Capet refused to retire; perceived as a troublemaker he was then given a position of command of a MechWarrior training company on [[Kittery]].
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Capet's commanding officer on Kittery, [[Major]] [[Justin Allard]], was of half-Capellan descent, and Capet openly voiced his disrespect and prejudice. Allard eventually dismissed him from military service when he discovered that Capet was planning to hijack a [[JumpShip]] and go on a private mission of revenge against the Capellan Confederation, though that only incensed the embittered Capet further.<ref>''Warrior: En Garde'', p. 5: Major Allard talks to cadet Craon about the real story of Philip Capet</ref>
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It remains unclear if Capet really saw himself as the hero he was officially portrayed as, or if he was aware that it was seen as a staged act for publicity purposes by his superiors.
  
 
===Solaris VII===
 
===Solaris VII===
By [[3027]], Capet had journeyed to Solaris VII in the [[Lyran Commonwealth]]. There he became a "Davion" MechWarrior and champion fighting battles in the arenas.  He again made a name for himself fighting and rising to become a leader of an unnamed Solaris Stable or Co-op.
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Capet moved to the gaming world of Solaris VII in the [[Lyran Commonwealth]]. There he became a [[House Davion]]-aligned MechWarrior champion, fighting battles in the arena and surrounding himself with a string of would-be champions to fight with him in what he began to call the "[[Capellan Mafia]]",<ref>''Warrior: En Garde'', p. 240</ref> a group of Davion-affiliated arena fighters. House Davion summarily regarded Capet and his Capellan Mafia as troublemakers and problem cases, but tolerated them because of their successes in the arenas and the associated glory. (Other named members were [[Peter Armstrong]] and [[Billy Wolfson]], both of whom were also considered "major competitors"<ref name=SOLARISPB13>''Solaris VII: The Game World – Player's Book'', p. 13: "The Great Ones"</ref> for the championship.)
In January of that year, Philip faced off in his ''[[Rifleman]]'' against two ''[[Vindicator]]s'' belonging to the "Teng" brothers (Fuh and Sze) in the [[Steiner Stadium]].  In this fight, he killed [[Sze Teng]] and won the fight, not knowing that it was a fixed fight he was to win. He had collected a string of would-be champions to fight with him in what he began to call the "Capellan Mafia".<ref>''Warrior: En Garde'', p. 240, "Justin uses Philip's group name with distain".</ref>  
 
  
However, all changed after the arrival of Justin Xiang, formerly Justin Allard.  He began to take down every Davion warrior whom he faced.  Philip sent people to confront him, and eventually told them they wouldn't be a "man" if they did not disable the ejection system.  Justin killed some of Philip's best people, [[Billy Wolfson]] and [[Peter Armstrong]] in various fights.  Hanse Davion sent a communications offering Capet a world and regiment to command if he kills Xiang.<ref>''Warrior: En Garde'', pp. 210-211, "Hanse Davion is brief of Justin's activities on Solaris and orders high priority communication sent to Capet to have him kill Justin, he will be rewarded".</ref>
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Capet was listed as the Solaris Champion for [[3026]] and [[3027]], though he would lose both the title and his life to Justin Xiang Allard in 3027 (who was subsequently also listed as champion for 3027, in addition to Capet's preceding 3026-3027 championship).<ref>''Solaris VII: The Game World – Player's Book'', p. 14</ref>
  
After the word of [[Gray Noton]]'s death reached Philip, he went to claim Noton's alcove in [[Valhalla]].  Justin stopped him and told him that he had no right.  Justin also told Philip his glory seeking here on Solaris and back on Uravan led to the death of his men and he ultimately murdered his own family.".<ref>''Warrior: En Garde'', p. 240, "Justin pits the blame of Philip's failures on Philip glory seeking including the death of his own family".</ref>  This enrages Philip beyond what he can stand and he finally caves in to fight Justin in the Arena.
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In January of 3027, Capet faced off in his ''[[Rifleman]]'' against two ''[[Vindicator]]''s belonging to the Liao-affiliated brothers [[Fuh Teng]] and [[Sze Teng]] in the [[Steiner Stadium]]. He won the fight and killed Sze Teng in the process; Capet may or may not have been aware that it was a fixed fight where Sze Teng was supposed to die.
  
On May 26th, they agreed to fight in the [[Ishiyama]] Arena. On the pre-fight talk show ''Pregame Palaver'', Philip declared that he was going to kill Justin and had surprise or two waiting for him.<ref>''Warrior: En Garde'', pp. 287-288, "Interview with Justin Xiang and Philip Capet".</ref> He meant it. During the match, Capet led Justin to a tunnel with steep three level crevasses. Two of his ''Capellan Mafi'' colleagues were lay in wait, a ''[[Firestarter]]''  and an ''[[UrbanMech]]''.<ref>''Warrior: En Garde'', p. 290, "Capet's ambush is sprung on Justin Xiang!"</ref> Justin, using the late Gray Noton's heavy ''[[Rifleman]]'' ''Legend-Killer'' was attacked,  but is able to dispatch the two light 'Mechs.
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Also in 3027, Justin Allard arrived on Solaris VII after being exiled from House Davion's Federated Suns. Now calling himself Justin Xiang, he started a gladiator career of his own. Openly siding with House Liao's Capellan Confederation, Xiang began to take down every Davion warrior he faced. Capet still resented him for sending him away and felt his prejudices confirmed by the trial and subsequent exile of Justin Xiang Allard. Thus, Capet sent people to confront and challenge Xiang, and even went so far to eventually tell them they wouldn't be a "man" if they did not disable the ejection system. Xiang killed at least six Davion gladiators including Billy Wolfson and Peter Armstrong in various fights over the year. Hanse Davion sent a communication offering Capet a world and a regiment to command if he killed Xiang.<ref>''Warrior: En Garde'', pp. 210-211: Hanse Davion is briefed on Justin's activities on Solaris and orders a high priority communication sent to Capet to have him kill Justin, offering a reward</ref>
  
By allowing his men to ambush Justin in the upper levels of the crevasse, Capet hoped they would weather away much of Legend-Killer's armor, giving him opportunity for an easy killing blow.  Both his people's 'Mechs were destroyed, but Justin moved down further into the caverns. Philip hid his ''Rifleman'' during the ambush. Hidden in a location where Justin would pass though a narrow tunnel, he could sit out and shoot Legend-Killer's thin rear armor.   Justin's 'Mech passed him, he opened up with [[Alpha Strike|all his weapons]] at Legend-Killer, but only hit armor. Philip had been fooled by Justin's tactic of walking his 'Mech backwards with his 'Mech's arms flipped over. Justin returned fire and knocked him unconscious. He was killed by Justin simply shooting the 'Mech in the head with autocannon shells.<ref>''Warrior: En Garde'', p. 309, "Philip last duel with Justin Xiang".</ref>
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After word of the death of Solaris VII icon [[Gray Noton]] reached Capet, he went to claim Noton's alcove in [[Valhalla (place)|Valhalla]], the champions' high society club, feeling he was now the up-and-coming champion. Xiang stopped him and told him that he had no right, and also that his glory seeking here on Solaris and back on Uravan had led to the death of his men and that he had ultimately murdered his own family.<ref>''Warrior: En Garde'', p. 240: Xiang pits the blame for Capet's failures on Capet's glory seeking including the death of his own family</ref> Provoked in this fashion, Capet challenged Xiang to a duel—which was exactly what Xiang wanted as he was not yet famous enough to challenge someone of Capet's standing himself.
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On 26 May 3027, they agreed to fight in the [[Ishiyama]] Arena. On the prefight talk show ''Pregame Palaver'', Capet declared that he was going to kill Xiang and had a surprise or two waiting for him.<ref>''Warrior: En Garde'', pp. 287-288: Interview with Justin Xiang and Philip Capet</ref> He meant it. During the match, Capet led Xiang to a tunnel with steep three level crevasses where two of his Capellan Mafia colleagues were waiting in ambush in a ''[[Firestarter (BattleMech)|Firestarter]]''  and an ''[[UrbanMech]]''.<ref>''Warrior: En Garde'', p. 290: Capet's ambush is sprung on Xiang</ref> Xiang, piloting the late Gray Noton's heavy ''[[Rifleman]]'' (''[[Legend-Killer]]'') at the time, was able to dispatch the two light 'Mechs. Capet's plan was for them to inflict damage on ''Legend-Killer'', giving him the opportunity for an easy killing blow, but Xiang moved deeper into the caverns. Capet hid his ''Rifleman'' during the ambush. Hidden in a location where Xiang would pass though a narrow tunnel, he would step out and shoot at ''Legend-Killer'''s thin rear armor. Xiang's 'Mech passed him, and he opened up with [[Alpha strike (Tactic)|all his weapons]] at ''Legend-Killer'', but only hit armor—Xiang expected that, and Capet had been fooled by Xiang's tactic of walking his 'Mech backwards with his 'Mech's arms flipped over. Xiang returned fire and knocked Capet unconscious, then simply shot Capet's 'Mech in the head with autocannon shells, killing him instantly.<ref>''Warrior: En Garde'', p. 309: Philip Capet's last duel with Justin Xiang</ref>
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==Notes==
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* Philip Capet is incorrectly spelled Phi'''l'''lip Capet in the ''Player's Book'' from the ''[[Solaris VII: The Game World]]'' box set.
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* In the [[Dark Age]], on the "Remembrance Wall" of the [[Cracked Canopy]] bar on Solaris a Kallon Industries autocannon in full casing was on exhibit with the name ''Justin Xiang'' stenciled on it with red crosshairs. It was said to be from Capet's ''Rifleman'', but its authenticity has not been determined.<ref>''Shrapnel Issue 3'', p. 105 (''Tales from the Cracked Canopy: The Razor's Edge of Opportunity'')</ref>
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references />
 
<references />
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==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
*''[[Warrior: En Garde]]''
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* ''[[The Razor's Edge of Opportunity]]'' (short story)
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* ''[[Solaris VII: The Game World]] – Player's Book''
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* ''[[Warrior: En Garde]]'' (novel)
  
  
[[Category: House Davion Characters|Capet, Philip]]
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[[Category: Federated Suns Characters|Capet, Philip]]
[[Category: Solaris VII Characters|Capet, Philip]]
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[[Category: Solaris Games Characters|Capet, Philip]]
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[[Category:Solaris Games MechWarriors|Capet, Philip‎]]
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[[Category:Notable Rifleman Pilots|Capet, Philip‎]]

Latest revision as of 23:32, 12 August 2023

Philip Capet
Personal
Died26 May 3027
AffiliationFederated Suns
Career
RankSergeant[1]
Title(s)Solaris Grand Champion
ProfessionArena Gladiator

A native of Uravan in the Federated Suns' Capellan March, Philip Capet was an early thirty-first-century MechWarrior, and later a champion in the Solaris Games Grand Champion.

History[edit]

AFFS Service[edit]

While in service with the AFFS, Sergeant Capet became a celebrated hero in the Capellan March of the Federated Suns in the 3020s following his actions during a Capellan Confederation raid on his homeworld Uravan, during which it is said he downed dozens of Capellan 'Mechs, winning time for his men to withdraw from an ambush. He was awarded the Golden Sunburst of the Federated Suns.

The actual truth of the matter was that Capet had disobeyed orders and gotten half a dozen fellow MechWarriors killed in a reckless and futile action, trying to save his home village and family during the raid. But he failed: The attacking Capellan forces, apparently enraged by Capet's attack, leveled the town and killed all his family. Hanse Davion had given Capet the medal due to his celebrity status in the Capellan March and hoped he would retire. However, Capet refused to retire; perceived as a troublemaker he was then given a position of command of a MechWarrior training company on Kittery.

Capet's commanding officer on Kittery, Major Justin Allard, was of half-Capellan descent, and Capet openly voiced his disrespect and prejudice. Allard eventually dismissed him from military service when he discovered that Capet was planning to hijack a JumpShip and go on a private mission of revenge against the Capellan Confederation, though that only incensed the embittered Capet further.[2]

It remains unclear if Capet really saw himself as the hero he was officially portrayed as, or if he was aware that it was seen as a staged act for publicity purposes by his superiors.

Solaris VII[edit]

Capet moved to the gaming world of Solaris VII in the Lyran Commonwealth. There he became a House Davion-aligned MechWarrior champion, fighting battles in the arena and surrounding himself with a string of would-be champions to fight with him in what he began to call the "Capellan Mafia",[3] a group of Davion-affiliated arena fighters. House Davion summarily regarded Capet and his Capellan Mafia as troublemakers and problem cases, but tolerated them because of their successes in the arenas and the associated glory. (Other named members were Peter Armstrong and Billy Wolfson, both of whom were also considered "major competitors"[4] for the championship.)

Capet was listed as the Solaris Champion for 3026 and 3027, though he would lose both the title and his life to Justin Xiang Allard in 3027 (who was subsequently also listed as champion for 3027, in addition to Capet's preceding 3026-3027 championship).[5]

In January of 3027, Capet faced off in his Rifleman against two Vindicators belonging to the Liao-affiliated brothers Fuh Teng and Sze Teng in the Steiner Stadium. He won the fight and killed Sze Teng in the process; Capet may or may not have been aware that it was a fixed fight where Sze Teng was supposed to die.

Also in 3027, Justin Allard arrived on Solaris VII after being exiled from House Davion's Federated Suns. Now calling himself Justin Xiang, he started a gladiator career of his own. Openly siding with House Liao's Capellan Confederation, Xiang began to take down every Davion warrior he faced. Capet still resented him for sending him away and felt his prejudices confirmed by the trial and subsequent exile of Justin Xiang Allard. Thus, Capet sent people to confront and challenge Xiang, and even went so far to eventually tell them they wouldn't be a "man" if they did not disable the ejection system. Xiang killed at least six Davion gladiators including Billy Wolfson and Peter Armstrong in various fights over the year. Hanse Davion sent a communication offering Capet a world and a regiment to command if he killed Xiang.[6]

After word of the death of Solaris VII icon Gray Noton reached Capet, he went to claim Noton's alcove in Valhalla, the champions' high society club, feeling he was now the up-and-coming champion. Xiang stopped him and told him that he had no right, and also that his glory seeking here on Solaris and back on Uravan had led to the death of his men and that he had ultimately murdered his own family.[7] Provoked in this fashion, Capet challenged Xiang to a duel—which was exactly what Xiang wanted as he was not yet famous enough to challenge someone of Capet's standing himself.

On 26 May 3027, they agreed to fight in the Ishiyama Arena. On the prefight talk show Pregame Palaver, Capet declared that he was going to kill Xiang and had a surprise or two waiting for him.[8] He meant it. During the match, Capet led Xiang to a tunnel with steep three level crevasses where two of his Capellan Mafia colleagues were waiting in ambush in a Firestarter and an UrbanMech.[9] Xiang, piloting the late Gray Noton's heavy Rifleman (Legend-Killer) at the time, was able to dispatch the two light 'Mechs. Capet's plan was for them to inflict damage on Legend-Killer, giving him the opportunity for an easy killing blow, but Xiang moved deeper into the caverns. Capet hid his Rifleman during the ambush. Hidden in a location where Xiang would pass though a narrow tunnel, he would step out and shoot at Legend-Killer's thin rear armor. Xiang's 'Mech passed him, and he opened up with all his weapons at Legend-Killer, but only hit armor—Xiang expected that, and Capet had been fooled by Xiang's tactic of walking his 'Mech backwards with his 'Mech's arms flipped over. Xiang returned fire and knocked Capet unconscious, then simply shot Capet's 'Mech in the head with autocannon shells, killing him instantly.[10]

Notes[edit]

  • Philip Capet is incorrectly spelled Phillip Capet in the Player's Book from the Solaris VII: The Game World box set.
  • In the Dark Age, on the "Remembrance Wall" of the Cracked Canopy bar on Solaris a Kallon Industries autocannon in full casing was on exhibit with the name Justin Xiang stenciled on it with red crosshairs. It was said to be from Capet's Rifleman, but its authenticity has not been determined.[11]

References[edit]

  1. Warrior: En Garde, ch. 8
  2. Warrior: En Garde, p. 5: Major Allard talks to cadet Craon about the real story of Philip Capet
  3. Warrior: En Garde, p. 240
  4. Solaris VII: The Game World – Player's Book, p. 13: "The Great Ones"
  5. Solaris VII: The Game World – Player's Book, p. 14
  6. Warrior: En Garde, pp. 210-211: Hanse Davion is briefed on Justin's activities on Solaris and orders a high priority communication sent to Capet to have him kill Justin, offering a reward
  7. Warrior: En Garde, p. 240: Xiang pits the blame for Capet's failures on Capet's glory seeking including the death of his own family
  8. Warrior: En Garde, pp. 287-288: Interview with Justin Xiang and Philip Capet
  9. Warrior: En Garde, p. 290: Capet's ambush is sprung on Xiang
  10. Warrior: En Garde, p. 309: Philip Capet's last duel with Justin Xiang
  11. Shrapnel Issue 3, p. 105 (Tales from the Cracked Canopy: The Razor's Edge of Opportunity)

Bibliography[edit]