Solaris Games Denizens

Several different archetypes can be found between the Solaris Denizens. Their actions, how they interact between them and with the real stars of the Solaris Games is what sets them apart.

Solaris Games Denizens

Brokers/Fixers

In every world there is somebody that knows people and that can put them in contact with whomever you might need: a stablemaster, an assassin... They are known from their contacts and their capability to get anything done for a price.[1]

Known Brokers

Gangsters

Gangster

The dark side elements behind life in every planet. Gangs, Mafia, Yakuza. They have a bit of everything. Fighting between them to control the dark side of the planet.[8]

Known Gangster Elements

Mafia

The Mafia is the single most powerful and dangerous criminal entity on Solaris VII. The Bertoli Mafia family is in charge of Solaris Mafia, though other smaller families (with ties to other planets) have operations in Solaris.

  • Martin Bialistock: He has been the leader of the Bertoli for the from 3033 and at least until 3051. Martin is canny, intelligent and sophisticated, known for his excellent taste is food, clothing, books and art.[9]
  • Ivan Toviesh is the manager of Raven's Roost and a crack shot, defending Cathay's office in 3051 from the Red Cobras tong band.[10]
  • Theo Cramer is a major capo that doubles as 'Mech broker, giving the Bertoli family an edge on protection, smuggling, drug and gambling rackets.[5]
Yakuza

Several Yakuza families operates on Solaris, though competition between them is low. Their enemies are the triads and the Bertoli.

Triads and Tongs

The weakest of the big three, there are several Triads and Tongs working in each sector of Solaris City:[11]

  • Red Cobras (Cathay and Silesia)
  • Hundred Swordsmen (Cathay)
  • The Steel Brothers (Kobe)
  • The Demons (Kobe, Black Hills)
  • The Heavenly Warriors (Cathay, Montenegro)
  • The Eternal Flames (Montenegro and Silesia)

As per 3051 the Red Cobras and the Hundred Swordsmen are at war.[12]

Some of the known Triads and Tongs members are:

  • Shad Greenville, ruthless triad leader and his bodyguards make huge profit with his local, The Bitter Pool in Cathay.[12]
  • Xun Li Binh is the leader of the Hundred Swordsmen. He lives in the Maze (an unusual move on Cathay's gangsters) so he can better control his operations. He is always escorted by his personal bodyguards, the Hundred Swordsmen from which the gang takes its name.[12]
  • Li Ban is a major operative of the Red Cobras that runs The Kirin in Cathay.[12]
Bloods

The Bloods are a group of male-dominated gangs. Bloods usually cooperate between them. They hate the Yakuza with passion and the sentiment is reciprocate. Violence between the two groups is near-continuous.[13]

Independent Gangs
Gangster

Dozens, even maybe hundred smaller gangs also exist in Solaris. Usually found in the outlands or smaller cities.[14] Some of these gangs are:

Ghosts

In the Inner Sphere there are spies, and the reality has shown everybody that all powers try to spy on their enemies: House against House, Corporation against Corporation... Solaris VII is no different. But here, the espionage work is usually between Stables.

Ghost is the term used in Solaris to identify spies. Simply said, a ghost is there to spy to you out-of-towners.[19] The usual tactic is to infiltrate the ghost as part of the other Stable's team, is possible as a MechWarrior.

Hotshot Pilot

These are the Warriors that believe in nothing but their own abilities and who came to Solaris VII to seek fortune in the Solaris Games. Every year lots of them come to the planet, their skills are unquestioned, but that is not enough in Solaris. If they are not able to control their pride, they will fall... and around Solaris VII pitfalls lurk around every corner. And that without taking into account the dark side of the Games.[20]

Information Dealers

As in most places, there is always somebody with access to desired knowledge. People who know people, who know whatever somebody might be interested in. In Solaris there Solaris Games information is also a commodity some elements work with.

Known Information Dealers

Mechbunny

Mechbunny

History is full of famous sportsmen and women that has been followed by crowds of fans and groupies. A Mechbunny (a term used irrespective of gender) just takes this to the next level in their efforts to be seen and attract the attention of their idols. It is very common to see them carrying hasty autographed mementos or the latest arena gifts. They are considered basically harmless and live to bask in the glow of fame[22][23], though occasionally they can go to some dangerous extremes to be with/touch the subjects of their adoration.

Media

Mechbunny

All planets have several press media, but Solaris VII attracks them as honey to bees. Media is mostly focused in the Solaris Games and all who gravitate along it. Their work is also more dangerous as in other planets, with from official to more fuzzy people looking upon them just to "decide" if their life has to be forfeit or not.[24]

Solaris Known Media

Known Journalists

Sharona Avner - Reporter working for Free Worlds News Service[25]
Kiva Cooper - Pulitzer Prize winning Reporter, working for the Solaris Broadcasting Corporation[26][27][28]
Barbara Emerson - Reporter working for the Solaris Broadcasting Corporation[29]
Cal Helmway - Reporter working for Free Worlds News Service[25]
Lars Olafson - Anchor, working for the Solaris Broadcasting Corporation[28]
Edgar Phiebus, Jr. - Anchor, working for the Solaris Broadcasting Corporation[30]

Patrons

They could be noblemen or businessmen, but whatever the case, they are the people willing to invest in a 'Mech Stable or a private team of operatives. As such, they are essential to life in Solaris, even more for those MechWarriors seeking fame in the arenas.[31]

Known Patrons

Stable Masters

The men and women operating/owning the Solaris VII stables. Most of them are known for thinking that their word is law (something that inside their Stables it is true).[32]

Known Stable Masters

For a list of fighting stables and cooperatives, see here. Inside each of them references for the Stable Masters can be found.

Sycophant

Sycophant

Like Mechbunnies, Sycophats are part of the Games. They are the true "fans" of the Games, well, two steps more. It is easy to spot them as they usually cover their jackets or other clothes with every trinket related to every Solaris Game topic. They have no life of their own, living only to religiously follow the games and the exploits of their favorite 'Mechwarriors. Most of them will able to quote you anything related to the Games... but do not piss them off.[33]

Wannabe

Wannabe

If you dress like a MechWarrior and you talk like a Mechwarrior, you are a Mechwarrior could be the best description for this group of people. They can look good, but it still easy to detect them for what they are. On their fighting skills, it is possible they really have some talent, but no actual experience other than thousands of hours on stripped-down simulators at the arcade.[34]

References

  1. MechWarrior's Guide to Solaris VII, p. 89 "Fixer"
  2. Main Event, "Chapter 6"
  3. Solaris VII: The Game World - Player's Handbook, p. 31 "Black Hills - Miscellaneous"
  4. Solaris VII: The Game World - Player's Handbook, p. 35 "Cathay - Miscellaneous"
  5. 5.0 5.1 Solaris VII: The Game World - Player's Handbook, p. 38 "Kobe - Miscellaneous"
  6. Solaris VII: The Game World - Player Book, p. 41 "Montenegro - Miscellaneous"
  7. Solaris VII: The Game World - Player's Handbook, p. 42 "Silesia - Miscellaneous"
  8. Unbound, p. 46 "Yakuza of Solaris"
  9. Solaris VII: The Game World - Player's Handbook, p. 19 "Mafia"
  10. Solaris VII: The Game World - Player's Handbook, p. 33 "Hotels"
  11. Solaris VII: The Game World - Player's Handbook, p. 20 "Triads"
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Solaris VII: The Game World - Player's Handbook, p. 33-35 "Entertainment"
  13. Solaris VII: The Game World - Player's Handbook, p. 20 "Bloods"
  14. Solaris VII: The Game World - Player's Handbook, p. 20 "Independent Gangs"
  15. Solaris: The Reaches, p. 9 "Gangs and Stables - The Dead"
  16. Solaris: The Reaches, p. 9 "Gangs and Stables - The Highwaymen"
  17. Solaris: The Reaches, p. 10 "Gangs and Stables - The Pentastars"
  18. Solaris: The Reaches, p. 15-16 "Xolara - City Administration"
  19. Main Event, p. 41 "Chapter 8"
  20. MechWarriors Guide to Solaris VII p. 86 "Hotshot Pilot"
  21. Solaris: The Reaches, p. 26-27 "Burgton - Dowagiac"
  22. Unbound, p. 10 "Mechbunny"
  23. Mechwarrior's Guide to Solaris VII, p88-89 Mechbunny
  24. Solaris: The Reaches, p. 64 Media representative
  25. 25.0 25.1 Solaris VII: The Game World - Player Book, p. 40 "Montenegro - Information"
  26. Dawn of the Jihad, p. 51 "Burning Fist - Solaris Attacked!"
  27. Jihad Hot Spots: 3070, p.29 "Alliance in Turmoil - The Show Must Go On!"
  28. 28.0 28.1 Jihad Hot Spots: 3076, p. 11 "Reconstruction Deconstruction"
  29. Solaris VII: The Game World - Player's Book", p. 24 "International Zone - Information"
  30. Dawn of the Jihad, p. 47 "Burning Fist - Retraction - Long Odds for Duke Robert"
  31. MechWarriors Guide to Solaris VII p. 6 "Patrons"
  32. MechWarrior's Guide to Solaris VII, p. 87 "StableMaster"
  33. Unbound, p. 11 "Sycophant"
  34. Unbound, p. 11 "Wannabe"

Bibliography