Gran Newclay
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Gran Newclay | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal | |
| Affiliation | Clan Jade Falcon |
| Profile | |
| Rank | Galaxy Commander |
| Profession | MechWarrior |
Gran Newclay was known as conservative,[1] best known to have commanded the Third Falcon Talon before and during Tukayyid. Described as an elite MechWarrior,[2] tall and thick with skin "like cracked and over-oiled [sic] leather".[3] He maintained an un-Falconlike pragmatism in seeing an opportunity in the Truce to gain glory and revenge, especially against his hated rivals, the Steel Vipers. Injured in a Trial of Possession, he viewed them as the source for nearly every failure of the Jade Falcons.[4]
History[edit]
Having taken over the Third Talon from Cassandra Malthus before the pre-REVIVAL Trials, he was defeated by Galaxy Commander Mar Helmer in a Trial of Refusal to lead the Falcon contingent.[5][6] The unit was a part of the campaigns for Barcelona and Apollo, but due to Gran Newclay's cautious bidding, was only solely responsible for one "conquest." In May 3050, Derf was rumored to be the hiding place of Archon-Prince Victor Steiner-Davion and the Twelfth Donegal Guards. Buoyed with the chance at glorious revenge for the Lyrans' escape from the Clan at Trell I, the planet's defenders instead consisted of only two lances of BattleMechs with limited armor support and the planet fell within the day. No sign of the Prince was found, a loss of face for the haughty warriors.[1][7]
Following the Grand Kurultai and the 5th Wave return to the Inner Sphere, the Third successfully defended the recently taken La Grave from a Steel Viper Trial of Possession, one of only two successful.[8]
He was subjected to "systemic discrimination" in his mind when Galaxy Commander Mar Helmer gave his previous command, the Twelfth Falcon and his protégé Senza Oriega, the honor of leading the attack on Robyn's Crossing. He also quarreled with Star Colonel Aidan Pryde at Tukayyid, questioning the then-dezgra warrior's tactics in crossing the Prezno River, the attack led by the Galaxy's least experienced Star Colonel, Devlin Hazen. Treated dismissively, Star Colonel Pryde repeatedly interrupted Newclay during a battle kurultai, nearly leading to an Honor Duel, though such things are frowned upon during a campaign.[3] Newclay likewise refused to defer to Pryde during the retreat back across Robyn's Crossing after the disaster at Olalla,[9] relenting unhappily when Pryde invoked the will of the Khans to obey to him. The sacrifice of the Jade Phoenix earned the grudging respect of the wounded[2] Newclay and the Third.[1][10]
Gran Newclay Trialed and won his promotion to Galaxy Commander of Iota Galaxy in the fallout of the Refusal War and poor showing by Mar Helmer.[11]
Galaxy Commander Newclay finally got his revenge when Iota Galaxy was instrumental in the expulsion of the Vipers from the Inner Sphere, though he was cautious in allowing more adventurous subordinates to continue the offensive against other targets, especially the Wolves.[12] With his life's ambition done, he quickly lost focus and was expected to test down by 3068.[13]
Gran Newclay was disgraced during the Jihad, exchanging command of Iota Galaxy with his long-time rival Mar Helmer for the final time just before the Hellion Tantrum.[14]
BattleMechs[edit]
Gran Newclay was a known Warhawk OmniMech pilot during the Battle of Tukayyid.[2][10]
Quotations[edit]
| “ | "And without the bridge, how does the noble hero of Robyn’s Crossing intend to get units across the Prezno River?" | ” |
| — Gran Newclay addressing Aidan Pryde, battle kurultai, thirty kilometers south of Plough Bridge, Tukayyid[10] | ||
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Era Report: 3052, p. 49
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Jade Falcon Sourcebook, p. 59
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Falcon Guard, ch. 29
- ↑ Jade Falcon Sourcebook, p. 61
- ↑ Jade Falcon Sourcebook, p. 20
- ↑ Operational Turning Points: REVIVAL Trials, p. 20
- ↑ Jade Falcon Sourcebook, p. 38
- ↑ Jade Falcon Sourcebook, p. 30
- ↑ Falcon Guard, ch. 36
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Battle of Tukayyid, pp. 113–114
- ↑ Field Manual: Crusader Clans, p. 104: "Iota Galaxy - Clan Jade Falcon"
- ↑ Era Report: 3062, p. 57
- ↑ Field Manual: Updates, p. 49: "Iota Galaxy"
- ↑ Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers, p. 136