Handbook: House Steiner

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Handbook: House Steiner
Product information
Type Sourcebook
Development Randall N. Bills
Herbert A. Beas II
Primary writing Herbert A. Beas II (writing)
Diane Piron-Gelman (editing)
Pages 176
Cover Artwork Franz Vohwinkel (art)
Jim Nelson (design)
David M. Stansel-Garner (layout)
Interior Artwork Franz Vohwinkel (interior color section)
Illustrations Doug Chaffee
Chris Lewis
Kevin McCann
Matt Plog
Klaus Scherwinski
Publication information
Publisher FanPro
Product code 35001
First published 30 September 2004
ISBN-10 1-932564-28-4
ISBN-13 978-1-932564-28-0
MSRP $34.99
Content
Era Civil War era
Timeline 15 November 3067
Series Handbook series
Followed by Handbook: House Marik

Description[edit]

Handbook: House Steiner is the first in the series of handbooks detailing the nations of the Inner Sphere. It is the modern successor to the original House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth) sourcebook and the definitive source on the Lyran Alliance. The sourcebook contains a detailed history section of the Lyran state and House Steiner up to 3067. It also includes brief histories of some of the more important planets, information on how the government works, and an analysis of the Lyran culture and economy, including a detailed list of the most important companies.

The sourcebook glosses over the Lyran Alliance Armed Forces and the LIC, since those organizations were detailed at length in Field Manual: Lyran Alliance and A Guide to Covert Ops, respectively.

The product ends with additional rules to be incorporated into Classic BattleTech and Classic BattleTech RPG games. These include expanded sub-regions, skills, and new life paths for the RPG, and new environments and unit types for the tabletop.

From the Back Cover[edit]

THE MAILED FIST OF POWER!

For centuries, the merchant-princes of the Lyran Commonwealth survived as much through economic might as by the cloak and dagger, steadily growing in strength until their influence could be felt across the Inner Sphere. Now emerging from the ruins of a short-lived alliance and a bloody civil war, a bold new identity has taken hold of the people united under the mighty fist of House Steiner.

Kicking off a new series, Handbook: House Steiner brings the essential history, politics and culture of one of the Inner Sphere's most powerful nations to life for a new generation of Classic BattleTech players. More than a mere sourcebook, Handbook: House Steiner provides rules for both Classic BattleTech and Classic BattleTech RPG campaigns, including new personal equipment, creatures, life paths, and more—all tailored for players and campaigns based on the Lyran state!

Contents[edit]

  • Introduction and Foreword
  • The Lyran Government
  • The Lyran Alliance Armed Forces
    • Structure of the LAAF
    • The LAAF High Command
    • Regional Commands
    • Major Training Centers
    • Unit Types
    • Uniforms and Insignia
    • Medals and Honors
  • Society and Culture
    • Education
    • Media and the Arts
    • Religion and Philosophy
    • Politics and Movements
    • Crime and Punishment
  • Economics
    • National Economy
    • Major Industries
    • Military-Industrial Complex
  • Index
  • Record Sheets

Notes[edit]

  • The trademarked title is Classic BattleTech Handbook: House Steiner.
  • The first printing contained a printing error that swapped page 88 with 92.
  • It was reprinted in 2005 as Version 1.0 "based on first printing, with additional corrections".
  • It should be noted that this publication predates current games rules for roleplaying, as in A Time of War: The BattleTech RPG.