Marshall

This article is about the planetary system. For other uses, see Marshall (disambiguation).
Marshall
Marshall 3151.svg
System Information
X:Y Coordinates59.86 : 1792.14[e]
Spectral classF4V
Recharge station(s)Zenith
Planet(s)3

System Description[edit]

Marshall is a system in the center of the Kerensky Cluster region of Clan space.[1]

Political Affiliation[edit]

  • 2571 - Unknown Planet
  • 2750 - Unknown Planet
  • 2840 - Clan Steel Viper/Clan Goliath Scorpion/Clan Jade Falcon/Clan Star Adder/Clan Fire Mandrill/Clan Ice Hellion[citation needed]
  • 2920 - Clan Steel Viper/Clan Goliath Scorpion/Clan Jade Falcon/Clan Star Adder/Clan Fire Mandrill/Clan Ice Hellion[citation needed]
  • 2930 - Clan Steel Viper/Clan Goliath Scorpion/Clan Jade Falcon/Clan Star Adder/Clan Fire Mandrill/Clan Ice Hellion[citation needed]
  • 3025 - Clan Steel Viper/Clan Goliath Scorpion/Clan Jade Falcon/Clan Star Adder/Clan Fire Mandrill/Clan Ice Hellion[citation needed]
  • 3030 - Clan Steel Viper/Clan Goliath Scorpion/Clan Jade Falcon/Clan Star Adder/Clan Fire Mandrill/Clan Ice Hellion[citation needed]
  • 3040 - Clan Steel Viper/Clan Goliath Scorpion/Clan Jade Falcon/Clan Star Adder/Clan Fire Mandrill/Clan Ice Hellion[citation needed]
  • 3052 - Clan Steel Viper (27%), Clan Goliath Scorpion (24%), Clan Jade Falcon (9%), Clan Star Adder (12%), Clan Fire Mandrill (15%), Clan Ice Hellion (8%), Clan Coyote (5%)[2]
  • 3057 - Clan Steel Viper/Clan Goliath Scorpion/Clan Jade Falcon/Clan Star Adder/Clan Fire Mandrill/Clan Ice Hellion[citation needed]
  • 3062 - Clan Steel Viper/Clan Goliath Scorpion/Clan Jade Falcon/Clan Star Adder/Clan Fire Mandrill/Clan Ice Hellion[3]
  • 3067 - Clan Steel Viper (18%), Clan Goliath Scorpion (36%), Clan Jade Falcon (4%), Clan Star Adder (15%), Clan Fire Mandrill (15%), Clan Ice Hellion (12%)[4]
  • late 3067 - Clan Steel Viper (18%), Clan Goliath Scorpion (36%), Clan Jade Falcon (<4%), Clan Star Adder (>15%), Clan Fire Mandrill (15%), Clan Ice Hellion (12%)[5]
  • late 3069 - Clan Goliath Scorpion (~36%), Clan Jade Falcon (~22%), Clan Star Adder (~15%), Clan Fire Mandrill (~15%), Clan Ice Hellion (~12%)[6][7]
  • 8 Nov 3069 - Clan Goliath Scorpion (~36%), Clan Steel Viper (~22%), Clan Star Adder (~15%), Clan Fire Mandrill (~15%), Clan Ice Hellion (~12%)[8][9]
  • Aug 3071 - Clan Goliath Scorpion (~36%), Clan Steel Viper (~22%), Clan Star Adder (~15%), Clan Fire Mandrill (~15%), Clan Ice Hellion (~12%), Clan Coyote (unknown %)[8][9][10]
  • Feb 3071 - Clan Goliath Scorpion, Clan Steel Viper, Clan Star Adder, Clan Fire Mandrill (~15%), The Society/Dark Caste[11]
  • June 3073 - untenable or abandoned world (survivors left to starve)[12]

Marshall III[edit]

Marshall III
Rockland.jpg
Astrophysical
System position3rd
Geophysical
Surface gravity1.1
Atmospheric pressureStandard (Breathable)
Highest native lifeReptiles
Landmasses6
History and Culture
Population17,600,000 (3062–3069)
Government and Infrastructure
HPG ClassA (Clan)

Planetary History[edit]

Colonization[edit]

Marshall was colonized by the Clans by the twenty-ninth century. Its Terran-like atmosphere and ecology made it a popular site for colonization, leading to a number of Clans holding territory on the world. The majority of the colonized lands went to Clan Goliath Scorpion and Clan Steel Viper, a fifth of the planet going to Clan Star Adder. The remaining Clans settled for smaller remaining portions of the planet. With a dense population, this led to a number of inter-Clan conflicts for resources.[13]

Star Adder Enclave Massacre[edit]

In 2844, Clan Mongoose assaulted the Star Adders' Marshall enclave. Star Colonel Miguel Riley and his Cluster of Mongoose warriors conducted a campaign of scorched earth, destroying every bit of infrastructure they happened across. After the last garrison units fell to the invaders, the Star Adder civilians took up arms against the Mongoose warriors to protect their homes. Angered by this act of resistance from nonwarrior castes, the Mongoose commander ordered his troops to kill every colonist. Outraged by this act, Star Adder saKhan Dembe N'Buta tracked the Cluster to the Mongoose enclave on Tokasha. There he and Quasar Keshik attacked with fury, killing or capturing all of the Mongoose warriors involved in this un-Clanlike act of aggression. He then claimed the colony and its entire population, before having them transported back to Marshall to repopulate the Star Adder colony with the former Mongoose civilians. The Mongoose dead were buried in three mass graves on Tokasha.[14][15][16]

Twenty-ninth Century[edit]

In 2875, Clan Jade Falcon defeated Clan Fire Mandrill in a Trial of Possession for a factory on Marshall, which led to the Howler forming a large segment of their second-line forces.

Thirty-first Century[edit]

In 3050, Clan Ice Hellion targeted the Clan Snow Raven enclave on Marshall. They landed, but the Raven aerospace superiority inflicted massive losses on the Hellion unit. Despite this, the Hellions were able to take the research station and eliminate the only holding the Ravens had on the world.[17]

Around 3059, Clan Jade Falcon challenged Clan Ice Hellion for their enclave on Marshall. The Second Falcon Velites faced off against the Seventh Hector Cavaliers. The Cavaliers were initially pinned down by the Velites in a canyon of the Firth mountain range, until a Binary of Snow Foxes striking at the Falcon rear created the impression of a larger force at their back. The resultant confusion allowed the Cavaliers to turn the Falcon flank and win the Trial.[18]

As of 3062, six different Clans had enclaves on Marshall, leading to frequent and numerous Trials.[19] Civilians on the planet, so used to their enclaves changing hand, have their letterhead set up to easily change Clan logos.[20]

The Wars of Reaving[edit]

In 3067, Clan Star Adder began their offensives with Trials of Possession for Wolf holdings on Hoard, Steel Viper holdings on Homer, and Jade Falcon holdings on Marshall.[5]

Falcon Expulsion[edit]

Marshall stayed in equilibrium as its six Clans continued mostly undisturbed for over another year. Late in 3068, Clan Steel Viper commissioned Omicron Galaxy, mixing ProtoMechs, BattleMechs, battle armor, and aerospace fighters, as a force designed to appear more formidable than it actually was, but sufficiently capable for head hunting, reconnaissance, and other complex missions. These Clusters could be bid away to reduce an opposing unit's strength, or fielded to catch an adversary by surprise.[6][7]

By February 3069, Clan Steel Viper had begun to deploy these new mixed Clusters in Beta Galaxy stationed in their Marshall enclaves. Another recently commissioned Cluster, the Second Falcon Velites, issued a batchall for possession of a pair of facilities near Constock. Galaxy Commander Angelica Zalman bid the Fifth Rattle Cluster, a new mixed-unit Cluster. The unprepared Velites quickly lost initiative and key elements when the Fifth Rattle split their ProtoMech assets into three groups and flanked the Falcons. The victory won Clan Steel Viper isorla and Angelica Zalman great personal honor.[6][7]

The Second Falcon Velites returned later in 3069 and issued another batchall, this time for the entire Steel Viper enclave on Marshall. The Viper Galaxy Commander bid the Viper Fusiliers in defense of the Clan's holdings. Though the Vipers appeared to have the advantage, especially after Star Colonel Allen Dumont killed the Velites' Star Colonel Dien, the Falcons broke their bid and decimated the surviving Vipers with an artillery strike. The surviving Steel Viper forces, barely a Trinary of OmniMechs and battle armor, were offered hegira or Annihilation. The Vipers lifted off world, conceding their holdings to Clan Jade Falcon.[6][7]

On 5 November 3069, the matter of the Falcon tactics was brought before the Clan Grand Council, but with the added allegation that contact with the Inner Sphere had tainted Clan Jade Falcon. The Council did not vote successfully to censure, Annihilate, or Absorb the Jade Falcons, leading Clan Steel Viper to retaliate on its own. 36 hours later, Clan Steel Viper jumped into almost every Jade Falcon colony system, including Barcella, Eden, Gatekeeper, Glory, Huntress, Ironhold, Marshall, and Tokasha. On Marshall, the Second Falcon Velites faced all of Beta Galaxy without batchall or zellbrigen. The Cluster was annihilated.[8][9][21]

Society Mobilization[edit]

In the aftermath of Clan Wolf's Omicron Galaxy December 3071 raid on The Founders' Blood Temple, a short period of unrest engulfed most of Clan space. Homeworld Clans, led by ilKhan Brett Andrews of Clan Steel Viper, whose Clan had been expelled from the Inner Sphere several years earlier, began targeting Clans with an active Inner Sphere realm or occupation zone. While not all Homeworld Clans conducted these actions—Clans Coyote and Goliath Scorpion largely refrained—those that did resorted to a combination of wanton violence, raids, Trials of Reaving, and Trials of Abjuration, all either condoned or directly sanctioned by ilKhan Andrews. The targets of these Trials were not only the warriors of Invading Clans, but often lower castes, too. Andrews also ordered the destruction of the Homeworlds' Deep Space HPGs in order to prevent news of the targeted Trials reaching the Inner Sphere.[22]

Displeased with recent events, Clan Coyote had been posting Clusters to several colonies, including Marshall and Grants Station, in preparation for massive new offensives as early as August 3071.[10] In response to this escalation of violence, Clan Coyote called a Clan Council with its Scientist Caste present.[23] Clan Coyote had been heavily influenced by its Scientist Caste, possibly since the aftermath of Operation: KLONDIKE.[24] Unknown to most Clans, the emboldened Scientist Caste had become the strongest element in a heretofore unknown faction called The Society.[25] Shocked by the Abjuration of Clan Wolf and the violence inflicted upon its lower castes, Clan Coyote's Warriors and its Scientist Caste decided to mobilize, beginning in early 3072.[26] The Society deployed new, technologically sophisticated weapons, but their involvement was not limited to military deployment. Society operatives apparently caused a widespread HPG blackout beginning in February, JumpShip drive failures and misjumps, targeted Annihilations, deployment of weaponized viruses, and a propaganda campaign urging a lower-caste revolt on Strana Mechty.[27]

Each Clan faced different threats. Clan Coyote, Dark Caste, and Society forces overwhelmingly targeted Clan Steel Viper targets on Marshall in early 3072, largely ignoring Clans Goliath Scorpion and Fire Mandrill. Clan Coyote then redeployed their Clusters, moving elements of Epsilon Galaxy to Babylon, abandoning the planet to the Dark Caste and Society.[11] Clan Star Adder lost all communication around this time.[28][29] In response to Dark Caste losses, Clan Goliath Scorpion quietly withdrew its forces from Marshall.[30] Clan Ice Hellion's Marshall enclave was penetrated by the Dark Caste and The Society, but maintained the appearance of an Ice Hellion enclave, though they ceased contact with their Clan. Without word from Marshall (or, for that matter, almost any of their colonies), Ice Hellion leadership decided to abandon their possessions and fortify Hector. Clan Fire Mandrill's enclave was apparently largely ignored, leaving the 301st Firebrand Cluster at nearly full strength. However, when the 301st deployed and attempted Trials of Possession for the former Ice Hellion cities of Immesha and Ommesha in early December 3072, Dark Caste Septs defeated the Mandrills, taking them as bondsmen. The Dark Caste then took the remaining Fire Mandrill enclaves. All bondsmen were allowed to join the Dark Caste; their near-universal refusal sealed their fate, and all trueborn Fire Mandrills were given to the Society for experimental testing.[31]

Finished with Marshall by early 3073, the surface of the planet was bombarded from orbit by the Dark Caste. Most production complexes on the planet, including the largest fusion engine factory in Clan Space, were destroyed. The bombardment also caused the collapse of the ecosystem, resulting in widespread crop failures. The surviving lower-caste inhabitants of Marshall, primarily former Ice Hellions, were left to starve. Several months later in June 3073, ilKhan Brett Andrews' Steel Vipers discovered the fate of Marshall while leading a relief task force. He also discovered and rescued a small Steel Viper enclave that was discovered intact. The remaining survivors were left to fend for themselves.[32]

Military Deployment[edit]

Geography[edit]

Marshall World Map

Marshall is composed of six continents, though two are mostly covered by the polar ice caps. Though the planet is similar to Terra in some ways, much of the land is wasteland.[19] Because of this, the population was squeezed into several quarters, while a few dedicated areas serve as dueling grounds. The planet is noted for being similar to Terra when it was in its early stages of development.

Planetary Locations[edit]

  • Immesha: city[42]
  • Ommesha: city[42]
  • Firth mountain range[43]

Manufacturing Centers[edit]


Xian[edit]

Xian
Astrophysical
System positionOutermost
MoonsAt least one (Diamondstar)
Geophysical
Highest native lifeNone

The Marshall system had a gas giant named Xian. Its moon, Diamondstar, had an ecosystem with a breathable atmosphere and scrub flora. The moon was held by the Steel Vipers until 3042. Clan Jade Falcon claimed it for themselves, after years of scientists studying the moon's lifeforms and having a keen interest in its mineral wealth.[19]

Image gallery[edit]

Notes[edit]

Map Gallery[edit]

Nearby Systems[edit]

Closest 20 systems (8 within 60 light-years)
Distance in light years, closest systems first:
Tathis 32.5 Huntress 35.9 Strana Mechty 36.8 Ironhold 49.1
Hellgate 54.8 Priori 58.3 Glory 58.6 Atreus 59.1
Foster 61.0 New Kent 61.4 Lum 64.0 Sheridan 66.1
Tranquil 73.4 Shadow 74.9 Delios 77.7 Roche 78.2
Tokasha 79.9 Gatekeeper 83.4 Brim 87.6 Tamaron 89.6

References[edit]

  1. The Clans: Warriors of Kerensky, p. 114
  2. Clan Homeworlds 3052 Poster (Kickstarter)
  3. The Clans: Warriors of Kerensky, p. 114
  4. Field Manual: Updates, p. 39
  5. 5.0 5.1 The Wars of Reaving, p. 16: "Adder Patience"
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 The Wars of Reaving, p. 41
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 The Wars of Reaving, p. 45: "Viper and Falcon"
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 The Wars of Reaving, pp. 46–48: "Exodus Requiem"
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 The Wars of Reaving, p. 47: "The Viper Strikes"
  10. 10.0 10.1 The Wars of Reaving, p. 70: "The Vanished"
  11. 11.0 11.1 The Wars of Reaving, p. 94
  12. The Wars of Reaving, p. 117
  13. The Clans: Warriors of the Kerensky, p. 108: Initial colonization and following conflict between neighboring Clans
  14. The Clans: Warriors of the Kerensky, pp. 108, 111: Marshall and Tokasha profiles include Mongoose Massacre of Adder population and Adders repopulating it with Mongoose people
  15. Field Manual: Crusader Clans, pp. 111–112: "Growing Up"
  16. Turning Points: Tokasha, pp. 3, 6
  17. Operational Turning Points: REVIVAL Trials, p. 34
  18. Technical Readout: 3060, p. 134
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 The Clans: Warriors of Kerensky, p. 108
  20. BattleTech: 25 Years of Art & Fiction, p. 157: Marshall profile brief update as of 3069
  21. The Wars of Reaving, p. 46: "Declaration of Honor"
  22. The Wars of Reaving, pp. 78–83
  23. The Wars of Reaving, p. 85: "End of an Era"
  24. Historical: Operation Klondike, pp. 67–68: "Celebration Day"
  25. Jihad Conspiracies: Interstellar Players 2, pp. 32–33
  26. The Wars of Reaving, p. 92: "Decisions in the Dark"
  27. The Wars of Reaving, pp. 93–114
  28. The Wars of Reaving, p. 104: "The Fall of York"
  29. The Wars of Reaving, p. 109: "Communication Breakdown"
  30. The Wars of Reaving, p. 124
  31. The Wars of Reaving, pp. 109–111: "The Hellion Fades"
  32. The Wars of Reaving, p. 117: "Infestation"
  33. Field Manual: Crusader Clans, p. 149: "Crusader Clans Deployment Table"
  34. Field Manual: Crusader Clans, p. 150: "Crusader Clans Deployment Table"
  35. Field Manual: Crusader Clans, p. 152: "Crusader Clans Deployment Table"
  36. Field Manual: Crusader Clans, p. 153: "Crusader Clans Deployment Table"
  37. 37.0 37.1 37.2 Field Manual: Crusader Clans, p. 155: "Crusader Clans Deployment Table"
  38. 38.0 38.1 Field Manual: Crusader Clans, p. 156: "Crusader Clans Deployment Table"
  39. 39.0 39.1 39.2 39.3 39.4 Field Manual: Warden Clans, p. 164: "Warden Clans Deployment Table"
  40. 40.0 40.1 Field Manual: Warden Clans, p. 166: "Warden Clans Deployment Table"
  41. Field Manual: Updates, pp. 72–73
  42. 42.0 42.1 The Wars of Reaving, p. 110: "The Hellion Fades"
  43. Technical Readout: 3060, p. 134

Bibliography[edit]