Difference between revisions of "BattleTech eras"
(Rewrote the Civil War description, Renaissance description, Clan Invasion, Age of War, succession wars, Star League; may poke at the other sections later. This became way more extensive of an edit than I thought I'd make.)
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| Pre-Spaceflight
 
| Pre-Spaceflight
 
| Before 1950
 
| Before 1950
−
| style="text-align:left;" | Earliest era referenced, when humanity only resides on its planet of origin, Terra.
+
| style="text-align:left;" | Earliest era referenced - when humanity only resides on its planet of origin, Terra.
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Early Spaceflight
 
| Early Spaceflight
 
| 1950 – 2005
 
| 1950 – 2005
−
| style="text-align:left;" | Early solar system restricted spaceflight.
+
| style="text-align:left;" | Early spaceflight, restricted to the bounds of Sol. Notable events include the [[Cold Wars|Second Cold War]] and reestablished Soviet Union.
 
|-
 
|-
 
| rowspan="2" | [[Star League]]<ref name=sl_era>[https://bg.battletech.com/new-to-the-board-game/battletech-eras/era-star-league-2/ New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Star League]</ref>
 
| rowspan="2" | [[Star League]]<ref name=sl_era>[https://bg.battletech.com/new-to-the-board-game/battletech-eras/era-star-league-2/ New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Star League]</ref>
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| [[Age of War]]  
 
| [[Age of War]]  
 
| [[2005]] – [[2570]]<ref name=sl_era/>
 
| [[2005]] – [[2570]]<ref name=sl_era/>
−
| style="text-align:left;" | The time of humanity’s first migrations off [[Terra]], the political upheavals and the founding of the first interstellar states. In this sub-era within the consistent warfare of those other states expanding forming the [[Inner Sphere]] houses, the [[Terran Hegemony]] would form as a dominant state fielding the [[Mackie|first]] [[BattleMech]].
+
| style="text-align:left;" | The age of the [[Terran Alliance]], the fall thereof, the [[Terran Hegemony]] and the [[Ares Conventions]].
 +
 
 +
[[KF Drive]] tech is proven, beginning the [[Terran Exoduses]] in the 22nd century. By the 23rd, unrest sparks the [[Outer Reaches Rebellion]], the Alliance loses, and the [[Demarcation Declaration]] invokes the Second Terran Exodus. The first independent interstellar nations are born, the [[Periphery]] is settled, and an age of consolidation takes hold over the 24th century.
 +
 
 +
The Alliance would morph into the Hegemony, and many Great Houses are formed. The outbreak of the Age of War itself sweeps the [[Inner Sphere]] in [[2398]].
 +
 
 +
The [[Ares Conventions]] would regulate warfare in [[2412]], and in [[2439]] the [[Terran Hegemony]] would assert dominance by fielding the [[BattleMech]] - the [[Mackie]].
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Star League
 
| Star League
 
| [[2571]] – [[2780]]<ref name=sl_era/>
 
| [[2571]] – [[2780]]<ref name=sl_era/>
−
| style="text-align:left;" | The time of the formation of the First Star League and it reaching the height of its power. Advancements in science and technology allow for humanity to experience 200 years of peace and   prosperity across all settled worlds. However as the [[Periphery]] nations [[New Vandenberg Uprising|revolt]] the realm is torn apart and destroyed in [[Amaris Civil War|a thirteen-year war with a coup]]
+
| style="text-align:left;" | The time of the First Star League as established in [[2571]], to the fall of the [[Amaris Empire]] in [[2780]].
 +
 
 +
The [[Reunification War]] is waged, bringing the [[Periphery]] in line, and for nearly two centuries humanity is united under a single banner. Advancements in science and engineering backed by the greatest military in history uphold nearly two centuries of peace and prosperity across all settled worlds. Save for chafing such as the [[First Hidden War]], the [[SLDF]] would rarely see true conflict until the 28th century, during the [[New Vandenberg Uprising|Periphery revolts]].
 +
 
 +
Then, the [[Amaris Civil War]] would bring the end of everything.
 
|-
 
|-
 
| rowspan="3" | [[Succession Wars]] <ref name=ss_era>[https://bg.battletech.com/new-to-the-board-game/battletech-eras/era-succession-wars/ New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Succession Wars]</ref>
 
| rowspan="3" | [[Succession Wars]] <ref name=ss_era>[https://bg.battletech.com/new-to-the-board-game/battletech-eras/era-succession-wars/ New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Succession Wars]</ref>
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| Early Succession Wars
 
| Early Succession Wars
 
| [[2781]] – [[2900]]<ref name=ss_era/>
 
| [[2781]] – [[2900]]<ref name=ss_era/>
−
| style="text-align:left;" | The timeframe of the [[First Succession War|First]] and [[Second Succession War|Second Succession Wars]], when the [[Successor States]] of the Great Houses vied for supremacy after the collapse of the Star League. Planets and populations are decimated and most advances of the Star League are completely lost. This is due to the use of [[Nuclear Weapons|weapons of mass destruction]] by all factions involved. The first war ends only to have the second begin a few years later.
+
| style="text-align:left;" | The collapse of the Star League is followed a few short years later by the beginning of the [[Succession Wars]] - in this timeframe, the [[First Succession War|First]] and [[Second Succession War|Second]].
 +
 
 +
The Star League is gone; the [[SLDF]] [[Operation EXODUS|vanishes]] by [[2784]]. Hardly more than half a decade goes by before the [[First Succession War]] begins, and nine years pass before the [[Second Succession War]]. Billions would die between the two conflicts, and generations of knowledge are blown away in in the [[Nuclear Weapons|nuclear fires]] set by all involved factions. The [[Third Succession War]] begins in the latter half of the 29th century lacking much of what had once been known.
 +
 
 +
[[ComStar]] emerges as the last surviving ministry of the Star League, and by the end of the era devolves - or perhaps, ''evolves'' - into a pseudo-religious order.
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Late Succession Wars – [[LosTech]]
 
| Late Succession Wars – [[LosTech]]
 
| [[2901]] – [[3019]]<ref name=ss_era/>
 
| [[2901]] – [[3019]]<ref name=ss_era/>
−
| style="text-align:left;" | This is the timeframe of the almost 200 year [[Third Succession War]] as the Great Houses have descended into constant low level war with each other. With most of the advances of the Star League  completely lost with the first 2 Succession Wars, combat became more and more ritualized in the fashion of medieval battles or even duels in order to prevent further technology loss. This development went hand in hand with the establishment of neo-feudal societies, also reminiscent of the middle ages.
+
| style="text-align:left;" | With much of the Star League's knowledge blown away on irradiated winds, the [[Third Succession War]] continues.
 +
 
 +
Advanced technologies have been rendered [[Lostech]], and in contrast to the preceding conflicts the Third Succession War is more of a constant low-intensity conflict - one that spans nearly two centuries. Combat grows more ritualized and medieval amongst 'Mechs, and at times duels are fought between [[MechWarriors]] for the sake of retaining what still worked. Neo-feudal societies arise, and progress stagnates if not decaying further.
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Late Succession Wars – Renaissance
 
| Late Succession Wars – Renaissance
 
| [[3020]] – [[3049]]<ref name=ss_era/>
 
| [[3020]] – [[3049]]<ref name=ss_era/>
−
| style="text-align:left;" | With the discovery of the [[Helm Memory Core]] and its subsequent dissemination throughout the Inner Sphere, the gradual rediscovery of lost Star League technology allowed the Inner Sphere to have a   “Renaissance” of sorts. Faction militaries could now produce and replace their crippling losses to their 'Mech and armor units. With this in mind all the Great Houses begin an upswing of production right in time for the [[Federated Commonwealth|joining of 2 Houses the Federated Suns and Lyran Commonwealth into one realm]] and the start of the [[Fourth Succession War]].
+
| style="text-align:left;" | The [[Third Succession War]] ends, the [[Helm Memory Core]] is rediscovered, and the contents spread across the Inner Sphere, beginning a techno-industrial renaissance.
 +
 
 +
Repair of ancient 'Mech tech is not just possible, but a reality for the Great House Militaries, and production is restarted and upswings in the start of a resurgence.
 +
 
 +
The ramp-up begins just in time for the marriage of [[Hanse Davion]] and [[Melissa Steiner]] to begin the [[Fourth Succession War]], and solidify the union of the [[Lyran Commonwealth]] and the [[Federated Suns]]. The [[Capellan Confederation]] is crippled for decades to come, and [[Wolf's Dragoons]] are granted the world of [[Outreach]] for their service to the Federated Suns. The nascent [[Federated Commonwealth]] would continue on to hammer the [[Draconis Combine]] in the [[War of 3039]], but the efforts of [[Theodore Kurita]] and [[ComStar]] would stonewall them into a peace treaty.
 +
 
 +
Nonetheless, the Federated Commonwealth was born, and dominated the Inner Sphere like none since the Star League.
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Clan Invasion]] <ref name=ci_era>[https://bg.battletech.com/new-to-the-board-game/battletech-eras/era-clan-invasion/ New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Clan Invasion]</ref>
 
| [[Clan Invasion]] <ref name=ci_era>[https://bg.battletech.com/new-to-the-board-game/battletech-eras/era-clan-invasion/ New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Clan Invasion]</ref>
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|  
 
|  
 
| [[3050]] – [[3061]]<ref name=ci_era/>
 
| [[3050]] – [[3061]]<ref name=ci_era/>
−
| style="text-align:left;" | Starting early in this era an invasion force attacks the coreward region of the Inner Sphere. Calling themselves the “[[Clans]]” they are discovered to be the descendants of [[Star League-in-Exile|Kerensky’s SLDF troops that exiled themselves]] at the start of the Succession Wars. With the aim of conquering world after world with their superior technology and military, the Inner Sphere becomes yet more motivated [[Second Star League|to not only work together]], but also recover more lost Star League technology to counter the invaders. By the end of this era, the Inner Sphere houses had re-established a technological knowledge base that approximated the technological state of the Star League era.
+
| style="text-align:left;" | Coreward of the Inner Sphere, a force struck from the [[Deep Periphery]] and carved a path towards [[Terra]].  
 +
 
 +
Armed with superior technology, superior genetics, and aggressive tactics, they called themselves the “[[Clans]]”. Their unique [[OmniMech]] designs and [[Elemental]] warriors were unlike anything the Sphere had seen since the Star League Defense Force - and in fact, that was who they once were. Descendants of [[Star League-in-Exile|General Kerensky's exodus forces]], the Clan Invasion was a crusade to the heart of the Sphere that was utlimately put on hold by the [[ComGuard]].
 +
 
 +
The [[Battle of Tukayyid]] and ensuing [[Truce of Tukayyid|truce]] cost many lives, but bought valuable time.
 +
 
 +
[[Clan Wolf]] and [[Clan Jade Falcon]] would wage the [[Refusal War]] in the intervening years, resulting in a split clan, an exhausted Jade Falcon - and the [[Jade Falcon Incursion (3058)|Battle of Coventry]]. The [[Second Star League]] was born in the aftermath, [[Operation BULLDOG]] was fought, [[Task Force Serpent]] deployed - and [[Clan Smoke Jaguar]] was annihilated.
 +
 
 +
The [[Great Refusal]] was then fought and won by the second SLDF, and the Inner Sphere had reestablished a technical knowledge base approximate of the First Star League.
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[FedCom Civil War|Civil War]] <ref name=cw_era>[https://bg.battletech.com/new-to-the-board-game/battletech-eras/era-civil-war/ New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Civil War]</ref>
 
| [[FedCom Civil War|Civil War]] <ref name=cw_era>[https://bg.battletech.com/new-to-the-board-game/battletech-eras/era-civil-war/ New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Civil War]</ref>
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|  
 
|  
 
| [[3062]] – [[3067]]<ref name=cw_era/>
 
| [[3062]] – [[3067]]<ref name=cw_era/>
−
| style="text-align:left;" | This 5 year period highlights the many conflicts that burst apart after the Clan invasion ended via the Great Refusal. The [[Capellan Confederation]] [[Capellan-St. Ives War|begins the Xin Sheng Campaign]] to reclaim the [[St. Ives Compact]], Exploiting discontent, the [[Black Dragon Society]] manipulates the start of the [[First Combine-Dominion War]], and the [[Lyran Alliance]] and [[Federated Commonwealth|Federated Suns]] [[FedCom Civil War|fall into a painful civil war]].
+
| style="text-align:left;" | While the [[Great Refusal]] ended the Clan Invasion, the following era would see the Inner Sphere fall on old habits.
 +
 
 +
In the wake of [[Operation GUERRERO]],  the [[Lyran Alliance]] seceded from the [[Federated Commonwealth]]. Formerly supported by the FedCom, the [[St. Ives Compact]] was weakened by the fracturing of their allied state. Exploiting the shift in power, First Lord [[Sun-Tzu Liao]] would instigate the [[Capellan-St. Ives War|Xin Sheng Campaign]] - and it is in GUERRERO, the Alliance, and aborption of St. Ives that the stage is set for the true civil war.
 +
 
 +
Erupting in [[3062]], the [[FedCom Civil War]] theoretically pitted [[Loyalist]] Lyran forces against the pro-[[Federated Suns|FedSuns]] [[Allies]]. In practice, it opened to dozens of meat-grinders, fratricidal contests within the same units, battles over worlds once shared, and militiamen with contested loyalties.
 +
 
 +
It defined the entire era, and secondary conflicts such as the ''[[Kokuryu-kai]]''-instigated [[First Combine-Dominion War|Combine-Dominion War]] would start and end before it was over.
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Jihad]] <ref name=ji_era>[https://bg.battletech.com/new-to-the-board-game/battletech-eras/era-jihad/ New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Jihad]</ref>
 
| [[Jihad]] <ref name=ji_era>[https://bg.battletech.com/new-to-the-board-game/battletech-eras/era-jihad/ New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Jihad]</ref>

Revision as of 23:47, 9 June 2021

Catalyst Game Labs, the current owners of BattleTech, have divided history into eras and sub-eras. The products they release are grouped in this manner.[1]


Era Symbol[1] Sub Era Years Description
Pre-Star League Pre-Spaceflight Before 1950 Earliest era referenced - when humanity only resides on its planet of origin, Terra.
Early Spaceflight 1950 – 2005 Early spaceflight, restricted to the bounds of Sol. Notable events include the Second Cold War and reestablished Soviet Union.
Star League[2] Star league era-BW.jpg Age of War 2005 – 2570[2] The age of the Terran Alliance, the fall thereof, the Terran Hegemony and the Ares Conventions.

KF Drive tech is proven, beginning the Terran Exoduses in the 22nd century. By the 23rd, unrest sparks the Outer Reaches Rebellion, the Alliance loses, and the Demarcation Declaration invokes the Second Terran Exodus. The first independent interstellar nations are born, the Periphery is settled, and an age of consolidation takes hold over the 24th century.

The Alliance would morph into the Hegemony, and many Great Houses are formed. The outbreak of the Age of War itself sweeps the Inner Sphere in 2398.

The Ares Conventions would regulate warfare in 2412, and in 2439 the Terran Hegemony would assert dominance by fielding the BattleMech - the Mackie.

Star League 2571 – 2780[2] The time of the First Star League as established in 2571, to the fall of the Amaris Empire in 2780.

The Reunification War is waged, bringing the Periphery in line, and for nearly two centuries humanity is united under a single banner. Advancements in science and engineering backed by the greatest military in history uphold nearly two centuries of peace and prosperity across all settled worlds. Save for chafing such as the First Hidden War, the SLDF would rarely see true conflict until the 28th century, during the Periphery revolts.

Then, the Amaris Civil War would bring the end of everything.

Succession Wars [3] Succession wars era-BW.jpg Early Succession Wars 2781 – 2900[3] The collapse of the Star League is followed a few short years later by the beginning of the Succession Wars - in this timeframe, the First and Second.

The Star League is gone; the SLDF vanishes by 2784. Hardly more than half a decade goes by before the First Succession War begins, and nine years pass before the Second Succession War. Billions would die between the two conflicts, and generations of knowledge are blown away in in the nuclear fires set by all involved factions. The Third Succession War begins in the latter half of the 29th century lacking much of what had once been known.

ComStar emerges as the last surviving ministry of the Star League, and by the end of the era devolves - or perhaps, evolves - into a pseudo-religious order.

Late Succession Wars – LosTech 2901 – 3019[3] With much of the Star League's knowledge blown away on irradiated winds, the Third Succession War continues.

Advanced technologies have been rendered Lostech, and in contrast to the preceding conflicts the Third Succession War is more of a constant low-intensity conflict - one that spans nearly two centuries. Combat grows more ritualized and medieval amongst 'Mechs, and at times duels are fought between MechWarriors for the sake of retaining what still worked. Neo-feudal societies arise, and progress stagnates if not decaying further.

Late Succession Wars – Renaissance 3020 – 3049[3] The Third Succession War ends, the Helm Memory Core is rediscovered, and the contents spread across the Inner Sphere, beginning a techno-industrial renaissance.

Repair of ancient 'Mech tech is not just possible, but a reality for the Great House Militaries, and production is restarted and upswings in the start of a resurgence.

The ramp-up begins just in time for the marriage of Hanse Davion and Melissa Steiner to begin the Fourth Succession War, and solidify the union of the Lyran Commonwealth and the Federated Suns. The Capellan Confederation is crippled for decades to come, and Wolf's Dragoons are granted the world of Outreach for their service to the Federated Suns. The nascent Federated Commonwealth would continue on to hammer the Draconis Combine in the War of 3039, but the efforts of Theodore Kurita and ComStar would stonewall them into a peace treaty.

Nonetheless, the Federated Commonwealth was born, and dominated the Inner Sphere like none since the Star League.

Clan Invasion [4] Clan invasion era-BW.jpg 3050 – 3061[4] Coreward of the Inner Sphere, a force struck from the Deep Periphery and carved a path towards Terra.

Armed with superior technology, superior genetics, and aggressive tactics, they called themselves the “Clans”. Their unique OmniMech designs and Elemental warriors were unlike anything the Sphere had seen since the Star League Defense Force - and in fact, that was who they once were. Descendants of General Kerensky's exodus forces, the Clan Invasion was a crusade to the heart of the Sphere that was utlimately put on hold by the ComGuard.

The Battle of Tukayyid and ensuing truce cost many lives, but bought valuable time.

Clan Wolf and Clan Jade Falcon would wage the Refusal War in the intervening years, resulting in a split clan, an exhausted Jade Falcon - and the Battle of Coventry. The Second Star League was born in the aftermath, Operation BULLDOG was fought, Task Force Serpent deployed - and Clan Smoke Jaguar was annihilated.

The Great Refusal was then fought and won by the second SLDF, and the Inner Sphere had reestablished a technical knowledge base approximate of the First Star League.

Civil War [5] Civil war era-BW.jpg 3062 – 3067[5] While the Great Refusal ended the Clan Invasion, the following era would see the Inner Sphere fall on old habits.

In the wake of Operation GUERRERO, the Lyran Alliance seceded from the Federated Commonwealth. Formerly supported by the FedCom, the St. Ives Compact was weakened by the fracturing of their allied state. Exploiting the shift in power, First Lord Sun-Tzu Liao would instigate the Xin Sheng Campaign - and it is in GUERRERO, the Alliance, and aborption of St. Ives that the stage is set for the true civil war.

Erupting in 3062, the FedCom Civil War theoretically pitted Loyalist Lyran forces against the pro-FedSuns Allies. In practice, it opened to dozens of meat-grinders, fratricidal contests within the same units, battles over worlds once shared, and militiamen with contested loyalties.

It defined the entire era, and secondary conflicts such as the Kokuryu-kai-instigated Combine-Dominion War would start and end before it was over.

Jihad [6] Jihad era-BW.jpg 3068 – 3080 [6] The time period known as the Jihad refers to a major interstellar war that involved all major factions, mainly consisting of the faction called the Word of Blake attacking capitals and other, important industrial worlds to hamper their enemies' capacity to wage war. They created a "white-out" of the HPG grid that forced regional leaders to take a more active role, then manipulated those leaders to create chaos and warfare that distracted their enemies from the Word's activities. Using "hidden" armies they hit former Chaos March worlds in the vicinity of Terra, which led to the formation of the new state, the Word of Blake Protectorate. The Jihad was not only of the Word of Blake assaulting foreign powers, but also civil conflicts that erupted between states due to the chaos and the actions of the factions.
Dark Age [7] Dark age era-BW.jpg Republic 3081 – 3130 [7] With the Word Of Blake's defeat at the start of this era using coalition forces made possible through unifying efforts of Devlin Stone and David Lear to crush them. The formation of the Republic of the Sphere out of the ashes of the Word of Blake Protectorate created a new buffer state between the various Inner Sphere powers. Additionally the Republic set in motion a plan with the other major factions to decommission BattleMechs and other tools of warfare, downsizing armies and removing any such material from the hands of private individuals.
Dark Age 3131 - 3152 [7] The time since the collapse of the HPG network caused political chaos in The Republic of the Sphere that led to the militarization of Industrial Mechs and other civilian equipment. Then the steady advancement of the Great Houses and Clans themselves began to take back worlds they ceded to the Republic, as the fragmented and stumbling Republic made an easy target. Finally ending with the ilClan Trial being fought on Terra, days after the broadcasted disbanding of the Republic.
ilClan[8] ILClan Era.jpg ilClan 3152 – ???? [8] The once-invulnerable Republic of the Sphere lies in ruins, torn apart by the Great Houses and the Clans. As Fortress Republic collapses, the Clans race toward Terra to create a supreme authority which will rule the Inner Sphere by any means necessary.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Star League
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Succession Wars
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Clan Invasion
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Civil War
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Jihad
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 New to Battletech? - BattleTech Eras - Dark Age
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Record Sheets: Clan Invasion, p. 4: "Battletech Eras"

Bibliography

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