Caesar Steiner

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Caesar Steiner.jpg
Caesar Steiner
Character Profile
Born 3003
Died February 3068
Affiliation House Steiner
Profession Duke of Furillo
Parents Iris Steiner (mother)
Children Reinhardt Steiner
Karl Steiner

Caesar Steiner (b. 3003 - d. February 3068[1], aged 65 years) was a notable member of the House of Steiner. He served in the LCAF, AFFC, LAAF and Second Star League Defense Force, and was considered one of the most respected officers in the Commonwealth.

Biography

Early Life

Born in the city of Telesian, capital of Furillo, Caesar was the only son of Duchess Iris Steiner and an unnamed father. Spoiled by his mother, Caesar spent most of his time pursuing women, food and drink.[2] His mother's connections and his family name kept him mostly out of trouble, enough so that he was able to attend the Nagelring.

2nd Donegal Guards

Despite his off-field antics, Caesar was a gifted strategist and leader, leading him to be moved up the ranks quickly, becoming one of the youngest Colonels in history at the age of 22, leading the 2nd Donegal Guards. He would come to be associated strongly with the unit, which adopted the name "Caesar's Legion" while he was in command.[3] While his sensualist nature and personal improprieties caused problems, his value on the battlefield was now what kept him away from most legal trouble, thanks to the patronage of Archon Katrina Steiner. Most notably, Caesar led the 2nd Donegal in action against the Draconis Combine in the 4th Succession War.[2]

Generalship and the Star League Defense Force

In 3032, Reinhardt Steiner, Caesar's first son, was born. Some time after that, he had a second son, Karl. By 3049, Caesar Steiner had risen to the rank of Marshal in the AFFC, commanding the Ford Theater. Around this time he also first met Colonel Thomas Hogarth, who Caesar suspected had intentions towards his mother. Caesar would subtly harangue Hogarth until his death, though Hogarth would ironically pledge his loyalty to Caesar after the FedCom Civil War. When the Lyran secession of 3057 occurred, he found himself back in a Lyran uniform, a General.

When the Second Star League reformed in 3058, it was decided each nation would have its own theater, commanded by a Star League General. Some nations took the post very seriously and assigned one of their best officers. Katherine Steiner-Davion, however, used a different approach. Viewing Caesar as too influential to simply remove and too opposed to her policies to retain in the LAAF, she appointed him to the position of SLDF General for the Lyran theater.

Federated Commonwealth Civil War

Unlike his colleague, Ardan Sortek, Caesar did not immediately resign from the SLDF and join the fighting in the FedCom Civil War. Instead, he attempted to maintain his distance to uphold the SLDF's neutrality, though he did voice his approval of Reinhardt's unit, the 10th Lyran Guards, and their actions. It was only when the Skye Revolt came to a head on Hesperus II that he decided to intervene.

Leaving his post in SLDF command, Caesar journeyed to Giausar, where he called upon the combatants there to cease fire. Out of respect for him, they obliged, and Caesar enlisted the aid of his old unit, the 2nd Donegal Guards, to put an end to the fighting on Hesperus II. As they began their drop on the Skye Guard positions, Caesar called for the surrender of Free Skye, which they were forced to grant.

While serving as the Donegal Guards brigade head, his responsibilities also included the control of the Cavanaugh Theater, the commanding of the 2nd Donegal Guards, and serving as an adviser to Archon Peter Steiner-Davion.

Reconstruction and Assassination

Having matured greatly from his time as a troublemaking Colonel, Caesar was now noted for his political astuteness and martial acumen. These combination of assets led him to be appointed General of the Armies pro tem, as well as one of Peter Steiner-Davion's top advisors. When the reorganization of the LAAF was finally complete, he was a General, commanding the 2nd Donegal Guard, the Donegal Guard brigade, and the Cavanaugh II theater all at once. Additionally, he composed the LAAF update that was included in Field Manual: Updates for Archon Peter. Following the death of his mother Iris in the fall of 3067, Caesar inherited the Duchy of Furillo as well. Thanks to his recent deeds, political clout, and new titles, he was even an oft-mentioned candidate for Archon (though Caesar denied having any designs towards the throne, possibly due to his poor health).

However, Caesar's time in these positions was not long, as he was assassinated in February of 3068 by agents from the Free Worlds League,[1] although the loyalty of the agents was unknown at the time. The most obvious culprit was felt to be the Word of Blake, who took out several major players in the early Jihad to destabilize the Great Houses, and few officers in any state had as many responsibilities as Caesar at the time. Caesar's personal ties to Archon Peter and his involvement with the ill-fated Whitting Conference may have also played a role in his assassination. Another possibility was the Free Skye movement, who took advantage of Caesar's death to push Bolan Province in to aiding them in a private war. Likewise, they had motivation in that Caesar was personally responsible for ending their most recent revolt.

Legacy

While not intentionally named for him, many Lyran MechWarriors increasingly adopted the Caesar BattleMech during the Word of Blake Jihad as a means of honoring the assassinated Caesar Steiner, a station akin to the spike in interest shown for the Victor by the pre-Clan Invasion Federated Commonwealth and its then-heir Victor Steiner-Davion.[4]

In the years following the Jihad and Caesar's granddaughter Claudia assuming power, the Furillo Steiners would be titled Grand Duke of Furillo[5], a title reserved for highly influential families, such as House Kell after Morgan's ascent to prominence.[6]

Quotes

Damn straight.
  — General Caesar Steiner after the Second Battle for Kessel.[7]
Let no man, be it dictator or be it brother, stand between another man and liberty.
  — Marshal Caesar Steiner, 25 April 3063, in a letter to his son Leftenant General Reinhardt Steiner[8]

Titles and Positions

Preceded by Duke of Furillo
30673068
Succeeded by

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 45, "The Jihad In Review"
  2. 2.0 2.1 House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth p 163 (pdf version)
  3. House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth p 119 (pdf version)
  4. Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 77
  5. Field Report: LAAF, p. 18
  6. Handbook: House Steiner, p. 96
  7. Historical: War of 3039, p. 28, "Commonwealth Thrust"
  8. FedCom Civil War (sourcebook), p. 50, "Wave One"

Bibliography