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{{Merge|Clan Sea Fox}}
 
 
{{Update Needed|[[Objectives: Clans]]|[[The Wars of Reaving]]}}
 
{{Update Needed|[[Objectives: Clans]]|[[The Wars of Reaving]]}}
 
{{Quote|''When you swim in the ocean, do not forget who owns it.''|Clan Diamond Shark merchant caste saying<ref name=FMWC75>''Field Manual: Warden Clans'', p. 75, "Zeta Galaxy: Territorial Waters"</ref>}}
 
 
 
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| crest = [[Image:Clan Diamond Shark.jpg|right|Clan Diamond Shark Logo]]
 
| crest = [[Image:Clan Diamond Shark.jpg|right|Clan Diamond Shark Logo]]
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| capital = ?
 
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| rulertitle = [[Khan]]
 
| rulertitle = [[Khan]]
| military = [[Clan Diamond Shark Touman|Clan Diamond Shark ''touman'']]
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| military = [[Clan Diamond Shark Touman|Clan Diamond Shark ''Touman'']]
 
| secretservice = [[Clan Watch#Clan Diamond Shark|Clan Diamond Shark Watch]]
 
| secretservice = [[Clan Watch#Clan Diamond Shark|Clan Diamond Shark Watch]]
 
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'''Clan Diamond Shark''', originally named [[Clan Sea Fox]], was one of the first twenty [[Clans]] created by [[Nicholas Kerensky]].  Its willingness to change its own name exemplified the Clan's flexibility and progressive thinking — it was the only Clan which permitted universal suffrage — and helped make it one of the strongest and wealthiest during the Clans' history.  Known derisively as the "Merchant Clan" by their jealous rivals, they nevertheless took great pride in their accomplishments and their direct contributions to the creation of the Clans.  The Clan's original totem animal, the [[Sea Fox (species)|Sea Fox]], was chosen for it by Kerensky for the honor it showed its prey before striking.  The Clan then took as their new totem the [[Diamond Shark (species)|Diamond Shark]], which nearly wiped out the Sea Fox when it was introduced to the oceans of [[Strana Mechty]], as a sign of respect to a superior predator. After the [[Wars of Reaving]], the Sharks would be abjured from Clan space and depart to the Inner Sphere. They would later take part in the Jihad against the Blakists and reform back into Clan Sea Fox in 3100, after their censure and rumors of their [[Sea Fox|original totem]] flourishing on other worlds.
'''Clan Diamond Shark''', originally named [[Clan Sea Fox]], was one of the first twenty [[Clans]] created by [[Nicholas Kerensky]].  Its willingness to change its own name exemplified the Clan's flexibility and progressive thinking — it was the only Clan which permitted universal suffrage — and helped make it one of the strongest and wealthiest during the Clans' history.  Known derisively as the "Merchant Clan" by their jealous rivals, they nevertheless took great pride in their accomplishments and their direct contributions to the creation of the Clans.  The Clan's original totem animal, the [[Sea Fox (species)|Sea Fox]], was chosen for it by Kerensky for the honor it showed its prey before striking.  The Clan then took as their new totem the [[Diamond Shark (species)|Diamond Shark]], which nearly wiped out the Sea Fox when it was introduced to the oceans of [[Strana Mechty]], as a sign of respect to a superior predator. After the [[Wars of Reaving]], the Sharks would be abjured from Clan space and depart to the Inner Sphere. They would later take part in the Jihad against the Blakists and reform back into Clan Sea Fox in 3100, after their censure and rumors of their [[Sea Fox (species)|original totem]] flourishing on other worlds.
 
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
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Having won the right to change his Clan's name through combat, Damon Clarke then went into seclusion for two days to decide how he would approach his own Clan about the change.  His conservative leanings would have him limit the vote to only the Bloodnamed as was traditional in Clan society; allowing the lower castes to have a say in the matter might also set a dangerous precedent and undo his attempts thus far to reshape the Clan.  At the same time not allowing the entire Clan to vote could also lead to a serious backlash, even widespread unrest, and his own reforms thus far had resulted in mixed results at best.  Seeking inspiration, he turned to the writings of Khan Nagasawa, and found himself converting to her viewpoint by her reasoning and logic.  On the third day he emerged from isolation and announced a vote would be held on September [[2985]] in which all members of the Clan would be allowed to vote.  This decision wasn't universally celebrated by all Sea Foxes though: many warriors felt betrayed by Khan Clarke's change of heart, and Beta Galaxy commander [[Brett Leroux]] along with seven other Bloodnamed warriors would challenge their Khan in turn to Trials of Refusal, though all would lose.<ref name=IC135/><ref name=IC136>''Invading Clans'', p. 136</ref>
 
Having won the right to change his Clan's name through combat, Damon Clarke then went into seclusion for two days to decide how he would approach his own Clan about the change.  His conservative leanings would have him limit the vote to only the Bloodnamed as was traditional in Clan society; allowing the lower castes to have a say in the matter might also set a dangerous precedent and undo his attempts thus far to reshape the Clan.  At the same time not allowing the entire Clan to vote could also lead to a serious backlash, even widespread unrest, and his own reforms thus far had resulted in mixed results at best.  Seeking inspiration, he turned to the writings of Khan Nagasawa, and found himself converting to her viewpoint by her reasoning and logic.  On the third day he emerged from isolation and announced a vote would be held on September [[2985]] in which all members of the Clan would be allowed to vote.  This decision wasn't universally celebrated by all Sea Foxes though: many warriors felt betrayed by Khan Clarke's change of heart, and Beta Galaxy commander [[Brett Leroux]] along with seven other Bloodnamed warriors would challenge their Khan in turn to Trials of Refusal, though all would lose.<ref name=IC135/><ref name=IC136>''Invading Clans'', p. 136</ref>
  
When the vote was finally held on 30 September, 50 million people cast their votes in order of precedence of their caste.  The warriors went first, voting largely in favor of the change, while the scientists voted against it.  This was repeated again when the merchants voted in favor and the technicians against, and after the four castes had voted the count was 51% against the change.  The labor caste, in gratitude to Khan Clarke's newfound liberalism, voted 95% in favor of the change, and Clan Sea Fox officially became Clan Diamond Shark.  The Diamond Sharks' strength would be immediately tested when Clan Smoke Jaguar launched a Trial of Possession for Priori with overwhelming force.  Giving his commanders free rein to prosecute the battle as they saw fit, Khan Clarke trusted in his warriors to use their flexibility to the fullest and was rewarded with a great victory.  The Diamond Sharks had fought with greater unity and sense of purpose than expected, and this validation of the progressive ideals Karen Nagasawa first espoused inspired the Diamond Shark Khan to reverse all his previous attempts at reform.<ref name=IC136/><ref name=FMWC60/><ref name=HOKp129/>
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When the vote was finally held on 30 September, 50 million people cast their votes in order of precedent of their caste.  The warriors went first, voting largely in favor of the change, while the scientists voted against it.  This was repeated again when the merchants voted in favor and the technicians against, and after the four castes had voted the count was 51% against the change.  The labor caste, in gratitude to Khan Clarke's newfound liberalism, voted 95% in favor of the change, and Clan Sea Fox officially became Clan Diamond Shark.  The Diamond Sharks' strength would be immediately tested when Clan Smoke Jaguar launched a Trial of Possession for Priori with overwhelming force.  Giving his commanders free rein to prosecute the battle as they saw fit, Khan Clarke trusted in his warriors to use their flexibility to the fullest and was rewarded with a great victory.  The Diamond Sharks had fought with greater unity and sense of purpose than expected, and this validation of the progressive ideals Karen Nagasawa first espoused inspired the Diamond Shark Khan to reverse all his previous attempts at reform.<ref name=IC136/><ref name=FMWC60/><ref name=HOKp129/>
  
 
===Blood in the Water===
 
===Blood in the Water===
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Unfortunately for Khan Ian Hawker, his internal troubles would continue during the Trials to determine which Clans would have the honor of conquering the Inner Sphere.  Although his was one of the six Clans to make it to the final rounds, the Diamond Sharks placed dead last behind the Nova Cats.  Hawker was able to salvage something from the disaster by winning a Trial of Refusal guaranteeing his Clan would be among the first to reinforce the Invasion should it be required, but his warriors were less than impressed.  Publicly none were willing to challenge their Khan, aware of his warnings that infighting might weaken them too much, but in the background political maneuvering towards this goal intensified.  In response, Khan Hawker sought political aid from wherever he could, including the one Crusader Clan he considered the most powerful.  Jade Falcon Khan [[Elias Crichell]] saw Hawker as an accomplice he could manipulate to his own ends and agreed to an alliance.<ref name=IC137/>
 
Unfortunately for Khan Ian Hawker, his internal troubles would continue during the Trials to determine which Clans would have the honor of conquering the Inner Sphere.  Although his was one of the six Clans to make it to the final rounds, the Diamond Sharks placed dead last behind the Nova Cats.  Hawker was able to salvage something from the disaster by winning a Trial of Refusal guaranteeing his Clan would be among the first to reinforce the Invasion should it be required, but his warriors were less than impressed.  Publicly none were willing to challenge their Khan, aware of his warnings that infighting might weaken them too much, but in the background political maneuvering towards this goal intensified.  In response, Khan Hawker sought political aid from wherever he could, including the one Crusader Clan he considered the most powerful.  Jade Falcon Khan [[Elias Crichell]] saw Hawker as an accomplice he could manipulate to his own ends and agreed to an alliance.<ref name=IC137/>
  
As a minor consolation, [[ilKhan]] Leo Showers would allow the [[Home Clans|non-Invading Clans]] to send representatives along with the Invasion to act as observers, limited to no more than a [[Trinary]]'s worth of troops along with whatever [[WarShips]] and [[DropShips]] were necessary.  Khan Ian Hawker and saKhan [[Barbara Sennet]] would accompany the senior Khan's command Trinary, [[Diamond Skate (Clan Diamond Shark)|Diamond Keshik]], which Hawker would command personally.  Rather than just stick with any one Clan, Hawker at first was determined to move between the Invading Clans in order to observe as many battle sites as possible and, hopefully, be allowed to participate in some.  The Diamond Shark saKhan meanwhile had more mercantile thoughts on her mind: she was determined to visit as many worlds conquered by the Clans as possible, take note of what supplies they needed, and report this information to the rest of the Clan so profitable trade could commence.<ref name=IC138>''Invading Clans'', p. 138</ref>
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As a minor consolation, [[ilKhan]] Leo Showers would allow the [[Home Clans|non-Invading Clans]] to send representatives along with the Invasion to act as observers, limited to no more than a [[Trinary]]'s worth of troops along with whatever [[WarShips]] and [[DropShips]] were necessary.  Khan Ian Hawker and saKhan [[Barbara Sennet]] would accompany the senior Khan's command Trinary, [[Diamond Skate (Clan Diamond Shark)|Diamond Keshik]], which Hawker would command personally.  Rather than just stick with any one Clan, Hawker at first was determined to move between the Invading Clans in order to observe as many battle sites as possible and, hopefully, be allowed to participate in some.  The Diamond Shark saKhan meanwhile had more mercantile thoughts on her mind: she was determined to visit as many worlds conquered by the Clans as possible, take note of what supplies they needed, and report back this information to the rest of the Clan so profitable trade could commence.<ref name=IC138>''Invading Clans'', p. 138</ref>
  
 
====Merchant Marines====
 
====Merchant Marines====
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Unwilling to lose a potential ally, saKhan Crichell brokered a compromise between his Clan and the Diamond Sharks.  He challenged Helmar to produce evidence confirming Diamond Shark treachery; when the Galaxy Commander failed to do so, he convinced the Diamond Sharks to open their books and provide complete access to their records about all transactions with non-Clan traders.  This further confirmed the Diamond Shark merchants had only sold military goods to Clan forces.  He then argued the Diamond Shark merchants should leave the Inner Sphere and not return until the Invasion had been completed, to which the Grand Council agreed.  Happy to have avoided a potential Annihilation both Diamond Shark Khans consented to these terms, although their merchants were less accommodating: after having transmitted information back to the Homeworlds, the Diamond Shark merchant caste held a vote and chose to stay in the Inner Sphere.  Angered by this defiance, Khan Hawker ordered the Diamond Keshik's WarShip to destroy one of the merchantmen.  Cowed by this display, the remaining merchants agreed to head home.<ref name=IC139/>
 
Unwilling to lose a potential ally, saKhan Crichell brokered a compromise between his Clan and the Diamond Sharks.  He challenged Helmar to produce evidence confirming Diamond Shark treachery; when the Galaxy Commander failed to do so, he convinced the Diamond Sharks to open their books and provide complete access to their records about all transactions with non-Clan traders.  This further confirmed the Diamond Shark merchants had only sold military goods to Clan forces.  He then argued the Diamond Shark merchants should leave the Inner Sphere and not return until the Invasion had been completed, to which the Grand Council agreed.  Happy to have avoided a potential Annihilation both Diamond Shark Khans consented to these terms, although their merchants were less accommodating: after having transmitted information back to the Homeworlds, the Diamond Shark merchant caste held a vote and chose to stay in the Inner Sphere.  Angered by this defiance, Khan Hawker ordered the Diamond Keshik's WarShip to destroy one of the merchantmen.  Cowed by this display, the remaining merchants agreed to head home.<ref name=IC139/>
  
Jade Falcon saKhan Crichell also took note of this act, viewing it as Ian Hawker being serious about reforming his Clan along more traditional lines.  He invited both Khans and the Diamond Keshik to join the Jade Falcons in combat again at the start of the fourth wave.  The Diamond Sharks fought alongside the Jade Falcons on seven of the worlds they targeted, during which the Diamond Sharks performed admirably, eventually winning the Jade Falcons' grudging respect.  It was after combat on [[Leskovik]] that both Clans received the ilKhan's summons to join him on the [[Dire Wolf (Individual Sovetskii Soyuz-class WarShip)|''Dire Wolf'']] in [[Radstadt]].  When they finally arrived, the frantic battle between the ''Dire Wolf'' and [[Free Rasalhague Republic|Rasalhagian]] forces was already over, and the ilKhan was dead.<ref name=IC139/><ref name=IC140>''Invading Clans'', p. 140</ref>
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Jade Falcon saKhan Crichell also took note of this act, viewing it as Ian Hawker being serious about reforming his Clan along more traditional lines.  He invited both Khans and the Diamond Keshik to join the Jade Falcons in combat again at the start of the fourth wave.  The Diamond Sharks fought alongside the Jade Falcons on seven of the worlds they targeted, during which the Diamond Sharks performed admirably, eventually winning the Jade Falcons' grudging respect.  It was after combat on [[Leskovik]] that both Clans received the ilKhan's summons to join him on the [[Dire Wolf (Vessel)|''Dire Wolf'']] in [[Radstadt]].  When they finally arrived, the frantic battle between the ''Dire Wolf'' and [[Free Rasalhague Republic|Rasalhagian]] forces was already over, and the ilKhan was dead.<ref name=IC139/><ref name=IC140>''Invading Clans'', p. 140</ref>
  
 
====A Pound of Flesh====
 
====A Pound of Flesh====
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The Diamond Shark warriors lost most of their forces and much of their pride after the stinging defeat of Tukayyid, with both Alpha and Omega Galaxies seriously depleted and an entire Cluster of Omega Galaxy wiped out.  The disaster was compounded when the Ghost Bear Clan retook Nyserta shortly after Tukayyid, further gutting Omega Galaxy as a fighting force.  Ejected from the Inner Sphere, the Clan retreated back to the Homeworlds in order to defend their extensive holdings against any other Clans attempting to exploit their weakness.  Such was the nature of the Diamond Sharks that Khan Hawker began allowing [[freeborn]] warriors into front-line units.<ref>''Invading Clans'', p. 141</ref><ref name=FMWC62>''Field Manual: Warden Clans'', p. 62</ref>
 
The Diamond Shark warriors lost most of their forces and much of their pride after the stinging defeat of Tukayyid, with both Alpha and Omega Galaxies seriously depleted and an entire Cluster of Omega Galaxy wiped out.  The disaster was compounded when the Ghost Bear Clan retook Nyserta shortly after Tukayyid, further gutting Omega Galaxy as a fighting force.  Ejected from the Inner Sphere, the Clan retreated back to the Homeworlds in order to defend their extensive holdings against any other Clans attempting to exploit their weakness.  Such was the nature of the Diamond Sharks that Khan Hawker began allowing [[freeborn]] warriors into front-line units.<ref>''Invading Clans'', p. 141</ref><ref name=FMWC62>''Field Manual: Warden Clans'', p. 62</ref>
  
With the ''touman'' understrength and political upheaval amongst the ranks, the Diamond Shark Khans were forced to give effective control of the Clan to [[Angus Labov]], a retired warrior and [[trueborn]] leader of the merchant council, with the mandate to rebuild the Diamond Shark military at any cost.  Under Labov's leadership, the merchant caste flooded into the Clan [[Occupation Zone]]s and stepped up their efforts in Clan space, driving hard bargains to gain major concessions (or driving the competition out of the market with attacks on other Clans' merchant lanes).  Labov activated the Diamond Sharks' reserve system for the first time and instituted the "Minus-One Testing" program to quickly fill in gaps in the Diamond Shark ''touman''.  Thanks to the miracles Angus Labov worked — and [[Refusal War|distractions elsewhere in Clan society]] — the Diamond Sharks were able to quickly regain much of their strength.<ref name=FMWC62/><ref name=FMWC63/><ref name=FMWC64/>
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With the ''Touman'' understrength and political upheaval amongst the ranks, the Diamond Shark Khans were forced to give effective control of the Clan to [[Angus Labov]], a retired warrior and [[trueborn]] leader of the merchant council, with the mandate to rebuild the Diamond Shark military at any cost.  Under Labov's leadership, the merchant caste flooded into the Clan [[Occupation Zone]]s and stepped up their efforts in Clan space, driving hard bargains to gain major concessions (or driving the competition out of the market with attacks on other Clans' merchant lanes).  Labov activated the Diamond Sharks' reserve system for the first time and instituted the 'Minus-One Testing' program to quickly fill in gaps in the Diamond Shark ''Touman''.  Thanks to the miracles Angus Labov worked — and [[Refusal War|distractions elsewhere in Clan society]] — the Diamond Sharks were able to quickly regain much of their strength.<ref name=FMWC62/><ref name=FMWC63/><ref name=FMWC64/>
  
 
Not everyone was keen to these developments though, driven as they were by a lowly merchant.  Star Colonel [[Jeremy Hawker]], a subordinate in Khan Hawker's Alpha Galaxy, challenged Angus Labov to a [[Trial of Grievance]] over the power he had accumulated.  Labov agreed to the Trial and, using a ''[[Glass Spider]]'' loaned to him by saKhan Sennet, defeated his opponent in under two minutes.  Thanks to a quirk in the Sharks' military reserve system, Labov's victory allowed him to return to active duty immediately with the same rank as his defeated opponent.  Star Colonel Labov, with the help of saKhan Sennet, was able to assume one of the positions which opened up following the loss of many Crusader warriors in the [[Harvest Trial]]s, though it would take a couple more challenges before he finally quieted any further opposition and cemented his standing in the Clan.<ref name=FMWC62/><ref name=FMWC63/>
 
Not everyone was keen to these developments though, driven as they were by a lowly merchant.  Star Colonel [[Jeremy Hawker]], a subordinate in Khan Hawker's Alpha Galaxy, challenged Angus Labov to a [[Trial of Grievance]] over the power he had accumulated.  Labov agreed to the Trial and, using a ''[[Glass Spider]]'' loaned to him by saKhan Sennet, defeated his opponent in under two minutes.  Thanks to a quirk in the Sharks' military reserve system, Labov's victory allowed him to return to active duty immediately with the same rank as his defeated opponent.  Star Colonel Labov, with the help of saKhan Sennet, was able to assume one of the positions which opened up following the loss of many Crusader warriors in the [[Harvest Trial]]s, though it would take a couple more challenges before he finally quieted any further opposition and cemented his standing in the Clan.<ref name=FMWC62/><ref name=FMWC63/>
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Diamond Shark activities at this time were not just limited to Clan space either.  In the summer of [[3061]], the Diamond Sharks entered into formal negotiations with the [[Draconis Combine]] for the sale of ''[[Ha Otoko]]'' BattleMechs, an event which brought about an immediate challenge from Clan Jade Falcon.  Arguments that selling the stripped-down 'Mech to the Inner Sphere would not constitute a threat to the Clans fell on deaf ears in the Grand Council, so the Sharks announced that the resulting [[Trial of Refusal]] would be fought with second-line 'Mechs.  Though the Jade Falcons won the right to a Trial, they lost in the subsequent fight, allowing the sale to go forward.<ref name=FMU58>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 58</ref>
 
Diamond Shark activities at this time were not just limited to Clan space either.  In the summer of [[3061]], the Diamond Sharks entered into formal negotiations with the [[Draconis Combine]] for the sale of ''[[Ha Otoko]]'' BattleMechs, an event which brought about an immediate challenge from Clan Jade Falcon.  Arguments that selling the stripped-down 'Mech to the Inner Sphere would not constitute a threat to the Clans fell on deaf ears in the Grand Council, so the Sharks announced that the resulting [[Trial of Refusal]] would be fought with second-line 'Mechs.  Though the Jade Falcons won the right to a Trial, they lost in the subsequent fight, allowing the sale to go forward.<ref name=FMU58>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 58</ref>
  
The Diamond Sharks' pivot from the Homeworlds, which were increasingly seen as a liability, towards the rich markets of the Inner Sphere continued at an accelerated pace.  In [[3062]], they sold their enclave on [[Priori]] to [[Clan Star Adder]] in exchange for new weapons technology and a twenty-year lease on the ''[[Renown (Individual Potemkin-class WarShip)|Renown]]''; in [[3064]] they put their Eagle Crater enclave on [[New Kent]] up for auction by Clans Ice Hellion and Coyote, which the Coyotes won.  Finally, later that year, the Diamond Sharks struck a deal with the Jade Falcons, exchanging their assets on Lum for the right to settle [[Twycross]].  The Jade Falcons believed they had finally gotten the better of the Diamond Sharks until [[3065]] when it was revealed that Jonah's Reach, a near-lifeless planet in the Twycross system, was a second source of [[HarJel]].  This turn of events caused no small amount of insults and threats between the two Clans on the Chatterweb.<ref name=FMU58/>
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The Diamond Sharks' pivot from the Homeworlds, which were increasingly seen as a liability, towards the rich markets of the Inner Sphere continued at an accelerated pace.  In [[3062]], they sold their enclave on [[Priori]] to [[Clan Star Adder]] in exchange for new weapons technology and a twenty-year lease on the ''[[Renown (Vessel)|Renown]]''; in [[3064]] they put their Eagle Crater enclave on [[New Kent]] up for auction by Clans Ice Hellion and Coyote, which the Coyotes won.  Finally, later that year, the Diamond Sharks struck a deal with the Jade Falcons, exchanging their assets on Lum for the right to settle [[Twycross]].  The Jade Falcons believed they had finally gotten the better of the Diamond Sharks until [[3065]] when it was revealed that Jonah's Reach, a near-lifeless planet in the Twycross system, was a second source of [[HarJel]].  This turn of events caused no small amount of insults and threats between the two Clans on the Chatterweb.<ref name=FMU58/>
  
 
Diamond Shark advancement into the Inner Sphere continued unabated, winning control of [[Trondheim (FRR)|Trondheim]] and [[Itabaiana]] from the [[Ghost Bear Dominion]] and Draconis Combine respectively to serve as trading hubs.  The Chatterweb was subsequently expanded to cover the Inner Sphere, with safeguards to prevent unauthorized access to the Homeworld network.  Additionally, through their contacts with the Nova Cats and [[Clan Wolf-in-Exile]], the Diamond Sharks began selling their Twycross-produced HarJel to the Combine and [[Lyran Alliance]], stamping "Made in the Inner Sphere" on their products to fend off any formal challenges but nevertheless causing an uproar.  Their most controversial move though came in [[3066]], when they unveiled the ''[[Mad Cat Mk II]]'' and intended to sell it (along with a lucrative service contract) to the Inner Sphere.  Unlike the ''Ha Otoko'', the ''Mad Cat Mk II'' contained advanced Clan components (albeit older models taken from their [[Brian Cache]]s), which seriously threatened the technology advantage the Clans had heretofore enjoyed. This action later lead the Diamond Sharks to a scandal where they were censured by the Grand Council for selling Clan equipment to the Inner Sphere.<ref name=FMU58/>
 
Diamond Shark advancement into the Inner Sphere continued unabated, winning control of [[Trondheim (FRR)|Trondheim]] and [[Itabaiana]] from the [[Ghost Bear Dominion]] and Draconis Combine respectively to serve as trading hubs.  The Chatterweb was subsequently expanded to cover the Inner Sphere, with safeguards to prevent unauthorized access to the Homeworld network.  Additionally, through their contacts with the Nova Cats and [[Clan Wolf-in-Exile]], the Diamond Sharks began selling their Twycross-produced HarJel to the Combine and [[Lyran Alliance]], stamping "Made in the Inner Sphere" on their products to fend off any formal challenges but nevertheless causing an uproar.  Their most controversial move though came in [[3066]], when they unveiled the ''[[Mad Cat Mk II]]'' and intended to sell it (along with a lucrative service contract) to the Inner Sphere.  Unlike the ''Ha Otoko'', the ''Mad Cat Mk II'' contained advanced Clan components (albeit older models taken from their [[Brian Cache]]s), which seriously threatened the technology advantage the Clans had heretofore enjoyed. This action later lead the Diamond Sharks to a scandal where they were censured by the Grand Council for selling Clan equipment to the Inner Sphere.<ref name=FMU58/>
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On the 11th of May [[3080]] [[Star Admiral]] [[Naomi Nagasawa]] succeeded [[Barbara Sennet]] as Khan of the Diamond Sharks, Sennet having stepped down from the position. Two months later, Diamond Shark [[WarShip]]s would successfully defend Tukayyid from an attack by a [[Word of Blake]] flotilla of nuclear weapon–equipped fighters and [[pocket WarShip]]s.<ref name="J:FRp61">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 61: "The Jihad in Review"</ref>
 
On the 11th of May [[3080]] [[Star Admiral]] [[Naomi Nagasawa]] succeeded [[Barbara Sennet]] as Khan of the Diamond Sharks, Sennet having stepped down from the position. Two months later, Diamond Shark [[WarShip]]s would successfully defend Tukayyid from an attack by a [[Word of Blake]] flotilla of nuclear weapon–equipped fighters and [[pocket WarShip]]s.<ref name="J:FRp61">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 61: "The Jihad in Review"</ref>
  
In the wake of the [[Jihad]], the Diamond Sharks' presence in the Inner Sphere began to steadily increase, with the Sharks' larger WarShips becoming noticeably more active, leading numerous trade missions to the various capital worlds. While the bulk of the Diamond Shark ''touman'' continued to remain on the major trade worlds controlled by the Sharks, each trade mission was commonly accompanied by a Cluster of troops, although Inner Sphere intelligence agencies were confounded by being unable to find any sign of half of the Diamond Shark units known to exist in [[3067]].<ref name="J:FRp112">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 112: "Clan Diamond Shark"</ref>
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In the wake of the [[Jihad]], the Diamond Sharks' presence in the Inner Sphere began to steadily increase, with the Sharks' larger WarShips becoming noticeably more active, leading numerous trade missions to the various capital worlds. While the bulk of the Diamond Shark ''Touman'' continued to remain on the major trade worlds controlled by the Sharks, each trade mission was commonly accompanied by a Cluster of troops, although Inner Sphere intelligence agencies were confounded by being unable to find any sign of half of the Diamond Shark units known to exist in [[3067]].<ref name="J:FRp112">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 112: "Clan Diamond Shark"</ref>
  
 
In the late 3070s or early 3080s, the Diamond Sharks established an enclave on the [[Lyran Alliance]] world of [[Halfway]], marking a new level of interaction with the nations of the [[Inner Sphere]] for the mercantile Clan. The enclave allowed the Sharks to gain influence as far away as [[Sian]], as they built and maintained connections with major Inner Sphere corporations.<ref name="J:FRp114">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 114: "Clan Diamond Shark"</ref>
 
In the late 3070s or early 3080s, the Diamond Sharks established an enclave on the [[Lyran Alliance]] world of [[Halfway]], marking a new level of interaction with the nations of the [[Inner Sphere]] for the mercantile Clan. The enclave allowed the Sharks to gain influence as far away as [[Sian]], as they built and maintained connections with major Inner Sphere corporations.<ref name="J:FRp114">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 114: "Clan Diamond Shark"</ref>
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The Clan also believed highly in the value of accurate intelligence before starting a military endeavor, though not to the exclusion of making a quick strike when necessary.  In addition to their role of controlling the Clan's logistics corps, the merchant caste was also responsible for gathering intelligence via the Chatterweb and other means.  So good were the merchants in this role they even outstripped the [[Clan Star Adder|Star Adders]] and their dedicated intelligence service in acquiring accurate information.<ref name=FMWC63/>  This intelligence was necessary for the Diamond Sharks' sharp bidding practices against other Clans.  The Diamond Sharks became masters of making the [[cutdown]] appear more or less than it truly was, forcing an opponent to bid too few forces to take the objective or give it up to the Diamond Sharks.  They also practiced the "dive bid", making an initial offer well above the cutdown then dropping it to just below.  This gave them a wide margin to work with should they win while narrowing their opponent's if they tried going lower.<ref name=FMWC66/>
 
The Clan also believed highly in the value of accurate intelligence before starting a military endeavor, though not to the exclusion of making a quick strike when necessary.  In addition to their role of controlling the Clan's logistics corps, the merchant caste was also responsible for gathering intelligence via the Chatterweb and other means.  So good were the merchants in this role they even outstripped the [[Clan Star Adder|Star Adders]] and their dedicated intelligence service in acquiring accurate information.<ref name=FMWC63/>  This intelligence was necessary for the Diamond Sharks' sharp bidding practices against other Clans.  The Diamond Sharks became masters of making the [[cutdown]] appear more or less than it truly was, forcing an opponent to bid too few forces to take the objective or give it up to the Diamond Sharks.  They also practiced the "dive bid", making an initial offer well above the cutdown then dropping it to just below.  This gave them a wide margin to work with should they win while narrowing their opponent's if they tried going lower.<ref name=FMWC66/>
  
Due to the equality between the castes, the Diamond Sharks practice a unique reserve system for replacing military losses.  Rather than remain warriors until death, Diamond Shark warriors could voluntarily "retire" to a lower caste — almost always the merchant caste — with very little loss of honor.  In fact if the warrior had earned their [[Bloodname]] and so secured their genetic legacy there was no loss of honor at all.  This was because these "warrior-traders" remained part of the Clan's reserve system and could be recalled at any time to service.  Bloodnamed warriors who fought an annual [[Trial of Position]] were allowed to remain part of the active reserves while the rest were considered inactive.  For this reason the Clan had very few ''[[solahma]]'' units, composed of warriors too stubborn to leave or disgraced in some way and seeking honor in death.<ref name=FMWC63/><ref name=FMWC64>''Field Manual: Warden Clans'', p. 64</ref>
+
Due to the equality between the castes, the Diamond Sharks practice a unique reserve system for replacing military losses.  Rather than remain warriors until death, Diamond Shark warriors could voluntarily "retire" to a lower caste — almost always the merchant caste — with very little loss of honor.  In fact if the warrior had earned their [[Bloodname]] and so secured their genetic legacy there was no loss of honor at all.  This was because these 'warrior-traders' remained part of the Clan's reserve system and could be recalled at any time to service.  Bloodnamed warriors who fought an annual [[Trial of Position]] were allowed to remain part of the active reserves while the rest were considered inactive.  For this reason the Clan had very few ''[[solahma]]'' units, composed of warriors too stubborn to leave or disgraced in some way and seeking honor in death.<ref name=FMWC63/><ref name=FMWC64>''Field Manual: Warden Clans'', p. 64</ref>
  
This reserve system was used for the first time after Tukayyid, but even so rebuilding their shattered forces proved to be too slow, and so the "Minus-One Testing" program was instituted.  An active reservist could immediately fill an open position within a second-line or garrison unit by willingly taking a demotion to one rank below what they'd earned: if in their last Trial of Position they had earned the rank of [[Star Colonel]] they could instead resume active duty as a [[Star Captain]].  Those on inactive duty would fight a new Trial of Position with the same terms of enlistment, and both would be allowed to advance back to their former positions through the normal methods once they were warriors again.  This swelled the ranks of those units responsible for defending the Diamond Sharks' vast holdings while the best warriors were able to quickly fight their way back to front-line units.  Additionally, in the rare case of a reservist being challenged to a [[Trial]] by an active duty warrior and winning, they were allowed to assume that warrior's rank and position.<ref name=FMWC64/>
+
This reserve system was used for the first time after Tukayyid, but even so rebuilding their shattered forces proved to be too slow, and so the 'Minus-One Testing' program was instituted.  An active reservist could immediately fill an open position within a second-line or garrison unit by willingly taking a demotion to one rank below what they'd earned: if in their last Trial of Position they had earned the rank of [[Star Colonel]] they could instead resume active duty as a [[Star Captain]].  Those on inactive duty would fight a new Trial of Position with the same terms of enlistment, and both would be allowed to advance back to their former positions through the normal methods once they were warriors again.  This swelled the ranks of those units responsible for defending the Diamond Sharks' vast holdings while the best warriors were able to quickly fight their way back to front-line units.  Additionally, in the rare case of a reservist being challenged to a [[Trial]] by an active duty warrior and winning, they were allowed to assume that warrior's rank and position.<ref name=FMWC64/>
  
 
==Inter-Clan Relations==
 
==Inter-Clan Relations==
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|-
 
|-
 
|'''[[Clan Blood Spirit]]'''
 
|'''[[Clan Blood Spirit]]'''
|[[Image:Clan Blood Spirit logo.png|100px]]
+
|[[Image:Clan Blood Spirit.jpg|100px]]
 
|Ally
 
|Ally
 
|They are notably one of the few Clans that dealt with the [[Clan Blood Spirit|Blood Spirits]] before their Abjuration from Clan space during the Wars of Reaving and the destruction of the Spirits in 3084.
 
|They are notably one of the few Clans that dealt with the [[Clan Blood Spirit|Blood Spirits]] before their Abjuration from Clan space during the Wars of Reaving and the destruction of the Spirits in 3084.
 
|-
 
|-
 
|'''[[Clan Ghost Bear]]'''
 
|'''[[Clan Ghost Bear]]'''
|[[Image:Clan Ghost Bear logo.png|100px]]
+
|[[Image:Clan Ghost Bear .jpg|100px]]
 
|Ally
 
|Ally
 
| The Sharks were close enough to the Ghost Bears that they gave their territories of [[Tokasha]] and Paxon to the Sharks, though they withdrew from Tokasha to hold onto Paxon. After their departure to the Inner Sphere, the Diamond Sharks would continue this respect by giving them fair trade.
 
| The Sharks were close enough to the Ghost Bears that they gave their territories of [[Tokasha]] and Paxon to the Sharks, though they withdrew from Tokasha to hold onto Paxon. After their departure to the Inner Sphere, the Diamond Sharks would continue this respect by giving them fair trade.
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|-
 
|-
 
|'''[[Clan Wolf-in-Exile]]'''
 
|'''[[Clan Wolf-in-Exile]]'''
|[[Image:Clan Wolf logo.png|100px]]
+
|[[Image:ClanWolf.gif|100px]]
 
|Ally
 
|Ally
 
| Historically, the Sharks have had good relations with Clan Wolf, and these continue with [[Clan Wolf-in-Exile]].
 
| Historically, the Sharks have had good relations with Clan Wolf, and these continue with [[Clan Wolf-in-Exile]].
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|-
 
|-
 
|'''[[Clan Wolf]]'''
 
|'''[[Clan Wolf]]'''
|[[Image:Clan Wolf logo.png|100px]]
+
|[[Image:ClanWolf.gif|100px]]
 
|Enemy
 
|Enemy
 
|Following the defeat of the Crusader Clans, Wolf Khan Vlad Ward would prevent Ian Hawker from assisting Jaguar ilKhan Lincoln Osis. After his defeat Vlad would claim his legacy as well as the entire Hawker linage. This would cause a souring of relations with the Crusader Clan Wolf.
 
|Following the defeat of the Crusader Clans, Wolf Khan Vlad Ward would prevent Ian Hawker from assisting Jaguar ilKhan Lincoln Osis. After his defeat Vlad would claim his legacy as well as the entire Hawker linage. This would cause a souring of relations with the Crusader Clan Wolf.
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==Bloodnames==
 
==Bloodnames==
As the originators of [[Iron Womb]] technology, Clan Diamond Shark had one of the best breeding programs of any Clan.  This included a willingness to experiment with new techniques and technologies even with the knowledge most attempts would not pan out.  It was the Diamond Sharks, building upon the Hell's Horses efforts, who helped solve many of the problems which caused high attrition among the [[Elemental]] phenotype, and as such had an edge over other clans with their proven and exclusive Elemental Bloodlines.<ref name=FMWC65>''Field Manual: Warden Clans'', p. 65</ref>
+
As the originators of [[Iron Womb]] technology, Clan Diamond Shark had one of the best breeding programs of any Clan.  This included a willingness to experiment with new techniques and technologies even with the knowledge most attempts would not pan out.  It was the Diamond Sharks, building upon the Hell's Horses efforts, who helped solve many the problems which caused high attrition among the [[Elemental]] phenotype, and as such had an edge over Clans with their proven and exclusive Elemental Bloodlines.<ref name=FMWC65>''Field Manual: Warden Clans'', p. 65</ref>
  
 
{{main|List of Bloodnames#Clan Sea Fox}}
 
{{main|List of Bloodnames#Clan Sea Fox}}

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