Difference between revisions of "Clan Hell's Horses"

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{{Update Needed|[[Historical: Operation Klondike]]|[[Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers]]|[[Era Digest: Golden Century]]|[[Objectives: Clans]]|[[Test of Vengeance]]|[[IlClan (sourcebook)|IlClan]]|[[Tamar Rising]]}}
 
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| crest = [[Image:Clan Hell's Horses.jpg|right|Clan Hell's Horses Logo]]
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| crest = [[Image:Clan Hell's Horses.jpg|center|Clan Hell's Horses Logo]]
 
| factionname = Clan Hell's Horses
 
| factionname = Clan Hell's Horses
 
| timeperiod = [[2807]] – Present
 
| timeperiod = [[2807]] – Present
 
| classification = [[Clan]]
 
| classification = [[Clan]]
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| systems = 53 (3151)<ref>''Shattered Fortress'', p. 102-103, "Inner Sphere - 3151"</ref>
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| systems = 53 (3151)<ref>''Shattered Fortress'', pp. 102–103: "Inner Sphere - 3151"</ref>
 
| capital = [[Csesztreg]]
 
| capital = [[Csesztreg]]
 
| rulertitle = [[Khan]]
 
| rulertitle = [[Khan]]
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| military = [[Clan Hell's Horses Touman]]
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| military = [[Clan Hell's Horses Touman|Clan Hell's Horses ''touman'']]
 
| secretservice = [[Watch#Clan Hell's Horses|Clan Hell's Horses Watch]]
 
| secretservice = [[Watch#Clan Hell's Horses|Clan Hell's Horses Watch]]
 
}}
 
}}
  
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'''Clan Hell's Horses''' is one of the original twenty [[Clans]] founded by [[Nicholas Kerensky]], named for the [[Hell's Horse (species)|Hell's Horses]] genetically engineered for the highland deserts of [[Circe]]. The Clan lives by the motto that "man comes before machine," a philosophy which values the individual soldier over whichever tool of warfare he uses. While this philosophy has resulted in some battlefield practices unique among the Clans, it also permeates other aspects of Clan Hell's Horses, such that all Clan members are treated as an integral part of the greater whole, regardless of their birth. Clan Hell's Horses are also famous for creating what would become [[Elemental|Elementals]], genetically enhanced infantry who have formed an important part of Clan warfare since their introduction.  
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'''Clan Hell's Horses''' is one of the original twenty [[Clans]] founded by [[Nicholas Kerensky]], named for the [[Hell's Horse (species)|Hell's Horses]] genetically engineered for the highland deserts of [[Circe]]. The Clan lives by the motto that "man comes before machine," a philosophy which values the individual soldier over whichever tool of warfare he uses. While this philosophy has resulted in some battlefield practices unique among the Clans, it also permeates other aspects of Clan Hell's Horses, such that all Clan members are treated as an integral part of the greater whole, regardless of their birth. Clan Hell's Horses are also famous for creating what would become [[Elemental|Elementals]], genetically enhanced infantry who have formed an important part of Clan warfare since their introduction.
  
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Despite being led by [[Crusader Clans|Crusaders]], the Clan did not take part in [[Operation Revival]], though it later managed to secure a number of [[Inner Sphere]] worlds during the 3070s. As a result of this exodus and the [[Wars of Reaving]], Clan Hell's Horses was sundered from the [[Clan Homeworlds]], with those who remained becoming [[Clan Stone Lion]].
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Despite being led by [[Crusader Clans|Crusaders]], the Clan did not take part in [[Operation REVIVAL]], though it later managed to secure a number of [[Inner Sphere]] worlds during the 3070s. As a result of this exodus and the [[Wars of Reaving]], Clan Hell's Horses was sundered from the [[Clan Homeworlds]], with those who remained becoming [[Clan Stone Lion]].
  
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The Clan remained a minor power from the post-Jihad years until the 3130s, when the rise of [[Malvina Hazen]] and [[Clan Wolf|Clan Wolf's]] migration deep into the Inner Sphere saw the Hell's Horses expand their territory and serve as increasingly unwilling allies to [[Clan Jade Falcon]]. By [[3151]] the Horses had ended their alliance with Hazen and asserted their status as an independent power in their own right, taking several planets from Clan Jade Falcon and the [[Rasalhague Dominion]].
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The Clan remained a minor power from the post-Jihad years until the 3130s, when the rise of [[Malvina Hazen]] and [[Clan Wolf|Clan Wolf's]] migration deep into the Inner Sphere saw the Hell's Horses expand their territory and serve as increasingly unwilling allies to [[Clan Jade Falcon]]. By [[3151]] the Horses had ended their alliance with Hazen and asserted their status as an independent power in their own right, taking several planets from Clan Jade Falcon and the [[Rasalhague Dominion]]. In the aftermath of the [[ilClan Trial]], the Horses rejected [[IlKhan of the Clans|ilKhan]] [[Alaric Ward]] and his [[Third Star League|new Star League]] before expanding into [[The Hinterlands|the Hinterlands]].
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
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{{Main|History of Clan Hell's Horses}}
 
===Founding===
 
===Founding===
 
Clan Hell's Horses was founded by [[Lieutenant General]] [[John Fletcher]], commander of the [[35th Infantry Division]] of the [[Star League Defense Force]].  General Fletcher, a staunch loyalist of General [[Aleksandr Kerensky]], took part in the invasion to [[Operation Liberation|liberate Terra]] from [[Stefan Amaris]] during the [[Amaris Civil War]].  Fletcher's loyalty to Kerensky and the ideals of the [[Star League]] would inspire him to join the [[Operation Exodus|First Exodus]] from the Inner Sphere in the wake of that terrible conflict and settle on the [[Pentagon Worlds]] to start anew.<ref name=FMCC53>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 53</ref>
 
Clan Hell's Horses was founded by [[Lieutenant General]] [[John Fletcher]], commander of the [[35th Infantry Division]] of the [[Star League Defense Force]].  General Fletcher, a staunch loyalist of General [[Aleksandr Kerensky]], took part in the invasion to [[Operation Liberation|liberate Terra]] from [[Stefan Amaris]] during the [[Amaris Civil War]].  Fletcher's loyalty to Kerensky and the ideals of the [[Star League]] would inspire him to join the [[Operation Exodus|First Exodus]] from the Inner Sphere in the wake of that terrible conflict and settle on the [[Pentagon Worlds]] to start anew.<ref name=FMCC53>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 53</ref>
  
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However, old divisions among the population soon festered into a new [[Pentagon Civil War|civil war]], and despite gathering together like-minded soldiers to restore order in Kerensky's name Fletcher was unable to prevent the outbreak of warfare.  When Kerensky died Fletcher accompanied his son, [[Nicholas Kerensky]], on the [[Second Exodus]] to the [[Kerensky Cluster]] where the Clans were formed.<ref name=FMCC53/>
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For his loyalty, Fletcher was made [[Khan]] of Clan Hell's Horses, and he chose [[Colonel]] [[Patricia Cobb]], one of his most able 'Mech [[battalion]] commanders from the Thirty-fifth, as his [[saKhan]].  Together they forged their Clan into one which placed its focus first and foremost on its warriors.  For this reason they requested a smaller share of [[BattleMech]] forces in return for a larger share of [[Combat Vehicle|conventional armor]] and approval to train additional [[infantry]] from decommissioned [[WarShip]] crews.  In short order they were able to put together an impressive combined-arms army, bucking current military orthodoxy that saw the 'Mech as the supreme battlefield weapon.  While their critics foresaw the Clan's demise, the Hell's Horses' performance would eventually cast aside the myth of 'Mech dominance.<ref name=FMCC53/>
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For his loyalty, Fletcher was made [[Khan]] of Clan Hell's Horses, and he chose [[Colonel]] [[Patricia Cobb]], one of his most able 'Mech [[battalion]] commanders from the Thirty-fifth, as his [[saKhan]].  Together they forged their Clan into one which placed its focus first and foremost on its warriors.  For this reason they requested a smaller share of [[BattleMech]] forces in return for a larger share of [[Combat Vehicle|conventional armor]] and approval to train additional [[infantry]] from decommissioned [[WarShip]] crews.  In short order they were able to put together an impressive combined-arms army, bucking current military orthodoxy that saw the 'Mech as the supreme battlefield weapon.  While their critics foresaw the Clan's demise, the Hell's Horses' performance would eventually cast aside the myth of 'Mech dominance.<ref name=FMCC53/>  
 
  
 
===Operation Klondike===
 
===Operation Klondike===
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During the trials for participating in the coveted [[Eden]] invasion part of [[Operation Klondike]], the Hell's Horses won a surprise victory over [[Clan Ghost Bear]].<ref>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 89</ref>  For the most part the Horses were assigned auxiliary or rear-area duties, until Khan Fletcher convinced Nicholas to assign his Clan an independent operation, the conquest of the [[Purgatory Peninsula]].<ref>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 91</ref> The peninsula, located in the western part of the continent of [[Irkutsk]], was home to a collection of city-states locked in conflict. Of the city-states, the most important ones were Allah, Dante and Vesta.<ref>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 91-92, 138</ref><ref name=FMCC53/>
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During the Trials for participating in the coveted [[Eden]] invasion part of [[Operation Klondike]], the Hell's Horses won a surprise victory over [[Clan Ghost Bear]].<ref>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 89</ref>  For the most part the Horses were assigned auxiliary or rear-area duties, until Khan Fletcher convinced Nicholas to assign his Clan an independent operation, the conquest of the [[Purgatory Peninsula]].<ref>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 91</ref> The Horses were able to conquer the Peninsula on their own by exploiting their enemies' tendency to focus on attacking 'Mechs to the exclusion of conventional armor and infantry. The success of the Peninsula Campaign would prove to be an apt demonstration of the Hell's Horses' combined-arms philosophy.<ref>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', pp. 91–92, 138</ref><ref name=FMCC53/>
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While the city-states were no friends of each other, they did unite against the invaders and put together a combined force which outnumbered the Hell's Horses six to one.  After suffering from a series of ambushes that destroyed several Clan scout 'Mechs, Fletcher began looking for flaws in the enemy's strategy and realized that they fixated on targeting 'Mechs above "inferior" tanks and infantry.  He put this knowledge to good use in the Clan's counter-insurgency strategy by using their 'Mechs as bait to draw out the rebels so they could be smashed by conventional forces. By the end of the two-week campaign the Hell's Horses had completely smashed all resistance on the peninsula, proving the success of their unorthodox tactics and suffering fewer equipment losses than other Clans which preferred to slug it out 'Mech-to-'Mech.  Vesta, the largest and last city to fall, would be renamed Hades and transformed into the Hell's Horses' capital.<ref>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 91-92</ref><ref name=FMCC54>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 54</ref>
 
  
 
===Golden Century===
 
===Golden Century===
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Their peculiar philosophy led most of the other Clans to dismiss them - [[Clan Ghost Bear|Ghost Bear]] Khan [[Hans Jorgensson]] called the Hell's Horses development of new tank designs "funny and sad at the same time".<ref>''BattleTech: Betrayal of Ideals'' p. 48</ref> The Horses tended to keep to themselves until they learned of the [[Elemental (battle armor)|Elemental infantry armor]] by [[Clan Wolf]]. Eager to obtain the Elemental armor, the Hell's Horses entered a series of trials with Clan Wolf where the armor was put up against the infantry breeding protocols that the Hell's Horses had discovered. These gigantic warriors would be known as [[Elemental|'Elementals']].<ref name=FM:CCp54>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 54 - "Golden Century"</ref>
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The Horses tended to keep to themselves until they learned of the [[Elemental (Battle Armor)|Elemental infantry armor]] by [[Clan Wolf]]. Eager to obtain the Elemental armor, the Hell's Horses entered a series of Trials with Clan Wolf where the armor was put up against the infantry breeding protocols that the Hell's Horses had discovered. These gigantic warriors would be known as [[Elemental|'Elementals']].<ref name=FM:CCp54>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 54: "Golden Century"</ref> The Hell's Horses won one of the three Trials and so obtained the Elemental armor.
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The Hell's Horses won one of the three trials and so obtained the Elemental armor. Other Clans challenged the Hell's Horses for the breeding rights, among them [[Clan Fire Mandrill]]. In [[2870]], [[Kindraa Smythe-Jewel]] of the Fire Mandrills used deceptive bidding tactics to give the impression of a much smaller force and won the trial.  Kindraa Payne would take the brunt of the [[Trial of Possession]], while the Smythe-Jewels walked away with new Elemental breeding protocols and Battle Armor.<ref>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 39 - "Striking from Solitude"</ref> The Horses' Khan [[Eric Amirault]] demanded a [[Trial of Annihilation]] but was denied by a Grand Council vote. As the Hell's Horses prepared to move against the Fire Mandrills, [[Clan Coyote]]'s Khan [[Manfred Hollifield]] stepped in. They too had been cheated by ''Kindraa'' Smythe-Jewel in their bid for the [[OmniMech]] a few years prior.<ref name=FM:CCp54,55>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 54, 55 - "Hell's Fury"</ref>
 
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Seeing the wisdom in joining together, the Hell's Horses arranged for a contract bid to include the Coyotes in the Hell's Horses trial against the Kindraa. The combined Hell's Horses-Coyote task force descended on the Smythe-Jewel enclave on [[Foster]] and challenged them to a Trial that saw the death of the ''Kindraa'' Smythe-Jewel. Half the genetic legacies and most of the battle salvage was taken by the Horses and the Coyotes took the enclave, the bondsmen, and the rest of the legacies, with small shares of each going to [[Kindraa Payne]], which had joined in the final stages of the battle, trapping the last Smythe-Jewels as they attempted to flee.  The Clans each parted with great respect for one another.  This action did much to win the Hell's Horses a good measure of respect from the rest of the Clans as well.<ref name=FM:CCp54,55/><ref>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 39 - "Death of a Kindraa"</ref><ref>''Field Manual: Warden Clans'', p. 41, 42 - "Righteous Vengeance"</ref><ref name=ED:GCp9,10>''Era Digest: Golden Century'', p. 9, 10 - "Bad Blood"</ref>
 
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For a time it looked as though the Hell's Horses might shift away from their combined-arms, heavy reliance on vehicle philosophy and more towards the use of BattleMechs. But all that changed when 'Mechworks Alpha on [[Tokasha]], their primary 'Mech factory, was targeted by [[Clan Ghost Bear]] during a [[Trial of Possession]]. The Horses bid an entire Galaxy in its defense which the Bears matched.  It was a fierce, pitched battle but seemed to favor the Hell's Horses until a stray shot slew the beloved Ghost Bear [[Khan]] [[Kilbourne Jorgensson]]. The outraged Ghost Bears tore into the Hell's Horses in a berserk fury, forcing them to withdraw.<ref name=ED:GCp9,10/>
 
  
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===Pre-Invasion===
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Other Clans challenged the Hell's Horses for the breeding rights, among them [[Clan Fire Mandrill]]. In [[2870]], [[Kindraa Smythe-Jewel]] of the Fire Mandrills used deceptive bidding tactics to give the impression of a much smaller force and won the Trial. Kindraa Payne would take the brunt of the [[Trial of Possession]], while the Smythe-Jewels walked away with new Elemental breeding protocols and Battle Armor.<ref>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 39: "Striking from Solitude"</ref> The Horses' Khan [[Eric Amirault]] demanded a [[Trial of Annihilation]] but was denied by a Grand Council vote. As the Hell's Horses prepared to move against the Fire Mandrills, [[Clan Coyote]]'s Khan [[Manfred Hollifield]] stepped in. They too had been cheated by Kindraa Smythe-Jewel in their bid for the [[OmniMech]] a few years prior.<ref name=FM:CCp54,55>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', pp. 54–55: "Hell's Fury"</ref> A combined Hell's Horses-Coyote task force descended on the Smythe-Jewel enclave on [[Foster]] and challenged them to a Trial that saw the death of the Kindraa Smythe-Jewel. The Clans each parted with great respect for one another.  This action did much to win the Hell's Horses a good measure of respect from the rest of the Clans as well.<ref name=FM:CCp54,55/><ref>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 39: "Death of a Kindraa"</ref><ref>''Field Manual: Warden Clans'', pp. 41–42: "Righteous Vengeance"</ref><ref name=ED:GCp9,10>''Era Digest: Golden Century'', pp. 9–10: "Bad Blood"</ref>
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The loss of Metal Works Alpha and Kilbourne Jorgensson sparked a fierce feud between the Hell's Horses and Ghost Bears.<ref name=ED:GCp9,10/> When the Ghost Bears launched a Trial of Possession for Industriplex Alpha on [[Niles (Clan planet)|Niles]], the Hell's Horses' homeworld, another fierce battle ensued. Though the Horses emerged victorious they lost their Khan, [[Lair Seidman]]. He was replaced by [[Malavai Fletcher]], an Elemental who was horribly injured in that battle.<ref>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 56, 57 - "The Horse and the Bear"</ref>
 
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Fletcher, a staunch [[Crusader Clans|Crusader]], managed to appoint enough Crusaders in his [[Clan]] to leadership positions to push the Horses into the Crusader camp, despite the fact that many among the Horses' rank and file were Wardens.  This political shift helped to make [[Operation Revival]] a reality after [[Comstar]]'s ''Outbound Light'' appeared over the [[Smoke Jaguar]] world of [[Huntress]] in [[3048]].  The Horses would be eliminated from the invasion early on, but this did not bother Khan Fletcher too much.  His leadership during the invasion years kept his Clan out of much of the infighting in the [[Clan Homeworlds]], instead keeping them focused on building their strength.<ref>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 57 - "Crusader's Call"</ref>
 
  
 
===The Invasion===
 
===The Invasion===
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When [[Clan Ice Hellion]]'s Khan [[Asa Taney]] formed his Home Clan Coalition in the wake of [[Tukayyid]], Khan [[Fletcher]] stood by him, supporting the effort to renew the invasion. Though they would not get the invasion they wanted, the [[Harvest Trials]] presented their own opportunity.<ref name=FM:CCp57>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 57 - "Current Events"</ref>
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Though the [[Crusader]] Horses did not win a place in the invasion, they did manage to find a way to obtain worlds in the [[Inner Sphere]]. When Khan [[Vladimir Ward]] of the Wolves started the [[Harvest Trials]], Khan Fletcher convinced him to bid Hell's Horses units in contract bids (much as the Hell's Horses had done with the Coyotes) without first winning those units to the Wolves. Khan Ward agreed and ceded three worlds in the Clan Wolf Occupation Zone: [[Stanzach]], [[Vorarlberg]], and [[Engadin]] to Clan Hell's Horses.<ref>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 57</ref> During the [[Great Refusal]] on [[Strana Mechty]], the Hell's Horses fought against and lost to the [[Free Rasalhague Republic]]'s [[3rd Drakøns|Third Drakøns]]. Later, the Hell's Horses raided the Ghost Bear Occupation Zone (renamed the [[Ghost Bear Dominion]]) while the Ghost Bears were at war with the [[Draconis Combine]]. The Horses attacked from their Inner Sphere holdings that they had been gifted by Clan Wolf in 3064 - this was part of a political maneuver on the part of Wolf Khan [[Vlad Ward]] to tempt the Horses into attacking the Ghost Bear Dominion, weakening both of the Wolves' rival Clans.<ref>''Test of Vengeance'', ch. 3</ref> However, after the war with the Combine ended, the Bears retaliated and seized all three of the Hell's Horses worlds, sending them back to Clan Space. Khan Malavai Fletcher's leadership was challenged and he was slain by [[James Cobb]], a Warden, who assumed the Khanship.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 13: "Armed Politics"</ref>
  
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Though the Horses did not win a place in the invasion, they did manage to find a way to obtain worlds in the [[Inner Sphere]]. When Khan [[Vladimir Ward]] of the Wolves started the [[Harvest Trials]], Khan Fletcher convinced him to bid Hell's Horses units in contract bids (much as the Hell's Horses had done with the Coyotes) without first winning those units to the Wolves. Khan Ward agreed and ceded three worlds in the Clan Wolf Occupation Zone: [[Stanzach]], [[Vorarlberg]], and [[Engadin]] to Clan Hell's Horses.<ref name=FM:CCp57/>
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In December of 3067, [[Clan Star Adder|Star Adder]] [[Khan of Clan Star Adder|Khan]] [[Stanislov N'Buta]] uncovered James Cobb's plan to invade the Inner Sphere after reports from a successful Trial of Possession against the Hell's Horses for some supplies on [[Nouveaux Paris]]. Confronting Cobb with this information, N'Buta and the Horse Khan bargained that N'Buta would keep the Horses' secret in exchange for access to the manufacturing facilities on Nouveaux Paris. The two Khans also bargained that Clan Star Adder would attack Clan Wolf's territory in the Clan Homeworlds, in order to distract the Wolves from the Horses' operations - in return, the Horses would cede [[Hoard]] to Clan Star Adder.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 33: "Absent but Present"</ref>
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During the [[Great Refusal]] on [[Strana Mechty]], the Hell's Horses fought against and lost to the [[Free Rasalhague Republic]]'s [[3rd Drakøns|Third Drakøns]].
 
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During the numerous Trials of Possession that were launched following the Annihilation of the [[Clan Smoke Jaguar|Smoke Jaguars]], Abjuration of the [[Clan Nova Cat|Nova Cats]], and relocation of the Ghost Bears, the Hell's Horses managed to seize large portions of [[Bearclaw]], [[Hoard]], and [[Tokasha]], pitting them against forces from the [[Clan Jade Falcon|Jade Falcons]], [[Clan Ice Hellion|Ice Hellions]], and [[Clan Snow Raven|Snow Ravens]]. The Horses also managed to seize the last portion of [[Kirin]] making it an exclusive Hell's Horses possession. Consequently, the Horses' ''touman'' was able to grow strong and viable among those of the other Homeworld Clans.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.15, "Balance of Power"</ref> However, at this time the Horses' [[Watch]] noticed an increase in the tension between the Clan's [[Crusader]] officer corps and its [[Warden]] rank-and-file.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.18, "Passing the Torch"</ref>
 
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When [[Clan Cloud Cobra]] presented their first [[Babylon Diet]], a massive religious conference involving both Clan and Spheroid religious delegates, to the Clan Council, the Hell's Horses voted in support of it. Ultimately, however, the Diet was of little consequence other than a political stumbling block for [[Clan Coyote]].<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.24, "Coyote Diet"</ref>
 
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Not long after they gained full control of Kirin, the Hell's Horses raided the Ghost Bear Occupation Zone (renamed the [[Ghost Bear Dominion]]) while the Ghost Bears were at war with the [[Draconis Combine]]. The Horses attacked from their Inner Sphere holdings that they had been gifted by Clan Wolf in 3064. However, after the war with the Combine ended, the Bears retaliated and seized all three of the Hell's Horses worlds, sending them back to Clan Space. Khan Malavai Fletcher's leadership was challenged and he was slain by [[James Cobb]], a Warden, who assumed the Khanship.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.13, "Armed Politics"</ref>
 
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In [[3067]], the Horses and Clan Wolf fought a Trial of Possession over [[Tiber (Clan planet)|Tiber]], which degenerated into a melee when the Wolves broke ''zellbrigen''. In response, the Horses called in the remainder of their initial bid and defeated the Wolves.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.32, "Absent but Present"</ref>
 
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Two weeks later, the Grand Council met to discuss the collapse of the [[Second Star League]] - the Hell's Horses did not attend either in person or remotely, as their Khan [[James Cobb]] was preoccupied with covertly arranging for the Clan's relocation to the Inner Sphere by way of an invasion of the Wolves' Occupation Zone.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.32, "Absent but Present"</ref>
 
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In December of 3067, [[Clan Star Adder|Star Adder]] [[Khan of Clan Star Adder|Khan]] [[Stanislov N'Buta]] uncovered James Cobb's plan to invade the Inner Sphere after reports from a successful Trial of Possession against the Hell's Horses for some supplies on [[Nouveaux Paris]]. Confronting Cobb with this information, N'Buta and the Horse Khan bargained that N'Buta would keep the Horses' secret in exchange for access to the manufacturing facilities on Nouveaux Paris. The two Khans also bargained that Clan Star Adder would attack Clan Wolf's territory in the Clan Homeworlds, in order to distract the Wolves from the Horses' operations - in return, the Horses would cede [[Hoard]] to Clan Star Adder.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.33, "Absent but Present"</ref>
 
  
 
===Wars of Reaving and the Jihad===
 
===Wars of Reaving and the Jihad===
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In [[3068]], as part of an intelligence-gathering mission, the Hell's Horses [[91st Mechanized Assault (Clan Hell's Horses)|91st Mechanized Assault Cluster]] Trialed for and won the entire contents of the Ghost Bear Dominion Watch's database as well as three [[DropShips]]. As part of this successful operation, Horses Khan Cobb claimed Ghost Bear ''ristar'' [[Jake Kabrinski]] as a bondsman as part of a long-term plan to win an alliance with the Ghost Bear Dominion.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 34: "The Rise of the Warrior-Ambassador"</ref>
  
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In [[3068]], as part of an intelligence-gathering mission, the Hell's Horses [[91st Mechanized Assault (Clan Hell's Horses)|91st Mechanised Assault Cluster]] trialed for and won the entire contents of the Ghost Bear Dominion Watch's database as well as three [[DropShips]]. As part of this successful operation, Horses Khan Cobb claimed Ghost Bear ''ristar'' [[Jake Kabrinski]] as a bondsman as part of a long-term plan to win an alliance with the Ghost Bear Dominion.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.34, "The Rise of the Warrior-Ambassador"</ref> The mission complete, Cobb returned to the Homeworlds and entreated [[Clan Snow Raven]] for the construction of a large mobile shipyard.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.35, "Secret Moves, Secret Worlds"</ref>  
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In [[3070]] Clan Hell's Horses would finally commence their migration to the Inner Sphere. Establishing a limited alliance with Clan Ice Hellion, the Horses attacked the Clan Wolf Occupation Zone and managed to secure multiple worlds from the Wolves, as well as founding a new [[Omega Galaxy (Clan Hell's Horses)|Omega Galaxy]] from Wolf ''abtakha'' who eagerly assimilated into the Horses.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 57: "Hellion Folly, Horse's Gains"</ref>
  
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However, Cobb became concerned that his motives were becoming obvious when the [[saKhan]] of [[Clan Ice Hellion]], [[Connor Rood]], approached him for an alliance, suggesting that he knew what Cobb and the Horses were up to. Cobb attempted to delay any talks for an alliance, while ordering saKhan [[Tanya DeLaurel]] to attack Clan Wolf in the Homeworlds as a further misdirection. Unfortunately this attack did not end well for the Horses, and DeLaurel was forced to redeploy to counter opportunistic aggression by [[Kindraa Mick-Kline-Kreese-Sainze (Clan Fire Mandrill)|Kindraa Mick-Kline-Kreese-Sainze]] of [[Clan Fire Mandrill]].<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.37, "Politics and Problems"</ref> The Hellions would end up supporting the Horses in this, and the joint force would fully repel the Mandrills by [[3069]].<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.36, "Quiet Movements"</ref>
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The following year of [[3071]] saw the next phase of expansion by the Hell's Horses - by April, the Horses had taken no less than twenty-nine worlds from Clan Wolf, including [[Steelton]] and [[Csesztreg]], the world that would eventually become the capital of the Horses' Occupation Zone.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 65: "Merges and Moves"</ref>
  
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In that same year, the Hell's Horses would determine that they would have to leave behind all materiel that could not be brought with them on their relocation to the Inner Sphere. Over the course of the next two years, the Clan would discreetly give away many of their Homeworlds holdings to Clans Coyote, Star Adder and [[Clan Diamond Shark|Diamond Shark]].<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.53, "The Coyote Prowls"</ref>
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After a failed attempt by [[Clan Jade Falcon]] to take Steelton in April of 3071, that world would eventually be wrested away from the Hell's Horses in September by their erstwhile allies in Clan Ice Hellion.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 71: "The Hellion Strikes"</ref> The following month, Horses Khan Cobb and [[Khan of Clan Jade Falcon|Falcon Khan]] [[Marthe Pryde]] agreed to cease hostilities between their two Clans and instead jointly attack the Ice Hellions. By February of 3072, the Horses had taken nine worlds from the Ice Hellions,<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 84: "Icy Fire"</ref> and the matter was settled in March when a joint Jade Falcon-Hell's Horses force (including the Horses' Iota Galaxy, which had been partially relocated from the Homeworlds by this time) assaulted the Hellions' last remaining world of [[Vantaa]] and crushed the [[Clan Ice Hellion Touman|Hellion ''touman'']], all but annihilating the Ice Hellions.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 85: "Icy Fire"</ref>
  
−
In [[3070]] Clan Hell's Horses would finally commence their migration to the Inner Sphere. Establishing an limited alliance with Clan Ice Hellion, the Horses attacked the Clan Wolf Occupation Zone and managed to secure multiple worlds from both the Wolves, as well as founding a new [[Omega Galaxy (Clan Hell's Horses)|Omega Galaxy]] from Wolf ''abtakha'' who eagerly assimilated into the Horses.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.57, "Hellion Folly, Horse's Gains"</ref> Omega Galaxy would go on to spearhead further incursions into Wolf territory, while Khan Cobb tasked [[Epsilon Galaxy (Clan Hell's Horses)|Epsilon]], [[Zeta Galaxy (Clan Hell's Horses)|Zeta]], [[Eta Galaxy (Clan Hell's Horses)|Eta]] and [[Iota Galaxy (Clan Hell's Horses)|Iota]] Galaxies under the command of [[Loremaster]] [[Temuchin Amirault]] to defend the Horses' remaining territory in the Clan Homeworlds. Some officers of Iota Galaxy would attempt [[Trial of Grievance|Trials of Grievance]] in protest of these orders, but none would succeed.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.57, "Hellion Folly, Horse's Gains"</ref>
+
However, while the Hell's Horses were going from strength to strength in the Inner Sphere, the same could not be said of the portion of their civilian castes and ''touman'' remaining in the Clan Homeworlds. The [[Wars of Reaving]] and the machinations of [[The Society]] had consumed the Clan Homeworlds, and the Hell's Horses remaining there were isolated and cut off from their leadership which now resided in the Inner Sphere. The Horses' population in the Homeworlds were easy prey for other Clans. Similarly, the Horses' territory in the [[Deep Periphery]] was under threat, and an attempt to liberate Nouveaux Paris from a Society coup ended in disaster when Eta Galaxy was badly mauled by a [[Clan Burrock]] ambush, losing nearly all but a Cluster.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 118: "Spreading Contagion"</ref> Having suffered extreme casualties, Eta Galaxy was disbanded and its remaining troops sent to bolster other damaged formations in the Horses ''touman''.<ref>''Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers'', p. 145: The Raging Horsemen"</ref>
  
−
The following year of [[3071]] saw the next phase of expansion by the Hell's Horses - by April, the Horses had taken no less than twenty-nine worlds from Clan Wolf, including [[Steelton]] and [[Csesztreg]], the world that would eventually become the capital of the Horses' Occupation Zone.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.65, "Merges and Moves"</ref> (Despite this, the Horses still voted against the [[ilKhan]] [[Brett Andrews]]' motion to [[Trial of Annihilation|Annihilate]] the Wolves.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.66, "Merges and Moves"</ref>) The Horses' offensive finally halted when the Wolves drew their "line of death" from [[Ferleiten]] to [[Ridderkerk]] and [[Zoetermeer]], which the Horses would unsuccessfully poke in September of 3071.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.74, "Line of Death"</ref>
+
Eventually, the Horses would be successful in carving out their own occupation zone, becoming members of the [[Council of Six Clans]]. They would join the other Spheroid Clans in cutting off all relations with their Homeworld brethren and join with Devlin Stone's coalition, lending it a Cluster of warriors.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 175: "Clan Hell's Horses"</ref>
  
−
After failed attempt by [[Clan Jade Falcon]] to take Steelton in April of 3071, that world would eventually be wrested away from the Hell's Horses in September by their erstwhile allies in Clan Ice Hellion.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.71, "The Hellion Strikes"</ref> The following month, Horses Khan Cobb and [[Khan of Clan Jade Falcon|Falcon Khan]] [[Marthe Pryde]] agreed to cease hostilities between their two Clans and instead jointly attack the Ice Hellions. By February of 3072, the Horses had taken nine worlds from the Ice Hellions,<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.84, "Icy Fire"</ref> and the matter was settled in March when a joint Jade Falcon-Hell's Horses force (including the Horses' Iota Galaxy, which had been partially relocated from the Homeworlds by this time) assaulted the Hellion's last remaining world of [[Vantaa]] and crushed the Hellion ''touman'', slaying the Hellion Khan [[Raina Montose]] and leaving barely a Cluster's worth of Hellions alive to flee to the [[Periphery]] with their [[SaKhan of Clan Ice Hellion|saKhan]] Connor Rood (who would eventually become the Khan of [[Clan Goliath Scorpion]]<ref>''Operational Turning Points: Hanseatic Crusade'', p. 8</ref>).<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.85, "Icy Fire"</ref>
+
Those Hell's Horses who survived the Wars of Reaving in the Homeworlds were accused by their brethren of being tainted due to the Horses' involvement with the [[Clan Wolf-in-Exile|exiled Wolves]] and [[Kell Hounds]] mercenary unit. [[Zeta Galaxy (Clan Stone Lion)|Zeta Galaxy]] Commander [[Magnus DelVillar]], the senior remaining Horses officer, countered these claims by pointing out that none of his warriors had actually been to the Inner Sphere themselves. After a hard-fought [[Trial of Refusal]], the Grand Council motion to [[Trial of Abjuration|Abjure]] the bulk of Clan Hell's Horses was upheld, as was the [[Rite of Absorption|Absorption]] by [[Clan Star Adder]] of the "untainted" Horses in the Homeworlds. However, Adder Khan Stanislov N'Buta was impressed enough with the Horses' conduct that he offered DelVillar an alternative, and in short order [[Clan Stone Lion]] was formed from those Horses remaining in the Clan Homeworlds.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', pp. 146–149</ref>
−
 
 
−
However, while the Hell's Horses were going from strength to strength in the Inner Sphere, the same could not be said of the portion of their civilian castes and ''touman'' remaining in the Clan Homeworlds. The [[Wars of Reaving]] and the machinations of [[The Society]] had consumed the Clan Homeworlds, and the Hell's Horses remaining there were isolated and cut off from their leadership which now resided in the Inner Sphere. The Horses' population in the Homeworlds were easy prey for other Clans, demonstrated in such incidents as the slaying of an entire planet's worth of Horses ''sibko'' by Clan Cloud Cobra on Niles in February of 3072,<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.96, "Sandbagging the Breach"</ref> or when [[Clan Blood Spirit]] conquered [[Eden]] and absorbed the entire Hell's Horses population there in early [[3073]].<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.122, "The Defamation of Albion"</ref> Similarly, the Horses' territory in the [[Deep Periphery]] was under threat, and an attempt to liberate Nouveaux Paris from a Society coup ended in disaster when Eta Galaxy was badly mauled by a [[Clan Burrock]] ambush, losing nearly all but a Cluster.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.118, "Spreading Contagion"</ref>
 
−
 
 
−
The Hell's Horses in the Inner Sphere would have their own reckoning with the Society when the [[SLOT virus]] released by the Society's leader, [[Etienne]], caused the widespread failure of [[HPG|HPG networks]] across Horses, Wolf and Jade Falcon territory in 3073.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.113, "Silence of the Falcon"</ref> In May of that year, the Horses' Watch uncovered elements of the Clan's scientist caste colluding with members of the Society, and began a thorough purge of their own scientists.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.118, "Spreading Contagion"</ref>
 
−
 
 
−
In [[3074]], the Hell's Horses agreed a ten-year truce with Clan Jade Falcon, sealed by the exchange of some remaining members of the Horses' scientist caste for the Falcon worlds of Persistence and Winfield.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.175, "Clan Hell's Horses"</ref>
 
−
 
 
−
Eventually, the Horses would be successful in carving out their own occupation zone, becoming members of the [[Council of Six Clans]]. They would join the other Spheroid Clans in cutting off all relations with their homeworld brethren and join with Devlin Stone's coalition, lending it a Cluster of warriors.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.175, "Clan Hell's Horses"</ref>
 
−
 
 
−
In 3080, Clan Wolf would make several attempts at regaining some of their lost territory - the Wolves attacked four worlds, but were only able to briefly capture [[Harvest]] before the Horses retook it. However, the Horses would soon see the death of two of their Khans - Khan Cobb died in his sleep in mid-October of 3080,<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.175, "Clan Hell's Horses"</ref> and his successor Khan DeLaurel was killed in action while defending [[Bruben]] from the Wolves in the following year. Jake Kabrinski, Cobb's right-hand man who had been instrumental in brokering good faith between the Horses and the Ghost Bear Dominion, was elected to the office of Khan in 3081.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.188, "Jake Kabrinski"</ref>
 
−
 
 
−
Those Hell's Horses who survived the Wars of Reaving in the Homeworlds were accused by their brethren of being tainted due to the Horses' involvement with the [[Clan Wolf-in-Exile|exiled Wolves]] and [[Kell Hounds]] mercenary unit. [[Zeta Galaxy (Clan Stone Lion)|Zeta Galaxy]] Commander [[Magnus DelVillar]], the senior remaining Horses officer, countered these claims by pointing out that none of his warriors had actually been to the Inner Sphere themselves. After a hard fought [[Trial of Refusal]], the Grand Council motion to [[Trial of Abjuration|Abjure]] the bulk of Clan Hell's Horses was upheld, as was the [[Rite of Absorption|Absorption]] by [[Clan Star Adder]] of the 'untainted' Horses in the Homeworlds. However, Adder Khan Stanislov N'Buta was impressed enough with the Horses' conduct that he offered DelVillar an alternative, and in short order [[Clan Stone Lion]] was formed from those Horses remaining in the Clan Homeworlds.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 146-149</ref>
 
−
 
 
−
===Post-Jihad Era===
 
−
The Horses found themselves facing a number of problems in the wake of the [[Jihad]]. While the Clan was buoyant following their successes and enjoyed a touman larger than that of the Wolves and broadly comparable in size to that of the Falcons, their warriors were heavily committed. Internally, elements of both the intelligence organization [[Mimir]] and the [[Motstånd]] terrorist network continued to make life difficult for the Horses domestically, while the Rasalhagian population of the [[Ghost Bear Dominion]] continued to press [[Clan Ghost Bear]] to attack the Horses occupation zone and reclaim ethnically Rasalhagian worlds. Adding to the external threat from the Ghost Bears was the desire on the part of the Jade Falcons to reclaim the worlds that the Horses had opportunistically snatched during the incursion into the Falcon occupation zone by the [[Clan Ice Hellion|Ice Hellions]].<ref name="J:FRp111">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 111, "Clan Hell's Horses"</ref>
 
  
 
===Dark Age===
 
===Dark Age===
−
Having firmly established their Occupation Zone - carved out of former Wolf, Jade Falcon and Ice Hellion territory - the Hell's Horses found themselves trapped between powerful neighbours.<ref>''Era Report: 3145'' p. 60</ref> However, their relatively egalitarian interpretations of Clan society worked in their favour for integration of conquered worlds. In captured territory the Hell's Horses were content to adopt a 'hands-off' approach to integration. The Clan warrior caste ruled from so-called "DropShip cities", which were effectively urban sprawls constructed around the initial landing zones used by the Horses during their conquest. Satisfied mainly to leave the native populations to themselves as long as order was maintained and production quotas met, the Hell's Horses built a flourishing model of civilian integration second only to that found in the [[Rasalhague Dominion]]<ref>''Era Report: 3145'' p. 60</ref>. The native populations, used to the hard regimes of the Wolves and Jade Falcons, largely welcomed the change. In some cases, however, years of repression by the natives' previous masters left them resentful of Clan administration, and some chose to exploit the greater leniency of the Hell's Horses to establish black markets for luxuries not available within the Clan way of life.<ref>''Field Manual: 3145'' p. 151</ref>
+
Having firmly established their Occupation Zone - carved out of former Wolf, Jade Falcon and Ice Hellion territory - the Hell's Horses found themselves trapped between powerful neighbors.<ref name=ER3145p60>''Era Report: 3145'', p. 60</ref> During the [[Dark Age]], a tactical doctrine was developed by the Horses: the "[[Mongol Doctrine]]". The Doctrine, initially proposed during the 3080s by one [[Star Colonel]] [[Domnall Seidman]], emphasized the rapid use of light vehicles and 'Mechs to engage in hit-and-run tactics, drawing foes into position for heavy and assault-class 'Mechs and vehicles to strike. This was practiced by the [[1st Horde Cluster (Clan Hell's Horses)|First Horde Cluster]], a command granted to Seidman to test his new Doctrine. The Doctrine, as Seidman envisioned it, became popular among the Horses - however, a radical reinterpretation of the Mongol Doctrine used by Clan Jade Falcon, led by the infamous Galaxy Commander [[Malvina Hazen]], focused less on the tactical use of light assets and instead on the psychological impact of subjecting enemies to maximum brutality in order to weaken their morale and that of their allies.<ref name=ER3145p60 /> This "perversion" of the Mongol Doctrine enraged some Horses: in 3136, a Horse Galaxy commander, ''ristar'' [[Tristan Fletcher]], traveled to the planet [[Skye]], challenging Hazen to a [[Trial of Possession]] for the Mongol Doctrine.<ref>''Era Report: 3145'', p. 100</ref> Both commanders fought in tanks, and Fletcher was defeated and slain by the Mad Falcon.<ref>''A Rending of Falcons'', p. 28</ref>  In November [[3139]], Malvina Hazen's forces staged a Trial of Possession for the agricultural worlds of [[Romulus]] and [[Harvest]]: "accidentally" starting fires at great expenses to their lands, threatening the Horses' worlds with the prospect of famine, forcing the Horses' Khan to form an alliance with the Falcons, named the [[Golden Ordun]].<ref>''A Bonfire of Worlds'', p. 65</ref>
−
 
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The Hell's Horses also engaged in some scientific research and development. Continuing their legacy of genetic research since their discovery of the [[Elemental]] phenotype, the Horses' research into a new [[trueborn]] phenotype optimised for combat within a [[tank]], the [[TankWarrior]], saw limited success. This granted tank crews of the Hell's Horses a certain superiority over tank crews from other Clans.<ref>''Era Report: 3145'' p. 60</ref> However, it was soon concluded that, even with their optimised physiology, TankWarrior crews scored only slightly better than the crews the Horses were already producing through existing training regimens. A unit of Hell's Horses TankWarriors were able to defeat Jade Falcon tank crews in a [[Trial of Possession]] on [[Waldorff]], preventing the Falcons from claiming a Trinary belonging to the Horses, but the Horses Khan [[Teresia Cooper]] was killed during this trial - her death may have contributed to the lack of continuing interest in the TankWarrior program.<ref>''Era Report: 3145'' p. 125</ref>
 
  
−
During the [[Dark Age]], a tactical doctrine was developed by the Horses: the "[[Mongol Doctrine]]". The Doctrine, initially proposed during the 3080s by one [[Star Colonel]] [[Domnall Seidman]], emphasised the rapid use of light vehicles and 'Mechs to engage in hit-and-run tactics, drawing foes into position for heavy and assault-class 'Mechs and vehicles to strike. This was practiced by the [[1st Horde Cluster (Clan Hell's Horses)|First Horde Cluster]], a command granted to Seidman to test his new Doctrine. The Doctrine, as Seidman envisioned it, became popular among the Horses - however, a radical reinterpretation of the Mongol Doctrine used by Clan Jade Falcon, led by the infamous Galaxy Commander [[Malvina Hazen]], focused less on the tactical use of light assets and instead on the psychological impact of subjecting enemies to maximum brutality in order to weaken their morale and that of their allies.<ref>''Era Report: 3145'' p. 60</ref> This 'perversion' of the Mongol Doctrine enraged some Horses: in 3136, a Horse Galaxy commander, ''ristar'' [[Tristan Fletcher]], traveled to the planet [[Skye]], challenging Hazen to a [[Trial of Possession]] for the Mongol Doctrine.<ref>''Era Report: 3145'' p. 100</ref> Both commanders fought in tanks, and Fletcher was defeated and slain by the Mad Falcon.<ref>''A Rending of Falcons'' p. 28</ref>
+
The Horses' Khan Gottfried Amirault, sent only parts of his ''touman'' to fight with the Falcons, keeping their losses low, but helping them conquer a large swath of the Commonwealth.<ref>''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 154</ref>
  
−
Some weeks later, a galaxy of Horses, the [[Fire Horse Galaxy]] led by Galaxy Commander [[Manas Amirault]], joined Malvina's forces, helping her in the fight against Falcon Khan [[Jana Pryde]]. After defeating Pryde and taking her place, Malvina destroyed the Jade Falcon capital. Horrified by the evil of his ally and lover, Manas attempted to leave her, but she killed him in a Trial of Possession, taking his galaxy.<ref>''A Rending of Falcons'' p. 308</ref>
+
However, as a result of the failure to take the planet and Hazen's inability to prevent the Horses' departure, the Horses' Khan dissolved the Ordun and the Clan returned to their Occupation Zone, having fully abandoned their erstwhile Jade Falcon allies by the end of the year.<ref>''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 150</ref>
  
−
The same year when Clan Wolf left their occupation zone, the Horses managed to take twenty-two of their former worlds, including the old capital, [[Tamar]], greatly expanding their occupation zone.
+
After successfully extracting themselves from the Golden Ordun and thereby annulling their alliance with Clan Jade Falcon, the next steps for the Hell's Horses were to reclaim the Mongol Doctrine from their former allies. In late 3146, saKhan Lassenerra devised a plan to do exactly that.<ref name=SFp44>''Shattered Fortress'', p. 44</ref> The following year, the first phase of Lassenerra's plan (which would become known as [[Operation NOYAN]]) would begin. After its success, he then outlined his plans for Phase Two of Operation NOYAN - an incursion against the Jade Falcons themselves. Taking several planets from the Falcons, the Hell's Horses Clan Council declared Operation NOYAN a success and set about preparing themselves for Malvina Hazen's retaliation. However, the "Chinggis Khan" was otherwise engaged, and the anticipated attack never came.<ref name=SFp44 />
−
In November [[3139]], Malvina Hazen's forces staged a Trial of Possession for the agricultural worlds of [[Romulus]] and [[Harvest]], "accidentally" starting fires at great expenses to their lands, threatening the Horses' worlds with the prospect of famine, forcing the Horses' Khan to form an alliance with the Falcons, named the [[Golden Ordun]].<ref>''A Bonfire of Worlds'' p. 65</ref>
 
−
The Horses' Khan Gottfried Amirault, sent only parts of his [[Touman]] to fight with the Falcons, keeping their losses low, but helping them conquer a large swath of the Commonwealth.<ref>''Field Manual: 3145'' p. 154</ref>
 
−
 
−
In January of [[3145]], the Ordun was able to capture [[Hesperus II]] with little resistance from its Commonwealth defenders. However, a counteroffensive was launched by the Commonwealth's recent allies in [[Clan Wolf]] (whose new Khan, [[Alaric Ward]], had just revealed his genetic mother to be [[Katherine Steiner-Davion]]).<ref>''Field Manual: 3145'' p. 149</ref> The Wolf counteroffensive turned into a two-month stalemate; after an attempt on Malvina Hazen's life left her alive but in a coma<ref>''Era Report: 3145'' p. 60</ref>, and a Lyran relief force arrived in-system, the Ordun was forced to retreat.<ref>''Field Manual: 3145'' p. 149</ref> The Hell's Horses escaped with far fewer losses than the Jade Falcons - notably, however, the Hell's Horses saKhan [[Jeronimo Cobb]] was killed in action during the fighting on Hesperus II.<ref>''Field Manual: 3145'' p. 155</ref> As a result of the failure to take the planet and Hazen's inability to prevent the Horses' departure, the Horses' Khan dissolved the Ordun and the Clan returned to their Occupation Zone, having fully abandoned their erstwhile Jade Falcon allies by the end of the year.<ref>''Field Manual: 3145'' p. 150</ref> However, in the wake of their conquering of much of the former Clan Wolf Occupation Zone, the Hell's Horses had gained a number of hardware production facilities including the [[W-8 Facilities]] on [[Tamar]]<ref>''Objectives: The Clans'' p.28</ref> on which [[Omega Keshik (Clan Hell's Horses)|Omega Keshik]] under the command of the new saKhan [[Fulk Lassenerra]], as well as elements of [[Epsilon Galaxy (Clan Hell's Horses)|Epsilon Galaxy]], were deployed. <ref>''Field Manual: 3145'' p.167</ref>
 
  
−
After successfully extracting themselves from the Golden Ordun and thereby annulling their alliance with Clan Jade Falcon, the next steps for the Hell's Horses were to reclaim the Mongol Doctrine from their former allies. In late 3146, saKhan Lassenerra devised a plan to do exactly that.<ref>''Shattered Fortress'' p.44</ref> The following year, the first phase of Lassenerra's plan (which would become known as [[Operation NOYAN]]) would begin. On the 7th of April 3147, the Hell's Horses began a series of attacks against the Rasalhague Dominion, using swarm attacks with light assets as per the 'untainted' Mongol Doctrine. Trials of Possession were declared and fought over [[St. John]], [[New Oslo]] and [[Unzmarkt]], with the Hell's Horses successfully conquering all three systems.<ref>''Shattered Fortress'' p.44</ref> Of particular distinction was the [[22nd Mechanized Assault (Clan Hell's Horses)|Twenty-Second Mechanised Assault Cluster]]'s artillery star, which employed pairs of [[Hadur]] Fast Support Vehicles to achieve accurate artillery fire on the move by using target-designating [[LRM]] systems during the fighting on New Oslo.<ref>''Technical Readout: 3150'' p.72</ref>
+
===ilClan Era===
 +
Following the success of Operation NOYAN, the Hell's Horses Khans resolved to use the momentum from NOYAN for a further push into Jade Falcon territory. In the process, Khan Amirault uncovered information that the Jade Falcons were on their way to [[Terra]] en masse. The Horses' Khan had his own plan to conquer the cradle of humanity - however, since Khan Amirault did not know how to breach the defenses of the [[Fortress Republic]], they decided to take what they could from the Jade Falcon occupation zone with the newly declared [[Operation STAMPEDE]] out of retaliation for their manipulation of the Hell's Horses and their Mongol Doctrine.<ref>''Hour of the Wolf'', p. 98</ref>
  
−
Lassenerra's bold actions raised concerns in the Clan Council of a retaliation from the Jade Falcons over the Horses' use of the Mongol Doctrine despite the Falcons having won the rights to its use in a Trial of Possession. Unfazed by the possibility, Lassenerra declared that Malvina Hazen was welcome to try and enforce her ownership of the Doctine if she dared.<ref>''Shattered Fortress'' p.44</ref> He then outlined his plans for Phase Two of Operation NOYAN - an incursion against the Jade Falcons themselves. On the 17th of June 3147, the Horses executed their attack on the Falcon border, striking [[Biota]], [[Colmar]] and [[Leskovik]]. The former two worlds were soundly defeated through application of the traditional Mongol Doctrine, but the attack on Leskovik failed after the defending [[Eighteenth Falcon Regulars]] denied ''[[safcon]]'' to the attacking [[71st Mechanized Cavalry (Clan Hell's Horses)|Seventy-First Mechanised Cavalry]], shooting down a full quarter of the attacking forces and forcing the surviving Horses to retreat from the planet. Despite this isolated failure, the Clan Council declared Operation NOYAN a success and set about preparing themselves for Malvina Hazen's retaliation. However, the 'Chinggis Khan' was otherwise engaged, and the anticipated attack never came.<ref>''Shattered Fortress'' p.44</ref>
+
By then, the Horses were in an almost civil war situation, with both Khans fighting each other for power. Trials between castes, for one or another, were almost ripping the Clan apart. A third faction emerged around a young Star Captain, [[Peter Cobb]], one focused in uniting their Clan.<ref>''Elements of Treason: Honor''</ref>
  
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===ilClan Era===
+
Initially devised as a plan for the Hell's Horses push on Terra, then mothballed after Malvina Hazen's claiming of the Mongol Doctrine, Operation Stampede was repurposed as a plan for attacking the Jade Falcon territory now left exposed by the Falcons' rush to Terra. Khan Amirault, sensing the opportunity to secure a large amount of near-undefended Jade Falcon territory, ordered several waves of attacks into the Falcon Occupation Zone. However, after knowing that the Falcons have abandoned their worlds, the Khan stopped the invasion and turned Stampede into a dash to [[Terra]], but they arrived too late.
−
Following the success of Operation NOYAN, the Hell's Horses Khans resolved to use the momentum from NOYAN for a further push into Jade Falcon territory. Many of the production facilities from former Wolf territory were restored to functionality, including [[HH Industriplex Alpha]] on [[Tamar]] which by [[3150]] was being used to produce the [[Gargoyle]] [[OmniMech]].<ref>''ilClan (Sourcebook)'' p.114</ref> On the 4th of February [[3151]] the [[2nd Horde Cluster|Second Horde Cluster]] attacked [[Shaula]] in Jade Falcon space, expecting strong resistance, but found the planet defended by only two [[Star League]]-era 'Mechs and a handful of tanks and conventional infantry. Easily defeating this skeleton crew, Khan Amirault uncovered information that the Jade Falcons were on their way to [[Terra]] en masse. The Horses' Khan had his own plan to conquer the cradle of humanity - however, since Khan Amirault did not know how to breach the defences of the [[Fortress Republic]], they decided to take what they could from the Jade Falcon occupation zone with the newly declared [[Operation Stampede]] out of retaliation for their manipulation of the Hell's Horses and their Mongol Doctrine.<ref> ''Hour of the Wolf'' p.98 </ref>
 
  
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Initially devised as a plan for the Hell's Horses push on Terra, then mothballed after Malvina Hazen's claiming of the Mongol Doctrine, Operation Stampede was re-purposed as a plan for attacking the Jade Falcon territory now left exposed by the Falcons' rush to Terra. Alpha, Delta and Epsilon Galaxies were dispatched to push coreward, quickly taking [[Rastaban]] - the Trial of Possession for which consisted of Hell's Horses Star Colonel [[David Fletcher]] lopsidedly defeating, hand-to-hand, the Star Commander in charge of law enforcement for the city of Castle Hill (there being nobody of higher rank on the planet to challenge).<ref>''ilClan (Sourcebook)'' p.115</ref> Perturbed by the empty depots and deserted military bases near Castle Hill, Fletcher surmised that the Jade Falcon warrior caste had totally abandoned the planet, leaving behind a few washouts and ''dezgra'' to keep order. Khan Amirault, sensing the opportunity to secure a large amount of near-undefended Jade Falcon territory, ordered an attack on nearby [[Domain]].
+
After Clan Wolf's final victory in the [[ilClan Trial]] made Alaric Ward [[ilKhan]] and Clan Wolf the [[ilClan]], a delegation from the Hell's Horses arrived on Terra led by the Horses' Khan and saKhan. Angry at the Wolves for denying his Clan the opportunity to fight on Terra, Amirault stated that he did not recognize Ward as ilKhan and claimed that the Wolves had unfairly denied the Hell's Horses a chance to become the ilClan, while at the same time "inviting" Clan Jade Falcon to Terra to participate in the planet's conquest. Amirault then demanded a Trial of Refusal against Ward - Ward responded by pointing out that the Wolves were under no obligation to invite the Hell's Horses to Terra, nor had the Horses earned the right to such a consideration.<ref>''Hour of the Wolf'', p. 360</ref> Ward then stated that there would be no [[Circle of Equals]] between himself and Amirault because, as ilKhan and [[First Lord of the Star League]], he had no equal. Amirault, in response, declared that the Hell's Horses would not stand for such an offence<ref>''Hour of the Wolf'', p. 361</ref> and the Horses' delegation publicly declared their nonrecognition of the new ilKhan's authority before the assembled Clan representatives during Ward's coronation as First Lord.<ref>''IlClan'', p. 109</ref>
  
−
After Clan Wolf's final victory in the [[ilClan Trial]] made Alaric Ward the [[ilKhan]] and Clan Wolf the [[ilClan]], a delegation from the Hell's Horses arrived on Terra led by the Horses' Khan and saKhan. Angry at the Wolves for denying his clan the opportunity to fight on Terra, Amirault stated that he did not recognise Ward as ilKhan and claimed that the Wolves had unfairly denied the Hell's Horses a chance to become the ilClan, while at the same time 'inviting' Clan Jade Falcon to Terra to participate in the planet's conquest. Amirault then demanded a Trial of Refusal against Ward - Ward responded by pointing out that the Wolves were under no obligation to invite the Hell's Horses to Terra, nor had the Horses earnt the right to such a consideration.<ref> ''Hour of the Wolf'' p.360 </ref> Ward then stated that there would be no [[Circle of Equals]] between himself and Amirault because, as ilKhan and [[First Lord of the Star League]], he had no equal. Amirault, in response, declared that the Hell's Horses would not stand for such an offence<ref> ''Hour of the Wolf'' p.361</ref> and the Horses' delegation publicly declared their non-recognition of the new ilKhan's authority before the assembled Clan representatives during Ward's coronation as First Lord.<ref>''ilClan (Sourcebook)'' p.109</ref>
+
In order to prepare themselves for the inevitable hostilities with Clan Wolf, Khan Amirault and saKhan Lassenerra turned Stampede again as a plan to conquer the rest of the former Jade Falcon Occupation Zone, within which several petty kingdoms were already forming.<ref>''Tamar Rising'', p. 58: "A Fateful Summons"</ref> Despite initial success, these efforts met with failure as the Hell's Horses were dealt a series of embarrassing defeats at the hands of several Jade Falcon remnants and pirate raids, specifically their defeat when assaulting the [[Alyina Mercantile League]] Shipyard of [[Butler]] and their failure to crush the last Jade Falcons at the [[Battle of Sudeten (3152)]].<ref>''Tamar Rising'', pp. 63–67</ref>
 +
As a consequence, saKhan Lassenerra accused Khan Amirault of squandering the Hell's Horses position through his hesitancy and overcautiousness, and killed him in a Trial of Position, thereby becoming the new Khan.<ref>''Tamar Rising'', p. 68: "The Consequences of Caution"</ref> The Hell's Horses were back under the leadership of a true warrior.<ref>''Tamar Rising'', p. 93: "Fulk Lassenerra"</ref>
  
 
==Culture==
 
==Culture==
 
Clan Hell's Horses' philosophy of valuing the individual's role in the greater whole permeates all levels of society.  While caste and birth prejudice still exists within the Clan, it is kept in check by ongoing efforts which extol cooperation among and within all Clan castes.  This unity extends from the lowliest laborer toiling in the factories to the Khans themselves, and none are held in less esteem than is earned.  Even [[freeborn]]s and ''[[solahma]]'' warriors are given respect where other Clans would tolerate or mistreat them; only ''[[dezgra]]'' warriors are exempt from this rule.<ref name=FMCC58>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 58</ref><ref name=MWG>''MechWarrior's Guide to the Clans'', p. 23</ref>
 
Clan Hell's Horses' philosophy of valuing the individual's role in the greater whole permeates all levels of society.  While caste and birth prejudice still exists within the Clan, it is kept in check by ongoing efforts which extol cooperation among and within all Clan castes.  This unity extends from the lowliest laborer toiling in the factories to the Khans themselves, and none are held in less esteem than is earned.  Even [[freeborn]]s and ''[[solahma]]'' warriors are given respect where other Clans would tolerate or mistreat them; only ''[[dezgra]]'' warriors are exempt from this rule.<ref name=FMCC58>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 58</ref><ref name=MWG>''MechWarrior's Guide to the Clans'', p. 23</ref>
  
−
Politicking is mostly shunned by the Hell's Horses, even at the [[Grand Council]] level where the Khans see their duty in leading their Clan as more important than backroom bargaining.  As far as Clansmen go the Hell's Horses are seen as docile and unswervingly obedient to the chain of command, making their Clan far more stable than others where internal power plays are the norm, though this lack of personal initiative has hampered their efforts to expand beyond their already-considerable homeworld enclaves.  Their use of contract warfare, allowing warriors of different units or even Clans to include each others' forces in a single bid, would seem to run counter to this idea, however the Hell's Horses view it as a strategic matter to ensure victories that go beyond the Clan's own concerns.<ref name=FMCC58/><ref name=MWG/>
+
Politicking is mostly shunned by the Hell's Horses, even at the [[Grand Council]] level where the Khans see their duty in leading their Clan as more important than backroom bargaining.  As far as Clansmen go the Hell's Horses are seen as docile and unswervingly obedient to the chain of command, making their Clan far more stable than others where internal power plays are the norm, though this lack of personal initiative has hampered their efforts to expand beyond their already-considerable Homeworld enclaves.  Their use of contract warfare, allowing warriors of different units or even Clans to include each other's forces in a single bid, would seem to run counter to this idea, however the Hell's Horses view it as a strategic matter to ensure victories that go beyond the Clan's own concerns.<ref name=FMCC58/><ref name=MWG/>
  
−
===Post-Migration to the Inner Sphere===
+
===Post–Migration to the Inner Sphere===
−
Following their migration into the Inner Sphere, the Horses managed to establish good relations with the native Spheroid populations of their worlds. Ruling with a lighter hand than the Wolves and Jade Falcons, the Horses tend to keep to their "DropShip cities" (semi-permanent camps) and turn a blind eye to the sizeable black market in Spheroid luxuries in exchange for their authority remaining unquestioned. While thus effectively separate societies, the Clan and its native Spheroid subjects work together as partners in keeping their 'nation' running smoothly. However this leniency has also been taken advantage of by disaffected natives, particularly in the former Wolf-controlled worlds.<ref>''Field Manual:3145'', p. 151, "Clan Hell's Horses"</ref> <ref>''Era Report:3145'', p. 60</ref>  
+
Following their migration into the Inner Sphere, the Horses managed to establish good relations with the native Spheroid populations of their worlds. Ruling with a lighter hand than the Wolves and Jade Falcons, the Horses tend to keep to their "DropShip cities" (semipermanent camps) and turn a blind eye to the sizeable black market in Spheroid luxuries in exchange for their authority remaining unquestioned. While thus effectively separate societies, the Clan and its native Spheroid subjects work together as partners in keeping their "nation" running smoothly. However this leniency has also been taken advantage of by disaffected natives, particularly in the former Wolf-controlled worlds.<ref>''Field Manual: 3145'', p. 151: "Clan Hell's Horses"</ref><ref name=ER3145p60 />
  
 
===Cooperation===
 
===Cooperation===
−
The Horses' spirit of cooperation is a large part of the Clan. Warriors and lower-caste members work well together to accomplish their goals. As for warriors, freeborns and ''solahma'' can also work together on the field. Their spirit of cooperation is no more apparent in their ritual known as the [[Branding Ritual]]. In this ritual, warriors are required to work in groups of six while hunting for their totem animal on the world of Niles. Success in doing so will give the warriors the '''Mark of the Horse'''. Failure due to a lack of cooperation will result in being branded with the '''Mark of Hell''', where people will be noted of their shame.<ref>Field Manual: Crusader Clans, pg. 63-62</ref>
+
The Horses' spirit of cooperation is a large part of the Clan. Warriors and lower-caste members work well together to accomplish their goals. As for warriors, freeborns and ''solahma'' can also work together on the field. Their spirit of cooperation is no more apparent in their ritual known as the [[Branding Ritual]]. In this ritual, warriors are required to work in groups of six while hunting for their totem animal on the world of Niles. Success in doing so will give the warriors the '''Mark of the Horse'''. Failure due to a lack of cooperation will result in being branded with the '''Mark of Hell''', where people will be noted of their shame.<ref>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', pp. 61–63</ref>
  
 
===Trial of Renewal (August 22)===
 
===Trial of Renewal (August 22)===
−
Before Founding Day happens, the Alpha and Omega Keshiks meet in mock combat against each other. This holiday goes with the shifting of other Keshiks on Strana Mechty. The event is broadcasted on Niles, where other clans may watch the trial ensue. The winner of the trial will be selected to lead their clan's delegation for [[Founding Day]].<ref>The Clans: Warriors of Kerensky, pp. 7-8, 50</ref>
+
Before Founding Day happens, the Alpha and Omega Keshiks meet in mock combat against each other. This holiday goes with the shifting of other Keshiks on Strana Mechty. The event is broadcast on Niles, where other Clans may watch the Trial ensue. The winner of the Trial will be selected to lead their Clan's delegation for [[Founding Day]].<ref>''The Clans: Warriors of Kerensky'', pp. 7–8, 50</ref>
 +
 
 +
===The Mad Stampede===
 +
The [[Mad Stampede]] was a new tradition among Clan Hell's Horses in the Inner Sphere. It consists of a race of several wheeled or-hovercraft vehicles on a planet which doesn't belong to their Clan and usually held by an enemy. The Horses sometimes ask for ''[[safcon]]'' before landing a single [[DropShip]], refusing to explain their acts to the locals, almost ensuring that these will attack the racers, to make it a more interesting and difficult race. The winners obtain  great prestige.<ref>''Shrapnel'' #9: ''Chaos Campaign Scenario: The Mad Stampede''</ref>
  
 
==Military==
 
==Military==
 
{{Main|Clan Hell's Horses Touman}}
 
{{Main|Clan Hell's Horses Touman}}
 
[[File:Clan Hell's Horses Warrior.jpg|right|thumb|Hell's Horses Warrior with tank]]
 
[[File:Clan Hell's Horses Warrior.jpg|right|thumb|Hell's Horses Warrior with tank]]
−
Clan Hell's Horses incorporate a number of unique features into their military doctrine which sets them apart from other Clans, most notably their use of conventional [[infantry]] and [[Combat Vehicle|armor]] even in front-line units.  Their model of combined-arms warfare means roughly two-thirds of all 'Mech [[Star]]s are part of a [[Nova (unit)|Nova formation]], while all vehicle Stars contain an equal number of infantry [[Point (Clan)|Points]].  As a result their [[touman]] numbers fewer 'Mechs than normal but make up for it in a disproportionate amount of infantry and support.
+
Clan Hell's Horses incorporate a number of unique features into their military doctrine which sets them apart from other Clans, most notably their use of conventional [[infantry]] and [[Combat Vehicle|armor]] even in front-line units.  Their model of combined-arms warfare means roughly two-thirds of all 'Mech [[Star]]s are part of a [[Nova (unit)|Nova formation]], while all vehicle Stars contain an equal number of infantry [[Point (Clan)|Points]].  As a result their ''touman'' numbers fewer 'Mechs than normal but make up for it in a disproportionate amount of infantry and support.
  
 
The Clan is also unique for instituting the official ranks of [[Nova Commander]] and [[Nova Captain]] to command Novas and [[Supernova (unit)|Supernovas]].  The existence of such ranks also means more positions for warriors to fight over in a [[Trial of Position]] and means many more warriors are found in the middle ranks than in other Clans.
 
The Clan is also unique for instituting the official ranks of [[Nova Commander]] and [[Nova Captain]] to command Novas and [[Supernova (unit)|Supernovas]].  The existence of such ranks also means more positions for warriors to fight over in a [[Trial of Position]] and means many more warriors are found in the middle ranks than in other Clans.
Line 145: Line 100:
 
== Bloodnames ==
 
== Bloodnames ==
 
{|class="wikitable" width='800' style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 1px solid black;"
 
{|class="wikitable" width='800' style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 1px solid black;"
−
! colspan="5" | Founding Bloodnames:<ref name="H:OKp35">''Historical: Operation KLONDIKE'', p. 35, "Origins of the Bloodnames: The Clans' Founders</ref>
+
! colspan="5" | Founding Bloodnames:<ref name="H:OKp35">''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 35: "Origins of the Bloodnames: The Clans' Founders</ref>
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Allychuk
 
| Allychuk
Line 195: Line 150:
 
| Zuijdweg
 
| Zuijdweg
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="5" | Exclusive Bloodnames Post-Operation REVIVAL:<ref name="FM:CCp53">''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 53, "Clan Hell's Horses Exclusive Bloodnames"</ref>
+
! colspan="5" | Exclusive Bloodnames Post–Operation REVIVAL:<ref name="FM:CCp53">''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 53: "Clan Hell's Horses Exclusive Bloodnames"</ref>
 
|-
 
|-
 
! General
 
! General
Line 213: Line 168:
 
| Fletcher
 
| Fletcher
 
| Dudzinsky
 
| Dudzinsky
−
|  
+
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|  
+
|
 
| Mitchell
 
| Mitchell
 
| Houan
 
| Houan
 
| Dwelley
 
| Dwelley
−
|  
+
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|
 
|
Line 227: Line 182:
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="5" | Exclusive Bloodnames Post-Wars of Reaving:<ref name="WoRp195">''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 195, "Bloodnames of the Council of Six Clans"</ref>
+
! colspan="5" | Exclusive Bloodnames Post–Wars of Reaving:<ref name="WoRp195">''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 195: "Bloodnames of the Council of Six Clans"</ref>
 
|-
 
|-
 
! General
 
! General
Line 247: Line 202:
 
| Johnston<sup>*</sup>
 
| Johnston<sup>*</sup>
 
|-
 
|-
−
|  
+
|
 
| Ravenwater
 
| Ravenwater
 
| Houan<sup>*</sup>
 
| Houan<sup>*</sup>
−
|  
+
|
−
|  
+
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|
 
|
−
|  
+
|
 
| Seidman<sup>*</sup>
 
| Seidman<sup>*</sup>
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="5" | Shared Bloodnames Post-Wars of Reaving:<ref name="WoRp195"/><br>(Column titles signify the other Clans with which the Bloodnames are shared)
+
! colspan="5" | Shared Bloodnames Post–Wars of Reaving:<ref name="WoRp195"/><br>(Column titles signify the other Clans with which the Bloodnames are shared)
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Diamond Shark
 
! Diamond Shark
Line 279: Line 234:
 
| Lankenau<sup>x</sup>
 
| Lankenau<sup>x</sup>
 
|-
 
|-
−
|  
+
|
 
| Lankenau<sup>x</sup>
 
| Lankenau<sup>x</sup>
−
|  
+
|
−
|  
+
|
 
| Mehta
 
| Mehta
 
|}
 
|}
Line 288: Line 243:
 
<sup>x</sup> This signifies a Bloodname with genefather rights only
 
<sup>x</sup> This signifies a Bloodname with genefather rights only
  
−
==Inter-Clan Relations==
+
==Rulers==
−
The Hell's Horses primary allies are [[Clan Wolf]] and [[Clan Coyote]]. Clan Hell's Horses was one of the first clans that befitted from Clan Wolf's Elemental Battle Armor, while Clan Wolf would prosper from the Hell's Horses super-soldier infantry phenotype for the Clan's gene-pool. As with Clan Coyote, their alliance would grow when the deceit of Clan Fire Mandrill's Kindraa Smythe-Jewel was exposed. It was found out that the Kindraa had used dishonorable tactics against the Hell's Horses and Coyotes to gain a hold of both the Elemental gene-type and Omnimech technology respectively. This would call for both clans to create an alliance to punish the Kindraa, ending in their destruction. Both clans gain the Smythe and Jewell bloodnames and grew into a long-lasting friendship between the two. Though the Coyotes and Hell's Horses have different philosophies, they still respect each other and call themselves "honored comrades". These relations would change in the mid 3070's after the clan civil war that [[Wars of Reaving|separated the clans as a whole]]. The Horses would server all ties with the [[Home Clans]] (which the Coyotes were apart of), while the Coyotes would switch their friendship to Horses' counterparts, the Stone Lions.
+
 
 +
===Khans===
 +
 
 +
See: [[Khan of Clan Hell's Horses]]
 +
 
 +
===saKhans===
  
−
When it comes to enemies, only two would claim the spot: Clan Fire Mandrill and Clan Ghost Bear. Clan Fire Mandrill views the Horses in full contempt for the death of Kindraa Smythe-Jewel (unaware of Kindraa Payne's involvement). This feud would last for generations until their destruction in the Wars of Reaving. As for the Ghost Bears, the Horses were responsible for the death of Ghost Bear Khan [[Kilbourne Jorgensson]], which sent the Ghost Bears into a fury. Ever since then, the Horse-Bear feud would last until the early 3070's when the Hell's Horses and Ice Hellions invaded the Inner Sphere. They would broker a peace between the Ghost Bears to end all hostilities between the two clans.
+
See: [[SaKhan of Clan Hell's Horses]]
  
−
During the Dark Age and ilClan eras, the Hell's Horses would become at first unwilling allies, and then outright enemies, to Clan Jade Falcon. Malvina Hazen's perceived corruption of the Horses' prized Mongol Doctrine, her slaying of the Horses' Galaxy Commander Tristan Fletcher, and her manipulation of the Horses' into forcing them to join her frenzied attacks against the Lyran Commonwealth and Clan Wolf during the later 3140s would give rise to significant emnity towards her and her Clan amongst the Horses. After she was wounded and put in a coma during the fighting on Hesperus II, the Horses took the opportunity to withdraw from their alliance, reverse Hazen's pollution of the Mongol Doctrine, and repeatedly conquer Jade Falcon worlds left behind by the Falcons' push towards Terra in [[3151]].
+
===Loremasters===
  
−
==Rulers==
+
See: [[Loremaster of Clan Hell's Horses]]
  
−
===Khans===
+
==Inter-Clan Relations==
−
* [[John Fletcher]], 2807 - ????<ref>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 89</ref>
+
{| class="wikitable" border="1"; text-align:center;
−
* [[Eric Amirault]], ???? - ???? (Khan in [[2872]])<ref>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 56</ref>
+
|-
−
* [[Elina Houan]], ????<ref name=TROGCp6>''Technical Readout Golden Century'', p.6 "Rhino"</ref>
+
!Clan Name
−
* [[Aaron Cobb]], [[2899]]<ref>''Turning Points: Tokasha'', p. 9</ref> - [[2921]]<ref>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 56</ref>
+
!Symbol
−
* [[Darwin Lassenerra]], [[2921]] - ????<ref>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 57</ref>
+
!Relationship
−
* [[Lair Seidman]], ???? - [[3046]]<ref>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 57</ref>,<ref>''Masters and Minions: The Starcorps Dossiers'', p.138</ref> (Info in FM:CC together with M&M implies that the Battle of Niles took place in 3046.)
+
!Reason
−
* [[Malavai Fletcher]] [[3046]] - [[3065]]<ref>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 57</ref>,<ref>''Masters and Minions: The Starcorps Dossiers'', p.138</ref>,<ref>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 44</ref>
+
|-
−
* [[James Cobb]], [[3065]] - [[3080]]<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.175</ref>
+
|'''[[Clan Ghost Bear]]'''
−
* [[Jake Kabrinski]], [[3080]]<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.174</ref> - ????
+
|[[Image:Clan Ghost Bear logo.png|100px]]
−
* [[Teresia Cooper]], ???? - 3126<ref name=ER3145p100>''Era Report: 3145'', p. 125, "The TankWarrior Experiment"</ref>
+
|Ally
−
* [[Gottfried Amirault]], 3126 - Current<ref name=ER3145p100/>
+
|The Horses were responsible for the death of Ghost Bear Khan [[Kilbourne Jorgensson]], which sent the Ghost Bears into a fury. Afterward, the Horse-Bear feud would last until the early 3070s when the Hell's Horses and Ice Hellions invaded the Inner Sphere. They would broker a peace between the Ghost Bears to end all hostilities between the two Clans.
 +
|}
  
−
===saKhans===
+
{| class="wikitable" border="1"; text-align:center;
−
* [[Patricia Cobb]], 2807 - ????<ref>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 89</ref>
+
|-
−
* [[Darwin Lassenerra]], ???? - 2921<ref>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 57</ref>
+
!Clan Name
−
* [[Malavai Fletcher]] ???? - 3046<ref>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 57</ref>
+
!Symbol
−
* [[Tanya DeLaurel]], 3046 - ????
+
!Relationship
−
* [[Sasha Mitchell]], ???? - ????<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p.174</ref>
+
!Reason
−
* [[Jeronimo Cobb]], ???? - 3145<ref name=ER3145p100-101>''Era Report: 3145'', p. 100-101, "Fulk Lassenerra"</ref>
+
|-
−
* [[Fulk Lassenerra]], 3145<ref name=ER3145p100-101/> - Current<ref name=SFp44>''Shattered Fortress'', p. 44, "The Silence of the Clans"</ref>
+
|'''[[Clan Fire Mandrill]]'''
 +
|[[Image:Clan Fire Mandrill.jpg|100px]]
 +
|Enemy
 +
|Clan Fire Mandrill views the Horses in full contempt for the death of Kindraa Smythe-Jewel (unaware of Kindraa Payne's involvement). This feud would last for generations until their destruction in the Wars of Reaving.
 +
|-
 +
|'''[[Clan Jade Falcon]]'''
 +
|[[Image:Clan Jade Falcon.jpg|100px]]
 +
|Enemy
 +
|During the Dark Age and ilClan eras, the Hell's Horses would become at first unwilling allies, and then outright enemies to Clan Jade Falcon. Malvina Hazen's perceived corruption of the Horses' prized Mongol Doctrine, her slaying of the Horses' Galaxy Commander Tristan Fletcher, and her manipulation of the Horses' into forcing them to join her frenzied attacks against the Lyran Commonwealth and Clan Wolf during the later 3140s would give rise to significant enmity towards her and her Clan amongst the Horses. After she was wounded and put in a coma during the fighting on Hesperus II, the Horses took the opportunity to withdraw from their alliance, reverse Hazen's pollution of the Mongol Doctrine, and repeatedly conquer Jade Falcon worlds left behind by the Falcons' push towards Terra in [[3151]].
 +
|-
 +
|'''[[Clan Wolf]]'''
 +
|[[Image:Clan Wolf logo.png|100px]]
 +
|Enemy
 +
|Clan Hell's Horses held good ties until the Great Refusal. Horse Khan Malavai was slain by his successor, who invaded Clan Wolf worlds in revenge for his Clan's manipulation during the Jihad Era. These hostilities would continue well into the Dark Ages when the Horses claimed the Wolf Clan's former occupation zone after the creation of the Wolf Empire in Lyran territory and after the [[ilClan Trial]] when Horse leadership refused to recognize Alaric's claim as ilKhan after feeling that the Wolves robbed their opportunity for an important battle.
 +
|-
 +
|'''[[Clan Ice Hellion]]'''
 +
|[[Image:Clan Ice Hellion.jpg|100px]]
 +
|Enemy
 +
|Clan Ice Hellion was the first ally of the Horses due to being part of Asa Taney's [[Home Clan Coalition]], until the Harvest Trials and Great Refusal broke those ties. A decade later, Ice Hellion Khan [[Raina Montose]] would ally with the Horses again to plan for an invasion into the Inner Sphere. Unfortunately, the "alliance" of Clan Ice Hellion did nothing to benefit either Clan. There were no signs of cooperation shown between the two, instead the Ice Hellions angered the Horses to such an extent that the Horses turned on them. This would ultimately lead to their downfall.
 +
|-
 +
|'''[[Clan Coyote]]'''
 +
|[[Image:Clan Coyote.jpg|100px]]
 +
|Enemy
 +
|With Clan Coyote, their alliance would grow when the deceit of Clan Fire Mandrill's Kindraa Smythe-Jewel was exposed. It was found out that the Kindraa had used dishonorable tactics against the Hell's Horses and Coyotes to get ahold of both the Elemental gene-type and OmniMech technology respectively. This would call for both Clans to create an alliance to punish the Kindraa, ending in their destruction. Both Clans gain the Smythe and Jewel Bloodnames and grew into a long-lasting friendship between the two. Though the Coyotes and Hell's Horses have different philosophies, they still respect each other and call themselves "honored comrades". These relations would change in the mid 3070s after the Clan civil war that [[Wars of Reaving|separated the Clans as a whole]]. The Horses would sever all ties with the [[Home Clans]] (which the Coyotes were part of), while the Coyotes would switch their friendship to the Horses' offshoot, the Stone Lions.
 +
|}
  
 
==Era Specific Data==
 
==Era Specific Data==
 
===3062===
 
===3062===
 
'''Hell's Horses Demographics'''<br />
 
'''Hell's Horses Demographics'''<br />
−
Affiliation: Crusader<br />  
+
Affiliation: Crusader<br />
  
 
'''Clan Space Worlds: '''<br />
 
'''Clan Space Worlds: '''<br />
−
[[Bearclaw]] (30 percent) <br />
+
[[Bearclaw]] (30 percent)<br />
−
[[Eden]] (31 percent) <br />
+
[[Eden]] (31 percent)<br />
−
[[Hoard]] (10 percent) <br />
+
[[Hoard]] (10 percent)<br />
−
[[Kirin]] (100 percent) <br />
+
[[Kirin]] (100 percent)<br />
−
[[Strato Domingo]] (35 percent) <br />
+
[[Strato Domingo]] (35 percent)<br />
−
[[Niles (Clan planet)]] (100 percent) <br />
+
[[Niles (Clan System)|Niles]] (100 percent)<br />
−
[[Tiber (Clan planet)]] (50 percent) <br />
+
[[Tiber (Clan system)|Tiber]] (50 percent)<br />
−
[[Tokasha]] (13 percent) <br />
+
[[Tokasha]] (13 percent)<br />
−
Capital: Niles <br />
+
Capital: Niles<br />
  
−
Population (Clan Space): 95,317,000 ([[3060]]) <br />
+
Population (Clan Space): 95,317,000 ([[3060]])<br />
−
Population growth rate: 2.1 percent (71/50) <br />
+
Population growth rate: 2.1 percent (71/50)<br />
−
Self-Sufficiency Index: 93 percent <br />
+
Self-Sufficiency Index: 93 percent<br />
  
 
'''Leaders:'''<br />
 
'''Leaders:'''<br />
−
[[Khan]]: Malavai Fletcher <br />
+
[[Khan]]: Malavai Fletcher<br />
−
[[saKhan]]: Tanya DeLaurel <br />
+
[[saKhan]]: Tanya DeLaurel<br />
−
[[Loremaster]]: Helena Fletcher <br />
+
[[Loremaster]]: Helena Fletcher<br />
−
Scientist-General: Mohamed (Kepler)<br />
+
Scientist-General: Mohamed (Kepler)<br />
−
Merchant Factor: Sonja <br />
+
Merchant Factor: Sonja<br />
−
Master Technician: Amanda <br />
+
Master Technician: Amanda<br />
−
Senior Laborer: Jan <br />
+
Senior Laborer: Jan<br />
  
 
'''Military:'''<br />
 
'''Military:'''<br />
−
Clusters: 37 <br />
+
Clusters: 37<br />
−
WarShips: 10 <br />
+
WarShips: 10<br />
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
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==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
−
*''[[Betrayal of Ideals]]''
+
<div class="desktop-3-col">
−
*''[[A Bonfire of Worlds]]''
+
* ''[[Betrayal of Ideals]]''
−
*''[[The Clans: Warriors of Kerensky]]''
+
* ''[[A Bonfire of Worlds]]''
−
*''[[Era Digest: Golden Century]]''
+
* ''[[The Clans: Warriors of Kerensky]]''
−
*''[[Era Report: 3145]]''
+
* ''[[Era Digest: Golden Century]]''
−
*''[[Field Manual: 3145]]''
+
* ''[[Era Report: 3145]]''
−
*''[[Field Manual: Crusader Clans]]''
+
* ''[[Field Manual: 3145]]''
−
*''[[Field Manual: Updates]]''
+
* ''[[Field Manual: Crusader Clans]]''
−
*''[[Field Manual: Warden Clans]]''
+
* ''[[Field Manual: Updates]]''
−
*''[[Historical: Operation Klondike]]''
+
* ''[[Field Manual: Warden Clans]]''
−
*''[[Hour of the Wolf]]''
+
* ''[[Historical: Operation Klondike]]''
−
*''[[IlClan (sourcebook)|ilClan (Sourcebook]])''
+
* ''[[Hour of the Wolf]]''
−
*''[[Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers]]''
+
* ''[[IlClan (sourcebook)|IlClan]]''
−
*''[[MechWarrior's Guide to the Clans]]''
+
* ''[[Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers]]''
−
*''[[Objectives: The Clans]]''
+
* ''[[MechWarrior's Guide to the Clans]]''
−
*''[[Operational Turning Points: Hanseatic Crusade]]''
+
* ''[[Objectives: The Clans]]''
−
*''[[A Rending of Falcons]]''
+
* ''[[Operational Turning Points: Hanseatic Crusade]]''
−
*''[[Shattered Fortress]]''
+
* ''[[A Rending of Falcons]]''
−
*''[[Technical Readout: 3150]]''
+
* ''[[Shattered Fortress]]''
−
*''[[Technical Readout: Golden Century]]''
+
* [[Shrapnel #9|''Shrapnel'', issue #9]]
−
*''[[Turning Points: Tokasha]]''
+
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3150]]''
−
*''[[The Wars of Reaving]]''
+
* ''[[Technical Readout: Golden Century]]''
 +
* ''[[Test of Vengeance]]''
 +
* ''[[Turning Points: Tokasha]]''
 +
* ''[[The Wars of Reaving]]''
 +
</div>
 +
 
  
 
[[Category: Clans]]
 
[[Category: Clans]]
 
[[Category: Factions|Clans, Clan Hell's Horses]]
 
[[Category: Factions|Clans, Clan Hell's Horses]]

Latest revision as of 18:45, 28 January 2024

Clan Hell's Horses Logo
Clan Hell's Horses
Faction Profile
Time period: 2807 – Present
Classification: Clan
Controlled systems: 53 (3151)[1]
Capital world: Csesztreg
Ruler title: Khan
Military: Clan Hell's Horses touman
Secret Service: Clan Hell's Horses Watch

Clan Hell's Horses is one of the original twenty Clans founded by Nicholas Kerensky, named for the Hell's Horses genetically engineered for the highland deserts of Circe. The Clan lives by the motto that "man comes before machine," a philosophy which values the individual soldier over whichever tool of warfare he uses. While this philosophy has resulted in some battlefield practices unique among the Clans, it also permeates other aspects of Clan Hell's Horses, such that all Clan members are treated as an integral part of the greater whole, regardless of their birth. Clan Hell's Horses are also famous for creating what would become Elementals, genetically enhanced infantry who have formed an important part of Clan warfare since their introduction.

Despite being led by Crusaders, the Clan did not take part in Operation REVIVAL, though it later managed to secure a number of Inner Sphere worlds during the 3070s. As a result of this exodus and the Wars of Reaving, Clan Hell's Horses was sundered from the Clan Homeworlds, with those who remained becoming Clan Stone Lion.

The Clan remained a minor power from the post-Jihad years until the 3130s, when the rise of Malvina Hazen and Clan Wolf's migration deep into the Inner Sphere saw the Hell's Horses expand their territory and serve as increasingly unwilling allies to Clan Jade Falcon. By 3151 the Horses had ended their alliance with Hazen and asserted their status as an independent power in their own right, taking several planets from Clan Jade Falcon and the Rasalhague Dominion. In the aftermath of the ilClan Trial, the Horses rejected ilKhan Alaric Ward and his new Star League before expanding into the Hinterlands.

History[edit]

Main article: History of Clan Hell's Horses

Founding[edit]

Clan Hell's Horses was founded by Lieutenant General John Fletcher, commander of the 35th Infantry Division of the Star League Defense Force. General Fletcher, a staunch loyalist of General Aleksandr Kerensky, took part in the invasion to liberate Terra from Stefan Amaris during the Amaris Civil War. Fletcher's loyalty to Kerensky and the ideals of the Star League would inspire him to join the First Exodus from the Inner Sphere in the wake of that terrible conflict and settle on the Pentagon Worlds to start anew.[2]

For his loyalty, Fletcher was made Khan of Clan Hell's Horses, and he chose Colonel Patricia Cobb, one of his most able 'Mech battalion commanders from the Thirty-fifth, as his saKhan. Together they forged their Clan into one which placed its focus first and foremost on its warriors. For this reason they requested a smaller share of BattleMech forces in return for a larger share of conventional armor and approval to train additional infantry from decommissioned WarShip crews. In short order they were able to put together an impressive combined-arms army, bucking current military orthodoxy that saw the 'Mech as the supreme battlefield weapon. While their critics foresaw the Clan's demise, the Hell's Horses' performance would eventually cast aside the myth of 'Mech dominance.[2]

Operation Klondike[edit]

During the Trials for participating in the coveted Eden invasion part of Operation Klondike, the Hell's Horses won a surprise victory over Clan Ghost Bear.[3] For the most part the Horses were assigned auxiliary or rear-area duties, until Khan Fletcher convinced Nicholas to assign his Clan an independent operation, the conquest of the Purgatory Peninsula.[4] The Horses were able to conquer the Peninsula on their own by exploiting their enemies' tendency to focus on attacking 'Mechs to the exclusion of conventional armor and infantry. The success of the Peninsula Campaign would prove to be an apt demonstration of the Hell's Horses' combined-arms philosophy.[5][2]

Golden Century[edit]

The Horses tended to keep to themselves until they learned of the Elemental infantry armor by Clan Wolf. Eager to obtain the Elemental armor, the Hell's Horses entered a series of Trials with Clan Wolf where the armor was put up against the infantry breeding protocols that the Hell's Horses had discovered. These gigantic warriors would be known as 'Elementals'.[6] The Hell's Horses won one of the three Trials and so obtained the Elemental armor.

Other Clans challenged the Hell's Horses for the breeding rights, among them Clan Fire Mandrill. In 2870, Kindraa Smythe-Jewel of the Fire Mandrills used deceptive bidding tactics to give the impression of a much smaller force and won the Trial. Kindraa Payne would take the brunt of the Trial of Possession, while the Smythe-Jewels walked away with new Elemental breeding protocols and Battle Armor.[7] The Horses' Khan Eric Amirault demanded a Trial of Annihilation but was denied by a Grand Council vote. As the Hell's Horses prepared to move against the Fire Mandrills, Clan Coyote's Khan Manfred Hollifield stepped in. They too had been cheated by Kindraa Smythe-Jewel in their bid for the OmniMech a few years prior.[8] A combined Hell's Horses-Coyote task force descended on the Smythe-Jewel enclave on Foster and challenged them to a Trial that saw the death of the Kindraa Smythe-Jewel. The Clans each parted with great respect for one another. This action did much to win the Hell's Horses a good measure of respect from the rest of the Clans as well.[8][9][10][11]

The Invasion[edit]

Though the Crusader Horses did not win a place in the invasion, they did manage to find a way to obtain worlds in the Inner Sphere. When Khan Vladimir Ward of the Wolves started the Harvest Trials, Khan Fletcher convinced him to bid Hell's Horses units in contract bids (much as the Hell's Horses had done with the Coyotes) without first winning those units to the Wolves. Khan Ward agreed and ceded three worlds in the Clan Wolf Occupation Zone: Stanzach, Vorarlberg, and Engadin to Clan Hell's Horses.[12] During the Great Refusal on Strana Mechty, the Hell's Horses fought against and lost to the Free Rasalhague Republic's Third Drakøns. Later, the Hell's Horses raided the Ghost Bear Occupation Zone (renamed the Ghost Bear Dominion) while the Ghost Bears were at war with the Draconis Combine. The Horses attacked from their Inner Sphere holdings that they had been gifted by Clan Wolf in 3064 - this was part of a political maneuver on the part of Wolf Khan Vlad Ward to tempt the Horses into attacking the Ghost Bear Dominion, weakening both of the Wolves' rival Clans.[13] However, after the war with the Combine ended, the Bears retaliated and seized all three of the Hell's Horses worlds, sending them back to Clan Space. Khan Malavai Fletcher's leadership was challenged and he was slain by James Cobb, a Warden, who assumed the Khanship.[14]

In December of 3067, Star Adder Khan Stanislov N'Buta uncovered James Cobb's plan to invade the Inner Sphere after reports from a successful Trial of Possession against the Hell's Horses for some supplies on Nouveaux Paris. Confronting Cobb with this information, N'Buta and the Horse Khan bargained that N'Buta would keep the Horses' secret in exchange for access to the manufacturing facilities on Nouveaux Paris. The two Khans also bargained that Clan Star Adder would attack Clan Wolf's territory in the Clan Homeworlds, in order to distract the Wolves from the Horses' operations - in return, the Horses would cede Hoard to Clan Star Adder.[15]

Wars of Reaving and the Jihad[edit]

In 3068, as part of an intelligence-gathering mission, the Hell's Horses 91st Mechanized Assault Cluster Trialed for and won the entire contents of the Ghost Bear Dominion Watch's database as well as three DropShips. As part of this successful operation, Horses Khan Cobb claimed Ghost Bear ristar Jake Kabrinski as a bondsman as part of a long-term plan to win an alliance with the Ghost Bear Dominion.[16]

In 3070 Clan Hell's Horses would finally commence their migration to the Inner Sphere. Establishing a limited alliance with Clan Ice Hellion, the Horses attacked the Clan Wolf Occupation Zone and managed to secure multiple worlds from the Wolves, as well as founding a new Omega Galaxy from Wolf abtakha who eagerly assimilated into the Horses.[17]

The following year of 3071 saw the next phase of expansion by the Hell's Horses - by April, the Horses had taken no less than twenty-nine worlds from Clan Wolf, including Steelton and Csesztreg, the world that would eventually become the capital of the Horses' Occupation Zone.[18]

After a failed attempt by Clan Jade Falcon to take Steelton in April of 3071, that world would eventually be wrested away from the Hell's Horses in September by their erstwhile allies in Clan Ice Hellion.[19] The following month, Horses Khan Cobb and Falcon Khan Marthe Pryde agreed to cease hostilities between their two Clans and instead jointly attack the Ice Hellions. By February of 3072, the Horses had taken nine worlds from the Ice Hellions,[20] and the matter was settled in March when a joint Jade Falcon-Hell's Horses force (including the Horses' Iota Galaxy, which had been partially relocated from the Homeworlds by this time) assaulted the Hellions' last remaining world of Vantaa and crushed the Hellion touman, all but annihilating the Ice Hellions.[21]

However, while the Hell's Horses were going from strength to strength in the Inner Sphere, the same could not be said of the portion of their civilian castes and touman remaining in the Clan Homeworlds. The Wars of Reaving and the machinations of The Society had consumed the Clan Homeworlds, and the Hell's Horses remaining there were isolated and cut off from their leadership which now resided in the Inner Sphere. The Horses' population in the Homeworlds were easy prey for other Clans. Similarly, the Horses' territory in the Deep Periphery was under threat, and an attempt to liberate Nouveaux Paris from a Society coup ended in disaster when Eta Galaxy was badly mauled by a Clan Burrock ambush, losing nearly all but a Cluster.[22] Having suffered extreme casualties, Eta Galaxy was disbanded and its remaining troops sent to bolster other damaged formations in the Horses touman.[23]

Eventually, the Horses would be successful in carving out their own occupation zone, becoming members of the Council of Six Clans. They would join the other Spheroid Clans in cutting off all relations with their Homeworld brethren and join with Devlin Stone's coalition, lending it a Cluster of warriors.[24]

Those Hell's Horses who survived the Wars of Reaving in the Homeworlds were accused by their brethren of being tainted due to the Horses' involvement with the exiled Wolves and Kell Hounds mercenary unit. Zeta Galaxy Commander Magnus DelVillar, the senior remaining Horses officer, countered these claims by pointing out that none of his warriors had actually been to the Inner Sphere themselves. After a hard-fought Trial of Refusal, the Grand Council motion to Abjure the bulk of Clan Hell's Horses was upheld, as was the Absorption by Clan Star Adder of the "untainted" Horses in the Homeworlds. However, Adder Khan Stanislov N'Buta was impressed enough with the Horses' conduct that he offered DelVillar an alternative, and in short order Clan Stone Lion was formed from those Horses remaining in the Clan Homeworlds.[25]

Dark Age[edit]

Having firmly established their Occupation Zone - carved out of former Wolf, Jade Falcon and Ice Hellion territory - the Hell's Horses found themselves trapped between powerful neighbors.[26] During the Dark Age, a tactical doctrine was developed by the Horses: the "Mongol Doctrine". The Doctrine, initially proposed during the 3080s by one Star Colonel Domnall Seidman, emphasized the rapid use of light vehicles and 'Mechs to engage in hit-and-run tactics, drawing foes into position for heavy and assault-class 'Mechs and vehicles to strike. This was practiced by the First Horde Cluster, a command granted to Seidman to test his new Doctrine. The Doctrine, as Seidman envisioned it, became popular among the Horses - however, a radical reinterpretation of the Mongol Doctrine used by Clan Jade Falcon, led by the infamous Galaxy Commander Malvina Hazen, focused less on the tactical use of light assets and instead on the psychological impact of subjecting enemies to maximum brutality in order to weaken their morale and that of their allies.[26] This "perversion" of the Mongol Doctrine enraged some Horses: in 3136, a Horse Galaxy commander, ristar Tristan Fletcher, traveled to the planet Skye, challenging Hazen to a Trial of Possession for the Mongol Doctrine.[27] Both commanders fought in tanks, and Fletcher was defeated and slain by the Mad Falcon.[28] In November 3139, Malvina Hazen's forces staged a Trial of Possession for the agricultural worlds of Romulus and Harvest: "accidentally" starting fires at great expenses to their lands, threatening the Horses' worlds with the prospect of famine, forcing the Horses' Khan to form an alliance with the Falcons, named the Golden Ordun.[29]

The Horses' Khan Gottfried Amirault, sent only parts of his touman to fight with the Falcons, keeping their losses low, but helping them conquer a large swath of the Commonwealth.[30]

However, as a result of the failure to take the planet and Hazen's inability to prevent the Horses' departure, the Horses' Khan dissolved the Ordun and the Clan returned to their Occupation Zone, having fully abandoned their erstwhile Jade Falcon allies by the end of the year.[31]

After successfully extracting themselves from the Golden Ordun and thereby annulling their alliance with Clan Jade Falcon, the next steps for the Hell's Horses were to reclaim the Mongol Doctrine from their former allies. In late 3146, saKhan Lassenerra devised a plan to do exactly that.[32] The following year, the first phase of Lassenerra's plan (which would become known as Operation NOYAN) would begin. After its success, he then outlined his plans for Phase Two of Operation NOYAN - an incursion against the Jade Falcons themselves. Taking several planets from the Falcons, the Hell's Horses Clan Council declared Operation NOYAN a success and set about preparing themselves for Malvina Hazen's retaliation. However, the "Chinggis Khan" was otherwise engaged, and the anticipated attack never came.[32]

ilClan Era[edit]

Following the success of Operation NOYAN, the Hell's Horses Khans resolved to use the momentum from NOYAN for a further push into Jade Falcon territory. In the process, Khan Amirault uncovered information that the Jade Falcons were on their way to Terra en masse. The Horses' Khan had his own plan to conquer the cradle of humanity - however, since Khan Amirault did not know how to breach the defenses of the Fortress Republic, they decided to take what they could from the Jade Falcon occupation zone with the newly declared Operation STAMPEDE out of retaliation for their manipulation of the Hell's Horses and their Mongol Doctrine.[33]

By then, the Horses were in an almost civil war situation, with both Khans fighting each other for power. Trials between castes, for one or another, were almost ripping the Clan apart. A third faction emerged around a young Star Captain, Peter Cobb, one focused in uniting their Clan.[34]

Initially devised as a plan for the Hell's Horses push on Terra, then mothballed after Malvina Hazen's claiming of the Mongol Doctrine, Operation Stampede was repurposed as a plan for attacking the Jade Falcon territory now left exposed by the Falcons' rush to Terra. Khan Amirault, sensing the opportunity to secure a large amount of near-undefended Jade Falcon territory, ordered several waves of attacks into the Falcon Occupation Zone. However, after knowing that the Falcons have abandoned their worlds, the Khan stopped the invasion and turned Stampede into a dash to Terra, but they arrived too late.

After Clan Wolf's final victory in the ilClan Trial made Alaric Ward ilKhan and Clan Wolf the ilClan, a delegation from the Hell's Horses arrived on Terra led by the Horses' Khan and saKhan. Angry at the Wolves for denying his Clan the opportunity to fight on Terra, Amirault stated that he did not recognize Ward as ilKhan and claimed that the Wolves had unfairly denied the Hell's Horses a chance to become the ilClan, while at the same time "inviting" Clan Jade Falcon to Terra to participate in the planet's conquest. Amirault then demanded a Trial of Refusal against Ward - Ward responded by pointing out that the Wolves were under no obligation to invite the Hell's Horses to Terra, nor had the Horses earned the right to such a consideration.[35] Ward then stated that there would be no Circle of Equals between himself and Amirault because, as ilKhan and First Lord of the Star League, he had no equal. Amirault, in response, declared that the Hell's Horses would not stand for such an offence[36] and the Horses' delegation publicly declared their nonrecognition of the new ilKhan's authority before the assembled Clan representatives during Ward's coronation as First Lord.[37]

In order to prepare themselves for the inevitable hostilities with Clan Wolf, Khan Amirault and saKhan Lassenerra turned Stampede again as a plan to conquer the rest of the former Jade Falcon Occupation Zone, within which several petty kingdoms were already forming.[38] Despite initial success, these efforts met with failure as the Hell's Horses were dealt a series of embarrassing defeats at the hands of several Jade Falcon remnants and pirate raids, specifically their defeat when assaulting the Alyina Mercantile League Shipyard of Butler and their failure to crush the last Jade Falcons at the Battle of Sudeten (3152).[39] As a consequence, saKhan Lassenerra accused Khan Amirault of squandering the Hell's Horses position through his hesitancy and overcautiousness, and killed him in a Trial of Position, thereby becoming the new Khan.[40] The Hell's Horses were back under the leadership of a true warrior.[41]

Culture[edit]

Clan Hell's Horses' philosophy of valuing the individual's role in the greater whole permeates all levels of society. While caste and birth prejudice still exists within the Clan, it is kept in check by ongoing efforts which extol cooperation among and within all Clan castes. This unity extends from the lowliest laborer toiling in the factories to the Khans themselves, and none are held in less esteem than is earned. Even freeborns and solahma warriors are given respect where other Clans would tolerate or mistreat them; only dezgra warriors are exempt from this rule.[42][43]

Politicking is mostly shunned by the Hell's Horses, even at the Grand Council level where the Khans see their duty in leading their Clan as more important than backroom bargaining. As far as Clansmen go the Hell's Horses are seen as docile and unswervingly obedient to the chain of command, making their Clan far more stable than others where internal power plays are the norm, though this lack of personal initiative has hampered their efforts to expand beyond their already-considerable Homeworld enclaves. Their use of contract warfare, allowing warriors of different units or even Clans to include each other's forces in a single bid, would seem to run counter to this idea, however the Hell's Horses view it as a strategic matter to ensure victories that go beyond the Clan's own concerns.[42][43]

Post–Migration to the Inner Sphere[edit]

Following their migration into the Inner Sphere, the Horses managed to establish good relations with the native Spheroid populations of their worlds. Ruling with a lighter hand than the Wolves and Jade Falcons, the Horses tend to keep to their "DropShip cities" (semipermanent camps) and turn a blind eye to the sizeable black market in Spheroid luxuries in exchange for their authority remaining unquestioned. While thus effectively separate societies, the Clan and its native Spheroid subjects work together as partners in keeping their "nation" running smoothly. However this leniency has also been taken advantage of by disaffected natives, particularly in the former Wolf-controlled worlds.[44][26]

Cooperation[edit]

The Horses' spirit of cooperation is a large part of the Clan. Warriors and lower-caste members work well together to accomplish their goals. As for warriors, freeborns and solahma can also work together on the field. Their spirit of cooperation is no more apparent in their ritual known as the Branding Ritual. In this ritual, warriors are required to work in groups of six while hunting for their totem animal on the world of Niles. Success in doing so will give the warriors the Mark of the Horse. Failure due to a lack of cooperation will result in being branded with the Mark of Hell, where people will be noted of their shame.[45]

Trial of Renewal (August 22)[edit]

Before Founding Day happens, the Alpha and Omega Keshiks meet in mock combat against each other. This holiday goes with the shifting of other Keshiks on Strana Mechty. The event is broadcast on Niles, where other Clans may watch the Trial ensue. The winner of the Trial will be selected to lead their Clan's delegation for Founding Day.[46]

The Mad Stampede[edit]

The Mad Stampede was a new tradition among Clan Hell's Horses in the Inner Sphere. It consists of a race of several wheeled or-hovercraft vehicles on a planet which doesn't belong to their Clan and usually held by an enemy. The Horses sometimes ask for safcon before landing a single DropShip, refusing to explain their acts to the locals, almost ensuring that these will attack the racers, to make it a more interesting and difficult race. The winners obtain great prestige.[47]

Military[edit]

Main article: Clan Hell's Horses Touman
Hell's Horses Warrior with tank

Clan Hell's Horses incorporate a number of unique features into their military doctrine which sets them apart from other Clans, most notably their use of conventional infantry and armor even in front-line units. Their model of combined-arms warfare means roughly two-thirds of all 'Mech Stars are part of a Nova formation, while all vehicle Stars contain an equal number of infantry Points. As a result their touman numbers fewer 'Mechs than normal but make up for it in a disproportionate amount of infantry and support.

The Clan is also unique for instituting the official ranks of Nova Commander and Nova Captain to command Novas and Supernovas. The existence of such ranks also means more positions for warriors to fight over in a Trial of Position and means many more warriors are found in the middle ranks than in other Clans.

Bloodnames[edit]

Founding Bloodnames:[48]
Allychuk Amirault Anu Bolt Brown
Budõlin Burns Camejo Cobb Cooper
DeLaurel Dudzinsky Dwelley Fletcher Grimheald
Houan Iler Johnston Kebede Lassenerra
Liang Mazzoni Mendoza Mitchell Moiseyev
Murphy Neely O'Reilly Peck Priddy
Purchase Ravenwater Rickard Robinson Rowbotham
Seidman Steding Thompson Weißenborn Zuijdweg
Exclusive Bloodnames Post–Operation REVIVAL:[49]
General MechWarriors Elementals Aerospace Pilots ProtoMech Pilots
Cobb Amirault Cooper Bourjon
DeLaurel Lassenerra Fletcher Dudzinsky
Mitchell Houan Dwelley
Ravenwater Seidman Johnston
Exclusive Bloodnames Post–Wars of Reaving:[50]
General MechWarriors Elementals Aerospace Pilots ProtoMech Pilots
Cobb Amirault Cooper Dudzinsky Grimheald
DeLaurel Mitchell* Fletcher Dwelley* Johnston*
Ravenwater Houan*
Seidman*
Shared Bloodnames Post–Wars of Reaving:[50]
(Column titles signify the other Clans with which the Bloodnames are shared)
Diamond Shark Ghost Bear Dominion Jade Falcon Snow Raven Wolf
Hawker Hawker Icaza Lassenerra Hawker
Vewas Icaza Mehta Vewas Lankenaux
Lankenaux Mehta

* This signifies a Bloodname with a Bloodcount of five or less active Bloodrights
x This signifies a Bloodname with genefather rights only

Rulers[edit]

Khans[edit]

See: Khan of Clan Hell's Horses

saKhans[edit]

See: SaKhan of Clan Hell's Horses

Loremasters[edit]

See: Loremaster of Clan Hell's Horses

Inter-Clan Relations[edit]

Clan Name Symbol Relationship Reason
Clan Ghost Bear Clan Ghost Bear logo.png Ally The Horses were responsible for the death of Ghost Bear Khan Kilbourne Jorgensson, which sent the Ghost Bears into a fury. Afterward, the Horse-Bear feud would last until the early 3070s when the Hell's Horses and Ice Hellions invaded the Inner Sphere. They would broker a peace between the Ghost Bears to end all hostilities between the two Clans.
Clan Name Symbol Relationship Reason
Clan Fire Mandrill Clan Fire Mandrill.jpg Enemy Clan Fire Mandrill views the Horses in full contempt for the death of Kindraa Smythe-Jewel (unaware of Kindraa Payne's involvement). This feud would last for generations until their destruction in the Wars of Reaving.
Clan Jade Falcon Clan Jade Falcon.jpg Enemy During the Dark Age and ilClan eras, the Hell's Horses would become at first unwilling allies, and then outright enemies to Clan Jade Falcon. Malvina Hazen's perceived corruption of the Horses' prized Mongol Doctrine, her slaying of the Horses' Galaxy Commander Tristan Fletcher, and her manipulation of the Horses' into forcing them to join her frenzied attacks against the Lyran Commonwealth and Clan Wolf during the later 3140s would give rise to significant enmity towards her and her Clan amongst the Horses. After she was wounded and put in a coma during the fighting on Hesperus II, the Horses took the opportunity to withdraw from their alliance, reverse Hazen's pollution of the Mongol Doctrine, and repeatedly conquer Jade Falcon worlds left behind by the Falcons' push towards Terra in 3151.
Clan Wolf Clan Wolf logo.png Enemy Clan Hell's Horses held good ties until the Great Refusal. Horse Khan Malavai was slain by his successor, who invaded Clan Wolf worlds in revenge for his Clan's manipulation during the Jihad Era. These hostilities would continue well into the Dark Ages when the Horses claimed the Wolf Clan's former occupation zone after the creation of the Wolf Empire in Lyran territory and after the ilClan Trial when Horse leadership refused to recognize Alaric's claim as ilKhan after feeling that the Wolves robbed their opportunity for an important battle.
Clan Ice Hellion Clan Ice Hellion.jpg Enemy Clan Ice Hellion was the first ally of the Horses due to being part of Asa Taney's Home Clan Coalition, until the Harvest Trials and Great Refusal broke those ties. A decade later, Ice Hellion Khan Raina Montose would ally with the Horses again to plan for an invasion into the Inner Sphere. Unfortunately, the "alliance" of Clan Ice Hellion did nothing to benefit either Clan. There were no signs of cooperation shown between the two, instead the Ice Hellions angered the Horses to such an extent that the Horses turned on them. This would ultimately lead to their downfall.
Clan Coyote Clan Coyote.jpg Enemy With Clan Coyote, their alliance would grow when the deceit of Clan Fire Mandrill's Kindraa Smythe-Jewel was exposed. It was found out that the Kindraa had used dishonorable tactics against the Hell's Horses and Coyotes to get ahold of both the Elemental gene-type and OmniMech technology respectively. This would call for both Clans to create an alliance to punish the Kindraa, ending in their destruction. Both Clans gain the Smythe and Jewel Bloodnames and grew into a long-lasting friendship between the two. Though the Coyotes and Hell's Horses have different philosophies, they still respect each other and call themselves "honored comrades". These relations would change in the mid 3070s after the Clan civil war that separated the Clans as a whole. The Horses would sever all ties with the Home Clans (which the Coyotes were part of), while the Coyotes would switch their friendship to the Horses' offshoot, the Stone Lions.

Era Specific Data[edit]

3062[edit]

Hell's Horses Demographics
Affiliation: Crusader

Clan Space Worlds:
Bearclaw (30 percent)
Eden (31 percent)
Hoard (10 percent)
Kirin (100 percent)
Strato Domingo (35 percent)
Niles (100 percent)
Tiber (50 percent)
Tokasha (13 percent)
Capital: Niles

Population (Clan Space): 95,317,000 (3060)
Population growth rate: 2.1 percent (71/50)
Self-Sufficiency Index: 93 percent

Leaders:
Khan: Malavai Fletcher
saKhan: Tanya DeLaurel
Loremaster: Helena Fletcher
Scientist-General: Mohamed (Kepler)
Merchant Factor: Sonja
Master Technician: Amanda
Senior Laborer: Jan

Military:
Clusters: 37
WarShips: 10

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Shattered Fortress, pp. 102–103: "Inner Sphere - 3151"
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Field Manual: Crusader Clans, p. 53
  3. ↑ Historical: Operation Klondike, p. 89
  4. ↑ Historical: Operation Klondike, p. 91
  5. ↑ Historical: Operation Klondike, pp. 91–92, 138
  6. ↑ Field Manual: Crusader Clans, p. 54: "Golden Century"
  7. ↑ Field Manual: Crusader Clans, p. 39: "Striking from Solitude"
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Field Manual: Crusader Clans, pp. 54–55: "Hell's Fury"
  9. ↑ Field Manual: Crusader Clans, p. 39: "Death of a Kindraa"
  10. ↑ Field Manual: Warden Clans, pp. 41–42: "Righteous Vengeance"
  11. ↑ Era Digest: Golden Century, pp. 9–10: "Bad Blood"
  12. ↑ Field Manual: Crusader Clans, p. 57
  13. ↑ Test of Vengeance, ch. 3
  14. ↑ The Wars of Reaving, p. 13: "Armed Politics"
  15. ↑ The Wars of Reaving, p. 33: "Absent but Present"
  16. ↑ The Wars of Reaving, p. 34: "The Rise of the Warrior-Ambassador"
  17. ↑ The Wars of Reaving, p. 57: "Hellion Folly, Horse's Gains"
  18. ↑ The Wars of Reaving, p. 65: "Merges and Moves"
  19. ↑ The Wars of Reaving, p. 71: "The Hellion Strikes"
  20. ↑ The Wars of Reaving, p. 84: "Icy Fire"
  21. ↑ The Wars of Reaving, p. 85: "Icy Fire"
  22. ↑ The Wars of Reaving, p. 118: "Spreading Contagion"
  23. ↑ Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers, p. 145: The Raging Horsemen"
  24. ↑ The Wars of Reaving, p. 175: "Clan Hell's Horses"
  25. ↑ The Wars of Reaving, pp. 146–149
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 Era Report: 3145, p. 60
  27. ↑ Era Report: 3145, p. 100
  28. ↑ A Rending of Falcons, p. 28
  29. ↑ A Bonfire of Worlds, p. 65
  30. ↑ Field Manual: 3145, p. 154
  31. ↑ Field Manual: 3145, p. 150
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Shattered Fortress, p. 44
  33. ↑ Hour of the Wolf, p. 98
  34. ↑ Elements of Treason: Honor
  35. ↑ Hour of the Wolf, p. 360
  36. ↑ Hour of the Wolf, p. 361
  37. ↑ IlClan, p. 109
  38. ↑ Tamar Rising, p. 58: "A Fateful Summons"
  39. ↑ Tamar Rising, pp. 63–67
  40. ↑ Tamar Rising, p. 68: "The Consequences of Caution"
  41. ↑ Tamar Rising, p. 93: "Fulk Lassenerra"
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 Field Manual: Crusader Clans, p. 58
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 MechWarrior's Guide to the Clans, p. 23
  44. ↑ Field Manual: 3145, p. 151: "Clan Hell's Horses"
  45. ↑ Field Manual: Crusader Clans, pp. 61–63
  46. ↑ The Clans: Warriors of Kerensky, pp. 7–8, 50
  47. ↑ Shrapnel #9: Chaos Campaign Scenario: The Mad Stampede
  48. ↑ Historical: Operation Klondike, p. 35: "Origins of the Bloodnames: The Clans' Founders
  49. ↑ Field Manual: Crusader Clans, p. 53: "Clan Hell's Horses Exclusive Bloodnames"
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 The Wars of Reaving, p. 195: "Bloodnames of the Council of Six Clans"

Bibliography[edit]

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