Difference between revisions of "Manei Domini"

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{{Update Needed|[[The Wars of Reaving]], [[Jihad: Final Reckoning]]}}
 
{{Update Needed|[[The Wars of Reaving]], [[Jihad: Final Reckoning]]}}
The '''Manei Domini''' were an elite group of cybernetically-enhanced soldiers who served the [[Word of Blake]] from approximately [[3060]] into the early [[3080]]s. Their name is in latin, and means ''Hands of the Master''.<ref>''A Guide To Covert Ops'' p. 105 - organization translated name.</ref>  These soldiers were considered their own sub-group within Word of Blake organization, forming the [[Shadow Divisions]].  Public knowledge of them was largely unknown until the [[Jihad]] began in [[3068]].<ref>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3072'', p. 119 - "Rules Annex" - Manei Domini - Creation rules mentions Domini existed during the 3060s as small special operation teams.</ref>  This warrior-culture answered only to the Manei Domini leadership. Their leadership included the [[Precentor]] of the Manei Domini, an individual named [[Apollyon]], who answered to an individual known only as [[Thomas Marik|the Master]].<ref>''Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents'', p. 81 – "Apollyon profile" – Title of Precentor Manei Domini and him answering only to the Master are listed</ref>
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The '''Manei Domini''' were an elite group of cybernetically-enhanced soldiers who served the [[Word of Blake]] from approximately [[3060]] into the early [[3080]]s. Their name is in latin, and means ''Hands of the Master''.<ref>''A Guide To Covert Ops'' p. 105 - organization translated name.</ref>  These soldiers were considered their own sub-group within Word of Blake organization, forming the [[Shadow Divisions]].  Public knowledge of them was largely unknown until the [[Jihad]] began in [[3068]].<ref>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3072'', p. 119 - "Rules Annex" - Manei Domini - Creation rules mentions Domini existed during the 3060s as small special operation teams.</ref>  This warrior-culture answered only to the Manei Domini leadership. Their leadership included the [[Precentor]] of the Manei Domini, an individual named [[Apollyon]], who answered to an individual known only as [[Thomas Marik|the Master]].<ref>''Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents'', p. 81 – "Apollyon profile" – Title of Precentor Manei Domini and him answering only to the Master are listed</ref>
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
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During most of the 3060s the Manei Domini were reportedly operating strictly as a spec ops organization. Intelligence agencies begun hearing reports on the Manei Domini, starting from [[Outreach]].  When the [[Wolf's Dragoons|Dragoon]]'s [[Wolfnet]] began to hear of the Manei Domini, they first thought they were a covert-mercenary group.  Their name in some reports was sometimes mentioned as the ''Manei Atrocis'', or '''Bloody Hands'''<ref>''Interstellar Players'' p. 15 - "The Sixth of June"</ref>.  Signs of the unit first appeared on the [[Periphery]] world of ''[[Helios (planet)|Helios]]'', where the wreckage of a Manei Domini vehicle was found with a Bloody Hand symbol on it.  The Domini's level of secrecy caused confusion with the Dragoons, who were trying to locate them. Domini activities had been principally located in the [[Chaos March]], but were also found in the [[Marian Hegemony]] and [[Circinus Federation]].  In the Chaos March, the Domini wiped out [[House Liao|Capellan]]-backed insurgencies, including the [[Zhanzheng de Guang]], on [[Caph]], [[Fletcher]], [[Hall]], [[Keid]] and [[Liberty]]. The Manei Domini was also waging a war against Wolf's Dragoons' Wolfnet and [[7th Kommandos|Seventh Kommandos]] as well, arranging the brutal murders of many Dragoons members, and organizing bomb attacks to ultimately isolate the Dragoon's Intelligence Service so it could not operate properly.   
 
During most of the 3060s the Manei Domini were reportedly operating strictly as a spec ops organization. Intelligence agencies begun hearing reports on the Manei Domini, starting from [[Outreach]].  When the [[Wolf's Dragoons|Dragoon]]'s [[Wolfnet]] began to hear of the Manei Domini, they first thought they were a covert-mercenary group.  Their name in some reports was sometimes mentioned as the ''Manei Atrocis'', or '''Bloody Hands'''<ref>''Interstellar Players'' p. 15 - "The Sixth of June"</ref>.  Signs of the unit first appeared on the [[Periphery]] world of ''[[Helios (planet)|Helios]]'', where the wreckage of a Manei Domini vehicle was found with a Bloody Hand symbol on it.  The Domini's level of secrecy caused confusion with the Dragoons, who were trying to locate them. Domini activities had been principally located in the [[Chaos March]], but were also found in the [[Marian Hegemony]] and [[Circinus Federation]].  In the Chaos March, the Domini wiped out [[House Liao|Capellan]]-backed insurgencies, including the [[Zhanzheng de Guang]], on [[Caph]], [[Fletcher]], [[Hall]], [[Keid]] and [[Liberty]]. The Manei Domini was also waging a war against Wolf's Dragoons' Wolfnet and [[7th Kommandos|Seventh Kommandos]] as well, arranging the brutal murders of many Dragoons members, and organizing bomb attacks to ultimately isolate the Dragoon's Intelligence Service so it could not operate properly.   
  
During this period, the Manei Domini had been attacking other [[Great House]]'s Intelligence agencies as well. [[ComStar]] [[ROM]] had reported that the fanatical agents whom they believed were Manei Domini extensively trained in counter-insurgency, espionage, insurgency, and terrorism. They were shown to used self-destruct device.  Dead Manei agent were discovered using cybernetic enhancements, but as of this time no one [[Inner Sphere]] intelligence agency had yet known who the Manei Domini were or who they worked for.<ref>''A Guide To Covert Ops'' p. 105 - Manei Domini - the schetchy early history of organization from ops book.</ref>
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During this period, the Manei Domini had been attacking other [[Great House]]'s Intelligence agencies as well. [[ComStar]] [[ROM]] had reported that the fanatical agents whom they believed were Manei Domini extensively trained in counter-insurgency, espionage, insurgency, and terrorism. They were shown to used self-destruct device.  Dead Manei agent were discovered using cybernetic enhancements, but as of this time no one [[Inner Sphere]] intelligence agency had yet known who the Manei Domini were or who they worked for.<ref>''A Guide To Covert Ops'' p. 105 - Manei Domini - the sketchy early history of organization from ops book.</ref>
  
 
===Jihad===
 
===Jihad===
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==Overview of Manei Domini==
 
==Overview of Manei Domini==
While cybernetic-enhanced operatives were not unheard of in the Inner Sphere, the Manei Domini stood above all others with the complexity and number of enhancements, and no equivalent to them could be found even among ComStar or the Clans.  Outside of actual combat however they were rarely encountered by the general public, and in such instances almost never more than six were seen at at time.<ref name=JHS72-120>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3072'', pg. 120</ref>
+
While cybernetic-enhanced operatives were not unheard of in the Inner Sphere, the Manei Domini stood above all others with the complexity and number of their enhancements, and no equivalent to them could be found even among ComStar or the Clans.  Outside of actual combat however they were rarely encountered by the general public, and in such instances almost never more than six were seen at at time.<ref name=JHS72-120>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3072'', pg. 120</ref>
  
 
===Recruitment===
 
===Recruitment===
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===Characteristics and Combat Style===
 
===Characteristics and Combat Style===
Manei Domini soldiers are known for their fierceness, fearlessness, and fanatical devotion to their Master, and were rated as elite warriors regardless of rank or duty. In addition, they trust their fellow Manei Domini kin without question and harbor few ambitions beyond serving the Master, further compounding their combat capability.  This level of indoctrination makes it nearly impossible to convince a Manei Domini to change their mind or turn against one another.  Only by getting through their automatic distrust of non-Manei Domini and appealing to their belief in the Master's will would a person have any hope of a chance.<ref name=JHS72-122>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3072'', p. 122</ref>
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Manei Domini soldiers were known for their fierceness, fearlessness, and fanatical devotion to their Master, and were rated as elite warriors regardless of rank or duty. In addition, they trusted their fellow Manei Domini kin without question and harbored few ambitions beyond serving the Master, further compounding their combat capability.  This level of indoctrination made it nearly impossible to convince a Manei Domini to change their mind or turn against one another.  Only by getting through their automatic distrust of non-Manei Domini and appealing to their belief in the Master's will would a person have any hope of a chance.<ref name=JHS72-122>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3072'', p. 122</ref>
  
Manei Domini in combat were lethal, ruthless killers, but they were not just berserkers who killed all in sight with no regard for tactics or discipline. Manei Domini would regularly engage multiple targets at once so as to be efficient as possible, whilst occasionally adding the odd gory or grisly kill to demoralize opponents. Manei Domini never retreated out of fear but did make withdrawals when the situation proved untenable, unless a last stand was conducive to the will of their superiors.  Manei Domini were almost never captured alive, and those that were almost always killed themselves rather than be interrogated, again unless they saw it as furthering their superiors wishes. Manei Domini would kill all [[Clan]] opponents that were captured or surrendered, underlining their utter hatred for the Clans.
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Manei Domini in combat were lethal, ruthless killers, but they were not just berserkers who killed all in sight with no regard for tactics or discipline. Manei Domini would regularly engage multiple targets at once so as to be efficient as possible, whilst occasionally adding the odd gory or grisly kill to demoralize opponents. Manei Domini never retreated out of fear but, unless a last stand was conductive to the will of their superiors, they did make withdrawals when the situation proved untenableFor the same reason the Manei Domini never surrendered or allowed themselves to be taken capture, either activating their self-destruct implants themselves or through remote trigger by friendly operatives, unless again it served the Master's will, i.e. getting close enough to kill an enemy commander.<ref name=JHS72-122/><ref name=JHS72-123>''Jihad Hot Spots: 3072'', p. 123</ref>
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Those times when the Manei Domini interacted with the Inner Sphere in a non-combat manner, they often displayed an attitude of dispassionate superiority.  After all, the Domini were merely humble servants of the Master, sacrifices for the redemption of all humankind.  Such indifferent contempt for the "frails" showed itself in a number of areas: for example captives were rarely mistreated, at least if there wasn't a tactically beneficial reason to do so.  The exceptions were those of noble birth or otherwise directly connected to the Great Houses, whom the Manei Domini saw as responsible for the dissolution of the [[Second Star League]], and members of the [[Clans]], the enemy for which they had originally been created to destroy.  Such was their hatred for the Clans that most captives taken by the Manei Domini were summarily executed on the spot.
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When interacting with other members of the Word of Blake, the Manei Domini were noted to have an arrogance ironically similar to that displayed by Clan warriors when dealing with lower caste members.  Indeed the fact that the Manei Domini were not formally a part of the standard command structure often caused friction with "common" Blakists forces, though such internal rivalries were little more than passing interests to the Manei Domini.  Indeed whenever the Manei Domini served alongside these forces in battle they often saw it almost as a favor to them; if they followed the orders of a conventional Blakist officer it was only so long as said orders were seen to serve the Master's will.<ref name=JHS72-122/>
  
 
===Language===
 
===Language===

Revision as of 16:13, 10 July 2013

Property "Update Needed From" (as page type) with input value "The Wars of Reaving]], [[Jihad: Final Reckoning" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process. The Manei Domini were an elite group of cybernetically-enhanced soldiers who served the Word of Blake from approximately 3060 into the early 3080s. Their name is in latin, and means Hands of the Master.[1] These soldiers were considered their own sub-group within Word of Blake organization, forming the Shadow Divisions. Public knowledge of them was largely unknown until the Jihad began in 3068.[2] This warrior-culture answered only to the Manei Domini leadership. Their leadership included the Precentor of the Manei Domini, an individual named Apollyon, who answered to an individual known only as the Master.[3]

History

Early History

During most of the 3060s the Manei Domini were reportedly operating strictly as a spec ops organization. Intelligence agencies begun hearing reports on the Manei Domini, starting from Outreach. When the Dragoon's Wolfnet began to hear of the Manei Domini, they first thought they were a covert-mercenary group. Their name in some reports was sometimes mentioned as the Manei Atrocis, or Bloody Hands[4]. Signs of the unit first appeared on the Periphery world of Helios, where the wreckage of a Manei Domini vehicle was found with a Bloody Hand symbol on it. The Domini's level of secrecy caused confusion with the Dragoons, who were trying to locate them. Domini activities had been principally located in the Chaos March, but were also found in the Marian Hegemony and Circinus Federation. In the Chaos March, the Domini wiped out Capellan-backed insurgencies, including the Zhanzheng de Guang, on Caph, Fletcher, Hall, Keid and Liberty. The Manei Domini was also waging a war against Wolf's Dragoons' Wolfnet and Seventh Kommandos as well, arranging the brutal murders of many Dragoons members, and organizing bomb attacks to ultimately isolate the Dragoon's Intelligence Service so it could not operate properly.

During this period, the Manei Domini had been attacking other Great House's Intelligence agencies as well. ComStar ROM had reported that the fanatical agents whom they believed were Manei Domini extensively trained in counter-insurgency, espionage, insurgency, and terrorism. They were shown to used self-destruct device. Dead Manei agent were discovered using cybernetic enhancements, but as of this time no one Inner Sphere intelligence agency had yet known who the Manei Domini were or who they worked for.[5]

Jihad

It was not until the outbreak of the Jihad that the Manei Domini were organized into thirteen military-style “Shadow Divisions”. These forces were initially raised, trained and equipped for a genocidal showdown with the Clans, as most of their augmentations are aimed at besting the genetically enhanced Clan warriors. However with the fall of the Second Star League they were soon unleashed on an unsuspecting Inner Sphere.

The conflict saw the massive expansion of the Word of Blake Protectorate which formed in 3066, and the Domini's Shadow Divisions were dispatched with regular (formerly hidden) Word of Blake Militia Divisions to attack various strategic targets. These missions ranged from crippling the major Inner Sphere nations' capitals and industries to securing vital resources needed to bolster the Protectorate's integrity. Though used to supplement the Militia Divisions, Shadow Divisions were not under direct command of WoB High Command.

By mid-way through the War, Shadow Divisions began to strike against Protectorate controlled worlds masquerading as House units for unsuspected reasons. Precentor Manei Domini from intelligence reports was being accused by Precentor Martial Cameron St. Jamais of dispatching the Shadow Divisions in 3075.[6]

Overview of Manei Domini

While cybernetic-enhanced operatives were not unheard of in the Inner Sphere, the Manei Domini stood above all others with the complexity and number of their enhancements, and no equivalent to them could be found even among ComStar or the Clans. Outside of actual combat however they were rarely encountered by the general public, and in such instances almost never more than six were seen at at time.[7]

Recruitment

Once a member of the organization many Manei Domini considered their previous life over, but to be inducted into the ranks of the Manei Domini was a rare privilege.[7] The organization was extremely selective in who it allowed to join the "Hands of the Master" - only Blakists who had demonstrated fanatical devotion to the Word, even at the expense of their well-being and with no ambition beyond serving the Word. Even applicants who met this high bar of fanaticism were chosen only after having suffered grievous injuries which required radical reconstruction and implantation as, in the eyes of the Manei Domini, their first sacrifice of flesh must be performed without the promise of replacement.[8]

Characteristics and Combat Style

Manei Domini soldiers were known for their fierceness, fearlessness, and fanatical devotion to their Master, and were rated as elite warriors regardless of rank or duty. In addition, they trusted their fellow Manei Domini kin without question and harbored few ambitions beyond serving the Master, further compounding their combat capability. This level of indoctrination made it nearly impossible to convince a Manei Domini to change their mind or turn against one another. Only by getting through their automatic distrust of non-Manei Domini and appealing to their belief in the Master's will would a person have any hope of a chance.[9]

Manei Domini in combat were lethal, ruthless killers, but they were not just berserkers who killed all in sight with no regard for tactics or discipline. Manei Domini would regularly engage multiple targets at once so as to be efficient as possible, whilst occasionally adding the odd gory or grisly kill to demoralize opponents. Manei Domini never retreated out of fear but, unless a last stand was conductive to the will of their superiors, they did make withdrawals when the situation proved untenable. For the same reason the Manei Domini never surrendered or allowed themselves to be taken capture, either activating their self-destruct implants themselves or through remote trigger by friendly operatives, unless again it served the Master's will, i.e. getting close enough to kill an enemy commander.[9][8]

Those times when the Manei Domini interacted with the Inner Sphere in a non-combat manner, they often displayed an attitude of dispassionate superiority. After all, the Domini were merely humble servants of the Master, sacrifices for the redemption of all humankind. Such indifferent contempt for the "frails" showed itself in a number of areas: for example captives were rarely mistreated, at least if there wasn't a tactically beneficial reason to do so. The exceptions were those of noble birth or otherwise directly connected to the Great Houses, whom the Manei Domini saw as responsible for the dissolution of the Second Star League, and members of the Clans, the enemy for which they had originally been created to destroy. Such was their hatred for the Clans that most captives taken by the Manei Domini were summarily executed on the spot.

When interacting with other members of the Word of Blake, the Manei Domini were noted to have an arrogance ironically similar to that displayed by Clan warriors when dealing with lower caste members. Indeed the fact that the Manei Domini were not formally a part of the standard command structure often caused friction with "common" Blakists forces, though such internal rivalries were little more than passing interests to the Manei Domini. Indeed whenever the Manei Domini served alongside these forces in battle they often saw it almost as a favor to them; if they followed the orders of a conventional Blakist officer it was only so long as said orders were seen to serve the Master's will.[9]

Language

The Manei Domini utilize their own language, aptly named High Dominus, which is a mix of ancient Greek and classic Latin. Used in ceremonial occasions, Domini regularly intermix High Dominus with more well known languages such as English, which understandably confuses others not of the Manei Domini who hear it. Usually it is spoke in greetings to fellow Domini as well as in special chants.[9]

Manei Domini Ranking and Classes

The Manei Domini’s ranking system uses both the standard Word of Blake ranking system and their own, in addition to a separate classification system. Rank seniority went by seven characters from the Greek alphabet, with the first being the lowest rank, and signified how many and what types of cybernetic enhancements could be implanted. In addition to this rank were secondary designations, named after mythological creatures of an undead nature, which signified their basic function. While enough overlap existed for "cross-class" operatives, only rarely would a Domini change class by completely removing their implants and installing new ones to fit their new role.[10]

Low-ranking Manei Domini retained their birth-names, though they were referred to by their formal title with Word of Blake military rank and last name. In some instances their military rank would be modified by their Manei Domini rank and, though rarely used by Domini, their full formal title also included their designation. Once an exceptional Manei Domini achieved the rank of Sigma, they were awarded a "true name" at an "ascension" ceremony. Also known as an "ascended" name, these took the place of their birth names and were modeled after the names of angels or demons (never gods) in ancient religions, related to their duties to the Master. These Domini were also known as the "Ascended" and with their new rank came a Division-level command or other important sub-command within the Shadow Divisions or ROM.[10]

Example: A soldier's birth name is Sarah Marshal, her WoB rank is Adept and Manei Domini rank is Beta, and her occupation is a MechWarrior. If being addressed to, she could answer to as Adept Marshal, Adept Beta Marshal or as Phantom Adept Beta Marshal.

Word of Blake Manei Domini Officer Ranks
ComStar Rank Adept Adept Adept Adept Demi-Precentor Precentor Precentor
Manei Domin Rank
Alpha Beta Omega Tau Delta Sigma Omicron
# of Implants (Min/Max)
2/3 3/4 3/4 3/5 4/7 4/8 6/10
Max. Implant Level
2 2 3 4 4 4 5
Word of Blake Manei Domini Classes
Class Designator Primary Function Cybernetic Implants Required Notes
Ghost Reconnaissance Ear or Eye implant Battlefield reconnaissance agents, Ghosts were trained in stealth, surveillance, wilderness survival and tracking, along with how to use (and abuse) communication and security systems, and when necessary how to perform interrogations. They were quite handy with melee weapons.
Wraith Infiltrator Cosmetic Implants (non-horror type) Wraiths were battlefield infiltrators, using cosmetic enhancements to appear as outwardly normal as possible. Skilled in demolitions and cryptography, Wraiths also knew their way around communication and security systems, were able to disguise and hide themselves from the enemy and, if caught, trained in ways to fast-talk out of a situation.
Banshee Defense Full-Body Myomer implants These defense specialists were trained to use a wide variety of melee, small arms and support weapons, as well as any form of martial arts. Adept demolitionists and tacticians, Banshees also knew how to operate sensor and electronic counter-measure systems, along with survival techniques in hostile environments
Zombie Assault Enhanced Prosthetic The shock troops of the Manei Domini, Zombie agents were skilled martial artists and tacticians, trained to use any weapon from melee to support-class. They could intimidate an opponent into surrendering or draw a weapon and kill them with it before their opponent had a chance to react.
Phantom Vehicular Pilot Vehicular DNI Implant Phantoms piloted everything from battle armor to 'Mechs and fightercraft, were trained in how to operate and repair the various systems necessary for their function, and skilled in individual and small-scale tactics.
Specter Command Communication implant The organization's military commanders, Specters were one of the few Manei Domini who could be encountered outside of battle, often acting as advisers or representatives of the Master alongside "normal" field commanders and administrators. Besides training in leadership, tactics and strategy, Specters were cryptographers and knew their way around communication and computer systems. They were also proficient in navigating administrative and bureaucratic systems, and could perform negotiations and interrogations.
Poltergeist Special Operative Any Implants These perceptive agents could appear anywhere on or off the battlefield, operating by themselves or in conjunction with ROM. Trained actors these Poltergeists were skilled in the arts of deception, seduction, negotiation and interrogation. They could blend in among the lower and the upper classes, knew how to hide and survive in hostile environments, conduct surveillance, and crack security systems. Melee weapons were their weapon of choice.

Manei Domini Equipment

The Manei Domini employed a vast variety of equipment, weaponry, cyberware and vehicles, all of which were used to terrifying effect, fear being a primary weapon of all Shadow Divisions and Manei Domini. With their initial conception of totally eradicating the Clans, the Manei Domini had no qualms about using weapons of mass destruction, whether they be nuclear, chemical or biological. In addition to their own unique gear, Manei Domini had access to any combat vehicle, battle armor, fighter or 'Mech produced by the Word of Blake or Free Worlds League, and if part of an occupation force were not above using captured enemy equipment against their foes.[11]

Manei Domini Vehicles

The Manei Domini possessed a special array of 'Mechs, battle armor, combat vehicles and Aerospace fighters, with most of the designs being enhanced versions of standard vehicles used by armies before. However, some time after their formation the Manei Domini came into contact with the military engineer Doctor Devon Cortland, who was able to develop many new series of armor, fighters, OmniVehicles and OmniMechs. Cortland, also known as Precentor Vapula, designed this technology for exclusive Manei Domini use by implementing cybernetic interface systems in almost all Manei Domini equipment.

Celestial Series of OmniMechs

One of Doctor Cortland's first endeavors was taking over the failed Grand Crusader II OmniMech project[12] which had floundered.[13] In 3070, the Celestial series' premiere shocked many observers who expected to see only one 'Mech design but were greeted with six instead. These six designs were each named after angelic beings from various religions and were made to appear menacing to all who opposed them, thus adding merit to the designs' namesakes.

The Celestial Series OmniMechs
Malak Light OmniMech Preta Medium OmniMech Grigori Heavy OmniMech
Deva Heavy OmniMech Seraph Assault OmniMech Archangel Assault OmniMech

Demon Series of Battle Armor

Designed to accompany the Celestial Series OmniMechs in battle, the Demon series first appeared in 3070[14] in various hot-spots on the battlefields of the Jihad. Like the Celestial Series, these Battle Armor seldom appeared outside the ranks of the Manei Domini. Also in line with the Celestial Series, the Demon Series of Battle Armor were each named after various demons of ancient lore and were aesthetically designed as such.

The Demon series Battle Armor Suits
Djinn Light Battle Armor Asura Medium Battle Armor Se'irim Medium Battle Armor
Tengu Heavy Battle Armor Nephilim Assault Battle Armor Shedu (Quad) Assault Battle Armor

Spectral Series of OmniFighters

The Spectral Series of OmniFighters begun to appear on Gibson in late 3071.[15] The three designs share similar design features which include a small cockpit and collapsible wing structures. The collapsible wings were designed to reduce the fighter's profile in space, thus allowing it to be mistaken for an escape pod or small shuttle. However this advantage was more accidental than intentional by Doctor Cortland: his goal was to improve the vector thrust characteristics of the fighters in space.[16]

The Spectral series OmniFighters:
Shade Light OmniFighter Rusalka Medium OmniFighter Striga Heavy OmniFighter

Serpentus Series of OmniVehicles

The Serpentus Series was the name of the Word of Blake's ground Combat Vehicles series, which made its first appearance in the early 3070s. Only one of this series managed to reach production, which was named the Bolla.[17] Names or types of vehicle which were slated to be part of the Serpentus is publicly unknown.

Serpentus Series Combat Vehicles
Bolla Stealth Tank

Spectral LAM Series

The Spectral LAM series were a trio of new Land Air 'Mech designs, utilized by the Word of Blake's elite armed forces in very limited numbers. The series first emerged in 3075 and saw limited production a year later, deployed from both factories on Terra and Gibson. The Spectral LAMs utilize a combination of old Star League and Clan technologies to increase these new designs' potential. However, each of the designs disappeared due to a lack of parts after both factory sites were lost in the fighting.[18]

The Spectral LAM series:
Light Medium Heavy
S-PW-1LAM Pwwka S-YR-1LAM Yurei S-WN-2LAM Waneta

Omni Configuration Names

Like all Omni related vehicles/'Mechs/etc, they have a number of configurations. However, instead of using common configuration names such as "Primary" or "A Config", Latin terms are instead used. Other follow-on OmniVehicles and OmniFighters have used the same naming conventions.

Manei Domini Omni Configuration Names
Conventional Omni Names Primary Config. A Config. B Config. C Config. D Config. E Config. S Config. U Config.
Manei Domini Names Invictus Dominus Infernus Comminus Luminos Eminus Caelestis Exanimus

Manei Domini Cybernetics

This is a brief listing of the array of cybernetics that are offered to the members of Manei Domini. All Manei Domini agents receive enhancements, however their availability is dependent upon the job and rank of the individual. In addition all Manei Domini implants contain either an explosive, incendiary or chemical self-destruct which could be triggered by the operative themselves, remotely by another Manei Domini, or automatically go off if the agent is killed or incapacitated.[11]

Cosmetic Enhancements Implants

Cosmetic Enhancements 
- These alterations to the agent's body are designed to enhance their physical characteristics, either to make them beautiful for undercover work or grotesque for combat. Cosmetic Beauty Enhancements improve the appearance and sexual appeal of the subject, enhancing their skills at negotiation and the seduction of enemy agents. Cosmetic Horror Enhancements meanwhile alter the subject's body to appear more frightening, useful for intimidating an opponent or interrogating others. These enhancements are available to any Manei Domini member.

Prosthetics

Prosthetics 
- These replacements for a person's hands, feet, arms and legs are similar to the standard Type Four and Type Five artificial limbs used by other Inner Sphere organizations. They are typically easy to spot unless the subject has undergone Cosmetic Enhancements. These enhancements are available to any Manei Domini member.
Enhanced Prosthetics 
- Enhanced Prosthetics are the same as regular prosthetics, however they have been designed to allow a tool or weapon to be mounted on or within it. Agents can conceal anything from a laser pistol to a shotgun or a vibroblade within one of these limbs, or incorporate grapples or magnetic enhancements to allow better swarming during anti-BattleMech attacks. These enhancements are available to any Manei Domini member.
Improved Enhanced Prosthetics 
- This a more advanced limb-based Enhanced Prosthetics, which allows for an additional weapon or tool to be integrated with it. The more advanced Manei Domini typically has this type of prosthetic. These enhancements are available to Manei Domini of Omega rank and higher.
Prosthetics Leg MASC 
- The PL MASC, developed by 3072, is a miniaturized form of BattleMech-style Myomer Accelerator Signal Circuitry (MASC). This enhancement allows for quick burst of speed, up to twice their normal running speed, during combat. The legs are designed with safety devices to prevent the actuators from shutting down from breakage, limiting their activation only once every 5 seconds. These enhancements are available to Manei Domini of Omega rank and higher.
Secondary Power Source 
- The Secondary Power Source provides additional power for using prosthetics, reducing the dependency on biological energy sources such as blood sugar. These secondary power sources are charged with the same power chargers used for energy weaponry and equipment. These devices are installed directly into the limbs themselves. This enhancement is available to any Manei Domini member.

Pain Control Implant

Pain Shunt 
- The Pain Shunt is less of an implant and more a surgical procedure that allows a person to ignore pain, whether from an injury sustained or the constant effect of their other implants. However, this enhancement also causes clumsiness due to the deadening of the user's tactile senses. These enhancements are common for users of VDNI enhancements (i.e. MechWarriors, Aerospace Pilots, vehicle crews) and allow them to ignore stunning effects (like pain) from taking hits in combat. This enhancement is available to any Manei Domini member.

Chemical Sprayer Implants

Pheromone Effuser 
- This is a implant designed specifically for covert use, making it rarely seen among combat-oriented agents. It is a dispenser hidden either inside agent's month or nose and uses chemicals from the agent's body to produce a strong mixture of pheromones. This is then dispensed by the agent blowing on their intended target, reducing their emotional and mental defenses. Despite using the subject's own body to produce pheromones the device must still be re-charged by oral or other means every two weeks. This enhancement is available to Manei Domini of Omega rank and higher.
Toxic Effuser 
- The Toxic Effuser uses the same basic principles as the Pheromone Effuser. This device is commonly used for covert, infiltration operations, but can also be found on the battlefield. Similar in design to the pheromone effuser this device instead dispenses chemicals from either nose and mouth which can kill within seconds anyone who inhales it or otherwise allows it into their body. Typically, Manei warriors will have filtration implants to protect themselves from the effects of this device due to its nature, although some amount of resistance to the chemicals is natural for those who receive this implant. This enhancement is available to Manei Domini member of Tau rank and higher.

Audio / Visual / Communication Type Implants

Cybernetic Eyes/Ears/Speech Implant
- These audio and visual implants range in various models differing by their various abilities. However, most implants are limited in their capabilities, requiring the instillation of multiple implants for a wide-range of abilities. Cybernetic eyes can be incorporate infrared, electromagnetic, telescopic or laser sighting capabilities; cybernetic ears can enhance the subject's audio ranges or intercept radio signals to a distance of 100 meters; speech implants can modulate the subject's speech or allow them to speak in ultrasonic frequencies which can only be heard by cybernetic ears. These enhancements are available to Manei Domini of any rank.
Cybernetic Eyes/Ears/Speech Implant
- The multi-module type of Audio-Visual implant allows for two abilities per implant verse the one in the Standard Cybernetic Eyes/Ears/Speech Implants. For example a Cybernetic Eye could have both infrared and telescopic abilities. The Multi-Modal also enhances the capabilities of Domini Warriors with the Vehicle DNI implant to interact with their vehicle. These enhancements are limited to Manei Domini of Omega rank and higher.
Cybernetic Eyes/Ears/Speech Implant
- The Enhanced models are highest grade of audio-visual cybernetic implants. They are reserved for the most elite of Manei Domini warriors, those of Sigma and Omicron rank only, as they allow three greatly-improved abilities per implant.
Recorder/Transmitter/Receiver/Communications Implants 
- These implants are designed to interact with Cybernetic Eyes/Ears/Speech implants. They give the ability to record, transmit and receive data, allowing for two-way communications for its user and another with similar implants. A maximum of two such implants are allowed per user. Record units can record for up to six hours, while transmitter and receiver units have a range of one hundred meters. These enhancements are available for all Manei Domini members.
Boosted Recorder/Transmitter/Receiver/Communications Implants 
- Improved version of the standard implants, recorder implants can record for up to twenty-four hours while transmitter and receiver implants have a range of one kilometer. They are usually found on the more enhanced warriors of the Manei Domini, being limited to those of Tau rank and higher. An Infantry or Battle Armor unit whose soldiers all have the Boosted Communication Implant with the Multi-Modal Eye or Ears implants can also join a C3i Network as a unit.[19]

Life Support Type Cybernetic Implants

Filtration Liver/Lung Implants 
- Receiving filtration implants for the lungs and/or liver allows for the Manei Domini warrior to safely survive in tainted atmospheric environments or ingest dangerous chemicals, making them quite useful for operating in an area after a chemical attack. These implants are limited to those of Omega rank and higher.

Vehicular Control Type Implants

Vehicular Direct Neural Interface 
- Also known as VDNI, this cybernetic implant allows a warrior to "plug-in" into their respective vehicle ('Mech, Battle Armor, Vehicle, and Aerospace Fighter), allowing a single VDNI warrior to replace the function of multiple crew members as long they have correct skills in operating that type of vehicle. The technology is similar to the Clan's Enhanced Imaging implants but unlike EI, which was known to have negative effects on the user's mind after a short length of time, VDNI incorporates an improved safety system and through the use of certain chemicals will allow the user to survive as long as 10 years before terminal brain damage occurs. VDNI implants are limited to Omega-rank Manei Domini and higher.
Buffered VDNI 
- This is an upgraded version of the VDNI implant, which protects the warrior from some of the neurological side-effects that the standard VDNI implant brings and improves their lifespan to 15 years until terminal brain death occurs. The Buffered VDNI also allows for the user to pilot vehicles, 'Mechs and Aerospace Fighters which have small cockpits without a degradation in capability. Only Sigma- and Omicron-ranked Manei Domini can receive these implants.[20]

Strength and Armor Implants

Myomer Full-Body Implants 
- These Myomer-based implants increase the strength and defenses of the user, and may be implanted together or separately. Similar to the Elective Myomer Implants pioneered by the Capellan Confederation, these enhancments greatly affect the strength and durability of the subject. For example, a warrior with one of these implants can handle a support weapon which would normally require a crew of two by themselves without difficulty, while being implanted with both allows them to handle a three-man support weapon. Only Manei Domini of Tau rank and higher may receive these implants.[21]
  • Dermal Myomer Armor Implant: This implant armors the individual against harm from close-combat and small-arms attacks, however those with the implant suffer from negative cosmetic effects.
  • Triple-Strength Myomer Implant: TSM-based Myomer implants give operatives incredible strength, but have been known to cause pain, forcing individuals to take medication (or receive a Pain Shunt) to endure the constant headaches. Field operatives of the Manei Domini have used this increase strength to horrific effect against their opponents. It should be noted that TSM implants cannot be used with PL-MASC implants.


Rules

Shadow Division Force Specific Abilities

BattleTech has special Force Specific rules that allows enhancement of game play when playing against a specific. The Shadow Divisions each have their own unique traits, abilities, and even penalties. In addition to these specific abilities, every Shadow Division also has several standard Force Specific abilities: Immunity from Forced Withdrawal Rules, they can negate Overrun Combat, and Forcing the Initiative abilities an opposing force may have.[22]

Word of Blake's Shadow Division Standard Force Specific abilities
Force Specific Ability/ Name Who it Effects What it does
Forced Withdrawal Immunity Shadow Division Immunity to effects of this ability in scenario
Overrun Combat Immunity Opposing Player's Force Opposing Player's Overrun Combat ability is negated
Forcing the Initiative Immunity Opposing Player's Force Opposing Player's Forcing the Initiative ability is negated.

References

  1. A Guide To Covert Ops p. 105 - organization translated name.
  2. Jihad Hot Spots: 3072, p. 119 - "Rules Annex" - Manei Domini - Creation rules mentions Domini existed during the 3060s as small special operation teams.
  3. Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, p. 81 – "Apollyon profile" – Title of Precentor Manei Domini and him answering only to the Master are listed
  4. Interstellar Players p. 15 - "The Sixth of June"
  5. A Guide To Covert Ops p. 105 - Manei Domini - the sketchy early history of organization from ops book.
  6. Jihad Hot Spots: 3076 p. 50 - Feuding Children - St. James transcription with Apollyon about Shadow Division attacks.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Jihad Hot Spots: 3072, pg. 120
  8. 8.0 8.1 Jihad Hot Spots: 3072, pg. 123 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "JHS72-123" defined multiple times with different content
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Jihad Hot Spots: 3072, p. 122
  10. 10.0 10.1 Jihad Hot Spots: 3072 pp. 121,123-124 - Rules Annex/Manei Domini Classes/Manei Domini Nomenclature: - Manei rank/class structured explained and chart provided.
  11. 11.0 11.1 Jihad Hot Spots: 3072, p. 121
  12. Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade, p. 100 - "Grand Crusader II Variants" - Variant sections the OmniMech project due in 3070.
  13. Jihad Hot Spots: 3072, p. 134 - "Dr. Copeland takes over the failed Grand Crusader II OmniMech project and makes into new series of OmniMechs".
  14. Jihad Hot Spots: 3072, p. 142 - "Djinn Battle Armor" - Early stories describe the beginnings of the Demon Series of Battle Armor.
  15. Technical Readout: 3075, p. 102 - "Striga Heavy OmniFighter profile" - Striga appeared in late 3071 with lighter sisters fighter appearing later.
  16. Technical Readout: 3075, p. 98 - "S-HA-O Shade" - Capacities - Collapiable Wings ablities.
  17. Jihad Hot Spots: 3076, pp. 112-113 - "Bolla Stealth Tank" - OmniVehicle series name given.
  18. Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 138, 155-160, "Spectral LAM series info".
  19. Jihad Hot Spots: 3072 page 128 - Rules Annex - Manei Domini's Boosted Communications with Multi-Mod implants allows for infantry or Battle Armor units to join Improved C3 networks.
  20. Jihad Hot Spots: 3072, p. 129 - "Buffered VDNI" - Implant ignores small cockpit penalties, while standard doesn't.
  21. Jihad Hot Spots: 3072, pp. 130-131 - "Details of Full-Body Implants for Manei Domini warriors".
  22. Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, p. 142 - "Rules Annex/Force Specific Rules" - Shadow Division (General) Force Specific abilities and 45th Shadow Division.

Bibliography