Difference between revisions of "Robert Steiner (28th c.)"

m (minor formatting)
 
(19 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Update Needed|[[Handbook: House Steiner]], [[Handbook: Major Periphery States]], [[House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)]], [[Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1]], [[Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade]]}}
+
{{Update Needed|[[Handbook: House Steiner]]|[[Handbook: Major Periphery States]]|[[House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)]]|[[Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1]]|[[Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade]]}}
{{stub}}
 
 
{{InfoBoxCharacter
 
{{InfoBoxCharacter
 
| image              = Robert Steiner II.jpg
 
| image              = Robert Steiner II.jpg
| caption            =
+
| caption            = Robert Steiner II
 
| name                = Robert Steiner II
 
| name                = Robert Steiner II
 
| birthdate          = 17 March [[2701]]
 
| birthdate          = 17 March [[2701]]
Line 9: Line 8:
 
| othernames          =  
 
| othernames          =  
 
| affiliation        = [[House Steiner]]
 
| affiliation        = [[House Steiner]]
| profession          = [[Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth|Archon]]
+
| rank                =
| parents            = [[Michael Steiner II]] (father)<br/>[[Joan Lestrade]] (mother)
+
| title              = [[Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth|Archon]]
| siblings            = [[Jennifer Steiner]]<br/>[[Paul Steiner]]
+
| position            =
 +
| profession          = Noble
 +
| parents            = [[Michael Steiner II]] (father)<ref name=FSWp12>''First Succession War'', p. 12</ref><br/>[[Joan Lestrade]] (mother)
 +
| siblings            = [[Jennifer Steiner]]<ref name=FSWp12/><br/>[[Paul Steiner]]
 
| spouse              =  
 
| spouse              =  
 
| children            =  
 
| children            =  
 
}}
 
}}
'''Robert Steiner II''' (b. 17 March [[2701]] - d. 29 June [[2781]]) was the sixteenth [[Archon]] of the [[Lyran Commonwealth]].<ref name=HBHSp96>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 96, "Lyran Leadership Profile"</ref><ref name=H:LoTV1p62>''Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1'', p. 62, "Robert Steiner II Profile"</ref>
+
'''Robert Steiner II''' was the sixteenth [[Archon]] of the [[Lyran Commonwealth]] and reigned during the fall of the Star League.<ref name=HBHSp96>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 96: "Lyran Leadership Profile"</ref><ref name=H:LoTV1p62>''Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1'', p. 62: "Robert Steiner II Profile"</ref>
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
 +
===Early Life===
 +
Robert was the eldest of three children born to Archon Michael II and Duchess Joan Lestrade of Skye. Groomed to rule the Commonwealth from an early age, Robert developed a dislike for his father's close friend [[Aleksandr Kerensky]]. His privileged upbringing led Robert to surround himself with fellow aristocrats, which some believe was the root of his disdain for the SLDF General. Others say that Robert was envious of Kerensky's friendship with Robert's father.<ref name=H:LoTV1p62/>
 +
 +
===Archonship===
 +
Robert took the throne in [[2760]] following his father's sudden death, facing rising tensions from the "bandit" attacks that made up the [[Third Hidden War]] on his borders and a Star League council where all its members had grown deeply distrustful of each other.<ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 38</ref> When [[Stefan Amaris]] launched his fateful coup in 2766, Robert (like all his peers) chose to stay out of the fighting, believing that he needed to limit possible Lyran casualties<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 32</ref> and a need to preserve the LCAF.<ref name=HSTLCp40>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 40</ref>
 +
 +
Robert's decision was wildly unpopular among the Lyran people, many of whom (including Robert's nephew [[Kailen Steiner|Kailen]])<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 34 - The Taking of the Rim Worlds Republic</ref> left to fight with the SLDF as volunteers. The [[Speaker of the Estates General]] publicly denounced Robert, saying he was "the worst kind of coward -- a calculating coward." Despite the stance of public neutrality, either Robert or those within his government secretly worked to aid the SLDF. The [[Eridani Light Horse]], who were fighting a hit-and-run campaign into the occupied Terran Hegemony, were given refuge on SLDF bases within Lyran space, where they found intelligence reports, ammunition and other supplies waiting for them. Commonwealth factories also secretly sold equipment to the SLDF that supplied the ad hoc volunteer units which were training at an ad hoc SLDF academy set up on [[Circinus]].<ref name=HSTLCp40/>
 +
 +
The Lyran people continued to demand public action in support of General Kerensky's campaign. In 2772, Robert declared a campaign against the Rim Worlds, saying the LCAF was moving to support Kerensky. He mobilized roughly 100 regiments of troops, units which had been on alert since the 2760 death of Michael II. Though Robert was quick to assert he was claiming these worlds in the name of the Star League and classified the move as a police action, most saw it as an opportunistic land grab. By the time Kerensky chose to leave the Rim Worlds behind and launch his offensive towards Terra, Robert II was the least popular Archon since [[The Nine Archons]].<ref name=HBHS324>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 32-34</ref>
 +
 +
Robert was among the Council Lords who dismissed Kerensky from his post in October [[2780]]. When asked why he stripped Kerensky of his post, Robert claimed he did so to relieve Kerensky of his burdens after so many years of fighting, framing the deed as a kindness. Few believed him, though, and massive civil unrest erupted across the Commonwealth. For the next nine months, Robert remained on Terra, attempting to convince other House Lords to recognize him as First Lord and vice versa. This did Robert no favors, with many claiming that Robert was offering large chunks of the Commonwealth to his neighbors for their backing as First Lord. But these discussions would prove fruitless the following year, when the five Council Lords admitted the Star League was truly gone, and departed Terra. Despite widespread unrest and some even investigating the possibility of impeachment, Robert would not have to face the consequences of his decisions.<ref name=HSTLC41>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 41</ref>
 +
 
===Death===
 
===Death===
Robert would die in June [[2781]] of pneumonia leading his younger sister [[Jennifer Steiner|Jennifer]] to become Archon.<ref name=FSSWp132>''First Succession War (Source Book)'', p. 132, "Jennifer Steiner profile"</ref>
+
Robert died in June [[2781]] of pneumonia, almost immediately after his return home.<ref name=HSTLC41/> His younger sister [[Jennifer Steiner|Jennifer]] was named Archon.<ref name=FSSWp132>''First Succession War'', p. 132: "Jennifer Steiner profile"</ref>
 +
 
 +
==Legacy==
 +
During the fall of the Star League, Robert took the opportunity to embezzle a great deal of money to pad out his personal fortune. The Steiner family discovered this secret after the death of Archon [[Richard Steiner (29th c.)|Richard Steiner]], and as an attempt to make good on Robert's failing, paid for the mass relocation of industry to the Commonwealth's interior during the brief peace between the [[First Succession War|First]] and [[Second Succession War]]. Though the family never publicly admitted that the massive amount of funding required came from Robert's embezzlements,<ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 52</ref> some privately suspected the truth. None, however, were willing to pass up such a massive windfall.<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 39</ref>
  
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
{{Quote|''I sometimes marvel at those who behave as though good times will last forever. Why should the universe hold still? Why should bad times, be any different from the good or the indifferent ones, for don't they all have beginnings, middles, and ends? Good or bad, it's just another cycle, within a cycle, within a cycle, and it never ends.''|Robert Steiner II, quoted in ''The Authorized Biography of Robert Steiner'', by Frela Gibbon, Bently & Hunt, [[2782]]<ref name="HS(TLC)p37">''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 37, "Decline And Fall Of The Star League"</ref>}}
+
{{Quote|''I sometimes marvel at those who behave as though good times will last forever. Why should the universe hold still? Why should bad times, be any different from the good or the indifferent ones, for don't they all have beginnings, middles, and ends? Good or bad, it's just another cycle, within a cycle, within a cycle, and it never ends.''|Robert Steiner II, quoted in ''[[The Authorized Biography of Robert Steiner]]'', by [[Frela Gibbon]], [[Bently & Hunt]], [[2782]]<ref name="HS(TLC)p37">''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 37: "Decline And Fall Of The Star League"</ref>}}
 
 
==Title and Position==
 
{{S-start}}
 
{{S-bef|before=[[Michael Steiner II]]}}
 
{{S-title|title=Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth|years=[[2760]]<ref name=HBHSp96/>-[[2781]]<ref name=HBHSp96/>}}
 
{{S-aft|after=[[Jennifer Steiner]]}}
 
{{S-end}}
 
  
{{Archon Timeline
+
==Notes==
|began=2760
+
''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'' includes a quote from Robert said "long after the First Succession War had begun," where he discussed the severe damage the LCAF had taken in the fighting to that point in the war and defends his choice not to aid Kerensky. As Robert II died five years before the start of the war, he could not have said this.<ref name=HSTLCp40/>
|ended=2781
 
|inherited=Michael Steiner II
 
|realm=Lyran Commonwealth
 
}}
 
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
Line 42: Line 48:
  
 
==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
* ''[[First Succession War (Sourcebook)|First Succession War]]'' (sourcebook)
+
* ''[[First Succession War (sourcebook)|First Succession War]]''
 
* ''[[Handbook: House Steiner]]''
 
* ''[[Handbook: House Steiner]]''
 
* ''[[Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1]]''
 
* ''[[Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1]]''
 
* ''[[House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)]]''
 
* ''[[House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)]]''
  
[[Category:Archons|Steiner, Robert II]]
+
[[Category:Archons|Steiner, Robert (28th c.)]]
[[Category:Lyran Commonwealth Characters|Steiner, Robert II]]
+
[[Category:Lyran Commonwealth Characters|Steiner, Robert (28th c.)]]

Latest revision as of 07:17, 29 January 2024

Robert Steiner II
Robert Steiner II
Personal
Born17 March 2701
Died29 June 2781
AffiliationHouse Steiner
Profile
Title(s)Archon
ProfessionNoble
Family
ParentsMichael Steiner II (father)[1]
Joan Lestrade (mother)
SiblingsJennifer Steiner[1]
Paul Steiner

Robert Steiner II was the sixteenth Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth and reigned during the fall of the Star League.[2][3]

History[edit]

Early Life[edit]

Robert was the eldest of three children born to Archon Michael II and Duchess Joan Lestrade of Skye. Groomed to rule the Commonwealth from an early age, Robert developed a dislike for his father's close friend Aleksandr Kerensky. His privileged upbringing led Robert to surround himself with fellow aristocrats, which some believe was the root of his disdain for the SLDF General. Others say that Robert was envious of Kerensky's friendship with Robert's father.[3]

Archonship[edit]

Robert took the throne in 2760 following his father's sudden death, facing rising tensions from the "bandit" attacks that made up the Third Hidden War on his borders and a Star League council where all its members had grown deeply distrustful of each other.[4] When Stefan Amaris launched his fateful coup in 2766, Robert (like all his peers) chose to stay out of the fighting, believing that he needed to limit possible Lyran casualties[5] and a need to preserve the LCAF.[6]

Robert's decision was wildly unpopular among the Lyran people, many of whom (including Robert's nephew Kailen)[7] left to fight with the SLDF as volunteers. The Speaker of the Estates General publicly denounced Robert, saying he was "the worst kind of coward -- a calculating coward." Despite the stance of public neutrality, either Robert or those within his government secretly worked to aid the SLDF. The Eridani Light Horse, who were fighting a hit-and-run campaign into the occupied Terran Hegemony, were given refuge on SLDF bases within Lyran space, where they found intelligence reports, ammunition and other supplies waiting for them. Commonwealth factories also secretly sold equipment to the SLDF that supplied the ad hoc volunteer units which were training at an ad hoc SLDF academy set up on Circinus.[6]

The Lyran people continued to demand public action in support of General Kerensky's campaign. In 2772, Robert declared a campaign against the Rim Worlds, saying the LCAF was moving to support Kerensky. He mobilized roughly 100 regiments of troops, units which had been on alert since the 2760 death of Michael II. Though Robert was quick to assert he was claiming these worlds in the name of the Star League and classified the move as a police action, most saw it as an opportunistic land grab. By the time Kerensky chose to leave the Rim Worlds behind and launch his offensive towards Terra, Robert II was the least popular Archon since The Nine Archons.[8]

Robert was among the Council Lords who dismissed Kerensky from his post in October 2780. When asked why he stripped Kerensky of his post, Robert claimed he did so to relieve Kerensky of his burdens after so many years of fighting, framing the deed as a kindness. Few believed him, though, and massive civil unrest erupted across the Commonwealth. For the next nine months, Robert remained on Terra, attempting to convince other House Lords to recognize him as First Lord and vice versa. This did Robert no favors, with many claiming that Robert was offering large chunks of the Commonwealth to his neighbors for their backing as First Lord. But these discussions would prove fruitless the following year, when the five Council Lords admitted the Star League was truly gone, and departed Terra. Despite widespread unrest and some even investigating the possibility of impeachment, Robert would not have to face the consequences of his decisions.[9]

Death[edit]

Robert died in June 2781 of pneumonia, almost immediately after his return home.[9] His younger sister Jennifer was named Archon.[10]

Legacy[edit]

During the fall of the Star League, Robert took the opportunity to embezzle a great deal of money to pad out his personal fortune. The Steiner family discovered this secret after the death of Archon Richard Steiner, and as an attempt to make good on Robert's failing, paid for the mass relocation of industry to the Commonwealth's interior during the brief peace between the First and Second Succession War. Though the family never publicly admitted that the massive amount of funding required came from Robert's embezzlements,[11] some privately suspected the truth. None, however, were willing to pass up such a massive windfall.[12]

Quotes[edit]

I sometimes marvel at those who behave as though good times will last forever. Why should the universe hold still? Why should bad times, be any different from the good or the indifferent ones, for don't they all have beginnings, middles, and ends? Good or bad, it's just another cycle, within a cycle, within a cycle, and it never ends.
  — Robert Steiner II, quoted in The Authorized Biography of Robert Steiner, by Frela Gibbon, Bently & Hunt, 2782[13]

Notes[edit]

House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth) includes a quote from Robert said "long after the First Succession War had begun," where he discussed the severe damage the LCAF had taken in the fighting to that point in the war and defends his choice not to aid Kerensky. As Robert II died five years before the start of the war, he could not have said this.[6]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 First Succession War, p. 12
  2. Handbook: House Steiner, p. 96: "Lyran Leadership Profile"
  3. 3.0 3.1 Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1, p. 62: "Robert Steiner II Profile"
  4. House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 38
  5. Handbook: House Steiner, p. 32
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 40
  7. Handbook: House Steiner, p. 34 - The Taking of the Rim Worlds Republic
  8. Handbook: House Steiner, p. 32-34
  9. 9.0 9.1 House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 41
  10. First Succession War, p. 132: "Jennifer Steiner profile"
  11. House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 52
  12. Handbook: House Steiner, p. 39
  13. House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth), p. 37: "Decline And Fall Of The Star League"

Bibliography[edit]