Vlad Ward

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File:Vladimir Ward 1.jpg

Vlad at Age of 34 in 3060

Vlad of the Wards, later Khan Vladimir Ward (trueborn 3026), was a staunch Crusader and Khan of the reborn Clan Wolf.

History

While a Star Captain, Vlad captured Phelan Kell on The Rock only to discover that Phelan had a claim to the House of Ward. Phelan and Vlad fought each other during a Trial of Bloodright for a Ward Bloodname. Despite cheating with the assistance of Conal Ward, Vlad lost. Embittered, Vlad attempted to undo the Truce of Tukayyid by bringing down Ulric Kerensky by joining a Crusader attempt to slander him. Ironically, during the Refusal War, Vlad became awed and respectful of Ulric though he was a Warden. Enraged by Chistu's cowardly murder of Ulric, Vlad goaded him into a Trial of Grievance where he killed the scheming Jade Falcon. As a reward, Khan Elias Crichell undid Chistu's declaration that the Wolves had been absorbed and created Clan Jade Wolf. Vlad won a Ward Bloodname unopposed and became Khan of the new Wolves. He challenged Crichell's status as a warrior in the Grand Council when he was elected ilKhan in 3058 and killed him. Vlad re-created Clan Wolf and has since bided his time, rebuilding their strength. His actions during the Great Refusal made sure the Wolves were not bound by it. His Wolves are now the only Crusader Clan legally able to renew the war, once the Truce of Tukayyid runs out in 3067.

File:Vladimir Ward.jpg

Wolf Khan Vladimir Ward

However, at the conclusion of the FedCom Civil War he traveled to Arc-Royal where Katherine Steiner-Davion was held prisoner and demanded that Victor hand her over to him. The novels imply some kind of relationship between Vlad and Katherine, which is the probable cause for this act. Vlad promised to attack if Katherine was not given to him, and in this manner managed to acquire her from Victor. It is not stated whether he did attack the Inner Sphere after that. By a strict reading of his words in the novel Endgame, he only promised to attack if denied; he never promised peace if his terms were met.

Other appearances

In the MechWarrior IV: Mercenaries computer game, Vladimir Ward makes an in-game appearance. One of the possible endings for the game is that the player recovers the location of Katherine's prison, and a Rabid Fox agent convinces him to take the info to Vlad Ward. The Khan's reaction is to order a Trial of Position pitting the player against five Clan Wolf MechWarriors. If successful the player joins the Clan as a warrior and Khan Ward carries out the rescue of Katherine. During the battle Vlad observes from his Dire Wolf but does not participate directly.

Quotes

We Clans talk much of honor. Nothing is more precious to a Clan warrior than his honor. How do I define honor? Success. - CCG Crusade edition, 3058

Battlemechs

• Timber Wolf - Vlad piloted a Timber Wolf for much of his career, favoring the combination of speed, toughness and firepower.
• Executioner - During Phelan Kell's trial of position with Clan Wolf, Vlad piloted a custom-loadout Executioner armed with two Gauss Rifles.

Gallery

• Vlad Ward.jpg

  At Age of 35

• Vlad of the Wards - Liz Danforth.jpg

  "Vlad of the Wards"

• 

  Vlad Ward challenging Vandervahn Chistu. Art by Roger Loveless

• Khan Vlad Ward - D. Alexander Gregory.jpg

  "Khan Vlad Ward"

Bibliography

• Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers