The Lyre Ascendant: A Dark Age AU Writeup

[PlEGUY]

The Lyre Ascendant: Rise of the SteinPakt

Though devasted by Blakists during the Jihad and covertly hamstrung by Republicans in its aftermath, the Lyran Commonwealth saw a radical resurgence during the post Jihad detente. Economically unrivaled and purged of the corruption of leadership which plagued its past and surrounded by weak neighbors the Commonwealth stood to become the great power of its time. Then came the Blackout. A political, military, and economic disaster for all, the Commonwealth includes.

Yet that same blackout stood as a source of great opportunity for some. In the early stages of her reign Melissa Stiener made bold moves that gave the appearance that she saw such opportunities. Was she the great man of her day? Her time's Alexander of Macedon, Boris Johnson, or Hanse Davion? Alas, but as events unfolded, she turned out to be naught but a fool merely playing at statecraft. By her actions her nation, the Lyran Commonwealth, so recently potent, was left in ruins.

But what if it was elsewise? What if Melissa was the Machiavellian schemer she at first appeared? What if her plans prospered and, through them, her nation was exalted? What if the Lyre was ascendant?




A Brief History of the Lyran Commonwealth:
(Included 'cause I kinda wanna convert all this to a fan sourcebook which I plan to throw at friends who aren't really familiar with the setting for some game's we'll play later down the line. Skip the blue if you're familiar.)

Man was born to his cradle on Terra. He was cunning and as he spread across his first dominion, he would light the torch of civilization and with-it caste the light of progress and growth across his realm. Yet man was also greatly flawed with a bent for folly. He would just as often use his torch to burn and scorch his fellow man. Yet eventually with his fire he would discover another. That which fed the stars themselves. With it, he would cast himself from his nursery into the void beyond. It was not long before, freed from his terrestrial bonds, he would gaze into this new fire and discover the key to the stars themselves. Thus, man did take for himself the heavens.

In taking this leap man had unified himself beneath one banner. To hold up that torch of civilization and nurture the fires. Man had formed the Terran Alliance. Yet the Alliance was a heavy and burdensome institution. Many groaned under its immense weight. Seeking to start anew these would take to man's new domain among the stars. As the Alliance's weight brought it buckle and eventually inevitably collapse, these men on enterprise and hope would take up the torch for themselves. One of these Torch holders was the Lyran Commonwealth.

Nestled amongst the stars which from man's home of Terra formed the constellation Lyra a network of trade exchange emerged between three peoples. Largely originating from the Terran continent of Europe these would enjoy a period of freedom and prosperity as they rejoiced in one another and their independence from Terra. Yet their time of peace was to be short lived. On the horizon they could see other torchbearers rising to ascendancy and with their fires razing those who would stand opposed. These three chose not to surrender to their fate. They bound together and chose for themselves a symbol. The three stringed Lyre. To represent their three peoples and the stars in which they resided. Thus, did they name themselves, the Lyrans, and of themselves forged a nation caste of gold and steel. Strong and imposing in its might, yet soft and wanting naught but bask in their own music and frivolity. Yet the Lyran people were clumsy and inexperienced with this new instrument of state. With it they played many a harsh cord harming themselves and enraging those around them. Thus, did they bring the fires of war to their doorstep.

The Lyrans would engage in civil conflicts, resist hostile invasions, and undergo distant adventurism. Sometimes chosen, sometimes not, but almost always would the Lyran state and her people suffer before this violence. Yet, they were resilient and hopeful. Even as they were scorched during this age of war the Lyrans chose to stand tall. Even as they reaped destruction they chose to build and rebuild. Thus, despite the violence, despite the suffering, they Lyrans would continue to prosper and grow. And she would dream. Dream of peace.

Through these fires of conflict, the Lyran state was not alone. Beyond her boarders others acted in accordance with their own complex tapestries of motivations and interests. Interests often spurred by greater suffering than her own. For the squabbles of the Commonwealth paled before the devastation reaped by other peoples. From that conflagration rose another dream. One born an echo of older ambition. A dream of unity, no matter the cost. A dream of prosperity, no matter who needed pay for it. A dream not of peace, but which promised it nonetheless. The dream of Star League.

Terra and the renewed empire which had spawned from her once more once more sought to bring man into the fold. But in failing a quest of conquest, she turned to one of cunning and political maneuver. She coerced others to the table and there formed an alliance unrivaled in power. Through the intimidation of such power, they would threaten others into the fold. As for the Lyrans it was peace and wealth that they did offer. Such a temptation could not be rejected.

Thus did the Lyrans and humanity enter a golden age. Under this arrangement man flourished. Technology advanced. Civilization grew and expanded. Wealth exploded. There was a peace unlike any other in man's history. For centuries this state would persist. But alas, it was to one day wither and die. While many rejoiced beneath the banner of the league, for some its blessing were not enough. By pride, avarice, and greed many would contrive to ascend within the league and twist it to their selfish ends and visages. In that striving they tore the League's institutions of wonder asunder. As the structure upon which man stood collapsed, he tottered before an age every bit as dark and horrific as the one which proceeded it was glorious and wonderful. Yet there was hope, the Star League Defense Force. Pledged to uphold that age of wonders, those who ought to have stood before this dawning catastrophe. Yet, before the difficulties of the time, they not only faltered in their duty, but betrayed it outright. Abandoning their people the Star League's would be protectors fled as cowards. In their wake, no horror which man had previously uncovered was spurned. Beneath the fires of a thousand stars, man burned.

The Lyran state itself barely survived this holocaust. But survive she did. For centuries she limped onward scrounging amongst the ashes for what she lost. But limp she did. For generations she rebuilt languishing with a fraction of the prosperity she once had. But rebuild she did. Though she lost territory to hostile neighbors and military ineptitude and failed operations. Yet the Lyran state still emerged from the catastrophes of the time to seek prosperity for herself and her people. From that age of apocalypse and abaddon the Commonwealth emerged. Beaten, battered, but alive and with hopes of renaissance. Answer to those hopes in new bleak age arrived in the form of a new ally. A groom for the Lyran state. The Federated Suns.

Elder than the Commonwealth herself the people of the Suns had endured a turbulent history of their own. Yet through it all they had sparingly presented themselves as enemies to the Lyran peoples. And before them both lay mutual enemies and interests aplenty. Through the respective tribulations both states had become proficient in different sectors. The Lyrans, mercantile savantry and industrial dominance. The Suns, military excellence and technological brilliance. To combine the skillsets of both promised not merely ascendancy, but the potential for a restoration of Star League itself and a new golden age under Lyran terms.

Together the two worked and fought to end that era of apocalypse. The despotic rule of the Capellan Confederation was nearly put to an end. The nations of Rasalhauge and St. Ives were freed from the tyranny of their oppressors. Dozens of planets and trillions of people were brought newfound freedom and prosperity beneath the benevolent marriage of states. In concert with these labors the Helm Memory core was uncovered in this time. Holding vast quantities of precious lost knowledge from the time of Star League and offering the potential of a rapid return to the glories of that time. The academic prowess of the alliance allowed them to capitalize on the discovery and decrypt the helm core and its technological archives as no others could generating wonders and marvels at an unmatched rate. The Lyrans and Suns came so close to ushering in a new utopia. Yet even in this time of glory, the seeds of downfall were sown. Though the Suns pretended at brotherhood, they were not content to be mere equals. They squandered the wealth of the Commonwealth granted in good faith on frivolous pursuits and took every opportunity dominate raise themselves as superior in the would-be union of equals. Yet, the duplicity of the Suns was to be the least of the afflictions laid upon the Lyran people in this age which had once held such promise.

Beyond the reaches of human civilization, a great evil stirred. In the depths of the abyssal deep periphery a twisted society of cowardly traitors turned its eyes to the impending glories of the Lyran-Suns alliance. They saw that man's glory may be restored in an image other than that which they had twisted themselves to become, and they seethed in hatred. Thus, did the Clans, the craven descendants of the old Star League Defense Forces, returned in fury to the realms of the Inner Sphere.

Though their society was a thing of horror, it bred within the clans a fury and might never before seen by spheroid civilization. Though they had seen horrific conflic amongst themselves, a swift seizure of power and institution of rigid control ensured that they avoided much of the deep damage and scarring which the rest of humanity endured. Though the rigidity of the clan system sniffles inspiration experimentation and progress in industry and technology, the wonders of Star League were preserved and many prototypical and theoretical advancements were completed before the worst of this stagnation set in.

By this the clans were possessed of arms and armor unrivaled. The sheer brutality of the clan system rendered warriors of immense hardened skill. The dogma and rhetoric of their highest cabals ensured a feiry hatred of those they saw themselves destined to subjugate. Thus, as the clans appeared on the fringe regions f the unprepared Great Houses, did they surged forth in a seemingly unstoppable torrent.

-Excerpt from Oral Histories of the Sphere by Dr. Yoseif Bierhals transcribing an Abejorralian history of the Commonwealth.

[Wrangler]

This is very interesting, are you going to be posting bits and pieces? Or are you going to put a source book together?

[Ice Hellion]

Your map is too big for the screen. I just saw now that the right part was really interesting too.

Which leads me to a question, where are the Taurians?

[snakespinner]

Intersting start.

[PlEGUY]

This is very interesting, are you going to be posting bits and pieces? Or are you going to put a source book together?

The current plan is to post in bits and pieces then tape those together with art and a themed format to make a book when I'm done. This way I can work on, share it, and get what feedback I can peacmeal without having to commit to a whole book up front, but still end up with a book by the end.

[PlEGUY]

Your map is too big for the screen. I just saw now that the right part was really interesting too.

Which leads me to a question, where are the Taurians?

I'll try to see if I can fix the image later.

The Taurians are that little brown spot hugging the rimward boarder between the Suns and Capellans. They are a member of the Outback Cooperation Zone. In that political bloc map They are the second light yellow bloch from the left. What's that? You ask. The Taurians are cooperatimg with the Suns instead of delusionally frothing at the mouth and nuking their own citizenry? Unbelievable, I know, but it is true. That is one of the things I didn't do much more than tweak from the canon timeline. After the Calderons divorce them for being too crazy in the Jihad they sit down and have a nice long think. The better part of a century later, Julian invited them to the group. The Suns had spent most of that time being rather peacefull. The Fronc Reaches demonstrated that the Suns could be reasoned with. Every other political body in the region had joined.The Suns had Co-operated with them and the Protectorate that whole time operating a warship without pulling any funny business. The terms of the zone were fairly undemanding, trade and anti-piracy Cooperation. Lastly, the Calderon Protectorate and the Suns were getting along swimmingly and the Concordat did want to reunify. In the face of all that the standard paranoia wavered and they conceded. It wasn't the most popular choice ever and the Taurians are certainly the most unruly of the bunch. Unless of course you count Randis who keep absolutely abusing the deal to get in way over their heads then call in the big guns of their friends to sanitize pirate holdouts.

[PlEGUY]

Intersting start.

Thanks!

[DOC_Agren]

 
I'm liking this start

[Steve]

Ah, so poor Trillian won't be handed a crap sandwhich.  Do go on.

[PlEGUY]

Ah, so poor Trillian won't be handed a crap sandwhich.  Do go on.

Um... about that...

[PlEGUY]

From Father to Son

Son,

I received your “I told you so” on Ghost Night activity within the Commonwealth. It would seem your hunch was correct. Despite their claims of friendship and alliance, the Republic’s intelligence apparatus has been working to undermine our state. Most critically, as your report illustrates, repeated failures at restoring Lyran KF core and black water naval production following the destruction of the Jihad can be traced to Republican interference. Had the Republic contented themselves merely to impede our military production in support of their demilitarization efforts I perhaps could have understood. It would have been a severe breach of trust against we who have so earnestly cooperated with them in those efforts, but after the destruction the Sphere has witnessed, I could have understood. But in this, they have knowingly and intentionally harmed the people of the Commonwealth. That cannot be tolerated.

You did well with this investigation my son. Your cooperation with Lady von Texeiras and LIC to verify your suspicions is particularly commendable. I am very proud of you and your work. However, ultimately this entire endeavor was conceived on baseless suspicions. Had it not been for the accident over Gibbs there would have been no real reason to suspect the Republic’s activities. I know this must be overworn on you by now, but information is ammunition, and a bad round can be catastrophic. The weight of the Archonship is heavy and if you are to bear it, you must be ready. Our duty to the people of the Commonwealth requires that we act as carefully and competently as possible and not waste resources on wild goose chases or act on baseless feelings.

As part of your further development as a ruler I will be assigning you to my old stomping grounds in the Melissia Theater. Officially, you will act as an advisory attaché and representative of the Archon to the s. Indeed, you will be preforming those functions. However, you will have other tasks. See the attached documents on Violet Anchor. The Commonwealth’s naval strength cannot be allowed to languish any further. You will also be making frequent trips back to Tharkad in fulfillment of both tasks. This should allow you to continue pursuing certain opportunities. Don’t think your old man hasn’t seen where your eyes wander when you think no one else is looking.

Your loving Father,
Archon Adam Steiner

Triad Tribune: News on all things Political, Governmental, and Royal Febuary 6, 3127

Attempt on Archon’s Life!-

Today an otherwise quiet riverside community was awoken to a loud Lohengrin raid. Following an intense firefight operatives emerged from a middle-income housing complex. Eight detained individuals were taken away in Lohengrin armored vehicles and medical personnel of the 1st Royal Guards departed with seventeen casualties. Lohengrin representatives report that no uninvolved civilians were harmed. Three agents died in the firefight and two were taken to Yashruti Memorial Lutheran Hospital for treatment. Nine suspects died and three died en route to medical treatment. It is claimed that the raid proceeded as planned and agents achieved a desired level of swiftness and surprise. However, suspected individuals were heavily armed and well entrenched.

Representatives report this raid follows the discovery of a potentially lethal poison by the Diplomatic Corps in a meal ordered by Archon Andrew Steiner in the Liberation Street Fair last week. An investigation by Corps officials in cooperation with local and royal policing agencies led to individuals living within the raided complex. Officials declined to comment further on the matter including answers by the press regarding potential identities, intentions, or affiliations of the suspects.

Nonetheless, an assassination attempt on the Archon has been confirmed and who is responsible remains an open question. No groups or individuals have yet come forward to claim responsibility. Not even common offenders such as Freedom Now! The reigning Steiner’s rule has been generally well regarded by the people of the Commonwealth, especially by those residing here on the capitol. This has led many to wonder if a foreign actor could be responsible. In that direction too there are few answers. For all their failings, the Clans find this kind of action to be repugnant. Public statements made by the heir apparent make it unlikely that former states of the Free Worlds League would risk an action which would lead to her ascension. Archon Andrew’s negative opinion of the Republic has driven a worsening of relations with the state; however, the relationship between the Commonwealth and her neighbor remains amicable and cooperative and, like the League, the Archon’s death would result in leadership which would not benefit the Republic. Ultimately, no obvious answer to who may be responsible exists and we must wait for further information to be released by authorities.

[PsihoKekec]

And the butterflies are starting to flap their wings.

[PlEGUY]

Virtue Cartographers Unlimited
Updated Survey of the PressVille system –3091

-System Layout-
The PressVille System is composed of five major orbital bodies. The inner four are terrestrial planets, and the outermost is a gas giant. There is an asteroid field between the inner planets and the gas giant, likely generated by debris affected by the giant’s gravity well. At the center of the system lies a class B star. The inner three planets are fairly typical and of little note. Bathed in the heat of the systems incredibly strong star, they are predictably scorched. Further details on their compositions can be found in Appendices B-G. Only the second of these planets has a small moon. See Appendices L-M. The real highlight of the system is PressVille itself. For a system with such an intense star, the planet is surprisingly well suited for life. It lies distant from its star and has a thick humid atmosphere which is both dense and reflective. It is still a relatively hot world, but it lies well within the limits of Terrestrial-like life. Of further note, surveys indicate the planet, and its single large moon, are rich in Germanium deposits. See Appendices H, I, N, & O. Like the inner planets, the asteroid belt, gas giant, and its many moons are typical and of little note. See Appendices J, K, &, P-W.

-Societal Review-
Despite its hospitable climate, the planet of PressVille hosted little more than basic cellular life in its oceans. As mankind expanded outwards into space in the 23rd century it was noted as a particularly desirable candidate for colonization. Early colonies did incredibly well, and the Terrestrial life transplanted by them took easily to the planet. Though on the edge of human civilization and with little industry of its own outside of that used in resource extraction, the planet became a valuable member of the Rim Worlds Republic and a key supplier of shipbuilding industries for the nation. With the collapse of the Republic in the wake of the Amaris Civil War, the planet was abandoned to its own devices. It appears that in the events that followed, the planet, which had been oriented and dependent on interplanetary trade, suffered massive famine, economic depression, and near total societal collapse. Their barebones native industry left little in the way of institutional knowledge or tooling and civilization on the planet regressed to a pre-industrial state as it fragmented. In the centuries since the societies and cultures of the planet have developed a, though primitive, complex interplay of political systems. It seems that in the time since the last VCU survey the planetary societies have advanced somewhat and have reached a stage reminiscent to that which preceded Terra’s own industrial revolution. The continental power previously noted has collapsed and been surpassed by several seafaring powers. The planet and its history present a fascinating environment for anthropological studies.

-Interplanetary Considerations-
Due to its habitability and germanium deposits, one might think PressVille would be a valuable cornerstone of regional interplanetary trade, industry, and politics. Were it nearly anywhere else in the Inner Sphere, it may well be. However, the shear distance from most human civilization, and the state of local advancement has left it relatively isolated. Pressville’s contact with extra solar entities is mostly relegated to explorers like VCU and pirates. Indeed, upon initially landing on the surface, the local inhabitants initially presumed VCU’s team to be the latter but seemed familiar with and easily accepted our own exploratory mission. Records indicate that even pirate raids are relatively uncommon compared to other inhabited systems in the region. They are aimed primarily at seizing slaves and foodstuffs. But the distant nature of the system and pre-industrial relative lack of agricultural output or ability to transport it to a central location which can be raided leaves PressVille undesirable even to pirates. Nonetheless, piracy does hamstring development of the system and the nearby region. While the germanium deposits might otherwise attract investment and industrial concerns once more its distance combined with the risk of piracy inhibits such interest. Even an intuition such as the Marian Hegemony seems unlikely. As shown in Appendix I, while relatively rich in Germanium, Alphard it is not. Further, while the Rim Territories show the pirates of the region are capable capable orginization and forthought, they simply lack the ambition of the O'Reillys.

[PlEGUY]

Trillian,

I appreciate the interest you have expressed in serving the Commonwealth. I have reviewed your secretarial and administrative work for the Foreign Affairs office, and upon the recommendation of your cousin, I am assigning you as the political attaché to LCAF forces participating in the upcoming Operation Herbstmanöver. In this capacity you will be representing the civil concerns of the Commonwealth and myself. This is a significant increase in authority and responsibility over any of your previous tasks. I am thus going to subordinate you to Hauptmann General Mason. You will technically be of equivalent authority to Leutenant General Clease and Kommadore Brionn, but as junior among the command staff, I expect you to defer to not only their experience but also that of your inferiors. This will be a learning opportunity not only for yourself, but the entire operational group.

I have attached to this letter documents to summarize the situation you will be entering, but it is by no means comprehensive. I don’t believe I need to tell you this, but I expect you to do preform your own investigations to prepare yourself. I must once more emphasize the weight of the duty to which I am assigning you, but I wouldn’t be doing so if I did not believe you up to the task. Make me proud my niece.

Andrew Steiner,

Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth

Summary contemporary relations between the Lyran Commonwealth Rim Collective.
Foreign Affairs Office
Updated November 7, 3131

The Rim Collection can trace its roots to the Rim Republic of which its worlds were former members. With the dissolution of the Republic in the Commonwealth-Republic war and the destruction of the Star League Civil War and Succession Wars, these planets were left in a state of independence and relative poverty for centuries. In the mid 31st century, these worlds benefited from several charismatic figures, a sympathetic mercenary group, Abel’s Aces, and the downstream effects of the then ongoing economic and technological renaissance of the post succession war period. In possession of political will, military protection, and economic viability, the Rim Collection charter was signed, and a new state was formed in 3048.

The then Federated Commonwealth at the time paid little notice. Declassified documentation indicates LIC launched a small investigation to verify that the Collection was not another mere pirate kingdom like the Marians or Circiniuns while local militias were temporarily placed on higher alert in anticipation of that potentiality. As the Collection showed themselves to be no such threat, they were quickly forgotten about by FedCom officials. Independent Lyran business interests showed much more interest. Even as most investors focused on regions like Tikonov and opportunities related to the Federated Commonwealth union, the region saw a slight influx of local investment and economic movement as trade began with the new state and felt piracy decreased. These positive effects intensified when the Collection’s government reforms in the 3060s pushed stronger more centralized economic and interstellar trade systems.

Over the decades the Collection grew slowly but continuously. New planets joined the nation. Trade expanded across the periphery and to other nearby major powers. Its economy developed from simple substance level agrarianism, to the extraction and export of raw materials, and eventually fostering minor industrial efforts. Today these efforts have become sophisticated enough to output fusion power plants and primitive battlemechs. Even still the Federated Commonwealth, then Lyran Alliance, then Lyran Commonwealth officially paid little regard to the small state on its boarders. This changed in 3127.

On the orders of Archon Adam Steiner, the Foreign Affairs Office began efforts to open official relations with the Collection. Through local trade corporations, permission to send an ambassadorial team were requested and subsequently accepted by the Collection. By December of 3128 an embassy was established in the capital city of Maroo to some minor fanfare from formerly Lyran immigrants to the region and their descendants. In 3130 the heir apparent, Mellisa Stiener arrived in the region for talks with the Collective’s President. The contents of those discussions are classified. A summary can be found in Collection Political Report 0005235879. The heir’s arrival was received well and was endearing to the Collection’s populace and elites.

Since the establishment of the embassy confidence in the market has increased driving trade and investment in both the Collection and local Commonwealth worlds. Restrictions on high end and proprietary Lyran civilian and military manufactured goods both civilian and military have been lowered. Early signs indicate the Collective is taking advantage of that to expand their own industrial capabilities with Lyran tooling. Lyran experts have been hired by the Collective and nearby universities have seen an influx of applicants to the region. Most have been unable to attend due to cost, however, citing future market opportunities, the Marquis of Florida has granted scholarships to high preforming candidates to attend planetary academies.

Military relations with the Collective have improved steadily since 3128. Late that year the Office of Mercenary Troops Liasons negotiated permission from Collection authorities to extend a pro bono offer of combat loss insurance to Abel’s Aces. In the following month, the LCAF and Collective signed a cooperative contract with the company for increased anti-piracy raids. In mid 3130 the Rim Collection Militia and Florida TMM conducted a cooperative military exercise on Stanley. That same year an agreement was signed with Melissa Steiner to allow Collection Militia personnel to attend the War College of Buena.