Succession Wars (2781–3049)

Every last member of First Lord Richard Cameron’s family is killed during a coup launched by Stefan Amaris. Following the thirteen-year war to unseat him, the rulers of each of the five Great Houses disband the Star League. General Aleksandr Kerensky departs with eighty percent of the Star League Defense Force beyond known space and the Inner Sphere collapses into centuries of warfare known as the Succession Wars that will eventually result in a massive loss of technology across most worlds.

Sub-Eras

Early Succession Wars (2781–2900): Minoru Kurita of the Draconis Combine declares himself the new First Lord of the Star League, sparking the First Succession War and drawing all of the Great Houses into conflict. Massive loss of life and technology ensues, due to the liberal use of weapons of mass destruction by all powers. Though the war ends with an uneasy truce, a Second Succession War begins less than a decade later and leads to even more destruction.

Late Succession Wars – LosTech (2901–3019): By this time, the Second Succession War and the beginnings of the Third have reduced most of the advanced technology of the Star League to the status of ’lostech”. The Third war begins with a Draconis Combine attack on the Lyran Commonwealth but soon descends into two hundred years of low-level and constant warfare as the Great Houses suffer the consquences of their folly.

Late Succession Wars – Renaissance (3020–3049): In the early 31st century the Grey Death Legion discovers the Helm memory core and kickstarts the rediscovery of many lost technologies. In secret Hanse Davion and Katrina Steiner sign the FedCom Accords, a secret pact to join the Federated Suns and Lyran Commonwealth. Using his marriage to Melissa Steiner as cover, Hanse Davion begins the Fourth Succession War by launching a massive invasion against his enemies. The war ends with Davion capturing half of the Capellan Confederation and securing a vital link to the Commonwealth, but fails to defeat the Draconis Combine.

Recommended Reading

Sourcebooks
  • House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)
  • House Liao (The Capellan Confederation)
  • House Marik (The Free Worlds League)
  • House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)
  • NAIS 4th Succession War Military Atlas Vol. 1
  • NAIS 4th Succession War Military Atlas Vol. 2
  • Operational Turning Points: Death to Mercenaries
  • Operational Turning Point: Widowmaker Absorption
  • The Mercenary’s Handbook
  • The Periphery
Novels
BattleCorps Fiction
  • Be Not Afraid of Greatness
  • Ghost of Christmas Present
  • Broken Blade
  • The Heart of Dixie
  • Callie’s Call
  • Not the Way the Smart Money Bets
  • Hector
  • Straw Man
  • Broken Sword, Wounded Dragon
  • Irreplaceable
  • Bad Water
  • Heroes’ Bridge
  • Operation Rat
    • From the Ruins
    • The Totalitarian Mind
    • Salvage
    • First Meeting on Second Try
    • A Storm of Rain and Steel
    • Timbiqui Dark
    • Tomorrow’s Shine

Timeline

2781
Star League disbanded, Robert Steiner II dies, Jennifer Steiner named Lyran Commonwealth Archon
2782
Each Lord of the High Council individually gives Jerome Blake responsibility for the reconstruction of Terra
2783
Court of the Star League sealed
2784
Free Worlds League Resolution 288 passed, Free Worlds League Rule of 75 repealed, 80% of SLDF undertakes Operation Exodus, the remainder pledging assistance to the Terran reconstruction effort, Department of Communications First Circuit reestablished, Prinz Eugen Incident, General Order 137 issued
2785
Conrad Toyama appointed Chief Administrator of Dieron HPG, ComStar Letter of Credit instituted, Federated Suns Towne Debacle
2786
First Succession War begins, Department of Communications changes its name to ComStar, ComStar Operation Silver Shield approved and begun, Draconis Combine Minoru Kurita proclaims himself First Lord of the Star League, Magistracy of Canopus issues Declaration of Independence, Pentagon Worlds settled
2787
Kenyon Marik declares himself First Lord of the Star League, Neutrality of ComStar outlined by Communications Protocol of 2787, Federated Suns War Zone Actions become law
2788
ComStar Operation Silver Shield amended to include Terra only, All HPGs shut down, Military portion of ComStar Operation Silver Shield takes place, ComStar takes Terra
2789
New Delos Massacre, ComStar Mercenary Review Board formed
2791
ComStar ComStar Archives Branch formed, Jennifer Steiner killed, Richard Steiner named Lyran Commonwealth Archon
2792
Lyran Commonwealth reorganizes garrisons
2795
Barbara Liao dies, Sandol Quinn named Chancellor of Capellan Confederation
2796
Minoru Kurita assassinated, Jinjiro Kurita named Draconis Combine Coordinator, Kentares IV Massacre
2797
John Davion assassinated, Paul Davion named Federated Suns First Prince
2798
First Federated Suns offensive against Draconis Combine, Federated Suns Reformation begins, Federated Suns Ministry of Information, Intelligence, and Operations formed
2801
Sandol Quinn resigns, Ilsa Liao named Chancellor of Capellan Confederation, Federated Suns Reformation ends, DeChevilier Massacre, Aleksandr Kerensky dies, Nicholas Kerensky leads second Exodus, Exodus Civil Wars begin
2802
ComStar makes its first true profit
2804
Kenyon Marik dies, Thaddeus Marik named Captain-General of Free Worlds League
2808
Ilsa Liao renounces claim to First Lordship, Second Federated Suns offensive against Draconis Combine
2811
ComStar ROM formed, Third Federated Suns offensive against Draconis Combine
2812
Lyran Commonwealth Estates-General disbanded
2813
Taurian-Canopian War begins
2814
Taurian-Canopian War ends
2815
Nicholas Kerensky proclaims himself first ilKhan of the Clans
2818
Capellan Confederation Capellan Science Foundation founded
2819
Jerome Blake dies, Conrad Toyama named Prime Administrator of ComStar, ComStar ROM purge initiated, ComStar ComStar Order formed
2820
Conrad Toyama visits House leaders and raises HPG rates
2821
First Succession War ends, Thaddeus Marik dies, Charles Marik named Captain- General of Free Worlds League, Jeannette Marik joins ComStar and begins leaking information, Lyran Commonwealth and Free Worlds League sign Peace Accords of Bella I, Clans return to Pentagon Worlds, Exodus Civil Wars end
2822
Draconis Combine institutes new mercenary payment plan, Lyran Commonwealth Estates-General reconvened
2823
Lyran Commonwealth taxes ComStar and is Interdicted, ComStar logo created, Richard Steiner dies, Marcus Steiner named Lyran Commonwealth Archon
2824
Lyran Commonwealth taxes and ComStar Interdiction lifted, Conrad Toyama begins recruitment trip in Periphery, Clan Wolverine annihilated
2825
Minnesota Tribe attacks Svelvik, Jarrett, Richmond, and Trondheim, Thomas Halder-Davion appointed Federated Suns Field Marshall
2826
ComStar ComStar News Bureau formed
2828
Ilsa Liao killed, Laurelli Liao named Chancellor of Capellan Confederation
2829
Colonel Damien Hasek named Federated Suns Duke of New Syrtis
2830
Second Succession War begins
2834
Nicholas Kerensky killed, Clan Wolf absorbs Clan Widowmaker
2837
Oriente HPG destroyed, Free Worlds League Interdicted, ComStar War begins, Conrad Toyama dies and is named a saint, Raymond Karpov named Primus of ComStar, Jinjiro Kurita retires, Zabu Kurita named Dc Coordinator
2838
Free Worlds League Interdiction lifted, ComStar War ends, ComStar Organizational Edict 3056 expands ROM, Michelle Dupreas resigns and is assassinated, Janice Laidlaw appointed Head of ComStar ROM, ComStar Operation Holy Shroud begins, Zabu Kurita commits seppuku, Yoguchi Kurita named Draconis Combine Coordinator, Draconis Combine ISF attached to Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery
2840
Capellan Confederation Chesterton Decree issued, Draconis Combine launches first offensive against Lyran Commonwealth
2841
Oriente HPG rebuilt, Jinjiro Kurita commits suicide, Federated Suns launches major offensive against Draconis Combine, Roweena Kurita named Draconis Combine Coordinator of People’s Reconstruction Effort
2842
Free Worlds League Parliament votes to resume all military funding, Paul Davion dies, Ignatius Calderon named Taurian Concordat Protector of the Taurian Homeworlds
2843
ComStar Operation Holy Shroud ends, Michael Davion named Federated Suns First Prince
2844
Marcus Steiner goes into a coma, Melissa Nin named Lyran Commonwealth Archon
2845
Marcus Steiner dies, Melissa Nin executed for treason, Claudius Steiner named Lyran Commonwealth Archon, Lyran Commonwealth Estates-General disbanded
2846
Federated Suns Prime Marshall Peter Davion refuses to lead rebellion
2848
Lyran Commonwealth Operation Praying Mantis begins
2849
Claudius Steiner dies, Elizabeth Steiner named Lyran Commonwealth Archon-Designate, Lyran Commonwealth Estates- General reconvened, Lyran Commonwealth Triumvirate formed
2850
Yoguchi Kurita assassinated by Snow Fire, Miyogi Kurita named Draconis Combine Coordinator
2853
LComStar Invincible misjumps
2854
Charles Marik dies, Gerald Marik named Captain-General of Free Worlds League, Draconis Combine launches second offensive against Lyran Commonwealth, Federated Suns Marathon Offensive begins, Clan Coyote invents the OmniMech
2859
Elizabeth Steiner named Lyran Commonwealth Archon
2860
Laurelli Liao dies, Dainmar Liao named Chancellor of Capellan Confederation, Taurian Concordat undergoes Constitutional Crisis of 2860
2861
Gerald Marik dies, Philippa Marik named Captain-General of Free Worlds League, ComStar Doctrinal Edict of 2861 formalizes process of naming Primus, Federated Suns St. Ives Raid takes place
2864
Successor States meet in failed peace talks, Second Succession War ends, Draconis Combine Shadow War begins
2866
Third Succession War begins, Dainmar Liao resigns, Otto Liao named Chancellor of Capellan Confederation, Draconis Combine Shadow War ends
2867
Free Worlds League assassination attempt on Elizabeth Steiner fails, Dainmar Liao commits suicide
2868
Clans first use elementals
2870
Federated Suns Cutthroat Fiasco
2873
Philippa Marik dies, Marie Marik named Captain-General of Free Worlds League, Michael Davion dies, Carl Davion named Federated Suns First Prince
2875
Raymond Karpov steps down, Andrea Marteen named Primus of ComStar
2876
Carl Davion killed, Melissa Davion named Federated Suns First Prince, Reformation of Federated Suns military takes place
2877
ComStar ROM stages Black December incident
2880
James Marik named Captain-General of Free Worlds League, Raymond Karpov dies
2882
James Marik dies, ComStar raises HPG transmission rates
2883
Lloyd Marik-Stanley named Captain-General of Free Worlds League, Elisabeth Marik takes control of Free Worlds League non-military functions
2884
Lloyd Marik-Stanley dies
2888
Capellan Confederation Sian University founded
2892
Miyogi Kurita assassinated, Jon Kurita killed, Taragi Kurita named Draconis Combine Coordinator, Melissa Davion dies, Joseph Davion II named Federated Suns First Prince
2895
Elizabeth Steiner dies, Eric Steiner named Lyran Commonwealth Archon
2901
Andrea Marteen dies, Dwight Kurstin named Primus of ComStar, ComStar First Circuit revolts and leaves Terra, ComStar “Witch-Hunt” transmission sent, Terra Interdicted, Court of the Star League unsealed, ComStar Operation Winged Crusader begins
2902
Dwight Kurstin assassinated, Gregori Hartford named Primus of ComStar, ComStar ComStar Civil War covered up by ROM, Court of the Star League resealed
2905
Federated Suns and Capellan Confederation sign Armistice of Van Diemen IV
2906
Free Worlds League Home Defense Act passed
2907
Taragi Kurita dies, Shinjiro Kurita named Draconis Combine Coordinator
2908
Lyran Commonwealth Military Services Acts modified
2910
Gregori Hartford dies, Kari Marshall named Primus of ComStar
2911
Draconis Combine Gray Dragons formed
2912
Clan Smoke Jaguar deals with the Londerholm Revolt
2913
Lyran Commonwealth Operation Freedom begins, Eric Steiner killed
2914
Tatyana Steiner named Lyran Commonwealth Archon
2917
Samuel Marik named Captain-General of Free Worlds League, Otto Liao resigns, Merlin Liao named Chancellor of Capellan Confederation
2920
Kari Marshall tours Periphery, ComStar Periphery Communications Link begun, Johann O’Reilly forms Marian Hegemony
2921
Draconis Combine Davarapala Accords signed
2925
Shinjiro Kurita dies, Hugai Kurita named Draconis Combine Coordinator
2930
Kari Marshall dies, Hollings York named Primus of ComStar, Necess Kurita joins ComStar and is kidnapped by Hugai Kurita, ComStar hires mercenaries and threatens Draconis Combine, Necess Kurita released
2931
Joseph Davion II abdicates, Peter Davion II named Federated Suns First Prince
2933
ComStar ComStar Guards and Militia formed
2935
Joseph Davion II dies
2937
Tatyana Steiner abdicates, Marco Steiner named Lyran Commonwealth Archon
2942
Merlin Liao dies, Tarlak Liao named Chancellor of Capellan Confederation
2944
Samuel Marik dies, Paul Marik named Captain-General of Free Worlds League
2947
Paul Marik dies, Iris Marik named Captain-General of Free Worlds League, Brock Marik named Captain-General of Free Worlds League, Hollings York proposes abolishment of ComStar ROM and is assassinated, Adrienne Sims named Primus of ComStar, Hollings York named a saint
2948
Brock Marik dies, Thaddeus Marik II named Captain-General of Free Worlds League
2950
Tarlak Liao assassinated, Ingrid Liao named Chancellor of Capellan Confederation
2952
Federated Suns Great Lee Turkey Shoot, Federated Suns Warrior’s Cabal formed, Marco Steiner retires, Giovanni Steiner named Lyran Commonwealth Archon
2955
Some Magistracy of Canopus Elector positions become hereditary
2959
Adrienne Sims begins having nightmares about an invasion from beyond the Periphery, ComStar Explorer Corps formed
2961
First ComStar Explorer Corps ships enter the Periphery, Peter Davion II assassinated, Andrew Davion named Federated Suns First Prince
2963
Thaddeus Marik II dies, Stephan Marik named Captain-General of Free Worlds League, Hugai Kurita dies, Hohiro Kurita named Draconis Combine Coordinator
2964
Capellan Confederation Decree of Martial Unity issued, Eugenio Rosario killed
2966
Free Worlds League Concord of Danais signed
2979
Adrienne Sims dies, Yin Takami named Primus of ComStar, ComStar Tripitz affair takes place, ComStar Operation Holy Shroud II begins
2980
Ingrid Liao dies, Tormax Liao named Chancellor of Capellan Confederation, Giovanni Steiner dies, Alessandro Steiner named Lyran Commonwealth Archon
2985
Clan Sea Fox becomes Clan Diamond Shark
2987
Lyran Commonwealth Deep Raid of 2987
2988
Capellan Confederation Death Commandos formed, ComStar First Circuit reorganized to include Tharkad, Atreus, Sian, and New Avalon
2989
Free Worlds League Special Resolution 512 passed, Draconis Combine Strike of 2989
2990
Tormax Liao deposed, Maximilian Liao named Chancellor of Capellan Confederation
2991
Stephan Marik dies, Janos Marik named Captain-General of Free Worlds League
2994
Yin Takami dies, Allen Rusenstein named Primus of ComStar
2996
Free Worlds League Accountability Edict issued, Free Worlds League Logistics Act passed
2999
Andrew Davion dies, Ian Davion named Federated Suns First Prince
3000
ComStar begins extensive recruitment in the Periphery, Takashi Kurita named Commander of the Draconis Combine Otomo
3001
ComStar begins supplying Bandit Kings
3002
Lyran Commonwealth Operation Concentrated Weakness begins
3003
Michael Hasek marries Marie Davion-St. Claire
3004
ComStar Jolly Roger Affair takes place, Hohiro Kurita assassinated, Takashi Kurita named Draconis Combine Coordinator, Wolf’s Dragoons leave for the Inner Sphere
3005
Capellan Confederation Ministry of Development reorganized, Wolf’s Dragoons appear in Federated Suns
3006
Thomas Marik joins ComStar, Allen Rusenstein resigns, Julian Tiepolo named Primus of ComStar
3007
Alessandro Steiner is forced to retire, Katrina Steiner named Lyran Commonwealth Archon
3009
Wolf’s Dragoons return to Clan Wolf for refitting, Marius O’Reilly named Marian Hegemony Imperator
3010
ComStar instigates Marik Civil War
3012
Tamara Centrella dies, Kyalla Centrella named Magistracy of Canopus Magestrix
3013
Ian Davion killed, Hanse Davion named Federated Suns First Prince, Michael Hasek-Davion named Federated Suns Duke of New Syrtis
3014
Anton Marik begins Marik Civil War
3015
Anton Marik kills Joshua Wolf and is killed by Wolf’s Dragoons, ComStar Precentor ROM Vesar Kristofur excommunicated, Federated Suns New Avalon Institute of Science created, Neil Avellar II named Outworlds Alliance Parliamentary President
3017
Thomas Calderon named Taurian Concordat Protector of the Taurian Homeworlds
3019
Wolf’s Dragoons return to Clan Wolf again for refitting, Theodore Kurita and Tomoe Sakade marry
3020
Capellan Confederation makes contact with Michael Hasek-Davion, Katrina Steiner sends Peace Proposal to all Houses, Outworlds Alliance Educational Exchange Program begins
3022
Concord of Kapteyn signed, McCarron’s War begins, Federated-Commonwealth Alliance Document signed
3025
Third Succession War ends, McCarron’s War ends, Capellan Confederation Operation Doppelganger takes place
3026
Federated Suns Operation Galahad 3026 takes place
3027
Federated Suns Operation Galahad 3027 takes place, Lyran Commonwealth Operation Thor 3027 takes place
3028
Fourth Succession War begins, Tormana Liao captured by Federated Suns, Federated Suns Northwind Agreement takes effect, Capellan Confederation Operation Riposte takes place, Gray Death Legion discovers Helm Library Core, Wolf’s Dragoons take An Ting HPG, Hanse Davion and Melissa Steiner marry, Wolf’s Dragoons leave Draconis Combine, Federated Commonwealth unofficially formed, Maria Morgraine and Redjack Ryan marry, Greater Valkyrate formed
3029
St. Ives Compact formed, Tikonov Free Republic formed, Capellan Confederation Operation Intruders Communion takes place, Federated Suns framed for destruction of Sarna HPG and Interdicted, ComStar covertly attacks NAIS, Julian Tiepolo dies, Myndo Waterly named Primus of ComStar, ComStar ‘Mechs stationed at Federated Suns HPGs, Federated Suns Interdiction lifted, Draconis Combine and Wolf’s Dragoons battle on Crossing, Michael Hasek-Davion killed
3030
Fourth Succession War ends, Duchy of Andurien secedes from Free Worlds League, Free Worlds League Internal Emergency Act passed, ComStar Operation Rosebud initiated, Theodore Kurita named Draconis Combine Gunji no Kanrei, Federated Suns Sarna March created, Andurien/Magistracy of Canopus invasion of Capellan Confederation begins, ComStar gives Star League Battlemechs to Draconis Combine
3031
Thomas Marik leaves ComStar, Capellan Confederation attacked by Andurien/Canopus alliance, Federated Suns absorbs Tikonov Free Republic
3032
Circinus Federation President C. J. McIntyre dies, H. R. McIntyre named Circinus Federation President, Black Warriors commander Adam Cirion dies, H. R. McIntyre named commander of Black Warriors
3034
Free Rasalhague Republic formed, ComStar Operation Rosebud ends, Anastasius Focht joins ComStar, ComStar Operation Flush begins, Draconis Combine Ronin War takes place, Federated Suns and Lyran Commonwealth undergo Skye Crisis, Neil Avellar II marries Rebecca DeSanders, Edward Calderon dies, Janice Calderon tours Taurian Concordat, Circinus Federation begins invasion of Illyrian Palatinate
3035
Bomb kills Janos and Duggan Marik and wounds Thomas Marik, Duncan Marik named Captain-General of Free Worlds League, ComStar Readjustment Act of 3035 passed, Mitchell Avellar born, Marian Hegemony invades Astrokaszy
3036
Thomas Marik named Captain-General of Free Worlds League, Maximilian Liao dies, Romano Liao named Chancellor of Capellan Confederation
3037
Free Worlds League Addendum to the Incorporation passed, Andurien regained by Free Worlds League, Taurian Concordat Ministry of Trade andColonization arrested, Camillo Avellar born, Galahad Frews named Grand Knight of the Brotherhood of Randis
3038
ComStar ‘Mechs stationed at Capellan Confederation HPGs, Janice Calderon contracts Brisbane Virus, Patrice Avellar born
3039
War of 3039 begins, Katrina Steiner abdicates, Melissa Steiner-Davion named Lyran Commonwealth Archon
3040
War of 3039 ends, Katrina Steiner dies, Kyalla Centrella removed, Emma Centrella named Magistracy of Canopus Magestrix
3041
ComStar ‘Mechs stationed at Lyran Commonwealth HPGs, Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth created
3042
Ian Calderon joins Green Mountain Boys, Circinus Civil War begins, Paula Trevaline killed
3043
Free Worlds League League General Accounting Office created
3044
ComStar Operation Flush ends
3046
Felix Calderon’s Jumpship disappears
3047
Joshua Marik born, Taurian Concordat forces destroy misjumped Federated Commonwealth JumpShip, Taurian Concordat begins military buildup
3048
ComStar Explorer Corps vessel Outbound Light encounters Clan Smoke Jaguar, Bidding for the right to invade takes place, Marius O’Reilly dies, Sean O’Reilly named Marian Hegemony Imperator, Sean O’Reilly’s title changed to Caesar, Marian Hegemony military buildup begins, James Moroney forms Rim Collection
3049
Clan Operation Revival takes place, ComStar makes contact with the Clans