Battletech

[Douane]

[OoC

To reduce it to "Romeo and Juliet is just a "love" story, and as there is no "love" in the clans the story is irrelevent" is rather to miss the point, i think.

Of course, Tarnish, as a genetically engineered uber-human, doesn't care either way. Fancy a shag?

It's been some time since I last read that play, but in my opionion the setting and society background (GB in the late 16th century or Verona in the late middle ages) is radically different from that of the clans.

While I do not deny that love is possible with the Warrior Caste and bound to be in existance somewhere as a special "relationship"; actually producing a child is a step further and something the warriors are conditioned against from the very start.
(Again from the Canon: "But the naked words father and mother were so obscene that they were not uttered even as curses." and "Just the thought of being a parent makes me uneasy. The mere words relating to natural birth make me uncomfortable." and "The warriors of the Clans regard parenthood and the terms related to it as near-obsceneties.")

So while the two elementals might actually enjoy something akin to "love", actually parenting a child would be a much greater step to take. Also, it might very well be deemed "deviant" behaviour by the clans (and therefore by a society which brooks no "deviants" and is quick to deal with them).

The last hurdle to cross would be the adoption of such a "product" of "deviant behaviour" into the warrior caste as it would continually remind everyone of this shameful event.


So, in conclusion it would be an extremely strange (and rare) event (a freeborn child to two elementals entering the warrior caste and od service on the frontline) to actually take place, and even if it did, it would carry an enormous stigma with it.


Folkert

 

[Douane]

[OoC

I have a free weekend ahead of me, so in case there are any specific questions regarding the Clans, please post them!

I've already Doghead's request to elaborate a bit on the trials, so I'll try to cover that. Anything else?


Folkert

 

[Festy_Dog]

Douane, could I trouble you for a bit of information on how clanners interact? I don't want Kevin coming across wrongly because of my lack of knowledge.

She turned back to Yuri waiting for his answer, turning away from Kevin as if the matter was resolved.

Kevin sits back again, and strums his fingers quietly on his knee, smiling to himself.

 

[Douane]

[OoC

Douane, could I trouble you for a bit of information on how clanners interact? I don't want Kevin coming across wrongly because of my lack of knowledge.

Aargh, that a rather broad topic, isn't it?

I assume you are mainly interested in the warrior caste, besides the other castes were never really fleshed out.

Regarding the origins of our PCs: While they were raised for the last 20 years (or should that be the first 20 years?) together and have thus developed certain bonds and closeness, it doesn't necessarily mean that you like everyone. (Yuri despises Tarnish just because of his genetic origins.) Sexual freedom should be covered by now , and what Shalimar referred to by "You know the Clan way Kevin, you know what options you have availible, deal with it." is that the live of Clan warriors is governed by the different trials. Feel mortally insulted, just challenge Cherish to Trial of Grievance. Though you shouldn't do because of the very credo of the Clans, the abhorrence of waste. (In this way it would be waste to fight Cherish over a simple admonishment.) Another point would be the finality of trials. After the trial (of refusal, grievance or whatever) every participant is supposed to let matter slide because it was just dealt with in the proper clan way. There shouldn't be any bad feelings left. (Yeah, right. ) This ideal ties into the honorable conduct expected of (and drilled into) Clan warriors. (Even if everyone else fails, you will hold up the proud traditions of the Clans to your end, quiaff?)

Another point: The Clans are a militaristic society, an aspect that permeates their entire system, caste structures and all. The higher castes may order everyone of the lower castes and can expect obedience. The same goes for their rank structures: The Star Commander (and so on) orders and everyone beneath him obeys. You may give advice or hints or protest, but you are bound to fulfill that order in the end. Your only way out would be a trial of refusal.

One of the most important tendendy or motive among the clans (especially the warriors) is an almost complete disdain for the barbarians of the Inner Sphere (owing to their origins). Their society is inferior, their warriors and their tech. Besides their inferiority they also lack honor.


Just a short outlook so far. I'll try to come up with some basic outlines and standards, though. Any other specific questions?

As a question: Some years ago, when I actively recruited BT players to play (and there still was interest 'round here ), I did a short "Clan Primer". While it doesn't cover any specific cases, it was more of general overview concerning the history of the clans. If there is interest I would look for it and post it once found.


Folkert

 

[doghead]

I do want to note that so far, nothing I have said has been IC for Tarnish. I still haven't worked out how he is IC. The notions of Honour and Disciplin are attractive ones, but there is an element of intolerance and fanaticism that is a little disconcerting. To me. How Tarnish feels I am not sure. Perhaps he will not be sure either. Or perhaps he doesn't see it. The IC exchanges are very useful.

 

[doghead]

PS. Douane: why would the Jorgensson name be more abhorant to Yuri?

 

[doghead]

A heads up: I am going to be gone from the 26th until the end of the year. I probably won't be able to check in during that time.

 

[Douane]

PS. Douane: why would the Jorgensson name be more abhorant to Yuri?

Sorry!

In 2825 the clans Wolf and Widowmaker faced each other in a Trial of Refusal the Widowmakers had called against the Grand Council's decision that they should be absorbed. The Wolves defended the decision of the Council. The IlKhan Nicholas Kerensky and the Khans of the Grand Council would observe the trial to ensure that the proper rules would be upheld.
During this fight Khan Jerome Winson of Clan Wolf and Khan Cal Jorgensson declared a mutual Trial of Grievance and met in Circle of Equals. When Wolf Khan Winson was close to disabling his enemy’s mech, a star of Widowmaker mechs jumped broke into the Circle and attacked him. The IlKhan and the other Khans moved to defend Winson from this cowardly act, but in the ensuing melee a laser shot fired by Cal Jorgensson’s mech hit the cockpit of the IlKhan’s mech and killed Nicholas Kerensky.
Upon this the Wolves went beserk and attacked their enemy in full force, killing almost all of the warriors of the Widowmaker Clan and capturing the rest; all of it’s other assets were then claimed/absorbed by the Wolf Clan.

 

[doghead]

Ah. I do remember the story about how the IlKhan died, but didn't put the name to it.

 

[Douane]

Well, at least it is nothing personal, just matter of your genes!

I figured that this attitude would make sense for a proud Kerensky, but if you are uncomfortable with it, I will kick it out.