Astrokaszy

Astrokaszy
Astrokaszy 3151.svg
System Information
X:Y Coordinates−290.407 : −315.356[e]
Spectral classG4V[1][2]
Recharge time185 hours[1]
Recharge station(s)None[1][2]

The Astrokaszy system was the location of at least one habitable world, Astrokaszy III, and as of June 3152 was located in the Rim Commonality province of the Free Worlds League.[3]

System Description[edit]

The Astrokaszy system is located near the Campoleone and Gatchina systems[4][5] and consists of a class G4V primary orbited by at least three planets.[1]

System History[edit]

The Astrokaszy system was colonized during the Second Succession War and it remained an independent Periphery system for much of its history.[6][7]

Political Affiliation[edit]


Astrokaszy III[edit]

Astrokaszy
Astrophysical
Also known asAstrokaszy III
System position3[1][2]
Jump Point distance7.98 days[1][2]
Moons1 (Ghada)[1]
Geophysical
Surface gravity1.03[1]
Atmospheric pressureStandard (Breathable)[1]
Equatorial temperature62°C (Desert)[1]
Surface water36%[1]
Highest native lifeMammals,[1] 10%[2]
LandmassesOne[1]
History and Culture
Colonized2892[1][2]
Populationest. 200,000–500,000 (3025),[2]
698,000 (3067)[1]
Government and Infrastructure
Noble RulerCaliph of the Shervanis Caliphate (3001)[2][37]
CapitalShervanis City[1]
HPG ClassB[1][2]
HPG RepresentativePrecentor Girindas Blaine (3025)[2]

Astrokaszy III, more commonly referred to simply as Astrokaszy, is the third planet in the Astrokaszy system and is a hot, arid planet with a single moon named Ghada.[1]

Planetary History[edit]

Astrokaszy was left uninhabited until the Crimson Reapers, routed by the Capellan Confederation, broke their contract with the Free Worlds League, raided for supplies, and sought refuge there in 2892. The shattered mercenary command brought with them a heavy influence of predominantly Muslim beliefs and customs. Soon after landing, various commanders began to feud amongst themselves about how to use their limited resources to colonize the planet. Fragmenting into smaller and smaller groups, the commands were scattered across the northern deserts, eventually becoming the ancestors of the nomadic tribes and city-states that existed for centuries.[2][37]

These city-states became home to interstellar trade, and by 2905, the surface of Astrokaszy was dotted with successful urban centers. Caliph Omar Shervanis, a fifth-generation descendant of the leader of the Crimson Reapers, became the most prominent and most powerful of the urban centers on Astrokaszy. Shervanis's Caliphate was guaranteed by the remnants of the Crimson Reapers BattleMechs, two Clints and a Warhammer. However, Shervanis' aspirations were greater than Astrokaszy, and the Caliph had devoted his efforts to the acquisition of more war matériel, power, sphere of influence and even legitimacy. By 3001, Astrokaszy, led by Caliph Shervanis, had formed a federated government, stable and affluent enough to be recognized by Inner Sphere powers and ComStar, who connected the colony to the Inner Sphere-spanning HPG network.[2][37]

Post-Fourth Succession War[edit]

The success of Astrokaszy was short-lived. In 3035,[38][39] the Marian Hegemony invaded and took control of the planet because Imperator Marius O'Reilly believed Astrokaszy harbored a Marik agent who had sent an assassin to try to kill him. Quickly, the Magistracy of Canopus, Illyrian Palatinate, and Circinus Federation—as well as a Free Worlds League peacekeeping force—landed forces on-planet to prevent violence from erupting. However, the damage had been done; despite the Marian Hegemony removing its troops from the planet, Astrokaszy's federation had dissolved and individual city-states had formed alliances and begun a civil war.[37]

Worse still, the Federated Suns, Draconis Combine, and (unnamed) Periphery powers took advantage of the situation to use the planet as a testing ground for experimental weapons, tactics, and BattleMechs, and as a training area for special operations forces. The Free Worlds League brokered a peace agreement between the city-states but bloodshed resumed mere weeks after they left the system in 3042. Though violence on Astrokaszy was low-grade, warfare continued until 3048, by which point its cities contained vast areas of rubble and the population was sharply divided.[37]

In mid-3057, renewed infighting between the various city-states gave Marius' son Sean O'Reilly, now the ruling Caesar, an opportunity to begin a new round of Marian conquests. Although O'Reilly was supported by the Word of Blake faction known as the Sixth of June, the sudden arrival of the veteran mercenary unit Avanti's Angels, funded by the Magistracy of Canopus, prevented the planet from falling to the Hegemony.[40]

The Smoke Jaguars[edit]

In the 3060s, disparate groups of warriors from Clan Smoke Jaguar were allegedly drawn to Astrokaszy after the destruction of their Clan by the Second Star League. It was believed by ComStar that the rumored connection between the original Star League and Astrokaszy offered the Smoke Jaguars the opportunity for redemption. The clashes between former Smoke Jaguar Clansmen and other dezgra Clan units was touted as a possible explanation for the persistent rumors of secret field-testing of equipment by the Great Houses on the planet.[41]

The 3060s were marked by a series of wars fought across Astrokaszy followed by a brief period of peace, although the world continued to be a hub where anything and everything could be—and often was—bought; by 3067, various intelligence agencies had tracked shipments of matériel moving through Astrokaszy destined for the Marian Hegemony, the Magistracy of Canopus and even the Capellan Confederation.[42]

Jihad[edit]

Before the system-wide HPG blackout, Blakist forces were in control of the planet's ten largest settlements, including the Shervanis Caliphate. Mercenary business has been completely stopped.[citation needed]

On 6 April 3076, a raiding force from the Magistracy of Canopus raided Astrokaszy, striking at what they believed were bases established on the planet by the Word of Blake. The Canopians had material support from the Capellan Confederation and fought against the Blakist-sponsored group known as the Order of the Faithful.[43][44]

The original inhabitants of Astrokaszy were semi-barbaric nomadic tribes under the rule of "caliphate" and local suzerains. The people of Astrokaszy were fearless fighters with an interest in blood sports. However, the planet remained mostly fractious as the population blossomed. As the population spread, Astrokaszy's surface became dotted with rich oases and caravans. However, Astrokaszy always possessed a certain sinister character.[citation needed]

The Marian invasion forced the darker parts of Astrokaszy society to the surface. Soon, Astrokaszy was populated mainly by criminals, renegade MechWarriors, and unscrupulous traders. Nomadic bands of MechWarriors scoured the deserts, while urban combat ceaselessly continued within the city-states. The urban destruction of the civil war was always visible—no faction had been stable enough to be able to rebuild, and cityscapes were literally clogged with rubble piles. The lack of central authority made Astrokaszy a preferred destination for traders looking to sell off contraband or dump an unwanted mercenary.[citation needed]

With their military gears slowly ground down as they fought against each other and invading pirate groups, factions on Astrokaszy endure in small-arms manufacturing centers and mining cities that often attach the Caliphate city-states to nearby scattered oases. The distinctly Arab Muslim overtones of the planet's male-dominated culture reside in these city-states. Still clinging to long-forgotten philosophies and traditions of their ancestors, the citizens are mostly horsemen and fighters and retain their love of blood sports; indeed blood sport is still common as a means of keeping inhabitants pacified.[citation needed]

There are no hiring halls and no neutral meeting centers. There are no DropPorts or even open employers. The attempt to find an employer could be an adventure on its own.[citation needed]

The closest there is to planetary civilization lies in the Shervanis Caliphate and its capital city of Shervanis City. With the planetary HPG and small spaceport, this is the one city that provides links offworld. The city has been held by three different groups, with the latest one being Avanti's Angels. When the previous ruler's son returned to reclaim his birthright, bringing the strongest fighting group found on the world.[citation needed]

While finding mercenaries on this planet may be almost impossible, finding fighters is easy. Between the society and harsh world, the planet creates an almost limitless amount of fighters, most of who would jump at an opportunity for freedom and financial security.[citation needed]

Dark Age[edit]

The Blakist reign over Astrokaszy left the world a crime- and corruption-ridden target for raiders, both pirates and state-sponsored attackers from the Marian Hegemony and Canopus. By 3090 or at some point in the early 32nd century the Fifth Rim Commonality Guards deposed Astrokaszy's ruling caliphate, after which the planet's inhabitants chose to join the Rim Commonality.[45]

In March 3145 the Fifth Rim Commonality Guards engaged attackers from the Magistracy Cavaliers at the Battle of Hillock Falls. The battle was notable for featuring the greatest number of Partisan vehicles in a single engagement.[46]

Markson's Marauders, under contract of the Magistracy of Canopus, made several raids against Astrokaszy. So nasty were their raids to the planet, that Astrokaszy officials lobbied for Markson's Marauders to be labeled pirates rather than legitimate mercenaries.[47]

Military Deployment[edit]

3135[edit]

3145[edit]

  • Fifth Rim Commonality Guards[49]

Geography[edit]

Astrokaszy is hot, dry, and windswept despite having a large amount of water. With a single large landmass, the planet's oceans are located at the poles. Inland seas are located too far apart to help the native agriculture. Although the ecosystem does support a thriving native animal life and there are deposits of precious gems, there is little else to offer any colonists.[1] Treasure hunters are still drawn to the planet by rumors of a Star League Defense Force cache of precious military assets, hidden during the Reunification War.[2][37]

Planetary Locations[edit]

  • Hillock Falls: site of a Dark Age battle[46]
  • Rashier City[50]
  • Shervanis City: the planetary capital city[1][51]
    • Shervanis Spaceport[51]
  • Shaharazad Desert: desert south of Shervanis City, 5,000 km wide
    • "The Nook": a desert oasis[52]

Notes[edit]

  • The 3035 invasion by the Marian Hegemony is erroneously mentioned in The Periphery, Second Edition (p. 88) as taking place in 3025, despite the correct year being given earlier in the book (p. 54) and in the newer source Handbook: Major Periphery States (p. 8). As such, all other years provided in context have been adjusted accordingly in this article.
  • Currently the electronic copy of Mercenaries Supplemental II describes Astrokaszy as having three moons named Delsia, Ralston, and Vannora—which is an identical set of moons to the planet Westerhand in the Capellan Confederation. It was confirmed on the Catalyst Game Labs official forum that the electronic copy of Mercenaries Supplemental II is in error, and that hard copies of the publication are correct and list Astrokaszy as having a single moon named Ghada.[1]
The PDF of MercsSup2 is in error. The print version was corrected to show that Astrokaszy has one moon called Ghada.
  — Roosterboy, 07:11:51 07 Aug 2015

Map Gallery[edit]

Nearby Systems[edit]

Closest 20 systems (12 within 60 light-years)
Distance in light years, closest systems first:
Campoleone 25.3 Gatchina 28.2 Negushevo 41.8 Tellman's Mistake 47.3
Cerignola 47.4 Ildlandet 49.8 Tohelet 51.5 Bayindir 51.6
Tematagi 52.7 Lesnovo 54.5 Stettin 55.3 Mankova 57.4
Bismarck 67.8 Booker 67.8 Marantha 68.2 Izmir 69.0
Ceará 69.7 Hiratsuka 69.8 Thraxa 70.0 Karachi 72.2

References[edit]

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 Mercenaries Supplemental II, p. 14–15: "Astrokaszy: No Man's Land"
  2. 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 The Periphery, pp. 125–126: "Astrokaszy"
  3. 3.0 3.1 Empire Alone, p. 78, "The Free Worlds League June 3152" (Map)
  4. 4.0 4.1 Era Report: 3145, p. 38: "Inner Sphere - [3145] Map"
  5. 5.0 5.1 Field Manual: 3145, p. VI: "Inner Sphere - [3145] Map"
  6. 6.0 6.1 Handbook: House Marik, p. 34
  7. 7.0 7.1 Handbook: House Marik, p. 38
  8. Handbook: House Marik, p. 16
  9. Handbook: House Marik, p. 24
  10. Historical: Reunification War, p. 159
  11. Era Report: 2750, p. 36
  12. Field Manual: SLDF, p. xi: "Inner Sphere - [2764] Map"
  13. Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1, p. 11
  14. Field Report 2765: Periphery, p. 36
  15. Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 2, pp. 122–123
  16. The Periphery, pp. 156–157
  17. Handbook: House Kurita, p. 42
  18. Handbook: House Marik, p. 51
  19. Historical: War of 3039, p. 133
  20. Era Report: 3052, p. 11
  21. Era Report: 3052, p. 23
  22. Era Report: 3062, p. 11
  23. Handbook: House Marik, p. 54
  24. The Periphery, 2nd Edition, p. 111
  25. Era Report: 3062, p. 29
  26. Handbook: House Kurita, p. 56
  27. Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 42
  28. Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, p. 64
  29. Field Report: FWLM, p. 17
  30. Field Report: Periphery, p. 20
  31. Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 62
  32. Field Manual: 3085, p. vii: "Inner Sphere - [3085] Map"
  33. Field Manual: 3085, p. 237: "Affiliation: Independents" - after 3090 the Astrokaszy affiliation is replaced with the Rim Commonality.
  34. Era Report: 3145, p. 10
  35. Map of the Rim Commonality included with Free Worlds League map as of [3139]
  36. Shattered Fortress, p. 102-103, "Inner Sphere - 3151" (Map)
  37. 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.3 37.4 37.5 The Periphery, 2nd Edition, p. 88: "Astrokaszy"
  38. Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 8: "Local Color"
  39. The Periphery, 2nd Edition, pp. 54, 56: "Foundation and Early History"
  40. Field Manual: Periphery, p. 70: "Empire Building"
  41. Shattered Sphere, p. 123: "Bandit Activity"
  42. Field Manual: Updates, p. 198: "Lesser Periphery States"
  43. Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, p. 21: "Timeline of the Jihad"
  44. Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 55: "The Jihad in Review"
  45. Field Manual: 3145, p. 106, "Fifth Rim Commonality Guards (The Sword Breakers)" - absorption of Astrokaszy is stated to have taken place after unit's formation in 3101, but contradicts year given RPG affiliation rules in FM:3085p237
  46. 46.0 46.1 Technical Readout: 3150, p. 74: "Partisan AA Vehicle"
  47. Technical Readout: 3150, p. 202: "Y-2 Yùn"
  48. Experimental Technical Readout: Caveat Emptor, p. 7
  49. Field Manual: 3145, p. 116: "Free Worlds League Military"
  50. Double-Blind, ch. 28
  51. 51.0 51.1 Double-Blind, ch. 22
  52. Double-Blind, ch. 32

Bibliography[edit]