Editing Lyran Commonwealth

{{Update Needed|[[Era Report: 3145]]}}
{{InfoBoxState
| image         = House Steiner Logo.jpg
| Founded       = [[2341]]<ref name=founding>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 14: "False Start: Reign of the Nine"</ref>
| Dissolved     = 
| capital       = [[Tharkad]]
| systems       = over 300
| population    = 
| currency      = 
| language      = 
| demonym       = 
| Head of State = [[Archon]]
| cintel        = [[Lyran Intelligence Corps]] (LIC)
| commander     = [[General of the Armies]]
| army          = [[Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces]] (LCAF)
| navy          = 
| mintel        = [[Military Intelligence Division]] (MID)
}}
The '''Lyran Commonwealth''' is one of the five [[Successor State|Successor States]] of the [[Inner Sphere]]. Founded in [[2341]] as a union of three smaller mercantile alliances, the Commonwealth has traditionally been regarded as the wealthiest of the Successor States. This industrial might and a number of talented military leaders enabled the realm to survive the [[Age of War]] and the [[Succession Wars]] despite the [[Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces]] - ever-plagued by the notorious "[[Social General|Social Generals]]" - often failing to match the Commonwealth's mercantile strength.

Initially governed by a council of [[Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth|Archons]] on [[Arcturus]], the Commonwealth has for nearly all of its history been ruled by [[House Steiner]] on the icy world of [[Tharkad]]. As the [[Third Succession War]] came to an end, [[Katrina Steiner]] [[FedCom Accords|allied her realm]] with the [[Federated Suns]] of [[House Davion]]. Initially the alliance resulted in the triumphant victories of the [[Fourth Succession War]] and the foundations of a single super-state under [[House Steiner-Davion]]. However ever-present internal stresses were exacerbated by the [[Clan Invasion]], which saw a sizable number of Lyran worlds conquered by the [[Clans]], and the deaths of the Federated Commonwealth's founding leaders left the nation under the fragile rule of [[Victor Steiner-Davion]] in [[3055]]. 

Two years later, his sister [[Katherine Steiner-Davion]] seized control of the Lyran half of the FedCom, renaming it the '''Lyran Alliance''', and later the [[FedCom Civil War]] devastated both states. Scarcely had that conflict ended than the [[Word of Blake]] [[Jihad]] erupted, with the Lyran Alliance suffering even more damage. In the Jihad's aftermath Archon [[Adam Steiner]] changed his nation's name back to the Lyran Commonwealth in [[3084]].

The Commonwealth prospered during the [[Republic of the Sphere|Republic]] era but the [[Blackout]] of [[3132]] began a series of events that led to the nation's crippling by its enemies. Seeking to bolster her flagging rule, Archon [[Melissa Steiner (32nd c.)|Melissa Steiner]] ordered [[Operation HAMMERFALL]], an invasion of the two nearest former [[Free Worlds League]] states. At first successful, the inclusion and abuse of the Commonwealth's [[Clan Wolf]] allies resulted in a dramatic reversal of fortune as the Wolves carved out a new empire from Lyran worlds. [[Clan Jade Falcon]] later struck across the Lyrans' other border, and while Tharkad itself was successfully defended many Commonwealth worlds were lost to the invaders. By mid-[[3152]] Archon [[Trillian Steiner]] had regained some territory, but her realm remains weakened by war, riven by secessionists, and in a precarious state.

==Fact Sheet<ref>''Touring the Stars'', p. 55</ref>==
* Location (Terra relative): Coreward and Anti-Spinward quadrant
* Total (Inhabited) Systems: 319
* Estimated Population ([[3130]]): 955,000,000,000
* Government: Constitutional Monarchy (with German feudal stylings)
* Ruler: Archon [[Melissa Steiner]]
* Dominant Language(s): English and German (official), Scottish Gaelic, Italian, French
* Dominant Religion(s): Christian (Protestant), Judaism, Muslim
* Unit of Currency: Kroner (1 kroner = 2.13 C-Bills)

==History==
{{Main|History of the Lyran Commonwealth}}
The Lyran Commonwealth was formed in [[2341]] as a merger between three mercantile alliances, the [[Protectorate of Donegal]], [[Federation of Skye]], and [[Tamar Pact]]. The founding charter called for nine "Archons" to rule the nation, but the impracticality of this system led to a coup by the leader of Donegal, [[Robert Marsden]], who declared himself Archon Basileus in August [[2375]]. An invasion by the [[Draconis Combine]] in [[2407]] resulted in the death of then Archon [[Alistair Marsden]], brother of Robert, in [[2408]]. Rule fell to his wife, [[Katherine Steiner]], safely ensconced on the new capital of [[Tharkad]]. The reign of [[House Steiner]] had begun.

The Lyrans lost territory to their neighbors, but in [[2455]] the tide turned when [[Operation Prometheus]]<ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 20</ref> gave House Steiner plans for powerful new war machines, [[BattleMech]]s. The [[Age of War]] gave way to the golden era of mankind, watched over by the [[Star League]], which the Steiners pledged to join in [[2558]]. The Commonwealth economy prospered during this era, but it did not last. The [[Amaris Civil War]] laid waste to many worlds in the [[Terran Hegemony]], though the Commonwealth was enlarged when it absorbed many [[Rim Worlds Republic]] systems.

The [[First Succession War]] between the remaining five [[Great Houses]] broke out in [[2785]]. The 1st and [[Second Succession War|2nd Wars]] blasted the [[Inner Sphere]] back into the industrial age as total war resulted in the deaths of millions, cities were destroyed, and [[JumpShip]]s annihilated. The [[Third Succession War|3rd War]] lasted generations, but saw a return to the [[Ares Conventions]] that limited the collateral damage. The Commonwealth traded worlds with the [[Free Worlds League]], but steadily lost ground to the Combine.

In [[3020]], the waning years of the Third Succession War, Archon [[Katrina Steiner]] circulated a peace proposal to the other Great House rulers. Though they all rebuffed her, [[First Prince]] [[Hanse Davion]] of the [[Federated Suns]] was intrigued and the duo began a dialogue that resulted in an alliance that betrothed Hanse to Katrina's daughter and heir, Archon-Designate [[Melissa Steiner]]. Coinciding with their marriage ceremony on [[Terra]] in [[3028]], the two nations launched invasions of their neighbors. The Commonwealth used Rasalhagian revolutionaries to their advantage during the [[Fourth Succession War]], taking many systems away from the Combine. These gains were neutralized when [[Theodore Kurita]] recognized their independence in [[3034]], forcing the Lyrans to give up their hard-won planets to the nascent [[Free Rasalhague Republic]]. The abortive [[War of 3039]] was intended as a full-scale invasion of the Combine, but the surprising strength of House Kurita caused the allied nations to rethink their intentions, calling off the attack in short order. The two nations merged together more closely after the failed war, resulting in the informal creation of the [[Federated Commonwealth]].

In [[3050]], the [[Clans]] invaded the Inner Sphere, and Commonwealth forces lost battle after battle to [[Clan Jade Falcon]] and [[Clan Wolf]]. The [[3052]] [[Truce of Tukayyid]] stalled the [[Clan Invasion]], thanks to [[ComStar]], but many Commonwealth worlds remained vulnerable to attack. The [[3055]] assassination of Archon Melissa Steiner resulted in the formal union of the Lyran Commonwealth and Federated Suns with the ascension of Archon-Prince [[Victor Steiner-Davion]]. Because of his younger sister's manipulations, he quickly became unpopular among his subjects. When Free Worlds [[Captain-General of the Free Worlds League|Captain-General]] [[Thomas Marik]] discovered in [[3057]] that Victor had replaced his son [[Joshua Marik|Joshua]] with a body double, he allied with [[Capellan Confederation]] [[Chancellor]] [[Sun-Tzu Liao]] and launched an invasion. [[Katherine Steiner-Davion]] seized on the opportunity and invoked war powers on 18 September 3057 to secede the Lyran half of the nation from the alliance, calling it the "Lyran Alliance", and signed a peace treaty with Marik, resulting in the creation of the [[Chaos March]].<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', pp. 63–64: "The Lyran Secession"</ref> Grand Duke [[Morgan Kell]] all but seceded from the Alliance, creating a semi-autonomous region along the Falcon border known as the [[Arc-Royal Defense Cordon]].

{{InfoBoxFactions
| crest = [[Image:Lyran Alliance Logo.png|center|Crest of the Lyran Alliance|200px]]
| factionname = Lyran Alliance
| timeperiod = 18 September [[3057]] &ndash; 5 January [[3084]]
| classification = [[Successor State]]
| systems = 350+
| capital = [[Tharkad]]
| rulertitle = [[Archon]]
| military = [[Lyran Alliance Armed Forces]]
| secretservice = [[Lyran Intelligence Corps]]
}}

A Clan Jade Falcon incursion in [[3058]] was stalled at [[Coventry]] by a multinational coalition led by Archon-Prince Victor. The powers recognized the need for cooperation to end the Clan threat, resulting in the resurrection of the [[Star League]]. Archon Katherine offered Tharkad to host the Whitting Conferences, though her scheming never resulted in assuming the mantle of [[First Lord]] for herself. When Victor led a task force to Clan space to ensure the destruction of [[Clan Smoke Jaguar]], Katherine seized on the opportunity to take over the remaining half of the Federated Commonwealth. Though he initially did not contest Katherine's reign, Victor's hand was forced in [[3062]]. The [[FedCom Civil War]] engulfed the Lyran nation for five years, including another Jade Falcon incursion in [[3064]]. Katherine's loss in the civil war allowed Victor to set the lines of succession. He formally separated the Lyran Alliance from the Federated Commonwealth and installed [[Peter Steiner-Davion]] as archon in [[3067]].

In December 3067, the Star League fell apart as the Lyrans and others refused to support it any longer. The [[Word of Blake]], a faction that was about to gain legitimacy with League membership, was furious and launched a [[Jihad]] against the other Inner Sphere and Periphery powers. The Lyran Alliance was devastated by the fourteen-year conflict because the Word targeted the Lyrans' strong industrial base. The Alliance also faced off against the Free Worlds League and the Clans at the same time. [[Devlin Stone]] emerged as a stateless leader who united many of the various factions against the Blakists, eventually ejecting them from the Alliance and liberating [[Terra]] in [[3079]].

On 5 January [[3084]], the nation was renamed back to the Lyran Commonwealth. The nation enlarged at the expense of the fractured Free Worlds League, including a full-scale invasion in [[3136]]. Archon [[Melissa Steiner (32nd c.)|Melissa Steiner]]'s attempt to ally with Clan Wolf and settle them on the former League border backfired. The Wolves conquered dozens of worlds, batting aside every unit the LCAF threw at them. Simultaneous invasions by Clans Jade Falcon, Hell's Horses, and Wolf was more than the nation could take. The Wolves landed on Tharkad and routed the Lyran defenders, killing the Archon, though the Clans did not attempt to hold the Lyran capital. After returning home and attaining the rank of Khan, [[Alaric Ward]] revealed that he is genetically the child of Katherine Steiner-Davion and announced his intention to become Archon.

==Politics==
The Lyran state has enjoyed remarkable stability throughout most of its history, thanks to a combination of a strong feudal monarchy and democratic representation which has given the government the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances.  When it was originally founded, inspired in part by ancient Athens, the Lyran Commonwealth was heading by nine Archons — the rulers and their deputies of the three founding members, as well as the military commander, treasurer and transportation minister of the Commonwealth.  Beset by corruption and threated by the Draconis Combine, Robert Marsden deposed the other eight Archons in [[2375]].  He then introduced the Estates General and the Articles of Acceptance, guaranteeing the rights of the planets and people of the Commonwealth, and winning enough popular support to become the sole Archon in [[2376]].  Thus while the Archon theoretically has absolute power, basic rights are protected and the will of the people can and has forced many Archons to reverse unpopular decisions.<ref name=HSTLC86>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', pp. 85–86</ref><ref name=HHS91>''Handbook: House Steiner'', pp. 91, 93</ref>

The Lyran capital was originally on [[Arcturus]] until [[2407]], when [[Alistair Marsden]] moved it to [[Tharkad]] in response to the threat posed by the Combine.  Tharkad City is the heart of the state and home to the Triad, the triangular compound which houses the three buildings that make up the government: the Royal Palace, the Royal Court, and Government House.<ref name=HSTLC86/><ref name=HHS91/>  Below that are the provincial and planetary governments, a system of various feudal allegiances and political agreements made under the aegis of the Articles of Acceptance.  Each planet is free to choose its own system of government, so long as they pay their taxes, provide military aid as needed, and adhere to the laws passed by the Archon and Estates General (with the right to ask for exemptions and alterations per local needs).  The government also reserves the right to inflict punitive actions on any planet which fails to adhere to these rules or abuses the rights of its citizens.<ref name=HSTLC94>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 94</ref><ref name=HHS101>''Handbook: House Steiner'', pp. 100–101</ref>

===Archon===
The [[Archon]] is the head of state of the Lyran state. They are also the commander in chief of all Lyran military forces, including local militias and private armies, and has the authority to make any and all decisions relating to domestic and foreign policy.  The Archon also has ultimate authority over the [[Nobility#Lyran Commonwealth/Alliance|nobility]], being the only person who can grant or take away any titles.  While an Archon's decisions are not bound by it, unless time is of the essence most will submit their proposals to the Council and the Estates General for consultation and debate, if only so that the final product can be issued in a form more palatable to the general public.<ref name=HSTLC86/><ref name=HHS91/>

The Archonship was not originally intended to be a hereditary title, but after Robert Marsden's death House Steiner quickly came to dominate the position and make it the birthright of their family.  This was particularly thanks to the efforts [[Katherine Steiner]], who created the Commonwealth Council as a check on other pretenders to the throne and used the Commonwealth Scout Corps to claim dozens of newly discovered worlds and dole them out to create a base of loyal noble supporters.<ref name=HSTLC86/><ref name=HHS91/>  Their power is also helped in no small part due to their vast wealth: in [[3025]] House Steiner directly controlled the four worlds nearest Tharkad ([[Gallery]], [[Furillo]], [[Porrima]], and [[Duran]]), had major landholdings on 200 other worlds, and controlling shares in fifty Lyran corporations.<ref name=HSTLC86/>

===The Council===
Katherine Steiner created the [[Commonwealth Council]] in order to secure support from the leaders of the Tamar Pact and Federation of Skye in establishing the Steiner dynasty.  While its power has waxed and waned over the centuries, the Council has served as an advisory body to the Archon and a middleman between it and the Estates General.  Legislation passed by the Estates General must first go to the Council to be debated and critiqued and, if it survives, is passed on to the Archon for final approval.  Likewise the Archon can (as a courtesy) submit proposals to the Council to receive their advice before bringing them before the Estates General.  The Council can also propose its own legislation for approval by the Archon and Estates General, though normally it refrains from doing so out of political safety.<ref name=HSTLC87>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', pp. 86–87</ref><ref name=HHS93>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 93</ref>

Membership in the Council has changed over the years.  Prior to the FedCom coalition, the Commonwealth Council numbered eight: the dukes of the Tamar Pact and Federation of Skye, the Chancellors of the Departments of Finance, Internal Policies, Foreign Affairs, and the Lyran Intelligence Corps, and the Chancellor of the Peoples who is chosen by the Estates General.<ref name=HSTLC87/>  After the schism with FedCom and reorganization of the Lyran state, the '''Alliance Council''' was increased to eleven members, consisting of the previous Chancellors and the dukes of the five provinces which now made up the Lyran Alliance.<ref name=HHS93/>  Restrictions have also been added over who can serve: after [[2812]], only one member of House Steiner could serve on the Council (expanded to two during the FedCom years), a rule that was extended to all other noble houses in [[2821]].<ref name=HSTLC87/><ref name=HHS93/>

===Estates General===
The [[Estates General]] was originally a representative body with little actual authority, essentially a forum where three hundred Representative could air their grievances, but it has since grown into a true parliament.  Each planet (or group of planets as the case may be) can choose in their own way who will be their Representative, with delegates serving for six-year terms with no term limits.  Strict rules govern who can serve as a delegate: no member of the nobility higher than a Baron or person convicted of a major crime in the last fifteen years may serve, and during their time as a Representative all of their personal property must be placed into a blind trust.  The Estates General also recognizes delegates from planets which are occupied by a foreign power.  The "Homeless" as they are known are housed in Tharkad City at the Archon's expense and are hereditary positions based on the last elected Representative before the territory's hostile occupation.<ref name=HSTLC91>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', pp. 90–91</ref><ref name=HHS95>''Handbook: House Steiner'', pp. 94–95</ref>

The Estates General meets every spring in the Great Assembly at Government House on Tharkad for four-month sessions, though they may go longer as necessity requires.  In the weeks leading up to the legislative session, the Steering Committee determines the itinerary of the session with its head, the Speaker of the Assembly, also controlling the debate in the Great Assembly.  While intended as little more than a rubberstamp to approve the Archon's policies, the Estates General has taken on more authority and responsibilities, including tax reform and creating the annual budget.  Perhaps its most audacious action was its vote of no confidence against Archon [[Alessandro Steiner]] in [[3007]], an act which would lead to his resignation.  Most of the time though, the Estates General works with the Council and the Archon on policy compromises for the good of the state.<ref name=HSTLC91>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', pp. 90–91</ref><ref name=HHS95>''Handbook: House Steiner'', pp. 94–95</ref>

===Royal Court===
The Royal Court refers to one of the three buildings of the Triad, a massive complex of recreational facilities, museums, ballrooms, and the Throne Room where the Archon sits under the protective gaze of a pair of ''[[Griffin]]'' [[BattleMechs]].  It also refers to the social sessions sponsored by the Archon to entertain important visitors from across the Lyran state; everyone from nobles and generals to scientists and artists are invited (or expected) to attend these festivities.  Typically there will be three such sessions in a year, each lasting two months with at least a month in between to allow the Archon's Entourage to plan and execute the events.  To be one of the young people appointed to the Archon's Entourage is considered an honor and a path towards greater service in the Lyran state.  Less opulent that similar gatherings elsewhere in the Inner Sphere, the Royal Court is nevertheless an important event for the Lyran elite to meet and make decisions which might affect the entire state.<ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 87</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 100</ref>

==Military==
{{main|Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces}}
{{Main|Lyran Alliance Armed Forces}}
Since the fall of the [[Star League]], the Lyran Commonwealth's High Command had a reputation for being bloated, inept, and ineffective.  Early in its existence, the Commonwealth created the title of "Social General" for those important individuals who lacked other titles.  Social generals are not unique to the Lyrans, but there is a preponderance of them compared to other nations.  These individuals are officers (not necessarily high-ranking, despite the term) who received their position through networking as opposed to martial talent.  These social generals decided in time that they possessed military authority and began overseeing actual military operations.  Rank and awards were handed out like so many party favors and the structure soon became top-heavy.  The incompetent leadership of the Lyran military has been responsible for many a bad decision, and poor leadership has reflected in the performance of their troops.

To compensate for the shortcomings or their High Command, the Lyrans are known for their use of large [[BattleMech|'Mechs]]. Using their well-established industrial base, the LAAF fields a higher ratio of assault 'Mechs than any other nation in the [[Inner Sphere]]. This has not always been a boon, however, as their enemies have been able to use more balanced forces to outmaneuver and defeat the Lyrans on many occasions.

The problems with the Lyran military only began to be reduced during the Archonship of [[Katrina Steiner]], but even then, the command structure was often distrusted by the regular troops that engaged in battle. During the [[Third Succession War]], the Commonwealth lost several worlds to the [[Draconis Combine]] due to poor planning, logistics, and support by the Lyran command structure despite strong commitment by ground forces.  The [[Federated Commonwealth]] Alliance did much to change that, even eliminating social generals for a short time.  Though the [[Federated Suns]] tried to help the Lyrans bring their military up to par with the [[Armed Forces of the Federated Suns]], much of that effort was undone when [[Katherine Steiner-Davion|Katherine]] seceded the Lyran Alliance and removed many of the quality officers because they remained loyal to her brother.  In addition, Katherine brought back the so-called "social generals."

Recruits can enter the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces (LCAF) at the age of sixteen. The LCAF has and does implement drafts to bolster unit strengths, especially in periods of intense warfare (such as the start of the [[Fourth Succession War]] in 3028).
===Military Ranks===
{{main|Lyran Commonwealth Military Ranks}}
The military ranks for the Lyran Commonwealth were originally established in [[2413]] by Archon Katherine Steiner's [[Brandenberg Edicts]]. They were merged with those of the [[Federated Suns]] during the formation of the [[Federated Commonwealth]], but reestablished after [[Katherine Steiner-Davion|Katrina Steiner-Davion]] separated the nation from the FedCom, forming the [[Lyran Alliance]].
==Economy==
The Lyran economy is helped in no small part by the fact that some of the most resource-rich planets ever discovered are located within its borders.<ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 5</ref>  Beyond that though is the fact that the government is a partner in helping both new businesses to start up and existing businesses to expand, doing so by investing in diverse industries and encouraging trade between member planets and with other realms.  For the most part the state allows the free market to work, but can exert its influence in several ways.  The Commonwealth Mint (later Alliance Mint) is responsible for minting the ''[[Kroner]]'', with sprawling facilities on six worlds — Tharkad, Donegal, Skye, [[Bolan]], [[Australia]] and [[Alarion]] — each as well defended as any fortress.  The Commonwealth (Alliance) Reserve Bank, also on Tharkad, regulates the money supply and works to maintain the strength of the kroner, including buying and selling off its supply of commodities (particularly [[germanium]]) which back the currency.  Lastly are the five Stock Exchanges, located on the same worlds as the nation's mints barring Tharkad, which are run as partnerships between the national and planetary governments.  Investors buy and sell stocks, bonds and commodities at the exchanges, which are funded by the government and monitored by the Ministry of Finance.  Beyond regulating the markets to ensure insider trading and other unfair practices don't take place, the Ministry can follow trends and, if something should threaten the Lyran economy, take actions such as halting trading and closing down markets.<ref name=HSTLC125>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', pp. 125–136</ref><ref name=HHS133>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 133</ref>

The Lyran economy was not always so strong: the period of the nine Archons was a veritable rollercoaster ride as the nation's rulers fought over everything from economic planning to which currency would dominate, all while under constant threat from House Kurita.  This was eventually solved with Robert Marsden's rise to power and implementation of various financial reforms, providing much-needed stability.<ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', pp. 12–13</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', pp. 14, 16–17</ref>  The decision to join the [[Star League]] also caused serious disruptions, even in the years before its formal creation.  At the [[Terran Hegemony]]'s insistence, trade and immigration barriers were removed, creating a sudden shock of new immigrants and foreign businesses which threatened to overwhelm the economy.  [[Tracial Steiner]] was forced to completely close the Commonwealth's economic borders in [[2562]] and ordered lawmakers to reform the nation's financial laws to better accommodate the expected flow of new capital and people.  Two years later, a gradual easing of the restrictions began so that the nation's economy would be ready when the Star League formally came into being in [[2571]].  Fears that the rich Lyran Commonwealth would bear the burden of propping up less developed members of the League proved unfounded and the Lyrans entered a golden age of economic expansion under the aegis of the Star League.<ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 31</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 22</ref>

Even during the waning years of the Star League, the Lyran economy enjoyed enormous prosperity thanks to increased military spending in order to match the increasing threats to the safety of the Commonwealth.<ref>''Era Report: 2750'', p. 50</ref>  The Succession Wars were no less devastating to the Lyran economy than to those of the other Successor States, yet the Commonwealth was still able to maintain its position as the wealthiest among them, with its citizens experiencing less disparities in living conditions and technology than elsewhere.<ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 130</ref>  By the end of the [[Third Succession War]], there still remained a remarkably large number of surviving [[lostech]] artifacts spread throughout the Commonwealth.<ref name=HSTLC136>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth'', p. 136</ref>  The creation of the Federated Commonwealth would lead to both economic growth and struggles as the economies of the Federation and Commonwealth began integrating with each other.<ref>''20 Year Update'', p. 18</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 58</ref>  The [[Clan Invasion]], though ultimately ending in victory for the Inner Sphere, was an economic disaster for the Lyran half of the FedCom alliance, helping to fuel discontent among those opposed to it and leading ultimately to the [[FedCom Civil War]] which would again cause major disruptions.<ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', pp. 62, 64</ref>

===Manufacturing centers===
A detailed list of some Lyran manufacturing and company centers.

;3152
Heavy Aerospace Industry<ref>''Strategic Operations'', p. 14</ref>
* [[Ioto Galactic Enterprises]]
* [[N&D#N&D Shipyards|N&D Shipyards of Alarion]]

Major Defense Industries<ref>''Tactical Operations'', p. 14</ref>
* [[Arc-Royal MechWorks]]
* [[Blackstone BattleMechs Limited]]
* [[Blue Shot Weapons]]
* [[Bowie Industries]]
* [[Coventry Metal Works]]
* [[Cyclops Incorporated]]
* [[Defiance Industries]]
* [[Defiance Motors]]
* [[Gienah Combat Vehicles]]
* [[J.B. BattleMechs Incorporated]]
* [[Kaiser Systems]]
* [[Lockheed/CBM Corporation]]
* [[New Earth Trading Company]]
* [[Norse-Storm Technologies Incorporated]]
* [[Quikscell Company]]
* [[Semier Data Tron]]
* [[Shipil Company]]
* [[StarCorps Industries]]
* [[TharHes Industries]]
* [[Tharkad Aerospace Group]]
* [[Trellshire Heavy Industries]]
* [[Yankee Weapons Systems]]

==Society and Culture==
The Lyran state is often defined by its Germanic cultural heritage, and in one sense this is true.  Katherine Steiner is mostly responsible for this state of affairs, indirectly as a highly popular and inspirational cultural icon and purposefully with actions such as championing German as the state language and assigning [[w:Nobiliary particle#Germany and Austria|German nobiliary particles]] for the Lyran nobility.<ref name=HHS116>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 116</ref>  However, actual Lyrans come from a diversity of backgrounds and trace their lineage to a variety of ethnic heritages, including Eastern European, Australian and New Zealander, East Asian, African and Black American.<ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 92</ref>  Rather than try to replace these local identities, this Lyran identity instead seeks to supplement them, giving people of various backgrounds a common ground to communicate and understand one another.  As it is, discrimination based on categories such as race, gender or sexual orientation are largely a thing of the past among Lyrans, though in their place there remains significant prejudices based on class.<ref name=HHS116/><ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 132</ref>  At the same time, given the central government's loose hold over how member worlds govern themselves, many Lyrans have an independence streak which sees them identifying themselves by their particular world first and the Lyran state second, which has led to frequent flare-ups of unrest and rebellion.<ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 101</ref>

Even in the midst of the devastating Succession Wars the Lyran state, as the wealthiest and most economically stable nation in the Inner Sphere, could boast the highest average standard of living for its citizens.<ref name=HSTLC5>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', p. 5</ref>  Lyran citizens are among the most educated of any within the Inner Sphere thanks to generous government investment, national education standards and initiatives such as corporate-public partnerships and the [[Pilgrim Professor Program]].  While most institutions and teachers had been swallowed up in the conflagration of the Succession Wars, in [[3025]] the Lyran Commonwealth still had five major research universities, with significant expansion in the years of peace afterwards.<ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', pp. 129–130</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', pp. 116–117</ref>  Significant government investment and few censorship rules also ensure a thriving arts scene and media footprint, with even the most sparsely populated world boasting [[Holovid]] broadcasting.<ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', pp. 130–131</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', pp. 118–119</ref>  Lyrans also enjoy a basic right to food and housing, but such public options tend to be of sufficient quality as to encourage citizens to work harder to improve their situation.<ref name=HSTLC136/>

While the Steiners themselves tend towards Protestantism or Buddhism, there is no official state religion, and indeed a strict separation of church and state combined with guaranteed freedom to worship has led to a history of religious tolerance.  Traditional religions from Terra remain the most prominent, while the variety of new faiths that had sprung up in since humanity colonized the stars are not as popular.  Christianity is the largest single religion in Lyran space, spread across many different sects, followed by Judaism.  Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism are also prevalent though tend to be clustered around specific areas.  Dozens of worlds are majority Hindu, with [[Chahar]] and [[New India]], the two with the two largest populations, seen as centers of the faith.  Likewise for Buddhism, [[New Kyoto]] and [[Kwangchowwang]] are regarded as centers of the religion's traditions.  [[Dar-es-Salaam]] serves as the focal point for most Islamic sects, with the Black Muslim tradition strongest within the Coventry and Trellshire provinces.  Of the newer faiths which have come into existence, the most popular within Lyran space is known as the [[One Star Faith]].<ref>''House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)'', pp. 102–106</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', pp. 122–124</ref>

==Era Specific Data==
===3130===
* Location (Terra relative): Coreward and Anti-Spinward quadrant<ref>''Dark Age: Touring the Stars (3130)'', p. 55</ref>
* Total (Inhabited) Systems: 319
* Estimated Population ([[3130]]): 955,000,000,000
* Government: Constitutional Monarchy (with German feudal stylings)
* Dominant Language(s): German (official), English, Scottish Gaelic, Italian, French
* Dominant Religion(s): Christian (Protestant), Judaism, Islam
* Unit of Currency: [[Kroner]] – 1 kroner = 2.13 C-bills / 3.88 C-bills ([[3145]])<ref>''Era Report: 3145'', p. 194: "Currency Conversion Table"</ref>

==Maps==
<gallery>
File:Lc-2341.png|Map showing [[Protectorate of Donegal]], [[Federation of Skye]], and the [[Tamar Pact]] in [[2341]].
File:Lc-2571.png|The Lyran Commonwealth in [[2571]].
‎File:Lc-1sw-2822.png|The Lyran Commonwealth after [[First Succession War]] ([[2822]]).
File:Lc-2sw-2864.png|The Lyran Commonwealth after [[Second Succession War]] ([[2864]]).
File:Lc-3sw-3025.png|The Lyran Commonwealth after [[Third Succession War]] ([[3025]]).
File:Lc-4sw-3028.png |The Lyran Commonwealth after [[Fourth Succession War]] ([[3030]]).
File:Lc-3040.png|The Lyran Commonwealth after [[War of 3039]] ([[3040]]).
File:Lc-3052.png|The Lyran State of the Federated Commonwealth during [[Clan Invasion]] ([[3052]]).
File:Lc.3067.png|The Lyran Alliance after [[Clan Invasion]] ([[3067]]).
File:LC-3081.png|The Lyran Alliance after the [[Jihad]] ([[3081]]).
File:LC-3085.png|The Lyran Commonwealth in ([[3085]]).
File:Lc.3130.png|The Lyran Commonwealth in ([[3130]]).
</gallery>
==Historical: Maps==

<gallery>
File:LC-2596.png|after [[Reunification War]]
File:LC-2750.png|[[Star League]] Era
File:LC-2822.png|after [[First Succession War]]
File:LC-2864.png|after [[Second Succession War]]
File:LC-3025.png|after [[Third Succession War]]
File:LC-3030.png|after [[Fourth Succession War]]
File:LC-3040.png|after [[War of 3039]]
File:LC-3050.png|before [[Clan Invasion]]
File:LC-3052.png|after [[Clan Invasion]]
File:LC-3057.png|in [[3057]]
File:LC-3063.png|after [[Operation Guerrero]]
File:LC-3067.png|during [[Second Star League]]
File:LC-3075.png|during [[Jihad]]
File:LC-3079.png|after [[Jihad]]
File:LC-3081.png|in [[3081]]
File:LC-3085.png|creation of the [[Republic of the Sphere]]
File:LC-3130.png|before [[Gray Monday]]
File:LC-3135.png|in [[3135]]
File:LC-3145.png|in [[3145]]

</gallery>

==References==
<references />

==Bibliography==
* ''[[Blake Ascending]]''
* ''[[Dark Age: Touring the Stars (3130)]]''
* ''[[Dawn of the Jihad]]''
* ''[[FedCom Civil War (sourcebook)|FedCom Civil War]]''
* ''[[Ghost War]]''
* ''[[Grave Covenant]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Lyran Alliance]]''
* ''[[Handbook: House Steiner]]''
* ''[[Historical: Reunification War]]''
* ''[[House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)]]''
* ''[[Jihad Hot Spots: 3070]]''
* ''[[Malicious Intent]]''
* ''[[MechWarrior: Technology of Destruction]]''
* ''[[Prince of Havoc]]''
* ''[[Prometheus Unbound]] (Proliferation, Part II)''
* ''[[Strategic Operations]]''
* ''[[Tactical Operations]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3085]]''

[[Category:Nation States]]
[[Category:Lyran Commonwealth Related Categories]]