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Editing Brotherhood of Randis

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The Brotherhood, from inception, was very exclusive and bound to the [[BattleMech]] as its weapon of choice. Indeed, they perceived non-'Mech combat as beneath their status, declaring it wretched and "unchivalrous." They based their quasi-religious order around a dedication towards developing what they viewed as the ultimate form of combat. Their devotion was complete: they turned over their lives, their financial assets and even their families to the needs of the order.<ref name=P88-129/>
 
The Brotherhood, from inception, was very exclusive and bound to the [[BattleMech]] as its weapon of choice. Indeed, they perceived non-'Mech combat as beneath their status, declaring it wretched and "unchivalrous." They based their quasi-religious order around a dedication towards developing what they viewed as the ultimate form of combat. Their devotion was complete: they turned over their lives, their financial assets and even their families to the needs of the order.<ref name=P88-129/>
  
The Brotherhood's military might during this period was questionable: they were assumed to have control of fewer than 12 operational 'Mechs in [[3025]], mostly of the [[BattleMech#Light|Light]] variety, and of dubious capability. The strict and harsh training method resulted in MechWarriors with equally dubious combat skills. Despite their intentions to improve the quality of life on Randis IV, their focus on MechWarrior training came at the expense of the planet's development. The unit would, however, seek offworld contracts, which provided a steady (but meager) source of income for the planet's economic base. Because of this tendency to seek employment, the unit was seen not as a private militia of the planet, but a mercenary unit. The few off-world jobs taken all resulted in near disasters, and the unit barely survived the closing years of the [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]]. Their sole victories came from defensive operations against less organized attacks on Randis IV.<ref name=P96-76/><ref name=P88-129/><ref name=FMP-116/>
+
The Brotherhood's military might during this period was questionable: they were assumed to have control of fewer than 12 operational 'Mechs in [[3025]], mostly of the [[Battlemech#Light|Light]] variety, and of dubious capability. The strict and harsh training method resulted in MechWarriors with equally dubious combat skills. Despite their intentions to improve the quality of life on Randis IV, their focus on MechWarrior training came at the expense of the planet's development. The unit would, however, seek off-world contracts, which provided a steady (but meager) source of income for the planet's economic base. Because of this tendency to seek employment, the unit was seen not as a private militia of the planet, but a mercenary unit. The few off-world jobs taken all resulted in near disasters, and the unit barely survived the closing years of the [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]]. Their sole victories came from defensive operations against less organized attacks on Randis IV.<ref name=P96-76/><ref name=P88-129/><ref name=FMP-116/>
  
 
===Galahad Frews===
 
===Galahad Frews===
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Local worlds to Randis IV have approached the Brotherhood for educational and religious missions, for both the educational benefits and the promise of protection that comes with the Randis missionaries. The Brothers place the security of the missions as almost a high of a priority as that for Randis IV itself, and have been known to seek vengeance when the missions have been harmed. Other mercenaries have been hired to provide this protection as well, and also to gather intelligence on future targets. Their code of conduct generally means they will treat a defeated enemy with compassion and respect, but they will just as likely put human rights violators on trial.<ref name=ISP2-44/>
 
Local worlds to Randis IV have approached the Brotherhood for educational and religious missions, for both the educational benefits and the promise of protection that comes with the Randis missionaries. The Brothers place the security of the missions as almost a high of a priority as that for Randis IV itself, and have been known to seek vengeance when the missions have been harmed. Other mercenaries have been hired to provide this protection as well, and also to gather intelligence on future targets. Their code of conduct generally means they will treat a defeated enemy with compassion and respect, but they will just as likely put human rights violators on trial.<ref name=ISP2-44/>
  
In 3066, a new pirate group, the [[Black Scarabs]], attacked the capital of Randis, New Hope. They jumped into a pirate point, with a ''[[Leopard]]'' DropShip, debarking two 'Mechs, a ''[[Hunchback]]'' and a ''[[Panther]]'', attacking a water purification plant, looting a lot of spare parts, retreating burning houses, killing most of two hundred civilians.<ref>''Red Khopesh'' in ''First Strike'', p. 241</ref> Not much later, [[Mark Castor-Davion]], an envoy of [[Interstellar Relief Fund]] arrived on the planet to deliver humanitarian items to help the Randis people: pharmaceuticals, seed grain, water purification units, and two billion C-bills. At that moment, as half of Brotherhood warriors are busy searching for the Black Scarabs, they've been forced to hire a small mercenary unit, the [[Malfont Raiders]] to help them defend Randis, and Mark contracts them to help escort a convoy with part of the money.<ref>''Red Khopesh'' in ''First Strike'', p. 239</ref> During the way, the escorts, led by Mark's ''[[Banshee (BattleMech)|Banshee]]'', and Brother [[Richard Kittrick]]'s ''[[JagerMech]]'', the Brotherhood's representative, saw a ''[[Koshi]]'' OmniMech red painted, with a Red [[Khopesh]] insignia, but it retreated before they could attack it.<ref>''Red Khopesh'' in ''First Strike'', p. 247</ref> In a narrow gap between rocks, the Black Scarab's attacked the convoy, but Mark, instead of attacking them, turned against Malfont's 'Mech, forcing her to order the attackers to a ceasefire under the threat of killing her. She complied, and then Mark revealed that the Scarabs, pirates, and Raiders are the same groups, and they intend to kill Mark and Kittrick and steal their 'Mechs and money. But then, a full company of Red Khopesh 'Mechs appeared and destroyed a Raider's 'Mech.<ref>''Red Khopesh'' in ''First Strike'', p. 253</ref> Then Mark revealed that he was the leader and founder of the Red Khopesh, a pirate group created by him to destroy the Clans. He searched pirated and mercenaries without any honor, and he recruited the Raiders to his group. Kittrick tried to oppose it, but under the threat of all weapons, he must retreat. It appears, however that the humanitarian help of IRF was real. It is implied [[The Red Khopesh]] left Randis soon, without causing havoc.<ref>''Red Khopesh'' in ''First Strike'', p. 255</ref>
+
In 3066, a new pirate group, the [[Black Scarabs]], attacked the capital of Randis, New Hope. They jumped into a pirate point, with a ''[[Leopard]]'' DropShip, debarking two 'Mechs, a ''[[Hunchback]]'' and a ''[[Panther]]'', attacking a water purification plant, looting a lot of spare parts, retreating burning houses, killing most of two hundred civilians.<ref>''Red Khopesh'' in ''First Strike'', p. 241</ref> Not much later, [[Mark Castor-Davion]], an envoy of [[Interstellar Relief Fund]] arrived on the planet to deliver humanitarian items to help the Randis people: pharmaceuticals, seed grain, water purification units, and two billion C-Bills. At that moment, as half of Brotherhood warriors are busy searching for the Black Scarabs, they've been forced to hire a small mercenary unit, the [[Malfont Raiders]] to help them defend Randis, and Mark contracts them to help escort a convoy with part of the money.<ref>''Red Khopesh'' in ''First Strike'', p. 239</ref> During the way, the escorts, led by Mark's ''[[Banshee (BattleMech)|Banshee]]'', and Brother [[Richard Kittrick]]'s ''[[JagerMech]]'', the Brotherhood's representative, saw a ''[[Koshi]]'' OmniMech red painted, with a Red [[Khopesh]] insignia, but it retreated before they could attack it.<ref>''Red Khopesh'' in ''First Strike'', p. 247</ref> In a narrow gap between rocks, the Black Scarab's attacked the convoy, but Mark, instead of attacking them, turned against Malfont's 'Mech, forcing her to order the attackers to a ceasefire under the threat of killing her. She complied, and then Mark revealed that the Scarabs, pirates, and Raiders are the same groups, and they intend to kill Mark and Kittrick and steal their 'Mechs and money. But then, a full company of Red Khopesh 'Mechs appeared and destroyed a Raider's 'Mech.<ref>''Red Khopesh'' in ''First Strike'', p. 253</ref> Then Mark revealed that he was the leader and founder of the Red Khopesh, a pirate group created by him to destroy the clans. He searched pirated and mercenaries without any honor, and he recruited the Raiders to his group. Kittrick tried to oppose it, but under the threat of all weapons, he must retreat. It appears, however that the humanitarian help of IRF was real. It is implied [[The Red Khopesh]] left Randis soon, without causing havoc.<ref>''Red Khopesh'' in ''First Strike'', p. 255</ref>
  
 
By the end of the [[Jihad]], the Brotherhood remained a viable combat force, despite a series of pirate raids that seemed to be specifically targeting the Brotherhood, rather than anything of importance on the world of Randis. While some members of the Brotherhood had been lost in the pirate raids, by [[3079]] it was looking increasingly likely that the Brotherhood would have sufficient numbers to raise a third battalion. As it was, both of the two existing battalions were already substantially over standard size, and all bar a tenth of the 'Mechs in the over-strength second battalion had been upgraded to use advanced technology.<ref name="FR:Pp16">''Field Report: Periphery'', p. 16: "Lesser Periphery States' Forces"</ref>
 
By the end of the [[Jihad]], the Brotherhood remained a viable combat force, despite a series of pirate raids that seemed to be specifically targeting the Brotherhood, rather than anything of importance on the world of Randis. While some members of the Brotherhood had been lost in the pirate raids, by [[3079]] it was looking increasingly likely that the Brotherhood would have sufficient numbers to raise a third battalion. As it was, both of the two existing battalions were already substantially over standard size, and all bar a tenth of the 'Mechs in the over-strength second battalion had been upgraded to use advanced technology.<ref name="FR:Pp16">''Field Report: Periphery'', p. 16: "Lesser Periphery States' Forces"</ref>
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| colspan="4" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Commanding Officers of the Brotherhood of Randis'''
 
| colspan="4" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Commanding Officers of the Brotherhood of Randis'''
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Grand Knight of the Brotherhood of Randis|Grand Knight]]||[[Erdelmaine Randis]]|| <ref name=P88-129/>
+
| [[Grand Knight of the Brotherhood of Randis|Grand Knight]]||[[Erdelmaine Randis]]||<ref name=P88-129/>
 
|-
 
|-
| Grand Knight||[[Galahad Frews]]|| <ref name=ISP2-40/><ref name=FMP-116/>
+
| Grand Knight||[[Galahad Frews]]||<ref name=ISP2-40/><ref name=FMP-116/>
 
|-
 
|-
| Grand Knight||[[Lucas Beckett]]|| <ref name=ISP2-40/><ref name=FMP-116/>
+
| Grand Knight||[[Lucas Beckett]]||<ref name=ISP2-40/><ref name=FMP-116/>
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Grand Knight||[[William Dirac]]||[[3142]]-[[3150]] <ref>''Field Manual: 3145'', pp. 176 </ref>
 
| Grand Knight||[[William Dirac]]||[[3142]]-[[3150]] <ref>''Field Manual: 3145'', pp. 176 </ref>
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==Initiations==
 
==Initiations==
 
During the time of Erdelmaine Randis' leadership, initiates who had demonstrated their readiness for testing would go through four dangerous trials in one day:
 
During the time of Erdelmaine Randis' leadership, initiates who had demonstrated their readiness for testing would go through four dangerous trials in one day:
; Test of Endurance: The initiate would run through parallel lines of twenty of the Brotherhood's elite, each of whom was armed with a club, knout, or whip
+
; Test of Endurance : The initiate would run through parallel lines of twenty of the Brotherhood's elite, each of whom was armed with a club, knout, or whip
; Test of Strength: The initiate would be pulled by two driven horses in opposing directions for a length of time, once reportedly for at least an hour
+
; Test of Strength : The initiate would be pulled by two driven horses in opposing directions for a length of time, once reportedly for at least an hour
; Test of Dexterity: Loaded with a 30 kilogram pack, the initiate would attempt to climb up and down a 90 meter cliff, in order to retrieve an electronic key to the Red Master's [[Griffin]]
+
; Test of Dexterity : Loaded with a 30 kilogram pack, the initiate would attempt to climb up and down a 90 meter cliff, in order to retrieve an electronic key to the Red Master's [[Griffin]]
; Test of Courage: The initiate must remain calm as the left leg of the Griffin was slowly lowered onto the initiate's prone body
+
; Test of Courage : The initiate must remain calm as the left leg of the Griffin was slowly lowered onto the initiate's prone body
  
 
Passing the tests would result in the immediate medical and compassionate care by the Brotherhood's squires, and receipt of the uniform: red and black silk, steel mesh, and a sword.<ref name=P88-130/>
 
Passing the tests would result in the immediate medical and compassionate care by the Brotherhood's squires, and receipt of the uniform: red and black silk, steel mesh, and a sword.<ref name=P88-130/>
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*<span id="Brother">'''Brother'''</span>: Title for any male member<ref name=P96-76/><ref name=ISP2-44/>
 
*<span id="Brother">'''Brother'''</span>: Title for any male member<ref name=P96-76/><ref name=ISP2-44/>
 
*<span id="Grand Knight">'''Grand Knight'''</span>: As the leader of the Brotherhood, he also heads the Council<ref name=ISP2-44/><ref name=P96-76/>
 
*<span id="Grand Knight">'''Grand Knight'''</span>: As the leader of the Brotherhood, he also heads the Council<ref name=ISP2-44/><ref name=P96-76/>
*<span id="Knight-Candidate">'''Knight-Candidate'''</span>: Generally offworlders seeking to join as Knights-MechWarriors, they receive no official BattleMech or ASF instruction, instead having to arrive with the knowledge or seek it from a Knight-MechWarrior mentor. Their duties include supervising squires, assisting in maintenance, escorting non-native military guests while on-planet and providing for the defense of Randis IV, when necessary. In order to receive a small salary and have their other needs met, they must pass a background and security check, as well as demonstrate technical proficiency.<ref name=FMP-116/><ref name=ISP2-44/>
+
*<span id="Knight-Candidate">'''Knight-Candidate'''</span>: Generally off-worlders seeking to join as Knights-MechWarriors, they receive no official BattleMech or ASF instruction, instead having to arrive with the knowledge or seek it from a Knight-MechWarrior mentor. Their duties include supervising squires, assisting in maintenance, escorting non-native military guests while on-planet and providing for the defense of Randis IV, when necessary. In order to receive a small salary and have their other needs met, they must pass a background and security check, as well as demonstrate technical proficiency.<ref name=FMP-116/><ref name=ISP2-44/>
 
*<span id="Knight-Errant">'''Knight-Errant'''</span>: Lance commander<ref name=ISP2-44/>
 
*<span id="Knight-Errant">'''Knight-Errant'''</span>: Lance commander<ref name=ISP2-44/>
 
*<span id="Knight-MechWarrior">'''Knight-MechWarrior'''</span>: Member of the initiated Brotherhood<ref name=FMP-116/>
 
*<span id="Knight-MechWarrior">'''Knight-MechWarrior'''</span>: Member of the initiated Brotherhood<ref name=FMP-116/>
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* ''[[Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade]]''
 
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade]]''
 
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade]]''
 
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade]]''
 
  
 
[[Category:Fiefdom of Randis Commands|Brotherhood of Randis]]
 
[[Category:Fiefdom of Randis Commands|Brotherhood of Randis]]
 
[[Category:Religious Organizations|Chanthers]]
 
[[Category:Religious Organizations|Chanthers]]
 
[[Category:Orders of Knighthood]]
 
[[Category:Orders of Knighthood]]

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