Randis

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Planetary Flag of Randis IV

[[Image: File:Randis IV Neighbors.png 225px |frameless|210px|center]]
Astrophysical
System position	2

(References to Randis IV)

Note: X and Y are coordinates (light years on XY plane) relative to Terra at (0, 0)

X: 621.06 Y: -345.35

Planetary Data

• Star Type (Recharge Time): K4V (195 hours)
• Position in System: 2
• Time to Jump Point: 4.34 days
• Number of Satellites: 1 (Eminence)
• Surface Gravity: 1.01
• Atmosphere Pressure: Standard (Breathable)
• Equatorial Temperature: 39º C (Temperate-Tropical)
• Surface Water Coverage: 75 percent
• Highest Native Life: Fish
• Recharging Station: None
• HPG Class: B

Era Specific Data

3025

• Noble Ruler: Grand Knight Jacob Ben Volcroth
• ComStar Representative: Precentor Adrien Brix
• Population: 3,000-5,000 (estimated)

3076

• Noble Ruler: Grand Knight Lucas Beckett
• Population: 12,154,000
• Socio-Industrial Levels USIIR: C-C-B-B-B

Planetary Description

Randis is an isolated, tropical Periphery world located spinward of the Taurian Concordat and rimward of the Outworlds Alliance. The world possesses little in the way of natural resources, but is home to a neo-monastic order of MechWarriors, the Brotherhood of Randis.

History

Prior to the Brotherhood of Randis, Randis IV was known as Hope IV in the late 27th century, and later as Lost Hope. Settled by deserters from the First and Second Succession wars, it was situated in the Deep Periphery, between the Taurian Concordat and the Tortuga Dominions. Its charted position well outside the radius of the Federated Suns afforded it the opportunity as a stopover for traders traveling between the Concordat and the coreward Outworlds Alliance.

In 2988, former Marik MechWarrior commander Erdelmaine Randis, seeking a higher purpose in life, landed on the planet and discovered his goal. The native population was besieged by the world's resident disenfranchised MechWarriors. He cobbled together a unit from like-minded warriors and sought to liberate the people from their oppressors. He declared the formation of both the Fiefdom of Randis (of which the planet was the only member) and the cultish Brotherhood of Randis. The planet's name changed just as quickly.

The Brotherhood provided an adequate defensive force from less well-organized offworld raiders and sought local contracts to rid the neighboring systems of the same, which brought in a steady though meager economic income for the planet. Though Randis intended to improve the overall quality of life for all, the Brotherhood's attentions had generally been focused inward, as they sought to improve their mastery of BattleMech combat. After Galahad Frews ascended to the position of Grand Knight in 3037, the planet began to undergo significant development. By 3047, each town was tied to the others by rail lines and each also had new storage and trading facilities. Several spaceports had been built for the passing ships and the laborers had started farms to service their own requirements.

Pirate attacks upon the planet have significantly increased during the Jihad period, possibly because of either the Brotherhood's increased anti-Blake stance or due to their frequent violations of both Concordat and Alliance borders in their anti-piracy campaigns.

References in fiction

In 3073, novelist Clyde Cutler released a book titled Dark Periphery, in which he ties the events of the John Paul II Square Massacre to a missing construction crew from Sandro Manufacturing, and finally to the Brotherhood on Randis IV. His novel suggests that the Brotherhood is charged with protecting the Vatican's historical valuables smuggled off Terra in 2768, basing this conjecture on their missions of (non-profit) mercy.

Owner history

• 2750 - Periphery
• 3025 - Fiefdom of Randis
• 3030 - Fiefdom of Randis
• 3040 - Fiefdom of Randis
• 3052 - Fiefdom of Randis
• 3057 - Fiefdom of Randis
• 3062 - Fiefdom of Randis
• 3081 - Periphery
• 3085 - Periphery
• 3130 - Periphery

Description

Randis IV, actually the second planet from its star, was a warm, tropical world with one continent and a large rain forest. The planet did not have many mineral resources. The 3028-assessed population of between 3,000 and 5,000 natives was made up mostly of unskilled laborers, hired by the Brotherhood to clear the central rain forest in order to build the repair facilities necessary to attract additional revenues from passing traders. However, little was actually accomplished by the Brotherhood at that time. It now has several spaceports, large farms and rail lines linking each town and indications are that it has the capability to produce ammunition (though not yet components).

The Istyn Valley has a river that runs through it and a tropical forest.

Politics

The population of Randis looked upon the Brotherhood favorably, actively supporting the unit when at home in almost all of its non-combat needs. Frews still had considerable influence amongst the people after his dismissal, including some who wished to see him return to the position of Grand Knight (though he distanced himself from those expectations). The planet has a democratically-elected government, but defers to the Brotherhood on military decisions and crises. The Brotherhood made the protection of the planet a top priority.

Source analysis

• The description of the Istyn Valley comes from the Clyde Cutler novel, Dark Periphery. However, it spite of its fictional nature, the book is presumed to be describing factual details of the geographic nature of the planet.

See also

• Brotherhood of Randis
• Fiefdom of Randis
• Galahad Frews
• Erdelmaine Randis

Bibliography

• Field Manual: 3085
• Field Manual: Periphery
• Jihad Conspiracies: Interstellar Players 2
• Jihad: Final Reckoning
• Map of the Inner Sphere 3130
• Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers
• The Periphery
• The Periphery, 2nd Edition