Difference between revisions of "Silas Kufahl"
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| name                = Silas Kufahl
 
| name                = Silas Kufahl
 
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| died                = [[3072]]
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| died                = [[3072]]<ref name=TWORp106>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 106: "The Viper Uncoils"</ref>
 
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| affiliation        = [[Clan Coyote]]
 
| affiliation        = [[Clan Coyote]]
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| profession          = [[Khan]]
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| rank                = [[Khan of Clan Coyote|Khan]]
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'''Silas Kufahl''' (born 30?? - died [[3072]]<ref name=TWORp106>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 106 - "The Viper Uncoils"</ref>) was a warrior of [[Clan Coyote]] who would rise through the ranks to eventually become [[Khan]], guiding his Clan during the events of the [[Wars of Reaving]]. While he reigned, the Coyote leadership would become pawns of [[The Society]], though he would also assist many other Clans in their escapes from the Clan Homeworlds.<ref name=FM:WCp48>''Field Manual: Warden Clans'', p. 48 - "SaKhan Silas Kufahl"</ref>
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'''Silas Kufahl''' was a warrior of [[Clan Coyote]] who would rise through the ranks to eventually become [[Khan]], guiding his Clan during the events of the [[Wars of Reaving]]. While he reigned, the Coyote leadership would become pawns of [[The Society]], though he would also assist many other Clans in their escapes from the Clan Homeworlds.<ref name=FM:WCp48>''Field Manual: Warden Clans'', p. 48: "saKhan Silas Kufahl"</ref>
  
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==Biography==
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==History==
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A vocal critic of Khan [[Sullivan Koga]]'s reformation of the [[Clan Coyote Touman]], Silas Kufahl would earn a taste of Khan Koga's wrath when his Gamma [[Galaxy]] was the first to be disbanded. Without a command he would languish until finding a spot as a [[Star Colonel]] in [[Epsilon_Galaxy_(Clan_Coyote)|Epsilon Galaxy]]. Though he would often be at odds with [[Galaxy Commander]] [[Raven Clearwater]], Star Colonel Kufahl's protests would relent somewhat with time, as he came to the realization that the conflict could be detrimental to his Clan as a whole.<ref name=FM:WCp51>''Field manual: Warden Clans'', p. 51 - "Epsilon Galaxy"</ref>  This display of leadership would help Kufahl to be elected [[Loremaster]] in [[3053]], later ascending to the post of [[saKhan]] in [[3056]] after the death of [[Pazi Tchernovkov]]. Though he remained outspoken, he and Khan Koga worked well together, each recognizing that the other only desired the best possible future for Clan Coyote.<ref name=FM:WCp48/><ref name=FM:WCp51/>
+
A vocal critic of Khan [[Sullivan Koga]]'s reorganization of the [[Clan Coyote Touman|Clan Coyote ''touman'']], Silas Kufahl would earn a taste of Khan Koga's wrath when his Gamma [[Galaxy]] was the first to be disbanded. Without a command he would languish until finding a spot as a [[Star Colonel]] in [[Epsilon Galaxy (Clan Coyote)|Epsilon Galaxy]]. Though he would often be at odds with [[Galaxy Commander]] [[Raven Clearwater]], Star Colonel Kufahl's protests would relent somewhat with time, as he came to the realization that the conflict could be detrimental to his Clan as a whole.<ref name=FM:WCp51>''Field manual: Warden Clans'', p. 51: "Epsilon Galaxy"</ref>  This display of leadership would help Kufahl to be elected [[Loremaster]] in [[3053]], later ascending to the post of [[saKhan]] in [[3056]] after the death of [[Pazi Tchernovkov]]. Though he remained outspoken, he and Khan Koga worked well together, each recognizing that the other only desired the best possible future for Clan Coyote.<ref name=FM:WCp48/><ref name=FM:WCp51/>
  
 
===Post-Refusal Conflicts===
 
===Post-Refusal Conflicts===
−
Many trials and raids between Clans took place after the [[Trial of Annihilation|Annihilation]] of [[Clan Smoke Jaguar]], the [[Trial of Abjuration|Abjuration]] of [[Clan Nova Cat]] and the exodus of [[Clan Ghost Bear]] to the [[Inner Sphere]].  Territory, resources and technology were all up for grabs.  In [[3062]], Khan Koga would lead elements of [[Delta_Galaxy_(Clan_Coyote)|Delta Galaxy]] against forces from [[Clan Star Adder]] on the former Jaguar world of [[Huntress]].  After procuring plans for the [[ProtoMech]], Khan Koga would die leading her forces in another (successful) [[Trial of Possession]] to gain scientists and technicians who had worked in development of the new technology.<ref name=FMU56>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 56 - "Leading the Pack"</ref><ref name=TWORp25>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 25 - "Coyote Machinations"</ref>
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Many Trials and raids between Clans took place after the [[Trial of Annihilation|Annihilation]] of [[Clan Smoke Jaguar]], the [[Trial of Abjuration|Abjuration]] of [[Clan Nova Cat]] and the exodus of [[Clan Ghost Bear]] to the [[Inner Sphere]].  Territory, resources and technology were all up for grabs.  In [[3062]], Khan Koga would lead elements of [[Delta_Galaxy_(Clan_Coyote)|Delta Galaxy]] against forces from [[Clan Star Adder]] on the former Jaguar world of [[Huntress]].  After procuring plans for the [[ProtoMech]], Khan Koga would die leading her forces in another (successful) [[Trial of Possession]] to gain scientists and technicians who had worked in development of the new technology.<ref name=FMU56>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 56: "Leading the Pack"</ref><ref name=TWORp25>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 25: "Coyote Machinations"</ref>
  
 
===Khan of the Coyotes===
 
===Khan of the Coyotes===
−
Though Silas Kufahl would rise to the Khanship of Clan Coyote, it would not be without resistance.  Many Coyote warriors remembered how outspoken Kufalh was with regard to Sullivan Koga's reformation of Clan Coyote [[Touman]].  Many feared that he would work to undo her progress if he were to ascend to the Khanship.  Facing dozens of Trials of [[Trial of Grievance|Grievance]] and [[Trial of Possession|Possession]], the Coyote's over-all vigilance suffered while much of its leadership was focused on removing him from office.  [[Clan Jade Falcon]] would choose this time to attack the Coyotes, sensing their internal strife.  Hitting [[Tamaron]], they made swift progress in the initial days of landing.  This invasion galvanized the Coyotes into action.  Khan Kufahl worked with his long-time rival, [[Galaxy Commander]] [[Raven Clearwater]], organizing the defense and counter attack of the Falcons, eventually driving them from the planet in two decisive engagements.  After the Jade Falcon threat had passed, Khan Kufahl and Galaxy Commander Clearwater fought a [[Trial of Possession]] for the Khanship of Clan Coyote, one that would serve as proxy for all other such challenges yet to come.  Kufahl would come out on top, but only barely - his '[[Mech]] shut down just seconds after he disabled Clearwater's 'Mech.<ref name=FMU56/><ref name=TWORp25/>
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Though Silas Kufahl would rise to the Khanship of Clan Coyote, it would not be without resistance.  Many Coyote warriors remembered how outspoken Kufahl was with regard to Sullivan Koga's reform of the Clan Coyote ''[[touman]]''.  Many feared that he would work to undo her progress if he were to ascend to the Khanship.  Facing dozens of Trials of [[Trial of Grievance|Grievance]] and [[Trial of Possession|Possession]], the Coyotes' overall vigilance suffered while much of its leadership was focused on removing him from office.  [[Clan Jade Falcon]] would choose this time to attack the Coyotes, sensing their internal strife.  Hitting [[Tamaron]], they made swift progress in the initial days of landing.  This invasion galvanized the Coyotes into action.  Khan Kufahl worked with his longtime rival, [[Galaxy Commander]] [[Raven Clearwater]], organizing the defense and counterattack of the Falcons, eventually driving them from the planet in two decisive engagements.  After the Jade Falcon threat had passed, Khan Kufahl and Galaxy Commander Clearwater fought a [[Trial of Possession]] for the Khanship of Clan Coyote, one that would serve as proxy for all other such challenges yet to come.  Kufahl would come out on top, but only barely - his '[[Mech]] shut down just seconds after he disabled Clearwater's 'Mech.<ref name=FMU56/><ref name=TWORp25/>
  
−
Together with newly elected saKhan Clearwater, the final steps were taken to complete Sullivan Koga's reforms.<ref name=FMU56/>  However, he would also set about gathering power for his [[Clan]] and himself.  In [[3068]], Khan Kufahl set his sites on the faltering ''[[Kindraa]]'' of [[Clan Fire Mandrill]].  He was also enticed by rumors of an electric armor development by a sect of [[Kindraa Sainze]] scientists, and desired the technological edge that such a thing would offer.  Kindraa Sainze rebuffed all offers made by the Coyotes, but [[Kindraa Mattila-Carrol]] would accept a mutually beneficial deal that gave the Coyotes the scientific access that they wanted, as well as a small enclave on the Mandrill world of [[Shadow]]. In turn, Coyote concessions helped to increase Mattila-Carrol's power by nearly half. The divides in Fire Mandrill society would grow with increasing speed, especially after the Coyotes proved nearly impossible to evict from their new enclave.<ref name=TWORp37,38,39>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 37, 38, 39 - "Stalking the Desert"</ref>  
+
Together with newly elected saKhan Clearwater, the final steps were taken to complete Sullivan Koga's reforms.<ref name=FMU56/>  However, he would also set about gathering power for his [[Clan]] and himself.  In [[3068]], Khan Kufahl set his sights on the faltering [[Kindraa]] of [[Clan Fire Mandrill]].  He was also enticed by rumors of an electric armor development by a sect of [[Kindraa Sainze]] scientists, and desired the technological edge that such a thing would offer.  Kindraa Sainze rebuffed all offers made by the Coyotes, but [[Kindraa Mattila-Carrol]] would accept a mutually beneficial deal that gave the Coyotes the scientific access that they wanted, as well as a small enclave on the Mandrill world of [[Shadow]]. In turn, Coyote concessions helped to increase Mattila-Carrol's power by nearly half. The divides in Fire Mandrill society would grow with increasing speed, especially after the Coyotes proved nearly impossible to evict from their new enclave.<ref name=TWORp37,38,39>''The Wars of Reaving'', pp. 37–39: "Stalking the Desert"</ref> In that same year, he fought a Trial of Grievance against Khan Kardaan of [[Clan Cloud Cobra]]. Though he won the Trial, his vocal cords were injured and required him to use an electronic vocalizer thereafter. He refused to use the device in Grand Council meetings.<ref>''Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade'', p. 140</ref>
  
−
In [[3070]], the Khan Kufahl was approached by [[Clan Hell's Horses]] Khan [[James Cobb]], who offered the Coyotes control of their enclaves on [[Tiber_(Clan_planet)|Tiber]] and [[Kirin]] in exchange for material assistance in their efforts to move to the [[Inner Sphere]].  Accepting the deal that would greatly increase Coyote resources and production, Khan Kufahl would also be in a better position to do something about [[Clan Steel Viper]] and their power bloc, the [[Snake Alliance]], who together increasingly dominated politics in the [[Grand Council]].  Realizing Viper Khan [[Brett Andrews]]' ill-concealed ambition, Kufaul quietly selected the Vipers as his Clan's ultimate target.  A deal similar to the Hell's Horses arangement was struck with [[Clan Snow Raven]] on [[Hellgate]], and would help to steadily increase the Coyote's strength to a level where successfully challenging the Steel Vipers became possible.  After seeming to follow through on attacks with [[Clan Star Adder]] against the Snow Ravens and [[Clan Diamond Shark]] - attacks that were cover for their assisting each Clan as agreed - the Coyotes would pick up several more [[Cluster]]s.  He also negotiated the deal with [[Clan Wolf]] that would net them additional units (the entirety of [[Omicron_Galaxy_(Clan_Coyote)|Omicron Galaxy]] and five [[Star]]s of merchant transports) and ten [[sibko]]s in exchange for two Wolf Clan [[WarShip]]s.  The Coyotes would also receive the ''[[giftake]]'' of [[Jennifer Winson]] at about this time, in what was a most precious transaction.<ref name=TWORp37,38,39/><ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 53 - "Coyote Prowls"</ref>
+
In [[3070]], Khan Kufahl was approached by [[Clan Hell's Horses]] Khan [[James Cobb]], who offered the Coyotes control of their enclaves on [[Tiber (Clan system)|Tiber]] and [[Kirin]] in exchange for material assistance in their efforts to move to the [[Inner Sphere]].  Accepting the deal that would greatly increase Coyote resources and production, Khan Kufahl would also be in a better position to do something about [[Clan Steel Viper]] and their power bloc, the [[Snake Alliance]], who together increasingly dominated politics in the [[Grand Council]].  Realizing Viper Khan [[Brett Andrews]]' ill-concealed ambition, Kufahl quietly selected the Vipers as his Clan's ultimate target.  A deal similar to the Hell's Horses arrangement was struck with [[Clan Snow Raven]] on [[Hellgate]], and would help to steadily increase the Coyotes' strength to a level where successfully challenging the Steel Vipers became possible.  After seeming to follow through on attacks with [[Clan Star Adder]] against the Snow Ravens and [[Clan Diamond Shark]] - attacks that were cover for their assisting each Clan as agreed - the Coyotes would pick up several more [[Cluster]]s.  He also negotiated the deal with [[Clan Wolf]] that would net them additional units (the entirety of [[Omicron_Galaxy_(Clan_Coyote)|Omicron Galaxy]] and five [[Star]]s of merchant transports) and ten ''[[sibko]]s'' in exchange for two Wolf Clan [[WarShip]]s.  The Coyotes would also receive the ''[[giftake]]'' of [[Jennifer Winson]] at about this time, in what was a most precious transaction.<ref name=TWORp37,38,39/><ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 53: "Coyote Prowls"</ref>
  
−
After the Wolves' [[Trial of Abjuration|Abjurement]], Khan Kufahl bid intensely for the right to banish the Wolves from the Clan Homeworlds, beating out efforts by the Steel Vipers and the Star Adders.  Several Clans would act despite this, dashing much of the plans that would have allowed the Wolves to exit the [[Kerensky Cluster]] with minimal losses.  Following up with more raids against the Fire Mandrills on [[Foster]] and Shadow, would net them more materials, though it became obvious to some of Kufahl's rival Khans that the Coyotes were expanding beyond their means to defend their gains.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 70 - ''Vanishing Point''</ref>
+
After the Wolves' [[Trial of Abjuration|Abjurement]], Khan Kufahl bid intensely for the right to banish the Wolves from the Clan Homeworlds, beating out efforts by the Steel Vipers and the Star Adders.  Several Clans would act despite this, dashing much of the plans that would have allowed the Wolves to exit the [[Kerensky Cluster]] with minimal losses.  Following up with more raids against the Fire Mandrills on [[Foster]] and Shadow, would net them more matériel, though it became obvious to some of Kufahl's rival Khans that the Coyotes were expanding beyond their means to defend their gains.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 70: "Vanishing Point"</ref>
  
 
===The Time of Reavings===
 
===The Time of Reavings===
−
Everything changed in December of [[3071]].  The [[Grand Council]] would not only overturn the [[Great Refusal]], it would elect Khan [[Brett Andrews]] of Clan Steel Viper as the new [[ilKhan]].  He would immediately announce his new decree: In order to be pure of [[Inner Sphere]] taint, he authorized [[Reaving]]s against [[Bloodname]]s connected with the Invading Clans.  Any Clan could call a Reaving, and if carried through, that Clan would then have control of that legacy.  The decree was worded in such a way that Reavings could be called on any Bloodname that could be identified as tainted by an accuser.  Suddenly, any Clan could take any Bloodname as long as it could carry out the Reaving.  Several Khans voiced quiet concerns about the negative effect this would have on the Clans as a whole, but were powerless to stop it.  Most would be swept up into the storm of Reavings in the years to come.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 75 - ''Viper Ascendent''</ref>
+
Everything changed in December of [[3071]].  The [[Grand Council]] would not only overturn the [[Great Refusal]], it would elect Khan [[Brett Andrews]] of Clan Steel Viper as the new [[ilKhan]].  He would immediately announce his new decree: In order to be pure of [[Inner Sphere]] taint, he authorized [[Reaving]]s against [[Bloodname]]s connected with the Invading Clans.  Any Clan could call a Reaving, and if carried through, that Clan would then have control of that legacy.  The decree was worded in such a way that Reavings could be called on any Bloodname that could be identified as tainted by an accuser.  Suddenly, any Clan could take any Bloodname as long as it could carry out the Reaving.  Several Khans voiced quiet concerns about the negative effect this would have on the Clans as a whole, but were powerless to stop it.  Most would be swept up into the storm of Reavings in the years to come.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 75: "Viper Ascendant"</ref>
  
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===Pawn of the Society===  
+
===Pawn of the Society===
−
Perhaps the most concerned were the Clans' scientists, who watched as over 200 years of work was destroyed by the ilKhan's short-sighted decree.  A secret cabal of scientists that had been slowly building on many Clan worlds called [[the Society]] felt forced to act.  Their main vector of attack was Clan Coyote, whom they had largely co-opted at some point.  After a Coyote [[Clan Council]] meeting with most of their scientists caste, the Coyote's path would be confirmed.  They would throw their support with the scientists, and against the body of Clans, in an effort to save Kerensky's children from themselves.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 85 - "End of an Era"</ref><ref name=TWORp92>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 92 - ''Decisions in the Dark''</ref>
+
Perhaps the most concerned were the Clans' scientists, who watched as over 200 years of work was destroyed by the ilKhan's shortsighted decree.  A secret cabal of scientists that had been slowly building on many Clan worlds called [[the Society]] felt forced to act.  Their main vector of attack was Clan Coyote, which they had largely co-opted at some point.  After a Coyote [[Clan Council]] meeting with most of their scientist caste, the Coyotes' path would be confirmed.  They would throw their support with the scientists, and against the body of Clans, in an effort to save Kerensky's children from themselves.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 85: "End of an Era"</ref><ref name=TWORp92>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 92: "Decisions in the Dark"</ref>
  
  
 
{{Quote|'''''It is the victor that determines what is honorable, and what is treason. That is the Way.'''''
 
{{Quote|'''''It is the victor that determines what is honorable, and what is treason. That is the Way.'''''
  
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—(Excerpt) '''Khan Silas Kufahl to saKhan Raven Clearwater.'''<ref name=TWORp92/>}}
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— (Excerpt) '''Khan Silas Kufahl to saKhan Raven Clearwater.'''<ref name=TWORp92/>}}
  
  
−
Initially, the Coyote's strikes would come as part of the opening orgy of Reaving calls.  When [[Shadow]] was assaulted as part of the Reaving of [[Kindraa_Mick-Kreese_(Clan_Fire_Mandrill)|Kindraa Mick-Kreese-Kline-Sainze]], the Coyotes carried out the bulk of the assault against the fractious Fire Mandrills.  As Mandrill saKhan [[Dakar Mick]] surrendered himself with the last of his warriors, the Coyotes cut them all down, killing every last warrior, before turning their guns on the token forces sent by [[Clan Goliath Scorpion]] and Clan Steel Viper, seizing their salvage and naval assets as ''[[isorla]]''.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 91 - "Death Rides Forth"</ref>  
+
Initially, the Coyotes' strikes would come as part of the opening orgy of Reaving calls.  When [[Shadow]] was assaulted as part of the Reaving of [[Kindraa_Mick-Kreese_(Clan_Fire_Mandrill)|Kindraa Mick-Kreese-Kline-Sainze]], the Coyotes carried out the bulk of the assault against the fractious Fire Mandrills.  As Mandrill saKhan [[Dakar Mick]] surrendered himself with the last of his warriors, the Coyotes cut them all down, killing every last warrior, before turning their guns on the token forces sent by [[Clan Goliath Scorpion]] and Clan Steel Viper, seizing their salvage and naval assets as ''[[isorla]]''.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 91: "Death Rides Forth"</ref>
  
−
With this flourish, Khan Kufahl's assault against Clan society was fully joined.  Hitting worlds such as [[Dagda (Clan)|Dagda]], [[Circe]], [[Babylon]], [[Huntress]], [[Vinton]], and [[Brim]] among others, the Coyotes would act as the official military of the Society (at least in the Clan Homeworlds) while the scientists built up their millitary force of washed out Trueborns and [[Dark Caste]] Bandits.  Each world targeted was taken for the Society.  Assisting the Coyotes in their quick conquest, the Society would release its own weapons.  One of these weapons was a series of genetically targeted viruses, tailored to kill members of specific Bloodname heritages.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 101 - ''Genetic Death''</ref>  Another of these weapons was a computer virus that targeted and disabled [[HPG]] communications - for years in some cases - and could spread itself to targeted worlds.  There was yet another set of these electronic virii that targeted [[Jumpship]] navigation computers, destroying most ship's systems once infected, rendering many vessels useless.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 93 - ''The First Strikes''</ref><ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 52 - "Chalcas"</ref>
+
With this flourish, Khan Kufahl's assault against Clan society was fully joined.  Hitting worlds such as [[Dagda (Clan System)|Dagda]], [[Circe]], [[Babylon]], [[Huntress]], [[Vinton]], and [[Brim]] among others, the Coyotes would act as the official military of the Society (at least in the Clan Homeworlds) while the scientists built up their military force of washed-out trueborns and [[Dark Caste]] Bandits.  Each world targeted was taken for the Society.  Assisting the Coyotes in their quick conquest, the Society would release its own weapons.  One of these weapons was a series of genetically targeted viruses, tailored to kill members of specific Bloodname heritages.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 101: "Genetic Death"</ref>  Another of these weapons was a computer virus that targeted and disabled [[HPG]] communications - for years in some cases - and could spread itself to targeted worlds.  There was yet another set of these electronic viruses that targeted [[JumpShip]] navigation computers, destroying most ship's systems once infected, rendering many vessels useless.<ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 93: "The First Strikes"</ref><ref>''The Wars of Reaving'', p. 52: "Chalcas"</ref>
  
 
===Challenging the Bloody ilKhan===
 
===Challenging the Bloody ilKhan===
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==Legacy==
 
==Legacy==
−
Though it would take several more actions on behalf of the Society, eventually the other [[Clan]]s would come to the full realization that they had been betrayed by one of their own.  But the legacy of these events is certainly a mixed one.  While [[Clan Coyote]] betrayed Clan society on a far greater scale than the [[Not-Named Clan]] ever did, their actions perhaps helped to save the Clans as a whole from the corruption that was rotting them from the top down.  
+
Though it would take several more actions on behalf of the Society, eventually the other [[Clan]]s would come to the full realization that they had been betrayed by one of their own.  But the legacy of these events is certainly a mixed one.  While [[Clan Coyote]] betrayed Clan society on a far greater scale than the [[Not-Named Clan]] ever did, their actions perhaps helped to save the Clans as a whole from the corruption that was rotting them from the top down.
  
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Khan Kufahl would be succeeded by a [[Trueborn]] scientist-turned-warrior, trotted out by the Society who no longer had need of keeping their secret.
+
Khan Kufahl would be succeeded by a [[Trueborn|trueborn]] scientist-turned-warrior, trotted out by the Society who no longer had need of keeping their secret.
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==Title and Position==
 
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{{s-start}}
 
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{{s-bef|before= ????}}
 
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{{s-title|title= [[Loremaster of Clan Coyote]]|years=[[3053]]-[[3056]]}}
 
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{{s-aft|after= [[Clarissa Jerricho]]}}
 
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{{s-bef|before= [[Pazi Tchernovkov]]}}
 
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{{s-title|title= saKhan of [[Clan Coyote]]|years=[[3056]]-[[3062]]}}
 
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{{s-aft|after= [[Raven Clearwater]]}}
 
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{{s-bef|before= [[Sullivan Koga]]}}
 
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{{s-title|title= Khan of [[Clan Coyote]]|years=[[3062]]-[[3072]]}}
 
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{{s-aft|after= [[Elliot McKibben]]}}
 
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{{s-end}}
 
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
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* ''[[Field Manual: Updates]]''
 
* ''[[Field Manual: Updates]]''
 
* ''[[Field Manual: Warden Clans]]''
 
* ''[[Field Manual: Warden Clans]]''
 +
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade]]''
 
* ''[[The Wars of Reaving]]''
 
* ''[[The Wars of Reaving]]''
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[[Category: Clan Coyote Characters|Kufahl, Silas]]
 
[[Category: Clan Coyote Characters|Kufahl, Silas]]
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[[Category: SaKhans|Kufahl, Silas]]
 
[[Category: SaKhans|Kufahl, Silas]]
 
[[Category: Loremasters|Kufahl, Silas]]
 
[[Category: Loremasters|Kufahl, Silas]]
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[[Category: Notable Gargoyle (Man O' War) Pilots|Kufahl, Silas]]

Latest revision as of 10:09, 1 October 2023

Silas Kufahl
Personal
Died3072[1]
AffiliationClan Coyote
Profile
RankKhan

Silas Kufahl was a warrior of Clan Coyote who would rise through the ranks to eventually become Khan, guiding his Clan during the events of the Wars of Reaving. While he reigned, the Coyote leadership would become pawns of The Society, though he would also assist many other Clans in their escapes from the Clan Homeworlds.[2]

History[edit]

A vocal critic of Khan Sullivan Koga's reorganization of the Clan Coyote touman, Silas Kufahl would earn a taste of Khan Koga's wrath when his Gamma Galaxy was the first to be disbanded. Without a command he would languish until finding a spot as a Star Colonel in Epsilon Galaxy. Though he would often be at odds with Galaxy Commander Raven Clearwater, Star Colonel Kufahl's protests would relent somewhat with time, as he came to the realization that the conflict could be detrimental to his Clan as a whole.[3] This display of leadership would help Kufahl to be elected Loremaster in 3053, later ascending to the post of saKhan in 3056 after the death of Pazi Tchernovkov. Though he remained outspoken, he and Khan Koga worked well together, each recognizing that the other only desired the best possible future for Clan Coyote.[2][3]

Post-Refusal Conflicts[edit]

Many Trials and raids between Clans took place after the Annihilation of Clan Smoke Jaguar, the Abjuration of Clan Nova Cat and the exodus of Clan Ghost Bear to the Inner Sphere. Territory, resources and technology were all up for grabs. In 3062, Khan Koga would lead elements of Delta Galaxy against forces from Clan Star Adder on the former Jaguar world of Huntress. After procuring plans for the ProtoMech, Khan Koga would die leading her forces in another (successful) Trial of Possession to gain scientists and technicians who had worked in development of the new technology.[4][5]

Khan of the Coyotes[edit]

Though Silas Kufahl would rise to the Khanship of Clan Coyote, it would not be without resistance. Many Coyote warriors remembered how outspoken Kufahl was with regard to Sullivan Koga's reform of the Clan Coyote touman. Many feared that he would work to undo her progress if he were to ascend to the Khanship. Facing dozens of Trials of Grievance and Possession, the Coyotes' overall vigilance suffered while much of its leadership was focused on removing him from office. Clan Jade Falcon would choose this time to attack the Coyotes, sensing their internal strife. Hitting Tamaron, they made swift progress in the initial days of landing. This invasion galvanized the Coyotes into action. Khan Kufahl worked with his longtime rival, Galaxy Commander Raven Clearwater, organizing the defense and counterattack of the Falcons, eventually driving them from the planet in two decisive engagements. After the Jade Falcon threat had passed, Khan Kufahl and Galaxy Commander Clearwater fought a Trial of Possession for the Khanship of Clan Coyote, one that would serve as proxy for all other such challenges yet to come. Kufahl would come out on top, but only barely - his 'Mech shut down just seconds after he disabled Clearwater's 'Mech.[4][5]

Together with newly elected saKhan Clearwater, the final steps were taken to complete Sullivan Koga's reforms.[4] However, he would also set about gathering power for his Clan and himself. In 3068, Khan Kufahl set his sights on the faltering Kindraa of Clan Fire Mandrill. He was also enticed by rumors of an electric armor development by a sect of Kindraa Sainze scientists, and desired the technological edge that such a thing would offer. Kindraa Sainze rebuffed all offers made by the Coyotes, but Kindraa Mattila-Carrol would accept a mutually beneficial deal that gave the Coyotes the scientific access that they wanted, as well as a small enclave on the Mandrill world of Shadow. In turn, Coyote concessions helped to increase Mattila-Carrol's power by nearly half. The divides in Fire Mandrill society would grow with increasing speed, especially after the Coyotes proved nearly impossible to evict from their new enclave.[6] In that same year, he fought a Trial of Grievance against Khan Kardaan of Clan Cloud Cobra. Though he won the Trial, his vocal cords were injured and required him to use an electronic vocalizer thereafter. He refused to use the device in Grand Council meetings.[7]

In 3070, Khan Kufahl was approached by Clan Hell's Horses Khan James Cobb, who offered the Coyotes control of their enclaves on Tiber and Kirin in exchange for material assistance in their efforts to move to the Inner Sphere. Accepting the deal that would greatly increase Coyote resources and production, Khan Kufahl would also be in a better position to do something about Clan Steel Viper and their power bloc, the Snake Alliance, who together increasingly dominated politics in the Grand Council. Realizing Viper Khan Brett Andrews' ill-concealed ambition, Kufahl quietly selected the Vipers as his Clan's ultimate target. A deal similar to the Hell's Horses arrangement was struck with Clan Snow Raven on Hellgate, and would help to steadily increase the Coyotes' strength to a level where successfully challenging the Steel Vipers became possible. After seeming to follow through on attacks with Clan Star Adder against the Snow Ravens and Clan Diamond Shark - attacks that were cover for their assisting each Clan as agreed - the Coyotes would pick up several more Clusters. He also negotiated the deal with Clan Wolf that would net them additional units (the entirety of Omicron Galaxy and five Stars of merchant transports) and ten sibkos in exchange for two Wolf Clan WarShips. The Coyotes would also receive the giftake of Jennifer Winson at about this time, in what was a most precious transaction.[6][8]

After the Wolves' Abjurement, Khan Kufahl bid intensely for the right to banish the Wolves from the Clan Homeworlds, beating out efforts by the Steel Vipers and the Star Adders. Several Clans would act despite this, dashing much of the plans that would have allowed the Wolves to exit the Kerensky Cluster with minimal losses. Following up with more raids against the Fire Mandrills on Foster and Shadow, would net them more matériel, though it became obvious to some of Kufahl's rival Khans that the Coyotes were expanding beyond their means to defend their gains.[9]

The Time of Reavings[edit]

Everything changed in December of 3071. The Grand Council would not only overturn the Great Refusal, it would elect Khan Brett Andrews of Clan Steel Viper as the new ilKhan. He would immediately announce his new decree: In order to be pure of Inner Sphere taint, he authorized Reavings against Bloodnames connected with the Invading Clans. Any Clan could call a Reaving, and if carried through, that Clan would then have control of that legacy. The decree was worded in such a way that Reavings could be called on any Bloodname that could be identified as tainted by an accuser. Suddenly, any Clan could take any Bloodname as long as it could carry out the Reaving. Several Khans voiced quiet concerns about the negative effect this would have on the Clans as a whole, but were powerless to stop it. Most would be swept up into the storm of Reavings in the years to come.[10]

Pawn of the Society[edit]

Perhaps the most concerned were the Clans' scientists, who watched as over 200 years of work was destroyed by the ilKhan's shortsighted decree. A secret cabal of scientists that had been slowly building on many Clan worlds called the Society felt forced to act. Their main vector of attack was Clan Coyote, which they had largely co-opted at some point. After a Coyote Clan Council meeting with most of their scientist caste, the Coyotes' path would be confirmed. They would throw their support with the scientists, and against the body of Clans, in an effort to save Kerensky's children from themselves.[11][12]


“ It is the victor that determines what is honorable, and what is treason. That is the Way.

— (Excerpt) Khan Silas Kufahl to saKhan Raven Clearwater.[12]

”


Initially, the Coyotes' strikes would come as part of the opening orgy of Reaving calls. When Shadow was assaulted as part of the Reaving of Kindraa Mick-Kreese-Kline-Sainze, the Coyotes carried out the bulk of the assault against the fractious Fire Mandrills. As Mandrill saKhan Dakar Mick surrendered himself with the last of his warriors, the Coyotes cut them all down, killing every last warrior, before turning their guns on the token forces sent by Clan Goliath Scorpion and Clan Steel Viper, seizing their salvage and naval assets as isorla.[13]

With this flourish, Khan Kufahl's assault against Clan society was fully joined. Hitting worlds such as Dagda, Circe, Babylon, Huntress, Vinton, and Brim among others, the Coyotes would act as the official military of the Society (at least in the Clan Homeworlds) while the scientists built up their military force of washed-out trueborns and Dark Caste Bandits. Each world targeted was taken for the Society. Assisting the Coyotes in their quick conquest, the Society would release its own weapons. One of these weapons was a series of genetically targeted viruses, tailored to kill members of specific Bloodname heritages.[14] Another of these weapons was a computer virus that targeted and disabled HPG communications - for years in some cases - and could spread itself to targeted worlds. There was yet another set of these electronic viruses that targeted JumpShip navigation computers, destroying most ship's systems once infected, rendering many vessels useless.[15][16]

Challenging the Bloody ilKhan[edit]

Everything led inexorably to the challenge that Khan Silas Kufahl would make in 3072. Landing with a sizable force on New Kent, he would shock the ilKhan by calling a Reaving on the Andrews Bloodname, ostensibly for his failure at bringing about a renewed Clan invasion of the Inner Sphere. Meeting ilKhan Andrews in his Clan Council chamber, Khan Kufahl would not survive five minutes in a Trial against the ilKhan.[1]

Legacy[edit]

Though it would take several more actions on behalf of the Society, eventually the other Clans would come to the full realization that they had been betrayed by one of their own. But the legacy of these events is certainly a mixed one. While Clan Coyote betrayed Clan society on a far greater scale than the Not-Named Clan ever did, their actions perhaps helped to save the Clans as a whole from the corruption that was rotting them from the top down.

Khan Kufahl would be succeeded by a trueborn scientist-turned-warrior, trotted out by the Society who no longer had need of keeping their secret.

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Wars of Reaving, p. 106: "The Viper Uncoils"
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Field Manual: Warden Clans, p. 48: "saKhan Silas Kufahl"
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Field manual: Warden Clans, p. 51: "Epsilon Galaxy"
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Field Manual: Updates, p. 56: "Leading the Pack"
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 The Wars of Reaving, p. 25: "Coyote Machinations"
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 The Wars of Reaving, pp. 37–39: "Stalking the Desert"
  7. ↑ Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 140
  8. ↑ The Wars of Reaving, p. 53: "Coyote Prowls"
  9. ↑ The Wars of Reaving, p. 70: "Vanishing Point"
  10. ↑ The Wars of Reaving, p. 75: "Viper Ascendant"
  11. ↑ The Wars of Reaving, p. 85: "End of an Era"
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 The Wars of Reaving, p. 92: "Decisions in the Dark"
  13. ↑ The Wars of Reaving, p. 91: "Death Rides Forth"
  14. ↑ The Wars of Reaving, p. 101: "Genetic Death"
  15. ↑ The Wars of Reaving, p. 93: "The First Strikes"
  16. ↑ The Wars of Reaving, p. 52: "Chalcas"

Bibliography[edit]

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