Editing Taman Malthus

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| name                = Taman Malthus
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| affiliation         = [[Clan Jade Falcon]]
| rank                = [[Star Colonel]]
| profession          = [[Elemental]]
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'''Taman Malthus''' was an [[Elemental]] and officer in [[Clan Jade Falcon]] who was active during the [[Clan Invasion]] through the [[Jihad]] era.

==Personal History==
===Bloodname===
Malthus first came to widespread attention during the so-called [[Year of Peace]] during the Clan Invasion. After the destruction of the [[Jade Falcon Guards (Clan Jade Falcon)|Jade Falcon Guards]] on [[Twycross]] in [[3050]], the [[Bloodright]] of [[Adler Malthus]], and indeed the entire [[Malthus (Bloodname)|Malthus Bloodhouse]] as a whole, were in disgrace, with [[saKhan of Clan Jade Falcon|saKhan]] [[Timur Malthus]] being forced to resign. When it became time to conduct a [[Trial of Bloodright]] for the legacy, all eligible [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarrior]]s declined to compete for it. Taman successfully claimed the Bloodname, though many warriors derided him for it, even some among his fellow Jade Falcon Elementals.<ref name=LD108-UK-TM-1>''Lost Destiny'', p. 108: Ulric comments on Taman winning a tainted Bloodname</ref><ref name=LD162-C-TM-1>''Lost Destiny'', p. 162: Corbin mocks Taman's winning of the Malthus Bloodname</ref> So complete was the Malthus disgrace that after the [[Battle of Twycross]], Taman Malthus was the only member of House Malthus to remain active in the [[Inner Sphere]] for some time.<ref name=JFS73-ESCTM-HM-1>''Jade Falcon Sourcebook'', p. 73: "Elemental Star Captain Taman Malthus", Taman Malthus is the only Malthus remaining the Inner Sphere</ref>

===Alyina===
It was thus unsurprising that Malthus, nominally a [[Star Captain]] in the [[2nd Falcon Jaegers (Clan Jade Falcon)|2nd Falcon Jaegers]], was assigned to command the Falcon garrison on the newly conquered world of [[Alyina]] when the war resumed, a task which held little opportunity for glory or achievement.<ref name=JFS73-ESCTM-A-1>''Jade Falcon Sourcebook'', p. 73: "Elemental Star Captain Taman Malthus", Malthus commands the Alyina garrison</ref> During this time, Malthus was nominally under the command of [[Demi-Precentor]] [[Khalsa]], the planetary administrator under the [[Clans]]' agreement with [[ComStar]].<ref name=JFS73-ESCTM-K-1>''Jade Falcon Sourcebook'', p. 73: "Elemental Star Captain Taman Malthus", Khalsa administers Alyina</ref>

When [[David Jewell]], an [[AFFC]] soldier stranded on Alyina, escaped from a ComStar compound along with Doctor [[Deirdre Lear]], Khalsa demanded that Malthus and his Elementals hunt the man down. Malthus correctly made many deductions about his target, among them that Lear had escaped with him of her own free will.<ref name=JFS73-ESCTM-DJ-1>''Jade Falcon Sourcebook'', p. 73: "Elemental Star Captain Taman Malthus", Khalsa orders Malthus to hunt down David Jewell</ref><ref name=LD9899-K-TM-1>''Lost Destiny'', pp. 98–99: Khalsa summons Malthus, Malthus makes deductions regarding Jewell's disposition</ref> On 9 March, Malthus examined a body purported to be David Jewell that had been brought in by a local bounty hunter. Malthus was not only able to determine that the body was a fake, he was further able to discern that the ComStar agent present had engaged in corruption and had been tricked into allowing the real David Jewell to escape.<ref name=LD146147-TM-1>''Lost Destiny'', pp. 146–147: Malthus examines the "body" of David Jewell</ref> Malthus had his troops bid for the right to hunt Jewell down, a bid which the Elemental Corbin won. After Corbin was killed by Jewell, Malthus bid only his bare hands to kill Jewell and silencing all his subordinates who were including their battle armor in their bids.<ref name=JFS73-ESCTM-DJ-2>''Jade Falcon Sourcebook'', p. 73: "Elemental Star Captain Taman Malthus", Malthus faces Jewell in unarmed combat</ref><ref name=LD205-TM-1>''Lost Destiny'', p. 205: Malthus conducts the bidding to hunt David Jewell, winning it himself</ref>

On 1 May, Malthus and his Elementals cornered Jewell and Lear at Tedesco Pass. Malthus honorably bargained with Jewell, promising he would not send Lear back to Khalsa and that if Jewell won, he, Lear and the AFFC prisoners would all go free. Though Jewell fought well, Malthus' superior physical abilities eventually started to win out, and he was on the verge of victory. During their fight, Khalsa and armed [[Com Guards|Com Guard]] troops suddenly appeared in a helicopter gunship, killing two of the Elementals in one of the opening moves of [[Operation SCORPION]]. Jewell was presumed killed, falling off the side of a cliff.  Malthus, Lear, and the other Elementals (Locke and Slane) were captured.<ref name=JFS73-ESCTM-OS-1>''Jade Falcon Sourcebook'', p. 73: "Elemental Star Captain Taman Malthus", Khalsa triggers Operation Scorpion and captures Malthus</ref><ref name=LD217223-TM-1>''Lost Destiny'', pp. 217–223: Malthus and his point of Elementals track down David Jewell, taken prisoner by Khalsa</ref> Four days later, Jewell emerged alive and rescued Lear, Malthus and the surviving Elementals at Dove Costoso, with Malthus killing Khalsa through his cell bars. It was only then that Malthus learned that Jewell was, in fact, [[Kai Allard-Liao]], destroyer of the Falcon Guards on Twycross. Malthus made an agreement with Allard-Liao to release the AFFC personnel if Allard-Liao helped defeat ComStar.<ref name=JFS73-ESCTM-OS-2>''Jade Falcon Sourcebook'', p. 73: "Elemental Star Captain Taman Malthus", Malthus kills Khalsa</ref><ref name=JFS73-ESCTM-KAL-1>''Jade Falcon Sourcebook'', p. 73: "Elemental Star Captain Taman Malthus", Malthus learns of Allard-Liao's identity</ref><ref name=LD242248-TM-1>''Lost Destiny'', pp. 242–248: Malthus and his Elementals are rescued by Kai Allard-Liao</ref> Allard-Liao worked well with Malthus and his two men, recovering the [[Gauss rifle]] from ''[[Yen-Lo-Wang]]'' and training Allard in the use of [[Elemental (Battle Armor)|Elemental battle armor]]. They prepared for the assault with the assistance of historian [[Gus Michaels]].<ref name=LD286289-TM-1>''Lost Destiny'', pp. 286–289: Malthus and his Elementals recover the Gauss rifle</ref><ref name=LD306310-TM-1>''Lost Destiny'', pp. 306–310: Malthus and his Elementals train Allard-Liao in the use of battle armor</ref> Joining forces, Malthus, Locke, Slane and Allard-Liao attacked the ComStar camp, freeing the prisoners and retaking control of the planet.<ref name=JFS73-ESCTM-OS-33>''Jade Falcon Sourcebook'', p. 73: "Elemental Star Captain Taman Malthus", Malthus and Allard-Liao retake the planet</ref><ref name=LD310314-TM-1>''Lost Destiny'', pp. 310–314: Malthus and Allard-Liao retake the camp and liberate Alyina</ref> The four attackers survived the fight, but Gus Michaels apparently died after saving them.

In the aftermath, Malthus honored his agreement, regarding Kai Allard-Liao a superior warrior. Malthus' actions on Alyina helped to restore honor to the Malthus Bloodname.<ref name=JFS73-ESCTM-MB-1>''Jade Falcon Sourcebook'', p. 73: "Elemental Star Captain Taman Malthus", Taman Malthus restores honor to his Bloodname</ref><ref name=LD349351-TM-1>''Lost Destiny'', pp. 349–351: Malthus honors his agreement, considers Allard-Liao a superior warrior</ref><ref name=BFW43-LA-TM-1>''Bred for War'', p. 43: Larry Acuff remembers Malthus and Allard-Liao liberating the camp</ref> Malthus' presence on Alyina prevented him from participating in the [[Battle of Tukayyid (3052)|Battle of Tukayyid]], but in the immediate aftermath of that conflict he was listed as being back with the 2nd Jaegers.<ref name=JFS72-TD-ESCTM-1>''Jade Falcon Sourcebook'', p. 72: "Trinary Delta", Taman Malthus' rank, assignment and skill level</ref>

===Aftermath===
As of [[3055]], Malthus held the rank of [[Star Colonel]] as commander of the 2nd Jaegers, and he continued to command the Alyina garrison. In September of that year, Malthus agreed to provide [[Kearny-Fuchida Drive|recharges]] to the [[Kell Hounds]]' [[JumpShip]]s during the [[Red Corsair]] affair, an act he had been unwilling to perform for [[Wolf Clan]] [[Khan of Clan Wolf|Khan]] [[Phelan Ward]]. Malthus agreed to this out of respect to [[Lieutenant Colonel]] [[Daniel Allard]] of the Kell Hounds, the uncle of Kai Allard-Liao, whom Malthus considered a comrade.<ref name=NS300301-TM-1>''Natural Selection'', pp. 300–301: Taman Malthus provides jump charges to the Kell Hounds</ref>

In April [[3056]], Malthus and a contingent of his Elementals, more precisely Locke and Slane, made plans to visit Kai Allard-Liao, now [[Class Six Champions|Solaris Grand Champion]], during his title defense on [[Solaris]]. They were repeatedly delayed due to the bureaucracy of negotiating between ComStar and the [[Federated Commonwealth]] government. Allard-Liao, meanwhile, was facing a crisis instigated by his uncle, [[Tormano Liao]]. At Allard-Liao's request, Malthus and his troops launched a covert assault on Tormano's ''[[Mandrinn]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Estate on Solaris, rescuing Deirdre Lear and the son she shared with Allard-Liao, [[David Lear]]. The Elementals, who had carried their armor with them, easily eliminated Liao's [[Free Capella]] guards even as they were about to execute Doctor Lear.<ref name=AOR336338-TM-1>''Assumption of Risk'', pp. 336–338: Taman Malthus and his Elementals rescue Lear and her son</ref> Meeting with Allard-Liao afterwards, Malthus reaffirmed their friendship and camaraderie, and praised his young son.<ref name=AOR363364-TM-1>''Assumption of Risk'', pp. 363–364: Taman Malthus meets with Kai</ref>

Upon his return to the Occupation Zones, Malthus would speak of his time on Solaris VII with grudging admiration for the Solaris arenas, realizing they had more in common with the Clans' own [[Circle of Equals]] than most Clan warriors would care to admit.<ref name=MWGtSVII-63>''MechWarrior's Guide to Solaris VII'', p. 63: "A Primer for the Solaris Games"</ref> Malthus apparently spoke freely among the Clans of Allard-Liao's reuniting with Doctor Lear, and their later marriage, as the rumor spread outside the Jade Falcon Clan.<ref name=BFW133-KAI-TM-1>''Bred for War'', p. 133: the rumor of Kai's marriage originated with Taman Malthus</ref>

===New Conflicts===
When the [[Refusal War]] broke out in [[3057]], Malthus and his command were assigned to defend [[Devin]]. Khan [[Natasha Kerensky]] sent the Wolf Clan's [[3rd Battle (Clan Wolf)|3rd Battle Cluster]] against the Jaegers and the [[1st Falcon Striker (Clan Jade Falcon)|1st Striker Cluster]] in October. Extreme weather conditions plagued the conflict, with heavy winds and electrical storms causing havoc on both sides. The Jade Falcons would ultimately win despite horrendous losses.<ref name=TFATW26-A-2FJ-1>''The Falcon and the Wolf'', p. 26: "Aftermath", the Jade Falcons win a Pyrrhic victory on Devin</ref><ref name=FMCC104-2FJ-RW-TM-1>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 104: "2nd Falcon Jaegers (The Frost Falcons)", the Jaegers are successful on Devin but are shattered as a command</ref> On 2 January, [[3058]], Malthus was reportedly on [[Wotan]] when the [[Grand Kurultai]] met to elect a new [[ilKhan]]. When [[Vladimir Ward]] challenged [[Elias Crichell]] over the latter's qualifications as a warrior, Crichell attempted to summon Malthus to serve as his second. [[Ian Hawker]] of [[Clan Diamond Shark]] pointed out, however, that because Vlad had challenged Crichell's qualifications and not the vote, the newly made ilKhan was not entitled to a second.<ref name=MI77-EC-TM-1>''Malicious Intent'', p. 77: Crichell attempts to summon Taman Malthus to fight Vladimir Ward</ref> In the aftermath of the conflict, the 2nd Jaegers were rebuilt, though it is indicated their experience level dropped a great deal due to the turnover in personnel.<ref name=OTPFI13-C-2FJ-TM-R-1>''Operational Turning Points: Falcon Incursion'', p. 13: "Combatants": "Second Falcon Jaegers", the Jaegers are rated a Regular experienced unity</ref> Despite this, because of his past achievements, Malthus' new recruits were particularly loyal to him, eager to learn and obey.<ref name=OTPFI13-C-2FJ-TM-2>''Operational Turning Points: Falcon Incursion'', p. 13: "Combatants": "Second Falcon Jaegers", Taman Malthus is considered a minor celebrity among the Jaegers and his recruits are devoted to him</ref>

The 2nd Falcon Jaegers, led by Malthus, played a major role in Khan [[Marthe Pryde]]'s [[Jade Falcon Incursion (3058)|incursion]] into the [[Lyran Alliance]] in 3058. In February, the Jaegers teamed with the [[7th Falcon Regulars (Clan Jade Falcon)|7th Falcon Regulars]] to crush the [[22nd Skye Rangers]] on [[Engadine]], using a combat drop to surround and stun the defenders.<ref name=OTPFI18-C-2FJ-1>''Operational Turning Points: Falcon Incursion'', p. 18: "Touchpoint: Engadine", Malthus leads the Falcons to victory on Engadine</ref> In March, the Jaegers spearheaded the assault on [[Coventry]], using a [[Pirate Jump Point]] and performing an combat drop, a tactic Malthus had specifically trained them in,<ref name=OTPFI13-C-2FJ-TM-OD-1>''Operational Turning Points: Falcon Incursion'', p. 13: "Combatants": "Second Falcon Jaegers", Taman Malthus trains his warriors in orbital drops</ref> then pushing aside elements of the [[10th Skye Rangers]]' 3rd Battalion to secure the spaceport for the additional Falcon units approaching the planet.<ref name=TBOC7-C-2FJ-1>''The Battle of Coventry'', p. 7: "Coventry", the 2nd Falcon Jaegers take the spaceport at Coventry</ref> The Jaegers continued to distinguish themselves throughout the [[Jade Falcon Incursion (3058)|Coventry campaign]], gaining valuable fighting experience.

In the aftermath of these conflicts, the 2nd Jaegers were regarded as one of the most active Clusters in the [[Clan Jade Falcon Touman|Jade Falcon ''touman'']], though their high turnover rate still rated them as a regular unit.<ref name=FMCC104-2FJ-TM-1>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 104: "2nd Falcon Jaegers (The Frost Falcons)", as of 3060 the Jaegers are one of the most active Clusters in the Clan</ref> Around this time, the Jaegers adopted a new insignia in honor of Malthus' experiences, depicting an Elemental fighting beside a ''[[Centurion (BattleMech)|Centurion]]''.<ref name=FMCC104-2FJ-TM-2>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 104: "2nd Falcon Jaegers (The Frost Falcons)", the Jaegers new insignia</ref> As of December [[3059]], the Jaegers had split their unit between [[Romulus]] and [[Seiduts]].<ref name=FMCC154-2FJ-1>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 154: "The Crusader Clans (Deployment as of 25 December 3059)", the Second Falcon Jaegers position in late 3059</ref>

In [[3062]], the Jaegers were garrisoning [[Sudeten]] when they were attacked by the [[One-Eyed Jacks]] [[mercenary]] command. The Jacks wanted revenge on the Jaegers for the capture of the [[Blackjack School of Conflict]] years earlier. The mercenaries used numerous inventive and underhanded tactics and gave a good accounting of themselves, though the Jaegers inflicted heavy casualties on them before the Jacks withdrew.<ref name=MSII53-OEJ-2FJ-1>''Mercenaries Supplemental II'', p. 53: "One-Eyed Jacks: Blind Justice", the Second Jaegers find the One-Eyed Jacks</ref>

Despite their experience and the ability of Malthus, the Jaegers did not take part in the [[Jade Falcon Incursion (3064)|Falcon Incursion]] of [[3064]]. By late [[3067]], Malthus remained in command of the 2nd Jaegers, who were at three-quarters strength and still based on Sudeten.<ref name=FMU72-CCTOE-TM-1>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 72: "Crusader Clans TO&E": "Clan Jade Falcon: Iota Galaxy (Second Line)", the 2nd Falcon Jaegers in 3067</ref>

===Jihad===
When the [[Word of Blake]] Jihad began, it was not long before the Falcons attempted to take advantage of the situation. In June [[3069]], Malthus led a massive Falcon force, including elements of [[Iota Galaxy (Clan Jade Falcon)|Iota]], [[Mu Galaxy (Clan Jade Falcon)|Mu]], and [[Rho Galaxy (Clan Jade Falcon)|Rho Galaxies]] in an attack on [[Graceland]], where they faced the [[1st Kell Hounds]], commanded by Daniel Allard whom he had briefly met years earlier. The fighting stretched into July, as the Falcons abandoned ''[[zellbrigen]]'', looking to overwhelm the mercenaries. Exposing the Hounds' command element to attack by three Clusters, Malthus personally engaged Allard in battle, killing the legendary mercenary commander. [[Akira Brahe]] took command of the Hounds, recovering Allard's body and withdrawing from the planet with the survivors.<ref name=MSU75-FKHR-TM-1>''Mercenaries Supplemental Update'', p. 75: "First Kell Hounds Regiment", Taman Malthus leads a Jade Falcon force to Graceland, slays Daniel Allard</ref><ref name=MAMTSCD91-AB-TM-1>''Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers'', p. 91: "Akira Brahe", Brahe witnesses Allard's death against Malthus on Graceland</ref>

Taman Malthus' further career and death have not been chronicled. It is known that by [[3085]], he no longer held any listed command position in the Jade Falcon ''touman''.<ref name=FM3085-125126-CMFCJF-TM-1>''Field Manual: 3085'', pp. 125–126: "Clan Military Forces: Clan Jade Falcon", Taman Malthus is not listed as a Falcon commander in 3085</ref> It may therefore be assumed that he was killed during the Jihad.

Malthus' exploits would continue to inspire the Falcons well after his time, and his genetic heritage would live on in generations of accomplished descendants.<ref name=TRO3145-128-NUSCBM-TM-1>''Technical Readout: 3145'', p. 128: "Notable Units: Star Captain Benj Malthus", Benj Malthus is descended from Taman Malthus</ref>

==Personality and Traits==
Taman Malthus was described as a very large and physically powerful individual, even by Elemental standards.<ref name=JFS73-ESCTM-L-1>''Jade Falcon Sourcebook'', p. 73: "Elemental Star Captain Taman Malthus", Malthus' size</ref> As a warrior, he was widely acknowledged as an accomplished fighter, and like most prominent Clan Elemental officers, Malthus was ranked elite in terms of skill.<ref name=JFS72-TD-ESCTM-1/> Based on Elias Crichell's choice of Malthus, an Elemental, as his Champion, among all the other Falcons on Wotan, he must, by this time, have been considered one of the most distinguished warriors of the entire Clan.<ref name=MI77-EC-TM-1/> Based on the "detective work" he conducted while hunting down Kai Allard-Liao on Alyina, he was highly intelligent and insightful, not allowing his arrogance to blind him to what his foe was doing, as many Clan commanders did while facing "[[freeborn|freebirth]]s".<ref name=LD9899-K-TM-1/> Though certainly a Crusader in terms of his political views, his extraordinarily high opinion of Kai Allard-Liao after those events demonstrate that he could come to respect Inner Sphere opponents, though most could not meet the standard set by Allard-Liao.<ref name=LD349351-TM-1/> His actions during the Clan Invasion and afterwards helped restore honor to House Malthus, which had gone from being one of the premier lines in Clan Jade Falcon to facing the abyss.<ref name=JFS73-ESCTM-MB-1/> He was considered a celebrity by many in the Clans,<ref name=OTPFI13-C-2FJ-TM-2/> and his later career, though not fully chronicled, distinguished him as a hero of the Jihad.<ref name=TRO3145-128-NUSCBM-TM-1/>

==Notes==
* Malthus is listed as being part of the 2nd Jaegers during the [[Battle of Tukayyid (3052)|Battle of Tukayyid]].<ref name=JFS72-TD-ESCTM-1/> It is unclear if he was merely on temporary assignment as head of the Alyina garrison.
* According to ''[[Field Manual: Crusader Clans]]'', [[Marthe Pryde]] still commanded the 2nd Falcon Jaegers during the fighting on Devin in [[3057]].<ref name=FMCC98-SKMP-2FJ-1>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 98: "Senior Khan Marthe Pryde", Marthe commands the Second Jaegers up to the Refusal War</ref> This is contradicted by other sources which list her as a [[Galaxy Commander]] at the time, and name Malthus as a Star Colonel.<ref name=NS300301-TM-1/>

==References==
<references/>

==Bibliography==
* ''[[Assumption of Risk]]'' (novel)
* ''[[The Battle of Coventry (scenario pack)|The Battle of Coventry]]''
* ''[[Bred for War]]'' (novel)
* ''[[The Falcon and the Wolf]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: 3085]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Crusader Clans]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Updates]]''
* ''[[Jade Falcon Sourcebook]]''
* ''[[Lost Destiny]]'' (novel)
* ''[[Malicious Intent]]'' (novel)
* ''[[Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers]]''
* ''[[MechWarrior's Guide to Solaris VII]]''
* ''[[Mercenaries Supplemental II]]''
* ''[[Mercenaries Supplemental Update]]''
* ''[[Natural Selection]]'' (novel)
* ''[[Operational Turning Points: Falcon Incursion]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3145]]''


[[Category:Clan Jade Falcon Characters|Malthus, Taman]]