Umayyad Caliphate
Sarna News
| Nueva Castile | |
|---|---|
| Faction Profile | |
| Time period: | 2392 – present |
| Classification: | Deep Periphery Proto-state |
| Controlled systems: | 7 |
| Capital world: | Asturias |
| Ruler title: | King |
| Military: | Castilian Brigadas |
| Secret Service: | unknown |
| File:Umayyad Caliphate.gif | |
| The Umayyad Caliphate | |
|---|---|
| Faction Profile | |
| Time period: | 2830 – present |
| Classification: | Deep Periphery Proto-state |
| Controlled systems: | 1 plus 1 contested |
| Capital world: | Granada |
| Ruler title: | Caliph |
| Military: | Umayyad Corps |
| Secret Service: | unknown |
Nueva Castile and the Umayyad Caliphate are small proto-states residing within the deep periphery. These factions possess of region of space roughly 75 light years in diameter, situated 150 light years coreward from the Hanseatic League and 200 light years anti-spinward from the Clan Jade Falcon colony St. Jean. Originally separate entities, more than 200 years of continuous warfare and shared history has inextricably bound these two factions together, even resulting in the intermingling of (some) bloodlines. Though Castilian and Umayyad society has evolved together, there are still many differences.
Contents
History
Nueva Castile started as an early, pre-Star League era colony. The first settlers were Iberian, and landed on the world of Castile in 2392. These settlers established a feudal agrarian society. A total of nine planets were settled: Aragon, Asturias, Castile, Córdoba, Galicia, Granada, León, Navarre and Valencia. Due to the great physical displacement between Nueva Castile and the Inner Sphere, the realm lingered in peace and isolation, unaware of war and politics for over 400 years.
The history of this region of space changed fundamentally in 2830, when a single Jumpship arived in the Granada system. This Jumpship transported a group of refugees, armed with heretofore unknown BattleTechnologies, including BattleMechs. It is unknown from where these invaders came, or even if the invaders were aware of their origins, but their significant technological advantage resulted in the conquest of Granada. The native Castilians dubbed these invaders the Umayyad, a derogatory reference to the Islamic empire that invaded the Iberian penisula around 1½ milenia before. The name stuck. Despite the small numbers of Umayyad forces, the Umayyad Caliphate quickly conquered several more worlds. By 2855, only the world of Asturias remained free from the Umayyad conquest.
The Umayyad conqest of Nueva Castile would have been completed were it not for infighting resulting from the division of the spoils. As a result, Castilian forces commanded by Ferdinand Rodriguez were able to capture a BattleMech in 2857. By 2862, the Castilians had reverse engineered the technology, and were fielding many primitive ICE-powered 'Mechs, enough to turn the tide of war. Between 2862 and 3062, the Castilians gradually liberated most of their worlds, first Castile and León, then Aragon, Navarre, Galicia and Valencia. Only two worlds remained in Umayyad control, the disputed world of Córdoba and the Umayyad capital Granada.
What amounted to a 230+ year civil war reached a cease-fire when operatives working for the Word of Blake revealed to both parties outside powers have been conspiring to prolong the conflict, aiding both side in such a way as to prevent either from achieving a complete victory.
Castilian Society
Originally agrarian, Nueva Castile learned martial practices from their Umayyad rivals, and are obsessed with ousting the Umayyad "interlopers". However, Castilians have ignored the Umayyad emphasis on learning, high culture, art and science. Castilian society is a martial, feudal system within a "techno-barbaric" people. Upward mobility in society is (mostly) unheard of; class and birth status dictate one's position. Further, higher echelons within society wield absolute power over the underclasses. Much like the (original) Umayyad invaders, the liberation of many Castilian worlds has led to infighting and feuds. Assassination is widely-used political tool within the royal courts and the military.
Nueva Castile is ruled by a King. The King is an elected office, but once the position is attained, it is not relinquished until death. The King is chosen from among the ruling Príncipe. As a single person isolated from society, the King really only wields power among the Príncipe. The king mediates disputes, but as the Príncipe are a lower class, the King is able to do what he will, including execute anyone for (literally) any infraction.
Castilian society does not possess any currency; trade is based on barter. Castilian society puts no merit in the arts or sciences, and democratic principals are absent. Castilian people speak Spanish and German and practice Christianity, though with the intermingling of Castilian and Umayyad peoples, especially on Asturias, some Castilian people may be better likened to the Umayyad.
Umayyad Society
The Umayyad also have a martial, feudal society ruled by a monarch, but unlike the Castilians, merit (political and martial) and unwavering loyalty determines one's place in Umayyad society. Upward and downward mobility are the rule, and within one's class democratic principals are prevalent. However, only those people who can trace decent from one of the original Umayyad invaders are allowed to participate in war, raising into the Umayyad nobility (and upper echelons of command) is difficult. Sciences and arts are easily visible within Umayyad society, and capital punishments are almost unheard of.
Umayyad people also possess no currency; barter is the norm. Society is far more open (as compared with that of Nueva Castile), and there is (limited) democracy. The Umayyad speak Arabic, English and Russian and practice Islam, but like the Castilians, some Umayyad people may be likened better with Castilians.
Military
Nueva Castile learned the art of warfare from the Umayyad; both factions fight in much the same way. Each force maintains a large combined arms military supported by small units of BattleMechs. In the field, the army fights as lances of infantry, combat vehicles and 'Mechs. These units fight as mixed companies. Technology in both the Castilian and Umayyad armies is roughly that of the Inner Sphere in 3025.
Castilian
Rank within the Castilian military, like everything else within Nueva Castile, is based on hereditary status. Further, feuds and disputes are common place, and assassination is common, too. The military is centrally commanded and supplied, with both roles ultimately controlled by the King. Therefore, it is of great importance that the sovereign is not offended, or this may lead to some (very) dangerous assignment, a lack of war materiel, or simple summary execution. In fact, each rung within Castilian society wields the same absolute power over all the lower class. All of these factors conspire to make the Castilian military nowhere near as effective as its numerical superiority would indicate.
Castilian dress is a dark red jacket and black trousers. A (not so ceremonial) pistol or dagger is commonly worn on a sash tied around the waste.
Ranks
As Castilian society is martial in nature, military and civilian ranks are interchangeable.
- Príncipe – A duke with command of combined arms regiment.
- Comandante – A marquis. At the discretion of a Príncipe or the King, Commandantes can be given military command (generally a battalion).
- Major – Majors are appointed commanders of Companies.
- Captain – A baron. Captains are appointed commanders of Lances.
- Caballero – A front-line soldiers.
Organization
The Castilian military is composed of 24 regiments (two of which are 'Mechs) and fights as described above. 'Mech assets are grouped in commands of battalion size or smaller, and generally never take the field in significant numbers.
Each brigada within the Castilian military is generally arranged in the same fashion - 6 combined arms regiments with 1+ attached, individual 'Mech battalions (or smaller).
- The 1st Brigada possesses the heaviest Castilian 'Mechs. Though originally an assault force, the spearhead of the “Reconquista” is now mainly defensive force stationed on the Castilian capital Asturias.
- The 2nd Brigada possesses smaller 'Mechs and is currently stationed on the Umayyad world Córdoba. The 2nd is the real assault force of the Castilian military, though now it is only involved in raids.
- The 3rd Brigada is rather green and poorly trained. It defends León, Castile and Aragon.
- The 4th Brigada defends Navarre, Valencia and Galicia. During the early 3060s, the 4th assaulted Córdoba with the 2nd. However, their inexperience led to their own slaughter, from which they still are rebuilding.
Umayyad
The Umayyad military is not centrally governed, but is a coalition of warriors hailing from all parts of Umayyad society. The Umayyad military is therefore very open, and other than rank and unit cohesion, allows its soldiers a lot of freedom. There is no standard uniform - small units of soldiers generally derive their colors from personal heraldry and the heraldry of unit commanders. The Umayyad have also learned from the infighting which doomed their initial invasion - infighting is discouraged, and non-lethal honor duels (fought with swords) are the most common means to ending a bitter dispute.
One might expect such a fighting force incapable of waging war. Not so! The Umayyads form an extremely cohesive fighting force. Honor and bravery are regarded with the utmost of respect, and cowardice viewed with contempt. These mores extend to the Umayyad's foes, and Castilian acts of uncommon bravery are celebrated. Further, the honor of vehicle crews and 'Mech pilots transfers to their mount. The honor of one's weapons is also regarded as sacrosanct, and to bring great dishonor or cowardice to a long-honorable combat vehicle or 'Mech is sacrilegious.
Ranks
Umayyad ranks, like Castilian ranks, possess duties both martial and civic. Ranks are achieved through merit and seniority, though.
- Caliph – A Caliph is elected annually on Granada from among the Atabegs. Caliphs mediate disputes among the Atabegs and determine Umayyad martial policy. Originally, Caliphs, like Castilian Kings, served for life once elected. This policy changed when Caliph Joshua Murray attempted to install his son as successor.
- Atabegs – A noble in command of an Umayyad city-state. Atabegs are also regiment commanders, and must have 10 years of military experience.
- Amir mi’a – A battalion commander. Mi'as must also possess at least 5 years of military service.
- Amir kabir – A company commander. Kabirs must also possess at least 2 years experience.
- Amir ‘ashara – A lance commander.
- Safiya – A warrior.
Organization
The Umayyads maintain a standing army of approxiamtely 11 regiments, 2 battalions of which are solely 'Mechs. This army fights as described above. BattleMechs are fielded alone, but never in large numbers, and then only for very specialized missions.
- The 1st Corps consists of 5 mixed regiments, and about a battalion of 'Mechs. The 1st is highly mobile, and is used as a reaction force.
- The veteran 2nd Corps consists of 3 mixed regiments and a full battalion of 'Mechs. The 2nd wages war as a mixed strike force, and fights the Castilian 2nd Brigada on Córdoba.
- The 3rd Corps consists of 3 mixed regiments without any significant 'Mech assets. The 3rd is a permanent garrison force stationed on Granada.
Relations
Castilian and Umayyad policies towards outsiders have been traditionally cordial - both factions sought outside intervention (and even trade) to gain the decisive advantage required to conquer their foe. The Hanseatic League, unbeknownst to either party, used this state of affairs to their advantage. The League effectively shaped the course of recent Castilian/Umayyad history by brokering mercenary deals and supplying arms in such a way as to prolong the strife. It was not until the late 3060s that the true extent of this interference was realized; both sides only recognize the Hansa as free traders, though. Both factions believe that Inner Sphere powers, and specifically the Lyran Alliance, not the Hanseatic League, has meddled in domestic affairs.
Since the relevation outsiders have secretly meddled in Castilian and Umayyad politics, relative peace has endured with only small raiding parties occasionally drawing blood.
In 3067, the King of Nueva Castile, King Joseph Noye, is cruel, ruthless and paranoid. The Caliph of the Umayyad Caliphate is Lisa Burrill.