Difference between revisions of "Xi Ursae Majoris"
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{{InfoBoxSystem | {{InfoBoxSystem | ||
| image = Xi_Ursae_Majoris_3151.svg | | image = Xi_Ursae_Majoris_3151.svg | ||
| caption = Xi Ursae Majoris [[#Nearby_Systems|nearby systems]] | | caption = Xi Ursae Majoris [[#Nearby_Systems|nearby systems]] | ||
| name = Xi Ursae Majoris | | name = Xi Ursae Majoris | ||
− | | coord = | + | | coord = −24.309 : −4.696{{e}} |
| stars = | | stars = | ||
− | | class = | + | | class = A7III<ref name=DA:RWp232>''Dark Age: Republic Worlds (3130)'', p. 232: "Alula Australis"</ref> |
− | + | | recharge = 168 hours<ref name=HB:HMp69>''Handbook: House Marik'', p. 69: "Alula Australis" planet profile</ref> | |
| recharge stations = Zenith, Nadir<ref name=HB:HMp69/><ref name=DA:RWp232/> | | recharge stations = Zenith, Nadir<ref name=HB:HMp69/><ref name=DA:RWp232/> | ||
| planets = 8<ref name=DA:RWp232/> | | planets = 8<ref name=DA:RWp232/> | ||
}} | }} | ||
− | The '''Xi Ursae Majoris''' system, also known as '''Alula Australis''' for its main inhabited world | + | |
+ | The '''Xi Ursae Majoris''' system, also known as '''Alula Australis''' for its main inhabited world of Xi Ursae Majoris VIII,<ref name=HMp156>''House Marik (The Free Worlds League)'', p. 156: "Alula Australis" planet profile</ref> and as of [[3145]] is located in the [[Republic of the Sphere]].<ref name=ER:3145p39>''Era Report: 3145'', p. 39: "Inner Sphere Map - [3145]"</ref><ref name="FM:3145pVI">''Field Manual: 3145'', p. VI: "Inner Sphere - 3145"</ref> | ||
__TOC__ | __TOC__ | ||
− | == System Description == | + | ==System Description== |
− | Located near that [[Graham IV]] and [[Oliver]] systems,<ref name=ER:3145p39/><ref name="FM:3145pVI"/> the Xi Ursae Majoris system is an eight-world system with a single class A7II primary star.<ref name=DA:RWp232/> During the [[thirty-first century|thirty-first]] and [[thirty-second century|thirty-second centuries]] the Xi Ursae Majoris system had recharge stations located at both the nadir and zenith [[jump point]]s.<ref name=HB:HMp69/><ref name=DA:RWp232/> Xi Ursae Majoris is shown on maps as | + | Located near that [[Graham IV]] and [[Oliver]] systems,<ref name=ER:3145p39/><ref name="FM:3145pVI"/> the Xi Ursae Majoris system is an eight-world system with a single class A7II primary star.<ref name=DA:RWp232/> During the [[thirty-first century|thirty-first]] and [[thirty-second century|thirty-second centuries]] the Xi Ursae Majoris system had recharge stations located at both the nadir and zenith [[jump point]]s.<ref name=HB:HMp69/><ref name=DA:RWp232/> Xi Ursae Majoris is shown on maps as Alula Australis. |
− | == System History == | + | ==System History== |
− | The Xi Ursae Majoris system was settled early in the history of human colonization and exploration and was one of those systems to remain a part of the [[Terran Alliance]] even after the issue of the [[Demarcation Declaration]].<ref name="HB:HMp16"/> | + | The Xi Ursae Majoris system was settled early in the history of human colonization and exploration and was one of those systems to remain a part of the [[Terran Alliance]] even after the issue of the [[Demarcation Declaration]].<ref name="HB:HMp16">''Handbook: House Marik'', p. 16: "Free Worlds League Founding - [2271] Map"</ref> |
− | < | + | ==Political Affiliation== |
− | == | + | {{div col|colwidth=25em}} |
+ | * [[2271]] - [[Terran Alliance]]<ref name="HB:HMp16"/> | ||
+ | * [[2319]] - [[Terran Hegemony]]<ref name="HB:HKp18">''Handbook: House Kurita'', p. 18</ref> | ||
+ | * [[2341]] - Terran Hegemony<ref name="HB:HSp13">''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 13</ref> | ||
+ | * [[2366]] - Terran Hegemony<ref name="HB:HLp17">''Handbook: House Liao'', p. 17</ref> | ||
+ | * [[2571]] - Terran Hegemony<ref name="HB:HLp25">''Handbook: House Liao'', p. 25</ref><ref name="HB:MPSp18">''Handbook: Major Periphery States'', p. 18</ref><ref name="HB:HSp25">''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 25</ref><ref name="HB:HMp24">''Handbook: House Marik'', p. 24</ref> | ||
+ | * [[2596]] - Terran Hegemony<ref name="H:RWp159">''Historical: Reunification War'', p. 159</ref> | ||
+ | * [[2750]] - Terran Hegemony<ref name="HB:MPSp25">''Handbook: Major Periphery States'', p. 25</ref><ref name="ER:2750p37">''Era Report: 2750'', p. 37</ref> | ||
+ | * [[2764]] - Terran Hegemony<ref name="FM:SLDFpvii">''Field Manual: SLDF'', p. xi: "Inner Sphere - [2764] Map"</ref> | ||
+ | * [[2765]] - Terran Hegemony<ref name="H:LoTV1p10">''Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1'', p. 10</ref><ref name="FR2765:LCAFp25">''Field Report 2765: LCAF'', p. 25</ref><ref name="FR2765:FWLp25">''Field Report 2765: FWLM'', p. 25</ref> | ||
+ | * [[2767]] - [[Amaris Empire]]<ref name="H:LoTV1p104">''Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1'', p. 104</ref> | ||
+ | * [[2771]] - Amaris Empire<ref name="H:LoTV1p138">''Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1'', p. 138</ref> | ||
+ | * [[2774]] - Amaris Empire<ref name="H:LoTV1p138"/> | ||
+ | * [[2786]] - Terran Hegemony<ref name="FSW(SB)p25">''First Succession War'', p. 25</ref> | ||
+ | * [[2789]] - [[Free Worlds League]]<ref name="HB:HMp35>''Handbook: House Marik'', p. 35: "Timeline: First Succession War"</ref> | ||
+ | * [[2799]] - Free Worlds League<ref name="HM:TFWLp98">''House Marik (The Free Worlds League)'', p. 98: "Steel Guards"</ref> | ||
+ | * [[2822]] - Free Worlds League<ref name="HB:HSp36">''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 36</ref><ref name="HB:HMp34">''Handbook: House Marik'', p. 34</ref><ref name="H:LoTV2p122">''Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 2'', pp. 122–123</ref><ref name="FSW(SB)p113">''First Succession War'', p. 113</ref> | ||
+ | * Ca. [[2831]]–[[2836]] - Lyran Commonwealth<ref name="HB:HMp39">''Handbook: House Marik'', p. 39: "Timeline: Second Succession War"</ref> | ||
+ | * [[2838]] - Disputed system (Federated Suns/Free Worlds League/Lyran Commonwealth)<ref name="SSWp44"/> | ||
+ | * [[2864]] - Free Worlds League<ref name="HB:HSp40">''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 40</ref><ref name="HB:HMp38">''Handbook: House Marik'', p. 38</ref> | ||
+ | * [[3025]] - Free Worlds League<ref name="HM(TFWL)pvii">''House Marik (The Free Worlds League)'', foldout: "Free Worlds League Map - [3025]"</ref><ref name="HB:HSp47">''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 47</ref><ref name="HB:HMp42"/> | ||
+ | * [[3030]] - [[Lyran Commonwealth]]<ref name="HB:HSp56">''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 56</ref><ref name="HB:HMp51"/> | ||
+ | * [[3040]] - [[Federated Commonwealth]]<ref name="HB:HSp59">''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 59</ref><ref name="H:Wo3039p132">''Historical: War of 3039'', p. 132</ref> | ||
+ | * [[3050]] - Federated Commonwealth<ref name="ER:3052p11">''Era Report: 3052'', p. 11</ref> | ||
+ | * [[3052]] - Federated Commonwealth<ref name="HB:HSp61">''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 61</ref><ref name="ER:3052p22">''Era Report: 3052'', p. 22</ref> | ||
+ | * [[3057]] - Free Worlds League<ref name="ER:3062p10">''Era Report: 3062'', p. 10</ref> | ||
+ | * [[3058]] - Free Worlds League<ref name="HB:HMp54">''Handbook: House Marik'', p. 54</ref> | ||
+ | * [[3063]] - Free Worlds League<ref name="ER:3062p28">''Era Report: 3062'', p. 28</ref><ref name="ISp61">''Inner Sphere'', p. 61</ref> | ||
+ | * [[3067]] - Free Worlds League<ref>''Handbook: House Marik'', p. 56: "Free Worlds League after FedCom Civil War [3067] Map"</ref><ref>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 70</ref><ref name="J:FRp43">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 43</ref> | ||
+ | * [[3070]] - [[Word of Blake Protectorate]] (from August)<ref name="J:FRp48"/> | ||
+ | * [[3075]] - Word of Blake Protectorate<ref name="JS:TBDp65>''Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents'', p. 65</ref> | ||
+ | * [[3079]] - Word of Blake Protectorate<ref name="FR:Cp29">''Field Report: Clans'', p. 29</ref><ref name="FR:LAAFp19">''Field Report: LAAF'', p. 19</ref><ref name="FR:FWLMp17">''Field Report: FWLM'', p. 17</ref> | ||
+ | * [[3081]] - [[Lyran Alliance]]<ref name="J:FRp62">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 62</ref> | ||
+ | * [[3085]] - [[Republic of the Sphere]]<ref name="FM:3085pvii">''Field Manual: 3085'', p. vii: "Inner Sphere - [3085] Map"</ref> | ||
+ | * [[3135]] - Independent World<ref name=ER:3145p11>''Era Report: 3145'', p. 11</ref> | ||
+ | * [[3145]] - Republic of the Sphere<ref name=ER:3145p39/><ref name="FM:3145pVI"/> | ||
+ | {{div col end}} | ||
− | + | ------------------------------------- | |
− | + | ==Alula Australis== | |
− | + | {{InfoBoxPlanet | |
− | = | ||
− | {{ | ||
| image = Alula Australis.jpg | | image = Alula Australis.jpg | ||
− | |||
− | |||
| name = Alula Australis | | name = Alula Australis | ||
− | | position = | + | | othernames = Xi Ursae Majoris VIII |
+ | | position = Eighth<ref name=HMp156/><ref name=HB:HMp69/><ref name=DA:RWp232/> | ||
| distance = 27.98 days<ref name=HB:HMp69/> | | distance = 27.98 days<ref name=HB:HMp69/> | ||
| moons = 1 (Caprice)<ref name=HB:HMp69/><ref name=DA:RWp232/> | | moons = 1 (Caprice)<ref name=HB:HMp69/><ref name=DA:RWp232/> | ||
− | |||
| gravity = 1.09<ref name=HB:HMp69/><ref name=DA:RWp232/> | | gravity = 1.09<ref name=HB:HMp69/><ref name=DA:RWp232/> | ||
| pressure = Standard (Breathable)<ref name=HB:HMp69/><ref name=DA:RWp232/> | | pressure = Standard (Breathable)<ref name=HB:HMp69/><ref name=DA:RWp232/> | ||
Line 43: | Line 74: | ||
| water = 87%<ref name=HB:HMp69/><ref name=DA:RWp232/> | | water = 87%<ref name=HB:HMp69/><ref name=DA:RWp232/> | ||
| life = Amphibian<ref name=HMp156/><ref name=HB:HMp69/><ref name=DA:RWp232/> | | life = Amphibian<ref name=HMp156/><ref name=HB:HMp69/><ref name=DA:RWp232/> | ||
− | | | + | | continents = At least 3 (Auroria, Hume, Locke)<ref name=HB:HMp69/> |
− | + | | colonized = | |
− | | | + | | demonym = |
+ | | language = | ||
+ | | religion = | ||
+ | | population = 3,119,000,000 (3025),<br>3,245,000,000 (3067),<ref name=HB:HMp69/><br>1,547,000,000 (3130)<ref name=DA:RWp232/><ref name=DARoSp22>''Dark Age: Republic of the Sphere'', p. 22: "Prefecture IX"</ref> | ||
+ | | ruler = [[Council of Nobles]] | ||
+ | | political = [[Planetary Governor of Alula Australis|Planetary Governor]] | ||
+ | | commander = Legate [[Merril d'Astiogne]] (3130)<ref name=DA:RWp232/><ref name=DARoSp22/> | ||
| capital = New Horizon City<ref name=HMp156/> | | capital = New Horizon City<ref name=HMp156/> | ||
− | + | | hpg = B<ref name=HMp156/><ref name=HB:HMp69/> | |
− | + | | hpgrep = [[Precentor]] [[Maximilian Archer]]<ref name=HMp156/> | |
− | | hpg = B<ref name=HMp156/><ref name=HB:HMp69/> | ||
}} | }} | ||
− | Xi Ursae Majoris VIII | + | Xi Ursae Majoris VIII, more commonly known simply as Alula Australis, is the eighth and outermost planet in the Xi Ursae Majoris system. Alula Australis has been home to a number of industrial manufacturing concerns over the centuries.<ref name=DA:RWp232/> |
− | == Planetary History == | + | ===Planetary History=== |
− | === Early History === | + | ====Early History==== |
− | Alula Australis was one of the worlds that remained a part of the Terran Alliance following the [[Outer Reaches Rebellion]] and the Demarcation Declaration of [[2242]],<ref name="HB:HMp16"/> and became one of the worlds within the [[Alliance Core]] region of the [[Terran Hegemony]].<ref name="H:RWp159"/> The Free Worlds League evidently attempted to press claims to Alula Australis, and the planet benefited investments from both nations during the [[Star League era]], becoming a major industrial world. Exported from Alula Australis in considerable quantities were electronics, industrial metals, power generation systems and even [[BattleMech]]s.<ref name=DA:RWp232/> | + | Alula Australis was one of the worlds that remained a part of the Terran Alliance following the [[Outer Reaches Rebellion]] and the Demarcation Declaration of [[2242]],<ref name="HB:HMp16"/> and became one of the worlds within the [[Alliance Core]] region of the [[Terran Hegemony]].<ref name="H:RWp159"/> The [[Free Worlds League]] evidently attempted to press claims to Alula Australis, and the planet benefited investments from both nations during the [[Star League era]], becoming a major industrial world. Exported from Alula Australis in considerable quantities were electronics, industrial metals, power generation systems and even [[BattleMech]]s.<ref name=DA:RWp232/> |
− | === Succession Wars === | + | ====Succession Wars==== |
− | Alula Australis changed hands numerous times during the [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]] although there remained a long association between the planet and the Free Worlds League.<ref name="HM:TFWLp64"/> The large-scale BattleMech manufacturing center on Alula Australis made it a tempting target for aggression, and the facilities were destroyed no less than four times during the Succession | + | Alula Australis changed hands numerous times during the [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]] although there remained a long association between the planet and the Free Worlds League.<ref name="HM:TFWLp64"/> The large-scale BattleMech manufacturing center on Alula Australis made it a tempting target for aggression, and the facilities were destroyed no less than four times during the Succession Wars—once by the [[Capellan Confederation]], twice by the [[Lyran Commonwealth]], and once by the [[Free Worlds League Military]], the latter being an attempt to deny them to invading enemy forces.<ref name=HMp156/> |
− | ==== First Succession War ==== | + | =====First Succession War===== |
− | The | + | The Lyran Commonwealth captured Alula Australis after the fall of the [[Star League]], only for Free Worlds League forces to capture the system in July [[2789]].<ref name="HB:HMp35>''Handbook: House Marik'', p. 35: "Timeline: First Succession War"</ref> |
− | The Lyrans evidently recaptured Alula Australis at some point after 2789, but in [[2799]] the Alula Australis system was captured by the Free Worlds League again in a lighting assault by [[Captain-General]] [[Kenyon Marik]] that was so swift a pair of mercenary BattleMech [[ | + | The Lyrans evidently recaptured Alula Australis at some point after 2789, but in [[2799]] the Alula Australis system was captured by the Free Worlds League again in a lighting assault by [[Captain-General of the Free Worlds League|Captain-General]] [[Kenyon Marik]] that was so swift a pair of mercenary BattleMech [[battalions]] employed by the Lyrans were left stranded on the planet.<ref name="HM:TFWLp98"/> |
− | Rather than attack the stranded mercenaries, Kenyon Marik accepted pledges of loyalty from the mercenaries and their commanding officers and allowed both battalions to remain in place as a garrison.<ref name="HM:TFWLp98"/> | + | Rather than attack the stranded mercenaries, Kenyon Marik accepted pledges of loyalty from the mercenaries and their commanding officers and allowed both battalions to remain in place as a garrison.<ref name="HM:TFWLp98"/> |
− | ==== Second succession War ==== | + | =====Second succession War===== |
− | In [[2831]] the Lyran Commonwealth invaded the Free Worlds League again, with [[Archon]] [[Marcus Steiner]] taking personal command of what becomes a massive assault to recapture the [[New Hope]], [[Senftenberg]] and [[Zwenkau]] systems before | + | In [[2831]], the Lyran Commonwealth invaded the Free Worlds League again, with [[Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth|Archon]] [[Marcus Steiner]] taking personal command of what becomes a massive assault to recapture the [[New Hope]], [[Senftenberg]], and [[Zwenkau]] systems before pushing deeper into League space. By [[2836]], Marcus Steiner's forces had captured [[Dieudonné]], [[Danais]], [[Megrez]] and Alula Australis.<ref name="HB:HMp39"/> |
− | In [[2838]] the | + | In [[2838]], the FWLM was struggling under the combination of the [[ComStar]] [[interdiction]] of the Free Worlds League and Parliament's efforts to choke off funding to the military. Both the Capellan Confederation and Lyran Commonwealth had taken advantage of the League's woes to make military gains, with the [[Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces]] expanding two major salients into the League with ruthless efficiency. However, in 2838 the FWLM forces fighting a tenacious defense in the League systems of the former Terran Hegemony found their [[LCAF]] opponents being hampered by expeditions from the [[Draconis Combine]] and [[Federated Suns]], both looking to make gains of their own from the weakened League. Alula Australis was one of the systems caught up in this - the LCAF had landed the [[Ninth Lyran Guards]] on the planet and were well on their way to crushing the FWLM garrison when the [[Fourth Avalon Hussars]] arrived as part of an [[Armed Forces of the Federated Suns]] expeditionary force. Both competent and determined, the Hussars battled the Guards for six weeks, until both formations were battered and bloodied and forced to withdraw - leaving the remains of the FWLM garrison to resume control over the system.<ref name="SSWp44">''Second Succession War'', p. 44: "The Four-Front War: Operation COOKIE JAR and the ComStar War (2837-2842)"</ref> |
− | ==== Third Succession War ==== | + | =====Third Succession War===== |
The fourth and last time the BattleMech factories on Alula Australis were destroyed was in [[2947]], at which point Captain-General [[Brock Marik]] decided to relocate the production facilities to [[Savannah]], a system deeper in the interior of the Free Worlds League and further away from the Lyran border at the time; the loss of the manufacturing facilities pushed the economy of Alula Australis into a depression that lasted for decades.<ref name=HMp156/> The former site of the BattleMech plant, originally known as Cedar Ridge, subsequently earned the nickname "Cinder Ridge" because of how often the plant had been attacked.<ref name=HB:HMp69/> | The fourth and last time the BattleMech factories on Alula Australis were destroyed was in [[2947]], at which point Captain-General [[Brock Marik]] decided to relocate the production facilities to [[Savannah]], a system deeper in the interior of the Free Worlds League and further away from the Lyran border at the time; the loss of the manufacturing facilities pushed the economy of Alula Australis into a depression that lasted for decades.<ref name=HMp156/> The former site of the BattleMech plant, originally known as Cedar Ridge, subsequently earned the nickname "Cinder Ridge" because of how often the plant had been attacked.<ref name=HB:HMp69/> | ||
− | After the better part of fifty years the fortunes of those on Alula Australis finally improved when deposits of gemstones and rare earth minerals were discovered in the mountain ranges near New Horizon City, the planetary capital city. Mining and exporting these mineral resources allowed the planetary economy to rebound, and by the end of the [[Third Succession War]] the rare earth metals were being used in chemical industries<ref name=HMp156/> in the cities of Cirebon and Leng-kong on Locke<ref name=HB:HMp69/> and within the [[Mosiro]] system while the | + | After the better part of fifty years the fortunes of those on Alula Australis finally improved when deposits of gemstones and rare earth minerals were discovered in the mountain ranges near New Horizon City, the planetary capital city. Mining and exporting these mineral resources allowed the planetary economy to rebound, and by the end of the [[Third Succession War]] the rare earth metals were being used in chemical industries<ref name=HMp156/> in the cities of Cirebon and Leng-kong on Locke<ref name=HB:HMp69/> and within the [[Mosiro]] system while the gemstones—which were predominantly sapphires—were being shipped to [[Atreus (FWL)|Atreus]] for use in top-secret technological experiments. [[ComStar]] had spent some time attempting to determine what the experiments being conducted on Atreus were, but without success.<ref name=HMp156/> |
− | In [[3009]] an attack on Alula Australis was launched by the Lyran Commonwealth, who deployed the [[Nineteenth Lyran Guards]] | + | In [[3009]], an attack on Alula Australis was launched by the Lyran Commonwealth, who deployed the [[Nineteenth Lyran Guards]] and—at the request of [[Cranston Snord]]—the mercenary unit [[Snord's Irregulars]]. Snord's interest in Alula Australis was a collection of portraits by the famous artist Davials which had reportedly been hidden there. The attack ran afoul of a hidden fighter base; the Lyran forces were cut off from their DropShips by the [[405th Aerospace Wing]] (also called the 405th Fighter Wing), while heavy ground units wore them down. Snord's Irregulars found the hidden fighter base and managed to destroy enough fighters to end the enemy air superiority, so that their own DropShips could pick them up. The 405th Aerospace Wing was notable for including a ''[[Phoenix Hawk LAM]]'' and three ''[[Stinger LAM]]''s.<ref name=CSIp34f>''Cranston Snord's Irregulars'', pp. 34–35: "The Stumble Raid"</ref> |
− | At the end of the Third Succession War Alula Australis was part of a three-world province within the Free Worlds League known as the [[Border Protectorate]], the other worlds being [[Denebola]] and [[Zosma]]; the Border Protectorate was a relatively new province headed by a military dictator and represented in the Free Worlds League Parliament by two representatives. All three worlds of the Border Protectorate were economically depressed and heavily guarded as a result of the repeated invasions of the region over the three Succession Wars, and while both the dictator of the Protectorate and his appointed Parliament representatives were vocal supporters of [[House Marik]] and the ongoing war efforts, popular sentiment on all three worlds lay in completely the opposite direction.<ref name="HM:TFWLp64">''House Marik (The Free Worlds League)'', p. 64 | + | At the end of the Third Succession War Alula Australis was part of a three-world province within the Free Worlds League known as the [[Border Protectorate]], the other worlds being [[Denebola]] and [[Zosma]]; the Border Protectorate was a relatively new province headed by a military dictator and represented in the Free Worlds League Parliament by two representatives. All three worlds of the Border Protectorate were economically depressed and heavily guarded as a result of the repeated invasions of the region over the three Succession Wars, and while both the dictator of the Protectorate and his appointed Parliament representatives were vocal supporters of [[House Marik]] and the ongoing war efforts, popular sentiment on all three worlds lay in completely the opposite direction.<ref name="HM:TFWLp64">''House Marik (The Free Worlds League)'', p. 64: "Border Protectorate"</ref> |
With the formation of the Border Protectorate the former mercenary forces that had sworn allegiance to Kenyon Marik in the [[First Succession War]] became the lead regiment of the [[Protectorate Guard]], the provincial forces of the Border Protectorate.<ref name="HM:TFWLp98"/> | With the formation of the Border Protectorate the former mercenary forces that had sworn allegiance to Kenyon Marik in the [[First Succession War]] became the lead regiment of the [[Protectorate Guard]], the provincial forces of the Border Protectorate.<ref name="HM:TFWLp98"/> | ||
− | While the Border Protectorate was run as a military dictatorship in [[3025]], the planetary government was actually one of the more notable examples of a planetary oligarchy within the Free Worlds League.<ref name="HM:TFWLp73">''House Marik (The Free Worlds League)'', p. 73 | + | While the Border Protectorate was run as a military dictatorship in [[3025]], the planetary government was actually one of the more notable examples of a planetary oligarchy within the Free Worlds League.<ref name="HM:TFWLp73">''House Marik (The Free Worlds League)'', p. 73: "Provincial Governments"</ref> |
− | ==== Fourth Succession War ==== | + | =====Fourth Succession War===== |
− | During the Fourth Succession War Alula Australis fell under Lyran control. Following the sudden invasions of several League worlds by the [[Tikonov Free Republic]] and a daringly successful invasion of [[Callison]] by mercenaries employed by the Lyran Commonwealth in mid-[[3029]], [[Captain-General]] [[Janos Marik]] found himself in the midst of an unanticipated crisis. In addition to the conquest of Callison, [[LCAF]] communications traffic and movements had spiked sharply, creating the impression of an impending offensive against the League. Faced with what he believed to be the plausible threat of a large-scale attack aimed at the region of the League near [[Terra]], Janos was more concerned with saving the six or seven assorted BattleMech regiments present within the region than he was with retaining the worlds, as he believed that the offensive would most likely be aimed at snipping off the corner of the League closest to | + | During the Fourth Succession War Alula Australis fell under Lyran control. Following the sudden invasions of several League worlds by the [[Tikonov Free Republic]] and a daringly successful invasion of [[Callison]] by mercenaries employed by the Lyran Commonwealth in mid-[[3029]], [[Captain-General of the Free Worlds League|Captain-General]] [[Janos Marik]] found himself in the midst of an unanticipated crisis. In addition to the conquest of Callison, [[LCAF]] communications traffic and movements had spiked sharply, creating the impression of an impending offensive against the League. Faced with what he believed to be the plausible threat of a large-scale attack aimed at the region of the League near [[Terra]], Janos was more concerned with saving the six or seven assorted BattleMech regiments present within the region than he was with retaining the worlds, as he believed that the offensive would most likely be aimed at snipping off the corner of the League closest to Terra—and to both the Federated Suns and the Tikonov Free Republic. Alula Australis was one of the systems abandoned by Janos, who would learn later that he had been deceived by an effective campaign of smoke and mirrors arranged by the Commonwealth General of the Armies, [[Edward Regis]], to deter the League from launching an invasion of the Commonwealth while the LCAF was heavily committed to its invasion of the [[Draconis Combine]].<ref name="4SWp87">''NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2'', p. 87: "Conclusion"''</ref><ref name="HB:HMp42">''Handbook: House Marik'', p. 42: "Free Worlds League after Third Succession War [3025]"</ref><ref name="HB:HMp51">''Handbook: House Marik'', p. 51: "Free Worlds League after Fourth Succession War [3030]"</ref> |
− | === FedCom Civil War === | + | ====FedCom Civil War==== |
− | As late as [[3067]] the cornerstones of the economy on Alula Australis remained mining and refining, although petrochemical extraction and processing were also significant industries. The major industry in New Horizon City was the smelting of ferrous metals and the purification of rare earth metals for use in microelectronics. The gemstones dug out of mines remained in high demand, particularly the sapphires from Locke, and many gemstones extracted from mines on Alula Australis ended up in jewelers across the [[Inner Sphere]].<ref name=HB:HMp69/> | + | As late as [[3067]], the cornerstones of the economy on Alula Australis remained mining and refining, although petrochemical extraction and processing were also significant industries. The major industry in New Horizon City was the smelting of ferrous metals and the purification of rare earth metals for use in microelectronics. The gemstones dug out of mines remained in high demand, particularly the sapphires from Locke, and many gemstones extracted from mines on Alula Australis ended up in jewelers across the [[Inner Sphere]].<ref name=HB:HMp69/> |
− | The centuries of heavy industry on Alula Australis had resulted in damage to the local environment, particularly around the cities, where the city surrounds were commonly pockmarked with working and abandoned mines and quarries, many of which were littered with machinery left to rust after the deposits were exhausted. Industrial pollution had also damaged freshwater bodies such as Lake Pattaya, and environmental groups were becoming increasingly vocal about the need for protection and | + | The centuries of heavy industry on Alula Australis had resulted in damage to the local environment, particularly around the cities, where the city surrounds were commonly pockmarked with working and abandoned mines and quarries, many of which were littered with machinery left to rust after the deposits were exhausted. Industrial pollution had also damaged freshwater bodies such as Lake Pattaya, and environmental groups were becoming increasingly vocal about the need for protection and cleanup measures. While the federal government had given backing to cleanup efforts the ruling body on Alula Australis, the Council of Nobles, was largely unsupportive of such measures due to the greed of its various members.<ref name=HB:HMp69/> |
− | === The Jihad === | + | ====The Jihad==== |
− | In late June [[3070]] the planetary government and military forces on Alula Australis switched their allegiance to the [[Word of Blake]], bringing the world into the [[Word of Blake Protectorate]] | + | In late June [[3070]], the planetary government and military forces on Alula Australis switched their allegiance to the [[Word of Blake]], bringing the world into the [[Word of Blake Protectorate]].<ref name="J:FRp48"/> Coincidentally, WoB forces stopped a pirate raid when they arrived.<ref name=WoBNewConverses>''Word Welcomes New Converts from Alula Australis, Zosma''</ref> Alula Australis was one of six worlds to declare for the Blakists in the space of a week, pushing the Protectorate into Free Worlds League space.<ref name="J:FRp48">''Jihad: Final Reckoning'', p. 48: "The Jihad in Review"</ref> |
− | === The Dark Age === | + | ====The Dark Age==== |
− | During the [[Dark Age]] Alula Australis continued to remain a heavily industrialized world, with major industrial centers located on all three continents. The city of Sturgeon dominated the Hubbes River Valley region during this era, and was home to the largest chemical corporation on the planet, AA PolyChem Unlimited.<ref name=DA:RWp232/> | + | During the [[Dark Age]], Alula Australis continued to remain a heavily industrialized world, with major industrial centers located on all three continents. The city of Sturgeon dominated the Hubbes River Valley region during this era, and was home to the largest chemical corporation on the planet, AA PolyChem Unlimited.<ref name=DA:RWp232/> |
− | == | + | ===Military Deployment=== |
− | + | {{columns-start|num=3}} | |
− | + | ====2821==== | |
− | + | * [[Third Oriente Hussars]]<ref name="FSWp138">''First Succession War'', p. 138: "First Succession War Deployment Table - FWLM"</ref> | |
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− | == | + | ====3009==== |
− | === | + | * [[405th Aerospace Wing]]<ref name=CSIp34f /> |
− | * | ||
− | === | + | ====3025==== |
− | * | + | * [[Iron Guard]]<ref name=HM108>''House Marik (The Free Worlds League)'', p. 108: "Unit Deployment Table"</ref> |
+ | {{column}} | ||
+ | ====3050==== | ||
+ | * [[Thirty-first Division (ComStar)]]<ref name=20YU71>''20 Year Update'', p. 71: "Com Guards Deployment Table"</ref> | ||
− | === | + | ====3067==== |
− | * | + | * [[Haematite Guard]]<ref name=FMU161>''Field Manual: Updates'', p. 161: "Free Worlds League Deployment Table"</ref> |
− | + | {{columns-end}} | |
− | == | + | ===Geography=== |
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Alula Australis has at least three continents, Auroria, Hume and Locke.<ref name=HB:HMp69/> Auroria is located in the northern hemisphere of Alula Australis, while Hume and Locke are in the southern hemisphere.<ref name=DA:RWp232/> | Alula Australis has at least three continents, Auroria, Hume and Locke.<ref name=HB:HMp69/> Auroria is located in the northern hemisphere of Alula Australis, while Hume and Locke are in the southern hemisphere.<ref name=DA:RWp232/> | ||
===Planetary Locations=== | ===Planetary Locations=== | ||
− | * Auroria Mines: | + | * Auroria Mines: a region just outside of New Horizon that has been strip-mined, leaving the area covered in pits and sinkholes<ref name=SFp91>''Shattered Fortress'', p. 91</ref> |
− | * Cirebon: city associated with petrochemical extraction and refining, located on Locke | + | * Cirebon: city associated with petrochemical extraction and refining, located on Locke<ref name=HB:HMp69/> |
− | * Hubbes River Valley: region on southern Hume and location of Lake Pattaya | + | * Hubbes River Valley: region on southern Hume and location of Lake Pattaya<ref name=HB:HMp69/> |
− | * Lake Pattaya: large freshwater lake on Hume; heavily poisoned by industrial pollution by the late thirty-second century | + | * Lake Pattaya: large freshwater lake on Hume; heavily poisoned by industrial pollution by the late thirty-second century<ref name=HB:HMp69/> |
− | * Leng-kong: city associated with petrochemical extraction and refining, located on Locke | + | * Leng-kong: city associated with petrochemical extraction and refining, located on Locke<ref name=HB:HMp69/> |
− | * New Horizon City: the planetary capital,<ref name=HMp156/> located in southern Auroria | + | * [[Mount Castarn Castle Brian]]<ref name=H:LoTv2p45>''Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 2'', p. 45</ref> |
− | * Sturgeon: industrial city based on refineries and located on Hume | + | * New Horizon City: the planetary capital,<ref name=HMp156/> located in southern Auroria<ref name=HB:HMp69/> |
+ | * Sturgeon: industrial city based on refineries and located on Hume<ref name=DA:RWp232/> | ||
− | == | + | ===Companies and Industries=== |
* [[AA PolyChem Unlimited]]<ref name=DA:RWp232/> | * [[AA PolyChem Unlimited]]<ref name=DA:RWp232/> | ||
− | * [[ Australis Ales]]<ref name="MSUp30">''Mercenaries Supplemental Update'', p. 30 | + | * [[Australis Ales]]<ref name="MSUp30">''Mercenaries Supplemental Update'', p. 30: "The Battle Corps"</ref> |
− | * [[Merryweather Industries]]<ref name="TRO3075p206">''Technical Readout: 3075'', p. 206 | + | * [[Merryweather Industries]]<ref name="TRO3075p206">''Technical Readout: 3075'', p. 206: "GLD-4R Gladiator"</ref> |
− | == Image gallery == | + | ===Image gallery=== |
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:Alula Australis Flag.jpg|Planetary Flag from Alula Australis | File:Alula Australis Flag.jpg|Planetary Flag from Alula Australis | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
− | == Notes == | + | ==Notes== |
− | * ''[[House Marik (The Free Worlds League)]]'' makes references to Alula Australis | + | * ''[[House Marik (The Free Worlds League)]]'' makes references to Alula Australis originally being a Lyran world prior to the Succession Wars and being conquered by Captain-General [[Geralk Marik]] in [[2458]], as well as being the site of the first full-scale BattleMech manufacturing plant in the Free Worlds League.<ref name=HMp156/> This information is inconsistent with later publications, which clearly show that the Alula Australis system remained a part of the Terran Alliance after the Demarcation Declaration and subsequently one of the core systems of the Terran Hegemony.<ref name="HB:HMp16"/><ref name="HB:HSp13"/><ref name="HB:MPSp18"/><ref name="HB:HSp25"/><ref name="H:RWp159"/><ref name="ER:2750p37"/> This confusion is possibly due to the borders of the Terran Alliance and Terran Hegemony not being well-defined at the point at which ''House Marik (The Free Worlds League)'' was published, and elements of this early history appear to have also influenced later publications such as ''[[Dark Age: Republic Worlds (3130)]]'' and ''[[Handbook: House Marik]]''. It is also possible that Alula Australis was confused with other worlds with similar names, such as [[Tania Australis]], [[Asellus Australis]] or [[Alula Borealis]]. |
− | * ''Handbook: House Marik'' records Geralk Marik capturing Alula Australis and [[Bella I]] in [[2459]] as well as attempting to capture [[Loric]]<ref name="HB:HMp19">''Handbook: House Marik'', p. 19 | + | * ''Handbook: House Marik'' records Geralk Marik capturing Alula Australis and [[Bella I]] in [[2459]] as well as attempting to capture [[Loric]];<ref name="HB:HMp19">''Handbook: House Marik'', p. 19: "Paradigm Shift"</ref> given the close proximity of these latter two worlds to Alula Borealis, it would seem likely that Alula Borealis has been confused with Alula Australis. |
− | * ''Handbook: House Marik'' also records the defection of Lyran technicians with the required | + | * ''Handbook: House Marik'' also records the defection of Lyran technicians with the plans required to construct BattleMechs in [[2462]] followed by House Marik using BattleMechs for the first time to push back a Lyran offensive at Alula Australis<ref name="HB:HMp21">''Handbook: House Marik'', p. 21: "Paradigm Shift"</ref> in [[2470]].<ref name="HB:HMp25">''Handbook: House Marik'', p. 25: "Timeline: Age of War"</ref> Alula Australis was one of the core worlds of the Terran Hegemony at this point, again making it likely that Alula Australis has been mistaken for another system. |
− | * ''House Marik (The Free Worlds League)'' details that Alula Australis was producing rare earths for | + | * ''House Marik (The Free Worlds League)'' details that Alula Australis was producing rare earths for use on Cirebon, Lengkong and Mosiro.<ref name=HB:HMp69/> ''Handbook: House Marik'' appears to have amended this somewhat, creating two cities on Alula Australis named Cirebon and Leng-kong, but associating those cities directly with petrochemical extraction and refining.<ref name=HB:HMp69/> It is therefore unclear if the Cirebon and Lengkong mentioned in ''House Marik (The Free Worlds League)'' refer to the Free Worlds League systems of the same name or the cities on Alula Australis. |
− | + | ==Map Gallery== | |
− | == Map Gallery == | ||
<div class="system-map-gallery"></div> | <div class="system-map-gallery"></div> | ||
− | == Nearby Systems == | + | ==Nearby Systems== |
<!-- NOTE: This table is automatically generated by BattleTechWiki:Project_Planets/Mapping, and any edits to this section may be overwritten at any time by a bot --> | <!-- NOTE: This table is automatically generated by BattleTechWiki:Project_Planets/Mapping, and any edits to this section may be overwritten at any time by a bot --> | ||
{|class="wikitable nearby-systems" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 1px solid black;" | {|class="wikitable nearby-systems" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 1px solid black;" | ||
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|} | |} | ||
− | == References == | + | ==References== |
<references/> | <references/> | ||
− | == Bibliography == | + | ==Bibliography== |
+ | {{div col|colwidth=25em}} | ||
* ''[[20 Year Update]]'' | * ''[[20 Year Update]]'' | ||
+ | * ''[[List of Solaris Broadcasting Co. articles#Word Thrown Back from St. Andre a Second Time|BattleCorps Solaris Broadcasting Co., 25/06/3070: "Word Welcomes New Converts from Alula Australis, Zosma"]]'' | ||
* ''[[Cranston Snord's Irregulars (scenario pack)|Cranston Snord's Irregulars]]'' | * ''[[Cranston Snord's Irregulars (scenario pack)|Cranston Snord's Irregulars]]'' | ||
− | * ''[[Dark Age: Republic Worlds (3130)]]'' | + | * ''[[Dark Age: Republic of the Sphere]]'' |
+ | * ''[[Dark Age: Republic Worlds (3130)]]'' | ||
* ''[[Era Report: 2750]]'' | * ''[[Era Report: 2750]]'' | ||
* ''[[Era Report: 3052]]'' | * ''[[Era Report: 3052]]'' | ||
Line 418: | Line 411: | ||
* ''[[Field Manual: SLDF]]'' | * ''[[Field Manual: SLDF]]'' | ||
* ''[[Field Manual: Updates]]'' | * ''[[Field Manual: Updates]]'' | ||
− | * ''[[Field Report | + | * ''[[Field Report: Clans]]'' |
− | |||
* ''[[Field Report: FWLM]]'' | * ''[[Field Report: FWLM]]'' | ||
* ''[[Field Report: LAAF]]'' | * ''[[Field Report: LAAF]]'' | ||
− | * ''[[Field Report: | + | * ''[[Field Report 2765: FWLM]]'' |
− | * ''[[First Succession War ( | + | * ''[[Field Report 2765: LCAF]]'' |
+ | * ''[[First Succession War (sourcebook)|First Succession War]]'' | ||
* ''[[Handbook: House Kurita]]'' | * ''[[Handbook: House Kurita]]'' | ||
* ''[[Handbook: House Liao]]'' | * ''[[Handbook: House Liao]]'' | ||
Line 436: | Line 429: | ||
* ''[[House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)]]'' | * ''[[House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)]]'' | ||
* ''[[House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)]]'' | * ''[[House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)]]'' | ||
− | * ''[[Inner Sphere (sourcebook)]]'' | + | * ''[[Inner Sphere (sourcebook)|Inner Sphere]]'' |
+ | * ''[[Jihad: Final Reckoning]]'' | ||
* ''[[Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents]]'' | * ''[[Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents]]'' | ||
− | |||
* ''[[NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2]]'' | * ''[[NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2]]'' | ||
− | * ''[[Second Succession War ( | + | * ''[[Second Succession War (sourcebook)|Second Succession War]]'' |
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3075]]'' | * ''[[Technical Readout: 3075]]'' | ||
− | + | {{div col end}} | |
+ | |||
[[Category:Systems|Xi Ursae Majoris]] | [[Category:Systems|Xi Ursae Majoris]] | ||
− | [[Category: Amaris Empire | + | [[Category: Amaris Empire Systems]] |
− | [[Category: Federated Commonwealth | + | [[Category: Federated Commonwealth Systems]] |
− | [[Category: Free Worlds League | + | [[Category: Free Worlds League Systems]] |
− | [[Category: Independent | + | [[Category: Independent Systems]] |
− | [[Category: Lyran Commonwealth | + | [[Category: Lyran Commonwealth Systems]] |
− | [[Category: Republic of the Sphere | + | [[Category: Republic of the Sphere Systems]] |
− | [[Category: Terran Alliance | + | [[Category: Terran Alliance Systems]] |
− | [[Category: Terran Hegemony | + | [[Category: Terran Hegemony Systems]] |
− | [[Category: Word of Blake | + | [[Category: Word of Blake Systems]] |
Latest revision as of 08:22, 26 April 2024
Xi Ursae Majoris | |
---|---|
← 3135 3151 | |
System Information | |
X:Y Coordinates | −24.309 : −4.696[e] |
Spectral class | A7III[1] |
Recharge time | 168 hours[2] |
Recharge station(s) | Zenith, Nadir[2][1] |
Planet(s) | 8[1] |
The Xi Ursae Majoris system, also known as Alula Australis for its main inhabited world of Xi Ursae Majoris VIII,[3] and as of 3145 is located in the Republic of the Sphere.[4][5]
Contents
System Description[edit]
Located near that Graham IV and Oliver systems,[4][5] the Xi Ursae Majoris system is an eight-world system with a single class A7II primary star.[1] During the thirty-first and thirty-second centuries the Xi Ursae Majoris system had recharge stations located at both the nadir and zenith jump points.[2][1] Xi Ursae Majoris is shown on maps as Alula Australis.
System History[edit]
The Xi Ursae Majoris system was settled early in the history of human colonization and exploration and was one of those systems to remain a part of the Terran Alliance even after the issue of the Demarcation Declaration.[6]
Political Affiliation[edit]
- 2271 - Terran Alliance[6]
- 2319 - Terran Hegemony[7]
- 2341 - Terran Hegemony[8]
- 2366 - Terran Hegemony[9]
- 2571 - Terran Hegemony[10][11][12][13]
- 2596 - Terran Hegemony[14]
- 2750 - Terran Hegemony[15][16]
- 2764 - Terran Hegemony[17]
- 2765 - Terran Hegemony[18][19][20]
- 2767 - Amaris Empire[21]
- 2771 - Amaris Empire[22]
- 2774 - Amaris Empire[22]
- 2786 - Terran Hegemony[23]
- 2789 - Free Worlds League[24]
- 2799 - Free Worlds League[25]
- 2822 - Free Worlds League[26][27][28][29]
- Ca. 2831–2836 - Lyran Commonwealth[30]
- 2838 - Disputed system (Federated Suns/Free Worlds League/Lyran Commonwealth)[31]
- 2864 - Free Worlds League[32][33]
- 3025 - Free Worlds League[34][35][36]
- 3030 - Lyran Commonwealth[37][38]
- 3040 - Federated Commonwealth[39][40]
- 3050 - Federated Commonwealth[41]
- 3052 - Federated Commonwealth[42][43]
- 3057 - Free Worlds League[44]
- 3058 - Free Worlds League[45]
- 3063 - Free Worlds League[46][47]
- 3067 - Free Worlds League[48][49][50]
- 3070 - Word of Blake Protectorate (from August)[51]
- 3075 - Word of Blake Protectorate[52]
- 3079 - Word of Blake Protectorate[53][54][55]
- 3081 - Lyran Alliance[56]
- 3085 - Republic of the Sphere[57]
- 3135 - Independent World[58]
- 3145 - Republic of the Sphere[4][5]
Alula Australis[edit]
Alula Australis | |
---|---|
Astrophysical | |
Also known as | Xi Ursae Majoris VIII |
System position | Eighth[3][2][1] |
Jump Point distance | 27.98 days[2] |
Moons | 1 (Caprice)[2][1] |
Geophysical | |
Surface gravity | 1.09[2][1] |
Atmospheric pressure | Standard (Breathable)[2][1] |
Equatorial temperature | 26° C (Temperate)[2][1] |
Surface water | 87%[2][1] |
Highest native life | Amphibian[3][2][1] |
Landmasses | At least 3 (Auroria, Hume, Locke)[2] |
History and Culture | |
Population | 3,119,000,000 (3025), 3,245,000,000 (3067),[2] 1,547,000,000 (3130)[1][59] |
Government and Infrastructure | |
Noble Ruler | Council of Nobles |
Political Leader | Planetary Governor |
Military Commander | Legate Merril d'Astiogne (3130)[1][59] |
Capital | New Horizon City[3] |
HPG Class | B[3][2] |
HPG Representative | Precentor Maximilian Archer[3] |
Xi Ursae Majoris VIII, more commonly known simply as Alula Australis, is the eighth and outermost planet in the Xi Ursae Majoris system. Alula Australis has been home to a number of industrial manufacturing concerns over the centuries.[1]
Planetary History[edit]
Early History[edit]
Alula Australis was one of the worlds that remained a part of the Terran Alliance following the Outer Reaches Rebellion and the Demarcation Declaration of 2242,[6] and became one of the worlds within the Alliance Core region of the Terran Hegemony.[14] The Free Worlds League evidently attempted to press claims to Alula Australis, and the planet benefited investments from both nations during the Star League era, becoming a major industrial world. Exported from Alula Australis in considerable quantities were electronics, industrial metals, power generation systems and even BattleMechs.[1]
Succession Wars[edit]
Alula Australis changed hands numerous times during the Succession Wars although there remained a long association between the planet and the Free Worlds League.[60] The large-scale BattleMech manufacturing center on Alula Australis made it a tempting target for aggression, and the facilities were destroyed no less than four times during the Succession Wars—once by the Capellan Confederation, twice by the Lyran Commonwealth, and once by the Free Worlds League Military, the latter being an attempt to deny them to invading enemy forces.[3]
First Succession War[edit]
The Lyran Commonwealth captured Alula Australis after the fall of the Star League, only for Free Worlds League forces to capture the system in July 2789.[24]
The Lyrans evidently recaptured Alula Australis at some point after 2789, but in 2799 the Alula Australis system was captured by the Free Worlds League again in a lighting assault by Captain-General Kenyon Marik that was so swift a pair of mercenary BattleMech battalions employed by the Lyrans were left stranded on the planet.[25]
Rather than attack the stranded mercenaries, Kenyon Marik accepted pledges of loyalty from the mercenaries and their commanding officers and allowed both battalions to remain in place as a garrison.[25]
Second succession War[edit]
In 2831, the Lyran Commonwealth invaded the Free Worlds League again, with Archon Marcus Steiner taking personal command of what becomes a massive assault to recapture the New Hope, Senftenberg, and Zwenkau systems before pushing deeper into League space. By 2836, Marcus Steiner's forces had captured Dieudonné, Danais, Megrez and Alula Australis.[30]
In 2838, the FWLM was struggling under the combination of the ComStar interdiction of the Free Worlds League and Parliament's efforts to choke off funding to the military. Both the Capellan Confederation and Lyran Commonwealth had taken advantage of the League's woes to make military gains, with the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces expanding two major salients into the League with ruthless efficiency. However, in 2838 the FWLM forces fighting a tenacious defense in the League systems of the former Terran Hegemony found their LCAF opponents being hampered by expeditions from the Draconis Combine and Federated Suns, both looking to make gains of their own from the weakened League. Alula Australis was one of the systems caught up in this - the LCAF had landed the Ninth Lyran Guards on the planet and were well on their way to crushing the FWLM garrison when the Fourth Avalon Hussars arrived as part of an Armed Forces of the Federated Suns expeditionary force. Both competent and determined, the Hussars battled the Guards for six weeks, until both formations were battered and bloodied and forced to withdraw - leaving the remains of the FWLM garrison to resume control over the system.[31]
Third Succession War[edit]
The fourth and last time the BattleMech factories on Alula Australis were destroyed was in 2947, at which point Captain-General Brock Marik decided to relocate the production facilities to Savannah, a system deeper in the interior of the Free Worlds League and further away from the Lyran border at the time; the loss of the manufacturing facilities pushed the economy of Alula Australis into a depression that lasted for decades.[3] The former site of the BattleMech plant, originally known as Cedar Ridge, subsequently earned the nickname "Cinder Ridge" because of how often the plant had been attacked.[2]
After the better part of fifty years the fortunes of those on Alula Australis finally improved when deposits of gemstones and rare earth minerals were discovered in the mountain ranges near New Horizon City, the planetary capital city. Mining and exporting these mineral resources allowed the planetary economy to rebound, and by the end of the Third Succession War the rare earth metals were being used in chemical industries[3] in the cities of Cirebon and Leng-kong on Locke[2] and within the Mosiro system while the gemstones—which were predominantly sapphires—were being shipped to Atreus for use in top-secret technological experiments. ComStar had spent some time attempting to determine what the experiments being conducted on Atreus were, but without success.[3]
In 3009, an attack on Alula Australis was launched by the Lyran Commonwealth, who deployed the Nineteenth Lyran Guards and—at the request of Cranston Snord—the mercenary unit Snord's Irregulars. Snord's interest in Alula Australis was a collection of portraits by the famous artist Davials which had reportedly been hidden there. The attack ran afoul of a hidden fighter base; the Lyran forces were cut off from their DropShips by the 405th Aerospace Wing (also called the 405th Fighter Wing), while heavy ground units wore them down. Snord's Irregulars found the hidden fighter base and managed to destroy enough fighters to end the enemy air superiority, so that their own DropShips could pick them up. The 405th Aerospace Wing was notable for including a Phoenix Hawk LAM and three Stinger LAMs.[61]
At the end of the Third Succession War Alula Australis was part of a three-world province within the Free Worlds League known as the Border Protectorate, the other worlds being Denebola and Zosma; the Border Protectorate was a relatively new province headed by a military dictator and represented in the Free Worlds League Parliament by two representatives. All three worlds of the Border Protectorate were economically depressed and heavily guarded as a result of the repeated invasions of the region over the three Succession Wars, and while both the dictator of the Protectorate and his appointed Parliament representatives were vocal supporters of House Marik and the ongoing war efforts, popular sentiment on all three worlds lay in completely the opposite direction.[60]
With the formation of the Border Protectorate the former mercenary forces that had sworn allegiance to Kenyon Marik in the First Succession War became the lead regiment of the Protectorate Guard, the provincial forces of the Border Protectorate.[25]
While the Border Protectorate was run as a military dictatorship in 3025, the planetary government was actually one of the more notable examples of a planetary oligarchy within the Free Worlds League.[62]
Fourth Succession War[edit]
During the Fourth Succession War Alula Australis fell under Lyran control. Following the sudden invasions of several League worlds by the Tikonov Free Republic and a daringly successful invasion of Callison by mercenaries employed by the Lyran Commonwealth in mid-3029, Captain-General Janos Marik found himself in the midst of an unanticipated crisis. In addition to the conquest of Callison, LCAF communications traffic and movements had spiked sharply, creating the impression of an impending offensive against the League. Faced with what he believed to be the plausible threat of a large-scale attack aimed at the region of the League near Terra, Janos was more concerned with saving the six or seven assorted BattleMech regiments present within the region than he was with retaining the worlds, as he believed that the offensive would most likely be aimed at snipping off the corner of the League closest to Terra—and to both the Federated Suns and the Tikonov Free Republic. Alula Australis was one of the systems abandoned by Janos, who would learn later that he had been deceived by an effective campaign of smoke and mirrors arranged by the Commonwealth General of the Armies, Edward Regis, to deter the League from launching an invasion of the Commonwealth while the LCAF was heavily committed to its invasion of the Draconis Combine.[63][36][38]
FedCom Civil War[edit]
As late as 3067, the cornerstones of the economy on Alula Australis remained mining and refining, although petrochemical extraction and processing were also significant industries. The major industry in New Horizon City was the smelting of ferrous metals and the purification of rare earth metals for use in microelectronics. The gemstones dug out of mines remained in high demand, particularly the sapphires from Locke, and many gemstones extracted from mines on Alula Australis ended up in jewelers across the Inner Sphere.[2]
The centuries of heavy industry on Alula Australis had resulted in damage to the local environment, particularly around the cities, where the city surrounds were commonly pockmarked with working and abandoned mines and quarries, many of which were littered with machinery left to rust after the deposits were exhausted. Industrial pollution had also damaged freshwater bodies such as Lake Pattaya, and environmental groups were becoming increasingly vocal about the need for protection and cleanup measures. While the federal government had given backing to cleanup efforts the ruling body on Alula Australis, the Council of Nobles, was largely unsupportive of such measures due to the greed of its various members.[2]
The Jihad[edit]
In late June 3070, the planetary government and military forces on Alula Australis switched their allegiance to the Word of Blake, bringing the world into the Word of Blake Protectorate.[51] Coincidentally, WoB forces stopped a pirate raid when they arrived.[64] Alula Australis was one of six worlds to declare for the Blakists in the space of a week, pushing the Protectorate into Free Worlds League space.[51]
The Dark Age[edit]
During the Dark Age, Alula Australis continued to remain a heavily industrialized world, with major industrial centers located on all three continents. The city of Sturgeon dominated the Hubbes River Valley region during this era, and was home to the largest chemical corporation on the planet, AA PolyChem Unlimited.[1]
Military Deployment[edit]
Geography[edit]
Alula Australis has at least three continents, Auroria, Hume and Locke.[2] Auroria is located in the northern hemisphere of Alula Australis, while Hume and Locke are in the southern hemisphere.[1]
Planetary Locations[edit]
- Auroria Mines: a region just outside of New Horizon that has been strip-mined, leaving the area covered in pits and sinkholes[69]
- Cirebon: city associated with petrochemical extraction and refining, located on Locke[2]
- Hubbes River Valley: region on southern Hume and location of Lake Pattaya[2]
- Lake Pattaya: large freshwater lake on Hume; heavily poisoned by industrial pollution by the late thirty-second century[2]
- Leng-kong: city associated with petrochemical extraction and refining, located on Locke[2]
- Mount Castarn Castle Brian[70]
- New Horizon City: the planetary capital,[3] located in southern Auroria[2]
- Sturgeon: industrial city based on refineries and located on Hume[1]
Companies and Industries[edit]
Image gallery[edit]
Notes[edit]
- House Marik (The Free Worlds League) makes references to Alula Australis originally being a Lyran world prior to the Succession Wars and being conquered by Captain-General Geralk Marik in 2458, as well as being the site of the first full-scale BattleMech manufacturing plant in the Free Worlds League.[3] This information is inconsistent with later publications, which clearly show that the Alula Australis system remained a part of the Terran Alliance after the Demarcation Declaration and subsequently one of the core systems of the Terran Hegemony.[6][8][11][12][14][16] This confusion is possibly due to the borders of the Terran Alliance and Terran Hegemony not being well-defined at the point at which House Marik (The Free Worlds League) was published, and elements of this early history appear to have also influenced later publications such as Dark Age: Republic Worlds (3130) and Handbook: House Marik. It is also possible that Alula Australis was confused with other worlds with similar names, such as Tania Australis, Asellus Australis or Alula Borealis.
- Handbook: House Marik records Geralk Marik capturing Alula Australis and Bella I in 2459 as well as attempting to capture Loric;[73] given the close proximity of these latter two worlds to Alula Borealis, it would seem likely that Alula Borealis has been confused with Alula Australis.
- Handbook: House Marik also records the defection of Lyran technicians with the plans required to construct BattleMechs in 2462 followed by House Marik using BattleMechs for the first time to push back a Lyran offensive at Alula Australis[74] in 2470.[75] Alula Australis was one of the core worlds of the Terran Hegemony at this point, again making it likely that Alula Australis has been mistaken for another system.
- House Marik (The Free Worlds League) details that Alula Australis was producing rare earths for use on Cirebon, Lengkong and Mosiro.[2] Handbook: House Marik appears to have amended this somewhat, creating two cities on Alula Australis named Cirebon and Leng-kong, but associating those cities directly with petrochemical extraction and refining.[2] It is therefore unclear if the Cirebon and Lengkong mentioned in House Marik (The Free Worlds League) refer to the Free Worlds League systems of the same name or the cities on Alula Australis.
Map Gallery[edit]
Nearby Systems[edit]
Closest 88 systems (85 within 60 light-years) Distance in light years, closest systems first: | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Graham | 5.7 | Oliver | 7.8 | Zavijava | 8.7 | Chara | 12.1 |
Thorin | 12.7 | Pollux | 13.1 | Denebola | 13.9 | Tau Ceti | 14.2 |
Lipton | 14.7 | Devil's Rock | 15.9 | Castor | 20.1 | Muphrid | 20.1 |
Procyon | 20.3 | Sirius | 22.0 | Rigil Kentarus | 22.6 | Hechnar | 22.6 |
Zollikofen | 24.5 | Sol | 24.8 | Carver | 24.8 | Tabit | 25.2 |
Killbourn | 26.2 | Zosma | 26.5 | Afleir | 27.0 | Haddings | 27.1 |
Keid | 27.9 | Rocky | 30.4 | Yorii | 30.6 | Menkent | 31.0 |
Talitha | 31.6 | New Home | 32.5 | Marcus | 36.3 | Outreach | 36.7 |
Summer | 36.8 | New Dallas | 37.0 | Caph | 37.5 | Altair | 37.9 |
Van Diemen | 37.9 | Bryant | 38.4 | Alioth | 39.3 | Mizar | 39.4 |
Callison | 39.6 | Brownsville | 39.7 | Milton | 40.8 | Hall | 40.9 |
Dieron | 41.4 | Asta | 41.5 | Cor Caroli | 43.0 | Wyatt | 43.1 |
Lyons | 43.4 | Alchiba | 43.9 | Imbros | 44.7 | Epsilon Eridani | 45.8 |
Fomalhaut | 46.3 | Connaught | 46.6 | New Stevens | 46.7 | Dubhe | 47.6 |
Bordon | 48.2 | Galatea | 48.7 | Capolla | 48.9 | Ko | 49.0 |
Nusakan | 49.1 | Wasat | 50.1 | Phecda | 50.2 | Alkalurops | 51.2 |
Wing | 51.3 | Chertan | 51.6 | Saffel | 52.6 | Chisholm | 53.0 |
Mandal | 53.6 | Acubens | 53.8 | Dyev | 54.5 | Epsilon Indi | 54.6 |
Athenry | 55.0 | Terra Firma | 55.0 | Dieudonné | 55.2 | Syrma | 55.2 |
Irian | 56.3 | Atria | 57.0 | Hsien | 58.0 | Northwind | 58.5 |
Lone Star | 58.5 | Styx | 58.6 | Alhena | 59.0 | Zebebelgenubi | 59.2 |
Remulac | 59.9 | Alcor | 60.6 | Skondia | 60.7 | Nathan | 61.8 |
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 Dark Age: Republic Worlds (3130), p. 232: "Alula Australis"
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 Handbook: House Marik, p. 69: "Alula Australis" planet profile
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 House Marik (The Free Worlds League), p. 156: "Alula Australis" planet profile
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Era Report: 3145, p. 39: "Inner Sphere Map - [3145]"
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Field Manual: 3145, p. VI: "Inner Sphere - 3145"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Handbook: House Marik, p. 16: "Free Worlds League Founding - [2271] Map"
- ↑ Handbook: House Kurita, p. 18
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Handbook: House Steiner, p. 13
- ↑ Handbook: House Liao, p. 17
- ↑ Handbook: House Liao, p. 25
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 18
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Handbook: House Steiner, p. 25
- ↑ Handbook: House Marik, p. 24
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Historical: Reunification War, p. 159
- ↑ Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 25
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Era Report: 2750, p. 37
- ↑ Field Manual: SLDF, p. xi: "Inner Sphere - [2764] Map"
- ↑ Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1, p. 10
- ↑ Field Report 2765: LCAF, p. 25
- ↑ Field Report 2765: FWLM, p. 25
- ↑ Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1, p. 104
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1, p. 138
- ↑ First Succession War, p. 25
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Handbook: House Marik, p. 35: "Timeline: First Succession War"
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 House Marik (The Free Worlds League), p. 98: "Steel Guards"
- ↑ Handbook: House Steiner, p. 36
- ↑ Handbook: House Marik, p. 34
- ↑ Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 2, pp. 122–123
- ↑ First Succession War, p. 113
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 Handbook: House Marik, p. 39: "Timeline: Second Succession War"
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 Second Succession War, p. 44: "The Four-Front War: Operation COOKIE JAR and the ComStar War (2837-2842)"
- ↑ Handbook: House Steiner, p. 40
- ↑ Handbook: House Marik, p. 38
- ↑ House Marik (The Free Worlds League), foldout: "Free Worlds League Map - [3025]"
- ↑ Handbook: House Steiner, p. 47
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 Handbook: House Marik, p. 42: "Free Worlds League after Third Succession War [3025]"
- ↑ Handbook: House Steiner, p. 56
- ↑ 38.0 38.1 Handbook: House Marik, p. 51: "Free Worlds League after Fourth Succession War [3030]"
- ↑ Handbook: House Steiner, p. 59
- ↑ Historical: War of 3039, p. 132
- ↑ Era Report: 3052, p. 11
- ↑ Handbook: House Steiner, p. 61
- ↑ Era Report: 3052, p. 22
- ↑ Era Report: 3062, p. 10
- ↑ Handbook: House Marik, p. 54
- ↑ Era Report: 3062, p. 28
- ↑ Inner Sphere, p. 61
- ↑ Handbook: House Marik, p. 56: "Free Worlds League after FedCom Civil War [3067] Map"
- ↑ Handbook: House Steiner, p. 70
- ↑ Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 43
- ↑ 51.0 51.1 51.2 Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 48: "The Jihad in Review"
- ↑ Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents, p. 65
- ↑ Field Report: Clans, p. 29
- ↑ Field Report: LAAF, p. 19
- ↑ Field Report: FWLM, p. 17
- ↑ Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 62
- ↑ Field Manual: 3085, p. vii: "Inner Sphere - [3085] Map"
- ↑ Era Report: 3145, p. 11
- ↑ 59.0 59.1 Dark Age: Republic of the Sphere, p. 22: "Prefecture IX"
- ↑ 60.0 60.1 House Marik (The Free Worlds League), p. 64: "Border Protectorate"
- ↑ 61.0 61.1 Cranston Snord's Irregulars, pp. 34–35: "The Stumble Raid"
- ↑ House Marik (The Free Worlds League), p. 73: "Provincial Governments"
- ↑ NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2, p. 87: "Conclusion"
- ↑ Word Welcomes New Converts from Alula Australis, Zosma
- ↑ First Succession War, p. 138: "First Succession War Deployment Table - FWLM"
- ↑ House Marik (The Free Worlds League), p. 108: "Unit Deployment Table"
- ↑ 20 Year Update, p. 71: "Com Guards Deployment Table"
- ↑ Field Manual: Updates, p. 161: "Free Worlds League Deployment Table"
- ↑ Shattered Fortress, p. 91
- ↑ Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 2, p. 45
- ↑ Mercenaries Supplemental Update, p. 30: "The Battle Corps"
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3075, p. 206: "GLD-4R Gladiator"
- ↑ Handbook: House Marik, p. 19: "Paradigm Shift"
- ↑ Handbook: House Marik, p. 21: "Paradigm Shift"
- ↑ Handbook: House Marik, p. 25: "Timeline: Age of War"
Bibliography[edit]
- 20 Year Update
- BattleCorps Solaris Broadcasting Co., 25/06/3070: "Word Welcomes New Converts from Alula Australis, Zosma"
- Cranston Snord's Irregulars
- Dark Age: Republic of the Sphere
- Dark Age: Republic Worlds (3130)
- Era Report: 2750
- Era Report: 3052
- Era Report: 3062
- Era Report: 3145
- Field Manual: 3085
- Field Manual: 3145
- Field Manual: SLDF
- Field Manual: Updates
- Field Report: Clans
- Field Report: FWLM
- Field Report: LAAF
- Field Report 2765: FWLM
- Field Report 2765: LCAF
- First Succession War
- Handbook: House Kurita
- Handbook: House Liao
- Handbook: House Marik
- Handbook: House Steiner
- Handbook: Major Periphery States
- Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1
- Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 2
- Historical: Reunification War
- Historical: War of 3039
- House Marik (The Free Worlds League)
- House Kurita (The Draconis Combine)
- House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)
- Inner Sphere
- Jihad: Final Reckoning
- Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents
- NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2
- Second Succession War
- Technical Readout: 3075