OBT Forum

Ice Hellion

See them as another insurance in case their "brothers" try anything against the Lyran State or think of them as being provincial in their recruitment (which is the common factor between the different units I put in the Provinzkorps).

I still don't see a reason to add an extra layer- keep in mind Skye was not always seccessionist in nature- I would say that during the early SW period it was probably fairly loyal.

As for deployments - looking at the HSSB - in 3025 the Donegal Guards were deployed anywhere the LC, as were the Arcturan Guards. Even 1 of the Skye Ranger regiments was assigned outside of the Federation of Skye.

As an interesting aside I found this about the Arcturan Guard from FM:LA- they were originally an elite cadre of warriors raised to defend Arcturus when it became the LC's capital. It's possible they started as a planetary militia and grew from there.

Rainbow 6

Thinking about it i'd split both the Arcturan & Donegal Guards into the Friekorps as, although they are Guards, they are also the Provincial militaries of the Protectorate of Donegal and Tamar Pact.

Ice Hellion

Your call but I tried as much as I could...

Takiro

Just wanted to throw this in -

Quote
They are the bulk of the LCAF obviously which draws similarities to the Marik Militia but on a larger scale obviously. Even with a reduction in size they are still much larger than any House force I can remember. No still haven't checked. Just as a special note, the Hesperus Guard got me thinking. Weren't there always two Lyran Guard units always garrisoning Hesperus? I'll look in MW2 RPG book.

“House Steiner maintains a large standing force of household ‘Mechs culled from both personal planetary forces and from companies promoted for valor from other regular regiments. The 6th and 15th are currently stationed on Hesperus II. The 3rd has traditionally served as the Palace Guard of the Royal Court at Tharkad.”

Granted that is from 3052 but relevant nonetheless. Anyway the Lyran Guard briefing is nearing completion.

Takiro

A look back at the entire overview.

Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces
122 BattleMech Regiments (as of 2785)
   The LCAF seems low because of their industry and wealth but remember they could have been hit hard by defections to the SLDF and causalities from their war with the Rim Republic. The Commonwealth relies on assault units to smash opposition in set battles while only a couple light units are capable of conducting raiding missions.

Royal Guards (4 regiments)
Overview: The Royal Guards are the single most prestigious contingent in the entire LCAF. The formation dates back to 2375 when Archon Basileus Robert Marsden established the unit as his personal guard. Since that time only the very best Lyran soldiers have qualified for this premier posting. The evolving nature of the Commonwealth led to increasing criticism that appointments were politically motivated rather then being militarily based. National allegiance, the ability to follow orders, and most of all loyalty to the Archon has always been paramount. While some deride the Royal Guard for their lack of battlefield skill none doubt their fanatical devotion to the Lyran cause. Also they are considered to be the best equipped unit of the House militaries even though they currently lack combat experience. The First, Second, and Third traditionally carry out garrison, parade, and ceremonial duties while the Fourth is the principal active service unit. An honorary Fifth Royal Guard was created by Archon Craig Steiner in 2529 to carry out “Guardian Duty” in the Lyran Throne Room. Never a true regiment the Pride of the Archon is the very pinnacle for a Lyran mechwarrior to achieve.
Inspiration: Established canon formation, see HSSB and FM LA
Child Units: 1st Royal Guards (The Pride of Donegal), 2nd Royal Guards (The Pride of Skye), 3rd Royal Guards (The Pride of Tamar), 4th Royal Guards (The Pride of the Commonwealth)

Lyran Guards (50 regiments)
Overview: This National Guard was formed shortly after the birth of the Lyran Commonwealth in 2341. Since its establishment the formation drew the very best elements from every corner of the realm. As a result the Lyran Guard is second only to the Royal Guard in prestige among the LCAF. While respected for its embodiment of all that is good with House Steiner the Guard has also clung to some bad habits. This traditional Lyran behavior which includes the Social General phenomenon as well as the notorious bigger is better mindset have remained ingrained in the Guards overall psyche. As the core of the traditional Commonwealth forces these controversial practices have been hard to break especially since some Archon's favored such practices. A good example of these differences is the administration of Robert Steiner II and the current regime of Jennifer Steiner. Not every command is rigidly traditional as there are quite a few innovative Guard units who picked up traits from the SLDF.
Whatever the critiques continue to be the Lyran Guard has grown into the single largest BattleMech contingent in the InnerSphere. The Guard has two hundred conventional regiments (armor and infantry) in addition to its massive BattleMech arm. Critics have said the sheer size of the overall formation coupled with its standardized regimental deployment makes it an unwieldy combat command. The truth behind the organizational technique lies in the history of the Commonwealth and the loyalty displayed by the Guard. As other formations such as Tamars’ were dissolved thanks to internal discontent or others who saw their role diminished like the Arcturan Guard the patriotic Lyran Guard was expanded. Culling personnel from planetary forces and from companies promoted for valor from other regular regiments the unit has representatives and contingents from every corner of the Commonwealth. For example a link to the forces of Reynolds who saved the Steiners on Tamar. The latest two units, the Hesperus Guards, are in part former SLDF contingents as the locale was home to a major Star League installation.
Inspiration: Established canon formation, see HSSB and FM LA
Child Units: 1st Lyran Guard (?), 2nd Lyran Guard (?), 3rd Lyran Guard (?), 4th Lyran Guard (?), 5th Lyran Guard (?), 6th Lyran Guard (?), 7th Lyran Guard (?), 8th Lyran Guard (?), 9th Lyran Guard (?), 10th Lyran Guard (Thundering Elephants), 11th Lyran Guard (?), 12th Lyran Guard (?), 13th Lyran Guard (?), 14th Lyran Guard (The Fearsome Fourteenth), 15h Lyran Guard (Death or Glory Boys), 16th Lyran Guard (?), 17th Lyran Guard (?), 18th Lyran Guard (?), 19th Lyran Guard (?), 20th Lyran Guard (?), 21st Lyran Guard (?), 22nd Lyran Guard (?), 23rd Lyran Guard (?), 24th Lyran Guard (?), 25th Lyran Guard (?), 26th Lyran Guard (Steiner’s Boots), 27th Lyran Guard (?), 28th Lyran Guard (?), 29th Lyran Guard (?), 30th Lyran Guard (?), 31st Lyran Guard (?), 32nd Lyran Guard (Red Arrows), 33rd Lyran Guard (?), 34th Lyran Guard (?), 35th Lyran Guard (?), 36th Lyran Guard (?), 37th Lyran Guard (?), 38th Lyran Guard (?), 39th Lyran Guard (?), 40th Lyran Guard (?), 41st Lyran Guard (?), 42nd Lyran Guard (?), 43rd Lyran Guard (?), 44th Lyran Guard (?), 45th Lyran Guard (?), 46th Lyran Guard (?), 47th Lyran Guard (?), 48th Lyran Guard (?), 49th Lyran Guard (?), 50th Lyran Guard (?)

Arcturan Guards (20 regiments)
Overview: Initially an armor and infantry force established in 2341 to defend the first Lyran capital the Arcturan Guard drew its membership directly from the residents of that world. However, their role soon changed as Arcturus steadily declined in prominence following the government’s move to Tharkad in 2407. Today only a quarter of their forces come from Arcturus via official mandate. Following the Lyran Civil War the Guard became the unofficial unit of the Tamar Pact which the planet was originally a part of. Following the disbandment of the old Tamar military apparatus many natives began requesting billets here. While much has changed since that time, the introduction of the BattleMech for instance, the Guard still remains a premier formation in the Commonwealth military. Since its foundation the unit has seen service in every conflict and contributed significantly to the defense of the nation.
Inspiration: Established canon formation, see HSSB and FM LA
Child Units: 1st Arcturan Guard (?), 2nd Arcturan Guard (?), 3rd Arcturan Guard (?), 4th Arcturan Guard (?), 5th Arcturan Guard (?), 6th Arcturan Guard (?), 7th Arcturan Guard (?), 8th Arcturan Guard (?), 9th Arcturan Guard (?), 10th Arcturan Guard (?), 11th Arcturan Guard (The Golden Lions), 12th Arcturan Guard (?), 13th Arcturan Guard (?), 14th Arcturan Guard (?), 15th Arcturan Guard (Stavlos Tigers), 16th Arcturan Guard (?), 17th Arcturan Guard (Kezla Rams), 18th Arcturan Guard (?), 19th Arcturan Guard (Puma), 20th Arcturan Guard (White Bears of Uther) [two nicknames will be the Arcturan Northern Nomads and Tharkan Woodsmen see HSSB p. 69 - 23rd Arcturan Guards aka the Frost Giants]

Donegal Guards (20 regiments)
Overview: This unit was founded by the Protectorate of Donegal in 2314 shortly after the establishment of that early interstellar state. Today the Guards are a mainstay of the Lyran military containing one hundred regiments, twenty of which are BattleMech forces. As they hail from the Commonwealth’s central state the Guard is closely tied to the Lyran ruling house. While many don’t consider them as fanatical as the Royal or Lyran Guard they are renowned for their determination to overcome any obstacles which impede their orders. Often the High Command will assign the Donegal Guard to a campaign as a demonstration of the Lyran will to win. They remain closely associated with House Steiner and the Protectorate of Donegal where they are frequently stationed. Roaming the vast frontiers of the Protectorate as well as the Commonwealth’s interior the the Donegal Guard have beaten their fair share of foreign and domestic enemies. Sharing a border with the Free Worlds League and the Periphery has resulted in their primary opposition coming in the form of Marik Regulars and Pirates. The Twentieth which is the most recent addition to the Guard, formerly a Star League Loyalist Regiment, has experienced the horrors of the Amaris Coup.
Inspiration: Established canon formation, see HSSB and FM LA
Child Units: 1st Donegal Guard (?), 2nd Donegal Guard (Unwearied Second), 3rd Donegal Guard (Justice Brigade), 4th Donegal Guard (?), 5th Donegal Guard (Bulldogs), 6th Donegal Guard (White Hawks), 7th Donegal Guards (Earthquakers), 8th Donegal Guards (?), 9th Donegal Guards (?), 10th Donegal Guard (Lilly’s Lancers), 11th Donegal Guard (The Push Me Pull Yours Regiment), 12th Donegal Guard (Crocodiles?), 13th Donegal Guard (?), 14th Donegal Guard (?), 15th Donegal Guard (?), 16th Donegal Guard (?), 17th Donegal Guard (?), 18th Donegal Guard (?), 19th Donegal Guard (?), 20th Donegal Guard (Donegal Regulars, see SW board game)

Lyran Regulars (12 regiments)
Overview: As the Star League gradually disintegrated a need within the LCAF was recognized by the High Command. The usefulness of unconventional forces was becoming apparent as the 28th century wore on. Assembling an ad hoc brigade named the Lyran Regulars from less than traditional sources was their solution. These scoundrels without proper pedigree drew the ire of the Commonwealth’s military establishment who considered them mercenaries at best. During the Hidden Wars they drew difficult assignments which were undertaken without support. Heavily influenced by the SLDF the Regulars used a mixture of arms to achieve battlefield success. This in turn has won them a measure of respect from the Lyran authorities who still have trouble crediting these inferior troops.
Originally two separate divisions (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 11th, 12th, 13th) which included BattleMechs, armor, and infantry were created to mirror each other. Using time honored techniques of misdirection and stealth these units effectively camouflaged themselves sometimes even as Lyran Guards. In addition to a mirrored deployment system which often plays with the Regulars numerical designations, units frequently suffer high casualty rates thanks to their dangerous assignments which require constant reorganization. This created a further patchwork which foreign intelligence agencies still have trouble deciphering. As a result the location, strengths, and identities of the Lyran Regulars are a challenging group to keep track of at all times.
Recently the Lyran Regulars have doubled in size and there are future plans for further expansion. This growth caused by the addition of Star League and Rim Republic veterans has allowed them to field 12 BattleMech regiments supported by conventional forces. By pairing these new units in much the same fashion as the original formations the Regulars have managed to retain their mirrored deployment system. Many fear that this organizational feature may be in jeopardy thanks to the speed of future enlargement in an uncertain time. Unfortunately the maintenance needs for these work horse units have not been met by the High Command. As a result some of their high tech equipment has already fallen into disrepair.
Inspiration: Established canon formation, see HSSB and FM LA
Child Units: 1st Lyran Regulars (The Boomers), 2nd Lyran Regulars (?), 3rd Lyran Regulars (The Bee Squishers? – this nickname has no specific date so we could use it), 4th Lyran Regulars (Tropic Lightning – remnants of SLDF 68th Infantry aka the Thai Militia), 6th Lyran Regulars (The Odessa Regulars – remnants of SLDF 63rd Mechanized Infantry Division, possible ties to the Terrans who wish to safeguard hidden SL facility , if the Odessa Regulars are keeping the secret for the Star League and were on planet at the start of the succession war then they could have been in and around the planetary capital which was nuked by a DCMS task force from orbit according to the Archers Avengers novel set on Odessa, taking there secret to their graves), 10th Lyran Regulars (The Stinging Barflies – remnants of SLDF 18th Infantry Division who interestingly enough were based in the RWR), 11th Lyran Regulars (The Hammers), 12th Lyran Regulars (?), 13th Lyran Regulars (?), 14th Lyran Regulars (The Sakhalin Regulars - remnants of SLDF 101st Mechanized Infantry Division who were stationed in the CC, so I was thinking about a possible tie in with the Capellan Sakhalin), 16th Lyran Regulars (The Apache Division - remnants of SLDF 368th BattleMech Division), 20th Lyran Regulars (The York Regulars – Star League Loyalist Regiment)
Future Units: 5th Lyran Regulars (Ferris Wolverines – see Merc Guild and canon ComStar ruling), 7th Lyran Regulars (New Delhi Lancers or Fighting Seventh – formed early in the canon 1st SW), 8th Lyran Regulars (Mad Hatters – formed early in the canon 1st SW), 9th Lyran Regulars (Karilon Magicians – Mechwarrior Brotherhood from the RWR joined LC during canon 1st SW) [obviously since these formations came into being during the extreme duress of the SW a dedicated mirror unit will not be made]

Skye Rangers (15 regiments)
Overview: The Skye Rangers are survivors whose origins date back to the turn of the twentieth fourth century. Originally the army of the Federation of Skye this unit has compiled hundreds of years of military traditions. Over this time these brave warriors have squared off against forces from the Draconis Combine, the Free Worlds League, and even the Terran Hegemony with a good deal of success. Prior to the 2370s relations between Skye and Terra had been cool at best thanks the Mother Doctrine and the Symra Ambush. That began to change when Lord Raymond the fourth Director-General of the Hegemony married Katherine McQuiston. The couple was soon involved in a scandal when a neglected Katherine turned to Raymond’s brother Brian for attention. The affair was discovered shortly before Raymond’s death nearly ended the Cameron dynasty and hopes for renewed ties. However, Brian Cameron beat the charges and became the fifth Director. In 2399 he married Katherine McQuiston and ties between the Hegemony and Skye have been close ever since.
Their adversaries have not been confined to foreign nationals but also include domestic opponents. When Robert Marsden staged a military coup in 2375 to seize control of the Commonwealth most of the Rangers backed him. Marsden had built many contacts within the Skye Rangers since the establishment of the Lyran Commonwealth. They formed a core of an army loyal to him while a few Rangers futility resisted on Skye this long overdue move towards order. Afterwards the Rangers were rebuilt by a grateful Archon Basileus although some accuse “the Crusher” of playing politics. Restoring the Rangers as a public relations move to try and foster good will on Skye. In 2471 Archon Michael Steiner married Regina McQuiston, last of the McQuiston line, which helped tie Skye and its Rangers to House Steiner. The Lyran Civil War which began in 2501 and lasted to 2505 split the contingent in much the same way. Thanks to the backing of these loyal Skye Rangers the Archon managed to defeat his opponents once again. As a result Robert Steiner spared the unit from complete dissolution a fate which befell Tamar’s army who had a well deserved martial reputation.
House Lestrade was awarded title to Skye following the Civil War by Archon Robert Steiner for loyal service. While the Duke's Own Huscarls, an infantry unit, serve as the Duke of Skye's personal guard the Skye Rangers have formed a close bond with their new liege. Their unconditional fidelity to House Steiner would be tested in 2591 by the ‘Day of Rage’. This unjust attack by Archon Viola Steiner upon her own people during the Reunification War has strained relations between the unit and the Archon since. In 2643 the Decentralist Movement, which had widespread support in Skye, nearly dissolved the Commonwealth. Many Skye Rangers left the LCAF to serve General Kerensky during the Amaris Coup and sympathies to the Last Cameron remain to this day. Despite these feelings the Rangers remain a major bulwark of the Lyran military.
Inspiration: Established canon formation, see HSSB and FM LA
Child Units: 3rd Skye Rangers, 4th Skye Rangers, 10th Skye Rangers, 25th Skye Rangers, plus eleven (11) more commands which are not in numerical order (not the 17th or 22nd).

Tamar Hussars (1 regiment)
Overview: The Hussars are the only noble force in the Lyran Commonwealth, thanks to the unique position of Tamar, who are considered a line unit. The guardians of the Tamar Pact have ancient ties to the region that predate the Lyran nation. The Ducal Guard has always been well equipped first receiving BattleMechs in 2465. With a reputation for martial excellence the Hussars were reformed by the Kelswa family in the wake of the Lyran Civil War (circa 2506). As the only Tamar unit to survive this war their role and notoriety expanded. They saw action in the Reunification War and were involved in Viola Steiner’s “Day of Rage”. It was during the Star League era that the Hussars took on their modern character. As the Archon forbid noble troops from having any heavy ‘Mechs they became experts in swift and mobile warfare. Their flamboyant and daring characters both in and out of battle earned them the moniker, the Tamar Tigers. This well trained light force is currently commanded by Duke Graham Kelswa of Carse.
Inspiration: Established canon formation, see HSSB and FM LA
Child Units: 1st Tamar Hussars (Tamar Tigers)

Military Academies
The Nagelring (Tharkad)
The Sanglamore (Skye)
Tamar Academy of War (Tamar)
Coventry Academy (Coventry)
Royal New Capetown Military Academy (New Capetown)
Pandora College of Military Sciences (Pandora)
Blackjack School of Conflict (Blackjack)
Military Academy of Somerset (Somerset)
Arcturan Military College (Arcturus)
Dell Naval Institute (Dell)
Donegal Defense Center (Donegal)

   Boot Camps
The hard way of earning a place in the upper echelon of the Lyran military is through the numerous Boot Camps that dot the Commonwealth. The LCAF maintains scores of these fairly generic training grounds throughout its territory in order to provide basic training to its citizenry. For ten weeks these camps instruct those electing to under go such national service in the basics of military life. Discipline, fitness, field craft, weapons skill, and survival are all taught here. Many serve out their time in their respective planetary militia but a few are selected for advanced training. Instructors carefully evaluate each class searching for those who excel in these martial exercises. Earning such a place isn’t easy or even possible for most but a special few go on to higher assignments within the LCAF.

Rainbow 6

Looks good Tak.