OBT Forum

Its official; I enjoy writing fluff more than puzzling out and writing rules for the "Unique Technology" segment.  I'm taking a break to get back to what I enjoy.  Still lots more fact- and rule-based work to go, though.

I'm the same way. I'd much rather work on fluff than a rule set. Meh. Still, sometimes is has to happen...

Oh, sure - I wrote them down years ago, when I was still working midnight shifts for the security guard company.  The Wolverine survivors spawned the First Clans for the fight to pacify and conquer the Legacy Cluster during their civil war.  They are; Clans Mammoth, Piranha, Kraken, and Dingo.  Notice they're all single word descriptors?  No colors, etc.

After 20 years or so of pacification and assimilation, they left the unwanted civilians and cast-out Clansmen to form the Civil Government, a civilian society from the ruins of the original colonists that followed the Wolverine Guide Teams into the deep Periphery.  They became a pool of recruits (life in the CG is hard, join the NC and you got it made) to bulk out the majority of the 2nd Clans.  The Second Clans are; CWol--Cave Frog, War Ant, Surf Dragon.  CPir--Razor Bat, Dire Boar, Frost Ape.  CMam--Devil Wasp, Silver Condors, Swamp Tyrants.  CKra--Mist Stalkers, Ghost Shrike, Tundra Leopard.  Dingo--Crimson Badger, Zombie Python, Carnoraptor.

Note the 'Raptors ALSO have no descriptors?  They're ambitious bastards - want to win the right to Absorb their progenitors (Clan Dingo) since they're stronger militarily.  They got frustrated, and there's reason to believe they've Spawned three Third Clans, with 'immaterial' descriptors; Soul Rhino, Chi Serpent, and Spirit Mantis.  Here's a snippet, from the secret NC intelligence agency. 

[**  Analyst’s Note:
   Prompting the beginnings of the ‘Raptor political decades, the rise of Star Colonel Ed Alexander to Khan began the Grand Council debates over the re-absorption of Clan Dingo and the promotion of their strongest 2nd Clan, the Carnoraptors, to the ranks of the First Clans.
   Protected from a Trial of Absorption by a vote of the Grand Council, the Dingoes began a subtle manipulation of both the ‘Raptors and Cave Frogs, aimed at exhausting two of the strongest Second Clans.  Their efforts eventually paid off in the Grand Council as the Frogs were provoked into openly boasting of their fortification programs.  As the Dingoes continued to scorn the ‘Raptor Touman, it came as no surprise they would look for ways to prove the skill and effectiveness of their Warriors.
   Their attention centered on the Cave Frog Colonies, the ‘Raptors efforts in the Grand Council slowed, but eventually regained momentum as the assaults on Cave Frog colonies and outposts slowed.  During the two year peace, they once again began to slowly win over their sibClans and narrowing the margin of a successful Trial, prompting several changes in the Dingo Touman, although these changes would take years to take effect.
   When it came, the ‘Raptor assault on the Heartforge facility was everything their sibClans had come to expect; multiple Mobile Assault Clusters consisting of air-mobile ELM, Armor, and Elementals attacked the Cave Frog and Razor Bat garrison, leaving the incoming ‘Mech transports from the pirate point unmolested.
   However, the strike against the control bunkers at Grey Lake failed after a desperate battle, and the Frogs successfully flooded the swamps surrounding the facility.  Their attack a failure, the Mobile Assault forces retreated, and Cave Frog reinforcements destroyed the dam for the duration of the assault.
   Unknown to the ‘Raptors, the Heartforge facility had been upgraded through the decades of the Frog occupation until the facility resembled a Star League-era Castle Brian.  Allowing only the surface and first levels of the buried facility to be seen by the JDP and resident Clans, the Frogs continued excavating, providing multiple levels, tunnels, and exits.
   Although the Frogs and their Razor Bat allies were unable to prevent the ‘Raptor assault from breaching the walls, the Zombie Python bid for the Heartforge defense relieved the shattered garrison and defeated the larger ‘Raptor force with artillery and air support from the Cave Frog and Razor Bat allies.
   After 12 years of skirmishing, the ‘Raptor-Frog feud defined a generation of Warriors, and prompted the addition of dedicated Heavy Assault Binaries to the Command Packs of each Cluster.]

It's not like you're going to do something crazy like a WiGE MBT?

...I love these guys.  It just makes me grin. 

    From our Founding as a 2nd Clan, the Frost Ape path has been one of unexpected greatness, thrust upon the Khans and leaders of our Castes.  Our Founder, Stuart Jones, submitted his original Bid for the command of Clan Frost Ape with disbelief that such an important position would be open to the lower-ranked officers of Clan Piranha; despite the accuracy and completeness of his Bid, it might have been dismissed as one among hundreds had it not been for the Founder’s insistence on making the resulting document ‘Good Reading’.  Viewing the requests for interviews and travel orders as the response of another practical joker and kindred spirit, however, resulted in our Clan being one the last 2nd Clans to reach a minimum staffing level and receive acknowledgement by the IlKhan, as Khan Jones first served a 7-day disciplinary sentence for ignoring the lawful orders of a superior officer.  As a result, our Clan was forever identified in the eyes of outsiders as a source of humor and derision for our lack of martial focus.
   With the sentence and understanding of his circumstances, however, Jones set his new subordinate, saKhan Tony of the Merchant Caste, the goal of establishing the Clan.  Nothing prepared them for the behavior of their fellow Clansmen and Clan Frost Ape immediately found itself the butt of every joke, rumor, and ‘accident’ possible, enraging our Khans.  Our Clan was on the verge of collapse, until their failure attracted the notice of IlKhan McEvedy, who was then able to present our Khans options to deal with their personnel issues.  It also cemented our reputation for unorthodox action, as members of our Clan began to perpetuate ‘the big lie’.  Openly boasting to their fellow Khans of their successes forced the reevaluation of the Frost Ape organizational strategy, and curiosity and the enticement of entertainment gave our Khans opportunities to speak with huge groups of undecided members of Clan Piranha.
   Formally established Feb 5, 2862, our Clan has long ago ceased to be a joke to anyone but ourselves, as even today our abilities and successes are hidden by ‘the big lie’.  With the Clan embracing many mysterious and bizarre ceremonies that trace back to the Founding, such as the Dunk-the-Khans booth opened every February 5th as part of Founding Day celebrations, we are in no danger of being seen otherwise.  But, at least we get the joke.

Mechrat, I got your stuff!  Looks great!  Now, all we need is some images for armor!

...I don't think so...  Lets face it, its a fan product.  Interested people will use it anyway.

If I have time, I may try to kludge something together.  But this is great, its clear and well organized.  We could use a damage transfer diagram, but that's about it.

So...  Just decided to post something.  I'm hoping to get it up to about 6-7 pages.

CLAN FROST APE


Sir;

As part of the IlKhan’s Intelligence briefing, it is the responsibility of Clan Silver Condor to ensure the accuracy of the information gathered and its current relevance to the Office of the IlKhan.  Assembled with the aid of the Frost Ape Loremaster, this briefing is Security Rated SECRET EYES ONLY, as the information within provides detailed information on the inner workings of the Clan.
   (MORE)
Current Touman status may be requested through channels.
StCol Gordon Lyons
Office of the IlKhan
Clan Silver Condor, Military Intelligence



Greetings, IlKhan

   We, the Castes of Clan Frost Ape, wish to offer our congratulations for your rise in rank; the skills and achievements of the McEvedy Bloodline are well known, and we have had time to become accustomed to the wisdom of your predecessor.
We have no doubts about the integrity and wisdom of his chosen successor, and I wish to extend the support of our Warrior Caste during this time of mourning for your Blood House.  For now, you may expect the support of the Frost Ape Warrior Caste; loyalty to our superior officers comes naturally, but respect and trust is earned.  Our long-time dedication and support of your new rank assures you the chance to prove yourself worthy in this new arena.
   Included within this report is a short historical section, providing you a glimpse of the Frost Ape culture and the forces which shaped us.  Of more interest is the section detailing the Ape Touman, providing you an up-to-date look at the forces available to you and important officers in the Touman, in case of the activation of the dezClan Trials or other call-up of the New Clan military.
Good luck, and be assured you will find the staunch Warriors of our Clan at your back to aid you in the future.

Loremaster Grant Kale,
Clan Frost Ape
 
THE FOUNDING (2862-2939)

    From our Founding as a 2nd Clan, the Frost Ape path has been one of unexpected greatness, thrust upon our Khans and the leaders of our Castes.  Our Founder, Stuart Jones, submitted his original Bid for the command of Clan Frost Ape with disbelief that such an important position would be open to the lower-ranked officers of Clan Piranha; despite the accuracy and completeness of his Bid, it might have been dismissed as one among hundreds had it not been for the Founder’s insistence on making the resulting document ‘Good Reading’.
Viewing the requests for interviews and travel orders as the response of another practical joker and kindred spirit, however, resulted in our Clan being one the last 2nd Clans to reach a minimum staffing level and receive acknowledgement by the IlKhan, as Khan Jones first served a 7-day disciplinary sentence for ignoring the lawful orders of a superior officer.  As a result, our Clan was forever identified in the eyes of outsiders as a source of humor and derision for our lack of martial focus.
   With the sentence and understanding of his circumstances, however, Jones set his new subordinate, saKhan Tony (Smith) of the Merchant Caste, the goal of establishing the Clan.  Deliberately going against New Clan tradition, Stuart chose the most qualified person regardless of Caste to make up for lost time, but nothing prepared them for the behavior of their fellow Clansmen and our Clan found itself the butt of every joke, rumor, and ‘accident’ possible, enraging our Khans.
Our Clan was on the verge of collapse, until their failure attracted the notice of IlKhan McEvedy, who was able to present our Khans options to deal with their personnel issues.  It also cemented our reputation for unorthodox action, as members of our Clan began to perpetuate ‘the big lie’.  Openly boasting to their fellow Khans of their successes forced the reevaluation of the Frost Ape organizational strategy, and curiosity and the enticement of entertainment gave our Khans opportunities to speak with huge groups of undecided members of Clan Piranha.
   Formally established Feb 5, 2862, our Clan has long ago ceased to be a joke to anyone but ourselves, as even today our abilities and successes are hidden by ‘the big lie’.  With the Clan embracing many mysterious and bizarre ceremonies that trace back to the Founding, such as the Dunk-the-Khans booth opened every February 5th as part of Founding Day celebrations, we are in no danger of being seen otherwise.  But, at least we get the joke.

The Truce (2863-2871)

   Given the circumstances, the decade following our founding was vitally important, and our Khan placed his trust in the Merchant Caste to guide us through the hard times ahead.  Choosing a Merchant saKhan as a show of trust, saKhan Tony (Smith) displayed a determination and ruthlessness that won the approval of our Warriors as he fought to insure the success and ultimate triumph of our Clan.  Beginning an immediate build-up of basic services aimed at self-sufficiency and innovation, Tony was eventually offered the traditional bodyguard unit of the Khans of the New Clans by a unanimous vote of the Warrior Council.
The next 10 years saw frantic growth as we adopted the 2nd Caste program, choosing to remain on the world of Inheritance rather than try to settle a new world at the urging of the saKhan, and our Khans concentrated our effort to support the Merchant and Labor Castes as we traded long-term benefit for back-breaking effort to support the economic growth of the Clan.  The strength of the Merchant Caste was mirrored in the rank-and-file disaffection of the Laborer Caste with the leadership of our Clan, however, and the example of Clan Mammoth was a warning to us all.
Curbing the violent tendencies of the chalcas leaders of the Laborer Caste by invoking Suikrede on behalf of the Merchant Caste, our SaKhan lobbied the Khan and Caste leaders to support changes that provided greater freedom for the Castes in general and the Laborers in particular.  With the approval of the Council, the willingness of the Warriors to support saKhan Tony’s initiatives displayed our trust of the lesser Castes and erased many of the tensions plaguing the Clan Council, and the respect of the Warriors by the lesser Castes.
As the truce began to run out and the Clan continued to prosper, the growing wealth of our Clan began to attract attention from our stronger sibClans and by 2871 saKhan Tony began advocating moving the Clan deeper into the Cluster.  From among our resource colonies, a fertile, temperate world was chosen as our future capital (avoiding negotiating with the Devil Wasp Merchant Caste for using their planetary catalogue) and presented the issue to the Frost Ape Council.  With the approval of the Council, the Clan supported the appeal of Clan Surf Dragon to IlKhan McEvedy that the capitals of the New Clans be inviolate.
As a final accomplishment before leaving office, saKhan Tony (Smith) decreed that the end of the Truce called for a shift of priorities for the Clan’s leadership Urging the Khan to place the future of the Clan in the hands of the Scientist Caste, Khan Jones awarded the rank of saKhan to Chief Scientist Geoffrey (Tesla) and began establishing research, resource-gathering, and military outposts on nearby planets of the Legacy Cluster, increasing the flow of natural resources and enriching the Clan.  As a final accomplishment before leaving the office of saKhan,

Da Vinci (2872-?)

   With our new homeworld selected, the honor of naming the new Capital fell to the Khan Jones, who chose to name it after the 16th century mathematician and engineer Leonardo da Vinci.  Having made our choice, however, we still faced the daunting task of moving our population and property.  With less than two years left before the end of the Truce, we proceeded to move the majority of our stockpiled supplies and prepared ourselves for the upheaval that would surely follow.
   One of the first of the 2nd Clans to attempt isolating ourselves before the storm of Trials we expected at the end of the Truce, we were able to peacefully negotiate for the assistance of our sibClans assembling the fleet of Jump- and DropShips we needed to move to our new home in exchange for our former holdings.  Having completed our stumbling steps toward colonizing our new home, the priorities of the Scientist Caste began moving to the forefront of our concerns.
Establishing permanent settlements and facilities to ensure the continued production of materials for our defense by the Warrior Caste, saKhan Geoffrey (Tesla) ordered construction materials stockpiled for the establishment of Da Vinci university.  Causing a stir in the Clan Council, Geoffrey was able to convince the heads of the remaining Castes of the value of such an ambitious project.  Citing the need to enlarge the Scientist and Technician Castes, our saKhan ensured himself of enough support to set an ambitious colonization plan into effect with the added proviso that the Council could delay construction if other projects were given added emphasis.
   With the significant natural resources available, we continued expanding our population and industrial base, celebrating the end the Truce and the immunity of our Capital to Trial in 2873.  The colonization of our new capital gave us the breathing space we needed to adequately protect our growing industry.  No longer were there any doubts that we had become a force among the 2nd Clans, devoted to the vision of the IlKhan.  With the beginnings of Da Vinci University taking shape, we began work modifying the biology of our totem, allowing it to survive in the Tundra regions of our new home.  Not to be outdone by the geneticists, engineers concentrated on unraveling the nuances of dezClan technology, contributing to the efforts of the IlKhan’s Joint Development Program.  Bringing the ELM program to a successful conclusion, the Warrior Caste quickly fielded the latest model and led us to embrace the concept of combined arms.