Years prior to 3049 have proceeded according to the existing Battletech Canon - an astonishing amount of information can be found here.
A brief summary of each main faction and their recent history can be found here, though keep in mind this continues past the current game, and as such may include inaccurate information for anything past 3050.
Recent years and events (from the Battletech: Universe Guide)
On 20 August 3028, Hanse Davion and Melissa Steiner held their wedding on Terra in the presence of their fellow Successor Lords. At the reception following the wedding, Hanse Davion offered a gift to his bride. As he fed Melissa a piece of wedding cake, Prince Hanse announced, “Wife, in honor of our marriage, in addition to this morsel I give you a vast prize. My love, I give you the Capellan Confederation!” With those words, Hanse Davion launched the Fourth Succession War.
In a series of military exercises held between 3026 and 3028, Hanse Davion had discovered that he could move vast numbers of troops swiftly to distant battlefields. He had also reorganized his army, regrouping battalions and regiments into Regimental Combat Teams consisting of one or more regiments of BattleMechs plus armor, infantry and artillery support. This organization gave Davion troops overwhelming advantages in numbers. The RCTs poured into the Capellan Confederation in seven successive waves, cutting it in half.
Such large-scale mobilization by the Federated Suns did not come without cost. The vast demand for JumpShips and DropShips to ferry troops across space reduced commerce between worlds to essential items only, inflicting economic hardship on many planets. In addition, the Holy Order of ComStar, whose members had preserved the technology of interstellar communications ever since the fall of the Star League, opposed Hanse Davion’s war and placed the Federated Suns under Interdiction. ComStar’s hyperpulse generators would relay no messages to, from or between any Federated Sun worlds. Hampered by the Interdiction and pleased with his conquests, Hanse Davion sued for peace in 3029. The battered Capellan Confederation agreed willingly to the Federated Suns’ terms, desperate to free its scant military resources for use against other enemies. The Free Worlds League had exploited the Confederation’s weakened state, taking more than a few worlds for itself; the Confederation’s leadership could no longer afford war with House Davion if he hoped to preserve his nation.
Between 3029 and 3039, the Successor States jockeyed for power through covert dealings and small skirmishes in lieu of outright war. The Federated Commonwealth completed the integration of its militaries, governments, economies and conquered worlds, forming the largest and most powerful realm in the Inner Sphere. Meanwhile, the Draconis Combine took one lesson from the Fourth Succession War to heart, and overhauled its military in response to Hanse Davion’s “lightning war.” In his role as the Combine’s Gunji-no-Kanrei, or Deputy of Military Affairs, Theodore Kurita took several steps to ensure his nation’s safety. He revamped the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery, upgrading their training and loosening the command structure to reward personal initiative. In his most controversial act, Theodore signed a compact with ComStar, granting independence to several Combine worlds in exchange for ComStar’s Star League-era BattleMechs. As a result, on 13 March 3034, the Free Rasalhague Republic announced its independence from the Draconis Combine.
The declaration of independence touched off a minor rebellion within the Combine, as reactionary commanders refused to pull their military units from the new republic. Theodore declared the reactionaries ronin, lordless, and sent his own units to drive them from Free Rasalhague. Theodore’s troops and various mercenary groups joined the Republic’s Kungsärmé in battle against the ronin, but poor contracts negotiated in haste with the mercenaries paid most too much money for too little fighting. Free Rasalhague won the freedom it had claimed, but its citizens learned to loathe the mercenary MechWarrior.
In April of 3039, Hanse Davion set in motion the second great wave of his war to unite the Inner Sphere. Selecting the Draconis Combine as his target, he launched a two-front attack on the Dieron district. The first assault wave succeeded brilliantly; Davion’s military advisors believed they had taken the Combine by surprise. Before Federated Commonwealth forces could launch their second wave, however, the Combine counterattacked and threw the Commonwealth on the defensive. Aided by the Star League ’Mechs he had received from ComStar, Theodore Kurita gambled with the fate of his nation and won. By attacking in the teeth of the Davion onslaught, Theodore made Hanse Davion believe the DCMS stronger than it actually was. Also, Hanse Davion saw no reason to grind his troops down against soldiers armed with superior, Star League-era technology. By October of 3039, Davion chose to cut his losses and make peace.
The War of 3039 accomplished little for those who fought it, save to remind the Successor States of the severe cost of war. A few worlds changed hands, but the balance of power remained the same. Aside from an assault in 3041, in which the Tenth Lyran Guards took the world of Skondia from the Combine, the states of the Inner Sphere seemed content to rebuild their realms in peace. Military readiness and overcharged rhetoric still ruled the day, but the Successor States had—at least temporarily—grown tired of war. The Inner Sphere rebuilt during ten years of relative peace. Even periphery nations, such as the Magistracy of Canopus, and smaller Inner Sphere powers, such as the Free Rasalhague Republic and the tiny St. Ives Company, have enjoyed being able to consolidate and strengthen themselves. Of the Great House, House Liao has particularly benefitted from the peaceful years after the chaos and losses it suffered during the Fourth Succession War. However, that isn't to say things have been entirely peaceful. Skirmishes and planetary raids have still taken place, bandits and pirates are still a threat on the frontier and there have been countless smaller incidents of conflict besides. Nonetheless, for many people across the Inner Sphere, life has been largely calm and stable for once.
The recovery of the Helm Memory Core in 3028 had brought back a lot of lost technology (lostech), allowing for it to be understood and reproduced once again. By 3049 many once lost technologies are once again in use, especially military technology used by premiere House units. In particular, longer range and pulse laser weapons, better heat sinks, extra light engines and alternative armour and construction techniques are in use once again, though most commands can only count on a handful of such designs as production takes time. Forgotten civilian technologies are also being rediscovered, which has allowed for increasingly uninhabitable environments to be terraformed and recolonised once again. The only note of concern for the Sphere are the increased reports of pirate activity and communication failures, particularly in coreward space.
The game begins on Monday 31st December, 3049.
Federated Commonwealth (FC)
Leadership:
Hanse Davion - Known to friends and enemies as 'The Fox', Hanse Davion is an intelligent, charismatic, and bold leader. He has led his nation to greater heights than they have known in generations, and for this, he is widely adored by his people. Although there are some who decry his recent alliance with house Steiner and the Lyran Commonwealth, they are a minority, and largely keep their concerns about the future to themselves. While he is a capable commander, Hanse is better known for his Machiavellian plotting, manifested in strategic moves which have already carved away nearly half the Capellan Confederation, liberated the Rasalhague district (though he did not actually desire that outcome), and united two superpowers into a single, sphere-spanning superpower.
Melissa Steiner - Melissa Steiner is second fiddle to no-one, not even her husband, Hanse Davion. Charismatic, beloved, and a capable politician, she has helmed the Lyran ship of state for years, and ensured that it would have a powerful position within this new Federated Commonwealth. Her state is contentious, with greater internal divisions, fuelled by meddlesome family members, who she has to handle with a velvet glove and the threat of more direct punishment. While this limits her ability to look outward, she keeps things under control with a steady hand.
Recent History: The biggest state in the Inner-sphere, and by far the most outwardly powerful, the Federated Commonwealth is the result of a merging between two great houses and their territories, the Lyran Commonwealth led by Katrina Steiner, and the Federated Suns led by Hanse Davion. Their marriage began the Fourth Succession War from 3028 to 3030, united two great realms, and tore large chunks of the Capellan Confederation away to form a bridge between the two territories. That war has recently ended, being followed by a series of smaller conflicts to consolidate their holdings. Plans to invade the Draconis Combine were thwarted when Comstar negotiated the release of the rebellious Rasalhague district as it's own independent state. This only bought time however.
In 3039 the Federated Commonwealth invaded the Draconis Combine. Thanks to the secret assistance of Comstar, House Kurita was largely able to resist, but it was a bloody conflict. The majority of fighting lasted a year, but some battles continued into 3042 even though hostilities were suspended in 3040. For the Federated Commonwealth the conflict achieved relatively little, but it did make them realise the merger of their realms was proceeding too slowly in certain aspects. In 3041 the militaries and intelligence agencies of both powers were combined. Interestingly, there remained two separate commands, one for each sphere of space, but the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth (AFFC) were united in purpose. Officially however, each realm is separate until Victor Steiner-Davion succeeds his parents.
More recently, the death of the Duke of Tamar has allowed his daughter, Morasha Kelswa, to become the Duchess of this region of Lyran space. It has the closest ties and claims to the western parts of Rasalhague space. While the AFFC are technically supporting the nascent Republic, particularly forces that swear fealty to House Davion, this isn't uniform as the military merger is ongoing. There are still some elements that retain autonomy of command or who have enough political backing to act with a degree of independence. Morasha's private troops and some local components of the AFFC are part of that. While the wider region is commanded by a member of the Steiner family, he is busy investigating increasingly worrisome reports from the frontier. Furthermore, Morasha's own husband is a Steiner, so she has the political clout to do things her father could not. The quiet build up of a planetary strike force on the border with the Free Rasalhague Republic is largely her doing...
Draconis Combine (DC)
Leadership:
Takashi Kurita - The aging coordinator of the Draconis combine, he is now more figurehead than leader, having given up many of his duties and powers to his son. He did not do so entirely willingly, but his personal vendetta against the Wolf's Dragoons, tied up with the changing circumstances of the inner-sphere forced him to face the reality that he wasn't equipped to deal with the modern age, a failing not shared by his son.
Theodore Kurita - The de-facto ruler of the Draconis Combine, Theodore has taken over military command of the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery (DCMS), and has proven himself a worthy adversary for Hanse Davion, using calculated aggression, defence in depth, and a surprising degree of diplomatic wit to fend off the attacks launched against the Combine by the Lyran half of the Federated Commonwealth in the fourth succession war. His negotiations brought disillusioned portions of the Combine back into line, helped arrange for the release of Rasalhague using systems from both sides of the border, and even convinced his obstinate father to allow him to take the actions necessary to save his nation.
Recent History: The Draconis Combine nears the fifth decade of the 31st century in a difficult position, now faced with a united enemy on two fronts. They do not balk from this danger, but the ever practical Theodore Kurita is, even now, continuing to negotiate with other states and seeking any advantage he can, in order to preserve his realm. He is also boosting production of units and weapons and authorising new military technological research. Anything that can strengthen the DC position is a must. Territorial losses from the 4th succession war and the release of Rasalhague were only somewhat offset by the shrinking of the overall border which needs defending, and creative tactics and reforms will be necessary if this ancient nation is to survive the coming years.
Free Worlds League (FWL)
Leadership:
Thomas Marik - A capable leader and a former acolyte of Comstar, Thomas was not originally intended to take power. After being forced into the role, however, he has risen to the occasion, leading his nation through recent events with remarkable care, avoiding excessive conflict and maintaining a relative peace for his nation. Though events are currently uncertain, the FWL are generally pleased with his efforts, and enjoy their relative neutrality.
Recent History: Although the Free Worlds League was involved in recent fighting, it never faced the brunt of the wars, and as such it has come through them in much better condition than most of the neighbouring powers. With a strong arms industry, relative internal stability, and weakened and distracted neighbours, now is a good time for the Free Worlds League, provided the Federated Commonwealth grows no larger. The Free Worlds League Military (FWLM) sits ready, regardless, and the FWL has excellent mercenary ties too. The weakening of its greatest troublemaker neighbour, the Capellan Confederation, has been well received by the FWLM command.
Capellan Confederation (CC)
Leadership:
Romano Liao - The daughter of chancellor Maximillian Liao, Romano took power after her father seemingly went mad in the wake of the 4th succession war. Ruthless, vicious, superstitious, and capricious, she rules through terror and bloodshed, and is singularly fixated on reclaiming her lost territory, no matter the means required. Many consider her just to be insane, and she is almost the image of the insane despot, putting people to death for no apparent reason. However, while her father went clearly mad, Romano has a certain charisma and cunning that allows her to hold on to the reins of power.
Recent History: No nation has suffered greater defeats in recent history than the Capellan Confederation. Victims of a massive blitz attack which shattered their defences, they were then further damaged by betrayal from within - a sleeper agent placed by Hanse Davion years in advance had risen to a prominent position in the Capellan military, the infamous Justin Allard. Eloping with one of the chancellor's daughters, leading an entire province in revolt, the knife from within was almost too much to bear. In the end, only the timely intervention of Comstar placing the Federated Commonwealth under communications blackout would be enough to stop the invasion, and when the dust settled, the nation was left crippled.
Now, weakened though they are, the remaining worlds of the confederation have fortified, building up their industries and preparing to give their lives in fanatical devotion to the state, should it be required. Some day, every Liao swears, they will rise again. On the other hand, the damage to the Confederation allowed the small St. Ives Compact to declare secession. While the Capellan Confederation Armed Forces (CCAF) has systematically attacked this small realm, including (some would say especially) civilian targets, it has united with the Federated Suns half of the Federated Commonwealth, which has created yet another headache for House Liao.
Free Rasalhague Republic (FRR)
Leadership:
Haakon Magnusson - Known by his people as the Silver Fox, Haakon was a long time freedom fighter who fought for most of his life for the rights and freedoms of the Rasalhague district. After the Fourth Succession War, he was approached by Draconis Combine and ComStar. They proposed to him their plans to create the Free Rasalhague Republic from the Rasalhague Military District. Though initially suspicious, they eventually won him over. In 3034 he declared himself Prince of the newly formed Republic. His work then became uniting his people and keeping the nation together, avoiding letting it collapse into anarchy.
Recent History: Though only recently formed, the Republic has already faced invasion - by disillusioned defectors from the Draconis Combine who felt certain that by reclaiming the lost province, they could regain their nation's 'lost honour'. The war was brief, but vicious, and the small nation is now much hardened and wary of their neighbours. The conflict left a deep mistrust of mercenaries, who often refused to do anything their contract didn't directly stipulate, which persists to date. Hardy, independent, and proud, time will tell if the Rasalhague Republic can stand, or if it will be just be a footnote in history.
Comstar
Leadership:
Myndo Waterly - The current Primus of Comstar is a very political woman, one who takes her dedication to her position to heart. Cunning, fanatical, and manipulative, she has had a hand in the outcomes of all the recent wars in the Inner-Sphere, lending aid to some, hindering others, in hopes of maintaining a balance of power. Though she has had to reveal some of her cards, she still holds many close to her chest, and still believes that she has the power to achieve the long held goals of her order.
Recent History: Comstar has revealed a certain degree of partiality, at long last, pushing a communications embargo on the Federated Commonwealth during the 4th succession war, and covertly lending equipment to the Draconis Combine in exchange for diplomatic concessions.
Outwardly, however, the organization continues as always - a group of mystics who maintain the mysterious Hyper Pulse Generators, arcane lostech from a better age which allows for faster than light communication between worlds. As the only source of this service, they hold a total monopoly and enjoy the protections that are provided by that fact. As a result of this, they are able to run their own currency, the C-Bill, which is universally accepted and guaranteed against transmission time on their network, keeping the value steady and allowing for international commerce. They also are in charge of the Mercenary Review Board, or MRB, an organization which tracks and organizes the various mercenary companies in the Inner-Sphere, providing accountability between client and mercenary, and ensuring the bills get paid... one way or another.
Periphery
Recent History: The periphery continues as it long has - largely ignoring and ignored by the inner-sphere. Small kingdoms rise and fall, worlds are settled, lost, and settled again. Life goes on, rough and tumble, in the dusty frontiers of human expansion. Beyond the Periphery is the Deep Periphery, which has its own powers, but is too far away and unimportant for most to bother learning.
Notable periphery powers include:
- The Taurian Concordat
- The Magistracy of Canopus
- The Outworlds Alliance
- The Marian Hegemony
- The Oberon Confederation
- The Aurigan Coalition
