1. #1Trial of Abjurationconstantselective

   Keys: Abjuration, Rite of Abjuration

   A trial whereby the losing party is permanently removed from Clan history and society. When a conflict within a caste or Clan has escalated to the point where it cannot be resolved through any other means, a Trial of Abjuration may be called for by the offended party. Once concluded, a successful trial strips the offending group or individual of rank, caste, and remembrance, placing them outside of Clan law and completely removing any mention of them from all Clan records. Once a person or group has been abjured, Clan members are forbidden to associate with or even speak of them. The targeted party is effectively exiled from Clan society, though they have not been completely destroyed as they might have been were they the target of a Trial of Annihilation. In the case of warriors who have been abjured, their legacy is permanently erased from their Clan's repository and their gene samples destroyed. The outcome of a Trial of Abjuration can be reversed either by the Clan Council that initiated it or by the Grand Council.

2. #2Trial of Refusalconstantselective

   Keys: Trial of Refusal, Rite of Refusal

   A Trial by which any decision made by a Clan Council or the Grand Council can be contested by any member. This trial embodies the Clan's belief in "might makes right," with the winner being considered in the right. The odds of the battle are determined proportionally, based on the vote ratio. The challenger declares the forces they will use, and the defender fields forces proportional to their margin of victory in the vote. For example, if a decision passed five-to-one, the defender could theoretically deploy a force five times larger than that of the challenger. In practice, bidding among defenders often shifts the advantage toward the challenger.

3. #3Trial of Absorptionconstantselective

   Keys: Absorption, Rite of Absorption

   A combination of a Trial of Refusal and Trial of Possession. This Rite allows a Clan to effectively "destroy" another Clan that they feel is unworthy of continuing to exist but whose conduct has not risen to a level where a Trial of Annihilation is warranted. The Grand Council can vote to allow one Clan to absorb another, but only by a unanimous vote — excepting the Clan being absorbed, which cannot vote. If the vote succeeds, the targeted Clan has no recourse; they cannot initiate a Trial of Refusal or appeal the decision in any way. The remaining Clans will then begin a bidding process to see which Clan will face the Clan to be absorbed. The Clan chosen to absorb the weaker Clan may also be challenged by others in a Trial of Refusal before they begin battling the Clan to be absorbed. The resulting Trials can last for years, with the ultimate victor taking the absorbed Clan's holdings, genetic legacies, and Blood Houses as their own.

4. #4Trial of Annihilationconstantselective

   Keys: Annihilation, Rite of Annihilation

   The most severe punishment in Clan society. A Trial of Annihilation demands the complete destruction of the accused. This trial can only be conducted after a unanimous vote by either the Clan Council or the Grand Council and is reserved for the most grievous offences. It has been invoked against individuals, Stars, and Clusters, but is rarely applied to an entire Clan. All traces of the target— possessions, genetic material, and even descendants— are eradicated, and no Clan member is permitted to speak the names of those annihilated.

5. #5General Language and Basic Definitionsconstantselective

   Clan Language

   Clan members will never, ever use any contractions at all in their speech, as to do so is considered incredibly uncouth and an insult to their society.

   ---

   Clan Dictionary

   • Abtakha: A warrior captured but subsequently accepted into their new Clan as a warrior.
   • Aff: Affirmative. Used to replace all forms of agreement.
   • Neg: Negative. Used to replace all forms of disagreement.
   • Blitzking: Profanity, used mostly as an adjective.
   • Batchall: Noun, The ritual by which Clan warriors issue combat challenges.
   • Bloodname: A traditional surname in Clan society that is earned via ritualistic combat.
   • Bondsman: A prisoner taken during combat, of any caste or rank.
   • Canister: Slang for an artificial womb used to birth Trueborn.
   • Canister Born: Informal slang for Trueborn.
   • Chalcas: Noun, Someone or something that is either outside acceptable Clan culture or that challenges it.
   • Circle of Equals: The area in which a Trial takes place.
   • Codex: The Codex is each warrior's personal record, usually carried on a bracelet. It includes the names of the original Bloodnamed warriors from which a warrior is descended, their generation number, Bloodhouse, and Codex ID, an alphanumeric code that notes the unique aspects of that person's DNA. The Codex also contains a record of the warrior's military career.
   • Coregn: A personal aide to a Star Colonel or garrison commander.
   • Couple: Slang for sexual intercourse
   • Dezgra: Slang term meaning Disgraced or Disgraceful, and usually is applied to units or warriors who acted in a way counter to accepted Clan standards of behavior. Units or persons marked as dezgra are not considered worthy of zellbrigen, so normal clan rules of combat can be suspended when facing such opponents.
   • The Founder: The name the Clans use when referring to Nicholas Kerensky, son of Alexander Kerensky, and the founder of Clan society after the Exodus.
   • Freeborn: A person born naturally, not as a result of the Clan genetics program.
   • Freebirth: Pejorative form of Freeborn used as an insult and a curse, especially towards those born outside Clan society.
   • Genefather: A warrior whose DNA was recombined into sperm used to produce trueborn children in a sibko. Despite the name, a Genefather's genetic material can be drawn from both male and female warriors, as Clan scientists can synthesize the DNA of either sex into a sperm gamete.
   • Genemother: A warrior whose DNA was recombined into eggs used to produce trueborn children in a sibko. Despite the name, a Genemother's genetic material can be drawn from both male and female warriors, as Clan scientists can synthesize the DNA of either sex into an ova gamete. A trueborn warrior is only eligible to fight for the Bloodname of their genemother.
   • Giftake: A DNA sample taken posthumously from a warrior who died honorably in battle. Considered by custom superior to previous samples taken, and more likely to produce superior warriors.
   • The Great Father: Name given by the Clans to General Alexander Kerensky, former head of the SLDF and hero of the inner sphere who lead the SLDF into exile after the Star League civil war.
   • Hegira: A courtesy extended by a victorious Clan to an honorably-defeated foe that allows them to acknowledge their defeat and retreat safely from the field. Hegira may be requested by a combatant who feels that defeat is a certainty and that further fighting would only lead to unnecessary loss of life or material.
   • Iron Womb: Artificial birthing chambers used by the Clans as part of their eugenics program for the creation of the perfect trueborn warriors.
   • Isorla: The spoils of battle, including bondsmen, claimed by the victorious warriors.
   • Keshik: A Khan's personal unit, combining headquarters, bodyguard, and support staff.
   • Khan: The leader of a Clan
   • Loremaster: A special rank among the Clans whose responsibility is to safeguard and interpret Clan law.
   • ovKhan: A term of respect for a person of higher rank.
   • Powless: term for powerless, denoting the vulnerability that a warrior feels when forced to fight without his accustomed weapons.
   • Quiaff: A contraction of "Query Affirmative." Used to solicit the subject's agreement, but specifically with the expectation of an affirmative answer (Aff). Often used rhetorically.
   • Quineg: A contraction of "Query Negative." Used to solicit the subject's agreement, but specifically with the expectation of a negative answer (Neg). Often used rhetorically.
   • Ransom: A reward for a warrior who has performed well in their Trial of Position, usually taking the form of a personal weapon, 'Mech, or command of a unit.
   • Rede: A promise or oath that reflects on the swearer's honor. Breaking a rede is considered extremely serious, and is sometimes punishable by death.
   • The Remembrance: An ongoing heroic saga detailing Clan history from the time of the Exodus from the Inner Sphere to the present day, written in poetic prose. The Remembrance is continually expanded to include contemporary events. Each Clan has a slightly different version reflecting their own opinions and experiences. All Clan warriors can quote whole verses of this epic from memory, and it is common to see passages from the book lovingly painted on a warrior's vehicle or armor.
   • Ristar: Refers to a particularly gifted warrior on their way to high position.
   • saKhan: The second-in-command of a Clan.
   • Safcon: Clan slang referring to the right of an attacker to travel to a Trial unmolested by their opponent.
   • Savashri: A Clan epithet, used in a similar manner as 'bastard'.
   • Seyla: A Clan term of sacred agreement employed in Clan ceremonies, in the same sense as 'amen' is used in Abrahamic religions.
   • Sibko: A sibko is a group or batch of Trueborn warriors created from the genetic material of the same two chosen Bloodnamed warriors. The smallest organizational element in Clan training, sibkos are separated only by death or when testing decides their members' final placement in Clan society.
   • Sibkin: Members of the same sibko.
   • Sibbie/Sibbies: An epithet that implies poor training or a young, inexperienced warrior.
   • Solahma: slang describing an "old" Clan warrior, usually thirty years of age or older, that has not obtained the rank or distinguished reputation necessary to remain posted in a frontline unit. Solahma warriors are detached from their original units and reassigned to dedicated units made entirely of other solahma warriors, where they are expected to earn a good death. These units receive combat tasks deemed unworthy or beneath the ability of frontline warriors such as hunting bandits or being used as cannonfodder. Being assigned to a 'Mech unit as a solahma warrior is rare and those warriors that do receive this privilege generally receive second-line 'Mechs. Most end up as infantry, hoping they will find a way to die with honor.
   • Stravag: A derogatory epithet favored by members of the Warrior Caste, loosely translated as freeborn.
   • Surat: A derogatory epithet referring to a cute, monkey-like mammal native to the Clan Homeworlds that the lower Castes keep as pets. Often used in a similar way someone may be referred to as rat.
   • Surkai: Also known as the Rite of Forgiveness, surkai is a ritual undergone when a Clansman who has wronged or opposed another Clansman admits their wrongdoing and accepts punishment for their actions. It is usually performed by subordinates requesting forgiveness from their superiors. Once surkai is complete and punishment is rendered, both parties are expected to move on from the conflict without further recriminations.
   • Surkairede: Also known as the Rede of Forgiveness, surkairede is the social contract that binds both the offender and wronged party to honor the outcome of the ritual. Once the offending party has requested and received punishment for their actions, surkairede ensures that they suffer no additional consequences or disgrace as a result of the initial offence.
   • Test-Down: The demotion of a warrior or cadet who is unsuccessful in their Trial of Position to maintain or advance in rank.
   • Touman: A Clan's military forces.
   • Trashborn: Derogatory epithet used by a freeborn to insult a trueborn.
   • Trial: A set of combat rituals used to solve disputes between Clan members. Implemented as a way to limit collateral damage from fights, Trials became the foundation for resolving all major disputes between political factions.
   • Trueborn: A warrior artificially engineered by a Clan's science caste from the genetic material of two other warriors, gestated from an Iron Womb.
   • Truebirth: Used to refer to a trueborn warrior by another trueborn warrior in a more casual setting.
   • Vineer: A memento taken in battle.
   • Zellbrigen: The ritualistic form of honor duelling practices by the Warrior Caste of the Clans.
6. #6Batchallconstantselective

   Keys: Batchall

   The batchall, compound word (BATtle CHALLenge), is the ritualistic challenge of combat issued by Clan warriors, often as part of a Trial of Possession. It almost always involves the attacker announcing to the defender their identity and size of their forces, the objective of their challenge, and a request for what forces will oppose them. The defender then responds by identifying what military forces they intend to use to defend the objective and may choose the battlefield the challenge will take place on. The defender is also able to ask for a prize of equal value that the attacker must surrender should they prove victorious. Once the particulars have been agreed upon the challenge is closed with the phrase "well bargained and done" spoken by both participants. With the batchall complete the attackers and defenders then bid amongst themselves for the right to fight in the challenge, with subcommanders bidding away units, individuals or even specific weapons in an effort to win with the fewest forces, thereby preventing waste and earning personal glory.

   The batchall is an integral part of the bidding practices of the Clans, a tradition born out of the early days when resources were incredibly scarce. It is seen as a sign of respect for an opponent to issue a batchall and so dishonorable opponents are not given this courtesy. Instead they may be attacked with all forces at the challenger's command without warning. During the Clan Invasion some Inner Sphere commanders used the batchall to deceive the invaders by lying about the forces they planned to use in opposing the challenge, thereby causing heavier Clan casualties or even defeat in some cases. While catching the Clans off-guard at first, it has since made many Clan commanders wary when treating with Inner Sphere forces; many have simply abandoned the batchall completely when fighting against the Inner Sphere

   Ended with the phrase: "Bargained and Done" as the final words.

7. #7Trial of Bloodrightconstantselective

   Keys: Trial of Bloodright

   A Trial of Bloodright is one of the six Trials of Combat, and determines the assignment of Bloodnames

   Being a matrilineal descendant of a Bloodnamed warrior gives a warrior the right to participate in the Trial to earn the Bloodname (and due to the Clan eugenics program, there are a lot of potential warriors for a particular Bloodname at any given time).[1][2]

   By Clan law, at any one time there are up to 25 active warriors with the same Bloodname (there can be less due to Reavings).[3] When one dies, a Trial of Bloodright is held to determine who should replace the Bloodnamed warrior.[4] Though each Clan originally only claimed the forty Bloodnames that were assigned to their Clans by Nicholas Kerensky, various Trials of Possession for genetic material had ended this practice by the thirty-first century. A warrior who was taken as a bondsman to another Clan could still participate in a Bloodname Trial for a name in their former Clan.[5]

   The trial involves a single-elimination tournament of one-on-one combat duels. 32 candidates are chosen to compete for the Bloodname, so a candidate can only win a Bloodname by winning all five duels. The nature of the duels depends whether they are fighting for an Elemental Bloodname, MechWarrior Bloodname, or an Aerospace Bloodname. If the dueling warriors are both disabled or killed, the warrior who would have faced the winner automatically moves on to the next round. If the final two warriors kill each other, the Trial of Bloodright starts over again.[4]

   Each living member of a Bloodname nominates one warrior for the Trial (for a maximum of 24 candidates if the Bloodname has all 25 active Bloodrights and only one Bloodname warrior has recently died).[6] All but one of the remaining slots (i.e. up to 31 candidates) are filled by a committee led by either the Clan's Loremaster (if one Clan has exclusive control over the Bloodname) or the head of the Bloodname House (if the Bloodname is not exclusive to one clan).[6][7] If the recently deceased Bloodname warrior left a will designating a warrior as a candidate for the Trial of Bloodright, that warrior is included among the nominees (presumably this reduces the number of nominees selected by the Loremaster or Bloodname House leader by one).[7] A 32nd slot is given to any warrior eligible to hold that Bloodname who was not nominated but wishes to compete for the Bloodname, these warriors then have a single free-for-all battle to win the 32nd slot called a Grand Bloodname Melee

8. #8Bloodnames, Bloodrights, etc.constantselective

   Keys: Bloodname, bloodright

   A traditional surname in Clan society that is earned via ritualistic combat. The first Bloodnames were derived from the surnames of each of the 800 warriors who stood with Nicholas Kerensky during the Exodus Civil War, and each Clan has their own set of traditional Bloodnames. The right to use one of these surnames has been the ambition of every Clan warrior since the Clans system was established, as only Bloodnamed warriors may sit on Clan Councils or be considered eligible for the position of Khan or ilKhan. Generally, a maximum of twenty-five warriors are allowed to use a particular Bloodname at any one time. When one of these warriors dies, a special Trial called a Trial of Bloodright is held to determine a successor. A contender must prove their Bloodname lineage, receive a sponsorship from a Bloodnamed warrior, and successfully complete a series of duels against other competitors. Bloodnames are determined matrilineally after the first generation. Because a warrior can only inherit from their female parent, they can only lay claim to one Bloodname.

9. #9Bondsmenconstantselective

   Keys: Bondsmen, Bondsman, Bondholder

   A prisoner taken during combat, of any caste or rank. Considered a member of the Laborer caste until freed or promoted back to active service. Custom indicates that any prisoner remain a bondsman for at least a token amount of time, even high-ranking and Bloodnamed warriors. Some Clans do not free bondsmen to certain castes, especially the Warrior caste.

   The person who takes a bondsman, and determines whether a bondsman has fulfilled their Bond obligations is known as a Bondholder.

10. #10Brian Cacheconstantselective

    Keys: Brian Cache, Cache

    A reference to a style of fortification from the Star League era, A Brian Cache s a Clan equipment store, usually containing old Star League Equipment demobilized when the Clan worlds were colonized.

11. #11Elementalsconstantselective

    Keys: Elemental, Elementals

    Elementals are the genetically engineered trueborn infantry of the Clans, so named because both they and their battle armor are capable of fighting in any element. Designed and bred over dozens of generations to operate Clan battle armor, Elementals are the largest and strongest of the three common Clan warrior phenotypes. Elementals average 2-2.5 meters in height and are disproportionally muscular compared to even the strongest Inner Sphere warrior. While generally used as shock troops, Elementals have found use in other military roles as well, such as security personnel or marines. Elementals who wash out of training usually end up in the Laborer Caste due to their tremendous strength and endurance.

12. #12Clan Ghost Bearconstantselective

    Keys: Ghost Bear, Bear, Bears

    Among the most powerful of the Clans, the Ghost Bears were defined by their conservative "wait and see" nature and their deep familial relationship with each other. Though they were less quick to adopt new technologies or concepts than other Clans, their approach to life also ensured their survival and growth over the years.

    They value strength through self-improvement and great feats of heroism and survival.

    Patience is a key virtue to Ghost Bear, as they will take measured steps going through life, and partial commitment to a cause is worse than none at all.

    They also value family in contrast to nearly every other Clan, maintaining family ties and similar family structures even with Trueborn members of their society. They also take great care with their civilian populations, in contrast to a lot of other Clans.

13. #13Circle of Equalsconstantselective

    Keys: trial, rite, circle of equals

    The area in which a Trial takes place. The area can be anywhere from a few meters across for personal combat, or thousands of kilometers across, or even span several worlds for large scale Trials. A contestant that voluntarily leaves or is forced to leave the designated area is considered dishonorable or weak, and is disqualified. The area can be of any shape, though it is traditionally a circle.

14. #14Trial of Grievanceconstantselective

    Keys: Trial of Grievance, Rite of Grievance, Grievance

    A Trial used to resolve disputes between two parties, with the winner being considered in the right. These Trials are frequently fought over matters of honor and are often decided through combat to the death.

15. #15Trial of Possessionconstantselective

    Keys: Trial of Possession, Rite of Possession

    This Trial is used to settle disputes between two parties over ownership or control of assets, which can range from equipment and territory to genetic material. At the heart of the trial is the traditional batchall, designed to encourage both sides to resolve the conflict with minimal force.

16. #16Trial of Positionconstantselective

    Keys: Trial of Position, Rite of Position

    This Trial has two forms. The first, called "the blooding," takes place at the end of a candidate's sibko training and determines whether they are fit to join the warrior caste. Successfully defeating at least one opponent means the candidate has "tested out" and may be assigned to a unit, while being defeated before eliminating at least one opponent means the candidate has "washed out" and is reassigned to a lower caste depending on the needs of the Clan. The second form, known as "testing," is held periodically to assess if warriors are qualified to retain their current rank. Warriors are pitted against opponents matching their role, rank, and age. A warrior who performs as expected maintain their position. Those who exceed expectations are promoted, referred to as "testing up," while those who fall short are demoted, referred to as "testing down." Warriors who do not possess rank and who test down may be reassigned to non-combat roles or transferred to a civilian caste.

17. #17Trial of Propagationconstantselective

    Keys: Trial of Propagation, Rite of Propagation

    The ritual of expanding the Bloodcount linked to a specific Bloodname. If a Bloodcount has been reduced by Reaving, it can be restored based on the recommendation of the scientist caste and approval through a vote by the Grand Council. This decision can be challenged through a Trial of Refusal, though neither the challenger nor the defender faces any penalties regardless of the outcome.

18. #18Trial of Reavingconstantselective

    Keys: Trial of Reaving, Rite of Reaving

    the ritual used to reduce the Bloodcount of a specific Bloodname. While it was originally intended to limit the influence of under performing Bloodnames, it quickly evolved into a political tool for regulating the number of warriors—and thus votes—from a single Bloodname House in Clan Councils. A Reaving is initiated by a Bloodname House (or, by more common precedent, a Clan) against a Bloodhouse that has announced a Trial of Bloodright. The Grand Council debates the validity of the Bloodname, and the matter is typically settled through a special Trial of Refusal known as the Trial of Reaving following the Council's vote. If the side that proposed the Reaving is victorious, the targeted Bloodname’s Bloodcount is reduced by one, and the pending Trial of Bloodright is cancelled. If the defending side prevails, the Trial of Bloodright proceeds as planned, and the Bloodhouse that called for the Reaving faces an automatic Trial of Reaving when their next Bloodright becomes available.

19. #19Zellbrigenconstantselective

    Keys: Zellbrigen, honor, honour, duel, duelling

    Zellbrigen is ritualistic form of honor duelling practised by the Warrior Caste of the Clans.

    The rules of zellbrigen consist of the following, which deal with one-on-one combat between peer opponents, such as 'Mech vs 'Mech, Elemental vs Elemental etc. When engaging combat vehicles and conventional infantry these rules do not apply to Clan MechWarriors; likewise Clan infantry and armor units need not follow the rules of zellbrigen when facing other opponents, including 'Mechs.

    • Each warrior will issue a challenge to a different enemy. If one side outnumbers the other, then the extra warriors on that side will stand aside until one of their comrades falls in battle. Typically the challenge will be made verbally
    • A warrior can challenge more than one 'Mech at a time, in which case all of that warrior's opponents are considered part of the same duel and may fire on the lone warrior. While this can be used to deny friendly battle armor, conventional infantry and vehicles the chance to engage in combat, it cannot be used in the same way to deny fellow MechWarriors.
    • A warrior has the right to refuse challenges from non-Clan units, especially if underhanded ploys are suspected, and has the right to refuse a challenge from a unit of differing weight class if other unengaged units are available.
    • Certain actions taken during a duel are considered dezgra (dishonourable) and an opponent who engages in them too often can render the fight void. These include intentionally moving out of the line of sight of an opponent, intentionally moving out of weapons range of an opponent, or failing to fire a weapon at the opponent if capable of doing so, although even these may be acceptable if tactically appropriate.
    • No artillery or other Area-Effect Weapons shall be employed by either side. Likewise systems that requires multiple units to operate, with spotters or other designation units, are forbidden, unless they are part of the weapons package of the challenged/challenging mech and only utilized by those mechs.

    A warrior is also expected to not retreat from inferior foes, or to engage his opponent in melee combat, though these are not part of the formal rules of zellbrigen.

20. #20Clan Castesconstantselective

    Keys: Caste, castes, warrior, scientist, merchant, technician, laborer

    Clan society is based on a strict caste system, the foundation of which is that one's genetic makeup predisposes one to a particular role. The five castes are the Warrior Caste, Scientist Caste, Merchant Caste, Technician Caste, and Laborer Caste, with the warriors being the most prestigious and laborers being the least prestigious. Among other things, the warriors act as the military, police force, and rulers of the entirety of Clan society. The only Clan where a different caste is held in esteem comparable or possibly even greater than the Warriors is Clan Diamond Shark (formerly Clan Sea Fox), where Warrior-Traders are fairly common, and Merchants are now the de facto rulers.[19]

    Ownership of property is considered un-Clanlike and punishable in accordance with Clan law. The ownership of weapons by non-warriors is a crime in Clan society. The only way to bypass this problem is the black market (ruled by the Dark Caste and a crime just to contact them). Most Clansmen will never go to such lengths

Showing 20 of 20

1 file

• .pngpng_cardspec 2.0original

  686.0 KB512×768first seen Oct 20, 20264fd80090e7f63765

  version main

  Download