Clan Diamond Shark

The foundation of Clan Diamond Shark is shrouded in controversy. Originally named Clan Sea Fox for the reptile like, amphibian predator native to Strana Mechty, they were renamed in 2985 following the diamond shark's introduction to that world, supplanting the sea fox in the food chain.

History and Origins

The only Clan not to underestimate the defenders of Babylon, the Sea Foxes emerged from the Pentagon Campaign with the respect of their peers. The Sea Fox Khan's early initiatives to promote material prosperity and the strength of the Clan's economy soon paid off. The Clan pioneered developments in the artificial womb technology, and worked with the Cloud Cobras on genetic engineering techniques. However, it was in trade - both material goods and information - that Clan Sea Fox made its reputation. They prospered for more than a century.

However, jealousy of the Sea Fox's success festered among the other Clans. Following a humiliating defeat in a trial of possession - and the Sea Fox's bragging about their victory on the Chatterweb - the Khan of Clan Snow Raven took extraordinary measures. Releasing a genetically engineered breed of shark into Strana Mechty's oceans, he sought to destroy his enemy's totem animal. Although one colony of sea foxes remained, the success of the diamond shark led to the Clan petitioning for a name change. Viewed as near heretical - casting off the name given them by Nicholas Kerensky - they were nevertheless allowed to do so after winning a Trial of Refusal. On September 30, 2985 Clan Sea Fox was renamed Clan Diamond Shark.

For many years the Clan attempted to keep out of politics - after all political disputes were bad for business - but eventually succumbed to the Great Debate. Although predominantly Wardens, their desire to return to the Inner Sphere lead them to support the Crusader cause, as much to limit the brutality of Clans Jade Falcon and Smoke Jaguar as to exploit Inner Sphere resources.

When the call for invasion went out in 3048, the Diamond Sharks failed to win a primary place in the invasion, but were designated third reserve after the Steel Vipers and Nova Cats. To further improve his Clan's position Khan Ian Hawker entered into an alliance with the Jade Falcons. As the invasion progressed, the Diamond Shark observers attached to the invasion force traveled among the fleet and occupied worlds, identifying the goods the Invaders needed. They passed this information to the Clan's merchants who made considerable profits. However, the situation soured when an arms transport fell into the hands of Kuritan rebels, who used the captured arms against Clan Smoke Jaguar. The merchants were expelled.

When the Clan was finally activated after the death of ilKhan Showers they were forced to fight the Ghost Bears for a base world, and looked set to share their invasion corridor. However, before the situation the arrangement was formalized the Battle of Tukayyid shattered the Shark Touman and they retreated in disarray. The Ghost Bears soon recaptured Nyserta and the Diamond Sharks had little option but to return to Clan Space.

With the warrior caste in disarray, the Clan's merchant caste became ascendant, in effect determining Clan policy. Angus Labov, a retired warrior and head of the merchants, became de facto leader of the Clan and worked hard to rebuild his Clan. The merchants established trade links with the other Clans and the Inner Sphere powers, always with an eye to strengthening their position. By the time of the Harvest Trials the Clan had returned to its former strength, and in the aftermath of the "Great Refusal", Khan Ian Hawker resigned.

Society

Unlike other Clans, the Diamond Sharks view the civilian castes as supporting the Clan rather than just the warrior caste, allowing them to flourish. The Diamond Shark economy is the strongest in the Clans, attributed to the strong bonds between the castes. This has resulted in disparaging comments from the other Clans (the Coyotes have a saying "when there are fins in the water, don't go swimming"), especially after the disaster of Tukayyid, but has allowed the Clan to rebuild quickly. Doing so forced the warriors to make concessions to the merchant caste, a matter than has only recently been resolved.

The Diamond Sharks take Bondsmen wherever possible. To quote one Star Colonel, "Bondsmen are a simple by product of another action - one we can exploit". It is not unknown for the Diamond Sharks to return bondsmen to their original Clan in exchange for some form of concessions. This allows them to repatriate any troublesome elements and still make a 'profit' on the situation.

The Diamond Sharks understand honor, but their own application of it is somewhat flexible. They understand the need to display an honorable countenance to smooth dealings with other Clans, but believe strict adherence to the Honor Road is detrimental to the Clans best interests. To do so would cut the Clan off from many opportunities, something even the warrior caste is loathe to do.

Similarly, the Clan is not overly political. Their viewpoint wanders between the Crusader and Warden philosophies. Since Tukayyid and their ejection they have espoused the Warden cause but generally prefer to remain apolitical, again because favoring one camp too strongly would be bad for business.

The primary reason for supporting the Crusader faction in the invasion was to gain access to Inner Sphere markets, which they regard as largely untapped. They fully intend to take up Prince Victor's call for stronger ties with the Inner Sphere, and rumors already circulate that they have established relations with Inner Sphere trading cartels.

Military

Although they fought in the Inner Sphere, most other Clans look on the Diamond Shark military with disdain. Gutted on Tukayyid, the Diamond Shark Touman has rebuilt in the eight years since with the assistance of the merchant caste. The Sharks rarely resort to violence, preferring to get their way through mercantile means. However, interference with their commercial operations frequently elicits a devastating response.

Like most Clans, the Diamond Sharks discriminate against freeborn warriors. However, the need to guard their territory and merchant vessels means the Clan cannot be too picky, and thus does use such troops, mainly in a second line militia. Many train to fight as marines aboard ship, or to act as compound guards.

Unusually, many Shark warriors retire from active service and take up positions in lower castes. Little stigma is attached to such actions, and Bloodnamed retirees may retain their warrior qualification by passing an annual Trial of Position. Because of this policy, the Diamond Sharks have few Solahma units.

Over the years the Diamond Sharks have developed a reputation as sharp bidders, forcing opponents to miscalculate and lose more frequently that would be expected. Although such tactics have offended the other Clans, the Sharks view them simply as an extension of the standard 'efficiency' measures.

Allies and Enemies

The Diamond Sharks know that building strong relationships with particular Clans - adversarial or otherwise - could harm their relationships with others. Consequently, they have steered a path of neutrality with most Clans. However, there are some notable exceptions.

The closest the Sharks have to allies are the Blood Spirits and Fire Mandrills, for whom they serve as intermediaries to the other Clans. They have also had historically good relationships with Clan Wolf. Although relationships with the Wolves under Vlad Ward have cooled, they still maintain limited covert contacts with the Wolves in the ARDC. Similarly, the Ghost Bears respected the Sharks sufficiently to grant them territories when they withdrew.

The only Clan the Diamond Sharks despise are the Snow Ravens, who instigated the series of events that lead to the renaming. They have taken every opportunity to slight the Ravens in business, and the Ravens have been atypically passive in their response.

Possessions

10 Worlds (9 shared, 1 exclusive)

Although always maintaining wide-ranging possessions, the recent Trials of Possession have benefited the Diamond Sharks considerably. Clan Ghost Bear gifted them their enclaves on Tokasha and Paxon, but though Diamond Shark forces landed on Tokasha, the Khans viewed holding their enclave as "not cost-effective" and withdrew after blooding Gamma Galaxy, choosing instead to consolidate their grip on Paxon. However, in exchange for military and logistical support in their withdrawal, they gained much of the Nova Cat's Barcella enclave, although a number of trials continue on that world against the Jade Falcons and Ice Hellions. However, the Clan's greatest gain came against the Smoke Jaguars. The world of Vinton had long been a source of friction and preparations were underway for a Trial of Possession even before the SLDF attack on Huntress. Within two weeks of the Great Refusal, the Diamond Sharks occupied Vinton, their first exclusive possession.