Clan Star Adder

Go, Star Adder You are the stalker, the hunter, the killer. Your prey stands before; Show them the way Of the True Warrior.

The Remembrance (Clan Star Adder)
Passage: 5, Verse 17,Lines 20 - 24

The genetically engineered star adder is one of the most merciless predators in the Pentagon worlds. Unrelentingly aggressive, it punishes those who stray into its territory or whom it views as a threat. The same is true of Clan Star Adder, one of the strongest Clans and arguably the dominant force in the homeworlds.

The star adder, native to the world of Arcadia, is a pure predator. So are we, unhindered by the external influences that have corrupted not only the Inner Sphere, but also our brother Clans. Throughout the two and half centuries of our existence, we have heard our fellow Clans' taunts and accusations, and gone on in spite of them. We have outlived our mortal enemies and moved against those who threatened the fabric of our civilization. Above all, we have survived. That more than anything proves our worth."

Loremaster Dagmar Lahiri
26 July 3059

History and Origins

Absalom Truscott, commander of the 149th BattleMech division, was one of the few of his rank to stand with Nicholas Kerensky following Aleksandr Kerensky's death, and was rewarded with command of one of Nicholas's new Clans. A friend of Nicholas Kerensky's for many years, Truscott was also allowed to select his own warriors. Truscott's command surveyed the Pentagon in advance of the Clan assault, and planned the mission later known as Operation Klondike.

The Wolverine and Widowmaker treacheries reinforced this Clan's belief in presenting a united front, but the steady growth that resulted from the Star Adder's unity provoked jealously in other Clans. Perceived as a threat, they came under attack, most notably by Clan Mongoose. The attacks led to an escalating feud that hit infrastructure as well as the Clan military.

In a foreshadowing of the situation between the Adders, Burrocks and Blood Spirits in 3059, the Adders supported moves calling for the Absorption of Clan Mongoose, and were outraged when the right of Absorption went to Clan Smoke Jaguar. As the Blood Spirits would do centuries hence, the Adders launched pre-emptive assaults to regain lost territory. Adder successes sparked enmity with the Jaguars, who regarded the lost assets as theirs.

The Adders sought to strengthen their position by entering into a pact with Clan Burrock. Like the Nova Cats and Diamond Sharks, they took part in futures speculation during the Golden Century, underwriting and supporting Burrock exploration in exchange for a share of the profits (which proved extremely lucrative).

When the Clans split into Warden and Crusader camps over the question of invading the Inner Sphere, the Adders stood solidly in the Crusader camp. Their belief in cooperation with other Clans made them stand out from the other Crusaders, but vast numbers of them favored a swift return to the Inner Sphere. However, they held themselves aloof from the petty squabbles of the two competing philosophies, preferring to focus on preparing for the invasion. Their decision to bid conservatively in the invasion Trials stemmed from their recognition that the fighting would be bloody; eventually, the reasoned, the Invading Clans would need to call for additional support, and the Adders would get their chance. In the meantime, they set about making themselves the dominant Clan space power.

In 3058, the Adders discovered that their erstwhile allies in Clan Burrock had maintained links with the Dark Caste. They brought the matter before the Grand Council, calling for the Burrocks´ Absorption. As the Clan responsible for bringing the matter to the Council's attention, they were granted the right to carry out the task. Dismayed at their own leader's perfidy, many Burrock units came over to the Star Adder after only token engagements, including many that did not fight alongside the Adders when Clan Blood Spirit attempted to intervene in the Absorption battles. Though the Trial of Absorption cost the Adders dearly, they suffered far fewer losses than the Blood Spirits, and the Burrock isorla allowed the Adders to rebuild quickly.

In the Great Refusal on Strana Mechty, the Adders were one of the only two Clans to defeat their Inner Sphere opponents, further enhancing the Clan's prestige. However, the need to consolidate their Burrock holdings limited their gains in the Trials of Possession that followed.

Society

Relationships between castes in Clan Star Adder stem from mutual understanding that allows the Clan to present a truly unified front. The civilians know they need the warriors to prosper, and the warriors appreciate that without the civilians, their fighting abilities would be seriously impaired. The civilians castes have no say in government, but the warriors listen to and take note of their views. An individual known as the Clan Adjutant serves as the de facto leader of the civilian population and reports to the Khans, fostering a strong bond among the people. However, warriors still regard themselves as superior to civilians; they steadfastly avoid menial work, and assignments to aid civilian caste workers are a favorite form of punishment.

The Adders see bondsmen as a way of enhancing their strength, and accept them as part of the Clan from the outset. Captured warriors who demonstrate fidelity to their new Clan can expect adoption with little fuss.

Like many Clans, the Star Adders claim to dislike politics, but are nonetheless adept at such maneuverings. They regard politics as a necessary evil, without which their Clan would be at a major disadvantage. The Adders' internal politics are almost as complex as those of the Fire Mandrills or Snow Ravens, with loyalties first to the unit and the House, and then to the entire Clan. However, though they jockey hard for position, no Star Adder will do anything that threatens the future of his or her Clan.

The Star Adders are notable for their attitude toward Nicholas and Aleksandr Kerensky. Unlike most of the other Clans, the Adders regard them simply as superb leaders and warriors rather than demigods. In this the Adders are perhaps the most pragmatic Clan, and therefore one of the most dangerous.

Military

The Star Adder Touman follows the "total force" paradigm, with no service dominating. The Clan's only weakness is its infantry, with notable small numbers of Elementals and conventional troops. However, more and more Elementals are being assigned to front-line units and naval vessels. The Adder navy is the second strongest in the Clans, having recently inherited several Burrock ships.

The primary task of the surprisingly well respected second-line units is to guard the Clan's extensive assets. Heavy BattleMechs form the mainstay of such units, but Elementals, fighters and even conventional infantry and vehicles are also common. The Adders' Kappa Galaxy is unique among the Clans as an "OpFor" unit, trained to fight using the doctrine and tactics of enemy units. Kappa's warriors have carried out this task for forty years, and over the past decade have demonstrated the quirks of Inner Sphere style combat to their fellows.

The only real problem facing the Adder Touman is the integration of so many Burrock units. The Touman is still struggling to adapt, though the abtakha warriors appear to fit in well.

Allies and Enemies

The Star Adders have long sought neutrality toward the other Clans, but their generally apolitical stance and alleged coddling of their civilians has earned them the disdain of many outsiders. The intervention in the Absorption war against the Burrocks, in addition to the losses the Spirits inflicted on the Adders, has turned the Adders' historical ambivalence toward the Blood Spirits into bitter hatred. The Adders' once excellent relations with the Snow Ravens has cooled following the growth of the Adder Fleet, which the Ravens see as a threat to their naval superiority. The Adder naval adjutant, himself of Raven genetic stock, believes relations between the two will soon normalize, however.

The Star Adders' closest allies are the Cloud Cobras. Since the Absorption of the Burrocks, the Adders have chosen to honor the Burrock-Cobra contract to garrison the Tanite worlds, further strengthening relations between the two Clans.

Possessions

10 Worlds (8 shared, 2 exclusive)

The Adders made major advances by Absorbing the Burrocks, gaining complete control of the Burrock capital of Albion, as well as sizable enclaves on Dagda, Hoard and Priori. Though limited by the need to restructure their Touman in wake of the Absorption, the Adders managed to expand their holdings on Hoard in the recent Trials of Possession. the ongoing battle on Hoard currently involves the Ice Hellions, Wolves and Hell´s Horses.

The Adders also expanded their holdings on Brim by seizing parts of the former Nova Cat enclave, a negotiated settlement with the Cloud Cobras that minimized the number of Trials between the two Clans. However Clan Snow Raven has threatened action against the Adders from its own enclave on Brim, "to secure Snow Raven interests."