![[CANOPUS LOGO]](/comstar/gif/moc2.gif)
Lying outward of the Free Worlds League, the Magistracy of Canopus is the third largest of the Periphery States. Founded in 2530 by Kossandra Centrella, an ex-Marik MechWarrior, the Canopian Magistracy is an autocratic state where women traditionally manage the government and the military. In the early years of the Magistracy, population pressure and social prejudice within the Inner Sphere produced widespread emigration to many Canopian worlds. Taking advantage of the abundant mineral resources found there, Floral Centrella, third Magestrix of the Canopian Free States, transformed this backwater collection of misfits and malcontents into a prosperous financial and political entity.
For nearly a century, the Canopian Magistracy was synonymous with decadent sensuality and freedom of expression (in every sense of the term). The riches that the Canopians collected eventually proved their undoing when they became a prime target in the Reunification War. The Canopians' unique social contributions and sizable cash reserves, however, did much to mitigate the consequences of military occupation by the Star League. As a Territorial State under Star League control, the Canopian Magistracy returned to its old ways, encouraged by an influx of immigrants who embraced the philosophy of "Happy Days and Hectic Nights."
Following the breakup of the Star League, the Magistracy began a massive rearmament program and hired many mercenaries, which once more drew to them the unwanted attention of their ambitious neighbors.
Beginning in the early 2800s, the Magistracy lost many holdings in a series of border disputes with the Free Worlds League, the Taurian Concordat, and the Capellan Confederation. Seeing the pleasure planets and remaining industrial centers being repeatedly sacked and looted, the hereditary leaders of the Canopian matriarchy (House Centrella) ordered its few remaining industrial plants to be moved deep within the Canopian holdfast.
The miniature Magistracy emerged alive and surprisingly healthy after two and a half centuries of warfare, though a mere shadow of its once-illustrious past. The destruction of galactic trade and tourism during the Succession Wars has left the great majority of Canopian worlds lacking the barest of technological necessities. Never self-sufficient even in the best of times, the Magistracy has seen numerous famines and agricultural failures, leading to significant depopulation and social unrest.
With the difficulty of civilian space travel during the Succession Wars era -- and thus few customers able to buy their pleasures -- the Magistracy has turned to more mundane industries. Once noted for their famous courtesans and dancers, the Canopians of today are highly regarded as healers, many of whom travel far afield in service of their state. Weary of their past adventures, poorer in body and spirit, but nonetheless wiser for their suffering, the Magistracy's intelligentsia is beginning a slow resurgence that may yet have a profound impact on the rest of the Periphery.
The center of the Magistracy government is Canopus IV, founded by Kossandra Centrella in 2530. Here, the Magestrix maintains her Royal Court, the Canopian Central Committee, and the Royal Courts of Appeal.
Following the Magistracy's declaration of independence from the Star League during the Amaris Crisis, the power and privileges of the Magestrix were restored to their former levels, though many rights granted individuals during the "Territorial Period" were retained. At present, each Magistracy citizen is guaranteed the right to elect legally protected representatives. Other rights, including trial by jury and freedom of speech, are protected as much by tradition as by Star League precedents.
During the Magistracy's Territorial Period, many of these sweeping powers were assumed by the Military Governor of the Canopian Territorial State, and later by the Star League Council itself. The Magestrix's authority was limited to maintaining civil order and promoting Star League policies within the Magistracy. Following Canopian independence from Star League control in the late 2700s, the Magestrix was restored to its original status, albeit with the addition of a Central Committee of legislative peers.
In its present form, the office of Magestrix remains largely authoritarian, with legislative veto powers and the right to command the Canopian military. Ever since Melissa Humphreys established numerous democratic Peoples Councils, the position of Magestrix has diminished somewhat in stature, if not in actual capability.
Unlike similar institutions within the Inner Sphere, the Magestrix does not have the right to nominate her own successor. At the death of an incumbent Magestrix, specially selected officials, the Canopian Electors, nominate a new executive and forward their choice to the Central Committee. The Committee then votes for a new Magestrix; if a two-thirds majority of electoral votes is not present, it instructs the Electors to repeat the process until a majority vote is reached. In theory, the assembled electors may choose any citizen in the Magistracy, though a female member of the Centrella family (though not necessarily the oldest) has always been selected.
The Canopian nobility is divided into three components. The first, the Froness, are families who settled the Canopian systems in the first decade of colonization. The Durachi represent the various merchant princes, whose corporations have helped to develop trade with the Periphery and the Inner Sphere and have made substantial contributions to the office of the Magestrix. The newest class of Canopian nobility, the Girin, are those rare individuals whose personal services to the state, both civil and military, have warranted special recognition. During the early years of the Magistracy, only the Magestrix herself could grant noble status. Beginning with the reign of Coranna Centrella, however, this function was transferred to the Crimson Council, where it has resided ever since. This Council regulates all new appointments to the noble classes, as well as arbitrates disputes over the prerogatives of each. For the most part, the Canopian nobility is an aristocratic body of service-oriented elites. Though most noble families are content to serve in minor governmental functions, members of the Froness are concentrated in the royal court on Canopus.
Among the many privileges that the Canopian nobility enjoy are the right to hire a substitute to fulfill their military service, the right of the female to select her own mate (who cannot refuse her, under Canopian law), the right to conduct foreign trade outside the Magistracy, and the right to serve in specially appointed governmental positions, including military commands.
There is great factionalism and peer prejudice among the Canopian nobility. Many of the Froness believe themselves to be the only true Magistracy nobility, for example, while the Durachi and the Girin consider the Froness to be pure social snobs. During the Canopian heyday, the Girin family accepted many entrepreneurs into their line because of how well those individuals had managed the many Canopian pleasure industries. In the post-Reunification War period, many of these nobles lost their positions due to widespread Star League "neo-Puritanism." The loosening of moral strictures in the days following the Amaris Crisis and the recent introduction of the New Hedon philosophies have reversed this trend, creating bad feelings between many prominent families.
The Magestrix has covertly encouraged this traditional factionalism of the rival noble families. Should the nobility ever put aside its petty differences and unite, the Magistracy's social structure may radically change.
In exchange, each Canopian citizen must help provide for the common defense of the state. This obligation may be fulfilled through military service, by involvement in the educational system (as literacy is considered essential to the ongoing preparation for defense), or by donating land or materiel to the war effort in times of crisis. Though political parties are banned as being divisive, all Canopian citizens are required by law to participate in all elections.
Behind the scenes, Magestrix Kyalla Centrella secretly planned for the day when war and civil disorder will destroy the Free Worlds LeagueFree Worlds League and the Capellan Confederation. Since 3017, the Magestrix's envoys have been in secret communication with Dame Catherine Humphreys, the Free Worlds League's Duchess of Andurien, in an effort to unite their two realms. Similarly, representatives from the Magestrix's inner circle made contact with various minor Lords and Ladies along the Capellan border. The aim of these maneuvers was the fulfillment of Kyalla Centrella's pet dream: the creation of a new, stronger Magistracy. It would have extended beyond its pre-Reunification War boundaries, incorporating systems lost to House Marik in the Succession Wars and the territories of the Duchy of Andurien, plus various Capellan worlds. In addition to the offer of military support, the promise of newly discovered wealth beyond the edge of charted space served as a lure for future negotiations.
No religious or philosophical doctrine may hold any official connection with governmental affairs, as special interest groups and lobbies are forbidden. The introduction of the One Star Faith into Canopian space in the last century has led to an informal alliance between the Star adherents and members of the Inheritors philosophical sects, however. This alliance has been the motive force in the efforts to rebuild the Magistracy economy and military.
Dress uniforms are the same except for silver piping on trouser legs and cuffs for enlisted personnel, and gold piping for officers. As the Canopian Navy controls the AeroSpace Fighter Arm of the military, AeroSpace Pilots wear the same uniforms as their naval counterparts, except that lapel and piping are green. Support personnel, including technicians, administrative personnel, and special service functionaries wear the standard uniforms of their "line" regiment counterparts, except for red piping to denote their elevated status.
When preparing for battle, infantry forces wear a brown uniform with black lapels and cuffs. Enlisted personnel wear their insignia as a black silhouette on the lapels only; officers have similar insignia, but wear them on the cuffs. Armor personnel typically wear dull-black field uniforms with off-white insignia. Canopian MechWarrior battle dress is similar to that of Inner Sphere MechWarriors, with some modifications. Due to the Magistracy's lower technology level, Canopian neurohelmets are larger than those used elsewhere. In addition, they allow for longer hair styles to accommodate the Canopians' disproportionate number of women warriors. Magistracy AeroSpace Pilots wear the simplest uniforms. Its single notable feature is the presence of the arm-length protector, which contains emergency circuitry systems and life-sign monitors.
Volunteer
All Canopian citizens are required to serve a minimum of three years in the
MAF (though aristocrats can secure exemption by hiring a substitute). All
new recruits are referred to as Volunteers and wear the silver-edged
diamond insignia on their lapels and cuffs.
First Ranker
All graduates of basic training receive the rank of First Ranker, unless
subject to some disciplinary action. The First Ranker then enters into
several months of advanced training in a particular area of expertise.
Further promotion within the MAF depends on individual initiative and
performance. Two silver-edged diarnonds, one nested inside the other,
identify a First Ranker.
Lance Corporal
The Lance Corporal is roughly equivalent to a Sergeant in other military
services. They are expected to be competent instructors in the field and
to command units averaging between 15 and 20 troops. A third nested
diamond bar distinguishes Lance Corporals from First Rankers.
Star Corporal
The core of the MAF, the Star Corporal serves in a variety of leadership
roles, often in the absence of ranking field officers. Their most typical
role is the equivalent of a platoon sergeant in combat. The rank is named
for its insignia, a silver star within a silver-edged diamond.
Command Sergeant
Command Sergeants are the equivalent of senior company NCOs, often holding
a variety of staff positions under senior officers. A solid silver diamond
denotes the Command Sergeant.
Banner Sergeant
The rank of "Banner Sergeant" harkens back to the days when personnel of
this rank were responsible for their unit's regimental colors. Though
Banner Sergeants still handle unit flags in full-dress parades, they are
primarily responsible for filling senior staff and field commands. They
are the equivalent of Battalion Sergeants in Inner
Sphere military structures. The rank insignia for the Banner Sergeant is
two solid silver diamonds.
Though there is less discrimination against male officers in the MAF than previously, it does still exist. Females are likely to pay a lower price for an officer slot than an equally qualified male.
Average MAF Commission Purchase Prices:
Rank Line Regiment Guards Regiment Ensign 10,000-12,500 18,000-25,000 Commander 16,000-20,000 30,000-35,000 Major (Comcapt) 24,000-30,000 40,000-45,000 Colonel (Rearad) 33,000-40,000 50,000+
Ensign
The rank of Ensign appears in both the Canopian navy and army. Ensigns
rarely command set numbers of troops, but may control from ten to a
hundred individuals at any given time, depending on their unit assignment.
An Ensign's rank insignia is a gold-edged diamond.
Commander
The rank of Commander is equivalent to the Inner
Sphere ranks of Lieutenant, Lieutenant Commander, and Commander. Aboard
ship, a Commander may serve as a department commander or his assistant. On
the ground, a Commander typically heads up a company or battalion. The
insignia is two gold-edged hollow diamonds, one inside the other.
Major
MAF majors are typically employed as senior battalion commanders and
brevet regimental commanders, especially in training commands. In the MAF
navy, the rank of Major is usually referred to as Comcapt (a bastardization
of Commodore-Captain). A Comcapt can command anything from a ship up to a
squadron of from three to six vessels. A single gold diamond insignia
denotes a Major; a gold wreath below the diamond denotes a Comcapt.
Colonel
MAF Colonels are the regimental commanders of the MAF. Aboard ship, the
rank is referred to as Rearad (from Rear Admiral). In addition to the
various regimental commanders, there are three Senior Colonels who
coordinate defense plans for the Magestrix. Two Rearads command the
diminutive Canopian Navy fleets. Two horizontal solid gold diamonds
denote the Colonel; a Rearad also has a gold wreath.
Infantry platoons vary in size from 30 to 50 men, with companies of 120 to 180 men. Jump troops, special forces, and engineers are virtually unknown within the MAF.
The Magistracy maintains a number of local Militia Defense Battalions. Drawn from the populations of the major Canopian planets, these conventional forces represent reservists with a minimal amount of training. Canopian militia forces maintain a large number of armored fighting vehicles and they construct local fortifications. Though these militia units cannot stand up to regular forces, they give a good account of themselves when combined with regular armed forces. Militia are typically employed in oversized battalions of five companies each.
The average Canopian soldier enters service at the age of 16. If the individual is a male, he will typically have the equivalent of a 12th-grade education; females have slightly higher educational backgrounds. Following basic training, the individual undergoes service with a home defense unit for three to four years. Those who choose careers as enlisted personnel join training battalions near the Canopian borders to undergo additional training before serving in a regular line unit. Instead of attending Officer Training School, those selected as officer candidates (where there is a marked bias toward females) are posted as military aides-de-camp to an officer on duty in a regular line regiment. Nowhere is the concept of on-thejob training taken more seriously than in the MAF. An official commendation from a candidate's "sponsor" makes it possible for him or her to purchase their first commission (often with their sponsor's assistance).
The Canopian health sciences represent the sole exception to this state of affairs. Developed in the Magistracy's early years, the medical disciplines have retained a high national priority, at times overshadowing the military in their share of economic resources. Today, the Canopian health industry maintains the highest standards of care to be found in the entire Periphery, and is in many respects superior to that available in the Inner Sphere. In recent years, many Canopian physicians and surgeons have begun practice outside Canopian space on long-term service contracts to other governments in hopes of stimulating the Magistracy economy. Indeed, one of the major opportunities for the Magistracy to upgrade its educational system is in the area of foreign cultural exchange, where they may develop programs that "trade" medical care personnel for teachers, technicians, and other professionals.
Though the Magistracy's once-fabled entertainment industry has nearly disappeared, it still remains a haven for the artist and the actor. The more literate Canopians have traditionally valued the contributions of writers, painters, and performing artists more than any other Periphery peoples. Artists can find employment readily available, with government subsidies in abundance. The only demand placed on the individual is high-quality work. By extension, the Magistracy government maintains few restrictions on the dissemination of information and political thought, the only exception being the censorship of materials imported from the Inner Sphere or the Taurian Concordat.
Though generally pragmatic and level-headed, Canopian citizens are generally inclined to accept things as they are, enjoying what little comfort they can, rather than making sacrifices for an uncertain future.
The end of the Fourth Succession War left the Magistracy of Canopus bordering a secessionist Duchy of Andurien and a weakened and demoralized Capellan Confederation. Thus did Magestrix Kyalla Centrella persuade Duchess Catherine Humphreys of the Duchy of Andurien that by uniting they could exploit their neighbor, the supposedly weak and helpless Capellan Confederation. In September 3030, the Duchy of Andurien seceded from the Free Worlds League and declared its alliance with the Magistracy of Canopus, a union that would be sealed by the marriage of the Magestrix's daughter Emma and the Duchess's fifth son, Richard.
The Andurien-Canopian invasion of the Capellan Confederation, though successful at first, ended up a dismal failure. Capellan troops proved stronger than expected, and Canopian regiments suffered major losses while being pushed out of Liao space. Emma, who had protested against both the wisdom of the invasion and the arranged marriage, left Luxen to join her company in the Magistracy Royal Guards. She fought bravely in her Vulcan, though in a losing cause.
Because she had not been in favor of the war, Emma became the focal point for groups that opposed her mother's rule. Rather than trying to defuse the opposition, as the Magestrix expected, the young heir began to distance herself from her mother's unpopular policies. When the Magestrix refused to honor the Duchy of Andurien's plea for help against an invasion by the Free Worlds League in 3031, it created even more popular support for the Duchess of Luxen.
In April 3039, an assassin crept into the bedchamber of Emma Centrella and opened fire on the two forms lying on the bed in the darkened room. The Duchess of Luxen, entering from a side room, killed the attacker, but he had already murdered her lovers. The Duchess believed that the attack was directly connected to her political struggle with the Magestrix, though her mother vehemently protested her innocence. She also ordered Emma's arrest on charges of espionage, but the Duchess escaped to the planet Hardcore. When the Magistrix sent the Royal Guards to arrest her daughter, they offered Emma their support instead.
On May 8, 3040, Duchess Emma came before her mother in chains. Before the Magestrix could utter the first gloating words of victory, her daughter calmly removed her own chains. While the Magestrix was still shouting orders to the Royal Guards to capture and execute the Duchess, they seized and locked her away in the palace dungeons instead.
Emma assumed control of the Magistracy the next day after announcing that palace physicians had declared her mother legally insane.
Her decision made her even more popular and is credited wlth persuading the Free Worlds League not to attempt revenge on the Magistracy for its alliance with the Duchy of Andurien. By 3050, Canopian doctors and Pleasure Circuses have become a welcome sight in the Free Worlds League. Magestrix Emma's actions have also brought better relations with the Taurian Concordat.
Commander: Magistrix Emma Centrella
Aides: Senior Colonels Holly Van Dame, Trisha Tellaverde, and Norbert Kingelt
Regular Mech Strength: 12 Regiments
Mercenary Mech Strength: 3 Regiments, 2 Battalions
Magistracy Royal Guards
Commander: Colonel Vernyce Alkobar
Regular Mech Strength: 3 Regiments
Mercenary Mech Strength: 0 Regiments
Unit Name Experience Regiments Homeworld
Raventhir's Iron Hand Veteran 1 Canopus IV
(CO: Mariann Tudor)
1st Canopian Cuirassiers Veteran 1 Canopus IV
(CO: Major Margaret Zachara)
2nd Canopian Cuirassiers Regular 1 Canopus IV
(CO: Major Joseph Wulf)
Chasseurs a Cheval
Commander: Colonel Cunthian Evans
Regular Mech Strength: 3 Regiments
Mercenary Mech Strength: 0 Regiments
Unit Name Experience Regiments Homeworld
1st Canopian Light Horse Regular 1 Megarez
(CO: Major Darlene Ishora)
2nd Canopian Light Horse Regular 1 Fanandir
(CO: Major Ardie Germaine)
3rd Canopian Light Horse Regular 1 Adherlwin
(CO: Major Betty Kadara)
Canopian Fusiliers
Commander: Colonel Sandra Aupriz
Regular Mech Strength: 3 Regiments
Mercenary Mech Strength: 0 Regiments
Unit Name Experience Regiments Homeworld
1st Canopian Fusiliers Regular 1 Lindenmarle
(CO: Major Darlene McKinnon)
2nd Canopian Fusiliers Regular 1 Afarsin
(CO: Major Rita Stoleberg)
3rd Canopian Fusiliers Green 1 Marantha
(CO: Major William Sangrey)
Canopian Highlanders
Commander: Colonel Oscar Long
Regular Mech Strength: 3 Regiments
Mercenary Mech Strength: 0 Regiments
Unit Name Experience Regiments Homeworld
Long's Light Lancers Regular 1 Dainmar Majoris
(CO: Major Daniel Hale)
McGraw's Marauders Veteran 1 Dunianshire
(CO: Major Judith Wood)
Nellie's Naughties Green 1 Luxen
(CO: Major Dorothy Skaw)
Mercenaries
Regular Mech Strength: 0 Regiments
Mercenary Mech Strength: 3 Regiments, 2 Battalions
Harcourt's Destructors Regular 0.33 Brixtana
Regular 0.33 New Abilene
(CO: Colonel Kamala Rahman)
Ramilie's Raiders Elite 0.33 Early Dawn
Veteran 0.33 Early Dawn
Regular 0.33 Lockton
(CO: Colonel Newton Ramilie)
1st Screaming Eagles Veteran 0.33 Booker
Regular 0.33 Bass
Regular 0.33 Bethonolog
(CO: Colonel Paul Hokola)
2nd Screaming Eagles Regular 0.33 Gambilon
Regular 0.33 Palladix
Green 0.33 Techne's Revenge
(CO: Colonel Zarfina Warrick)
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#include
<stddiscl.h>
Will Day < wd