Rim Territories

The Rim Territories has been a “controlled lawless” territory since the early 3040s. The original Morrison’s Extractors ruled it at first, with other bandit groups like the Black Harriers (internal) taking the lead at times. Over the decades, Pain and The Rack grew in size and infrastructure. The largest influx of “new blood” was during the Jihad, as people fled major population centers. While remaining a pirate state, from 3090 onwards, more rules and laws began taking place. Nowadays, the nation uses a very “clan-like” caste system, probably influenced by Dark Caste members having fled to their planets.

History

Early history

The Rim Territories history begins in the 3040s as pirates started taking over former worlds from the Rim Worlds Alliance. More specifically, Morrison’s Extractor took over The Rack and Pain, making them the “homeworlds” of the Territories. For 2 decades, the Extractors fought with the LCAF / AFFC in numerous raids. While never moving past a minor pirate realm, the Extractors were seen as enough of a threat to be recorded by various militaries.

Pirate Wars

In 3062, Pain was “liberated”, and the Extractors were apparently on the run. Another pirate band, the Black Harriers had taken over much of the region after the Extractors suffered multiple losses. For a decade or so, the two pirate bands would be fighting a “pirate war” against each other. With limited resources and almost no production capacity, both sides raided local settlements to allow them to build an arsenal to fight the other.

The turning point in the war came when the Extractors aligned themselves with a “cluster” of Dark Caste Clan warriors in 3071. The radically improved technology and military organization allowed the Extractors to finally put the Harriers on the backfoot. Rather than destroying them altogether, King Morrison let the Harriers swear allegiance to him. This strengthened the realm and established the Rim Territories as an actual power.

Jihad migration

Strangely enough, during the Jihad, the pirate realm was seen as a safe harbor. Ignored by the Word of Blake, Inner Sphere and Clan, the Rim Territories accepted just about anyone. The population of larger worlds, like Pain, doubled in 10 years. The mainly “piracy-based” economy moved into a more regional production-based economy. Subsistence farming and trading was now more common for most of the population. Those were okay with paying taxes to warlords if they provided protection.

The evolution of a civilian economy in the Rim Territories led to other issues for the various warlords. Centralized bureaucracy had to be established to manage taxation, education and health. With no proper bureaucrats, the King had to quickly “headhunt” for some, kidnapping ComStar acolytes and Lyran state employees. In the confusion of the Jihad, nobody really noticed.

Modern era

The current leadership of the Rim Territories started their reign in 3126. On one side, King Malax Morrison is the leader of the nation, and First Amongst Peers in the pirate captain hierarchy. He couped the previous King, Jaysen Black of the Black Harrier, in a bloodless affair thanks to Helmar Valasek. Valasek was immediately named “General of the Armies”, a title created for him.

Strangely, the new King was less aggressive than his predecessor. Malax focused a lot of his energy on developing the infrastructure of the fledgling nation. Morally ambiguous weapons contractors and other corporations joined the general periphery of the nation. In 2 decades, the quality of life in the Territories improved significantly. The military was also turned from a ragtag group of terrorists, ne’er-do-well and pirates into somewhat of a military.

In December 3148, 4 worlds from the Lyran Commonwealth joined the Rim Territories. Elume, Canal, Tsarahavana and Issaba were officially “conquered”, but the local population voted in favor of joining the Territories. They viewed the LCAF as unable to defend them against various threats. While none of these worlds were particularly wealthy, this did give a big boost to the legitimacy of King Morrison.

Rim Territories Culture

Life in the Rim Territories is rough, dirty and quick. Pirate captains and warlords are at the top of the food chain, with their lieutenants and crew clearly ruling over everyone else. The inclusion of various Dark Caste elements led to an adoption of many “Clan-like” elements to the culture of the Rim Territories. Trials by combat are the most common form of political disagreement resolution mechanism. While the upper echelon of the government is composed of the King, the General and some warlords, a lot of the remaining pirate leadership is rather democratic. The Pirate Code is the law of the land for the “Pirate caste”.

The “lower castes” are generally not afforded much freedom but are still legally free. Technicians are well regarded, especially MechTech and spaceship engineers. Many receive a portion of the loot on any raid or pirate action performed, like active fighters. Medical doctors and “brainy types” are not as well regarded unless they also participate in pirating. Laborers and civil merchants are at the bottom of the heap but are afforded more liberties than in Clan society. This portion of the population grew significantly during the Jihad.

Slavery

Slavery is legal in the Rim Territories, so technically there is a “caste” below these. Slaves are not afforded any freedom (obviously) and sometimes are formed into press-gang to help on raids or missions. A slave can “buy himself out” with work and talent, even though it is quite difficult.

Standard of living

The standard of living on most worlds in the Territories is low to barely existent. The most advanced planets are Engadine and Main Street, boasting late Succession War era standards of living. Other worlds claw their way up thanks to development programs sponsored by the King and some warlords. Pain has a been an industrial powerhouse in recent years, with the establishment of 2 tank/hovertank production plants by Quikscell’s affiliates.

Rim Territories Military Assets

The Rim Territories military industries are built around basic armor manufacturing. While industrial fusion engines are built on Pain, fuel cells and ICE equipment is as far as their military construction capacity goes. Most BattleMechs used by the Territories forces are stolen, smuggled or purchased from illegitimate dealers.

That is not to say that the Rim Territories are poorly armed. The “official” military of the nation is composed of 6 full regiments of combined arms led by Helmar Valasek the Third. The man claims to be a descendant of the “King of Santander”, though the claim is disputed. While still very much a pirate military force, they have been drilled better than most common pirates. Supporting this is a variety of local pirate captains and warlords. They are mostly just afforded protection if they support the King. Blood oaths to the King and the General are required for any pirate who wants to settle in the Rim Territories.

The Territories Navy is limited to whatever pirate JumpShips are available, with ship captain being given a larger portion of the booty than regular officers. This motivates criminally minded captains to join the navy on a more permanent basis. The Navy also features a single Vincent-class corvette which was rebuilt from parts of numerous other vessels.

Current National Data

Rim Territories Demographics

Affiliation: Independent
Population: 2.1 billion (3149)
Population growth rate: -0.3 percent
Self-Sufficiency Index: 67 percent

Leaders
King Malax Morisson
General Helmar Valasek the Third

Military:
Regiments: 6

Various independent pirate groups, ranging from single lances up to full battalions.

Warship: 1 Vincent-class corvette, “Raider’s Paradise”

Controlled worlds: 14

Capital: Pain