House Kurita

The History of the Draconis Combine

    The Draconis Combine was founded in 2319 by Shiro Kurita, who
used persuasive statesmanship, treachery, and bloody military conquest
to forge it almost from nothing.

    Raised in a military and social tradition dating back more than six
centuries, Shiro embraced and embodied the "way of the warrior."
Through the forcefulness of his personality, he first managed to become
leader of New Samarkand and then went on to form a group of petty
kings and lords into the New Galendon Alliance. This Alliance, created
to oppose the great Ozawa Mercantile alliance, was his starting point for
the military conquest of dozens more planets. By 2319, Shiro Kurita,
with his brother Urizen as Warlord, controlled a domain stretching from
the border of the Federated Suns to the Principality of Rasalhague, a
realm he renamed the Draconis Combine.

    The most obvious legacy of Shiro Kurita is the Kurita family dynasty.
The Draconis Combine could not have summoned such single-minded
devotion from its people without the focus of the Kurita leadership.
Only the existence of an all-powerful Coordinator has been able to
mobilize such often-fanatic military determination from its troops.

    More than in any Successor State, the history of the Draconis
Combine has a continuous tone and theme to it. The names may
change, the tactics and internal organization may change, but the Kurita
dynasty continues to covet universal domination just as its founder did
some 700 years ago.

    Shiro Kurita's legacy continues to this day, in both the devotion to the
way of the warrior and in the belief that House Kurita will one day reign
over all inhabited space. The Draconis Combine's combination of an
all-pervasive military tradition and a self-reliance easily mistaken for
xenophobia  contributes to the constant belligerence of past and present
Kurita leaders. Only on rare occasions have they set aside their
dominant tendencies toward violence, arrogance, and ruthlessness in
favor of alliance or cooperation. However, the next generation usually
made up for it by redoubling its martial nature. The two most
outstanding examples of this were Hehiro and Minoru Kurita.

    Hehiro engaged in a rare display of trust when he signed the Treaty of
Vega in 2569, setting forth the terms of the Draconis Combine's
membership in the nascent Star League. His son Leonard, who
succeeded him in 2591, very nearly undid this act through flagrant
violations of his father's treaty with Ian Cameron. After Kerensky's
exodus from the Inner Sphere, Minoru Kurita proclaimed himself First
Lord of the Star League and began to plan an execute a massive attack
against the Federated Suns. The campaign was going well for the
Kuritans until a sniper shot Minoru Kurita in the back on Kentares IV.
Following Minoru's assassination, his psychotic son Jinjiro massacred
50 million civilians on that world. The Kentares Massacre was an act
that not only destroyed the momentum gained in the war against
Davion, but also contributed to the alienation between Houses Steiner
and Kurita, which Jinjiro allowed to flourish.

    Until Rasalhague became independent in 3034, the Draconis Cambine
had expanded to the border of the Lyran Commonwealth, absorbing
lesser states along the way. For 20 years the Free Rasalhague Republic
served as a buffer between those two Great Houses, with only a small
portion of Kurita space bordering the Lyran portion of the Federated
Commonwealth. Now the Clan wedge serves to keep most of these two
realms separate.

    At present, the Combine consists of approximately 75 worlds. In 2617,
the coreword world of Luthien replaced New Samarkand as the
administrative capital, but Shiro Kurita's homeworld continues to play
an active role. For example, House Kurita draws its palace guards and
elite MechWarriors from the famous Sun Zhang Academy, the largest
MechWarrior academy in the Inner Sphere. Furthermore, New
Samarkand is the traditional base of operations for the Internal Security
Force, the secret police of the Draconis Combine. The relationship
between the Coordinator of the Combine and the Director of the ISF
has varied, waxing and waning in cordiality through the years.
Nevertheless, the ISF has remained utterly loyal to the Combine, if not
to the House that rules it.

    Though the Draconis Combine lost more than 50 worlds in the Fourth
Succession War (3028-3030), this same conflict saw the brilliant rise of
Theodore Kurita, heir to the Combine throne. His unconventional
tactics were so successful that he earned the support and confidence of
much of the Combine's military. Despite the power struggle this created
between Theodore and Takashi, the Coordinator was almost forced to
name his son Deputy of Military Affairs in 3030. Theodore took this
opportunity to reshape the Combine's military to his own views. It was
Theodore who masterminded the strategy that successfully resisted the
Federated Commonwealth's massive invasion of the Combine in the War
of 3039.

    Theodore also saw the wisdom of recognizing the Free Rasalhague
Republic when its former Rasalhague Military District declared its
independence from the Combine. The Free Rasalhague Republic
created a buffer state between the Combine and the Lyran
Commonwealth, freeing up Combine troops for assignment on other
borders.

    Though Takashi and his son were often in disagreement during these
crucial years, Theodore's successes and support among the military were
undeniable. Some old-liners still oppose Theodore's methods and
innovations, but the Coordinator seems to have made his peace with his
son ever since Theodore's relative successes against the Clans in the
recent invasion.

3050 Update:

[Prepared by Justin Allard, Intelligence Secretary of the Federated
Commonwealth.]

    The most significant events occurring in the Draconis Combine since
the Fourth Succession War are the rise of Theodore Kurita, the
secession of Rasalhague, and the War of 3039, in which Federated
Commonwealth forces attempted to recapture worlds lost to House
Kurita in the Fourth War. Though Federated Commonwealth
commanders expected to easily defeat the Combine forces, the Kuritans
surprised us with the strength and cleverness of their resistance. In the
end, our massive invasion resulted in the capture of only seven worlds:
Cylene, Lima, March, McComb, Murchison, Royal, and Skat. The
Kuritans took three: Fomalhaut, Quentin, and Saffel.

Rise of Theodore:

    Theodore Kurita, Coordinator Takashi's only offspring, may be the
most powerful man in the Draconis Combine, even though it is his
father who holds the highest title of power. Theodore's rise began with
his successes against the Steiner military in the Fourth Succession War.
In contrast, Takashi lost the support of many Combine citizens because
of his behavior during that conflict.

The Coordinator's obsession with destroying Wolf's Dragoons after the
mercenaries left the Draconis Combine in 3028 seemed to border on
madness. Coordinator Kurita took the case to a ComStar Review Board,
but the Board ruled no fault. While he was concentrating all his energy
and attention on the Dragoons along the Davion border, the Combine
military effort on the Commonwealth front suffered greatly. Takashi,
meanwhile, became increasingly irrational, flying into fits of rage and
ranting that he wanted the skins and skulls of the Dragoons'
commanding officers.

Constance Kurita, Keeper of the Family Honor, stepped in a few weeks
before the war's end, demanding that Takashi undergo intensive medical
examination. What the doctors found was that the Coordinator had
suffered a stroke severe enough to affect his mental functioning
sometime in the previous two years. They also predicted he would suffer
another, even more debilitating one unless he underwent a series of
operations to remove dangerous blood clots and to repair weakened
arteries.

While all this was occurring, Theodore was gaining in prestige and
influence in the Dieron Military District. While Warlord Cherenkoff
virtually twiddled his thumbs, Theodore went from command of three
regiments of misfits to de facto military control of the important Dieron
Military District. Through shrewd analysis and daring strategies, he
succeeded in reversing the Combine's woeful military situation by
stopping the Commonwealth offensive cold.

The Combine still lost more than 50 star systems in the Fourth War and
many of its best regiments were mauled, yet the defeat might have been
even more devastating if not for Theodore Kurita's brilliance. He
emerged from the war as a hero, while Takashi's aura was tarnished.
This set off a power struggle within the Combine, though the Dragon
realm seems to have emerged stronger rather than weaker from the crisis.

    Even after the war was over, Theodore Kurita continued to expand on
his power and popularity. As a result of his skillful leadership during the
war, he eventually won the support of most of the regiments of the
Rasalhague, Dieron, and Benjamin Military Districts. All unwittingly,
Theodore had also impressed the yakuza, the Combine's organized
crime syndicate, who saw him as a new and potent force compared to
the stagnation that Takashi represented. These yakuza later pledged their
support to Theodore and helped him resist the Federated
Commonwealth's massive invasion of the Combine in 3039.

    Takashi has always been harsh toward his son, but he could not
ignore Theodore's immense popularity with both the military and the
people. In 3030, the Coordinator felt obliged to award Theodore the
Order of the Dragon in honor of his achievements during the war. In
that year, he also  appointed his son Gunji no Kanrei (Deputy for
Military Affairs). Takashi may have believed it was a hollow honor, but
Theodore leaped at the chance to re-mold the Draconis Combine
Mustered Soldiery (DCMS) according to his own desires. As Kanrei,
virtually no one stood in his way.

    Also at this time, it is believed that Theodore Kurita made a secret
deal with Myndo Waterly, Primus of ComStar. We have reason to
suspect that Waterly offered to supply House Kurita with 'Mechs,
equipment, and troops if Theodore would allow her to station ComStar
forces in the Combine and if he would support the creation of the Free
Rasalhague Republic. Theodore apparently accepted the deal, because
the Draconis Combine quickly recognized the Free Rasalhague Republic
after it declared its independence, despite the fact that the Combine had
to give up worlds to that new state.

    Also in his camp was Constance Kurita, Keeper of the House Honor
and head of the Order of the Five Pillars (O5P). As head of the O5P,
Constance had access to her Order's considerable intelligence capacities,
and she may have been inclined to put this information at Theodore's
disposal. The Coordinator's son may also have benefited from his
special friendship with Subhash Indrahar, dreaded Director of the
Combine's Internal Security Force.

    [EDITOR'S NOTE: Constance and Indrahar must surely have assisted
Theodore in keeping secret his marriage to Tomoe Sakade for so long.
The two were married in 3019, but Theodore did not reveal the fact to
his father until 3033, when Tomoe had already borne him two children,
one of them a son. It is well-known that in all those years Takashi was
anxious to see his son married and the succession of his line guaranteed
by the birth of a child. The Coordinator actually arranged several
 marriages for his son, but all were canceled for one reason or another.]

The Ronin War:

    On March 13, 3034, Haakon Magnusson declared himself Prince of
the Free Rasalhague Republic, which included most of the former
Rasalhague Military District of the Draconis Combine. ComStar quickly
recognized the new state, as did Takashi Kurita. The FRR created a
buffer state between the Combine and the Lyran Commonwealth,
freeing up Combine troops for use on other borders. Only about 20
Rasalhague District worlds remained under Combine control as the
Alshain District, while the Lyrans gave up most of what they had
captured in the Fourth Succession War. The new Alshain District
included ten worlds of the Buckminster Prefecture. Duke Hassid Ricol
was appointed Governor, possibly in return for a copy of the Star
League library core that the Gray Death Legion had discovered on Helm
six years before.

    Not all the Warlords of the Combine accepted the decision to
recognize Rasalhague's independence. Ivan Sorenson, Warlord of the
Rasalhague Military District, was assassinated before he even knew of
the Draconis Combine's acquiescence in the FRR's birth. However, the
Warlords of Pesht and Dieron Districts, Marcus Kurita and Vasily
Cherenkoff, disagreed violently with the decision to surrender Combine
worlds and vowed to fight. Under the leadership of Marcus Kurita, the
renegade forces attacked the FRR.

    Theodore branded these men ronin, declaring that they did not act in
the name of the Draconis Combine. Then he sent DCMS troops to cut
off the ronin from their supply bases in the Combine and ordered his
men to crush any resistance.

    Vasily Cherenkoff died in the ronin invasion when his Atlas was
beheaded on Orestes. His second-in-command, Tai-sho Dexter
Kingsley, withdrew from the fight and swore his allegiance to the
Kanrei, which cut off Marcus Kurita's support. In May of 3034, Marcus
Kurita was assassinated in his field headquarters on Predlitz. The
Kuritans blamed the Lyran Commonwealth, but it is just as likely that
one of their own ruling clan wanted the eternally scheming Marcus
Kurita out of the way.

    The Kanrei benefitted in several ways from the Ronin War. Because
he was fighting against rebellious elements in his own military, it was a
way of purging those disloyal troops. Warlords Cherenkoff and Marcus
Kurita, two adversaries, were also permanently out of the way. Finally,
because Theodore withdrew his troops after they had helped to crush
the rebels, he raised his stock with the FRR considerably.

Theodore's Innovations:

    As Kanrei, Theodore has made many changes in the DCMS to make
it a stronger, more efficient force. New 'Mech and fighter pilots, many
of them yakuza, were trained in the rebuilding of the Ryuken and
Genyosha regiments as well as at special field academies. This training
stressed practical cooperation rather than political correctness,
emphasizing coordination between front and rear echelons and among
the various military branches. Early in this training program,
Coordinator Takashi had attempted to undercut this new military trend
by ordering that the Genyosha and Ryuken be dispersed among the
rest of the DCMS in June 3031. Rather than diluting Theodore's ideas,
this merely served to disseminate them widely throughout the ranks.
The reformation of the Ryuken and Genyosha, however, was set back
severely, and those regiments came back together barely in time for the
War of 3039. To our surprise, Theodore was making other major
changes in the DCMS.

War of 3039:

    The success of Theodore's policies became clear during the War of 3039, when Federated
Commonwealth forces mounted a four-pronged offensive against the
Draconis Combine. Theodore coordinated and planned his defense so
skillfully that it caught the Davion invasion force by surprise. The war
continued until early 3040, but it soon became the old game of mutual
raid-and-reprisal, rather than a major offensive that had the Combine
on the run.

    Long after the war, Federated Commonwealth military intelligence
still has not been able to discern what Theodore Kurita did and how he
did it. What is known is that the Draconis Combine fielded a large
number of units that we still have not been able to identify. The DCMS
also fielded 'Mechs of design seen only in the Com Guards and variants
with unexpected capabilities. Warriors should exercise great caution in
encounters with any unknown 'Mech type and with Kurita Chargers,
which may have increased weaponry, or special two-seat BattleMasters,
which have enhanced communications and command capabilities.

Politics:

Takashi's Status:

    Much of the blame for the Combine's poor showing during the Fourth
War can be laid at the door of Coordinator Takashi Kurita. His erratic
behavior shook the confidence of many nobles and other high Combine
officials. The only person to challenge the Coordinator's power was the
late Marcus Kurita, who made several attempts against Takashi's life and
went renegade during the Ronin War. Most Combine officials have been
biding their time to see how the chips will fall in the unspoken struggle
for dominance between father and son.

    Takashi's most important support is among the older officers of the
DCMS, mainly because Theodore's sweeping renovations have stripped
them of much of their prestige.

Theodore's Status:

    Theodore's military successes during the Fourth War and the War of 
3039 have solidified his position as the Combine's great military genius,
while his rank of Kanrei has given him the power to shape the military
with virtually no interference. He can count on the support of most of
the younger officers, non-commissioned officers, and enlisted troops,
who admire and even revere him. Women and officers from the lower
classes, particularly MechWarriors, have a special loyalty to Theodore
because it was he who removed the barriers that prevented them from
rising in rank and importance. Of all Theodore's supporters, however,
the yakuza are the most ardent. By acknowledging their value and giving
them a chance to assist him militarily, he has won the fervent support of
most yakuza clans in the Combine.

    The main opponents of Theodore Kurita are the die-hard older officers
of the DCMS, who resent being forced to give up the old ways in which
rank alone gave them unquestioned authority. There has been an
insidious war within the bureaucracy of the DCMS since Theodore
became Warlord, with the older officers trying desperately to hold on
to their power while trying to hinder Theodore's reforms. This has been
mostly a losing battle, however, as Theodore "requests" more and more
of these officers to retire or as they see their most prominent comrades
killed.

Reconciliation:

    The truce between Takashi and his son, which began in 3039, seems
solid. From what we can gather, the two have agree to maintain their
respective power bases, with Takashi exercising authority over social,
economic, and political matters, and Theodore controlling the military.
The two are often seen together publicly, and usually with Theodore's
wife and children in tow.

    That is significant because Theodore's personal life was once a sore
point between the Coordinator and his son. For now, Theodore seems
content to play the dutiful son in public, no doubt because he and his
father realize that public support in the freer, more open Combine
society will be the key to their political survival. Both have become
conscious of the power of the new independent Combine media and
are learning to make clever use of it.

Foreign Relations:

    Relations with other "friendly" realms have suffered while the leaders
of the Combine dealt with major internal problems and then the
invasion of 3039.

    We have learned that there is a movement afoot in the Combine to
renew alliances beyond the border of the Combine. Some, perhaps
including Theodore, believe that a successful alliance is possible even
though the members will be separated by the Federated
Commonwealth. Indeed, if  ComStar's support of the Combine is as
extensive as believed, this could easily give the Combine and any allies
special communication and transportation privileges.

    An alliance with the Capellan Confederation is unlikely because of the
weakness of the Capellan military and Romano Liao's unpredictability.
An alliance with the Free Worlds League might be more probable
because of that state's proximity, strength, and strong contacts with
ComStar. According to latest reports, Combine diplomatic missions
have made visits to Captain-General Marik.

Border Changes:

    The creation of the Free Rasalhague Republic from the Combine's
former Rasalhague District left a band of planets that became the heart
of the Alshain Military District. Ruled by the planet Alshain, this
District is a long, thin region bordering the new FRR. It consists of the
20 Rasalhague worlds that the Combine did not surrender to the FRR,
plus ten worlds from the Buckminster Province. The Alshain District is
divided into three Prefectures named for their capitals: Buckminster,
Garstedt, and Rubigen.

    The reshuffling of Combine assets into the new prefecture allowed
Theodore to staff the region with many political allies, including Duke
Ricol, formerly of Verthandi. The Duke was named Governor in 3034,
directly after the Combine recognized the FRR.

DCMS:

    As Kanrei, Theodore has made many sweeping changes in the DCMS
through the manipulation of personnel and resources. Among his first
actions was the establishment of "Tiger Programs," which resemble the
Federated Commonwealth's regional training battalions. Theodore's
military changes also include active recruitment of the best warriors for
Theodore's loyal regiments, regardless of social rank or sex.

    At first, most warriors trained in the ten Tiger Programs were assigned
to one of the five Ruyken regiments or two Genyosha regiments. These
regiments and the four Legions of Vega were the core of Theodore's
support until his father ordered them disbanded in 3031. Even
disbanded, however, they served Theodore as his eyes and ears among
the other regiments. His secret deals with ComStar and the yakuza also
gave him the means to create a number of other private regiments whose
skill and loyalty were crucial during the War of 3039, along with the
newly reconstituted Ryuken and Genyosha.

    [EDITOR'S NOTE: These private regiments, composed largely of
Underworld characters, women, and people from the lower classes of
Kurita society, are still largely a mystery. Wolfnet refer to them as
"ghost regiments" and have identified approximately twelve such units.]

    Theodore has also altered the ranking system in the DCMS. 
Previously, ranks from Recruit through Sergeant Major were considered
too unimportant to rate a Japanese name. In Theodore's new army, all
ranks are treated as important and deserving of respect, and so the lower
ranks now have the following Japanese names:

Recruit: Hojuhei 
Private: Heishi 
Lance Corporal: Gunjin 
Corporal: Go-cho 
Sergeant: Gunsho 
Mater Sergeant: Shujin 
Talon Sergeant: Kashira 
Sergeant Major: Sho-ko

    Warlords received the new title of Tai-shu. The Kanrei also gave
MechWarriors and AeroSpace Pilots the title Busosenshito express his
respect for their worth. Before this, the DCMS did not hold its aerojocks
in high esteem.

    Theodore altered battlefield tactics as well. In 3036, he wrote a text on
his philosophy of combat, Modern Tactics: The Combined Arms
Approach. It reflected his interest in the combined-service attacks used
so successfully by the AFFC. Since then, the DCMS is more likely to
attack with groups of units, each from a different military background.
This proved especially effective in the Kanrei's defense strategies in the
War of 3039.

    To the older officers, Theodore's ideas and the influx of warriors from
all classes seemed almost heretical, even if effective. As proof, they
point to the lack of discipline and honor shown by some younger
soldiers.

    The military industry of the DCMS is remarkably free of such political
divisions because it survives no matter who holds power in the realm.
After the creation of the Free Rasalhague Republic deprived the
Combine of two 'Mech factories, efforts were made to expand existing
facilities. Their increased production, along with the ComStar 'Mechs,
have apparently given the DCMS the luxury of surplus 'Mechs and parts.

Social and Economic Reforms:

    Believing that the Capellan Confederation's rigorous social
stratification was responsible for their defeat in the Fourth War,
Coordinator Takashi instituted the Pillar Reforms in 3043. These laws,
which relax the restraints on social classes in Combine society, are a
major reinterpretation of the Dictum Honorium. The Reforms also
allow citizens more privacy than previously. While these reforms may
trouble Constance Kurita and the ISF, neither has openly opposed them.

    The Pillar Reforms also address the economy. They give corporations
greater freedom to chart their own destinies. The reforms also attempt to
stimulate inter-realm trade by increasing construction of commercial
JumpShips, as well as releasing ships requisitioned by the DCMS
decades, even centuries, ago.

    Trade with the Federated Commonwealth continues to be forbidden,
as it has been for the past 20 years. Trade with the Free Worlds League,
the Capellan Confederation, and the Free Rasalhague Republic is
encouraged.

    The Pillar Reforms seem to have inspired a great sense of optimism
among the Combine's ordinary citizens. In addition to enjoying greater
personal freedom, people in the Combine have a higher standard of 
living for the first time in a century.

Goals and Problems:

    It is likely that the strengthening of the DCMS will continue. Takashi
may be wary of the DCMS's loyalty to his son, but the two seem to have
an improved relationship. Besides, the Coordinator has a vested interest
in making his borders with the Federated Commonwealth secure or in
being able to launch an offense. Related to these goals are his recent
diplomatic efforts toward the Free Worlds League. An alliance of these
two states could complicate the Federated Commonwealth's plans.

    It is expected that the Coordinator's social and economic reforms will
continue, giving the Combine a strong economy and a contented people
in the second half of the 31st Century.

    The tensions between Coordinator Takashi and Kanrei Theodore are
the biggest potential problem facing the Draconis Combine. Though the
dispute between the two seems less public in recent years, it would be
naive to believe that it no longer exists.

    The history of troubles between the two is mirrored in the DCMS by
the older, aristocratic officers loyal to the Coordinator and the younger,
more pragmatic officers of the Kanrei's new army. If something were to
disrupt the fragile working relationship between the Coordinator and his
son, it could wreak havoc on the DCMS and the Combine.

    Finally, the increased personal freedoms outlined in the Pillar Reforms
have brought a sudden increase in crime and the expression of dissident
political opinions. The introduction of even harsher punishments for
lawbreakers has not deterred either criminals or dissidents. There are
those within the government, notably the ISF and the O5P, who might
be provoked to take action against these trends without the
Coordinator's permission. Again, this could upset the balance of power
and seriously weaken the Combine's position.

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