Battletech Lore - The Clans, Society and Caste System

[@UCSPanther20]

The clans, in particular Smoke Jaguar remind me somewhat of the Spartans of old: A powerful warrior society with a rigid caste system that was famous for producing highly disciplined and fearless warriors, but infamous for its harsh rule, violence and inflexibility, which was initially a strength, but would lead to their downfall in the long term. Much like the clans, the Spartans had a warrior elite caste called "The Similars", where young men were trained from the time they could walk to fight, and sent into training cadres when they turned seven. As soon as they graduated (Usually involving committing the murder of a Helot as final exam), they had a life of privilege, but with expectation that they were to spend their lives training and fighting for the City-State. Below the Similars were the merchants/tradesmen, and below them were the peasants aka Helots. The Similars were known for treating the Helots like dirt, often abusing them, humiliating them, using them as training dummies to hone the killer instinct of their young conscripts, and even declaring "open seasons" on them.

[@MrJack556]

The Spartans get a bad reputation in regards to their society and intelligence. Smoke jaguars however were probably the dumbest faction in battletech.

[@dubuyajay9964]

06:30. The thing is, the "Infantry" Sub-Caste is split between elder and disgraced warriors that are given the job of conventional "squishy" infantry, MP/Peacekeeper, and Garrison Duty. And, the famed power armor Elementals. I think this is a important distinction to make. As other than the famed Elementals, being an infantryman is seen as a punishment for growing old (without dying a warrior's death or getting a high rank) or breaking honor, and also a last chance to regain lost honor by dying a warrior's death. Main Reference: The Jade Phoenix Trilogy. And A, with B a very close 2nd place.

[@wallacetillery5557]

As a loyal Mechwarrior of Clan Snow Raven, I chose option C. Thank for the great video on the Clans GDN!

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

Thanks for the vote!

[@Arnuld15Governator]

From what I understand, it's the old farts of Battletech that get mad at the clans since it was the clans that threw table top off balance and brought upon the BV system for the purpose of balancing. If it wasn't for MW2 and the clans I would have never ventured into the universe of Battletech. Regardless, my favorite clan is Ghost Bear since they follow for what I would believe in family tradition and values. Probably the only clan with trueborns that won't shit all over you for being a free birth. Also along with Jade Falcon, was the only other clan in Tukayyid that was not a complete loss to them. Also, I vote for C. Would love to see you dive into the IIC line of mechs from clan society.

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

Thanks for the vote!

[@CyclonerM]

Actually wolf, diamond shark and a few others would probably be the least harsh on freeborns

[@gregdomenico1891]

Even though I don't agree with the caste system, in the Clans case, it was pretty much the only way they could survive. They tried the old Star League form of Government, and it led to the Exodus Civil war. When you look at it, Clan society isn't much different than the Combine or House Liao. In some cases, ( depending on the Clan), the common person has a better standard of living than the people of either one of those realms. A for the vote.

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

Well, from what i read in the next videos I made, their society was productive, if nothing else.

[@CyclonerM]

More than that you had a society born of pretty much all soldiers (many of which didn't adapt well to demobilization) and scarce resources. It actually makes sense to me that they could survive by being remoulded into such a society after the destructions of the exodus Civil war.

[@lexington476]

A. I would like to hear more how the civilian castes live.

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

Thanks for the vote!

[@Seriona1]

This just dawned on me but if the Clans approach sex as a simple act of friendship due to them using genetic machines to produce new children. This would imply that in the Clan society that anyone can have sex with anyone regardless of gender. I have nothing against that but that appears to be a similar cultural law that Rome had minus one key detail.

[@Australalien89]

I just got my Battltech kickstarter stuff so am getting back into your channel, thanks for the comprehensive rundown

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

Welcome back!

[@Australalien89]

@@GrimDarkNarrator glad to be here :)

[@anthonymonaghan4964]

MechWarrior of Clan Coyote, Lambda galaxy, 7th Assault Cluster reporting for duty i call for a Trial of Grievance if A does not win the vote

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

Acknowledged :)

[@trapperjohn3488]

Clan wolf stands with you.

[@lordcypher7922]

Technology and economics sounds a good one for the next video

[@bryy2053]

The clans have many ancient "viking" traits about them. I like both inner sphere and clan lore. Instead of "not liking" the clans or thinking they are "UnFaIr" just accept the universe for its quality and depth, its history and complexity, and appreciate it. The lore of battletech, IMO, blows most others out of the water.

[@richter6699]

I just don't like the idea of a faction who has the ability to achieve their goals but chooses to lose in the name of honor. It just undermines my immersion in the universe. But there is a lot of cool stuff about the clans too, and I love the idea of an almost alien force invading the inner sphere

[@georgesulea]

Caste systems always struck me wrong; however one thing about a "superior" caste , they should watch whom them step on. Great Video. I choose A

[@dubuyajay9964]

The old texts insisted on giving the other castes, "their due," but this is unfortunately not always followed, quiaff Sphereoid?

[@deforesttappan6478]

All three sounds good to me.

[@alluringming]

Never gets old watching yout videos.

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

Makes me happy to hear that.

[@inuboy867]

Thank you for this, love the Clans. option c

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

Thanks for the vote!

[@bartonbrevis3831]

A-B-C seems the most reasonable progression of the continuation of the subject. A - As it is an extension of this presentation. B - As it is how the society relates within and outside itself C - Because this is mostly numerics, though in many ways the most important in relation to the production and use of Battlemechs (and other war materiel/ 'game material'). I originally, back in the '90's, thought the concept of 'The Return of Kerensky' to be initially interesting. It's execution however is ... underwhelming. The Clans control less than four dozen worlds, and have a net population and logistical deficiency that is nigh ridiculous when put to the purposes of waging war on the scale of 'Operation: Revival'. By comparison the Inner Sphere has ~ 2000 worlds, or about 50 times the resources and nearly 500 times the population by some estimates. While superior in quality of Mech and Aerospace assets, The Clans are far short of the IS's numbers in conventional forces (Armor, Artillery, and 'Conventional' Infantry), and are woefully inadequate to handle prolonged Insurgent/Counter-Insurgency operations. Most Clans Insurgency response methods have the potential to make 'The Kentares Massacre' look like a minor footnote by comparison.

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

Thanks for the interesting input.

[@irondiver2034]

A culture and society please

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

Thanks for the vote!

[@19Pyrus70]

1. I was under the impression that the tech caste was a sub-caste of the scientist caste. 2. I was under the impression that the warrior caste held the scientist caste's use of "lab names" in utter contempt & was only humoring the scientists by letting them have those names among themselves as long as they kept it to themselves & didn't try to make anything "official" about it. 3. Is the artist caste a sub-caste of the merchant caste or laborer caste?

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

Not sure about #1. I would say yes on #2 and #3

[@19Pyrus70]

@@GrimDarkNarrator Thanks for responding. #3 was a question. Did you mean yes to being a sub-caste of the merchant caste or yes to being a sub-caste of the laborer caste?

[@Kaiju-Driver]

Solid, thanks.

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

No problem!

[@fortkavanagh]

I want to see videos on option A & C in a future video.

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

There will be a video for each of the options, more or less.

[@fortkavanagh]

@@GrimDarkNarrator sweet

[@douglasbaker4562]

I would like, if I may, to vote for Option "A" as this seems to be the very basis for the others to make the most sense. Thank you.

[@Hassan_2030]

Option C. sounds nice.

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

Thanks for the vote!

[@hankhill4101]

Where my Clan Coyote Tiospaye at?

[@dracphelan]

Option C

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

Thanks for the vote!

[@franksmedley8619]

Hello Grim. All the options are good ones, but I'll cast my vote for option C.

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

Thanks for the vote!

[@branking2311]

Let's have a look at the clan political styles (B)

[@Alverant]

I vote for A with C as a secondary.

[@jasonulysess3652]

Hello KZbin algorithm. Everybody has family issues.

[@randomnetsurfer]

The Atlas comic image made me laugh (kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIW3mqlqa8-raKM) 100% MORE SKULL!

[@Dariushellstrome]

Personally the clans can take a long walk out of the airlock, but option c has my vote

[@carlmcdaniels1675]

Choice A/C/B in that order please.

[@qwertyman4]

A. I like the clans THAT much

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

Thanks for the vote!

[@dubuyajay9964]

Seylah.

[@oneproudbrowncoat]

Can't really call it "society", as the Clanners aren't really human per se any more, but it'd be interesting to see how their queens- sorry, *warriors*- communicate. 🤣

[@busterdagger4797]

Option c

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

Thanks for the vote!

[@peterwilson1663]

Option A

[@MrJack556]

Is this an AI channel or is that your accent? If it is your accent, may I ask where you're from? I only ask because I cannot place it. Dutch?

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

It is not AI. It's just my voice. I'm from Romania.

[@MrJack556]

@@GrimDarkNarrator Cool. Thanks. I was just curious.

[@luisguilhermeoliveirazapat4905]

C

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

Thanks for the vote!

[@Bafimar01]

Option A please

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

Thanks for the vote!

[@reginaldgorpfist249]

Option A for me

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

Thanks for the vote!

[@durion001]

option c

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

Thanks for the vote!

[@jasonulysess3652]

So the clans are the Tao of the Battle-tech universe?

[@jasonulysess3652]

@User 905 Agreed.

[@VallenVRC]

B. Government & Politics

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

Thanks for the vote!

[@Cadimus6]

A or C

[@mwhyte1979]

I vote A

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

Thanks for the vote!

[@libertylionofjudah]

A.

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

Thanks for the vote!

[@jasonulysess3652]

A. Please.

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

Thanks for the vote!

[@tyreecebaker6600]

B

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

Thanks for the vote!

[@gustavoboscardin9351]

Option A

[@johnsmoke4249]

C

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

Thanks for the vote!

[@Da5hau]

B

[@GrimDarkNarrator]

Thanks for the vote!