BattleTech Lore & History - Reunification War: A Complete 20 Year History (MechWarrior Lore)

[@polaris30000]

SLDF and Inner Sphere: "Conquering the Periphery will be a cakewalk!" Taurian Concordat: *Loads shotguns with malicious intent* "Cowabunga it is."

[@rexstuff4655]

General Furlough is a fictional character who did fictional things, and I am sitting here, incensed at his fictional atrocities, a testament to a great video. And probably the longest KZbin I have ever watched in its entirety

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Well thank you for sticking with me for the whole 3.5 hours. Glad I could make you so angry, means I did my job.

[@foff3804]

Seek help.

[@RenegadeVile]

Indeed, that graph at the end: 100 million Taurian deaths. Jeez.

[@lorefox201]

to be honest on Forloughs conduct, in his "defence" I have to say the Davions trolled him GOOD

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

I made this : ) ...but I mean it genuinely when I say that it could never have happened without all of your continued support. I've read every comment that you have been kind enough to leave me and I always appreciate you doing so. Hopefully this compilation is a little easier to share around too. Thank you all again for 2500 subscribers. It is so satisfying to see this project completed. There are a lifetime of half-completed and abandoned projects behind me (Pink Floyd has a good line about that) and at one point this looked like I'd bitten off way more than I could chew and it was going to come to naught. The encouragement I got helped me persevere and now here we are. A 3.5 hour epic. I hope you all enjoy. Look out for a channel update in the next few days where I'll be discussing my plans (and progress) on the next wave of BattleTech lore videos.

[@verdortudor]

Great work with the videos.

[@squizzlor]

Ive been sharing around a playlist of mine, around everything Battletech. But I felt bitesized chunks have worked best for folks on gaining interest. Feel free to use my playlists as your own, figured you were busy editing and making videos. And keep up the good work! Also kinda like your videos in small collections because your timestamps are amazing!!

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thanks for the feedback (and for sharing of course). People have asked me for both ways so that's what I'm going to continue to do. I'd never have the commitment to do only long videos so don't worry about the individual chapter uploads disappearing.

[@squizzlor]

Oh and congratulations!

[@ulricgrey5219]

Cant wait!

[@Dracobyte]

The Taurian Concordate: "I did not hear any bell ringing!" ... Until they realized they were deaf, and even still they continued to fight.

[@GravisLucem]

I have a whole new respect for the Tuarian Concordant now.

[@theomnissiah-9120]

There glorious maniacs aren’t they? Seriously I do love the Taurians

[@Fenris77]

Indeed. Giving a whole new meaning to the word "bullheaded" but yeah they suffered the most and still apparently have neither forgotten nor forgiven!

[@foff3804]

Ah the Taurean Concordate they were stupid and gullible then and still are.

[@JRufu]

just.. Madlads...

[@ZombieX13]

Then is not necessarily now.

[@stalwartteakettlepotato9879]

Seeing star league enaguge in terror tactics just because their war of conquest isn't going as fast as they would like makes watching star league later tear itself apart and use the same tactics on itself somewhat satisfying

[@inquisitorgarza312]

The Tuarians gave the Star League a bloody nose for how vicious and heroically they fought against them.

[@Tom_Cruise_Missile]

A fictional story about a fictional war in a fictional future history somehow manages to make me feel intense anger and patriotism for a fictional country.

[@Oblivius33]

Nothing like a good underdog story. Battletech: "How about four at the same time."

[@robertroy7818]

This is Luetin/Tex levels of lore respect, amazing work.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thank you, that's very high praise indeed.

[@piercegalactic]

Well said

[@mcnaughe]

You come to this channel to learn the overall details of the Taurians defense in the Reunification Wars. You go to Tex's channel to learn that for Taurians, "the difference between mine-clearing equipment and infantry-clearing equipment depends on who's driving and in what direction."

[@AlexGoldhill]

I get the feeling that the civillian casualties listed with all those orbital bombardments and WMDs were probably much higher than the official figures given, especially considering that the Star League ultimately won and got to write the history books.

[@yousuck785why]

The periphery suffered so much. It is no surprise they hate and hated the Inner Sphere still.

[@ssjjshawn]

To be fair, Planets with over a Billion people are rare in Battletech, let alone in the Periphery

[@Athrun82]

The Outworlds Alliance wasn't the most densly populated realm (even the capital Alpheratz never reached 1 billion inhabitants and said capital left the war unscathed). The Magistracy and Rim Worlds got off lightly (Marion Marik was a very pro Ares convention general that's why the Canopus campiagn was the cleanest and during the Rim worlds campaign the major casualties were partisans who died in suicide attacks). Of course the Concordat took a real beating but the all out war came only after Furlough took over. Even after Tentativa the SLDf fought according to the rules but when Kincaid was killed the gloves came off. And when Fourlough was recalled the SLDF reverted back to warfare in accordance with the Conventions

[@jamesperkins191]

​@@Athrun82I think the RWR government fought on the same side as the Star League, against the Rift Republican Army

[@Athrun82]

@@jamesperkins191 Not really. Though they were nominally on the SLDF's side in reality it came down to who was in command. Sometimes the RWR surrendered without firing a shot but in other instances they even allied with the RRA to fight against a common enemy. It was a bloody mess especially for the SLDF to keep possible allies and enemies separated

[@hissingwalnuts1507]

I like how this eventually devolves into war crimes being mentioned what feels like every 2 minutes. Truly, the Star League was just a civil society. Anyhow excellent vidya!

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

It was a noble and just conflict to be sure.

[@jacpas2012]

I am surprised that one general got PTSD for suicide bomber civilian’s that she nuke all city’s just to make sure there wasn’t any.

[@chrisc9769]

Didn't he say that Orbital bombardment, WMDs, and civilians attacks go against the Aries Accords? The Star League is almost as bad with it's corruption as the Imperium in 40k.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

I have a video on the Ares Conventions that explains why in many ways it's a meaningless document. Regardless, they were rescinded in 2579 so the Star League was no longer bound by them, not that they were against any of the original three targets anyway.

[@chiefkalif9675]

That's up from every 30 seconds during the Time of War Era! I call that progress!

[@primafacie5029]

Love that Battletech is making a comeback

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

It's definitely going through somewhat of a renaissance. Happy to see it.

[@AVClarke]

"You WILL join the Star League and BE happy!!" Not the best approach.

[@Cyberfender1]

and own nothing.

[@BoisegangGaming]

Happiness was never the reason for the war. It was entirely to seize the resources of the periphery and to neuter them so they could never rise to challenge the inner Sphere and their dynasties, along with to create a show of force for the SLDF, with the unsaid statement of "This is what will happen to you if you step out of line".

[@vana.johnson8845]

Yep the Cameron's Star League Defense force Goons were Despotic Genocidal Murderous Gangsters. There was Nothing peaceful about the Unification. Cameron was Napoleon, Genghis Khan and Attila. Conquest of those he wanted to control by any means necessary.. Cameron was no better then Kurita or Shady Davion. At least the Combine felt Destined to Rule everything. Overzealous bastard Cameron.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Well as we all know, it worked out okay for the Star League in the end. Oh wait...

[@lorefox201]

eat the bugs live in the pod drink the soy own nothing be happy

[@freeranger00]

Chilling. These videos are wonderful. Your presentation is excellent. The Magistracy was lucky that they had such a decent person as a foe in Captain-General Marik. Nice to see that some of the Mariks are competent, intelligent, and possessed of some moral backbone. Usually they only get one of the three. The Taurians were absolutely savage in their resistance, resorting to guerilla warfare was going to be hard on the civilian populace, but it seems as if the Taurians were all-in. That war is probably the greatest tragedy in BT history, that it was later repeated makes it even worse.

[@bogatyr2473]

The Taurians knew what was up, they either resist and win or cease to exist. They knew there was no co-existing in Ian Cameron's tyranny.

[@bezerker2173]

I've been looking for more long-form battletech lore videos after running out of text talks battletech, this is great! Thank you so much!

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

No problem, glad you enjoyed it. If you haven't already seen it, there is another 2 hour video in the playlist you might be interested in that tells the story of the first 500 years of BT.

[@hezekiahcross88]

I am also going through Tex withdrawals 😨

[@gabrieliacoboni6951]

@@hezekiahcross88 what happened to Tex? Still around but just not making videos right now?

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Nothing has happened to him. In fact he's releasing a new video within the next few days.

[@gabrieliacoboni6951]

@@SvenVanDerPlank Good to know. I knew he was still posting videos (games, etc.) and would certainly understand if he needed to take a break. These videos take a lot more skill than I ever will have to put together.

[@Tzilandi]

"Amos Forlough [...] died on August 30th, 2639, outliving his many victims by half a century." There is no justice in this world.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

I love to end my videos on a downer.

[@ulricgrey5219]

Why I love this setting... realism. why I get depressed by this setting...realism.

[@lorefox201]

😭

[@seanmac1793]

I mean, as shockingly inhumane as it was, it did work

[@foff3804]

I get depressed when ppl get depressed over a make believe universe.

[@thegreengouf56]

Damn. The lore in this game is so deep. It's refreshing to know there is a dynamic history, and after listening to a couple of your videos I now understand a lot of the references made in MechWarrior 5. Also I finally know who I am gonna side with, I start with Marik, and I'm now gonna work with the Tuarian Concordant to crush the aristocratic house Davion. Thank you so much for all the effort you've put into this. I'll be watching EVERY video you have.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thank you. Really happy I could add to your MW5 experience. Hope you enjoy the other videos in the series.

[@WolfHreda]

Star League: "You guuuyyys, it's the Cradle of Humanity..." Taurian Concordat: "Too bad we ain't babies."

[@herobrineharry7698]

2:57:42 the 237th light cavalry would go on to found the Tortuga Dominions, establishing a pirate kingdom that would plague the Taurians, Federated Suns, and other periphery planets until 3152- the current “present” of battle tech’s kingdom. Forlough was dedicated to war crimes with every action.

[@peaceturtleinfinity]

Loving the deep dives, bro. I’m working on an “occult science fiction” worldbuilding project and the political elements of Battletech, with its fractured political landscape and no aliens has been a source of inspiration.

[@briansedillo7003]

What's it called

[@gabrielmirandahurtado6539]

You had my interest at occult science fiction, now you've got my attention, also, are there mechs?

[@derekburge5294]

Plastic minis, Tex Talks Battletech, and Plank's *Lawrence of Arabia* length documentary... It's a good time for Battletech fans. What's next, good sir?

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

"You are welcome, English." As for what's next, I'm making a community post on the channel later in the week. In short, I'm continuing on chronologically so no massive jump or tangent. I'll have a short four part series for the Golden Age and then on to the Amaris Coup. There'll be more details soon.

[@ryanhampson673]

Plastic minis!? Only a freebirther would resort to plastic…The clans demand pewter minis!

[@tenchraven]

@@ryanhampson673 Does the the metallic sheen remind them of their dear old mom back in the Pentagon Worlds? Beer kegs aren't mothers. :P

[@guiltygearalonecompl]

@@tenchravenFictionally savage

[@artemetis4920]

This was a period of Battletech history I'd never really explored and I had no idea it was so fleshed out! You've done a fantastic job of detailing it all, it could have been a boring recitation of facts but it was genuinely interesting to listen to. Please keep up the great work.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

I'm glad you enjoyed my coverage of this overlooked period in BT history. Hoping to continue the series soon.

[@IdleDrifter]

The Star League: Join us or die! The Periphery: I guess I'll die then and take many of you with me. The Star League: What!?

[@piercegalactic]

I thought Star League was all mythical knights and Orion mechs. It was just another tyrant. Phenomenal video!!! I love just how rich Battletech lore is.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it. Discovering the reality behind the Star League myth was something that shocked me too.

[@plainsimpletailor402]

@@SvenVanDerPlank Oh I'm a Son of Taurus Now that's just what I am And for the Inner Sphere I do not give a damn I ain't too sad that someone blew off Richard Cameron's head I'm only sad that someone wasn't Taurian Instead I hate the House of Liao And everything they do I hate the cursed Chancellor and all his bastards too for there is naught more filthy fore the eyes of the free than that which is born 'tween Capellan mothers' knees (I haven't written more yet lol)

[@oneproudbrowncoat]

​@@plainsimpletailor402 No stanza about the Davrats? "Son of Taurus", my ass...

[@TheKianykin]

Battletech lore reads like real history at moments

[@vana.johnson8845]

Tyranny has No end. Ian Cameron was nothing but an Arrogant Narcissist thinking he was MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE. He was a fictional historical #POS #GenocidalManiac #PeaceKiller #IanTheMercilus

[@YycGrumpyGamerDad]

An amazing and comprehensive history. You’ve done an excellent job on these videos! I tip my hat to you sir!

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thank you, glad you think so.

[@evanulven8249]

And the other Battletech players at the store I go to wonder why I answer "Which great house is your favorite?" with "Calderon."

[@codygriffin8256]

Just got into battletech. I played MechWarrior 2 when I was younger ( yea I'm old enough lol) but I didn't really know what it was beyond the game. So almost 20 years later I'm finally getting in on it. It's a fantastic game and thank you so so much for these videos. It's helping me catch up and learn so much. Very impressive work.

[@Bass1690]

I just wanted to say how much I enjoy these videos so far. I love listening to historical videos about IRL battles and conflicts, and this series really captures the feeling of those videos for the BattleTech universe. Amazing work!

[@randomnetsurfer]

I am using this video as setting research for my custom campaign. So much valuable info. Thank you Sven!

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

You're welcome, glad you're finding it useful.

[@PopeMetallicus]

this makes my inner lore nerd giddy! I've always wanted more detail on this period, and the SLDF campaigns in general. well done bro!

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thank you, glad you found what you were looking for. I've completed all the scripts for the next 150 years of the Star League so hopefully you'll find those as enjoyable. Working on a draft for the Amaris Civil War too.

[@PopeMetallicus]

@@SvenVanDerPlank That sounds awesome! If you ever want someone to record some action footage for the background, I have MW5 and HBSBT and am more than willing to record some for ya

[@sanders2strong]

as a Long time Battletech fan... I feel like this actually our future. someone came from the future and Lowkey told us our faith

[@spartanalex9006]

But the Soviet Union fell in 1991 instead of 2011.

[@williamgalbraith3621]

This was extremely informative and well done! I watched it twice to make sure I comprehended everything, but I think it will take another couple of viewings to set it in 'stone' in my head. I can scarcely imagine the work involved in creating the script for this, I'm very glad you did it. Congratulations on an amazing work!

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thank you, I appreciate the comment. It is an awful lot to take in. When I'm reading the scripts a dozen times over, it can be easy to lose track of what the viewers pick up immediately and what could be better emphasised so when it comes back later there is a better frame of reference. I've had a few helpful comments that'll I'll try to implement going forwards to make it clearer on a first pass.

[@ebla83]

This was absolutely wonderful to watch. I love the format, and hope you continue with this.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thanks, that's certainly the plan. Already have the next few scripts typed up.

[@MLCrisis1790]

That was amazing! I can't imagine how much time that took to research and write the script, let alone the recording and editing!!!

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. As a rough figure, it took about an hour of work for each minute of video, but that doesn't include the research or scripting.

[@yourseatatthetable]

This is my 2nd or 3rd time listening through this one, usually in blocks of time as my job has me driving quite a bit. And even though I know most of the lore and history, having read what material there was that I had access too over the last four decades, I never fail to find some detail that either chimes a cord, makes me think, or makes me wonder. For example, and I know not everyone is a fan of going down rabbit holes, but 'What If?': What if the various Periphery states had willingly joined the Star League. The reunification war would not have had to take place... not as our understanding of BT lore has it now. Conflict would have still be inevitable as every House, major and minor, included 'third parties', - Interstellar Players - that had/have their own agendas, just as the various House Lords have theirs. Overt and covert wars would have been fought, perhaps even leading to a civil war that tears the Star League apart. Even if the Periphery states had joined willingly, by their very formation, and just as the "super powers" of our current times view the poorer, less developed nations of Terra, they would have chaffed in the arrogant shadows of the Inner Sphere powers, been used and abused in numerous ways. If not openly by the politicians and governments, then by the uber wealthy and corporations. Hate and discontent are the absurd children of humanity. They are always with us, regardless how high we reach and how much me declare ourselves "civilized'. Humans, by our very nature, must have someone to feel superior too, even those of us who truly believe that we are not that way. 'That a-hole that cut us off in traffic', or 'that idiot across the street that simply refuses to mow her grass more then once a month', etc. So too, had the various states all willingly joined the League to embrace all the visions that Cameron had put forth in his many pretty speeches, there would have been others; people who simply wanted to travel 'out there!' To be alone; to pursue some undescribed need to be independent or to live by a creed that only they understand, or perhaps, shared by a select few. Those sorts are how the settled space of Battletech grew into the size and shape that it is now. In leaps and in small bounds, in desperate attempts to flee persecution or the law; or simply to know what's on the other side of that star cluster. And from them would grow yet more, deeper Periphery states, which would drive Cameron and those like him to rankle at the thought of 'and yet another nation aside from our great Star League'. (Hee, this is what often rumbles through my head when I'm driving an hour or more at night between jobs and home, or when my wife grumbles at me, wondering aloud 'what's are you mad about now?"). Consider this: What if Admiral James McKenna had been the one to forge a star league. Perhaps Cameron's was the second such to form, such as Alaric Ward's ilkhan led Star League is, technically, the 3rd. Or, what if Kerensky had chosen to be king maker, remaining in the Inner Sphere to force the Star League issue upon the Houses. Or, perhaps, what if Nicholas' ideals of what the Clan's would become had followed ancient Sparta; or Greece; or the Incans? How different; how the same... Yep, I suppose there's a good reason, many I imagine, for avoiding rabbit holes. Never know what's down there, aside from rabbits. I also suspect that, like me and Sven here, there are a lot of deep thinkers and lovers of the fictional lore that is Battletech. If you've seen my videos, you know that I have a bunch of game systems, some quite extensive, although I don't have 40k (couldn't afford GW's high prices), but I've read a bit of it. There are few game systems where pretty much all the material, down through the hands and minds of a number of franchise creators, that are all linked; all bound together like Battletech. Once upon a time it may have been a simple table top war game about big stompy robots, but over four decades, it has become so much, much more. So rich; so intriguing. (My apologies, Sven, sometimes I get off on a rant and I write and type better then I orate in videos, heh. Didn't mean to ramble on.)

[@ryanhampson673]

I’ve been a Battletech game player since the late 90’s..This series is the best thing out there to cover the lore…Most of my games have been just death matches with unnamed forces but now I’m going to re do my mechs in appropriate liveries with their factions..I’ve already completed my Draconis Lance and now working on some merc companies…I’ve gotten some friends interested in playing but we’ve mainly stuck to the late succession wars…I can’t wait to spring the clan invasion on them, I foresee a lot of “wait you can’t have that kind of range” and “pssh, what are those little elemental battle armor going to do to me”..Ohhh man I can’t wait 😈😂

[@JetfireQuasar]

When the death tallys racked up for each front, it goes to show that even though the Ares Convention were toothless before being abolished, the Spirit of the Convention was very effective as it proved itself in the FWL\MOC front.

[@ColourOfTheGods]

This is absolutely awesome Mr Plank - it's a colossal effort to put such a thing together, so I think I can speak for the entire Battletech community when I say thank you for taking the time to do this!

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thanks, I'm glad folk are enjoying the series.

[@RobertsonBrendyn]

Awesome work! Wish there's a BattleTech DLC that's set during the Reunification War.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

It would be interesting to see a game set pre-Succession Wars because it was a very different world back then.

[@RobertsonBrendyn]

@@SvenVanDerPlank Yep.

[@Dirt1061]

Thank you for all your work! I am new to the Battletech universe and the way you put these videos together visually and script structure makes everything very approachable, easy to understand, and fun to watch!

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thank you very much for the donation, I really appreciate it. I'm glad you've been enjoying the videos. Hopefully I've been able to give you a good understanding of the early lore. It's all pre-history as far as the games are concerned, but it lays the foundation for later events in the story.

[@harbingerx7793]

I just wanted you to know, that I've been listening to your videos constantly, over and over. And have yet to get tired of them. Always a great refresher for the age of war, and reunification Era of the dawning star league.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thank you, I'm glad to hear it. Hope I can have some new BT content for you very soon.

[@wavepool4501]

This is an impressive effort for a fictional war. Reminds me of the channel Operations Room. Love it!

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Operations Room was one of my big inspirations so I'm glad you were able to see their influence on my videos.

[@Puerkl8r]

This was amazingly done. BattleTech is such an amazing IP for the depth of the lore.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thank you, glad you thought so. I definitely agree that BT lore has an incredible depth to it.

[@KoshVorlontay]

Will you be doing the Golden Age, Amaris Coup and the Exodus next? Each separate or as an Anthology leading up to the Succession Wars? Extremely pleased with your amazing works. Especially the use of the Great House books as source material for this Historical. Been a fan of BT/MW since the FASA days. Looking forward to you next great historical dive.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

So I've been working on scripts for both the Golden Age and Amaris Coup. Each is going to be split into episodes and then later released as one compilation. There'll be 4 episodes for the Golden Age and 8 for the Amaris Civil War. I've begun recording the first series and am about 60% done with the scripts for the Fall of the Star League. Things are taking longer than I would like because I'm in the middle of moving home but that should be done soon.

[@TheSpaceHamster]

All the work you do is amazing, just trying to throw a little back out of respect for your efforts. Thank you!

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thank you very much for the donation. That's very kind of you. I'm really glad you've enjoyed the videos.

[@alganhar1]

The Reunification War... how to make the Periphery hate the Inner Sphere until the Heat Death of the Universe in ten easy to follow steps!

[@ryvius555]

Absolutely fantastic work! I'm reasonably familiar with general Battletech lore, but the Reunification Wars was something I never thought to look into. Made for a great listen while at work. Can't even imagine how much effort this probably took to put together! Thanks so much for your hard work! Hope to see more Battletech content in the future!

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thank you. It's a rarely discussed conflict but it has massive implications for future IS/Periphery relations. There's a ton of drama to the story too so I wanted to do it justice.

[@giuliog291]

I just discovered this amazing series and I'm binge-watching it, incredible work, thanks for your huge effort and greetings from Italy!

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

No problem. Glad you're finding it enjoyable. Hopefully not too much longer before the next episode is out.

[@rmcdudmk212]

One word for this series on the Reunification wars ... Comprehensive 👍

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Everything you didn't need to know about the Reunification War.

[@greystrangr]

This video launched the Taurian's into being one of my favorite factions

[@MoreEvilThanYahweh]

Supporting the Taurians is such a no-brainer that the writers had to go extra hard to make them villians in later eras (the HBS game and the Shraplen era where they nuked the Federats).

[@MrAsaqe]

@@MoreEvilThanYahweh I won't call them the villain. I call them the endproduct of a reign of terror where the murderer died peacefully in sleep outliving his victims. It's no secret the Concordat is based on the South Americans and anyone with an interest in cold war politics knew what USA did and the same consequences. USA continues to prosper while South America will never get a chance to send some grieving descendants to repay the favor

[@bogatyr2473]

The only thing the Taurians ever wanted was to be left alone. The only crime they ever committed was telling the Davions, Capellans, and Camerons “Thanks, but no thanks,” when asked to join. All they wanted was to live their lives free from the war mongering authoritarian psychopaths of the Inner Sphere and time and time again some bozo would show up on their door making high minded speeches about peace and cooperation while pointing a gun at them. No one got nuked until they left the Taurians with no other choices. Every serious history of the Inner Sphere should start with a single sentence foreword. “The Taurians were right.”

[@oneproudbrowncoat]

​@@MoreEvilThanYahwehAnd they failed, since the FC was never any good. Only bad thing about the Concordat was that they were at war with the Calderon Protectorate.

[@MoreEvilThanYahweh]

@@oneproudbrowncoat That's part of the Shraplen nonsense as far as I'm concerned. The Protectorate is more legitimate than the TC proper given who's in charge.

[@Ashandarei22]

Really enjoying your videos! The music and watching the troop movements while learning the deep history of the Inner Sphere is incredibly fascinating. I'd always focused on the Succession Wars or the run up to the Clan Invasion but the early history of the Inner Sphere is so rich with story! Thank you for doing these!

[@nemamiah7832]

Oh, this one. Reunification War was one of my favourite purchases with some amazing RATs, rules and lore. Great to see a long video about it. Down with Star League!

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it. It's an oft overlooked period in the timeline that has a major influence on future events. If you haven't already seen it, I'm part way through another series on the follow-up sourcebooks, Liberation of Terra 1&2 that you might like.

[@gabrieliacoboni6951]

Dig it! Such a deep dive into a little explored era. A lot more is put into the Amaris Civil War and Succession Wars. Love it!

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

I agree. There is very little out there on pre-Amaris history. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@KarlRosner]

Ian Cameron was just a monster.

[@guiltygearalonecompl]

A complicated monster

[@zanebarber8688]

This is an incredible piece of work, encompassing some of the coolest parts of battletech lore! Superb job!

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@johndoe1.196]

"There is no worse tyranny than to force a man to pay for what he does not want merely because you think it would be good for him." ― Robert A. Heinlein.

[@greywhizzadventurer8535]

Dude I love this 3 hour long breakdown of the Battletech Universe. Ever since I fell in love with this world after playing Battletech, I've been looking for this exact style and content of a video. Will there be more videos covering the Battletech Universe?

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Yes there will be. I've just finished the Golden Age series and should be posting the first episode of the Fall of the Star League soon. Planning on continuing right the way through the timeline but that'll take years to cover.

[@chilliewhk]

This was an incredibly well detailed and narrated breakdown of an absolutely massive conflict. As a somewhat new fan of the Battletech lore this is a great addition to the video library.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thanks, glad to hear you enjoyed it.

[@spacewolfblackmane19]

Highly entertaining. But I must say as primarily a warhammer fan, it's actually funny hearing about people being concerned about civilan deaths. A nice change of pace all things considered 👌

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Ha, wait until we reach the First Succession War. They're still concerned about civilians, but their concern is that they're not killing enough of them. Things settle down a bit after that. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@randomcenturion7264]

Imperial Guard: why are they si upset these casualties are great! Haven’t seen anything this low in years

[@macrux152__8]

Loving the long videos, but you can keep the short ones along my friend. Just more videos on Battletech, we love battletech.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

The way I work is to upload all the individual chapters as I go (which seem to range between 15-30 minutes) and then re-upload them as one combined episode at the end. So there's short and long version available for everyone (unless you were saying the individual chapters should be shorter?)

[@macrux152__8]

@@SvenVanDerPlank Oh, I just thought these were different from the individual chapters. Well, seeing as you release chapter by chapter, making at least doable to one person, I can push for that, and you also seem not forget long video lovers like myself, so kudos my friend. I've just seen my fair share of people being burned out by doing the long videos with no rest, so I thought you were also burning yourself out. Keep it up, will try to watch every chapter of the Reunification war now. I do love how the Taurian Concordat handled the WHOLE INNER SPHERE in a sense, it was a losing battle, but it was glorious nonetheless.

[@RoflcopterPunch]

This was totally worth the watch. Knowing how this all played out really gives you a feel for how each major player in this setting really is. Likewise have I newfound respect for the Periphery, Taurian Concordat and Magistracy of Canopus in particular.

[@DzinkyDzink]

167k views for a 3.5 hour video. Sven, you're a Legend.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

One of the two videos on my channel where KZbin went "oh, people actually want to watch this" and suddenly promoted it a ton. Unfortunately, I was mid moving house at that moment and so by the time I returned to releasing videos 3 months later, YT thought I was dead so had moved on. Ack well.

[@blaisenfire7497]

Watched your long form videos while studying around 20ish hours for a final I took yesterday. Got a 97 thanks to you. Now just have to watch them all again to take in the info.

[@Dogue83]

Battletech lore kicks ass, its like warhammer but realistic

[@passgo8507]

I knew I was right to follow you. I knew I was right. I’m going to show this to my friends. This is amazing. You do incredible work, and I’m glad I subscribed!!!

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Cheers, glad you thought so. Appreciate you sharing it around.

[@MM22966]

I no longer need an audiobook version of at least eight BattleTech sourcebooks, thanks to Sven.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Even as long as this video was, I probably only covered at most two thirds of Historical: Reunification War. I skipped over the vast majority of the ground battle descriptions.

[@manaraxjendo7900]

Wow three hours just for one 20 year period. Such detail is admirable. Can't wait for the next video!

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thank you. I just released the Golden Age video and almost got the first episode of the Star League Civil War out. That has the potential to be 4.5 hours for only a 16 year conflict. Lots to cover though.

[@eradius]

man that was so good ^^ long time mechwarrior fan but never really got that deep into the lore until i found your videos, really fascinating stuff. feels a lot like ww2 documentaries i grew up watching with the overviews of the armies and their dispositions and such.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thank you, I have been going for a documentary style presentation.

[@johnw5154]

Great video. Many thanks. We need more long format Battletech lore videos.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Well I have two more series in the works. Hopefully get the next installment out in June.

[@Staradder70]

Thanks!

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

You're welcome. Thank you very much for the kind donation.

[@Tucker0603]

Love this man, it's comprehensive info and makes for great background listening!

[@louiskemner3216]

Incredible work! I’d love to see videos like this for other major events too. Such as FedCom civil war and Jihad, and btw wars of reaving.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thank you. We'll get to all of those events eventually but they're still a ways off because I'm going through the timeline chronologically.

[@chiefkalif9675]

Ah.. The Wars of Reaving... Nicholas Kerensky: Creates a method of conflict that limits loss and minimizes destruction! "We'll call them Trials!" The Clans: "What if we take the Trial of Refusal, make it a Refusal War, and destroy two whole Clans!" Nicholas' Ghost: "Wait, no-" The Clans: "What if we take the Trial of Reaving, make it a War of Reaving, and almost destroy every Clan!" Nicholas' Ghost: "Stop!"

[@EmperorPylades]

@@chiefkalif9675 Well in the case of the War of Refusal, it was largely because Ulric pulled his last gambit to cripple the Crusader cause by bidding his entire Touman. Don't forget, he wanted Operation REVIVAL to fail. And in the case of the Wars of Reaving, it was a combination of spite by the Home Clans at having been cut off from the riches of the Sphere, the Snake Alliance making a power grab, and Brett Andrews being Stefan Amaris levels of completely bugfuck insane. The moral of this story is that War, and even politics are the symptoms. The disease is the desire for power.

[@chiefkalif9675]

@@EmperorPylades Yeah, it's just funny how they exploited systems designed to limit full scale warfare to force each other into full scale warfare.

[@floriangallus7760]

These are the best BT-Lore Videos I've seen so far. Great work. Thank you.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thank you, I'm really glad you've enjoyed them.

[@ebla83]

Two years later, and this is still excellent work Sven.

[@thepavl]

I knew Battletech had rich lore but fuck me I wasn't expecting this level of detail. I hope you continue further and cover the clans also.great job

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

One day I'll have covered the whole timeline but doing it in this level of detail is a long slow process. Hoping to get the first episode of the Star League Civil War out in around a week's time.

[@juangonzalez9848]

I fell asleep listening to something else and woke up to this. I am now going to watch it in it’s entirety, because got damn, this is some detailed stuff.

[@chalzen1012]

Thank you so much for this amazing breakdown of the timeline... truly one of the best I've seen and I'll be sure to share it with my lance mates

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it and I'm always super appreciative of people sharing the videos.

[@caesari3708]

Tuarians: "I don't hear no bell."

[@ddark0077]

Always loved mech films and games watching this and playing mechwarrior 5 makes the colors on the map now have meaning. Thanks for making this man.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

No problem, glad you enjoyed it.

[@MrFallout2]

Thank you for uploading these dude you do such a great job. Awesome editing. 👌

[@WillFarshore]

Great job on this. I find that when working on things I like listening to a more structured and detailed account on events for things on the side and this matches with that perfectly. Nice balance on covering the overview with important details and critical turns given the right balance. Thoroughly enjoyed and earned a sub. My only complaint, I would stress it is minor and does not noticeable detract from this, is that sometimes due to placement the troop movements on the map were clear on composition but could take effort to see their location and keep track of movements, partially since they were settled to cover their destination. Again though that is only minor and overall it is not only a monumental undertaking you went through for this but you did an excellent job on it. I'll be giving your other videos a browse soon and hope to see more.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thank you for the feedback, I really appreciate it. I've tried in my latest video on the Second Hidden War to experiment with transparent icons and static text to hopefully make things a little easier to follow. It's a tricky one to balance though.

[@Ghorum]

Another fantastic channel creating quality Battletech content. This was a truly remarkable effort.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Glad you enjoyed it. if you're interested, I have many more videos on BT lore on the channel.

[@IdleDrifter]

I'm loving the Battletech universe. Mainly because its lore in deep and consistent.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

BattleTech lore is certainly deep, though it's anything but consistent. Unfortunate byproduct of existing for 40 years under half a dozen parent companies and hundreds of different writers. I do love it though.

[@Jebsucks]

@@SvenVanDerPlank Compared to the competition Battletech might as well be the theory of general relativity for how ironclad and cohesive it is. Battletech gives me detailed enough numbers about who was fighting where in its' wars that, for example, I can say with certainty that the 4th Succession War *must* have involved some degree of major civilian casualties because the units involved literally did not have the manpower to make up all of the official casualty figure. What other sci-fi setting can be said to be that meticulous in it's worldbuilding that something like that is even *possible* (if likely unintentional)? Sure, the clans are stupid and IllKhan seems to be written on the assumption that the Wolves taking Earth matters when even the majority of the clans outright ignored them and the only parts of the IS that gave a shit were the ones taking advantage of it, but again, look at what the competition gets up to.

[@Duchess_Van_Hoof]

A heavy focus on naval operations, more reminiscent of other sci-fi franchises. Quite interesting and educating.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Yeah, I did end up focusing more on the naval side of the conflict. Couple reasons for that probably. First is that I just found it interesting and giving WarShips go extinct, they had never been covered in any great detail in the lore I'd read. Secondly, I saw my limited abilities in animation would work better with the easier to portray naval battles than the action on the ground, for which I'd have to draw up some basic terrain.

[@timitnyre5831]

Amazing video! You did such a great job covering one of Battletech's most significant conflicts from start to finish!

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thank you. Hope to cover many more of the major wars in the future.

[@arcosraid]

This was amazing, now I feel well informed and have a place for other who man to learn the deep history of some the most pivotal affairs' of early inner sphere. Truly amazing work you have done hope to see more of it to cover all the other major events like these and blocks of history really enjoyed and keep it up and I will keep watching!!

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thank you. Rest assured I'm hard at work on the next two series. Already completed the scripts for the Golden Age, now working on the Fall of the Star League which I think will be similar to the Reunification War in scope.

[@christopherkent2359]

This content you put out is exemplary! The way in which you mesh it altogether is like "the mana for Battletech nerds such as myself". Peculiar though it may sound but all of these vids, of which I both view when not engaging in missions of Mechwarrior 5 Mercenaries, and listen to in the background when I do are like.....no, not like but are video and auditory heroin. This is one addict which is proud to say I am never going to stop "using" until I go blind, go deaf, or drop dead:-)

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Ha, I don't think I ever expected to hear myself compared to heroin, but I'll try to take it as a high compliment.

[@thomasc.3832]

It's great to see someone doing such a in-depth video!

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thanks, glad you thought so.

[@talonalmeida4806]

Really enjoying your content keep up the great work.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thanks, glad to hear it.

[@Ironclockwork]

Thank you very much for your hard work. It is... impressively ironic, to say the least, that the Star League is invoked as some bygone Golden Age and yet it is in part due to its very nature and deeds that caused its collapse, the Succession Wars, and a lot of the subsequent suffering that occurred within the Inner Sphere between its two twisted remnants (The Clans and Comstar).

[@johnwalton287]

Fantastic work, really enjoyed it, thank you

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

No problem, glad to hear it.

[@tmorton42]

Very nicely done. Thank you for doing these!

[@ivankalinic7094]

This is amazing! Thank you, I was looking for this ammount of detail for a while.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

No problem, glad you found what you were looking for.

[@MattFromAmerica]

Absolutely amazing! My childhood in one video. Lol

[@Elit3Nick]

You glorious madman. On to the next few centuries.

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Already have the next 150 years scripted so hopefully I can start on the Golden Age soon.

[@FosforitoDuracell]

The more I think about it, the more I hold the opinion that the Camerons and the Star League got what they deserved. Great video!

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Yeah, making this series really changed my views on the Star League. Was more of a good riddance than a farewell when it finally died. Having said that, making the Succession War videos made me realise that it was no wonder people looked back with rose-tinted glasses, because what followed was so much worse.

[@grimwaldsilverpipe4326]

Amazing lore video, I'm only a quarter of the way in but already incredibly impressed on the attention to detail. Subscribed, looking forward to all of your other content!

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thank you. Pleased to hear you're enjoying it. New video coming this weekend but you've got quite a few hours to watch before you've caught up I think.

[@grimwaldsilverpipe4326]

@@SvenVanDerPlank dang man I havent even finished the video and your already interacting with your community! Thank you for all your effort in this project, a video of this length and density is a feat!

[@darkhobo]

Comment for the algorithm gods. These are great! Thanks for your hard work!

[@SvenVanDerPlank]

Thank you, glad you're enjoying them.

[@sper1585]

Fantastic job! Thank you for putting this together.