Khan (also known as kaKhan) is a high rank in Clan society, designating the leader of a Clan.
When the Clan requires military action above the small scale skirmishes that are Trials of Possession, the Clan Council becomes a kurultai (War Council) and it elects from within a council member to become a Khan. The Khan (though having much more influence) can't interfere with Clan laws/society; that is still in the hands of the Council. He/she is, however, commander of the entire Clan's military assets, including the touman, and becomes the top of the military hierarchy that doesn’t exist without a Khan.
The first act of the Khan is to select a saKhan (junior Khan) from amongst the Clan Council members. The saKhan’s duties aren’t specifically defined. He/she is the second in command, performing any duties the Khan requires (like bidding or leading a campaign) but can’t do him/herself and enjoys a heightened status within Clan society. The official term for the senior Khan of a clan is kaKhan, though this is rarely used (Khan with no prefix usually means the senior Khan).
One noteworthy (but obscure) feature that the Khan can do is split their assets to form a new Clan.[1] Notable examples include: the creation of Clan Jade Wolf (later reborn into the Crusader Clan Wolf under Vlad's leadership) after the defeat of the original Clan Wolf, the Warden portion of Clan Wolf into the Exiled Wolves after the Refusal War, Clan Stone Lion from former Hell’s Horses assets claimed by Clan Star Adder after the Wars of Reaving[2] and the Fidelis assets which were claimed by Clan Wolf and reformed as Clan Smoke Jaguar after the Dark Age Era.
Clan Blood Spirit[edit]
Clan Cloud Cobra[edit]
Clan Coyote[edit]
Clan Diamond Shark[edit]
Clan Fire Mandrill[edit]
Clan Ghost Bear[edit]
Clan Goliath Scorpion[edit]
Clan Hell's Horses[edit]
Clan Ice Hellion[edit]
Clan Jade Falcon[edit]
Clan Nova Cat (SLDF)[edit]
Clan Smoke Jaguar[edit]
Clan Snow Raven[edit]
Clan Star Adder[edit]
Clan Steel Viper[edit]
Clan Wolf/Clan Wolf-in-Exile[edit]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ Warriors of Kerensky, p. 56, "Clan Government"
- ↑ The Wars of Reaving, pp. 146-149
- ↑ Field Manual: Warden Clans, p. 48
- ↑ Field Manual: Crusader Clans, p. 45
- ↑ Field Manual: Crusader Clans, p. 97
- ↑ Theoretical rank insignia. No freeborn has ever held this rank in Jade Falcon touman.
- ↑ Field Manual: Comstar, p. 112
- ↑ MechWarrior: The BattleTech Role Playing Game, Second Edition, Color plate section
- ↑ Field Manual: Warden Clans, p. 127
- ↑ Field Manual: Crusader Clans, p. 120
Bibliography[edit]