Kirchbach

Kirchbach
← 3135 3151
Kirchbach nearby systems (Map Legend)
System Information
X:Y Coordinates	-39.048 : 382.78[e]
Spectral class	F0V[1][2]
Recharge time	171 hours[2]
Recharge station(s)	Zenith[1][2]

The Kirchbach system is home to at least one habitable world, Kirchbach III, and as of June 3152 was located in the Clan Hell's Horses Occupation Zone.^[3]

System Description[edit]

Kirchbach is located near the Lovinac and Liezen systems.

Political Affiliation[edit]

Kirchbach III[edit]

Kirchbach III
Astrophysical
System position	Third[1][2]
Jump Point distance	21.94 days[2]
Moons	None[2]
Geophysical
Surface gravity	1.04[2]
Atmospheric pressure	Low (Breathable)[2]
Equatorial temperature	30°C (Temperate)[2]
Surface water	31%[2]
Highest native life	15% Mammal[1][2]
Landmasses	3 (Carinthia, Hermagor, Gailtal)[2]
History and Culture
Demonym(s)	Kirchbachian[53]
Population	784,000,000 (3025),[1] 862,400,000 (3079)[2]
Government and Infrastructure
Noble Ruler	Duke of Kirchbach
Capital	New Samos[2]
HPG Class	B[1][2]
HPG Representative	Precentor Clarissa Hedstron (3025)[1]

Planetary History[edit]

Early History[edit]

Kirchbach was originally a part of the Principality of Rasalhague, one of the early proto-realms established after the Demarcation Declaration. Invaded by the Draconis Combine in the twenty-fourth century, Kirchbach was conquered and added to the Combine.^[54] Based on Kirchbach's absence from maps, it was most likely depopulated or abandoned either during the invasion or during the Age of War.^[5][6]

Star League Era[edit]

The Thirty-second Lyran Guards were conducting a bandit-hunting operation in the Kirchbach system in the mid-2760s when a freak JumpShip accident occurred. The accident caused the loss of two battalions from the Thirty-second, and in 2765 the regiment was still recovering from the tragic events.^[55]

First Succession War[edit]

With Kirchbach's capture by the Draconis Combine in the First Succession War, the planet would become the administrative center of the Kirchbach Prefecture. It would serve as a front line world against the Lyran Commonwealth and any potential adversaries along the Periphery for the next couple centuries.^[1]

Third Succession War[edit]

In 3023, the LCAF raided the world and smashed the local computer systems. This collapsed the entire world's computer network that required specialists from Luthien to fix.^[1]

By 3025, Kirchbach is considered the center of the Rasalhague separatist movement. Prefect Mahar Lowell, the Earl of Kirchbach, began crackdowns on any signs of disloyalty to the Combine. Though many thought it was more to save his own hide by showing action rather than to snuff out any resistance movements.^[56]

Fourth Succession War[edit]

Days prior to the launch of the follow up Wave of Operation GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG as part of the Fourth Succession War, the Tyr Resistance Movement member Thor Bjorlee was captured by the Combine on Kirchbach. This was an especially dangerous situation as Thor knew the specific details of the Lyran attack as the Tyr movement had been coordinating with the Lyran Commonwealth. If the Combine gained this information, the entire operation to seize Kirchbach could fail. A rescue team lead by Knute Guldjord was sent to the Östersund Penitentiary in an effort to free Bjorlee on 18 October 3028. While the attack did seize the facility, Thor perished during the fighting. But, the details of the upcoming invasion did not reach the Combine defenders.^[57]

Following the order issued by Archon Katrina Steiner on 21 October 3028 to exploit the successes of the first wave of the Operation GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG, Kirchbach was invaded by the Lyran Commonwealth.^[58] Kirchbach was a Prefecture capital, making it an important administrative hub within the Rasalhague Military District. Stationed on Kirchbach were the Seventeenth Rasalhague Regulars along with the remaining elements of the Fifth Amphigean Light Assault Group and Helmut's Hermits, the latter two commands having retreated from worlds invaded in the first wave. Commanding the Lyran task force assigned to the invasion of Kirchbach was General Toka; aware of the significant DCMS forces on the planet Troka requested permission to deploy the Tyr assault-weight regiment assembled in secret from members of the Tyr resistance movement and those with ties to the former Rasalhague Principality in addition to the Fourth Donegal Guards, Third Lyran Regulars, and the mercenary command Winfield's Brigade.^[59][23]

The Tyr regiment routed the Seventeenth Rasalhague Regulars in a battle near the city of Östersund; the appearance of the regiment prompted a popular revolt among the population, who were still predominantly of Scandinavian heritage. The population engaged in riots and strikes, while members of the Tyr underground movement launched sabotage attacks that helped fuel an environment so hostile to the DCMS forces that they were left feeling as if they were fighting in an enemy realm.^[23][54] With the Seventeenth damaged and the Fifth Amphigean LAG and Helmut's Hermits still weak from their earlier battles the DCMS was forced to recall its forces from Kirchbach. General Kelly Benzinger, the commanding officer of the Seventeenth, committed suicide on Kirchbach.^[23]

Clan Invasion[edit]

Kirchbach was conquered by Clan Wolf during Operation REVIVAL as part of their Third Wave of attacks in June 3050. Trinaries Assault and Rogue of the Fourth Wolf Guards landed on the planet and made their advance towards Kirchbach's defenders, the Third Kavalleri and First Kirchbach Armored Regiment, located at the snow-covered Thorson's Hollow. During the advance however Clan Wolf took advantage of the planet's local media and began broadcasting propaganda which severely unnerved the inexperienced Kavalleri. By the time the Wolves finally reached their position the Kavalleri forces turned and fled. The battle was a complete victory for Clan Wolf, while Överste Barrie Fraga managed to escape off-world with just a battalion of her 'Mechs.^[60]

Jihad[edit]

The planet was conquered again during the Jihad by Clan Hell's Horses, which launched an invasion of Clan Wolf holdings in the Inner Sphere in early 3071, acquiring holdings for their own relocation to Spheroid space. Kirchbach was seized by the Hell's Horses between 7 and 14 April 3071.^[39]

Prior to the Clan Invasion, Kirchbach was beginning to develop an armaments industry. The world's falling under the control of Hell's Horses expedited these plans, and plants on the world produce a variety of different weapons.^[2]

Military Deployment[edit]

Geography[edit]

The world has few natural resources, but does possess enough arable land to allow the population to feed themselves.^[1][2]

Kirchbach has three continents named Carinthia, Gailtal, and Hermagor.^[2]

In the MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries Rasalhague Missions, Kirchbach is first depicted as a jungle swamp biome with excellent visibility, and later features an arid canyon biome with reduced visibility and thick dust.^[71]

Planetary Locations[edit]

• Diamndis' Diamond^[26]
  • Vulture's Hill
• East Samos: city and planetary militia training center for combat vehicle crews and infantry.^[2]
• Idiline^[26]
  • Idiline Regional Spaceport^[26]
• Jamtland: a stormy coastal location on Carinthia and site of Swedenborg Heavy Industries^[2]
• New Samos: the planetary capital city on Hermagor^[2]
• Östersund: a city and site of an important battle during the 4th Succession War^[23]
  • Östersund Penitentiary: prison complex^[57]
• Thorson's Hollow: site of an important battle during Operation REVIVAL^[72]
• Unger City^[26]

Companies and Industries[edit]

• Swedenborg Heavy Industries^[2]

Map Gallery[edit]

Nearby Systems[edit]

References[edit]

Bibliography[edit]