Clan Coyote Totem

The Strana Mechty coyote, a descendant of the Terran mammal from the North American continent, can be found on just about every inhabited world in the Clan sphere of influence, a fact directly attributable to Clan Coyote's one-time presence on each of those planets. This coyote is larger and apparently much more intelligent than the Terran species, perhaps because of genetic engineering. Sitting at the top of the food chain, the packs of coyotes have nonetheless slowly thinned over the last several decades, a fact that likewise describes the Clan.

Possessions

Worlds 6 (5 shared, 1 exclusive)

Though they once dominated the Clan sphere of influence, the Coyotes have suffered a number of losses over the years, reducing them to a mere quarter of what they once held. Though Tamaron was once considered only marginally habitable, the Coyotes have over come its ecosystem and built a thriving culture there. They have held on jealously to the planet since its discovery and colonization more than two centuries ago, allowing no other Clan to lay claim there.

Allies and Enemies

A leader in the Grand Council for decades, the Coyotes have gained a number of perfunctory allies and enemies over the years, though few that could be called strong. Their primary ally was the Wolves until the Refusal War sundered that Clan. Following that action, the Coyotes severed nearly all ties to Vlad's Crusader Wolves. The Coyotes have grown increasingly cold towards the Wolves (in Exile), though that is surely due mostly to distance and the political realities of the Council.

Clans Cloud Cobra and Star Adder share the dubious honor of being the Coyote's most hated opponents, though those feuds have gone on for years with little intensity. The Coyotes also share bad blood with the Fire Mandrills and Blood Spirits over events surrounding the destruction of the Kindraa Smythe-Jewel so many years ago.

The only real alliances the Coyotes still enjoy are with Clans Diamond Shark and Hell's Horses. The relationship with the Diamond Sharks started on shaky ground, but ever since they cooperated in the development of the OmniMech, the two Clans have remained friendly, though recent clashes on Delios have somewhat soured the relationship. The Alliance with the Horses has waxed and waned, depending upon the tides in the Grand Council.

Military

The Coyotes developed the OmniMech , and naturally, OmniMech units form the basis of the Clan’s Touman. Omnis are often found even in their garrison Clusters, given the Coyote garrison units far more flexibility and firepower than similar units in the other Clans. Following standard tactical doctrine (as much as possible in the Clans), the Coyotes deploy more than adequate Elemental and aero-space fighter forces in their combined-arms Clusters. Conventional vehicles and infantry, which are rare, are deployed only in solahma units.

The Coyote Touman has just finished nearly eight years of extensive reorganization under the guidance of Khan Sullivan Koga. Her plan did not advance without problems, as quite a few of her senior commanders objected strenuously to it. She continued on, however, dealing with those who stood in her course along the way. The Coyotes Galaxies are now efficient fighting organizations, lead for the most part by those who chose to back Khan Kufahl. Training levels still fall somewhat below Clan standard, however.

Society

The Coyotes have perhaps the most conservative mindset of the Warden Clans. The warrior caste commands, while the civilian castes are expected to serve their every whim. While not particularly unusual for the Clan, this situation has nevertheless led to some inter-caste strife, especially in the past several years, though nothing nearly as extreme as Clan Smoke Jaguar's actions against its civilian castes during the famine on Londerholm in 2912. Reports of warriors harshly punishing members of lower castes for real or imagined wrongdoing are not uncommon. Due to the successes they have experienced in the past, the scientist and technician castes enjoy a certain amount of freedom from supervision in accomplishing their tasks; but the punishments for failure are also accordingly severe.

Freeborns hold little standing or regard within the Clan. That trend is slowly changing, however, as the number of freeborns successfully serving in the Touman has increased, and several Coyote Council members have taken up their cause. On the other hand, Coyote Warriors are quite accepting of bondsmen, provided the bondsmen prove themselves capable and willing to serve.

Several of the mystical rites that Dana Kufahl taught her Clan in the Early years are still practiced, but primarily by members of the warrior cast. Vision quests and other rites used by Native American tribes to better foster an understanding of nature have evolved more into celebratory practices, at least for the majority of Coyote warriors. A vocal minority in the Clan, however, still holds strictly to the spirit of the teachings of Kufahl's native tribe on Terra.

All members of the Clan have access to any number of diversions in their free time. The most popular are arena sporting events that pit combatants, both warriors and the occasional volunteer from the lower castes, against some of the more dangerous creatures to be found in the Cluster, or ever other participants, in deadly combat. Such so-called blood-sports are held at least weekly in every major Coyote city, and usually more often in the largest of population centers.

These are not the only diversions practiced by Clan Coyote's members. The Coyotes have a highly developed artistic bent, especially in holography and laser sculpture, but this is found mostly in the civilian castes. Though widely regarded among connoisseurs of such art among all the Clans, most Coyote warriors shun or even deride this "pedestrian" fare.

Brief History

Founded by Dana Kufahl, a close friend to the Kerensky family and, indeed, Andery Kerensky’s love, the Coyotes have from their inception practiced a number of mystical rituals. From their first days, they have also maintained a close association with the chosen Clan of the Kerenskys, Clan Wolf.

After a number of successes in Operation Klondike, in which they began the widespread use of zellbrigen (one-on-one engagements) even as they clashed, the Coyotes quickly jumped ahead of the other Clans in economic and industrial potential. The Golden Century was exceptionally generous to the Coyotes, who, in pursuit of ever bigger and better weapons, developed the OmniMech and so became the preeminent military power in the Clan sphere of influence. The Coyotes were second only to the Wolves in absolute population and territorial holdings. Together these two Clans formed a political bloc in the Grand Council that none could hope to stand against successfully.

As the Coyotes grew in strength during the Golden Century, they butted heads with a number of other Clans. In 2742 they entered an alliance with Clan Hell's Horses to destroy the Fire Mandrill Kindraa Smythe-Jewel, who had used what has been called "dubious bidding practices" against both Clans. Six years later the Khans of Clan Snow Raven uncovered incontrovertible evidence that ilKhan Tobias' Katib, of the Cloud Cobras, had engineered the death of the Coyote’s own ilKhan Corian Tchernovkov some years earlier. The Coyotes embarked on a campaign designed to severely punish the Cobras for the actions of their former Khan. After twenty months of heavy action, in which they inflicted sever losses on the Cobras but at the same time lost control of a number of worlds, the Coyotes scaled back their operations.

As the Warden and Crusader factions grew within all the Clans, the Coyotes experienced a deep division that could have brought about their Absorption by another Clan. Eight entire Bloodname Houses were eliminated because of that strife, later known as the Blood Scandal, but the Coyotes emerged seemingly stronger than ever and devoted to the Warden cause. Members of Clan Star Adder were implicated in this plot to challenge the Coyotes' legitimate authority, leading to yet another of Clan Coyote's long-time feuds.

But crack began to develop in the Coyote's foundation. Already deeply enmeshed in their existing feuds, the Coyotes became a prime target for Crusader Clans looking to crush Clans to weaken Warden resolve. By the time the Outbound Light made its appearance, the Coyotes laid clam to a mere quarter of the holdings they had boasted half a century previous. Lead now by a Khan who recognizes the perils facing her Clan, the Coyote Touman has recently undergone a radical reorganization, aimed at streamlining the organization and turning the Clan around again. Only time will tell if these changes will make a true difference.

Beginnings

The history of Clan Coyote has been entertwined with that of Clan Wolf since before the foundation of the Clans themselves. When the Coyote's were first undergoing the warrior training on Strana Mechty during the Second Exodus, they came across a pack of coyotes and wolves who were actively cooperating to bring down a pack of bovine-like tallasi. All who witnessed the event agreed it was a portent of things to come. They related their experience to Nicholas and the Wolves, who agreed with the event's message. Both Clans forged strong bonds that have lasted over two hundred years.

The assault on Babylon during Operation Klondike was led by the Coyote forces. Their heavy and assault class mechs allowed them to deal out considerable damage to rebel forces. Star Captain Gerek Tchernovkov was able to secure the city of Versailles when it turned out his twin brother, Richard, was part of the cities defensive force. The two brothers worked together to convince the city leaders to surrender to the Coyotes. With the approval of Khan Kafuhl, the citizens of Versailles were treated as equals and quickly integrated into the Clan's lower castes. Versailles later served as the Clan's base of operations for the remainder of the campaign.

Sadly, tragedy struck which would deeply affect the Clan towards the end of the invasion. Khan Dana Kafuhl, had been romantically involved for many years with Andery Kerensky, the younger brother of Nicholas Kerensky. His death during a rebel ambush shattered her emotionally. saKhan challenged her to a Trial of Position for the Khanship, which she lost. Khan Dana then departed on a sabbatical to heal her spirit. When she returned several years later, she served as the unofficial ambassador to the Wolf Clan until her death in 2855.

Golden Century

It was during the Golden Century that the Coyotes created their greatest achievement, the OmniMech. The original models were first produced in the 2850s and soon proved to be superior to any other mech design. The other Clans demand that the technology be shared, but the Coyotes, with the help of the Wolves, voted down this measure. If any Clan wanted the technology, then they were honor bound to win it in a Trial of Possession. By the early 2900s, nine Clans had won the technology and an arms race began amongst all the Clans to exploit and/or gain the new weaponry. It was during this time that much of the Clans' advanced weaponry and equipment was first designed and created.

A few years later, the Wolves perfected the Elemental armor. The armored infantry suit, which was loosely based on a Goliath Scorpion deep sea exoskeleton, quickly reestablished the power of the ordinary grunt. The Coyotes quickly gained the technology from the Wolves and, with the aid of Clans Diamond Shark (who provided the harjell at reduced rates in exchange for copies of the armor) and Hell's Horses (who provided the necessary breeding protocols for birthing the Elemental warrior caste), quickly began breeding and fielding Elementals in large numbers. Within twenty years, the Coyote Touman was one of the largest and most powerful in the Clans.

Though most Clans fought with honor in their attempt to secure OmniMech technology, Clan Fire Mandrill showed a distressing tendency towards prevarication in their bidding. Kindraa Smythe-Jewel eventually won an OmniMech, but did so by deliberately misleading his opponent as to the exact strength of his force. The Coyotes protested to the ilKhan, but the fight was deemed fair.

Some years later, the Clan had the opportunity to seek revenge against the Kindraa Smythe-Jewel. The Kindraa had used similar tactics against Clan Hell's Horses in an attempt to gain the Elemental breeding protocols. The enraged Horses began to plan an immediate assault against the Kindraa, but held off when Coyote Khan Manfred Hollifield proposed a solution that would satisfy both Clans honor and need for vengeance.

A combined Horses/Coyote assault force descended on the Kindraa Smythe-Jewel's holdings on Foster. They launched an immediate attack which lasted little more than a day, but completely destroyed the Kindraa. The Horses left with much of the Kindraa's salvage, while the Coyotes took possession of the remainder of the enclave.

Blood Scandal

As within many Clans, the struggle between the Wardens and Crusaders reached dangerous proportions within Clan Coyote. However, no Clans was as deeply divided or taken to extremes as the Coyotes. Former saKhan Rosanke, a Crusader who was ousted from her post, began to conspire with the leaders of several other Coyote Bloodhouses to take control of the Clan. Her plan was eventually expanded to include forces from Clan Star Adder, who pledged their support in the imminent coup.

Star Adder saKhan Carson Graves, however, had other plans. He intended to call for the Absorption of the Coyotes, so that he might add their strength to the Star Adders. Khan Tatiana Steele, tipped off by her own sources, crushed the rebellion before it had a chance to begin. She called together the Clan Council and presented evidence showing the collusion between the former saKhan and the Star Adders. Khan Steele called for the immediate Annihilation of all the conspirators. The motion passed unanimously.

The resulting purge of the Coyote Bloodlines (now called the Reaving) led to the destruction of eight Bloodhouse's and over two thousand warriors and their offspring. Khan Steele was left with no choice but to enact such extreme measures to keep her Clan intact. The Star Adders offered saKhan Graves and his legacy as surkairede for his interference in the Coyote's internal affairs. Graves was executed by Khan Steele personally and his legacy was destroyed before the remaining Coyote Council members. To this day, the Coyotes still harbor a major feud with the Star Adders.

Dragoon Compromise

For many years after the Reaving, the Coyotes stood solidly by their Warden convictions. Their vast holdings made them one of the strongest Clans, along with the Wolves.

The Coyotes stood with their Wolf brethren as always and stood by them when Wolf Khan Kherlin Ward proposed to send force of freeborn warriors into the Inner Sphere for the purpose of gathering intelligence. Many of the Crusader Clans protested this, but they were outvoted by the other Khans who expressed a desire to see how far the Inner Sphere had sunk during the Clans' absence. Thus, the Wolf Dragoons left Clan space in 3004 for the Inner Sphere.

During the years following the Dragoon Compromise, the other Clans launched a series of attacks against the Coyotes. These Clans were frustrated at being denied a chance to return to the Inner Sphere and vented their anger at the Coyotes. Many of the Crusader Clans saw the Coyotes rich holdings as prime targets.Though the Coyotes fought valiantly, their holdings were eventually reduced to a quarter their size. The Touman itself was riddled with dead warriors and shattered Clusters. Nearly four full Galaxies were crippled in the years long fighting. Khan Robin Steele was able to consolidate her forces on the remaining Coyote worlds and launched a series of Trials against Clan Snow Raven to win back some of what was lost. Fortunately for the Coyotes, other events distracted the Clans attention away from the weakened Clan.

Invasion

The arrival of the Outbound Light brought many opportunities for various Clans. The Coyotes used it as an opportunity to rest and rebuild their damaged forces. Though they lacked the forces and desire to invade the Inner Sphere, the Coyote Khans eventually did agree to Operation Revival. The Coyote forces did well early on, but their extended battles with the Snow Ravens had severely depleted their manpower pool and denied them any chance of participating in the invasion.

The Clan waited anxiously as news from the Inner Sphere trickled in over the next few years. When word of the Clans being defeated by the Inner Sphere "barbarians" returned, the giddiness of the earlier triumphs quickly soured. The ComStar victory at Tukayyid prompted the Coyotes to rethink their views and they soon elected two prominent Wardens as Khans.

The splitting of the Wolf Clan during the Refusal War has soured relations between the Coyotes and their old allies. The Coyote Khans dislike of Khan Vlad Ward's posturing and politicking has caused a rift which may be some time in healing. Although they have made no overt attempt at contacting him, Khan Koga hopes that someday she can safely open a dialogue with Khan Phelan Kell.

Death of a Clan

The Inner Sphere's initiation of Operation Bulldog caught all of the Clans by surprise. The Clans' preparation to renew the invasion ground to a halt as the resurgent Star League tore through the Smoke Jaguar Occupation Zone much as the Clans had through the Inner Sphere ten years earlier.

When Task Force Serpent invaded Huntress, the Coyotes wisely chose not to partake in ilKhan Osis's plans. The utter destruction of the Smoke Jaguar forces on Huntress and its military-industrial infrastructure has shown the Clans that their way of warfare does not protect them as much as they thought. The willingness of the Inner Sphere to completely destroy a Clan and their besting of the Crusader Clans on Strana Mechty has changed the Clans' perception of the Successor States.

The Jaguar's demise and the defection of the Nova Cats has radically shifted the balance of power in the Clans. The rise of the Wardens has once again prompted the others to take a wait and see approach. Likewise, the birthing of the Ghost Bear Dominion has provided Clan Coyote with much new territory and the new Proto-Mech technology. For now, the Coyotes are waiting and rebuilding their Touman to its former glory.

Prior to the Dragoon Compromise, the Coyotes field twelve full-strength Galaxies. Constant Trials of Possession in the forty years after that has severely drained the mighty Coyote war machine. Though no longer as large as before, the consolidation of the Coyote Galaxies by Khan Koga has allowed the Clan to retain its strength. Many within the Clan have complained loud and bitterly about the changes, but in too many cases, the disbanding and reorganization of Clusters was critical to the future of the Clan. Also, Coyote scientists are working to further develop and build ProtoMechs based on designs captured from Clan Goliath Scorpion on Huntress.

In general practice, the Coyotes follow the standard practice of each Cluster consisting of three 'Mech trinaries, one Elemental Trinary and one aerospace Trinary. The Coyotes large warship fleet is dispersed across the Galaxies to provide optimal support for the ground forces.

Silas Kufahl rose to the rank of saKhan in 3056, after the death of his predecessor. Kufahl was one of the most vociferous opponents to Khan Koga's reorganization plan. His Gamma Galaxy was the first Coyote Galaxy to be disbanded, which left him without a command. He eventually found a place as a Star Colonel in Epsilon Galaxy, where he continued to denounce the changes in the Touman. As head of the opposition, he gained a Clan-wide reputation as an excellent leader and motivator, which led to his appointment as Loremaster in 3053. When then-saKhan Pazi Tchernovkov was killed in his annual warrior test-out three years later, Kufahl was elected to the post of saKhan.

Though an outspoken opponent of much of what Khan Koga supports, saKhan Kufahl nonetheless works well with his Khan, as each of them recognizes that the other has the Clan's best interests at heart. The saKhan feels that tradition and honor are the guiding ideals of his Clan, and will continue to fight for those principles.

Clarissa Jerricho
Loremaster, Clan Coyote