A Brief History of Solaris VII

A Brief History of Solaris VII Solaris VII A Primer for Solaris Games A Whistlestop Tour of Solaris VII The Game World Solaris City A Tour of Solaris City International Zone Black Hills Cathay Kobe Montenegro Silesia Solaris City Location Index

For better than three centuries now, the games on Solaris VII have attracted interstellar man’s morbid curiosity. The spectacle of civilized warfare that takes place in the Solaris arenas, as MechWarriors duel each other in leviathan fighting machines, is as entrancing as it is profitable and dangerous. For some, the games offer an escape from the harsh consequences of a universe at war; they are a microcosm where honor treachery and waged skill can exist without the deprivation and loss the Succession Wars and Clan invasion have visited on the Inner Sphere.  For this later group, every win and loss in the arena is personal matter, with allegiances to a favorite stable, 'Mech or fighter running as deeply as ties to nationality.

Aside from the importance of its arena games, the world of Solaris VII itself holds a near-mystical place in Inner Sphere culture and society.  In one sense, it is a reflection of the universe, where citizens affiliated with each state hold to their own ideals and values as their anointed champions battle for them by proxy.  The world is seen as one of dark drama and high adventure, where the average citizen is-or at least can be-routinely caught up in extraordinary events. One minute, you may be involved in a reception for a visiting noble, and the next you may be caught in the crossfire of a territorial gang-war.  The games of chance can make you an instant fortune should you take risks on long-odd bets, or they can spell your demise should you run afoul of organized criminal concerns or accumulate too many debts.  Even those who succeed or strike it rich cannot relax, as Solaris easily tempts you into long stretches of self-indulgence or business propositions with higher stakes.

And, always, there is the chance to meet some of the most lionized men and women in the Inner Sphere.  Perhaps you will meet the next Paul Fokker, Rhian Caselton, Gray Noton or Kai Allard-Liao. Or better yet, you may attempt to follow in the footsteps of Jason Bloch and Jaime Ferrero and rise through the Solaris masses to compete on the state with such deified warriors. It is a prevalent dream.

But Solaris VII is not a world of dreams.