Periphery (BattleTech)

The Periphery is one of the three major regions of interstellar space in the fictional universe of BattleTech, a wargaming and science fiction franchise set mainly in the 31st century. The worlds and governments of the Periphery feature in many BattleTech novels, as well as the backstories of games.

Physical description
The Periphery is the region of space that lies beyond the boundaries of the Inner Sphere, a volume of space approximately 1,000 light years in diameter centered around Earth. An exception is the homeworlds of the Clans which, though also lying far outside the Inner Sphere, are not generally considered part of the Periphery.

Political organization
The Periphery is home to five moderately-sized nations and a host of minor ones, as well as various pirate and criminal organizations.

Taurian Concordat
Located in and around the resource-rich Hyades Cluster, the Taurian Concordat is a relatively peaceful and industrial nation encompassing at least 60 inhabited systems, founded in 2253 by settlers fleeing the Terran Hegemony. Samantha Calderón, leader of the settlers, became the Concondat's first Protector, a monarchical position that remains in the Calderón family. The Concordat fought border wars with House Davion and House Liao during the Age of War, and a 19-year Reunification War with the Star League in the late 27th century, concluding with their forcible entry into the League in 2596. It was also involved in the Vandenburg Revolt, the St. Ives War, and the Pleadies War. All adult citizens in the Concordat are required to serve a two-year term in the Taurian Defense Force.

The Taurian Concordat splintered into two realms in the mid 32nd century: one retaining the original name, and the other calling itself the Calderon Protectorate.

Magistracy of Canopus
The Magistracy of Canopus encompasses a region of stars between 150 and 250 light years in diameter, located roughly anti-coreward of the Free Worlds League. Founded on Canopus IV in 2530 by former Free Worlds League captain Kossandra Centrella, it expanded quickly in its first decades to include 36 star systems. It was invaded by the Star League in 2577, beginning a bloody 20-year Reunification War that ultimately led to the Magistracy's entry into the League.

Following the war, the Magistracy enjoyed a period of peaceful reconstruction until the New Vandenberg Revolt of 2765 overthrew the Star League's rule and restored the Magistracy's independence. The subsequent Succession Wars disrupted trade and communication, and the disastrous Canopus-Andurien War in the early 31st century led to internal purges and the downfall of the leader, Magistrix Kyalla. The succeeding Magistrix, Emma Centrella, restored peace and established treaties of cooperation with the neighboring Taurian Concordat and Capellan Confederation.

The Magistracy is known for its entertainment and tourism.

Marian Hegemony
Ruling family: O'Reilly

Rim World's Republic
Ruling family: Amaris

Outworlds Alliance
Ruling family: Avellar

Minor nations
Numerous small and even single-system nations fill the Periphery.
 * Oberon Confederation
 * Lothian League
 * Herotitus
 * Illyrian Palatinate
 * Elysian Fields
 * Antallos
 * Santander's World.

Significance in BattleTech
As a region outside of the control of humanity's major governments, the Periphery is often cast as a lawless region where pirates, mercenaries and other illegal or illicit organizations operate, and frequently features in BattleTech fiction when such groups appear. Novels such as Far Country, Star Lord, Double-Blind and others are set largely in Periphery systems.