A Leopard of Different Spots
Superficially similar to (but smaller than) their neighbors the Mirak, the Lyrans are human-sized felines with great physical strength. Their fur and features bear a striking resemblance to those of a Terran Lynx, and their temperaments are also similar.
Then Again, Why Shouldn't *I* Be King?
The Lyran government is based upon a feudal structure. There are 21 counties, each ruled by a Count. Four of the 21 counties are duchies ruled by a Duke, each of whom governs four of the counties. (The 21st county is ruled directly by the King-Emperor.) The duchies are Red Claw (North Fleet), Enemy's Blood (South Fleet), Far Stars (off-map), and Foremost (Central Fleet). Each County controls and pays the cost of maintaining a portion of the fleet. Each Count has a Tiger-class Heavy Cruiser as his personal ship. Each Noble has family members held as hostage by neighbors to prevent civil wars, but this practice proves only marginally successful.
The Wounded Always Draw Scavengers
The Lyrans have just wrapped up (another) civil war and relations between the various counties are strained. There is good reason to suspect that the divided Lyrans are ripe for a quick attack.
Twelve years ago one county (near the Hydran-Klingon border) overthrew its count and became the Lyran Democratic Republic, which now exists in a semi-independant state. This county is represented on the game map by the cluster of zero economy hexes in the Lyran Southeast corner. You can read more about the LDR here
Last updated 10/05/2000