Racked by civil wars for centuries, House Marik?s Free Worlds League endured through the tenacity and diversity of its people. Now, under the strongest Captain-General in half a millennia, House Marik has stretched its wings, pushing the shadows of its influence across the Inner Sphere. Whether through its revitalized military, or an economic might that challenges even the ages-old dominance of House Steiner, the eagle soars proudly, as do the people who wave its banner. The second in a new, dynamic Classic BattleTech? series, Handbook: House MarikTM compiles the crucial history, politics and cultures of the Inner Sphere?s first Great House. More than just a sourcebook, Handbook: House Marik includes rules for both Classic BattleTech and Classic BattleTech RPGTM campaigns, including new support vehicles, creatures, personnel weapons, life paths and more!

"One of the oldest and most experienced JumpShip manufacturers in the Free Worlds, its pedigree dating back to before the first Star League, SelaSys made a natural partner in the FWLM's WarShip program. The company was hired to bring back into service a number of mothballed vessels, most notable the FWLS Neuva Badajoz (hull CH4, the former SLS Impetuous). SelaSys also plays a significant role as a component supplier for Technicron and Illium, and was instrumental in the design of the Impavido-class vessel (manufactured at Technicron). The corporation's involvement in the League's first WarShip project allowed it to install its own candidate, the CEO's cousin, Ian, as the first vessel's initial commander. An undistinguished naval officer, the now-retired Commodore Ian Deakin brought little to his command role, but his experiences serves SelaSys well- SelaSys has employed him as a consultant on the Venturer-class light cruiser currently under development; the first new WarShip class to be constructed at the yards."

The above paragraph is an excerpt from Handbook: House Marik, now available in stores and online.? But who wants to pay for something they can get for free?? If you want a free copy of this book (you don't even pay for shipping and handling), just enter this contest.? Please note the contest begins on 1 February 2006, and that entries will not be accepted before then.? Read the rules below:

Contest Rules
To participate in the Handbook: House Marik Giveaway (the "Contest") you must be at least 18 years of age and a registered member of this site's forums as of 31 January 2006.? The contest is open to individuals registered on the forums before 1 February 2006, but not to groups, corporate entities or forum members currently banned from the message board or Web site.? Employees of WizKids Inc. ("WizKids"), FanPro GmbH ("FanPro"), their contractors, members of the House Marik Web team (site and forum administrators and moderators) and their immediate families are not eligible to enter. Void where prohibited.

With regards to the software and/or published materials that you obtain and/or use for this contest, you agree to the license terms as stated on the materials you receive.? You agree that www.housemarik.net shall not be obligated to compensate you in any way shape or form whatsoever for the material costs associated with procuring these materials, nor for their use in the Contest.? With regard to an entry you submit as part of this Contest, you grant www.housemarik.net a worldwide, perpetual, fully paid-up, non-exclusive license to use, reproduce or distribute the Contest entry related thereto, including but not limited to the game statistics ("Stats"), flavor text, concepts, imagery (if provided), etc... related to the entry.

For the purposes of this Contest, an entry shall be considered to be a custom AeroTech 2 (Revised Edition) design of the Venturer class light cruiser mentioned in Handbook: House Marik and in this contest's news announcement.? You are limited to one entry.? Modification of submitted entries is not permitted, nor even possible.? Entries will be submittted between 1 February 2006 and 14 February 2006 only.? Entries submitted after 14 February 2006 will not be accepted.? The winning entry will be determined by community vote.? Contestants may not vote for their own entry.

If you are selected as the Contest winner, you agree that www.housemarik.net may publicize your name, likeness, and the work you did to win the contest.? Apart from the prize associated with winning the Contest, www.housemarik.net shall not be obligated to compensate you in any way, shape, or form for such publicity.

One Handbook: House Marik Classic BattleTech sourcebook will be awarded to the winning entrant.? The costs associated with the transfer of the prize, including applicable taxes, will be paid by www.housemarik.net (the costs associated with the purchase of the prize, including applicable taxes, have already been paid by housemarik.net).? Odds of winning depend on the number and quality of entries received.? No prize substitution is permitted.? Winner may be required to verify his/her entry.

Each entrant shall indemnify, defend and hold www.housemarik.net harmless from any third party claims arising from or related to that entrant's participation in the Contest.

Notification
The winning entry will be announced on www.housemarik.net on 19 February 2006.? Following the announcement, the winner will be notified via e-mail.? Winner will have 7 days from notification to claim the prize by providing a valid shipping address via return e-mail.? Unclaimed prizes will not be awarded.

Questions?
Contact us at http://www.housemarik.net/contact.php

So basically we whip up a design and fluff for this light cruiser, ja?

-Sarge

Could you give us look at the fluff beyond the Venturer class light cruiser.

What is the timeframe in which the Venturer is mentioned (Star League, Succession Wars, Modern, Pre-Starleague)?

3067or 3068.

You know designing WarShips is a lot harder then it looks. I tried to do my first try from the ground up and what a disaster it turned into. Fuel, crew, spare parts, etc.. So many flipping things and if you change one the rest change.

So then I took an existing chassis and started from there, at least I knew all the components wouldn't be forgotten (My first try I forgot DropShip collars). First challenge was to keep it from being something people said "Hey that's just a modified blank".

I'm still playing with it, tweaking the design and all. Then comes the really hard part, good fluff.

the inital stuff for the venturer is 3067. and given the events of the Jihad it is IMHO doubtful the ship will ever be constructed. although who knows. maybe the PTB will throw marik fans a bone.

Well I'm having a heck of a time figuring out how to add the lights to the design. Support Rules have searchlights think those will work?

What ou mean Light Cruisers don't have anything to do with actual lights?