BattleTech: Handbook – House Steiner 2004

From the back of the book:

For centuries, the merchant-princes of the Lyran Commonwealth survived as much through economic might as by the cloak and dagger, steadily growing in strength until their influence could be felt across the Inner Sphere. Now emerging from the ruins of a short-lived alliance and a bloody civil war, a bold new identity has taken hold of the people united under the mighty fist of House Steiner.

Kicking off a new series, Handbook: House Steiner brings the essential history, politics and culture of one of the Inner Sphere's most powerful nations to life for a new generation of Classic BattleTech players. More than a mere sourcebook, Handbook: House Steiner provides rules for both Classic BattleTech and Classic BattleTech RPG campaigns, including new personal equipment, creatures, life paths, and more - all tailored for players and campaigns based on the Lyran state!

User comment:

The first of the new Handbook series produced by FanPro, this book is both an update to the earlier House Steiner: The Lyran Commonwealth and a companion volume to the Field Manual: Lyran Alliance. Where the Field Manual concentrates on the Lyran military, Handbook: House Steiner gives much more detail about the social structure of the Lyran Alliance, together with additional paths and options for BattleTech roleplaying game characters who hail from the Alliance/Commonwealth. The Handbook also includes some new rules and terrain types for BattleTech, as well as a sprinkling of new units.