The Royal Dragoon Guards are the Round Rock, Texas Battletech Society. We’re about more than just playing Battletech. The Classic Battletech Universe is so well-detailed and full of storytelling opportunities that role-players are just as important to the unit as dyed-in-the-wool grognards. We find that there is so much more immersion and satisfaction in a game well played when one is aware of why the game is played. Having a vested interest in the story of the men and women who pilot, maintain, command and depend on the BattleMechs makes each battle that much more dramatic to see played out. We’re more than just a tabletop club. More than just an RPG.

What We’re About

  1. We strive to create a gaming organization that is more than just gaming. Our intention is to encourage friendships and camaraderie while helping our members develop their skills in analytical thinking, tactics and creative writing.
  2. We encourage members to create a “period” persona, much as a re-enactor or SCA member would based on the vast information we have on the Classic Battletech Universe. This encourages roleplay, reading about cultures and history (real and fictional), and helps make the story more than just combat after combat.
  3. We expose members to skills their personae would be familiar with that will help them both within the organization and without, like leadership, public speaking, organization and self-discipline. It is our intention to increase the self-confidence of our members, not just their ‘Mech-to-’Mech kill ratios.
  4. As a group with members in many age categories, our older members try to make their knowledge and experience accessible to the younger members, and encourage the younger members to excel academically.
  5. We recognize our members through training and service awards, and their personae through valor awards to encourage participation and creative thought.
  6. We wear unit clothing and uniforms to stand out at conventions and events, and show our pride in the organization we’ve built.

In The Beginning – The Caladan Highland Dragoons

  The Caladan Highland Dragoons were a Battletech group formed in 1994, beginning with a small group of friends some of whom had played since 1986 and growing from there. By 1995, the Dragoons were two companies strong, with a membership of over 30. The CHD was characterized by strong plot lines, teamwork, and camaraderie. During this time, the seeds of what would grow to become the Royal Dragoon Guards were planted. The CHD playtested several Battletech products for FASA Corporation, including Battletech Master Rules, Technical Readout 3060, and MechWarrior Third Edition. The group even had their own dress uniforms designed for the wedding of Battalion Commander Jeffrey Webb in 1999. As with all good things, the CHD wound down in 1999 due to many of the players moving off for college, marrying, or becoming involved in other hobbies. Little did they know that the Dragoons would rise again…

Battletech Hiatus – STARFLEET, the USS Ark Angel and the 342nd Marine Strike Group

  Many of the former Caladan Highland Dragoons, and several future Royal Dragoon Guards became members of STARFLEET, the International Star Trek Fan Association. The Round Rock Chapter, the USS Ark Angel, launched in 2000 and commissioned on 1 January 2001- the first new vessel of the new millennium. Since launch, the USS Ark Angel has twice won the Chapter of the Year award, has run two Region Three Summit events, and has produced Member of the Year, Officer of the Year, NCO of the Year and Junior Member of the Year on multiple occasions. The more martial members formed the 342nd Marine Strike Group and went on to distinguish themselves as Corps Unit of the Year three times, also producing several of the member of the year classifications over their first eight years of existence. During this time, the idea of a Battletech-themed organization was mentioned several times, but never enacted. Members became increasingly involved in Regional leadership and organization until a point of fatigue and burnout began to creep in – perhaps it was time to concentrate on having fun again, rather than entertaining the masses. Focus on the local members, and their interests. Battletech once again was discussed, and it was decided to give the idea a try.

The Rise of the Royal Dragoon Guards

  This section is still being written… Our first anniversary was celebrated on 8 August 2009.  This new web site is just a part of the evolution of the Royal Dragoon Guards.  From a somewhat shaky start, we have spent the last year crafting a tale of a mercenary unit struggling to find it’s identity and pull together as a team before the cruel realities of warfare-for-hire in the 31st Century can tear them apart.  Browse the site a bit and see what you can find out about the adventures of the unit.