Liber Challenge III - Imperial Guard/Traitor Guard/Cults

[sitnam]

I, sitnam vow in the name of the Tzeentch to record the exploits of the thrall warriors of the Fiends of the Apocolypse. This I shall vow or be forever damned!

[Gunmonkey88]

I, the high honorable Gunmonkey, vow in the name of the God-Emperor to create an Imperial Guard Regiment. This I shall vow or be forever damned!

 

There, now that that's taken care of, on to the fluff:

 

The Luban system consists of a single yellow star and is primarily orbited by 5 planets, 2 asteroid belts, and 2 planetoids that orbit each other. The system is located near Cadia and is a critical producer of raw resources and war material that supply the Cadian regiments and other defenders around the Eye of Terror. Because of its strategic value and its proximity to the Eye of Terror, it is frequently attacked and has a permanent Imperial Guard garrison stationed throughout the system. Both asteroid belts host massive mining operations primarily for raw metals although rarer elements are also sought.

 

The first planet is named Felix and is too close to the sun for easy habitation. There are a number of penal mines that operate under the surface extracting materials required for laser and fusion production.

 

The second planet is Augustus Prime and its surface consists entirely of manufactories and subsurface hives. Here is where the bulk of the production capability resides. Although it once had fresh air and a clear atmosphere, it is now so polluted that there is complete cloud cover and acid rain falls regularly. Any who travel the world outside of the manufactories and habitats without appropriate environmental suits risk painful lung damage at best and a slow and painful death from acid burns and inhaled toxins at worst. It is from here that the system is ruled and the tech legions of the garrison maintain their watch. The nobility and wealthy elite live in large, domed habitats with clean air, broad avenues, simulated daylight, and even real living trees. These domes are a far cry from the squalor and press of humanity that exists in the hives.

 

Octavian: A single moon orbits Augustus and contains some mining interests and habitats to support them but the majority of the surface and subsurface is given to the Tech Guard Legions. It is here that the majority of their training takes place, their equipment tested, their vehicles proven. They are able to deploy quickly to their primary concern which is the defence of Augustus itself. They are also able to deploy to other areas throughout the system with ease using the gravity of the planet to build speed to reinforce local garrisons against whatever threats they are facing.

 

Further from the sun are the two planetoids, Marcus and Justus. Too small to build manufactories or large-scale habitats and devoid of useful materials, the two planetoids were turned over to agriculture and produce enough to feed the system population and a small surplus that is used to produce ration packs for the Imperial Guard. When the Knightly House of Talos appealed to the system governor for asylum, they were granted control over both planetoids in return for service when needed.

 

House Talos: The original home of this house was swallowed by a Tyranid hive fleet and the survivors spent the following two decades exacting their revenge, eventually leading the final assault that destroyed the hive mind and scattered the fleet, ending the threat. While they were victorious, it came with a cost. Where once dozens of knights carried the house banner, there remained only three. The three knights set out to find a new home and a new reason to fight. After searching for several years, they came to the Luban system and were finally granted title over a new home. As the three set about rebuilding their house with the help of the manufactories of Augustus Primus, they also changed their colors and heraldry. The colors were now red, recognizing the blood lost and the blood willingly shed in defense of the Imperium, and white, representing purity both of honor and purpose. Their heraldry is a shield bisected with a black sword hanging point down. On the left is a field of red with two white skulls laid vertically and centered representing the willingness to defend Marcus and Justus to the death. On the right is a field of white with three tear drops of blood laid as an equilateral triangle and centered representing the three knights that survived the vengeance campaign and the blood of fallen brothers.

 

Beyond the planetoids are a vast asteroid belt and two gas giants, Cato and Philo. They are approximately of equal size and are both hundreds of times the size of Augustus. Their surface is dotted with gas mining stations and huge amounts of material is processed from their depths.

 

Farther from the sun lies the second asteroid belt and beyond that orbits Cyprian, an ice giant one quarter the size of the two gas giants. Dotted by mining operations, around it also orbits the massive battle station Ajax which serves as the base for the Imperial Fleet that protects the system.

 

There are over one hundred moons and millions of asteroids, many of whom are the focus of intense mining efforts and defensive fortifications and garrisons. These are constantly the target of raids and attacks by the Eldar, Dark Eldar, Orks, and Chaos Raiders. Occasionally, a larger force will muster and attempt to take a more heavily defended area such as the orbiting gas mines. The very largest of attacks are sometimes sufficient to breach all the way to Augustus itself resulting in massive fleet actions in its orbit while the Legions battle their way through hive and manufactory against the invaders on the surface below. All of these attacks cause significant damage and loss of life but, once the threat has passed, the people of Luban stoically rebuild, repair, and begin work anew.

 

My force:

 

Task Force 18 "Death Dealers," (callsign "Reaper"), 88th Regiment "Night Stalkers" (Guard), 27th Brigade (Guard), 3rd Legion "Rock of Taln" (Airborne), 19 Corps, 8th Army "Augustus"

 

Guard regiments are fairly independent organizations that are meant to be able to rapidly react to an enemy incursion in the system and deploy to counter it and wait for regular infantry reinforcements. The lowest level of organization that makes up a guard brigade is a task force, generally a company-sized element that is primarily made up by the elite infantry and storm troopers of the Imperial Guard garrisoning the system. Often, aircraft and tanks are attached in support of task force missions as needed. The organization of a task force is designed to be fairly fluid so they can quickly change their focus as the threat itself changes. The tactics employed by task forces can be characterized as swift, bold, and aggressive, relying on speed to seize objectives and apply maximum firepower at an enemy's weakest point. Because they specialize in action in close quarters, there is less emphasis on the typical Imperial Guard doctrine of strength through numbers and tanks and more placed on individual skill, equipment, and precise application of firepower. During large actions on relatively open ground, Guard regiments utilize airpower to seize momentum and engage in close quarters battle where their advantage lies.

 

Task Force 18 is a particularly renowned group that specializes in long-range operations that sometimes occur far from friendly support such as on individual mining stations and platforms. Because of this, they tend to rely more on air support and their own organic weaponry that they and their transports carry rather than on the massed armor and firepower of tanks. This tends to make them much faster than an opponent expects Imperial Guard to be able to move.

 

Major battles:

While forces are regularly called on to reinforce the Cadian Gate or to secure nearby positions, and serve in these areas with distinction, the greatest battle ever fought by the regiment came at the hands of Waaaagh Greatstompa. Having come from an area opposite the approach to the Cadian Gate, the massive fleet bypassed the system's main fleet and defenses. At the time of the attack, the regiment had just returned from a campaign against a genestealer cult in a neighboring system and was in the outer asteroid belts training replacements. This single regiment, along with the small Imperial Navy task force assisting with the training, was called on to fight a delaying action against the several million orks in the Waaaagh. Using their trademark tactics of fast movement and bold exploitation, they were able to harry and confuse the oks amongst the asteroids long enough for enough reinforcements to arrive to fight the Waaaagh to a standstill. The regiment paid for this victory at a high cost though, fully two thirds of the regiment was killed and many others were wounded. Those that survived unscathed though formed the core of what would become one of the most elite regiments in the Imperium.

 

Having never done this before, what else is necessary to complete the vow?

[Lord Asvaldir]

I, Lord Asvaldir, vow in the name of the Dark Gods of Chaos to create a Renegade Warband. This I shall vow or be forever damned!

[Ulrik_Ironfist]

I Ulrik Ironfist have completed my Vow!

 

 

The World- Nieflheim:

 

The world of Nieflheim has been known since before the rise of the Imperium. I was named for a place in Norse mythology. The discoverer, named it such as the planet's many verdant, lush valleys and craggy fjords were often blanketed in dense fog. Much of the world is covered in mountains and hills. They range from new peaks that pierce the stratosphere to old rolling hills covered in trees. Many of the ranges are rocky and arid, casting vast rain shadows over the lands. Most in the Imperium would classify Nieflheim as a deathworld, as it's harsh and varied climates are generally considered too extreme for human habitation. Despite this, the original settlers were able to tame the world, though, even to this day, venturing out into the wilds unprepared is to invite death. Unprepared, the varied creatures would devour the unwary traveler. The equatorial jungles are teeming with dangerous  wildlife, and the temperate regions are home to large and dangerous mammals. The deserts are hellish, and the oceans are tumultuous and teeming with dangerous cratures. The weather in many regions is extreme, wind storms that can throw men about like rag dolls, and storms that regularly drop hail the size of men's fists. In many ways Neflheim  is much as Terra once was. 

 

However, it is in the lush river valleys that Civilization blooms, advanced to a level of a civilized world. The industrial sector, while not as vast as an industrial world is sizable enough to provide for the citizens. Overall the quality of life is good, Cities are small, and are centers of trade, administration, and entertainment only, very few people live in the cities. Military service is mandatory, and there are different levels of service, 4 years active duty is required of everyone, after which you may be released to the reserves, This allows the world to remain fortified, while still allowing for the freedoms allowed on Civilized worlds. The PDF is a fully combined arms force, with Airborne forces, Armored forces, and Infantry forces, as well as traditional Naval forces. The Imperial Guard and Imperial Navy also maintain a presence here, a small fleet in orbit to patrol the subsector. The Imperial Guard forces include the Elite Stormtroopers of the 2nd Special Service Force, a brigade sized formation of Light Infantry, and the 72nd Armored Division, Made up of 4 regiments of tanks and infantry.

 

The northern polar continent has been settled by an exiled Great Company of Space Wolves and the people of Neiflheim have accepted them. The Wolves mainly keep to the northern continent and the fishing villages along the northern coasts, they venture out when need of them arises, to combat Chaos, or to trade for supplies. 

 

"The Black Devil's Brigade":

 

The 2nd Special Service Force, or the Black Devil's Brigade, as they are known, are fierce fighters, Highly trained men, each exceptionally skilled, they are not widely known. They are the Imperium's silent professionals.

 

The Brigade is organized as a combined arms force, and is along the lines of the ancient Brigade Combat Team concept. The Stormtroopers, the infantry, are properly known as the 75th Light Rifle Regiment (Rangers), While the land vehicles are from the 75th Cavalry Regiment. There is a battalion of combat engineers, the 2nd Brigade Engineer Battalion (Sappers). The 160th Combat Aviation Regiment provides the Brigade's Air support. 

Due to the rugged nature of their homeworld they are skilled mountaineers, hunters, and trackers. They are skilled in many types of warfare, they train in the varied climates of their world. 

 

In every action they have seen, they always move in quickly and quietly, penetrating the enemy defenses, killing their sentries with deadly efficiency, never allowing their mission to descend into pandemonium. Friendly forces always awake to the sound of silence after the Brigade has accomplished their mission, they come and go like vengeful specters. Their hotshot lasguns are fitted with signature suppressors, that reduces the sound of the weapon, to merely the static crack of superheated air. 

 

They have jumped into hostile territories out numbered and out gunned, assaulted mountain fortresses, broken entrenched sieges, assassinated rogue governors and exterminated heretic cults. They have done all of this quietly and efficiently. Rare is the occasion that the enemy is able to raise an alarm. The men of the Brigade generally operate in small teams, yet always acting in unison, as if they were all of one mind. Each man knows the men beside him, having lived and trained with them for many years. They are heirs to an ancient military heritage dating back many, many millennia.

 

The Black Devils view camaraderie in high regard. They are known to be boisterous, when not in battle, and often times they can be seen enjoying food, drink, and competition in their down time. It is not uncommon to see informal unit gatherings, officers, commissioned and non commissioned alike, socializing with their troops. This behavior is, in fact, encouraged, and their ability to separate work from play is one thing that makes them so efficient. 

 

The Mechanicum's presence within the Brigade is negligible, as only the most open-minded Techpriests can abide the near constant stream of field expedient modifications the soldiers make to their gear. For instance, the signature suppressors are one of the many field expedient modifications that have been made.

 

The presence of the commissariat is equally small. Many commissars have ended up dead after trying to execute men for falling back. Only Commissars that have demonstrated flexibility, and a grasp of small unit tactics live long enough to truly become part of the Brigade. 

 

The brigade favors hit and run raids, ambushes, and fast assaults. If they cannot hit a position or their position is disadvantageous, they will fall back to a position that is better, or they will fall back to come at the problem from a different direction. Observation and patience is a hallmark of the Black devil's. It may take days for them to hit a position, but when they do, it is always fast, and vicious. 

 

The Inquisition watches the brigade from afar, since they are not often welcomed on Nieflheim. The brigade's views tend to diverge from imperial dogma concerning the use of psykers and contact with xenos. Psykers are viewed with suspicion, but welcomed if they prove to be of use. The same is true of Xenos, though the 2nd is more than willing to do battle with Xenos if they threaten the Imperium.

 

Given their proximity to the Tau's Farsight Enclaves, they have had much contact with them, both as enemies, and hasty allies. They have fought with the Tau against Chaos Warbands and cults, Necron Reclamation raids, and Tyranid splinter fleets. The same is also true of their relations to the Eldar. The Eldar have often proved to be a valuable source of intelligence on the movements of Necron Dynasites, and Chaos warbands. 

 

Despite these divergences, the inquisition cannot find fault with their devotion to the Imperium and Humanity. 

 

The 2nd Special Service Force is among the finest the Imperium of Man can offer.

 

Freeblades:

 

There exist on Nieflhiem the remnants of a once noble Knight house. The Freeblade "Revenant", formerly Sir Hamish MacDonald, of the native House Volsung, a small house residing in the northern highlands of Nieflheim, is but one of the few remaining. The knights have stood guard on this world since before the Age of strife. Recently however a Chaos warband raided a nearby world and the forces of Nieflhim were called upon to eliminate them. The house was slaughtered to all but a few. They all bear the scarlet and gold livery of the Volsung, but they have adopted the grey camo scheme of the 2nd Special Service Force and the 72nd Armored Division. 

 

This is all I wanted to write, since I'm leaving room to expand as they earn their honors in battle. It was all stuff that was rattling around in my head, and I just needed to write it down. It is the Home of my Knight, my Guard, and the new home of my Wylfings Great Company. I focused on the Guard Force I just spent my time assembling and painting.

 

Enjoy and feel free to ask questions!

 

edit:

 

Pictures here:

 

 

 

 

I've never been able to get the army painter to work, so I've just put my pics of my models. The whole army in it's glory.

 

[Aqui]

It could do with a picture You could use the Guard painter to show their colours:

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/igpbeta2.php

[WarriorFish]

What do you do if your scheme can't be replicated in the painter?

[Aqui]

What do you do if your scheme can't be replicated in the painter?

It's not essential for a picture, but it does add a little something. A description would suffice

[WarriorFish]

I'll have to settle for an actual picture then, just need to get a good one to show the scheme :)

[Barabbas Sogalon]

I, Barabbas Sogalon vow in the name of the God-Emperor to create an Imperial Guard Regiment. This I shall vow or be forever damned!

[Machine God]

Hello All.

 

At least I'm here in spirit, I read my Imperial Infantrymans Uplifting Primer-Damocles Gulf Edition whilst I base-coated my ETL VI Vow;-)

[Aqui]

The first post has been edited to include alternative banners to keep signatures within B+C rules

[Ulrik_Ironfist]

My Completion post has been edited with pictures.

[Icechiang]

I have completed my vow!  Comments and critiques welcome.

 

 The Orion 13th Combined Arms, Pride of the System

 

Home Planet - Orion Primus
 

               Orion Primus is a planet located in the Orion system which is a part of the Armageddon Sector and was settled several years after the initial colonization of Armageddon.  The system was so named by the explorers who found it noting that the collection of planets in this system were oriented similar to a constellation seen from Terra.  The planets orbited a large star in such a strange fashion that was uncannily similar to the constellation.  The center planet in what was known as Orion's belt became Orion Primus due to it having the most stable orbit and being the largest of the other planets in the system.  All the surrounding planets also seemed to treat this central planet as another fixed point, always being equidistant from it.  Orion Primus also came with an orbiting moon which was fondly called Sirius to complete the mythology.  Orion Primus became the capital planet of the system.  The other 7 planets would come to have their own settlements and their own purposes: 2 agri-worlds, a mining planet, a knight world, a feral world, a forge world, and a heavily reinforced war world to serve as a sentinel at the most traversed part of the system.  Orion Primus was the jewel of the system, it housed some of the largest hives of the 8 planets and became the home for the Imperial Administratum for the system.  Eventually when the needs of the Imperium demanded tithes of soldiers for the Imperial Guard, most would be formed from Orion Primus.  Of course the other worlds would contribute troops as well, usually specialized or smaller regiments.  Orion Primus would always deliver the largest regiments due to their much larger populations.  Men and women would answer the call to war and most regiments presented by the Orion system would be mixed.

 

               Since the Orion system was so close to the Armageddon system, most of the trade would go there.  Valuable food would be sent to Armageddon to feed their massive hives; resources sent there to aid in construction and manufacturing of materials for war.  The regiments of Orion even adopted the standard equipment of the famed Steel Legion.  When the Orion system was first being settled an Ork invasion decided to prey on the new human arrivals.  A large portion of the Imperial Guard sent to drive out the Orks came from Armageddon and after the war was over, many troops were given the option to muster out and settle on these new worlds.  This soldiers that settled became the new leaders of the newly formed planetary defense forces and thus used the equipment they were most familiar with.  While the planets here were not nearly as polluted as Armageddon was, they kept the heavy over coats and the rebreather masks as a reminder that no matter where they fought, they would be prepared.  When the Orion system started founding their own regiments to fight galaxy wide they also left wearing the iconic wargear of the Steel Legion to show their illustrious military roots and their faithfulness to how they got started. 
 

 

Origin of the 13th Combined Arms. Pride of the System

 

               The Orion 13th Combined Arms is one of the newer regiments founded by the Orion system.  It was decided that at this founding the focus would not be simply an infantry regiment, an armored regiment, or any kind of specialty.   The Lords of Orion System declared to create a force that would be able to react to different sorts of situations and be able to adapt.  While many would argue that a jack of all trades army would not be as effective as one that specializes in one particular aspect of war, the Lords wished to create a balanced force that could bring as many different weapons to a fight that it could.  Thus the 13th Combined Arms was created.  Each of the worlds contributed soldiers to the new regiment, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, and they were trained to not only fight as one, but to bring their own abilities to light and have them complement each other.  The additional title "Pride of the System" came out when the Lords of each planet stated that they were sending some of their best and brightest and that the regiment represented the best the Orion system had to offer.

 

 

Equipment and Appearance

 

               The standard uniform of the 13th Orion troopers is the great coat, rebreather, and metal helm of the Steel Legion.  In the many years of war the Orion soldiers saw no need to change what works well.  This equipment layout allowed the Orion regiments to fight in so many different environments and perform the best they can.  The Voss pattern lasgun is used as their primary weapon.  Secondary weapons are the standard array of plasma guns, melta guns, flamers, grenade launchers, autocannons, missile launchers, and lascannons. 

           

    The colors of the regiment is predominantly black with purple trim and grey accents.  For most troopers the great coat is solid black, and the fatigues are purple underneath.  The gloves have a purple cuff and the hands of the gloves and boots are grey.  The weapons of the regiment are predominantly the steel of their material with brass encasing.  The regiment normally eschews camouflage preferring to proudly wear the noble colors of Orion Primus.  The scout company does employ camo cloaks and dress lighter than the standard great coats and helmets.  Auxiliary support in the form of storm troopers and bullgryn are arrayed in similar colors.  Vehicles belonging to the regiment also proudly wear the colors of the regiment to show their support as part of the whole.

 

 

Battle Cry

 

               Every company has their own motto and litany they like to invoke during battle.  The entire regiment however is unified by a given chant and a response.  The commanding officer starts the chant and the troopers roar out the response.

"Orion 13th! First to fight!"

"Last to die!"

 

 

Notable Characters

 

Colonel Nathanial Steele

               The commanding officer of the Orion 13th Combined Arms is Colonel Nathanial Steele.  A son of one of the noble houses of Orion Primus, he was elected by the ruling council to lead the regiment.  Thankfully for the regiment he was not a pampered useless scion who got the position based on title and blood.  Nathanial Steele was part of House Praetor, one of the most militant minded houses of Orion Primus.  He served with the planetary defense force and spent a lot of time on the fortress planet learning from the greatest military minds and warriors of the system.  He was able to spend time with an established Imperial Guard regiment, the 896th Infantry of Orion Quintus, for several years.  His time with the 896th was quite valuable and fought in small force actions as well as in command squads.  With this experience under his belt he was unanimously chosen by the ruling council.  He is a stoic commander, not given to bombastic attitude.  Unlike many Imperial Guard officers Steele has no desire to waste the lives of his soldiers.  He will not hesitate to use them in battle but if they are to die, they will die well and for a cause.  Steele has a reputation for leading among the front lines and will share both the glory and the hardships of his soldiers.
Memorable Quote: They want to talk?  Let them hear the voices of our guns, the thunder of our engines, and the songs of the troops.  Let them hear their fill.  We shall gladly speak to them as much as they want.

 

Lord Commissar Alistar Flint

               Lord Commissar Alistar Flint was not originally from the Orion system.  He hailed from Cadia, one of the sons of the Cadian Gate and learned warfare from the best instructors available.  Flint served as a cadet commissar a part of the Cadian Shock for many years before finally earning his official title.  He continued to serve with a Cadian regiment and led an illustrious career.  Eventually he earned the rank of Lord Commissar and had several fully formed commissars and cadets as part of his command structure.  After a brutal crusade the regiment he was attached to was sidelined to rebuild.  The Munitorium decided to send Flint to the Orion system and join the forming 13th Combined Arms.  Since the regiment would be a large one the Munitorium thought that Flint would provide valuable experience to the regiment and be able to help manage the amount of commissars and cadets needed to be the disciplinary backbone for the regiment.  While mildly disappointed about no longer serving with fellow Cadians, Flint was a dutiful soldier and agreed.  Luckily, he was allowed to bring a unit of Kasrkin soldiers to serve as the storm trooper accompaniment to the regiment.  Flint was pleasantly surprised.  The Orion 13th so far has proved to be fine soldiers with very few discipline problems and incredibly low incidents of cowardly actions.  While they would not be as good as Cadian Shock, they were a close second.  Flint has a strong working relationship with Colonel Steele and both have become friends, a rarity between the Imperial Guard and the Commissariat.

Memorable Quote: Let us remind these fools something they have sorely forgotten.  That we may be delayed, but we will never be denied.

 

 

Regimental Organization

 

The regiment is arranged in several companies.  Not all the companies are of equal size however.  Instead they are grouped based on specialty and are filled as reinforcements come from the Orion system or as soldiers in the regiment show a talent better used in another company.  The companies also are used to fighting in smaller elements and with each other as the situation demands.  Battle groups are formed from the different companies to suit the needs of the engagement.  While comfortable in many different environments the 13th Combined Arms have a particular affinity for urban warfare and shine the brightest when fighting in cities.

 

Company A.  Specialty: Scouts and Reconnaissance.   The Hounds

                              Company A are the veterans most talented in stealth.  These troops forgo the standard trench coats and gas masks of their fellow soldiers and dress lightly as well as using camo cloaks.  Their duty is to act as pathfinders for the regiment as well as find the foe, and look for hidden dangers.  The scout sentinels of the regiment are on permanent attachment to this company due to their support role.  Company A is the smallest company in terms of manpower, but one of the strongest in terms of experience and ability.  Early in their military history the scouts were able to flush out a stubborn group of traitor guard and Colonel Steele said that the scouts acted like the hunting hounds from home, turning out the prey for them to shoot.  The scout company enjoyed the comparison and called themselves the Hounds ever since.
Motto: We're the hounds before the hunters.  We find the prey, drive them out, and watch our friends slaughter them.

 

Company B.  Specialty: Veterans, Mechanized Infantry.  The Castle Breakers

               While officers of the various units in the regiment are obviously veteran soldiers, ones who do not show leadership ability or desire are placed in Company B.  The soldiers here are all veterans of several campaigns and are trained exclusively as mechanized shock troops.  They are usually spread out amongst the different battle groups to lend their lethal expertise and act as a mobile reserve for the battle group.  They carry the heavier melta and plasma guns and ride in their chimeras, just waiting to be used at their best.  When a theater sees the might of multiple veteran squads deployed together, that is a distinct sight to behold.  The size of the company is constantly in flux due to many promotions from other companies as well as the brutal attrition that occurs to veterans.  Company B earned their title as the Castle Breakers during their inaugural engagement where they were successful in penetrating a heavily fortified citadel and destroying the defenders.
Motto: Set them up!  Knock them down! 
 

Company C. Specialty: Mobile Infantry, Trench and City Fight.  The Stalwart Stones

               Company C is the largest company and makes up the vast majority of the regiment.  This is where the rankers are, the infantry, the strong anvil of the force.  The soldiers here are the jack of all trades.  They fight toe to toe when needed, reinforce and protect objectives, work as the inexorable tide to bring down the foe, fight through cities, through trenches, through anything.  New recruits are placed here to learn how to be proper guardsmen and serve as the backbone of the regiment.  They may not have the specialties of the others nor have the glory sometimes lauded to the other companies, but they know that without them the regiment would be too small to be worth anything.  The Stalwart Stones is a landmark back on Orion Primus known for never changing ever since the planet was found and colonized.  The Stones have withstood the tests of time.  Much like the stones, Company C will never back down, and never take a backwards step ever.  They are truly the immovable object of the regiment. Motto: Unyielding like the stones from home!  Others will crumble before we will!

 

Company D.  Specialty: Armored Vehicles.  The Storm of Steel

               All of the vehicles in the 13th Orion, except for the chimeras used by the veterans and the scout sentinels, are organized into Company D.  Every variant of the Leman Russ tanks the regiment uses are commanded by the soldiers in this company and the company also possesses the majority of the enginseers and techpriests that lovingly take care of their charges.  Company D maintains a solid core of tanks that are sometimes supplemented by reinforcements from home or battle field salvage.  The company even has a truly ancient executioner plasma tank that is careful maintained to minimize disastrous consequences.  Elements of Company D are usually attached to the various battle groups to lend supportive might however in large scale engagements the entire company may sally forth as tidal wave of destruction.  The artillery of the regiment is also located here.  While not nearly as numerous as the tanks, the regiment possesses several of the incredibly useful wyvrens and one of the devastating manticores.  The company is fondly known as the Storm of Steel due to one of their large engagements where entire cadre of tanks thundered forth and destroyed a flank of the opposing army.  In after reports some of the enemy survivors said that seeing the tanks come barreling down upon them appeared to be a storm of steel, blood, and thunder and Captain Thornscale, the commanding officer of Company D, decided to accept that title since it was particularly appropriate.
Motto: They only have two options: death by our fire or crushed underneath are treads.  They can choose!

 

Company E.  Specialty: Storm Troopers and Bullgryn.  Bash and Burn

               Company E is not quite a company.  However for the sake or organization, it exists only to have a place for the Kasrkin that serve as storm troopers and the bullgryn.  This company almost never actually fights as a company together.  The Kasrkin are attached to the battle group when their skills apply or are usually held in reserve to be the backup as needed.  The Vendetta gunships and the Valkyries are placed here since the Kasrkin use them the most.  The bullgryn are always used when the fighting will be close and personal.  They come from Orion Tertius, the feral planet, and are very loyal to the regiment.  They usually serve most with Company B to help hold objectives and act as an anvil.  Their informal title came as a joke from one of the logistics quartermasters.  No one could think of a proper nickname until the quartermaster made a wry joke saying both groups in the company are both good at bashing and burning.  The name stuck though the bullgryns enjoy it more to be honest.

Motto: Kasrkin - One shot!  One Kill!

Bullgryns - BASH AND BURN over and over again.

 

 

Notable Battles

 

The Subjugation of Collaris

               This was the inaugural battle of the Orion 13th, their baptism as a regiment of the Imperial Guard.  Collaris was a planet that fell to Chaos in a neighboring sector.  The Orion 13th was one of 4 regiments called to take the planet back.  Given their mixed nature and their abilities in urban warfare the regiment was given the continent of Bescae to take back.  For a first battle the Orion 13th proved to be up to the job and performed admirably.  Company D managed to suppress the region surrounding the single hive city.  The other companies assaulted hive city Fyshic and took it zone by zone until the entire hive was back in Imperial control.  Casualties were on the lower side of operational standards and Colonel Steele could not have been prouder of his regiment's first combat zone.

 

The Paelona Crusade

               The Orion 13th were one of 10 regiments that participated in the Paelona Crusade.  The Paelona system fell to the predations of an Ork Waagh and the Lords of Terra demanded the system to be recovered and the Orks to be destroyed.  The Paelona Crusade force was formed and elements from the Salamanders and Iron Snakes of the mighty Space Marines joined the crusade and after many years the system was taken back and the Ork Waagh destroyed.  The Orion 13th performed well and fought several engagements with the two Space Marine chapters learning what it was like to fight with the Emperor's Angels.

 

The Tragedy at Kelsh

               The Tragedy at Kelsh was one of the worst failures known to the Imperial Guard and the Orion 13th were unfortunately present.  Kelsh was a seemingly innocuous planet that was attacked by Eldar.  A large force was mustered and sent to defend the planet.  After fighting for months it became known that the planet was actually a research planet by the Adeptus Mechanicus and the Eldar wanted to stop them for reasons known only to themselves.  The fighting was a stalemate until a sudden attack by Chaos disrupted everything.  The Chaos forces managed to plunge deep into the planet killing both sides indiscriminately and using foul sorcery opened a large warp gate on the planet.  The Eldar fled and the Imperial Guard regiments could hardly hold their own after the previous battles.  Finally the Imperial Guard regiments were forced to withdraw and the planet was sucked into the warp.  Reports of the research done by the Mechanicus was mostly destroyed by the remaining tech priests were found and based on "partial success" the survivors were not destroyed themselves for true failure.  The Orion 13th took heavy losses and since then they harbored a particular distaste for Eldar and never hesitate to engage that particular foe.

 

The Third War for Armageddon. 

               When Orks attacked the planet Armageddon for the 3rd great war, requests for aid were sent out to all nearby systems.  Honoring their close ties and origins, the Orion system sent as many of their forces they could spare.  The Orion 13th had returned to rebuild their regiment and set off for Armageddon as soon as possible.  They managed to make planet fall and aided defending Hive Tartarus.  After fighting for many years the Orion 13th were rotated off planet for recovery.  So far the next theater has yet to be decided and if the regiment has rebuilt enough before being assigned, they may be sent back to Armageddon for another crack at the Orks. 

[CommissarZac]

I consider this Vow Complete      Long live the Joutenheim 798th

[Father Mehman]

Alright, I've completed my Liber entry as per the rules. I'll add more along the way but, for this challenge (?), I consider this complete !

[WarriorFish]

I've also completed my write up, it's a bit long though so do I have to repost it here? I'll wait for official recognition before claiming my badge ;)

[Olis]

Nah. We just need a link to the finished article. 

[paulJam]

@olis

so a post on here with the entry is not enough?

my first 'challenge' attempt, sorry.

[Olis]

@olis

so a post on here with the entry is not enough?

my first 'challenge' attempt, sorry.

 

No, no. It's fine. It's just that the 'usual' way of doing things is to make a topic so that it can be commented and critiqued on separately and then provide a link here of the finished article. That said, posting your entry here doesn't really throw a spanner in the works at all, so I'd recommend not worrying about it. ;)

[Aqui]

@olis

so a post on here with the entry is not enough?

my first 'challenge' attempt, sorry.

No, no. It's fine. It's just that the 'usual' way of doing things is to make a topic so that it can be commented and critiqued on separately and then provide a link here of the finished article. That said, posting your entry here doesn't really throw a spanner in the works at all, so I'd recommend not worrying about it.

No problems with that. The main thing is that it ticks all the boxes

[paulJam]

worry discarded :)

not bothering with a seperate thread as it's not something i'm planning on developing further at this stage.

 

vow completed

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/307752-liber-challenge-iii-imperial-guardtraitor-guardcults/page-2?do=findComment&comment=4051854

 

btw as a general shout out brother tyler recently created a 'hidden' tag similar to 'spoiler' tag for (obviously) hiding big lumps of text.

[Olis]

Very handy, isn't it?  ^_^

[paulJam]

Hidden Content

sure is.

[Aqui]

Pauljam - your entry is so marked

[Captain Baranov]

I find it both amusing, yet terrifying, just how large this article can end up being. I'm on a my 6th page on word and about three quarters done. Hopefully I'll finish it by the end of the week...