Work In Progress Alaudae Venatores

[Lin Zanula]

OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION

• Intent: To flesh out sub-units of the 67th Legion and provide specialised support options to the Inquisitorius; to provide unique NPC combat units for Lin Zanula (Fifth Sister)
• Image Credit:
• Role: The Alaudae Venatores are a specialised unit of the 67th Legion, serving the Inquisition. They specialise in jetpack operations, assaulting positions from above, chasing fleeing units, harassing flanks etc. They are also used in high-value target and VIP search-and-destroy missions.
• Permissions: N/A
• Links: Sith Order, Inquisitorius, 67th Legion, Lin Zanula

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Unit Name: 5th Support Cohort 'Alaudae' of the 67th Legion, The Alaudae Venatores
• Affiliation: Inquisitorius, Lin Zanula (Fifth Sister)
• Classification: Mechanised Infantry, Airborne Infantry, Special Operations
• Description: The Alaudae Cohort is a specialised sub-unit of the 67[SUP]th[/SUP] Legion, comprising a mix of fast-moving pursuit units. At present, the majority of the cohort comprises the Venatores, specialised jetpack infantry that use speed and altitude to chase down fleeing enemies or drop from the sky into the thick of the enemy, sowing terror and destruction with flame weapons and blaster cannons. Beyond battlefield uses, the Venatores are also trained to track down and capture or kill VIPs or enemies of the Inquisition, picking up the most hidden of trails and pursuing until the mission is accomplished.

COMBAT INFORMATION:

• Unit Size: Small (each unit is small, comprising a dozen members or less)
• Unit Availability: Rare (very few, difficult to replace, may have long training times), Uncommon (some, replaceable, enough to support) ?
• Unit Experience: Trained, Veteran ?
• Equipment: Jetpack, blaster cannons, flame, sonic, armour (limited rarity)
  
  
• Combat Function: The Alaudae are split into smaller detachments to support larger 67[SUP]th[/SUP] Legion formations, acting to harass the enemy and deal unexpected flanking attacks from above. The majority of the cohort, the Venatores, are specialised jetpack infantry that use speed and altitude to chase down fleeing enemies or drop from the sky into the thick of the enemy, sowing terror and destruction with flame weapons and blaster cannons.
• Force Abilities (Force User Units Only): None

Strengths:

• Death from Above. The Alaudae Venatores, equipped with jetpacks, are able to pursue the enemy above all forms of terrain, as well as to strike fortifications from above. Even on foot, they are tenacious, chasing until the enemy is destroyed. They are perfectly suited for outpacing and cutting off enemy forces while they retreat or outflanking prepared defences.
• Strike Fear. Apart from warfighting, the Alaudae are each selected and further moulded for their expertise in sowing terror amongst their enemies; their operational tempo, tactics and equipment are all designed to strike fear in the enemy when they hit them.
• Hunter of Prey. When specifically pursuing high-value targets or VIPs, the Venatores are trained and equipped with a wide array of sensors and skills to track down and destroy their targets.

Weaknesses:

• The Chosen Few. The Cohort is, and will likely always be, few in number, given their specialised role. Thus, the Alaudae can only be assigned to so many operations at once, and every casualty represents a notable loss in specially trained personnel.
• Tools for the Job. The Alaudae Venatores, make use of specialised armour, weapons and equipment, anywhere from slight variations to completely unique equipment. As such, optimal resupply is harder than most (though the Alaudae will still carry out their operations) and the destruction/loss of any of the Venatores is a notable loss.
• Glass Cannon. The Alaudae are best classified as pursuit infantry. As such, they are not suited for prolonged, protracted attritional engagements or head-on attacks into the teeth of enemy defenses. If they should be required to conduct such operations, they require heavy support from line units.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION
Formed from veteran 67th Legionaries and the most dedicated recruits of the Inquisitorius' new recruitment grounds, the Cohort was formed shortly after the establishment of the Inquisition. Named after an ancient Sith leader, the Alaudae cohort was trained like much of the 67th Legion to play into the strengths and avoid the weaknesses of the Inquisitorius; conserving their small numbers to target and destroy key units or leaders by striking hard and fast, and leveraging force multipliers such as fear and specialised equipment.

Shortly after the Fifth Sister was inducted into the Inquisitorius, she was given command of the Cohort. Under her command, the Cohort expanded and heavily focused its limited resources on a tactical niche, namely the use of jetpack infantry. She also molded it in her image, further emphasising its use as a search and destroy unit.

Ever since the public re-establishment of the Sith Order the Alaudae have played a role as part of the 67th Legion and the Inquisitorius' operations.