Sic transit gloria mundi
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
Intent: Further flesh out Order of Fire and Firemane forces. Unlike most the Forcer units I've subbed in the past, this is a mixed unit of both Force-users and Non-Force-Users, with the latter being in the majority. They trade specialisation for greater versatility and availability. This is a resubmission if a previously approved unit.
Image Credit: Here. Kalsifer by Fetsch on Deviantart.
Role: Shock troops, commandos.
Permissions: ARGH gear available per this thread. Permission for all ArmaTech gear and all other subs made by Laira Darkhold's writer here.
Links: Into Darkness, After Darkness, Tephrike, Casus Belli, Twilight of the Goddess, Tempest.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Unit Name: Fireguard
Affiliation: Siobhan, Firemane, House Kerrigan-Alcori, Order of Fire, Leonina Varkathras.
Classification: Infantry.
Equipment:
Armour:
Melee Weapons:
- Lightsabres (Force-users only).
- Vibroknife.
- Vibrosword
Rifles:
- Mark I Bolter
- ACS-205 Advanced Dual Weapon System
- Reaper Plasma Shotgun
- Shatter Rifle
- ACS-205 Blackblade Modular Rifle.
- ACS-202 Vanquisher Light Repeating Blaster
- Lance Missile Launcher. Served by 2 crew; a gunner and a spotter/ammunition carrier.
- Heavy Repeating Blaster
- Wrist Bolter
- ACS-207 Aerosolblaster.
- Under-Barrel Disruptor
- ACS-208 Wrist Ion Beamer
- ARGH Flamer
- ACS-207 Cryo-Ban Gun
- Neural Band (limited to NFUs)
- APE Boltgun Ammunition.
- Firemane Force Suppression Devices.
- ACS-301 Modular Probe Droids
- Grenades, det charges.
- Access to Yazgid IFV
The Apprentice or junior Knight can advise on matters they have expertise in, such as certain preternatural phenomena. But they are expected to obey their superiors. For this reason the Fireguard looks for confident, experienced NFU troopers who can hold their own and will not be awed by space magic tricks. Practicality aside, this is also a security in case a Force-user decides to go rogue for this or that reason. Fireguard training emphasises disciplined fire over blazing away. It also teaches skills in melee combat and hand-to-hand. Above all, it stresses the importance of teamwork.
Compared to say the Order of Fire Silencers or the Circle of Yarkul, the skill set of Force-Sensitive Fireguards is far less exotic. They are taught the Core Powers that would be familiar to most classical Jedi or Sith. Their strength does not lie in exotic powers, but in their discipline, resolve, equipment and a good mix of conventional and preternatural powers. Many members of the Order of Fire's martial arm spend at least some time in the Fireguard before they move on to perform more specialised roles. This gives them an idea of military life and enhances cohesion. Meritorious service in the Fireguard also looks good on the record, which is helpful for promotions and pay raises. Moreover, it builds trust and respect on both ends.
Common Firemane soldiers gain a better understanding of the Force - and its limitations. This also helps them combat hostile Force-users. They also get to know the Order of Fire members as comrades instead of distant space wizards. Like the other formations of the Order of Fire, the Fireguard uses a dual rank system for its Force-users. Thus they have both a rank in the Order and in the army. They are expected to refer to themselves and their comrades using their army ranks though, as this makes everyone's place in the chain of command transparent. For instance, Elpsis Kerrigan-Alcori would be addressed as Lieutenant, not Master or Mistress. Outside of the battlefield they wear Firemane uniforms, as Order of Fire members only don robes on ceremonial occasions. Their uniforms are olive green, with a rank bar and an Order of Fire symbol on their chest.
It is common for Force-Sensitive Fireguard to train while being exposed to ysalamiri, so that they learn how to fight even in a situations where they are deprived of their biggest advantage. Joint training sessions between Force-Users and Non-Force-Users are common. It is an unofficial rule in Firemane that apprentices - especially unusually strong ones - get paired with extremely gruff, demanding NCOs as part of their education. If they pass this trial, it shows they are good. If not, they do not have what it takes and are sent back home.
The Fireguard's greatest strength is their versatility, discipline and skill. Each squad has a Force-Sensitive squad leader, with an NFU Sergeant as second-in-command. They combine firepower and understanding of small unit tactics with the ability of martial Force-users to use their powers as a force multiplier on the battlefield. Rather than death charge or play hero, the Force-users integrate their powers their mystical powers into the unit structure. Force-Sensitve Fireguards are taught telekinesis, basic physical enhancement and summoning Force barriers. Some can use the Force to heal injuries, though grievous ones will have to be treated by medical professionals away from the battlefield. However, each squad only has three Force-users max. Moreover, Force-Sensitive Fireguard focus on the Core Powers, which can leave them vulnerable against hostile Force-users with a more exotic or broader skill set. If deprived of the Force via ysalamiri, Voidstone or similar, they will have to fall back on conventional options and be deprived of their biggest advantage.
Any Force-using Fireguard was taught some basic, but essential rules. Such as not running in front of her unit and charging off on her lonesome, not violating the chain of command, not assuming that the Force blind should treat her with reverence because she is a Force-user and the apprentice of an important Master of the Order, not playing mystic in front of her troops and not carelessly activating her lightsabre while advancing on an enemy position.
All Fireguards, no matter whether they can use the Force or not, wear full armour, including a helmet. Force-Sensitive Fireguards usually carry a lightsabre, a combat knife, a sidearm, some grenades, rifle and a wrist weapon of some sort. They are also instructed to find ways to integrate their mystical powers into a squad structure. The use of healing and Force barriers is probably self-explanatory, but even physical enhancement and telekinesis specialists can find ways to be helpful for the group as a whole. Awe-inspiring, lone wolf acts of bravado are frowned upon, as they tend to be suicidal.
A squad's automatic rifleman would provide fire support and suppressive fire with a squad automatic weapon. Heavy support weapons are utilised by heavy weapons specialists. These are usually left to NFU grunts, but a Force-user who is physically strong or good at physical enhancement is likely to carry the heavy support weapon or squad automatic weapon or spare ammunition for either. More lightly armed Force-Sensitive comrades can make themselves by carrying essential items such as comms and sensor gear, spare ammo packs and medical supplies. Spreading the load lightens the burden for the entire team and makes it more mobile overall.
COMBAT INFORMATION:
Unit Size: Small
Unit Availability: Rare
Unit Experience: Veteran
Combat Function: The Fireguard's greatest strength is their versatility, discipline and skill. While the exact makeup can vary, a twelve man-squad usually consists of one experienced Knight, one or two experienced Apprentices or junior Knights and nine to ten NFU soldiers. They combine firepower and understanding of small unit tactics with the ability of martial Force-users to use their powers as a force multiplier on the battlefield. Rather than death charge or play hero, the Force-users integrate their powers their mysitcal powers into the unit structure.
Force-Sensitve Fireguards are taught telekinesis, physical enhancement, Sense abilities and Tutaminis. Some can use the Force to heal injuries, though grievous ones will require further treatment in military hospitals away from the battlefield. They can use telekinesis offensively, as well as to summon protective barriers. However, each squad only has three Force-users max, of which only one is a senior Knight. Moreover, Force-Sensitive Fireguard focus on the Core Powers, which can leave them vulnerable against hostile Force-users with a more exotic or broader skill set. If deprived of the Force via ysalamiri, Voidstone or similar, they will have to fall back on conventional options and be deprived of their biggest advantage.
Being light, mobile infantry, the Fireguards are are vulnerable to 'heavy' units such as formations of tanks and walkers, long range bombardment via artillery or airpower. They have portable missile launchers to deal with armoured vehicles or attacking aircraft, but these are only available on a limited basis. Their focus on mobility means that they do not carry weapons such as rotary cannons, heavy repeating blasters or e-webs, and will thus have to rely on support units to provide that sort of firepower.
The Fireguard is also a rather small unit, which limits how many soldiers can be deployed in any given situation. They can lead a charge, seize a bridgehead or carry out commando actions, but they would be hard-pressed to hold territory for a prolonged period without support, especially when confronted with superior enemy numbers. The Fireguards have Phrik Armour, which gives them good resistance against lightsabres. The NFU soldiers are well-trained and experienced, but they are normal mortals who lack cybernetic or genetic enhancements. Thus they must rely on skill, teamwork and ingenuity rather than superhuman abilities.
To increase their mobility and give them some additional firepower, each Fireguard squad has access to an Yazgid IFV. These serve as troop transporters and can provide fire support. Their infantry fighting vehicles are fast, have decent armour and are solid support platforms. Riding in a Yazgid allows the Fireguard to keep up with tanks and walkers. The Yazgid is strong against infantry and light vehicles. However, they are not all terrain and vulnerable to tanks and artillery strikes. Against a tank’s main weapon the Yazgid’s armour is just not sufficient. Its one-shot anti-tank missile is its only real defence against them. The Yazgid has only limited defence against air attack, limited to a scrambler and a chaff launcher along with a single shot missile.
Strengths:
- Highly skilled, disciplined, motorised infantry.
- Unit incorporates Force-Users and Non-Force-Users. Mixed force model means that both sides complement each other and allows combined arms tactics.
- Deployed in small units. They lack integrated heavy support, as the Fireguard are an infantry force with some armoured troop transports.
- IFVs are not tanks. Their armour is not sufficient to withstand a tank's main weapon. A Yazgid's one-shot missile is its only real defence against them. It also only has a limited ability to defend itself against air strikes.
The Fireguard was established early on in the history of the Order of Fire. It grew organically out of mixed units of Non-Force-Users and Force-Users in Firemane's armed forces. It iss the unit most members of the martial arm of the Order of Fire end up in. One of the sources of inspiration were the Clone Wars and the Jedi's role in the Grand Army of the Republic - and the issues arising from it. From the point of view of Firemane's leaders, the Jedi were ill-suited to act as Generals, as they lacked the necessary training and mind set. However, they did well commanding small units, such as by leading clone troopers in a charge across enemy lines to seize a tactical position, or by directing squads of commandos. If used the right way, Force-users can be force multipliers on the battlefield, increasing the chance of victory and the survival rate among their non-Force-using comrades. However, this requires mutual respect, discipline and a knowledge of small unit tactics.
Another source of inspiration were Siobhan Kerrigan's own experiences with Omega Pyre. Siobhan joined the paramilitary corporation after becoming disillusioned with the Republic's Jedi Order. Here she was a soldier, not a paladin or a space monk. She served alongside 'common' soldiers and officers, earned their respect by sharing their struggles and rose through the ranks. Promoted to the rank of Major, she rose through the ranks, was made a Battalion commander and then field commander of the Pyre before being elected as Exarch. She participated in several battles, leading Pyre soldiers at Roche, Metalorn and finally Gehenna. Force-users were integrated directly into the military hierarchy.
She tried to apply the lessons she had learned during this time after founding the Order of Fire, Firemane's Force-using branch. Thus Force-users and Force blind soldiers live together, train together and fight together. They are also subject to the same type of military discipline, up to and including punishments for deviation from it. These lessons bore fruit in the Fireguard. The basis of the Fireguard is the squad. Each squad is commonly composed of one Knight, one or two Apprentices and seven to eight elite Force blind soldiers.
Lady Kerrigan took a strong personal interest in the development of the Fireguard. Tempest and Leonina Varkathras became senior field officers in the unit and often led elements of it in battle. Elpsis Kerrigan-Alcori was made a brevet Second Lieutenant. The famously foul-mouthed, tough and strong Sergeant Freya Solveig did tours of duty with the unit. She is notorious for not being awed by Force-users and for disabusing uppity apprentices of any notions of superiority. Sometimes in the boxing ring. On the whole, the Fireguard's perception of the Force is rather demystified. It is regarded as a source of strength that can be used for good or ill. There is a tendency towards what could be termed secularism, though individual members are free to believe in whatever higher powers they like, provided they do not espouse principles that stand in conflict with Firemane's laws and mission statement.
The Fireguard has been involved in most conflicts Firemane fought in. Examples include the second Cleansing of Gehenna, the Eldorai Exodus, the Xioquo War, the Kaeshana Rebellion and the Discovery of Tephrike. When what supposed to be a peaceful expedition to discover lost worlds that had been cut off from the rest of the Galaxy turned into a war with the Jedi-led Dominion of Light, a totalitarian theocracy, the Fireguard were among the forces deployed to carry out a retaliatory strike. Acting in cooperation with the Republican Guard, a native insurgency that opposed the dominance of Force-Users, Firemane launched an assault on Fortress Purity. Colonel Leonina Varkathras, second in command of the Order, commanded the Firemane forces that attacked the fortress. The fighting was brutal, for the Dominion compensated its technological inferiority through use of a weather control machine, fanaticism and mass use of Force-Users. A raging storm prevented Firemane from taking full advantage of its air power, as many bombers and transport ships were lost. Heavy fighting raged in the forests, a hill and inside the tunnels. In the end the Firemane troops and their allies were able to prevail, though at a cost.
Meanwhile, Major Tempest led a search and rescue mission to find - or avenge - the captured Elpsis Kerrigan-Alcori. Elpsis had held off Dominion forces when Firemane's delegation came under attack from extremists, but been captured and brainwashed. Eventually the mixed Firemane and Order of Fire force was able to locate and assault the camp she was held in. While fighting took palce outside the camp, Elpsis was able to overcome her brainwashing and slay the Grand Inquisitor of the Dominion, who had been responsible for the betrayal. A great blow had been dealt to the Dominion, but the war had only began and now Firemane faced the choice whether to satisfy itself with having gotten its revenge or continuing the fight.
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