Sic transit gloria mundi
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
Intent: Codify a unit referenced in a Codex submission.
Image Credit: Here. Tineye gives me no link other than Pinterest. There's a Tumblr link there, but it doesn't work.
Role: 'Royal' guard unit for Bharria.
Permissions: ARGH gear available to Firemane per this thread. Permission for all ArmaTech gear and all other subs made by Laira Darkhold's writer here.
Links: Qadiri, Choir of Angels, Ironfire Division, Xioquo.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Unit Name: Silver Helms.
Affiliation: Bharria Jai Ahquala, House Kerrigan, Firemane.
Classification: Heavy Infantry
Description: The Silver Helms came into being as Bharria's toy company. When she was the heiress of a Qadiri Nawab, she created her own miniature army. It allowed her to play general, and school herself in the art of warfare. The Silver Helms derive their name from the fact that as toy soldiers they wore armour and carried weapons so polished and new they looked like they were wearing silver. The armour and weapons have changed, and they have seen real action, but the name has stuck. In the old days, the unit was composed of Bharria's fellow children, servants and retainers. However, it was not all play, for they received proper training. It was the Silver Helms Bharria used to overthrow the corrupt regents who ruled her fiefdom after her mother's death.
Since then they have been her closest military companions. Today, Bharria has graduated from the politics and strife of a petty Qadiri kingdom. She is both a Nawab and a Firemane general, commanding one of Firemane's divisions. She is also the patron of many progressive Qadiri who want to learn and adapt the outsiders' technology, without compromising their people's values and freedom. Her main command is the Ironfire Division. Its rank and file is composed wholly of droids and is responsible for construction, garrisoning and rear echelon security. The Silver Helms have been attached to the Division and accompany Bharria on her ventures. They serve their liege lady as a special elite bodyguard/escort. They are small in number, but skilled. The entire unit is composed of Qadiri.
They are very well disciplined infantry force who specialise in combined arms mobility. The Silver Helms have access to infantry fighting vehicles and a few light tanks. This gives them both mobility and heavier firepower. With the help of foreign officers and professional soldiers, Bharria's 'toy company' has evolved into a professional fighting force. Their training places great focus on martial abilities as well as technical skills. Bharria is an enthusiastic moderniser with a passion for organising and building things. She is a pragmatic moderniser who wants to join the 'sky people' and master the technology they take for granted, instead of merely having it sold to her and being their vassal.
Her mentality is reflected by the Silver Helms. Discipline, honour and comradeship are stressed during training. Many officers are nobles, and tend to be former playmates of Bharria. However, the officer corps also contains Qadiri of obscure birth, and even freed slaves. The rise of lowborn officers as well as the promotion of rank and file members has led to friction though. The Silver Helms have an integrated unit of sappers and combat engineers. It is a requirement for the Helms to learn Basic and familiarise themselves with modern technology. Because literacy was long the sole domain of nobles and priestesses among the Qadiri, their patron has worked with Firedawn to organise a modern education for lowborn members, as well as citizens of the realm as a whole. They receive better pay than common soldiers and various benefits.
Throughout her reign as Nawab, Bharria has often issued them the latest inventions. Thus they have served as a bit of a testing bed for new methods and weapons. They have also served as an educational institution of sorts for the rest of the army of Surani. The petty queendom now has a proper military academy, so this role is less important. But several former officers of the Silver Helms now occupy important positions at the academy, ensuring that the corps' influence has not abated. Bharria is still the Colonel of the Silver Helms and enjoys wearing their uniform. Both male and female Qadiri have been recruited, though females are a bit more numerous. This is how the Qadiri have traditionally fought and so it is not considered strange for them.
As is typical with many Qadiri guard units, the soldiers are expected to meet certain physical criteria in order to ensure a uniform appearance. In the case of the Silver Helms, their members are all unusually tall. This has had the unintentional effect of making Bharria look short in comparison, even though she is of average height for a Qadiri and thus not short even by human standards. The Nawab takes it in good humour though and likes to make good-natured, self-deprecating jokes about it.
Their emblem is a Khajwari eagle-owl, which is also the heraldic symbol of Bharria's family. It shows their vigilance. The owl is also the mount of a Qadiri deity called Lakshmi. Some Khajwari associate the eagle-owl with death, as it has a deep, haunting call. The front of the helmet is designed to look like it has feathers. The Silver Helms still use Qadiri terms for military ranks, though they have consented to a dual ranking system to make it more transparent for outsiders. For instance, Subedar is the Qadiri rank of Captain, while a Jemedar is a Sergeant and a Sargord is the equivalent of Major.
The Silver Helms are commanded by Nabhitha Jai Kurma. Nabhitha is a low class woman of obscure origins. She was born as the child of a stable servant and a washerwoman. Snooty nobles said that she smelt like a Yazgid stables. However, she became one of Bharria's playmates. She impressed the young noblewoman in a duel when she fought dirty instead of abiding by the rules. This allowed her to strike the young aristo and best Bharria. When the Silver Helms were still a toy unit during her mother's reign, Bharria was not allowed to appoint 'real' officers so she promoted some likely non-commissioned officers. Nabhitha happened to become the most successful.
Later Bharria promoted Nabhitha to Subedar and 'enlisted' as a humble bombardier. The 'stable girl' participated in Bharria's coup against the Regents and was responsible for rallying the guard in her her liege's name. She has been at the Nawab's side since then. Nabhitha is lean and tough. She lacks a formal education and detractors mock her poor handwriting and spelling, but she is a formidable autodidact. She has adjusted well to modern technology and is good operating ground vehicles. Famously brave, she also has an impressive ability to hold her liquor. She once mocked her own origins by hosting a party in a stable and wearing the outfit of a common stable servant. But woe betide anyone other than Bharria who mocks her origins.
COMBAT INFORMATION:
Unit Size: Medium
Unit Availability: Unique
Unit Experience: Elite.
Equipment:
Armour:
Primary Rifles:
- Mark I Bolter
- ACS-205 Blackblade Modular Rifle
- Magnetic Repeater
- Reaper Plasma Shotgun
- Verpine Shatter Rifle
- ACS-202 Vanquisher Light Repeating Blaster
- Magnetic Revolver
- Verpine Shatter Gun
- A280-CFE Blaster
- Sonic Disruptor
- Cylix Bolt Pistol
- Hard-Sound Gun
Support Weapons:
- TL-50 Heavy Repeater
- Model 201 Mortar System
- Lance Missile Launcher. Served by 2 crew; a gunner and a spotter/ammunition carrier.
Melee:
- Vibroknife
- Vibrobayonet
- Sarzmigar Mk2
- Force Imbued Blade/Morningstar/Axe/Halberd
Combat Function: The Silver Helms are the bodyguards and escort of Bharria, a Qadiri Nawab and Firemane General. They are attached to her command, the Ironfire Division. Whereas the Ironfires are mostly a droid support force that is responsible for garrisoning, protecting supply lines, rear echelon security and so on, the Silver Helms focus on combined arms mobility. Their access to Infantry Fighting Vehicles gives them mobility, protection and increased firepower. It enables them to cover a lot of ground and keep up with tanks and walkers. Moreover, they have an integrated unit of combat engineers.
All in all, the Helms have a lot of firepower at their disposal for what is mainly an infantry formation. The unit is not large, but their training, discipline and arsenal of weapons and vehicles allows them to punch above their weight a bit. As is typical with guard units, they often function as a strategic reserve that can be thrown into battle at the crucial moment. When not in the heat of combat, their priority is to protect their liege lady. While well-trained and equipment, the Silver Helms are a small unit in the greater scheme of things, which means they can be outnumbered and overwhelmed in larger engagements. The Silver Helms are trained in Teräs Käsi and have been trained to close their minds to Jedi, Sith and other Force-wielders, which protects them from mental attacks, mind tricks etc.
Their training empathises disciplined marksmanship and precision over blazing away. This is because they used muskets in the old days. Reloading times were long, so accuracy was key. Now they have blasters and modern slugthrowers, but they continue to adhere to proper fire discipline. Thus their rate of fire might appear a bit slow to a foreign observer, but it is very accurate. They have also received training in close quarter and melee combat, using blades, pistols, grenades, flamethrowers, shotguns and carbines.
One relic of the old days is that each soldier is issued a bayonet. Bayonet charges are impractical most of the time, but it gives them another option in melee. Moreover, under certain circumstances, the sight of soldiers fixing bayonets and charging can be intimidating, though this is situational. Most of the time it is used for ceremonial purposes.
Force Abilities (Force User Units Only): A select number of the Silver Helms benefit from some mild Force-Sensitivity, granting them a kind of 'sixth sense' that manifests in precognitive abilities, and enhanced situational awareness. A few of them are also mildly telepathic, which is used to improve coordination between soldiers.
Strengths:
- Elite soldiers. The Silver Helms are a crack unit and fiercely loyal to their liege lady.
- They are mobile, have access to a lot of firepower and a focus on combined arms mobility. Well-coordinated and equipped, they can punch above their weight.
- IFVs are fast, good against light vehicles and strong against light vehicles, but their armour cannot stand up to the main weapon of a tank. Shooting from the vehicle ports is possible for infantry, but not very practical, meaning they will have to leave the vehicle's safe confines if they want to engage the enemy. Their tanks are fast and have good firepower, but are not made for direct slugfests with larger battle tanks.
- While well-trained and equipment, the Silver Helms are a small unit in the greater scheme of things, which means they can be outnumbered and overwhelmed in larger engagements.
The Silver Helms started as Bharria's little toy army. As befitting the daughter and heiress of the Nawab of Maran, a vassal of the Queen of Surani, Bharria received a thorough education in ruling and warfare. While she proved to be a poor Cataphract, she had a passion for building and organising things as well as new inventions. Moreover, she loved playing soldier. One of her cherished toys was a mechanical watch. Young Bharria can be described as hyperactive. She hated standing still. Instead she needed to be doing things, whether it consisted of learning something new or trying out a new toy in the field. The ceremonies of court held little appeal for her, and she tried to escape them as much as possible. Instead she was drawn to the company of merchants, explorers, and soldiers. She did not just want fancy toys, she wanted to understand how they worked and learn everything about them.
Her mother, a Cataphract of significant skill, was disappointed by Bharria's lack of prowess as a Yazgid rider. However, she let her play with soldiers. A model fortress was built for Bharria's amusement, and she organized her first “play” company, drilling her friends and lighting the fuse of her own cannon. If she could not be a great cavalry officer, she would learn how to use infantry properly. She called them the Silver Helms, as the toy soldiers wore armour and carried weapons so polished and new they looked like they were wearing silver. Many of the early members of her play company were of obscure origins. Much to her delight, the household troops of her family soon started saluting her as 'little Bombardier'.
Many members of the 'toy company' were her playmates and thus often the sons and daughters of nobles. Others were retainers or even servants. Indeed, it included stableboys and the children of butchers. Though regarded with bemusement by many members of the court, the mock battles became increasingly realistic. Her aunt Varsha provided her dear niece with cannons that actually fired. This was an age when rulers were expected to lead their troops in person. Warfare was a fact of life for the Qadiri, so this playacting was no vanity, but a necessity. The Silver Helms gave Bharria an introduction into the intricacies of warfare, as she learned about military tactics, logistics etc. One of her most important recruits was a Xioquo called Xirv, who had been captured and enslaved after a battle.
A mixture of curiosity and pity motivated Bharria to intercede when she saw a family member beating a Xioquo. Using her authority as daughter of the Nawab, she confiscated the slave. It soon transpired that Xirv was no ordinary raider, but an accomplished engineer. She risked punishment when she critiqued the Qadiri's muskets and cannons, but Bharria was intrigued. Eventually she came to appreciate the Xio, who adopted the surname Aqala. Of course, she was no abolitionist and so she did not set the Xioquo free, but she treated her well. Aqala'Zirv inducted into the bombardier unit of Bharria's toy company. There she made several improvements in drill and equipment. Bharria was also able to acquire some professional sellswords and Mamluks to improve training and leadership.
However, soon the games became serious. First Bharria's mother died when a ship she was inspecting unexpectedly sunk. Since Bharria was still a minor, a regency council headed by her aunt Varsha took over. However, the regents were greedy and the exacting tribute demanded by them sparked a peasant revolt. The council tried to keep Bharria in the dark about what was really going on, but she was able to find out that the regents had been lying to her. Fearing for her life, she fled from her palace and rallied the Silver Helms. The 'toy army' toppled the regents and Bharria took the throne as absolute ruler of her little fiefdom.
From then on the Silver Helms were always at her side. They served as life guards, but also fought in important battlefield engagements. They battled Marathi raiders, and the forces of the Queendom of Multan, another Qadiri state that had a long-standing rivalry with Surani. Their numbers were small, but they focused heavily in firepower, drill and coordination. They eventually ditched flamboyant uniforms for more practical attire on the battlefield. When Firemane and the Eldorai arrived on Tygara and made contact with her people, Bharria chose to align herself with the sky people. Indeed, she visited their lands to learn about their technology. She was accompanied by the Silver Helms and a delegation of young Qadiri who were supposed to partake in the knowledge of the offworlders. While she was away, her enemies at court spread rumours that she had been murdered.
They were secretly backed by the Queen and her aunt, who had been freed. However, she forewarned by her brother and returned. The plotters called her an impostor. However, she rallied the people and the Silver Helms. Her brother, who led her bodyguards into battle to defend her sister, was killed in the melee, but Bharria personally executed her aunt. The Queen was deposed after an investigation revealed her complicity. At her suggestion, Firemane appointed a regent. This gave Bharria a lot of clout, which she leveraged into a generalship with the megacorp. The Silver Helms followed her, receiving modern equipment and the training to use it. They saw action against Xioquo rebels and rival Qadiri groups, helping Firemane and their liege lady extend their influence. Some of their officers went on to occupy important positions in industry, politics or the military. Others have transferred to the Ironfire Division. While the rank and file of said division is composed of droids, the officers are organics. Thus service in the Silver Helms can become an important stepping stone for a career.
However, storm clouds are gathering. Firemane's deals are becoming more and more exploitative. The megacorp exploits native workers, who face sweatshop conditions that amount to forced labour in Firemane company towns. Mining operations have been carried out without regard to environmental consequences and health risks for the natives. Logging operations pursued by Firemane contractors caused flooding and soil erosion. At first, Bharria was hesitant to act on such reports. Her own royal power had been strengthened by the alliance with Firemane and she believed it was necessary to advance her realm. If a few eggs had to be broken in the process, that was unfortunate, but an inevitable consequence. Indeed, the Silver Helms were deployed to suppress unrest among her people.
However, the Nawab started to change her stance when a gas leak from a pesticide plant killed over four thousand people, and caused significant morbidity and premature death for thousands more. Firemane paid compensation after coming under pressure, but the amount was so small it amounted to a slap on the wrist. Bharria accepted this because she believed sacrifices needed to be made. The Silver Helms and other royal troops were deployed to ruthlessly suppress riots and protests. An uprising was squashed with artillery and a few walkers provided by Firemane, after a unit of soldiers who were themselves of peasant origin defected. Then a Firemane pipeline resulted in mass displacements and impoverishment of tens of thousands of villagers, who had been intimidated into giving up their land and trapped in exploitative contracts. Her city was rocked by protests when the impoverished peasants came to plead their case.
When the Nawab visited the improvised tent city they had set up, she was deeply troubled by what she heard and saw...and by how she had failed her people. The young queen of Surani has not reached her age of majority yet, but it hasn't escaped the Nawab's attention that already people are clamouring for her to be freed from her 'evil regent'. The irony is not lost on her. At the same time, High Admiral Jacanda Fleischer, Firemane's new military chief, made it clear to her that she had to decide where her loyalties lay...and fast. Bharria, the Silver Helms and her other followers now face some tough choices.
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