Liber Challenge III: The Orion 13th Combined Arms

[Icechiang]

Hello everyone!  I have been a long time reader of the forum and have decided to start posting.  The Liber III Challenge seemed like a great way to start.  When I first started 40k about 4 years ago I started with Space Marines but always had a soft spot for the Imperial Guard.  In fact the Gaunt's Ghosts series is what got me interested in the hobby side of things.  When I first saw the Armageddon Steel Legion models I instantly fell in love with them, but was unable to really start them at the time.  Now I have been able to amass a large amount of them and am in the process of getting them painted up.  When I saw the challenge I thought it would be the perfect time to start up their back story and eventually get working on work in progress.  I hope to slowly start up both topics and keep things going.  So here is the start of my regimental history and any comments/critiques are more than welcome.  I hope y'all enjoy.

 

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!"

[WarriorFish]

Looks like a good start to me, got any pictures? ;)

[Icechiang]

Thank you very much.  No not yet.  I only painted up a test model to like the color scheme.  In the next few weeks I aim to start painting up the force and will put up works in progress.  Now for some more background.
 

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.

[Icechiang]

Now for the last part of the backstory.  I suppose I am finished for now and will start working on the models themselves.

 

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.