Index Millitarum: The New Eden Rifles (v3.0) - Greenscorpians Astra Millitarum Challenge

[Brother Argent]

Not much of the triumphant return to the Liber I hoped but this is the start for my new Millitarum article for GreenScorpions Millitarum challenge.  These are the random regiments I rolled up.  Getting good vibes from both.  Particularly the first one.  The idea of floating mechanicus facilities and then some that have sunk and still contain life seems kinda cool.  Works well into their Hive world fighting specialisation, being confined to close quarters on their home world all the time. 

 

"Mixed Regiment"

Civilized World

Ocean World

Drop Troops/Light Infantry

Hive Warfare

Overzealous - Fanatical loyalty

Priesthood and Gangers

Punishment - means of recruitment

Special Vehicles

Fight For the Emperor

Ties with Mechanicus

Enemies of Tyranids

 

Standard Guard Regiment

Death World

Ice terrain

Specialised in Armoured

Lightning Strikes/Stealth

Fanatical Loyalty

Caste Born

Standard Conscription

Specialised Lasgun

Steel over Flesh

Allies - Other Guard regiment

Enemies - Eldar

 

Standby and I will get things going soon

Edited January 3 by Brother Argent

[Brother Argent]

 

Index Millitarum: The New Eden Rifles

 

Homeworld: New Eden

Regiment Type: Mixed/Light Infantry

Regiment Names: New Eden Rifles (also know by regiment troopers as "Undesirables")

Specialties: Hive/Siege Warfare, Close quarter warfare,

 

Overview:

 

The only thing that stops New Eden from being declared a Death World is its lack of land mass to house its most deadly creatures.  Instead most of the world is covered in a vast ocean.  A small human population, largely consisting of the planets own nomadic stone age humans and semi nomadic drovers, roam where they can on the planets few continents, farming what food they can that is then sent to the floating Mechanicus maintained city structures on the planets oceans.  Starting as vast algae farming facilities the floating bases have become floating cities.  Narrow corridors and crowded hab quarters make for unpleasant living arrangements and many of the planets original imperial setters were criminals, sent to work the hellish conditions as a way of atonement.  

 

But the planets seas are not gentle and storms often rack the surface.  There have been more then a few of these floating cities succumb whether in part or totally to the planets storms.  Often this results in catastrophic failures as the buildings are torn apart and the inhabitants drowned or dashed to death by the waves, or worse, falling prey to the savage beasts that dwell in the oceans.  Other times the city may sink mostly intact beneath the waves, its inhabitants forced to live and adapt in their now sunken city.  Maintenance becomes a matter of survival as one point of weakness will cause the vast underwater pressures to crush the structures and all life within. 

It is these conditions that forge the New Eden Rifles to be the regiments they are.  Stubborn to a fault and known for there tenacity and never say die attitude they have developed a skill for hive and siege warfare, used to surviving in grim conditions and close quarters.

 

The planet also has a significant Ab-human population, with both ogryn and ratlings not being uncommon on the planet.  Whilst the planets relatively smaller ratling population is often at home on the floating cities the Ogryn refuse to enter the confined spaces.  Instead they live in the few permanent outposts on the planets continents, forming a solid workforce and dependable source of labour as well as muscle to help deter predatory wildlife.

 

Recruitment

Used as means to get rid of the undesirables on the planet.  Similar to transportation.  Trumped up crimes and over then top punishments to get rid of those when planet is strained for resources.  Those not fanatically loyal to the Ad-Mech and Imperial Cult.  Officers are often either proven on the front line then trained after (those from amoungst the rabble) whilst others are drawn from the planets ruling caste.  As time passes less political leaders, more from the trenches style.  Seen as a way for 'redemption' and so there are also volunteers rather then relying on drafting.  Also natives join to see the world (go Walk-About) as well as a small number from the planets few land masses.  The planets main recruits are from either the planets criminal gangs (the undesirables) or its priesthood (the leaders). 

 

It is this recruitment methods that create a tough as nails force, though not as highly trained as some.  A force that will go above and beyond to prove their worth.  It has also caused the name of "The Undesirables" amoungst the rank and file.  A tongue in cheek way of mocking their own position.  Its not a name used in front of the Commisarat or the higher command, as doing such typically results in disciplinary actions.
 

Regiment Organisation

Regiments of the New Eden Rifles can vary in size, depending on population of the planet at the time, available supplies as well as the age and battlefield attrition on the unit.  Typically an infantry regiment will be led by the Colonel, supported by various command staff.  The regiment is then divided further into Companies, each commanded by a Captain.  These companies are then often further divided into divisions, notably; infantry, cavalry, artillery and auxiliary or ab-human.  These are commanded by a Major or, in the case of artillery and auxiliary, a Lieutenant Commander.  These divisions are then further divided into Platoons, each led by a Lieutenant. These are then further divided into squads, usually led by a Sergeant.

 

A typical regiment of the Rifles will consist of ten Companies, each consisting of nine Divisions.  These divisions are numbered with one through to six being infantry divisions with seven through nine being cavalry, artillery and auxiliary in that order.  These divisions then tend to vary between three and six platoons.  Each platoon consists of somewhere between thirty and sixty guardsmen divided into squads of ten men.

 

Armoured Regiments, while unheard of, are extremely rare for the New Eden Rifles.  The planet doesn't have the required resources to easily equip such formations.  As such, when they are formed, they rarely conform to any standard.  The only real exception to this is the smaller formations of artillery vehicles, such as the Basilisk.  These Demi Regiments, typically under the command of a Lieutenant Colonel, are usually attached to other New Eden Regiments, not being significant in number to stand alone.
 

Combat Doctrines

Fantatically stubborn and tenacious with an unflappable never say die attitude they have become regarded as good for siege and Hive warfare.  Large waves of dedicated infantrymen backed up be specialised drop troops and large amounts of artillery support, through heavy weapon teams, field gun batteries and artillery tanks.  They have a small amount of light vehicle support (sentinels, hellhounds etc) but other then artillery largely rely on other regiments for heavier support: see Arnheim Stormdogs
 

Appearance and Uniform

Wearing dark green fatigues and often helmet with pale green shirts or coats and desert yellow flak jackets the New Eden Rifles aren't know for their uniform appearance.  Their combat wear is more designed to be practical then showy and is well suited to the scorching temperatures of their home planet.  It isn't unheard of for troopers of the New Eden Rifles to go into battle wearing wide brimmed slouch hats pined up on one side with the Imperial Aquila.  They also go into battle often heavily weighed down with entrenching gear as every Rifleman is expected to be self sufficient in long drawn out combats.  Otherwise large parts of their uniform are based of those of the Cadians, whom early regiments of the Rifles served alongside and, due to the practical nature of such things, many design elements have been moved across.

 

One other striking difference is how the New Eden Rifles display their identifying markings.  Soldiers typically display their squad number on their shoulder, coloured underneath with a band designating what company they are a part of with further numbers and roman numerals to designate Division and Platoon.  Whilst this mass of numbering and colour may throw off outsiders the New Eden Riflemen are typically intamately familiar with their squadmates.  So much so that when a squad is wiped out their squad number is typically retired and any reinforcements to the regiment have an entirely new number.

 

Weapons and Equipment

The standard New Eden Trooper is equipped as follows:

• 1x M36 Lasgun: The standard work horse of the Astra Militarum the M36 is one of the most common patterns of lasgun in the Imperium at large.  All guardsmen receive one upon being inducted to the guard.  It has been commented that a lasgun is far more valuable to the Imperium then the man whom hold it, a saying that the New Edene regiments take objection too.  It is from this weapon that the New Eden Rifles get their name.
• 4x Charge packs: Standard ammunition pack for most imperium las weaponry.  Can be recharged crudely by throwing into a camp fire.  This does reduce the life of the charge pack however.  A fair trade off as far as the New Eden Rifles are concerned, not that they would admit this in front of the Commissariat.
• 2x Frag Grenades: Standard Imperial Issue fragmentation grenades
• 2x Krak Grenades: Standard Imperial Issue krak grenades.
• 1x Auto Pistol: A favourite side arm amongst Astra Militarum forces.  Issued to troopers to use as a last resort.  The New Eden Rifles tend to favour them once enemies have breached their trench lines, favouring the smaller size in the close quarters.
• 2x Auto Pistol Magazines: Standard Imperial Issue magazines for an Auto pistol containing solid metal jacket rounds,
• 1x Combat Knife: Good for cutting enemies if all else fails.  Or your field rations if all chewing fails.  Just don't let the Brass catch you doing the later.
• 1x New Eden Trooper Uniform: Typically dark green combat pants and a paler olive green coat or shirt.  Hard wearing and thin material designed for the harsh heat of their homeworld, either on the seas or the small land masses.  Often issued with a broad brimmed slouch hat to keep off the planets sun, as their is little shade to be had on the external areas of the cities floating cities.
• 1x Flak Armour: Standard Imperial Issue flak armour, based off the design worn by Cadian Shock Troopers.  Not that the New Edenes care about where it comes from as its often the only thing between them and a bloody death on some back water world of the Imperium.  The helmet often has an inbuilt short range vox suite
• 1x Rucksack with Entrenching Gear: Hive warfare often devolved into trench to trench street to street fighting so most every New Eden Rifleman is provided with basic gear for entrenchment, including shovels and wire cutters.  More specialised units within the regiments are provided with more gear and training for full trench construction.  New Eden Rifleman are expected to and used to surviving long periods of being self sufficient and so need whatever gear they can to increase their odds.
• 1x Basic Field dressing: For very, very basic emergency first aid (Increases trooper survival by 1.5% compared to untreated wounds)
• 1x Sleeping Bag or Blanket: Sleeping in luxury…
• 1x Mess Kit, stale dry rations and two days (mostly clean) water: eating only the finest foods…
• 1x Dog Tags: When you need to know who that bloody mess was.
• 1x Rechargeable lamp pack: Basic hand held lamp pack, good for late night reading.
• 1x Imperial Infantryman’s Uplifting Primer: Standard issue text that covers everything from how to on gear maintenance, combat tactics, field first aid and prayers and guide to proper devotion to the God Emperor.  Commissariat recommends this to to be the ONLY thing you are reading at night.  Punishment for loosing or damaging this text is severe.

 

Other more specialised regiments or troopers may be issued with:

• Heavy Weaponry consisting of possibly: Mortar, Heavy Bolter, Lascannon, Auto Cannon or Missile Launcher.  Usually issued to two man teams due to the size and encumbrance of the weapon.
• Specialised Weaponry consisting of possibly: Flamer, Grenade Launcher, Plasma Gun or melta gun.  Depending of situational needs.
• Medical Kit: Slightly more comprehensive kit issued to company medic for first aid in combat situations.
• Vox Caster: Standard communication device issued to ensure good communication in battle environments.
• New Eden Proto-Steed: A strange blend of bio-mechanics and nature creating a steed similar to the horses of ancient Terra.  Ridden into battle by particularly fool hardy troopers.

 

 

Notable New Eden Regiments

 

1^st New Eden Rifles: Founded as part of a deal to secure the use of New Eden as no longer being a penal world the 1^st New Eden Rifles secured a place for their homeworld and its continued freedom in the Imperium.  A storied regiment that won renown across the breadth of the segmentum the 1st New Eden Rifles proved the steely nerves and never say die attitude the worlds regiments have become know for.  They continued on their glorious service until they disappeared into the Pilium Anomaly along with the rest of the Crusade they were with in M39 under mysterious circumstances.  Only their regimental standard was ever recovered and it rests with honour on Terra in the Hall of Heroes.  In honour to the first scions of New Eden the number was retired with honour.

 

4th New Eden Light Horse Brigade: One of the first founded regiment of the New Eden Rifles and one of the only ever entirely Light Horse regiments they were given the designation the 4th New Eden Light Horse has served faithfully since then, having fought the length and breadth of the Imperium.  They have been all but wiped out on several occasions but they are always rebuilt and continue to serve faithfully.  They are currently commanded by Captain Johanne Winters, a unflappable scion of New Eden’s noble houses possessed of steel nerves and unshakable courage.

 

13th New Eden Rifles:”Katrin’s Own”: A long storied regiment the 13th were regarded as being dogged by bad luck since their founding.  The 13th have been all but wiped out on many occasions but, somehow, the regiment manages to just scrape by.  The first few times Imperial command debated retiring the regiments number and folding its survivors into other regiments but, for one reason or another never did.  Now, however, the 13th are regarded as somewhat of a symbol of the New Eden never say die attitude.  They have recently been put under the command of Colonel Katrin Pendt, the regiment having suffered severe casualties as part of the Indomitus Crusade.  Katrin has served for a long time with the regiment and the troops under her command are so loyal to her they have changed their name to Katrin's Own.

 

22^nd New Eden Rifles “The Blood Hounds”: A regiment renown for its ferocity and cunning the Blood Hounds served gloriously for many centuries.  Forming part of the Kolvinium Crusade as well as taking part on the Imperial suppression for on Ghok the Blood Hounds were enroute back to New Eden to resupply and reinforce when they became trapped in the path of WAAAAGH!!! Snozgrob.  The Regiment was decimated and, when reinforcements arrived, there were only a few survivors left, tenaciously fighting a guerilla war on the jungle world against its orkish invaders.  These few survivors were rolled into the 13th New Eden Rifles whom had formed part of the Imperial counter strike against the orks.

 

72^nd New Eden Mechanised “The Free-born” : The first regiment ever from New Eden to consist entirely of the free children of former servants or indentured criminals on New Eden it was formed specially at request of Inquisitor Stromnash to serve during the Siege of the White Spire.  Though rare for a New Eden regiment to be a fully mechanised regiment the Inquisitor pulled strings to have the units supplied with the necessary equipment.  Following the Imperial victory they were released back into Imperial service where they continue to serve as the only Mechanised unit from New Eden in existence.

 

255^th New Eden Heavy Armour “The God Killers”: A rare regiment to exist the 255th stand as testament to exactly what a New Eden Undesirable can do behind the battle cannon of a Leman Russ.  Despite initial skepticism on how the regiment would perform they soon earned the respect of Imperial Command.  They would gain their callsign, the God Killers, after reaping a bloody and devestating toll on the Traitor Titan Legions on Torvuk, claiming at least two confirmed kills.

 

 

Notable Campaigns

Pilium Crusade (M.39)

The newly founded 1^st New Eden Rifles accompany Lord Commander Ferius on his next crusade following his success against the orks, along with many other regiments and no less then two companies of the Space Marines against the traitor forces near the warp storm known as the Pilium Anomaly.  Despite great success contact against the enemy eventually the contact is lost with the forces  after they enter the Anomaly itself and eventually they crusade is considered lost.

 

Fall of Gokh (M.41)

The 22^nd New Eden Rifles form part of the Imperial Forces besieging the seccesionist forces on the world of Gokh.  Despite horrendous casualties on both side, including losses due to the employing of Phosphex artillery by the planets defenders the Imperial forces are victorious and the Secessionists are put to the sword.

 

The Battle of Bridge 432 (M.40)

Assisting the forces of the Iron Heralds Astartes Chapter elements of the 34^th and 20th New Eden Rifles help hold of a previously unknown Xeno species known as the Desmerax.  The turning point of the battle comes when the Rifles hold the Bridge, designation 432, against countless waves of xenos before the Heralds can eliminate the xeno leaders, breaking their forces and sending them back into the Bleak.

 

The Charge of the 4th New Eden Light Horse Brigade (M.41)

On the desert world of Bar-Shava Imperial Forces had been fought to a long standing stale mate against traitor forces.  Facing impressive trench works and bristling gun emplacements the forces of the Guard were unable to push any further forwards without sustaining heavy casualties.  Several sorties from the infantry and tank brigades had simply caused substantial losses on the Imperial forces without gaining any true ground. Knowing that a victory here was essential to capturing the world Captain Johanne Winters of the 4th New Eden Light Horse Brigade ordered his men charge straight into the gun lines.  Seen as a suicidal assault Johanne was determined his men would break the enemies lines.  It was a ploy that worked when surprised by this seemingly mad man and his men’s charge the traitors guard fled their positions or surrendered in a panic, unsure how else to react.  With the gun lines broken with minimal casualties the Imperial forces went on to secure victory and Johanne was awarded the Star of Terra, one of only two Guardsmen of New Eden to ever receive the award.

 

The Arrival of Hive Fleet Koios (M.42)

As the Imperium faces the tyrannic invasion of Segmentum Pacificus a splinter of a seperate Hive Fleet has arrived close to New Eden.  Code named Hive Fleet Koios Imperial forces have mustered to try to meet this new threat.  Using similar tactics to those employed in Pacificus several New Eden Rifle regiments have been drafted to form both parts of the defence.  Most notably the 13th, 255th as well as the 4th.  This time its not just the honour of the regiment at stake but the survival of their homeworld.

 

WIP section below...

Spoiler

Notable New Eden Riflemen

 

Captain Johanne Winters

 

Leader of the Light Horse

 

 

Lord Commissar Jon Abram

 

A commisar whom has served with the New Eden Rifles for a long time and has formed a grudging respect

 

 

First Lieutenant Sharia Tothe

 

Artillery Commander

 

 

Major Luthias Brom

 

A sargeant level guy

 

Sergeant Jaina Slaine

 

Sly Marbo Equivilant

 

Image for reference

 

Spoiler

 

 

Edited January 7 by Brother Argent