Blackguard Legion
From AuroraWiki
The Blackguard Legion, also called the Black Watch and commonly known as Belesarious' Fist and originally known by the nickname Emperor's Hammer, is one of the elite forces of the Munitorum Antara. One of the oldest legions in the modern Legio Antara - the Blackguard was first raised in 793 CE from the combination of other existing elite units of the time - they have grown and adapted over the long centuries since to become a highly flexible, mobile, elite force that Antara wields against its enemies. They are one of four elite legions currently in the Munitorum roster - the Azure Hammer, Blackguard, Stormpike and Twilight Hammer Legions.
The Blackguard Legion is always on active duty. This much is always given. Other than that, few outside the ranks of the Blackguard knows its capabilities, as its elite reputation has served to elevate it above the lines of the normal Antaran legionnaire. Other Antaran soldiers look upon the Blackguard as a force they aspire to be most like, as its members are fiercely devoted to Antara and its causes, and they stand among the deadliest of all soldiers in the world.
The exploits of the Blackguard are not public knowledge, which only further promulgates their elite reputation and near-legendary status among the militaries of the world. While their reputation - even among those they strike against - is one of traditional Antaran harsh discipline and strict physical and mental acuity, it is no great secret to those who have faced them that the Blackguard are ruthless, merciless, and have only one purpose - to slaughter the enemies of Antara.
From ancient times until today, the Blackguard has been the sole Legion unit under the direct, constant command of the first the Emperors and now the Praetors of Antara. The Legion's most popular nickname - Belesarious' Fist - comes from the rumors that Praetor Rayden Belesarious has used them on more than one occasion in extremely sensitive situations for the proper balance of overwhelming firepower and superior mobility. It is also said that the Legion was especially favored during the reign of both Vetrello Belesarious and Cassio Belesarious, only further enhancing its unique nickname.
On the rare occasions the Legion is at home base, it shares its berth at Azure Hammer Command with the eponymous legion of that base.
Contents |
Overview
"For the Praetor...for victory...for Antara!"
- Blackguard Legion Motto
History
The Blackguard Legion was raised in 793 CE by order of Emperor Tiber Vastano himself. Clad in specially forged Legion armor known as "black iron", they were distinct and separate from all other legionnaires. Tiber told his generals, "raise for me a force of the toughest, most ruthless warriors at my disposal, and prepare them for a different kind of battle". It was from this challenge that the Blackguard arose. Even in those ancient times of Imperial glory, the Blackguard was for one purpose only - to go anywhere, at any time, and wipe out those who stood in Antara's way.
To this day, the Blackguard are one of the most fearsome units in the entire Munitorum. Their legion standard is full to overflowing with battle honors and streamers denoting the many countless battles the force has fought in, from the times of Tiber Vastano to modern day. They have fought at Empryea, Angband, Sadrith Mora, Gilin Entar, Belgedaron, Ton Falk...the Blackguard have been there.
It is one of the rarest and most over-aweing honors for a legionnaire to receive a summons and learn that he is considered Blackguard material. In many ways, that, above so much more, is one of the greatest honors an Antaran soldier can ever receive. They know that, when they don that awe-inspiring armor, that they are to stand among the finest at the Praetor's command. They are more than an Antaran legionary - they are a Blackguard.
Mission Profile
Structure & Purpose
Through the valleys and peaks of Danetia itself, across the shifting sands of Kijana Banoga, against the dread armies of olden times - we have fought. We are the nameless, faceless, sons of Antara. By the Grace of Arkanon and by the might of Antara, the first strike belongs to us and the last strike is all that our enemies see. We are Blackguard.
The Blackguard Legion is organized as a typical legion would be, in terms of unit breakdown and composition. However, unlike many other such forces, the Blackguard legion is composed of highly-trained infantry and elements of mechanized infantry. They are used by the Praetor for highly sensitive missions requiring both firepower and mobility, but also are used to protect key government instillations. In either event, the Blackguard serves as an intimidating and impressive force, capable of every mission it is assigned.
The Blackguard Legion has been commanded since 1 January 2118 by General Etahn A'baht. His second is Lieutenant General Leoric Von Zeldig.
Key duties of the Blackguard include -
- Elements of the Blackguard have been said to be stationed at Serenno Palace, the Battlespire, and the Citadel Inquisitorium.
- Elements that maintain 24-hour protection over Golden Lion One and the ANS Exodar. The detachment guarding the Exodar remains in Waterdeep as long as the ship is docked, and the detachment guarding GL One remains at Azure Hammer Air Command as long as the aircraft is likewise there.
Training
Those who qualify for service in the Blackguard Legion are required to go to the specialized infantry training school at Fort Exern in Hammerfell Province and undertake a nine-week course in advanced infantry combat tactics. These include open terrain, mountain, swamp, urban, zero and sub-zero, desert, and other specialty terrain combat methods and tactics. They must qualify Expert proficient with all of the personnel weapon systems used by the Legion, and must also qualify Expert proficient in the operation and servicing of one type of vehicle employed by the Legion.
Equipment
Uniform
The Blackguard Legion is one of the absolute fewest in all of the Munitorum to have one of the most distinctive privileges of all Antaran soldiers - a uniform that is unique solely to them. This honor is reserved only for the finest and most elite of forces within Antaran military tradition, even since the days of the First Empire. In this way, the Blackguard are at once made three things - (1) easily noticable, (2) easily identifiable, and (3) denoted immediately as among the elite of the elite of Antara.
The Blackguard uniform serves a singular purpose - to impress and intimidate. It is an all black ensemble, from head to toe. During combat or field operations, a black combat helmet is worn with a face-obscuring gas-mask whose intake and outtake tubes are routed down the front of the tunic. Reinforced shoulder plates are worn, with heavy black leather gloves. A solid black reinforced tunic that is knee length is worn with heavy black trousers and reinforced black leather jackboots with all-terrain soles.
Blackguard officers wear a black version of the standard service uniform. Enlisted personnel during regular work hours wear the jumpsuit of enlisted in all services, discerned from other services by their black field cap.
The masks are as much practicality as they are intimidation - chemical warfare is a reality on any front, and while they've not met much of it, they can ill afford to be unprepared.
Small Arms
The Blackguard employ all of the current personnel grade weapons used by the Munitorum. All personnel in the field wield the SMG-3 typically with one (sometimes two) IP-38 pistols as backups. The MG-21 and MGH-88 squad machine guns are also used for fire teams and fortified positions. The ML-29 is also employed extensively.
Vehicles
The Blackguard Legion is a standard infantry legion composed of a total of 20,000 personnel. With vehicles, the Blackguard employ the LA-111 Locomotive Artillery Piece in its four artillery units. The legion also uses both the M-101, M-73, and M-38 armored vehicles, as well as the V-83 utility car.
