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Before I start, I'm crediting the idea for this thread to @Righteousrob, though I have a slightly different purpose for these ideas and my requirements are a bit different.

Alright guys, here's my situation:

I'm starting to write my own fiction for W40K (I may change the setting to M33 or M34, but so far, the millennium it's set in doesn't really affect the story), and in the story I'm following a number of Astra Militarum Regiments as they attempt to reconquer the rest of their home system from the clutches of Chaos.

The reason this is the case is that the Imperium set out to completely reconquer the system, re-establish the Human population, and leave it to its own devices (Not quite but you know what I mean ). But it's taken them the better part of 150 years to reconquer about 2/3 of the system because of the significant resistance they encountered. During their reconquering of the system, they began re-establishing the population as well as resource and manufacturing centers. With high increase in population on the re-established planets due to 'natural' population growth as well as immigrants from other systems, substantial PDF's became a possibility and were subsequently established. In the last 50 years, Regiments from all over the re-established portions of the system have been taken, with a total of 47, each with approximately 1000 men. Due to lack of an active Forge World within the system, all but 3 are infantry regiments. This gave rise to the need for mechanized support from exterior sources, meaning other Astra Militarum forces were called to aid the Icarious Regiments.

So, here's what I'm looking for (again, thanks @Righteousrob for the idea):

An overview of an Imperial Guard Regiment (Preferably Mechanized or Specialising in Heavy Weapons) Which includes the following:

-- Name of the Regiment [Must]
-- Regimental Commander [Must]
-- Specialisation (Tanks, Artillery, Heavey Wepons, etc) [Must]
-- Defining Characteristic(s) (E.g. Tall , Pale, Generally grim People. Something like that). [Preferable]
-- Strength [Preferable]
-- Any officers under the command of the Regimental Commander and why. [Optional]
-- Any History [Optional]
-- Why they were called to aid in this system; or why they volunteered for the job. [Optional]
-- Any space-faring vessels that were provided specifically by the regiment. [Optional]
-- Anything else you'd like to add [Optional]

As an example, here's the regiment that my story is following:

Home System: Incarious System [Also the system that's in the process of being reconquered]
Home Planet: Menxano [A Harsh Mining World]
Regiment ID: 45th Incarious Infantry
Commanding Officer: Artyom Ibrahimovic
Company Commanders: Major Aceto; Major Hoffman; Major Petrov;
Defining Characteristics: Wear Heavy Armour; Are Skilled in Close Combat;
History: Might have to read my fiction when the finished product is posted
Strength: 1,000 Infantry; Using Incarious System Navy;

I'm looking for about 10 - 15 Regiments. And the idea is that I'll be inserting them into my story, inserting rivalries, friendships, etc etc. I'll also try to post what's going on with each regiment as I write (which at the moment isn't incredibly quick haha). At the very least, I'll try to post up how I plan to use each regiment when the ideas come to me. All that being said, if I end up with significantly more than 15 ideas for Regiments, I will try to find a way to change my story a little to include them, because if you've made an effort to reply with an idea, I kinda feel obligated to at least try to include them in my story.

Cheers Guys


Current Forces:


Link to the story:

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/668915.page

Glad I could inspire others to write up fluff. It's my favorite thing of 40k. I shall dedicate the first regiment into this crusade.

Name is the Makara 11th aka the red devils.
Commanded by colonel zacharius grialo a well respected man by the troops.
Specialists in heavy weapon warfare particular to autocannons and mortars and ground defense vs light infantry. Very few lascannon only used when facing heavier mechanized forces.

Currently at full strength of 700 guardsmen armed with lasgun. 100 weapons platforms for the heavies and crew. 100 officers and support staff.

Formed as a support function to any crusade, the red devils have seen 6 combat zones and reinforced their losses from tithes on the home planet. They have come here as most guard units come. Because they were ordered.

No space vessels just transports.

They are not very strict in code and toe the line closely. Other units have reported their stock of ammunition tends to come up short when they are deployed near the red devils. They were nicked named this not because of their crazy fighting or chaos taint but from their uniforms. Wearing the common deep red of Makara the 11th was once deployed over night beside the Briadith 10th in a campaign vs the orks. Not known for stealth or sneaking, the Makara still deployed without being detected. In The morning the commander of the Briadith was overheard saying "where the feth did those red devils come from?"

I would like to throw my own Regiment into the fray

Name: Cadian 17th Mechanized "The Unbroken"

Commander: Colonel Taylor, notorious for his willingness to get down into the mud and blood with his men.

Specialization: Mechanized Assault

Defining Characteristics: Even among Cadians, who are known for their exceptional discipline, the 17th stands out. It is a point of pride among the men of the regiment that they have never retrated from battle, strikeforces from this regiment preferring to fight to the very last man rather than admit defeat to the enemy.

Strength: Full Strength of around 1,500 Guardsmen, with around 200 Chimeras and other assorted support staff/vehicles

Additional Officers:
Master of Ordinance Frederick "Lucky" Smith
Astropath Felix Draken
Master of the Fleet Jack Tackett

History:
The Cadian 17th is a proud regiment, with a roll of honor dating back centuries. For the bulk of their existence the 17th has been fighting against the orks, and they have developed a particular hatred for the orks, as the destruction they wreak persists even after they have been solidly defeated, requirng constant effort to keep them from rising again. The regiment was crucial in the development of several new techniques to aid them in their fight against the greenskin menace.

The Call to Arms:
The 17th was recently assigned to the Incarious system to assist in the fight against the Chaos invaders in the system. They agreed to this with gusto, despite the fact that they would not have the chance to fight the orks. The Guardsmen of the regiment relish the chance to bring the fight to the those who have brought so much death and destruction to their home world during the Black Crusades

Space-faring Vessels:
None, just transports

Additional Information:
The Cadian 17th Mechanized was recently granted the use of a mighty Baneblade, named "Vengeance".


Hope this is ok

Righteousrob wrote:Glad I could inspire others to write up fluff. It's my favorite thing of 40k. I shall dedicate the first regiment into this crusade.

Cheers, buddy! And I'm loving the idea. I'll try to implement them in the story ASAP.

War Kitten wrote:I would like to throw my own Regiment into the fray ... Hope this is ok

Fantastic idea! Love the concept! Definitely what I was looking for.

Will keep you all appraised!

I suggest as more are added you put a section in your original post to organise and make it easier for the rest to read so they don't have to search the whole blog

Righteousrob wrote:
I suggest as more are added you put a section in your original post to organise and make it easier for the rest to read so they don't have to search the whole blog

Done and Done!

With IllumiNini's permission, I'm adding a little bit more to my regiment, after reading some of the Gaunt's Ghosts novels.

Despite all the battle honors that the regiment has won, they are regarded by some regiments as an oddity. The reason for this being that the Cadian 17th is one of the only mixed-gender regiments ever raised by Cadia. While all on Cadia are trained from birth to be warriors, few women on the planet ever leave to become part of a regiment. The 17th is one of the few exceptions to this rule, and some of the greatest warriors in the regiment are women. The 17th also refuses to wait for reinforcements to be shipped from Cadia to help replenish their numbers after a campaign. Instead, the regiment recruits from the worlds that they fight upon, ensuring that the 17th has become a bit of a melting pot of cultures, as you have men and women from Cadia mixing with men from the Incarious system, the Ulani system, and many more.

So there it is, I tried to not make too many changes (as I'm afraid they would sound too much like the Ghosts then), but I loved the idea of having a mixed-gender regiment and them recruiting from the planets they defend. Hope you like it.

Sounds fairly solid to me!

I'm not sure I can introduce that as a plot point or narrative aid just yet (got enough going on as it is ), but I'm sure I can find a way to include it some how

However you wish to introduce it is fine. Maybe one of the company commanders your lads have contact with can be female, up to you really. I just wanted to introduce a chance to make a diverse and interesting regiment.

Fearcall 314th Engineers (The Emperors Shovel)
Planet: Fearcall [Forge World]
Commanding Officer: Gregory Falchion
Company Commanders: Major Falk, Major Renk, Major Errol
Specialization: Engineering, Fortification defense
Characteristics: Large number of Leman Russ Maintainers [Leman Russ engineering vehicle], large number of Sentinel Powerlifters
Strength: Full, 800 Engineers w/ variuos weapons, 50 Powerlifters, 20 Maintainers, array of Chimera chassis based engineering vehicles

Welcome brother! You're in good company with the Cadian 17th and the Makaran 11th

I'll get my thinking hat on and throw in a force soon.

I was going to post my dear Vendolians 152th here but I hit a bit of a snag. I realised that the numbers don't actually make sense. During the Korean war of 1950 the american 65th Infantry Regiment consisted of 3950 Soldiers and officiers. Put that in context in 40k and at 1000soldiers you're looking at a pathetic force. Shouldn't it be one or two more zeros on the strength of a regiment? like 1.000.000 Soldiers? I'm going to post this in the background forum and see what I can dig up. I'll get back to you on the Vendolians 152.

Edit: Also, why change to M34 from M41? If it doesen't affect the story then why not stick with the setting we know? I was gonna go and include ecclisiarchy elements but had to look up if they where around back in M34. They where formed in M32 but I couldn't find out if the schola progetium was a thing yet. I'll have a look at some books but if there's no schola then there's no commissars or Temptestus Scion.

-- Name of the Regiment - 1st Arraxis "Honor Bound"
-- Regimental Commander - "Lord Marshal" Julius Tibbs
-- Specialization - Infantry assault supported by Artillery
-- Defining Characteristic(s) - Hold to traditions and equipment from their Auxilia roots. Trained into silence on the battle field barring essential communications. Generally Jovial outside of battle, Focus' on minimizing civilian casualties when applicable.
-- Strength - 20,000 Guard (A closer number IMO to how guard operate), 2,000 Tanks and Artillery
-- Any officers under the command of the Regimental Commander and why - Erasmus Wret: Head of Regimental Commander's "household Guard" Rogue Trader Erin Tor: A close friend to Julius Tibbs, contributes as battle field commander and other roles of support.
-- Origins - The Regiment's Origins are traced back to the armies under control of Sector Govern Julius Tibbs (family name, passed down father to son) In modern times, they continue to use Heresy-era weaponry and armament supplied from industrial and forge worlds in system.
-- Why they were called to aid in this system; or why they volunteered for the job - "Grudge against enemy warlord dating back to the Heresy (if the warlord happens to be an evil space marine )"
-- Anything else you'd like to add -

General Scheme of the army and loadout of "Household Guard"

Will fill out more later

Home System: Jutlandia System 
Home Planet: Jutland and Helm 

Jutland is a mostly industrialised world built upon a stupendous richness of oil. It produces a huge output of modular imperial armoured vehicle chassis and kits for adaptation into chimera transports, Griffins, Hell-hounds, Basilisks, and engineering corps vehicles such mine clearing and bridge laying vehicles. It's neighbouring planet, Helm is a much more heavily populated world which produces much of the food mass and manpower required to keep the mines, forges and factorums on Jutland running. It also produces numerous variants of Sentinel walkers for everything from agriculture to local law enforcement

Regiment ID: 303rd Helm-Harriers 

Commanding Officer:  Commandant Siegfried Faust
 
Company Commanders: Major Wilhelm 1st armoured infantry ; Major Student- 2nd armoured infantry; Major Kleist-1st artillery company; Major Goderian- 2nd Artillery company.

Defining Characteristics: fully mechanised fast attack and armoured fist regiment; Skilled in lightning strike and mechanised armoured infantry tactics with light artillery support.

History: Originally an emergency draft regiment the 303rd was raised from a neighbouring planet, Helm and fitted out on Jutland where production of materiel far outstrips available resources in manpower. Once raised, the combination of Men from Helm and machines from Jutland proved a success and many subsequent regimental foundings have followed suit.

Strength: 2 armoured Infantry companies comprised of over 800 guardsmen with 68 chimera transports all supported by 20 Hellhounds, 12 armoured sentinel squads, 9 scout sentinel squads and 12 rough rider bike squads. 
2 Artillery Companies comprised of 90 Griffins and 60 Basilisks with a small compliment of sapper support staff for Maintenance and repair, mine sweeping and other engineering duties. 

Notes: Commandant Faust has been known to use a special two-seater armoured sentinel as a mobile c&c which he uses on occasion to traverse the battlefield with a compliment of sentinels, preferring this option over using a Regimental command Chimera for transport. 

I looked into the size of a regiment. According to the 4ed IG codex the Cadain 8th, while on parade so presumably not in a campaign, where 5000men strong. 4 companies where not with the regiment though, with two in training and two on an off world missison so I suppose 4000-5000 is the average size of a cadian regiment.

Might need to up my Regiment's numbers then by a bit, not sure if it would be the same for a mechanized regiment...

Probably not. I'll be away for a while but I'll look into the size of a mechanised regiment after christmas.

EDIT: on a side note a regiments experience is usually shown in it's numbers since it shows in casualities and local recruitments/reserves generally are rare. For instance, an officier might proudly state that his regiment is at half strength, meaning they are experienced and have been victorious in at least one previous Campaign (or disaster, if the gellar fields fail or something). So basicly: Fewer numbers=better Soldiers.

Just thinking... (and I asked RighteousRob about this as well): It might be worth me extrapolating on people's ideas (or you can add in more) so that there aren't these lonely regiments from each. Seems more logical that at least two or three regiments from every group (like 3x Cadians, 4x Makaran, etc etc; stuff like that). Do people think this is a good idea? And if, would people be cool with this being included?

Sure thing, don't mind at all.

So are you wanting each of us to bring in 2 additional regiments? If that's what you mean I'd be fine with coming up with 2 more, stretch the creative muscles so to speak.

^ Pretty much. Give the boiz some company haha

righto, regimental buddy comin' up!

-- Name of the Regiment - 33rd Arraxis "Screaming Phoenix"
-- Regimental Commander - Captain Michael Bellou
-- Specialization - Airborne infantry and Arial assault
-- Defining Characteristic(s) - Hot-headed, but generally cordial until provoked.
-- Strength - 5,000 infantry, 7,000 arial vehicles
-- Any officers under the command of the Regimental Commander and why - Magos Timmet: A brash, impatient, and sarcastic techpriest charged with maintaining the Regiment's airship and arial fleet.
-- Origins - Much like the arraxis 1st, the regiment's oldest traditions can be traced back to the Great Crusade, however the "centerpiece" of the regiment, the massive Airship "ceti noctuam" was a personal project of a long dead sector Governor. since it's creation, the men and ships attached to support, run, and defend the airship have proven time and time again to be some of the most devoted attackers and staunch defenders.
-- Why they were called to aid in this system; or why they volunteered for the job - Won the "competition" held to join the arraxis 1st into the battle.
-- Anything else you'd like to add - (forgot to mention in the previous entry) the regiments of the Arraxis sector keep the name of the sector and capitol planet rather then their own planets

More Regiments incoming!

Regiment Name: Hammermont 12th Armored "Iron Heads"

Regimental Commander: Colonel Frederick Delan. Rides in the Regiment's Shadowsword nicknamed "Spear of the Emperor"

Specialization: Armored Assault

Defining Characteristic(s):The Regiment is known for their sheer stuborness. Once they are engaged with the foe they will continue to fight until either they or the enemy is completely destroyed. They also seem to take particular joy in fighting the scions of Chaos.

Srength- 200 Leman Russes of varying loadouts and configurations, about 1200 Crewman and a few hundred support staff

Additional Officers:
Magos Hannah- An oddity among the Mechanicus, she still has most of her biological body intact, refusing to believe that replacing all of one's flesh with metal makes it stronger. She is the leader of the Enginseers that are attached to the 12th, and all of them follow in her footsteps. In addition, she and Colonel Fredrick are particularly close.

Captain Amie- Leader of the 3rd Company, and also one of the few female officers in the Regiment. Rides in a customized Leman Russ Punisher nicknamed "Battling Queen"

Call to Arms: The Regiment was assigned to the Crusade when the initial call for reinforcements was sent out, and they gladly accepted, eager to bring the light of the Emperor to the foul enemies of man.

Other Stuff: The Regiment is a newly founded one, but they have already proven themselves in the malestrom of war after they defeated the forces of Warsmith Ajax of the Iron Warriors on the planet Vranus. The men and women of the Regiment are also known for their carefree and compassionate nature outside of combat.

Spacefaring Vessels:
"Light of the Emperor"- Emperor Class Battleship that has been in the Hammermont defense fleet for centuries, dispatched with the 12th to assist them in their fight against Chaos.


I'll try to get my last one up sometime today. Let me know if you want me to expand on anything.