That's one problem that I've always had with the IG Codex to begin with: most Imperial Guard would be considered Conscripts. They don't really drive that home enough. Because the book focuses so heavily on regiments like the Cadians (who train from birth for military service) and Catachans (who just get weeded out from birth until military service) they don't bother to say that not every regiment comes from a martial background. The idea of a Guard "Tithe" that each planet is expected to meet means that it is literally conscription. The vast majority of Imperial Guard armies are drafted from amongst a system and then trained aboard the ships on their way to the battle.
Instead, because the book focuses on formations who receive exceptional levels of training before boarding their ships, or who are made up of volunteers or "would be" volunteers, you have a focus more on the regular Imperial Guard Platoon from the book. People think that those are the typical squads you would see on the battlefield, and that anything with real training would be a Veteran.
I'm not saying that people who say that their armies are elite are wrong either. But sometimes I think that they should be questioned as to what makes their entire formation worthy of Veteran status. And again, this is something which the book is guilty of as well, as many of the strategies for using Guard rely very heavily upon Veteran Squads rather than "regulars" and certainly don't want to be caught with Conscripts.
Totally agree with that sentiment. A point well made.
Ive put together a bit of fluff. Would you mind taking a look over it? Its obviously very raw and plenty of holes to find in it but I just wanted to get some feedback. Please tell me if somethings just down right silly
.
*** Mercian Ranger Regiments ***
9[SUP]th[/SUP] Mercian Rangers
82[SUP]nd[/SUP] Mercian Rangers
87[SUP]th[/SUP] Mercian Rangers
101[SUP]st[/SUP] Mercian Rangers
151[SUP]st[/SUP] Mercian Rangers
275[SUP]th[/SUP] Mercian Rangers
501[SUP]st [/SUP]Mercian Rangers
512[SUP]th[/SUP] Mercian Rangers
516[SUP]th[/SUP] Mercian Rangers (SSG)
517[SUP]th[/SUP] Mercian Rangers (SSG)
Standard Regimental Organisation
12 Companies
- Hotel (HQ Company)
- Charlie (Conscript Company) (Up to 3000 Conscripts at any one time)
- Able, Baker, Dog, Easy, Fox, George, India, Queen, King, Victor (Infantry Companies, containing roughly 300 men + attached vehicles and specialised units)
Mercian Regiments were traditionally 10 companies large (Able through King) and contained roughly 3000 men each.
During restructuring after the first traitor wars Hotel Company became a dedicated HQ company. The survivors of the 620 regiments were re-organised into 10 full standing regiments roughly 3000 men strong each such were their losses. Each regiment was now a full time standing army constantly reinforced. Each regiments Charlie Company was transformed into a Conscript company – some containing up to an additional 3000 men. Conscript companies now form the PDF forces of the remaining 3 planets and upon suitable experience graduate into the main ranks of their regiment.
Regimental History
The first 100 hundred regiments raised were PDF forces to guard the 12 planets of the Mercian Cluster. Many were wiped out during the first unexpected attack in the traitor wars. In response to the traitor wars over 620 regiments were and inducted into the Imperial Guard, most were raised and re-raised multiple times to defend the planetary cluster. After the imperium stepped in and destroyed much of the Mercian cluster, the Mercian losses were so great they were restructured into only 10 long standing regiments, those regiments that had the proud history to have never been re-raised.
*** Planetary Information ***
Mercian Cluster
A planetary cluster containing 3 planets.
Mercia Prime: Now a fortress world and home to the Mercian regiments
Mercia IV: The only remaining mining planet in the Mercian cluster
Mercia Effio: A small moon that orbits Mercia prime home to the majority of factories of the Mercians.
History
The Mercian cluster once contained over 12 mineral rich planets and moons (NEED TO PICK A LOCATION). Seemingly safe and hidden, the majority of Mercians were spared military service for back-breaking work in the factories and mines that spanned the multiple planets. A mere 1,000,000 men made up the Planetary defence forces, making up the first 100 small and inexperienced Regiments of Mercian Rangers, tasked to protected a tight cluster of 12 planets.
Given the name Mercians for the apparent Mercy they were granted in their safe life away from the tithe and almost guaranteed death of the imperial guard. The Mercians had it “cushy” or so they thought.
Chaos as it always does, finds it way in. Corruption spread and one by one the planets of Mercia and its unprepared, overstretched and inexperienced military fell to the temptations and lure of Chaos. As the billions of populace began to fall, traitor legions spread across the planets gaining control one by one. The Mercians responded reforging planets into extensive fortress worlds, desperate to hang on. Mass conscription took place as millions of men were conscripted into hundreds of regiments in an effort to keep the manufacuting process going and secure the valuable planets. Hundreds of years of war ensued before the Imperium stepped in. A decimated Mercian battlegroup retreated back to Mercian Prime the only planet left under reasonable Mercian Control. Planets were blown from the sky rather than have them fall into the permanent control of Chaos. By the end only 3 remained. Mercia IV was spared due to its more valuable resources and breathable atmosphere. As was Mercia Effio the moon of Mercia prime due to its close proximity.
“Mercian” now took on a new name. It represented the rare Mercy of the Imperium as it spared Mercian Prime and the Mercians existence as a race.
*** Mercian General Information ***
The Mercians have always been an over-stretched force. Ever since the first traitor wars they have had little control over the planets they inhabit. As such their combat tactics have never been about head on war, but clever diversionary tactics, small defensive cordons and the ability to hit and run. Whilst conscripts make up the bulk of the PDF, the Mercian regiments are constantly relocating across Mercia securing temporary mines, defending factories and infiltrating enemy territory to exterminate high priority targets in an effort to delay a war they are uncertain to win.
*** Affiliation with Scions ***
During the traitor wars, Scions were sent in to help secure important factories and mines at the head of Mercian forces. They passed on much knowledge to the Mercians and began to influence the way in which they conducted combat. Much like the Mercians themselves however, their losses were huge. As such a martial tithe was enforced. Every first born son was to be orphaned into the Schola progenium as payment and retribution to the forces lost, an act which is now a proud tradition. The Mercians are never to shy to claim that the Scions are their brothers in arms.
The effectiveness of the Scions supported by the Mercians became noticed over time. Combat tested, the Mercians learnt to provide the perfect operating theatre for the Scions on Mercia. Be it diversionary raids, or defensive cordons it became apparent that having a force in tune with how the Scions operated was of huge advantage. As such the 516[SUP]th[/SUP] & 517[SUP]th[/SUP] Mercian regiments were designated part of the newly formed SSG (Scion Support Group) and removed from operations on Mercia to other theatres of war.