Difference between revisions of "Swordsworn"
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{{Update Needed|[[Era Digest: Dark Age]]|[[Field Manual: 3145]]|[[Era Report: 3145]]|[[Turning Points: Irian]]}}
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[[File:Swordsworn.jpg|right|thumb|Swordsworn Emblem]]
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{{InfoBoxFactions
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The '''SwordSworn''' were a pro-[[House Davion|Davion]] military Splinter group that operated in the [[Republic of the Sphere]] from [[3132]] to [[3136]].
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| crest = [[File:Swordsworn -Brigade logo.png|center|200px]]
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| factionname = Swordsworn
 +
| year = [[3134]]
 +
| timeperiod = [[Dark Age Era]]
 +
| classification = Coalition
 +
| systems =
 +
| capital =
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| rulertitle = [[Duke]]
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| military = unknown
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| secretservice = unknown
 +
}}
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The '''Swordsworn''' were a pro-[[House Davion|Davion]] Military Coalition that operated in the [[Republic of the Sphere]] from [[3132]] to [[3136]].
  
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==Organization Description==  
+
==History==
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Under the leadership of former Lord Governor of Prefecture IV Duke [[Aaron Sandoval II|Aaron Sandoval]] the '''Swordsworn''' were one of the factions to break away from the [[Republic of the Sphere]] in the early [[3130]]'s following the widespread collapse of the [[HPG]] network. They were later absorbed into [[House Davion]]. After the events of [[Fortress of Lies]], the SwordSworn is also co-lead by Duke Sandoval's nephew, Commander [[Erik Sandoval-Groell]].
+
===Formation===
 +
After [[Devlin Stone]] withdrew from public life in [[3130]], [[Aaron Sandoval (32nd c.)|Aaron Sandoval]], Lord Governor of [[Prefecture IV]] of the Republic, grew increasingly disillusioned with the state. His personal loyalty to Stone, encouraged by his father [[Mark Sandoval|Mark]], did not extend to the Republic as a whole. As time passed, his grandfather [[Mordecai Sandoval-Ito|Mordecai]]'s tales of [[House Davion]] grew more appealing, and [[Corwin Sandoval]] worked to shift Aaron's loyalties. In the wake of [[3132]]'s [[Blackout]], as the Republic fell into war, Aaron made his move, declaring for House Davion and forming a separatist faction, the Swordsworn.<ref name=FDSwordsworn>''Swordsworn'' Faction Dossier</ref><ref name=EDDAp20-22>''Era Digest: Dark Age'', pp. 20-22: "Swordsworn"</ref>
  
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==Composition Description==
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On top of Aaron's personal guard, the Swordsworn attracted many recruits close to Aaron and/or loyal to the [[Federated Suns]], some more won over by Aaron's rhetoric of freedom and prosperity and his record of pro-working class policy, as well as some simply hoping to be on the winning side of the conflict. Their initial focus was on securing Prefecture IV for the Suns, with interest in parts of [[Prefecture III|III]] and [[Prefecture V|V]] as well.<ref name=FDSwordsworn/><ref name=EDDAp20-22/>
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The Swordsworn were organized into three [[Combined Arms]] [[Regiment|Regiments]]. These regiments were loosely contained enough units to be considered fully functional regiment. When first organized, these unit were center around roughly a company of BattleMechs and civilian/militarized IndustrialMechs, with large number of vehicle and infantry forces filling out each of the regiments ranks.
 
  
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These regiments were referred to as;
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===Liao Incursion===
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===Davion Guards===
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In late 3134, Sandoval saw an opportunity to claim more worlds for House Davion, deploying a large number of Swordsworn troops to [[Prefecture V]] to contest the Capellan Confederation's Incursion into the Republic.
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[[File:SwordSworn Davion Guard Insignia.jpg|right|thumb|80px|Davion Guards' Insignia]]
 
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The Davion Guards is SwordSworn's premiere Combat Unit, where it shortly after the unit formation by Duke Sandoval, was renamed from Duke’s Honor Guard to its current name after the fall of the HPG Network in 3132. The Duke equipped the unit was best military hardware that his extensive wealth could afford. He placed, descent of Hanse Davion's friend and former Prince's Champion, Justin Sortek in command of the unit.<ref>[http://cf.sarna.net/docs/mwda_dossiers/swordsworn_davion_guards.pdf Davion Guards of the SwornSworn's dossier and thumbnail of background information.]</ref><ref>''Era Digest: Dark Age'', p. 21 Swordsworn - Update on Davion Guards - Unit not elite as once known, former name of Unit prior to Dark Age given.</ref>
 
  
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*Davion Guards - Commanding Officer of the unit was Justin Sortek.
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====New Aragon====
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*Motto: ''Strength of House Davion.''
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By August, elements of the Davion Guards and Ghost Legion were deployed on [[New Aragon]], fighting a brutal battle against Capellan troops for control of the planet.  The local militia force was in disarray after losing their Legate in the fight. Duke Sandoval and his cousin Commander Erik Sandoval-Groell coordinated their troops to route the Liao forces off planet.<ref>''Fortress of Lies'', pp. 1–29: Duke and Erik Sandoval fight with Davion Guards and other units fight off Liao invasion of New Aragon.</ref>
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*Commanding Officers: Colonel Justin Sortek / XO: Lt. Colonel Kiki O'Gorman
 
−
*Skill Rating: Green
 
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*Unit Specifics: 2 Battalions (As of 3132 - BattleMech Strength)
 
−
*Loyalty Rating: High
 
−
*Equipment Rating: B
 
  
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*Notes: The original Dossier for the Swordsworn's Davion Guards listed the unit as being Elite verse is green skill rating.
+
It wasn't until late October when the last Capellan forces left on planet were hunted down. In a notable battle, Commander Sandoval-Groell accompanied Ghost Legion BattleMechs on a 'Mech hunting expedition in the arctic reaches of New Aragon. With five BattleMechs, they were able to overwhelm a lone downgraded Clan ''[[Tundra Wolf]]'' that tried to elude them by fleeing to the ice region.<ref>''Fortress of Lies'', pp. 37–43: Commander Sandoval-Groell and the Ghost Legion hunt down a ''Tundra Wolf'' in arctic area of New Aragon. Noting this was among the final victories for total control of the planet.</ref>
  
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===Ghost Legion===
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After securing the planet, rumors that the Duke had been lost on [[New Canton]] begun to circulate among the Swordsworn forces. The Duke's DropShip had been heavily damaged by an explosion during liftoff and he was presumed lost in what appeared to be an assassination attempt. However, the Duke was revealed to be alive, having escaped the doomed DropShip in a ''[[Black Hawk]]'' BattleMech equipped with [[improved jump jets]]. The bulk of the Swordsworn forces on New Aragon headed to the next Incursion hot spot on [[Halloran V]].  Duke Sandoval briefly met up with his forces at the Swordsworn fleet staging area in the [[Pleione]] system.  There he named the Davion Guards' commander, Justin Sortek, as Campaign Commander for next assault against the Cappellans while the Duke and Commander Sandoval-Groell were assigned on a diplomatic mission to seek allies and strengthen the coalition.<ref>''Fortress of Lies'', pp. 97–99: Duke tells Erik that he is naming Sortek to head up campaign against Liaos on Halloran V.</ref>
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[[File:SwordSworn_Ghost_Legion_Insignia.jpg|right|thumb|80px|Ghost Legion's Insignia]]
 
  
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The Ghost Legion was are decendants of members of the mercenary group by the same name who operated during the [[Jihad]]. A [[battalion]] of the force ended up in the service with [[Devlin Stone]] and his Coalition Force.  Stone honored the unit, who swore loyalty to his new republic, by perserving as whole.  The Legion was preserved as a rotating training Militia unit, which was stationed in Prefecture IV since [[3127]].<ref>[http://cf.sarna.net/docs/mwda_dossiers/swordsworn_ghost_legion.pdf Ghost Legion Dossier cite unit stationed in Duke Sandoval's Prefecture for several years. Dossier original printing date November 3132.]</ref> As part of the Republic for decades, the Legion began resenting its status in its armed forces. After fall of the [[HPG]] Grid, unit's commanding officer whom was rumored to have strong ties with the Duke, involved their ties with House Davion and joined him under his banner as part of the SwordSworn.<ref>''Era Digest: Dark Age'', p. 21 Swordsworn - Update on Ghost Legion - Unit no longer listed as Veterans as once known in dossier, unit background listed and why it joined slightly tweaked. No longer part of Vanguard Legion.</ref>
+
On Halloran V, the Swordsworn were able to repel the Liao forces, and were then sent to [[St. Andre]].
  
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*Ghost Legion - Commanding Officer of the unit was Angie Chelsy.<ref>''Fortress of Lies'', p. 38 - Ghost Legion's commanding office listed, in fight with Erik Sandoval-Groell.</ref>
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====First Battle for St. Andre====
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*Motto: ''Take Them Before They Know You're There.''
+
On St. Andre, Sortek positioned the Swordsworn to confront House Liao's push into the Prefecture. In December the Duke dispatched Commander Sandoval-Groell to take command of troops on planet. Sortek's forces and the Capellans had both arrived in-system by the 12th, with Sortek landing his troops at an ancient [[SLDF]] Fortress, Fort Ravensgale. The remote base, located in the planet's isolated arctic regions, kept Sortek's forces from engaging the bulk of the enemies.  The Capellans landed in the heart of the planet's populated continent of Georama. These invaders quickly pushed the defending Swordsworn troops out of position and took the planetary capital of Jerome within days of fighting. The Swordsworn were weakened by Sortek's reluctance to fully commit his troops, fearing a trap.  Isolated in the Arctic region, Sortek's forces ran low on fuel and ammunition.  Inbound on a DropShip, Commander Sandoval-Groell attempted to advise Sortek on tactics, but struggled with limited intelligence due to his distance from the world.<ref>''Fortress of Lies'', pp. 228–229, 241–242: Swordsworn activities prior to St. Andre fight for the planet.</ref>
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*Commanding Officers: Colonel Angela Chelsy / XO: Lt. Colonel Srikrishnan Ral
 
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*Skill Rating: Regular
 
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*Unit Specifics: 1 Battalion (As of 3132 - BattleMech Strength)
 
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*Loyalty Rating: Reliable
 
−
*Equipment Rating: C
 
−
 
 
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*Notes: The Ghost Legion is highly mobile force. Its tactics shows an preference to moving fast, allowing shift tactics which allows the unit's take advantage its mobility on the battlefield.<ref>''Era Digest: Dark Age'', p. 21 Swordsworn - Update on Ghost Legion - Tactics of unit listed.</ref>
 
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===Prince's Men===
 
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[[File:SwordSworn Prince's Men Insignia.jpg|right|thumb|80px|Prince's Men Insignia]]
 
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The unit was created after the formation of the SwordSworn, when Duke Sandoval swore his allegiances to House Davion and the Federated Suns.  The unit is filled with hodge-podge of skilled warriors, who in whole are dis-organized by their nature. Many were considered loyal Duke Sandoval's cause, but other are suspected to be among ranks as opportunists. Origins of members stem from AWOL Repubican Militia to possible individuals hailing from the [[Draconis March]] in Federated Suns. The unit not being very well refined, was used to get simple objectives due to lack flexibility and lack of cohesion. By far largest formation of Swordsworn's three regiments, the unit is used as large numbers to make up cohestion issues.<ref>[http://cf.sarna.net/docs/mwda_dossiers/swordsworn_princes_men.pdf Prince's Men Dossier including all background information the "regiment".]</ref><ref>''Era Digest: Dark Age'', p. 21 Swordsworn - Update on Prince's Men - Expanded background, not many changes incomparison to other two units.</ref>
 
  
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*Prince’s Men - Commanding Officer of the unit is Unknown
+
After landing on planet, the Commander was able to organize a better defense as the Capellans began to marshal their forces on the shores closest to the Ravensgale cliffs.
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*Motto: ''You Want to Live Forever?''
 
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*Commanding Officers: Colonel George G. Herrling / XO: Lt. Colonel Aloys Palomer
 
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*Skilled Rating: Green
 
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*Unit Specifics: 1 Regiment (As of 3132 - BattleMech Strength)
 
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*Loyalty Rating: Questionable
 
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*Equipment Rating: B
 
  
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==History==
+
The Capellans began a three-pronged assault against the Swordsworn on Christmas Eve. Liao Aerospace forces were unwilling to risk flying through the Fort's powerful array of aerospace defense towers, so the attackers planned an amphibious assault through the tiny seaport settlement of Port Archangel to penetrate the base's defenses and silence the towers. Capellan DropShips waited in orbit as reserves to support the ground offensive. Waves of Capellan BattleMechs emerged from sea having deployed from a special commercial ocean vessel, rushing for the shore through heavy fire from the Swordsworn's coastal defense batteries.  Following the 'Mechs was a combination of VTOL and hovercraft forces.  After overwhelming the port defenses, the Capellans landed heavy ground combat units via ferry in an attempt to infiltrate the base's narrow vehicle tunnels.
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===Liao Incursion===
 
−
In late 3134, the Duke Sandoval seeing opportunity to bring on more worlds to his efforts deliver number worlds to House Davion, deployed large sum of SwordSworn troops to [[Prefecture V]] to fight Capellan Confederation's Incursion into Republic.  
 
  
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====New Aragon====
+
Despite being pushed back, the Swordsworn mauled the incoming Liao forces, causing significant attrition of the attacking force. However, the Capellans still managed to penetrate the base's interior perimeter, and the defense towers fell one by one in the face of the Liao onslaught. When all were lost, the waiting DropShips descended from orbit and hot-dropped their cargo of 'Mechs. However, the Swordsworn were saved when it was revealed that the Duke and his forces had overwhelmed the Liao's DropShips and landed in their place, rescuing their beleaguered comrades on the ground.
−
By August, elements of the Davion Guards and Ghost Legion were deployed on [[New Aragon]], fighting brutal battle against Capellan troops for control of the planet.   On world's militia force became in disarray, when their Legate was lost in the fight. Duke, along with his cousin Commander Erik Sandoval-Groell coordinate and led their troops to route Liao troops off planet.<ref>''Fortress of Lies'' pp. 1-29 - Duke and Erik Sandoval fight with Davion Guards and other units fight off Liao invasion of New Aargon.</ref>
 
  
−
It wasn't until late October when the last of Liao forces left on planet were hunted down. In a notable fight, Commander Sandoval-Groell was with Ghost Legion's BattleMech elements on planet when they went on a Mech hunting expedition in the arctic reaches of the planet. With five BattleMechs, they were able to overwhelm a lone downgraded Clan ''[[Tundra Wolf]]'' that tried eluded them when it enter the ice region.<ref>''Fortress of Lies'' pp. 37-43 - Commander Sandoval-Groell and the Ghost Legion hunt down Tundra Wolf in arctic area of New Aragon. Noting this was among the final victories for total control of the planet.</ref>  
+
After overwhelming the Liao invaders, the Duke's additional forces dropped off supplies.  Liao troops at the fort and Georama retreated from the planet. The Swordsworn also learned that the Capellans had stripped a considerable amount of their defenses to conduct the invasion of St. Andre.  Using salvage from the battle, the  Swordsworn begin to assemble a second army while the Duke continued with his efforts to build a coalition.<ref>''Fortress of Lies'', pp. 246–252, 262–287, 290–291: Siege of Fort Ravensgale and the aftermath</ref>
  
−
After securing planet, word of Faction leader was lost [[New Canton]] begun to circulate.  However, it prove to be false.  Bulk of the SwordSworn forces on New Aargon headed out to the next Incursion hot spot, [[Halloran V]].  Duke briefly meet up with his forces at SwordSworn fleet staging area in [[Pleione]] system.  There he named Davion Guards' commander, Justin Sortek as Campaign Commander for next assault against the Liaos.  While himself and Commander Sandoval-Groell were assigned to diplomatic duties to strengthen coalition against Liaos and join SwordSworn.<ref>''Fortress of Lies'' pp. 97-99 -  Duke tells Erik that he naming Sortek to head up campaign against Liaos on Halloran V.</ref>
+
====Service for the Suns====
 +
After the death of Duke Sandoval, his remaining forces shifted his support to Erik, becoming a de facto regular unit of the Suns', his personal command.<ref>''The Damocles Sanction'' ch. 1</ref>
  
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On Halloran V, the SwordSworn forces were able repel the Liaos, were then sent to [[St. Andre]].
+
====Operation Dawn and Solar Flare====
 +
At the dawn of the [[IlClan Era]], the Swordsworn followed Erik to [[Argyle]], as preparation for their participation at [[Operation DAWN]], the liberation of [[New Avalon]]. They fought under Erik's command for all the battle.<ref>''The Damocles Sanction'' ch. 1-8</ref>
  
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====First Battle for St. Andre====
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==Organization Description==
 +
Under the leadership of former Lord Governor of Prefecture IV Duke [[Aaron Sandoval II|Aaron Sandoval]] the '''Swordsworn''' were one of the factions to break away from the [[Republic of the Sphere]] in the early [[3130]]'s following the widespread collapse of the [[HPG]] network. They were later absorbed into the [[Federated Suns]].  After the events of [[Fortress of Lies]], the Swordsworn is also co-led by Duke Sandoval's cousin, Commander [[Erik Sandoval-Groell]].
  
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On St. Andre, Sortek positioned the SwordSworn to confront House Liao's push into the Prefecture.  By December the Duke dispatched Commander Sandoval-Groell take command of troops on planet.  However, Sortek's forces and Liao forces arrive in system by the 12th, where he lands his troops at ancient [[SLDF]] Fortress, Fort Ravensgale. The base isolated in planet's arctic regions, kept his people from bulk of the enemy force.  His Liao opponent landed in heart of planet's populated continent of Georama.  Liao forces were quickly pushed the defending SwordSworn troops out of position and took the planetary capital of Jerome within days of fighting.  This was due to Sortek reluctance to commit his forces fearing it was a trap.  Isolated in Arctic region, Sortek's forces were low on fuel and ammunition.  In bound on a dropship, Commander Sandoval-Groell attempted to advice Sortek in what he could do, but was limited on intelligence due to his distance from the world.<ref>''Fortress of Lies'', pp. 228-229, 241-242 - SwordSworn activities prior to St. Andre fight for the planet.</ref>
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==Units of the Swordsworn==
  
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After landing on planet, the Commander was able organize better defense as Liao forces begun to marshal its forces on shores closest to the Ravensgale continent's heavily cliff laden shores.
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* [[File:Swordsworn Davion Guards logo.png|80px|Davion Guards' Insignia]] [[Davion Guards (Swordsworn)|Davion Guards‎‎]]
  
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Liao forces begin a three prong assault against SwordSworn on Christmas Eve, where troop bearing DropShips, wait in orbit, ground troops commit to a amphibious assault against Fort Ravensgale through the tiny seaport settlement of Port Archangel. Liao Aerospace forces, unwilling risk being shot down by the Fort's powerful array of aerospace defense towers, use their amphibious assault penetrate the base's defenses to knock out the towers.  SwordSworn's coast defense batteries first fight waves of BattleMechs which emerge from sea, after being dropped off by special commercial ocean vessel.  Following the 'Mechs on the shore being damaged by SwordSworn artillery and missile batteries, are combination of VTOL and hovercraft base vehicles help penetrate their coastal defenses.  After overwhelming SwordSworn port defenses, the Liaos land heavy ground combat units via ferry try get through the one of the bases narrow vehicle tunnels.
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* [[File:Swordsworn Ghost Legion logo.png|80px|Ghost Legion's Insignia]] [[Ghost Legion‎‎]]
  
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Despite falling back, the SwordSworn give good show by mauling incoming Liao forces, however they manage penetrate the base interior perimeter. The defense towers fall one by one in onslaught of Liao ground forces.  When all lost, the Dropships from orbit descend on the scene and hot drop their cargo of 'Mechs.  However, SwordSworn are saved, as the Duke and his forces were able overwhelm the Liao's Dropships and slip in their place rescuing beleaguered forces on the ground.
+
* [[File:Swordsworn Princes Men logo.png|80px|Prince's Men Insignia]] [[Prince's Men (Swordsworn)|Prince's Men]]
  
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After overwhelming the Liao invaders, Duke's additional forces drop off supplies.  Liao forces at fort and in Georama retreat from the planet. Its learned Liao forces had stripped considerable amount of its defenses to amount invasion St. Andre.  Using salvage from invasion, SwordSworn begin to assemble a second army while Duke continues on with his efforts build coalition. <ref>''Fortress of Lies'', pp. 246-252, 262-287, 290-291 - Siege of Fort Ravensgale and the aftermath</ref>
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==Color Schemes==
 +
The Swordsworn uses Davion green and blue. Varying swaths of blue are used to denote rank and elite status.<ref>''MWDA: Miniatures''</ref>
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
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* Due to lack of published information, various information regarding specific actions of Prince's Men or what makeup and number of regiments themselves remains unknown as of this writing.
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* Due to lack of published information, various information regarding specific actions of Prince's Men and the makeup and number of regiments themselves remains unknown as of this writing.
 +
 
 +
* The original Swordsworn came from Republic worlds, but after rejoining the AFFS, their replacements came, almost exclusively, from Federated Suns' worlds.<ref>''The Damocles Sanction'' ch. 1</ref>
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
Line 84: Line 73:
  
 
==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
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*''[[MechWarrior: Dark Age]]''
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* ''[[The Damocles Sanction]]'' (novel)
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*''[[Fortress of Lies]]''
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* ''[[Era Digest: Dark Age]]''
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*''[[Era Digest: Dark Age]]''
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* ''[[Faction Dossiers (MWDA)]]''
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*''[http://cf.sarna.net/docs/mwda_dossiers/swordsworn_dossier.pdf Original Faction Dossier for the SwordSworn]''
+
* ''[[Fortress of Lies]]'' (novel)
 +
* ''[[MechWarrior: Dark Age]]''
 +
 
  
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[[Category: Minor Factions|Swordsworn]]
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[[Category:Swordsworn]]
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[[Category:Factions]]

Latest revision as of 08:38, 8 February 2024

Swordsworn -Brigade logo.png
Swordsworn
Faction Profile
Time period: Dark Age Era
Classification: Coalition
Ruler title: Duke
Military: unknown
Secret Service: unknown

The Swordsworn were a pro-Davion Military Coalition that operated in the Republic of the Sphere from 3132 to 3136.

History[edit]

Formation[edit]

After Devlin Stone withdrew from public life in 3130, Aaron Sandoval, Lord Governor of Prefecture IV of the Republic, grew increasingly disillusioned with the state. His personal loyalty to Stone, encouraged by his father Mark, did not extend to the Republic as a whole. As time passed, his grandfather Mordecai's tales of House Davion grew more appealing, and Corwin Sandoval worked to shift Aaron's loyalties. In the wake of 3132's Blackout, as the Republic fell into war, Aaron made his move, declaring for House Davion and forming a separatist faction, the Swordsworn.[1][2]

On top of Aaron's personal guard, the Swordsworn attracted many recruits close to Aaron and/or loyal to the Federated Suns, some more won over by Aaron's rhetoric of freedom and prosperity and his record of pro-working class policy, as well as some simply hoping to be on the winning side of the conflict. Their initial focus was on securing Prefecture IV for the Suns, with interest in parts of III and V as well.[1][2]

Liao Incursion[edit]

In late 3134, Sandoval saw an opportunity to claim more worlds for House Davion, deploying a large number of Swordsworn troops to Prefecture V to contest the Capellan Confederation's Incursion into the Republic.

New Aragon[edit]

By August, elements of the Davion Guards and Ghost Legion were deployed on New Aragon, fighting a brutal battle against Capellan troops for control of the planet. The local militia force was in disarray after losing their Legate in the fight. Duke Sandoval and his cousin Commander Erik Sandoval-Groell coordinated their troops to route the Liao forces off planet.[3]

It wasn't until late October when the last Capellan forces left on planet were hunted down. In a notable battle, Commander Sandoval-Groell accompanied Ghost Legion BattleMechs on a 'Mech hunting expedition in the arctic reaches of New Aragon. With five BattleMechs, they were able to overwhelm a lone downgraded Clan Tundra Wolf that tried to elude them by fleeing to the ice region.[4]

After securing the planet, rumors that the Duke had been lost on New Canton begun to circulate among the Swordsworn forces. The Duke's DropShip had been heavily damaged by an explosion during liftoff and he was presumed lost in what appeared to be an assassination attempt. However, the Duke was revealed to be alive, having escaped the doomed DropShip in a Black Hawk BattleMech equipped with improved jump jets. The bulk of the Swordsworn forces on New Aragon headed to the next Incursion hot spot on Halloran V. Duke Sandoval briefly met up with his forces at the Swordsworn fleet staging area in the Pleione system. There he named the Davion Guards' commander, Justin Sortek, as Campaign Commander for next assault against the Cappellans while the Duke and Commander Sandoval-Groell were assigned on a diplomatic mission to seek allies and strengthen the coalition.[5]

On Halloran V, the Swordsworn were able to repel the Liao forces, and were then sent to St. Andre.

First Battle for St. Andre[edit]

On St. Andre, Sortek positioned the Swordsworn to confront House Liao's push into the Prefecture. In December the Duke dispatched Commander Sandoval-Groell to take command of troops on planet. Sortek's forces and the Capellans had both arrived in-system by the 12th, with Sortek landing his troops at an ancient SLDF Fortress, Fort Ravensgale. The remote base, located in the planet's isolated arctic regions, kept Sortek's forces from engaging the bulk of the enemies. The Capellans landed in the heart of the planet's populated continent of Georama. These invaders quickly pushed the defending Swordsworn troops out of position and took the planetary capital of Jerome within days of fighting. The Swordsworn were weakened by Sortek's reluctance to fully commit his troops, fearing a trap. Isolated in the Arctic region, Sortek's forces ran low on fuel and ammunition. Inbound on a DropShip, Commander Sandoval-Groell attempted to advise Sortek on tactics, but struggled with limited intelligence due to his distance from the world.[6]

After landing on planet, the Commander was able to organize a better defense as the Capellans began to marshal their forces on the shores closest to the Ravensgale cliffs.

The Capellans began a three-pronged assault against the Swordsworn on Christmas Eve. Liao Aerospace forces were unwilling to risk flying through the Fort's powerful array of aerospace defense towers, so the attackers planned an amphibious assault through the tiny seaport settlement of Port Archangel to penetrate the base's defenses and silence the towers. Capellan DropShips waited in orbit as reserves to support the ground offensive. Waves of Capellan BattleMechs emerged from sea having deployed from a special commercial ocean vessel, rushing for the shore through heavy fire from the Swordsworn's coastal defense batteries. Following the 'Mechs was a combination of VTOL and hovercraft forces. After overwhelming the port defenses, the Capellans landed heavy ground combat units via ferry in an attempt to infiltrate the base's narrow vehicle tunnels.

Despite being pushed back, the Swordsworn mauled the incoming Liao forces, causing significant attrition of the attacking force. However, the Capellans still managed to penetrate the base's interior perimeter, and the defense towers fell one by one in the face of the Liao onslaught. When all were lost, the waiting DropShips descended from orbit and hot-dropped their cargo of 'Mechs. However, the Swordsworn were saved when it was revealed that the Duke and his forces had overwhelmed the Liao's DropShips and landed in their place, rescuing their beleaguered comrades on the ground.

After overwhelming the Liao invaders, the Duke's additional forces dropped off supplies. Liao troops at the fort and Georama retreated from the planet. The Swordsworn also learned that the Capellans had stripped a considerable amount of their defenses to conduct the invasion of St. Andre. Using salvage from the battle, the Swordsworn begin to assemble a second army while the Duke continued with his efforts to build a coalition.[7]

Service for the Suns[edit]

After the death of Duke Sandoval, his remaining forces shifted his support to Erik, becoming a de facto regular unit of the Suns', his personal command.[8]

Operation Dawn and Solar Flare[edit]

At the dawn of the IlClan Era, the Swordsworn followed Erik to Argyle, as preparation for their participation at Operation DAWN, the liberation of New Avalon. They fought under Erik's command for all the battle.[9]

Organization Description[edit]

Under the leadership of former Lord Governor of Prefecture IV Duke Aaron Sandoval the Swordsworn were one of the factions to break away from the Republic of the Sphere in the early 3130's following the widespread collapse of the HPG network. They were later absorbed into the Federated Suns. After the events of Fortress of Lies, the Swordsworn is also co-led by Duke Sandoval's cousin, Commander Erik Sandoval-Groell.

Units of the Swordsworn[edit]

Color Schemes[edit]

The Swordsworn uses Davion green and blue. Varying swaths of blue are used to denote rank and elite status.[10]

Notes[edit]

  • Due to lack of published information, various information regarding specific actions of Prince's Men and the makeup and number of regiments themselves remains unknown as of this writing.
  • The original Swordsworn came from Republic worlds, but after rejoining the AFFS, their replacements came, almost exclusively, from Federated Suns' worlds.[11]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Swordsworn Faction Dossier
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Era Digest: Dark Age, pp. 20-22: "Swordsworn"
  3. ↑ Fortress of Lies, pp. 1–29: Duke and Erik Sandoval fight with Davion Guards and other units fight off Liao invasion of New Aragon.
  4. ↑ Fortress of Lies, pp. 37–43: Commander Sandoval-Groell and the Ghost Legion hunt down a Tundra Wolf in arctic area of New Aragon. Noting this was among the final victories for total control of the planet.
  5. ↑ Fortress of Lies, pp. 97–99: Duke tells Erik that he is naming Sortek to head up campaign against Liaos on Halloran V.
  6. ↑ Fortress of Lies, pp. 228–229, 241–242: Swordsworn activities prior to St. Andre fight for the planet.
  7. ↑ Fortress of Lies, pp. 246–252, 262–287, 290–291: Siege of Fort Ravensgale and the aftermath
  8. ↑ The Damocles Sanction ch. 1
  9. ↑ The Damocles Sanction ch. 1-8
  10. ↑ MWDA: Miniatures
  11. ↑ The Damocles Sanction ch. 1

Bibliography[edit]

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