Difference between revisions of "The Arcadians"
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===Unit Description=== | ===Unit Description=== | ||
| − | The Arcadians were an unregistered [[Federated Suns]]-affilated mercenary [[BattleMech]] [[regiment]] | + | The Arcadians were an unregistered, [[Federated Suns]]-affilated, mercenary [[BattleMech]] [[regiment]]. The regiment later grew to be a combined-arms unit similar to an [[AFFS]] [[Regimental Combat Team]]. |
===Unit Insigna=== | ===Unit Insigna=== | ||
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===History=== | ===History=== | ||
====Formation==== | ====Formation==== | ||
| − | The unit was formed in [[3042]] by twenty senior field-grade officers from the [[AFFS]] military. These officers wanted to take advantage of the [[Federated Commonwealth|Federated Commonwealth's]] re-organization of its military in wake of the [[War of 3039]]. At the time, a number of regiments within the Federated Suns were being demobilized and officers and senior NCOs were | + | The unit was formed in [[3042]] by twenty senior field-grade officers from the [[AFFS]] military. These officers wanted to take advantage of the [[Federated Commonwealth|Federated Commonwealth's]] re-organization of its military in wake of the [[War of 3039]]. At the time, a number of regiments within the Federated Suns were being demobilized and both officers and senior NCOs were regularly retiring or being cut as a part of this reorganization. Seeing a potential opportunity, the twenty officers involved in founding the Arcadians quietly began recruiting personnel from within the ranks of the [[AFFS]] before retiring, cashing in their pensions and retirement funds and forming an independent command.<ref name="FM:MRp39"/> |
| − | The founding officers had sufficient funds to purchase a [[regiment]]'s worth of [[BattleMechs]], most of which were older, [[Succession | + | The founding officers had sufficient funds to purchase a [[regiment]]'s worth of [[BattleMechs]], most of which were older, [[Succession War]]-era technology intended to be scrapped or mothballed. Their quiet recruiting work prior to retiring left them able to fill all the ranks for their new unit with retired and recently-discharged personnel from the AFFS military. <ref name="FM:MRp39"/> |
====Early Contracts==== | ====Early Contracts==== | ||
| − | Using | + | Using contacts accumulated during a lifetime of military service with the [[AFFS]], the Arcadians were able to acquire contracts protecting a number of major private military supplier complexes. This work gave the unit ready access to steady income, [[lostech]] advances, and time to upgrade their equipment. These contracts, interspersed with garrison work and occasional raiding missions, has kept the unit’s military skills sharp.<ref name="FM:MRp39"/> |
====Service to the Federated Commonwealth==== | ====Service to the Federated Commonwealth==== | ||
| − | The [[Federated Commonwealth]] took over the Arcadian's contract in the wake of the [[Clan Invasion]] of 3050. The unit was deployed initially as a garrison force on the [[Capellan]] border to free up regular [[AFFC]] units for re-deployment to face the [[Clans]]. In [[3052]] | + | The [[Federated Commonwealth]] took over the Arcadian's contract in the wake of the [[Clan Invasion]] of 3050. The unit was deployed initially as a garrison force on the [[Capellan]] border to free up regular [[AFFC]] units for re-deployment to face the [[Clans]]. In [[3052]] the unit absorbed the demobilized [[AFFS]] 8843rd Armored Regiment into its ranks.<ref>''Field Manual: Mercenaries (Revised)'', p. 39 - "8843rd Armored Regiment information".</ref> This together with the formation of the 1st Arcadian Air Wing enabled the unit to become a [[Regimental Combat Team]]. |
| − | The Arcadians were rotated to the [[Clan]] border in [[3056]] where they would remain for the next five years.<ref>''Mercenaries Supplemental Update'', p. 39 - "The Arcadians original profile" - Unit stationed St. Ives Compact in 3061, prior stationed they were stationed Clan Borders for 5 years.</ref> The unit | + | The Arcadians were rotated to the [[Clan]] border in [[3056]] where they would remain for the next five years.<ref>''Mercenaries Supplemental Update'', p. 39 - "The Arcadians original profile" - Unit stationed St. Ives Compact in 3061, prior stationed they were stationed Clan Borders for 5 years.</ref> The unit was then deployed into the [[St. Ives Compact]] and were almost immediately involved in the [[Capellan Confederation]] invasion in [[3061]].<ref>''Field Manual: Capellan Confederation'', p. 16 - St. Ives Conflict & Capellan Civil War articles. Start actual Liao invasion (not peacekeepers) in 3061.</ref> The unit remained in the Compact throughout the fighting until it victory was achieved. They were then redeployed amongst the first wave of the [[Federated Commonwealth Civil War]] in [[3063]] as part of a strategic operation against [[Talcott]]. Here the Arcadians safeguarded the [[GM]] production facilities on behalf of Duke [[George Hasek II|George Hasek]]<ref name="FM:MRp39"/>.<ref name="FCCWp163>''Federated Commonwealth Civil War'', p. 183.</ref> |
| − | After the war ended in [[3067]] | + | After the war ended in [[3067]] the unit was deployed to [[Acamar]] to defend the planet from possible [[Capellan]] raids. By this time the unit had upgraded a considerable amount of its equipment. The unit had bolstered itself up to 126 [[BattleMech|BattleMechs]] including a number of [[Avatar]] and [[Sunder]] [[OmniMech|OmniMechs]]. The Arcadians also purchased an entire company of [[Arrow IV]]-equipped [[Demolisher]] tanks to outfit the 8843rd Armored Regiment, enhancing its artillery abilities. In addition they were presented with a company of [[Battle Armor]] and a pair of the new [[Templar]] Assault Class [[OmniMech]]s by Duke [[George Hasek II|Hasek]].<ref name="FM:MRp39"/> |
====Operation Sovereign Justice==== | ====Operation Sovereign Justice==== | ||
| − | In [[3068]], Duke [[George Hasek II|Hasek]] had the Arcadians conduct a diversionary raid as part of [[Operation: Sovereign Justice]], his invasion of the [[St. Ives Commonality]] and [[Capellan Confederation]]. This raid turned into a full invasion of the [[Capellan]] world of [[Ningpo]] | + | In [[3068]], Duke [[George Hasek II|Hasek]] had the Arcadians conduct a diversionary raid as part of [[Operation: Sovereign Justice]], his invasion of the [[St. Ives Commonality]] and [[Capellan Confederation]]. This raid turned into a full invasion of the [[Capellan]] world of [[Ningpo]] but subsequently went terribly wrong when the Arcadians encountered [[Hell's Black Aces]], an elite AeroSpace mercenary [[regiment]] contracted to [[House Liao]]. The Arcadian's Aerospace Wing took severe damage from [[Hell's Black Aces|Black Aces]] while the Arcadian ground forces landed near an armor-sheet factory. As the Arcadians approached their objective they were intercepted by the [[1st Taurian Lancers]]; the outnumbered [[1st Taurian Lancers|Lancers]] tore into the Arcadians. The ferocity of the [[1st Taurian Lancers|Taurian's]] attack, likely fueled by their prejudice against units of [[Federated Suns]] origin, left the Arcadians reeling. Although the Arcadian's cavalry squadron succeeded in flanking the [[1st Taurian Lancers|Lancers]], the unit was demolished in turn by attack runs from [[Hell's Black Aces]]. The damage inflicted by both the [[1st Taurian Lancers|Lancers]] and [[Hell's Black Aces|Aces]] inflicted upwards of 60% losses on the beleaguered Arcadians unit in a mere 24 hours. The Arcadians were forced to conduct a fighting withdrawal from the planet, losing their carrier [[DropShip]] the ''Darkstar'', and its remaining fighter compliment in the process.<ref>Mercenaries Supplemental Update'', p. 25 - "Arcadians failed raid on Ningpo in spring of 3068".</ref> The surviving members of the Arcadian Air Wing began to suffer from severe demoralization, robbing them of the fearless spirit they once possessed.<ref>''Mercenaries Supplemental Update'', p. 25 - "First Arcadia Air Wing" - Pilots suffer from severe demoralization, making them more timid.</ref> |
====Acamar And The Thirst for Revenge==== | ====Acamar And The Thirst for Revenge==== | ||
| − | By July [[3068]], the Arcadians had returned back to their base on [[Acamar]] and | + | By July [[3068]], the Arcadians had returned back to their base on [[Acamar]] and started to work on rebuilding their heavily damaged regiments. During this time the government of [[Acamar]] was secretly negotiating with the [[Word of Blake]] about possibly joining their growing [[Word of Blake Protectorate|Protectorate]]. In August the government made a formal announcement that the Arcadians had two choices: terminate their contract with the [[Federated Suns]] and sign up with the [[Word of Blake Protectorate|Protectorate]] or pack up and leave [[Acamar]] immediately with the promise of being unmolested if they did so. [[Colonel]] Andrews sent an HPG message to [[New Avalon]] and [[New Syrtis]] requesting confirmation of the situation; what the Arcadian commander did not realize was that the [[Word of Blake|Blakists]] were already in control of [[Acamar|Acamar’s]] Hyper Pulse Generator station. [[Word of Blake]] forces on planet moved in, forcing the Arcadians into a fighting withdrawal. Unable to find enough transportation for all of their equipment, the Arcadians were forced to abandon the vehicles of their entire 8843rd Armored Regiment and its 3rd [[BattleMech]] [[Battalion]]. |
| − | After withdrawing from [[Acamar]] the [[Colonel]] managed to use his old corporate connections to rebuild his unit on [[Ronel]]. As the unit rebuilt, [[Colonel]] Andrews dispatched a liaison team to offer the Arcadian’s services to the [[Allied Mercenary Command]]. The Arcadians set their sights on liberating [[Acamar]] from the grip of the [[Word of Blake|Blakist]] forces and getting a | + | After withdrawing from [[Acamar]] the [[Colonel]] managed to use his old corporate connections to rebuild his unit on [[Ronel]]. As the unit rebuilt, [[Colonel]] Andrews dispatched a liaison team to offer the Arcadian’s services to the [[Allied Mercenary Command]]. The Arcadians set their sights on liberating [[Acamar]] from the grip of the [[Word of Blake|Blakist]] forces and getting a decent paycheck as well.<ref>Mercenaries Supplemental Update'', p. 25 - "Arcadians forced off Acamar and plot liberation of planet".</ref> |
====Destruction==== | ====Destruction==== | ||
| − | The Arcadians were destroyed by [[Word of Blake]] forces after being lured to a trap in [[3075]]. There were no survivors. <ref>''Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers'', p. 47 - "The Arcadians fell victim to a well-orchestrated trap in 3075 that destroyed the unit with no known survivors".</ref> | + | The Arcadians were destroyed by [[Word of Blake]] forces after being lured to a trap in [[3075]]. There were no known survivors. <ref>''Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers'', p. 47 - "The Arcadians fell victim to a well-orchestrated trap in 3075 that destroyed the unit with no known survivors".</ref> |
==Officers== | ==Officers== | ||
| − | As of 3067, the Overall Commanding Officer was [[Brigadier]] Michael Penne. Commanding Officer of field operations | + | As of 3067, the Overall Commanding Officer was [[Brigadier]] Michael Penne. Commanding Officer of field operations was Colonel Bradley Andrews.<ref name="FM:MRp39"/> |
==Dragoon Ratings== | ==Dragoon Ratings== | ||
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==Tactics== | ==Tactics== | ||
===3042 to 3068=== | ===3042 to 3068=== | ||
| − | The unit trained in traditional [[AFFS]]-style combined-arms fighting and was able to conduct unsupported battles. The unit preferred to first engage at range and whittle the enemy down before cavalry forces flank the damaged opposition | + | The unit trained in traditional [[AFFS]]-style combined-arms fighting and was able to conduct unsupported battles. The unit preferred to first engage at range and whittle the enemy down before cavalry forces flank the damaged opposition to deliver the final blow. <ref name="FM:MRp39"/> |
===3071=== | ===3071=== | ||
| Line 93: | Line 93: | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
| − | The specific number of [[DropShip|DropShips]], [[JumpShip|JumpShips]], and other surviving equipment prior to the unit’s destruction in the [[Jihad]] is unclear. The unit entry in the [[Field Manual: Mercenaries (Revised)]] | + | The specific number of [[DropShip|DropShips]], [[JumpShip|JumpShips]], and other surviving equipment prior to the unit’s destruction in the [[Jihad]] is unclear. The unit entry in the [[Field Manual: Mercenaries (Revised)]] does not specify the unit’s transport assets and the [[Mercenaries Supplemental Update]] gave little detail on the status or types of the equipment left prior to the Arcadian’s destruction. |
| − | The Arcadians are not mentioned in the [[20 Year Update]] | + | The Arcadians are not mentioned in the [[20 Year Update]]. This may be explained retrospectively through the Arcadians predominantly being hired by defense companies, rather than the [[Federated Commonwealth]], for the majority of the its existence up until the [[Clan]] invasion. |
==Rules== | ==Rules== | ||
Revision as of 06:51, 22 December 2011
Contents
Unit Description
The Arcadians were an unregistered, Federated Suns-affilated, mercenary BattleMech regiment. The regiment later grew to be a combined-arms unit similar to an AFFS Regimental Combat Team.
Unit Insigna
Their insigna was a crossed sword and lightning bolt on a gold shield.[1]
History
Formation
The unit was formed in 3042 by twenty senior field-grade officers from the AFFS military. These officers wanted to take advantage of the Federated Commonwealth's re-organization of its military in wake of the War of 3039. At the time, a number of regiments within the Federated Suns were being demobilized and both officers and senior NCOs were regularly retiring or being cut as a part of this reorganization. Seeing a potential opportunity, the twenty officers involved in founding the Arcadians quietly began recruiting personnel from within the ranks of the AFFS before retiring, cashing in their pensions and retirement funds and forming an independent command.[1]
The founding officers had sufficient funds to purchase a regiment's worth of BattleMechs, most of which were older, Succession War-era technology intended to be scrapped or mothballed. Their quiet recruiting work prior to retiring left them able to fill all the ranks for their new unit with retired and recently-discharged personnel from the AFFS military. [1]
Early Contracts
Using contacts accumulated during a lifetime of military service with the AFFS, the Arcadians were able to acquire contracts protecting a number of major private military supplier complexes. This work gave the unit ready access to steady income, lostech advances, and time to upgrade their equipment. These contracts, interspersed with garrison work and occasional raiding missions, has kept the unit’s military skills sharp.[1]
Service to the Federated Commonwealth
The Federated Commonwealth took over the Arcadian's contract in the wake of the Clan Invasion of 3050. The unit was deployed initially as a garrison force on the Capellan border to free up regular AFFC units for re-deployment to face the Clans. In 3052 the unit absorbed the demobilized AFFS 8843rd Armored Regiment into its ranks.[2] This together with the formation of the 1st Arcadian Air Wing enabled the unit to become a Regimental Combat Team.
The Arcadians were rotated to the Clan border in 3056 where they would remain for the next five years.[3] The unit was then deployed into the St. Ives Compact and were almost immediately involved in the Capellan Confederation invasion in 3061.[4] The unit remained in the Compact throughout the fighting until it victory was achieved. They were then redeployed amongst the first wave of the Federated Commonwealth Civil War in 3063 as part of a strategic operation against Talcott. Here the Arcadians safeguarded the GM production facilities on behalf of Duke George Hasek[1].[5]
After the war ended in 3067 the unit was deployed to Acamar to defend the planet from possible Capellan raids. By this time the unit had upgraded a considerable amount of its equipment. The unit had bolstered itself up to 126 BattleMechs including a number of Avatar and Sunder OmniMechs. The Arcadians also purchased an entire company of Arrow IV-equipped Demolisher tanks to outfit the 8843rd Armored Regiment, enhancing its artillery abilities. In addition they were presented with a company of Battle Armor and a pair of the new Templar Assault Class OmniMechs by Duke Hasek.[1]
Operation Sovereign Justice
In 3068, Duke Hasek had the Arcadians conduct a diversionary raid as part of Operation: Sovereign Justice, his invasion of the St. Ives Commonality and Capellan Confederation. This raid turned into a full invasion of the Capellan world of Ningpo but subsequently went terribly wrong when the Arcadians encountered Hell's Black Aces, an elite AeroSpace mercenary regiment contracted to House Liao. The Arcadian's Aerospace Wing took severe damage from Black Aces while the Arcadian ground forces landed near an armor-sheet factory. As the Arcadians approached their objective they were intercepted by the 1st Taurian Lancers; the outnumbered Lancers tore into the Arcadians. The ferocity of the Taurian's attack, likely fueled by their prejudice against units of Federated Suns origin, left the Arcadians reeling. Although the Arcadian's cavalry squadron succeeded in flanking the Lancers, the unit was demolished in turn by attack runs from Hell's Black Aces. The damage inflicted by both the Lancers and Aces inflicted upwards of 60% losses on the beleaguered Arcadians unit in a mere 24 hours. The Arcadians were forced to conduct a fighting withdrawal from the planet, losing their carrier DropShip the Darkstar, and its remaining fighter compliment in the process.[6] The surviving members of the Arcadian Air Wing began to suffer from severe demoralization, robbing them of the fearless spirit they once possessed.[7]
Acamar And The Thirst for Revenge
By July 3068, the Arcadians had returned back to their base on Acamar and started to work on rebuilding their heavily damaged regiments. During this time the government of Acamar was secretly negotiating with the Word of Blake about possibly joining their growing Protectorate. In August the government made a formal announcement that the Arcadians had two choices: terminate their contract with the Federated Suns and sign up with the Protectorate or pack up and leave Acamar immediately with the promise of being unmolested if they did so. Colonel Andrews sent an HPG message to New Avalon and New Syrtis requesting confirmation of the situation; what the Arcadian commander did not realize was that the Blakists were already in control of Acamar’s Hyper Pulse Generator station. Word of Blake forces on planet moved in, forcing the Arcadians into a fighting withdrawal. Unable to find enough transportation for all of their equipment, the Arcadians were forced to abandon the vehicles of their entire 8843rd Armored Regiment and its 3rd BattleMech Battalion.
After withdrawing from Acamar the Colonel managed to use his old corporate connections to rebuild his unit on Ronel. As the unit rebuilt, Colonel Andrews dispatched a liaison team to offer the Arcadian’s services to the Allied Mercenary Command. The Arcadians set their sights on liberating Acamar from the grip of the Blakist forces and getting a decent paycheck as well.[8]
Destruction
The Arcadians were destroyed by Word of Blake forces after being lured to a trap in 3075. There were no known survivors. [9]
Officers
As of 3067, the Overall Commanding Officer was Brigadier Michael Penne. Commanding Officer of field operations was Colonel Bradley Andrews.[1]
Dragoon Ratings
3067
Dragoon Rating: Unrated
3071
Dragoon Rating: Not Registered
Tactics
3042 to 3068
The unit trained in traditional AFFS-style combined-arms fighting and was able to conduct unsupported battles. The unit preferred to first engage at range and whittle the enemy down before cavalry forces flank the damaged opposition to deliver the final blow. [1]
3071
The Arcadians had to change their tactics following the loss of their artillery and the majority of their Air Wing on Ningpo. The unit resorted to close-in fighting instead of ranged combat while still using combined-arms tactics when they could.
Composition History
3042
The Arcadians (BattleMech Regiment)
3052
- The Arcadians (BattleMech Regiment)
- CO: Colonel Bradley Andrews
- 8843rd Armored Regiment - (Armor Regiment)
- CO: Lt. Colonel August Prentiss
3067
- The Arcadians (Reinforced BattleMech Regiment/Veteran/Fanatical)
- CO: Colonel Bradley Andrews
- XO: Lt. Colonel Willard Estevez
- 1st Arcadian Air Wing (Reinforced Wing/Regular/Fanatical)
- CO: Major Kelli Winston
- 8843rd Armored Regiment (Reinforced Armor Regiment)
- CO: Lt. Colonel August Prentiss
In 3067 the Air Wing consisted mostly of Stukas, Transgressors and Eagles. The 8843rd Armored Regiment consisted of a cavalry squadron and two heavy battalions plus an attached mechanised infantry battalion which included a company of battle armor.[1]
3071
- The Arcadians (2 BattleMech Battalions)
- CO: Colonel Bradley Andrews
- 1st Arcadian Air Wing (2 Air Lances)
- CO: Lt. Colonel Kelli Winston
Support
As of 3067, the unit contracted two JumpShips to transport their entire force to its various locations. It also had enough DropShips to move all of the ground regiments and the Air Wing.[1]
As of 3071, the Arcadians had been reduced to four DropShips transporting its two battalions of 'Mechs.
Notes
The specific number of DropShips, JumpShips, and other surviving equipment prior to the unit’s destruction in the Jihad is unclear. The unit entry in the Field Manual: Mercenaries (Revised) does not specify the unit’s transport assets and the Mercenaries Supplemental Update gave little detail on the status or types of the equipment left prior to the Arcadian’s destruction.
The Arcadians are not mentioned in the 20 Year Update. This may be explained retrospectively through the Arcadians predominantly being hired by defense companies, rather than the Federated Commonwealth, for the majority of the its existence up until the Clan invasion.
Rules
Game Rules
Field Manual: Mercenaries (Revised) - Force Specific Rules
- A player using the Arcadians may choose to roll on the "B" column of the Field Manual: Federated Suns Random Assignment Table or to roll on the "A" column of the Field Manual: Updates Random Assignment Table when generating equipment.[10]
- The Arcadians may use off-map movement.[10]
- All Arcadian BattleMechs and Vehicles apply a -1 to their to-attack rolls when making ranged attacks with any of the following: PPCs, LRMs, Gauss Rifles, Large Lasers and Autocannon/2s. This includes all ER, LB-X, light, pulse, RAC and Ultra weapons, as appropriate.[10]
Mercenaries Supplimental Update - Force Specific Rules
- A player using the Arcadians may choose to roll on the "B" column of the Field Manual: Federated Suns Random Assignment Table or to roll on the "A" column of the Field Manual: Updates Random Assignment Table when generating equipment. The Arcadians may also use off-map movement.[11]
- Due to their humiliating defeat on Ningpo at the hands of the Hell's Black Aces, the 1st Arcadian Air Wing suffers a -2 penalty to its initiative.[11]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Field Manual: Mercenaries (Revised), p. 39
- ↑ Field Manual: Mercenaries (Revised), p. 39 - "8843rd Armored Regiment information".
- ↑ Mercenaries Supplemental Update, p. 39 - "The Arcadians original profile" - Unit stationed St. Ives Compact in 3061, prior stationed they were stationed Clan Borders for 5 years.
- ↑ Field Manual: Capellan Confederation, p. 16 - St. Ives Conflict & Capellan Civil War articles. Start actual Liao invasion (not peacekeepers) in 3061.
- ↑ Federated Commonwealth Civil War, p. 183.
- ↑ Mercenaries Supplemental Update, p. 25 - "Arcadians failed raid on Ningpo in spring of 3068".
- ↑ Mercenaries Supplemental Update, p. 25 - "First Arcadia Air Wing" - Pilots suffer from severe demoralization, making them more timid.
- ↑ Mercenaries Supplemental Update, p. 25 - "Arcadians forced off Acamar and plot liberation of planet".
- ↑ Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers, p. 47 - "The Arcadians fell victim to a well-orchestrated trap in 3075 that destroyed the unit with no known survivors".
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Field Manual: Mercenaries Revised, p. 128
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Mercenaries Supplemental Update, p. 123