Sic transit gloria mundi
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To sub a unit inspired by the canonical Imperial scout troopers...by using Wood Elves and thus making Space Legolas a thing. This submission continues the trend of Firemane utilising native Sepoys, in the manner historical colonial powers and groups like the East India Company did. As a recon unit largely recruited from a low-tech race, they lack the hard-hitting power of regulars, but possess some unique skills.
- Image Credit: Here. Eldar Scout by DavidAp. Found on davidap.deviantart.com.
- Role: Scout troopers for Firemane's ground forces.
- Links: Vashyada, Firemane, Tygara, Dahomey, Abregado-Rae Guild of Hammers, Imperial scout troopers.
- Unit Name: Eyes of the Forest
- Affiliation: Siobhan Kerrigan, Firemane.
- Classification: Light infantry, scout troopers.
Standard:
- Spectre Scout Armour. Comlink has an encryption device. Wear earpiece communicators with built-in translators.
- Standard blaster weapons, stealth carbines, shattergun rifles, Graphite bows.
- Shatterpistols, scout trooper blaster pistol or Racket's Bite shatterpistol as common sidearms.
- Frag, smoke, incendiary, gas, stun, concussion, flashbang grenades, thermal detonators etc.
- Military rations, water purifiers, camouflage tents, grappling hooks, micro-cords, recon droids, no-shows. Vibroknives.
- Energy bow. Bobcaster
- ACS-207 Aerosolblaster (purchase request here, approved here), Concealed dart launcher.
- Sonic stunner
- A280 CFE Blaster
- Bolt-thrower, dart riflehttp://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Dart_gun (variable chemical payload).
- Garotte, Vac blade, molecular stilettohttp://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Molecular_stiletto, monofilament wire.
- ACS-208 Wrist Ion Beamer (storefront request here, permission here). Wrist Bolter, ACS-208 Wrist Tensor (storefent request here, permission here)
- Neural band.
- Mk2 bolter, hard sound guns, concussion rifles,
- Nightstinger sporting blaster rifle.
- TS-Vonginator (access due to supply contract for FFE gear).
- Devastator multi-purpose mine
- Laser designator to designate targets for guided bombs, precision guided artillery munitions, missiles or orbital strikes.
COMBAT INFORMATION
- Availability: Rare
- Deployment: Minor
- Highly mobile, stealthy and excellent scouts. The Eyes are perfect for reconnaissance operations, targeted assassination of high-value targets, long-range combat and so on. Capable marksmen, they emphasise disciplined fire and precision over blazing away at targets.
- Having grown up in forests where danger is everywhere and carelessness gets you killed, the Vashyada, who make up the bulk of the unit, have very well-developed senses of smell, hearing and sight. Being adapted to nature, they are excellent trackers, can navigate by signs and are good hunters. While lacking the racial characteristics of the Wood Elves, the Dahomians are similarly adept at tracking.
- Light infantry. They suffer against mobile armour and heavy weapons. They're not suitable for pitched combat. They also lack heavy vehicles.
- Vashyada are unused to wide open spaces, as they come from the close confines of forest, river and clearings. Caverns and the like are easier to deal with.
The old Galactic Empire's Stormtrooper Corps maintained special units called scout troopers. Trained for stealth and recon, these soldiers were less heavily armed than their brethren, but competent scouts and stealthy operators. They proved their utility on several battlefields.
Flash forward several centuries, and Firemane Industries desired to set up a similar unit. When it came to composition, the corporation's generals turned to two ethnic groups, the Vashyada and the Dahomians. The Vashyada are one of the many Eldorai sub-races, and can be best described as Wood Elves. They are agile, tough by Eldorai standards, excellent hunters and trackers. Moreover, they have even better senses than the other elf races. Both the Qadiri and the Xioquo learned that the forests their cousins inhabit can easily become death traps, as the Vashyada repelled several attacks from both races, despite being the least technologically developed of the Tygaran natives.
After making first contact with Firemane, a number of Wood Elves became curious about what lay beyond their forest - and indeed their homeworld. These were recruited for the scout corps. To provide officers and trainers, Firemane turned to its Dahomian soldiers. The natives of the tropical planet of Dahomey have long been an elite corps in Firemane. Moreover, they're used to fighting as light infantry and utilising irregular tactics. This made them a good match for the Vashyada, who had to be trained in the use of modern weapons. It is intended to eventually promote Vashyada who've proven themselves to officer rank. The new unit was given the name Eyes of the Forest.
To command and drill each squad Firemane makes a special offer to experienced rankers: They can accept a promotion to Sergeant in the Eyes. This posting lasts for three years, and those who perform well can transfer back to the regular forces with their NCO status intact, or advance to officer rank in the Eyes. This empowers the lower ranks and gives them incentive to train and have their unit perform well in action. Needless to say the selection process is still rather thorough, as the Eyes require leaders with the ability to work more independently than an officer or NCO in the regular forces. A degree of empathy when dealing with a rank and file drawn from a low-tech race that until recently had never heard of blasters, FTL or droids is also required.
Compared to the Firemane regulars and Qadiri Sepoys, there's less rigid formality or saluting in the Eyes. Unlike with many Eldorai units, the gender ratio is even because the Vashyada are free of the sexism that's a hallmark of their cousins. And the pragmatic Dahomians are indifferent to gender wars.
Compared to Firemane regulars, the Eyes are more lightly armed and armoured. Heavy weapons are available, but only in limited supply and rarely used. Their primary duty is to conduct recon operations, patrol perimeters, identify enemy strong points and weak spots, command centres, communications installations and so on. Their training also makes them adept at guerilla warfare. In a combat zone, they could be utilised to infiltrate enemy territory and possibly train and lead friendly natives, similar to how the Rebel Alliance utilised Ewoks during the Battle of Endor. Moreover, they can identify and mark targets for air or artillery strikes, set traps and so on.
Their stealthy prowess also makes them good for sabotage operations, assassinations of high-value targets, such as enemy officers and long-range combat. Stealthy weapons such as shatterguns, stealth carbines and Graphite bows are popular among the Eyes. They also receive training in knife fighting and hand-to-hand combat. Transport is generally provided by speeder bike, should vehicles be required. Should the terrain require it, boats are available for use. When deployed alongside Firemane troops, small units of Eyes are attached to combat units of Firemane regulars, relaying their findings to the responsible commander. This makes coordination essential, as good intel is of little use if it is not exploited properly.
However, the Eyes are not equipped for prolonged combat. These girls and boys aren't meant to storm trenches or heavily fortified positions. This would undoubtedly go poorly for them. Bottom line, if they encounter large concentrations of enemy forces, it would be better for them to evade or retreat, especially since they're deployed in small squads. The Vashyada are still new to modern weapons, and thus will require time to adapt. Moreover, they're used to living and fighting in the forest. Thus wide, open spaces can be unnerving for them.
