Featured above: A Major equipped with a Pulverizer with an extended magazine.
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To add further detail to the Major class of Zealot warriors in the Bryn'adûl.
- Image Credit: ArtStation - Gears Tactics (image)
- Role: Special forces unit
- Permissions: N/A
- Links: The Zealot unit page (used for reference), ArtStation - Gears Tactics (image)
- Unit Name: Zealot Major
- Affiliation: The Bryn'adûl
- Classification: Acquisition & Assassination
- Description: Zealot Majors are veteran Zealots who lead 6-unit squads of Aeravalin and Baedurin Draelvasier. Despite being the lowest-ranked field officer of the Zealots, Majors are highly capable warriors with a large arsenal.
- Unit Size: Small (Majors typically command 6-unit squads)
- Unit Availability: Uncommon
- Unit Experience: Veteran
- Equipment:
- Armor
- [Limited] Barad Special Operations Armor
- Firearms
- [Minor] Driller Submachine Gun
- [Limited] Pulverizer Pistol
- Melee Weapons
- [Minor] Barad Kukri
- [Minor] Barad Glaive
- Armor
- Combat Function: Zealot Majors lead six-individual squads of Zealot Minors, serving as the lowest rank of field officer. They often coordinate actions among their squad and relay orders down from Officers or Commanders. However, in the absence of the presence of superior officers, Majors are expected to self-propagate. Their superior armament and combat experience makes them formidable foes, often much stronger than the Minors they lead.
- Special Forces: Zealot Majors are well trained in the more subtle arts of combat such as infiltration, assassination, and asset retrieval. Zealot Majors are capable of leading units in performing many specialized, high-value operations that other units such as Brutes would be incapable of.
- Bigger & Meaner: Majors are typically among the finer specimens of Zealot, heavily muscled even by Draelvasier standards and wielding a greater arsenal than Minors or Shadows. In single combat, the strength and stamina of Zealot Majors is nearly unrivalled.
- Field Commander: Zealot Majors are seasoned warriors who can effectively lead squads of Zealot Minors and coordinate actions among their members.
- Big Boys: As members of the Draelvasier species, Aeravalin and Baedurin Zealot Majors are well-built and can take serious punishment from most opponents.
- Tactical Introversion: Zealot Majors are at their most effective when operating alone, away from heavy frontline fighting. If the enemy vanguard detects a Zealot Major and their unit, then it is highly likely that they will be quickly ripped apart by superior enemy numbers and firepower unless they find an escape route.
- Big Boys: The considerable size of the Draelvasier species makes it difficult for Zealot Majors to hide themselves from keen-eyed enemies, and their large forms are easy targets for enemy marksmen.
- Reluctant Babysitter: Many Majors are proud of their rank and strength to a fault, and will disregard their squad’s needs while focusing on their personal condition. While usually only minimally harmful to a Zealot squad while performing routine tasks, a Major’s excessive expectations can lead to the death of many Minors in a high-risk mission. Alternately, overconfident Majors, especially those that are newly promoted, tend to rush alone into the heart of a battle and be overwhelmed by superior firepower, leaving their squad headless.
The rank of Zealot Major is bestowed upon Minors who have served for at least one year and have performed exceptional actions in combat.
Major is the lowest-ranked officer rank in the Zealot Order, assigned to lead six-individual squads of Zealot Minors in combat operations as their sixth member. Upon their promotion, they are given a brief training stint in squad command before being released, often back to the squad which they originally served in. If more than one Major is in a squad, then other Majors will be reassigned until only one remains. Sometimes, though very rarely, extra Majors will be combined into a “Major squad” with the most senior Major leading it. The other Majors temporarily re-obtain Minor rank until they can be reassigned.
