The Angry Wolf
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To balance the PvP aspect of the Shield Maidens of Stewjon. This sub goes hand in hand with the Shield Maidens of Stewjon [Group / Lore].
- Image Credit: The Valkyrie by Hans Makart
- Role: Ground Warriors
- Links: Stewjon
- Unit Name: Shield Maidens
- Affiliation:
Stewjon (Primary) - The Confederacy of Independent Systems (secondary)
[*]Classification: Infantry
[*]Equipment: Shield Maidens make use of generic swords, shields, daggers, and bows. These weapons would be of the kind that is considered primitive in Star Wars, resembling much the their counterparts in real life historical television and movies.
COMBAT INFORMATION
- Availability: Rare
- Deployment: Minor
- Strengths & Weaknesses: The Shield Maidens of Stewjon are women coveted for their physical and brute strength. They are formidable melee combatants, chosen from naturally strong stock and then trained to be stronger still. These women would be just as strong as men undergoing the same training, which explains their rarity. Coming to face one on one or in small groups, these women are very likely to entirely wipe out their enemies, holding nothing back when it comes to extremes and efficient methods.
However, the Shield Maidens of Stewjon lack anything technological. They do not know how to use pistols, sabers, slugthrowers, or protect against them either. While they know how to equip a bow, they do so more for hunting and less during battle, as ranged attacks are far from being a forte for them. Additionally, when facing swarms of enemies, the Shield Maidens are likely to find themselves easily overwhelmed, as their strength is singles and small groups. The Shield Maidens are also unequipped to fight vehicles or ships, though they do know how to fight against horse backed units.
Identical to the History in the Shield Maidens of Stewjon [Group / Lore]
Stewjon is a planet that resembles Ancient Nordic in some of the most prominent parts of its culture, alongside having a caste system from which it is very hard to split. Those who are born as farmers remain farmers, those who are born lords remain lords, and the only group that is set aside from these harsh rules are the Warrior caste, who offer opportunity mostly towards men. There is only one exception – the Shield Maidens.No one is certain when the Shield Maidens came to be, but Stewjon folklore is sprinkled with stories of formidable women wielding weapons and fighting in the front lines. At some point, all fighting women were labelled as "Shield Maidens", and eventually, they became an official unit, with their own specific set of rules, weaved carefully into the web of Stejwoni life.
Few can join the Shield Maidens. Women who are under 5"8 / 1m75 are automatically turned away and do not receive the chance to participate in the skill fights. Those who are tall enough must also be bulky enough, as the Shield Maidens to not accept lanky, overly lean, or narrow-boned women into their ranks either. More than once have their appearances been called manly, supported by their high above average muscle mess, lowered testosterone, and tendency to grow side burns.
Training among the Shield Maidens is grueling. Upon acceptance, they undergo 18 months of harsh boot camp, given only minimal sleep and downtime. They are trained predominantly in hand to hand combat, required to hunt or forage for their food, and are expected to set aside any notions of love and raising their own families.
When war happens on Stewjon, it is oftentimes villages or cities fighting each other. The planet has very little experience with interplanetary fighting, and space travel tech is not available to the castes who are not Lords. During war, the Shield Maidens are sent out to the front lines as infantry units, and are expected to slay their opponents down mostly with their swords.
Shield maidens die young. There is no veteran program, no expectancy to go into pension, nothing. These women fight with every breath they take, and they fight until they are killed. It is rare to come across a Shield Maiden over the age of forty.
