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Lunar Venatorii Articles ---

No finer Cavalry are found within the sector than the Lunar Venatorii Cavalry Regiments and their Wyrm Riders. They are the best the Astra Militarum of Ishtar has to offer form the breakwater defense needed to continue Imperial interests. On the training moon of Verliaus, the academies of war train the best and brightest of the Fringe if not the sector. Heavily fortified with every terrain available for training, the programs of Verliaus know no bounds. Veralius to be a renowned academic world, where scholars, specialists, and soldiers from across the sub-sector go to study, and is home to numerous Schola Progenium facilities. It is here among the populace of the training moon that the elite regiments of the Lunar Venatorii are raised, equipped with the finest of gear and trained at the finest of academies, whose officers even travel downwards to Tarakon and engage in the sacred ritual of wyrm-bonding, earning their right to command regiments of Venatorii and becoming honorary members of House Fásacha. Indeed it is the Venatorii that often accompany the Knights of House Fásacha in battle to deal with the most dire threats to the frontier, as well as fighting the bloody battles of expansion.

Work in Progress
To be added

Venatorii Academia
Lunar Venatorii are disciplined, elite soldiers who fight without hesitation until their orders are fulfilled. Commanders of the Lunar Venatorii are harsh yet inspiring leaders who ensure that every military objective is achieved -- no matter the cost. Without the iron-willed resolution of both, the Imperium would be severely weakened in its darkest hour. As well as being the elite wing of the Astra Militarum in Ishtar, the Lunar Venatorii is the training ground for the Imperium's finest martial operatives in Cavalry and Armor outside of the legendary Adeptus Astartes. It works alongside the Schola Progenium, whose facilities are governed by the Ecclesiarchy, to provide key Imperial institutions with the best recruits the galaxy can provide. The death rate amongst each year group of recruits is high, for the Venatorii Academia is as merciless as it is efficient. After three standard years of intense physical and mental conditioning, those who survive their training are assigned to a Lunar Venatorii regiment. From that point on they are issued with the very best of equipment and resources the arsenals of Verliaus can provide. In return they are expected to give their lives in the service of the Imperium and to obey the orders of their superiors without hesitation, no matter the horrors that confront them.

Lunar Venatorii are highly trained in the use of numerous heavy weapons, and are entrusted with special equipment of high quality and rare craftsmanship such as their Hellguns and Hotshot Lasguns, which are much more powerful versions of the normal Lasgun used by regular Guardsmen. They wear Carapace Armor and helmets sealed for hazardous environments. This armour also deflects and absorbs incoming projectiles far better than standard Imperial Guard Flak Armour. Lunar Venatorii are also given minor biological modifications to allow them to move quickly despite their heavier gear. Lunar Venatorii sergeants often wield rare and powerful equipment more commonly used by Imperial Guard officers such as Power Swords and hot-shot Laspistols.

Lunar Venatorii Cadets are divided by age to form training groups that will ultimately form the basis of their full battle regiments, to maintain a sense of brotherhood. Group sizes can start off as large as several hundred at any one time, though those who would not make worthy servants of the Imperium are quickly weeded out, and are not seen again by their classmates.

Military exercises with live ammunition are conducted in the harsh landscape surrounding a Schola Progenium or on nearby moons. Lunar Venatorii are often expected to endure solar days in the wilderness with little food or instruction, and limited weaponry with which to combat whatever violent fauna roams the planet. Yet with each roaming day, cadets improve in their performance. Their speed and endurance increase, they scale walls previously thought impossible to overcome, and it becomes obvious to even a novice instructor that true warriors are being forged. It is a strong belief within the Venatorii Academia that from the hottest of fires, the strongest bonds of brotherhood are born.

Unlike the Schola however individuality is encourage as well as thinking on the battlefield. A Lunar Venatorii is expected to operate him or herself with and without support, further they are to know how to cause the most damage to enemy while operating as thus.

Lunar Venatorii Commanders
A Colonel is the commander of a Lunar Venatorii Regiment and is always chosen from the most proven Wyrm Riders of the Lunar Venatorii having earned the right to the title Sealgair. Sealgair is a minor noble of Tarakon who succeeded in bonding with a Tarakonian Wyrm. Only these fierce commanders are allowed to lead the Lunar Venatorii Cavalry Regiments and are granted the rank of Colonel. These true leaders of men and women are not recruited or designated. They are instead created by circumstance, indelible spirits tempered by loss and hardship upon the fields of war. The presence of a beloved Colonel at the forefront can mean the difference between a unit standing firm or collapsing, the troopers fighting to emulate him or simply to protect him from the enemy's attentions. A Captain is the commander of a Lunar Venatorii Company whether it is a Dragoon Company or a Company of Horse Cavalry these are the leaders who hold companies at the ready. Among the Captains are their Wyrm Rider counterparts who are Non-Commission Officers, this is the Wing Leader, commanders of a Wing of Wyrm Riders, Two Wing Leaders jointly command a Company of Wyrm Riders. Standing proud amid the blood and thunder of the front lines, Captains and Wing Leaders sets an unfaltering example to the men he leads. In the face of nightmarish foes, they must provide their men with a bulwark of unwavering courage and decisive leadership. Most are hard-bitten heroes, skilled combatants and pragmatic strategists whose first loyalty is to the Emperor of Mankind. Typically, each Captain is escorted in battle by a retinue of battle-scarred Veterans who support their leader in the field.

A Lieutenant is a junior officer of the Lunar Venatorii who commands one of the platoons of a company. Their role is to ensure the platoon fulfils its Captain's orders and gets the job done. Trusted Lieutenants are to undertake more nuanced and vital missions -- gaining the high ground to outflank the enemy position or knocking out a heavily guarded shield generator so that artillery bombardments can commence. Like their Captains, Lieutenants are often accompanied by a hand-picked Platoon Command Squad who help them fulfil their duties.

Lunar Venatorii Horse Cavalry
The Lunar Venatorii horse cavalry senses are honed to a razor's edge, allowing them to recognize hidden threats in their midst, even enemies who are under cloaking devices. Their particular mission is usually to conduct long-range penetration raids deep behind enemy lines, responsible for bearing the brunt of the enemy's response when battle is finally joined. In other instances horse cavalry are used as expert scouts and specialists, when deployed in this manner they range ahead of the main Lunar Venatorii force, engaging enemy ambushers, launching surprise attacks, setting traps and herding enemy forces into the most dangerous of terrain. The Lunar Venatorii horse cavalry are trained in various different methods of warfare, including demolition, escape and evasion, survival and intelligence work. The trainees were expected to become masters of their weapons and techniques. They are deployed on the battlefield as scouts, patrol units and for quick hit-and-run attacks; living mounts allow Lunar Venatorii horse cavalry to function far from Imperial supply lines, in terrain unsuitable for mechanized warfare, and avoid detection.

Lunar Venatorii Wyrm Riders
Riding on top of fierce Tarakonian Wyrms, these bonded soldiers are the elite of the already elite Lunar Venatorii. In order for a Noble to lead a Venatorii Cavalry Regiment one must brave a Wyrm nest and raise a bonded Wyrm, gaining the honored title of Sealgair. Any of the common citizenry who manage to succeed and gain the title of Sealgair shall be allowed to join the House as a retainer. Only the greatest of warriors produced in the Ishtar Fringe could hope to become bonded to a Wyrm. Those most recently bonded with their Wyrms serve in the Calvary Regiments before being made full Sealgair and get their own Venatorii Cavalry Regiment.

Lunar Venatorii Operators
A skilled Lunar Venatorii is intimately familiar with the vehicles in his company -- he understands the strengths and weaknesses of each armament, the limitations of various engine patterns and the idiosyncrasies of every Machine Spirit. This allows him to wield his vehicles like a rapier or a battering ram depending on the needs of the battle. The Lunar Venatorii knows when to order his vehicles to launch full-throttle advances, moving to outflank the enemy position or dispersing to dilute incoming fire. Having lived through wars against the Imperium of Man's myriad foes, he can also identify weak spots in the enemy's armour towards which his company's gunners will direct their fire. To compel the might of the Astra Militarum's war machines is an awesome responsibility, for along with the lives of the soldiery a Lunar Venatorii Commander is also charged with responsibility for his regiment's mechanical assets -- a resource that is far more valuable and difficult to quickly replace.

Lunar Venatorii Vox Adepts
Lunar Venatorii also train number of highly technical specialists. These specialists depending on the specialty get hurried to the hush corridors maintained by the Mechanicus representatives of Verliaus. Of these are the famed Vox Adepts of the Lunar Venatorii, Electro-Vox Warfare requires an in-depth knowledge of the ins and outs of battlefield communication such as broadcast frequencies, electronic attack, cryptography, power generation, maintenance, and the dizzying array of communications gear fielded across the galaxy, electronic warfare is typically the purview of Operators, Tech-Priest Enginseers, and the occasional astute and tech-savvy Guardsman. No matter where they fight, these Guardsmen are equipped with some of the most sophisticated listening and broadcasting equipment issued by the Departmento Munitorum.

Mjorn cross trains Transmechanics under tutelage from the Archmagos primes to serve as Vox Warfare specialists instructors, sends some of these adepts to Veralius to aid in the creation of elite Vox warfare Lunar Venatorii Regiment elements. An Lunar Venatorii Vox Adept Operator is a rare specialist of the Imperial Guard who feels unusually comfortable around the Machine Spirits of the ancient devices utilised by the military forces of the Imperium of Man.

Lunar Venatorii Medical Adepts
They are trained as combat medics, fighting chirurgeons equally at home with a medi-kit as they are with a Lasgun. In battle, they stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their squad-mates, fighting with equal skill and fervour, and all the while patching, dosing, or administering the God-Emperor's Mercy to their brothers-in-arms. Going by many different names across the varying regiments of the Imperial Guard, Medics are put in charge of all medical gear and supplies sent to their squad by the Departmento Munitorum. Whether they receive simple bandages to wrap around las-wounds, or sophisticated combat-drugs and surgery kits, Medics are the ones who are entrusted with using this equipment to keep their squad healthy and prepared for combat. Many combat patrols, operating behind enemy lines for months, have stayed alive only due to the medical expertise of one of their squad-mates.

Newly Founded Regiments
Every Five to Ten years the Graduating Battalions are gathered in great commissioning ceremonies. Here the various classes in specific forms of Cavalry Maneuvers are combined and called Regiment. The Leadership is always selected among the Sealgair of surviving Lunar Venatorii Regiments who have been training the next Rider Battalion. From there the rest are assigned to the other three battalions of Cavalry.

A Light Cavalry Regiment:
Sealgair is a minor noble of Tarakon who succeeded in bonding with a Tarakonian Wyrm. Only these fierce commanders are allowed to lead the Lunar Venatorii Cavalry Regiments and are granted the rank of Colonel. With the Sealgair is the Rider Battalion of other Wyrm Riders and Horse Cavalry who are his elite forces in the regiment. The bulk of a Light Cavalry Regiment consists of two Mechanized Cavalry Scout Battalions and an Air Cavalry Battalion. Primary mission of Light Cavalry is Rapid Reconnaissance as well as rapid redeployment of assets to perform flanking maneuvers.

An Air Cavalry Regiment:
The Colonel of an Air Cavalry Regiment is a Sealgair that brings their Rider Battalion of other Wyrm Riders who are his elite forces in the regiment. The bulk of a Air Cavalry Regiment consists of three Air Cavalry Battalion. Primary mission of Air Cavalry Regiment is Rapid Reconnaissance as well as rapid redeployment of assets over terrain to rough terrain that even the Light Cavalry cannot transverse quickly.

A Cavalry Regiment:

 * Commanded of a Sealgair Wyrm Rider Colonel and a Rider Battalion
 * Two Mechanized Cavalry Scout Battalions
 * One Dragoon Battalion

A Dragoon Regiment:

 * Commanded of a Sealgair Wyrm Rider Colonel and a Rider Battalion
 * Two Dragoon Battalions
 * One Heavy Dragoon Battalion

A Heavy Cavalry Regiment:

 * Commanded of a Sealgair Wyrm Rider Colonel and a Rider Battalion
 * Two Heavy Dragoon Battalions
 * One Armored Battalion

An Armored Cavalry Regiment:

 * Commanded of a Sealgair Wyrm Rider Colonel and a Rider Battalion
 * Two Light Armored Battalions
 * One Armored Battalion

A Rider Battalion:
Rider Battalions commanded by a Marshal with his personal command company running the rest of the battalion. The Rider Battalions main line troops are divided into two types of companies of two each. Wyrm Rider Companies and Horse Cavalry Companies are the main source of strength for a Rider Battalion. The Subordinate Horse Cavalry Companies are made up in turn of two to four Horse Rider Platoons commanded by a Captain riding in Salamander Command Variant Armored Personnel Carrier with an escort of Five Biker Scouts. Horse Cavalry Platoons lead by Lieutenants and their command squads, contain three to five squads of Horse Cavalry lead by Sergeants. A Wyrm Rider Company is made up of Two Wings of Wyrm Riders each lead by a Wing Leader. Three to five Squads of Wyrm Riders lead by Sergeants, make up a Tarakonian Wyrm Wing. The Command Company is equal parts Horse Cavalry and Wyrm Rider and will consist of a Veteran Tarakonian Wyrm Wing and a Veteran Horse Rider Platoon. This give the Command Company the flexibility to meet the challenges of each of it's subordinate companies. Rider Battalions are considered to be the creme of the crop of the graduating classes of Lunar Venatorii with their elite Wyrm Riders riding on massive flying beasts of fierce temperament and the Horse Cavalry whose specialties allow them to penetrate deep into enemy lines using sabotage and infiltration.

A Mechanized Cavalry Scout Battalion:
Mechanized Cavalry Scout Battalions consist wholly of Mechanized Cavalry Scouts. This is one of the main specialties of the Lunar Venatorii Cavalry. Reconnaissance and working ahead of main battle-lines these Companies are the backbone of Both the Cavalry and Light Cavalry regiments. The Mechanized Scout Battalion consists of four to six main line companies and a command company commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel. The Lieutenant Colonel commands from a Salamander Command Variant Armored Personnel Carrier escorted by Five Bike Scouts plus and additional six additional Cavalry Scout Squads. The five main line Mechanized Scout Companies consist of two to four Mechanized Scout Platoons commanded by a Captain with a Salamander Command Variant Armored Personnel Carrier escorted by Five Bike Scout Veterans. Lead by a Lieutenant and his Command Squad in a Salamander Command Variant Armored Personnel Carrier and a Escort of Scouts mounted on Combat Bikes, Mechanized Cavalry Scout Platoons consists of three to five Mechanized Cavalry Scout Squads on mounted on Tauros Rapid Assault Vehicles and Combat Bikes lead by sergeants and supported by either a Squad mounted on Sentinel variant walkers or a Heavy Mechanized Scout Squad mounted in Tauros Venators and Tauros Rapid Assault Vehicles with corresponding heavier load-outs.

An Air Cavalry Battalion:
Air Cavalry Battalions in the Lunar Venatorii are air assets assigned only to the lightest of Battalions. Going where ground transports can not easily reach their pilots are permanently assigned to the unit straight out of the Schola. The Air Cavalry Battalion consists of about four Air Cavalry Line Companies as well as a Command Company and a Specialist Company. The Four Air Cavalry line Companies consist of three or four Air Cavalry Platoons Commanded by a Captain with a Command Squad in a Vendetta Command Variant. The Command Company is similar but with the Lieutenant Colonel leading the Battalion and his Command Company from the Vendetta Command Variant. The Specialist Company would Either be a Medical or Vox Adept Air Cavalry Company but with a attached specialist squad of the other. Air Cavalry Platoons commanded by Lieutenants and their command squads ride into battle in Sky Talons leading three to five squads of Air Cavalry Troopers riding in Valkyrie Assault Carriers lead by Sergeants. Each Valkyrie is carrying either a variants of Sentinel Combat Walkers or Tauros Rapid Assault Vehicles.

A Dragoon Battalion:
Dragoon Battalions are larger than Cavalry Scout or Air Cavalry Battalions but contained the least skilled in mounted combat. Dragoon Battalions are Mechanized Battalions of Guardsmen who ride in Chimera Variant Armored Personnel Carriers or Taurox Armored Personnel Carrier which conversely makes them the most heavily armed and armored Battalions in the light regiments and the most mobile in the heavy Regiments. Specializing in light tank warfare as well as Reconnaissance these Battalions make up some of the more versatile in the Lunar Venatorii. Commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel mounted in a Command Variant Chimera Armored Personnel Carrier with his Command Company which consists of two Dragoon Platoons similarly mounted in Armored Personnel Carriers, the Colonel takes charge of three companies of Dragoons as well as a Vox Warfare Dragoon Company and a Medicae Dragoon Company. Each Line Dragoon Company consists of two to four Dragoon Platoons commanded by a Captain with his command squad also mounted in a Command Variant of either the Taurox or Chimera. Each Dragoon Platoon is lead by a Lieutenant and their command squad, commanding three to five squads of Line Troopers mounted appropriately.

A Breacher Dragoon Battalion:
Transcending into the lightest Battalions of Heavy Regiments Breacher Dragoon Battalions are specialist Dragoon Battalions whose vehicle patterns are designed for ambushing and breaching battle-lines. The Super Heavy Class Tanks of the Lunar Venatorii instead of being assigned in concentrated groups are designated Headquarters for 'heavy' Battalions which also serves as the mount of the Lieutenant Colonel in charge of that Battalion. Each Super Heavy Tank is the center piece of the Command company consisting of three Breacher Dragoon Platoons. Five or Six Subordinate Line Breacher Dragoon Companies will fill the rest of the Battalion with each Breacher Dragoon Company commanded by a Captain in a Command Variant Chimera or Taurox. Three to Five Platoons will additionally make up the bulk of a Breacher Dragoon Company Strength. Mole Pattern Burrow Vehicles and Hellbore Pattern Burrow Vehicles plus Termite Assault Drills are the steeds of these Dragoons. Each Breacher Dragoon Platoon is lead by a Lieutenant and their command squad, commanding five to eight squads of Line Troopers mounted appropriately.

A Heavy Dragoon Battalion:
The Heaviest variation of Dragoon Battalions is the Heavy Dragoon Battalion. These Dragoons do not go to war the light vehicles of their brothers but ride in mighty heavy and super heavy class transports. The Super Heavy Class Tanks of the Lunar Venatorii instead of being assigned in concentrated groups are designated Headquarters for 'heavy' Battalions which also serves as the mount of the Lieutenant Colonel in charge of that Battalion. Each Super Heavy Tank is the center piece of the Command company consisting of three Heavy Dragoon Platoons. Five or Six Subordinate Line Heavy Dragoon Companies will fill the rest of the Battalion with each Heavy Dragoon Company commanded by a Captain in a Command Variant Chimera or Taurox. Three to Five Platoons will additionally make up the bulk of a Heavy Dragoon Company Strength. Crassus Heavy Armored Transports and Gorgon Super Heavy Transports crash through enemy lines creating holes as they release their deadly cargo of Dragoons and firepower. Each Breacher Dragoon Platoon is lead by a Lieutenant and their command squad, commanding five squads of Line Troopers mounted either together in a single Gorgon or in a pair of Crassus.

A Light Armored Battalion
The Light Armored Battalions are the lightest of what is considered truly armored. A Lieutenant Colonel Commands from a Leman Russ Battalion Command Variant Tank with an escort of Hellhound Variant Tanks with two or three additional squadrons of Hellhound Variant Light Tanks to make the Command Company. His command contains an additional five or six companies of Light Armor each being commanded by Captain in a Chimera Command Variant or Taurox Command Variant Armored Personnel Carrier with his command escorts of Hellhound Variants. Each Company additionally has three to five Light Armor Squadrons of three to five Hellhound Variant Light Tanks.

An Armored Battalion
The Armored Battalions are the Heaviest of what is considered truly armored. A Lieutenant Colonel Commands from a Super Heavy Class Battalion Command Variant Tank with an escort of Leman Russ Variant Tanks with two or three additional squadrons of Leman Russ Variant Tanks to make the Command Company. His command contains an additional five or six companies of Armor each being commanded by Captain in a Variant in a Leman Russ Command Variant Tank with escort Leman Russ Variant Tanks. Each Company additionally has three to five Armor Squadrons of three to five Leman Russ Variant Tanks.

The Specialist Company

 * A Vox Warfare Dragoon Company is a specialist section of Vox Adepts mounted in Mjorn Pattern Vox Warfare Variant Chimera with Two Squads of Guardsmen in Chimera Variants as guards commanded from a Command Variant Chimera, Commanded by a Master Warrant Officer, Vox Adept Sections lead Vox Adept Warrant Officers with Chief Warrant Officers in charge of each section.


 * A Vox Warfare Air Cavalry Company is a specialist section of Vox Adepts mounted in Mjorn Pattern Vox Warfare Variant Valkyrie with Two Squads of Guardsmen in Valkyrie Variants as guards commanded from a Command Variant Vendetta, Commanded by a Master Warrant Officer, Vox Adept Sections lead Vox Adept Warrant Officers with Chief Warrant Officers in charge of each section.


 * A Medical Dragoon Company is a specialist section of Medics mounted in Samaritan with Two Squads of Guardsmen in Chimera Variants as guards commanded from a Command Variant Chimera, Commanded by a Surgeon Captain, Medical Sections lead Medical Warrant Officers with Chief Warrant Officers in charge of each section.


 * A Medical Air Cavalry Company is a specialist section of Medics mounted in Medical Variant Valkyrie with Two Squads of Guardsmen in Valkyrie Variants as guards commanded from a Command Variant Vendetta, Commanded by a Surgeon Captain, Medical Sections lead Medical Warrant Officers with Chief Warrant Officers in charge of each section.

Recruitment
The population of Verliaus is like any Schola moon taking children who were orphaned when their parents perished in the service of the Emperor of Mankind, from daughters of Imperial Guard officers killed on the battlefield, to sons of Imperial administrators lost in the far reaches of space, and trains them to become the backbone of Imperial society as servants of the various branches of the Adeptus Terra. Most go to the Schola but those that don't end up in the Venatorii Academia. A high number of Tarakon citizens transfer to Verliaus for the chance to be accepted in those hollowed halls for the Lunar Venatorii are known throughout for their personal honor and skill. From these academies emerge the elite Mechanized and Calvary Regiments of Tarakon system, the Lunar Venatorii who serve as some of the finest mortal troops within the Ishtar Sub-Sector.

Standardized Equipment
The Lunar Venatorii make use of standard Astra Militarum equipment. All Lunar Venatorii are issued Venatorii Carapace Battle Dress and Mjorn Pattern M24 Hellpistol. Each job specification in the Lunar Venatorii then also get assigned additional weapons and equipment based on their role in the regiment.

Venatorii Carapace Battle Dress
 * Anti-Wicking Body Suit that extends up to jawline
 * Flak-Weave Combat Pants
 * Armored Gloves and traditional Cavalry Boots
 * Over these clothes are Carapace chest, back, and shin plates
 * Over the Carapace is a Flak-Weave Duster Coat w/ rank epaulets
 * Covering the head is a enclosed Rebreather Mask and traditional Cavalry Hat w/ rank braids
 * Over the Duster Coat is a Gear Bandolier w/ power packs, combat knife, frag grenades, uplifting primer, combat rations, and medical supplies
 * Standard-issue weapon is a Mjorn Pattern M24 Hellpistol in thigh holster


 * Sergeants additionally get assigned the grenades allotted to a Squad as well as carry a Ceres Pattern Bolt Carbines.


 * Wyrm Riders, Bike Cavalry Scouts, and Horse Cavalry Trooper are armed with a Melta Tipped Hunting Lance in addition to their standard kit.


 * Vehicle Drivers and Crews, Sentinel Operators, and Vox Adepts  pull only standard kit though the gunner of a crew can requisition additional weapons as needed for mission set. (i.e. Tauros, Taurox, Leman Russ, Chimera, Super Heavy Tanks, HellHounds, etc.)


 * The Line Troopers is armed with Mjorn Pattern M24 Hellpistol and a Mjorn Pattern M417 Hellgun.

Non-Standard Equipment
The Lunar Venatorii posses a variety of non-standard equipment.

The Lunar Venatorii Troopers are known to carry extra arms and armament into the field as per their personalities. The specialist and standard equipment are provided to them. But many carry an array of Auto-weapons and blades as extra weaponry to help in a pinch. Most have an extra pistol or two, and almost everyone has a boot blade of some sort. The elite Wyrm Riders generally have blades and armor pieces created out of talons and scales broken off from their mounts.

Cavalry Scouts

 * Combat Bikes are fast-moving ground vehicles capable of carrying up to one rider and usually mounting a light weapon. Bikes are used by several forces of the Imperium, Chaos Space Marines, Eldar, Orks and Squats, among others, often for reconnaissance and rapid support roles. Certain Rough Rider units of the Imperial Guard use mechanical bikes as mounts; although much less robust and heavily armed than their Space Marine counterparts, these bikes are used in very similar roles.


 * The Tauros comes in two standard variants: the four-wheeled Tauros Rapid Assault Vehicle which serves as a long-range scout vehicle, mounting potent anti-personnel firepower in the form of either a Heavy Flamer or Tauros Grenade Launcher, and the six-wheeled and more heavily armed and armoured Tauros Venator. The Tauros Venator is a further modified version of the Tauros, the principle change being the replacement of the standard anti-infantry weapon with a twin set of heavier weapon such as Autocannons or Lascannons.


 * The Vanaheim Pattern of the Command Salamander is fitted with a multi-spectral surveyor as part of its overhead hatch. This advanced piece of equipment provides the vehicle with magnification, night vision, and tracking capabilities. The Salamander Command is armed with a Heavy Flamer in place of the Autocannon usually mounted on a Salamander.


 * The Armageddon Pattern Sentinel is armed with a Lascannon, one of the most effective anti-tank weapons the Imperial Guard possesses, and this pattern is used in a very effect anti-armour role. The canopy is also fully enclosed with armour plating.


 * The Mars Pattern Sentinel is armed with a Multi-Laser which is effective against infantry formations and lightly armored vehicles. This pattern uses a partially armoured canopy.

Air Cavalry

 * The Valkyrie Sky Talon is a stripped-down Valkyrie modified to carry light vehicles instead of troops. The troop compartment is replaced with magnetic lifting clamps that allow the aircraft to latch-on to light vehicles, such as the Tauros or Drop Sentinels, and drop them from a very low altitude right into the heart of battle.


 * The Valkyrie Vendetta is a Valkyrie modified to carry 3 Twin-linked Lascannons which allow it to operate in the role of a dedicated tank buster and anti-armour asset while still mounting the two Heavy Bolters at its doors.


 * The Valkyrie assault carrier is a manoeuvrable, well-armed, twin-engine Attack Craft. The durable armour and versatile payload of the Valkyrie chassis combined with the aircraft's powerful engines and stable handling make it a popular choice for a broad spectrum of battlefield roles.


 * The Elysian Pattern Sentinel is armed with either a Multi-melta or a Heavy Bolter. Both variants of this pattern have been modified to fit inside a Valkyrie and are fitted with Grav-Chutes, so they can be "parachuted" into combat

Dragoons

 * The basic Chimera is equipped with a Multi-Laser but can also be outfitted with a variety of other heavy weapons, such as Twin-linked Heavy Bolters, an Autocannon or a Heavy Flamer.


 * The Chimerax is armed with turret-mounted, quad-linked Autocannons. Its design was intended to serve as a mobile anti-aircraft artillery piece in extreme situations where no other anti-aircraft capability was present that could also carry a squad of Imperial Guardsmen and provide close fire support for them. While the Chimerax's quad-linked Autocannons actually fared poorly against aircraft they proved more than capable of supporting the ferried troops.


 * The Chimedon is essentially a heavier armed version of the Chimera that serves as a light tank. The Chimedon is armed with a turret-mounted Conqueror Cannon for added firepower.


 * The Taurox Armoured Personnel Carrier is designed to hit hard and fast, exploiting gaps in the enemy battle line or plugging those torn in the Imperium's. Though lightly armoured, the Taurox packs a punch, mounting twin-linked autocannons to mow down enemy forces as it roars into the breach.

Specialist Companies

 * The 'Mjorn Pattern Vox Variant Chimera is equipped with a Multi-Laser and specialist Electronic Warfare Equipment.


 * The Mjorn Pattern Vox Variant Valkyrie is a stripped-down Valkyrie modified with a Multi-Laser and specialist Electronic Warfare Equipment.


 * The Samaritan is a variant of the Chimera armoured personnel carrier (APC) used by the Astra Militarum. The Samaritan is a non-combat vehicle, instead the Samaritan is used by the the Imperial Guard's medical companies as an ambulance. The Samaritan is crewed by two medical company orderlies, and usually a surgeon accompanies them. The crew of the Samaritan collect the wounded and transport them to either a medical company aid station or to a field-hospice near the very rear of the line.

Light Armored Cavalry

 * The Mars Pattern, use several smaller fuel tanks that can be hidden inside the remnants of the Chimera chassis' troop compartment. This pattern of Hellhound is preferred by Imperial commanders to the standard pattern of the vehicle since it is similar in appearance to the regular Chimera transport, making it harder for the enemy to identify.


 * The Devil Dog replaces the Hellhound's primary armament with a snub-nosed Melta Cannon. Acquiring its name from the high-pitched howl this weapon makes upon firing, the Devil Dog is capable of punching far above its weight in armoured combat.


 * A deceptively simple adaptation of the Hellhound, the Bane Wolf replaces its Promethium with bulky canisters of toxic gas. This incredibly corrosive fume has been certified by the Magos Biologis as inimical to almost every lifeform in the galaxy.

Heavy Dragoons

 * The Crassus is a heavily armed and armoured transport, with 2 forward-mounted Heavy Bolters and 2 sponson-mounted Heavy Bolters, and every weapon can be replaced individually with a Heavy Flamer, an Autocannon, or a Lascannon.


 * The Gorgon is a super-heavy troop transport vehicle of the Imperial Guard. The Gorgon is the Imperium of Man's largest transport vehicle and it is capable of transporting up to 50 soldiers, nearly five times that of the standard Chimera and almost twice that of the super-heavy Crassus Infantry Transport.

Breacher Dragoons

 * The Termite Assault Drill carries two squads of Astra Militarum troops and the various Termites are organised into squadrons for tactical purposes. Termite squadrons all use the same tunnel, each following behind the other and branching to the surface only at the last moment.


 * The Hellbore Pattern Burrow Vehicle Heavy Mole is a super-large burrowing vehicle and is the largest of the tunnelling troop transports


 * The Mole Pattern Burrow Vehicle is an intermediate-size tunneller vehicle used as a subterranean transport vehicle, carrying a single platoon of Imperial Guard tactical troops. All Moles carry special communications equipment which allows them to relay orders to the troops they carry.


 * The Hades Breaching Drill is a piece of industrial equipment that has been used for both civilian and military purposes by the Imperium of Man.

Armored Cavalry

 * The Leman Russ is the main battle tank of the Astra Militarum, and is also the most widely deployed tank in the Imperium.


 * The Leman Russ Punisher is the most potent anti-infantry vehicle in the Astra Militarum, and amongst the best anti-infantry vehicles in the galaxy. Armed with the Punisher Gatling Cannon, a large, multi-barrelled ballistic weapon, it is known as one of the fastest-firing slug throwers in the Imperium's arsenal.


 * The infrequently seen Leman Russ Exterminator variant is armed with turret-mounted Twin-linked Autocannons and is generally deployed in an anti-infantry role. Sometimes the Exterminator is also utilised as a stop-gap measure for anti-air defence due to its rapid firing speed.


 * The Leman Russ Conqueror is armed with the Conqueror Cannon, as opposed to the standard Battle Cannon, the Conqueror sacrifices outright destructive power in exchange for improved mobility and accuracy whilst firing on the move.


 * The Leman Russ Annihilator variant replaces the standard tank's Battle Cannon with a pair of Twin-linked Lascannons.

Super Heavy Headquarter Patterns

 * A Capitol Imperialis is a super-heavy tracked vehicle often used by the Astra Militarum as a mobile command base for the deployment and organisation of multiple regiments.


 * The Banehammer is armed with a weapon known as a Tremor Cannon, the shells of which are fused to explode only after the force of their impact had already buried them in the ground. Additionally, since the Tremor Cannon is much smaller than the original Volcano Cannon, the Banehammer possesses a large empty hold, which can be used to either transport a small platoon of Imperial Guardsmen, or house a cramped but fully functional headquarters equipped with powerful Vox-casters and tactical arrays from which the officer in charge can lead his troops.


 * The Stormhammer is a super-heavy tank of the Astra Militarum and is the rarest variant of the Baneblade super-heavy tank.


 * The Stormlord is a rare variant of the Shadowsword that is armed with a turret-mounted Vulcan Mega Bolter and is used in the mass destruction of infantry. By removing the large capacitors used by the Shadowsword's Volcano Cannon the Stormlord gains the ability to transport up to 40 infantry units, more than any other Shadowsword variants.

Lunar Venatorii Horses
The Lunar Venatorii Horse is a genetically modified version of the original Terran horse used by the Astra Militarum's Lunar Venatorii that no longer resembles its ancient ancestor. Having been designed to endure far worse battlefield conditions than ever existed in Terran history, its physique is far stronger than a normal horse's, with its hind legs being able to clear trenches and power the creature through thick mud or over rubble. Its splayed feet are also better adapted to moving in difficult or nearly impassable terrain. The creature is almost hairless. It no longer has a tail, only the remaining stump, while its mane has almost entirely been bred out, leaving just short bristles which do not become tangles and require no maintenance. Its neck is longer than that of a Terran horse, with broader shoulder and girth.

Psychologically these creatures are far more aggressive than their domestic Terran ancestors, with drug injectors being used to make the creature fearless in the face of an enemy. In battle the animal will charge directly into the foes' lines and will not be startled by weapons fire or explosions. A Lunar Venatorii Horse is equipped with armour to protect its head and a respirator system to protect it from poison gases and toxic atmospheres.

Combat Doctrine
Mobility has also been defined in terms of three generally recognized levels of warfare: tactical, operational, and strategic. Tactical mobility is the ability to move under fire. Operational mobility is the ability to move men and materiel to the decisive point of battle. Strategic mobility is the ability to move an army to the area of operations.For Strategic Mobility, moving towards or around high concentrations of enemy troops, or making spearhead attacks to cut enemy supply. This allows them to, for example, punch through a weak point in the enemy’s deployment and loop around behind the enemy concentrations to capture key objectives or supply. For Tactical Mobility, wheeling to deal with a sudden attack, or crossing open ground to seize an objective.

Lunar Venatorii Doctrine calls for using the lightest Battalions as expert scouts and specialists, when deployed in this manner they range ahead of the main Lunar Venatorii force, engaging enemy ambushes, launching surprise attacks, setting traps and herding enemy forces into the most dangerous of terrain. There the heavier elements will open in ambush from raised positions. Always try to strike from above and where they aren't facing, then retreat back to concealment or cover with only the turret exposed or perform a vehicle center peel withdrawal and pull them back diagonally towards the main body as the staggered geometry of the retreat (which each vehicle taking turns in the position the previous one vacated) leading the enemy to think they're facing a new, larger reinforcement.

Lunar Venatorii uses Hit-and-run tactics as tactical doctrine for the purpose of the combat using flexible noncommittal attacks to inflict damage on a target and immediately exit the area to avoid the enemy's defense and/or retaliation. Using such raids to expose enemy defensive weaknesses and achieve a psychological effect on the enemy's morale.

A common method used is known as Chevauchée, a raiding method of warfare for weakening the enemy, primarily by burning and pillaging enemy territory in order to reduce the productivity of a region. The Chevauchée is used as a way of forcing an enemy to fight, or as a means of discrediting the enemy's government and detaching his subjects from their loyalty. Guerre de Course is used as well as a form of warfare to destroy or disrupt logistics of the enemy by attacking its supply lines, rather than engaging its combatants or enforcing a blockade against them.

The Lunar Venatorii variation of the Cantabrian circle is a group of mounted cavalry would form a single-file rotating circle and as the Venatorii came around to face the enemy formation, they would fire. The effect was a continual stream of weapon fire onto an enemy formation. The tactic was usually employed against infantry. The constant movement of the cavalry gaves them an advantage against the less mobile infantry and makes them harder to target by the enemy's troops. The manoeuvre is designed to harass and taunt the enemy forces, disrupt close formations and often draw part, or all, of the enemy forces into a disorganized or premature charge. This was commonly used against enemy infantry, especially heavily armed and armoured slow moving forces.

Against enemies they would have to run from the Lunar Venatorii would use a variation of the Parthian shot. While in real or feigned retreat their riders of horse, bike, or wyrm would turn their bodies back in full gallop to shoot at the pursuing enemy.

The Lightest Elements of a Cavalry Regiment screens for targets and engaging smaller targets when not trying to move concealment to hide. Lunar Venatorii Cavalry is always trying to make judicious use of the terrain so that only the turret is visible to the target when possible. They are also always try to take an enemy from the flanks and elevation and avoiding being seen until it's time to either make the kill shot or spot targets for or support the heavy tanks When they dismount Dragoons, the vehicles may withdraw if they're snipers or scouts or advance ahead if they're regular Line Dragoons. Anyone who dismounts is spotting for artillery and tanks to call in the rest of the Regiment.

Lunar Venatorii Ranks and Insignia

 * A Lieutenant Colonel is a commander of a Lunar Venatorii Battalion
 * A Major is a Second in command of a Lunar Venatorii Battalion or Regiment if not a Marshal
 * A Marshal is a commander of a Lunar Venatorii Rider Battalion and second highest ranking in a Regiment
 * A Flight Leader is the senior Wyrm Rider in a Regiment and Sergeant Major of the Regiment
 * A Lieutenant is the commander of a Lunar Venatorii Platoon
 * A Surgeon Captain is the commander of a Lunar Venatorii Medical Company
 * A Master Warrant Officer is the commander of a Lunar Venatorii Vox Warfare Company
 * A Sergeant is a Squad Leader
 * A Corporal is a Team Leader
 * A Chief Warrant Officer is a Section Leader of a Lunar Venatorii Medical Squad or Lunar Venatorii Vox Adept Squad
 * A Warrant Officer is the lowest ranking Vox Adept or Medical Adept
 * A Guardsman or Trooper is the lowest Ranking of the Lunar Venatorii Cavalry

Regimental Traditions
Over time, the Lunar Venatorii developed a personal culture of their own, a blend of frontier and strait-laced values that even retained vestiges of chivalry. Such hazardous work in isolated conditions also bred a tradition of self-dependence and individualism, with great value put on personal honesty, exemplified in songs and poetry. The code also included the Gunfighter, who sometimes followed a form of code duello, in order to solve disputes and duels Extrajudicial justice is common in the frontier, such as lynching, vigilantism and gunfighting. The nobility of feudal worlds, still riding off to prove their honor with primitive electro-lances influence heavily the culture of the Lunar Venatorii Regiments.

A code duello is a set of rules for a one-on-one combat, or duel. Codes duello regulate dueling and thus help prevent vendettas between families and other social factions. They ensure that non-violent means of reaching agreement be exhausted and that harm be reduced, both by limiting the terms of engagement and by providing medical care. Finally, they ensure that the proceedings have a number of witnesses. The witnesses could assure grieving members of factions of the fairness of the duel, and could help provide testimony if legal authorities become involved.

The traditional culture of Lunar Venatorii has been called a "culture of honor", that is, a culture where people avoid intentionally offending others, and maintain a reputation for not accepting improper conduct by others. A theory as to why the Lunar Venatorii had or may have this culture is an assumed belief in retribution to enforce one's rights and deter depredation against one’s family, home and possessions. The Venatorii culture of honor is often tied to the relative persistence of dueling in the Venatorii, a cultural phenomenon in which special caution is taken to not offend others and misconduct is not taken lightly (dealt with swift and firm retribution). A high premium is placed on toughness in this culture of honor, because one is expected to defend one's resources and deter predators.

Their Attitude is culturally and socially aware. Lunar Venatorii question everything and anyone and then decide for themselves what they believe is true. This path to understanding yields different world views and opinions, but diversity is key to them. A Lunar Venatorii knows that the system isn’t in their favor, and the deck is stacked against you. With the numerous enemies of the unknown and the depredations of the Xeno encountered the Lunar Venatorii band for survival of their world and the worlds under their protection. Those things lose their perceived value and are discarded, but then this refuse can be re-purposed and used in ways that the original creators never would have imagined. In this way nothing is ever truly gone but re-purposed for one never know when what could have been discarded can be of use.

Notable Conflicts and Battle Honors

 * The Blow of Mefirik (348.M37): The Kabal of Drukhari struck with force in the Ishtar Subsector for the second time after multiple raids. When they attacked the Imperial world of Mefirik, the 156th Lunar Venatorii Light Cavalry Regiment, 236th Lunar Venatorii Dragoon Regiment, and 245th Lunar Venatorii Air Cavalry Regiment are send to counter the threat. But when they make their first step in the capital city, she explodes with approximately 1/8 of the planets, making her inhabitable, the Drukharis have determined in which place they will arrive and blow the portion of world their were landing to, herself protect by the stasis field they have preemptively place and Harvest the all worlds.


 * Siege of Hive Cogger (Unknown Date) - The 487th Lunar Venatorii, Elysian 14th Drop, and 4892nd Penal combined with Inquisition Storm Troopers and Grey Knights ended a planetary threat of Chaos Cult Flayed Legion and Plague Cult Garathal.

487th Lunar Venatorii Cavalry Regiment
The 487th Lunar Venatorii 'Panther' Cavalry Regiment, known unofficially as the ' Wyrm Gendarme '  is an Mechanized Cavalry Regiment of the Lunar Venatorii Astra Militarum forces deployed to multiple war-zones since its inception long ago, the most recent of which being Hive Cogger, aiding the Inquisition in suppressing several Chaos war-bands. They are the elite among the Lunar Venatorii as a kind of specialized storm troopers whose way of warfare is rapid as it is devastating. The 487th specialize in Heavy Recon and Vox Warfare, these elite troopers train for years understanding their machines and mounts using them to conquer any foe.

225thLunar Venatorii Heavy Cavalry Regiment
The 225th Lunar Venatorii Heavy Cavalry Regiment, known unofficially as the ' Lunar Valkyries ' is an Heavy Cavalry Regiment of the Lunar Venatorii Astra Militarum forces deployed to multiple war-zones since its inception long ago, the most recent of which being a Hive siege, aiding the Inquisition in suppressing several Chaos war-bands. They are known among the Lunar Venatorii as a kind of specialized armor regiment whose way of warfare is breaking down and into fortified areas. The 225th specialize in heavy armor warfare.

577th Lunar Venaorii Dragoon Regiment
The 577th Lunar Venaorii Dragoon Regiment, known unofficially as the ' Border Devils ' is an Heavy Dragoon Regiment of the Lunar Venatorii Astra Militarum forces deployed to multiple war-zones since its inception long ago, the most recently assigned garrison duty on the Armory World of Niter. They are known among the Lunar Venatorii as a kind of specialized Dragoon regiment whose way of warfare is to dig in and continue pounding the enemy into submission. The 577th specialize in Trench Warfare. These wild lads and ladies dig in and are nearly impossible to dislodge.

412th Lunar Venatorii Air Cavalry Regiment
The 412th Lunar Venatorii Air Cavalry Regiment ' The War Eagles ' consists of just one over-sized Company after suffering devastating losses defending the Frontier World designated F-6624c against Drukhari Pirates from the Kabal of the Crystal Daggers. As a Result each member is a hardened Veteran and consists of elite Vox Adepts cross-trained to serve as Line Troopers, Sentinel Operators, and Bike Troopers. This results in them being a elite and versatile Regiment typically used to perform Direct Action, Sabotage, and Reconnaissance missions deep behind enemy lines.

Eashan Houser de Sealgair
Of Average height and Weight, this brown Haired Ishtar Fringe Worlder was far from home as a trade to the Inquisitor while his Regiment had been out on deployment. A Former member of the Lunar Venatorii Cavalry Regiments he had been a vaunted Wyrm Rider bonded to a Wyrm of his own until while on mission for the Inquisitor it was struck and killed by a Heretic Astartes years ago. Losing one's bonded Wyrm was one of the worst things that could happen to a Sealgair of the Tarakon. But instead of being returned to his Regiment and having to deal with the loss among his own, he was kept on as a promising Acolyte. For years before this he was considered a rising star in his Regiment's command structure but yet had attained officer rank. The time in the Academies on Verliaus has placed him among the elite of the Ishtar Fringes, his training was as long as any Storm Trooper of the Deltic Wolves but specialized to the Cavalry and Armory ways of war. Normal armament for Eashan included: Lucius Pattern Hellpistol, D'laku Crusade Pattern Hellgun w/ Whisper Bolt Discharger and Basic Telescopic Sight, 'Sulymann Holdout “Salvation” Auto Pistol,  Wrist Sheathed - Wyrm Scale Dagger, Wyrm Claw Shortsword, Windrider pattern Carapace Armor, Interkeratic Implants (Night Vision).

Colonel Errmanno Raven de Sealgair
The regimental commander of the 487th Lunar Venatorii 'Panther' Cavalry Regiment. Raised from the ranks as a Wyrm rider of his home planet, he moved through the ranks until achieving the command. As he was mustered into the guard his brother worked his way into the priesthood of the Mechanicus. By the time Errmanno made Colonel, his brother became an important Magos. This provided an opportunity for his regiment as his brother made sure they were well supplied. Armed with some traditional Skitarii weaponry as a rare sign of brotherhood, Errmanno is armed with a Taser Lance and has a Ceres Pattern Bolt Pistol. Further he is usually garbed with Light Power Armor and has gained a Mordian pattern Power Sword. He has a further array of weapons and devices as benefit of close association with a Magos. Errmanno leads from the front and is generally well received by the men as he doesn't see himself as above them but one of them.

Sergeant Major Jacob Holiday
The Flight Leader of 3rd Battalion 487th Lunar Venatorii 'Panther' Cavalry Regiment as well as a Wyrm Rider in his own right. As the overall leader of all Wyrm Riders in the Battalion, he is also apart of the Regimental command staff. Azula is a deep sapphire blue Wyrm with white speckled scales bonded to Sgt. Jacob Holiday.

Executive Officer Major Theophania Nightingale
A experienced Tank Commander. In the 225th Lunar Venatorii Heavy Cavalry Regiment, Colonel Hill commands from behind the lines from the mobile fortress. The de facto forward commander of the 225th is Major Nightingale.