Fiction:Ruins Hand/Cabal Military

"To resist the Clan Cabal is to sign your death warrant."

The Cabal Military is the main military arm of the Ruins Hand, the sect responsible for maintaining law and creed within their borders, raiding other empires, and fighting the Mendel Pact's War-Guardianship. The Cabal Militaries are governed by the Cabals, self-governing socio-economic paramilitary groups who are the Clan of the Ruins Hand, formed from those loyal to Lorka Gredyc, Supreme Overmaster of Cabals, and dedicated to supplying their own needs above all else, sometimes working together when they find a race they especially revile, usually one that is too peaceful for their tastes.

In emergency situations, the Overmaster will call forth all Cabals to fight for the Ruins' Hand and destroy their enemies. This has only been done in their wars with the Mendel Pact and their allies, and, as such, Cabals will sometimes squabble for territory and power over each other.

The Cabal Military is stereotyped as disorganized, brutal, and hedonistic. However, the Cabal Military is extremely organized, and operates on guerilla tactics to out flank their larger enemy. Recently, with Barda Clett supplying DNA for Clone Legions, the Cabals have taken to cloning their own armies to bulk up their military, with "true" born being seen as far more pure and useful. Their weapons focus more on pain then quick execution, and, as such, commonly will use a move they call the "Festering Strike" to weaken their foe, hitting them with Crystal rounds, which cause huge amounts of pain, so as to slow down their enemies. They will do this to several enemies, they are forced to care for the sick, as the Ruins Hand continue to harass them.

Frontline Units
Warrior= Warriors are the rank and file soldiers of any Dead Watch army. Raised among the dark clans of the Dead Watch, only a natural killer could have any chance of survival among these monsters. Gaining reputation by joining other Clans in their raids, once a Trooper earns respect from his clan, he may join them on raiding parties, or even in full-out war.
 * Use - Basic Combat unit.
 * Weapons - Snahence Crystal Rifle, various other weapons.
 * Defenses - Battle armor.

Warriors commonly subject themselves to pre-battlefield self-inflicted wounds, so as to focus their minds and bodies to the highest extent for war. Said to be inflicted with Korhosh's Wrath, Troopers of the Ruins Hand commonly fight with much more fury and anger then the cool-headed approach to normal, Loyalists troopers. Warriors can remain Warriors, or join the Defenders once he proves his place, or join one of the War-Shrines of the Ghosts, Wraiths, or Shades.

Warriors commonly come to the field armed with a Snahence Crystal Rifle. Instead of firing plasma rounds at targets, the Crystal rifle fires destructive, pain-inflicting rounds at a target. Troopers carry a variety of other weapons, more designed for causing pain that can rarely be healed, rather then quick execution.

Warriors are usually lead by a Libertine, a Ruins Hand equivalent of a Rally-master. Libertines are feared by their squadron, though also respected for their ability to lead their men where the fighting is best.

Libertine= Libertines are officers placed in charge of Warrior Squads and the equivalent to Rally-masters. Due to the nature of the Ruins Hand, officers are chosen from the most blood-thirsty and murderous of their number, and, as such, Libertines commonly are found dead due to Crystal fire from an unknown source, with the next one chosen when a Warrior brings forth "evidence" that he was next in line. As such, Libertines must make sure at constant times they are no vulnerable to their younger or lesser brethren. If they believe a Warrior is after them, they can challenge the Warrior, and take his head, without any fuss raised over it.
 * Use - Officer
 * Weapons - Modiure Crystal Pistol.
 * Defenses - Battle Armor.

Libertines commonly come to the field armed with a Modiure Crystal Pistol, which is just a smaller version of the Snahence Crystal Rifle. Their duty is to keep their charges in line via a mix fear, respect and superior fighting skills. They also carry a sword with them, so they may close in, and take as many heads from their enemies in open battle as possible. The more heads A libertine takes for his Clan, the higher he goes in position. A Libertine often charges a younger warrior learning from him to collect the heads or have a slave do it.

Libertines are vicious and respected figures, not above executing their own kin to hold the line. However, they also have recently, for unknown reasons, started to take on a more paternal role with their soldiers, training young warriors and advising them before they go to battle so they may survive and continue to support their Clan-Cabal. In this way, Libertines not only keep their current generation sharp, but also help the next generation stay alive.

Support Units
Warrior Servant= Taken from their thousands of slaves and servant captured during their raids and battles, Warrior Servants are the grunts and lowly battlefield fodder used by the Ruins Hand in place of the Conscripts. These warriors, wishing to be free of the slave pits, and wanting a better life, ask visiting military leaders if they may join their forces on a raid. Amused, or seeing their merit, the highest Libertines may accept these soldiers in droves.
 * Use - Canon Fodder
 * Weapons - Laser "pointer" rifle.
 * Defenses - light armor.

A Warrior Servant, unlike Conscripts, does not fill the light infantry niche that their Mendel-loyal kin enjoy. Instead, they are used simply to give the Ruins Hand the advantage in numbers. They are given very weak weapons that work only when used in massive numbers, and their only real hope is to assist Warrior squads in battle. These guns, called Laser Rifles, and called Laser Pointers by the Ruins Hand, can easily pierce most armors, but, unfortunately, don't do any lasting damage to their enemies.

Their armor is light and commonly, can offer little defense. Unlike Conscripts, who are supposed to move fast and light across the terrain, Warrior Servants merely are used as cheap, easy weapons for the Cabals. However, should they survive, a Warrior servant will be allowed to join them, and wear Ruins Hand Armor and yield their weapons. They can also join them by killing a Libertine or even a Warrior. This gets them extra credit with other Warriors, as they find it impressive when a lowly slave can strike back against his or her master.

Since Conscripts have proven tougher to fight then thought before by the Clan Cabals, further efforts have been made to train the rabble of Warrior-Servants so they may actually prove useful.

Ghost= Ghosts are the mostly unseen warrior of the Clan raiding forces. More secretive then Warriors, and often weaker, Ghosts are those who survived in their dark cities, not through strength, but by manipulation and back-stabbing. As such, Warriors do not trust Ghosts, and Ghosts despise Warriors. However, with Lorka's reforms, the 2 work together more, Warriors and Ghost starting to develop respect with each other. Ghosts themselves are mysterious and feared sect, commonly responsible for killing dangerous rebels among the clans, or loyalists, or destroying enemies from afar. Current Ghosts are can only be children of past Ghosts, or, in the rare case, when Warrior proves his worth to them.
 * Use - Long range combat.
 * Weapons - Spear Rifle, long ranged weapons.
 * Defenses - Armor.

Ghosts are armed with a Spear Rifle, which fires a 4 inch long needle-like weapon at a target. If it does not hit the target's head, as most Ghosts prefer to avoid such a target so small, then it will stab into the victim and inflict further pain. Ghosts will deploy other, modified long ranged weapons, and often use the modified versions of enemy sniper weapons so as to discourage and demoralize them.

Ghosts, as part of their training, are frequently attacked when they least expect it from any number of sources. This teaches the young warriors to be prepared for any enemy, no matter who they are. To finally become a Ghost Sybarite, an initiate must defeat his closest friend among the ghosts. If he has none, then he automatically becomes a Ghost, as he or she displayed the wisdom not to form a potentially dangerous bond that could weaken them. This secrete is never told to initiates.

Ghosts, due to their vow of never forming close bonds, will instead, choose a female to mate with, who will produce a Ghost-spawn. Most Dead Watch see this as a high honor, though a Ghost will simply go to the next when he wishes for another child, observing each he has sired from afar. Female Ghosts do roughly the same, seducing another warrior, then giving the child to adobtion. This Ghost-Spawn will be taken and raised by his father's shrine, and the father will only claim him once he becomes a full-fledged Ghost, usually after killing a close friend.

Ghosts wear black armor.

Heavy Infantry
Defender= Defenders are the elite close-combat orientated units deployed by the Dead Watch. More elite then any Trooper or Libertine, the Defender is trusted by their Clan Archon to protect him from harm as he leads raids and pillages, Due to their mindset. Defenders care little for the hierarchy of the Clan-Kabala. They simply dedicate themselves to being as effective warriors as possible, perfecting their ability to make the killing strike.
 * use - Elite combat units
 * Weapons - Various melee and heavy ranged weapon systems.
 * Defenses - Heavy armor.

Defenders often come to the battlefield with their modified Claymore, rechristened a Gwaywffon, or Pain-Lance. Where's True Defenders prefer the power of Power hammer and combat shield, Ruin Defenders prefer the feel of their cleaving swords in battles, slicing apart enemies with equal speed and sadism.

Defenders commonly carry a heavy gunner weapon called a Shadows Spear, or "Werda Sleagea". Basically, the Shadow Spear fires an incredibly power beam of focused Dark energy, blazing through most armors in battle. This weapon is equally effective against infantry as it is vehicles.

Defenders wear brown and green armor. Shades= Shades are the equivalent of Shock Troopers, commonly deploying with Warriors in battle, and support them via heavy weapons and heavy assaults. being much stronger, and more elite then Warriors, Shades are actually from experienced Shock Troopers and loyalist Troopers who defected to the Great Clan Rebellion. With this, began the Shades, who gained their name from an enraged Ugandalore the Great, Torscka Nitrocon, who called them "Shades of the Shock Warriors". From henceforth, the name stuck, a laughing mockery towards the loyalists, and a badge of pride among them.
 * Use - Shock Troops, elite warriors.
 * Weapons - Splinter Rifle, other weapons.
 * Defenses - Heavy armor.

Shades commonly are not considered a definitive shrine of war like Wraiths, Ghosts, and Blood-Guards, but are treated with the same respect, due to having fighting expertise and combat prowess above an average Warrior.

Shades handle anti-armor and heavy weapons for their kin, destroying vehicles an larger foes for Warriors, before Ghosts and Wraiths move in. Most Shades, however, carry a more powerful version of the Snahence Crystal Rifle, rechristened, the Splinter Rifle, which fires the same type of crystals, that explode on impact with an enemy. More elite Shades carry the heavy weapons that safe-guard Warriors.

Shades commonly follow Kadaii Hoorangiir in his aspect of the God of Death, and personify this with black and green armor, and skull designs on their shoulder and knee pads.

Stealth
Wraith= Wraiths are the Ruins Hand corruption of the Ugandalorian Marauder, masters of the blade who would take it upon themselves to kill important leaders and execute enemy commanders in mid-battle, then disappear. They where considered elite, due to the careful attention to detail in their combat and training. When the Dead Watch split, they created their own destructive version of the Marauder. The Wraith Kin, where born.
 * Use - Close-combat assassination troops
 * Weapons - Genetically Engineered claws, blades.
 * Defenses - Invisibility armor, natural body armor.

Usually female, Wraiths would genetically alter their nails into claws, as a joke mocking female outsiders of the attention they put in taking care of their nails. These claws, however, where further reinforced with cybernetics and could cut through even loyalist combat armor. With them, they carry a variety of swords and daggers to deliver a painful, and quick, end to their foe.

Wraiths' armor is capable of blending in with the area around them, reducing noise made by them, and allows for both effective protection and quick movement. Wraiths are respected and feared by their comrades, though most warriors shone a newly initiated Wraith until he or she proves his place. Elder Wraiths encourage this so that their younger kin will grow stronger.

Loyal Marauders hate and revile Wraiths, seeing them as putrid mirror to their honor. Wraiths come to the field in sliver armor.

Religious
Necromancer=

Elite Infantry
Blood-guard= From the most elite and blood-thirsty of the traitor clans, comes a group of warriors who have further perfected the art of killing, being put above even Defenders. kept aside unless for important missions commissioned by the Overlord of Cabals himself, Blood-Guard never intervene in Ruins Hand battles, instead fighting as mercenaries and seal-swords, usually to other insurrections against a ruling family from a rival one. However, when commanded by the Overlord, also known as Marshal of the Blood-Guard, the Blood-warriors will silently join the battle, killing anything that opposes the Overlord and the Clan Archon.
 * Use - Elite Body guards
 * Weapons - Advanced blaster rifles, Swords, other weapons.
 * Defenses - Advanced battle armor.

Blood-Guards are recruited from the children sired by either Ghosts and Wraiths, which is forbidden by their shrines, and will result in exile, or from Warriors and Libertines who earn the respect of their group. All Clans, at some point or another, are required to select from their corps of warriors, the best to enter into Blood-Guard Concentration Academies. Here, they will go through the most painful training possible, learning everything from a Marshal's Hand, a senior Blood-Guard who teaches his young, manipulative charges. The training is difficult, and even the venerated Defenders cannot usually survive it. Those who die, are taken to a shrine to Kadaii Hoorangiir, where they are brunt as offerings to him.

Once completed, a Blood-Guard is silent, destructive force of the Overlord, turning everything that opposes his dark master to dust with his Advanced Talon Rifle, and other, various, nasty weapons at his disposal. Blood-Guard care little for the spoils of war, or the result of the battle. As long as they are alive to gain trophies for their Clan Cabals and Blood-Shrine, they still celebrate.

Their armor is painted red and black, with the black looking as though it was blood, seeping onto their armor, and designed to convey fear and dread in enemies, as well as the worship of their god, Horrangiir, in his form as the Destroyer. Blood-Guard are finally accepted by their peers once they kill a Ugandalorian Super Commando.