Kinda long, but here you go...
Location/Homeport of call 0135- Harper E647ABC-9 Hi In 215/ (a Non Charismatic Dictatorship)/ Gateway Sector.
Harper’s Hoplites
Mercenary Light Infantry Unit, / Regiment strength (3x 1,500+ personnel Brigades, and one training battalion of 500 personnel). 5,000 personnel total.
A) Unit History:
Harper’s Hoplites were formed in the 990’s during the Solomani Rim war, as a replacement garrison unit by several worlds suddenly bereft of their home Imperial units leaving for the war. Since War’s end, they have done Cadre and Security work in the Gateway and Ley Sectors, notably on the balkanized worlds of Dummar (0433) & Baker (0334), in cadre roles; Security on Caldwell (0332) at their A-class Starport-an ongoing mission for 1st BN; and the ongoing occupation of Renaldo (0233), where an entire brigade is deployed (the 3rd).
The regiment owes its allegiance and taxes to the world government of Harper, though it recruits across Subsector M/Gateway. They can be considered a Niche-Unit, having carved out such lucrative contracts as Starport Security Forces on several worlds within the subsector.
B) Equipment: Basic gear is TL-9: 7mm ACRs, 10mm auto-pistols, ballistic weave body armor, helmets, IR/NVG equipped. Also come equipped with personal communications devices, squad Comm. devices, company, and battalion level comms. Light anti-armor vehicle capable (RAM GLs, disposable AT weapons, grenades). Mortar sections with each company organic (6cm), with 1 Mortar platoon (8.1cm).
Vehicles of the D-Coy.s are 4-6 WD, 4-5 personnel each, and carry either anti-armor ATWGM’s,
4cm Auto GLS (usually HE, HEAP, and Anti-personnel rds) or the Imperial 2cm LAG (belt fed). Light APC’s (6-8WD) are armed with 2Cm autoguns, and 7mm MMG’s.
C) Organization: Organized into three brigades (1st, 2nd 3rd), under an HHC Battalion (Command & Control). Each Brigade consists of 3 battalions of 500 personnel; each battalion consists of five companies each (A, B, C, D, & HHC). Companies A through C are “line units”. D-coy is the Light vehicle Anti-armor/ Recce/ Riot control company; HHC supports companies A-D, and carries a Scout PLT, and an 8.1cm Mortar PLT, as well as a Medical PLT, Command Section, Transport & Support section (which includes Quartermaster & Cooks for entire Battalion).
D) Deployment: Harper’s Hoplites are usually deployed in battalion strength to client worlds at a minimum, usually in Garrison and Cadre “tickets”. Due to over population of Harper, mercenaries are one of this world’s chief exports. Usually found on planets with TL: 4-A, in either security, garrison, or cadre roles. Client arranges transportation to destination, and billeting.
E) Tactical Doctrine:
Harper’s Hoplites Regt. is trained in the Riot control, security and suppression roles, usually against forces or populations with no heavy armored vehicle assets. Those in Starport security Forces generally have Vacc Suit training and 0-Gee Environment training, if employed at an orbital Highport (Caldwell’s & Renaldo’s are two examples). Company level and Platoon level tactics against possible insurgency, patrolling/ controlling of urban areas are the regiment’s forte. Rules of engagement are heavily negotiated on a per-contract basis.
F) Campaign/Mission Tickets/GM plot suggestions:
1) PC’s can be mustered out from Unit, and use available Unit history for Character references, former Starport Security personnel have openings aboard vessels as “Security Specialists”.
2) PC’s can be used in a mission against this unit (say on a balkanized world (Dummar/Baker, i.e.) by another local power wanting to wage war against the Starport owning power that has employed them).
3) PC’s can be part of the unit involved in the occupation of Renaldo versus insurgents, part of hearts and minds ops, or in humanitarian relief in the wake of the recent conflict.
4) Recurrent villains: PC’s might run across them in the customs work at downports, and run afoul of the various downside Security teams at various starports in the Gateway (M) or Ley (P) Sectors. This could lead to long term animosity between members of this unit, and the players.
G) Famous/Infamous NPCs:
Brigadier General Reynaud Abernicht: first CO of the regiment, killed in action on Renaldo by insurgents in an ambush in 998.
RSM Artoer Huunek: first CSM of the Regiment, retired. Serves in the Training battalion. Only man to escape the ambush that killed Col. Abernicht on Renaldo. Three others who survived have since deserted, and are personae non grata with the regiment, suspected of “selling” out. Huunek walked 28km to evade capture, while wounded. Has more wound scars than most men have whiskers.
Brigadier General Vanya Koniev: first female CO the regiment has ever had. Has personally shot her personnel for being asleep on duty, in a training exercise. A former Imperial Marine Colonel.
RSM Vaaledek Ghaniish: current Regimental Sergeant Major. A Vilani born, traditionalist when it comes to infantry tactics, discipline who finds his CO a bit too Unconventional.
SGT Ibrim Holst, Troopers Wilson Deitz, Garri Yuuban: The three deserters, AKA the Three Judas’. Their names have been placed on a basalt plinth on Renaldo, at the base of which are three human head shaped stone bowls, one for each man. They have yet to be filled. The reward from the regiment was their 6Mcr paycheck for that campaign. It has yet to be paid, but draws interest on a planetary bank on Monopoly.
By Liam Devlin.
