The Vanguard

The Vanguard is the elite shock force of the Heimveld, serving as both its spiritual warriors and its most formidable combatants. They are deeply tied to the Temple of the Unfallen, worshipping the Unfallen as a living god and carrying out his will with brutal efficiency. The Vanguard are equipped with advanced power armor, cybernetic enhancements, and relics passed down through generations, making them nearly unstoppable on the battlefield. They are revered as heroes and feared as living weapons, embodying the Heimveld’s ideology of unyielding devotion and ruthless conquest. Their presence inspires awe among allies and terror among enemies, and they are often deployed in the most critical or desperate battles.

Holy Crusaders of the Stars:

The Vanguard are the Unfallen’s chosen warriors, the spiritual and military vanguard of the Heimveld’s divine mission. They see themselves as instruments of the Unfallen’s will, tasked with purging the galaxy of heresy, aliens, and rebels. Every battle they fight is a holy act, a sacrament performed in the Unfallen’s name. Their victories are celebrated as proof of the Unfallen’s favor, while their defeats are seen as tests of faith. The Vanguard operate under a formalized code of conduct, the Litany of the Unbroken, which emphasizes honor, duty, and unwavering faith. However, this code is twisted by the Heimveld’s ideology, prioritizing obedience and conquest over mercy or compassion. To the Vanguard, there is no greater sin than doubt, and no greater virtue than absolute loyalty to the Unfallen and the Heimveld.

Fiefdoms and Feudal Responsibilities:

Each Chosen warrior is granted a fiefdom by the Heimveld as a reward for their service. These fiefdoms are not just rewards but also responsibilities, as the Chosen are expected to rule, protect, and provide for their subjects. A fiefdom might be a small city, an orbital habitat, a factory complex, an asteroid mine, or even a starship. The warriors are both rulers and protectors of these domains, and their subjects revere them as living saints. The fiefdoms provide resources, recruits, and tribute to the Vanguard and the Heimveld, creating a symbiotic relationship. The Chosen’s fiefdoms also serve as training grounds for their stormtroopers and new initiates, with young aspirants undergoing trials and indoctrination under their lord’s watchful eye. These fiefdoms are often adorned with grand cathedrals, statues of the Unfallen, and murals depicting the Vanguard’s greatest deeds.

Cultural Icons and Propaganda:

The Vanguard are celebrated as heroes across the empire, their deeds immortalized in propaganda, literature, and media. Each Chosen warrior has a personal legend, with books, movies, and holo-dramas recounting their exploits. The Temple of the Unfallen uses these stories to inspire devotion and loyalty among the populace. Children grow up idolizing the Vanguard, and many dream of one day joining their ranks. The fiefdoms host annual festivals or pilgrimages, where citizens come to honor their lord and witness reenactments of their lord’s greatest battles. These events are grand spectacles, featuring parades, feasts, and religious ceremonies. The Chosen themselves often attend these events, blessing their subjects and reaffirming their commitment to the Unfallen’s cause.

Religious Rituals and Battle Practices:

In battle, the Vanguard are a terrifying blend of religious fervor and military precision. They chant prayers, sing hymns, and carry holy relic banners into combat, their voices amplified by their power armor. Before battle, they perform elaborate rituals to bless their weapons and armor, invoking the Unfallen’s protection. These rituals involve burning incense, anointing their gear with sacred oils, and reciting ancient litanies. Their battle cries are both inspiring and horrifying, blending religious invocations with promises of divine retribution. Enemies hear them chanting, “By the Unfallen’s light, we shall purge the stars!” as they advance. The Vanguard’s power armor and weapons are adorned with religious symbols, such as the radiant circle of the Unfallen or the laurel wreath of victory. These symbols are believed to channel the Unfallen’s power, and the Vanguard treat their gear with reverence, often naming their weapons and armor as if they were living beings.

Living Saints and Divine Aura:

The Vanguard are seen as living saints, their very presence a sign of the Unfallen’s favor. They are believed to have divine protection, with stories of them surviving impossible odds or performing miraculous feats. Some Chosen Vanguard warriors develop cult-like followings, with citizens making pilgrimages to their fiefdoms to seek blessings or protection. These cults are encouraged by the Temple as a way to strengthen faith in the Heimveld. The Vanguard’s power armor and weapons are often ancient relics, passed down through generations. These relics have unique abilities or quirks, such as a sword that glows with holy fire or a shield that deflects energy blasts. Each relic has its own history and legend, and the Vanguard go on quests to recover lost relics or defend their own from heretics and thieves.

Legends and Myths:

Each Chosen warrior has a personal legend, often embellished by propaganda. For example:

Lord Veyndar Bjornman “The Wall”: Said to have held a mountain pass alone against an entire alien army, his armor glowing with the Unfallen’s light as he struck down his foes. His relic sword, Dawnbreaker, is said to burn with the fury of a dying star.

Templar Thara Schro “Mother”: A former healer who took up arms after her fiefdom was attacked, now revered for her mercy to the faithful and uncompromising brutality to heretics. Her relic glaive, Sanctuary’s Light, is believed to heal her as it smites the unworthy.

Lord-Captain Veltarn Skovhart “Fist of the Void”: A master of void warfare who led a boarding action against a rebel fleet, capturing their flagship single-handedly. His relic plasma pistol, Skerri’s Wrath, is said to fire bolts that can penetrate any armour but will not harm the Chosen.

These legends are used to inspire both the Vanguard and the populace, reinforcing the idea that the Vanguard are the Unfallen’s chosen warriors.

Unbound by Laws:

The Vanguard operate outside normal laws and conventions, answerable only to the high council of the Heimveld. They have the authority to commandeer resources, dispense justice, or even execute heretics on the spot. This freedom makes them both revered and feared. While citizens respect their power, there’s also an undercurrent of fear, as the Vanguard’s actions are often brutal and uncompromising. They are the embodiment of the Heimveld’s will, and their word is law.

Internal Hierarchy and Rivalries:

The Vanguard have their own internal hierarchy, with ranks such as Strormtrooper, Chosen Templar, and Lord-Captain. Higher ranks command larger fiefdoms or lead entire crusades. Despite their unity, there are rivalries and power struggles within the Vanguard. These tensions often revolve around competition for relics, disagreements over tactics, or personal feuds.

Ranks:

Squire: When a warrior is chosen to join the ranks of the Vanguard, through recognition on the field, birth into the household of a Chosen One, Application via a noble house, or simply luck at being picked from the masses by their lord for whatever unfathomable reason, they join the household of the Lord as a Squire. These men and women are trained and indocrinated in the ways of the Vanguard - their lore, tactics, methods, and rites. They are hardened through physical and phycological ordeals, and incrementally augmented, chemically, surgically, and mechanically, to the point where they are almost indistinguishable from their former selves, and are a living machine of war. Stormtrooper: When a Squire’s training is complete (assuming they survive it) they undergo their final initiation into the Cult of the Unfallen, and are initiated as Brothers of the Vanguard. They are now a fully fledged Stormtrooper in service to their Lord - the Chosen Brother who recruited them. Stormtroopers form the fighting force of the Vanguard and may live hundreds of years, fighting countless battles for the Heimveld, never moving from this position. These Brothers have immense personal power in the empire and may move as they please, following only the orders of their lord. They often travel individually or in small groups on their own missions, covert or not, waiting on the next crusade or incursion. Chosen: If a Stormtrooper performs some great deed or becomes an individual of renown in the Vanguard through decades or centuries of heroism, they may be singled out by the hidden cult of the Chosen, to be raised to the rank of Lord. They are initiated into the next level of the Cult of the Unfallen, provided a fiefdom, and allowed to raise their own household of Stromtroopers. The Chosen are obligated to defend an area of the Heimveld, and come to battle when called. They are great Lords and heroes of the empire and are beholden only to the high council in peace and their Lord Captain in War. Lord-Captain: The leaders of the chosen, picked form thier ranks and given the power to call crusades and lead ward within the Heimveld or out into alien space. Templar: the priests of the Unfallen, picked from amongst the Chosen. They generally are independent priests and scholars outside of battle and hold their own conclaves amonst their order. They attach themselves to units or armies of Vanguard to join them and lead prayers or ceremonies of battle.

Orders:

There are a multitude of holy and knightly orders within the Vanguard, with each Lord and his retinue being members of a specific one. The Chosen are raised to that rank within their order by their seniors in that order. Each order maintains it’s own relics, heraldry, traditions, rites, and lore. They are not competitive or hostile toward one another, but simply brotherhoods in place to provide a sense of place and identity to individuals who may otherwise lose their perspective by wielding too much power without oversight.

1. Order of the Radiant Dawn

• Description: The Radiant Dawn are the heralds of the Unfallen’s light, specializing in swift, overwhelming assaults that bring hope to the faithful and terror to the heretics. They are often the first to arrive on a battlefield, their golden armor gleaming like the rising sun.

• Heraldry: A golden sunburst on a field of deep blue, symbolizing the dawn breaking through the darkness.

• Traditions: Before battle, they perform the Rite of Illumination, where they light sacred braziers and chant hymns to the Unfallen. They believe that their victories bring light to the darkest corners of the galaxy.

• Features: Known for their speed and precision, they favor jump packs and hoverbikes for rapid deployment.

2. Order of the Iron Resolve

• Description: The Iron Resolve are the unbreakable defenders of the Heimveld, specializing in holding strategic positions against impossible odds. They are often deployed to fortify key locations or protect sacred relics.

• Heraldry: A black anvil on a field of silver, symbolizing strength and endurance.

• Traditions: They perform the Rite of the Unyielding, where they stand vigil for an entire night, meditating on the Unfallen’s teachings. They believe that their steadfastness mirrors the Unfallen’s eternal resolve.

• Features: Heavily armored and equipped with siege weaponry, they excel in defensive operations.

3. Order of the Crimson Veil

• Description: The Crimson Veil are the shadowy enforcers of the Heimveld, specializing in covert operations, assassinations, and rooting out heresy. They operate in the darkest corners of the galaxy, striking fear into the hearts of the empire’s enemies.

• Heraldry: A black dagger on a red field, symbolizing secrecy and retribution.

• Traditions: They perform the Rite of Silence, where they swear oaths of secrecy and anonymity. They believe that their unseen work is essential to the Unfallen’s divine plan.

• Features: Masters of stealth and infiltration, they favor light armor and silenced weapons.

4. Order of the Eternal Flame

• Description: The Eternal Flame are the purifiers of the galaxy, specializing in cleansing heretical worlds with fire and plasma. They are fanatical even by Vanguard standards, believing that only through total destruction can the galaxy be made pure.

• Heraldry: A burning pyre on a field of black, symbolizing purification through fire.

• Traditions: They perform the Rite of Immolation, where they set themselves ablaze with sacred fire to prove their devotion. They believe that their flames will one day ignite the Unfallen’s return.

• Features: Equipped with incendiary weapons and heat-resistant armor, they are devastating in close-quarters combat.

5. Order of the Celestial Lance

• Description: The Celestial Lance are the void knights of the Vanguard, specializing in spaceborne warfare and boarding actions. They are the guardians of the Heimveld’s fleets, striking from the void like divine retribution.

• Heraldry: A silver lance piercing a starfield, symbolizing their mastery of the void.

• Traditions: They perform the Rite of the Voidborn, where they spend a week in zero-gravity meditation, communing with the Unfallen’s spirit in the silence of space.

• Features: Equipped with magnetic boots and void-capable gear, they excel in ship-to-ship combat.

6. Order of the Verdant Shield

• Description: The Verdant Shield are the guardians of the faithful, tasked with defending the Heimveld’s civilian populations and ensuring their loyalty. While they are protectors, their methods are far from gentle. They believe that the faithful must be shielded from harm, but also from doubt and heresy.

• Heraldry: A green shield emblazoned with a black oak tree, symbolizing strength, endurance, and the unyielding protection of the faithful.

• Traditions: They perform the Rite of the Rooted Heart, where they plant a sacred oak sapling in the center of a settlement they are tasked with protecting. The tree is tended by the citizens, and its health is seen as a reflection of their loyalty. If the tree withers, it is taken as a sign of heresy, and the Verdant Shield will purge the settlement without mercy.

• Features: Equipped with heavy armor and defensive weaponry, the Verdant Shield excel in holding the line and protecting key locations. They are often seen leading civilian militias, training them to defend their homes while ensuring their loyalty to the Heimveld. Their presence is a reminder that protection comes at a price: absolute obedience.

7. Order of the Obsidian Maw

• Description: The Obsidian Maw are the relentless hunters of the Vanguard, specializing in tracking down and exterminating the empire’s most dangerous enemies. They are known for their brutal efficiency and unyielding pursuit of their prey.

• Heraldry: A black maw with jagged teeth on a field of crimson, symbolizing their hunger for justice.

• Traditions: They perform the Rite of the Hunt, where they track and slay a dangerous beast or heretic as a test of their skill and resolve.

• Features: Equipped with advanced tracking systems and melee weapons, they are relentless in pursuit.

8. Order of the Argent Hand

• Description: The Argent Hand are the arbiters of justice, specializing in enforcing the Heimveld’s laws and punishing traitors. They are the judges, executioners, and enforcers of the Vanguard, ensuring that no one escapes the Unfallen’s justice.

• Heraldry: A silver gauntlet clutching a set of scales, symbolizing justice and retribution.

• Traditions: They perform the Rite of Judgment, where they hold public trials and executions to demonstrate the Heimveld’s unwavering justice.

• Features: Equipped with advanced interrogation tools and heavy armor, they are feared by both enemies and citizens alike.

Sacred Relics and Reliquaries:

The Vanguard’s weapons and armor are often ancient relics, passed down through generations for thousands of years. These relics have unique abilities or quirks, such as a sword that burns with holy fire or a gun which only works for warriors it “chooses”. Each relic has its own history and legend, and the Vanguard go on quests to recover lost relics or defend their own from heretics and thieves. The relics are stored in grand reliquaries within the Vanguard’s fiefdoms, where they are venerated by the populace. The reliquaries are heavily guarded, and only the most devout are allowed to enter.

The Unfallen’s Return:

The Vanguard believe that the Unfallen will one day return to lead them to ultimate victory. Some Brothers claim to have seen visions of the Unfallen or received divine guidance, further fueling their fanaticism. This belief drives them to greater feats of heroism and brutality, as they seek to prove themselves worthy of the Unfallen’s return. The Vanguard’s ultimate goal is to prepare the galaxy for the Unfallen’s return, purging it of all corruption and heresy so that it may be worthy of his divine rule.

Oaths and Discipline:

• Every Vanguard is bound by the Oath of Eternity, a vow of absolute loyalty that is recited daily. Breaking this oath results in immediate execution by their own brethren.
• Discipline within the Vanguard is absolute, with internal inquisitors ensuring that no member strays from their purpose.

Equipment

Power Armor:

• Vanguard power armor is not only a technological marvel but also a religious artifact. Each suit is adorned with engravings of sacred texts, glowing inscriptions, and laurel wreaths, with every victory adding a new layer of ornamentation.
• The armor is equipped with advanced energy shielding, integrated weapons, and AI systems that subtly guide the wearer’s movements, further enhancing their lethality.

Sensory and Tactical Systems

• Expanded HUD: Include advanced Heads-Up Display (HUD) features such as multi-spectral vision (thermal, infrared, ultraviolet), real-time threat analysis, squad communications overlays, and enemy movement prediction.
• 360-Degree Awareness: The suit’s sensor suite provides a full field of vision using external cameras and LiDAR systems, eliminating blind spots.
• Combat Environment Adaptation: The suit can adjust to environmental hazards, such as automatically darkening the visor during flashbangs, filtering toxic atmospheres, or adjusting pressure in high-G environments.

Customizable Loadouts

• Modular Hardpoints: Allow attachment of auxiliary tools or weapons such as wrist-mounted plasma cutters, deployable drones, or shoulder-mounted missile pods.
• Adaptive Weapon Integration: The suit’s systems seamlessly interface with Vanguard weapons for faster targeting, ammo monitoring, and improved precision.

Defensive Enhancements

• Adaptive Camouflage (optional): A chameleon-like system that allows the armor to blend with its surroundings, enhancing stealth capabilities.
• Redundant Systems: Critical components have built-in redundancies to ensure the suit remains operational even after taking heavy damage.

Mobility Enhancements

• Magnetic Grip: Magnetic nodes in hands and boots allow for wall scaling, hull traversal in zero-gravity environments, or stabilization on unstable terrain.
• Enhanced Agility: The suit’s servos amplify speed and reflexes for, enabling lightning-fast dodges or melee attacks.
• Silent Operation Mode: The suit can dampen its movements for stealth missions, reducing noise and electromagnetic signatures.
• Jump Jets (Optional): Suits can be fitted with integral jump jets for Void operations or battlefield manoeuvrability.

Integrated AI Features

• AI Personality Variants: Each suit’s AI develops a personality over time based on its users and due to it’s generally extreme age, is filled with strange quirks and individual preferences (e.g., stoic, aggressive, or advisory styles, weapon preferences, more or less control).
• Emergency Override: If the wearer is incapacitated, the AI can take limited control of the suit to stabilize the user.

Environmental Adaptation

• Temperature Regulation: Advanced thermal systems ensure wearer comfort in extreme cold or heat, including internal cooling/heating as needed.
• NBC Proteciton: Automatic sealing against radiation, corrosive atmospheres, or biological contamination.
• Void and Underwater Operations: Full capability for extended underwater missions, with integrated life support and thruster-assisted movement.

Maintenance and Longevity

• Self-Repair Systems: Nano-repair bots embedded in the armor can temporarily patch small breaches or restore damaged systems.
• Automated Diagnostics: The suit continuously monitors its status, notifying the wearer or an external engineer of required maintenance or potential failures.

Legacy Features

• Personalized Upgrades: Each suit is uniquely modified over time to reflect the preferences and fighting style of its wearer, making it both a tool and a symbol of their achievements.
• Relic Components: Some suits incorporate salvaged parts from ancient Vanguard armor, tying them to the Heimveld’s long history.

Vanguard Weaponry

The Vanguard’s arsenal represents the pinnacle of Heimveld weapon engineering, combining unmatched lethality with sophisticated design. Each weapon is custom-crafted, enhanced with cutting-edge technology, and often imbued with sacred relics or inscriptions that tie them to the legacy of the Unfallen. These weapons are not just tools of war—they are extensions of the Vanguard themselves, designed for unparalleled power and precision.

Primary Firearms

1. Hellfire Assault Cannon
   • Description: A miniaturized autocannon, designed to be wielded by the Vanguard’s enhanced strength. The Hellfire fires high-velocity explosive shells capable of shredding infantry, vehicles, and light fortifications with ease.
   • Features:
     • Rotary Firing Mechanism: The barrel spins at an incredible speed, delivering sustained firepower.
     • Recoil Compensation: Integrated servos and gyroscopes allow for precise control, even during extended bursts.
     • Explosive Shells: Each round detonates on impact, maximizing damage in a concentrated area.
     • Relic Enhancements: Many Hellfire Cannons feature etched invocations to the Unfallen, with relic fragments embedded in the chassis for added spiritual significance.
   • Tactical Use: Ideal for breaching fortified positions, suppressing enemy advances, or overwhelming infantry formations.

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2. Judgment Pattern Rifle
   • Description: A Vanguard-exclusive heavy assault rifle, the Judgment fires hyper-dense, armor-piercing rounds accelerated by electromagnetic coils. The weapon is larger and heavier than standard rifles, requiring the Vanguard’s augmented physique to wield effectively.
   • Features:
     • Magnetic Acceleration: Each shot is accelerated to hypersonic speeds, piercing through multiple layers of armor.
     • Integrated Smart Optics: The rifle’s targeting system links to the Vanguard’s neural interface for pinpoint accuracy.
     • Burst Mode: Capable of firing in rapid bursts or single-shot precision mode for adaptability.
     • Plasma-Core Variant: Some models feature a secondary plasma launcher for added versatility.
   • Tactical Use: A versatile weapon suitable for both close-quarters combat and long-range engagements, capable of neutralizing heavily armored targets.

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3. Eviscerator Rotary Gun
   • Description: A shoulder-mounted or arm-integrated rotary machine gun designed for close-quarters devastation. The Eviscerator sprays thousands of rounds per minute, creating a hail of death that few enemies can withstand.
   • Features:
     • Heat-Resistant Barrels: Designed to handle extreme sustained fire without overheating.
     • Self-Loading Ammunition Feeds: The gun is connected to an auto-loader integrated into the Vanguard’s armor.
     • Shrapnel-Tipped Rounds: Rounds explode mid-flight, creating devastating fragmentation patterns.
     • Terrifying Aesthetic: The gun’s spinning barrels and roaring discharge are as much a psychological weapon as a physical one.
   • Tactical Use: Perfect for clearing enemy trenches, boarding actions, or suppressing massed infantry.

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Heavy and Specialized Weapons

1. Oblivion Plasma Cannon

   • A massive plasma gun designed for Vanguard shock troops. Its plasma bolts are superheated to extreme temperatures, vaporizing infantry and vehicles alike. The weapon is fitted with an advanced heat exchanger, allowing for sustained use without risk of overheating.

2. Thermal Lance

   • A compact heat lance capable of delivering a sustained beam of molten energy that can cut through even the heaviest armor. The weapon’s short range is offset by its devastating power.

3. Sentinel Laser Devastator

   • A heavy laser weapon designed for siege operations, capable of sustained bursts of focused energy that melt through fortifications. It is mounted on the shoulder or carried as a two-handed weapon, with advanced optics for targeting.

4. Wrathbringer Missile Pod

   • A shoulder-mounted micro-missile system used for anti-vehicle or area-denial purposes. The missiles are self-guided and capable of tracking targets mid-flight.

Power Weapons (Relic Varieties)

The Vanguard’s power weapons are ancient relics passed down through generations, enhanced by forgotten technologies and imbued with religious significance. These weapons are far more powerful than the standard Heimveld arsenal, often seen as icons of the Vanguard’s legacy.

1. Heaven’s Edge Power Sword

   • Description: A master-crafted blade that channels an energy field along its edge, capable of cutting through any material. The sword’s hilt is embedded with relic gemstones said to glow when in the presence of heretics.

2. Hammer of Retribution

   • Description: A massive two-handed power hammer, enhanced with shockwave generators that unleash concussive force on impact. The hammer’s head is engraved with glowing runes that pulse with every swing.

3. Inferno Axe

   • Description: A double-headed power axe with plasma channels running through the blades, causing them to ignite in a fiery glow. Each strike burns through armor and flesh alike.

4. Relic Halberd

   • Description: A long polearm with a bladed edge and a spiked tip, designed for both slashing and thrusting. The weapon’s energy field arcs with electricity, capable of shocking multiple foes.

5. Executioner Power Fist

   • Description: A massive gauntlet reinforced with kinetic amplifiers and plasma emitters, designed to crush vehicles, rip apart fortifications, or obliterate enemies in melee combat.