Macharian Steelborne

"*Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war!*"
— Ancient Terran saying.
The **Macharian Steelborne** are the Astra Militarum Regiments raised from the shrine/armory world of Macharia. They are entirely mechanized in some way or another, either as transport in the case of the Mechanized Infantry or as their method of waging war in the case of the Tank and Super Heavy Tank units. Macharian Steelborne members have years of experience before they even earn that title as they are drawn from the PDF which is, owing to the strategic importance of the world, a legitimate fighting force and not window dressing for the elite. The planet from which they hail is a weird conglomeration of the warrior culture present on other similar worlds taken to the extreme with the presence of the Ecclesiarchy influence permeating their society.

## History

During the final year of the Macharian Crusade, the world that would soon be renamed Macharia in honour of its conqueror was brought into Imperial compliance. Half a century later, midway through the Macharian heresy that resulted from the great commander's death and fracturing of his conquests, the first of the Steelborne regiments would be deployed to join Warmaster Solon's punitive campaign against the traitors.

Service rendered and sacrifices paid did not go unrewarded and special permission was granted from the High Lords to raise fully Super Heavy Tank regiments in addition to the mechanized and armored ones already tithed to the Imperium. As the heir apparent of Macharius's last loyal commander Macharia was elevated to Shrine World status when Crass was canonized and entombed alongside the planet of the same name that housed the Lord Commander's body.

Since those dark decades, the Macharian Steelborne have continually served with distinction in the Emperor's name, their regiments participating in many infamous battles across the galaxy. In this new dichotomous period of hope and bleakness, the sons and daughters of Macharia continue to lay down their lives on battlefields far from home with prayers to the Emperor and St. Macharius on their lips.

## Notable Campaigns

* **Battle of Pharsalus VIII (399.M41):** The World of Pharsalus had declared its secession from the Imperium and the Macharians were chosen to rectify this grave error with prejudice; armored prejudice. Half a million Steelborne Guardsmen with tens of thousands of armored vehicles and tanks ground the pitiful Pharsalian PDF garrison. Not even the Governor’s elite bodyguard units could save him, their armaments incapable of breaching the carapace armor of the Macharian Silver Shields as they cut the head of the snake down in fusillades of hellgun fire.

* **Siege of Carrhae (426.M41):** In this campaign the Macharians were on the defensive, proving themselves more than up to the task. The Chimeras were dug into prepared positions to act as armored turrets while the Guardsmen dismounted to face the Greenskins of WAAGH! Ironskull. An endless green tide was met by disciplined volleys of las and the thundering of heavy weapons.
* **Battle of Svolder (573.M41):** On the frigid ice plains of Svolder, in Segmentum Tempestus, the Macharian 242nd and two companies of the 38th faced off against the forces of the Ruinous Powers, more specifically the dreaded forces of the Death Guard Traitor Legion. Twenty Super-Heavy Tanks supported by eighty Leman Russes of various types fought against Daemon-Infused Defilers, Hellbrutes, Rhinos, Predators, and a small number of Plaguereapers, Nurglite Baneblades slaved to the will of the Plague God. At a heavy toll, half the Leman Russes and three Super-Heavies the Chaos forces were driven from the field, now littered with smoking wrecks.
* **Battle of Dukater (712.M41):** In the deserts of Dukator even the might Baneblades, Stormlords, and Shadowswords of the 242nd, let alone the smaller armored vehicles of the 51st Armored, 147th Mechanized, and 149th Mechanized, were dwarfed by the God-Engines of Legio Fulminata. The Macharians were not joined by Titans from Actium, a principle allied Forge World, on a whim but to purge the world of the Necrons who dwelt there. Where in most if not all previous battles the Steelborne Guardsmen and Tankers had assumed they had incredible firepower at their fingertips all of them were left awestruck by the destructive might of the Omnissiah's avatars. The wake of destruction and carnage wrought by Legio Fulminata left husks of Monoliths and graveyards of Necron Warriors, some half melted by Inferno cannons.
* **Second Siege of Carrhae (843.M41):** Orks are, if nothing else, resilient to most efforts to eradicate them. So it was that over four centuries after the first battle on Carrhae system a space hulk emerged in orbit, summoned by tribes of Feral Orks who had thrived despite the best efforts of the local Guard regiments and PDF. As they had so long ago the Steelborne sallied forth to slay the greenskin horde that assailed the planet, borne into battle of their steeds of steel. But this time the Orks were lead by a Warboss more dangerous than was anticipated, because not only was Mek-Boss Zuzganek a brutal war leader but also possessed a sly cunning that lead to a string of embarrassing defeats for the Steelborne. Only the arrival of the Imperial Sentinels' Chapter fleet and its subsequent routing of the Ork voidforces that the war stabilized. The Macharians, having learned their lesson the hard way, refused to repeat their mistakes from earlier in the campaign. They proceeded slowly and methodically, grinding the Orks to dust in attritional warfare. Eventually the Orks became so scattered that they regressed back to a feral state to be finished off by the Battle Brothers of the Imperial Sentinels.
* **Third War for Armageddon (998.M41):** When the Orks returned to Armageddon the Sons and Daughters of Macharia would fight beside them, specifically the 317th, 343rd, 531st Mechanized and the 38th Armored. The Steelborne forces committed to the defense fought mostly along the Hemlock river beside formations of Legio Invigilata and the Salamanders Chapter. When their final report was sent back to Macharia it explained the emergence of the Great Enemy and how they made a stand near the shattered Hive Volcanus to buy time for the other Imperial forces to regroup and prepare their defenses. Every member was posthumously awarded the Leonine Star, the highest award for bravery and courage in combat that planetary officials could give. The General Staff had demanded it be upgraded to the Star of Terra but that was summarily refused.

## Homeworld

Macharia Ultima or Macharia Eschate is a Fortress and Cardinal world situated on the extreme western fringe of Segmentum Pacificus on the edge of the galaxy itself. It is both highly mountainous, covered in rolling hills and plains with four primary continents, six oceans, and a subcontinent administered directly by the Mechanicus for the mining of the most precious metal known to humanity, Adamantium. The capital city of the planet is Thessaloniki, a sprawling metropolis and seat of the Steelborne’s High Command as well as the local Ecclesiastical Cardinal. In the countrysides outside the cities reside roughly forty percent of the nineteen billion-strong population. The tithe exacted by the Administratum is primarily paid, eight percent, in the form of the Steelborne themselves. That remaining twenty percent is in raw Adamantium shipped directly to the Mechanicus to be used in the production of arms, armor, and vehicles.

### Culture

The people of Macharia are humble, pious, hardworking, and family-oriented. Macharia’s history is steeped in martial tradition, before the Imperium they were pitted against each other, and now after the Imperium against its myriad foes.

## Rank Structure

### Officers

Governor Militant - The overall commander of the Macharian Steelborne, nominated by the Ecclesiarchy and confirmed by the Administratum.

Lord General - Army Group Commanders

General - Army Commanders

Colonel - Regimental Commanders

Major - Battalion Commanders and Regimental Executive Officers

Captain - Company Commanders and Battalion Executive Officers

Lieutenant - Platoon commanders and Company Executive Officers

### Enlisted

Sergeant Major - Very experienced Sergeants that serve at all levels above the platoon

Sergeant - Squad and tank commanders, the sergeant is as ubiquitous as a lasgun in the Astra Militarum. They are the grease that keeps the colossal war machine running. At levels above Platoon, they may serve as standards bearers with the title Colour Sergeant.

Corporal - Guardsmen who have demonstrated a willingness and skill for leading that occupy assistant squad leader billets in the infantry, senior vehicle crewmen, or staffers at levels above company

Private - Basic Guardsmen with no leadership responsibilities, makes up the bulk of the raw manpower

## Organization

### Army Group

An Army Group is comprised of multiple Armies under the overall command of a Lord General. Only the largest campaigns will see a full Army Group deployed.

### Army

An Army is comprised of multiple regiments and regiments types under the overall command of a General.

### Support Sections

At the Battalion and Regimental levels within the Headquarters, there are Support Sections to fulfill various necessary functions not directly related to engaging the enemy. Examples include a Command Section, which is compromised of a Commanding Officer, Executive Officer, Battalion or Regimental Sergeant Major, Colour Sergeant, various staffers, and crew for the vehicles, or a Supply Section, which is compromised of a Lieutenant or Captain as Quartermaster, Supply Sergeant Major, Clerks, and vehicle crew. Two exceptions to this general trend are the Artillery and Anti-Aircraft Batteries, which are tank company strength units compromised of Basilisk Self-Propelled Guns and Hydra Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Guns respectively. In Tank Regiments, Command Sections will include Command Tanks, one for the Commanding Officer and one for the Executive Officer. At Regimental levels, Command Sections will also include a Commissar.

### Mechanized Infantry Regiment

Regiment - 5,000 Guardsmen under the command of a Colonel. Consists of four Battalions with a Headquarters composed of a Command Section, Supply Section, Medical Section, Combat Engineering Section, Intelligence Section, Artillery Battery, Anti-Aircraft Battery, and a Silver Shield Company. Although not included as part of the regiment proper numerous Adeptus Mechanicus Engineers and Magi are attached to care for the hundreds of vehicles

Battalion - 1,100 Guardsmen under the command of a Major. Consists of four Companies with a Headquarters composed of a Command Section, Supply Section, and Medical Section.

Company - 265 Guardsmen under the command of a Captain. Consists of four Platoons with a Headquarters composed of a Captain Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Executive Officer, Company Sergeant Major, Colour Sergeant, and a Corporal. When the Company dismounts the Commanding Officer will lead the dismounted element while the Executive Officer leads the mounted element. The Sergeant Major and Corporal are the driver and gunner of the Chimera

Platoon - 65 Guardsmen under the command of a Lieutenant. Consists of four Squads with a Headquarters composed of a Lieutenant Commanding Officer, a Platoon Sergeant, a Medic, and two riflemen. When the Platoon dismounts the Commanding Officer will lead that element while the Platoon Sergeant leads the mounted element. The two Riflemen are the driver and gunner of the Chimera

Squad - 15 Guardsmen under the command of a Sergeant. Consists of a Sergeant Squad Leader, Corporal Assistant Squad Leader, one Special Weapon Trooper, two-man Heavy Weapon Team, and 10 Riflemen. When the Squad dismounts the Squad Leader will lead the dismounted element composed of the Special Weapon Trooper, Heavy Weapon Team, and eight Riflemen while the Assistant Squad Leader and two Riflemen will form a mounted element to crew the Chimera

### Tank Regiment

Regiment - 500 Vehicles, under the command of a Colonel. Consists of four Battalions with a Headquarters composed of a Command Section, Supply Section, Medical Section, Combat Engineering Section, Maintenance Section, Intelligence Section, Artillery Battery, and Anti-Aircraft Battery. Although not included as part of the regiment proper numerous Adeptus Mechanicus Engineers and Magi are attached to care for the hundreds of vehicles

Battalion - 110 Vehicles, under the command of a Major. Consists of four Companies with a headquarters composed of a Command Section, Supply Section, and Medical Section. In each Battalion, two Companies will be equipped with Leman Russ Battle Tanks and one each with Leman Russ Punishers and Leman Russ Demolishers.

Company - 25 Vehicles, under the command of a Captain. Consists of four Platoons with a Headquarters composed of a Command Section, Supply Section, and Medical Section.

Platoon - 5 Vehicles under the command of a Lieutenant.

Crew - 1 Vehicle under the command of a Sergeant. In standard practice, each crew has 5 men aside from the commander, those being the primary gunner, loader, sponson gunners, and driver.

### Super Heavy Tank Regiment

Super Heavy Tank Regiments are a rarity, to begin with as the pieces of hardware they operate are exceptionally valuable however seeing a single regiment take to the field at once is orders of magnitude rarer. More commonly, they will be split into their companies or platoons and attached piecemeal to other regiments to augment their firepower. These deployment decisions are made at the Army level

Regiment - 32 Tanks under the command of a Colonel

Company - 8 Tanks under the command of a Major

Platoon - 2 Tanks under the command of a Captain

### Macharian Silver Shields

The Silver Shields is the moniker given to the formations of Grenadiers produced by the world's Schola Progenium. These troops are chosen from the ranks of children left orphaned by the endless wars to safeguard humanity's galactic domain. They are trained for years sometimes even a decade into finely tuned killing machines. Expertly drilled, when the Silver Shields do go into battle they are a shining example to their lesser colleagues of soldierly virtue.

## Recruitment and Training

Recruits are drawn from the best of the Macharian PDF who then undergo a rigorous training period of about three months to refresh skills they hadn't had to use or introduce new ones.

## Equipment

Due to their illustrious history, Ecclesiastical favor, and a close relationship with the nearby Forge World of Actium the Macharian Steelborne enjoy the luxury of plentiful and high-quality equipment of all types.

### Infantry

The kit Steelborne Infantry are given is broadly the same with minor variations based on role and rank. Standard issue items include Bronze-coloured Carapace Armor, Black Fatigues, vox bead, bedroll, a week of rations, a knife that is compatible with all lasguns for use as a bayonet, two frag grenades, and the Imperial Infantryman's Uplifting Primer.

Rifleman - Lascarbine

Special Weapon Trooper - Long-Las, Grenade Launcher, or Plasma Gun and a Laspistol

Heavy Weapon Team - Missile Launcher or Mortar and Las Pistols

Corporal - Lascarbine and Laspistol

Sergeant - Lascarbine and Laspistol

Sergeant Major - Chainsword and Laspistol

Lieutenant - Chainsword and Laspistol

Captain - Power Sword and Laspistol

Major - Power Sword and Plasma Pistol

Colonel - Power Sword and Plasma Pistol

## Doctrine

Regardless of the regiment type, the overriding features of Steelborne operations are overwhelming firepower and high mobility. For combat Mechanized and Tank Regiments will deploy in a T-shape with three Battalions forming the frontline and the fourth Battalion forming the Regimental reserve as well as protecting the Support Sections. Offensives take place just before dawn or just after dusk and be begun with a short, fierce artillery bombardment that is then followed up by probing attacks at the Platoon level before a general assault at the Company and Battalion levels occurs. Defensives are fluid events that see as little entrenchment as is necessary take place so that freedom of movement is retained for counterattacks or withdrawals as the situation may be.

## Notable Members

* **Lord General Icarus Kallus:** Hailed by some as the next coming of Macharius and by others as an over-ambitious charlatan Icarus is a career soldier, having been the son of the previous Colonel of the 11th Mechanized Regiment who was also named Icarus. He was destined to join the military and found if not joy at least contentedness in his fate. He graduated at the top of his class at the Academy of Ares Enyalius, the top training center on Macharia, at the rank of Second Lieutenant like all those selected for the officer track. His first battle would be at Kytheres where despite being wounded and with his platoon under heavy fire from enemy artillery he lead his troops in taking a crucial fortress by storming the final barricades in a bayonet charge. He refused medical attention by the platoon chirurgeon until the other more critically injured had been cared for. Finally, he submitted to the demands of the medical personnel and underwent surgery to remove the shrapnel from his body. When he woke he was informed of his promotion to First Lieutenant and of the Colonel's desire to recommend him for a medal. His response was to ask where the medals for his fallen men were, pointing to the rows of black shrouds outside the field hospital. His next fight would be at Novaesium, where his unit was virtually wiped out on the inept orders of an Inquisitor who had commandeered the regiment he had been serving in. He returned to Macharia after that siege to specialize as a super heavy tanker. Thus he was promoted once more after completing the requisite years of service to captain in command of the second company of the 242nd Super Heavy Tank Regiment. Under his leadership his company truly embodied the moniker of the Emperor's Hammer, punching holes through enemy defensive lines to allow allied formations to spill through. Next, he became a Major and adjutant to the regiment's command Colonel Erik Malren, later succeeding him when he retired. The 242nd as part of the 61st Corps was under the jurisdiction of General Ptolemeus Accius, the father of Icarus's right-hand man and second in command Lars Accius. So when the old general was killed in action by Heretic Astartes the General Staff were unanimous in selecting Icarus as his replacement. His first test as Corps commander would be at the siege of Kercolla. He was deployed to the continent of Uadria and led the charge to take the capital city Beldovar. Icarus was elevated once more upon the completion of the campaign to the rank of Lord General.

* **General Kassandra Amintah:** Although a rarity in the ranks of regiments from other worlds, Macharia has no qualms about women serving in her Steelborne formations as is evident by Kassandra Amintah's incredible career. She grew up an orphan on the streets of Thessaloniki, Macharia's capital city, as her parents had both died in battle and her other relations abandoned her. However, she refused to lay down and die, becoming a self-made merchant as a teenager through some generous donations from the Archbishop of the city. She used the money to pay for materials to study and train with, eventually passing the entrance exam to enter the Academy of Ares Enyalius where she eventually graduated as a Guardswoman in the mechanized infantry. Kassandra served with distinction through eight grueling campaigns across Segmentums Pacificus and Tempestus rising to the rank of Second Lieutenant in the process. But she was not satisfied with just commanding a platoon, she had revolutionary ideas about how to refine the tactical doctrine of Macharia's forces and made it her mission to become important enough to have people listen to her. Decades passed by and as they did so too did Kassandra's status and rank, first becoming a Captain, then a Major, then a Colonel, and finally joining the General Staff upon her appointment as commander of the 63rd Corps. In each engagement she would attack just before dawn or just after dusk, leading her men in their Chimeras in a pincered shock assault. Just when the enemy had woken to defend against one thrust a flanking force even larger than what had been perceived as the main attack appeared. Her tactical acumen was without question, but she was not a ruthless killer, ordering the medics to care for civilians if deemed pure of taint and her own forces would not be harmed by the effort. She died after retiring at the age of seventy-nine, her body being entombed beneath the structure known even now several centuries later as the Citadel of Amintah.

## Relations

### Allies

* **Ashimar Nova Guard:** Another regimental organization from a world brought into the Imperium during the Macharian Crusade since its inception the Macharians have fought beside the Ashimar in the name of the Emperor.

## Notable Quotes

### By:

"*From Segmentum Obscurus in the North to Tempestus in the South, from Ultima in the East to our home Segmentum Pacificus the life blood of Macharians has been spilt by all manner of foe be it xenos, heretic, rebel, or worse. We have suffered much but will suffer far more, for we do not fight for ourselves, or Macharia, we fight for the God-Emperor and His Imperium. We fight for all those who cannot, for the menials who toil in the factories, and for the innocent women and children who supply the next generation's soldiers and workers. Our cause is the very cause of humanity and what a cause it is.*"
—General Kassandra Amintah, on her deathbed.
"*When I think of the life I could've lead had I chosen a different path, to become a factory owner or Throne save me a Priest I thank the Emperor for my service in the Imperial Guard. I can think of no greater calling, no greater purpose for myself than to fight for our species's birthright.*"
—(Then) General Icarus Kallus at the onset of the Kercolla campaign
### About:

"*The Macharbian Steelborne? I fought alongside them in a few campaigns yes ma’am. How I would describe them is arrogant and prideful with good reason for being so. When we were fighting genestealers on Hodrata VI the skill I bore witness to was breath taking. They are a fine armored fist while we provide the bodies. Best estimates says maybe five years then we’ll be able to regain control of the hive ma'am. Hmm? Yes ma'am. Yes ma'am, I'll put in for two regiments of them.*"
— Veteran Victor Voltomali 442nd Patramonian Man at arms
"*Say what you will of the Astra Militarum but forget not that without them the Imperium would have fallen long ago. Look to the Steelborne of Macharia and see their unshakable will break the foe.*"
—Captain Xelianos of the Broken Wings
"*Picture what you think a regiment from a shrine world looks like. A bunch of pompous, holier-than-thou fops, maybe? The Macharian Steelborne aren't that. When they go to war, they mean business. There are few regiments I'd rather fight alongside, because I know I can count on them.*"
—Lieutenant Frideric Rhodes of the Ashimar 43rd Nova Guard
"*The Macharian Steelborne are overall great armoured fighters good for some pleasure or agri world. They honestly come off as ... over funded. Their armor is quality and the amount of super heavy tanks. I am concerned their armor is fancy and all but with good concealment and some melta charges then it’s all gone. Surprisingly they aren't fanatical, not in the stereotypical at least. When I heard they were from a shrine world I was expecting a raving mass of zealots. I’m a bit underwhelmed they aren’t.*"
—Corpsmen Fei Qin Maoshi Hive Grinders