Midgardian Sky Raiders

Regimental Standard of the Midgardian Sky Raiders

A Midgardian Jomsviking

### **Motto**

"*Af fjörum himinsins, rigning niður, dauða himinsins*!" (Translated from Midgardian, "Off the tides of the sky, raining down, death from the heavens!")/
 "*Dauði af Himni*!" (Translated, "Death from the Heavens!")

## Commanders

### **Notable Commanders**

Thegn Jamie Roaring Axe of the 44th Para-Infantry Regiment

"*They are the most disobedient, foolhardy, madmen of the Astra Militarum... However, they were an integral force that turned the tide of the battle. At no point did they EVER turn their back to the enemy, pushing forward with no regard to their own lives. It was as if the Emperor himself willed their survival.*"
— Colonel from the Cadian Shock Troops reporting the effectiveness of the Midgardian Sky Raiders.
The **Midgardian Sky Raiders** are the elite Astra Militarum regiments that hail from the Feudal World of Midgard. These near-insane warriors are known for their rapid deployment capabilities, often deploying by rappelling or grav-chutes from Valkyrie Airborne Troop Carriers at high altitudes. These drop regiments are able to strike deep into enemy territory, specialising in ambushing the enemy or capturing important objectives, and can operate for extended periods of time without resupply.

## Regimental History

South of the hellstorm of the Ghoul Stars known as the Malfactus, lay the tortured worlds of the Nordica Sector. Within Sub-Sector Yggdrasil resides the Feudal World of Midgard, home of the tenacious regiments of the Midgardian Sky Raiders. Midgard is a valued Portal World, being the route of entry into the Sub-Sector and its systems. In addition of being an important beach head for the imperium, the Midgardians pay their Imperial Tithe by offering their skills in close quarters shock and awe tactics. Descending in Grav-chutes from Valkyrie gunships, they scream their low gothic warcry "*Dauði af Himni!*"

### Before Imperial Discovery

Due to their technological regression, presumably during the Age of Strife (but possibly earlier), there are no surviving records of the when or why the planet was settled. However it is theorized that the original settlers were descendants from the ancient Terran region of Scandinavia.

### Discovery by the Imperium of Man

At the tail end of 433. M38, after the dissolution of The Covenant of Ecale, the Marines Errant Space Marines Chapter detected a faint signal during their travel out of the Ghoul Stars. Upon further investigation, they find the planet Midgard in the middle of a planet wide war between three continental factions. Integration into the Imperium was met with little resistance, with the inhabitants calling the Marines "Einherjar" (Warriors from Valhalla), and finding that the war was not more than a via for power of the planet, that happens on a cyclical basis. The Marines Errant helped bring an end to the fighting and established an Oligarchy government with the three factions and appointed a Planetary Governor, who would take the title of High King. With further assessment of the planet, no suitable choice for a tithe could be determined, as the planet had resources to sustain itself, but not sufficient enough for the Imperium. Remembering the Midgardian’s prowess in close-quarters combat, a Marines Errant Lieutenant suggests that they could be extraordinary Imperial Guardsmen, seeing how they also have the population for it to be viable. The Marines Errant remained on Midgard until the Munitorum was able to arrive and outfit the planet with essential equipment to make a Guardsman Regiment.

## Home World

Midgard is a planet of vast oceans and deep fjords. Land mass is split into 3 major continents and many small islands. The planet’s orbit is not perfectly circular, instead on an ovular rotation around its star. This causes there to be periods of deep freezes, which has resulted in the formation of the planet's many fjords.

## Notable Campaigns

**Defence of Niðavellir (987. M41) -** Defended the Forge World of Niðavellir against a Xenos invasion.

**Third War for Armageddon (998.M41) -** Details on their involvement are currently unavailable.

**Fall of Cadia (999.M41)-** ARegiment of Midgardian Sky Raiders was dispatched to the planet of Cadia to provide reenforcements against Abadon's 13th Black Crusade. The planet unfortunately cracked before units were able to touch ground.

## Regimental Organisation

Raid Parties: These 20 man groups consist of 2 10 man teams lead by a Huskarl, and include 1 Melta Gun Specialist per team, and 1 Vox Hailer in the entirety of the party.

Jomsviking Teams: Smaller and more specialized than Raid Parties, these elite soldiers fill any role that is needed. Half the size of a Raid Party, but with twice the expertise, a Jomsviking Team consists of 1 Jomsviking Huskarl and 9 Jomsviking Veterans who are able to take whatever equipment is required for the mission.

### Regimental Ranks

Unlike the majority of the Astra Militarum, the Midgardian Sky Raiders use a simplified ranking standard based on their social hierarchy. From highest rank to lowest with equivalent rank, the list is as follows:

### Officer Ranks

* Jarl: Effectively acting as a General, they are responsible for multiple Midgardian regiments during large scale operations.
* Thegn: Commanding officer of an entire Midgardian regiment.
* Hauldr: These officers are responsible for the organization of 2 to 4 Raid Parties in the field.

### Non-Commissioned Officers

* Jomsviking Huskarl: These elite soldiers lead the smaller Jomsviking Teams
* Huskarl: Leaders of Raid Party teams.

### Soldiers

* Jomsviking: Hardened Veterans, these soldiers specialize in various types of weaponry.
* Hirdman: Standard infantry on the front line.
* Thrall: Conscripted infantry, these soldiers do not have the opportunity to advance in the rank structure.

## Regimental Recruitment & Training

### Recruitment

Recruiter's have the easiest job, because young able bodied men and women almost throw themselves at enlistment. In Midgardian culture, death in battle is the highest honor. It's when it comes to the training that things become difficult.

### Training

Midgardians, simply put, are intellectually diminished. While the women are quicker to learn, it takes more time for Midgardians to wrap their minds around the relatively advanced technology.

* Close Combat Training- Midgardians are trained in close combat for their entire life, and thusly only require sparing matches to ensure their skills are maintained or improved.
* Firearm Training- With Lasguns as their primary service weapon, many hours are taken to ensure that every Midgardian knows the ins and outs of their weapon, and don't get frustrated and end up using it as a bludgeoning weapon. It will take an average of 1000 combined hours of Range time and Field Stripping practice for one to be considered a Hirdman.
* Specialty Weapon Training- If a Midgardian shows an affinity with firearms in initial training, they will be pulled aside for Special Weapon training. This training will involve Melta Guns, Plasma Guns, and other Heavy weaponry.
* Grav-Chute Training- Training for this equipment amongst the regiments of Midgard can be best described as "throwing the fledgling out of the nest." Due to the demanding nature of their tithe, Hirdmen need to qualify for Grav-Chute operation quickly in their training. Recruits are given demonstrations on how the equipment operates, then they are loaded into low flying Valkyries, and are forced to jump, some having to be kicked out of the drop-ship. Though it's not the healthiest form of training, they learn quickly, and become quite proficient at landing and immediately fighting without fault.

## Regimental Combat Doctrine

### Standard Operations

A standard deployment for Sky Raiders would have troops dropped behind enemy lines, sometimes even right on top of the enemy during heavier battles. The goal of this is to hit either entrenched or advancing forces with quick and brutal efficiency, generating openings in formations for friendly forces to exploit. Due to the "fast and loose" nature of their deployment, Midguardian Sky Raiders do not utilize much armored vehicles like Leman Russ tanks or Chimera personnel carriers. Instead, the regiments of Midguard rely on air superiority with Valkyrie airborne assault carriers and Vulture gunships.

### Longer Campaigns

Midguardians are instilled with survival and subsistence training at an early age, due to the planets harsh environment. From this, Sky Raiders are able to hold out in sub optimal locations for extended periods of time. In addition, Jomsviking units are used to set up coordinated surprise attacks on key enemy locations after deep Valkyrie insertions, often being dropped days to weeks away form their target.

## Notable Quotes

### About the Midgardian Sky Raiders

"*They're insane. Every. Single. One of them.*"
— Cadian Guardsman commenting on the Midgardians descending in grav-chutes onto the enemy line.