The Hell's Raiders

**Leading officer:** Aiko Cho-Hon

**Size**: Brigade.

Part of the Third Imperial Division.

Motto:

***"Hell can't contain us."***

## History

The history of the Hell's Raiders begins at the dawn of the Great War. When the Water Country invaded the Fire Country, they landed a large host in the clan lands of the Cho. Not eager to fly the banners and obey some foreign rule, the Cho started to resist the invaders. At the time they weren't a united force as they are these days and thus their military wasn't on par with their might of old, which would have surely driven the invaders out with a few battles. Instead, the Cho decided to rely on the tactics that the Scylding excelled in: Hit and run.

This proved to be quite effective. While the invading host didn't just leave or was defeated quickly, the Cho troops managed to hurt it and reduce the efficiency of the host - causing it to abandon sieges and operations. Eventually, the troops decided to join up north with the Scyldings, fighting various battles against the invaders. While suffering losses, most of the surviving veterans remained in service after the Great War. By the unification of the Cho clan, many of them became promising officers within the military but yet tried to remain close and in touch with each other. The idea that you will never be closer than those who you shed blood with and for seemed to be real with these men and women.

Even during Shoji's Occupation, the survivors remained close in touch, either going into hiding to perform hit and run attacks on Shoji's troops within the cities of the Cho clan or operating elsewhere nearby the Cho clan lands. Many of them would also march towards Magnhild to participate in the conclusion of the Occupation. Some did find their end there but many still made it out.

Now with the Imperial reform, the grizzled veterans were brought together to serve in the same brigade. Staying true to their deeds and achievements, they are the reason why the brigade gained the name 'Hell's Raiders'. A name that they carry with pride and hope to pass on to the greener troops of the brigade.

## Equipment

Those who fight underneath the banner of the 11th Imperial Brigade wear gear that seems to resemble the people of the Chonobi clans. With many originating from the Imperial Chonobi clans, it is no surprise that many Chonobi traditions are kept within the units of the 11th Imperial Brigade. Most of the gear is provided and supplied from the Cho Clan - yet another statement that has made many Cho's proud to serve underneath the 11th Imperial brigade's flag.

The gear of the 11th is easily recognisable because of two key features; the red-dyed clothing and padded armour - together with the blue-white coloured scarfs among some of the troops. These colours make it easy to recognise the Hell's Raiders brigade members in and out of combat. Their preference for armour seems diverse amongst the units. The likes of chain and scale mail appear most prominent, with various heavier geared units sporting the likes of breastplates - all in combination with pauldrons and other supplementary armour gear. Many soldiers on foot and horseback tend to wield rounds shields to stay alive on the turbulent battlefields. The only unit within the 11th Imperial brigade that doesn't follow the somewhat uniform code is the Gwade Rangers. Their gear seems focused on adapting to their surroundings, which sports duller and earthlier colours to blend effortlessly with the environment.

In terms of weapons, there is once more a large amount of diversity present within the brigade. The majority seem to prefer spears, bows and axes. Swords and maces tend to be liked as well but in fewer numbers than axes or spears.

### ***The Heavy Infantry / Hjaldrers***

The others are called the '*hjaldrers*' (derived from the word *"hjaldr"*, which means battle). These troops are armed with ovals shields and have weapons that range from axes, spears and maces to swords. Due to their intensive training, Hjaldrers are meant to be versatile but combat effective. Their primary roles tend to engage enemy infantry and defeat them with superior training or allowing friendly units to conduct flanking manoeuvres.

### ***The Shock Infantry***

The shock troops of the Hell's Raiders are a force to be reckoned with. While they are supplied with round shields and having usually an sword or axe as sidearm their main weapons consists out of a Hon axe - a large twohanded axe. It is already clear to many that their purpose on the battlefield is to charge and driving a wedge through any opposing force. Historically, the Cho clan deployed similarly troops as bodyguards and retinue, drawn from Hon or Scylding subjects and retainers.

### ***The Skirmishers***

As the weapon of choice, the longbow is the most prominent choice. There are some who wield a crossbow but this is a minority in the brigade's skirmishers. Their sidearms vary from axes to swords or short spears.

A special unit of skirmishers present in the 11th Brigade is a troop from Gwade. Rangers that are armed with a longbow and wear sturdy gear. These rangers are deadly in laying ambushes and skirmishes. With great expertise, they can lay waste to an enemy unit - under the ideal circumstances. Hailing from Gwade, these rangers have a small brooch that is shaped in the symbol of their home - the 'Raven of Gwade'.

### ***The Cavalry***

The pride of the Hell's Raiders is in their cavalry. There are three types of cavalry present within the brigade. The first is the regular cavalry. On top of strong and fast mounts, the horsemen are equipped with steel lamellar armour with chain mail vests and gambesons underneath it. Further geared with steel helmets and having a small round shield, their armour is somewhat on par with some of the more heavy infantry in other nations. Their weapon of choice is the lance with as sidearms often arming swords or hand axes.

Then there are the horse archers. As the skirmishers on foot, the horse archers are geared in a similar manner. The only difference being that their bows have less draw weight. Their speed on the battlefield is their main forte, being able to outride many other cavalry units, though it would be unwise for them to get caught up in prolonged melee.

Both rider and mount are fully armoured, in steel lamellar armour, serves as shock cavalry within the regiment. Their weapons of choice are the lance, which they use with their thundering charge to rip apart through an enemy unit. When the lances are broken or rendered useless the riders sidearm, which is often axes or swords, come into play. Their role, however, is to perform thundering charges and then fall back to allow allied units to get stuck in and hold the enemy formation in place for yet another charge.

### The Hell's Guards

The elites within the regiment. Armoured and armed with Hyuzu forged gear, the Hell's Guard serves directly underneath the brigade general's command. In combat, they ride armoured steeds and serve as heavy shock cavalry or dismount to provide heavy infantry duties. Outside of combat, they serve to protect and represent their brigade general. Due to the armour giving them substantial protection, many within the Hell's Guards tend to prefer two-handed weapons.

They are also known for their stoic silence towards their comrades in arms or even in battle. This attitude or possible tradition has led to the rumour that the Hell's Guards have a specific oath of silence. It certainly doesn't help that the Hell's Guards are aware of this rumour and tend to reinforce it by staying silent when not addressed.

### The Scarf

The Hell's Raiders have a history of serving the predecessors of the Akinian Empire. Some traditions have come into existence by the veterans mixing their experiences together. One of them is the addition of the typical scarf of the brigade. It is a blue scarf with white stripes or other white coloured patterns. Worn around the neck, the scarf prevents potential chafing at the neck from their armour. Though the majority wears the scarf as a proud testimony of which brigade they serve in. One earns their scarf after serving for at least a month or two into the brigade or surviving a key battle. Another way to earn the scarf is to be gifted it by a captain or higher ranked official.

## Purpose

The purpose of the Brigade is hard to define. With the varied types of units that are present, the Brigade can serve as a vanguard for an Akinian army or hold a certain position. At the moment the Brigade is to use certain tactics and elements of the Cho clan (and Chonobi cultures) warfare for the benefit of the Empire of Akino.

## Regimental Traditions

The history and background of the 11th Imperial Brigade are rich and a source of pride for its members. The spirit of the Hell's Raiders is kept through passing on and keeping the various traditions of the regiment alive. Most ceremonies are executed when allowed by a high ranking officer - for certain traditions can't be carried out at all times.

### Chonobi

The 11th Brigade is composed mostly of those of Chonobi origin. Many of the captains and higher ranked are from one of the three Chonobi clans but there are some Taika who serve in the 11th brigade. While many Chonobi aren't keen on sharing their language and traditions, the military has a way to make even the most stubborn bond with each other. This led to the development that basic Chonobi is taught over time to the few Taika and Yakimara serving with the 11th Imperial Brigade.

### The Hell's Heart

A bronze brooch that handed out to those who served with distinction in the 11th Imperial Brigade. It is a small circular brooch displaying a spear rising from flames. Most who earned the Hell's Heart tend to wear it somewhere visible, earning the respect of the others within the regiment.

### The Broken Banner

The Broken Banner is a tradition dating back to the Great War. Upon capturing enemy flags, the 11th Imperial Brigade will proudly display them to their enemies - usually defiling them in various ways. When discarding the banners, a bonfire ritual is conducted. This tradition is led by a captain and must be approved by the highest officer present.

### The Call of Dordrus

According to the story, Dordrus was a Scylding captain that led his men in battle against Water Country soldiers. Due to a stalemate, both sides were far from eager to engage the other - desiring to keep their advantage. Frustrated by this, Dordrus instructed his men to bully their enemies with irregular timed, loud sounds from their warhorns. Eventually, the enemy leader became so irritated that he ordered a charge to kill the pesky Scylding's warband. To commemorate captain Dordrus and his men, the 11th Imperial Brigade has adopted the rather irritating strategy - challenging their enemies with irregular times horn calls. This tradition is led by a captain and must be approved by the highest officer present.

### Grogging

Recruits and newcomers are subjected to the tradition of 'Grogging'. This ritual is meant to somewhat formally introduce the recruit in their unit with a hearty alcoholic grog. Various units within the regiment itself have their specific grog, with the captains tending to add a special ingredient of their choosing to the beverage. This addition usually tends to do with their current situation and what resources are available. Sometimes captains tend to add an element that resembles a specific trait of the Grogging's victims. Sometimes the captains are silly and use dirty socks... cause why not?

### Loot Drinking

Looting fallen enemies are natural to those who fight and suffer war. Even if the officers try to discipline their forces, a particular amusing tradition has emerged within the 11th Imperial Brigade. Most combatants serving within the Hell’s Raiders loot for a specific purpose: for the Loot Drinking. This tradition is compared to the near instinctual drive of children trying to collect something and boasting about it to their peers. The members of the 11th Imperial Brigade, however, have crafted a special ceremony out of this.

Most tend to carry and display small weapons, such as daggers, items, or even ripped off cloth of from enemy banners. The rules tend to be relatively straightforward. If you don’t have your prized ‘loot’ with you, you buy the drinks. If everyone has their ‘loot’ on them, whoever has the ‘least valuable loot’ buys the drinks. The value isn’t how much it is worth in wealth, but instead by backstory and design - both subjective- often resulting in the ritual ending in a shouting match over who needs to buy the drinks or brawls.

## Ranks

The ranks within the Hell's Raiders brigade are the same as within the standard Akinian military. At the top of the brigade is the Brigade General Aiko Cho-Hon.

***Here are some written down NPC's for the brigade:***

Colonel Eòin Cho of the Axebiters, born 2nd of Juli in 434, near the Keep of Dayi. Born as a Cho, he learned and was raised in the mannerism of his clan. Back then the clan wasn't as united as today, which made him decide to not pick up the trade of his parents - who both owned a diary farm, producing and selling cheese and leather. Instead, Eóin decided to head out to join the army at the age of fourteen. Trained for four rigorous years, he started as a soldier. During his career, he fought against the likes of bandits and insurgents as rebels. In the Great War, he mostly fought against the forces of the Earth country and was also assigned to join the invasion force in the Water country. After the Great War ended, Eóin was 30-year-olds. Deciding to take it a few years easier as he had gotten promotion, Eóin managed to get married and moved to Keishi. However, with the rise of the Fire Union, Eóin became restless. While he was content with his life and managed to live on some of the savings of his career, he couldn't just sit still. With more development happening around him, he decided to take up the sword again. It was after all he knew in his life. And though humble, he is a master in wielding the spear and sword with a shield.

As for personality, Eóin is a patient man, having learned the virtue quite well in his advanced age. Where he is quite confident in his capabilities to lead and train others into battle as well holding his own, even against experienced shinobi, Eóin isn't a man of bragging. Following the rule of saying only when he feels there is something he needs to say, many consider the man broody and grim. Which is further reinforced in the fact that the man's facial expression seems to be locked in a grim expression

*Other information:*

* Favourite food includes onions
* Doesn't like to speak about his family ( optional to try to discover this over the course of the IC)
* Often curses softly in Chonobi. Seems to sound more proud when he is speaking the language of his kin and clan.
* Has like the majority of the civilians and military a (slight) dislike for ninjutsu use. Even while he has mastered some basics of chakra flow to defend himself against shinobi.
* With his experience has managed to learn how to live off the land. His years of experience and training also have hardened him for the grim reality of the world and what war might bring upon people.

Captain Tsuchida Iwane, leading the company of shieldbearers of the Axebiters. Born in a small village in the western part of the Fire Province on the 3rd of April in the year 435, Tsuchida didn't have much of an easy life. Born in a large family on a farmstead, he didn't learn how to read or had much time to play. Like many of his peers on the countryside, it was working from a young age to help to farm and take care of the small herd of animals - mostly sheep, but with a few goats. Dreaming as many others of his age, Tsuchida wanted a life of adventure. To make his name big and earn glory. His 'lucky' chance came when he reached the age of fifteen. With the Great War boiling up, Tsuchida enlisted in the army with most of his brothers. Trained in becoming an archer, the excited teen, however, would survive the war with learning that war is a cruel mistress. Losing most of his siblings and his parents - due to a raid by forces of the Wind country - Tsuchida, however, remained in the army. Climbing to the ranks of captain, his men have experienced how excited he can be about the small things in life. Yet nobody that has served under his service dares to joke about it...

Regarding personality Tsuchida is often heard speaking with many could describe as a cheerful and excited tone. He is quite the optimist, though his humour isn't likely going to be one everybody's likes. Even in the hour of the wolf not many have seen him get rid of the small playful grin on his lips. While he doesn't look like it or seem to give that impression, Tsuchida is quite the patient and obedient person. Making sure that the orders and plans are followed, his cheerful attitude can quickly turn when there are people who don't value loyalty and discipline as much as he does.

*Other information:*

* Scars: Has a few on his right arm, his right shoulder and a small one on his collarbone.
* Follower of the Way of Fire.
* Has a horseshoe for 'good luck'.
* Knows and speaks Chonobi.
* Seems to favour roasted pork and can't stop complaining about beans.
* Is highly skilled in wielding swords as maces and seems to have an excellent stamina. Often mocking others when he spots them being exhausted or demoralised by long marches. His skill and strength in close quarters aren't the best, but he seems to be on par with most. His favourite secondary weapon is a long mace. Called Crash.
* Is knowledgeable about how to live off on the land. Though he often has more anecdotes about sheep and dark humour about the population in the Wind Country than really well constructed advise and tips.

## Composition

The battalions that are present within the Hell's Raiders:

**The Elite Hjalders**

* Three companies of skirmishers,
* Five companies of heavy infantry,
* Two companies of Hell's Guards.

***The Axebiters.***

* A company of Gwade Rangers.
* Two companies of shock infantry.
* A company of shieldbearers.
* A company of hjaldrers - led by Eòin Cho.
	+ *Team 8 is part of this company.*
	+ *Team 4 is part of this company.*
		- Meilin Cho, currently ranked as a lieutenant.
		- Madoc Yamanaka, Aoi Miyzato and Dagrún Hon as sergeants.

***The Foecrushers***

* A company of horse archers.
* Two companies of shock cavalry.
* Two companies of regular cavalry.

***The Widowmakers***

* Two companies of skirmishers.
* Two companies of shieldbearers.
* A company of hjaldrers.

***Glory of Dagny***

* A company of skirmishers.
* Two companies of hjaldrers.
* Two companies of shock cavalry.

***Riders of Birgir***

* Two companies of horse archers.
* Two companies of regular cavalry.
* A company of shock cavalry.