Aeirein Grenadiers

Banner of the 3rd Regiment "The Scorpion's Maw"

Holo file of a Aeirein Grenadier advancing towards the enemy

The **Aeirein Grenadiers**, also known as the Begleter, are the elite shock regiments of the Aeirein Guard. Although fewer in number compared to the more famous Astra Militarum forces such as the Cadians or Catachans, they have built up a considerable reputation for their effectiveness. This dedication to duty and combat prowess has made them a growing favourite amongst the Inquisition, with a number acquiring soldiers for their bodyguards.

## History

The origins of human habitation within the Aeirein system are long lost to time, believed to predate the Age of Strife. The system was not rediscovered as part of the Great Crusade and remained unnoticed in the void space of the Vistula Sector, defending itself from minor xenos incursions by building up a strong military, which benefited from several STC fragments found on Aeirein itself. This isolation would be ended by the arrival of a Ork fleet which briefly assaulted the system before being driven off by a Black Templar Crusade which had pursued it from Imperial space in the early years of the 41st Millennium.

### Liberation

After driving off the greenskins, the Black Templars established contact with the Aeirein leadership, securing their swift surrender due to the clear martial superiority of these armoured demi-gods and the debt owed for the deliverance they had provided. The Black Templars established a Fortress Keep to recruit from the Hive cities of Aeirein and its sister planets, as is customary for the Chapter. The Aeirein were already a highly martial society, with a totalitarian system of government so there was little resistance from the common people of Aeirein and the leadership were surprised by the seeming indifference of the Templars to enforce any change beyond the demand for recruits. In time members of the Administratum arrived to establish the planets' Tithe and oversee the formal induction of the planet into the Imperium. The Aeirein would prosper, with their already respectable level of technology enhanced by that of the Imperium, especially after word of the STC fragments reached the ears of the Mechanicus, who decided to estabish a Forge World. Several centuries would pass in peace and the system would enter a golden age of prosperity not seen by its people in many millennia.

### The Order is Formed

Midway through the millennium however, this peace would be shattered by the arrival of an enormous Warp storm that engulfed both the Aeirein System and most of the Sector, cutting off all contact with the greater Imperium. Demons and heretics assailed the weakened systems, burning dozens of worlds. Aeirein stood firm during these assaults, repelling the hordes and driving them back, though this temporary respite would prove ultimately to be a fruitless task. The nearby Sautekh Dynasty of the xenos known as the Necrons, launched a campaign to exploit this chaos, carving a path of destruction through the weakened Imperial defences and devastating Aeirein itself. Battles raged across surface, with the staunch resistance of the defenders surprising the Necrons. While the invasion had not been defeated or even stalled, external pressures resulted in the weakening of the Necron units, for the Dynasty found itself in turn assailed due to weakened borders. The Aeirein were able to regroup, and eventually drive off the remaining Necrons thanks to the efforts of the small number of Black Templars that had been residing in the Fortress Keep.

The Fortress Keep was destroyed by the Necrons during the final battle and almost all of the Black Templars slain before victory had been achieved. With no reserves of gene-seed and contact with their parent chapter cut off, the remaining Astartes decided that they would re-evaluate their purpose and focus on training the humans of the cut off systems to defend themselves as best as possible. To that end the Astartes would raise elite regiments to bolster the existing Astra Militarum and PDF regiments. Selecting from the same pool of recruits that they had used for Aspirants, the Astartes formed the *Order of the Mäuse Dröhnen*. This Order would dedicate itself to producing exceptionally disciplined and effective soldiers, equipped with high quality arms and armour, to act as light infantry specialists and fight in military campaigns against the myriad threats that assailed the beleaguered human defenders. In particular planning to counter the threat of a renewed Necron assault was prioritised, as it was deemed to be only a matter of time before they returned.

### The Necrons Return

They did not have to wait long before the preparations would be tested. They swiftly ran into stiff Imperial resistance, the result of decades of fortifications and planning. The Order was crucial to the defence, serving as marines on warships, leading counter-attacks, bolstering PDFs and performing strike missions behind enemy lines. Sautekh forces found themselves embroiled in a much harder fight than expected and had to reconsider their objectives thanks to demands on their manpower from other expansion campaigns and a brewing civil war within their Dynasty. The bulk of their forces once more withdrew to address these issues and the remainder shifted to a defensive posture, anticipating the renewal of the offensive.
It would take many years to force the Necron rearguard to leave the Sector, costing billions of lives and the loss of most of the Order, including the last few surviving Astartes. At long last though the Imperial forces were victorious and the battered remnants of the Order turned homewards, hoping at last that some respite had been gained to rebuild. As they travelled news arrived that the Warp storms were abating, improving morale with the prospect of rejoining the Imperium. As they approached the Aeirein system however they received distress calls and panicked civilian ships fleeing in terror. Several planets burned, subject to Exterminatus by prolonged bombardment. Strangely the process had only been half completed on Aeirein and the assaulting ships appeared to be in a standoff with another battlefleet in orbit.

### Reunion with the Imperium

     The Aeirein forces were contacted by the Inquisitor Arachus of the second battlefleet who informed the Order that another Inquisitor had decreed that the system would be subjected to Exterminatus on the grounds of irredeemably heresy. Arachus knew that this was a lie and that in fact the other Inquisitor had been possessed by a demonic entity who sought to further push the Sector into the arms of Chaos. Arachus would bring this Inquisitor to justice, and use the evidence to prevent the completion of the Exterminatus. The surviving Order forces agreed to join those of Inquisitor Arachus and together they launched a daring assault on the traitorous Inquisitor's flagship and assassinated him. With the demonic entity slain by Arachus in front of a dozen witnesses, the battlefleet stood down and accepted his authority,

In thanks for their aid Arachus provided Imperial authority to the Order, legitimising then as Inquisitorial stormtroopers and establishing a supply line to a Forge World so that superior arms and armour could be created for them. The highest ranking survivor, Lt Marios was made Lord Marshal of the Order and entrusted with redesigning the Grenadiers structure and battle methods to suit this new purpose. The Inquisition would ensure aid was sent to repair the devastated planets and the Order would train up and ready several regiments for Inquisitorial service. The Aeirein system and the greater Sector were now safe it seemed, restored to Imperial authority and able to slowly rebuild with aid from the outside.

### The Oath is Broken

However the ever present Necron threat would now manifest itself in another way, for the Sautekh Dynasty had succeeded in repulsing the Waaagh of Warlord Jagga from its borders. The greenskins decided to strike a softer target and plunged into the battered Sector, cutting a hole in the worn down defensive lines and raiding dozens of systems. When the Orks struck the Aeirein military was unprepared but by chance incredibly strong nevertheless. The time had come to ship off both the regiments of Order Grenadiers and also the standard Aeirein Tithe so the planet was overflowing with both soldiers and the fleets to transport them. The Order decided to risk Imperial wrath by diverting these forces to help combat the greenskins, deciding that the risk of retribution at a later time was less important than saving their homes today.

### Judgement

Years later the Waaagh was still being combated. Across a dozen systems Imperial and Aeirein forces fought brutal trench warfare against the Orks, their numbers worn down to almost breaking point. When the Aeirein government received information that an Imperial fleet was on route, it seemed as though retribution had finally come and the Aeirein Governor prepared to surrender and plead leniency for his subjects. The Commander of the fleet, Lord Inquisitor Sangfroid, accepted the Governor's surrender and announced that he would be conducting an investigation into the matter of the missing Tithe and would pass judgement. In the meantime transports filled with Astra Militarum regiments arrived to bolster the beleaguered defenders.
The Lord Inquisitor decided to spare the Aeirein system, judging their efforts in holding the line to be proof that they acted out of duty not heresy. Nevertheless justice needed to be seen to be done and so both the Governor and the current Lord Marshal were executed for treason, along with the surviving staff officers from the time of the original event. The Order was officially disbanded as well, though this was more of a symbolic act as the Order members were reformed into the Aeirein Grenadiers and retained much of the old organisation, equipment and status.

### Aftermath

The Ork Waaagh was eventually broken by the assassination of Warboss Jagga by a Vindicare Assassin, splintering the greenskins into a dozen warring factions that could be dealt with piecemeal. A small Imperial Crusade was launched and purged this menace, driving the foul xenos into void space.
The Aeirein system began the process of rebuilding once more, both physically and in terms of standing with the Administrum. This was aided somewhat by the Aeirein ensuring that they volunteered up a larger number of regiments than required with each Tithe.

### Noctis Aeternae

Shortly before the Noctis Aeternae erupted the Aeirein Grenadier's deployed their restored forces into their neighbouring systems of the Vistula Sector; Danubi, Voltu, and Renavac. Numerous surrounding Frontier systems would also be 'reclaimed' by combined efforts between the Rogue Traders 'Solar Winds of Auximite' and their sworn Begleter Regiments. The new First Marshal, Kaesar, undertook the Renavac Campaign personally as it was infected with Chaos warbands and organised resistance. The initial campaigns were highly successful, routine operations with the only notable event was Kaesar's deployment of an entire regiment through HAP drop behind enemy lines.

However the Noctis Aeternae was inevitable, sweeping across the Vistula Sector and cutting off communication and warp travel. It's regiments were stranded in the neighbouring systems, and Aeirein itself was left nearly defenceless as only a single regiment of Grenadiers remained there. Lord Inquisitor Sangfroid took command of the planets forces, lending what Henchmen remained on the planet to its defense. He soon discovered that the Chaos forces were led by the former Inquisitor Portia, commanding a diverse array of warbands and even heretic Astartes. The Grenadiers and PDF of Aeirein were no strangers to demons and the lost & damned, however not even Kaesar had fought organised military elements of the heretics, nor space marines before. Initial attempts to immediately exterminate the planet were unsuccessful as the Aeirein homefleet valiantly defended it, sacrificing several squadrons and thousands of lives against the larger heretic fleet. Daemon Portia deployed forces to the ground, raining thousands of drop pods onto the planet. Aeirein, having experienced several millennia of warfare against Xenos, Necrons and Orks, was a labyrinth of trenches, bunkers and fortresses that stretched thousands of metres above and below the surface. As the heretic forces washed over one installation, previously vanquished fortresses were taken back from secret tunnels. The heretics continued their onslaught, and through arcane sacrifice brought hosts of daemons forth from ritual massacres. Yet the battles continued to boil down to bitter stalemate. Months, maybe even years passed and the great rift tore apart the very temporal fabric of space. But Aeirein did not fall, the heretics wasted themselves against its defences, it's warlord was beheaded, and it's daemon hosts grew bored of failure. When the long dark finally ended, allies of Lord Inquisitor Sangfroid swiftly arrived and routed the exhausted invaders and restored communication and transport between the Vistula Sector.

The off system Aeirein Grenadier Regiments had been each besieged by similar forces during the Noctis Aeternae. Several had been completely eradicated, the remaining regiments severely depleted and in dire combat. It was the First Marshal Kaesar, who had successfully secured the Renevac system during the long dark, that was pinnacle in Aeirein's quick recovery. Leading a brutal campaign through the remaining systems and driving the heretics, orks and xenos back to the voids of space. The First Marshal adapted the established recruitment and construction of fresh regiments, allowing recruits from outside of Aeirein to form Grenadier regiments. He also oversaw the construction of offworld colonies to ensure that the Aeirein Grenadiers would survive their planet. The Grenadiers rapidly expanded as they never had before, and began securing further neighbouring systems in the name of The Emperor.

### Indomitus Crusade

With news of the Indomitus Crusade Lord Inquisitor Sangfroid dispatched First Marshal Kaesar to serve the Imperium and make an impression on Roboute Guilliman. This also resolved the growing political conflict and satiated the young commander's ambition. Kaesar has yet to return to the Aeirein system but has (With the assistance of Rogue Traders) established a number of colonies to supply Begleter recruits, inspired by the Black Templars.

## Notable Order Campaigns

### The Second Necron Invasion

Following their failed initial campaign the Sautekh Dynasty dispatched a larger force to finish off what the first had started. Despite Imperial forces lacking the numbers they once had including the force of Astartes, the Necrons found the defences far superior and the defenders veteran fighters. Though numbering only a handful the Astartes had impeccably prepared the Imperial defences. The Militarum and Imperial navy would focus entirely on defence while the Astartes led Order of Maus Drohnen would be responsible for counter attack.

* **Tomb Raids** - Individual Astartes led Order strikeforces in void and subterranean operations, into the tombs and aboard the warships of the Necrons. Without support and only themselves to rely on, few of these strikeforces returned but many more necron vessels and installations were destroyed.
* **Guard Relief** - The Order relieved imperial regiments to allow them to retreat and reform battle lines when overrun by the Necron juggernaut. The order as light infantry would later retreat under their own steam. These actions saved many a losing battle, and prevented senseless slaughter of retreating guard. Marius was placed in charge of these operations, the most competent Marshal at the time, after Sibrant, he thoroughly believed that he'd been given a suicide mission, due to the attrition Order members suffered from this overwatch and was baffled that he survived and Sibrant didn't.
* **Overlord Assassination** - Sibrant led an operation to find and kill the Overlord in charge of the Invasion. Taking a regiment of Order members into the heart of the Necron occupied territory. The Regiment successfully boarded the Necron warship and eventually destroyed it, consuming what remained of the regiment, Sibrant, and the Overlord.

### Aetius Campaign against the Orks

While recovering from the Waaagh invasion Marshal Aetius took the fight to the Ork leadership, with the logic that the Orks would retreat if a boss was killed, and a power vacuum created. He did not target the invading Warboss, but the one above it in a neighbouring system - Warboss Atillazz. Aetius took only his single regiment with him, but gathered many more regiments from the shattered guard units of Atillazz' victims. Aetius and Atillazz finally battled on the plains of Cataluanian where the mighty warboss was beaten and his army routed. The last communique from Aetius was victory over the Ork controlled Imperial Keep 'The Emperor's Aquila'. However Ork forces have massively increased in that system as a by-product of their infighting, the main coherent force of Orks invading Aeirein did retreat from the system to secure power within the Waaagh. Aetius is likely dead, but his loyal followers claim he survives fighting a shadow war which if true would make the only surviving Order member responsible for the 'Broken Oath' and a target of Lord Inquisitor Sangfroid.

## Notable Aeirein Grenadier Campaigns

### Renevac Campaign

After the Noctis Aeterna the neighbouring system of Renevac fell to chaos, with imperial resistance pushed underground. Kaesar led a campaign to return the balance, during which three significant battles took place in the same window. After initial battles Kaesar saw that the well established chaos fortifications would require years and millions of lives to break. Kaesar withdrew his forces quickly.

* *Battle of the Sands of Lapis* - The first element of Kaesar's plan involved deploying a single Cohort, within a box canyon with falsified intelligence that their transports had crashed there, and the cohort including Kaesar were trapped. The canyon had no strategic value at all, and the heretics had not constructed any bases there. The heretics led a desperate and hurried attack, to capture the First Marshal, against a dozen tiers of planned defences. Many gruelling months of siege warfare would follow absorbing the attention of two heretic armies. Little information remains of their battles thanks to mutual destruction.
* *The Assault of Tureki* - While the heretics were absorbed in the sands of Lapis, Kaesar undertook a grand-scale operation that involved landing the entire 8th and 10th regiment via HAP drop behind enemy lines, including their vehicles and supplies. A Company of the Phoenix Teilung stormed the only local heretic outpost and silenced their long range alarms. The Grenadiers equipped full battledress, and reconstructed their vehicles in just over week before travelling 100 miles across rough terrain. The mechanised and tank regiment were now perfectly placed behind enemy lines for a shock campaign. Without air and artillery support, the regiments fought on the move and their KammerJager were essential in protecting the forces against heretic air power. The assault had the desired effect, and heretic battlelines crumbled into a complete collapse.
* *Battle of Scerolaif* - With the Aeirein forces withdrawn from the frontlines the Heretics launched a raid against Imperial Command Headquarters, revealing several traitor guard companies. Caught off guard by their own forces with unexpected air support the battle soon became desperate. However a single under-strength squad of Phonix troopers (who were catching R&R) secured the entrance of the headquarters. The squad held the beach despite the enemies numbers and protected the vitally important command centre.

## Homeworld

The homeworld of the Aeirein Grenadiers is Aeirein Prime. A shifting world thanks to its history, Aeirein Prime was known to the initial colonists for its verdant and extensive evergreen forests. They stretched across the continents and one species of evergreen had even conquered the sea. The colonists of Aeirein Prime itself rose to swift prominence within the system for their timber harvests. However as they underwent industrial revolution, and failed to calculate for the slow regeneration of their forests, the colonists accidently destroyed their biome. Their forests died as irreversible climate change took hold. They were able to sustain several stretches of ecologically pure territory and planned to teraform their planet back to the paradise it had been with the help of introduced species from their neighbours and technology from a distance forgeworld. It was long in its preparation, but the colonists were completely behind it. They were a power within their system, commanding authority over others. When the Shadowkesh began raiding the system and those surrounding it was Aeirein Prime that shifted into a sustained military power to protect their neighbours that were now closer to protectorates. When the Shadowkesh identified this, they sent a battlegroup to directly humble Aeirein Prime, and these last vestiges of national parks were destroyed, along with many of their cities. What survived were their military installations, as well as their industrial plants, and the rebuilt world reflected this. Remaining civilian population centres were further fortified and future settlements sprawled around the factories and military camps.

Aeirein Prime slowly became a fortress world, justified by a seemingly endless war against the Orks that nearly overran them again and again. Their attempts to restore the planet to a civilised world was humbled by the much later renewed invasion by the Orks. Each war over Aeirein Prime has reinforced its fortress networks and driven them deeper into the planet. Its surface is bleak, some of the carcasses of their forests remain alike to mass graves of leviathans. The sky is occluded by pollution, and its surface is scorched by their greenhouse gases.

With the attempted Exterminatus of Aeirein, when two Inquisitors let a planet become the folly of their personal feud, a tenth of the World was bombarded by initial volleys of Lances by the invading fleet, mostly focusing on one of the cities. However at this point the planets own defensive fleet was able to intercede the attack, most of them bodily shielding the planet where possible. One of the void dock installations was able to intercept the cyclonic torpedo intended to finish the job. While the Exterminatus was bodged and only partially completed, it still has led to a renewed catastrophic climate change.

Aeirein Prime is occluded in darkness and rolling though rare Crepuscular rays, low level but hazardous radiation covers much of its surface thanks to its past wars, great highways of rolling bunkers and tunnels criss cross the planet between the fortified cities and industrial communes. Massive man made combat theatres are dotted throughout for the training of the extensive PDF, Guard and Grenadiers. Beneath the surface are miles and miles of bunkers and subterrean complexes to accomodate for food creation and safe habitation, further manufactorums and storage. Plans remain, that should the forces of Chaos be vanquished and Imperial Nihilus prosper again, that further efforts to terraform the planet once more will be made.

## Regimental Organisation

#### Officer Ranks

* **First Marshal** - Commander in Chief of the Aeirein Grenadiers and considered to sit between the ranks of Lord General Militant and Lord General.
* **Lord Marshal** - Commander of multiple Grenadier regiments and auxiliary Aeirein detachments.
* **Marshal (Gen.)** - Commander of a Grenadier regiment and auxiliary Aeirein detachment.
* **Wing Commander (Col.)** - Commander of a Grenadier regiment.
* **Lieutenant Colonel (Lt. Col.)** - Commander of a cohort.
* **Commander (Cmdr.)** - Commander of several companies.
* **Captain (Capt.)** - Commander of a company.
* **Lieutenant (Lt.)** - Commander of a platoon.
* **Junior Lieutenant (J. Lt.)** - Commander of several squads.

#### Non-Commissioned Officers

* **Warrant Officer** - Second in commander of a cohort.
* **Sergeant Major (Sgt. Maj.)** - Second in command of a company.
* **First Sergeant (1 Sgt.)** - Second in command of a platoon.
* **Staff Sergeant (SSgt.)** - Second in command of several squads.
* **Sergeant (Sgt.)** - Leader of a squad.
* **Corporal (Cpl.)** - Leader of a fire team.

#### Enlisted

* **Specialist (Spc.)** - Grenadiers that are trained to use a heavy/special weapon or one of the variants of the main SPA Cuirass.
* **Grenadier (Tpr.)** - Baseline male infantry soldier.
* **Valkyrie (Tpr.)** - Baseline female infantry soldier.

### Regimental Organisation

* **Regiment** - 10,000 men, divided into 2 cohorts.
* **Cohort** - ~5,000 men, divided into 10 companies. Typically the first company consists of Phonix Teilung, and the heavy weapon teams and specialist squads attached to the second company denoted as Exterminator/Devastator etc.
* **Company** - ~500 men, divided into 6 platoons.
* **Platoon** - ~100 men, divided into 6 infantry squads, 2 specialist squads and 5 heavy weapon squads.
* **Infantry Squad** - 10 men, divided into 2 fire teams.
* **Fire Team** - 5 men, including either a special weapon or vox operator.
* **Specialist Squad** - ~5 men, usually equipped with specialist SPA variants, consisting of; Erkunde, Asunder, Blitzjaeger and Wulfegbor. Squad size vary between specialist types and regiments.
* **Heavy Weapon Squad** - 6 men, divided into 3 heavy weapon teams.
* **Heavy Weapon Team** - 2 men, equipped with a heavy weapon such as an AC-Mk.88, mortar, quad-HK-Mk42, or Las-Fusil pair.

### Specialist Formations

* **Phönix Teilung** - Selected from the best Grenadiers and given advanced training in zero atmosphere insertions. Entering the battlefield via Drop Pods or High Altitude Parachutes (HAP drops), these troopers secure beachheads, strike the flanks of battle lines or sow chaos behind enemy lines by striking at supply columns and communications. Lacking heavy weapons and support, these light infantry rely upon rapid reinforcement by the more balanced conventional Grenadier units to exploit the opportunities they create.
* **Blitzjaeger** – Equipped with reinforced suits of SPA to allow them to survive intense enemy fire and carrying heavier weaponry than standard grenadiers, the Blitzjaeger act as shock infantry, punching holes in defences with pure blunt force. Lacking mobility and reliant on frequent replenishment thanks to their ammunition hungry weaponry and limited power packs, they are typically mechanised. The Klierkopf in particular is prized for its ample storage and heavy armour.
* **Auserbruder** – A select few veteran Blitzjaeger are chosen and blessed with rare suits of PA, affording them the same level of protection granted by Heavy SPA but with heightened mobility and strength augmentation which allows them to fight toe to toe with the strongest abhumans. The Auserbruder utilise this enhanced speed and strength to tackle foes in melee combat, wielding blades with deadly effect.
* **Wulfgebor** - Recruited from the last feral forest dwellers of Aeirein, these wild men are used as highly mobile light infantry, fighting guerrilla actions against the feral Orks that plague the forests of the home world. Each Wolfgebor is bonded to an Aerein Stormwulf, a ferocious beast that can grow to the size of a Terran horse.
* **Erkunde** - Utilising a stripped down and lightened SPA Cuirass with enhanced power cells, Scouts infiltrate enemy territory and deploy advanced auspex scanners to track troop movements and target bombardments. They also conduct commando raids, sabotage and assassinations, softening up the enemy prior to a full-fledged assault by the main army.

## Wargear

Like any regiment of the Imperial Guard, the Aeirein Grenadiers deploys a wide range of special and heavy weapons. Mostly commonly favoured are Autocannons, Mortars, and Grenade Launchers.

**"SynSkin" under armour microweave**
**SPA Cuirass Mk.28 and 2 charge packs (1 standard & 1 emergency backup)**
**Micro-bead**
**HG-Mk.42 and 4-6 charge packs**
**HP-Mk.40 and 2 charge packs**
**Bayonet/Seax**
**Frag & Krak grenades**
**Manual Recharge Kit**
**Rucksack** | **Basic toolkit**
**Basic medi-kit**
**Poor weather gear**
**Rations (for 1-2 weeks)**
**Mess kit and water canteen**
**Blanket and sleeping bag**
**Rechargeable lamp-pack**
**Entrenching equipment**
***Imperial Infantryman’s Uplifting Primer***
**Grooming kit**

**APA Cuirass Mk.1**
**LSPA Cuirass Mk.38**
**HG-Mk.32**
**Autogun**
**Boltgun**
**Shotgun**
**Flamer**
**Plasma Gun**
**Meltagun** | **Grenade Launcher**
**Grenade Launcher (Underslung attachment)**
**Krak Rifle**
**Las-Fusil**
**Sniper rifle/Long-las**
**Chainsword**
**Power Sword**
**Autopistol**
**Bolt Pistol**
**Plasma Pistol** | **Mortar**
**Scout Pattern Heavy bolter**
**Missile launcher**
**Panzer Phaust**
**Autocannon**
**Lascannon**

## Vehicles & Artillery

While the vast majority of Grenadier regiments are light infantry, a number of them are mechanised regiments with complements of vehicles.

* Basilisk cannon
* Bike
* Begleter Chimera
* Leman Russ Battle Tank
* Macharius Heavy Tank
* Manticore
* Sentinel
* Valkyrie
* Vendetta
* Corvus
* Klierkopf
* Grav-Stug
* Kammerjäger
* Sturmer
* Jagdtiger

## Unique Equipment

### Armour

* **SPA Cuirass Mk.28** – Developed from STC fragments discovered on a nearby Forge World, the SPA Cuirass is a full body suit of semi-powered armour, designed to remove the weight of itself but does not enhance the wearers abilities to any significant degree. SPA provides a carapace equivalent level of protection to the wearer while only having the perceived weight of ordinary flak armour. This technological marvel enables the Aeirein Grenadiers to fulfil their unique role, that of mobile light infantry with the armour and durability of heavy infantry. The main drawback of SPA, aside from its intricate and lengthy construction requirements, are its reliance on power packs with a limited charge life. In the event of the power pack draining the wearer will be significantly encumbered, thanks to the cuirass weighing substantially more than standard carapace. This is offset a number of ways; the cuirass contains a number of dynamos to allow the user's motions to partially recharge the powerpack. The user can also use smaller power packs, such as lasgun packs to power the cuirass for a few minutes. Additionally the klierkopf, kammerjager and Aeirein pattern Corvus carry wireless energy generators which charge nearby grenadiers. These generators are also available as stand alone units for long term defensive locations. Veteran and officers may be lucky enough to get their hands on rare archaerotech power packs which have a substantially greater charge capacity.
* **HSPA Cuirass Mk.12** – Reserved for use by the Blitzjaeger, Heavy SPA is reinforced with substantially thicker plating. This combined with the enhanced power servoes to take the extra weight means that this armour is severely limited in the length of time it can be used for, limiting it usefulness away from vehicles and other external power sources.
* **APA Cuirass Mk.1** – Extremely rare and highly prized, Artificer PA utilises rare and complex materials and archaerotech powerpacks to create a cuirass that combines the mobility of SPA with the protection of HSPA. Unlike SPA the APA cuirass is fully powered, giving the user significantly enhanced strength, though not to the same level as the Power Armour utilised by Inquisitors or Astartes. The enhanced power packs used by these suits allow for prolongued use in combat situations.
* **LSPA Cuirass Mk.38** – Stripped of as much plating as possible while not compromising the core protection of the user and constructed of lighter but rarer alloys, LSPA is capable of supporting the weight of the armour and a substantial amount of carried equipment. It also incorporates enhanced power cells and a number of miniature solar panels to boost the passive recharging ability when the cuirass is not in active use.

### Unique Weaponry

* **Streyros pattern Firearms**- The primary small arms utilised by the Grenadiers, comprising both Lasguns and Autoguns. Both of the weapon series are hard hitting with anti armour potential, and the Lasgun series has modular ability.
* **Seax** - A short but effective combat blade commonly employed as a backup weapon.
* **Panzer Phaust** - A single use rocket with short range and no inbuilt guidance system. While not especially powerful it is lightweight and disposable, providing squads without a dedicated heavy weapon the ability to enhance their firepower. Typically Grenadier squads will be issued with a dozen Panzer Phaust distributed amongst the members.
* **AC-Mk.88 DP** - An Autocannon variant used by Grenadier heavy weapon teams. The Mk.88 DPA is issued with two varieties of shell to deal with both armoured and soft targets. Unlike some patterns of Autocannon, the AC-Mk.88 lacks automatic fire and is restricted to small capacity magazines but it makes up for this with superior penetration thanks to its high velocity ammunition. With an experienced team manning it the ROF issue can be largely negated by rapid reloading and superior target acquisition.
* **AC-Mk.105** - A tank mounted Accelerator Autocannon that is fitted to the Kammerjager. Equipped with advanced optical targeting matrices, the AC-Mk.105 is capable of shooting down fast moving aircraft with ease but is also just as effective against infantry or vehicles.

### Unique Vehicles

* **Begleter Chimera** - A variant of the standard Chimera which replaces the standard turret with a pintle mounted Assault cannon which is remote controlled by the gunner. The lack of bulky power cells and turret machinery means that this version of the Chimera is faster and can carry two extra soldiers.
* **Klierkopf** - A large and heavily armoured APC that can carry two squads of Grenadiers or a squad of Blitzjager right into the heart of battle. The Klierkopf is highly modular, capable of being modified easily to suit mission requirements. The basic model is lightly armed with only a servitor controlled quad HG-Mk.42 turret but this can be augmented by single use artillery rocket pods fitted to the flanks. This variant possesses a wireless charging generator that can passively recharge SPA cuirasses within a 20 metre radius of the vehicle. The Klierkopf can also be modified to act as a dedicated artillery piece or tank hunter (at the expense of transport capacity) by swapping out the troop compartment for a heavy mortar or anti-tank cannon. The Klierkopf is highly regarded by the Grenadiers and is the vehicle of choice for mechanised squads.
* **Grav-Stug** - A highly mobile hover tank that is in high demand amongst strike teams. Combining a large calibre battle cannon with decent armour with excellent speed and terrain crossing ability, the Grav-stug is an excellent tank hunter. Though extensive issues with its introduction and manufacture has limited its deployable numbers. These have more recently been overcome and the Grav-Stug is becoming the mainline battletank of the Grenadiers.
* **Kammerjäger** - A massive tank that rivals the Baneblade in size, the Kammerjäger is typically reserved for use by high ranking commanders. Equipped with a turreted pair of AC-Mk.105 Autocannons and plasma cannon sponsons, the Kammerjäger is comparatively lightly equipped for a superheavy vehicle but makes up for this with its ability to carry a squad of Grenadiers. They are also often equipped with a rack of hunter-killer missiles to boost their anti tank firepower.
* **Stürmer** - An infantry support tank, the Stürmer is similar in size to the Kammerjäger but with a lower profile. Equipped with a multi-use missile array and a myriad of grenade launchers, the Stürmer plows across enemy lines, discharging smoke and clearing trenches with its frag launchers. Extremely thick frontal armour allows it to brave the thickest incoming fire and protect the Grenadiers that shelter behind it.
* **Jagdtiger** - A powerful tank/titan killer that is a rare but welcome sight on the battlefield, the Jagdtiger features a massive turret that typically mounts a superheavy weapon such as a titan gun or a Baneblade cannon. It lacks secondary weapons, possessing only a co-axial Autocannon and rarely a Helios missile launcher, and therefore avoids frontline combat. Jagdtigers are most often seen supporting the battle lines from the rear, utilising the long range of the turreted weapon to strike down enemy superheavy vehicles or walkers.

## Regimental Recruitment & Training

Aeirein Grenadiers are selected from the Uberlegen, a pool of recruits that have attained the standards expected of the Initiates gathered for the Black Templars prior to the destruction of the Keep. Grenadiers undergo the same training regime of the standard Aeirein soldiers before being enrolled for the Order training course. This gruelling regime includes survival exercises conducted on a death world, extensive war games, martial art studies and armour maintenance courses, ensuring that the Grenadiers are well versed in both combat knowledge and the ability to look after the complex equipment provided to them.

## Notable Regiments

* 1st - **The Primigenia** or Firstborn, as they are more commonly known, were the first regiment of Grenadiers formed and hold the honour of being originally an Order regiment. Under the command of Sibrant they saw the hardest fighting against the Sautekh invasion, and ultimately were destroyed in the Overlord assassination attempt. When Marios was named First Marshal he reformed the Primigenia and took them as his own regiment. Their fate was surely cursed however, as they were destroyed again combating the Ork Waaagh. With the dissolution of the Order the regiment was left to rest for many years until First Marshal Kaesar reforged them yet again. Kaesar had decided that the Grenadiers should not hide from their past (privately at least) and that the Order should be seen as a noble period of their history. The regiment was entrusted to Marshal Markus who was tasked with restoring the reputation of the first regiment to its rightful place. This he has succeeded in doing, thanks largely to a string of successful campaigns against the enemies of the Imperium. The Primigenia are a spearhead regiment, with the largest contingent of Auserbruder and Blitzjager of any regiment.
* 3rd - **The Scorpions Maw** was the last of the Order's original triumvirate under leadership of Marshal Solomon. Taking the position of ships marines and dangerous insertion operations, they naturally pioneered the Phonix Teilung formations when reforged. With unmatched drilling and discipline the Phonix Troopers land feet first by drop pod and grav-chute and create terror and chaos with surprise attacks. Unlike the individual Phonix cohorts of other Regiments, the 3rd can only rely upon itself in battle, and carry the highest density of man-portable heavy weapons within the regiments - and thanks to their extensive drilling they deploy these weapons with ruthless efficiency.
* 8th - The **Stormchild** are a elite tank regiment (Upon their rebirth). Only half the size of a conventional regiment, the Stormchild's are made up of specialist armoured units including not only squads of sentinels, leman russ, and baneblades, but also unique vehicles such as Grav Stugs, Sturmers and the Jadgtiger. The small number of grenadiers are specialist engineers and tank hunters transported by chimera, klierkopf or kammerjager. The 8th are part of Kaesar's formidable army.
* 10th - **The Tenth**, were the original regiment of current First Marshal Kaesar. Formerly two separate regiments, the 5th and 8th, infamous as the only regiments to rout against the enemies of man thus far. They were decimated for their heresy, merged into the 10th and thrown back into the war under the leadership of wing commander Kaesar, new regiments would be forged under those numbers with fresh history. Since that wretched failure they have proved themselves again and again fighting the Orks, Necrons and forces of Chaos with unmatched zeal. Becoming First Marshal, Kaesar has the authority to draw only veteran units into his tenth, further segmenting their renown. The only regiment to be entirely "mounted" with Klierkopf APC's, the tenth remain Kaesar's Vanguard.
	+ **Hunter-Killer Group 479** An auxiliary cohort permanently assigned to the Tenth. Formerly a reconnaissance detachment, the surviving squads of sentinels have evolved into hunter-killer teams. Each sentinel is personalised and upgraded into a finely calibrated tool of death, piloted by handpicked veterans; typically carrying several hunter-killer missiles and secondary weapon systems. These teams travel silently through no mans land or behind the enemies battle-lines, stalking their quarry and performing precise ambushes in concert with Erkunde. Typically they target battle tanks, and have been known to strike at super heavy armour elements - including baneblades.
	+ **Ursula's Claws** A Rough Rider cohort formed under the leadership of Ursula. Elite Guerrilla fighters and night raiders.
	+ **Indominable** A collection of more than 4 destroyed regiments that have formed a elite company of unconventional specialists to support the Tenth's Auxilia. Made up of veteran auxiliaries from Aeirien PDF, Steel Legion and Death Korps of Krieg survivors as well Inquisitor Portia's retinue of Terran arbites and assassins.

## Notable Guardsmen

### The Order

* **Sibrant** The First Marshal of the Order (Subsequently leading Marshals were called First Marshal), Sibrant would have become an Black Templar Neophyte indeed he had reached the 5th phase of Augmentation before the Temple Keep was destroyed. Instead he became one of the first Begleter. An energetic and indomitable character who quickly took a natural leadership role amongst the other recruits. Sibrant pioneered the personality associated with Order members, carefree and almost ignorant of the suicidal dangers they faced and met every challenge head first. Thanks to his initial augmentations Sibrant towered over his men, and almost reached the height of their Astartes mentors. Despite his age Sibrant had the admiration of the Astartes mentors who drove him to lead in their stead. However his life was cut short in his endeavours to end the Sautekh-Aeirein conflict.
* **Solomon** Famous for pioneering what would become the Phonix Teilung and orbit corps of the Order. Solomon led void operations against Necron Warships, daring raids infiltrating tomb ships to destroy them from the inside. As well as deploying through grav-chute to behind the Necron battle lines to fight without support. His shrewd and subtle tactics were often seen as sheer luck as he steered his forces out of danger again and again. Solomon survived the Aeirein-Sautekh war, but eventually lost his life to the many Waaaghs of Jagga.
* **Marius** Leading Marshal in the Order during its transformation into the Aeirein Grenadiers. Responsible for much of its idealogical and structural change. Superb and inspirational commander known for fantastic speeches and unmatched zeal in the face of impossible odds. Under his leadership the Aeirein Grenadiers never lost their faith, unfortunately Marius was executed along with many others for refusing to supply the tithe.
	+ **Urso** The bodyguard of Marius, a giant of man and the first Wulfgebor of the Begleter. Urso was never seen apart from Marius, faithful to the very end. Urso's combat prowess was such that on numerous occasions he took on challenges that required an entire squad, breaking an enemies line or holding the Aeirein's on single-handedly.

### The Aeirein Grenadiers

* **Marshal Aetius** Recorded as a paragon of the original Order, Aetius took his regiment of Grenadiers and Auxiliaries to strike back at the Jagga Waaagh, and take heat off the Aeirein system. Rumours say that Aeitius and his grenadiers have survived, and continue their shadow war against the Orks, causing massive attrition in their armies. Aetius bared all the hallmarks of the old order, a mad bravery, ruthless cunning, and fanatical zeal for the Emperor. Aetius remains the last member of the Order before it was purged by Inquisitor Sangfroid, and if alive will be marked for death by his henchmen for failing to uphold the tithe.
* **Pompeii** A competent but defensive Lord Marshal who has overseen the survival of Aeirein during Jagga's Waagh. After the execution of Marius, Pompeii was expected to be ascended to First Marshal, however the young Kaesar took this position. Since then Pompeii and Kaesar have maintained a bitter but proffessional rivalry. Pompeii has artificially extended his life, and as such has a vast repository of experience and knowledge to call upon.
	+ **Leonis** Auxiliary stormtrooper, and honourary Grenadier. Right hand man to Pompeii, Leonis is ferocious and charismatic leader and effective assassin when required.
* **Wing Commander Baron Odenathus** As part of the lucrative trade deal between the Solar Winds of Auximite and Aierien System, several regiments of Grenadiers were sworn into the Auximite service. Because of the Inquisitors close eye on the Grenadiers, they were assigned to the Vassal State of Palymria – both proximate to Aeirein, and already used as a buffer between the Inquesition. Odenathus was one such Wing Commander, and became famous after becoming consort of the Palmyrian Baroness Zenobia. Though the other Grenadier Regiments have been reassigned to more useful ships after a suitable time, the Grenadiers of Odenathus have remained in the Palmyrian employ – earning the house considerable notoriety and power despite their subjugated status.
* **First Marshal William Julius Kaesar** Ambitious and Ruthless, in the wake of the Noctis Aeternae, Kaesar has catapulted the Aeirien Military since his ascension to become First Marshal. Leading numerous campaigns personally he has eradicated Ork strongholds from the Aeirein Inner system, and broken the back of Ork forces in the outer Systems. He has organised the colonisation of several planets in safe neighbouring systems for Aeirien Refugees and surplus population. Kaesar holds overall command of 4 Grenadier Regiments, one of which is the 10th, a fully mounted regiment, which he leads directly. With the home system relatively stable, Kaesar and his 4 Regiments have joined the Indomitus Crusade.
	+ **Decima** Argued as the “Sword of Aeirein”, and official champion of Tenth. Clad in APA, Decima has long served the Tenth as its champion, known for fluid and balanced duelling effective in and out of armour, Decima holds the rare accolade of defeating heretic Astartes in melee.
	+ **Warrant Officer Reinius**; Veteran Retainer within the Tenth. Former Gladiator with over a 100 years of warfare experience. Said to be more mechanical than man now, from many grevious war injuries. The last remaining Order member from the original founding, having artificially extended his life, as a invaluable mascot of the Grenadiers, Reinius still inspires the men, even if in combat he has been relegated to a shield bearer. However his knowledge is priceless, his eye during training and selection invaluable.
	+ **Torbruk** Spymaster, assassin, NCO and former gladiator. Tobruk is vital in the running of the Tenth, especially through the administration, but further through subterfuge. Tobruk also has use as a judge of character and in political situation that though rare, can occur with other imperial regiments, Astartes and rogue traders.
	+ **Curia Elohiem** **Ursula** Former Sororitas Hospitaller who has through fortune found a place as leader of a company of Wulfgebor within the 10th. She has proved a significant hero to the Grenadiers and is reverred as a living saint after many feats of battle and a symbol of that the Emperor had no hand in the tragic exterminatus of Aeirein. Ursula, as any Sororitas, is a pious and skilled warrior, bringing the emperor's light with her to battle.
	+ **Warrant Officer Hugo** Liaison and overseer of the Tenth's auxiliary companies and throne agent of Sangfroid. Hugo is tactically shrewd and pragmatic, and can turn out a charismatic speech whenever needed. Essential in gelling several fractured regiments that Kaesar took as his auxiliaries, including the original henchmen of Inquisitor Portia. Hugo wears carapace armour and carries a Hellgun, but is visually indifferent of the Cadian Auxiliaries. Keeping his helmet on and identity a mystery within the battlefield has saved his life several times. He has earned the confidence and respect of Steel legion, Kriegers and Terran Arbites, which together make the 252nd **Indominable**, a highly effective irregular warfare company.
* **Marshal Markus** “The Sword of Aeirein”, Markus is the childhood friend of Kaesar, and Marshal of the "Primigenia", or first born reforged finally since their destruction against the Sautekh explorators, the first grenadier regiment of Aeirein. Leading from the front always in his APA, he is a fearsome opponent with unmatched speed and terrifying fury.

## Regiment Appearance

The Aeirein Grenadiers are clad head to toe in their SPA armour that is painted to the style of their particular regiment, for example the 10th are black, or remain unpainted in the 1st regiment. The grenadiers consider their SPA suits their dress uniform, and will wear it in parades and such. When armour and dress uniform is not required the grenadier uniform is a personification in practical and minimalist design, consisting of rugged overalls. The grenadiers do not rely on insignia or coloured markings to distinguish rank, as internal HUDs within their helmet provide this information – further grenadiers pride themselves in able to identify their comrades without assistance. However the first cohort is given select gold trim, and carries the regiment’s standard into battle. Wearers of APA, veterans, and Marshals wear a tabard over their cuirass, a tradition installed since the first days of the Order when the Black Templars led.

## Regiment Culture

Aeirein Grenadiers are often disliked, as they openly consider themselves superior to allied guardsmen - referring to them as Auxiliaries - until they are proven otherwise. The Authority their Marshals carry, currently directed by Lord Inquisitor Sangfroid, leads to distrust and fear as many Inquisitor would face. The Grenadiers are themselves pragmatic, and devoted entirely to their work. A Grenadier prides himself on the maintenance of his SPA Cuirass and Rifle, which are both demanding in that regard. Grenadiers are often seen in their downtime cleaning and oiling said armour and weapons. Veteran grenadiers are known however for a magpie like attitude to acquiring weapons from the battlefield, and often carry exotic lasgun, and autogun variants - sometimes even bolt guns.

That said the Grenadiers are also known for their food and drink. Grenadiers supplement their standard rations with homemade food, paid or more often caught within their own time, their food varies considerably between regiments, cohorts and even squads as recipes are passed on by word of mouth and rarely defined.

Tonic Broth is the common drink of the Grenadiers, alongside Ale, made from the leftover bones, juices, fat and just about any roughage of other meals. The stock is then infused with herbs and spices. The Tonic Broth is infamous for a disgusting and acquire taste, however it's rejuvenative qualities are not argued.

Bort, air dried meat, is a common snack and protein substance for the Grenadiers. Originally from the Wulfgebor, the heavily spiced and dried the meat is chewy unless tenderised by a day of running - as traditionally the Stormwulf carried it. Alternatively the Bort is grounded into powdered to be added to Tonic Broth.

The most varied food of the Grenadiers is Sausage, as it seems that each company has its own recipe, with no commonality in ingredients, ratio, cooking and preservative method. However it is common to see the Company's sausages hanging inside the Klierkopf, to be eaten when celebrating victory.

## Allies

* **Solar Winds of Auximite** - The Auximite have forged a rapid and strong alliance with the Aeirein Grenadiers thanks to establishing a supply chain from the forgeworld Traumschmiede. Though many systems away the supply has been essential and allowed the Grenadiers to field additional infantry regiments and massively increase their vehicle deployment. In return the Aeirein have supplied a number of their regiments to the Auximites ships as marines and in support of their increasing ground excursions.
* **Lord Inquisitor Sangfroid** - This powerful member of the Ordos Excorium has transformed the Aeirein system into his new seat of power, as the Noctis Aeternae has disrupted his former territories. The massive increase in defences, renewed prosperity and excellent administration that Sangfroid has brought has garnered him a excellent reputation with the Aeirein population and devoted loyalty.

## Enemies

* **Orks** - Several thousand of years of warfare against perpetual Ork Waaaghs have garnered contempt and respect from the Aeirein Grenadiers. Though they never underestimate their foe the Aeirein will mercilessly hunt down any Greenskins they encounter, often with vindictive satisfaction.
* **Necrons** - Though not such an ancient or ubiquitous foe as the Orks, the Necrons were the Catalyst of the Grenadiers creation, and the folly of the original order. For the Begleter their is no greater honour than to battle the Necrons as their forefathers did. In fact it has been many a Commanders undoing, as they rush to battle a Necron foe and over reach.
* **Chaos** - The Aeirein Grenadiers hold no personal slight against the forces of Chaos, other than the Warp's involvement in cutting their distance system from Imperial reinforcement. However the numerous accusation of heresy and prejudice they receive as a result of their Broken Oath, independence and exotic equipment has driven the Aeirein Grenadiers to purge the forces of chaos with vitriol in an effect to assure their loyalty to the Imperium.

## Notable Quotes

### By the Aeirein Grenadiers

"*I was there, 'our enemies will fall by a thousand wounds', when Sibrant forged our battle cry. Imperial lines were broken, we dug in, we had to hold back those damn Xenos Constructs. We didn't have SPA back then, or -42's. Most of our armour was made from scrap and my Hellgun was held together with tape and prays. They came at us with armour battalions, tanks, flyers, monoliths. Sibrant was there in the front line, with The Emperors Angels by his side. 'They will fall by a thousand wounds!' he cried. The Astartes had shown us their weak spots, and we poured las fire in them. I saw tanks crash to the ground, riddled with holes like pores on a face. Their armour steaming with heat. Their limbs severed by a thousand stabs of a needle. Crews ran at their monoliths with melta charges, those few that made it ... we poured las fire into those breaches. I don't know how we won that day ... there were so few of us left I wonder if we did win that day. But the bastard was right. 'They fell by a thousand wounds'.*"
— Unidentified Begleter
### About the Aeirein Grenadiers

"*Chief ordered our tank wing to cross the fjord and attack their left flank. We’d lost infantry and some vehicles to their heavy weapon teams; but recon reported no armour and no anti-armour weaponry, just autocannons. The ‘Russ’s would do just fine. Bastards got it wrong, gunners got sniped almost immediately, one got hit through the armour, must have been a hot-shot. Their auto cannons were pummelling our tanks, their shells were ripping through the hull like paper. The whole wing was wiped out in minutes. Light weapons my arse! When they dragged my body through the battle line I couldn’t believe my eyes, they were loading the shells by hand, one by one!*"
— Excerpt from a Heretics account.

## Trivia

* The name Aeirein comes from the Greek word ἀείρειν, which is from the same root word as Aorta and means "to lift, heave, raise".
* The Aeirein Banner utilises various elements in reference to their history, such as the Black Templar iconography due to service with them and irl references such as the Cornish flag due to the author's heritage.
* The arms and armour of the Aeirein Grenadiers are based upon the Dreamforge Eisenkern line of models.