Grannoc Desert Levies

Grannoc Desert Levies armorial with regimental badge.

Grannoc Desert Levies trooper (Line Infantry).

The **Grannoc Desert Levies** are comrpised of a multitude of Astra Militarum regiments, belonging to the hive world of Grannoc in the Ultima Segmentum. They are recognised for their endurance and reliability when it comes to their purpose, combined regiments fighting open conflicts in humid climates and environments, most often deserts. However, both civilians and guardsmen from other regiments have been on record as having voiced frustrations at the Levies, due to the politics that often comes with the arrival of Grannoc's regiments, many of their officers more content to increase their own station and prestige, even at the sacrifice of their own men. Even with this, the soldiers of the Levies have proven themselves respectable members of the Astra Militarum, having earned their place amongst the rest.

## History

### Origins

Soon after the planet of Grannoc had been settled by moisture farmers, it was decided that militias would need to be formed to help protect the prospecting migrants from the ravenous predators and xenos that already called the planet their home. The first Desert Levies militia was formed within a year, and put under the command of the newly appointed Captain Frisk. Despite the protection of the militia, the farmers were still raided by xenos, as they had beasts to traverse the dunes of Grannoc quickly, and the Levies were at the time ill equipped to deal with them, armed only with simple auto weapons. From the suggestion of Captain Frisk, beasts of burden were taken from the moisture farms and pressed into service, along with any who knew how to ride, thus was the first cavalry division of the milita formed. Now, the Levies could fight back against the xenos on equal footing, and managed to push them back to the canyon ridges of Goodsprings, allowing for more settlers to be brought in.

Along with the settlers that were brought in, was a representative of the Departmento Munitorum. After recording the tales civilians had told of the militia, the representative decreed that additonal support would be sent to Grannoc, as well as vast freighters to help convert Grannoc into a Hive world, and in exchange, the populace would focus themselves on the purpose of raising regiments for the Solar Auxilia, introducing them to the Tithe system.

Over time, the desert world of Grannoc had transformed into a prosperous Hive world, thanks to the protection of the Levies, and even the start of a beneficial relationship with the nearby Forge World of Sentinum II after several campaigns against xenos warbands together, ushering in a period of peace for the planet.

### Helios

The worked-for peace was enjoyed throughout the Great Crusade by the two planets, and even for a short period when the Horus Heresy broke out, with both Grannoc and the mechanicus of Sentinum II only learning of the civil war through hazy reports from the limited allies they had. This all changed with one discovery.

On a routine joint-patrol of the satellite station of Helios which was stationed on the edge of the system, the 32nd Recon "Dune Wolves" and the 4th Cohort "985-Sigma" came across butchered remains astartes from the Imperial Fists legion. Knowing that there was a civil war in the greater Imperium, both forces soon devolved into shouting at the other and aiming weapons. Everyone present assumed it would stop at that until the brass came to an agreement, but the lasbolts fired by an unknown guardsmen put rest to that, and full on fighting soon erupted.

Soon learning of the firefight that had erupted on the Helios station and assuming that Sentinum II had joined the traitors, the top brass of the Levies hundreds of task groups, quickly siezing all manufactorums and Mechanicus outposts on Grannoc after several short firefights, in preparation for retaliation. After several months it came, asenals of arcane weaponry and countless legions of cybernetic warriors flooded the dunes of Grannoc, and it was all that the Auxilia could do to hold their ground at best.

This continued for several gruelling weeks until a group of officers got together and hatched a desperate plan. They gathered their forces and melted into the desert wastes, leaving just enough of a trail for Mechanicus forces to follow them. Once satisfied they had lured away enough, they suddenly converged and picked apart the skitarii, repeating the process several times before the Mechanicus caught on to what they were doing and sent faster Pteraxii to deal with them. However, at this point, the Field Marshals had learned of the improvisation that had taken place and ordered all remaining task forces to do the same. What began as traditional pitched battles had transformed into a contest of wills to see which side would give in first from the pressures of constantly adapting to their opponent.

This back and forth carried on for most of the Heresy, even spilling onto the forge world of Sentinum II, until a small unit lead by an unnamed Ultramarine who was designated Courier uncovered the truth behind the bodies that had sparked this civil war. The Imperial Fists were slain by Iron Warriors in a void engagement, and the inisidious traitors decided to plant the bodies in Helios Station to initiate a war. Both Grannoc and Sentinum II were horrified that the war they had just fought was all based on a lie, with peace being quickly and eagerly brokered between them with the Courier as a mediator. Despite loathing what happened during the Heresy, the soldiers of the Levies and skitarii of Sentinum II grew a mutual respect for each other, with their leaders exchanging oaths of solidarity to come to each others aid whenever needed, to atone for what they had done.

Since the end of the Heresy, the soldiers of the Levies have used these events to shape what they stand for: Adaptability in the face of any odds, a grim perseverance to endure until their foe gives in and to be ever dependable for their allies.

## Notable Campaigns

* **The Founding (945.M30)** - Through necessity with xenos pirates constantly harrassing farmers, the groundwork is laid for what would become the Desert Levies as militias are formed. Despite the new protection, moisture farms were still raided and it was only when the first cavalry unit was formed that the Levies were able to finally push back the xenos.

* **Of Machine and Man (009-013.M31)** - Through the machinations of Iron Warriors, a civil war erupts between the Mechanicum of Sentinum II and the Desert Levies of Grannoc. After four long years of gruelling fighting through the desert wastes, a peace is finally brokered thanks to an unknown Ultramarine, and the two direct any leftover fury towards the traitors.

* **Frontier Forming (740-742.M38)** - Three dozen regiment sof the Desert Levies were sent alongside an Explorator fleet into the Ghoul Stars, intending to uncover lost technology and discover planets suitable for settling. Three months into the expedition, great heretical warbands that belong to a collective known as The Legion are encountered and engaged, but a two year long stalemate prevents any progress. Eventually suffering from a lack of supply lines, the expedition is forced to retreat from the Ghoul Stars.

* **Breaking the Tide (620.M40)** - Deployed in advance to the tundra word of Gastra.45 to prepare for an incoming Ork WAAAGH!, three regiments of the Desert Levies were forced to adapt to their ill suited environment, relying on the accompanying Valhallan and Mordian regiments to take the bulk of the work. Despite this, the Levies performed well as flanking forces and guerillas, able to maneuver where the more rigid Valhallans and Mordians could not. Victory was achieved after seven months of constant fighting, both due to the weather and the orks.

* **Savage Portens (698.M41)** - A migrant fleet of Kroot ships feeing something unknown arrives in the New Mojave system, managing to avoid detection until they make planetfall on Grannoc. They are met by several regiments held in reserves in case of invasion and battles erupt across the planet surface. It is only when a shaper brings evidence of what he had been fleeing from that a ceasefire was brokered. The kroot would be allowed to sette into the deep canyons and plateaus, in return for helping to defend against the future invasion. The evidence brought was a cold, silver skull with red eyes.

* **Fall of Cadia (999.M41)** - After a hiatus due to a large warp storm that had blocked any travel in and out of the Sub-sector, several regiments were sent to Cadia to fight in the wastes of the planet. Twelve regiments departed for Cadia and many heroic deeds were recorded. However, for the tragedy of the destruction of Cadia, only two depleted regiments managed to make it back to Grannoc, the 427th Armoured "Iron Tracks" and the 394th Engineers "Grease Warriors".

* **Battle of Boulder (010-015.M42)** - Taking advantage of the shrouding from The Blackness, the renegade cults and militias of The Legion invaded the agri-world of Boulder. Despite only learning basic information from sporadic reports, a task force of twelve regiments was created, under the command of General Oliver. A near-disastrous guerilla campaign was fought against the forces of The Legion, with the task force nearly routed until a desperate maneuver was enacted by Tosch Elamim, baiting the bulk of renegade forces into the capital of Pastoral Central. Stockpiled munitions were detonated underneath the city, burying the renegades in the rubble of the collapsed buildings but resulted in the ruin of the capital. The campaign was considered a victory nonetheless.

* **Iron Onslaught (0.19-M26.M42)** - Despite the warnings of the migrant Kroot and recalling many of the Desert Levies regiments, a great host of Iron Warriors, lead by Warsmith Krassek of Illux managed to batter its way through orbital defences and land on the planet. Smaller skirmishes were fought in the desert wastes but the heaviest fighting was seen in the Hive Cities. Hive Naistus saw some of the worst, with forces of Iron Warriors managing to breach through defences made by Grannoc 'Vultures' Tempestus regiments and Armageddon Steel Legion. Only through a desperate but heroic counterattack by Colone Nomad Scaell and the combined host of the 450th Armoured and 603rd Line Infantry were the leadership of the Hive's defence able to be saved. Imperial forces fled deeper into the Hive to consolidate forces, with smaller firefights breaking out in the lower levels.

## Regimental Organisation

### Officers

* **Field Marshal**
* **General**
* **Lieutenant General**
* **Major General**
* **Brigadier**
* **Colonel**
* **Lieutenant Colonel**
* **Major**
* **Captain**
* **Lieutenant**
* **Second Lieutenant**

### Non Commissioned Officers & Enlisted

* **Staff Sergeant**
* **Sergeant**
* **Corporal**
* **Lance Corporal**
* **Private**

## Notable Regiments

* **450th Armoured "Steel Convoy"**: The 450th Armoured are a grizzled, experienced regiment of the Desert Levies. They hold many veterans amongst their number due to their frequency at being used as a spearhead. They are lead by Colonel Nomad Scaell, a seasoned commander that has lead them to many victories and cemented their reputation amongst the regiments as a robust fighting force. Being an Armoured regiment, the 450th consist mostly of vehicles such as Leman Russes and Hellhounds, along with limited mechanised infantry support. They are often paired up with the 603rds Line Infantry due to the nature of the two regiments' purposes allowing for close cohesion between them, as well as having the unintended effect of a deep respect forming.

* **317th Cavalry "Dune Cavaliers"**:

* **144th Tempestus "Vultures"**: One of fifty Tempestus regiments included in the 750 that make up the Levies, the Vultures are held with a frustrated contempt by the rank and file. They are only sent on deployments at the orders of the Field Marshal, and are often seen filling the role of security details for officials and politicians. This has given them the reputation of posers being gifted a prestigious position in exchange for serving the greedy. However, to the frustration of their detractors, they have the elite training of the Tempestus to add to their political backing, granting them immunity from the consequences their reputation would normally bring.

* **603rd Line Infantry "Sand Grunts"**:

* **72nd Engineers "Gearheads"**:

## Figures of Note

* **Field Marshal Gretta Raspizio**:

* **General Oliver**

* **Brigadier Tosch Elamim**: A harsh but ultimately fair taskmaster, Tosch Elamim is a Brigadier within the Desert Levies, in charge of the 7th Grannoc Army Group. Originating from a noble family, Tosch bought his first commission but surrounded himself with veterans and competant officers that would not blindly stroke his ego. Over several decades he been awarded medals, risen in the ranks and earned a reputation for himself. His main claim to fame however, came from the infamous Battle of Jabiim Ridge. Furious at the 7th Army Group being assigned as a sacrificial diversion to draw in the Heretic Astartes, Tosch Elamim instead whipped up his forces into a patriotic fervour, and managed to draw the battle out into a days long grinding attrition which was eventually won. This would normally earn the ire of the soldiers, but Tosch insisted on leading from the front, and never took a step backwards even despite the injuries he had sustained in the battle. Since that battle, word had spread of the Brigadier's actions, the soldiers and citizenry of Grannoc coming to gift him with the title of 'The Ferrocrete Duke', a moniker that Tosch begrudgingly accepts, as he would never openly admit to enjoying the reputation that he's been given.

* **Colonel Nomad Scaell**:

* **Major Tobias Brocke**:

* **Big Durb**:

* **Commissar Wobblendoom**:

* **Staff Sergeant Agonal**:

* **Private John Gaard**:

* **The Wanderer**:

## Regimental Appearance

### Regimental Uniform

The soldiers of the Desert Levies are made to pay for their own uniforms and thus what one Levy wears will vary to another, with Munitorum officials only making sure the essentials such as materials for flakweave and survival kits are provided, although there are some consistencies through all the regiments. All uniforms are made up of relatively thin materials such as Nilcloth, with flakweave weaved into the clothing, and given unpainted metallic flak shoulderpads. Combining both a status symbol as well as protection from arid climates, most Levies also wear some form of brown hat, with either an orange or purple Scorchawk feather attached.

The colours of uniforms worn by soldiers varies from regiment to regiment, to help them easily identify each other, with the most common as follows:

* Line Infantry uniforms are a light-cream colour to help them blend in with sand.
* Armoured uniforms are an urban grey as out of all the regiment divisions, Armoured regiments are most likely to find themselves fighting in urban environments.
* Engineer uniforms are brown in colour, as they are often dirtied anyway due to the nature of their work.
* Cavalry uniforms are also light-cream in colour but they all wear either a silver or gold plasteel helmet, and use a mount, usually a horse.
* Irregular uniforms are bright orange in colour so they are never mistaken, and given to those that do not belong in any other regiment division, such as conscripts or ad-hoc units made during a deployment. Abhuman attached to Levies regiments are also given Irregular uniforms to help identify them as part of their regiments.

### Regimental Iconography

The Grannoc Desert Levies regimental badge takes the form of a stylised white building (representing the Imperial Palace), with white Aquila wings behind it and centered upon a brown background.

## Allies & Enemies

### Allies

* **Sentinum II**:

* **White Scars**:

* **Helghorst Elite**:

* **Kroot**:

### Enemies

* **Iron Warriors**:

* **Tau**:

* **Death Guard**:

* **The Legion**:

## Notable Quotes

### By the Grannoc Desert Levies

*“Soldiers of the 450th Desert Levies, hear me now! Today, against all odds, you have proven yourselves amongst the best the Imperium has to offer! You have beat back the pathetic traitors of the Iron Warriors, as well as giving the Emperor’s Mercy to His servants who had faltered from His light! For that the Emperor will be forever grateful, but our work here has not yet ended! There are hordes more of heretical scum and xenos that we have to send back into the void where they belong!” - Colonel Nomad Scaell at the end of the Battle for Jebinn Canyon.*