Avlis Wiki - User contributions [en]

Guild: Blackhawk Company

2016-04-15T09:14:41Z

Shadowviper:

[[Image:Blackhawk.gif|left|thumb|right|140px|M'Chekian Army, Special Operations Division, Blackhawk Company]]
'''Alignment:''' Any alignments are welcome. However, non-good alignments are better suited to solving problems through military violence, and the M'Chekian Army has usually tended towards the Neutral and Evil ends of the spectrum.

'''Base of operations:''' The Nation of [[M'Chek]].

'''How to contact us:''' Any of the senior officers (listed below) will be happy to help.

'''What we do:''' Blackhawk Company is the PC division of [[M'Chek]]'s armed forces.

'''What to expect:''' Kicking ass for [[M'Chek]]! Expect a lot of military-themed roleplaying, including planning and executing daring missions in wartime as well as regular guild meetings and outings. Wherever there is a threat to [[M'Chek]] and its citizens, Blackhawk Company stands in their way. We are not law enforcement, though we do aid the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|M'Chekian Guards]] when necessary.

'''Miscellany:''' The Blackhawks are part of the elite-forces wing of the [[Guild:MChekArmy|M'Chek Army]], and as such are called upon for dangerous military tasks requiring flexibility, ingenuity and outstanding bravery. [[M'Chek|M'Chekian]] citizenship is a must, as is a clean criminal record (you can't be wanted for crimes in other nations). Your character will be expected to spend a majority of their time in [[M'Chek]]. That's not to say they can't travel, but characters who only come to [[M'Chek]] to take part in DM-run army events aren't what the guild is about.

== Blackhawk Company Introduction and Organisation ==

Blackhawk Battalion is part of the Special Operations Division of the M'Chekian Army, and is currently part of the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]] serving under Lord Derrington. While the highly trained Agents and Special Agents of the elusive M'Chekian Special Forces devote themselves to intelligence-gathering, assassinations and other deep-cover operations, the troops of Blackhawk Battalion represent the very best soldiers that M'Chek can call on, a reputation won over years of campaigning. The Battalion is made up of a mixture of veterans, specialists picked from the ranks of the regulars for their talents, mercenaries and adventurers. While the unit has a fearsome reputation for martial skill, its true advantage lies in the level of initiative and imagination expected of a Blackhawk soldier. The Battalion is not assigned to the long, dull garrison duties or parade ground drills of the regular army - they are expected to gather their own intelligence, plan their own missions and achieve victories for M'Chek at their own intiative, whatever the threat.

Blackhawk Battalion is a unit of nine hundred soldiers when at full operational strength, and is the first of the three Battalions that make up the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]].

The current commander of Blackhawk Battalion is Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]]

== A Brief History of the Blackhawks ==
Blackhawk Company was formed by order of the Joint Houses after the end of the M'Chek-T'Nanshi war to clear select areas of the [[Underdark]] for colonization and farming. [[PCs:Dala Wennen|Dala Wennen]], former Commander of Alpha Corps, was asked to lead this new unit, which she did until her apparent death in a raid on a Shaahesk temple. [[PCs:Morran Unuldur|Morran Unuldur]], then a Lieutenant, was promoted to Captain and granted command. He led the company for the rest of the campaign against the Underdark Bugbears.
At the conclusion of the Underdark campaign, it was decided that Blackhawk Company was no longer necessary. Members were offered the choice of either joining the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]] or being demobilised. Only one member chose to join the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]]; the others retired to civilian life.
Later that year, however, [[M'Chek]] once again had need of her devoted defenders, as a flight of Pyrite dragons led by the monstrous Tharul'Zhannadar threated to destroy all life in the nation. The Blackhawks were reformed, and with the aid of several other groups defended M'Chek from the draconic onslaught before taking the fight to the dragons' island. There, the mighty Tharul'Zannadar was finally defeated.
After this success, the rulers of M'Chek saw the use in keeping such an elite unit available and ready to react to any nw threat, so they were placed on standby with the understanding that they could be recalled at any time to deal with threats that were beyond the [[Guild: The M'Chekian Guards|Guards]]' abilities. From this point until the outbreak of hostilities with the nation of [[Drotid|Drotid]], Major Caitlin Swift was in command. She helped guide the Company through the fraught months of invasion by the Undead of Lord Kale, the Demons of [[Kimonictinus|Kimonictinus]] and the Drotid forces of Voivode Kassesshisrath.

== The M'Chek-Drotid War ==
Since the invasion of M'Chek's eastern shore by the forces of Drotid, Blackhawk Company has once again been at the forefront of the M'Chekian war effort. In their capacity as an elite, special forces unit, the Company has been called upon to undertake a series of daring missions, shoring up the nation's defences and taking the fight to the enemy. While initially faced with a crisis of leadership following the death in battle of then-commander Rolan Fyne, the Blackhawks rallied around the leadership of Major [[PCs:Thaylis Beign|Thaylis Beign]].

Blackhawk Battalion, and especially the First Company, have been heavily involved in the planning and execution of some of the M'Chekian forces' greatest successes in the current conflict. A hastily-formed army of M'Chekian Guards, Blackhawk Company soldiers and local regular army regiments successfully defeated the nascent [[Shaahesk|Shaahesk]] beachhead at [[Eastshore|Eastshore]], liberating the town and protecting it until its rebuilding. Operation: Iron Fist saw the Company spearhead the first M'Chekian offensive into the Shaahesk lines since the outbreak of hostilities, and succeeded in clearing, taking and holding an important Shaahesk supply base on the eastern shore. Operation: Wyvern sought to repay the Shaahesk for their earlier assault on the M'Chekian Army position at Greylake, and resulted in a decisive defeat for the forces of Drotid. The Blackhawks were, as ever, in the vanguard, ensuring the success of the mission by preventing the Shaahesk alerting their reserves of the attack.

As the war drew on, the Blackhawks remained at the heart of the fighting, but also assisted the war effort in other ways. It is rumoured that the wave of reinforcements from the northwest which bolstered the lines on the eastern front at a critical moment was a direct result of interventions in the northwest by Blackhawk soldiers. Army leadership has always refused to comment.

The Blackhawks found themselves playing a vital role in the grand offensive which saw M'Chek retake much of its lost ground, some years into the conflict. It was Blackhawk scouts who discovered the withdrawal of several of the most feared warbands from M'Chekian soil, who had been redeployed to invade the distant city-state of Elysia. As the M'Chekian army counterattacked, the Blackhawks ensured the success of the crucial engagements - during Operation: Highland Flood, the Battalion provided an essential diversionary operation which allowed the main attack to advance and successfully capture the Forward Camp west of Fort Kasslesstha. They then saw what, for many of the Battalion, would prove to be their finest hour, as they outflanked and ambushed the dreaded Red Demon warband en route to roll back the M'Chekian gains. In a brutal engagement, Blackhawk Battalion was able to decisively defeat the warband, although initially outnumbered. Artillery and archery from the M'Chekian forces in the forward camp itself completed the rout.

Subsequently, the Battalion was called in to reinforce and defeat the inevitable Shaahesk counterattack in Operation: Blunt Fall. The Blackhawks used their cunning and knowledge of the countryside to outflank the onrushing Shaahesk forces, taking the lizards' artillery pieces from the rear and destroying them. The forces of Warlord Kasslesstha have since been unable to mount attacks from their fortress, surrounded as they are by M'Chekian redoubts.

In Operation Serpent's Tail the Blackhawks enlisted the aid of civilian mercenaries to remove a thorn in M'Chek's side - the Old Iron Mines in the Warrens, which had been reopened and turned to the production of iron for the Drotid war machine by the Shaahesk and their Bugbear allies. The M'Chekian forces boldly assaulted the surrounded lizard positions and destroyed the mines with explosive charges, crippling the Shaahesk ability to arm and equip themselves with locally-sourced ore. As a result, the alliance hangs in the balance.

After long service on the frontlines, Major Beign's talent was recognised by the army's commanders, and he was promoted to the general staff of the Army's Third Brigade, where he remains. Silver Fox took over command of the Blackhawks in his stead.

Under here leadership operation Hailstorm was executed and brought to a successful end, this was the first major victory in the war against the Shaahesk. In this operation the army retook a large piece of land that was previous lost in the initial outbreak of the war. This operation had the added effect that the bugbears rose up against their former alley.

Operation Steel Sky was the name off the multiple staged attack plan which drove the lizards from the M’chek shores once and for all. First of the forces in Fort Kasslesstha where bottled up so that they where unable to reinforce Fort Msaelifriss. Then Fort Msaelifriss was attacked and taken, cutting off the Shaahesk from reinforcement from the sea and in effect also cutting off their escape route. After Fort Msaelifriss was taken the focus of the M’chek armed forces was put on destroying the last Shaahesk stronghold Fort Kasslesstha and its commander.
A long and bloody followed, seeing that all was lost Kasslesstha made a desperate counter attack with her remaining forces against fort Chasworth which housed the M’chek High Command staff. In the finale battle in and around Chassworth the Blackhawks were able to kill Kasslesstha and her forces. And the war with the Shaahesk came to an end in the Nation of M’chek.

After driving the Shaahesk from M’chek soil, the Blackhawk regiment aided in driving the Shaahesk from T’Nashi and later on where instrumental in driving them from the city of Elysia. It was a Blackhawk who ended the war with the Shaahesk al together. General Being landed the killing blow that killed the Voivode in the final battle.

==Blackhawk Brigade==

Following a major incident involving an abortive attack on Fort Kasslesstha made by foreign agents, a restructuring of Lord Derrington's armed forces took place. The 12th Infantry Brigade, previously under the disgraced Brigadier Tanners, was reconstituted as the Blackhawk Brigade, under the overall command of Brigadier Thaylis Beign. Most of the old Blackhawk Battalion was transferred to this new organisation, to continue to serve as M'Chek's elite troops and to assist in bringing the formation up to fighting strength.

==The Marko Incident==

Marko was an immortal priest of Dagath who was estimated to be around 100 years old and had a piece of the Death Stone embedded in his chest. The Death Stone was created by what are said to be some of the first priests of Dagath, Marko was one of them, the stone keeps those near it from continuing to the next stage of the cycle. The stone was destroyed but a piece of this stone was lodged in Marko's chest while he commanded a hoard of undead against the other priests, presumably in an attempt to take it for his own.

To further his cause, which was believed to be the recreation of the Death Stone, Marko raised an army of undead. And these undead would attack then the living to supply Marko with more dead for his army. So many towns and villages in the nation came under attack from undead. And once again the Blackhawks spearheaded the defense of these towns and villages against the onslaught of former undead enemies and friends. For Marko raided the former battlefields and graveyards of the M’chek-Drotid war.

After having fought off his armies in multiple fights a trap was set for Marko, a wedding between two Romini Clans would take place in Blandenberg. Marko took the bait and in the battle that followed he was wounded. He fled the field of battle and withdrew to his base of operations, an ancient temple under the nation. Cornered in this temple he chose death over surrender.

==Brigade Command Structure==

===High Command===

* Lord [[Tobias Chasworth]], War Commissioner of M'Chek
* General [[NPCs:Cassius|Cassius]], M'Chekian Special Operations Division
* Lord [[NPCs:Andrew Derrington|Andrew Derrington]]

===12th Infantry (Blackhawk) Brigade Command===

* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]], Commander of Blackhawk Battalion

* Captain Florence Hetter, Adjutant to Lt. Colonel Watersdown

* Colonel [[PCs:Silver Fox|Silver Fox]], Commander of Sable Lions Battalion
** Derrington's Medal, Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Red Rose of M'Chek

* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Serria_Atterman|Serria Atterman]], Commander of Onyx Boars Battalion
* Major Robert Wallace, Chief of Staff Onyx Boars Battalion
**M'Chek Copper Eagle Medal, Medal of Distinction, Victory Medallion, Medal of Mikona's Valor

==Blackhawk Battalion Roster==

===Commanding Officer===
* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]]

===Executive Officer===
*Captain Vaako SandFireStorm
**M'Chek Golden Lion Medal, Silver Unicorn Medal, M'Chekian Army Medal of Meritorious Service, M'Chek Army Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Serpent's Tail Medal, Medal of Distinction, Medal of Pride.

===Senior Officers===
* 2nd. Lt. [[PCs:Kara Kalinor|Kara Kalinor]]

===Enlisted Soldiers===
* Sergeant Major Kathea Nyht

* Sergeant Rollek Heloc

* Sergeant June Osammy

* Sergeant [[PCs:Drashter_Volterz|Drashter Volterz]]
** Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Victory Medal, Mikona's Valor

* Sergeant Rakuug Yug'Loz
** Medal of Mikona's Valor

* Corporal Raar Juwmax

* Corporal Ferria Mouze

* Corporal Freddull Mouze

* Corporal Etz Elor
** M'Chekian Ruby Rose Medal, M'Chek Golden Lion Medal, Medal of Distinction, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Jewel of Msaelifriss

* Corporal Arkiem Tagalas

* Corporal Givy Kelve

* Corporal Rudash Amuur

* Private [[PCs:Seka Ravenswylde|Seka Ravenswylde]]

* Private Prishll Zrgera

* Private Cinder Fireblaze

* Private Vugaris Hurdokan

* Private Vruh

* Private Lestek Rakov

* Private Bymund Leaf

* Private Jeneta Cend

* Private Elainee Aerlin

* Private Melanie Fischer

* Private Flowera Jooscia

* Private Moriand Dias

* Private Paddleton Snarestep

* Recruit Freddy Mouze

* Recruit Melanie Fischer

* Recruit Groshnak Rish

* Recruit Paddleton Snarestep

* Recruit Kingsley Relish III

* Recruit Lorick Addams

* Recruit Gorg

* Private [[PCs:Cale Bross|Cale Bross]] (4th Company)
** Victory Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Silver Unicorn Medal, Golden Lion Medal

==Additional Background Information==

[[M'Chekian Military Medals|M'Chekian Medals]]

[[Blackhawk Brigade]]

==DM Sponsors==
Plethora

[[Category:Guilds|M'Chekian Army]]
[[Category:Avlis Armies and Fiefdoms|M'Chekian Army]]

M'Chek

2016-04-12T10:20:14Z

Shadowviper: /* Drotid War */

<center>'''Avlis Countries:''' {{AvlisCountries}}</center> 
<center>'''Avlis Cities:''' {{AvlisCities}}</center>
----

[[Image:M'Chek.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The nation of M'Chek]]
'''M'Chek''' is the southernmost nation of [[Negaria]], and one of the homelands of the [[Human|humans]] of Avlis.

== Geography ==

M'Chek is a large, arid nation. Even today with the population stabilized, it is still heavily inhabited, with few unsettled areas. Farming is the primary use of land on M'Chek's plains, though there is also some herding of livestock. A few scattered forests remain, but little compared to what existed several centuries ago. There are several ranges of rolling hills (including Mikona's infamous [[The Hills of Tumult|Hills of Tumult]]), but nothing large enough to be called mountains.

Despite the arid climate and use of water for agriculture, there are several significant rivers in M'Chek, including the [[Lost River]].

== Inhabitants ==

The majority of M'Chek's inhabitants are human. These are mostly the [[Human, Civilized|civilized humans]] of the cities, and the wandering tribal [[Romini]]. The rural lands also house small tribes of [[Brownie|brownies]], [[Bugbear|bugbears]], [[Giant, Fire|fire giants]], [[Giant, Frost|frost giants]], [[Goblin|goblins]], [[Giant, Mountain|mountain giants]] and [[Ogre|ogres]]. In the cities, an even more diverse collection of races can be found. Mikona is also home to a sizeable [[Dubgaldokin|dwarf]] population.

== Settlements ==
[[Image:MChek_0000.jpg|thumb|350px|Wilds of M'Chek]]

The mainland area of M'Chek is dotted with hundreds of farming villages. What follows is a list of the major settlements.

* [[Bachwood]]
* [[Derrington Keep]]
* [[Eastshore]]
* [[Equaloria Keep and Dunster Commons]]
* [[Finmaegen Keep]]
* [[The Hills of Tumult]] (shown on map here, but located on [[Mikona]] Server)
* [[The Lost River Caverns]]
* [[Nelthrope Keep]]
* [[The Order of the Way]]
* [[Southill]]
* [[The Warrens]]
* [[Westshore]]

== Religion ==

Aside from Mikon's widespread worship, [[Dagath]], [[Kelvos]], [[Ingoren]], [[Maleki]], [[Pelar]], [[Ptah]], [[Wilsash]] and [[Xenon]] each have significant bodies of followers in rural M'Chek. The city of Mikona proper likely contains worshippers of every deity known to Avlis.

== Politics ==
=== Government ===
* Government: Noble Democracy.

There are two Houses of Government in M'Chek: The Noble House and the Common House. The Common House picks its representatives from among the commoners of the nation, although rarely do any of these commoners come from outside the city. Thus most of the concerns of the Common House deal with city matters. Rarely do they interfere in matters of national action or policy, although they do have the power to do so.

The Noble House is made up of representatives from two places: the Noble families of M'Chek, and the various large Temples represented in Mikona, namely the temples of Mikon, Dagath, Ptah, and Valok.

This house deals mainly with foreign policy issues and affairs. Although each individual Noble family has total control over their own estate, they are expected to represent a portion of their nation's interest. For instance, all of the major Noble families have personal armies and troops, but there is also a standing national army of M'Chek to which each noble is expected to contribute a certain percentage of its force.
[[Image:MChekMapPreWar.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Political boundaries of M'Chek, before Drotid invasion]]
The two houses of government are presided over by a Minister who executes decisions and carries out the task of administration, although they are liimited in their actions by the legislators. In addition to the Minister there is a War Commissioner who is the commander and chief of the standing army. This is a hotly contested position, that has been filled by either Nobles or reputable warrior generals.

Here is a representation of the playable area of M'Chek, including political borders for many of the Noble Houses as they stood prior to the Drotid invasion. Note the disputed area in Lord Bostwick's estate... many argue that this village belongs to the Blandenberg Protectorate. One can easily see from this map the land lost to northern M'Chekian nobles such as Nelthrope and Bostwick as a result of the treaty ending the border conflict with T'Nanshi.

You can see a [http://gallery.avlis.org/v/spool32/Basic/MChekMapPreWar.jpg.html larger map here.]

=== Law Enforcement ===
* [[Guild:The M'Chekian Guards|M'Chekian Guards]]

=== Military ===
==== Armed Forces ====
* [[Guild: M'Chekian Army|M'Chekian Army]]
* M'Chekian Navy
* [[Equalizer|Equalizers of Mikon]]

==== Fortifications ====
* [[Derrington Keep]]
* [[Equaloria Keep and Dunster Commons|Equaloria Keep]]
* [[Finmaegen Keep]]
* [[Nelthrope Keep]]
* [[Desolation Island|Port Rasmus]]

=== Alliances and Enemies ===
T'Nanshi and M'Chek still view each other with extreme distrust, but the alliances of the war were abandoned before its end. Today, M'Chek has no formal military partners, though in recent years some information sharing has begin between the M'Chekian Army and foreign military units fighting the Drotid invasion in their home nations.
M'Chek is currently at war with its former ally, [[Drotid|the nation of Drotid]].

== Commerce and Relations ==

M'Chek has trade relations with nearly every other nation of Negaria. Overland trade comes through the [[Blandenberg Protectorate|Blandenberg Protectorate]], and follows the Mikona-Blandenberg Highway south to the capitol. But most commerce is conducted by sea, using one of M'Chek's three ports.

== History ==

Legends claim that M'Chek is the site where [[Mikon]] was imprisoned during the [[The Age of the Gods|Age of the Gods]]. Following the gods' defeat of the [[Negerai]], Mikon is said to have created the human race here during the [[Time of the Dawning]]. At some point in antiquity, the local tribes coalesced into the nation of M'Chek.

Nearly a century after the end of the [[The Great War|Great War]], the foundations of [[Mikona]] were laid on the M'Chek coast. The nation prospered over the centuries, and the capitol grew into a densely populated metropolis.

By the late 1800's A.O.D., the population explosion had outpaced the capacity of the nation to produce food. Starvation, poverty, disease and death became widespread among the lower social classes. In desperation, the humans beseeched the elves to let some of their families move north into [[T'Nanshi]], but the elves refused, citing the M'Chekians' mistreatment of whatever land they live on. The elves did not want hoards of men and women coming to live on their land and potentially destroy it, or at least grow to outnumber the elves and destroy their nation through attrition alone.
This argument got uglier and uglier over time, and eventually M'Chek began to take land from the forests of T'Nanshi along the northern border. When the elven nation responded with military force, the [[M'Chek-T'Nanshi War]] ensued. What began as periodic border incidents escalated over centuries into a "world war" involving many nations. The extended fighting, exascerbated by a terrible plague, took its toll on both sides, and the war finally ended with the creation of a neutral zone between the two nations.

This neutral zone is named the Blandenberg Protectorate. It extends east to west across the breadth of the land, from sea to sea. The control of the Protectorate is in the hands of the churches of [[Dru'El]] and [[Mikon]]. Their holy warriors, the [[Avenger|Avengers]] and the [[Equalizer|Equalizers]], protect the land and her people.

The large number of casualties to the plague have eased the overpopulation problem for a time, along with the exodus of over one hundred thirty-four thousand people to help found the city-state of [[Visimontium]]. But forward-thinking leaders of M'Chek recognized that it was a temporary respite. A variety of solutions to M'Chek's food shortage are being tested to this day, including healing the ravaged land, farming mushrooms in the [[Underdark]] using [[Deglos|Deglosian]] agricultural practices, and continuing emigration to new homes, particularly [[Visimontium]].

== Drotid War ==
Following a civil war inside the shaahesk nation of Drotid, the new leader embarked upon a widespread assault of the southern nations. M'Chek, caught off guard by the unexpected assault, has lost much territory in the east as well as control of the eastern waters. Currently engaged in a draining war, M'Chek struggles to drive the aggressors off its territory before simple attrition forces them to accept shaahesk occupation of the eastern coastline...

After a long and bloody war, the M’chek armed forces,spearheaded by the BlackHawks, were able to drive the Shaahesk from M’chek soil. And the nation went about restoring it self from the wound sustained in the war.

For a list recent history, see [[Mikona#In Game Developments|Mikona server in-game developments]].

== Technical aspects ==

[[Needed files#M'Chek|Needed Files]]
Server: M'Chek - world.avlis.org:5131

[[Category:Nations|M'Chek]]
[[Category:Servers|M'Chek]]

Guild: Blackhawk Company

2016-04-12T10:13:40Z

Shadowviper: /* The M'Chek-Drotid War */

[[Image:Blackhawk.gif|left|thumb|right|140px|M'Chekian Army, Special Operations Division, Blackhawk Company]]
'''Alignment:''' Any alignments are welcome. However, non-good alignments are better suited to solving problems through military violence, and the M'Chekian Army has usually tended towards the Neutral and Evil ends of the spectrum.

'''Base of operations:''' The Nation of [[M'Chek]].

'''How to contact us:''' Any of the senior officers (listed below) will be happy to help.

'''What we do:''' Blackhawk Company is the PC division of [[M'Chek]]'s armed forces.

'''What to expect:''' Kicking ass for [[M'Chek]]! Expect a lot of military-themed roleplaying, including planning and executing daring missions in wartime as well as regular guild meetings and outings. Wherever there is a threat to [[M'Chek]] and its citizens, Blackhawk Company stands in their way. We are not law enforcement, though we do aid the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|M'Chekian Guards]] when necessary.

'''Miscellany:''' The Blackhawks are part of the elite-forces wing of the [[Guild:MChekArmy|M'Chek Army]], and as such are called upon for dangerous military tasks requiring flexibility, ingenuity and outstanding bravery. [[M'Chek|M'Chekian]] citizenship is a must, as is a clean criminal record (you can't be wanted for crimes in other nations). Your character will be expected to spend a majority of their time in [[M'Chek]]. That's not to say they can't travel, but characters who only come to [[M'Chek]] to take part in DM-run army events aren't what the guild is about.

== Blackhawk Company Introduction and Organisation ==

Blackhawk Battalion is part of the Special Operations Division of the M'Chekian Army, and is currently part of the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]] serving under Lord Derrington. While the highly trained Agents and Special Agents of the elusive M'Chekian Special Forces devote themselves to intelligence-gathering, assassinations and other deep-cover operations, the troops of Blackhawk Battalion represent the very best soldiers that M'Chek can call on, a reputation won over years of campaigning. The Battalion is made up of a mixture of veterans, specialists picked from the ranks of the regulars for their talents, mercenaries and adventurers. While the unit has a fearsome reputation for martial skill, its true advantage lies in the level of initiative and imagination expected of a Blackhawk soldier. The Battalion is not assigned to the long, dull garrison duties or parade ground drills of the regular army - they are expected to gather their own intelligence, plan their own missions and achieve victories for M'Chek at their own intiative, whatever the threat.

Blackhawk Battalion is a unit of nine hundred soldiers when at full operational strength, and is the first of the three Battalions that make up the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]].

The current commander of Blackhawk Battalion is Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]]

== A Brief History of the Blackhawks ==
Blackhawk Company was formed by order of the Joint Houses after the end of the M'Chek-T'Nanshi war to clear select areas of the [[Underdark]] for colonization and farming. [[PCs:Dala Wennen|Dala Wennen]], former Commander of Alpha Corps, was asked to lead this new unit, which she did until her apparent death in a raid on a Shaahesk temple. [[PCs:Morran Unuldur|Morran Unuldur]], then a Lieutenant, was promoted to Captain and granted command. He led the company for the rest of the campaign against the Underdark Bugbears.
At the conclusion of the Underdark campaign, it was decided that Blackhawk Company was no longer necessary. Members were offered the choice of either joining the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]] or being demobilised. Only one member chose to join the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]]; the others retired to civilian life.
Later that year, however, [[M'Chek]] once again had need of her devoted defenders, as a flight of Pyrite dragons led by the monstrous Tharul'Zhannadar threated to destroy all life in the nation. The Blackhawks were reformed, and with the aid of several other groups defended M'Chek from the draconic onslaught before taking the fight to the dragons' island. There, the mighty Tharul'Zannadar was finally defeated.
After this success, the rulers of M'Chek saw the use in keeping such an elite unit available and ready to react to any nw threat, so they were placed on standby with the understanding that they could be recalled at any time to deal with threats that were beyond the [[Guild: The M'Chekian Guards|Guards]]' abilities. From this point until the outbreak of hostilities with the nation of [[Drotid|Drotid]], Major Caitlin Swift was in command. She helped guide the Company through the fraught months of invasion by the Undead of Lord Kale, the Demons of [[Kimonictinus|Kimonictinus]] and the Drotid forces of Voivode Kassesshisrath.

== The M'Chek-Drotid War ==
Since the invasion of M'Chek's eastern shore by the forces of Drotid, Blackhawk Company has once again been at the forefront of the M'Chekian war effort. In their capacity as an elite, special forces unit, the Company has been called upon to undertake a series of daring missions, shoring up the nation's defences and taking the fight to the enemy. While initially faced with a crisis of leadership following the death in battle of then-commander Rolan Fyne, the Blackhawks rallied around the leadership of Major [[PCs:Thaylis Beign|Thaylis Beign]].

Blackhawk Battalion, and especially the First Company, have been heavily involved in the planning and execution of some of the M'Chekian forces' greatest successes in the current conflict. A hastily-formed army of M'Chekian Guards, Blackhawk Company soldiers and local regular army regiments successfully defeated the nascent [[Shaahesk|Shaahesk]] beachhead at [[Eastshore|Eastshore]], liberating the town and protecting it until its rebuilding. Operation: Iron Fist saw the Company spearhead the first M'Chekian offensive into the Shaahesk lines since the outbreak of hostilities, and succeeded in clearing, taking and holding an important Shaahesk supply base on the eastern shore. Operation: Wyvern sought to repay the Shaahesk for their earlier assault on the M'Chekian Army position at Greylake, and resulted in a decisive defeat for the forces of Drotid. The Blackhawks were, as ever, in the vanguard, ensuring the success of the mission by preventing the Shaahesk alerting their reserves of the attack.

As the war drew on, the Blackhawks remained at the heart of the fighting, but also assisted the war effort in other ways. It is rumoured that the wave of reinforcements from the northwest which bolstered the lines on the eastern front at a critical moment was a direct result of interventions in the northwest by Blackhawk soldiers. Army leadership has always refused to comment.

The Blackhawks found themselves playing a vital role in the grand offensive which saw M'Chek retake much of its lost ground, some years into the conflict. It was Blackhawk scouts who discovered the withdrawal of several of the most feared warbands from M'Chekian soil, who had been redeployed to invade the distant city-state of Elysia. As the M'Chekian army counterattacked, the Blackhawks ensured the success of the crucial engagements - during Operation: Highland Flood, the Battalion provided an essential diversionary operation which allowed the main attack to advance and successfully capture the Forward Camp west of Fort Kasslesstha. They then saw what, for many of the Battalion, would prove to be their finest hour, as they outflanked and ambushed the dreaded Red Demon warband en route to roll back the M'Chekian gains. In a brutal engagement, Blackhawk Battalion was able to decisively defeat the warband, although initially outnumbered. Artillery and archery from the M'Chekian forces in the forward camp itself completed the rout.

Subsequently, the Battalion was called in to reinforce and defeat the inevitable Shaahesk counterattack in Operation: Blunt Fall. The Blackhawks used their cunning and knowledge of the countryside to outflank the onrushing Shaahesk forces, taking the lizards' artillery pieces from the rear and destroying them. The forces of Warlord Kasslesstha have since been unable to mount attacks from their fortress, surrounded as they are by M'Chekian redoubts.

In Operation Serpent's Tail the Blackhawks enlisted the aid of civilian mercenaries to remove a thorn in M'Chek's side - the Old Iron Mines in the Warrens, which had been reopened and turned to the production of iron for the Drotid war machine by the Shaahesk and their Bugbear allies. The M'Chekian forces boldly assaulted the surrounded lizard positions and destroyed the mines with explosive charges, crippling the Shaahesk ability to arm and equip themselves with locally-sourced ore. As a result, the alliance hangs in the balance.

After long service on the frontlines, Major Beign's talent was recognised by the army's commanders, and he was promoted to the general staff of the Army's Third Brigade, where he remains. Silver Fox took over command of the Blackhawks in his stead.

Under here leadership operation Hailstorm was executed and brought to a successful end, this was the first major victory in the war against the Shaahesk. In this operation the army retook a large piece of land that was previous lost in the initial outbreak of the war. This operation had the added effect that the bugbears rose up against their former alley.

Operation Steel Sky was the name off the multiple staged attack plan which drove the lizards from the M’chek shores once and for all. First of the forces in Fort Kasslesstha where bottled up so that they where unable to reinforce Fort Msaelifriss. Then Fort Msaelifriss was attacked and taken, cutting off the Shaahesk from reinforcement from the sea and in effect also cutting off their escape route. After Fort Msaelifriss was taken the focus of the M’chek armed forces was put on destroying the last Shaahesk stronghold Fort Kasslesstha and its commander.
A long and bloody followed, seeing that all was lost Kasslesstha made a desperate counter attack with her remaining forces against fort Chasworth which housed the M’chek High Command staff. In the finale battle in and around Chassworth the Blackhawks were able to kill Kasslesstha and her forces. And the war with the Shaahesk came to an end in the Nation of M’chek.

After driving the Shaahesk from M’chek soil, the Blackhawk regiment aided in driving the Shaahesk from T’Nashi and later on where instrumental in driving them from the city of Elysia. It was a Blackhawk who ended the war with the Shaahesk al together. General Being landed the killing blow that killed the Voivode in the final battle.

==Blackhawk Brigade==

Following a major incident involving an abortive attack on Fort Kasslesstha made by foreign agents, a restructuring of Lord Derrington's armed forces took place. The 12th Infantry Brigade, previously under the disgraced Brigadier Tanners, was reconstituted as the Blackhawk Brigade, under the overall command of Brigadier Thaylis Beign. Most of the old Blackhawk Battalion was transferred to this new organisation, to continue to serve as M'Chek's elite troops and to assist in bringing the formation up to fighting strength.

==Brigade Command Structure==

===High Command===

* Lord [[Tobias Chasworth]], War Commissioner of M'Chek
* General [[NPCs:Cassius|Cassius]], M'Chekian Special Operations Division
* Lord [[NPCs:Andrew Derrington|Andrew Derrington]]

===12th Infantry (Blackhawk) Brigade Command===

* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]], Commander of Blackhawk Battalion

* Captain Florence Hetter, Adjutant to Lt. Colonel Watersdown

* Colonel [[PCs:Silver Fox|Silver Fox]], Commander of Sable Lions Battalion
** Derrington's Medal, Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Red Rose of M'Chek

* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Serria_Atterman|Serria Atterman]], Commander of Onyx Boars Battalion
* Major Robert Wallace, Chief of Staff Onyx Boars Battalion
**M'Chek Copper Eagle Medal, Medal of Distinction, Victory Medallion, Medal of Mikona's Valor

==Blackhawk Battalion Roster==

===Commanding Officer===
* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]]

===Executive Officer===
*Captain Vaako SandFireStorm
**M'Chek Golden Lion Medal, Silver Unicorn Medal, M'Chekian Army Medal of Meritorious Service, M'Chek Army Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Serpent's Tail Medal, Medal of Distinction, Medal of Pride.

===Senior Officers===
* 2nd. Lt. [[PCs:Kara Kalinor|Kara Kalinor]]

===Enlisted Soldiers===
* Sergeant Major Kathea Nyht

* Sergeant Rollek Heloc

* Sergeant June Osammy

* Sergeant [[PCs:Drashter_Volterz|Drashter Volterz]]
** Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Victory Medal, Mikona's Valor

* Sergeant Rakuug Yug'Loz
** Medal of Mikona's Valor

* Corporal Raar Juwmax

* Corporal Ferria Mouze

* Corporal Freddull Mouze

* Corporal Etz Elor
** M'Chekian Ruby Rose Medal, M'Chek Golden Lion Medal, Medal of Distinction, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Jewel of Msaelifriss

* Corporal Arkiem Tagalas

* Corporal Givy Kelve

* Corporal Rudash Amuur

* Private [[PCs:Seka Ravenswylde|Seka Ravenswylde]]

* Private Prishll Zrgera

* Private Cinder Fireblaze

* Private Vugaris Hurdokan

* Private Vruh

* Private Lestek Rakov

* Private Bymund Leaf

* Private Jeneta Cend

* Private Elainee Aerlin

* Private Melanie Fischer

* Private Flowera Jooscia

* Private Moriand Dias

* Private Paddleton Snarestep

* Recruit Freddy Mouze

* Recruit Melanie Fischer

* Recruit Groshnak Rish

* Recruit Paddleton Snarestep

* Recruit Kingsley Relish III

* Recruit Lorick Addams

* Recruit Gorg

* Private [[PCs:Cale Bross|Cale Bross]] (4th Company)
** Victory Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Silver Unicorn Medal, Golden Lion Medal

==Additional Background Information==

[[M'Chekian Military Medals|M'Chekian Medals]]

[[Blackhawk Brigade]]

==DM Sponsors==
Plethora

[[Category:Guilds|M'Chekian Army]]
[[Category:Avlis Armies and Fiefdoms|M'Chekian Army]]

Guild: Blackhawk Company

2016-04-11T20:38:23Z

Shadowviper: /* Executive Officer */

[[Image:Blackhawk.gif|left|thumb|right|140px|M'Chekian Army, Special Operations Division, Blackhawk Company]]
'''Alignment:''' Any alignments are welcome. However, non-good alignments are better suited to solving problems through military violence, and the M'Chekian Army has usually tended towards the Neutral and Evil ends of the spectrum.

'''Base of operations:''' The Nation of [[M'Chek]].

'''How to contact us:''' Any of the senior officers (listed below) will be happy to help.

'''What we do:''' Blackhawk Company is the PC division of [[M'Chek]]'s armed forces.

'''What to expect:''' Kicking ass for [[M'Chek]]! Expect a lot of military-themed roleplaying, including planning and executing daring missions in wartime as well as regular guild meetings and outings. Wherever there is a threat to [[M'Chek]] and its citizens, Blackhawk Company stands in their way. We are not law enforcement, though we do aid the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|M'Chekian Guards]] when necessary.

'''Miscellany:''' The Blackhawks are part of the elite-forces wing of the [[Guild:MChekArmy|M'Chek Army]], and as such are called upon for dangerous military tasks requiring flexibility, ingenuity and outstanding bravery. [[M'Chek|M'Chekian]] citizenship is a must, as is a clean criminal record (you can't be wanted for crimes in other nations). Your character will be expected to spend a majority of their time in [[M'Chek]]. That's not to say they can't travel, but characters who only come to [[M'Chek]] to take part in DM-run army events aren't what the guild is about.

== Blackhawk Company Introduction and Organisation ==

Blackhawk Battalion is part of the Special Operations Division of the M'Chekian Army, and is currently part of the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]] serving under Lord Derrington. While the highly trained Agents and Special Agents of the elusive M'Chekian Special Forces devote themselves to intelligence-gathering, assassinations and other deep-cover operations, the troops of Blackhawk Battalion represent the very best soldiers that M'Chek can call on, a reputation won over years of campaigning. The Battalion is made up of a mixture of veterans, specialists picked from the ranks of the regulars for their talents, mercenaries and adventurers. While the unit has a fearsome reputation for martial skill, its true advantage lies in the level of initiative and imagination expected of a Blackhawk soldier. The Battalion is not assigned to the long, dull garrison duties or parade ground drills of the regular army - they are expected to gather their own intelligence, plan their own missions and achieve victories for M'Chek at their own intiative, whatever the threat.

Blackhawk Battalion is a unit of nine hundred soldiers when at full operational strength, and is the first of the three Battalions that make up the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]].

The current commander of Blackhawk Battalion is Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]]

== A Brief History of the Blackhawks ==
Blackhawk Company was formed by order of the Joint Houses after the end of the M'Chek-T'Nanshi war to clear select areas of the [[Underdark]] for colonization and farming. [[PCs:Dala Wennen|Dala Wennen]], former Commander of Alpha Corps, was asked to lead this new unit, which she did until her apparent death in a raid on a Shaahesk temple. [[PCs:Morran Unuldur|Morran Unuldur]], then a Lieutenant, was promoted to Captain and granted command. He led the company for the rest of the campaign against the Underdark Bugbears.
At the conclusion of the Underdark campaign, it was decided that Blackhawk Company was no longer necessary. Members were offered the choice of either joining the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]] or being demobilised. Only one member chose to join the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]]; the others retired to civilian life.
Later that year, however, [[M'Chek]] once again had need of her devoted defenders, as a flight of Pyrite dragons led by the monstrous Tharul'Zhannadar threated to destroy all life in the nation. The Blackhawks were reformed, and with the aid of several other groups defended M'Chek from the draconic onslaught before taking the fight to the dragons' island. There, the mighty Tharul'Zannadar was finally defeated.
After this success, the rulers of M'Chek saw the use in keeping such an elite unit available and ready to react to any nw threat, so they were placed on standby with the understanding that they could be recalled at any time to deal with threats that were beyond the [[Guild: The M'Chekian Guards|Guards]]' abilities. From this point until the outbreak of hostilities with the nation of [[Drotid|Drotid]], Major Caitlin Swift was in command. She helped guide the Company through the fraught months of invasion by the Undead of Lord Kale, the Demons of [[Kimonictinus|Kimonictinus]] and the Drotid forces of Voivode Kassesshisrath.

== The M'Chek-Drotid War ==
Since the invasion of M'Chek's eastern shore by the forces of Drotid, Blackhawk Company has once again been at the forefront of the M'Chekian war effort. In their capacity as an elite, special forces unit, the Company has been called upon to undertake a series of daring missions, shoring up the nation's defences and taking the fight to the enemy. While initially faced with a crisis of leadership following the death in battle of then-commander Rolan Fyne, the Blackhawks rallied around the leadership of Major [[PCs:Thaylis Beign|Thaylis Beign]].

Blackhawk Battalion, and especially the First Company, have been heavily involved in the planning and execution of some of the M'Chekian forces' greatest successes in the current conflict. A hastily-formed army of M'Chekian Guards, Blackhawk Company soldiers and local regular army regiments successfully defeated the nascent [[Shaahesk|Shaahesk]] beachhead at [[Eastshore|Eastshore]], liberating the town and protecting it until its rebuilding. Operation: Iron Fist saw the Company spearhead the first M'Chekian offensive into the Shaahesk lines since the outbreak of hostilities, and succeeded in clearing, taking and holding an important Shaahesk supply base on the eastern shore. Operation: Wyvern sought to repay the Shaahesk for their earlier assault on the M'Chekian Army position at Greylake, and resulted in a decisive defeat for the forces of Drotid. The Blackhawks were, as ever, in the vanguard, ensuring the success of the mission by preventing the Shaahesk alerting their reserves of the attack.

As the war drew on, the Blackhawks remained at the heart of the fighting, but also assisted the war effort in other ways. It is rumoured that the wave of reinforcements from the northwest which bolstered the lines on the eastern front at a critical moment was a direct result of interventions in the northwest by Blackhawk soldiers. Army leadership has always refused to comment.

The Blackhawks found themselves playing a vital role in the grand offensive which saw M'Chek retake much of its lost ground, some years into the conflict. It was Blackhawk scouts who discovered the withdrawal of several of the most feared warbands from M'Chekian soil, who had been redeployed to invade the distant city-state of Elysia. As the M'Chekian army counterattacked, the Blackhawks ensured the success of the crucial engagements - during Operation: Highland Flood, the Battalion provided an essential diversionary operation which allowed the main attack to advance and successfully capture the Forward Camp west of Fort Kasslesstha. They then saw what, for many of the Battalion, would prove to be their finest hour, as they outflanked and ambushed the dreaded Red Demon warband en route to roll back the M'Chekian gains. In a brutal engagement, Blackhawk Battalion was able to decisively defeat the warband, although initially outnumbered. Artillery and archery from the M'Chekian forces in the forward camp itself completed the rout.

Subsequently, the Battalion was called in to reinforce and defeat the inevitable Shaahesk counterattack in Operation: Blunt Fall. The Blackhawks used their cunning and knowledge of the countryside to outflank the onrushing Shaahesk forces, taking the lizards' artillery pieces from the rear and destroying them. The forces of Warlord Kasslesstha have since been unable to mount attacks from their fortress, surrounded as they are by M'Chekian redoubts.

In Operation Serpent's Tail the Blackhawks enlisted the aid of civilian mercenaries to remove a thorn in M'Chek's side - the Old Iron Mines in the Warrens, which had been reopened and turned to the production of iron for the Drotid war machine by the Shaahesk and their Bugbear allies. The M'Chekian forces boldly assaulted the surrounded lizard positions and destroyed the mines with explosive charges, crippling the Shaahesk ability to arm and equip themselves with locally-sourced ore. As a result, the alliance hangs in the balance.

After long service on the frontlines, Major Beign's talent was recognised by the army's commanders, and he was promoted to the general staff of the Army's Third Brigade, where he remains. Silver Fox took over command of the Blackhawks in his stead.

Under here leadership operation Hailstorm was executed and brought to a successful end, this was the first major victory in the war against the Shaahesk. In this operation the army retook a large piece of land that was previous lost in the initial outbreak of the war. This operation had the added effect that the bugbears rose up against their former alley.

Operation Steel Sky was the name off the multiple staged attack plan which drove the lizards from the M’chek shores once and for all. First of the forces in Fort Kasslesstha where bottled up so that they where unable to reinforce Fort Msaelifriss. Then Fort Msaelifriss was attacked and taken, cutting off the Shaahesk from reinforcement from the sea and in effect also cutting off their escape route. After Fort Msaelifriss was taken the focus of the M’chek armed forces was put on destroying the last Shaahesk stronghold Fort Kasslesstha and its commander.
A long and bloody followed, seeing that all was lost Kasslesstha made a desperate counter attack with her remaining forces against fort Chasworth which housed the M’chek High Command staff. In the finale battle in and around Chassworth the Blackhawks were able to kill Kasslesstha and her forces. And the war with the Shaahesk came to an end in the Nation of M’chek.

==Blackhawk Brigade==

Following a major incident involving an abortive attack on Fort Kasslesstha made by foreign agents, a restructuring of Lord Derrington's armed forces took place. The 12th Infantry Brigade, previously under the disgraced Brigadier Tanners, was reconstituted as the Blackhawk Brigade, under the overall command of Brigadier Thaylis Beign. Most of the old Blackhawk Battalion was transferred to this new organisation, to continue to serve as M'Chek's elite troops and to assist in bringing the formation up to fighting strength.

==Brigade Command Structure==

===High Command===

* Lord [[Tobias Chasworth]], War Commissioner of M'Chek
* General [[NPCs:Cassius|Cassius]], M'Chekian Special Operations Division
* Lord [[NPCs:Andrew Derrington|Andrew Derrington]]

===12th Infantry (Blackhawk) Brigade Command===

* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]], Commander of Blackhawk Battalion

* Captain Florence Hetter, Adjutant to Lt. Colonel Watersdown

* Colonel [[PCs:Silver Fox|Silver Fox]], Commander of Sable Lions Battalion
** Derrington's Medal, Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Red Rose of M'Chek

* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Serria_Atterman|Serria Atterman]], Commander of Onyx Boars Battalion
* Major Robert Wallace, Chief of Staff Onyx Boars Battalion
**M'Chek Copper Eagle Medal, Medal of Distinction, Victory Medallion, Medal of Mikona's Valor

==Blackhawk Battalion Roster==

===Commanding Officer===
* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]]

===Executive Officer===
*Captain Vaako SandFireStorm
**M'Chek Golden Lion Medal, Silver Unicorn Medal, M'Chekian Army Medal of Meritorious Service, M'Chek Army Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Serpent's Tail Medal, Medal of Distinction, Medal of Pride.

===Senior Officers===
* 2nd. Lt. [[PCs:Kara Kalinor|Kara Kalinor]]

===Enlisted Soldiers===
* Sergeant Major Kathea Nyht

* Sergeant Rollek Heloc

* Sergeant June Osammy

* Sergeant [[PCs:Drashter_Volterz|Drashter Volterz]]
** Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Victory Medal, Mikona's Valor

* Sergeant Rakuug Yug'Loz
** Medal of Mikona's Valor

* Corporal Raar Juwmax

* Corporal Ferria Mouze

* Corporal Freddull Mouze

* Corporal Etz Elor
** M'Chekian Ruby Rose Medal, M'Chek Golden Lion Medal, Medal of Distinction, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Jewel of Msaelifriss

* Corporal Arkiem Tagalas

* Corporal Givy Kelve

* Corporal Rudash Amuur

* Private [[PCs:Seka Ravenswylde|Seka Ravenswylde]]

* Private Prishll Zrgera

* Private Cinder Fireblaze

* Private Vugaris Hurdokan

* Private Vruh

* Private Lestek Rakov

* Private Bymund Leaf

* Private Jeneta Cend

* Private Elainee Aerlin

* Private Melanie Fischer

* Private Flowera Jooscia

* Private Moriand Dias

* Private Paddleton Snarestep

* Recruit Freddy Mouze

* Recruit Melanie Fischer

* Recruit Groshnak Rish

* Recruit Paddleton Snarestep

* Recruit Kingsley Relish III

* Recruit Lorick Addams

* Recruit Gorg

* Private [[PCs:Cale Bross|Cale Bross]] (4th Company)
** Victory Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Silver Unicorn Medal, Golden Lion Medal

==Additional Background Information==

[[M'Chekian Military Medals|M'Chekian Medals]]

[[Blackhawk Brigade]]

==DM Sponsors==
Plethora

[[Category:Guilds|M'Chekian Army]]
[[Category:Avlis Armies and Fiefdoms|M'Chekian Army]]

M'Chekian Military Medals

2016-04-11T20:33:41Z

Shadowviper: /* Order of Precedence */

== Medals of Valour ==
*'''Golden Lion Medal''' – The highest Medal of Honour. It’s given to those soldiers who have proven themselves above and beyond the call of duty. The Highest of the Highs.

*'''Silver Unicorn Medal''' – The Silver Unicorn Medal is the second highest Medal of Honour. Its given to those soldiers who have proven themselves above and beyond the call to duty.

*'''Copper Eagle Medal''' – The Copper Eagle Medal is the 3rd, or lowest class Medal of Honour. Its given to those soldiers who have proven themselves above and beyond the call of duty.

*'''Medal of Valor''' - This medal is awarded to M’Chekian armed forces personnel for displaying outstanding valor and bravery in the line of duty.

== Victory Medals ==
*'''Victory Medal – Pyrite Dragon Clasp''' – Awarded to members of the M’Chekian military for victory in major battles or campaigns. On the obverse is the figure of Mikon in a robe, left arm extended, his fingers pinching a loop from which are suspended a set of scales showing great balance. On the reverse are the words “For M’Chek” in a single line. The medal is circular, of lacquered copper, all images and engraving are in mithril. This medal has a small copper clasp on the suspending ribbon that reads “Pyrite Dragons”, denoting the campaign it was awarded for. This medal takes precedence above the Copper Boot and below the Copper Eagle.

*'''Victory Medallion''' - Awarded to those brave men and women who gave their best in military service to M'Chek during the War against Drotid.

''*Note that typically separate clasps are attached to Victory Medal indicating which conflict the recipient participated in.''

== Campaign or Mission Specific Medals ==
*'''Copper Boot Medal''' – In the period after the War with T’Nanshi, M’Chek lacked the resources to cast fine medals. The Copper Boot dates from that time and is a crude lump of copper with a small stone in the shape of a boot set in the center. The Copper Boot medal was given to veterans of M’Chek’s campaign in the Underdark.

*'''Medal of the Eastern Seas''' - M’Chekian Army Medal of Distinction: Given for valor over the course of the Battle against the Drotid Fleet on the Eastern Seas.

*'''Derrington’s Medal''' – Given to members of the M'Chekian armed forces who helped do away with raiders that attacked Lord Derrington's Keep. The medal is a blue six sided star with a gold center piece of Derrington's Seal.

*'''Serpent's Tail Medal''' - This medal is made of iron in the shape of a hawk taking flight, inlaid with turquoise. This medal was commissioned to honor those Blackhawks who took part in the destruction of a major source of iron supply of the occupying Drotid forces, as well as smashing the alliance between the Shaahesk and the Bugbears in the Warrens of M'Chek.

*'''Medal Of Distinction''' - This medal of distinction was given to members of the Blackhawks after successfully smashing the shaahesk in the region known as the Bandit Hills.Engraved on the back are two simple words. "For M'Chek"

*'''Medal of Mikona's Valor''' - Given out to the fine Blackhawk soldiers that protected Mikona against the army of the spirit-kin Raven.

*'''Medal of Pride''' - This medal was rewarded to all soldiers who fought in the undead uprising which followed the anger outburst of the spirit kin known as Pride.

*'''Hel’Byssia Campaign Medal''' - Awarded to the Blackhawks for their participation and bravery displayed during the actions against forces within the Hel’Byssia peninsula.

*'''Tharul'Zhannadar’s Fang Talisman''' - Taken from the great wyrm Tharul'Zhannadar himself, this fang still bears some of the magical energy of the great dragon. Measuring about 20 inches in length, these dragon fangs have had their razor edge dulled to serve as a talisman. These were made to identify individuals in the armed forces who took part in ending the threat posed by Tharul'Zhannadar and his pyrite hordes.

== Peacetime Medals and Honors ==
*'''M'Chekian Army Medal of Distinguished Service''' - Awarded to those soldiers displaying a sincere commitment to excellence, unselfish dedication, creativity in solutions, and leadership. Their work has been clearly displayed on the battlefield and in planning over an extended period of time.

*'''M'Chekian Army Medal of Meritorious Service''' - Awarded to those soldiers displaying exceptional commitment, dedication, problem solving and a personal initiative. Their work is of note both in the planning and execution of operations for a lengthy period of time.

*'''M'Chekian Army Good Conduct Medal''' - Awarded to those soldiers who have performed their duties to merit. Personnel awarded this medal must have displayed excellent character and efficiency with their efforts noted in reports over a period of time.

*'''M'Chekian Army Letter of Commendation''' - This is awarded to soldiers of M’Chek for the exceptional demonstration of a talent or skill while serving the Union. The action exemplifies an act of exceptional ability in testing circumstances. The specific context will be noted.

*'''M'Chekian Army Achievement Medal''' - This medal is awarded to soldiers of M’Chek for outstanding achievement through the demonstration of a talent or skill in action over a period of time. The specific talent or skill will be noted.

== Subsequent Awards ==

In the event an individual earns an addition award of the same type, a pip system has been introduced and will be used in conjunction with all medals available to armed forces personnel. A pip is a means to signify that an officer or soldier has earned multiple awards of the same medal. For the M'Chekian Army, a small nine sided gold star will indicate subsequent awards, and is attached to the ribbon portion of the medal. A gold star represents one additional award, while a silver star is worn in lieu of five gold stars.

== Order of Precedence ==

The medals worn by members of the M'Chekian Army are done so in the following order:

'''Golden Lion Medal'''

'''M'Chekian Army Medal of Distinguished Service'''

'''Silver Unicorn Medal'''

'''Copper Eagle Medal'''

'''Medal of Valor'''

'''M'Chekian Army Medal of Meritorious Service'''

'''M'Chek Army Good Conduct Medal'''

'''M'Chek Army Achievement Medal'''

'''Victory Medal with a Pyrite Dragon Clasp'''

'''Victory Medallion'''

'''Copper Boot Medal'''

'''Medal of the Eastern Seas'''

'''Derrington’s Medal'''

'''Serpent's Tail Medal'''

'''Medal Of Distinction'''

'''Medal of Mikona's Valor'''

'''Medal of Pride'''

'''Hel’Byssia Campaign Medal '''

'''Tharul'Zhannadar’s Fang Talisman'''

M'Chekian Military Medals

2016-04-11T20:32:40Z

Shadowviper: /* Campaign or Mission Specific Medals */

== Medals of Valour ==
*'''Golden Lion Medal''' – The highest Medal of Honour. It’s given to those soldiers who have proven themselves above and beyond the call of duty. The Highest of the Highs.

*'''Silver Unicorn Medal''' – The Silver Unicorn Medal is the second highest Medal of Honour. Its given to those soldiers who have proven themselves above and beyond the call to duty.

*'''Copper Eagle Medal''' – The Copper Eagle Medal is the 3rd, or lowest class Medal of Honour. Its given to those soldiers who have proven themselves above and beyond the call of duty.

*'''Medal of Valor''' - This medal is awarded to M’Chekian armed forces personnel for displaying outstanding valor and bravery in the line of duty.

== Victory Medals ==
*'''Victory Medal – Pyrite Dragon Clasp''' – Awarded to members of the M’Chekian military for victory in major battles or campaigns. On the obverse is the figure of Mikon in a robe, left arm extended, his fingers pinching a loop from which are suspended a set of scales showing great balance. On the reverse are the words “For M’Chek” in a single line. The medal is circular, of lacquered copper, all images and engraving are in mithril. This medal has a small copper clasp on the suspending ribbon that reads “Pyrite Dragons”, denoting the campaign it was awarded for. This medal takes precedence above the Copper Boot and below the Copper Eagle.

*'''Victory Medallion''' - Awarded to those brave men and women who gave their best in military service to M'Chek during the War against Drotid.

''*Note that typically separate clasps are attached to Victory Medal indicating which conflict the recipient participated in.''

== Campaign or Mission Specific Medals ==
*'''Copper Boot Medal''' – In the period after the War with T’Nanshi, M’Chek lacked the resources to cast fine medals. The Copper Boot dates from that time and is a crude lump of copper with a small stone in the shape of a boot set in the center. The Copper Boot medal was given to veterans of M’Chek’s campaign in the Underdark.

*'''Medal of the Eastern Seas''' - M’Chekian Army Medal of Distinction: Given for valor over the course of the Battle against the Drotid Fleet on the Eastern Seas.

*'''Derrington’s Medal''' – Given to members of the M'Chekian armed forces who helped do away with raiders that attacked Lord Derrington's Keep. The medal is a blue six sided star with a gold center piece of Derrington's Seal.

*'''Serpent's Tail Medal''' - This medal is made of iron in the shape of a hawk taking flight, inlaid with turquoise. This medal was commissioned to honor those Blackhawks who took part in the destruction of a major source of iron supply of the occupying Drotid forces, as well as smashing the alliance between the Shaahesk and the Bugbears in the Warrens of M'Chek.

*'''Medal Of Distinction''' - This medal of distinction was given to members of the Blackhawks after successfully smashing the shaahesk in the region known as the Bandit Hills.Engraved on the back are two simple words. "For M'Chek"

*'''Medal of Mikona's Valor''' - Given out to the fine Blackhawk soldiers that protected Mikona against the army of the spirit-kin Raven.

*'''Medal of Pride''' - This medal was rewarded to all soldiers who fought in the undead uprising which followed the anger outburst of the spirit kin known as Pride.

*'''Hel’Byssia Campaign Medal''' - Awarded to the Blackhawks for their participation and bravery displayed during the actions against forces within the Hel’Byssia peninsula.

*'''Tharul'Zhannadar’s Fang Talisman''' - Taken from the great wyrm Tharul'Zhannadar himself, this fang still bears some of the magical energy of the great dragon. Measuring about 20 inches in length, these dragon fangs have had their razor edge dulled to serve as a talisman. These were made to identify individuals in the armed forces who took part in ending the threat posed by Tharul'Zhannadar and his pyrite hordes.

== Peacetime Medals and Honors ==
*'''M'Chekian Army Medal of Distinguished Service''' - Awarded to those soldiers displaying a sincere commitment to excellence, unselfish dedication, creativity in solutions, and leadership. Their work has been clearly displayed on the battlefield and in planning over an extended period of time.

*'''M'Chekian Army Medal of Meritorious Service''' - Awarded to those soldiers displaying exceptional commitment, dedication, problem solving and a personal initiative. Their work is of note both in the planning and execution of operations for a lengthy period of time.

*'''M'Chekian Army Good Conduct Medal''' - Awarded to those soldiers who have performed their duties to merit. Personnel awarded this medal must have displayed excellent character and efficiency with their efforts noted in reports over a period of time.

*'''M'Chekian Army Letter of Commendation''' - This is awarded to soldiers of M’Chek for the exceptional demonstration of a talent or skill while serving the Union. The action exemplifies an act of exceptional ability in testing circumstances. The specific context will be noted.

*'''M'Chekian Army Achievement Medal''' - This medal is awarded to soldiers of M’Chek for outstanding achievement through the demonstration of a talent or skill in action over a period of time. The specific talent or skill will be noted.

== Subsequent Awards ==

In the event an individual earns an addition award of the same type, a pip system has been introduced and will be used in conjunction with all medals available to armed forces personnel. A pip is a means to signify that an officer or soldier has earned multiple awards of the same medal. For the M'Chekian Army, a small nine sided gold star will indicate subsequent awards, and is attached to the ribbon portion of the medal. A gold star represents one additional award, while a silver star is worn in lieu of five gold stars.

== Order of Precedence ==

The medals worn by members of the M'Chekian Army are done so in the following order:

'''Golden Lion Medal'''

'''M'Chekian Army Medal of Distinguished Service'''

'''Silver Unicorn Medal'''

'''Copper Eagle Medal'''

'''Medal of Valor'''

'''M'Chekian Army Medal of Meritorious Service'''

'''M'Chek Army Good Conduct Medal'''

'''M'Chek Army Achievement Medal'''

'''Victory Medal with a Pyrite Dragon Clasp'''

'''Victory Medallion'''

'''Copper Boot Medal'''

'''Medal of the Eastern Seas'''

'''Derrington’s Medal'''

'''Serpent's Tail Medal'''

'''Medal Of Distinction'''

'''Medal of Mikona's Valor'''

'''Hel’Byssia Campaign Medal '''

'''Tharul'Zhannadar’s Fang Talisman'''

Guild: Blackhawk Company

2016-04-11T13:49:20Z

Shadowviper: /* The M'Chek-Drotid War */

[[Image:Blackhawk.gif|left|thumb|right|140px|M'Chekian Army, Special Operations Division, Blackhawk Company]]
'''Alignment:''' Any alignments are welcome. However, non-good alignments are better suited to solving problems through military violence, and the M'Chekian Army has usually tended towards the Neutral and Evil ends of the spectrum.

'''Base of operations:''' The Nation of [[M'Chek]].

'''How to contact us:''' Any of the senior officers (listed below) will be happy to help.

'''What we do:''' Blackhawk Company is the PC division of [[M'Chek]]'s armed forces.

'''What to expect:''' Kicking ass for [[M'Chek]]! Expect a lot of military-themed roleplaying, including planning and executing daring missions in wartime as well as regular guild meetings and outings. Wherever there is a threat to [[M'Chek]] and its citizens, Blackhawk Company stands in their way. We are not law enforcement, though we do aid the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|M'Chekian Guards]] when necessary.

'''Miscellany:''' The Blackhawks are part of the elite-forces wing of the [[Guild:MChekArmy|M'Chek Army]], and as such are called upon for dangerous military tasks requiring flexibility, ingenuity and outstanding bravery. [[M'Chek|M'Chekian]] citizenship is a must, as is a clean criminal record (you can't be wanted for crimes in other nations). Your character will be expected to spend a majority of their time in [[M'Chek]]. That's not to say they can't travel, but characters who only come to [[M'Chek]] to take part in DM-run army events aren't what the guild is about.

== Blackhawk Company Introduction and Organisation ==

Blackhawk Battalion is part of the Special Operations Division of the M'Chekian Army, and is currently part of the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]] serving under Lord Derrington. While the highly trained Agents and Special Agents of the elusive M'Chekian Special Forces devote themselves to intelligence-gathering, assassinations and other deep-cover operations, the troops of Blackhawk Battalion represent the very best soldiers that M'Chek can call on, a reputation won over years of campaigning. The Battalion is made up of a mixture of veterans, specialists picked from the ranks of the regulars for their talents, mercenaries and adventurers. While the unit has a fearsome reputation for martial skill, its true advantage lies in the level of initiative and imagination expected of a Blackhawk soldier. The Battalion is not assigned to the long, dull garrison duties or parade ground drills of the regular army - they are expected to gather their own intelligence, plan their own missions and achieve victories for M'Chek at their own intiative, whatever the threat.

Blackhawk Battalion is a unit of nine hundred soldiers when at full operational strength, and is the first of the three Battalions that make up the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]].

The current commander of Blackhawk Battalion is Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]]

== A Brief History of the Blackhawks ==
Blackhawk Company was formed by order of the Joint Houses after the end of the M'Chek-T'Nanshi war to clear select areas of the [[Underdark]] for colonization and farming. [[PCs:Dala Wennen|Dala Wennen]], former Commander of Alpha Corps, was asked to lead this new unit, which she did until her apparent death in a raid on a Shaahesk temple. [[PCs:Morran Unuldur|Morran Unuldur]], then a Lieutenant, was promoted to Captain and granted command. He led the company for the rest of the campaign against the Underdark Bugbears.
At the conclusion of the Underdark campaign, it was decided that Blackhawk Company was no longer necessary. Members were offered the choice of either joining the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]] or being demobilised. Only one member chose to join the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]]; the others retired to civilian life.
Later that year, however, [[M'Chek]] once again had need of her devoted defenders, as a flight of Pyrite dragons led by the monstrous Tharul'Zhannadar threated to destroy all life in the nation. The Blackhawks were reformed, and with the aid of several other groups defended M'Chek from the draconic onslaught before taking the fight to the dragons' island. There, the mighty Tharul'Zannadar was finally defeated.
After this success, the rulers of M'Chek saw the use in keeping such an elite unit available and ready to react to any nw threat, so they were placed on standby with the understanding that they could be recalled at any time to deal with threats that were beyond the [[Guild: The M'Chekian Guards|Guards]]' abilities. From this point until the outbreak of hostilities with the nation of [[Drotid|Drotid]], Major Caitlin Swift was in command. She helped guide the Company through the fraught months of invasion by the Undead of Lord Kale, the Demons of [[Kimonictinus|Kimonictinus]] and the Drotid forces of Voivode Kassesshisrath.

== The M'Chek-Drotid War ==
Since the invasion of M'Chek's eastern shore by the forces of Drotid, Blackhawk Company has once again been at the forefront of the M'Chekian war effort. In their capacity as an elite, special forces unit, the Company has been called upon to undertake a series of daring missions, shoring up the nation's defences and taking the fight to the enemy. While initially faced with a crisis of leadership following the death in battle of then-commander Rolan Fyne, the Blackhawks rallied around the leadership of Major [[PCs:Thaylis Beign|Thaylis Beign]].

Blackhawk Battalion, and especially the First Company, have been heavily involved in the planning and execution of some of the M'Chekian forces' greatest successes in the current conflict. A hastily-formed army of M'Chekian Guards, Blackhawk Company soldiers and local regular army regiments successfully defeated the nascent [[Shaahesk|Shaahesk]] beachhead at [[Eastshore|Eastshore]], liberating the town and protecting it until its rebuilding. Operation: Iron Fist saw the Company spearhead the first M'Chekian offensive into the Shaahesk lines since the outbreak of hostilities, and succeeded in clearing, taking and holding an important Shaahesk supply base on the eastern shore. Operation: Wyvern sought to repay the Shaahesk for their earlier assault on the M'Chekian Army position at Greylake, and resulted in a decisive defeat for the forces of Drotid. The Blackhawks were, as ever, in the vanguard, ensuring the success of the mission by preventing the Shaahesk alerting their reserves of the attack.

As the war drew on, the Blackhawks remained at the heart of the fighting, but also assisted the war effort in other ways. It is rumoured that the wave of reinforcements from the northwest which bolstered the lines on the eastern front at a critical moment was a direct result of interventions in the northwest by Blackhawk soldiers. Army leadership has always refused to comment.

The Blackhawks found themselves playing a vital role in the grand offensive which saw M'Chek retake much of its lost ground, some years into the conflict. It was Blackhawk scouts who discovered the withdrawal of several of the most feared warbands from M'Chekian soil, who had been redeployed to invade the distant city-state of Elysia. As the M'Chekian army counterattacked, the Blackhawks ensured the success of the crucial engagements - during Operation: Highland Flood, the Battalion provided an essential diversionary operation which allowed the main attack to advance and successfully capture the Forward Camp west of Fort Kasslesstha. They then saw what, for many of the Battalion, would prove to be their finest hour, as they outflanked and ambushed the dreaded Red Demon warband en route to roll back the M'Chekian gains. In a brutal engagement, Blackhawk Battalion was able to decisively defeat the warband, although initially outnumbered. Artillery and archery from the M'Chekian forces in the forward camp itself completed the rout.

Subsequently, the Battalion was called in to reinforce and defeat the inevitable Shaahesk counterattack in Operation: Blunt Fall. The Blackhawks used their cunning and knowledge of the countryside to outflank the onrushing Shaahesk forces, taking the lizards' artillery pieces from the rear and destroying them. The forces of Warlord Kasslesstha have since been unable to mount attacks from their fortress, surrounded as they are by M'Chekian redoubts.

In Operation Serpent's Tail the Blackhawks enlisted the aid of civilian mercenaries to remove a thorn in M'Chek's side - the Old Iron Mines in the Warrens, which had been reopened and turned to the production of iron for the Drotid war machine by the Shaahesk and their Bugbear allies. The M'Chekian forces boldly assaulted the surrounded lizard positions and destroyed the mines with explosive charges, crippling the Shaahesk ability to arm and equip themselves with locally-sourced ore. As a result, the alliance hangs in the balance.

After long service on the frontlines, Major Beign's talent was recognised by the army's commanders, and he was promoted to the general staff of the Army's Third Brigade, where he remains. Silver Fox took over command of the Blackhawks in his stead.

Under here leadership operation Hailstorm was executed and brought to a successful end, this was the first major victory in the war against the Shaahesk. In this operation the army retook a large piece of land that was previous lost in the initial outbreak of the war. This operation had the added effect that the bugbears rose up against their former alley.

Operation Steel Sky was the name off the multiple staged attack plan which drove the lizards from the M’chek shores once and for all. First of the forces in Fort Kasslesstha where bottled up so that they where unable to reinforce Fort Msaelifriss. Then Fort Msaelifriss was attacked and taken, cutting off the Shaahesk from reinforcement from the sea and in effect also cutting off their escape route. After Fort Msaelifriss was taken the focus of the M’chek armed forces was put on destroying the last Shaahesk stronghold Fort Kasslesstha and its commander.
A long and bloody followed, seeing that all was lost Kasslesstha made a desperate counter attack with her remaining forces against fort Chasworth which housed the M’chek High Command staff. In the finale battle in and around Chassworth the Blackhawks were able to kill Kasslesstha and her forces. And the war with the Shaahesk came to an end in the Nation of M’chek.

==Blackhawk Brigade==

Following a major incident involving an abortive attack on Fort Kasslesstha made by foreign agents, a restructuring of Lord Derrington's armed forces took place. The 12th Infantry Brigade, previously under the disgraced Brigadier Tanners, was reconstituted as the Blackhawk Brigade, under the overall command of Brigadier Thaylis Beign. Most of the old Blackhawk Battalion was transferred to this new organisation, to continue to serve as M'Chek's elite troops and to assist in bringing the formation up to fighting strength.

==Brigade Command Structure==

===High Command===

* Lord [[Tobias Chasworth]], War Commissioner of M'Chek
* General [[NPCs:Cassius|Cassius]], M'Chekian Special Operations Division
* Lord [[NPCs:Andrew Derrington|Andrew Derrington]]

===12th Infantry (Blackhawk) Brigade Command===

* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]], Commander of Blackhawk Battalion

* Captain Florence Hetter, Adjutant to Lt. Colonel Watersdown

* Colonel [[PCs:Silver Fox|Silver Fox]], Commander of Sable Lions Battalion
** Derrington's Medal, Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Red Rose of M'Chek

* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Serria_Atterman|Serria Atterman]], Commander of Onyx Boars Battalion
* Major Robert Wallace, Chief of Staff Onyx Boars Battalion
**M'Chek Copper Eagle Medal, Medal of Distinction, Victory Medallion, Medal of Mikona's Valor

==Blackhawk Battalion Roster==

===Commanding Officer===
* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]]

===Executive Officer===
*Captain Vaako SandFireStorm
**M'Chek Golden Lion Medal, Silver Unicorn Medal, M'Chekian Army Medal of Meritorious Service, M'Chek Army Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Serpent's Tail Medal, Medal of Distinction.

===Senior Officers===
* 2nd. Lt. [[PCs:Kara Kalinor|Kara Kalinor]]

===Enlisted Soldiers===
* Sergeant Major Kathea Nyht

* Sergeant Rollek Heloc

* Sergeant June Osammy

* Sergeant [[PCs:Drashter_Volterz|Drashter Volterz]]
** Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Victory Medal, Mikona's Valor

* Sergeant Rakuug Yug'Loz
** Medal of Mikona's Valor

* Corporal Raar Juwmax

* Corporal Ferria Mouze

* Corporal Freddull Mouze

* Corporal Etz Elor
** M'Chekian Ruby Rose Medal, M'Chek Golden Lion Medal, Medal of Distinction, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Jewel of Msaelifriss

* Corporal Arkiem Tagalas

* Corporal Givy Kelve

* Corporal Rudash Amuur

* Private [[PCs:Seka Ravenswylde|Seka Ravenswylde]]

* Private Prishll Zrgera

* Private Cinder Fireblaze

* Private Vugaris Hurdokan

* Private Vruh

* Private Lestek Rakov

* Private Bymund Leaf

* Private Jeneta Cend

* Private Elainee Aerlin

* Private Melanie Fischer

* Private Flowera Jooscia

* Private Moriand Dias

* Private Paddleton Snarestep

* Recruit Freddy Mouze

* Recruit Melanie Fischer

* Recruit Groshnak Rish

* Recruit Paddleton Snarestep

* Recruit Kingsley Relish III

* Recruit Lorick Addams

* Recruit Gorg

* Private [[PCs:Cale Bross|Cale Bross]] (4th Company)
** Victory Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Silver Unicorn Medal, Golden Lion Medal

==Additional Background Information==

[[M'Chekian Military Medals|M'Chekian Medals]]

[[Blackhawk Brigade]]

==DM Sponsors==
Plethora

[[Category:Guilds|M'Chekian Army]]
[[Category:Avlis Armies and Fiefdoms|M'Chekian Army]]

Guild: Blackhawk Company

2016-04-11T12:33:19Z

Shadowviper: /* The M'Chek-Drotid War */

[[Image:Blackhawk.gif|left|thumb|right|140px|M'Chekian Army, Special Operations Division, Blackhawk Company]]
'''Alignment:''' Any alignments are welcome. However, non-good alignments are better suited to solving problems through military violence, and the M'Chekian Army has usually tended towards the Neutral and Evil ends of the spectrum.

'''Base of operations:''' The Nation of [[M'Chek]].

'''How to contact us:''' Any of the senior officers (listed below) will be happy to help.

'''What we do:''' Blackhawk Company is the PC division of [[M'Chek]]'s armed forces.

'''What to expect:''' Kicking ass for [[M'Chek]]! Expect a lot of military-themed roleplaying, including planning and executing daring missions in wartime as well as regular guild meetings and outings. Wherever there is a threat to [[M'Chek]] and its citizens, Blackhawk Company stands in their way. We are not law enforcement, though we do aid the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|M'Chekian Guards]] when necessary.

'''Miscellany:''' The Blackhawks are part of the elite-forces wing of the [[Guild:MChekArmy|M'Chek Army]], and as such are called upon for dangerous military tasks requiring flexibility, ingenuity and outstanding bravery. [[M'Chek|M'Chekian]] citizenship is a must, as is a clean criminal record (you can't be wanted for crimes in other nations). Your character will be expected to spend a majority of their time in [[M'Chek]]. That's not to say they can't travel, but characters who only come to [[M'Chek]] to take part in DM-run army events aren't what the guild is about.

== Blackhawk Company Introduction and Organisation ==

Blackhawk Battalion is part of the Special Operations Division of the M'Chekian Army, and is currently part of the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]] serving under Lord Derrington. While the highly trained Agents and Special Agents of the elusive M'Chekian Special Forces devote themselves to intelligence-gathering, assassinations and other deep-cover operations, the troops of Blackhawk Battalion represent the very best soldiers that M'Chek can call on, a reputation won over years of campaigning. The Battalion is made up of a mixture of veterans, specialists picked from the ranks of the regulars for their talents, mercenaries and adventurers. While the unit has a fearsome reputation for martial skill, its true advantage lies in the level of initiative and imagination expected of a Blackhawk soldier. The Battalion is not assigned to the long, dull garrison duties or parade ground drills of the regular army - they are expected to gather their own intelligence, plan their own missions and achieve victories for M'Chek at their own intiative, whatever the threat.

Blackhawk Battalion is a unit of nine hundred soldiers when at full operational strength, and is the first of the three Battalions that make up the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]].

The current commander of Blackhawk Battalion is Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]]

== A Brief History of the Blackhawks ==
Blackhawk Company was formed by order of the Joint Houses after the end of the M'Chek-T'Nanshi war to clear select areas of the [[Underdark]] for colonization and farming. [[PCs:Dala Wennen|Dala Wennen]], former Commander of Alpha Corps, was asked to lead this new unit, which she did until her apparent death in a raid on a Shaahesk temple. [[PCs:Morran Unuldur|Morran Unuldur]], then a Lieutenant, was promoted to Captain and granted command. He led the company for the rest of the campaign against the Underdark Bugbears.
At the conclusion of the Underdark campaign, it was decided that Blackhawk Company was no longer necessary. Members were offered the choice of either joining the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]] or being demobilised. Only one member chose to join the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]]; the others retired to civilian life.
Later that year, however, [[M'Chek]] once again had need of her devoted defenders, as a flight of Pyrite dragons led by the monstrous Tharul'Zhannadar threated to destroy all life in the nation. The Blackhawks were reformed, and with the aid of several other groups defended M'Chek from the draconic onslaught before taking the fight to the dragons' island. There, the mighty Tharul'Zannadar was finally defeated.
After this success, the rulers of M'Chek saw the use in keeping such an elite unit available and ready to react to any nw threat, so they were placed on standby with the understanding that they could be recalled at any time to deal with threats that were beyond the [[Guild: The M'Chekian Guards|Guards]]' abilities. From this point until the outbreak of hostilities with the nation of [[Drotid|Drotid]], Major Caitlin Swift was in command. She helped guide the Company through the fraught months of invasion by the Undead of Lord Kale, the Demons of [[Kimonictinus|Kimonictinus]] and the Drotid forces of Voivode Kassesshisrath.

== The M'Chek-Drotid War ==
Since the invasion of M'Chek's eastern shore by the forces of Drotid, Blackhawk Company has once again been at the forefront of the M'Chekian war effort. In their capacity as an elite, special forces unit, the Company has been called upon to undertake a series of daring missions, shoring up the nation's defences and taking the fight to the enemy. While initially faced with a crisis of leadership following the death in battle of then-commander Rolan Fyne, the Blackhawks rallied around the leadership of Major [[PCs:Thaylis Beign|Thaylis Beign]].

Blackhawk Battalion, and especially the First Company, have been heavily involved in the planning and execution of some of the M'Chekian forces' greatest successes in the current conflict. A hastily-formed army of M'Chekian Guards, Blackhawk Company soldiers and local regular army regiments successfully defeated the nascent [[Shaahesk|Shaahesk]] beachhead at [[Eastshore|Eastshore]], liberating the town and protecting it until its rebuilding. Operation: Iron Fist saw the Company spearhead the first M'Chekian offensive into the Shaahesk lines since the outbreak of hostilities, and succeeded in clearing, taking and holding an important Shaahesk supply base on the eastern shore. Operation: Wyvern sought to repay the Shaahesk for their earlier assault on the M'Chekian Army position at Greylake, and resulted in a decisive defeat for the forces of Drotid. The Blackhawks were, as ever, in the vanguard, ensuring the success of the mission by preventing the Shaahesk alerting their reserves of the attack.

As the war drew on, the Blackhawks remained at the heart of the fighting, but also assisted the war effort in other ways. It is rumoured that the wave of reinforcements from the northwest which bolstered the lines on the eastern front at a critical moment was a direct result of interventions in the northwest by Blackhawk soldiers. Army leadership has always refused to comment.

The Blackhawks found themselves playing a vital role in the grand offensive which saw M'Chek retake much of its lost ground, some years into the conflict. It was Blackhawk scouts who discovered the withdrawal of several of the most feared warbands from M'Chekian soil, who had been redeployed to invade the distant city-state of Elysia. As the M'Chekian army counterattacked, the Blackhawks ensured the success of the crucial engagements - during Operation: Highland Flood, the Battalion provided an essential diversionary operation which allowed the main attack to advance and successfully capture the Forward Camp west of Fort Kasslesstha. They then saw what, for many of the Battalion, would prove to be their finest hour, as they outflanked and ambushed the dreaded Red Demon warband en route to roll back the M'Chekian gains. In a brutal engagement, Blackhawk Battalion was able to decisively defeat the warband, although initially outnumbered. Artillery and archery from the M'Chekian forces in the forward camp itself completed the rout.

Subsequently, the Battalion was called in to reinforce and defeat the inevitable Shaahesk counterattack in Operation: Blunt Fall. The Blackhawks used their cunning and knowledge of the countryside to outflank the onrushing Shaahesk forces, taking the lizards' artillery pieces from the rear and destroying them. The forces of Warlord Kasslesstha have since been unable to mount attacks from their fortress, surrounded as they are by M'Chekian redoubts.

In Operation Serpent's Tail the Blackhawks enlisted the aid of civilian mercenaries to remove a thorn in M'Chek's side - the Old Iron Mines in the Warrens, which had been reopened and turned to the production of iron for the Drotid war machine by the Shaahesk and their Bugbear allies. The M'Chekian forces boldly assaulted the surrounded lizard positions and destroyed the mines with explosive charges, crippling the Shaahesk ability to arm and equip themselves with locally-sourced ore. As a result, the alliance hangs in the balance.

After long service on the frontlines, Major Beign's talent was recognised by the army's commanders, and he was promoted to the general staff of the Army's Third Brigade, where he remains. Silver Fox took over command of the Blackhawks in his stead.

==Blackhawk Brigade==

Following a major incident involving an abortive attack on Fort Kasslesstha made by foreign agents, a restructuring of Lord Derrington's armed forces took place. The 12th Infantry Brigade, previously under the disgraced Brigadier Tanners, was reconstituted as the Blackhawk Brigade, under the overall command of Brigadier Thaylis Beign. Most of the old Blackhawk Battalion was transferred to this new organisation, to continue to serve as M'Chek's elite troops and to assist in bringing the formation up to fighting strength.

==Brigade Command Structure==

===High Command===

* Lord [[Tobias Chasworth]], War Commissioner of M'Chek
* General [[NPCs:Cassius|Cassius]], M'Chekian Special Operations Division
* Lord [[NPCs:Andrew Derrington|Andrew Derrington]]

===12th Infantry (Blackhawk) Brigade Command===

* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]], Commander of Blackhawk Battalion

* Captain Florence Hetter, Adjutant to Lt. Colonel Watersdown

* Colonel [[PCs:Silver Fox|Silver Fox]], Commander of Sable Lions Battalion
** Derrington's Medal, Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Red Rose of M'Chek

* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Serria_Atterman|Serria Atterman]], Commander of Onyx Boars Battalion
* Major Robert Wallace, Chief of Staff Onyx Boars Battalion
**M'Chek Copper Eagle Medal, Medal of Distinction, Victory Medallion, Medal of Mikona's Valor

==Blackhawk Battalion Roster==

===Commanding Officer===
* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]]

===Executive Officer===
*Captain Vaako SandFireStorm
**M'Chek Golden Lion Medal, Silver Unicorn Medal, M'Chekian Army Medal of Meritorious Service, M'Chek Army Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Serpent's Tail Medal, Medal of Distinction.

===Senior Officers===
* 2nd. Lt. [[PCs:Kara Kalinor|Kara Kalinor]]

===Enlisted Soldiers===
* Sergeant Major Kathea Nyht

* Sergeant Rollek Heloc

* Sergeant June Osammy

* Sergeant [[PCs:Drashter_Volterz|Drashter Volterz]]
** Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Victory Medal, Mikona's Valor

* Sergeant Rakuug Yug'Loz
** Medal of Mikona's Valor

* Corporal Raar Juwmax

* Corporal Ferria Mouze

* Corporal Freddull Mouze

* Corporal Etz Elor
** M'Chekian Ruby Rose Medal, M'Chek Golden Lion Medal, Medal of Distinction, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Jewel of Msaelifriss

* Corporal Arkiem Tagalas

* Corporal Givy Kelve

* Corporal Rudash Amuur

* Private [[PCs:Seka Ravenswylde|Seka Ravenswylde]]

* Private Prishll Zrgera

* Private Cinder Fireblaze

* Private Vugaris Hurdokan

* Private Vruh

* Private Lestek Rakov

* Private Bymund Leaf

* Private Jeneta Cend

* Private Elainee Aerlin

* Private Melanie Fischer

* Private Flowera Jooscia

* Private Moriand Dias

* Private Paddleton Snarestep

* Recruit Freddy Mouze

* Recruit Melanie Fischer

* Recruit Groshnak Rish

* Recruit Paddleton Snarestep

* Recruit Kingsley Relish III

* Recruit Lorick Addams

* Recruit Gorg

* Private [[PCs:Cale Bross|Cale Bross]] (4th Company)
** Victory Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Silver Unicorn Medal, Golden Lion Medal

==Additional Background Information==

[[M'Chekian Military Medals|M'Chekian Medals]]

[[Blackhawk Brigade]]

==DM Sponsors==
Plethora

[[Category:Guilds|M'Chekian Army]]
[[Category:Avlis Armies and Fiefdoms|M'Chekian Army]]

Blackhawk Brigade

2016-04-11T12:01:27Z

Shadowviper: /* Senior Command Staff */

== Origins and Early History ==
The Blackhawk Brigade, also known as the [[12th Infantry Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]], is part of the M’Chekian Army. It is one of many Brigades mobilized to defend M’Chek from the Drotid invaders that overran the eastern part of the country, and is currently one of three Brigades Lord Derrington has under his command.

During the War against the Drotid, the 12th Infantry Brigade originally was assigned under the banner of Lord Derrington and was quartered at Derrington Castle, relegated to garrison duties. Commanded by Brigade Commander Tanners, the 500 officers and men of the 12th served as part of Lord Derrington’s personal guard.

In a series of unfortunate events, Commander Tanners was stripped of his officer’s commission and banished from the nation of M’Chek by War Commissioner Lord Tobias Chasworth. Commander Tanners took part in the infamous raid upon Fort Kasslesstha, acting as commanding officer of a group of foreign mercenaries and a regiment of 200 of his cavaliers. The charges leveled against him include his over stepping his command authority, waging a personal campaign against the Drotid in laying siege to Fort Kasslesstha, and gross negligence in the deaths of nearly all 200 of the men under his command. There is still much speculation as to the level of involvement Lord Derrington had with this matter. At the time of his dismissal from service, Commander Tanners was adamant he was under Lord Derrington’s orders in attacking the fortress.

== Command Change and a New Direction ==
In an unprecedented act of authority and ignoring Lord Derrington’s right to select his own replacement brigade commander, Lord Chasworth ordered [[PCs:Thaylis Beign|
Major Thaylis Beign]], Chief of Staff of the 3rd Infantry Brigade, to assume command of the remaining 300 officers and soldiers of the 12th Brigade. Promoted to Brigadier, Brigadier Beign was also to receive command of 600 officers and soldiers of Colonel Brittain’s [[Guild: Blackhawk Company|Blackhawk Battalion]] and instructed to forge the new Brigade into a field command capable of conducting operations against the Drotid invaders. The 12th Brigade adopted the name, Blackhawk Brigade, at Lord Chasworth’s recommendation.

[[Image:Blackhawk battleflag.jpg|Battle Flag of the Blackhawk Brigade]]

== Brigade Breakdown ==

Currently, the Brigade is at 80% strength and consists of 3 Battalions. It should be noted that all members of the Brigade wear the distinctive black uniform of the Blackhawks.

The 1st Battalion, comprised of M'Chek's elite Blackhawks, is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Justin Watersdown. The Blackhawk Battalion now has a full compliment of approximately 900 officers and men. The core of the Battalion is formed from the men and women who served under Colonel Brittain as the original Blackhawk Battalion and served as M’Chek’s elite special forces unit. Their tenacity and discipline in serving M’Chek is renowned. Additionally, rumors abound that Colonel Fox has spearheaded an effort to supplement the ranks of her Battalion with men and women from the M’Chekian penal system. The soldiers of the 1st Battalion form the foundation of the Brigade.

The Brigade’s 2nd Battalion, referred to as the Sable Lions, is commanded by Colonel Silver Fox and originally consisted of 400 officers and soldiers, with 100 of these siphoned from the 1st Battalion to form the backbone of the unit. Currently, their numbers have swelled to approximately 735 officers and men due to the intensive recruiting campaign, and continue to hone their skills in working as a cohesive unit.

The 3rd Battalion has now been activated and is under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Serria Atterman, with Major Robert Wallace now serving as her Chief of Staff. Called the Onyx Boars, they serve as the Brigade’s primary training battalion. All new recruits into the Brigade will pass through the 3rd Battalion for their indoctrination and training. The primary goal is to instill confidence in the new recruits, instructing them on field operations and battle techniques, as well as getting them on a skill and confidence level equal to the soldiers of the 1st Battalion. The 3rd now has approximately 635 officers and soldiers.

The 1st Battalion is quartered in Finmaegen Keep, while the 2nd and 3rd Battalions maintain their barracks at Derrington Castle. This placement of his major command elements may appear cumbersome to some within the M'chekian military, but Brigadier Beign prefers this arrangement as it allows Blackhawks the ability to deploy rapidly throughout M'Chek should the need arise.

Still undermanned by several hundred soldiers, The Brigade continues an aggressive recruiting campaign to bolster its numbers. At present, the Brigade consists of one full and 2 partial Battalions, with a total number of officers and soldiers for operations at ~2260.

== Senior Command Staff ==

'''Commanding Officer:''' [[NPCs:Justin Watersdown|Lt. Colonel Justin Watersdown]]

'''Adjutant:''' [[NPCs:Captain Florence Hetter|Captain Florence Hetter]]

{| border="1" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="4" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"

|+ '''Blackhawk Brigade'''

| align="center" style="background:#91A3B0;"|'''1st Battalion - Blackhawks'''
| align="center" style="background:#91A3B0;"|'''2nd Battalion - Sable Lions'''
| align="center" style="background:#91A3B0;"|'''3rd Battalion - Onyx Boars'''
|- style="background:#E5E4E2;"
| Commanding Officer - [[NPCs:Justin Watersdown|Lt. Colonel Justin Watersdown]]||Commanding Officer - [[PCs:Silver Fox|Colonel Silver Fox]]
||Commanding Officer - [[NPCs:Serria Atterman|Lt. Colonel Serria Atterman]]
|- style="background:#E5E4E2;"
| Executive Officer – Captain SandFireStorm ||Executive Officer - [[NPCs:Alfred Greensham|Major Alfred Greensham]]
||Executive Officer - [[NPCs:Peter Russborough|Major Peter Russborough]]
|- style="background:#E5E4E2;"
| Current Strength - ~900 officers and soldiers||Current Strength - ~735 officers and soldiers||Current Strength - ~635 officers and soldiers
|}

== Structure of the Battalions ==

Each Battalion is identical in structure and follows Colonel Fox's Blackhawk Battalion's organizational plan.

'''Commanding Officer:''' Colonel or Lt. Colonel.

'''Command Staff:''' Executive Officer – Major or Captain; 2 additional Staff Officers (Major or Captain), Command Sergeant.

The Battalions are comprised of 9 Company’s, each commanded by a Captain.

*'''1st Company:''' Heavy Infantry and support elements. 125 soldiers. ((PC's are placed in this Company, 1st Battalion))

*'''2nd Company:''' Heavy Infantry and support elements. 125 soldiers.

*'''3rd Company:''' Heavy Infantry and support elements. 125 soldiers.

*'''4th Company:''' Reconnaissance (Recon). Light infantry or skirmishers, these soldiers are used for intelligence gathering, reconnaissance and interdiction, etc. 125 soldiers and support elements.

*'''5th Company:''' Demolitions and Artillery. 100 soldiers and support elements.

*'''6th Company:''' Battlemage Company. Normally mages will be distributed throughout the ranks as needed, but nominally they will belong to the 6th Company, allowing them to be fielded as a unit in their own right in special circumstances. Numbers are fluid.

*'''7th Company:''' Reserve Line Company. Infantry with support elements. This will be the Company new recruits will be trained in until they can be transferred to another Company. Can be deployed in the field under special circumstances. 100 soldiers.

*'''8th Company:''' Light Cavalry. 100 men + horses.

*'''9th Company:''' Heavy Cavalry 100 men + horses.

Also included: Logistical and Support staff. Numbers to be determined.

== M’Chekian Mages ==

Shortly after the new brigade was formed, Magus Robert Wallace approached Brigadier Beign and offered his services in recruiting mages from the various Orders of the Trust. Magus Wallace was given the authority of an Acting-Lieutenant by Brigadier Beign, and sought out mages who wanted to aid the War effort by serving in the M’Chekian armed forces. Lt. Wallace was successful in recruiting roughly 300 mages; these highly talented men and women were placed in the Blackhawk Brigade, as M’Chek’s special force unit, and continue to augment the Brigade’s ability to fight the Drotid invaders. These mages were distributed evenly amongst the Brigade’s 3 Battalions with each unit receiving roughly 100 men and women.

Additionally, at the onset of the War against the Drotid, the M’Chekian Army lacked sufficient personnel trained in the advanced studies of arcane magic. Identifying and acknowledging this lack of capability, the Blackhawks accepted the generous offers of Magi Vintrinia Carnen, Thienna Hurst, and Micah Ormane of the Trust to train armed forces mages in the advanced studies of Pyromancy, Fatespinning, and Steelcasting, respectively. Several score armed forces mages successfully completed the advanced lessons, and were assigned to the Blackhawk Brigade. Total numbers and distribution within the Brigade are as follows:

*Pyromancy under Magus Carnen: 25 Pyromancers. Divided evenly between the 3 Companies. (9 to the 1st Battalion, 8 each to the remaining Battalions.)

*Fatespinning under Magus Hurst: 21 Fatespinners. Divided evenly between the 3 Companies.

*Steelcasting under Magus Ormane: 50 Steelcasters. Assigned to the 1st Battalion.

== Battle Songs of the Blackhawk Brigade ==
The following songs were written especially for the Blackhawks during the onset of the Drotid War. The half-elven bard, Mahera Trellewin, graciously wrote the two songs, and personally performed the debut of both pieces to a gathering of officers and soldiers. The songs can still be heard to this day, sung with rowdy enthusiasm in the barracks of both Finmaegen and Derrington Keeps.

'''Sound the Trumpet'''

Sound the trumpet soldier, we'll sing another song,

Sing it with a spirit that will rally M'Chek on!

Sing it with a will, let your voices ring out strong,

While we push back the Drotid.

Huzzah! Huzzah! Sound the trumpet call!

Huzzah! Huzzah! Rally one and all!

So we'll sing this chorus from Finmaegan to the sea,

As we drive out the Shaahesk.

The slithering lizards said, in their brazen boasts

"Thosssse puny warmbloodsss, they will never retake the coasssst!"

But they did not reckon on such tenacious M'Chek Folk.

And so we will drive out the Drotid.

'''The Blackhawks of M'Chek'''

We're the Blackhawks of M'Chek, we're brave without a doubt!

We've pledged to do our damnest to drive the Drotid out.

And what all do we get for this? Seven pints of stout.

You won't forget the Blackhawks of M'Chek!

We'll march along the dusty roads till we can hardly speak,

Into Verrossa's rain and storm, we'll seldom stop to sleep.

Then fight for forty-eight hours a day and fourteen days a week.

Why? Because we're the Blackhawks of M'Chek!

You're welcome in the Blackhawks if you know how to fight.

We've rangers here from the Way, and heroes from Redgate,

We've ganoom and ogre mages, and dragonslayers full of might.

Don't forget that we're the Blackhawks of M'Chek!

We're the toughest gang of soldiers that you will ever meet.

We'll work or fight near anywhere, from the beaches to the Keeps.

We'll take the fight to Drotid's swamps, until they cry defeat!

Remember us…

Don't forget…

You won't forget!

Remember us, the Blackhawks of M'Chek!

== Additional Miscellaneous Information ==

[[M'Chekian Military Medals|M'Chekian Medals]]

[[M'Chekian Military Ranks - Army|Officer and Enlisted Ranks]]

Blackhawk Brigade

2016-04-11T11:44:47Z

Shadowviper: /* Senior Command Staff */

== Origins and Early History ==
The Blackhawk Brigade, also known as the [[12th Infantry Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]], is part of the M’Chekian Army. It is one of many Brigades mobilized to defend M’Chek from the Drotid invaders that overran the eastern part of the country, and is currently one of three Brigades Lord Derrington has under his command.

During the War against the Drotid, the 12th Infantry Brigade originally was assigned under the banner of Lord Derrington and was quartered at Derrington Castle, relegated to garrison duties. Commanded by Brigade Commander Tanners, the 500 officers and men of the 12th served as part of Lord Derrington’s personal guard.

In a series of unfortunate events, Commander Tanners was stripped of his officer’s commission and banished from the nation of M’Chek by War Commissioner Lord Tobias Chasworth. Commander Tanners took part in the infamous raid upon Fort Kasslesstha, acting as commanding officer of a group of foreign mercenaries and a regiment of 200 of his cavaliers. The charges leveled against him include his over stepping his command authority, waging a personal campaign against the Drotid in laying siege to Fort Kasslesstha, and gross negligence in the deaths of nearly all 200 of the men under his command. There is still much speculation as to the level of involvement Lord Derrington had with this matter. At the time of his dismissal from service, Commander Tanners was adamant he was under Lord Derrington’s orders in attacking the fortress.

== Command Change and a New Direction ==
In an unprecedented act of authority and ignoring Lord Derrington’s right to select his own replacement brigade commander, Lord Chasworth ordered [[PCs:Thaylis Beign|
Major Thaylis Beign]], Chief of Staff of the 3rd Infantry Brigade, to assume command of the remaining 300 officers and soldiers of the 12th Brigade. Promoted to Brigadier, Brigadier Beign was also to receive command of 600 officers and soldiers of Colonel Brittain’s [[Guild: Blackhawk Company|Blackhawk Battalion]] and instructed to forge the new Brigade into a field command capable of conducting operations against the Drotid invaders. The 12th Brigade adopted the name, Blackhawk Brigade, at Lord Chasworth’s recommendation.

[[Image:Blackhawk battleflag.jpg|Battle Flag of the Blackhawk Brigade]]

== Brigade Breakdown ==

Currently, the Brigade is at 80% strength and consists of 3 Battalions. It should be noted that all members of the Brigade wear the distinctive black uniform of the Blackhawks.

The 1st Battalion, comprised of M'Chek's elite Blackhawks, is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Justin Watersdown. The Blackhawk Battalion now has a full compliment of approximately 900 officers and men. The core of the Battalion is formed from the men and women who served under Colonel Brittain as the original Blackhawk Battalion and served as M’Chek’s elite special forces unit. Their tenacity and discipline in serving M’Chek is renowned. Additionally, rumors abound that Colonel Fox has spearheaded an effort to supplement the ranks of her Battalion with men and women from the M’Chekian penal system. The soldiers of the 1st Battalion form the foundation of the Brigade.

The Brigade’s 2nd Battalion, referred to as the Sable Lions, is commanded by Colonel Silver Fox and originally consisted of 400 officers and soldiers, with 100 of these siphoned from the 1st Battalion to form the backbone of the unit. Currently, their numbers have swelled to approximately 735 officers and men due to the intensive recruiting campaign, and continue to hone their skills in working as a cohesive unit.

The 3rd Battalion has now been activated and is under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Serria Atterman, with Major Robert Wallace now serving as her Chief of Staff. Called the Onyx Boars, they serve as the Brigade’s primary training battalion. All new recruits into the Brigade will pass through the 3rd Battalion for their indoctrination and training. The primary goal is to instill confidence in the new recruits, instructing them on field operations and battle techniques, as well as getting them on a skill and confidence level equal to the soldiers of the 1st Battalion. The 3rd now has approximately 635 officers and soldiers.

The 1st Battalion is quartered in Finmaegen Keep, while the 2nd and 3rd Battalions maintain their barracks at Derrington Castle. This placement of his major command elements may appear cumbersome to some within the M'chekian military, but Brigadier Beign prefers this arrangement as it allows Blackhawks the ability to deploy rapidly throughout M'Chek should the need arise.

Still undermanned by several hundred soldiers, The Brigade continues an aggressive recruiting campaign to bolster its numbers. At present, the Brigade consists of one full and 2 partial Battalions, with a total number of officers and soldiers for operations at ~2260.

== Senior Command Staff ==

'''Commanding Officer:''' [[PCs:Thaylis Beign|Brigadier Thaylis Beign]]

'''Adjutant:''' [[NPCs:Captain Florence Hetter|Captain Florence Hetter]]

{| border="1" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="4" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"

|+ '''Blackhawk Brigade'''

| align="center" style="background:#91A3B0;"|'''1st Battalion - Blackhawks'''
| align="center" style="background:#91A3B0;"|'''2nd Battalion - Sable Lions'''
| align="center" style="background:#91A3B0;"|'''3rd Battalion - Onyx Boars'''
|- style="background:#E5E4E2;"
| Commanding Officer - [[NPCs:Justin Watersdown|Lt. Colonel Justin Watersdown]]||Commanding Officer - [[PCs:Silver Fox|Colonel Silver Fox]]
||Commanding Officer - [[NPCs:Serria Atterman|Lt. Colonel Serria Atterman]]
|- style="background:#E5E4E2;"
| Executive Officer – Captain SandFireStorm ||Executive Officer - [[NPCs:Alfred Greensham|Major Alfred Greensham]]
||Executive Officer - [[NPCs:Peter Russborough|Major Peter Russborough]]
|- style="background:#E5E4E2;"
| Current Strength - ~900 officers and soldiers||Current Strength - ~735 officers and soldiers||Current Strength - ~635 officers and soldiers
|}

== Structure of the Battalions ==

Each Battalion is identical in structure and follows Colonel Fox's Blackhawk Battalion's organizational plan.

'''Commanding Officer:''' Colonel or Lt. Colonel.

'''Command Staff:''' Executive Officer – Major or Captain; 2 additional Staff Officers (Major or Captain), Command Sergeant.

The Battalions are comprised of 9 Company’s, each commanded by a Captain.

*'''1st Company:''' Heavy Infantry and support elements. 125 soldiers. ((PC's are placed in this Company, 1st Battalion))

*'''2nd Company:''' Heavy Infantry and support elements. 125 soldiers.

*'''3rd Company:''' Heavy Infantry and support elements. 125 soldiers.

*'''4th Company:''' Reconnaissance (Recon). Light infantry or skirmishers, these soldiers are used for intelligence gathering, reconnaissance and interdiction, etc. 125 soldiers and support elements.

*'''5th Company:''' Demolitions and Artillery. 100 soldiers and support elements.

*'''6th Company:''' Battlemage Company. Normally mages will be distributed throughout the ranks as needed, but nominally they will belong to the 6th Company, allowing them to be fielded as a unit in their own right in special circumstances. Numbers are fluid.

*'''7th Company:''' Reserve Line Company. Infantry with support elements. This will be the Company new recruits will be trained in until they can be transferred to another Company. Can be deployed in the field under special circumstances. 100 soldiers.

*'''8th Company:''' Light Cavalry. 100 men + horses.

*'''9th Company:''' Heavy Cavalry 100 men + horses.

Also included: Logistical and Support staff. Numbers to be determined.

== M’Chekian Mages ==

Shortly after the new brigade was formed, Magus Robert Wallace approached Brigadier Beign and offered his services in recruiting mages from the various Orders of the Trust. Magus Wallace was given the authority of an Acting-Lieutenant by Brigadier Beign, and sought out mages who wanted to aid the War effort by serving in the M’Chekian armed forces. Lt. Wallace was successful in recruiting roughly 300 mages; these highly talented men and women were placed in the Blackhawk Brigade, as M’Chek’s special force unit, and continue to augment the Brigade’s ability to fight the Drotid invaders. These mages were distributed evenly amongst the Brigade’s 3 Battalions with each unit receiving roughly 100 men and women.

Additionally, at the onset of the War against the Drotid, the M’Chekian Army lacked sufficient personnel trained in the advanced studies of arcane magic. Identifying and acknowledging this lack of capability, the Blackhawks accepted the generous offers of Magi Vintrinia Carnen, Thienna Hurst, and Micah Ormane of the Trust to train armed forces mages in the advanced studies of Pyromancy, Fatespinning, and Steelcasting, respectively. Several score armed forces mages successfully completed the advanced lessons, and were assigned to the Blackhawk Brigade. Total numbers and distribution within the Brigade are as follows:

*Pyromancy under Magus Carnen: 25 Pyromancers. Divided evenly between the 3 Companies. (9 to the 1st Battalion, 8 each to the remaining Battalions.)

*Fatespinning under Magus Hurst: 21 Fatespinners. Divided evenly between the 3 Companies.

*Steelcasting under Magus Ormane: 50 Steelcasters. Assigned to the 1st Battalion.

== Battle Songs of the Blackhawk Brigade ==
The following songs were written especially for the Blackhawks during the onset of the Drotid War. The half-elven bard, Mahera Trellewin, graciously wrote the two songs, and personally performed the debut of both pieces to a gathering of officers and soldiers. The songs can still be heard to this day, sung with rowdy enthusiasm in the barracks of both Finmaegen and Derrington Keeps.

'''Sound the Trumpet'''

Sound the trumpet soldier, we'll sing another song,

Sing it with a spirit that will rally M'Chek on!

Sing it with a will, let your voices ring out strong,

While we push back the Drotid.

Huzzah! Huzzah! Sound the trumpet call!

Huzzah! Huzzah! Rally one and all!

So we'll sing this chorus from Finmaegan to the sea,

As we drive out the Shaahesk.

The slithering lizards said, in their brazen boasts

"Thosssse puny warmbloodsss, they will never retake the coasssst!"

But they did not reckon on such tenacious M'Chek Folk.

And so we will drive out the Drotid.

'''The Blackhawks of M'Chek'''

We're the Blackhawks of M'Chek, we're brave without a doubt!

We've pledged to do our damnest to drive the Drotid out.

And what all do we get for this? Seven pints of stout.

You won't forget the Blackhawks of M'Chek!

We'll march along the dusty roads till we can hardly speak,

Into Verrossa's rain and storm, we'll seldom stop to sleep.

Then fight for forty-eight hours a day and fourteen days a week.

Why? Because we're the Blackhawks of M'Chek!

You're welcome in the Blackhawks if you know how to fight.

We've rangers here from the Way, and heroes from Redgate,

We've ganoom and ogre mages, and dragonslayers full of might.

Don't forget that we're the Blackhawks of M'Chek!

We're the toughest gang of soldiers that you will ever meet.

We'll work or fight near anywhere, from the beaches to the Keeps.

We'll take the fight to Drotid's swamps, until they cry defeat!

Remember us…

Don't forget…

You won't forget!

Remember us, the Blackhawks of M'Chek!

== Additional Miscellaneous Information ==

[[M'Chekian Military Medals|M'Chekian Medals]]

[[M'Chekian Military Ranks - Army|Officer and Enlisted Ranks]]

Guild: Blackhawk Company

2016-04-05T12:25:16Z

Shadowviper:

[[Image:Blackhawk.gif|left|thumb|right|140px|M'Chekian Army, Special Operations Division, Blackhawk Company]]
'''Alignment:''' Any alignments are welcome. However, non-good alignments are better suited to solving problems through military violence, and the M'Chekian Army has usually tended towards the Neutral and Evil ends of the spectrum.

'''Base of operations:''' The Nation of [[M'Chek]].

'''How to contact us:''' Any of the senior officers (listed below) will be happy to help.

'''What we do:''' Blackhawk Company is the PC division of [[M'Chek]]'s armed forces.

'''What to expect:''' Kicking ass for [[M'Chek]]! Expect a lot of military-themed roleplaying, including planning and executing daring missions in wartime as well as regular guild meetings and outings. Wherever there is a threat to [[M'Chek]] and its citizens, Blackhawk Company stands in their way. We are not law enforcement, though we do aid the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|M'Chekian Guards]] when necessary.

'''Miscellany:''' The Blackhawks are part of the elite-forces wing of the [[Guild:MChekArmy|M'Chek Army]], and as such are called upon for dangerous military tasks requiring flexibility, ingenuity and outstanding bravery. [[M'Chek|M'Chekian]] citizenship is a must, as is a clean criminal record (you can't be wanted for crimes in other nations). Your character will be expected to spend a majority of their time in [[M'Chek]]. That's not to say they can't travel, but characters who only come to [[M'Chek]] to take part in DM-run army events aren't what the guild is about.

== Blackhawk Company Introduction and Organisation ==

Blackhawk Battalion is part of the Special Operations Division of the M'Chekian Army, and is currently part of the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]] serving under Lord Derrington. While the highly trained Agents and Special Agents of the elusive M'Chekian Special Forces devote themselves to intelligence-gathering, assassinations and other deep-cover operations, the troops of Blackhawk Battalion represent the very best soldiers that M'Chek can call on, a reputation won over years of campaigning. The Battalion is made up of a mixture of veterans, specialists picked from the ranks of the regulars for their talents, mercenaries and adventurers. While the unit has a fearsome reputation for martial skill, its true advantage lies in the level of initiative and imagination expected of a Blackhawk soldier. The Battalion is not assigned to the long, dull garrison duties or parade ground drills of the regular army - they are expected to gather their own intelligence, plan their own missions and achieve victories for M'Chek at their own intiative, whatever the threat.

Blackhawk Battalion is a unit of nine hundred soldiers when at full operational strength, and is the first of the three Battalions that make up the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]].

The current commander of Blackhawk Battalion is Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]]

== A Brief History of the Blackhawks ==
Blackhawk Company was formed by order of the Joint Houses after the end of the M'Chek-T'Nanshi war to clear select areas of the [[Underdark]] for colonization and farming. [[PCs:Dala Wennen|Dala Wennen]], former Commander of Alpha Corps, was asked to lead this new unit, which she did until her apparent death in a raid on a Shaahesk temple. [[PCs:Morran Unuldur|Morran Unuldur]], then a Lieutenant, was promoted to Captain and granted command. He led the company for the rest of the campaign against the Underdark Bugbears.
At the conclusion of the Underdark campaign, it was decided that Blackhawk Company was no longer necessary. Members were offered the choice of either joining the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]] or being demobilised. Only one member chose to join the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]]; the others retired to civilian life.
Later that year, however, [[M'Chek]] once again had need of her devoted defenders, as a flight of Pyrite dragons led by the monstrous Tharul'Zhannadar threated to destroy all life in the nation. The Blackhawks were reformed, and with the aid of several other groups defended M'Chek from the draconic onslaught before taking the fight to the dragons' island. There, the mighty Tharul'Zannadar was finally defeated.
After this success, the rulers of M'Chek saw the use in keeping such an elite unit available and ready to react to any nw threat, so they were placed on standby with the understanding that they could be recalled at any time to deal with threats that were beyond the [[Guild: The M'Chekian Guards|Guards]]' abilities. From this point until the outbreak of hostilities with the nation of [[Drotid|Drotid]], Major Caitlin Swift was in command. She helped guide the Company through the fraught months of invasion by the Undead of Lord Kale, the Demons of [[Kimonictinus|Kimonictinus]] and the Drotid forces of Voivode Kassesshisrath.

== The M'Chek-Drotid War ==
Since the invasion of M'Chek's eastern shore by the forces of Drotid, Blackhawk Company has once again been at the forefront of the M'Chekian war effort. In their capacity as an elite, special forces unit, the Company has been called upon to undertake a series of daring missions, shoring up the nation's defences and taking the fight to the enemy. While initially faced with a crisis of leadership following the death in battle of then-commander Rolan Fyne, the Blackhawks rallied around the leadership of Major [[PCs:Thaylis Beign|Thaylis Beign]].

Blackhawk Battalion, and especially the First Company, have been heavily involved in the planning and execution of some of the M'Chekian forces' greatest successes in the current conflict. A hastily-formed army of M'Chekian Guards, Blackhawk Company soldiers and local regular army regiments successfully defeated the nascent [[Shaahesk|Shaahesk]] beachhead at [[Eastshore|Eastshore]], liberating the town and protecting it until its rebuilding. Operation: Iron Fist saw the Company spearhead the first M'Chekian offensive into the Shaahesk lines since the outbreak of hostilities, and succeeded in clearing, taking and holding an important Shaahesk supply base on the eastern shore. Operation: Wyvern sought to repay the Shaahesk for their earlier assault on the M'Chekian Army position at Greylake, and resulted in a decisive defeat for the forces of Drotid. The Blackhawks were, as ever, in the vanguard, ensuring the success of the mission by preventing the Shaahesk alerting their reserves of the attack.

As the war drew on, the Blackhawks remained at the heart of the fighting, but also assisted the war effort in other ways. It is rumoured that the wave of reinforcements from the northwest which bolstered the lines on the eastern front at a critical moment was a direct result of interventions in the northwest by Blackhawk soldiers. Army leadership has always refused to comment.

The Blackhawks found themselves playing a vital role in the grand offensive which saw M'Chek retake much of its lost ground, some years into the conflict. It was Blackhawk scouts who discovered the withdrawal of several of the most feared warbands from M'Chekian soil, who had been redeployed to invade the distant city-state of Elysia. As the M'Chekian army counterattacked, the Blackhawks ensured the success of the crucial engagements - during Operation: Highland Flood, the Battalion provided an essential diversionary operation which allowed the main attack to advance and successfully capture the Forward Camp west of Fort Kasslesstha. They then saw what, for many of the Battalion, would prove to be their finest hour, as they outflanked and ambushed the dreaded Red Demon warband en route to roll back the M'Chekian gains. In a brutal engagement, Blackhawk Battalion was able to decisively defeat the warband, although initially outnumbered. Artillery and archery from the M'Chekian forces in the forward camp itself completed the rout.

Subsequently, the Battalion was called in to reinforce and defeat the inevitable Shaahesk counterattack in Operation: Blunt Fall. The Blackhawks used their cunning and knowledge of the countryside to outflank the onrushing Shaahesk forces, taking the lizards' artillery pieces from the rear and destroying them. The forces of Warlord Kasslesstha have since been unable to mount attacks from their fortress, surrounded as they are by M'Chekian redoubts.

Most recently, the Blackhawks enlisted the aid of civilian mercenaries to remove a thorn in M'Chek's side - the Old Iron Mines in the Warrens, which had been reopened and turned to the production of iron for the Drotid war machine by the Shaahesk and their Bugbear allies. The M'Chekian forces boldly assaulted the surrounded lizard positions and destroyed the mines with explosive charges, crippling the Shaahesk ability to arm and equip themselves with locally-sourced ore. As a result, the alliance hangs in the balance.

After long service on the frontlines, Major Beign's talent was recognised by the army's commanders, and he was promoted to the general staff of the Army's Third Brigade, where he remains. Silver Fox took over command of the Blackhawks in his stead.

==Blackhawk Brigade==

Following a major incident involving an abortive attack on Fort Kasslesstha made by foreign agents, a restructuring of Lord Derrington's armed forces took place. The 12th Infantry Brigade, previously under the disgraced Brigadier Tanners, was reconstituted as the Blackhawk Brigade, under the overall command of Brigadier Thaylis Beign. Most of the old Blackhawk Battalion was transferred to this new organisation, to continue to serve as M'Chek's elite troops and to assist in bringing the formation up to fighting strength.

==Brigade Command Structure==

===High Command===

* Lord [[Tobias Chasworth]], War Commissioner of M'Chek
* General [[NPCs:Cassius|Cassius]], M'Chekian Special Operations Division
* Lord [[NPCs:Andrew Derrington|Andrew Derrington]]

===12th Infantry (Blackhawk) Brigade Command===

* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]], Commander of Blackhawk Battalion

* Captain Florence Hetter, Adjutant to Lt. Colonel Watersdown

* Colonel [[PCs:Silver Fox|Silver Fox]], Commander of Sable Lions Battalion
** Derrington's Medal, Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Red Rose of M'Chek

* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Serria_Atterman|Serria Atterman]], Commander of Onyx Boars Battalion
* Major Robert Wallace, Chief of Staff Onyx Boars Battalion
**M'Chek Copper Eagle Medal, Medal of Distinction, Victory Medallion, Medal of Mikona's Valor

==Blackhawk Battalion Roster==

===Commanding Officer===
* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]]

===Executive Officer===
*Captain Vaako SandFireStorm
**M'Chek Golden Lion Medal, Silver Unicorn Medal, M'Chekian Army Medal of Meritorious Service, M'Chek Army Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Serpent's Tail Medal, Medal of Distinction.

===Senior Officers===
* 2nd. Lt. [[PCs:Kara Kalinor|Kara Kalinor]]

===Enlisted Soldiers===
* Sergeant Major Kathea Nyht

* Sergeant Rollek Heloc

* Sergeant June Osammy

* Sergeant [[PCs:Drashter_Volterz|Drashter Volterz]]
** Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Victory Medal, Mikona's Valor

* Sergeant Rakuug Yug'Loz
** Medal of Mikona's Valor

* Corporal Raar Juwmax

* Corporal Ferria Mouze

* Corporal Freddull Mouze

* Corporal Etz Elor
** M'Chekian Ruby Rose Medal, M'Chek Golden Lion Medal, Medal of Distinction, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Jewel of Msaelifriss

* Corporal Arkiem Tagalas

* Corporal Givy Kelve

* Corporal Rudash Amuur

* Private [[PCs:Seka Ravenswylde|Seka Ravenswylde]]

* Private Prishll Zrgera

* Private Cinder Fireblaze

* Private Vugaris Hurdokan

* Private Vruh

* Private Lestek Rakov

* Private Bymund Leaf

* Private Jeneta Cend

* Private Elainee Aerlin

* Private Melanie Fischer

* Private Flowera Jooscia

* Private Moriand Dias

* Private Paddleton Snarestep

* Recruit Freddy Mouze

* Recruit Melanie Fischer

* Recruit Groshnak Rish

* Recruit Paddleton Snarestep

* Recruit Kingsley Relish III

* Recruit Lorick Addams

* Recruit Gorg

* Private [[PCs:Cale Bross|Cale Bross]] (4th Company)
** Victory Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Silver Unicorn Medal, Golden Lion Medal

==Additional Background Information==

[[M'Chekian Military Medals|M'Chekian Medals]]

[[Blackhawk Brigade]]

==DM Sponsors==
Plethora

[[Category:Guilds|M'Chekian Army]]
[[Category:Avlis Armies and Fiefdoms|M'Chekian Army]]

Guild: Blackhawk Company

2016-04-05T12:24:37Z

Shadowviper: /* Enlisted Soldiers */

[[Image:Blackhawk.gif|left|thumb|right|140px|M'Chekian Army, Special Operations Division, Blackhawk Company]]
'''Alignment:''' Any alignments are welcome. However, non-good alignments are better suited to solving problems through military violence, and the M'Chekian Army has usually tended towards the Neutral and Evil ends of the spectrum.

'''Base of operations:''' The Nation of [[M'Chek]].

'''How to contact us:''' Any of the senior officers (listed below) will be happy to help. Also, Cm. Sgt. [[PCs:Dillon Wylde|Dillon Wylde]] functions as a recruiter.

'''What we do:''' Blackhawk Company is the PC division of [[M'Chek]]'s armed forces.

'''What to expect:''' Kicking ass for [[M'Chek]]! Expect a lot of military-themed roleplaying, including planning and executing daring missions in wartime as well as regular guild meetings and outings. Wherever there is a threat to [[M'Chek]] and its citizens, Blackhawk Company stands in their way. We are not law enforcement, though we do aid the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|M'Chekian Guards]] when necessary.

'''Miscellany:''' The Blackhawks are part of the elite-forces wing of the [[Guild:MChekArmy|M'Chek Army]], and as such are called upon for dangerous military tasks requiring flexibility, ingenuity and outstanding bravery. [[M'Chek|M'Chekian]] citizenship is a must, as is a clean criminal record (you can't be wanted for crimes in other nations). Your character will be expected to spend a majority of their time in [[M'Chek]]. That's not to say they can't travel, but characters who only come to [[M'Chek]] to take part in DM-run army events aren't what the guild is about.

== Blackhawk Company Introduction and Organisation ==

Blackhawk Battalion is part of the Special Operations Division of the M'Chekian Army, and is currently part of the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]] serving under Lord Derrington. While the highly trained Agents and Special Agents of the elusive M'Chekian Special Forces devote themselves to intelligence-gathering, assassinations and other deep-cover operations, the troops of Blackhawk Battalion represent the very best soldiers that M'Chek can call on, a reputation won over years of campaigning. The Battalion is made up of a mixture of veterans, specialists picked from the ranks of the regulars for their talents, mercenaries and adventurers. While the unit has a fearsome reputation for martial skill, its true advantage lies in the level of initiative and imagination expected of a Blackhawk soldier. The Battalion is not assigned to the long, dull garrison duties or parade ground drills of the regular army - they are expected to gather their own intelligence, plan their own missions and achieve victories for M'Chek at their own intiative, whatever the threat.

Blackhawk Battalion is a unit of nine hundred soldiers when at full operational strength, and is the first of the three Battalions that make up the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]].

The current commander of Blackhawk Battalion is Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]]

== A Brief History of the Blackhawks ==
Blackhawk Company was formed by order of the Joint Houses after the end of the M'Chek-T'Nanshi war to clear select areas of the [[Underdark]] for colonization and farming. [[PCs:Dala Wennen|Dala Wennen]], former Commander of Alpha Corps, was asked to lead this new unit, which she did until her apparent death in a raid on a Shaahesk temple. [[PCs:Morran Unuldur|Morran Unuldur]], then a Lieutenant, was promoted to Captain and granted command. He led the company for the rest of the campaign against the Underdark Bugbears.
At the conclusion of the Underdark campaign, it was decided that Blackhawk Company was no longer necessary. Members were offered the choice of either joining the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]] or being demobilised. Only one member chose to join the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]]; the others retired to civilian life.
Later that year, however, [[M'Chek]] once again had need of her devoted defenders, as a flight of Pyrite dragons led by the monstrous Tharul'Zhannadar threated to destroy all life in the nation. The Blackhawks were reformed, and with the aid of several other groups defended M'Chek from the draconic onslaught before taking the fight to the dragons' island. There, the mighty Tharul'Zannadar was finally defeated.
After this success, the rulers of M'Chek saw the use in keeping such an elite unit available and ready to react to any nw threat, so they were placed on standby with the understanding that they could be recalled at any time to deal with threats that were beyond the [[Guild: The M'Chekian Guards|Guards]]' abilities. From this point until the outbreak of hostilities with the nation of [[Drotid|Drotid]], Major Caitlin Swift was in command. She helped guide the Company through the fraught months of invasion by the Undead of Lord Kale, the Demons of [[Kimonictinus|Kimonictinus]] and the Drotid forces of Voivode Kassesshisrath.

== The M'Chek-Drotid War ==
Since the invasion of M'Chek's eastern shore by the forces of Drotid, Blackhawk Company has once again been at the forefront of the M'Chekian war effort. In their capacity as an elite, special forces unit, the Company has been called upon to undertake a series of daring missions, shoring up the nation's defences and taking the fight to the enemy. While initially faced with a crisis of leadership following the death in battle of then-commander Rolan Fyne, the Blackhawks rallied around the leadership of Major [[PCs:Thaylis Beign|Thaylis Beign]].

Blackhawk Battalion, and especially the First Company, have been heavily involved in the planning and execution of some of the M'Chekian forces' greatest successes in the current conflict. A hastily-formed army of M'Chekian Guards, Blackhawk Company soldiers and local regular army regiments successfully defeated the nascent [[Shaahesk|Shaahesk]] beachhead at [[Eastshore|Eastshore]], liberating the town and protecting it until its rebuilding. Operation: Iron Fist saw the Company spearhead the first M'Chekian offensive into the Shaahesk lines since the outbreak of hostilities, and succeeded in clearing, taking and holding an important Shaahesk supply base on the eastern shore. Operation: Wyvern sought to repay the Shaahesk for their earlier assault on the M'Chekian Army position at Greylake, and resulted in a decisive defeat for the forces of Drotid. The Blackhawks were, as ever, in the vanguard, ensuring the success of the mission by preventing the Shaahesk alerting their reserves of the attack.

As the war drew on, the Blackhawks remained at the heart of the fighting, but also assisted the war effort in other ways. It is rumoured that the wave of reinforcements from the northwest which bolstered the lines on the eastern front at a critical moment was a direct result of interventions in the northwest by Blackhawk soldiers. Army leadership has always refused to comment.

The Blackhawks found themselves playing a vital role in the grand offensive which saw M'Chek retake much of its lost ground, some years into the conflict. It was Blackhawk scouts who discovered the withdrawal of several of the most feared warbands from M'Chekian soil, who had been redeployed to invade the distant city-state of Elysia. As the M'Chekian army counterattacked, the Blackhawks ensured the success of the crucial engagements - during Operation: Highland Flood, the Battalion provided an essential diversionary operation which allowed the main attack to advance and successfully capture the Forward Camp west of Fort Kasslesstha. They then saw what, for many of the Battalion, would prove to be their finest hour, as they outflanked and ambushed the dreaded Red Demon warband en route to roll back the M'Chekian gains. In a brutal engagement, Blackhawk Battalion was able to decisively defeat the warband, although initially outnumbered. Artillery and archery from the M'Chekian forces in the forward camp itself completed the rout.

Subsequently, the Battalion was called in to reinforce and defeat the inevitable Shaahesk counterattack in Operation: Blunt Fall. The Blackhawks used their cunning and knowledge of the countryside to outflank the onrushing Shaahesk forces, taking the lizards' artillery pieces from the rear and destroying them. The forces of Warlord Kasslesstha have since been unable to mount attacks from their fortress, surrounded as they are by M'Chekian redoubts.

Most recently, the Blackhawks enlisted the aid of civilian mercenaries to remove a thorn in M'Chek's side - the Old Iron Mines in the Warrens, which had been reopened and turned to the production of iron for the Drotid war machine by the Shaahesk and their Bugbear allies. The M'Chekian forces boldly assaulted the surrounded lizard positions and destroyed the mines with explosive charges, crippling the Shaahesk ability to arm and equip themselves with locally-sourced ore. As a result, the alliance hangs in the balance.

After long service on the frontlines, Major Beign's talent was recognised by the army's commanders, and he was promoted to the general staff of the Army's Third Brigade, where he remains. Silver Fox took over command of the Blackhawks in his stead.

==Blackhawk Brigade==

Following a major incident involving an abortive attack on Fort Kasslesstha made by foreign agents, a restructuring of Lord Derrington's armed forces took place. The 12th Infantry Brigade, previously under the disgraced Brigadier Tanners, was reconstituted as the Blackhawk Brigade, under the overall command of Brigadier Thaylis Beign. Most of the old Blackhawk Battalion was transferred to this new organisation, to continue to serve as M'Chek's elite troops and to assist in bringing the formation up to fighting strength.

==Brigade Command Structure==

===High Command===

* Lord [[Tobias Chasworth]], War Commissioner of M'Chek
* General [[NPCs:Cassius|Cassius]], M'Chekian Special Operations Division
* Lord [[NPCs:Andrew Derrington|Andrew Derrington]]

===12th Infantry (Blackhawk) Brigade Command===

* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]], Commander of Blackhawk Battalion

* Captain Florence Hetter, Adjutant to Lt. Colonel Watersdown

* Colonel [[PCs:Silver Fox|Silver Fox]], Commander of Sable Lions Battalion
** Derrington's Medal, Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Red Rose of M'Chek

* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Serria_Atterman|Serria Atterman]], Commander of Onyx Boars Battalion
* Major Robert Wallace, Chief of Staff Onyx Boars Battalion
**M'Chek Copper Eagle Medal, Medal of Distinction, Victory Medallion, Medal of Mikona's Valor

==Blackhawk Battalion Roster==

===Commanding Officer===
* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]]

===Executive Officer===
*Captain Vaako SandFireStorm
**M'Chek Golden Lion Medal, Silver Unicorn Medal, M'Chekian Army Medal of Meritorious Service, M'Chek Army Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Serpent's Tail Medal, Medal of Distinction.

===Senior Officers===
* 2nd. Lt. [[PCs:Kara Kalinor|Kara Kalinor]]

===Enlisted Soldiers===
* Sergeant Major Kathea Nyht

* Sergeant Rollek Heloc

* Sergeant June Osammy

* Sergeant [[PCs:Drashter_Volterz|Drashter Volterz]]
** Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Victory Medal, Mikona's Valor

* Sergeant Rakuug Yug'Loz
** Medal of Mikona's Valor

* Corporal Raar Juwmax

* Corporal Ferria Mouze

* Corporal Freddull Mouze

* Corporal Etz Elor
** M'Chekian Ruby Rose Medal, M'Chek Golden Lion Medal, Medal of Distinction, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Jewel of Msaelifriss

* Corporal Arkiem Tagalas

* Corporal Givy Kelve

* Corporal Rudash Amuur

* Private [[PCs:Seka Ravenswylde|Seka Ravenswylde]]

* Private Prishll Zrgera

* Private Cinder Fireblaze

* Private Vugaris Hurdokan

* Private Vruh

* Private Lestek Rakov

* Private Bymund Leaf

* Private Jeneta Cend

* Private Elainee Aerlin

* Private Melanie Fischer

* Private Flowera Jooscia

* Private Moriand Dias

* Private Paddleton Snarestep

* Recruit Freddy Mouze

* Recruit Melanie Fischer

* Recruit Groshnak Rish

* Recruit Paddleton Snarestep

* Recruit Kingsley Relish III

* Recruit Lorick Addams

* Recruit Gorg

* Private [[PCs:Cale Bross|Cale Bross]] (4th Company)
** Victory Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Silver Unicorn Medal, Golden Lion Medal

==Additional Background Information==

[[M'Chekian Military Medals|M'Chekian Medals]]

[[Blackhawk Brigade]]

==DM Sponsors==
Plethora

[[Category:Guilds|M'Chekian Army]]
[[Category:Avlis Armies and Fiefdoms|M'Chekian Army]]

Guild: Blackhawk Company

2016-04-05T10:35:53Z

Shadowviper: /* Blackhawk Battalion Roster */

[[Image:Blackhawk.gif|left|thumb|right|140px|M'Chekian Army, Special Operations Division, Blackhawk Company]]
'''Alignment:''' Any alignments are welcome. However, non-good alignments are better suited to solving problems through military violence, and the M'Chekian Army has usually tended towards the Neutral and Evil ends of the spectrum.

'''Base of operations:''' The Nation of [[M'Chek]].

'''How to contact us:''' Any of the senior officers (listed below) will be happy to help. Also, Cm. Sgt. [[PCs:Dillon Wylde|Dillon Wylde]] functions as a recruiter.

'''What we do:''' Blackhawk Company is the PC division of [[M'Chek]]'s armed forces.

'''What to expect:''' Kicking ass for [[M'Chek]]! Expect a lot of military-themed roleplaying, including planning and executing daring missions in wartime as well as regular guild meetings and outings. Wherever there is a threat to [[M'Chek]] and its citizens, Blackhawk Company stands in their way. We are not law enforcement, though we do aid the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|M'Chekian Guards]] when necessary.

'''Miscellany:''' The Blackhawks are part of the elite-forces wing of the [[Guild:MChekArmy|M'Chek Army]], and as such are called upon for dangerous military tasks requiring flexibility, ingenuity and outstanding bravery. [[M'Chek|M'Chekian]] citizenship is a must, as is a clean criminal record (you can't be wanted for crimes in other nations). Your character will be expected to spend a majority of their time in [[M'Chek]]. That's not to say they can't travel, but characters who only come to [[M'Chek]] to take part in DM-run army events aren't what the guild is about.

== Blackhawk Company Introduction and Organisation ==

Blackhawk Battalion is part of the Special Operations Division of the M'Chekian Army, and is currently part of the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]] serving under Lord Derrington. While the highly trained Agents and Special Agents of the elusive M'Chekian Special Forces devote themselves to intelligence-gathering, assassinations and other deep-cover operations, the troops of Blackhawk Battalion represent the very best soldiers that M'Chek can call on, a reputation won over years of campaigning. The Battalion is made up of a mixture of veterans, specialists picked from the ranks of the regulars for their talents, mercenaries and adventurers. While the unit has a fearsome reputation for martial skill, its true advantage lies in the level of initiative and imagination expected of a Blackhawk soldier. The Battalion is not assigned to the long, dull garrison duties or parade ground drills of the regular army - they are expected to gather their own intelligence, plan their own missions and achieve victories for M'Chek at their own intiative, whatever the threat.

Blackhawk Battalion is a unit of nine hundred soldiers when at full operational strength, and is the first of the three Battalions that make up the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]].

The current commander of Blackhawk Battalion is Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]]

== A Brief History of the Blackhawks ==
Blackhawk Company was formed by order of the Joint Houses after the end of the M'Chek-T'Nanshi war to clear select areas of the [[Underdark]] for colonization and farming. [[PCs:Dala Wennen|Dala Wennen]], former Commander of Alpha Corps, was asked to lead this new unit, which she did until her apparent death in a raid on a Shaahesk temple. [[PCs:Morran Unuldur|Morran Unuldur]], then a Lieutenant, was promoted to Captain and granted command. He led the company for the rest of the campaign against the Underdark Bugbears.
At the conclusion of the Underdark campaign, it was decided that Blackhawk Company was no longer necessary. Members were offered the choice of either joining the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]] or being demobilised. Only one member chose to join the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]]; the others retired to civilian life.
Later that year, however, [[M'Chek]] once again had need of her devoted defenders, as a flight of Pyrite dragons led by the monstrous Tharul'Zhannadar threated to destroy all life in the nation. The Blackhawks were reformed, and with the aid of several other groups defended M'Chek from the draconic onslaught before taking the fight to the dragons' island. There, the mighty Tharul'Zannadar was finally defeated.
After this success, the rulers of M'Chek saw the use in keeping such an elite unit available and ready to react to any nw threat, so they were placed on standby with the understanding that they could be recalled at any time to deal with threats that were beyond the [[Guild: The M'Chekian Guards|Guards]]' abilities. From this point until the outbreak of hostilities with the nation of [[Drotid|Drotid]], Major Caitlin Swift was in command. She helped guide the Company through the fraught months of invasion by the Undead of Lord Kale, the Demons of [[Kimonictinus|Kimonictinus]] and the Drotid forces of Voivode Kassesshisrath.

== The M'Chek-Drotid War ==
Since the invasion of M'Chek's eastern shore by the forces of Drotid, Blackhawk Company has once again been at the forefront of the M'Chekian war effort. In their capacity as an elite, special forces unit, the Company has been called upon to undertake a series of daring missions, shoring up the nation's defences and taking the fight to the enemy. While initially faced with a crisis of leadership following the death in battle of then-commander Rolan Fyne, the Blackhawks rallied around the leadership of Major [[PCs:Thaylis Beign|Thaylis Beign]].

Blackhawk Battalion, and especially the First Company, have been heavily involved in the planning and execution of some of the M'Chekian forces' greatest successes in the current conflict. A hastily-formed army of M'Chekian Guards, Blackhawk Company soldiers and local regular army regiments successfully defeated the nascent [[Shaahesk|Shaahesk]] beachhead at [[Eastshore|Eastshore]], liberating the town and protecting it until its rebuilding. Operation: Iron Fist saw the Company spearhead the first M'Chekian offensive into the Shaahesk lines since the outbreak of hostilities, and succeeded in clearing, taking and holding an important Shaahesk supply base on the eastern shore. Operation: Wyvern sought to repay the Shaahesk for their earlier assault on the M'Chekian Army position at Greylake, and resulted in a decisive defeat for the forces of Drotid. The Blackhawks were, as ever, in the vanguard, ensuring the success of the mission by preventing the Shaahesk alerting their reserves of the attack.

As the war drew on, the Blackhawks remained at the heart of the fighting, but also assisted the war effort in other ways. It is rumoured that the wave of reinforcements from the northwest which bolstered the lines on the eastern front at a critical moment was a direct result of interventions in the northwest by Blackhawk soldiers. Army leadership has always refused to comment.

The Blackhawks found themselves playing a vital role in the grand offensive which saw M'Chek retake much of its lost ground, some years into the conflict. It was Blackhawk scouts who discovered the withdrawal of several of the most feared warbands from M'Chekian soil, who had been redeployed to invade the distant city-state of Elysia. As the M'Chekian army counterattacked, the Blackhawks ensured the success of the crucial engagements - during Operation: Highland Flood, the Battalion provided an essential diversionary operation which allowed the main attack to advance and successfully capture the Forward Camp west of Fort Kasslesstha. They then saw what, for many of the Battalion, would prove to be their finest hour, as they outflanked and ambushed the dreaded Red Demon warband en route to roll back the M'Chekian gains. In a brutal engagement, Blackhawk Battalion was able to decisively defeat the warband, although initially outnumbered. Artillery and archery from the M'Chekian forces in the forward camp itself completed the rout.

Subsequently, the Battalion was called in to reinforce and defeat the inevitable Shaahesk counterattack in Operation: Blunt Fall. The Blackhawks used their cunning and knowledge of the countryside to outflank the onrushing Shaahesk forces, taking the lizards' artillery pieces from the rear and destroying them. The forces of Warlord Kasslesstha have since been unable to mount attacks from their fortress, surrounded as they are by M'Chekian redoubts.

Most recently, the Blackhawks enlisted the aid of civilian mercenaries to remove a thorn in M'Chek's side - the Old Iron Mines in the Warrens, which had been reopened and turned to the production of iron for the Drotid war machine by the Shaahesk and their Bugbear allies. The M'Chekian forces boldly assaulted the surrounded lizard positions and destroyed the mines with explosive charges, crippling the Shaahesk ability to arm and equip themselves with locally-sourced ore. As a result, the alliance hangs in the balance.

After long service on the frontlines, Major Beign's talent was recognised by the army's commanders, and he was promoted to the general staff of the Army's Third Brigade, where he remains. Silver Fox took over command of the Blackhawks in his stead.

==Blackhawk Brigade==

Following a major incident involving an abortive attack on Fort Kasslesstha made by foreign agents, a restructuring of Lord Derrington's armed forces took place. The 12th Infantry Brigade, previously under the disgraced Brigadier Tanners, was reconstituted as the Blackhawk Brigade, under the overall command of Brigadier Thaylis Beign. Most of the old Blackhawk Battalion was transferred to this new organisation, to continue to serve as M'Chek's elite troops and to assist in bringing the formation up to fighting strength.

==Brigade Command Structure==

===High Command===

* Lord [[Tobias Chasworth]], War Commissioner of M'Chek
* General [[NPCs:Cassius|Cassius]], M'Chekian Special Operations Division
* Lord [[NPCs:Andrew Derrington|Andrew Derrington]]

===12th Infantry (Blackhawk) Brigade Command===

* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]], Commander of Blackhawk Battalion

* Captain Florence Hetter, Adjutant to Lt. Colonel Watersdown

* Colonel [[PCs:Silver Fox|Silver Fox]], Commander of Sable Lions Battalion
** Derrington's Medal, Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Red Rose of M'Chek

* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Serria_Atterman|Serria Atterman]], Commander of Onyx Boars Battalion
* Major Robert Wallace, Chief of Staff Onyx Boars Battalion
**M'Chek Copper Eagle Medal, Medal of Distinction, Victory Medallion, Medal of Mikona's Valor

==Blackhawk Battalion Roster==

===Commanding Officer===
* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]]

===Executive Officer===
*Captain Vaako SandFireStorm
**M'Chek Golden Lion Medal, Silver Unicorn Medal, M'Chekian Army Medal of Meritorious Service, M'Chek Army Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Serpent's Tail Medal, Medal of Distinction.

===Senior Officers===
* 2nd. Lt. [[PCs:Kara Kalinor|Kara Kalinor]]

===Enlisted Soldiers===
* Sergeant Major Kathea Nyht

* Sergeant Rollek Heloc

* Sergeant June Osammy

* Sergeant [[PCs:Drashter_Volterz|Drashter Volterz]]
** Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Victory Medal, Mikona's Valor

* Sergeant Rakuug Yug'Loz
** Medal of Mikona's Valor

* Corporal Raar Juwmax

* Corporal Ferria Mouze

* Corporal Freddull Mouze

* Corporal Etz Elor
** M'Chekian Ruby Rose Medal, M'Chek Golden Lion Medal, Medal of Distinction, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Jewel of Msaelifriss

* Private [[PCs:Seka Ravenswylde|Seka Ravenswylde]]

* Private Prishll Zrgera

* Private Cinder Fireblaze

* Private Vugaris Hurdokan

* Private Vruh

* Private Arkiem Tagalas

* Private Bymund Leaf

* Recruit Freddy Mouze

* Recruit Melanie Fischer

* Recruit Groshnak Rish

* Recruit Paddleton Snarestep

* Private [[PCs:Cale Bross|Cale Bross]] (4th Company)
** Victory Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Silver Unicorn Medal, Golden Lion Medal

==Additional Background Information==

[[M'Chekian Military Medals|M'Chekian Medals]]

[[Blackhawk Brigade]]

==DM Sponsors==
Plethora

[[Category:Guilds|M'Chekian Army]]
[[Category:Avlis Armies and Fiefdoms|M'Chekian Army]]

Guild: Blackhawk Company

2016-04-05T10:30:59Z

Shadowviper: /* Senior Officers */

[[Image:Blackhawk.gif|left|thumb|right|140px|M'Chekian Army, Special Operations Division, Blackhawk Company]]
'''Alignment:''' Any alignments are welcome. However, non-good alignments are better suited to solving problems through military violence, and the M'Chekian Army has usually tended towards the Neutral and Evil ends of the spectrum.

'''Base of operations:''' The Nation of [[M'Chek]].

'''How to contact us:''' Any of the senior officers (listed below) will be happy to help. Also, Cm. Sgt. [[PCs:Dillon Wylde|Dillon Wylde]] functions as a recruiter.

'''What we do:''' Blackhawk Company is the PC division of [[M'Chek]]'s armed forces.

'''What to expect:''' Kicking ass for [[M'Chek]]! Expect a lot of military-themed roleplaying, including planning and executing daring missions in wartime as well as regular guild meetings and outings. Wherever there is a threat to [[M'Chek]] and its citizens, Blackhawk Company stands in their way. We are not law enforcement, though we do aid the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|M'Chekian Guards]] when necessary.

'''Miscellany:''' The Blackhawks are part of the elite-forces wing of the [[Guild:MChekArmy|M'Chek Army]], and as such are called upon for dangerous military tasks requiring flexibility, ingenuity and outstanding bravery. [[M'Chek|M'Chekian]] citizenship is a must, as is a clean criminal record (you can't be wanted for crimes in other nations). Your character will be expected to spend a majority of their time in [[M'Chek]]. That's not to say they can't travel, but characters who only come to [[M'Chek]] to take part in DM-run army events aren't what the guild is about.

== Blackhawk Company Introduction and Organisation ==

Blackhawk Battalion is part of the Special Operations Division of the M'Chekian Army, and is currently part of the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]] serving under Lord Derrington. While the highly trained Agents and Special Agents of the elusive M'Chekian Special Forces devote themselves to intelligence-gathering, assassinations and other deep-cover operations, the troops of Blackhawk Battalion represent the very best soldiers that M'Chek can call on, a reputation won over years of campaigning. The Battalion is made up of a mixture of veterans, specialists picked from the ranks of the regulars for their talents, mercenaries and adventurers. While the unit has a fearsome reputation for martial skill, its true advantage lies in the level of initiative and imagination expected of a Blackhawk soldier. The Battalion is not assigned to the long, dull garrison duties or parade ground drills of the regular army - they are expected to gather their own intelligence, plan their own missions and achieve victories for M'Chek at their own intiative, whatever the threat.

Blackhawk Battalion is a unit of nine hundred soldiers when at full operational strength, and is the first of the three Battalions that make up the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]].

The current commander of Blackhawk Battalion is Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]]

== A Brief History of the Blackhawks ==
Blackhawk Company was formed by order of the Joint Houses after the end of the M'Chek-T'Nanshi war to clear select areas of the [[Underdark]] for colonization and farming. [[PCs:Dala Wennen|Dala Wennen]], former Commander of Alpha Corps, was asked to lead this new unit, which she did until her apparent death in a raid on a Shaahesk temple. [[PCs:Morran Unuldur|Morran Unuldur]], then a Lieutenant, was promoted to Captain and granted command. He led the company for the rest of the campaign against the Underdark Bugbears.
At the conclusion of the Underdark campaign, it was decided that Blackhawk Company was no longer necessary. Members were offered the choice of either joining the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]] or being demobilised. Only one member chose to join the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]]; the others retired to civilian life.
Later that year, however, [[M'Chek]] once again had need of her devoted defenders, as a flight of Pyrite dragons led by the monstrous Tharul'Zhannadar threated to destroy all life in the nation. The Blackhawks were reformed, and with the aid of several other groups defended M'Chek from the draconic onslaught before taking the fight to the dragons' island. There, the mighty Tharul'Zannadar was finally defeated.
After this success, the rulers of M'Chek saw the use in keeping such an elite unit available and ready to react to any nw threat, so they were placed on standby with the understanding that they could be recalled at any time to deal with threats that were beyond the [[Guild: The M'Chekian Guards|Guards]]' abilities. From this point until the outbreak of hostilities with the nation of [[Drotid|Drotid]], Major Caitlin Swift was in command. She helped guide the Company through the fraught months of invasion by the Undead of Lord Kale, the Demons of [[Kimonictinus|Kimonictinus]] and the Drotid forces of Voivode Kassesshisrath.

== The M'Chek-Drotid War ==
Since the invasion of M'Chek's eastern shore by the forces of Drotid, Blackhawk Company has once again been at the forefront of the M'Chekian war effort. In their capacity as an elite, special forces unit, the Company has been called upon to undertake a series of daring missions, shoring up the nation's defences and taking the fight to the enemy. While initially faced with a crisis of leadership following the death in battle of then-commander Rolan Fyne, the Blackhawks rallied around the leadership of Major [[PCs:Thaylis Beign|Thaylis Beign]].

Blackhawk Battalion, and especially the First Company, have been heavily involved in the planning and execution of some of the M'Chekian forces' greatest successes in the current conflict. A hastily-formed army of M'Chekian Guards, Blackhawk Company soldiers and local regular army regiments successfully defeated the nascent [[Shaahesk|Shaahesk]] beachhead at [[Eastshore|Eastshore]], liberating the town and protecting it until its rebuilding. Operation: Iron Fist saw the Company spearhead the first M'Chekian offensive into the Shaahesk lines since the outbreak of hostilities, and succeeded in clearing, taking and holding an important Shaahesk supply base on the eastern shore. Operation: Wyvern sought to repay the Shaahesk for their earlier assault on the M'Chekian Army position at Greylake, and resulted in a decisive defeat for the forces of Drotid. The Blackhawks were, as ever, in the vanguard, ensuring the success of the mission by preventing the Shaahesk alerting their reserves of the attack.

As the war drew on, the Blackhawks remained at the heart of the fighting, but also assisted the war effort in other ways. It is rumoured that the wave of reinforcements from the northwest which bolstered the lines on the eastern front at a critical moment was a direct result of interventions in the northwest by Blackhawk soldiers. Army leadership has always refused to comment.

The Blackhawks found themselves playing a vital role in the grand offensive which saw M'Chek retake much of its lost ground, some years into the conflict. It was Blackhawk scouts who discovered the withdrawal of several of the most feared warbands from M'Chekian soil, who had been redeployed to invade the distant city-state of Elysia. As the M'Chekian army counterattacked, the Blackhawks ensured the success of the crucial engagements - during Operation: Highland Flood, the Battalion provided an essential diversionary operation which allowed the main attack to advance and successfully capture the Forward Camp west of Fort Kasslesstha. They then saw what, for many of the Battalion, would prove to be their finest hour, as they outflanked and ambushed the dreaded Red Demon warband en route to roll back the M'Chekian gains. In a brutal engagement, Blackhawk Battalion was able to decisively defeat the warband, although initially outnumbered. Artillery and archery from the M'Chekian forces in the forward camp itself completed the rout.

Subsequently, the Battalion was called in to reinforce and defeat the inevitable Shaahesk counterattack in Operation: Blunt Fall. The Blackhawks used their cunning and knowledge of the countryside to outflank the onrushing Shaahesk forces, taking the lizards' artillery pieces from the rear and destroying them. The forces of Warlord Kasslesstha have since been unable to mount attacks from their fortress, surrounded as they are by M'Chekian redoubts.

Most recently, the Blackhawks enlisted the aid of civilian mercenaries to remove a thorn in M'Chek's side - the Old Iron Mines in the Warrens, which had been reopened and turned to the production of iron for the Drotid war machine by the Shaahesk and their Bugbear allies. The M'Chekian forces boldly assaulted the surrounded lizard positions and destroyed the mines with explosive charges, crippling the Shaahesk ability to arm and equip themselves with locally-sourced ore. As a result, the alliance hangs in the balance.

After long service on the frontlines, Major Beign's talent was recognised by the army's commanders, and he was promoted to the general staff of the Army's Third Brigade, where he remains. Silver Fox took over command of the Blackhawks in his stead.

==Blackhawk Brigade==

Following a major incident involving an abortive attack on Fort Kasslesstha made by foreign agents, a restructuring of Lord Derrington's armed forces took place. The 12th Infantry Brigade, previously under the disgraced Brigadier Tanners, was reconstituted as the Blackhawk Brigade, under the overall command of Brigadier Thaylis Beign. Most of the old Blackhawk Battalion was transferred to this new organisation, to continue to serve as M'Chek's elite troops and to assist in bringing the formation up to fighting strength.

==Brigade Command Structure==

===High Command===

* Lord [[Tobias Chasworth]], War Commissioner of M'Chek
* General [[NPCs:Cassius|Cassius]], M'Chekian Special Operations Division
* Lord [[NPCs:Andrew Derrington|Andrew Derrington]]

===12th Infantry (Blackhawk) Brigade Command===

* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]], Commander of Blackhawk Battalion

* Captain Florence Hetter, Adjutant to Lt. Colonel Watersdown

* Colonel [[PCs:Silver Fox|Silver Fox]], Commander of Sable Lions Battalion
** Derrington's Medal, Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Red Rose of M'Chek

* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Serria_Atterman|Serria Atterman]], Commander of Onyx Boars Battalion
* Major Robert Wallace, Chief of Staff Onyx Boars Battalion
**M'Chek Copper Eagle Medal, Medal of Distinction, Victory Medallion, Medal of Mikona's Valor

==Blackhawk Battalion Roster==

===Commanding Officer===
* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]]

===Executive Officer===
*Captain Vaako SandFireStorm
**M'Chek Golden Lion Medal, Silver Unicorn Medal, M'Chekian Army Medal of Meritorious Service, M'Chek Army Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Serpent's Tail Medal, Medal of Distinction.

===Senior Officers===
* 2nd. Lt. [[PCs:Kara Kalinor|Kara Kalinor]]

===Enlisted Soldiers===
* Sergeant Major Kathea Nyht

* Sergeant Rollek Heloc

* Sergeant June Osammy

* Sergeant [[PCs:Drashter_Volterz|Drashter Volterz]]
** Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Victory Medal, Mikona's Valor

* Corporal Raar Juwmax

* Corporal Ferria Mouze

* Corporal Freddull Mouze

* Corporal Etz Elor
** M'Chekian Ruby Rose Medal, M'Chek Golden Lion Medal, Medal of Distinction, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Jewel of Msaelifriss

* Private [[PCs:Seka Ravenswylde|Seka Ravenswylde]]

* Private Rakuug Yug'Loz
** Medal of Mikona's Valor

* Private Prishll Zrgera

* Private Cinder Fireblaze

* Private Vugaris Hurdokan

* Private Vruh

* Private Arkiem Tagalas

* Private Bymund Leaf

* Recruit Freddy Mouze

* Recruit Melanie Fischer

* Recruit Groshnak Rish

* Recruit Paddleton Snarestep

* Private [[PCs:Cale Bross|Cale Bross]] (4th Company)
** Victory Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Silver Unicorn Medal, Golden Lion Medal

==Additional Background Information==

[[M'Chekian Military Medals|M'Chekian Medals]]

[[Blackhawk Brigade]]

==DM Sponsors==
Plethora

[[Category:Guilds|M'Chekian Army]]
[[Category:Avlis Armies and Fiefdoms|M'Chekian Army]]

Guild: Blackhawk Company

2016-04-05T10:30:11Z

Shadowviper: /* Executive Officer */

[[Image:Blackhawk.gif|left|thumb|right|140px|M'Chekian Army, Special Operations Division, Blackhawk Company]]
'''Alignment:''' Any alignments are welcome. However, non-good alignments are better suited to solving problems through military violence, and the M'Chekian Army has usually tended towards the Neutral and Evil ends of the spectrum.

'''Base of operations:''' The Nation of [[M'Chek]].

'''How to contact us:''' Any of the senior officers (listed below) will be happy to help. Also, Cm. Sgt. [[PCs:Dillon Wylde|Dillon Wylde]] functions as a recruiter.

'''What we do:''' Blackhawk Company is the PC division of [[M'Chek]]'s armed forces.

'''What to expect:''' Kicking ass for [[M'Chek]]! Expect a lot of military-themed roleplaying, including planning and executing daring missions in wartime as well as regular guild meetings and outings. Wherever there is a threat to [[M'Chek]] and its citizens, Blackhawk Company stands in their way. We are not law enforcement, though we do aid the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|M'Chekian Guards]] when necessary.

'''Miscellany:''' The Blackhawks are part of the elite-forces wing of the [[Guild:MChekArmy|M'Chek Army]], and as such are called upon for dangerous military tasks requiring flexibility, ingenuity and outstanding bravery. [[M'Chek|M'Chekian]] citizenship is a must, as is a clean criminal record (you can't be wanted for crimes in other nations). Your character will be expected to spend a majority of their time in [[M'Chek]]. That's not to say they can't travel, but characters who only come to [[M'Chek]] to take part in DM-run army events aren't what the guild is about.

== Blackhawk Company Introduction and Organisation ==

Blackhawk Battalion is part of the Special Operations Division of the M'Chekian Army, and is currently part of the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]] serving under Lord Derrington. While the highly trained Agents and Special Agents of the elusive M'Chekian Special Forces devote themselves to intelligence-gathering, assassinations and other deep-cover operations, the troops of Blackhawk Battalion represent the very best soldiers that M'Chek can call on, a reputation won over years of campaigning. The Battalion is made up of a mixture of veterans, specialists picked from the ranks of the regulars for their talents, mercenaries and adventurers. While the unit has a fearsome reputation for martial skill, its true advantage lies in the level of initiative and imagination expected of a Blackhawk soldier. The Battalion is not assigned to the long, dull garrison duties or parade ground drills of the regular army - they are expected to gather their own intelligence, plan their own missions and achieve victories for M'Chek at their own intiative, whatever the threat.

Blackhawk Battalion is a unit of nine hundred soldiers when at full operational strength, and is the first of the three Battalions that make up the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]].

The current commander of Blackhawk Battalion is Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]]

== A Brief History of the Blackhawks ==
Blackhawk Company was formed by order of the Joint Houses after the end of the M'Chek-T'Nanshi war to clear select areas of the [[Underdark]] for colonization and farming. [[PCs:Dala Wennen|Dala Wennen]], former Commander of Alpha Corps, was asked to lead this new unit, which she did until her apparent death in a raid on a Shaahesk temple. [[PCs:Morran Unuldur|Morran Unuldur]], then a Lieutenant, was promoted to Captain and granted command. He led the company for the rest of the campaign against the Underdark Bugbears.
At the conclusion of the Underdark campaign, it was decided that Blackhawk Company was no longer necessary. Members were offered the choice of either joining the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]] or being demobilised. Only one member chose to join the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]]; the others retired to civilian life.
Later that year, however, [[M'Chek]] once again had need of her devoted defenders, as a flight of Pyrite dragons led by the monstrous Tharul'Zhannadar threated to destroy all life in the nation. The Blackhawks were reformed, and with the aid of several other groups defended M'Chek from the draconic onslaught before taking the fight to the dragons' island. There, the mighty Tharul'Zannadar was finally defeated.
After this success, the rulers of M'Chek saw the use in keeping such an elite unit available and ready to react to any nw threat, so they were placed on standby with the understanding that they could be recalled at any time to deal with threats that were beyond the [[Guild: The M'Chekian Guards|Guards]]' abilities. From this point until the outbreak of hostilities with the nation of [[Drotid|Drotid]], Major Caitlin Swift was in command. She helped guide the Company through the fraught months of invasion by the Undead of Lord Kale, the Demons of [[Kimonictinus|Kimonictinus]] and the Drotid forces of Voivode Kassesshisrath.

== The M'Chek-Drotid War ==
Since the invasion of M'Chek's eastern shore by the forces of Drotid, Blackhawk Company has once again been at the forefront of the M'Chekian war effort. In their capacity as an elite, special forces unit, the Company has been called upon to undertake a series of daring missions, shoring up the nation's defences and taking the fight to the enemy. While initially faced with a crisis of leadership following the death in battle of then-commander Rolan Fyne, the Blackhawks rallied around the leadership of Major [[PCs:Thaylis Beign|Thaylis Beign]].

Blackhawk Battalion, and especially the First Company, have been heavily involved in the planning and execution of some of the M'Chekian forces' greatest successes in the current conflict. A hastily-formed army of M'Chekian Guards, Blackhawk Company soldiers and local regular army regiments successfully defeated the nascent [[Shaahesk|Shaahesk]] beachhead at [[Eastshore|Eastshore]], liberating the town and protecting it until its rebuilding. Operation: Iron Fist saw the Company spearhead the first M'Chekian offensive into the Shaahesk lines since the outbreak of hostilities, and succeeded in clearing, taking and holding an important Shaahesk supply base on the eastern shore. Operation: Wyvern sought to repay the Shaahesk for their earlier assault on the M'Chekian Army position at Greylake, and resulted in a decisive defeat for the forces of Drotid. The Blackhawks were, as ever, in the vanguard, ensuring the success of the mission by preventing the Shaahesk alerting their reserves of the attack.

As the war drew on, the Blackhawks remained at the heart of the fighting, but also assisted the war effort in other ways. It is rumoured that the wave of reinforcements from the northwest which bolstered the lines on the eastern front at a critical moment was a direct result of interventions in the northwest by Blackhawk soldiers. Army leadership has always refused to comment.

The Blackhawks found themselves playing a vital role in the grand offensive which saw M'Chek retake much of its lost ground, some years into the conflict. It was Blackhawk scouts who discovered the withdrawal of several of the most feared warbands from M'Chekian soil, who had been redeployed to invade the distant city-state of Elysia. As the M'Chekian army counterattacked, the Blackhawks ensured the success of the crucial engagements - during Operation: Highland Flood, the Battalion provided an essential diversionary operation which allowed the main attack to advance and successfully capture the Forward Camp west of Fort Kasslesstha. They then saw what, for many of the Battalion, would prove to be their finest hour, as they outflanked and ambushed the dreaded Red Demon warband en route to roll back the M'Chekian gains. In a brutal engagement, Blackhawk Battalion was able to decisively defeat the warband, although initially outnumbered. Artillery and archery from the M'Chekian forces in the forward camp itself completed the rout.

Subsequently, the Battalion was called in to reinforce and defeat the inevitable Shaahesk counterattack in Operation: Blunt Fall. The Blackhawks used their cunning and knowledge of the countryside to outflank the onrushing Shaahesk forces, taking the lizards' artillery pieces from the rear and destroying them. The forces of Warlord Kasslesstha have since been unable to mount attacks from their fortress, surrounded as they are by M'Chekian redoubts.

Most recently, the Blackhawks enlisted the aid of civilian mercenaries to remove a thorn in M'Chek's side - the Old Iron Mines in the Warrens, which had been reopened and turned to the production of iron for the Drotid war machine by the Shaahesk and their Bugbear allies. The M'Chekian forces boldly assaulted the surrounded lizard positions and destroyed the mines with explosive charges, crippling the Shaahesk ability to arm and equip themselves with locally-sourced ore. As a result, the alliance hangs in the balance.

After long service on the frontlines, Major Beign's talent was recognised by the army's commanders, and he was promoted to the general staff of the Army's Third Brigade, where he remains. Silver Fox took over command of the Blackhawks in his stead.

==Blackhawk Brigade==

Following a major incident involving an abortive attack on Fort Kasslesstha made by foreign agents, a restructuring of Lord Derrington's armed forces took place. The 12th Infantry Brigade, previously under the disgraced Brigadier Tanners, was reconstituted as the Blackhawk Brigade, under the overall command of Brigadier Thaylis Beign. Most of the old Blackhawk Battalion was transferred to this new organisation, to continue to serve as M'Chek's elite troops and to assist in bringing the formation up to fighting strength.

==Brigade Command Structure==

===High Command===

* Lord [[Tobias Chasworth]], War Commissioner of M'Chek
* General [[NPCs:Cassius|Cassius]], M'Chekian Special Operations Division
* Lord [[NPCs:Andrew Derrington|Andrew Derrington]]

===12th Infantry (Blackhawk) Brigade Command===

* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]], Commander of Blackhawk Battalion

* Captain Florence Hetter, Adjutant to Lt. Colonel Watersdown

* Colonel [[PCs:Silver Fox|Silver Fox]], Commander of Sable Lions Battalion
** Derrington's Medal, Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Red Rose of M'Chek

* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Serria_Atterman|Serria Atterman]], Commander of Onyx Boars Battalion
* Major Robert Wallace, Chief of Staff Onyx Boars Battalion
**M'Chek Copper Eagle Medal, Medal of Distinction, Victory Medallion, Medal of Mikona's Valor

==Blackhawk Battalion Roster==

===Commanding Officer===
* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]]

===Executive Officer===
*Captain Vaako SandFireStorm
**M'Chek Golden Lion Medal, Silver Unicorn Medal, M'Chekian Army Medal of Meritorious Service, M'Chek Army Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Serpent's Tail Medal, Medal of Distinction.

===Senior Officers===
* Captain Vaako SandFireStorm
**M'Chek Golden Lion Medal, Silver Unicorn Medal, M'Chekian Army Medal of Meritorious Service, M'Chek Army Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Serpent's Tail Medal, Medal of Distinction.

* 1st. Lt. [[PCs:Robert Wallace|Robert Wallace]]
**M'Chek Copper Eagle Medal, Medal of Distinction, Victory Medallion, Medal of Mikona's Valor

* 2nd. Lt. [[PCs:Kara Kalinor|Kara Kalinor]]

===Enlisted Soldiers===
* Sergeant Major Kathea Nyht

* Sergeant Rollek Heloc

* Sergeant June Osammy

* Sergeant [[PCs:Drashter_Volterz|Drashter Volterz]]
** Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Victory Medal, Mikona's Valor

* Corporal Raar Juwmax

* Corporal Ferria Mouze

* Corporal Freddull Mouze

* Corporal Etz Elor
** M'Chekian Ruby Rose Medal, M'Chek Golden Lion Medal, Medal of Distinction, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Jewel of Msaelifriss

* Private [[PCs:Seka Ravenswylde|Seka Ravenswylde]]

* Private Rakuug Yug'Loz
** Medal of Mikona's Valor

* Private Prishll Zrgera

* Private Cinder Fireblaze

* Private Vugaris Hurdokan

* Private Vruh

* Private Arkiem Tagalas

* Private Bymund Leaf

* Recruit Freddy Mouze

* Recruit Melanie Fischer

* Recruit Groshnak Rish

* Recruit Paddleton Snarestep

* Private [[PCs:Cale Bross|Cale Bross]] (4th Company)
** Victory Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Silver Unicorn Medal, Golden Lion Medal

==Additional Background Information==

[[M'Chekian Military Medals|M'Chekian Medals]]

[[Blackhawk Brigade]]

==DM Sponsors==
Plethora

[[Category:Guilds|M'Chekian Army]]
[[Category:Avlis Armies and Fiefdoms|M'Chekian Army]]

Guild: Blackhawk Company

2016-04-05T10:28:38Z

Shadowviper: /* 12th Infantry (Blackhawk) Brigade Command */

[[Image:Blackhawk.gif|left|thumb|right|140px|M'Chekian Army, Special Operations Division, Blackhawk Company]]
'''Alignment:''' Any alignments are welcome. However, non-good alignments are better suited to solving problems through military violence, and the M'Chekian Army has usually tended towards the Neutral and Evil ends of the spectrum.

'''Base of operations:''' The Nation of [[M'Chek]].

'''How to contact us:''' Any of the senior officers (listed below) will be happy to help. Also, Cm. Sgt. [[PCs:Dillon Wylde|Dillon Wylde]] functions as a recruiter.

'''What we do:''' Blackhawk Company is the PC division of [[M'Chek]]'s armed forces.

'''What to expect:''' Kicking ass for [[M'Chek]]! Expect a lot of military-themed roleplaying, including planning and executing daring missions in wartime as well as regular guild meetings and outings. Wherever there is a threat to [[M'Chek]] and its citizens, Blackhawk Company stands in their way. We are not law enforcement, though we do aid the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|M'Chekian Guards]] when necessary.

'''Miscellany:''' The Blackhawks are part of the elite-forces wing of the [[Guild:MChekArmy|M'Chek Army]], and as such are called upon for dangerous military tasks requiring flexibility, ingenuity and outstanding bravery. [[M'Chek|M'Chekian]] citizenship is a must, as is a clean criminal record (you can't be wanted for crimes in other nations). Your character will be expected to spend a majority of their time in [[M'Chek]]. That's not to say they can't travel, but characters who only come to [[M'Chek]] to take part in DM-run army events aren't what the guild is about.

== Blackhawk Company Introduction and Organisation ==

Blackhawk Battalion is part of the Special Operations Division of the M'Chekian Army, and is currently part of the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]] serving under Lord Derrington. While the highly trained Agents and Special Agents of the elusive M'Chekian Special Forces devote themselves to intelligence-gathering, assassinations and other deep-cover operations, the troops of Blackhawk Battalion represent the very best soldiers that M'Chek can call on, a reputation won over years of campaigning. The Battalion is made up of a mixture of veterans, specialists picked from the ranks of the regulars for their talents, mercenaries and adventurers. While the unit has a fearsome reputation for martial skill, its true advantage lies in the level of initiative and imagination expected of a Blackhawk soldier. The Battalion is not assigned to the long, dull garrison duties or parade ground drills of the regular army - they are expected to gather their own intelligence, plan their own missions and achieve victories for M'Chek at their own intiative, whatever the threat.

Blackhawk Battalion is a unit of nine hundred soldiers when at full operational strength, and is the first of the three Battalions that make up the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]].

The current commander of Blackhawk Battalion is Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]]

== A Brief History of the Blackhawks ==
Blackhawk Company was formed by order of the Joint Houses after the end of the M'Chek-T'Nanshi war to clear select areas of the [[Underdark]] for colonization and farming. [[PCs:Dala Wennen|Dala Wennen]], former Commander of Alpha Corps, was asked to lead this new unit, which she did until her apparent death in a raid on a Shaahesk temple. [[PCs:Morran Unuldur|Morran Unuldur]], then a Lieutenant, was promoted to Captain and granted command. He led the company for the rest of the campaign against the Underdark Bugbears.
At the conclusion of the Underdark campaign, it was decided that Blackhawk Company was no longer necessary. Members were offered the choice of either joining the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]] or being demobilised. Only one member chose to join the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]]; the others retired to civilian life.
Later that year, however, [[M'Chek]] once again had need of her devoted defenders, as a flight of Pyrite dragons led by the monstrous Tharul'Zhannadar threated to destroy all life in the nation. The Blackhawks were reformed, and with the aid of several other groups defended M'Chek from the draconic onslaught before taking the fight to the dragons' island. There, the mighty Tharul'Zannadar was finally defeated.
After this success, the rulers of M'Chek saw the use in keeping such an elite unit available and ready to react to any nw threat, so they were placed on standby with the understanding that they could be recalled at any time to deal with threats that were beyond the [[Guild: The M'Chekian Guards|Guards]]' abilities. From this point until the outbreak of hostilities with the nation of [[Drotid|Drotid]], Major Caitlin Swift was in command. She helped guide the Company through the fraught months of invasion by the Undead of Lord Kale, the Demons of [[Kimonictinus|Kimonictinus]] and the Drotid forces of Voivode Kassesshisrath.

== The M'Chek-Drotid War ==
Since the invasion of M'Chek's eastern shore by the forces of Drotid, Blackhawk Company has once again been at the forefront of the M'Chekian war effort. In their capacity as an elite, special forces unit, the Company has been called upon to undertake a series of daring missions, shoring up the nation's defences and taking the fight to the enemy. While initially faced with a crisis of leadership following the death in battle of then-commander Rolan Fyne, the Blackhawks rallied around the leadership of Major [[PCs:Thaylis Beign|Thaylis Beign]].

Blackhawk Battalion, and especially the First Company, have been heavily involved in the planning and execution of some of the M'Chekian forces' greatest successes in the current conflict. A hastily-formed army of M'Chekian Guards, Blackhawk Company soldiers and local regular army regiments successfully defeated the nascent [[Shaahesk|Shaahesk]] beachhead at [[Eastshore|Eastshore]], liberating the town and protecting it until its rebuilding. Operation: Iron Fist saw the Company spearhead the first M'Chekian offensive into the Shaahesk lines since the outbreak of hostilities, and succeeded in clearing, taking and holding an important Shaahesk supply base on the eastern shore. Operation: Wyvern sought to repay the Shaahesk for their earlier assault on the M'Chekian Army position at Greylake, and resulted in a decisive defeat for the forces of Drotid. The Blackhawks were, as ever, in the vanguard, ensuring the success of the mission by preventing the Shaahesk alerting their reserves of the attack.

As the war drew on, the Blackhawks remained at the heart of the fighting, but also assisted the war effort in other ways. It is rumoured that the wave of reinforcements from the northwest which bolstered the lines on the eastern front at a critical moment was a direct result of interventions in the northwest by Blackhawk soldiers. Army leadership has always refused to comment.

The Blackhawks found themselves playing a vital role in the grand offensive which saw M'Chek retake much of its lost ground, some years into the conflict. It was Blackhawk scouts who discovered the withdrawal of several of the most feared warbands from M'Chekian soil, who had been redeployed to invade the distant city-state of Elysia. As the M'Chekian army counterattacked, the Blackhawks ensured the success of the crucial engagements - during Operation: Highland Flood, the Battalion provided an essential diversionary operation which allowed the main attack to advance and successfully capture the Forward Camp west of Fort Kasslesstha. They then saw what, for many of the Battalion, would prove to be their finest hour, as they outflanked and ambushed the dreaded Red Demon warband en route to roll back the M'Chekian gains. In a brutal engagement, Blackhawk Battalion was able to decisively defeat the warband, although initially outnumbered. Artillery and archery from the M'Chekian forces in the forward camp itself completed the rout.

Subsequently, the Battalion was called in to reinforce and defeat the inevitable Shaahesk counterattack in Operation: Blunt Fall. The Blackhawks used their cunning and knowledge of the countryside to outflank the onrushing Shaahesk forces, taking the lizards' artillery pieces from the rear and destroying them. The forces of Warlord Kasslesstha have since been unable to mount attacks from their fortress, surrounded as they are by M'Chekian redoubts.

Most recently, the Blackhawks enlisted the aid of civilian mercenaries to remove a thorn in M'Chek's side - the Old Iron Mines in the Warrens, which had been reopened and turned to the production of iron for the Drotid war machine by the Shaahesk and their Bugbear allies. The M'Chekian forces boldly assaulted the surrounded lizard positions and destroyed the mines with explosive charges, crippling the Shaahesk ability to arm and equip themselves with locally-sourced ore. As a result, the alliance hangs in the balance.

After long service on the frontlines, Major Beign's talent was recognised by the army's commanders, and he was promoted to the general staff of the Army's Third Brigade, where he remains. Silver Fox took over command of the Blackhawks in his stead.

==Blackhawk Brigade==

Following a major incident involving an abortive attack on Fort Kasslesstha made by foreign agents, a restructuring of Lord Derrington's armed forces took place. The 12th Infantry Brigade, previously under the disgraced Brigadier Tanners, was reconstituted as the Blackhawk Brigade, under the overall command of Brigadier Thaylis Beign. Most of the old Blackhawk Battalion was transferred to this new organisation, to continue to serve as M'Chek's elite troops and to assist in bringing the formation up to fighting strength.

==Brigade Command Structure==

===High Command===

* Lord [[Tobias Chasworth]], War Commissioner of M'Chek
* General [[NPCs:Cassius|Cassius]], M'Chekian Special Operations Division
* Lord [[NPCs:Andrew Derrington|Andrew Derrington]]

===12th Infantry (Blackhawk) Brigade Command===

* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]], Commander of Blackhawk Battalion

* Captain Florence Hetter, Adjutant to Lt. Colonel Watersdown

* Colonel [[PCs:Silver Fox|Silver Fox]], Commander of Sable Lions Battalion
** Derrington's Medal, Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Red Rose of M'Chek

* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Serria_Atterman|Serria Atterman]], Commander of Onyx Boars Battalion
* Major Robert Wallace, Chief of Staff Onyx Boars Battalion
**M'Chek Copper Eagle Medal, Medal of Distinction, Victory Medallion, Medal of Mikona's Valor

==Blackhawk Battalion Roster==

===Commanding Officer===
* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]]

===Executive Officer===
* Major [[PCs:Rickus va'Alor|Rickus va'Alor]]
** Copper Eagle Medal, Derrington's Medal

===Senior Officers===
* Captain Vaako SandFireStorm
**M'Chek Golden Lion Medal, Silver Unicorn Medal, M'Chekian Army Medal of Meritorious Service, M'Chek Army Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Serpent's Tail Medal, Medal of Distinction.

* 1st. Lt. [[PCs:Robert Wallace|Robert Wallace]]
**M'Chek Copper Eagle Medal, Medal of Distinction, Victory Medallion, Medal of Mikona's Valor

* 2nd. Lt. [[PCs:Kara Kalinor|Kara Kalinor]]

===Enlisted Soldiers===
* Sergeant Major Kathea Nyht

* Sergeant Rollek Heloc

* Sergeant June Osammy

* Sergeant [[PCs:Drashter_Volterz|Drashter Volterz]]
** Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Victory Medal, Mikona's Valor

* Corporal Raar Juwmax

* Corporal Ferria Mouze

* Corporal Freddull Mouze

* Corporal Etz Elor
** M'Chekian Ruby Rose Medal, M'Chek Golden Lion Medal, Medal of Distinction, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Jewel of Msaelifriss

* Private [[PCs:Seka Ravenswylde|Seka Ravenswylde]]

* Private Rakuug Yug'Loz
** Medal of Mikona's Valor

* Private Prishll Zrgera

* Private Cinder Fireblaze

* Private Vugaris Hurdokan

* Private Vruh

* Private Arkiem Tagalas

* Private Bymund Leaf

* Recruit Freddy Mouze

* Recruit Melanie Fischer

* Recruit Groshnak Rish

* Recruit Paddleton Snarestep

* Private [[PCs:Cale Bross|Cale Bross]] (4th Company)
** Victory Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Silver Unicorn Medal, Golden Lion Medal

==Additional Background Information==

[[M'Chekian Military Medals|M'Chekian Medals]]

[[Blackhawk Brigade]]

==DM Sponsors==
Plethora

[[Category:Guilds|M'Chekian Army]]
[[Category:Avlis Armies and Fiefdoms|M'Chekian Army]]

Guild: Blackhawk Company

2014-03-15T21:35:06Z

Shadowviper: /* Senior Officers */

[[Image:Blackhawk.gif|left|thumb|right|140px|M'Chekian Army, Special Operations Division, Blackhawk Company]]
'''Alignment:''' Any alignments are welcome. However, non-good alignments are better suited to solving problems through military violence, and the M'Chekian Army has usually tended towards the Neutral and Evil ends of the spectrum.

'''Base of operations:''' The Nation of [[M'Chek]].

'''How to contact us:''' Any of the senior officers (listed below) will be happy to help. Also, Cm. Sgt. [[PCs:Dillon Wylde|Dillon Wylde]] functions as a recruiter.

'''What we do:''' Blackhawk Company is the PC division of [[M'Chek]]'s armed forces.

'''What to expect:''' Kicking ass for [[M'Chek]]! Expect a lot of military-themed roleplaying, including planning and executing daring missions in wartime as well as regular guild meetings and outings. Wherever there is a threat to [[M'Chek]] and its citizens, Blackhawk Company stands in their way. We are not law enforcement, though we do aid the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|M'Chekian Guards]] when necessary.

'''Miscellany:''' The Blackhawks are part of the elite-forces wing of the [[Guild:MChekArmy|M'Chek Army]], and as such are called upon for dangerous military tasks requiring flexibility, ingenuity and outstanding bravery. [[M'Chek|M'Chekian]] citizenship is a must, as is a clean criminal record (you can't be wanted for crimes in other nations). Your character will be expected to spend a majority of their time in [[M'Chek]]. That's not to say they can't travel, but characters who only come to [[M'Chek]] to take part in DM-run army events aren't what the guild is about.

== Blackhawk Company Introduction and Organisation ==

Blackhawk Battalion is part of the Special Operations Division of the M'Chekian Army, and is currently part of the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]] serving under Lord Derrington. While the highly trained Agents and Special Agents of the elusive M'Chekian Special Forces devote themselves to intelligence-gathering, assassinations and other deep-cover operations, the troops of Blackhawk Battalion represent the very best soldiers that M'Chek can call on, a reputation won over years of campaigning. The Battalion is made up of a mixture of veterans, specialists picked from the ranks of the regulars for their talents, mercenaries and adventurers. While the unit has a fearsome reputation for martial skill, its true advantage lies in the level of initiative and imagination expected of a Blackhawk soldier. The Battalion is not assigned to the long, dull garrison duties or parade ground drills of the regular army - they are expected to gather their own intelligence, plan their own missions and achieve victories for M'Chek at their own intiative, whatever the threat.

Blackhawk Battalion is a unit of nine hundred soldiers when at full operational strength, and is the first of the three Battalions that make up the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]].

The current commander of Blackhawk Battalion is Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]]

== A Brief History of the Blackhawks ==
Blackhawk Company was formed by order of the Joint Houses after the end of the M'Chek-T'Nanshi war to clear select areas of the [[Underdark]] for colonization and farming. [[PCs:Dala Wennen|Dala Wennen]], former Commander of Alpha Corps, was asked to lead this new unit, which she did until her apparent death in a raid on a Shaahesk temple. [[PCs:Morran Unuldur|Morran Unuldur]], then a Lieutenant, was promoted to Captain and granted command. He led the company for the rest of the campaign against the Underdark Bugbears.
At the conclusion of the Underdark campaign, it was decided that Blackhawk Company was no longer necessary. Members were offered the choice of either joining the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]] or being demobilised. Only one member chose to join the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]]; the others retired to civilian life.
Later that year, however, [[M'Chek]] once again had need of her devoted defenders, as a flight of Pyrite dragons led by the monstrous Tharul'Zhannadar threated to destroy all life in the nation. The Blackhawks were reformed, and with the aid of several other groups defended M'Chek from the draconic onslaught before taking the fight to the dragons' island. There, the mighty Tharul'Zannadar was finally defeated.
After this success, the rulers of M'Chek saw the use in keeping such an elite unit available and ready to react to any nw threat, so they were placed on standby with the understanding that they could be recalled at any time to deal with threats that were beyond the [[Guild: The M'Chekian Guards|Guards]]' abilities. From this point until the outbreak of hostilities with the nation of [[Drotid|Drotid]], Major Caitlin Swift was in command. She helped guide the Company through the fraught months of invasion by the Undead of Lord Kale, the Demons of [[Kimonictinus|Kimonictinus]] and the Drotid forces of Voivode Kassesshisrath.

== The M'Chek-Drotid War ==
Since the invasion of M'Chek's eastern shore by the forces of Drotid, Blackhawk Company has once again been at the forefront of the M'Chekian war effort. In their capacity as an elite, special forces unit, the Company has been called upon to undertake a series of daring missions, shoring up the nation's defences and taking the fight to the enemy. While initially faced with a crisis of leadership following the death in battle of then-commander Rolan Fyne, the Blackhawks rallied around the leadership of Major [[PCs:Thaylis Beign|Thaylis Beign]].

Blackhawk Battalion, and especially the First Company, have been heavily involved in the planning and execution of some of the M'Chekian forces' greatest successes in the current conflict. A hastily-formed army of M'Chekian Guards, Blackhawk Company soldiers and local regular army regiments successfully defeated the nascent [[Shaahesk|Shaahesk]] beachhead at [[Eastshore|Eastshore]], liberating the town and protecting it until its rebuilding. Operation: Iron Fist saw the Company spearhead the first M'Chekian offensive into the Shaahesk lines since the outbreak of hostilities, and succeeded in clearing, taking and holding an important Shaahesk supply base on the eastern shore. Operation: Wyvern sought to repay the Shaahesk for their earlier assault on the M'Chekian Army position at Greylake, and resulted in a decisive defeat for the forces of Drotid. The Blackhawks were, as ever, in the vanguard, ensuring the success of the mission by preventing the Shaahesk alerting their reserves of the attack.

As the war drew on, the Blackhawks remained at the heart of the fighting, but also assisted the war effort in other ways. It is rumoured that the wave of reinforcements from the northwest which bolstered the lines on the eastern front at a critical moment was a direct result of interventions in the northwest by Blackhawk soldiers. Army leadership has always refused to comment.

The Blackhawks found themselves playing a vital role in the grand offensive which saw M'Chek retake much of its lost ground, some years into the conflict. It was Blackhawk scouts who discovered the withdrawal of several of the most feared warbands from M'Chekian soil, who had been redeployed to invade the distant city-state of Elysia. As the M'Chekian army counterattacked, the Blackhawks ensured the success of the crucial engagements - during Operation: Highland Flood, the Battalion provided an essential diversionary operation which allowed the main attack to advance and successfully capture the Forward Camp west of Fort Kasslesstha. They then saw what, for many of the Battalion, would prove to be their finest hour, as they outflanked and ambushed the dreaded Red Demon warband en route to roll back the M'Chekian gains. In a brutal engagement, Blackhawk Battalion was able to decisively defeat the warband, although initially outnumbered. Artillery and archery from the M'Chekian forces in the forward camp itself completed the rout.

Subsequently, the Battalion was called in to reinforce and defeat the inevitable Shaahesk counterattack in Operation: Blunt Fall. The Blackhawks used their cunning and knowledge of the countryside to outflank the onrushing Shaahesk forces, taking the lizards' artillery pieces from the rear and destroying them. The forces of Warlord Kasslesstha have since been unable to mount attacks from their fortress, surrounded as they are by M'Chekian redoubts.

Most recently, the Blackhawks enlisted the aid of civilian mercenaries to remove a thorn in M'Chek's side - the Old Iron Mines in the Warrens, which had been reopened and turned to the production of iron for the Drotid war machine by the Shaahesk and their Bugbear allies. The M'Chekian forces boldly assaulted the surrounded lizard positions and destroyed the mines with explosive charges, crippling the Shaahesk ability to arm and equip themselves with locally-sourced ore. As a result, the alliance hangs in the balance.

After long service on the frontlines, Major Beign's talent was recognised by the army's commanders, and he was promoted to the general staff of the Army's Third Brigade, where he remains. Silver Fox took over command of the Blackhawks in his stead.

==Blackhawk Brigade==

Following a major incident involving an abortive attack on Fort Kasslesstha made by foreign agents, a restructuring of Lord Derrington's armed forces took place. The 12th Infantry Brigade, previously under the disgraced Brigadier Tanners, was reconstituted as the Blackhawk Brigade, under the overall command of Brigadier Thaylis Beign. Most of the old Blackhawk Battalion was transferred to this new organisation, to continue to serve as M'Chek's elite troops and to assist in bringing the formation up to fighting strength.

==Brigade Command Structure==

===High Command===

* Lord [[Tobias Chasworth]], War Commissioner of M'Chek
* General [[NPCs:Cassius|Cassius]], M'Chekian Special Operations Division
* Lord [[NPCs:Andrew Derrington|Andrew Derrington]]

===12th Infantry (Blackhawk) Brigade Command===

* Brigadier [[PCs:Thaylis Beign|Thaylis Beign]]
** Gold Lion Medal, Silver Unicorn Medal, Copper Eagle Medal, Victory Medallion, Eastern Seas Medal, Derrington's Medal,
** Serpents Tail Medal, Medal of Mikona's Valor

* Captain Florence Hetter, Adjutant to Brigadier Beign

* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]], Commander of Blackhawk Battalion
* Colonel [[PCs:Silver Fox|Silver Fox]], Commander of Sable Lions Battalion
** Derrington's Medal, Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Red Rose of M'Chek
* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Serria_Atterman|Serria Atterman]], Commander of Onyx Boars Battalion

==Blackhawk Battalion Roster==

===Commanding Officer===
* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]]

===Executive Officer===
* Major [[PCs:Rickus va'Alor|Rickus va'Alor]]
** Copper Eagle Medal, Derrington's Medal

===Senior Officers===
* 1st. Lt. [[PCs:Robert Wallace|Robert Wallace]]
**M'Chek Copper Eagle Medal, Medal of Distinction, Victory Medallion, Medal of Mikona's Valor
* 2nd. Lt. Vaako SandFireStorm
**M'Chek Golden Lion Medal, Silver Unicorn Medal, M'Chekian Army Medal of Meritorious Service, M'Chek Army Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Serpent's Tail Medal, Medal of Distinction.

===Enlisted Soldiers===
* Sergeant Major Kathea Nyht

* Sergeant Rollek Heloc

* Sergeant June Osammy

* Sergeant [[PCs:Drashter_Volterz|Drashter Volterz]]
** Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Victory Medal, Mikona's Valor

* Corporal Raar Juwmax

* Corporal Ferria Mouze

* CorporalFreddull Mouze

* Corporal Etz Elor
** M'Chekian Ruby Rose Medal, M'Chek Golden Lion Medal, Medal of Distinction, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Jewel of Msaelifriss

* Corporal [[PCs:Kara Kalinor|Kara Kalinor]]

* Private [[PCs:Seka Ravenswylde|Seka Ravenswylde]]

* Private Rakuug Yug'Loz
** Medal of Mikona's Valor

* Private Prishll Zrgera

* Private Cinder Fireblaze

* Private Vugaris Hurdokan

* Private Vruh

* Private Arkiem Tagalas

* Private Tybalt Rasul

* Private Bymund Leaf

* Recruit Freddy Mouze

* Recruit Melanie Fischer

* Recruit Groshnak Rish

* Recruit Paddleton Snarestep

* Private [[PCs:Cale Bross|Cale Bross]] (4th Company)
** Victory Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Silver Unicorn Medal, Golden Lion Medal

==Additional Background Information==

[[M'Chekian Military Medals|M'Chekian Medals]]

[[Blackhawk Brigade]]

==DM Sponsors==
Plethora

[[Category:Guilds|M'Chekian Army]]
[[Category:Avlis Armies and Fiefdoms|M'Chekian Army]]

Guild: Blackhawk Company

2012-06-26T19:43:38Z

Shadowviper: /* Executive Officer */

[[Image:Blackhawk.gif|left|thumb|right|140px|M'Chekian Army, Special Operations Division, Blackhawk Company]]
'''Alignment:''' Any alignments are welcome. However, non-good alignments are better suited to solving problems through military violence, and the M'Chekian Army has usually tended towards the Neutral and Evil ends of the spectrum.

'''Base of operations:''' The Nation of [[M'Chek]].

'''How to contact us:''' Any of the senior officers (listed below) will be happy to help. Also, Cm. Sgt. [[PCs:Dillon Wylde|Dillon Wylde]] functions as a recruiter.

'''What we do:''' Blackhawk Company is the PC division of [[M'Chek]]'s armed forces.

'''What to expect:''' Kicking ass for [[M'Chek]]! Expect a lot of military-themed roleplaying, including planning and executing daring missions in wartime as well as regular guild meetings and outings. Wherever there is a threat to [[M'Chek]] and its citizens, Blackhawk Company stands in their way. We are not law enforcement, though we do aid the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|M'Chekian Guards]] when necessary.

'''Miscellany:''' The Blackhawks are part of the elite-forces wing of the [[Guild:MChekArmy|M'Chek Army]], and as such are called upon for dangerous military tasks requiring flexibility, ingenuity and outstanding bravery. [[M'Chek|M'Chekian]] citizenship is a must, as is a clean criminal record (you can't be wanted for crimes in other nations). Your character will be expected to spend a majority of their time in [[M'Chek]]. That's not to say they can't travel, but characters who only come to [[M'Chek]] to take part in DM-run army events aren't what the guild is about.

== Blackhawk Company Introduction and Organisation ==

Blackhawk Battalion is part of the Special Operations Division of the M'Chekian Army, and is currently part of the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]] serving under Lord Derrington. While the highly trained Agents and Special Agents of the elusive M'Chekian Special Forces devote themselves to intelligence-gathering, assassinations and other deep-cover operations, the troops of Blackhawk Battalion represent the very best soldiers that M'Chek can call on, a reputation won over years of campaigning. The Battalion is made up of a mixture of veterans, specialists picked from the ranks of the regulars for their talents, mercenaries and adventurers. While the unit has a fearsome reputation for martial skill, its true advantage lies in the level of initiative and imagination expected of a Blackhawk soldier. The Battalion is not assigned to the long, dull garrison duties or parade ground drills of the regular army - they are expected to gather their own intelligence, plan their own missions and achieve victories for M'Chek at their own intiative, whatever the threat.

Blackhawk Battalion is a unit of nine hundred soldiers when at full operational strength, and is the first of the three Battalions that make up the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]].

The current commander of Blackhawk Battalion is Lt. Colonel [[PCs:Silver Fox|Silver Fox]].

== A Brief History of the Blackhawks ==
Blackhawk Company was formed by order of the Joint Houses after the end of the M'Chek-T'Nanshi war to clear select areas of the [[Underdark]] for colonization and farming. [[PCs:Dala Wennen|Dala Wennen]], former Commander of Alpha Corps, was asked to lead this new unit, which she did until her apparent death in a raid on a Shaahesk temple. [[PCs:Morran Unuldur|Morran Unuldur]], then a Lieutenant, was promoted to Captain and granted command. He led the company for the rest of the campaign against the Underdark Bugbears.
At the conclusion of the Underdark campaign, it was decided that Blackhawk Company was no longer necessary. Members were offered the choice of either joining the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]] or being demobilised. Only one member chose to join the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]]; the others retired to civilian life.
Later that year, however, [[M'Chek]] once again had need of her devoted defenders, as a flight of Pyrite dragons led by the monstrous Tharul'Zhannadar threated to destroy all life in the nation. The Blackhawks were reformed, and with the aid of several other groups defended M'Chek from the draconic onslaught before taking the fight to the dragons' island. There, the mighty Tharul'Zannadar was finally defeated.
After this success, the rulers of M'Chek saw the use in keeping such an elite unit available and ready to react to any nw threat, so they were placed on standby with the understanding that they could be recalled at any time to deal with threats that were beyond the [[Guild: The M'Chekian Guards|Guards]]' abilities. From this point until the outbreak of hostilities with the nation of [[Drotid|Drotid]], Major Caitlin Swift was in command. She helped guide the Company through the fraught months of invasion by the Undead of Lord Kale, the Demons of [[Kimonictinus|Kimonictinus]] and the Drotid forces of Voivode Kassesshisrath.

== The M'Chek-Drotid War ==
Since the invasion of M'Chek's eastern shore by the forces of Drotid, Blackhawk Company has once again been at the forefront of the M'Chekian war effort. In their capacity as an elite, special forces unit, the Company has been called upon to undertake a series of daring missions, shoring up the nation's defences and taking the fight to the enemy. While initially faced with a crisis of leadership following the death in battle of then-commander Rolan Fyne, the Blackhawks rallied around the leadership of Major [[PCs:Thaylis Beign|Thaylis Beign]].

Blackhawk Battalion, and especially the First Company, have been heavily involved in the planning and execution of some of the M'Chekian forces' greatest successes in the current conflict. A hastily-formed army of M'Chekian Guards, Blackhawk Company soldiers and local regular army regiments successfully defeated the nascent [[Shaahesk|Shaahesk]] beachhead at [[Eastshore|Eastshore]], liberating the town and protecting it until its rebuilding. Operation: Iron Fist saw the Company spearhead the first M'Chekian offensive into the Shaahesk lines since the outbreak of hostilities, and succeeded in clearing, taking and holding an important Shaahesk supply base on the eastern shore. Operation: Wyvern sought to repay the Shaahesk for their earlier assault on the M'Chekian Army position at Greylake, and resulted in a decisive defeat for the forces of Drotid. The Blackhawks were, as ever, in the vanguard, ensuring the success of the mission by preventing the Shaahesk alerting their reserves of the attack.

As the war drew on, the Blackhawks remained at the heart of the fighting, but also assisted the war effort in other ways. It is rumoured that the wave of reinforcements from the northwest which bolstered the lines on the eastern front at a critical moment was a direct result of interventions in the northwest by Blackhawk soldiers. Army leadership has always refused to comment.

The Blackhawks found themselves playing a vital role in the grand offensive which saw M'Chek retake much of its lost ground, some years into the conflict. It was Blackhawk scouts who discovered the withdrawal of several of the most feared warbands from M'Chekian soil, who had been redeployed to invade the distant city-state of Elysia. As the M'Chekian army counterattacked, the Blackhawks ensured the success of the crucial engagements - during Operation: Highland Flood, the Battalion provided an essential diversionary operation which allowed the main attack to advance and successfully capture the Forward Camp west of Fort Kasslesstha. They then saw what, for many of the Battalion, would prove to be their finest hour, as they outflanked and ambushed the dreaded Red Demon warband en route to roll back the M'Chekian gains. In a brutal engagement, Blackhawk Battalion was able to decisively defeat the warband, although initially outnumbered. Artillery and archery from the M'Chekian forces in the forward camp itself completed the rout.

Subsequently, the Battalion was called in to reinforce and defeat the inevitable Shaahesk counterattack in Operation: Blunt Fall. The Blackhawks used their cunning and knowledge of the countryside to outflank the onrushing Shaahesk forces, taking the lizards' artillery pieces from the rear and destroying them. The forces of Warlord Kasslesstha have since been unable to mount attacks from their fortress, surrounded as they are by M'Chekian redoubts.

Most recently, the Blackhawks enlisted the aid of civilian mercenaries to remove a thorn in M'Chek's side - the Old Iron Mines in the Warrens, which had been reopened and turned to the production of iron for the Drotid war machine by the Shaahesk and their Bugbear allies. The M'Chekian forces boldly assaulted the surrounded lizard positions and destroyed the mines with explosive charges, crippling the Shaahesk ability to arm and equip themselves with locally-sourced ore. As a result, the alliance hangs in the balance.

After long service on the frontlines, Major Beign's talent was recognised by the army's commanders, and he was promoted to the general staff of the Army's Third Brigade, where he remains. Silver Fox took over command of the Blackhawks in his stead.

==Blackhawk Brigade==

Following a major incident involving an abortive attack on Fort Kasslesstha made by foreign agents, a restructuring of Lord Derrington's armed forces took place. The 12th Infantry Brigade, previously under the disgraced Brigadier Tanners, was reconstituted as the Blackhawk Brigade, under the overall command of Brigadier Thaylis Beign. Most of the old Blackhawk Battalion was transferred to this new organisation, to continue to serve as M'Chek's elite troops and to assist in bringing the formation up to fighting strength.

==Brigade Command Structure==

===High Command===

* Lord [[Tobias Chasworth]], War Commissioner of M'Chek
* General [[NPCs:Cassius|Cassius]], M'Chekian Special Operations Division
* Lord [[NPCs:Andrew Derrington|Andrew Derrington]]

===12th Infantry (Blackhawk) Brigade Command===

* Brigadier [[PCs:Thaylis Beign|Thaylis Beign]]
** Copper Eagle Medal, Derrington's Medal, Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal

* Major [[NPCs:Peter_Russborough|Peter Russborough]], Adjutant to Brigadier Beign

* Lt. Colonel [[PCs:Silver Fox|Silver Fox]], Commander of Blackhawk Battalion
* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]], Commander of Sable Lions Battalion
* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Serria_Atterman|Serria Atterman]], Commander of Onyx Boars Battalion

==Blackhawk Battalion Roster==

===Commanding Officer===
* Lt. Colonel [[PCs:Silver Fox|Silver Fox]]
** Derrington's Medal, Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Red Rose of M'Chek

===Executive Officer===
* Major [[PCs:Rickus va'Alor|Rickus va'Alor]]
** Copper Eagle Medal, Derrington's Medal

===Senior Officers===
* Captain [[PCs:Richance_Weller|Richance Weller]], Quartermaster
** Copper Eagle Medal
* 2nd. Lt. [[PCs:Orfanos|Orfanos]]
** Copper Eagle Medal, Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal
* 2nd. Lt. Vaako SandFireStorm
**M'chek Golden Lion Medal, Silver Unicorn Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Medal of Distinction, Serpent's Tail Medal, Victory Medal
* 2nd. Lt. Robert Wallace

===Enlisted Soldiers===
* Command Sergeant [[PCs:Dillon Wylde|Dillon Wylde]]
** Copper Eagle Medal, Derrington's Medal, Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal

* Sergeant [[PCs:Straccio|Straccio]]
** Copper Eagle Medal
* Sergeant [[PCs:Rollek_Heloc|Rollek Heloc]]
* Sergeant [[PCs:Paco Di Brancaleone|Paco Di Brancaleone]]
** Copper Boot, Copper Eagle Medal, Derrington's Medal, Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal
* Sergeant [[PCs:Lucius Tragus|Lucius Tragus]]
** Copper Eagle Medal, Derrington's Medal, Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal
** Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal
* Sergeant June Osammy

* Corporal [[PCs:Kate Benneset|Kate Benneset]]
* Corporal [[PCs:Alice|Alice]]
* Corporal [[PCs:Vana|Vana]]
* Corporal Isadora Arnemeigne
* Corporal [[Kayla Bur'ernook|Kayla Bur'ernook]]
** Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal
* Corporal Etzeth Tzeleth

* Private [[PCs:Samuel Valorian|Sammy Valorian]]
* Private [[PCs:Karna'yeritath Zamanaena|Karna'yeritath Zamanaena]]
* Private [[PCs:Kassha Firehart|Kassha Firehart]]
* Private Vugaris Hurdokan
* Private Redwyn Ironheart
* Private [[PCs:Drashter_Volterz|Drashter Volterz]]
** Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Victory Medal
* Private [[Jack Barton|Jack Barton]]
* Private Raar Yuwmax
* Private Ashan Demagio
* Private [[PCs:Cale Bross|Cale Bross]] (4th Company)
** Victory Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Silver Unicorn Medal, Golden Lion Medal
* Private Kadahb Nulsan
* Private Malcolm Griffon

* Recruit Aniero
* Recruit V. "Ripper" Zarud

==Additional Background Information==

[[M'Chekian Military Medals|M'Chekian Medals]]

[[Blackhawk Brigade]]

==DM Sponsors==
Plethora

[[Category:Guilds|M'Chekian Army]]
[[Category:Avlis Armies and Fiefdoms|M'Chekian Army]]

Guild: Blackhawk Company

2012-06-26T17:33:55Z

Shadowviper: /* Senior Officers */

[[Image:Blackhawk.gif|left|thumb|right|140px|M'Chekian Army, Special Operations Division, Blackhawk Company]]
'''Alignment:''' Any alignments are welcome. However, non-good alignments are better suited to solving problems through military violence, and the M'Chekian Army has usually tended towards the Neutral and Evil ends of the spectrum.

'''Base of operations:''' The Nation of [[M'Chek]].

'''How to contact us:''' Any of the senior officers (listed below) will be happy to help. Also, Cm. Sgt. [[PCs:Dillon Wylde|Dillon Wylde]] functions as a recruiter.

'''What we do:''' Blackhawk Company is the PC division of [[M'Chek]]'s armed forces.

'''What to expect:''' Kicking ass for [[M'Chek]]! Expect a lot of military-themed roleplaying, including planning and executing daring missions in wartime as well as regular guild meetings and outings. Wherever there is a threat to [[M'Chek]] and its citizens, Blackhawk Company stands in their way. We are not law enforcement, though we do aid the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|M'Chekian Guards]] when necessary.

'''Miscellany:''' The Blackhawks are part of the elite-forces wing of the [[Guild:MChekArmy|M'Chek Army]], and as such are called upon for dangerous military tasks requiring flexibility, ingenuity and outstanding bravery. [[M'Chek|M'Chekian]] citizenship is a must, as is a clean criminal record (you can't be wanted for crimes in other nations). Your character will be expected to spend a majority of their time in [[M'Chek]]. That's not to say they can't travel, but characters who only come to [[M'Chek]] to take part in DM-run army events aren't what the guild is about.

== Blackhawk Company Introduction and Organisation ==

Blackhawk Battalion is part of the Special Operations Division of the M'Chekian Army, and is currently part of the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]] serving under Lord Derrington. While the highly trained Agents and Special Agents of the elusive M'Chekian Special Forces devote themselves to intelligence-gathering, assassinations and other deep-cover operations, the troops of Blackhawk Battalion represent the very best soldiers that M'Chek can call on, a reputation won over years of campaigning. The Battalion is made up of a mixture of veterans, specialists picked from the ranks of the regulars for their talents, mercenaries and adventurers. While the unit has a fearsome reputation for martial skill, its true advantage lies in the level of initiative and imagination expected of a Blackhawk soldier. The Battalion is not assigned to the long, dull garrison duties or parade ground drills of the regular army - they are expected to gather their own intelligence, plan their own missions and achieve victories for M'Chek at their own intiative, whatever the threat.

Blackhawk Battalion is a unit of nine hundred soldiers when at full operational strength, and is the first of the three Battalions that make up the [[Blackhawk Brigade|12th Infantry Brigade]].

The current commander of Blackhawk Battalion is Lt. Colonel [[PCs:Silver Fox|Silver Fox]].

== A Brief History of the Blackhawks ==
Blackhawk Company was formed by order of the Joint Houses after the end of the M'Chek-T'Nanshi war to clear select areas of the [[Underdark]] for colonization and farming. [[PCs:Dala Wennen|Dala Wennen]], former Commander of Alpha Corps, was asked to lead this new unit, which she did until her apparent death in a raid on a Shaahesk temple. [[PCs:Morran Unuldur|Morran Unuldur]], then a Lieutenant, was promoted to Captain and granted command. He led the company for the rest of the campaign against the Underdark Bugbears.
At the conclusion of the Underdark campaign, it was decided that Blackhawk Company was no longer necessary. Members were offered the choice of either joining the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]] or being demobilised. Only one member chose to join the [[Guild:_M'Chekian_Guards-Iron_Fist_Division|Guards]]; the others retired to civilian life.
Later that year, however, [[M'Chek]] once again had need of her devoted defenders, as a flight of Pyrite dragons led by the monstrous Tharul'Zhannadar threated to destroy all life in the nation. The Blackhawks were reformed, and with the aid of several other groups defended M'Chek from the draconic onslaught before taking the fight to the dragons' island. There, the mighty Tharul'Zannadar was finally defeated.
After this success, the rulers of M'Chek saw the use in keeping such an elite unit available and ready to react to any nw threat, so they were placed on standby with the understanding that they could be recalled at any time to deal with threats that were beyond the [[Guild: The M'Chekian Guards|Guards]]' abilities. From this point until the outbreak of hostilities with the nation of [[Drotid|Drotid]], Major Caitlin Swift was in command. She helped guide the Company through the fraught months of invasion by the Undead of Lord Kale, the Demons of [[Kimonictinus|Kimonictinus]] and the Drotid forces of Voivode Kassesshisrath.

== The M'Chek-Drotid War ==
Since the invasion of M'Chek's eastern shore by the forces of Drotid, Blackhawk Company has once again been at the forefront of the M'Chekian war effort. In their capacity as an elite, special forces unit, the Company has been called upon to undertake a series of daring missions, shoring up the nation's defences and taking the fight to the enemy. While initially faced with a crisis of leadership following the death in battle of then-commander Rolan Fyne, the Blackhawks rallied around the leadership of Major [[PCs:Thaylis Beign|Thaylis Beign]].

Blackhawk Battalion, and especially the First Company, have been heavily involved in the planning and execution of some of the M'Chekian forces' greatest successes in the current conflict. A hastily-formed army of M'Chekian Guards, Blackhawk Company soldiers and local regular army regiments successfully defeated the nascent [[Shaahesk|Shaahesk]] beachhead at [[Eastshore|Eastshore]], liberating the town and protecting it until its rebuilding. Operation: Iron Fist saw the Company spearhead the first M'Chekian offensive into the Shaahesk lines since the outbreak of hostilities, and succeeded in clearing, taking and holding an important Shaahesk supply base on the eastern shore. Operation: Wyvern sought to repay the Shaahesk for their earlier assault on the M'Chekian Army position at Greylake, and resulted in a decisive defeat for the forces of Drotid. The Blackhawks were, as ever, in the vanguard, ensuring the success of the mission by preventing the Shaahesk alerting their reserves of the attack.

As the war drew on, the Blackhawks remained at the heart of the fighting, but also assisted the war effort in other ways. It is rumoured that the wave of reinforcements from the northwest which bolstered the lines on the eastern front at a critical moment was a direct result of interventions in the northwest by Blackhawk soldiers. Army leadership has always refused to comment.

The Blackhawks found themselves playing a vital role in the grand offensive which saw M'Chek retake much of its lost ground, some years into the conflict. It was Blackhawk scouts who discovered the withdrawal of several of the most feared warbands from M'Chekian soil, who had been redeployed to invade the distant city-state of Elysia. As the M'Chekian army counterattacked, the Blackhawks ensured the success of the crucial engagements - during Operation: Highland Flood, the Battalion provided an essential diversionary operation which allowed the main attack to advance and successfully capture the Forward Camp west of Fort Kasslesstha. They then saw what, for many of the Battalion, would prove to be their finest hour, as they outflanked and ambushed the dreaded Red Demon warband en route to roll back the M'Chekian gains. In a brutal engagement, Blackhawk Battalion was able to decisively defeat the warband, although initially outnumbered. Artillery and archery from the M'Chekian forces in the forward camp itself completed the rout.

Subsequently, the Battalion was called in to reinforce and defeat the inevitable Shaahesk counterattack in Operation: Blunt Fall. The Blackhawks used their cunning and knowledge of the countryside to outflank the onrushing Shaahesk forces, taking the lizards' artillery pieces from the rear and destroying them. The forces of Warlord Kasslesstha have since been unable to mount attacks from their fortress, surrounded as they are by M'Chekian redoubts.

Most recently, the Blackhawks enlisted the aid of civilian mercenaries to remove a thorn in M'Chek's side - the Old Iron Mines in the Warrens, which had been reopened and turned to the production of iron for the Drotid war machine by the Shaahesk and their Bugbear allies. The M'Chekian forces boldly assaulted the surrounded lizard positions and destroyed the mines with explosive charges, crippling the Shaahesk ability to arm and equip themselves with locally-sourced ore. As a result, the alliance hangs in the balance.

After long service on the frontlines, Major Beign's talent was recognised by the army's commanders, and he was promoted to the general staff of the Army's Third Brigade, where he remains. Silver Fox took over command of the Blackhawks in his stead.

==Blackhawk Brigade==

Following a major incident involving an abortive attack on Fort Kasslesstha made by foreign agents, a restructuring of Lord Derrington's armed forces took place. The 12th Infantry Brigade, previously under the disgraced Brigadier Tanners, was reconstituted as the Blackhawk Brigade, under the overall command of Brigadier Thaylis Beign. Most of the old Blackhawk Battalion was transferred to this new organisation, to continue to serve as M'Chek's elite troops and to assist in bringing the formation up to fighting strength.

==Brigade Command Structure==

===High Command===

* Lord [[Tobias Chasworth]], War Commissioner of M'Chek
* General [[NPCs:Cassius|Cassius]], M'Chekian Special Operations Division
* Lord [[NPCs:Andrew Derrington|Andrew Derrington]]

===12th Infantry (Blackhawk) Brigade Command===

* Brigadier [[PCs:Thaylis Beign|Thaylis Beign]]
** Copper Eagle Medal, Derrington's Medal, Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal

* Major [[NPCs:Peter_Russborough|Peter Russborough]], Adjutant to Brigadier Beign

* Lt. Colonel [[PCs:Silver Fox|Silver Fox]], Commander of Blackhawk Battalion
* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Justin_Watersdown|Justin Watersdown]], Commander of Sable Lions Battalion
* Lt. Colonel [[NPCs:Serria_Atterman|Serria Atterman]], Commander of Onyx Boars Battalion

==Blackhawk Battalion Roster==

===Commanding Officer===
* Lt. Colonel [[PCs:Silver Fox|Silver Fox]]
** Derrington's Medal, Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Red Rose of M'Chek

===Executive Officer===
* Captain [[PCs:Rickus va'Alor|Rickus va'Alor]]
** Copper Eagle Medal, Derrington's Medal

===Senior Officers===
* Captain [[PCs:Richance_Weller|Richance Weller]], Quartermaster
** Copper Eagle Medal
* 2nd. Lt. [[PCs:Orfanos|Orfanos]]
** Copper Eagle Medal, Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal
* 2nd. Lt. Vaako SandFireStorm
**M'chek Golden Lion Medal, Silver Unicorn Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Medal of Distinction, Serpent's Tail Medal, Victory Medal
* 2nd. Lt. Robert Wallace

===Enlisted Soldiers===
* Command Sergeant [[PCs:Dillon Wylde|Dillon Wylde]]
** Copper Eagle Medal, Derrington's Medal, Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal

* Sergeant [[PCs:Straccio|Straccio]]
** Copper Eagle Medal
* Sergeant [[PCs:Rollek_Heloc|Rollek Heloc]]
* Sergeant [[PCs:Paco Di Brancaleone|Paco Di Brancaleone]]
** Copper Boot, Copper Eagle Medal, Derrington's Medal, Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal
* Sergeant [[PCs:Lucius Tragus|Lucius Tragus]]
** Copper Eagle Medal, Derrington's Medal, Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal
** Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal
* Sergeant June Osammy

* Corporal [[PCs:Kate Benneset|Kate Benneset]]
* Corporal [[PCs:Alice|Alice]]
* Corporal [[PCs:Vana|Vana]]
* Corporal Isadora Arnemeigne
* Corporal [[Kayla Bur'ernook|Kayla Bur'ernook]]
** Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal
* Corporal Etzeth Tzeleth

* Private [[PCs:Samuel Valorian|Sammy Valorian]]
* Private [[PCs:Karna'yeritath Zamanaena|Karna'yeritath Zamanaena]]
* Private [[PCs:Kassha Firehart|Kassha Firehart]]
* Private Vugaris Hurdokan
* Private Redwyn Ironheart
* Private [[PCs:Drashter_Volterz|Drashter Volterz]]
** Serpent's Tail Campaign Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Victory Medal
* Private [[Jack Barton|Jack Barton]]
* Private Raar Yuwmax
* Private Ashan Demagio
* Private [[PCs:Cale Bross|Cale Bross]] (4th Company)
** Victory Medal, Medal of the Eastern Seas, Silver Unicorn Medal, Golden Lion Medal
* Private Kadahb Nulsan
* Private Malcolm Griffon

* Recruit Aniero
* Recruit V. "Ripper" Zarud

==Additional Background Information==

[[M'Chekian Military Medals|M'Chekian Medals]]

[[Blackhawk Brigade]]

==DM Sponsors==
Plethora

[[Category:Guilds|M'Chekian Army]]
[[Category:Avlis Armies and Fiefdoms|M'Chekian Army]]