Blackhawk Brigade

Origins and Early History

The Blackhawk Brigade, also known as the 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 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 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.

Brigade Breakdown

Currently, the Brigade is at partial strength. The 1st Battalion, comprised of M'Chek's elite Blackhawks, is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Silver Fox. The Blackhawk Battalion is currently under strength, consisting of roughly 500 of their compliment of approximately 900 officers and men. The men and women of the 1st Battalion form the core of the Brigade.

The Brigade’s 2nd Battalion, referred to as the Sable Lions, is considered the Training Battalion. This unit is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Justin Watersdown, and originally consisted of 400 officers and soldiers, with 100 of these siphoned from the 1st Battalion to form the backbone of the unit. Their job is to instruct the men from Derrington’s garrison at field operations and techniques, getting them on a skill and confidence level equal to the soldiers of the 1st Battalion. Additionally, all new recruits into the Brigade will pass through the 2nd Battalion for their indoctrination and training.

Once the Brigade’s numbers can support it, the 3rd Battalion will be activated and will be under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Serria Atterman.

Sorely undermanned, The Brigade has started an aggressive recruiting campaign to bolster its numbers. At present, the Brigade consists of 2 partial Battalions, with a total number of officers and soldiers for operations at ~900. Due to the intense recruiting by members of the Brigade, its numbers are growing daily.

Senior Command Staff

Commanding Officer: Brigadier Thaylis Beign

Adjutant: Major Peter Russborough

Blackhawk Brigade

1st Battalion - Blackhawks	2nd Battalion - Sable Lions	3rd Battalion - Onyx Boars
Commanding Officer - Lt. Colonel Silver Fox	Commanding Officer - Lt. Colonel Justin Watersdown	Commanding Officer - Lt. Colonel Serria Atterman
Executive Officer – Captain Rickus va'Alor	Executive Officer - Major Alfred Greensham	Executive Officer - Major Peter Russborough
Current Strength - ~720 officers and soldiers	Current Strength - ~550 officers and soldiers	Current Strength - ~450 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.

• 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.

Additional Miscellaneous Information

M'Chekian Medals