Post by Pollyania on Mar 6, 2016 18:02:36 GMT -5
Species Name:
Vartians
Species Type:
Humaniod, mammals
Planet of Origin:
Vartia
Average Maximum age:
80
Age of Maturation:
15
Average Height:
five foot
Average Weight:
100 lbs
Notable biological features:
Vartians have very pale skin, with their blood vessels being easily visible through the skin. Above average in agility and reflexes. They are not force sensitive. Are obligate carnivores.
Number of limbs and Type:
Bi-pedal, two arms, two legs.
Culture:
Vartians are by nature a cautious, stubborn and proud species. Renowned for their tenacity in defence, a Vartian will never withdraw unless orders are provided specifically dictating them to do so. In battle, Vartians refuse to retreat or surrender, in defence they hold their ground even after all ammunition has been expended. In assault, Vartians advance in vast 'waves' throwing themselves with insane relentless mass front charges of infantry at the enemy. The Vartian Military possesses excellent discipline due to the brilliant if outdated training that soldiers as well as officers receive.
The Vartian religion is centred on a mysterious figure known only as the God Queen. She is responsible for the creation of the First Vartian Empire as well as significant advances in various fields of science, technology and medicine. Her disappearance led to the collapse of the First Vartian Empire and the rise of the "World Government". Many Vartians believe she will return when her people next need the guidance of the God Sovereign as she is sometimes referred as.
The Vartians are ruled according to a beyond ancient and anachronistic body of traditions which barely resemble the long dead monarchies and empires from before the Great War. Currently the Second Vartian Empire is controlled by the Council of Seventy-two. Seventy-two for the seventy-two planets, moons and asteroids that the Vartians inhabit within the Second Vartian Empire
Beneath the Council of Seventy-two is the Chamber of a Hundred and Forty Four. This is made up of the various 'lower born' representatives, two from each of the planets, moons or asteroids. The Chamber is usually made up of successful administrators, academics, 'low born' officers, scientists and doctors. Acting as a figurehead who sits above both the Council and the Chamber is the constitutional monarch who both the Councillors, Members of the Chamber and the people of the Second Vartian Empire rally to.
The Monarchy has numerous ceremonial duties and a degree of influence, but no direct power to
rule the empire. Between them, these three sections of the government the Second Vartian Empire is chaotically ruled. Though an Imperial power, the Second Vartian Empire does loosely follow a democracy with its leaders largely voted into office, though those with enough power, wealth or prestige are capable of securing coveted positions as is common with the Council of Seventy-two.
The Chamber of a Hundred and Forty-four is by large filled with candidates who were voted into their offices. However it is not uncommon for members of the Council to exert their influence over the Chamber by ensuring it is filled with men and women loyal to them or by using their power to assist in the prevention of a policy of a rival. Regrettably the ability to 'purchase' positions of power or command with the Second Vartian Empire does unfortunately result in incompetent beings holding sway over matters utterly beyond their comprehension.
Beneath the Chamber is the Political Ministers, Vartians from the 'lower born' make up this political body who's main duty when not deployed to a military front is to aid and assist in the day to day running of the Second Vartian Empire. Usually they act as representatives of the Vartian Empire, acting as part of a larger political body. The Political Ministers can also be assigned to Vartian Armies or Fleet who are seen to have gone against their official orders. Their purpose there is to observe the performance of the commanders and the soldiers beneath them. Every Vartian citizen can recognise the distinctive peaked cap and heavy overcoat of a Political Minister. A Political Minister serves as a strong symbol of authority whose primary military purpose is to ensure that all do their duty in accordance with Vartian laws and traditions.
A Political Minister is recruited from the 'lower classes' from the most patriotic students shortly before graduation. Inductees are required to possess absolute faith in the Second Vartian Empire and the God Queen herself. They must be able to fight as well as any Trencher whilst also fulfilling the role of harsh taskmaster and honourable hero with equal measure. A Political Minister in addition needs to learn the culture and customs of the military forces he or she is assigned to. They are required to command the respect of those who they are assigned to. Should morale or discipline falter or orders are disobeyed then it falls to the Political Minister to take whatever steps he or she deems necessary to restore order and to do so in the absolute knowledge that their actions are just and pure. Under the unforgiving gaze of a Political Minister, Vartian soldiers are inspired to actions they may have previously believed impossible. In the most extreme circumstances, a Political Minister must be prepared to execute any wavering soldiers or incompetent officers without a second of hesitation. Few things will ensure discipline better than cowards, shirkers or malcontents being shot for failing their duty.
Both genders have the right to vote in Vartian society however any alien species which is governed by the Second Vartian Empire does not have the right to vote. These luckless aliens have barely a handful of rights and cannot even elect their own representatives or serve in the Vartian Army.
The Vartian people are divided into two separate classes the elite consisting of the wealthiest businessmen and businesswomen, aristocrats, generals, commanders, naval captains and admirals, the nobility and of course the monarchy. The second class which consists of the overwhelming majority of the twenty seven billion population is the teeming mass of 'low born' or worker class. They make up the back bone of Vartian society, who without their ceaseless toil combined with a willingness to endure the unendurable would simply cease to exist.
Below the worker class are the aliens, these beings occupy a shunned spot within Vartian society, they have few rights, receive only the worst jobs for little pay, they are not respected or even cared for in the slightest by their Imperial betters. The aliens under its control are seen as uneducated savages who life in the Second Vartian Empire is uplifting for them. There have been several campaigns for Equal Rights for Aliens or as it is known The Equality Act for Extraterrestrial Species. However this act has been halted time and again both by the council as well as the chamber.
One of the most vital aspect in Vartian society not to mention its culture, is the practice of drinking Vi Talp or Vartian Tea. The citizens of the Second Vartian Empire believe it to bolster the morale, wisdom, wit and bravery of those who drink tea as it contains a chemical termed Moralis Fibre. Unfortunately for the Vartian people the effects are purely placebo, though Vartian propaganda vehemently denies this declaring it to be little more than mere alien misinformation to undermine the resolve of the Vartian people.
A Vartian wedding for both the upper and lower classes traditionally involves the participants families exchanging a weapon or artefact of military history relating to their family. Marriage is seen as a great important to Vartians even same sex marriage has been recently allowed.
In Vartian society, birth rate and rate of military recruitment are synonymous with each other. This is due to the grim necessity of every man, woman and child being capable of fighting should the call to arms be sounded. The Second Vartian Empire has been in a state of war for centuries since the defeat of the Great Enemy in the victory of the Last Battle.
Indeed a Vartian child is taught to strip the Model X Rifle before they can read or write. At the age of two, Vartian children are sent to military schools and academies, with the children of the elite being sent to academies and children of workers and those deemed to be 'low born' to schools. Regardless of which schooling a child goes through, both are taught how to fight as well as indoctrinated with Vartian beliefs and values. All remain in education till the age of fifteen where most workers go either into the army or fleet or to get jobs in civilian careers (though are part of the reservist forces). The children from the academies at fifteen usually move either into civilian careers, officer positions with the army or fleet or to military universities. The training at the schools, academies and universities is brutal, designed to replicate the difficulties not to mention the hardships of actual battle.
Vartian education places near total emphasis on military indoctrination. By the age of four it is expected for all Vartian children to know how to field strip the Model X Rifle. By six the majority are experienced shots, before their eighth birthday all will have received a grim no-nonsense introduction into the threats presented by aliens and of the Great Enemy. This approach to the education of their young creates Vartian youths who are mentally as well as physically tough enough to endure whatever horrors may find them.
At fifteen Vartians are adept in fortification creation, endurance training, weapons handling, hand to hand combat, a minority pass into flight schools, others the cavalry, artillery or fleet. Regardless all must achieve a rating of excellence in chemical warfare drills, due to the losses sustained by gas attacks during the Great War.
Deeply xenophobic as a result of Great War, many Vartians are openly, outwardly and usually deeply hostile to any alien encountered. Indeed this does lead to a great deal of difficulty for the aliens under the government of the Second Vartian Empire. They do not trust any aliens, expecting to be betrayed before a prompt attack at any moment. Hence why aliens are prevented from serving in the Vartian Military. Indeed the Vartians outwardly refuse to allow the establishment of any alien embassies on the home world. The embassies are instead located on a fortified orbital station. Vartians are by large deeply intolerant towards aliens, the behaviour of many Vartians serving to make trading with them difficult to say the least. It is always a difficult task for the Minister of Trade to trade with other species due to the intensity of Vartian xenophobia. Fortunately it is usually less on the Merchant Navy and the worlds closest to the borders of the Second Vartian Empire. Incidentally this is where the equal rights movements holds the most sway and aliens are somewhat more tolerated here than further in the empire. The people who make up the Merchant Navy as well as the inhabitants of those planets are less hostile than those who live towards the centre or on the home world as they have more positive experience dealing with alien life. Trading is something the Vartians do struggle with because of the majority of their species finding it difficult to trust aliens.
The Vartians shun the use of armoured ground vehicles, believing them to be cowardly. Instead they rely heavily on their Selvonia Cavalry. These venerable animals have served the Vartians for eons. In the present they pull infantry, supply, ammunition wagons as well as anti-aircraft and artillery guns. They also serve as the warhorse for the Vartian Cavalry Regiments. Vartian military doctrine and strategy relies heavily on layered defence. Vartian forces fight from defensive positions composing of miles of trenches, massive mine fields, forests of barbed wire and countless bunkers. The enemy is exhausted against the defensive positions before a 'big push' attack is made where the infantry supported by cavalry advance under the cover of artillery. These battles are incredibly attritional but regardless of the cost a Vartian will achieve victory or die in the attempt.
The vast Vartian Military is divided into two separate organisation which work in close harmony with one another in order to ensure operational success. The Army and the Fleet. The army consists of the Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, Anti-air and Skirmisher/Scout brigades. A brigade usually consists of one hundred to two hundred soldiers, four to six brigades make up a regiment, three to five regiments make up a battalion with two or more battalions forming a division and three or four divisions make up an army. Two or more armies make up an Army Group. Within the Vartian Army, selected from its best fighters are the Trenchers, who serve as elite commandos. They are few in number, the total commando strength is usually less than a hundred. As a result Trenchers are very rare, highly prized combatants who normally operate deep behind the enemy lines in small teams of five or less. Trenchers are the very best of the Vartian army, the cream of their forces, men and women who bore witnessed to the horrors of the galaxy yet managed to survive to talk about it. Often a single team of Trenchers are assigned to an Army Group.
A Vartian Brigade is built by multiple platoons (Infantry/Cavalry/Artillery/Anti-air/Skirmisher/Scout), they are numerous and ubiquitous as their Model X Rifles with which the Vartians soldiers are often armed with. A Vartian Brigade may be supported by platoons from other Brigades be they Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, Anti-air, Skirmisher or Scout. This grants the Brigades a degree of tactical flexibility in an otherwise strict doctrine of battle. A minor officer also known as a platoon commander, commands each infantry platoon leading from the front with little more than their own personal guts, determination and years of extensive training. Each platoon is commanded by a Brigade Command Squad, commonly in the form of a Brigadier who endeavours to hold back and retain the ever important strategic overview and each Brigade commanded in turn by a Regimental Command Squad usually a Regimental Commander. A platoon is composed of several infantry squads of seven to ten Vartians supported by small teams of well armed specialists. The platoon command squad is often easily spotted by its inclusion of a Vartian Battlestandard on which the honours of the Brigade are displayed. It is seen as a honour to carry the standard into battle and each Brigade and Regiment possesses a standard unique to them.
Regardless of whether a Platoon, Brigade or Regimental all commands squad follow a standard pattern for their structure. Usually they consists of five to ten soldiers preferably veterans including the commander him or herself. Often they contain a banner bearer, a musician (for when radios fail), radio operator, field surgeon (title for Vartian Medic), two bodyguards (for the commander), a commander and a special weapons operator or operators.
Special weapons teams are often outfitted with weapons such as flame throwers, the Varan Gas Thrower, Anti-Armour Rifles and grenade launchers (Either frag, gas or incendiary). A special weapons team normally contains between two to five Vartians, all of who are equipped with a variety of weapons or the same one depending on the needs of the operation.
A heavy weapons team are usually often armed with weapons such as rocket launchers, four inch mortars, Anti-walker mortars, six inch gas mortars and the Termino Pattern Machine Gun. A heavy weapons team usually contains two to seven Vartians with two Vartians armed with the heavy weapon, supported by two loaders, two runners (for ammunition/defence) and a Operational Sargent, whose sole purpose is to ensure efficient use of the heavy weapons under his or her command.
These various elements are trained to work as a single body, creating something far greater than any single Vartian. Without the supporting heavy and special weapons teams the Infantry squads would be overrun by some Xeno horror or by ground beneath the armoured tread of an armoured monster. Without those Infantry squads, the heavy and special weapons teams would soon find themselves drowning beneath a tide of alien terrors. However without their platoon commander's in their platoon command squad, the platoon would be lacking the discipline, dynamism and cohesion which makes the Vartian Army so lethal.
Whether deeply entrenched with plentiful artillery support to defend a vital objective or charging with apparent disregard for their own losses across a cratered battlefield, Vartian Platoons will be usually successfully when they are properly led as well as supported.
Alas the reverse can also be true. An excellently supplied Vartian brigade dug in an ideal position can be easily destroyed if issued an incompetent officer. The Ministry of Military History's records are filled with sad tale after tale of Vartian Soldiers squandered in needless suicide charges or left without any support to hold attacks they stand absolutely no chance in halting. For every heroic defence or glorious attack, there are dozens of heroic last stands, numerous ill-timed assaults as well as the occasional massacre. Some particularly ruthless higher ranking officers may work such events into their plans be it for personal or the Vartian Empire's gain.
Besides their potentially sacrificial nature, the true strength of a Vartian platoon lies in discipline, numbers, fire power and sheer refusal to retreat where anyone other species would have withdrawn.
Every Battalion of the Vartian Army contains a five strong team of attached Priests/Priestess of the Court of the God Queen. These holy men and women known the Vartian Holy Book: The God Queen, off by heart. The Priesthood serve a critical role within the Vartian Army providing religion to both classes with equal measure. Whether it is providing a roaring rousing sermon, taking confessions or delivering a speech to the masses. Always ready to martyr themselves the members of the Priesthood marched willingly into the jaws to death seemingly ignorant of dangers around them, relying on faith along to protect them. The sight of the Priests or Priestess walking amongst the chaos of battle singing religious hymns, restoring hope with their mere presence.
As one might expect from a species so heavily xenophobic, aliens are not permitted to serve in the Vartian military even as auxiliaries. The only wing of the Vartian military to make the occasional use of aliens are the Trenchers. However such instances are incredibly rare and far between, but due to the experience that the Trenchers possess with the wider galaxy they are considerably less xenophobic than the majority of their comrades in arms.
The Fleet consists of the destroyers, dreadnoughts, carriers, transport ships, cruisers (heavy and light, fighters and bombers as well as the traditional 'wet' navy. It is also responsible for escort ships to protect the merchant fleet. A Vartian Fleet Formation usually consists of three to seven destroyers, with one to three dreadnoughts, a carrier, four heavy cruisers and nine or more light cruisers. A Battlegroup contains two or more Fleet Formations and a Vartian Fleet is made up of two of more Battlegroups. It is unfortunate however that by galactic standards, Vartian technology (particular their ships and weapons) and Vartian tactics are hopelessly outdated in comparison.
Each vessel whether merchant or military contains a compliment of Wijdte Marines. Wijdte Marines are ruthless, cold, proficient and above all deadly killers who reduce enemies to bloodied corpses in massed volley fire. Wijdte Marines are trained in the Solar Academy from the age of fifteen, these men and women are committed to a rigorous training regime, whose sole purpose is to increase their level of physical as well as mental indoctrination till they reach the peak of Vartian Conditioning. A marine must endure the horrors of the alien but also last through extended periods of mind numbing boredom that is life aboard a vessel. Loyal to the God Queen above all else, the Wijdte serve as an elite, fanatical and flexible force of marines. Deployed sparingly to each ship, they can be depended on to complete any mission be it boarding or counter boarding, defending naval installations or supporting the Political Ministers.
They are organised similarly to the Vartian Army Platoons, however they are rarely fielded in ground operations except in dark times. A compliment of marines usually consists of between ten to a hundred and fifty marines. Usually led by a Wijdte Captain, the marines are utterly unflinching in their duty or devotion to the Second Vartian Empire. After all it is the marines who face the terror of the alien menace up close. The Wijdte Marines are often viewed negatively by the Army with nicknames such as 'toy soldiers' or 'Naval troops' being common. However these nicknames have little effect on the Wijdte who merely ignore it. They know of their purpose and of their duty. A Wijdte Marine goes into battle confident that their every action is for the good of the Second Vartian Empire
The single most grievous fear exists within Vartian society at all levels, is the fear of the return of the Great Enemy. Though believed to be extinct, many Vartians are deeply suspicious and thus expect their old foe to return for a Second Great War. Ths paranoid fear of the Great Enemy's return strongly influences Vartian policy. The Vartians have developed a Contingency Plan which they continuously improve called Contingency Plan Red. It can be instated at any time by anyone of military or government rank after contact with the Great Enemy. Contingency Plan Red is tailored to fighting the Great Enemy in a Second Great War including various tactics and strategies to be employed against the enemy.
History: The Vartians evolved from a species of long extinct primate called the Torni. Early Vartian society consisted of small tribes of hunters, this remained the norm for thousands of years till the discovery of the wheel. In the centuries since the discovery of the wheel, Vartians dwelt in fortified city states who often waged endless wars against their neighbours.
This was until the arrival of a mysterious being who would become known as the God Queen. Whether or not they actually existed is of some debate but their effect upon Vartian history was considerable.
According to the History of the God Queen volume 1: She revealed herself in the city state of Almarck. There she impressed the people with her combat prowess besting their most powerful champions in duels before sparing the lives of the combatants. Secondly, she used her technology to increase the military prowess of Almarck as well as its industrial capacity, advances in medical technology and science. Within a few decades, Almark grew to be the most powerful state, the people their willingly worshipping her despite the numerous objections of the godly monarch. Who else but a true god would not desire worship?
The king of Almark willingly surrendered his throne in order to let the God Queen unite all Vartians beneath her noble banner. Some resisted, others joined but either through fire or word, all were united beneath the banner of the God Queen. So began the Vartian Empire as it was known at the time or as it is now called the First Vartian Empire.
The people rejoiced, peace finally seemed to be on the horizon. Yet suddenly one day, the God Queen vanished mysteriously. It took decades but the Vartian Empire strained to hold itself together, slowly falling apart due to infighting.
The first state of succeed was in fact Almarck who formed a small country out of their neighbours who swiftly followed suit, the Almarckian Free States. They were followed by the Dyomia Empire, the Coalition of Democratic Nations, Apolian, Drontumio, The Peoples Republic of Numonia along with many others. In the centuries since she vanished, the First Vartian Empire dwindled till it remained nothing more than a small country, the last bastion of civilisation in an increasingly dark world. Judged to be little more than a backwater by its increasingly savage rivals.
Perhaps the light of the Empire would have been lost forever in a few more decades but the history of the Vartian Empire and the fate of all Vartians were to be forever altered by the arrival of the Great Enemy.
For decades the Vartian countries lingered on the brink of total war with each other, utterly ignorant of space believing no life existed in the cold stars besides heaven. But a terrible threat lurked in the cold void, a threat known as the Great Enemy. The enemy so terrible, so evil, so powerful that the very name of the year would be altered. In the year 0 GW, year zero of the Great War, the Great Enemy made landfall in the forest near the fortified city of Almarck. The noise and impact of their landing, set of earthquake sensors across the planet. This led to the belief that the Almarckian Free States had developed some manner of super weapon.
The Vartians hurried prepared for war against their neighbours, no knew then how fortuitous calling up reserves and mobilising troops would soon be.
"That there was life... Beyond our planet... From the heavens it went against everything I had ever been taught." Commander Maryi Bontanin V.E.E.F (Ret) War for our world.
The Almarckian Grand Army deployed several brigades of troops to the forest to investigate the source of the blast. None returned, except for a single shell shocked survivor who reported towering machines that spat flame and destroyed all who dared stand against them.
It is unknown what happened afterwards to Almarck itself for the Free States fell within a handful of hours as the machines of the Great Enemy attacked suddenly, overwhelming the Almarckian Grand Army within hours.
"The Almarckian people beg their fellow nations to assist in fighting a terrible foe. Monsters born of metal. Send help, the Free States survival rests upon your swift response. May the God Queen save us all." The above message is the warning sent by the Free States to every nation via Morse code. Uncertain what to make of the news, the closest neighbours to the destroyed Free States hurriedly despatched troops to the borders, refugees flooded across telling tales of horror that sickened all. The burning of Almarck, the butchery at the bloody river, the massacre on the trontioon plains... Horror stories burned into the very history and minds of all Vartians.
For a few months there were nothing but strange silence from the conquered Almark, till the Great Enemy launched a massive assault against the small nation of New Oridan. Within a single hour the defences were breached and the capitol soon under direct attack. Oridan possessed allies in the form of the Coalition who deployed their elite 12th Cavalry Division to fight the Great Enemy. The cavalry regiment fought hard to break through the lines of the Great Enemy and enabled the evacuation of the 5th New Oridan Infantry Division plus numerous trapped civilians from the siege of the capitol which soon fell.
The Great Enemy turned and drove into the soft flanks of the bordering nations to New Oridan. The Coalition with the remains of the New Oridan military managed to halt the Great Enemy at the Hocp Dan River. Here they prepared to launch a new offensive, however the Great Enemy unleashed some new weapon.
It became known as Death Gas, a toxic chemical which killed in under five minutes since inhalation. The Death Gas possessed a 99.9 percent death rate. It swept across the Coalitions army killing thousands, leading to a route. Elsewhere the Great Enemy overwhelmed other nations, crushing numerous armies and massacring countless civilians. Some called it the end of times.
As the Great Enemy followed the retreating armies and masses of civilians it approached the port city of Morin. It prepared to assault but was forced to withdraw when the big guns of the Vartian Empire's battleship God Queen's Wrath opened up. The Vartian Empire sent the V.E.E.F to assist the other nations, the majority of who were by now engaged against the Great Enemy. The only nation to remain free of attack due to its Island status, the Vartian Empire saw it as its duty to assist its fellows in what now became known as the Great War.
"We were fighting monsters... The Great Enemy slaughtered all it came across, men, women, children all lay butchered in the wake of an assault. We knew why the battles must be fought and won. If by some dark means we lost it would have meant extinction." From Pvt Moran Tangin V.E.E.F Stories of the Great War.
The V.E.E.F supported by the guns of the Grand Fleet repulsed the Great Enemy from Morin. The sudden and unexpected reverse brought the Great Enemy to a halt on numerous fronts as it dispatched reserves to halt the advancing V.E.E.F.
Unlike their allied nations, the Vartian Empire dug in after pushing the enemy back, digging deep trenches and as standard all soldiers were equipped with primitive gasmasks to protect them from the Death Gas, though they were little more than a hasty stop gap to provide a small measure of protection. Unfortunately truly effective gasmasks would not be delivered to the field for another three years.
Above: Allied Infantry (V.E.E.F and Coalition) charge Great Enemy Walkers. (Source: History Channel, Great Martian War)
Below: V.E.E.F scouts falling back from Nightmare class tripods. (Source: History Channel, Great Martian War)
The Great Enemy launched a thrust against the V.E.E.F but it was repulsed at heavy cost only halted by the Vartian Empire passing a new law Operational Directive 59, it forbade retreat without specific orders officially ordering the unit in question to retreat. Such measures helped to stiffen Vartian resistance, at least in areas controlled by the Vartian Empire Expeditionary Force. The Vartian Empire counter attacked, pushing deep into the devastated territory controlled by the Great Enemy. The advance was halted near the ruins of town of Mortiac by the deployment of a new variation of Great Enemy tripod walkers, the Nightmare class. The Nightmare class could only be halted by concentrated artillery fire or by the practice known as "Toppling." A vast pit of explosives was dug underneath Nightmare class walkers before being detonated, the blast throwing the machine to the ground. Alas 'Toppling' proved to be limited to an assault only weapon due to the time it took to construct leaving it utterly unsuited to defensive engagements.
So ended the year 0 GW. The Vartians opened the new year with a general offensive, the General Kyronio Lucaniton of the Vartian Empire Expeditionary Force becoming the commander in chief of the Allied Forces. He decided it was the perfect time for a general offensive.
Above: V.E.E.F 6th Infantry Division charge Great Enemy Hunter class Tripods during the Battle of Bleak Hills. (Source: History channel, Great Martian War)
It made initially good progress however soon ground to a halt, following the Vartian Doctrine, trenches were dug, mines laid and barbed wire placed. The new defensive line became known as the Vartian Front. The front-line would barely move for either side for several centuries despite numerous offensives via both sides to break the dead lock. Some of the Vartian nations willingly surrendered their sovereignty and joined with the Vartian Empire, who thanks to the ocean remained free from hostile invasion. The war would wage on, with millions of Vartians being killed. The Vartian Front was finally breached in the year 317 GW by the Great Enemy who exterminated the 6th Coalition Infantry Division and encircled the 9th Coalition Army and the 3rd New Oridan. Both were wiped out, killed to the last man and woman unable to escape the encirclement. Panic began to sweep through the allied forces, some of who abandoned their positions fleeing into the rear areas in a headlong route to escape.
The V.E.E.F however refused to withdraw from their compromised positions and promptly advanced defying all conventional military strategy, coming around to hit the enemy in the flank, encircling the Great Enemy in a bold new operation. The Vartians fortified their new position, unable to ignore such a large threat in their rear areas, the Great Enemy turned around to fight the Vartians. However the V.E.E.F who occupied a surprisingly good position in what became known as Fort Resolute were merely the infantry and artillery serving as bait for a massive trap.
Their cavalry remained in reserve waiting for the moment to strike. When the Great Enemy launched their inevitable assault, the cavalry encircled the Great Enemy forces. Now unable to escape the Great Enemy was annihilated in the battle. Thus in the Battle of Resolute the Vartians earned their greatest victory in the Great War. Victory in the battle restored dwindling hopes and exhausted troops fought harder knowing that the Great Enemy had suffered a terrible defeat.
Above: V.E.E.F 12th Infantry Division hold their trenches at Fort Resolute (Source: History Channel Great Martian War)
Following the victory at Resolute, the Vartians launched the big push, everywhere the Great Enemy was driven back. Though the war would last for a few more decades it was all but over for the Great Enemy. Finally driven back to their initial landing zone, the Allied forces annihilated their mortal enemy at the Last Battle in the year 349 GW. The Last Battle was one of the most bloody battles in the entire war but the Vartian forces would not accept anything less than total victory over their enemy.
Above: The face of the Great Enemy. This corpse was recovered from the wreck of a downed Nightmare by Cpt. J. Smith, V.E.E.F. It is currently on display at the Museum of the Great War. (Source: History channel, Great Martian War.)
Below: V.E.E.F graze their Selvonia near a wreck of a Nightmare walker in the aftermath of the Last Battle. (Source: History channel, Great Martian War.)
Despite Vartian Victory in the Great War, peace failed to settle across the land for now came the long costly process of rebuilding. The cost of the war had been astronomical, with a minimum of two billion dead if not three billion and billions of credits worth of damage done. All nations were bankrupt as a result of war, the soldiers slowly began to return to their homes, most finding themselves mustered out, their days now spent at soup kitchens due to the severe depression which sank its teeth into the war ravaged nations.
War broke out between squabbling countries, allies turned against allies. The centuries of war led to shortages of major resources, the world began to unravel falling prey to the chaos. Witnessing the destruction, the Vartian Empire acted, though weakened the war failed to reach its shores leaving its industry intact.
The Vartian Empire developed a new Contingency Plan, Plan Sum Of All Fears. It stated: It is imperative to ensure the continued survival of our species by making certain that a strong united front is maintained at all times. Current threats to this include: 1) Formerly Allied Countries waging war on each other. 2) The mistaken belief that the Great Enemy is Extinct. 3) The Depression currently effecting the world economy.
Therefore it is imperative that the Vartian Empire creates the conditions to ensure a united front free from such threats...
Following the Sum Of All Fears, the Vartian Empire reluctantly began a campaign of unification also know as the Unification Wars. It lasted for decades, some countries joined willingly, others resisted, unified countries revolted but eventually all were conquered beneath the Vartian Empire's banner. It proved to be a difficult task to maintain rule but the resolve of the Vartian Imperial people could not be weakened, it refused to waver, they knew failure meant the death of their species so victory needed to be achieved at any cost. Unity became the battle cry on the lips weary Vartian Imperial soldiers. In 361 GW the Vartian Empire split the atom, dropping the atomic bomb on the defiant city of Tronthiom, they had seen the dangers which pressed against their lone planet and they were desperate to be prepared for any future extraterrestrial aggression.
In the year 367 GW, the Vartian Empire finally managed to achieve the long desired unity.
The Vartian Empire stressed unity and screamed that the Great Enemy was not yet dead. The desire for planetary unity could be seen in the speech delivered by Minister for Diplomatic Affairs Jodon Mil. "Vartians, that word should have new meaning for all of us today. We cannot be divided by our petty differences any more. Out there in space lurked a danger we previously were ignorant about. How can any of us know for certain the threat is gone? We beat them united, we need to remain so not merely to rebuild but to ensure the survival of our species for all time."
Following unity and the ending of the campaign of unification began a time of rebuilding, to recover then prepare for the next stage. This proved challenging at first till the Ministry of Public Information staged the brilliant propaganda film, the Second Great War. In the Second Great War, it showed a divided Vartian people proving themselves to be easy prey for the resurgent Great Enemy forces. The induced hysteria caused by the success of the film resulted in the near total drop of resistance activities, the capture of numerous resistance leaders (all executed), a sharp increase in military recruitment and an increasing number of Vartians studying sciences, for in the event of another Great War, the Vartians wished to be in the possession of superior technology. Fear of the return of a resurgent Great Enemy effects the Vartians at all levels of their society, even in the present day.
Above: V.E.E.F 81st Infantry Division hold off yet another attack by Great Enemy walkers. (Source: History Channel, Great Martian War.)
Using captured Great Enemy technology the Vartians were able to send the first ships into space in the year 390 GW. In 394 GW assembly of the Deliverance Military Space Station began in earnest, by 401 GW Vartians established colonies on the moons surrounding their planet. The Vartian Empire renamed itself, the Second Vartian Empire in 402 GW.
In the year 422 GW, the Vartians colonised their home system, in 423 GW the first hyper drives were successfully tested and so began a new era of space exploration and colonisation. There were wars however, such as the Expansion Wars on Duran II or the Orderly War on Tee Opi to name a few. But by the year 707 GW, the Second Vartian Empire consisted of the seventy-two planets, moons and asteroids which it inhabited. Thus the Council of Solarspace and Planetary affairs renamed itself the Council of Seventy-two.
Despite the centuries since the ending of the Great War, the Vartians hatred of their enemy never wavered. Each year a celebratory parade is held combined with a national memorial day celebrating the ending of the Great War as well as remembering the billions who died to ensure victory.
In 851 GW, the Second Vartian Empire encountered the Republic. The initial contact almost drove the Vartians to war fearing alien aggression however talks were soon established, if strained. After a year the Vartians agreed to allow for the Republic to established an embassy at a specially constructed space station designed to house the embassies of the various less hostile species the Vartians encountered. Deeply xenophobic, the Vartians were and still are reluctantly to allow any alien to live on their home world.
The Vartians have resolutely remained out of the war facing the rest of the galaxy. Though they have not been idle as they prepare for a war that many within the Second Vartian Empire view as inevitable. Currently they are uncertain as to who's side to take should the conflict eventually drag them in.
Timeline of the Great War (early years (0 GW-50 GW) Contains Notable battles and events)
In the year 837 GW, the Second Vartian Empire fought a devastating war against a primitive yet powerful alien species known as the Drun. The war centred largely on the outer colony of Rhi and would last for elven long bloody years. Unwilling to retreat or even consider the option of withdrawal, the Vartians suffered heavy losses including some of the worst military defeats in centuries to the Drun. Yet, eventually the Vartians would achieve victory over the hated Drun who were forced to join the Second Vartian Empire in an attempt to civilise them. The existence as well as martial behaviour of the Drun confirmed to the many Vartians that they were needed to 'civilise' the galaxy, to show these aliens who to behave 'proper'. Any soldier who fought against the Drun will testify to the un-Vartian savagery of the aliens.
Below: Imperial Vartian Skirmishers of the 109th Skirmisher Battalion, 9th Army, Rhi Front engage a Drun Berserker during Operation Retribution's Blade. (Source: Prodos Games, Warzone Resurrection/Mutant Chronicles.)
Vartians
Species Type:
Humaniod, mammals
Planet of Origin:
Vartia
Average Maximum age:
80
Age of Maturation:
15
Average Height:
five foot
Average Weight:
100 lbs
Notable biological features:
Vartians have very pale skin, with their blood vessels being easily visible through the skin. Above average in agility and reflexes. They are not force sensitive. Are obligate carnivores.
Number of limbs and Type:
Bi-pedal, two arms, two legs.
Culture:
Vartians are by nature a cautious, stubborn and proud species. Renowned for their tenacity in defence, a Vartian will never withdraw unless orders are provided specifically dictating them to do so. In battle, Vartians refuse to retreat or surrender, in defence they hold their ground even after all ammunition has been expended. In assault, Vartians advance in vast 'waves' throwing themselves with insane relentless mass front charges of infantry at the enemy. The Vartian Military possesses excellent discipline due to the brilliant if outdated training that soldiers as well as officers receive.
The Vartian religion is centred on a mysterious figure known only as the God Queen. She is responsible for the creation of the First Vartian Empire as well as significant advances in various fields of science, technology and medicine. Her disappearance led to the collapse of the First Vartian Empire and the rise of the "World Government". Many Vartians believe she will return when her people next need the guidance of the God Sovereign as she is sometimes referred as.
The Vartians are ruled according to a beyond ancient and anachronistic body of traditions which barely resemble the long dead monarchies and empires from before the Great War. Currently the Second Vartian Empire is controlled by the Council of Seventy-two. Seventy-two for the seventy-two planets, moons and asteroids that the Vartians inhabit within the Second Vartian Empire
Beneath the Council of Seventy-two is the Chamber of a Hundred and Forty Four. This is made up of the various 'lower born' representatives, two from each of the planets, moons or asteroids. The Chamber is usually made up of successful administrators, academics, 'low born' officers, scientists and doctors. Acting as a figurehead who sits above both the Council and the Chamber is the constitutional monarch who both the Councillors, Members of the Chamber and the people of the Second Vartian Empire rally to.
The Monarchy has numerous ceremonial duties and a degree of influence, but no direct power to
rule the empire. Between them, these three sections of the government the Second Vartian Empire is chaotically ruled. Though an Imperial power, the Second Vartian Empire does loosely follow a democracy with its leaders largely voted into office, though those with enough power, wealth or prestige are capable of securing coveted positions as is common with the Council of Seventy-two.
The Chamber of a Hundred and Forty-four is by large filled with candidates who were voted into their offices. However it is not uncommon for members of the Council to exert their influence over the Chamber by ensuring it is filled with men and women loyal to them or by using their power to assist in the prevention of a policy of a rival. Regrettably the ability to 'purchase' positions of power or command with the Second Vartian Empire does unfortunately result in incompetent beings holding sway over matters utterly beyond their comprehension.
Beneath the Chamber is the Political Ministers, Vartians from the 'lower born' make up this political body who's main duty when not deployed to a military front is to aid and assist in the day to day running of the Second Vartian Empire. Usually they act as representatives of the Vartian Empire, acting as part of a larger political body. The Political Ministers can also be assigned to Vartian Armies or Fleet who are seen to have gone against their official orders. Their purpose there is to observe the performance of the commanders and the soldiers beneath them. Every Vartian citizen can recognise the distinctive peaked cap and heavy overcoat of a Political Minister. A Political Minister serves as a strong symbol of authority whose primary military purpose is to ensure that all do their duty in accordance with Vartian laws and traditions.
A Political Minister is recruited from the 'lower classes' from the most patriotic students shortly before graduation. Inductees are required to possess absolute faith in the Second Vartian Empire and the God Queen herself. They must be able to fight as well as any Trencher whilst also fulfilling the role of harsh taskmaster and honourable hero with equal measure. A Political Minister in addition needs to learn the culture and customs of the military forces he or she is assigned to. They are required to command the respect of those who they are assigned to. Should morale or discipline falter or orders are disobeyed then it falls to the Political Minister to take whatever steps he or she deems necessary to restore order and to do so in the absolute knowledge that their actions are just and pure. Under the unforgiving gaze of a Political Minister, Vartian soldiers are inspired to actions they may have previously believed impossible. In the most extreme circumstances, a Political Minister must be prepared to execute any wavering soldiers or incompetent officers without a second of hesitation. Few things will ensure discipline better than cowards, shirkers or malcontents being shot for failing their duty.
Both genders have the right to vote in Vartian society however any alien species which is governed by the Second Vartian Empire does not have the right to vote. These luckless aliens have barely a handful of rights and cannot even elect their own representatives or serve in the Vartian Army.
The Vartian people are divided into two separate classes the elite consisting of the wealthiest businessmen and businesswomen, aristocrats, generals, commanders, naval captains and admirals, the nobility and of course the monarchy. The second class which consists of the overwhelming majority of the twenty seven billion population is the teeming mass of 'low born' or worker class. They make up the back bone of Vartian society, who without their ceaseless toil combined with a willingness to endure the unendurable would simply cease to exist.
Below the worker class are the aliens, these beings occupy a shunned spot within Vartian society, they have few rights, receive only the worst jobs for little pay, they are not respected or even cared for in the slightest by their Imperial betters. The aliens under its control are seen as uneducated savages who life in the Second Vartian Empire is uplifting for them. There have been several campaigns for Equal Rights for Aliens or as it is known The Equality Act for Extraterrestrial Species. However this act has been halted time and again both by the council as well as the chamber.
One of the most vital aspect in Vartian society not to mention its culture, is the practice of drinking Vi Talp or Vartian Tea. The citizens of the Second Vartian Empire believe it to bolster the morale, wisdom, wit and bravery of those who drink tea as it contains a chemical termed Moralis Fibre. Unfortunately for the Vartian people the effects are purely placebo, though Vartian propaganda vehemently denies this declaring it to be little more than mere alien misinformation to undermine the resolve of the Vartian people.
A Vartian wedding for both the upper and lower classes traditionally involves the participants families exchanging a weapon or artefact of military history relating to their family. Marriage is seen as a great important to Vartians even same sex marriage has been recently allowed.
In Vartian society, birth rate and rate of military recruitment are synonymous with each other. This is due to the grim necessity of every man, woman and child being capable of fighting should the call to arms be sounded. The Second Vartian Empire has been in a state of war for centuries since the defeat of the Great Enemy in the victory of the Last Battle.
Indeed a Vartian child is taught to strip the Model X Rifle before they can read or write. At the age of two, Vartian children are sent to military schools and academies, with the children of the elite being sent to academies and children of workers and those deemed to be 'low born' to schools. Regardless of which schooling a child goes through, both are taught how to fight as well as indoctrinated with Vartian beliefs and values. All remain in education till the age of fifteen where most workers go either into the army or fleet or to get jobs in civilian careers (though are part of the reservist forces). The children from the academies at fifteen usually move either into civilian careers, officer positions with the army or fleet or to military universities. The training at the schools, academies and universities is brutal, designed to replicate the difficulties not to mention the hardships of actual battle.
Vartian education places near total emphasis on military indoctrination. By the age of four it is expected for all Vartian children to know how to field strip the Model X Rifle. By six the majority are experienced shots, before their eighth birthday all will have received a grim no-nonsense introduction into the threats presented by aliens and of the Great Enemy. This approach to the education of their young creates Vartian youths who are mentally as well as physically tough enough to endure whatever horrors may find them.
At fifteen Vartians are adept in fortification creation, endurance training, weapons handling, hand to hand combat, a minority pass into flight schools, others the cavalry, artillery or fleet. Regardless all must achieve a rating of excellence in chemical warfare drills, due to the losses sustained by gas attacks during the Great War.
Deeply xenophobic as a result of Great War, many Vartians are openly, outwardly and usually deeply hostile to any alien encountered. Indeed this does lead to a great deal of difficulty for the aliens under the government of the Second Vartian Empire. They do not trust any aliens, expecting to be betrayed before a prompt attack at any moment. Hence why aliens are prevented from serving in the Vartian Military. Indeed the Vartians outwardly refuse to allow the establishment of any alien embassies on the home world. The embassies are instead located on a fortified orbital station. Vartians are by large deeply intolerant towards aliens, the behaviour of many Vartians serving to make trading with them difficult to say the least. It is always a difficult task for the Minister of Trade to trade with other species due to the intensity of Vartian xenophobia. Fortunately it is usually less on the Merchant Navy and the worlds closest to the borders of the Second Vartian Empire. Incidentally this is where the equal rights movements holds the most sway and aliens are somewhat more tolerated here than further in the empire. The people who make up the Merchant Navy as well as the inhabitants of those planets are less hostile than those who live towards the centre or on the home world as they have more positive experience dealing with alien life. Trading is something the Vartians do struggle with because of the majority of their species finding it difficult to trust aliens.
The Vartians shun the use of armoured ground vehicles, believing them to be cowardly. Instead they rely heavily on their Selvonia Cavalry. These venerable animals have served the Vartians for eons. In the present they pull infantry, supply, ammunition wagons as well as anti-aircraft and artillery guns. They also serve as the warhorse for the Vartian Cavalry Regiments. Vartian military doctrine and strategy relies heavily on layered defence. Vartian forces fight from defensive positions composing of miles of trenches, massive mine fields, forests of barbed wire and countless bunkers. The enemy is exhausted against the defensive positions before a 'big push' attack is made where the infantry supported by cavalry advance under the cover of artillery. These battles are incredibly attritional but regardless of the cost a Vartian will achieve victory or die in the attempt.
The vast Vartian Military is divided into two separate organisation which work in close harmony with one another in order to ensure operational success. The Army and the Fleet. The army consists of the Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, Anti-air and Skirmisher/Scout brigades. A brigade usually consists of one hundred to two hundred soldiers, four to six brigades make up a regiment, three to five regiments make up a battalion with two or more battalions forming a division and three or four divisions make up an army. Two or more armies make up an Army Group. Within the Vartian Army, selected from its best fighters are the Trenchers, who serve as elite commandos. They are few in number, the total commando strength is usually less than a hundred. As a result Trenchers are very rare, highly prized combatants who normally operate deep behind the enemy lines in small teams of five or less. Trenchers are the very best of the Vartian army, the cream of their forces, men and women who bore witnessed to the horrors of the galaxy yet managed to survive to talk about it. Often a single team of Trenchers are assigned to an Army Group.
A Vartian Brigade is built by multiple platoons (Infantry/Cavalry/Artillery/Anti-air/Skirmisher/Scout), they are numerous and ubiquitous as their Model X Rifles with which the Vartians soldiers are often armed with. A Vartian Brigade may be supported by platoons from other Brigades be they Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, Anti-air, Skirmisher or Scout. This grants the Brigades a degree of tactical flexibility in an otherwise strict doctrine of battle. A minor officer also known as a platoon commander, commands each infantry platoon leading from the front with little more than their own personal guts, determination and years of extensive training. Each platoon is commanded by a Brigade Command Squad, commonly in the form of a Brigadier who endeavours to hold back and retain the ever important strategic overview and each Brigade commanded in turn by a Regimental Command Squad usually a Regimental Commander. A platoon is composed of several infantry squads of seven to ten Vartians supported by small teams of well armed specialists. The platoon command squad is often easily spotted by its inclusion of a Vartian Battlestandard on which the honours of the Brigade are displayed. It is seen as a honour to carry the standard into battle and each Brigade and Regiment possesses a standard unique to them.
Regardless of whether a Platoon, Brigade or Regimental all commands squad follow a standard pattern for their structure. Usually they consists of five to ten soldiers preferably veterans including the commander him or herself. Often they contain a banner bearer, a musician (for when radios fail), radio operator, field surgeon (title for Vartian Medic), two bodyguards (for the commander), a commander and a special weapons operator or operators.
Special weapons teams are often outfitted with weapons such as flame throwers, the Varan Gas Thrower, Anti-Armour Rifles and grenade launchers (Either frag, gas or incendiary). A special weapons team normally contains between two to five Vartians, all of who are equipped with a variety of weapons or the same one depending on the needs of the operation.
A heavy weapons team are usually often armed with weapons such as rocket launchers, four inch mortars, Anti-walker mortars, six inch gas mortars and the Termino Pattern Machine Gun. A heavy weapons team usually contains two to seven Vartians with two Vartians armed with the heavy weapon, supported by two loaders, two runners (for ammunition/defence) and a Operational Sargent, whose sole purpose is to ensure efficient use of the heavy weapons under his or her command.
These various elements are trained to work as a single body, creating something far greater than any single Vartian. Without the supporting heavy and special weapons teams the Infantry squads would be overrun by some Xeno horror or by ground beneath the armoured tread of an armoured monster. Without those Infantry squads, the heavy and special weapons teams would soon find themselves drowning beneath a tide of alien terrors. However without their platoon commander's in their platoon command squad, the platoon would be lacking the discipline, dynamism and cohesion which makes the Vartian Army so lethal.
Whether deeply entrenched with plentiful artillery support to defend a vital objective or charging with apparent disregard for their own losses across a cratered battlefield, Vartian Platoons will be usually successfully when they are properly led as well as supported.
Alas the reverse can also be true. An excellently supplied Vartian brigade dug in an ideal position can be easily destroyed if issued an incompetent officer. The Ministry of Military History's records are filled with sad tale after tale of Vartian Soldiers squandered in needless suicide charges or left without any support to hold attacks they stand absolutely no chance in halting. For every heroic defence or glorious attack, there are dozens of heroic last stands, numerous ill-timed assaults as well as the occasional massacre. Some particularly ruthless higher ranking officers may work such events into their plans be it for personal or the Vartian Empire's gain.
Besides their potentially sacrificial nature, the true strength of a Vartian platoon lies in discipline, numbers, fire power and sheer refusal to retreat where anyone other species would have withdrawn.
Every Battalion of the Vartian Army contains a five strong team of attached Priests/Priestess of the Court of the God Queen. These holy men and women known the Vartian Holy Book: The God Queen, off by heart. The Priesthood serve a critical role within the Vartian Army providing religion to both classes with equal measure. Whether it is providing a roaring rousing sermon, taking confessions or delivering a speech to the masses. Always ready to martyr themselves the members of the Priesthood marched willingly into the jaws to death seemingly ignorant of dangers around them, relying on faith along to protect them. The sight of the Priests or Priestess walking amongst the chaos of battle singing religious hymns, restoring hope with their mere presence.
As one might expect from a species so heavily xenophobic, aliens are not permitted to serve in the Vartian military even as auxiliaries. The only wing of the Vartian military to make the occasional use of aliens are the Trenchers. However such instances are incredibly rare and far between, but due to the experience that the Trenchers possess with the wider galaxy they are considerably less xenophobic than the majority of their comrades in arms.
The Fleet consists of the destroyers, dreadnoughts, carriers, transport ships, cruisers (heavy and light, fighters and bombers as well as the traditional 'wet' navy. It is also responsible for escort ships to protect the merchant fleet. A Vartian Fleet Formation usually consists of three to seven destroyers, with one to three dreadnoughts, a carrier, four heavy cruisers and nine or more light cruisers. A Battlegroup contains two or more Fleet Formations and a Vartian Fleet is made up of two of more Battlegroups. It is unfortunate however that by galactic standards, Vartian technology (particular their ships and weapons) and Vartian tactics are hopelessly outdated in comparison.
Each vessel whether merchant or military contains a compliment of Wijdte Marines. Wijdte Marines are ruthless, cold, proficient and above all deadly killers who reduce enemies to bloodied corpses in massed volley fire. Wijdte Marines are trained in the Solar Academy from the age of fifteen, these men and women are committed to a rigorous training regime, whose sole purpose is to increase their level of physical as well as mental indoctrination till they reach the peak of Vartian Conditioning. A marine must endure the horrors of the alien but also last through extended periods of mind numbing boredom that is life aboard a vessel. Loyal to the God Queen above all else, the Wijdte serve as an elite, fanatical and flexible force of marines. Deployed sparingly to each ship, they can be depended on to complete any mission be it boarding or counter boarding, defending naval installations or supporting the Political Ministers.
They are organised similarly to the Vartian Army Platoons, however they are rarely fielded in ground operations except in dark times. A compliment of marines usually consists of between ten to a hundred and fifty marines. Usually led by a Wijdte Captain, the marines are utterly unflinching in their duty or devotion to the Second Vartian Empire. After all it is the marines who face the terror of the alien menace up close. The Wijdte Marines are often viewed negatively by the Army with nicknames such as 'toy soldiers' or 'Naval troops' being common. However these nicknames have little effect on the Wijdte who merely ignore it. They know of their purpose and of their duty. A Wijdte Marine goes into battle confident that their every action is for the good of the Second Vartian Empire
The single most grievous fear exists within Vartian society at all levels, is the fear of the return of the Great Enemy. Though believed to be extinct, many Vartians are deeply suspicious and thus expect their old foe to return for a Second Great War. Ths paranoid fear of the Great Enemy's return strongly influences Vartian policy. The Vartians have developed a Contingency Plan which they continuously improve called Contingency Plan Red. It can be instated at any time by anyone of military or government rank after contact with the Great Enemy. Contingency Plan Red is tailored to fighting the Great Enemy in a Second Great War including various tactics and strategies to be employed against the enemy.
History: The Vartians evolved from a species of long extinct primate called the Torni. Early Vartian society consisted of small tribes of hunters, this remained the norm for thousands of years till the discovery of the wheel. In the centuries since the discovery of the wheel, Vartians dwelt in fortified city states who often waged endless wars against their neighbours.
This was until the arrival of a mysterious being who would become known as the God Queen. Whether or not they actually existed is of some debate but their effect upon Vartian history was considerable.
According to the History of the God Queen volume 1: She revealed herself in the city state of Almarck. There she impressed the people with her combat prowess besting their most powerful champions in duels before sparing the lives of the combatants. Secondly, she used her technology to increase the military prowess of Almarck as well as its industrial capacity, advances in medical technology and science. Within a few decades, Almark grew to be the most powerful state, the people their willingly worshipping her despite the numerous objections of the godly monarch. Who else but a true god would not desire worship?
The king of Almark willingly surrendered his throne in order to let the God Queen unite all Vartians beneath her noble banner. Some resisted, others joined but either through fire or word, all were united beneath the banner of the God Queen. So began the Vartian Empire as it was known at the time or as it is now called the First Vartian Empire.
The people rejoiced, peace finally seemed to be on the horizon. Yet suddenly one day, the God Queen vanished mysteriously. It took decades but the Vartian Empire strained to hold itself together, slowly falling apart due to infighting.
The first state of succeed was in fact Almarck who formed a small country out of their neighbours who swiftly followed suit, the Almarckian Free States. They were followed by the Dyomia Empire, the Coalition of Democratic Nations, Apolian, Drontumio, The Peoples Republic of Numonia along with many others. In the centuries since she vanished, the First Vartian Empire dwindled till it remained nothing more than a small country, the last bastion of civilisation in an increasingly dark world. Judged to be little more than a backwater by its increasingly savage rivals.
Perhaps the light of the Empire would have been lost forever in a few more decades but the history of the Vartian Empire and the fate of all Vartians were to be forever altered by the arrival of the Great Enemy.
For decades the Vartian countries lingered on the brink of total war with each other, utterly ignorant of space believing no life existed in the cold stars besides heaven. But a terrible threat lurked in the cold void, a threat known as the Great Enemy. The enemy so terrible, so evil, so powerful that the very name of the year would be altered. In the year 0 GW, year zero of the Great War, the Great Enemy made landfall in the forest near the fortified city of Almarck. The noise and impact of their landing, set of earthquake sensors across the planet. This led to the belief that the Almarckian Free States had developed some manner of super weapon.
The Vartians hurried prepared for war against their neighbours, no knew then how fortuitous calling up reserves and mobilising troops would soon be.
"That there was life... Beyond our planet... From the heavens it went against everything I had ever been taught." Commander Maryi Bontanin V.E.E.F (Ret) War for our world.
The Almarckian Grand Army deployed several brigades of troops to the forest to investigate the source of the blast. None returned, except for a single shell shocked survivor who reported towering machines that spat flame and destroyed all who dared stand against them.
It is unknown what happened afterwards to Almarck itself for the Free States fell within a handful of hours as the machines of the Great Enemy attacked suddenly, overwhelming the Almarckian Grand Army within hours.
"The Almarckian people beg their fellow nations to assist in fighting a terrible foe. Monsters born of metal. Send help, the Free States survival rests upon your swift response. May the God Queen save us all." The above message is the warning sent by the Free States to every nation via Morse code. Uncertain what to make of the news, the closest neighbours to the destroyed Free States hurriedly despatched troops to the borders, refugees flooded across telling tales of horror that sickened all. The burning of Almarck, the butchery at the bloody river, the massacre on the trontioon plains... Horror stories burned into the very history and minds of all Vartians.
For a few months there were nothing but strange silence from the conquered Almark, till the Great Enemy launched a massive assault against the small nation of New Oridan. Within a single hour the defences were breached and the capitol soon under direct attack. Oridan possessed allies in the form of the Coalition who deployed their elite 12th Cavalry Division to fight the Great Enemy. The cavalry regiment fought hard to break through the lines of the Great Enemy and enabled the evacuation of the 5th New Oridan Infantry Division plus numerous trapped civilians from the siege of the capitol which soon fell.
The Great Enemy turned and drove into the soft flanks of the bordering nations to New Oridan. The Coalition with the remains of the New Oridan military managed to halt the Great Enemy at the Hocp Dan River. Here they prepared to launch a new offensive, however the Great Enemy unleashed some new weapon.
It became known as Death Gas, a toxic chemical which killed in under five minutes since inhalation. The Death Gas possessed a 99.9 percent death rate. It swept across the Coalitions army killing thousands, leading to a route. Elsewhere the Great Enemy overwhelmed other nations, crushing numerous armies and massacring countless civilians. Some called it the end of times.
As the Great Enemy followed the retreating armies and masses of civilians it approached the port city of Morin. It prepared to assault but was forced to withdraw when the big guns of the Vartian Empire's battleship God Queen's Wrath opened up. The Vartian Empire sent the V.E.E.F to assist the other nations, the majority of who were by now engaged against the Great Enemy. The only nation to remain free of attack due to its Island status, the Vartian Empire saw it as its duty to assist its fellows in what now became known as the Great War.
"We were fighting monsters... The Great Enemy slaughtered all it came across, men, women, children all lay butchered in the wake of an assault. We knew why the battles must be fought and won. If by some dark means we lost it would have meant extinction." From Pvt Moran Tangin V.E.E.F Stories of the Great War.
The V.E.E.F supported by the guns of the Grand Fleet repulsed the Great Enemy from Morin. The sudden and unexpected reverse brought the Great Enemy to a halt on numerous fronts as it dispatched reserves to halt the advancing V.E.E.F.
Unlike their allied nations, the Vartian Empire dug in after pushing the enemy back, digging deep trenches and as standard all soldiers were equipped with primitive gasmasks to protect them from the Death Gas, though they were little more than a hasty stop gap to provide a small measure of protection. Unfortunately truly effective gasmasks would not be delivered to the field for another three years.
Above: Allied Infantry (V.E.E.F and Coalition) charge Great Enemy Walkers. (Source: History Channel, Great Martian War)
Below: V.E.E.F scouts falling back from Nightmare class tripods. (Source: History Channel, Great Martian War)
The Great Enemy launched a thrust against the V.E.E.F but it was repulsed at heavy cost only halted by the Vartian Empire passing a new law Operational Directive 59, it forbade retreat without specific orders officially ordering the unit in question to retreat. Such measures helped to stiffen Vartian resistance, at least in areas controlled by the Vartian Empire Expeditionary Force. The Vartian Empire counter attacked, pushing deep into the devastated territory controlled by the Great Enemy. The advance was halted near the ruins of town of Mortiac by the deployment of a new variation of Great Enemy tripod walkers, the Nightmare class. The Nightmare class could only be halted by concentrated artillery fire or by the practice known as "Toppling." A vast pit of explosives was dug underneath Nightmare class walkers before being detonated, the blast throwing the machine to the ground. Alas 'Toppling' proved to be limited to an assault only weapon due to the time it took to construct leaving it utterly unsuited to defensive engagements.
So ended the year 0 GW. The Vartians opened the new year with a general offensive, the General Kyronio Lucaniton of the Vartian Empire Expeditionary Force becoming the commander in chief of the Allied Forces. He decided it was the perfect time for a general offensive.
Above: V.E.E.F 6th Infantry Division charge Great Enemy Hunter class Tripods during the Battle of Bleak Hills. (Source: History channel, Great Martian War)
It made initially good progress however soon ground to a halt, following the Vartian Doctrine, trenches were dug, mines laid and barbed wire placed. The new defensive line became known as the Vartian Front. The front-line would barely move for either side for several centuries despite numerous offensives via both sides to break the dead lock. Some of the Vartian nations willingly surrendered their sovereignty and joined with the Vartian Empire, who thanks to the ocean remained free from hostile invasion. The war would wage on, with millions of Vartians being killed. The Vartian Front was finally breached in the year 317 GW by the Great Enemy who exterminated the 6th Coalition Infantry Division and encircled the 9th Coalition Army and the 3rd New Oridan. Both were wiped out, killed to the last man and woman unable to escape the encirclement. Panic began to sweep through the allied forces, some of who abandoned their positions fleeing into the rear areas in a headlong route to escape.
The V.E.E.F however refused to withdraw from their compromised positions and promptly advanced defying all conventional military strategy, coming around to hit the enemy in the flank, encircling the Great Enemy in a bold new operation. The Vartians fortified their new position, unable to ignore such a large threat in their rear areas, the Great Enemy turned around to fight the Vartians. However the V.E.E.F who occupied a surprisingly good position in what became known as Fort Resolute were merely the infantry and artillery serving as bait for a massive trap.
Their cavalry remained in reserve waiting for the moment to strike. When the Great Enemy launched their inevitable assault, the cavalry encircled the Great Enemy forces. Now unable to escape the Great Enemy was annihilated in the battle. Thus in the Battle of Resolute the Vartians earned their greatest victory in the Great War. Victory in the battle restored dwindling hopes and exhausted troops fought harder knowing that the Great Enemy had suffered a terrible defeat.
Above: V.E.E.F 12th Infantry Division hold their trenches at Fort Resolute (Source: History Channel Great Martian War)
Following the victory at Resolute, the Vartians launched the big push, everywhere the Great Enemy was driven back. Though the war would last for a few more decades it was all but over for the Great Enemy. Finally driven back to their initial landing zone, the Allied forces annihilated their mortal enemy at the Last Battle in the year 349 GW. The Last Battle was one of the most bloody battles in the entire war but the Vartian forces would not accept anything less than total victory over their enemy.
Above: The face of the Great Enemy. This corpse was recovered from the wreck of a downed Nightmare by Cpt. J. Smith, V.E.E.F. It is currently on display at the Museum of the Great War. (Source: History channel, Great Martian War.)
Below: V.E.E.F graze their Selvonia near a wreck of a Nightmare walker in the aftermath of the Last Battle. (Source: History channel, Great Martian War.)
Despite Vartian Victory in the Great War, peace failed to settle across the land for now came the long costly process of rebuilding. The cost of the war had been astronomical, with a minimum of two billion dead if not three billion and billions of credits worth of damage done. All nations were bankrupt as a result of war, the soldiers slowly began to return to their homes, most finding themselves mustered out, their days now spent at soup kitchens due to the severe depression which sank its teeth into the war ravaged nations.
War broke out between squabbling countries, allies turned against allies. The centuries of war led to shortages of major resources, the world began to unravel falling prey to the chaos. Witnessing the destruction, the Vartian Empire acted, though weakened the war failed to reach its shores leaving its industry intact.
The Vartian Empire developed a new Contingency Plan, Plan Sum Of All Fears. It stated: It is imperative to ensure the continued survival of our species by making certain that a strong united front is maintained at all times. Current threats to this include: 1) Formerly Allied Countries waging war on each other. 2) The mistaken belief that the Great Enemy is Extinct. 3) The Depression currently effecting the world economy.
Therefore it is imperative that the Vartian Empire creates the conditions to ensure a united front free from such threats...
Following the Sum Of All Fears, the Vartian Empire reluctantly began a campaign of unification also know as the Unification Wars. It lasted for decades, some countries joined willingly, others resisted, unified countries revolted but eventually all were conquered beneath the Vartian Empire's banner. It proved to be a difficult task to maintain rule but the resolve of the Vartian Imperial people could not be weakened, it refused to waver, they knew failure meant the death of their species so victory needed to be achieved at any cost. Unity became the battle cry on the lips weary Vartian Imperial soldiers. In 361 GW the Vartian Empire split the atom, dropping the atomic bomb on the defiant city of Tronthiom, they had seen the dangers which pressed against their lone planet and they were desperate to be prepared for any future extraterrestrial aggression.
In the year 367 GW, the Vartian Empire finally managed to achieve the long desired unity.
The Vartian Empire stressed unity and screamed that the Great Enemy was not yet dead. The desire for planetary unity could be seen in the speech delivered by Minister for Diplomatic Affairs Jodon Mil. "Vartians, that word should have new meaning for all of us today. We cannot be divided by our petty differences any more. Out there in space lurked a danger we previously were ignorant about. How can any of us know for certain the threat is gone? We beat them united, we need to remain so not merely to rebuild but to ensure the survival of our species for all time."
Following unity and the ending of the campaign of unification began a time of rebuilding, to recover then prepare for the next stage. This proved challenging at first till the Ministry of Public Information staged the brilliant propaganda film, the Second Great War. In the Second Great War, it showed a divided Vartian people proving themselves to be easy prey for the resurgent Great Enemy forces. The induced hysteria caused by the success of the film resulted in the near total drop of resistance activities, the capture of numerous resistance leaders (all executed), a sharp increase in military recruitment and an increasing number of Vartians studying sciences, for in the event of another Great War, the Vartians wished to be in the possession of superior technology. Fear of the return of a resurgent Great Enemy effects the Vartians at all levels of their society, even in the present day.
Above: V.E.E.F 81st Infantry Division hold off yet another attack by Great Enemy walkers. (Source: History Channel, Great Martian War.)
Using captured Great Enemy technology the Vartians were able to send the first ships into space in the year 390 GW. In 394 GW assembly of the Deliverance Military Space Station began in earnest, by 401 GW Vartians established colonies on the moons surrounding their planet. The Vartian Empire renamed itself, the Second Vartian Empire in 402 GW.
In the year 422 GW, the Vartians colonised their home system, in 423 GW the first hyper drives were successfully tested and so began a new era of space exploration and colonisation. There were wars however, such as the Expansion Wars on Duran II or the Orderly War on Tee Opi to name a few. But by the year 707 GW, the Second Vartian Empire consisted of the seventy-two planets, moons and asteroids which it inhabited. Thus the Council of Solarspace and Planetary affairs renamed itself the Council of Seventy-two.
Despite the centuries since the ending of the Great War, the Vartians hatred of their enemy never wavered. Each year a celebratory parade is held combined with a national memorial day celebrating the ending of the Great War as well as remembering the billions who died to ensure victory.
In 851 GW, the Second Vartian Empire encountered the Republic. The initial contact almost drove the Vartians to war fearing alien aggression however talks were soon established, if strained. After a year the Vartians agreed to allow for the Republic to established an embassy at a specially constructed space station designed to house the embassies of the various less hostile species the Vartians encountered. Deeply xenophobic, the Vartians were and still are reluctantly to allow any alien to live on their home world.
The Vartians have resolutely remained out of the war facing the rest of the galaxy. Though they have not been idle as they prepare for a war that many within the Second Vartian Empire view as inevitable. Currently they are uncertain as to who's side to take should the conflict eventually drag them in.
Timeline of the Great War (early years (0 GW-50 GW) Contains Notable battles and events)
- 0 GW Great Enemy Forces land and conquer significant stretches of Vartia
- 1 GW Assisted by the V.E.E.F the Vartians launch a counter attack, it is repulsed.
- 2 GW Great Enemy forces attempted to break the Vartian Front, the 31st V.E.E.F Cavalry Division is wiped out.
- 5 GW Vartian scouts infiltrate enemy lines, reports are censored by the Allied Forces.
- 7 GW Battle for the Churned Ridge begins (17th V.E.E.F Infantry Brigade Destroyed)
- 16 GW Battle for the Churned Ridge ends (Great Enemy victorious)
- 21 GW The Clash on Crimson Hills (Vartian victory)
- 22 GW The Scare, reported Great Enemy invasion of the Vartian Empire (False report spread by press, journalist responsible tried and executed for treason as their actions directly undermined the war effort, name erased from history)
- 29 GW The Push, Vartians forces launch a counter attack using the 63rd Coalition Infantry Battalion. It fails, the 63rd is never heard from again.
- 33 GW Rise of Commander Strannen
- 38 GW Operation Divine Retribution. Vartian forces conduct an amphibious landing behind enemy lines. Initial landings extremely successful however due to the cautious nature of the commander General Winfred Taylori the Vartians advance only a few miles from their beach heads.
- 39 GW Failure of Operation Divine Retribution, General Winfred Taylori resigns from command and commits suicide for his failures that led directly to the Great Enemy's victory. 36,000 Vartians are killed or missing as a result of the Operation's failure.
- 45 GW The Endless Night, Vartian forces of the 6th V.E.E.F Infantry Division endure a twenty five hour long bombardment of their positions with Death Gas. Despite protective gear, losses are heavy. Reinforcements from the 8th Coalition Rifles (reformed) and the 9th V.E.E.F Selvonia Artillery arrive in time to prevent a break through by the Great Enemy. (71st and 68th V.E.E.F Infantry Bridges were reduced to a handful of individuals, withdrawn and reformed in the rear)
- 47 GW Hero's End, Commander Strannen is killed in action along with the entire 5th V.E.E.F Selvonia Artillery in the Battle of Crimson Souls (Vartian Victory). Posthumously promoted to General.
- 48 GW Vartians witness the Harvester class drone at work. A miniature machine containing a single pilot the Harvester moves low to the ground. Its primary purpose is to recover metal resources from the battlefield, unfortunately its secondary purpose unintentionally came to be inspiring fear in the hearts of the Vartians who founds its high pitch wails as it tore into wrecked walkers to be frightening in the extreme. Believed initially to be harvesting the dead as it tore apart the bodies of the fallen to reach anything metallic.
- 49 GW The Battle for Stone Toothed Ridge begins
- 50 GW The Raid on Supply Point Alpha One One (Vartian Victory) (60,000+ Vartians were killed, wounded or missing)
In the year 837 GW, the Second Vartian Empire fought a devastating war against a primitive yet powerful alien species known as the Drun. The war centred largely on the outer colony of Rhi and would last for elven long bloody years. Unwilling to retreat or even consider the option of withdrawal, the Vartians suffered heavy losses including some of the worst military defeats in centuries to the Drun. Yet, eventually the Vartians would achieve victory over the hated Drun who were forced to join the Second Vartian Empire in an attempt to civilise them. The existence as well as martial behaviour of the Drun confirmed to the many Vartians that they were needed to 'civilise' the galaxy, to show these aliens who to behave 'proper'. Any soldier who fought against the Drun will testify to the un-Vartian savagery of the aliens.
Below: Imperial Vartian Skirmishers of the 109th Skirmisher Battalion, 9th Army, Rhi Front engage a Drun Berserker during Operation Retribution's Blade. (Source: Prodos Games, Warzone Resurrection/Mutant Chronicles.)
