CFProxy

~ Valkyria Chronicles - Changing of the Guard ~

Franz moved at the order, tucking his helmet down to proper position before quickly marching to the front. There was no hesitation. There was only knowing that this may be the last day he ever breathes air. His heart pounded, giving himself a bit of surprise in anticipation of the main event. He kept in formation but immediately took cover in the trench once it was available. The silence was unnerving, this darkness was surely to be awoken by the light of explosives and gun fire. He did a weapon check, a brief maintenance before wiping off the water that had collected upon the rifle and peeked over the safety of the trench briefly to check for any movement before ducking back down and checking for his bayonet. Thoughts raced as he shuffled in his space and felt his emotions bubbling. Thoughts of the past.



"War? Is that what you want?"

"I'm going back. That's it."

"So what? You want me to wait here while you go out there and get killed? Use your head, Franz. They're going to the grinder and you want to be the next on the chopping block? Get the hell out of the army before that happens!"

"What else am I supposed to do? Sit around waiting to find someone that will never show up? I've tried and tried but nobody has seen her. I need to do something other than get spit on in the streets."

"And the best thing you could do is go die for the fucking Feds? The same ones that told us we'd be better in a ditch?"

"It pays. The army is nothing if not consistent with payment regardless of hair color."

"Yeah, job security isn't going to matter when you're meters in the ground. I can't believe we're even having this conversation. You want me to keep looking for this bit-"

A solid strike to the cheek. It caused the first silence of that mid day conversation and it did so with the other man holding his jaw for the moment before throwing Franz over the table and diving after. It was a struggle, both men grunting and groaning as fist and words hit with such ferocity that furniture nearly gave way under the pressure of their battle. Ten minutes. Ten minutes of struggling with Franz finally being thrown against the rotten wood stairs and grabbed by his collar.

They stared at each other, heaving and sweating with the sound of rain tapping the glass. The power went out. Lights turned dim.

It wasn't long after that they sat quietly by the campfire burning damaged magazines and newspapers, sharing a moment with warm coffee and a blanket to cover them. They held neutral expressions with battered skin.

"You know, sarge is going to kill me once he sees my uniform."

"Just see Veronica before you leave. She's laundered equipment before I'm sure she'll know how to fix it up or at least give you a new one."

"How did you meet her anyway?"

"Veronica? We were just sitting at the pool enjoying the day and I just decided to talk to her. I looked at her she looked at me and it just kind of happened. Just a couple of Darscens trying to get by. Course, she dyed her hair light blue. I always hated that shit. Sure a coat of new paint means you get treated better, but it's disgusting that we need to change who and what we are to even be accepted. To hell with that. I'm staying Darscen even if it kills me."

"You're a thug on the street, I'm pretty sure it will kill you at some point."

"Not as fast as some pretentious fuck of a lieutenant telling me to throw my body at a line of rifles. You hear about that fucking poster boy? What a god damn joke. He wouldn't last a week in the slums."

It got a laugh out of Franz, smiling as he responded to Markus "True. Still, it pays."

"With all that money you get I think about investing into a new apartment but then I remember that staying in isolation like this is the best way to be. Sure it's not what I'd call paradise but a couple Darscen sympathizers isn't going to change the fact that the world is filled with its biased selections. At least here we're a den of our own kind. That's better than any luxury suite."

"That's kind of a lie isn't it? I know you'd rather have that sweet chicken pulled buffet."

"Oh fuck yeah I would, but that's besides the point. Good food only carries you so far. I'm an idealist, just like you. I'm gonna die in a few decades so I might as well go out doing what I love and being who I am. Maybe I'll build up a family in the meantime."

"Veronica?"

"Relax, professor. She's just a squeeze. I'd like to think I have higher standards."

"I don't think she'd appreciate hearing that."

"We don't exactly have the best chemistry but it's better than being a punk ass virgin like you. She feels the same in that way."

"Always did have a way with words."

"Glad you agree. Still, I think it's time you gave up on that Amber shit. She's gone, man. You need to find someone else."

Silence. The fire burned, ripping away at the remnants of the trash as Franz stood and grabbed his letters, looking at them and then the fire before putting them back. He took the old phone book instead, chucking the behemoth into the pit before taking his part of the covers again.

"You're hopeless, Franz... Still, you're lucky you're my best friend... I'll keep looking for her. Just don't fucking die... alright?"



He was in something of a trance for a moment, gripping at his shoulder as though the blankets were there until he left his memories, his ear still placed against the structure as he listened and waited. He thanked Veronica quietly. Even if it wasn't right to work with an insider like that he didn't mind it personally. She'd never gotten caught as far as he knew and it saved him a week in the hole. This uniform felt better too, the lines weren't as irritating and it had something of a soft comfy stretch to it. It was better than the stiff and hastily made uniform they gave him at first. He took a moment to appreciate it, knowing that she picked it out just for him.

He would still need to talk with his squad eventually, but for now he settled for just staying still and listening for a shift. Waiting for the order as he remembered Markus' words.

~ Valkyria Chronicles - Changing of the Guard ~

Letter - August 25th 1915

Amber, how are you?

Have you read the other letters? Have you kept up with what I’ve sent you? Well, if you’re reading this then it means you have. It looks like its finally war for me. I figured it would be nice to let you know. I may never come back, you know.

I’ll be honest, without you I don’t know what I’ll do. The letters I left before were just so you could know how life was going for me and as we both know my blood means I’m the target of a lot of hate, but it doesn’t bother me too much. I’m still human, just like you. As long as you’re doing just fine then what else does it matter in life? Maybe one day I can walk the streets without being spit on for being an Imperial Darscen. What can I say though? I’m proud of who I am. Still, I’d rather keep most of who I am buried away. Maybe then my allies won’t bury me.

I wish I could have found you before I found myself here, but it’s needless to say that I didn’t. This letter is scrambled with my thoughts and I’m repeating myself a little bit but… My biggest regret is that I didn’t leave home sooner. I know you would have helped me escape, but I was too afraid and broken. It took a little longer to get too upset to stay home, but if I had just trusted my gut to start with maybe I would be with you. Maybe I wouldn’t be here in this war. All I know is that because of my decisions I am here now and in spirit I will be with you always. There is never a day that passes that I don’t think about you… Who knows, maybe one day I’ll stand outside and get one of those home made meals again.

Yet, there is darkness in me. Remember when I told you about my feelings? How it was getting worse and then better when I thought I had a lead? Yeah… I… I gave up. Now that I’m in the military and this has all come to pass I don’t think there is much of a chance that I’ll see you again. I’ve heard a lot of awful things about this war and I’ve traveled to so many places calling so many numbers and shipping out letter after letter just to get the response from business after business that they’ve never heard of you. I even came to the city you said you were moving to. Two years of this and I can’t say It has been fruitful in the least. I just hope Markus finds you. I still can’t believe that after two years he’s done nothing but help me. Darscens have to stay together, right?

Take care of yourself, Amber. As long as I’m still breathing I’ll keep writing. So I hope, for your sakes, that I write until this war is over. But if I don’t then promise you’ll do something for me, Amber. Remember me.

Yours truly, Franz Blau.

He thought about the letter in silence. He thought about her face and he thought about the past he left behind. He thought of the training he endured and he thought of the officer who spoke aloud with words that penetrated little. Still, he got the basics. Call the man lieutenant, be back in two hours for the lethal theatrics, gamble your life away. Easy enough.

At the very least the temperature was colder than he expected. Even as a child he loved the feel of winter and rain. Maybe it was just his blood, but nothing was better than laying down on a cold rainy day. Well, assuming he wasn’t told to work the house anyway.

After the crowd dispersed Franz marched his way to the side, not particularly focused on making friends at the moment as he thought of what to make today. A flower? Maybe a dog? Amber? A mental sigh seemed appropriate. He didn’t want to snub the platoon but his spirits were low and as it was it was gradually being improved by the rain. He watched the rain pour, taking in every small splash and every bit of mud spread by boots marching by. Boots marched by without any regard of what they were stepping on. Sure, it was just rain in the mud, but the boundaries of that comparison to life being thrown away with people moving on made him wonder just how many lives would be forgotten. The propaganda was already in. The loser would surely be ill remembered if at all, but that was the nature of end war conditions. Even such a thought like that made him think of his dark hair and feel that something about that Darscen story was wrong.

He took his mind off such things for now, simply smiling at the other soldiers as he watched them in silence, wondering just how he could help make their lives a bit better during the- show as the lieutenant put it.

~ Valkyria Chronicles - Changing of the Guard ~

Franz Blau

Franz Blau

Gender

Male

Age

17
[November 7th, 1897]

Sexuality

Heterosexual

Race

Imperial(Mother)/Gallian(Father). Darscen Descent. City of Hafen.

Appearance

A very light shaded man with an athletic build and various scars around his body. Most are found on his back, although a few long scars can be found running across his arms and legs. Sharp facial features, clean upkeep, and somewhat closed uninterested eyes while neutral. Naturally has a bit of a frown to his mouth. Dark blue hair and light blue eyes. Butch cut on formal ocassions [Although he will wear it consistently once he has made peace with himself.]. As a token of friendship, he always wears a sapphire ring on his left index.

Height

5' 8"

Personality

A somewhat friendly, although standoffish person. While he may keep quiet he is observant of others and often works to support others. His upbringing and daily life have weighed down on him, keeping an otherwise loud and energetic personality buried underneath hard coded discipline and silence.

On the field is where he feels most lively, using the roar of the battle to expose the man within the shell with an aggressive lighting. Often times this is where boiling anger is released even if he asks mostly as a dog on a leash. He acts within the boundaries of his orders, but without specification he may very well do things with technicalities as justification. Even still he is selfless, providing himself as a shield for others when needed and putting the lives of others before his own in most situations.

Off duty he is a depressed and quiet loner. Although he tries not to show it, he has a weak will to live for himself. Books, art, and music give him joy even if he is critical of the hobbies he pursues which results in him destroying the things he creates. Self loathing is evident as he rarely ever talks well of himself and compliments, if ever received, are unnerving. However, he is mostly content with living life in this way. Even if he believes he is free from oppression, his true nature is still locked behind caution and conditioning.

Rank

Private

Role

Rifleman

[He is willing to fill any role, but close quarters combat is his specialty. Until he has made peace with himself, he will attempt to simply follow rather than do what he is capable of: leading.]

Equipment

[Standard Equipment based on class.]

Potentials
[Hot Blooded] He has found that many emotions that he was forced to hide away in his youth has now bottled up into a tightly constrained funnel of seething anger. Playing with his emotions too harshly will result in an explosive man who is reckless and focused in bringing pain to others. Even the sight of a Gallian may trigger past memories, ruining his mood of the day. --> [Equilibrium] (Locked)

[Gallian Hater] Hating his father and Gallians who showed merciless remarks against him, he has nothing but hatred for many Gallians. While he is aware that he has made some Gallian friends, within his emotional state he believes Gallia to be a worthless stain on the world map even if he was not treated perfectly in the Federation. Given the chance, he just might take himself up on the offer to eliminate a couple throne rats.

[Darcsen Bond] His best friends were Darcsen. While he did have other friends, none did he feel closer with at the time than the boys and girls with dark hair. He will always prioritize protecting those who made life worth living before anyone else.

[Aimless Idealist] Without purpose and with thoughts swirling he finds himself distracted from time to time in battle and without a strong will to live he doesn't try very hard to fix such a flaw. However, his idealistic thoughts keep him in check and preforms much of what other soldiers may have issue or hesitation with without as much of a struggle. An army is nothing without unity. As such, he will act if the interest of the nation no matter how much it might hurt in most situations.

Biography

Early Life

As a child he was taught that Imperials were the enemy. He was taught that no other race of people were so lowly and foul by a man who was bitter of memories which he never spoke of. For whatever reason, the man he called father had an undying hatred and bias against the autocracy. He boasted of Gallian superiority and often times spoke ill of his mother. With only his father in his life and a restricted schedule with defined boundaries of where he could be and when, the boy only knew that being quiet and whining little would yield a man that his father could be proud of. Or so he told himself. In what free time he had in the park with Amber he was a loud and happy child, enjoying his time with her immensely before one day he stopped seeing her. He would stop receiving the hot meals she brought, the warm smile she gave, the joyous games they played, or even the friendly loving attitude she presented.

Adolescence

Life continued. Routine after routine was drilled into him and with his continued education he came to learn more about the world around him. Year after year he listened to his father drone on about Imperial inferiority. Year after year he dealt with being told that he was never going to be the son he wanted. When he rebelled he was met with hand and leather and any free thought was eliminated for a period of submissiveness. Even if it made him an efficient student, being a child forced to grow up early and dealing with

He was orderly, developing himself as an individual who could often be identified as a loner but with the aspirations for something other than the life he lived in. Reading book after book about the Imperials and Gallians he found much to love and hate of both, but due to his father's aggressive methods and abusive behavior, the teenager found that Gallian failures were emphasized in his mind and heart and Imperial achievements were graced upon his shoulders. Even mistakes and failures that the Empire had made were dismissed with a forgiving and understanding attitude. This mentality would only grow with each year further he stayed with his father.

Fear began to turn to hatred and in a time where he had reached his lowest thus far, he saw Amber again. Still a delivery girl and still as friendly as ever. However, it would not last. For a year they enjoyed time together and he often went home late just to spend hours with the friend he had made. Once more she brought him meals, smiles, love, and friendship. Under the night sky they would talk for hours and for a time it had seemed as though life was finally turning around. After the year was up, she had explained with a heavy heart that she would be moving away. Life in Gallia was over. With a teary goodbye they shared one last moment before Amber left to the Atlantic Federation.

Franz was devastated and the punishment delivered by his father had become numb to the touch. Life had become more dull than before and his ever growing depression ate at him. Gnawing at the young man he found releases in his life. His art of which was the most commonly practiced. While drawing a uniform based on a military book he borrowed he realized something that would pivot the direction of his life. IF he could escape to the Federation and join the army he could provide himself a living while giving himself time to find Amber. At the age of 15 he arrived on the Federation's shore after months of planning.

[1912 - 1913] The Atlantic Federation

Life in the Federation was different. Yet despite how different it was he found himself falling into old habits and keeping a schedule for each day. He often wore long sleeve clothes all year round to hide the scars and trauma and enrolled as soon as the Federation allowed. Time in boot camp was enjoyed, finding what was often painful for his comrades to be far less intimidating for himself. Even if not the best soldier, he was grades above the average green soldier through his own work. In mock battles he was always strongest when provided corridors and tight spaces. Out in the open he faced the issue of being outmaneuvered and vulnerable due to not thinking ahead or paying attention at all times. However, he often held down ground for allies, covering flanks, and being a general team player that was strong when fighting in urban areas under the command of others. His goal is to simply follow orders and fight. He currently cares not for if he ranks up or not.

[1914] The Atlantic Federation

After two years of searching not one person had told him the whereabouts of Amber. Not a single soul knew of who she was or what she had done. After two years of checking, calling, and writing none had given him the answer he had hoped for. After two years his depression finally ate away at what drive he had in finding her. Now, with war on the brink and an aimless future, the young man moves to live life as a soldier. To victory or death.

[Bonus]

Infancy

Even if he only knew her briefly, he remembered her warmth. He remembered the sounds of men yelling with his mother breathing heavily. He remembered the sounds of struggle. He remembered the gunfire that occurred and the sound of his mother crying. He remembered the sound of his father saying those slurs that he would eventually come to understand. Even if very little, it is what he remembered about his infancy.

Federal Neutrality

Adopting a "just war" policy, Franz finds himself neutral of patriotic feelings towards the Federation and does his best to block out feelings for the empire. After all, it is just war.

Affiliations

Henry Hammer (Father)
-----
Erwin Blau (Father-In-Law)
Emma Blau (Mother)
Erika Blau (Half Sister) [Born January 23rd, 1896]
Heinrich Blau (Half Brother) [Born December 12th, 1894]
-----
Amber Longblade (Friend)[Born 1896] - A friendly delivery girl and childhood friend.

Relationships

[Civilian] Amber Longblade - Childhood Friend

~ Valkyria Chronicles - Changing of the Guard ~

If it gets approved then I'll come back and reformat everything at a later date. I've been craving some VC rp ever since I've gotten back into the VC series (having played 1 and still playing 4) so maybe this will fill that craving. Good luck regardless.

I kept things "brief" to get down the gist of the character So I hope it works just fine.

Franz Blau

Name
Franz Blau

Gender
Male

Age
17
[November 7th, 1897]

Sexuality
Heterosexual

Race
Imperial(Mother)/Gallian(Father). Darscen Descent. City of Hafen.

Appearance
A very light shaded man with an athletic build and various scars around his body. Most are found on his back, although a few long scars can be found running across his arms and legs. Sharp facial features, clean upkeep, and somewhat closed uninterested eyes while neutral. Naturally has a bit of a frown to his mouth. Dark blue hair and purple eyes. Butch cut. As a token of friendship, he always wears a sapphire bracelet on his wrist that he was given to by Amber. It holds upon its center.

Height
5' 8"

Personality
A somewhat friendly, although standoffish person. While he may keep quiet he is observant of others and often works to support others. His upbringing and daily life have weighed down on him, keeping an otherwise loud and energetic personality buried underneath hard coded discipline and silence.

On the field is where he feels most lively, using the roar of the battle to expose the man within the shell with an aggressive lighting. Often times this is where boiling anger is released even if he asks mostly as a dog on a leash. He acts within the boundaries of his orders, but without specification he may very well do things with technicalities as justification. Even still he is selfless, providing himself as a shield for others when needed and putting the lives of others before his own in most situations.

Off duty he is a depressed and quiet loner. Although he tries not to show it, he has a weak will to live for himself. Books, art, and music give him joy even if he is critical of the hobbies he pursues which results in him destroying the things he creates. Self loathing is evident as he rarely ever talks well of himself and compliments, if ever received, are unnerving. However, he is mostly content with living life in this way. Even if he believes he is free from oppression, his true nature is still locked behind caution and conditioning.

Rank
Private

Role
Standard Infantry. Prefers Shocktrooper.

[He is willing to fill any role, but close quarters combat is his specialty. Until he has made peace with himself, he will attempt to simply follow rather than do what he is capable of: leading.]

Equipment
[Standard Equipment based on class.]

Potentials
[Hot Blooded] He has found that many emotions that he was forced to hide away in his youth has now bottled up into a tightly constrained funnel of seething anger. Playing with his emotions too harshly will result in an explosive man who is reckless and focused in bringing pain to others. Even the sight of a Gallian may trigger past memories, ruining his mood of the day. --> [Equilibrium] (Locked)

[Gallian Hater] Hating his father and Gallians who showed merciless remarks against him, he has nothing but hatred for many Gallians. While he is aware that he has made some Gallian friends, within his emotional state he believes Gallia to be a worthless stain on the world map even if he was not treated perfectly in the Federation. Given the chance, he just might take himself up on the offer to eliminate a couple throne rats.

[Darcsen Bond] His best friends were Darcsen. While he did have other friends, none did he feel closer with at the time than the boys and girls with dark hair. He will always prioritize protecting those who made life worth living before anyone else.

[Aimless Idealist] Without purpose and with thoughts swirling he finds himself distracted from time to time in battle and without a strong will to live he doesn't try very hard to fix such a flaw. However, his idealistic thoughts keep him in check and preforms much of what other soldiers may have issue or hesitation with without as much of a struggle. An army is nothing without unity. As such, he will act if the interest of the nation no matter how much it might hurt in most situations.

Biography

Early Life
As a child he was taught that Imperials were the enemy. He was taught that no other race of people were so lowly and foul by a man who was bitter of memories which he never spoke of. For whatever reason, the man he called father had an undying hatred and bias against the autocracy. He boasted of Gallian superiority and often times spoke ill of his mother. With only his father in his life and a restricted schedule with defined boundaries of where he could be and when, the boy only knew that being quiet and whining little would yield a man that his father could be proud of. Or so he told himself. In what free time he had in the park with Amber he was a loud and happy child, enjoying his time with her immensely before one day he stopped seeing her. He would stop receiving the hot meals she brought, the warm smile she gave, the joyous games they played, or even the friendly loving attitude she presented.

Adolescence
Life continued. Routine after routine was drilled into him and with his continued education he came to learn more about the world around him. Year after year he listened to his father drone on about Imperial inferiority. Year after year he dealt with being told that he was never going to be the son he wanted. When he rebelled he was met with hand and leather and any free thought was eliminated for a period of submissiveness. Even if it made him an efficient student, being a child forced to grow up early and dealing with

He was orderly, developing himself as an individual who could often be identified as a loner but with the aspirations for something other than the life he lived in. Reading book after book about the Imperials and Gallians he found much to love and hate of both, but due to his father's aggressive methods and abusive behavior, the teenager found that Gallian failures were emphasized in his mind and heart and Imperial achievements were graced upon his shoulders. Even mistakes and failures that the Empire had made were dismissed with a forgiving and understanding attitude. This mentality would only grow with each year further he stayed with his father.

Fear began to turn to hatred and in a time where he had reached his lowest thus far, he saw Amber again. Still a delivery girl and still as friendly as ever. However, it would not last. For a year they enjoyed time together and he often went home late just to spend hours with the friend he had made. Once more she brought him meals, smiles, love, and friendship. Under the night sky they would talk for hours and for a time it had seemed as though life was finally turning around. After the year was up, she had explained with a heavy heart that she would be moving away. Life in Gallia was over. With a teary goodbye they shared one last moment before Amber left to the Atlantic Federation.

Franz was devastated and the punishment delivered by his father had become numb to the touch. Life had become more dull than before and his ever growing depression ate at him. Gnawing at the young man he found releases in his life. His art of which was the most commonly practiced. While drawing a uniform based on a military book he borrowed he realized something that would pivot the direction of his life. IF he could escape to the Federation and join the army he could provide himself a living while giving himself time to find Amber. At the age of 15 he arrived on the Federation's shore after months of planning.

[1912 - 1913] The Atlantic Federation
Life in the Federation was different. Yet despite how different it was he found himself falling into old habits and keeping a schedule for each day. He often wore long sleeve clothes all year round to hide the scars and trauma and enrolled as soon as the Federation allowed. Time in boot camp was enjoyed, finding what was often painful for his comrades to be far less intimidating for himself. Even if not the best soldier, he was grades above the average green soldier through his own work. In mock battles he was always strongest when provided corridors and tight spaces. Out in the open he faced the issue of being outmaneuvered and vulnerable due to not thinking ahead or paying attention at all times. However, he often held down ground for allies, covering flanks, and being a general team player that was strong when fighting in urban areas under the command of others. His goal is to simply follow orders and fight. He currently cares not for if he ranks up or not.

[1914] The Atlantic Federation
After two years of searching not one person had told him the whereabouts of Amber. Not a single soul knew of who she was or what she had done. After two years of checking, calling, and writing none had given him the answer he had hoped for. After two years his depression finally ate away at what drive he had in finding her. Now, with war on the brink and an aimless future, the young man moves to live life as a soldier. To victory or death.

[Bonus]

Infancy
Even if he only knew her briefly, he remembered her warmth. He remembered the sounds of men yelling with his mother breathing heavily. He remembered the sounds of struggle. He remembered the gunfire that occurred and the sound of his mother crying. He remembered the sound of his father saying those slurs that he would eventually come to understand. Even if very little, it is what he remembered about his infancy.

Federal Neutrality
Adopting a "just war" policy, Franz finds himself neutral of patriotic feelings towards the Federation and does his best to block out feelings for the empire. After all, it is just war.

Affiliations
Henry Hammer (Father)
-----
Erwin Blau (Father-In-Law)
Emma Blau (Mother)
Erika Blau (Half Sister) [Born January 23rd, 1896]
Heinrich Blau (Half Brother) [Born December 12th, 1894]
-----
Amber Longblade (Friend)[Born 1896] - A friendly delivery girl and childhood friend.

Relationships
[Civilian] Amber Longblade - Childhood Friend

[Cancelled]Our Darkest Hour [1930-40s Tech/Aesthetic]

I have decided to shut down the thread.

While I place the blame on myself I did not find that the activity was enough to really keep my own interest as I continued to work on all things. As it is, despite dming before I feel like I've failed in that regard and I apologize to the crew, but mostly radio silence in the discord isn't quite what I was hoping for. I hope you all find an RP that you like as I move to close this RP down. Maybe I'll try this again in the future when it is all fleshed out, but for now I will leave it as an unfinished and canceled project.

[Cancelled]Our Darkest Hour [1930-40s Tech/Aesthetic]

Im dropping out since there doesnt seem to be any progress made.

@RangingWolf

Fact is, there wasn't a lot of communication in the discord to begin with. There was little to no discussion and no questions being asked about anything while I worked on the thread. When I did post up a bit of info and even provided a channel for submitting characters there was essentially radio silence. Because of this, I just went ahead and planned to just info dump when it was all ready.

I respect your decision and I take the fault for not updating with every bit of progress made and for probably mismanaging the time I spent on extras in the world building process and trying to set up the thread with information that isn't necessarily relevant to the rper. All in all, if you choose to go then I wish you luck in finding a thread that will provide you better than I have.

[Cancelled]Our Darkest Hour [1930-40s Tech/Aesthetic]

Looks really interesting if you are still accepting.

@pandapolio

We still have room, so yes, if you're interested then I'll welcome you in.

[Cancelled]Our Darkest Hour [1930-40s Tech/Aesthetic]

Iqua Qoten and The 107th

The 107th was the first Iron Guard division to be created, the personal project of the general who introduced the concept and first experimented with on the 73rd Infantry Division "Mogley" when an adequate reinforcement was unavailable. To compensate for the losses and to hold the city of Balkurk, the major general changed the design of the division and modified its interworkings to better constitute a defensive. His modifications were temporal, but the use of heavy tanks, additional artillery, and more support personnel allowed for better coordination as well as reinforcing the idea that all riflemen should be trained to properly dig trenches at increased rates to resist large infantry pushes with more efficiency. Anti-tank, artillery, and armored elements served as repellents for light tanks and deterred even medium and heavy armor when the conditions were ideal.

The 107th itself took on a brand new design, experimental and last minute. The Major General's confidence in these new division designs were expressed to be primarily for defense, the tanks primarily being distrubuted to the hardest to fight areas where casualties are expected to be the highest. Firepower, as IQ believes, is the essential factor in halting an advance. So long as heavy support is in place, a larger force cannot advance without sustaining heavy casualties in retaliation.

In addition to the division design, the Major General also introduced fire walling, or often referred to by the men as "fire pits", in excess to the point that it has become a staple of Iron Guard defense. The use of "fire pits", trenches that have been filled with gasoline, by which the defending force creates a long range set of ignition lines to discourage the attacking force from using previous trenches against them. In the event that the lines fail to ignite the trenches, incendiary artillery shells are fired to grant a long line of fire which burns the infantry inside, deters attackers from advancing, and allows the artillery teams to take advantage of the hesitation to hit waves of infantry in rapid succession. However, if the infantry manage to work their way past it, it is the duty of the infantry to repel the attackers and of the tanks and anti-tank units to beat back armored advances.

Iqua's successes with the 107th have been remarked as sufficient and with every successful defense comes the promise of improvements to the division. It has had several advances which have worked in the division's favor and it even managed to capture the Tovian city of Toyette which resulted in the rescue of the remains of the Tovian 3rd Armored Division "Alkar". In total, 48 tanks, 1,248 infantry, 2,433 civilians, and a single cow were salvaged from the battlefield along with equipment recovered by the defensive force. However, when the city was besieged again, massive losses were taken as air supremacy was achieved by opposing forces. The results were devastating. Bombing runs, counter artillery, rapid motorized invasions, and heavy tank support drove the 107th out of Toyette, killing 1,800, wounding 3,300, and driving morale low in what was considered to be their most disastrous defense that they were not prepared to deal with.

Iqua openly blamed the airforce for their lack of support in defense of the city, but as the officers of the airforce would often respond with, "numbers are stretched thin." and supporting the exiled governments in attempting to reclaim land and assets has driven the majority of the airwings to the northern and southern front. Despite the lack of air support, Iqua has worked closely with Field Marshall Edwin Qoten to develop new projects for use in the eastern front including new fighter, anti-aircraft tank, anti-air and anti-armor equipment designs as well as several improvements to the general equipment of all personnel.

The division has received praise as well as dissonance within the military, but its slow and steady method has set the standard for defending the eastern front. The major general was also allowed a Tovian support regiment which consisted of 1,000 of the 1,200 men reclaimed from Toyette and an additional 2 tanks to round out the 48 to 50. The remaining 200 men were assigned to communications as the regiment served primarily as a supportive fire power unit rather than a fully fledged division.

[Cancelled]Our Darkest Hour [1930-40s Tech/Aesthetic]

The Iron Guard

The Iron Guard play a crucial role in the Qual military; "Hold The Line." As of January 20th, 583 L.E., there have been a record of 30 Iron Guard Divisions that make up a little over half a million in manpower. Quickly trained, mixed in with veterans, and fresh to the grinder, these men and women serve as the wall between the enemy and the cities they defend. Propaganda, while not completely effective, has been used to pull in volunteers, inspire draftees, give hope to the veteran, and regulate a steady chain of command with morale steadily rising. Cherry picked footage, daily speeches, and victory reports have helped remedy the situation to some degree.

The typical Iron Guard division consists of:

1 Recon Battalion (750)
1 Artillery Regiment (4,500/IR)
3 Infantry Regiments (3,000/IR)
1 Support Tank Battalion (750 [150 5 man heavy tanks])
1 Support Regiment (Medical, Engineers, Signals, etc) (3,000)

While an experimental division composition, the supportive power of combined elements, in theory, provides a sufficent amount of supportive fire power and engaging infantry to progress with armored support without stretching the nation thin on tank supply while it continues to ramp up its production into full gear despite set backs in many areas. While it does not have motorized or mechanized capabilities, the thought to add motorized capability has been issued and is planned to be delivered first to the divisions who prove most useful.

The use of Iron Guard is primarily defense, although the offensive is heavily encouraged if it is believed the battle can be won without sustaining heavy losses.

[Cancelled]Our Darkest Hour [1930-40s Tech/Aesthetic]

I'm definitely interested if you're still looking for people. I've been looking to start writing again and this is right up my alley.

@Prizrak

I welcome you with open arms. Thanks for showing your interest!