Frostwardens of Zade
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The Frostwardens of Zade
The Frostwardens of Zade, also known as the Zadian Frostwardens, and often shortened simply to the Frostwardens, are a Vikingr Hirth, operating primarily from the Void Island moon of Zade. It is composed primarily of various Kin, though a number of Elvendritch, primarily defectors from the Noktus Imperium, are also found among their ranks. They are deployed all over the Cosmic Union, both to handle threats that emerge, or to train local forces in arctic conditions.
Zade, being a particularly hostile Ice-World, was subject to a huge number of external threats following the Technopocalypse, made all the more difficult to deal with due to the population size, reliance upon technology, and local wildlife being inherently aggressive towards the population. The Frostwardens formed initially to defend the settlements, but began to reclaim land step by step. This process would not be quick, and not without external threats as well, including invasion by the Ik'Ik'Vakeira, and the Noktus Imperium, on several occasions. Even during the Conquistador occupation, many Frostwardens were carrying out their own secret covert war against their exploiters.
Considered standoffish, insular, and somewhat uncooperative by other Hirth, the Frostwardens are not the most popular group in the Cosmic Union. This is not to say that they will fight any less - Simply that their history on Zade has left them wary of outsiders, and they are assessing them before providing their trust. One Hirth they have a remarkably good relationship with are the Sun-Torn, both due to their shared methodologies and tactics, but also due to a variety of near-missed each has aided to other in surviving.
Command Structure
Frostwarden Units are trained in how to be independent thinkers and operators, due to the hostility of Zade's environment. Getting lost, or losing contact with the wider force is not uncommon, so Vikingr have to be able to survive and operate on their own if they expect to make it within the Frostwardens.
Outfits
Zade's cold environment is brutal - Temperatures range from -30°C when the world receives direct sunlight. However, for four days every forty-three day orbit of Amhiema, Zade undergoes a total eclipse, where the whole world is in darkness. At these times, the temperature can plummet to as cold as -120°C. due to these extreme colds, Frostwarden outfits are designed to keep in as much heat as possible, and are crafted from the various local animals' fur and leather, adapted to withstand the brutal cold. It is recommended that anyone in the Hirth wrap themselves up from head-to-toe. This includes scarves, bandanas, and goggles. A degree of leniency is allowed - However, should one fall ill due to not taking the proper precautions however, they will be disciplined, due to their carelessness.
The interior of nearly all Frostwarden clothing is black, to allow for heat absorbtion. their cloths are also designed in such a way as to allow the wearer to take them off, inverse them inside out, and wear them again, black on the exterior. This lets them blend in better at night.
A weakness of these outfits is that while it is an absolute necessity due to environmental conditions on Zade, it can lead to a lack of ways to rapidly identify one Vikingr from another. This creates a situation wherein it can be hard to know who is next in the chain of command. The solution to this was that those of different ranks and places in the command structure wear different clothing.
Notable roles
There are several roles of notice within the Frostwardens. Those of particular ranks will, rather than wearing insignia, often have striking visual distinctions to help separate ones role at a glance, during periods of low visibility, and minimal verbal interaction.
Command
The highest ranking member of any group of Zadian's wears a bright red, one-shoulder cape, which clearly identifies them as the highest ranking authority within any given unit. A downside to this is that should an enemy learn of this mode of identification, this makes the Commanders a target. It also can be a major hinderance to any camouflage operations undertaken. For the most part, however, these are considered acceptable risks. If a covert operation truly calls for it, a red cape can be hidden until needed. In terms of being a target, this is simply the way of the Frostwardens - Commanders do not hide. They are responsible for those under their command in all ways.
The Red Cape was also made to be easily detatchable, in the event of a commander falling.
Skjoldrjarl
Like other Hirths, the Zadian Skjoldrjarl carries the unit's Vlakisskjoldr upon their back. This both honours their rank within the Hirth, but for the Frostwardens, it also makes them very easy to identify at a glance. The hand-to-hand warriors of the Hirth can find them, both by their shield in the clear, and by the glow of it's Taekni in blizzards.
Sagi
Frostwarden Sagi are identified by their blue hoods and capes. In the heat of battle, a problem may require an Arcane solution - Those who are not well versed in Taekni can use this knowledge to quickly find a Sagi, and relay information to them.
Eintrekk
The Frostwardens adopted a similar position to how the Cosmic Union recommends it's various Hirths organise Traits, but did so before the official recommendation, and did so by sheer happenstance. Neither informed the other - To the Frostwardens, it was simply the smartest way to handle the Eintrekk.
Traits are assessed, and then the users are assigned to squads and units that compliment their Trait, and ideally, lack someone with a similar ability. These units are then distributed and assigned different tasks. This ensures that one type of Trait isn't outright eliminated should the unit suffer casualties, but also prevents overlap, ensuring greater tactical diversity.
Elvendritch
There is a not-small number of Elvendritch who leave the Noktus Imperium, and end up joining with the Frostwardens, seeking to fight against their old home. Be it out of true care for their fellow Elvendritch still under oppression, vengeance against a wrongdoing done to them, a personal quest, a debt they feel they owe, or any other reason, the Frostwardens have a large contingent of Elvendritch who join their ranks. Though they come from all across the Voidsea, a large number come from the nearby Void Island of Kyalin.
Being better suited to the cold, Elvendritch do not need to store as much heat as the Kin do, though they are typically wise enough not to test their luck. In battle however, they often refuse to cover their faces. Many reasons have been given for this from a variety of Elvendritch Frostwardens. Elvendritch do not cover their faces wen fighting other Elvendritch, to wanting their opponents to realise an alternative exists for them other than the Imperium.
Notable campaign