Post by mediocrehobbyist89 on Jul 2, 2018 15:50:45 GMT -5
Hello!
I plonked some pictures of my Guard on here (http://commissar.proboards.com/thread/19204/19th-avignon-giment-dinfanterie) a while back, and thought it was about time they were joined by some fluff for their planet and the people on it. So here it is...
"Avignon 4 is known for 3 things: good food, fine drink, and Orks. Apart from this it is a relatively unassuming world, little known beyond its corner of the Imperium. It is the only habitable planet in the Avignon system, and it is officially listed as a civilised world. In reality the planet has a comparatively low population and behaves like an Agri-world: meeting it’s tithes with foodstuffs and penal soldiers. Despite this the planet has built up considerable industrial might, so it can survive the recurring bitter wars that they fight with the tribes and petty empires of the local Orks. The changing fortunes of the people of Avignon are inextricably tied to their dealings with the greenskins. When their enemies are defeated they have seen great fortune and prosperity, whilst with their own defeats they have seen anarchy and death. In recent times though the Ork menace has almost been wiped out. The freedom that this brings has brought the people of Avignon into greater contact with the rest of the Imperium. Without the pressures at home more soldiers can be raised to fight the Emperors endless wars. The people of Avignon are justly proud of this, and though they have taken part in few wars off world they have built up a considerable military tradition from their own struggles.
The people of Avignon are very different to those that can be found throughout the rest of the Imperium. Isolated as they have been for millennia, many Imperial citizens can find them particularly odd. Indeed the most common ways of describing them are rude, stubborn, and obnoxious, a description that is not entirely without justification. They are however very proud of their heritage, their planet, their virility, and even their own language, which a number of Imperial officials find unbearable. They like good food, wine, and sexual encounters. In favourable conversations they are described as being passionate, fiery, and romantic, making a rather dashing, albeit fatalistic impression.
As soldiers they have proven themselves as effective, though high maintenance warriors, which are more than capable of achieving their duty on the battlefield. It is always wise to keep the "Maison de Vice" brigades clean and available, and the kitchens full. With these needs satisfied they will fight on stubbornly, and to the death, or of course till the next meal or sexual encounter is expected. Without them even a Commissar is unable to rouse much enthusiasm in them to fight: they aren’t too fond of them or most other foreign Imperial citizens. To them the only good and trusted soldier is one from Avignon 4.
As a fighting force they can be seen as slightly backwards in comparison to other regiments of the Astra Militarum. They lack Valkyries, plasma technology and mechanised units, though have plenty of artillery in which to support their infantry and small tank regiments. They specialize in siege warfare, boasting tremendous skill at trench fighting and fortification building. Their elite troops are formed into heavy infantry units that spearhead attacks and infiltrate behind enemy lines, ready to overrun unwary foes with bombs, flame, and lasfire. Their battles are won by the thunder of their countless artillery pieces, pulled to position by horses, and the decisive charge the infantry with bayonets at the ready. They are easily recognisable with their dark blue greatcoats, distinct Adrian helmets, and gasmasks. Their officers are even more so, often sporting bright red kepis and interesting facial hair: a very obvious sign of seniority and their position amongst the planet’s elite. Their bayonet charges will of course succeed when they are in possession of those two qualities that the Avignon Commanders value above everything else: Guts and Spirit. A particularly fine moustache also helps too.
Perhaps best known from Avignon is Colonel Driant and the 17th Regimente Chasseurs who fought in the third war of Armageddon. Despite being placed on reserve lines they soon found themselves surrounded by Orks who’d broken through the Imperial frontline defences. Though most of the Regiment was overrun Driant was unmovable and rallied the survivors to defensive point 374. Here, in the space of a few days, they effectively dug in, making the position a veritable fortress of trenches, pillboxes, and gun pits. Though the Orks attacked in overwhelming numbers, the defiance of the Avignon troops, inspired by Driant, held them back. After two weeks of fighting they were in a desperate situation, being low on ammunition and having suffered high casualties. Still they held on, making the Greenskins pay for each inch of ground taken. Eventually their salvation came when an Imperial counter offensive was launched that routed the exhausted Orks and pushed them back to their starting lines. Driant and the 17th Chasseurs though had done their part: holding back the enemy and preventing them from exploiting their initial successes. Emile was lauded a hero, though he and the survivors of his regiment soon met their end when they stubbornly refused to give way to an Ork Gargant that quickly vaporised them with it’s heavy guns. His memory however lives on among the soldiers from Avignon 4."