Elven Unity - Militant Wing

Overview

One would argue why the Unity needs a army, but the reason is sound. The Unity - as a big, galaxy wide organisation - have been attacked by faces from without and within. Greedy sisters who exploit their position for personal gain than the benefit of all. Alien monsters that demolish whole worlds on a whim. Colonists in inhospitable lands who need food and medical supplies. It is the militant wing's job to make sure these tasks are carried out.

History

The Militant Wing had its origins back to the early days of the Unity's formation. A handful of brothers and sisters besieged by Dark Elf troops on a world soon known as "Martyr's Passing" banded together to defend against the sacking of a Unity church. All attempts at peaceful negotiation resulted in the barbaric Dark Elf commander catapulting the severed heads of the negotiators into the church grounds. The acolytes in the church, despite protest from their sisters, grabbed what they could to barricade themselves in. Eventually, a lone DE platoon arrived to burn the church down. They were ambushed and slain by the acolytes in cold blood, before having their bodies delivered back to the Dark Elf commander.

For seven days and seven nights, the Dark Elf commander and the church struggled and strained against each other. Eventually, the Church was levelled when the Dak Elves brought in heavier equipment, but the example set by the acolytes rallied many like minded brothers and sisters into a form of town milita, at least until the Star Elves arrived a few years later and drove their dark kin offworld.

After the affair on Martyr's Passing, the Unity saw reason in having an armed force - if the Dark Elves were so quick to take up arms, and the Star Elves didn't seem far behind, it appeared reasonable to keep a standing force for times of crisis. And so the beginnings of the Militant Wing were formed, steeped in the blood of veterans from Martyr's Passing.

Organisation

The militant wing is split into several distinct orders, each with a differant role in helping the Unity. Each order spends a degree of time training its members - usually about 50 years, though this may be shorter for adults or Unity Acolytes. Before training in an order, the Acolyte is given three trials to determine his place -

• The trial of Will - the acolyte must run a gauntlet filled with sanity blasted creations, kindly loaned by the Dark Elves from the Star Elf/Dark Elf war. The Acolyte is unarmed. If he is eaten, he is proven unworthy.
  
• The trial of Faith - the acolyte must best another acolyte in ritual sword combat. Killing the opponent, or drawing blood, is not allowed. If the acolyte is beaten by his opponent, he is not deemed unworthy, but is more likely to enter the Order of Abel.
  
• The trial of Purity - the acolyte must use his skills of perception to spot a acolyte who is giving false testimony. After this, the Acolyte's own sins are weighed up. A drop of blood is set against a equally heavy amount of holy water. If the scales balance, the Acolyte is deemed worthy. If the blood turns out to be heavier than the water however, his sins are too great, and he is sent back to the Unity with shame.
  

The known orders are as follow:

Order of Torquemada
This order specialise in rooting out the greedy, the corrupt and the deciteful in the Unity's ranks. They have a grim reputation for ruthlessness and violence. A great deal of the unity's Hands at one point have spent some time serving for this order.

Order of Cain
The Order of Cain was the fevered idea of a Dark Elf unity acolyte. This order are dedicated warriors. They have some bizarre practicises picked up from their Dark Elf heritage, but they are still honourable and noble fighters.

Order of Abel
The Order of Abel, likewise, was founded by a human. As the polar opposite of the Order of Cain, they have a lazy attitude when it comes to fighting, but are kept on reserve as a peacekeeping force. They are usually seen after a battle helping civilians rebuild, and dispensing food, medical supplies and building prefab shelters where needed.

Order of Yrsa
The Order of Yrsa has suffered a series of tragedies since they began. Asides lacking a distinct skill, the order has notoriously bad luck which has made them depleted of manpower. On the flipside of the coin, at least three quaters of the order consist of Venerables.

Unit List

*To be filled*

Behind the Scenes
The militant wing were inspired by a talk with Spaceflyer over a new look Unity. The inspiration behind their units follows closely behind the Order of the Talon from the RA3 Paradox mod, crossed with the other (WAY MORE MILITANT) religion, from Warhammer 40,000.The Ecclesiarchy. Originally, the Star Elves were going to be labelled as the baddies for this piece, but they didn't fit the profile.