Tavonni: the Real Campaign

Last Updated 14 July 2002.

5. Military Forces of the Tavonni System

  1. Caradoc Task Force
  2. The Teahleikhoi Mercenary Regiment
  3. War Additions

Caradoc Task Force

Conception

The Caradoc Task Force was originally envisioned as a planetary defence force for Vargo's Star ( Egryn / Trojan Reach 1209). It was also to provide escort vessels for the Caradoc merchant fleet, and couriers to link together the various Caradoc factors throughout the Spinward Marches.

The basic role of the task force was expanded to encompass mercenary operations with the permanent hiring of the Teahleikhoi mercenary regiment and the transport of the regiment from Reaver's Deep to Vargo's Star .

This role was further expanded when Caradoc LIC purchased the system of Tavonni ( Vilis / Spinward Marches 1520). Further vessels were purchased as part of an increased planetary unit, and the task force was reorganised around the new centre of Caradoc's operations - Tavonni. The Teahleikhoi regiment was also moved to Tavonni, and land grants were awarded on the new world.

Organisation

The original flagship of the task force is the 60 kt Scout Cruiser Bright Light. This vessel is one of the Azhanti High Lightning -class ships. The vessel was acquired outside the Imperium and is not able to return at present. It remains the major force at Vargo's Star .

The new flagship is currently being constructed by the Bilstein Yards at Glisten ( Glisten / Spinward Marches 2036). It is the Avalon, a unique ship designed especially for Caradoc LIC.

The remainder of the fleet is made up of specialist ships tailored to the needs of the particular operation the force is involved in. The low tonnages of the remaining vessels (3000 tons or less) mean that they are not a serious threat to ships of the line (30,000 tons and up). As a unit, however, thay are capable of holding off a small invading force.

Transport of the Teahleikhoi mercenary regiment is undertaken by a squadron of eight Hero-class Intruder Transports. These are 3000 tons each, and are a fine example of Aslan shipbuilding. Each ship can carry 253 troops (a reinforced company) which means that a full regiment can be transported by the squadron. Each vessel has been modified to carry two Imperial Marine Grav APCs (12.5 tons each) along with five standard 10-ton fire support vehicles.

The main fighting vessels of the fleet are five Midu Agashaam-class destroyers, 3000 tons each. The class is still experimental, and are usually used in over-sized squadrons of ten. This small squadron has been loaned to the task force by the Imperium as a test. The vessels appear capable of their designed parameters.

The escort and scouting role is filled by six Kinunir-class Colonial Cruisers. They can provide indirect fire support for ground troops. At 1200 tons, their small size and streamlining allow them to engage in fire-fights on the battlefield without coming into extreme danger. This class also fills the merchant destroyer role admirably.

Two classes of Destroyer Escorts are being evaluated the determine priority for purchase. Ten Chrysanthenum-class ships are being trialled alongside ten Fer-de-lance-class ships, both ships in the 1000 tons class. The vessels are jump-4/6G, able to react swiftly to threats.

Four Broadsword-class Mercenary Cruisers of 800 tons are used to provide a tactical reserve capable of rapid insertion onto a battlefield. Two of them are fitted for jump troops. This allows for an emergency reserve.

Inter-fleet communication is handled by six 400 ton Fleet Couriers. This ship is only capable of 2G acceleration and it is recommended that this ship not be exposed to serious combat.

Twelve Gazelle-class Close Escorts provide dedicated escorts for the fleet. These small 200 ton ships can also be used for anti-smuggling and piracy suppression activities. However, this class is not suitable for a battlefield, and in large-scale space combat situations they are nearly worthless.

The dedicated short-range communications ships are six standard scout/courier, 100 tons. This class is used because of the standardised design, which means low cost and easier maintenance and modification.

Lastly, for the defence of Tavonni, one 20,000 ton Planetoid Monitor was purchased and transferred to this system.

Roll of Ships

No. Ship Class Tonnage Ship Type
1 Azhanti High Lightning 60 kton Scout Cruiser Bright Light (at Vargo's Star)
1 Avalon 1 Mton Dreadnought (under construction at Glisten)
8 Eiaikeiar 3 kton Intruder Transport
5 Midu Agashaam 3 kton Destroyer
6 Kinunir 1250 ton Colonial Cruiser
10 Chrysanthenum 1000 ton Destroyer Escort
10 Fer-de-lance 1000 ton Destroyer Escort
4 Broadsword 800 ton Mercenary Cruiser
6 Fleet Courier 400 ton Fleet Couriers
12 Gazelle 200 ton Close Escort
6 Scout/Courier 100 tonScout/Courier
1 Planetoid Monitor 20,000 ton Planetoid Monitor (no jump)


The Teahleikhoi Mercenary Regiment

Background

The main infantry force on Tavonni is the Teahleikhoi regiment (variously translated as "Soldiers of the Falling Night", "Knights of the Setting Sun", or "Warriors of the Setting Darkness"). This is an Aslan mercenary regiment which has become famous in the Reaver's Deep sector, having a 150-year history. The current owner, Iyhli, is a distant relative of the founder.

The regiment's fame spread to the ears of Duke Leto Atreides , who was in need of a fighting unit in the Egryn subsector. He personally travelled to the Reaver's Deep sector and hired the entire regiment. Land entitlements, high-tech equipment, and a high fee were included in this semi-permanent "dream" ticket, and the regiment accepted the challenge. The Duke returned to prepare his lands for the regiment, and the Teakleikhoi followed more slowly across the Great Rift.

The regiment was originally typical of an Aslan mercenary regiment, but changes have occurred in terms of some equipment and composition. Through it all, however, one essential fact remains. The regiment is still Teahleikhoi, with history, traditions, and honour unchanged over a century and a half of warfare in and out of the Aslan Hierate. This is a proud tradition for the soldiers of the regiment to bear.

Organisation

[This is outlined in Aslan Mercenary Ships, Book 2. Actual current stats will be forthcoming, and will probably include TL 15 artillery and fire-support, etc.]

Available Vessels

Although primarily an infantry regiment, the Teahleikhoi owns a fleet of vessels for transport, fire support, medical support, fighter transport, and co-ordination of military operations. The following table outlines these craft.

Ships of the Teahleikhoi

No. Ship Class Tonnage Ship Type Troop Loading per Ship
1 Yoiftu 5 kton Regimental HQ Transport Senior regimental officers
Regimental artillery
Specialist platoons
15 fighters (see below)
3 Tleiatre 3 kton Battle Leader HQ platoon
Battalion aid station
Medivac pinnaces
13 Eiaikeiar 3 kton Intruder Transport 1 Reinforced Infantry Company
2 Stayaow 200 ton Aslan Combat Scout
15 Erlokh 10? ton fighters (aboard the Yoiftu)


War Additions

As of 359-1105 Duke Leto Atreides , using his executive powers, commandeered all of the private vessels in the Tavonni system into the Tavonni Planetary Navy. In addition, the local IISS base commander turned over tactical control of the local Scout assets to the Duke.

The following vessels are included in this roster:

Owner/Source Name Description
Caradoc LIC Caradoc Task Force Details given above
Teahleikhoi Mercenary Regiment Details given above
Tavonni Imperial Scout Base Scout Squadron SR 96 8 Scout/Couriers, standard design
Express Boat Tender, 1000 tons
2 Express Boats (current disposition)
2 Scout/Couriers assigned to the base
Caradoc LIC,
Menelvagor Ltd,
& Lone Scout Enterprises
(joint owners)
Lady Karmin Lord Somerset-class Merchant Liner, 600 tons, J3
9-Benjamin Cade
(Phil)
Morning Star Morning Star-class Dreadnought, 100 ktons, J0 (disabled jump drives) (still being built??)
Bartholemew 10 Bartholemew-class Jump Tankers
Baden-Powell
(Traunie)
Platinum Wanderer Wanderer-class Merchant, 500 tons, J3
Vengance
(The Black Ship)
?-class Merchant
Planetoid Monitor ?-class Planetoid Monitor, 20 ktons
----- 2 Deva-class shuttles
Traunie's medico
(NOT Jane!)
Guardian Angel ?-class Medical Ship, ? tons (over 1000)
Menelvagor Ltd,
ie. Heidi Maria Heyerdahl
(Hyphen)
Bonaventure Bonaventure-class Merchant Cruiser, 12810 tons, J3
Mithril Wanderer II Wanderer-class Merchant, 500 tons, J3
----- ?-class SDB Buffered Planetoid, 1000 tons
Beowulf Orbital Eshpidar-class Orbital Station, 1000 tons
Orb Orb-class Orbital Refinery at the GG, Ryzel
The rest of the system Ukushki Sar Kinunir-class Colonial Cruiser, 1250 tons
----- Explorer-class Survey Cruiser, 800 tons, J3
----- 2 Lord Somerset-class Merchant Liners, 600 tons, J3
----- 2 Maru-class Merchants, 500 ton
----- Valor-class Missile Corvette, 400 tons
----- Kurgliash-class Medical Scout, 400 tons
----- Desiree Keah-class Yacht, 400 tons, J4
Rudolph Gazelle-class Close Escort, 200 tons
----- 2 Empress Marava-class Merchants, 200 tons
----- Scout/Courier, 100 tons
----- Seeker-class, standard conversion, 100 tons


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