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Post by patg on Feb 21, 2015 9:34:21 GMT -5
So have recently taken possession of 55 RAFM War hounds of Sirius, I have decided to paint them up based on Lycaon Pictus or the African Painted dog.  That's the easy bit. The more difficult problem is how to divide them up. Of the 55, 40 are regular squaddies 20 each with projectile rifle and some sort of energy rifle. I want to keep them as lower tech light infantry. There are too many energy weapons to use them just as squad attachments without "wasting" some of the figures. I am contemplating using mixed squads with 5 and 5 but it's not something I have seen done before. Another consideration is that at the squad level, there does not seem to be a lot of variation in weapon stats. Decisions Decisions more to follow |
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Post by patg on Feb 25, 2015 13:01:28 GMT -5
A little fluff for your entertainment. Force composition will be derived from some of the ideas laid out below.
Excerpt: Encyclopaedia Militaria
Lycaon Pictus Novo - The Lycaons
History
One of the most striking instances of convergent evolution discovered to date is Lycaon Pictus Novo. Originating in a minor star system of no particular interest, their biochemistry is not terrestrial, however they bear a striking resemblance to Lycaon Pictus or African Painted Dog. Like their terrestrial equivalent, Lycaon Novo are hyper-carnivores descended from quadruped ancestors dwelling in hot mixed scrub and plains. These proto-Lycaons operated in packs of 4 to 12 individuals to hunt large game. Their bright colouration allowed for easy tracking and coordination of individuals during the hunt. Food sharing and communal raising of litters allowed for much greater participation of the females in hunting activities. Hunting tasks were broken down by litter groups with younger less mature individuals acting as drivers and chasers while older more heavily built pack members lay in wait to sprint in for the kill. Social structure and dominance are determined through a combination of respect for prowess and when necessary mock battles. Injury is common in these battles and scars are born with pride but death is considered as a stupid waste of life that threatens the viability of the pack.
Military Organization
Lycaons are found throughout the known universe serving as corporate or mercenary troops specializing in lower tech light infantry. Much of their organization is derived from their ancestors' hunting habits. Typically, Lycaons will operate in paired squads or packs of roughly six members. Driver packs composed of younger troops will use their agility to drive or draw in the enemy with neural net like technology and instinct allowing them to operate in open formations. The second pack comprised of older individuals provides the assault component for CQB. These squad level divisions are not strictly adhered to with entire forces of driver or assault forces being deployed when appropriate. Gender roles beyond the purely biological are unknown to Lycaons and some of their most experienced CQB units are entirely composed of females.
Heavy equipment and armour is usually provided by other forces in theatre but most Lycaon units will have some organic artillery and anti-armour assets available.
Contracting officer notes
Of special note is their treatment of wounded pack members and captured enemies. During battle the same protocols used by most races will be used with adequate medical treatment being provided by specialists and prisoners handled properly. However any mistreatment of wounded or captured Lycaons will lead to unrelenting attacks on the offending enemy unit or entire force if abuses are widespread. Lycaons will also not usually target obvious enemy medical personnel but if theirs are attacked, they will eliminate enemy medics without remorse. Conversely, fair and proper treatment of Lycaon wounded and prisoners can significantly affect the outcome of a battle or campaign. Lycaon units who know they will be treated fairly if wounded or captured by the enemy are much more likely to avoid bloodshed and agree to fair terms either as the victor or defeated. Lycaons who know their enemy mistreats the wounded and captured will fight to the last pup in defense or to the last enemy in attack. Fighting to the death in this case is only seen as foolish until it isn't.
A more disturbing Lycaon practice is that of regurgitating food to be consumed by another as a means of establishing ties and obligations. While practiced in its full form within Lycaon society, most Lycaons dealing with humans or other similarly fastidious races use a modified form. The Lycaon representative will take a mutually digestible piece of food from a special pouch, take a small bite and swallow. They will then cough (actually regurgitating slightly) touch the food item to their lips and pass it to the other party. That party is then expected to do the same: take a small bite, swallow, cough (regurgitation is not required), lip touch and return the remaining food to the Lycaon who will then eat what remains. Any contract, agreement or other arrangement sealed over this sharing of food is considered unbreakable. Of secondary concern to contracting officers is that Lycaon units and individuals will not knowingly fight those units (of any race) with whom they have shared food through this ceremony.
Though not as involved as this ceremony, mutual messing arrangements in a mixed species force with Lycaons can also lead to improved force cohesion as long as the other troops can tolerate watching the Lycaons eat their all raw meat diet. Earth pork is prized by the Lycaons for its flavour though it lacks the full spectrum of Lycaon amino acids so should not be used as an exclusive field diet for Lycaon units.
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Post by patg on Sept 15, 2016 11:57:42 GMT -5
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