#colonel varstark

[a-40k-dad]

“Stay on your guard, Colonel,” Evjen told the young woman as the giant blast gate closed behind the last armored vehicle of their convoy. He continued, “we have now entered the Free Territories, also know as ‘The Wastes’”.

Evjen took a moment to consider the stark landscape through the narrow band of bulletproof glass. His mind wandered, trying to imagine the harshness of life out here. In principle, it was understood that the Freefolk were better off than the men, women and children striving to survive in the underhives around the planet, but he came to doubt that, and it had been a doubt that grew stronger with each trip through the outer domain of House Sarrokkæn. After sighing slowly, Evjen switched his attention back to his guest. His shoulders tensed as he noticed his hands had been clenching his knees while he was looking outside the window.

With a hint of solemnity he announced : “We have now become a high profile target for the next 250 kilometres”. Colonel Varstark remained perfectly calm as she sat in the seat in front of him. She had come to visit him at Praxcorp HQ, high in the spires of Hive7. Varstark had made a flamboyant entrance with a full wing of Valkyries. It had amused Evjen, who always had been appreciative of good showmanship. The colonel had been his guest ever since she arrived 6 days prior. The colonel spent time in Praxcorp’s tech archives, copying registeries, manuals, blueprints, basically trying to gather all the useful intel she could muster. Whenever he could spare the time, he would drop by her quarters, invite her to share a meal, or take some refreshments, during which he would answer her many questions.

Evjen could not recall the particular line of questioning that led them to The Wastes, but he remembered wanting to help the struggling outworlder navigate the intricacies of Azorian diplomatic protocols. Since House Sarrokkæn had left all her pleas unanswered, he also couldn’t resist showing off how easily he could have the big Black Gates of the Obsidian Keep open up for her. Evjen knew that vanity had a play in his course of actions and though he had learned to live with it, he had a hard time brushing off the tickling presence of guilt from his mind.

The guardswoman absently observed the landscape shifting from the more or less functional industrial grid maintenance highways to the barren realms of corroded stone and grey dirt. Surprised by the absence of reaction to his previous statement, Evjen scratched his chin. He realised soldiers of the Imperium probably didn’t care much for raiders, senior officers least of them. His eyes lingered on the Colonel’s facial scars. He noticed the fairness of her complexion under them. He snapped out of this examination when he met her green eyes coldly staring through him.

“Are you sure we couldn’t just fly there?” she asked in thinly veiled irritation.

Evjen shrugged “Unfortunately, if the Astra Militarum desire to achieve any kind of entente with the Knights of House Sarrokkæn, you’ll have to take the long way in” Evjen said. “To enter the Obsidian Keep from the low roads is a required display of humility.” he explained. “This is why they wouldn’t grant you an audience even when you agitated your mandate as Planetary Operations Commander.”

“I’ve seen whole worlds brought to heel for less of an obstruction to His Will” She retorted, nostrils flaring.

Evjen clicked his tongue “It’s not that simple, colonel,” he said, his face taking on the glow of inconvenience. “Don’t forget that we are technically on a world run by the Adeptus Mechanicus, though they only care about their industrial zones and leave the Hive Cities to their own devices,” the man frowned and squinted as he weighed the words still in his head. After a moment he warily enunciated : “as such, for better or worse, on this world, the Emperor of Mankind is not as revered, or feared, as he might be elsewhere”.

The colonel crossed her arms, her face shut like barracks well after lights out. “I know, mister Praxi” she snapped in disdain. “I’ve been stationed here long enough to understand that Azorians enjoy a level of leniency that I never thought possible”.

“Do you envy that?” Evjen asked.

Her eyes widened through vexation. Her breath, temporarily suspended. She swallowed the knot forming at the back of her throat and resumed her breathing. After a few long seconds, she muttered tentatively “Perhaps”. The armored truck rumbled over the accidented terrain, the muffled sound of the engine almost covering her excessively honest answer. “It might be a luxury I would be inclined to tolerate for civilians”. She said. “But from the members of a Knightly House, I expect no less than devotion”.

Evjen chuckled. “Soon enough you’ll realise that what they lack in orthodoxy, they make up for with their integrity and honourable conduct upon the fields of battle,” Evjen assured. “After all, Segmentum Command deemed House Sarrokkæn worthy enough for a deployment alongside the Lord Commander of the Imperium Himself”.

The Colonel could see through the self-reassuring bravado.

“I’m not the Inquisition, mister Praxi” she said with a soft smile. “I do not condemn those who simply seek to lead a life in peace”. The truck’s imposing wheels bounced on a few big rocks on the road. The passengers shifted their bodies to absorb the unexpected bump. Evjen smiled

“It’s Evjen. Please call me Evjen.” “If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather keep things professional” she said. “It’s cultural, colonel Varstark ; last names are of little value on Azoria, unless it is Sarrokkæn, of course. But even among them, a given name holds more importance than the names marking lineage.” Evjen declared.

“So what, I’m expected to address them by their given names?” she asked, irritated.

“Yes,” Evjen chuckled. “preceded by the proper title, but yes.”

The colonel remained silent, arms crossed once more. She held her nose high, pointed towards the window pane. For a moment her face seemed to be the theatre of operations of a large battle between different emotional states : disdain, resentment and disgust seemed to vie for control, but when out of nowhere, reluctance appeared, Evjen felt surrender wasn’t far away.

“Kuh-rina” she sighed. “It is spelled K-R-I-N-A” she added, tight lipped.

With a joyful smirk, Evjen extended his hand across the gap between their two seats. “Pleased to make your acquaintance, Krina” he laughed. She shook his hand without much conviction. She found the exchange awkward but if it had been the price to pay to open up a communications channel with House Sarrokkæn, she was willing to oblige. 

The Guard needed the support of the Knights in the coming battles.

[ask-a-colonel-of-the-guard]

+++ URGENTE•ADNUNTIATIO +++ +++ AB•OFFICIO•INDUPERATORIS +++ +++ COETUS•BELLI•AZORIA•LIBERA +++ +++ ASTRUM•NAVIS•BAKKA•FUROREM +++

— From : General J.T. ZORN

Colonel Varstark,

In the light of your ability to evade death and also to yield unexpected results, I hereby grant you the campaign title of Operations Commander.

Effective immediately, all planet-side operations are now under your direct control. Your task will be the coordinate the various forces of the Imperium, including those that would normally obey a different chain-of-command, such as the Militarum Tempestus.

From here on out, you only answer only to me, Colonel. The Death Korps of Krieg Commissars and Tempestors have been notified. If you keep up with the display of examplary leadership in this campaign, there might be an opening towards the General Staff after our victory here — if you survive long enough, that is.

Regards,

General Jarz Tyrus Zorn Campaign-Commander — Battlegroup Azoria Libera

PS:

Your new title doesn’t exempt you from your obligations as regimental leader. Your new title is not a promotion, but a temporary responsibility.

[a-40k-dad]

I should wait for my DKOK to make my heavy weapons teams. So I can have some DKOK sharing the duty with the my (neo)Cadian or Azorians.

Awkward.

[a-40k-dad]

Done! Final touches before I went to work. iPhone pictures.

Colonel Varstark makes me think a bit of Fortune in MGS2 or at least she gives me a blonde-hair Spaniard vibe.

[a-40k-dad]

How do your OCs fight?

I’ve got plenty so I’m making a lone post with several of them. (all from the Azorian setting)

Evjen Praxi :

"I didn’t do it, nobody saw me do it, there’s no way you can prove anything.”

Colonel Krina Varstark :

Seasoned professional badass.

General J.T. Zorn

Goes planet-side at least once before ordering exterminatus, just to see for himself. But never on the field without a proper escort.

Aerin “Red” Lakx

“Touch me and that hand will never touch anything again.”

[a-40k-dad]

Faction ideas so far :

Turbo Rossa — Underhiver Gang working for Evjen Praxi Heist crew meets freedom fighters

Praxcorp — Evjen and his augmented mutants and security forces The illusive man of Azoria and his most direct collaborators

Inquisitor Kaine of the Ordo Hereticus, Gemini Sect (and his suite) Blanchitsu admechy inquisitorial force.

House Sarrokkæn — Knight pilots of Azoria and their militia Blanchitsu feudal-world looks

Astra Militarum — General Zorn, Colonel Varstark and their forces Cleanish paintjob Other ideas :

PDF

ARBITES

[ask-a-colonel-of-the-guard]

Colonel. Despite your laudable service record, I have read troubling reports that indicate your Company suffers from excessive casualties and low morale, yet you have requested no leave time. Are you not concerned with battle fatigue? These are mortal men and women, not astartes. -Alexander Titus Maximus, Captain, Ultramarines

*Her jaws dropped and she spilled her morning Victory coffee in her lap. She immediately got up to nervously pace her room at campaign HQ back and forth. It was her first interaction with any Astartes after all, even if it was but throught the Imperial Forces’ messaging service. After collecting herself and her thoughts, she sat back down at her console and redacted :

“My Lord Maximus! First and foremost, allow me to convey how honoured I feel to read your words.”

Getting that first line down took 10 minutes. She was not satisfied with it either, but what else could she do? How does a mere mortal address an Astartes in the right way? Should she point out that she isn’t in charge of a company but a regiment? Probably not. She decided to go straight to the answer, without correcting the Astartes Captain on the matter of her function within the Guard… just to be on the safe side.

“Concerning the matter your Lordship brings up to my attention : it is true that the official orders given to my troops in the reports I’ve sent thus far mention dire conditions and “non-stop duty”. In reality, we are considering our campaign as a peace-keeping action in (extremely) hostile-territory. While our numbers  spread thin, we have to remain on high alert at all times, but that doesn’t mean that some down-time isn’t taken by my men. The organisation of such short but necessary respite is left to each company, platoon or even, squad leader depending on the situation they find themselves in.

Because of the challenging circumstances of this insurrection such downtime may also only be taken when the opportunity arises, which may prove difficult for some of my less fortunate troopers.

Rest assured however, my Lord, that each and every last one of us is committed to his or her duty to the Guard and our Holy Emperor. The guard does not break. We will fight with the resolve of Astartes.Yours sincerely, Col. Krina Varstark Regimental Leader — 66th SoC”She pondered what she had written for a while, before confirming the sending procedure. The colonel stood up and began putting the pressure of such a missive at the back of her head, as hunger began gnawing at her stomach

[a-40k-dad]

Colonel Krina Varstark, head of the 66th Spectris Cadiae mobile infantry regiment, battlefield promoted from Captain by General Zorn after the demise of the previous Regimental Commander, Colonel Kasvark, who perished at the hands of the independ’heretics of Hive-City AlphaZed Duodecimus.

Varstark seen here wearing a modified Azorian envosuit and wielding unapproved weaponery.

[ask-a-colonel-of-the-guard]

Colonel Varstark's vox fizzled for a moment before several interferences and confused voices emerged from it. At first it was impossible to understand what was that voices saying... until, after a little while, one of the voices became a little more clear. "Here's Lietenaunt L-*interference* of the Varanian 21st! I repeat Lietenaun-*long interference* 21st! We need back-*interference*-e're in dire need of reinforcements! Our bunkers are breached, we need rein-*interference*." The vox turned off.

*looks at the fixed voxcasting station on her desk, puzzled**after a few attempts to reach the sender, but hearing only static, she abandons*

*redacts a to-do note*

“Concerning received transmission : since there are no Varanian forces on Azoria, I’ll have to ask a techpriest if it is possible for a signal to come from outerspace… It could be a signal from a long time ago, or then it could be that the warp is disturbing this place, which could be proof that Chaos is at work here”.

[a-40k-dad]

Hoturm’s Gamma Raiders

Captain Aaker Hoturm, of the 66th Spectris Cadiae Mobile Infantry Regiment, was promoted from second lieutenant by Colonel Varstark, in order to take her place at the head of the Regiment’s Gamma Company.

The 66th's Gamma, currently operates as an independent warband in and around various hive cities of Azoria, conducting Search and Destroy or Sweep and Retrieve operations for central command but never leaving the field.

Hoturm and his men (of which at least 50% are incorporated Azorian PDF) seek to root out heretic insurgents using the same hit and run tactics orchestrated from deep within heretic territory.

Hoturm’s company doesn’t follow any type of protocol, and is probably now stronger in numbers than a standard company, though the young captain still follows the communications and intel feeding-procedures when he delivers important information to his direct superior and friend, Colonel Varstark, from who he originally received the latitude to organise his fighting force as he sees fit, (as long as contact with the hierarchy is maitained). In the parlance of the Spectres of Cadia engaged in the campaign, Hoturm “has gone Azorian”.  

This is true not only for his methods, but also his appearance and that of his men. Indeed, being constantly exposed to Azoria’s low radiation field and without proper treatment to prevent hairloss, the original soldiers of Gamma company now have become indistinguishable from their bald Azorian PDF counterparts incorporated in the company.

[a-40k-dad]

Gonna make my guys on azoria repair and upgrade their equipment however they can, sharing and pooling ressources. So you can have regimental officers wearing parts of Azorian PDF environmental suits, Azorian PDF operatives equipped with top of the line guard or scion stuff, guards given weapons from the piled stocks of the techpriests. Give them a worn out, weathered look, basically the idea we have of Vietnam GIs, taking loads of liberties with “THA DRESS COWDE!”

It will also help with the homebrew rules where they all have their own <Azorian Campaign> tag allowing them to share vehicles and (some) powers and effects.

Also, OC wise, the colonel is gonna die and Varstark becomes new Regimental leader. The young LT takes over her company and I have the perfect mini for General Jarz Tyrius Zorn (a 40k grimdark James T. Kirk).

[a-40k-dad]

Thank you guys! The Crusader is next, then it’ll be Armigers and finally I’ll work on a Sarrokkæn Kill Team that will include Milites Gregarii, Milites Nobiles and some knight’s pilots as well.

Baron Weralt already has his likeness ready for the painting station!

Maybe I should start with that before I start working on the Crusader...

(I also got a lot of world building to do, Azoria for now has been depicted through Colonel Varstark only but the mental image is still getting refined every day).

Sablescythe : Baron Weralt Sarrokkæn’s Knight Gallant.

At its feet : two Milites Gregarii of House Sarrokkæn get ready for battle.