#praesidium

---

Phase One - Foundation

Phase One is geared to provide the foundation for future progression and will be continuously expanded along side future Phases

Before the completion of Phase Two, production facilities must have been expanded by 4R by standard operational standards. Expanded recruitment for Vorago mining operations can be taken to provide the materials for these developments. Materials cannot be collected from the Imperium via trade without Kallig’s oversight. 

To manage the expansion of the facilities, companies of notable repute and spotless security vetting can be contracted for the work. Additional limited state control can be taken on the companies, or corporate regions within, working on the facility expansion.

The later aspects of Phase One shall also include the collection of vehicles for the purpose of examination and mechanical understanding. The current list of vehicles available for technical examination. Discounting variations, current patterns available for collection are;

Chimera 

Leman Russ 

Sentinel 

Centaur 

Rhino APC

Land Raider 

Several Damaged Wrecks available

Onager Dunecrawler

Observation Only

An examination of the civilian and industrial vehicular markets should take place in addition to the military world. Designs of particular note should be recorded for future contacting of the manufacturers and designers for design contracting.

---

Phase Two - Early Developments

Phase Two jumps direct off of Phase One by using the collected vehicles to plan and develop prototype designs for trailing. Access to the sample vehicles are to also be provided to organisations and groups which have passed Level 3 Military Vetting to provide demonstrations and understandings of current military grade equipment. 

Standard regulation pertaining to Military Classification are to remain and are expanded to associated Primas Artificer groups due to high value nature of the developments. Breach of these regulations will carry risk of organisation disillusionment, appropriation of assets or in cases of malicious breaches execution as a traitor to the Empire. 

Punishment of Primas Artificer aligned individuals require approval from the High Minister Dh’aarth Marr, the Binary Master or Lord Kallig to prevent destabilisation of the relationship with the wider organisation.

During vehicle trails, the newly rebuilt 22nd Independent Armoured Battalion is to be used as a crew supply and should be observed by at least one representative of the Office of Armoured Warfare and either the Primas Artificers or Vvalfan Pedigree Company. The testimonies of acting crew should also be considered when selecting designs for further adoption and development to prevent unnecessary animosity from future crews.

---

Phase Three - Deployment and Specialist Designs

After the trialling and selection of designs, Phase Three comes into place for the small scale production and extended training with them. At least one company of the 22nd will be available for testing of future designs but the rest shall be issued with the selected models. 

Lessons from deployment and training should be used to progress with future iterations of the designs and issuing of the vehicles to other formations shall be considered after their experience alongside the 22nd in training exercises or with the requests of regimental command staff. 

Friction with more traditional officers is anticipated and due to this the Battalion Major will be granted authority equivalent to those of Regimental Colonels during training and combat operations but this authority is to be used with tactful discretion. 

---

Phase Three/Two - Local Defence Forces

Drafted by Lupine Patriarch Devrex and High Minister Marr, Phase 3/2 is more a proposal than a direct path of armoured development. 

Because of the limited nature of the Praesidium Steel Bloods and plans to expand the borders of the Unbound Empire, Phase 3/2 is to propose the idea of local defence armour. Supplementing the PDF forces, the armour would be able to be produced on the local level and allow for a greater defensive ability for the population. 

Combined with the discovery of the Greater Domain of the Sleketh, and potential of other as of yet unknown threats, the defence of Malagast, Reg’Tritum and Sv’vaden will require a uniquely versatile defensive force.

The militarisation of Malagast has potential with their feudal culture but rapid exposure to technology may result in issues with rebellion or mis-application of the equipment. Further consideration regarding Malagast is required.

---

Phase Four - [DATA CORRUPTED]

// RETRIEVING BACKUP DATA ...

// FAILED

// RETRIEVING BACKUP DATA ...

LAV-1 to 6

Mechanical proof of concept designs, the early LAV designs was less about developing an understanding of the suspension of commercial designs. 

Looking back at the barely born designs, the early LAV show a number of physical traits which later became defining for the Dormarths. From their much lighter tracks and exposed wheel set, to the more angular design of the hull, there was much which would be carried with the design evolution.

---

LAV-7 to 8 // The Mules

Seeking access to users who would subject the pattern to trials and tribulations which couldn’t be produced in the clinical and standard environment of workshops there were ten models of the Light Assault Vehicles produced for lease with “Camila’s Boon ”, “Najek’s Co” and other members of the Conclave Ordinatus for use as mechanical mules which could operate over less reliable terrain. 

While still legally limited in access to potential armaments, to test the reactions of the armament recoil against the design, the use of the design under heavy cargo loads has allowed there to be a strain test when the tracks and engine are tested. 

Conclusion: Broadening of Tracks for improved soft ground traction, Addition of Upper Deck and Turret Ring, Improve maintenance access to easily worn parts of the engine. 

---

DLH-10 // The First to the Gates

Finally fitted with battle steel and the turret mounted with a multi-las, the Light Assault Vehicle came into being with the trials. It is fair to say that the models used weren’t the most effective present. For example the Naj’eem Marauders had much heavier armour potential and could fit a battle cannon sized weapon within its tuttet. 

The LAVs were selected because of its performance in the Rugged Terrain Combat Demonstration. This trial showed that the greater mobility on rough terrain and could easily overwhelm a group of targets. Using the pack like movements displayed in the design, the Light Assault Vehicle was redesignated the Dorarth Light Hunter for official use.

---

DLH-11 // From Iron, From Steel

After the replacement of the simple steel to the experimental “Drodic Armour” and the fitting of military grade internal equipment the Praesidium warhound started to become something finally resembling something for battlefield deployment.

Issues with turret size, use of the alternative armour and fitting of the military standard internal technology has resulted in a degree of unreliability in the produced versions of the DLH-11. The exclusive use of the Multilaser and the battery banks fitted for the weapons additionally requires reconsidering for broader reaching deployments. 

---

DLH-12 - Dormarth Blaifel

Using the earlier developments as the foundation for the hull, and the turret of the competing Ha’avek Tank design, the DLH-12 represents the ideal form of light armour which can stand toe to toe with foes of equal or lesser arms and armour while also carrying the capacity to slay larger beasts. 

Instead of a multi laser, requiring bulky energy banks, the mounting of a Predator style heavy autocannon has been fitted which feeds from twenty round, refeeding canisters. This system prevents the loose shells becoming a hazard within the hull and provides twenty rounds which can be fired as a single shot or in automatic fire.

---

DLH-13 - Baedd

Replacing the turret with a fold out platform from which recovery equipment can be deployed, the Baedd was designed to act as a cost effective recovery vehicle which could help recover vehicles up to the size of a Leman Russ. 

To most people’s surprise, the Baedd has found its way much further than the rest of the Dormarths as it has been adopted in small numbers by most mechanised or armoured support engineer formations. 

---

DLH-14/15 - Dormarth Melait

Proposed and initially modified by Captain Agris, the Melait have the main upper hull and turret of the Blaifel replaced with a casemate mounting from which a pair of heavy weapons are fitted. The proposal was initially done to more effectively mechanise a heavy weapon team, which could then be utilised by Yeomen Battalions.

Doctrinal Specialisations

During their time serving the Imperium of Man, the Steel Bloods of Praesidium always held a relative universality in their tactical options but have always held a tactical specialisation towards defencive actions.

Instead of being a purely defensive array of regiments however, the Praesidii made extensive use of breakthrough tactics to allow mechanised strike teams to disrupt/cripple supply or command groups. Towards the suspected end of a conflict, a more complete breakthrough is produced which is intended to surround the bulk of the opposition, reversing the siege.

After their disconnection from the Astra Militarum and the wider Imperium, the drive for commanders to facilitate the utilisation of these tactics had to be reeled in to prevent being caged in against a larger force when unable to be supported. The use of mechanised forces to break into opposition lines has been adopted when in more offensively focused scenarios.

Uniform and Equipment

The common warrior of Praesidium is remarkably similar in basic equipment to the Imperial standard see in forces such as the Cadian Shock Troopers. A light tunic is worn with a set of thermally neutral trousers and combat boots. Over this a smock covers over the tunic followed by flak armour covering the infantryman’s shoulders, torso and lower shins/ankles.

Finally, a rucksack is worn over their back, and is used to carry most of their standard kit which isn’t carried on their person directly. These will often be left by mechanised forces in their transports but it is considered good practice to ensure they are still on one’s person to prevent the destruction of the supplies with a transport.

Beyond the lack of any aquillan markings on the equipment, the Praesidii more visually distinct element is that of their brimmed helmets. Instead of obscuring the auditory perception of the infantrymen the helm provides minorly better protection from falling debris and is significantly easier to produce and store.

Face guards are a common aftermarket modification applied by people of all ranks. Beyond extending the helm’s protection to the front of the wearer’s head, the change does little to assist against most forms of small arms at the very end of effective ranges. The advantage of giving the wearer a better sense of security and protection does prevent it from being restricted and a number of modification kits have been produced and endorsed for these changes.

Standard Armaments

The standard armament is a Lasrifle derived from the M36 Kantrael with the A82 Bayonet. The variations in pattern are insignificant being minor modifications to the materials used or the specific calibrations in optics. The only one visible to an outsider is the removal of Imperial Aquilas, as with body armour and other equipment.

A laspistol is provided as a mark of position for Section Sergeants and are provided options of other armaments. The most common pairings is to utilise their reliable rifle or to utilise a chainsword. Some do prefer to use non conventional weapons such as handcrafted weapons or solid round weapons.

For grenades they are equipped as standard two frag and one krak, with two white smoke grenades given to a section and a single red signal smoke provided to the sergeant. Photon grenades can also be issued but are only done so when the need arises.

Standard Infantry Variations

Haddiran Yeomen

The Haddiran Yeoman are specialist forces for skirmishing and reconnaissance operations, reliably being the first to meet the enemy before rapid disengaging. They are equipped with lighter armour and a hunting rifle derived lasrifle based on local model utilised. To further support their skirmishing role, they are equipped with a light vox pack which makes target reporting and coordination easier in the field.

Their less than typical mode of engagement was something borne from their primary origins in the hunting parties of Opera Agri, especially when acting against Orcs, but other population bases can be used as sources for these infantrymen.

Heavy Weapon Teams

The only changes to equipment is the replacement of one person’s primary armament to a heavy or specialist weapon, with a replacement for a laspistol or carbine. Improved vox and the addition of weapon maintenance equipment is available but issued on a platoon level at the behest of the platoon Lieutenant.

Mechanised Elements

From their tactical favour with the utilisation of mechanised breakouts, it is unsurprising that the armoured arms are ones justly loved by the Steel Bloods at all levels.

For the Tanks in the service of Praesidium, the Leman Russ is still a reliable relic of the Imperial Age and continues to be considered a powerful centerpoint for any mobilised force. Their use has been geared more towards a mobile bunker, with the side sponsons, than the more omni-purpose utilised by Imperials. 

While still young from recent armoured developments, the Dormarth Light Hunters are showing signs of being more favourable when working with mechanised infantry. Not yet a threat to the venerable design they still show the the Leman Russ’ days may be numbered with the Praesidii. 

Chimeras are yet to be supplanted by a new development and continues to serve as the main transport for mechanised infantry and as the main hull for mechanised artillery. As with the APC, the artillery holds no difference between the Imperium and Praesidium.

Organisation

As stated above, the Praesidii have taken an alternative method with their organisational structures. From the surface, the seemingly biggest change is the introduction of battalion level formations as an official organisation level. By limiting the point of single arm formations to battalions, Steel Blood Regiments have evolved to be more combined arms creations.