Aschehunde

“Excluding my fellow Astartes I could not ask for finer soldiers to go into battle alongside than the Aschehunde.”

- Sebastian Kahler of the Obsidian Guard

The Aschehunde are the Imperial Army regiments raised from worlds located within the Feuerreich. Their name, which translates to the Ash Hounds, is a reference to the predatory canines that inhabit Feuerstadt's wilderness. They are characterized by their close ties to the Obsidian Guard in addition to their incredible discipline, determination, and love of overwhelming firepower.

History
Their origins lay in the Feuerreich Crusade, as vast numbers of troops were needed to support the newly christened Obsidian Guard in their campaign. Over time the recruitment, training, equipment, and tactics of these scratch units were formalized to the state they were in during the late Great Crusade, Halcyon Age, and Five Ruins.

Although nominally falling under the authority of the Excertus Imperialis the Ash Hounds' ultimate allegiance to the Obsidian Guard was never a secret. Like their dependable namesakes if an Astartes of the Tenth told an Aschehunde trooper to jump he would ask how high. Their relationship was not strictly servant and master, as the Obsidian Guard treated the Ash Hounds with dignity and respect. This, more than shared homeworlds, bound the Tenth Legion and the Aschehunde together through bonds of brotherhood that were often stronger than any felt between the legions.

Every major engagement the Obsidian Guard were present for so too were the Ash Hounds, representing the pinnacle of mortal soldiery that the Feuerreich could provide.

Guards Corps
All military forces have their elite sections and for the Aschehunde it is the Guards Corps. Under normal conditions the Corps of the Aschehunde are fairly uniform however the Guards Corps breaks from this standard in a big way. The Guards Corp has five divisions rather than the typical two and thus the Corps as a whole is 60,000 fighting men strong. Their ranks are drawn from the best the other Corps can offer, with a minimum of 15 years combat experience to be considered for service in the Guards. Initially however they were made up of the soldiers of Sturmhafen who had aided Lukas in uniting Feuerstadt under his banner but were too old to undergo geneseed implantation. They formed the backbone of the mortal contingent of the Feuerreich Crusade and set the standard to which all future Corps would be held.

For much of the Great Crusade the Guards were part of the 38th Expeditionary Fleet, performing their duties exceptionally. The Guards Corps never broke throughout their service, bolstering the confidence of wavering allies with their steely calm. This reputation gave them the honored place at the far right, extended to the same width as the other corps just far deeper in oblique order. Their distinguished roll of honor earned them the duty of garrisoning Feuerstadt, homeworld of the Obsidian Guard and capital of the Feuerreich.

71st 'Salzstadt' Corps
Named for the world its men are recruited from the 71st Corps earned fame during the Ullanor Crusade at the Battle of Hill 4346-005009. The 71st was dug in on the left wing of the Imperial force and opposing them was half a million greenskins of the Blood Axe Klan. Five times the Orks charged against the 71st and five times they were beaten back, though at grievous cost to both sides. However the sacrifice of the 71st was not in vain, for their stand gave the rest of the Imperial troops to repel other attacks and then launch a counterattack the routed the Ork horde. In honor of the battle each of their living members received a Bolter to replace their Lasrifles.

96th 'Revenant' Corps
This formation was named for its unfortunate habit of being repeatedly wiped out. Yet in every instance just enough personnel survive to warrant the Corp's reformation. Whether out of homage to their forebears or because of their own feelings whenever asked to make the ultimate sacrifice each generation of Ash Hounds unanimously says yes.

Regiment Structure

 * Corps - 24,000 Men
 * Division - 12,000 Men
 * Brigade - 6,000 Men
 * Regiment - 3,000 Men
 * Battalion - 1,000 Men
 * Company - 250 Men
 * Platoon - 50 Men
 * Squad - 10 Men

Rank Structure

 * Feldmarschall - Commander of a Corps
 * Marschall - Commander of a Division
 * General - Commander of a Brigade
 * Oberst- Commander of a Regiment
 * Haupt - Commander of a Battalion
 * Hauptmann - Commander of a Company
 * Leutnant - Commander of a Platoon
 * Fahnrich - Commander of a Squad

Specialist Formations
Within the Ash Hound regiments there are specialized contingents that fill vital battlefield roles. The first of the specialist units is the Storm Troopers, crack veterans that form either the reserve or vanguard depending on the commander's preference. Typically the Storm Troopers are concentrated into the 1st Company of the 1st Battalion of each Regiment. The second of these unique formations is the Sappers, combat engineers trained in demolition that clear the way for their brethren. Typically the Engineers are concentrated into the 2nd Company of the 2nd Battalion of each Regiment. The third and final specialist formation falls outside the traditional regimental organization as it is the artillery batteries. While present in most Imperial Army regiments the artillery of the Aschehunde is second to none in terms of accuracy, rate of fire, and number.

Equipment
Each Ash Hound soldier is equipped to an exacting standard in a manner similar to the Solar Auxilia, wearing heavy carapace armor and wielding a high powered lasrifle. They also carry several grenades, an entrenching tool, sword bayonet, cooking tools, and vox beads as well as their weekly allotment of rations. Officers will carry the rifle as a primary weapon and a chainsword for close combat.

Appearance
The Aschehunde wear fatigues of mottled grey and black beneath black carapace armor trimmed in silver. The lenses of their helmets are a dark, sinister crimson.