I've found a lot of used scenario books at my book store in the last few weeks and they insipired me. This is a work in progress (and kind of a reboot of my old post) so bear with me. I have changed this a few times... I want to make the 'Mech part of the unit Introductory Box Set friendly.
The Former 66th - "Litany Against Fear"
The conflict is pure - The truth devised - The future secured - The enemy designed
*Click to enlarge*
Full unit history, roster, TRO, etc.
*** History *** Litany Against Fear is a Mercenary/Rebel Unit founded in 3034 by Issac Van Houten right after the founding of the Free Rasalhague Republic. They feel the formation of the Free Rasalhague Republic was a plot to create a border between two enemies rather than giving their people independence. Fueled by their taste for revenge, they rise against the Successor States who assimilate people and establish authority.
The unit’s roots date back to 2330 when they were known as The 66th, a military unit of the Principality of Rasalhague. The 66th fought border disputes against the Draconis Combine. These disputes eventually turned into a war for control of the Principality as the Combine invaded. The 66th fought hard, but unfortunately for them, the Combine was successful. Without hesitation, the Scandinavian culture of the Principality clashed with the Japanese culture of the Combine, mostly due to assimilation. The 66th, who had no interest in serving the Combine, were immediately labeled as terrorists by the Combine. The 66th only targeted Combine military forces, structures, and government officials, in an attempt to save their people from Combine rule. Because of this, the Combine assumed that the 66th was behind the assassination of Hohiro Kurita. This almost destroyed the unit until other rebels started to join in the fight. Ironically enough, rebels that joined the unit started to replace the unit's Scandinavian roots.
In 3004 the Lyran Commonwealth entered the picture with an ultimatum. The principality greeted them as liberators, and after a well-bargained agreement, the 66th decided to fight alongside them. The Lyrans gave the 66th exclusive salvage rights and repaired and maintained all of their equipment in exchange for cooperation, which would guarantee almost all rebel cooperation. In 3030 the war ended, with the Principality victorious, but the 66th doubted the motive of their allies. They learned that the Lyrans had planned to assimilate the principality, rather than liberate them. Also, because of the deal, the image of the 66th was tarnished. It looked as though the 66th had welcomed Lyran interference to make money and help establish the new Free Rasalhague Republic. In 3034, around the beginning of the Ronin Wars, most of the 66th's rebels exiled and became a rogue Mercenary unit under the name of “Litany Against Fear.” The rest, some of the more loyal rebels and all with Scandinavian heritage, stayed among the Free Rasalhauge Republic.
Those who still believed in Litany paid them to fight against the Lyran Commonwealth, the Draconis Combine, and even their former allies who now serve the Republic. Throughout the Ronin Wars, Litany accepted contracts from rebels in border conflicts on their own strict terms. This gave them first pick on all equipment salvaged and allowed them to rebuild their unit. Now, they operate on the Free Rasalhauge Republic border assisting rebels and raiding for supplies.
*** Who they are *** Some call them the “Former 66th.” Others call them a pirate band or terrorist organization. The people they fight for call them freedom fighters. Litany Against Fear stands up to the hypocritical governments of the Inner Sphere. However, they do it for a price. As sell swords for rebel units, they fight those who profit from the Successor States, fight against the Successor States who oppress their own people, establish and maintain “black markets” for rebels. They also operate like a pirate band in order to retrieve supplies and survive.
*** Personalities ***
PILOT: Major Issac “Litany” Van Houten
BATTLEMECH: ASN-21 Assassin “The Archetype”
SKILLS: Piloting 3, Gunnery 4 (Alpha Strike Skill 3)
ABILITIES: Maneuvering Ace, Melee Specialist
BATTLEMECH STATUS REPORT:
“The Archetype” bears scars from constant battle but it is in good working order. The SRM-2 ammunition feed issue has been fixed and the laser has be upgraded to the much more reliable, and accurate, Aberdovey Mk III Medium Laser. The cockpit is also not as cramped as the regular model because the ejection system had to be overhauled. Because of how worn it is, "The Archetype" can be very difficult to repair. Most of its battle damage is covered with spikes which are intended to intimidate enemies.
BATTLEMECH TRAITS: Accurate Weapon (Medium Laser), Distracting, Difficult to Maintain, Difficult Ejection
MECHWARRIOR DATA:
Issac Van Houten is the leader of Litany Against Fear. He is also the son of Katrina and Vladimir Van Houten who fought for the 66th before exile. Issac learned everything about being a MechWarrior and commander from them. He also inherited his father’s BattleMech. “The Archetype” is a standard ASN-21 Assassin whose legacy has become the mascot of the unit. “The Archetype” has managed to survive for years while suffering battle damage and wear and tear from constant use. Vlad Van Houten was known for his uncanny ability to maneuver and for his aggressive physical combat skills. Issac is known for doing the same, being trained by his father, but is also known for his leadership abilities learned from his mother. Issac carries on the legacy of his father and mother who both retired before the Ronin Wars. Litany respects him, though his parents don't agree with his life choices.
PILOTS: Kavellrists Olga and Katerina Polczyk
BATTLEMECH: PNT-9R Panther (Both)
SKILLS: Piloting 5, Gunnery 3 (Alpha Strike Skill 3)
ABILITIES: Blood Stalker
BATTLEMECH STATUS REPORT:
The twins (two PNT-9R Panthers) are both in decent working condition. Both are decorated with spikes which cover battle damage and intimidate enemies. Their PPC's are upgraded to the much more reliable Anderson Armaments brand. Olga's Panther suffered damage to both of its legs from a "death from above" attack that blew out two jump lets. As a result, two new jets were installed in the right and left torso, but the empty space left from the old jets in each leg are unable to be repaired. Katerina's Panther is in much better condition but bears many scars from combat. The left arm suffered heavy internal damage leaving 1 point unrepairable. The damage is covered with spikes but the actuators are weak and exposed.
BATTLEMECH TRAITS: Difficult to Maintain, Distracting, (Olga: Weak Legs, Accurate Weapon: PPC), (Katerina: Exposed Actuators, Accurate Weapon: PPC)
MECHWARRIOR DATA:
Kavellrists Olga and Katerina Polczyk are identical twins known for working together with unsurpassed precision. Warriors who combat them feel like they are fighting a Thug BattleMech, which in reality, they are facing two standard issue PNT-9R Panthers stolen from the Draconis Combine. They are part of the Command Lance and work as Issac's bodyguards. They take their work seriously and have earned the nickname “The Evil Twins.” Working together, they are considered as a single entity, and they will aggressively pursue their target until it is destroyed. They can be just as dangerous when separated.
PILOT: Kavellrist Kal Gastopiv
BATTLEMECH: BNC-3E Banshee
SKILLS: Piloting 4, Gunnery 3 (Alpha Strike Skill 3)
ABILITIES: Combat Intuition
BATTLEMECH STATUS REPORT:
Kal’s Banshee has a few structural issues that prevents the right torso and center torso from having full armor. Each location loses 2 points of external armor. The Autocannon has also been replaced with a Deleon 5 model and it has become much more accurate. The Banshee's cockpit was repaired at one point, but Kal's recklessness has once again made the BattleMech's life support system faulty.
BATTLEMECH TRAITS: Accurate Weapon (Autocannon/5), Difficult to Maintain, Distracting, Poor Life Support
MECHWARRIOR DATA:
Kavellrist Kal Gastopiv is an avid heavy 'Mech pilot from the Free Rasalhauge Republic who recently joined Litany Against Fear. He has above average skills that rival most of the Inner Sphere warriors who face him. Kal is known for pressing an attack, taking advantage of damaged units, and will sometimes be the first to strike the most powerful unit on the battlefield depending on his mood. He takes a lot of risks, rivaling the recklessness of Issac. Recently, Kal was upgraded to a BNC-3E Banshee Litany managed to salvage. His battlefield aggression has increased because of the new assault class 'Mech he pilots.
PILOT: Lieutenant Rebecca Van Biezen
BATTLEMECH: CPLT-C1 Catapult
SKILLS: Piloting 4, Gunnery 3 (Alpha Strike Skill 3)
ABILITIES: Range Master (Medium)
BATTLEMECH STATUS REPORT:
Rebecca’s Catapult has 2 internal structure damage to its right arm that cannot be repaired. A lot of the external damage is covered in spikes to intimidate the enemy. Otherwise, the BattleMech is in great condition compared to others in the unit.
BATTLEMECH TRAITS: Distracting, Difficult to Maintain
MECHWARRIOR DATA:
Lieutenant Rebecca Van Biezen is an aggressive heavy 'Mech pilot with a bad reputation. She has a patch over her left eye and has recently earned the callsign “Dead-eye.” While such a callsign can be offensive to some, to Rebecca, it shows her dedication to serve Litany despite her handicap. She earned the wound in battle after a nasty fall in her CPLT-C1 Catapult. Issac believes that Rebecca's real name is Rebecca Unther but there is no proof, just suspicion based on how similar they are. If true, this would make her the long lost daughter of Sergent Unther, also called “Dead-eye,” who is currently in service with Hanson's Roughriders. Rebecca is a close friend of Issac's and will often fight with the command lance. She is a respectable commander in most scenarios and her blunt personality will often frighten the recruits who serve under her.
*** Dress, Awards and Decorration *** Warriors dress in comfortable weather-appropriate fatigues that look a lot like the FRR style. There is no official uniform but they proudly wear the colors of the unit, black and white, with decorations representing rank. Kavellrists wear a silver star, Lieutenants wear a silver star with a sword behind it, Korprals wear a silver star with two swords behind it, and Kaptens wear the same stars as Korprals with a silver bar below it. The Major, who has the highest authority, uses the same silver star as a Korpral with a second bar on top of it. In order to show their allegiance to Litany each member is required to bear a "double F" tattoo (the symbol behind the Assassin in their insignia). A member may doctor up the pattern as they see fit but it must resemble the symbol of the unit.
*** Tactics and Camouflage *** The unit is quite unpredictable in combat but there is a trend among unit selection. Most of the time they focus on guerrilla style fighting, hitting their enemy where it hurts, and then retreating to repair and reload so they can do it again or finish their foe. Otherwise they specialize on ambushing their enemy in both day and night combat. They fight dirty and show no mercy to their enemies. They do not have a lot of BattleMechs and will utilize cheap vehicles, specifically Scorpion Light Tanks, Harasser Missile Platforms, anything manufactured by Quikscell Company, in their place. When they can they use salvaged (poorly equipped/repaired) BattleMechs to round out their forces. UrbanMechs are also utilized.
Typically they don’t have infantry in their unit but they will often supply rioters and other rebels with a variety of weapons (usually Imperator brand auto-rifles and submachine guns, sniper rifles, various grenades, and even LAWs in some occasions) and vehicles in order to gain support. They are transported with improvised vehicles and sometimes APC's if they have support from the local militia. Rioters who prove their loyalty are often issued cheap vehicles, and sometimes BattleMechs, so they can fight with Litany Against Fear.
Litany appears to be a company-sized unit roster, but depending on the situation, the unit can appear larger. Each lance in Litany is trained to operate independently. This allows Litany to split off into groups and survive without high command. A lance understands how to tap into various types of underground movements (like crime syndicates, terrorist organizations, rebel militaries, etc), acquire materials, supply rebels, train them, and then use them as if they were part of Litany. It is a trait that has saved the unit from destruction numerous times.
Two aerotech fighters are available but they will rarely use them while supporting ground targets. However, they are known to use numerous types of bombs to soften up enemies or destroy supply lines. The fighters spend their time defending their Union dropship in a pinch. Litany will use conventional fighters instead, which are cheap, easy to maintain, and are not as risky to use.
Litany Against Fear has a distinct paint scheme designed to strike fear into their enemies. They paint their units a dark gunmetal (almost black) complimented with ghost white highlights and blood red wound patterns. Spikes are added to BattleMechs, usually to cover damage, and are used to intimidate enemies. Their insignia is placed on the shoulder or front of a BattleMech and anywhere visible on other machines. The scheme is usually reserved for official members of the unit but it has been used on rebel units to confuse their enemies.
