Unit:The Skjaldborg

TO ALL PERSONS OF THE FREE RASALHAGUE REPUBLIC

CALLING ALL PATRIOTS



 * The Skjaldborg seeks dedicated men and women willing to aid the Royal Rasalhague Army in its defense of the border and our freedom. We who know the iron grip of Kurita first-hand; who know what it feels like to have our liberty denied us; who have the courage to strike a blow against oppression wherever it may be found; it is our duty to bring down the schemes of Takashi Kurita. In so doing, WE CAN HELP OUR REPUBLIC STAND FIRM AGAINST FOREIGN INVADERS!


 * For all the Republic citizens and ex-patriots who have suffered at Kurita hands - jailed, beaten, killed, or "disappeared" over the long years of darkness - we hereby issue this CALL TO ARMS AGAINST TAKASHI KURITA, DICTATOR AND CRIMINAL.


 * Do YOU have what it takes to keep our worlds free against SNAKE aggression?


 * Are YOU willing to give your utmost in the service of your nation?


 * Join up today at your local Recruitment Office - 151 Republican Way, Misby Flats, Trondheim

THE HISTORY OF THE SKJALDBORG

 * The Internal Security Force (ISF) of the Draconis Combine always closely watched any native of the Rasalhague Military District who joined into the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery (DCMS). Chaffing under this constant suspicion, and struggling with the continued oppression of both people and culture, a group of MechWarriors from the 22nd Rasalhague Regulars formed a secret resistance movement dedicated to achieving the long desired freedom of the old Principality of Rasalhague. In 3029, towards the close of the Fourth Succession war and with the ISF closing in on them, they saw their chance to break free and flee to the Lyran Commonwealth. That year, the group aid the Mobile Fire and Bad Dream mercenary units in their ambush of the 22nd Rasalhague Regulars on Gunzburg, forcing the DCMS regiment to surrender.


 * The founding members were allowed to take a lance of light mechs and given passage into Steiner space, where they would then set up the Skjaldborg mercenary unit. Bolstered by generous contracts and by support of the Lyrans, they were able to contribute to the continued conflict along the Steiner/Kurita border, fighting against DCMS units occupying the worlds of the Rasalhague Military District, their former comrades. Once the Republic was given its freedom in 3034 the Commonwealth graciously allowed the Skjaldborg to end its contract and sign on with the new nation. During the Ronin Wars that immediately followed, the Shieldwall fought above and beyond the wording of their contracts, more than willing to sacrifice pay and material to ensure that the fledgling Republic remained free.


 * During the Ronin Wars the Skjaldborg were assigned with the 3rd Drakøns to attack Orestes, Warlord Vasily Cherenkoff's rally point for Johiro’s Regiment of the Night Stalkers, the Twenty-second Rasalhague Regulars (the Skjaldborg's old regiment), and the Altenmarkt Militia to launch attempts to reclaim breakaway worlds. The Third arrived and tied all three regiments up, aided by the Skjaldborg as well as the Legion of the Rising Sun and Dismal Disinherited mercenary units on loan from the Lyran Commonwealth.


 * With the mercenaries attacking the Rasalhague Regulars and Night Stalkers, the Drakøns rolled over the Altenmarkt militia and captured vital supplies, before gaining air superiority over the planet. Despite protests from the LCAF military advisers assigned to the Third, after it became apparent to Överste Jorges Ulbrecht that Johiro’s Regiment was attempting to protect the largely Combine citizens of Kiertenbach, the Överste made contact with Tai-sa Johiro and struck a deal help evacuate the citizenry if the regiment would stand down. After watching for any treachery, the Night Stalkers stood down and surrendered to Republic forces in mid-August.


 * Now free to bring all its forces against the remaining Twenty-second, the Republic forces sent the mercenaries on a flanking maneuver as the Drakøns hit the Twenty-second head on. After heavy strafing runs from the Drakøns air wing, the Regulars found themselves smashed between the fresh mercenaries and the revitalized Drakøns, surrendering after 50% losses.


 * While the stigma of being a mercenary unit still stuck to them somewhat, it was to a much lesser degree, especially to those who knew the history of the unit. As the years have passed, good management and a further influx of ex-patriots and Rasalhague citizens has allowed the Skjaldborg to expand to include three different regiments, each with their own specialties.

THE SHIELDWALL OF THE REPUBLIC NEEDS YOU!

 * As of now, the Skjaldborg are divided into three regiments (whose crests make up the insignia of the Skjaldborg):
 * HUSCARLS: The meat and potatoes of the merc unit, the Huscarls were the original regiment of the Skjaldborg. They have focused on remaining well rounded and varied in the mechs and contracts they take.


 * DRAKJAGARE: The Dragon Hunters. This regiment generally uses light and medium mechs specializing in hit-and-run and recon contracts deep into the Kurita border worlds. It was formed shortly after the Fourth Succession War and subsisted on lucrative contracts from the Lyran Commonwealth before the independence of Rasalhague in 3034.


 * SVINFYLKING: Roughly translated as the "Swine Array." Specializing in shock attacks with heavy/assault mechs, they are known for their close combat tactics and smashing into the enemy with flanking maneuvers so that they can get in close to brawl. The growth of the unit after it signed under contract with the new Free Rasalhague Republic spawned this company, and the fierce, if brief, fighting during the Ronin Wars gave them their identity.



JOIN THE FIGHT TO ENSURE OUR CONTINUED FREEDOM!

 * We are a unit that has begun to gather around people devoted to the Free Rasalhague Republic who have a desire to prevent future history from repeating itself. We'll be throwing ourselves into the fight against the Draconis Combine (damn Snakes!) to strengthen the FRR before Operation Revival (the Clan Invasion) begins, and will fight tooth and nail against the Clan's incursions into our worlds.


 * One of the benefits of our unit is that it is new, formed specifically for MWO. This means that things are still in flux and our early members will have more of an influence over how things progress before the launch of the game. There is no prior Chain of Command that was formed for previous games and leagues that new members would need to work around.


 * That said, myself and others have participated in games like MPBT: Solaris, MPBT 3025, Mechwarrior multiplayer leagues, and InnerSphere War (ISW). The community found in those games is a major inspiration to this unit, and we will do our best to capture the spirit and camaraderie that was found there. That being said, little experience with BattleTech and MechWarrior is not a barrier to joining. We're looking for pilots with a stout heart and willingness to learn. Sizable ale mugs and a willingness to yell battle cries whilst charging headlong into the enemy also help.


 * The Regiment will have a rank structure and will be split into Battalions, each with companies beneath them, and multiple lances beneath those companies.


 * For those wishing to command a lance, a company, a battalion, or an entire regiment, we hope to provide that opportunity to you. For those looking to enjoy a community and competition without the worry of leadership, we will be doing our best to provide that as well through cooperation with the other units found in Mechwarrior Online.


 * Promotions will be merit based and voted on by the officers and peers. Awards will be given for service above and beyond the call of duty, and ribbons (campaign, total kills, number of matches survived in a row, etc) will as well.


 * We strive to capture the spirit of the unit we owe our roots to.


 * We fight for freedom.


 * We fight for each other.


 * We fight for the Republic.

REQUIREMENTS

 * 1: Currently there is no age requirement, though <18 will have special consideration as to how they would fit in to our gaming community
 * 2: TeamSpeak is required for coordination and socialization
 * 3: Members are expected to keep up to date on our forums, especially the news and events sections. Inactivity will result in AWOL status, further inactivity in removal of membership.
 * 4: Applicants are expected to read, understand, and follow the Code of Conduct
 * 5: Where appropriate, members should be "in uniform". This could mean having a [SoR] tag or utilizing the unit paint scheme.