40K Lore: The Elysian Drop Troops
Come gather ’round Loremasters, as we discuss the legends of the Astra Militarum. Today, we discuss the storied history and grav-itas of the Elysians.
The warriors of the Astra Militarum are the best and brightest that humanity have to offer the galaxy. They place their lives on the line, bravely martyring themselves to ensure that the wheels of the Imperium turn. And yet even among the Militarum, there are legends. From the deadly commandos of the Catachans, to the shock troops of former Cadia–the Militarum produces some of the most varied fighting styles known to the galaxy. Today we are discussing the freefalling greatness of the Elysian Drop Troops.
The Elysian Drop Troops are Imperial Guard Regiments known for their rapid deployment capabilities, often deploying by rappelling or grav-chutes from Valkyrie Airborne Troop Carriers at high altitudes. These drop regiments are able to strike deep into enemy territory, specialising in ambushing the enemy or capturing important objectives, and can operate for extended periods of time without resupply.
The Elysians come from a verdant world some thirty light years from Armageddon, towards the galactic hub. The Elysia system and surrounding wilderness space is notorious for its marauding Ork warbands and pirates, as a main trade route through the sector passes through Elysia, and the system’s many swirling gas clouds and hundreds of asteroid fields provide perfect ambush sites. Through combating this ever-present threat, the Elysians are therefore well trained in ship-to-ship boarding actions, and fighting in concert with orbital support when attacking isolated pirate bases.
The specialised regiments of the Elysian Drop Troops are an elite force within the Imperial Guard, highly-trained and well equipped. They have perfected the art of airborne operations, utilizing sophisticated aircraft such as the Valkyrie airborne assault carrier and grav-chutes to strike deep behind enemy lines. It is not uncommon for an entire regiment to drop en masse onto their objective, raining down destruction and throwing enemy lines into confusion before they have even landed.[4]
While it is not unheard of for Elysian Drop Troop regiments to be supported by armoured and mechanised companies raised from their homeworld, typical combat doctrine foregoes the luxury of heavy vehicles and dictates the usage of fast-moving and lightweight assets. Drop sentinels and Tauros rapid assault vehicles are used extensively in the drop troop regiments. As a result, Elysian Drop Troops excel in ambushes, long-range reconnaissance, hit and run raids and attaining and holding objectives. In larger scale conflicts, Elysians will strike hard and fast, achieving their objectives and then quickly redeploying. In smaller engagements, Elysian drop troopers are experienced, well equipped and independent minded enough to operate for long periods of time without resupply.
Working in concert with Elysian drop troops, whole companies of Tempestus Scions are permanently attached to Elysian regiments to form an elite core. Like the Elysians themselves, Tempestus Scions specialise in covert operations and grav-chute deployment, and Scions will often spearhead assaults, working together to complete their objectives.
The most important part of an Elysian trooper’s gear is his Grav-chute, a complex piece of equipment issued only to Drop Troops and Storm Troopers. The grav-chute only activates at a set altitude and while it slows their final descent the trooper will still hit the ground fairly hard, requiring much training to learn how to roll with the impact and avoid injury. The grav-chute is then quickly detached from the trooper’s back plate allowing them freedom of movement. During a typical high-level jump from 10,000 feet it will take the trooper two minutes to reach the ground.
A respirator mask, covering the lower half of the face not protected by the visor and worn on the chest plate, allows the trooper to breath for high altitude deployments. It is connected to an oxygen tank incorporated into the back plate through underarm air hoses, although this air supply is insufficient for hostile environments.
The distinctive Elysian 68 pattern webbing allows the trooper to carry more equipment than typical with non-Drop Guardsmen, a necessity given the type of deployments they are sent on. Grenades, supply pouches, canteens and other small equipment can be clipped to their belt while large pouches and a tactical load-bearing backpack fit onto the back plate and can be worn underneath the grav-chute. For larger equipment the trooper will jump with a drop canister, a large container which can hold a heavy weapon and its ammunition, rations, medical equipment or other supplies. These canisters are also known as ‘coffins’, not least because they are large enough to serve this purpose after battle.
So there you see, Loremasters. The Elysians have earned their reputation, supporting it with specialized equipment, training, and victories across the Imperium.
