Inquisitorial Report - Blood Dragons (Protectorate USA Elite Unit)
Name: Blood Dragons (also; Red Dragons, Blood Drakes, Scions of Abhorash)
Formation Type: Elite Mounted/Infantry
Numbers: Unknown
Introduction: The Blood Dragons are a unit of (suspected) mutants that serve as fast attack elites for the heretical forces of the Cainite Protectorate. Clad in red power armour and mounted upon jet bikes, they charge down their prey and tear them apart, drinking their blood before charging off to find new targets.
Initially encountered by Imperial forces during [REDACTED], they are believed to originate from Cassandron (see; Cassandron Report). Squads known as claws (around ten to twenty individuals) have been deployed alongside Protectorate forces on numerous battlefields, although singular individuals have been seen acting as bodyguards for Cainite commanders. Their deployments, according to captured documents, are chosen by the Blood Dragons themselves - they go where they wish, and fight who they want to.
Reports indicate the formation partakes in heretical blood-rites, both on and off the battlefield - although analysis indicates they are not related to the Blood God. Other hallmarks of their culture include perverse declarations of "honour" and martial prowess. Blood Dragons seek out the greatest opponents - be they human, xeno, deamonic or simple beasts - and prove their might by slaying them. This extended to vehicles such as tanks or Imperial Knights.
It is suspected that the Blood Dragons are all mutants of a unidentified strain - they possess strength, reflexes and endurance beyond any normal human, even ones in power armour. The few times they have been seen out of armour show that they are unnaturally pale and thin, having "burning" red eyes and pronounced canines.
More evidence comes from their recruitment practices. Blood Dragons have approached (unaugmented) humans of remarkable skill and bravery, asking if they wish to "become one with the Blood of Abhorash" and "accept the Blood Kiss". Although it is assumed they recruit mainly from Protectorate forces, they have approached Imperial elements - including those that have taken prisoner, during times of (short term, under duress) truce, or even upon the battlefield. All those that have accepted are known to have reappeared at a later date, bearing the arms and armour of the Blood Dragons and sharing their unnatural abilities.
Former Imperials that have accepted the "Blood Kiss" are regarded as the highest of traitors, and to be killed on sight with full prejudice. It is speculated - although there is little proof - that the Blood Dragons are a strain of Genestealer cult, perhaps bound through sorcery to the Black Commissar's command.
Combat Doctrine: As stated above, the Blood Dragons are designated as fast attack units. Although they commonly assault flanks and create breakthrough points for other Protectorate forces, their preferred battlefield tactic is to attack the elites of the opposing force; for Imperial forces, this can include Tempestus Scions, Space Marine Veterans, and Celestians. The heretics also target command squads and positions, beheading the enemies' leadership.
Their preferred form of attack is lightning charges, aiming to skewer their enemies on power lances. Failing that, the Blood Dragons dismount and assault with more conventional power weapons. They are known to demand - and honour - duels. Upon defeating those they term "worthy adversaries", Blood Dragons may offer them the "Blood Kiss". If refused, they will proceed to consume the blood of their victim. The exception comes from those the Blood Dragons consider unworthy, primarily cowards or braggards, who are left impaled, suffering long, painful deaths.
The Blood Dragons are aggressive to the extreme, always preferring to attack, even when holding advantageous defensive positions. This is not to say they are reckless, for the mutants are skilled tacticians. On occasion they have been known to lead standard USA troops into combat.
Wargear: Each Blood Dragon enters battle on a jetbike of an unknown, but likely heretical, pattern. Faster than a standard assault bike, these vehicles allow for rapid movement over all terrain, allowing their riders to attack from any angle. Each is equipped with currently unknown las-weapon technology that can switch from las-cannon blasts to rapid-fire, making the Blood Dragons a menace for heavy vehicles and infantry formations both.
Blood Dragons have access to a number of power weapons. Most famously are their power lances - when at speed, they are able to tear through the armour of a Baneblade, and can skewer a Space Marine. Blood Dragons also utilize power swords and shields as melee armaments, although some prefer powered axes, fists or claws. Some are known to use chain weapons.
Although they are rarely used, Blood Dragons are also equipped with sidearms such as las- or plasma pistols.
Addendum 1: Repeated references to "Abhorash" have been made by Blood Dragons - they are believed to be some founding member of their group, or perhaps the primogenitor of their mutant strain. Their status and location are unknown.
Addendum 2: In recent naval conflicts with the Cainite Protectorate, formations of fighter elites identified as "Blood Barons" have been recorded. Their relationship to Blood Dragons are currently under investigation.
Addendum 3: Blood Dragons have a animosity with the Blood Angels & their descendants - or perhaps vice versa. When facing each other on the battlefield, the two groups engage in combat with little concern for the wider situation.
Inquisitorial Report - Blood Barons (Protectorate PUN Elite Unit)
Name: Blood Barons (also; Blood Drakes, Bloodgheists, Wings of Abhorash)
Formation Type: Elite Space/Air Superiority Fighters
Introduction: An apparent offshoot of the USA's mutant elite Blood Dragons, Blood Barons are a formation of elite pilots, flying highly advanced and heretical attack craft, sworn to the Cainite Protectorate United Navies.
Similar to Blood Dragons, it seems the Red Barons operate outside the PUN's usual deployment schemes, instead choosing what fleets or campaigns they will join. Once they do, they swear apparently binding oaths to the force's leadership.
Blood Barons prefer to engage those they see as "worthy" opponents - Space Marine Stormraven, Eldar Crimson Hunters, Tau Razorshark, etc. Although they primarily fly in squadrons - known as "claws" - once a Blood Baron has chosen their target their fellows will peel off, seeking their own prey.
Bizarrely, despite flying fighter craft, some Blood Barons have been known to attempt to bring down entire starships. Such attempts are foolish, and prove the madness of the mutant, as no small, one-man fighter can down a battleship on their own.
Pilot: Initially it could only be speculated - based on the similar names & motifs - that the Blood Barons were indeed related to the USA's Blood Dragons. However this was confirmed by an incident involving a troop transport - the
Morris, a troop transport carrying Praetorian Guard. During a traitorous ambush by the PUN, brave aces of the Imperial Navy managed to damage the propulsion systems of a Cainwing V fighter, forcing it's crash landing into the
Morris. Naval armsmen and maintenance crews deployed to the crash site found that, despite the attack craft taking critical damage on landing, it's pilot was alive.
Pict-captures and numerous eye-witness accounts correlate that the pilot was the same kind of pale-skinned and red-eye mutant as the Blood Dragons. Fleeing it's crash, doubtlessly wounded and disorientated, the mutant proceeded to carve a bloody swathe through the crew of the
Morris. Despite the Praetorian Guard valiantly deploying to reinforce, the heretic was able to sneak past and reach the hanger decks. There they stole a Arvus Lighter and fled back into space, re-joining the space combat. IFF tracking confirmed that the landing craft returned to the PUN's carrier following the Imperial's tactical redeployment.
Cainwing V: The majority of our knowledge of the Cainwing V variant - aside from reports of them in combat - comes from the example that crashed into the
Morris. Salvaged by Mechanicum adepts, it was handed into Inquisitorial custody following negotiations.
Visually the Cainwing V is visual differentiated from other Cainwing variants by their full red colouring, as well as larger upper wings granting the craft a more spike-like appearance. The armament is mostly unchanged, if lacking in defensive measures. Apparently the mutants put their faith in inhuman reflexes to keep them safe.
The main alteration to the Blood Barons' craft is in the cockpit - it seems the Blood Barons go into battle quite literally swimming in blood, their cockpits filled via pumps with warm vitae. One shudders to think how gallons of the stuff may be sourced,
for each fighter, but it is kept fresh using a advanced refrigeration & purification system - the latter is known to incorporate chemicals found within the Panacea technology. It is speculated that not only do the Blood Dragons drink this blood mid-flight, but being suspended in liquid reduces the affect of g-forces.
World flavouring created for the excellent Zahariel excellent
Ciaphas Cain, Warmaster of Chaos, over on Space Battles.
Ideas from others included
