Characters/MelasVengefulTalon

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Mela's Vengeful Talon

On paper they are recorded as the Second Talon of the First Wing of the Tenth Dragon of the 16th Legion of the Scarlet Empress. A rather simple designation, easily overlooked. Indeed, with a cursory examination one might think them a poorly regarded unit with little discipline. After all, the 16th Legion is sponsored by House Nellens -- hardly a recipe for military discipline and a heroic reputation. However, those familiar with what the numbers represent would have a very different reaction.

The first thing he would realize is that the Tenth Dragon of the 16th is commanded by Dragonlord Veran Nilashos, one of the best commanders left in the service of the Legions. Once he was the general of the 16th, and he only barely survived the Great Houses takeover -- by casting his lot in heavily with House Nellens. The Tenth Dragon remains his own, and every member of it is hand picked by the old campaigner. The officers know what they're doing and are experienced, while the men are veterans who have proven themselves on the field of battle. With no more information than that, one would expect Mela's Vengeful Talon to be a unit a cut above most.

Since you've heared of Veran Nilashos, however, the odds are that you also know of Nellens Dolor. A rarity in his house of patricians and outcastes, Dolor is something of a rising star -- a competent military commander. In some cases, this would make him a target of assassinations. However, being in charge of one of the most elite forces left in the Legions makes that a situation that is slightly easier to survive. The last assassin to come after Dolor got a stern talking to and a bit of career advice, and was politely sent on his way with a warning that the Talon wouldn't be as nice to the next one.

In other circumstances, the Second Talon of the First Wing of the Tenth Dragon of the 16th Legion of the Scarlet Empress would have widespread legendry across the Scarlet Empire. Their history stretches back over a century, their feats are both impressive and noteworthy, and they are composed of some of the most competent and heroic soliders and officers in the Legions -- even BEFORE the Great Houses gutted the military.

However, in the abscence of a wide reputation for heroism the Talon will settle for being the best at what they do. And they are...

The Talon, in makeup

The Vengeful Talon of Mela performs a number of services for the 16th Legion, in terms of scouting and small unit engagements. All members are skilled in small-unit combat, stealth and reconaissance -- most are just as dangerous in one on one combat, and are often deadly in any circumstances. A number of them are basically Legions-trained Assassins. The Talon has a number of specialists as well, for everything from First Age Power Armor to the training of light guerilla forces among indigenous populations.

Often times the Talon is separated from it's main force, sent on small operations on it's own or with other similar forces from other Legions. Quite professional in handling these matters, a bit of competition none the less develops. In particular, the Talon has a sense of friendly rivalry going on with the Fire and Ice Talon (15th Legion, under command of House Cathak) and the Immacualte Fist of Pasiap (20th Legion, under the command of House Mnemon).

The talons' rough make-up is as follows:

• Three Scales (75 men) of Skirmishers. An elite unit, with access to medium to heavy armor, and a fair amount of exceptional weaponry including a small contingent of shock pikes. The unit focuses on mobility, manuevering and inflicting punishing damage in light strikes. The unit has few actual Dragon-Blooded, but is personally commanded by Nellens Dolor when he is in the field.
• One Scale (25 men) of Reconaissance/Scouts. An elite unit, with access to light armor, bows, and artifacts that facilitate communication with the rest of the legion. The unit focuses on staying out of danger, and sight, and providing information for the front. An overabundance of Terrestrials in the scale, especially Air Aspected, give it a good reputation. The unit is commanded by Nellens Faranwa.
• Three Fangs (15 men) of Silent Daggers of the Empress. This is composed of a fang of Terrestrials in Dragon Armor, supported by a number of highly trained heroic mortals who are used to working with the Princes of the Earth. A very tight group, often assigned wih the Skirmishers. Sesus Padwa leads all three fangs, though the unexalted fangs also have undercommanders.
• One Fang (5) of Combat Engineers, responcible for maintnence of equipment and the setting up of fortifications in the field. Nellens Dalara is in charge of the small group, though she answers strictly to any of the Dragon-Blooded.
• One Fang (5) of a sworn brotherhood, the Radiant Fists of Mela, with flexible specializations that can be deployed in a number of fashions. Egalitarian, but the ranking officer is Huali.

NPCs fo the Talon

The Dragon Blooded
Characters/MelasVengefulTalon/VeranNilashos || Commander of the 10th Dragon, and patron/leader of the Talonlord.
Characters/MelasVengefulTalon/NellensDolor || The Talonlord, and commander of the Talon. Up and coming political force.
Characters/MelasVengefulTalon/NellensFaranwa || A Scalelord,
Characters/MelasVengefulTalon/SesusPadwa || Scout, Archer, and amateur Assassin. Young and overconfident. -- CrownedSun
Characters/MelasVengefulTalon/Huali || Graduate of Pasiap's Stair, and a impressive military commander.

the Mortals who support them
Characters/MelasVengefulTalon/NellensRama || Second to Dolor, and a very talented undercommander. Somewhat dark of mood, however.
Characters/MelasVengefulTalon/NellensDalara || A skilled and
[[[Characters/MelasVengefulTalon/VengefulMortalOther]] | Other Mortals of Note]]