A Vitrian Dragoon
The Vitrian Dragoons are an Astra Militarum militarum regimento from the Desert World of Vitria. The Dragoons stem from a martial culture formed entirely around the Vitrian honour code, the Byhata, an ancient treatise on warfare.
Every Vitrian Trooper carries their own copy of the Byhata on their person at all times, even into combat. Tradition states that the Byhata should be carried in a special pocket under the trooper's armour, directly over their heart.
Every copy of the Byhata is fitted with a lock that is gene-coded to the owner, so that only they may open the book. In the Vitrian culture, it is a capital offense for anyone other than a Vitrian to gain access to or read the Byhata.
The Dragoons are a heavy infantry regiment and have a Storm Trooper mentality, constantly firing their las weapons on the highest setting, as it states in the Byhata that one should always strive to make the first hit the last one.
While this means that each shot is more likely to penetrate armour and inflict greater tissue damage on the target, it also means they deplete their las-clips far more quickly than other regiments with a more measured approach.
Vitrian Dragoons wear specially fitted armor formed from the metallic glass that their homeworld is famous for. This glass armour gives the Vitrian Dragoons extraordinary protection, especially against directed energy weapons.
At the flip of a switch on the waist, the glass pieces of the armour will rotate in place to present the much darker underside, providing the Vitrians with effective nighttime camoflauge.
Regiments of Vitrian Dragoons have fought in many warzones across the Imperium, including several regiments fighting in the ongoing Sabbat Worlds Crusade. The regiment led by Colonel Zoren has fought alongside the Tanith First and Only on several occasions, and Colonel-Commissar Ibram Gaunt considers Zoren to be a close friend.
At the current time of the Sabbat Worlds Crusade, this particular regiment of Vitrians has been on garrison rotation for several years, much to the envy of their Tanith friends.
Notable Events[]
After being saved in battle on Fortis Binary by the intervention of the Tanith 1st, the Vitrians, led by Colonel Zoren, repaid their debt on Menazoid Epsilon, by attacking the treacherous Jantine Patricians, who had been ordered to slaughter Gaunt's Ghosts from the rear.
By flanking the Patricians and achieving total surprise, the Vitrians, despite suffering heavy casualties, annihilated the 700 or so Patricians.
The Vitrian Dragoons also fought in the Solypsis Campaign, alongside the Volpone Bluebloods, against the treason of Governor Gideon.
The 331st Vitrian Dragoons disappeared on Donoria Prime, alongside regiments of Kanak Skull Takers and Savlar Chem-Dogs, under mysterious circumstances after they were ordered there to wipe out an infestation of Donorian Fiends and close a Webway breach.
Sources[]
- Gathering Storm: Fracture of Biel-Tan (7th Edition), pg. 37
- The Sabbat Worlds Crusade (Background Book)
- First And Only (Novel) by Dan Abnett, Part Two, Ch. 9
- Battle of Solypsis, Games Workshop Website, Archived Page
- Warhammer Community - Look Inside The Sabbat Worlds Crusade (Image)