Weird Killer Squads
"1 in 5!" -the motto of the Weird Killers
Composition
Manpower
The squads of Weird Killers go no higher than 5. This number was chosen for being perfectly disposable, and still tactically able to sneak almost undetected by most means.
Equipment
Due to the nature of their gear, these teams are by no means numerous. As such, these teams are equipped with as good of equipment as their employers can buy. Typically sporting plate armor of some variation, these teams go in well protected with plate armor blessed and enchanted by wizards to make them harder to detect through magical means. Then comes the many pouches and backpack to carry their extra equipment and gear they may need such as rations, shovels, and tents for more extended deployments. Then comes the gasmask, which is technology that was conveniently "burrowed" by dwarves. It helps to protect the wearer from toxic air, useful for the gas bombs the squads utilize. Other tools include smoke bombs and even Faerie Bombes, which are said to glow brightly and disorient targets.
Weaponry
Thanks to the innovation of gunpowder weaponry, the squads are able to utilize matchlock rifles, to dispatch their foes rather than crossbows. These weapons are all blessed by the churches of their nations, for many churches hold that magic is in some form unholy. Swords, maces, bayonets, and even brass knuckles and knives are utilized to grim efficiency on their targets, be there feared wizards of war, or out of control young magic users, losing control of their power as they mistakenly kill all those around them.
Tactics
1 in 5. That is the chances of survival in a squad. Typically on a good deployment 1 member will come back, on far too many deployments, none come back at all. But the mission is always completed. Typical tactics include laying ambushes and opening up with gas bombs, or other types of tools meant to disorient their targets. Then they typically fire volleys from heavily covered positions, before rushing fourth to finish off any survivors with melee weapons such as bayonets, swords, or maces.
Training
The training for these squads is fast, and horrifyingly brutal. It isn't uncommon for trainees to die from training exercises, but such is the need for these small groups that the training has to be as fast and as through as possible. Any weakness cannot be tolerated in these squads.
Logistics
Upkeep
The technology that goes into maintaining and outfitting the Weird Killer Squads is state of the art. As such, rates for these units is incredibly high. Not to mention the pay that needs to be promised to the members of these teams, for typically the missions are almost suicidal in their danger. As such, high compensation pay must be given out to even make the damned men and women who don the mask of the Weird Killer even consider joining.
Recruitment
Typically, the tradition of offering criminals the chance of lightened or forgiven sentences for military service has been common across the world. Killers can turn their "expertise" to more "healthy" directions when in an organized military. The Weird Killers are no different, and typically recruit from convicts. However they also recruit from other groups, such as the terribly poverty stricken beggars, or the down right suicidal individuals wishing death not by mundane means, but in the fires of war. To join the Weird Killers is to accept ones death, as such graduating from the training course given to these trainees is "celebrated" by a mock funeral for the new member.
History
Truly, a mage can demolish an entire column of men in but a second, and a magic user who has not been blessed with the grace of training under the magical academies is doomed to one day lose control, and massacre all those they love in one apocalyptic moment. Such is the concern of the Counter Magic Assault Group, or CMAG, though their more popular name is the Weird Killers. Formed in the nation of Neundorf, they sought a way to better combat enemy wizard formations, for while the old Vestoni way of sending heavy shock cavalry to hunt down the wizards does work, it can also be easily dispatched should the enemy magic users be warned of the cavalry charge. Neundorf sought a more subtle approach. Conveniently "discovering" technology from passing dwarves of the sky port Barak Doruhl, Neundorf would equip a small 5 man team with these new "gas masks" and simply the promise of some of the highest payment one could achieve, and freedom from their sentences, for thee members of this team are those condemned to die under execution for whatever crimes they committed.
The Battle of Elsterthal, was a small border skirmish between the nations of Ashenfeld and Neundorf. Wholly unremarkable for this world, what was remarkable was this was the first instance in this specialized force being deployed. In the ruins of one of the outlying villages of Elsterthal, the Weird Killer teams were deployed, crossbows and bayonets in hand, and bombs of toxic gasses jingling on their belts as they crept through the ruins of a once populated town, now reduced to bloody ruins as battle wizards laid waste to the village. The battle that followed was chaotic, as the squad would take the wizards by surprise, and their gas bombs made short work of many before the wizards could even react. When the gases wore off the bolts began to fly, and when 2 were felled, the remaining 3 charged with bayonets. It would be a day before the Neundorf commanders would get word of a single blood covered man, stumbling back to friendly lines. He was horrifically wounded, but the mission was done, with he the only survivor.
Since then, this type of squad has been kept in place as highly specialized, if expensive to arm, 5 man teams that other nations have begun copying. The introduction of gunpowder to the continent of Nilush has only made these squads more expensive to maintain, and as such, some of these squads sell their services as highly expensive, but highly valuable sellswords.
Type
Special Forces
Founding
3689
Overall training Level
Elite
Assumed Veterancy
Trained
