Litoric Marines

History

Founding & Abilities

Given The Litoric Islands archipelagic nature and high emphasis on naval ability, logic dictates that there must be some military unit to assault land targets. While the Litoric Marines are not the largest of amphibious groups, they are both the most elite and highly specialized. Tapping into the inherent powers of the Litoric Islanders, these seaborne soldiers utilize a preternatural ability in the water, becoming the premier shock unit for this martial race.

Tactics

With their ability to move through the water as efficiently as the average mortal can move across land, these soldiers are the premier method of seizing seaside fortifications. While they cannot breath underwater indefinitely, they still have a distinct advantage in that regard, as well as in speed. Thus, they are generally dropped off near the mouth of a river, if their target is inland, from which they can swim past any watchmen and defenses. If these marines can neutralize their target themselves, they will do so. However, operations upriver from the coast are generally preventative in regards to swift escapes, which leads to these units being used as a vanguard for a larger, less specialized, force.

"Surely A Record Setting Swim! Our brave Marines made it far upriver to attack a village of Northern Tribes! Surely the war will soon be ended!" - The Evening Bos'n, First Frozen War

When it comes to seaside fortifications, rather than inland ones, stealth is generally key, so as not to jeopardize whichever vessel is transporting these marines. From far out to sea, they will swim to their target, generally at night and deep underwater, to lessen the chance of their wake being seen from afar. From there, whichever mission they have been assigned will be executed with the highest level of professionalism and speed, be it the scaling of a cliff to a fortress, or the clearing of harbor defenses. On occasion, they also face the dangerous task of being dropped off ahead of a bombardment, so as to slip in after the walls are breached. In this instance, the marines will stand perilously close to the rubble of a fortress, as naval siege weapons destroy the walls around them. This risky mission has, insofar as is known, been carried out with great success every time.

Military Conflicts

The Frozen Wars

First

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Second

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Third

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The Waterspout War

"Shocking Victory Sweeps Nation! Our bravest sons slipped past those blind Anharans yesterday to cripple their fleet at anchor! Meridia itself shook with explosions!" - The Evening Bos'n

Rare, given the lack of navies to rival the Litoric Islands, is an attack upon ships resting at anchor. However, during The Waterspout War, the most famous of these missions was executed. One dozen marines slipped into Port Castellion's docks, where they ignored the fleet at anchor, instead swimming up-river to Lake Mira. From here, they made their way to the Mira Docks, at the Anharan capital of Meridia, where five of the nation's best warships were crippled by explosions in their magazines. Slipping back down-river, as chaos ensued behind them, they took similar action against the previously ignored fleet in Port Castellion.
There was only one casualty, with a marine injured by the premature explosion of the magazine he targeted, burning his back as he escaped. This Islander was carried between his brothers-in-arms to the Litoric Fleet waiting offshore, surviving the mission. This mission's publicity is generally held responsible for the legendary status of the unit.

Type

Marines

Used by

• Litoric Fleet