Full Army Photo
The 157th Cthonian Assault Regiment comes from Cthonia Primaris, which is a planet situated next to the Mechanicus World of Stygies in Segmentum Obscurus. Close neighbors to Cthonia include the thrice-invaded world of Armageddon and Piscina IV, the sight of a massive Tyranid invasion. Cthonia's location means it can take advantage of its neighbors massive manufacturing power.
Cthonia was first settled long before recent imperial history, and it is thought the current levels of nerve gas in the atmosphere reflect long forgotten battles between the original colonists. Whatever the reasons for the state of Cthonia's air, the atmosphere is completely unbreatheable by humans. Large hab-domes were constructed over the major living areas of the planet eons ago and have been maintained by the Adeptus Mechanicus ever since. In recent years, the Cthonian PDF has used the hostile atmosphere to train its infantry forces. Cthonian combat techniques while utilizing the type IV rebreather have been copied and reused by armed forces across the Segmentum.
Cthonia has in equal parts large forested areas and industrialized urban centers. In addition, there are several expansive desert regions which dot the planets surface; these are uncharacteristic features for the planets ecosystem. Local historians point to the increased radon content of the soil, which indicates the detonation of high-yield atomic munitions. Whether the deserts are a result of Cthonians past wars, or a freak ecological occurence, today they provide a useful tool for the training of Cthonians tank regiments.
The regiments which come from Cthonia are known Segmentum-wide for their tenacity and skillfulness in battle. The hostile environment training of the Cthonian infantry is unmatched. The common Cthonian infantryman is recruited from the civilian population when he is just 15 years old. The first two items he is issued is a Type III Rebreather and a Armageddon Pattern Lasgun. The next three years are spent in lasgun-drill, rebreather function testing, zero-grav hand-to-hand combat training, and armored support operations. At adulthood, the recruit is issued his fatigues and service badge. Unlike other Imperial Guard Regiments, Cthonian officers allow their newly minted guardsmen the choice of either Armor, Support, or Infantry specialties. The only branch which requires selection is the elite Cthonian Storm Trooper Cadres.
The Cthonian Assault Regiment
Cthonia's Assault Regiments are highly trained, well-oiled machines of destruction. The Regiment is divided into 2500 troops, 150 tanks, support vehicles, and transports, 200 special operation storm troopers, and 5 gunships. The commander of the Assault Regiment is charged with knowing the capabilities, destructive potential, and the most effective tactics for using all of these different assets. Cthonia is unique in that all Regiment commanders started life as 15-year old recruits, just like the common soldier under his charge. This cohesiveness is the bane of Cthonias enemies and has earned the Assault Corps notoriety along the lines of more reknowned Regiments like Valhalla and Tallarn.
Unit Photos
Heavy Weapons Sections
Lord Commissar flanked by Junior Commissars
Cthonian Stormtrooper Squad Sgt.
Sgt. Lucius flanked by troopers Ace and McBeath
Thunderer Siege Tank "Slaughterer"
This tank Served with the 157th Regiment during actions against the Eldar on Adrantis II and the foul forces of Chaos on Priscina IV. The battle damage on the left side is from an assault on Hab Block Beta during the Piscina IV invasion. A Chaos Marines Autocannon ripped through the vehicle, killing the driver. The death enraged the vehicles crew, who turned the enormous Demolisher cannon on the Plague Marines and destroyed the entire squad.
Leman Russ Battle Tank "Well Endowed"
This tank served with the 157th Regiment during the siege of Andrantis II. The vehicle saw extensive action against the Eldar of Ulthwe Craftworld. On one notable occasion, the vehicle destroyed an Eldar tank-hunter, saving the rest of his Regiments vehicles from destruction. For this action, the tank commander and gunner were awarded the Order of Cthonia, a medal symbolizing gallantry and bravery in action.
Wheeled Leman Russ Demolisher "Hell Bane"
An experimental design on loan from the Mechanicus of Stygies, this Demolisher Variant served with the 201st Cthonian Assault Regiment during the Pranagar Insurrection in Segmentum Tempestus. The Demolisher is painted in desert colors and has a dedicated comm-array on its left flank, marking it out as a command vehicle.
Army List
Coming Soon!
Why I Started This Army
I have always been a fan of the Guard!
