The 1st Fire-Mark Guard

&nbsp The 1st Fire-Mark Guard are a company of mercenaries under Alberik Bergmen. Alberik formed the unit at some point after the Vessel Time-Loop Cycle was resolved. The guard rely heavily on their own specialized weapons and armors - including modified steam-plate and advanced techno-mechanical firearms. This is especially true of high ranking officers, specialized units and the Steam Guard.

Recruitment and Training
Those recruited by the guard are carefully selected for their potential battlefield ability and their latent or expressed interest in tinkering, technology and all things mechanical. One of the first things a new recruit learns is how to properly maintain and repair their basic weapons and armor. As a soldier rises in rank equal stress is placed upon increasing military knowledge and tinkering knowledge. Those particularly blessed in the realm of tinkering are assigned to blueprint development and experimentation, however they are still quite capable of serving on the front lines. Combat specialists also undergo special training as do potential officer candidates. Once at a certain rank careful cultivation of a loyalty to the Machine begins. With succesful candidates this means admitance to the Cult of the Burning Machine which forms the internal nexus of power that gives shape to the guard. The secret heart of the 1st Fire-Mark Guard is one hidden deep behind altered symbolism, double meaning and ironclad care.

Ranks
There are two sets of ranks within the unit: the first is the external one which applies to every soldier in the guard, the second is internal and known only by a select group within the command structure.

From the outside the general rank and file are simply called line troops, however within the line units there are specialized groups including skirmishers and assault troops. Units are under the First Captains(equivilent to a sargent) who in turn serve under the First Marshals (a First Marshal commands a division-roughly) and they serve under the Machine Lords who answer directly to the First Machine Lord.

The internal ranks are organized in a tiered council with the First Machine Lord at the head. He, for it is currently Alberik, is seen as the foremost authority on the Burning Machine and is viewed as a form of messiah of the Machine. (More to come...)

The Fire-Mark
The symbol of the 1st Fire-Mark Guards is a a circle with flames rising out of it which appear to part natural fire and part machine. It is a greatly changed version of the mark of the Machine Throne which depicts a warrior in ancient steam-plate becoming one with a mechanical throne.

Equipment
When equipped fully the guard wear modified steamplate.

The guard carry Adenian steel rifles and the specialized units are equipped with hand-cannons.