Editing Iron Rangers (section)

===The Warrior's Path===
The training regimen within the XX Legion is called The Warrior's path. Starting the moment the aspiring mortal is deemed worthy to accept a gene-seed, the inductee is tested in all aspects. Willpower, physical ability, and strength of character is all put to the test as the child is sped towards the training planet Lofrudaeth. The forms of this testing are varied, some members of the XXV Tribe will play mind games to confuse and entrap the aspirants. Some assign them to the most physically intensive tasks on board the ship. Others will simply give them duties usually considered so tedious it only fits Servitors. Regardless the appearance, all the tasks result in the tester creating an early profile to judge the ability and character of the individual.

'''Yr Helfa'''
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Lofrudaeth is a Deathworld. Once a glorious Hive City, only skeletons of the old structures remain. Sometime during the Long Night, the various methods of keeping the planet's flaura and fauna under control stopped working. Some humans still live within the ruins of the abandoned cities, thriving on whatever sustenance they can find. It is also home to the training center of the Iron Rangers. It is mostly known as the first true stage in their training, also called induction or indoctrination, officially titled "Yr Helfa."

Upon touching down to the surface, Yr Helfa begins. Aspirants are stripped down to their fatigue pants and given a map, a small pack, 3 days worth of food and water, a camo-cloak, a spear, a hunting knife, a grenade, and a needle with thread. They are also unknowingly implanted with a tracking beacon so they can always be located.

Yr Helfa is broken down into 4 week long sections.

The first section is known as the 'Llwybyr' , and starts the second the aspirants set foot on the ground. With only their starting equipment and their wits, they have a day to trek 23 km across the incredibly hostile terrain to a waypoint, avoiding or defeating all the feral world's deadly fauna in the process. Designed to not give the aspirants time to prepare themselves, Yr Helfa forces the aspirants into extreme hardship right from the start of their induction, maintaining a high pressure that only gets harder as it goes on. It also serves the purpose of drilling the ruthlessly pragmatic mindset characteristic of the Rangers into the minds of the recruits, their very survival and success tied to the choices they make. Maybe recruits risk spending some of the little time they have fashioning primitive armour from what they can find, or perhaps they prioritize that time instead on finding a less treacherous route to the next waypoint; the choices are endless and they all have to be weighed.


The pressure is kept on recruits as the Llwybyr portion of Yr Helfa gets harder and harder throughout the week, culminating in 2 waypoints a day that both need to be reached for a success to be considered. Unbeknownst to the aspirants, failure in the Llwybyr section of the trials does not disqualify the recruit, it only impacts their final scores. The Lwybyr takes place across a variety of terrain all the way from mountainous areas, through jungles and forests, to swamps and rocky wastelands. The recruit is expected to use the limited training they have been given prior to their induction to survive in all of these environments. The Lwybyr has a particularly tough final day, this portion takes place in Lofrudaeth's only city, a large abandoned hive that has long since overgrown with the local fauna. This hive, formerly known as Drysfahearn, is a death trap; structurally unsafe buildings, rusted gantries and walkways, exposed and still live electrical wiring, and partially collapsed sewage and plumbing systems. Drysfahearn is also infested with numberless hordes of a violent omnivorous eusocial creatures known colloquially as "Rats", on account of their very vague resemblance toward the ubiquitous rodent. Most recruits will encounter the "Rats" due to their immense numbers, but a few recruits might be fast, stealthy, clever, or lucky enough to escape meeting the hordes that dwell in Drysfahearn.


After the Lwybyr section is over, the recruits enter the unnamed 2nd stage of the trial. This stage is a relatively simple week long survival challenge, starting with the aspirants having to escape the deathtrap that is Drysfahearn. Once out, they must survive in the wildernesses of Lofrudaeth; finding or constructing shelter and hunting or scavenging for food and water.


After this week is complete, the 3rd stage begins. This is known as the 'Gwaed' ', and it is the most dangerous part of the recruits' trial. A capsule is dropped at their location, containing some information on all the fauna of Lofrudaeth. They are also given their mission for this stage: to hunt and kill as many of these creatures as possible. The more prestigious, and dangerous, creatures to hunt take more time to track and kill than other still deadly but less dangerous creatures. Each aspirant must decide whether to go for quality or quantity with their hunts, and this choice will often have a bearing on their role once back in the legion.

Though they are not explicitly told to collect proof of their kills, recruits nearly always do anyway. Unbeknownst to them, a member of Milwyr Cwyn or a master scout will be tracking the progress of the recruits from a distance, and will check every kill made. Any who fail to kill anything in that week are disqualified, though they will not learn this until after they have been returned to the legion.


The trial ends with the stage known as 'Osgoi Talu' . Osgoi Talu is a secret stage, aspirants believe that they are in another week of survival before the next real challenge begins. This stage has marines of the XXth legion, and sometimes a squad from the Milwyr Cwyn, hunting down the aspirants as they go about their day to day survival. Partly a test and partly a thematic way to end their trials, the Osgoi Talu is often a good determinant of what role the aspirant will fill once in the legion, as it demonstrates the aspirants abilities to react to threats under stressful situations. Many who go on to become leaders and heroes of the XXth Legion are those able to last a full week or longer in the Osgoi Talu, utilizing their greater stealth, smarts, or speed.

Eventually, all surviving aspirants are caught and returned to the legion as fully fledged neophytes.

'''Neophytes'''
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Neophytes, also called "Ysglyfaeth" or "Dioddefwyr" by full-fledged astartes, are sent first to Gwaed Tribes, where they are divided into the various Tactical Hunts within. Usually only one or two Neophytes are in a Hunt simultaneously.

Given full power armour, they are equally watched over and tormented by their new peers. Often they are given the worst of the work required, and less rest. In between performing their duties, they are trained and taught by other, more experienced members of the Hunt. As they are taught by their peers, they are expected to teach what they learn to allied Imperial Army and Auxilia. It is believed that through this teaching of experiences they not only hone their own skills, but better understand the methodology and reason behind them.

Throughout their time as a neophyte, their actions and abilities are continuously recorded. Though they may not see it, patterns of natural talents emerge. The Huntsman in charge of them collects and analyzes this information on the dataslate assigned the individual, which follows him throughout his career.

Eventually, the neophyte grows to understand himself, his craft, and the necessities of surviving in combat enough to progress, or dies in the process. Neophytes who fall almost always receive acknowledgement as full Astartes post-mortem. Those who survive are sent back to Lofrudaeth for additional training.

'''Dewis'''
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Dewis is the next phase of training in the life as an Iron Ranger. The Neophyte gains acknowledgement in a private ceremony as a full Astartes and is sent back to Lofrudaeth for further training. Once they return to the deathworld, they may apply for a path for their own future amongst 3 of the primary specialisations (Ceidwad, Gwaed, or Llychlynwyr), as well as Techmarine and Apothecary training.

The decision for which path they follow is based on numerous factors. These include their personal preference, the needs of the Legion, and the information accrued on the applicant to date. Though Dewis only has one title, it is divided into two parts. The first is a month-long training program on advanced marksmanship, weapons operations and maintenance, and close combat techniques. Upon completing the first month, they are then divided by their selected specialty to either Tactical, Assault, or Vehicular school. All schools last another 2 months.
*'''Tactical School''' focuses more on marksmanship, ranged combat prowess, and tactics and strategies, including multiple field excursions.
*'''Assault School''' is almost entirely in controlled areas, focusing on Jump Pack usage and melee fighting.
*'''Vehicular School''' teaches the marine how to operate almost every vehicle in their inventory. They recieve hands-on instruction on bikes and Land Speeders, while jetbikes, tracked vehicles, and aircraft are taught largely through hypnotic methods.

After completion, they are sent back into active service. Tactical Marines are assigned to Tactical or Devastator Hunts. Assault Marines join Gwaed Tribes. Those who went to Vehicular School are assigned to Llychlynwyr Tribes, where they will often be tested on their ability to handle aircraft and jetbikes.

Though Dewis is still extraordinarily difficult for a regular human, it is possibly one of the easiest training sessions of the Iron Rangers. It is not intended to train an Astartes from scratch, it is merely meant to cover gaps in the Astartes' knowledge while giving them some specialised knowledge. Failures are rare. If a marine were to fail the first month, they are stripped of the Astartes title and sent back to their unit, with a mark of reprimand sent to the leader of their Hunt and Huntsman for promoting him before he was ready. Failing during the second part results in putting the marine in a holding unit while their record is re-examined before being sent to another specialisation more suited to their abilities. A second failure results in the same punitive actions as failing the first month. A marine may fail Dewis entirely twice before being determined unfit for service and is turned into a servitor. Some rare exceptions have allowed the failed marine to instead be sent to an Auxilia or live as a Legion serf. In such cases, the reprimands are removed from their leadership.

Eventually, marines will be promoted to positions of leadership. Many Tribes attempt to send new-founded team leaders to Meistrolaeth for experience and knowledge. Most are denied until they are ready to lead full Hunts. Regardless, as soon as an individual is considered ready to specialise, he is often given a choice between going to Meistrolaeth or bringing his experience to the Heliwr.

'''Dewis Helwyr'''
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Dewis Helwyr is similar to regular Dewis. When an Astartes is considered eligible for Meistrolaeth, he may choose between further specialising in his current path, or moving to Heliwr. If he wishes the latter, his record is reviewed. If approved, he is sent to Dewis Helwyr. As he has already gone through Dewis once before, the first month is ignored. Instead, he performs a 2 month field training on advanced stealth, camouflage, tracking, and stalking techniques. Training is often performed against aspiring Milwyr Cwyn candidates.

If they successfully graduate Dewis Helwyr, they are sent to Heliwr Tribes as they would normally, starting their advancement again as though they were newly-graduated Astartes. Failures are sent back to their units of origin. They may reapply in the future to go through training again, but there are few cases where marines were accepted a second time.

'''Meistrolaeth'''
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Is a blanket term for the advanced specialised training of Legion members. It is four unique Schools: Ceidwad, Gwaed, Heliwr, and Llychlynwyr. The 2-month field training focuses on leadership and expert methods, techniques, and tactics of their own specialties. It should be noted that once an individual completes his particular specialisation training, he may no longer choose to change to Heliwr.

Failures are sent back to their units of origin, but may reapply in the future. Those who graduate return to active service, to be sent to either a specialist unit or to lead a hunt, now carrying the title of their specialty (Ceidwad, Gwaed, Heliwr, or Llychlynwyr).

'''Llwybr yr Athrawon'''
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After progressing to the rank of a [Specialist] Huntsman and becoming approved for promotion, Iron Rangers go through Llwybr yr Athrawon. Unlike previous schools, instruction is not focused on equipment use and small-unit tactics. It is a long and detailed leadership course that utilizes both field exercises and simulations in order to teach aspiring marines the tactics and strategies of large units, logistics of field operations, and cooperation of multiple unit types. While not considered necessarily vital for the title of Uncle, it is considered mandatory for higher positions. It is divided into three phases:
*'''Athro''' focuses on how to properly train men into fighters, how to ensure those under your command are receiving proper training, and lasts 2 months.
*'''Arweinydd''' Lasts the longest, at 4 months. It consists mostly of simulations and deals with large-unit tactics and strategies
*'''Pennaeth''' Is a two-month field exercise which puts what they have learned to the test. Individuals rotate command positions while practicing everyday operations and commanding in combat environments, and is paired with Milwyr Cŵn training.

After completing Llwybr yr Athrawon, marines are promoted to Uncle and sent back to active service. Though it is only one school, marines who complete the course still retain their unique specialty, and will only directly command units of their specialty type.

'''Llwybr o Dim Byd'''
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Training to become Milwyr Cŵn is a separate choice. Any soldier eligible for or graduated from Meistrolaeth may apply. It is a long training process, turning the marine in question into one of the elite fighters of the Legion. It has several phases, and such is the difficulty that marines can and have died throughout the phases. Once a marine is elevated to the rank of Grandfather, he is no longer eligible to volunteer for the training. It is not a question of ability, merely that Merrill does not wish to lose commanders to smaller battlefield positions. On the other hand, it is possible for a member of the Milwyr Cŵn to transfer back into the rest of the Iron Rangers. Once doing so, they may be granted command of Heliwr forces or forces in which they specialised in, before or after the Llwybr o Dim Byd. Training itself is divided into 5 phases.

'''Selection''' is the first phase. It is a month-long training course designed to push applicants to their physical and mental limits. There is little training involved, merely tests of the applicants. They are forced through field operations, obstacle courses, navigational courses, and ends in a long hunt in which they must find and kill a Lofrudaeth Dragon using only a knife. The beast itself changes colours to blend with its' surroundings, has jaws that can crush even Astartes bone. Its' teeth and claws are half a metre long, and it can move at speeds over 100 kilometres per hour.

After successfully passing Selection, but before the next phase, the applicant must complete (if he has not already done so) Dewis Helwyr and Meistrolaeth.

'''Artaith''' is the next, and shortest, phase. Merely two weeks long, the applicants are stripped of all but fatigues, a distress beacon and a knife at a starting location. They then must proceed roughly 1600 kilometres to the end point in 14 days, performing a series of timed actions during the trek. While not impossible for an Astartes, this is a nonetheless daunting task, requiring the marine in question to use the combat trot at a minimum for up to 20 hours a day. To further complicate matters, applicants are considered active targets of opportunity through later training and are constantly hunted by their instructors. Being captured, activating the distress beacon, or not completing a task in the alotted time means failure. The only restrictions applicants face in avoiding capture is that they may not attack or use lethal force against their pursuers. Many of the most successful lay snares, pitfalls, and other traps in their wake to slow those chasing them.

'''Marwolaeth''' begins after a short recovery period and lasts 4 months. During this phase, applicants receive advanced leadership courses, are taught how to train and work with indigenous populations, and receive a collective retraining from all schools of Meistrolaeth. Another major focus of the phase is how to apply individual specialisations to complete a task. Throughout the phase, there are various timed teamwork activities, each requiring a slightly different skillset to accomplish in the designated time. It is then left to the various groups to plan and divide the work in order to accomplish the tasks. Applicants also begin learning various common languages of Human and Xenos origin during this phase. Graduates are given their specialised assignment, which is based on a combination of their history, preferences, skillsets, and the needs of the Legion. 

'''Ddrychiolaeth''' is the third phase. Lasting 6 months, applicants are broken down into their specialist groups. Language classes continue throughout the phase, with trainers often switching language or dialect throughout courses to ensure applicants are properly learning. There are regular joint excercises that further force applicants to be able to operate with a team of differently specialised troops.

*'''Ranged Specialists''' are given lessons in proper function, operation, assembly, disassembly, use, build, and repair of all commonly found human weapons, and some of the more common Xenos weapons. Graduation requires the ability to assemble, disassemble, and fire some 20 different firearms as easily and naturally as their expertise with bolters, and to create a working firearm using only scrap equipment.

*'''Close Combat Specialists''' are trained extensively with a variety of weapons and fighting styles from throughout the Imperium. They are also taught the basics of construction and repair of power and chain weapons. The test for graduation is a grueling, 3 hour fight where the applicant is stripped of ranged weapons and must clear a target area filled with notional enemies.

*'''Demolitions Specialists''' go through classes on construction, building, and vehicle design, as well as an advanced course to learn how to build and properly operate explosives. Graduation requires the applicant to destroy several structures and vehicles, however certain areas of both must be kept intact.

*'''Communications Specialists''' are taught various forms of Imperial and xenos short-range communications, transporter construction, and how to build vox units from spare parts. Also included is the operation of numerous forms of communications, tracking, beacon, and jamming units used by the Milwyr Cŵn. Graduates must be able to assemble a working vox unit from scrap to contact and maintain with several different signals.

*'''Vehicular Specialists''' are trained to operate and repair all major Imperial vehicles, from bikes to Titans. They are fitted with synaptic connectors to allow them to quickly take the controls of any Imperial vehicle they cross. Also included in the course are strengths and weaknesses of xenos vehicles, how to destroy them quickly, and how to quickly identify weak points in enemy vehicles.

*'''Medical Specialists''' are given a full course in operation and use of medical equipment, as well as advanced treatment, field surgery, and drug and toxin use and identification. Their graduation test involves keeping a wounded animal biologically similar to a human alive for 24 hours under battlefield conditions and with limited medical supplies.

Immediately after graduating Ddrychiolaeth, applicants are sent to the next and final phase of training.

'''Ailenedigaeth''' is the final phase, and a test of the skills applicants have acquired. It begins by equipping all applicants with standard combat equipment and forming them into standard teams for field work. They are then placed in a field problem for the next month. During this time, they will be monitored directly by a trainer, but given no instructions aside from the next mission. They are sent to a "friendly indigenous" village made up of some of the few remaining natives of Lofrudaeth. It is the duty of the marines to train and use them as though it was a real invasion scenario. During the first two weeks, applicants will equip and train them. At the start of the second week, they will begin offensive actions to overthrow the "enemy planetary government." Throughout the latter two weeks, they will be tested in a variety of missions and scenarios. As in a real combat scenario, making mistakes does not end the mission, it simply makes it increasingly difficult to succeed. The applicants graduate after successfully assassinating the "enemy governor" by the end of the month-long event. Each graduate is presented with a Power Spear to signify their ability and position within the Legion.

'''Llwybr y Iachäwr'''
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Llwybr y Iachäwr is the title of the training development of Legion Apothecaries within the Iron Rangers. Upon getting selected to become an Apothecary, the applicant undergoes the first phase of Dewis as normal. After graduating the first phase, the marine is then sent to train as an Apothecary. The training is long, and focuses almost entirely on the purely medical aspect of being an Apothecary. Upon graduation, they are sent to a fleet Apothecarium to learn from a senior Apothecary. During this time, the marine's study continues, as he is expected to be constantly reading new information and other texts on medical procedure, biology, medicine, cybernetics, and bio-engineering. A junior Apothecary must divide his time between assisting his senior and studying. Every few weeks, a test is administered to monitor the marine's prowess. Occasionally, the marine will be sent into combat as an auxiliary or replacement.

Once the young Marine has finished his time as an apprentice (determined by passing every test), he will go through one of the Dewis courses for the specialty in which he will work with, and sent to the fleet. Upon arrival, he will work directly with a unit by serving in a field hospital on the front lines, occasionally assist or replace line Apprentices when necessary. Once his commanding Apothecary is satisfied, he returns to Lofrudaeth to test his medical knowledge, treatment abilities, and receive advanced training on field surgery. Upon completion, he is sent back to become a line Apothecary.Many Tribes attempt to send their line Apothecaries through their own Meistrolaeth. To be accepted is considered a great honour, as it shows that the marine in question has a surpassing ability in war.

In order to be promoted and run an Apothecarium, he is sent to Llwybr yr Athrawon as would any. A graduate bears a speartip on his Prime Helix and is considered equivalent to an Uncle. Eventually, he may be promoted to run an Apothecarium at the Tribal or War Tribe level, and replaces the speartip for a winged Helix. The First Healer, who decides the curriculum and methods of the Legion's Apothecaries, bears the Prime Helix with speartip bisecting a skull.

'''Llwybr y Peiriant'''
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Future Techmarines of the XX Legion are chosen early. After Dewis, the applicant is sent to become the apprentice for a Techmarine working in one of the Legion's forges. During this time, the Master will teach the applicant much of what he knows and is able to discuss without breaking his vows to the Mechanicus. Once the Master of the Forge deems the applicant ready, he is sent back to Dewis to complete all four major specialties before being sent to Mars. While there, he is expected to regularly practice what he has learned in his training.

Upon returning from his stay with the Mechanicus, he is assigned a particular field of specialisation, and immediately sent to Meistrolaeth. Once finished, the marine is assigned a unit and fleet. When it is time to promote a Techmarine to a Master of a Forge, he is sent to Llwybr yr Athrawon before assuming this role.

'''Llwybr y Gweledydd'''
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Librarians hold a precarious place within the Iron Rangers. Their abilities in combat are greatly valued and considered one of the greatest assets of a Troupe. On the other hand, the Warp is dangerous, and impossible to truly master. As such, psykers are considered with suspicion and under constant supervision.

Upon learning an initiate has psychic potential, the Librarium is immediately involved with his advancement. Throughout Yr Helfa, he is monitored by a Librarian standing duty for signs of taint.

As a Neophyte, the marine is relieved of much of the worst treatment, as his spare time is spent under the tutelage and watchful eyes of several Codiciers. Though he may see combat, he is forbidden under pain of becoming a servitor if he is to summon or use his abilities. During this time, controlling his abilities and not using them is considered a primary goal. He proceeds as normal throughout the first few stages of his career, always being watched by the Librarium for any sign of corruption.

After successfullly completing Dewis, he begins to learn to wield his powers. Though still forbidden from using them without a ranked Librarian present, he spends his free time practicing with the Codiciers. He may never hold any position of leadership or utilise one of the special weapons of his unit for fear of losing said weapon. When the Codicier believes him sufficiently capable, the Marine returns to Lofrudaeth for Meistrolaeth. During this time, he may apply to transfer to a Heliwr unit as normal.

Once completed, he is promoted to the position of Lexicanium. While in this position, the Marine continues his tutelage under another Codicier, serves next to him in combat, and assists him in research and evaluating any new marines with psychic potential. During this time he is under the instruction and tutelage of a single Librarian. When the Codicier believes the young Lexicanium is ready, he is sent to be reviewed by a council of Epistolaries. if he passes this examination he is sent to Meistrolaeth, if he has not completed such already, and promoted to Codicier. 

As a Codicier, he is still under the watchful eyes of those above him. This time granted greater leeway, he is finally permitted to utilize his psychic powers without supervision. Battlefield reports are sent by both the Librarian in question and his commanding officer to the Epistolary above him. When possible, the Epistolary commanding him will administer weekly reviews in person to ensure that no taint exists.

As the Epistolaries judge a Lexicanium worthy of promotion, a Codicier must prove himself to the Chief Librarian. The Chief Librarian assembles his 4 highest Epistolaries, and the Codicier is tested in a variety of ways. In the end, those who pass are sent to Llwybr yr Athrawon, and promoted. At this point, the Librarian is largely free to do as he pleases. He must report monthly to his commanding Epistolary (or the Chief Librarian himself) every month for review. Battlefield reports are collected, and are weighted and considered during the monthly tests for corruption.