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Description

Younglungs are conscripts press-ganged by Morrian Chem-Troopers to serve when a campaign on a civilised world becomes drawn out, Imperial losses pile up and re-enforcements were not due for a while or were not coming. Forced to adapt quickly or die out, those who survive their first engagement and distinguish themselves having the potential to become part of the Guard proper. These can consist of gangers and criminals brought out of the planet's prisons and are promised amnesty and glory through service or death; Prisoners from human enemies who are fitted explosive collars and forced to fight and die against their own to spare themselves a more painful execution; Or normal citizens who are fit to fight that are roused to join as their fate is often more horrid and gruesome if the Imperials lose the conflict.

This practice of conscription among the Morrian troops has become tradition, so much so that a unique culture has evolved to give these poor souls an identity and some semblance of pride when they are called upon to serve. One of the more common practices among Younglungs no matter the regiment is the application of stripes, typically applied to the helmet to display their conscript status, the number of stripes count the number of campaigns/theatres they have served in. These typically max out at 3 stripes as at that point they have more than earned their place among their Morrian brothers and sisters.

Colours on stripes denote a specific honour done by the squad (or individual who is typically a lone survivor), red stripes mark someone who has assaulted a daunting enemy fortification and fearlessly strove towards victory, yellow stripes mark a defender who guarded a critical position or stayed to protect a retreat against an overwhelming foe, and black stripes mark survivors who against all odds escaped certain death. There is no limit to the amount of coloured stripes a Younglung can earn, though these are typically overseen by Commanders and NCOs who grant these honours personally, provided they witnessed this Younglung commit the act of bravery or are vouched for by multiple witnesses.

Seasoned Younglungs due to their acts of valour are allowed higher standards, trusted with heavier armaments in the Guard's armories than mere autoguns and shotguns. They can serve as squad leaders for their fellow conscripts if a formal officer or commissar is unavailable, being a source of wisdom and knowledge for their younger comrades. This benefit also comes with caveats as they suffer a higher attrition rate because they're the closest to being inducted into the regiment as true Guardsmen, which also means they're often used to reinforce the line where the fighting is heaviest so the cause of reduction in their number is split between promotion or casualties.

It is not uncommon for Younglungs who have ascended from their conscription to keep their stripes, showing them off as a mark of honour denoting their tenacity, even continuing to add more stripes on their person, whether it be by painting it on their weapons and armour, or tattooing them on their skin. This is also overseen by Guard Commanders, to ensure that the pratice isn't sullied by overconfidence or false boasters.

(These are all done with parts and pieces from HB Token Builder.)

Description

Younglungs are conscripts press-ganged by Morrian Chem-Troopers to serve when a campaign on a civilised world becomes drawn out, Imperial losses pile up and re-enforcements were not due for a while or were not coming. Forced to adapt quickly or die out, those who survive their first engagement and distinguish themselves having the potential to become part of the Guard proper. These can consist of gangers and criminals brought out of the planet's prisons and are promised amnesty and glory through service or death; Prisoners from human enemies who are fitted explosive collars and forced to fight and die against their own to spare themselves a more painful execution; Or normal citizens who are fit to fight that are roused to join as their fate is often more horrid and gruesome if the Imperials lose the conflict.

This practice of conscription among the Morrian troops has become tradition, so much so that a unique culture has evolved to give these poor souls an identity and some semblance of pride when they are called upon to serve. One of the more common practices among Younglungs no matter the regiment is the application of stripes, typically applied to the helmet to display their conscript status, the number of stripes count the number of campaigns/theatres they have served in. These typically max out at 3 stripes as at that point they have more than earned their place among their Morrian brothers and sisters.

Colours on stripes denote a specific honour done by the squad (or individual who is typically a lone survivor), red stripes mark someone who has assaulted a daunting enemy fortification and fearlessly strove towards victory, yellow stripes mark a defender who guarded a critical position or stayed to protect a retreat against an overwhelming foe, and black stripes mark survivors who against all odds escaped certain death. There is no limit to the amount of coloured stripes a Younglung can earn, though these are typically overseen by Commanders and NCOs who grant these honours personally, provided they witnessed this Younglung commit the act of bravery or are vouched for by multiple witnesses.

Seasoned Younglungs due to their acts of valour are allowed higher standards, trusted with heavier armaments in the Guard's armories than mere autoguns and shotguns. They can serve as squad leaders for their fellow conscripts if a formal officer or commissar is unavailable, being a source of wisdom and knowledge for their younger comrades. This benefit also comes with caveats as they suffer a higher attrition rate because they're the closest to being inducted into the regiment as true Guardsmen, which also means they're often used to reinforce the line where the fighting is heaviest so the cause of reduction in their number is split between promotion or casualties.

It is not uncommon for Younglungs who have ascended from their conscription to keep their stripes, showing them off as a mark of honour denoting their tenacity, even continuing to add more stripes on their person, whether it be by painting it on their weapons and armour, or tattooing them on their skin. This is also overseen by Guard Commanders, to ensure that the pratice isn't sullied by overconfidence or false boasters.

(These are all done with parts and pieces from HB Token Builder.)