Flash Squads
Composition
Manpower
A Flash Squad is made up of only five members, who are hand-picked to join the ranks by the leader of each individual Squad. There is no limit on how many Flash Squads can be in operation at one time, though at present due to the high levels of competency required to join one, there are five in operation across the Salynas Archipelago. This means that there are twenty-five "Flashes" as they are colloquially called, in the world.
Equipment
Flash Squads are given access to the best quality equipment, usually through their patron funding them. This equipment varies based on the individual needs of the Flashes, but it is guaranteed to be of the highest quality, and usually magical.
Weaponry
Similar to the equipment of the Flash Squads, each individual Flash may choose the type of weapon that works best for them.
Vehicles
The Flash Squads are some of the only people in the archipelago with access to airship technology, with each squad being outfitted with a small airship that is large enough to carry them and house quarters. The size is to save on materials, but it also means that the airships can travel faster, making the Flash Squads far more effective at fulfilling their operations.
Structure
Each Flash Squad is led by a General, who's orders the other four are sworn to follow without question. Outside of the confines of the Flash Squad, all members carry a rank that is second only to the Admiralty of the navy, giving them authority over any and all soldiers and sailors in the Congregation Navy.
Tactics
As their name implies, a Flash Squad is supposed to be able to enter into a situation and quickly end it. In order to facilitate this, each Squad usually has at least one member skilled in covert operations who is able to identify key targets within a group, as well as exploit any weaknesses before the rest of the Squad arrives.
Other members typically include a member with a specialty in restraining those who need to be taken alive, a member who is skilled in assassinations, and one who is skilled in open combat when it becomes necessary.
Due to the Flash Squads largely being meant for covert operations, they are often not found in sites of large battles, though they are more than capable in these circumstances.
Other members typically include a member with a specialty in restraining those who need to be taken alive, a member who is skilled in assassinations, and one who is skilled in open combat when it becomes necessary.
Due to the Flash Squads largely being meant for covert operations, they are often not found in sites of large battles, though they are more than capable in these circumstances.
Training
One does not train to join a Flash Squad. One could spend all their days from the time they can walk training to be the most skilled warrior that ever lived, but this wouldn't qualify them for a Flash Squad. A Flash Squad values real battle experience more than anything else: there are several members across the squads who grew up poor and began serving as only a simple solider, but distinguished themselves over dozens of battles to the point where they were selected for membership.
This is not to say that the members of the Flash Squads do not train - they believe that any skill left unpolished can decay. For this reason their barracks have grounds that are dedicated to allowing them the necessary space to train, and their generals keep them to a strict regiment in order to keep them sharp. When one visits the barracks, it is not uncommon to find one or more of the martially inclined Flashes practicing forms in the yard.
This is not to say that the members of the Flash Squads do not train - they believe that any skill left unpolished can decay. For this reason their barracks have grounds that are dedicated to allowing them the necessary space to train, and their generals keep them to a strict regiment in order to keep them sharp. When one visits the barracks, it is not uncommon to find one or more of the martially inclined Flashes practicing forms in the yard.
Logistics
Logistical Support
The Flash Squads mostly take care of themselves in their barracks, but they have a small organization dedicated to performing various tasks for them. These are called the Steady Lights - they do not act as servants, because the Flash Squads are supposed to remain humble, but they will perform assistance in other ways: helping with training, maintaining and defending the barracks when the Flash Squads are away, arranging meetings, having the first look at recruitment, and other similar tasks.
The Steady Lights are provided by the wealthy patrons that fund the Flash Squads: these patrons include the Congregation, the Mystic Compendium, and the Congregation Navy, though individuals can also be a sponsor as long as it is agreed that they will get no special treatment.
It is customary for a pair of Steady Lights to accompany the Flash Squads when they go on a mission, in order to see to their needs that they might not have time to attend to themselves. Their secondary purpose is that, should a Flash be killed, they will be the one to prepare their body for the journey home so that it can receive the proper funeral rights. It is the least loved part of the job, and yet one that is seen as the most essential.
The Steady Lights are provided by the wealthy patrons that fund the Flash Squads: these patrons include the Congregation, the Mystic Compendium, and the Congregation Navy, though individuals can also be a sponsor as long as it is agreed that they will get no special treatment.
It is customary for a pair of Steady Lights to accompany the Flash Squads when they go on a mission, in order to see to their needs that they might not have time to attend to themselves. Their secondary purpose is that, should a Flash be killed, they will be the one to prepare their body for the journey home so that it can receive the proper funeral rights. It is the least loved part of the job, and yet one that is seen as the most essential.
Auxilia
The Flash Squads don't specifically have resources that they are able to call in, but they are considered to be in command of the majority of naval forces, which means that they are able to call in any of the navy's resources that they might need. This rarely happens, but there is a well-known case of a Flash Squad calling for the navy's mortar cannons to bombard a cliffside fortress so that they would weaken its defences even as they entered it themselves. This story over the years has become greatly exaggerated to the point that one of the Flashes is said to have ridden on top of a mortar bomb as it crashed into a wall.
Upkeep
The funding for the Flash Squads comes from wealthy benefactors and organisations, which tends to be more than enough to fund operations as the Flash Squads tend to live rather frugally. On average, the cost of maintaining a single squad is about twenty gold a week. In addition, the Flash General may make a request for additional funds should they be necessary to purchase specialist equipment, or for other mission-based costs.
Most of the benefactors give gold - however, the Mystic Compendium is an exception in that it supplies the Flash Squads with a supply of potions and magical items - some of them are prototypes, and so the Flash Squads are able to use them and detect if there are any issues that need to be worked out.
Most of the benefactors give gold - however, the Mystic Compendium is an exception in that it supplies the Flash Squads with a supply of potions and magical items - some of them are prototypes, and so the Flash Squads are able to use them and detect if there are any issues that need to be worked out.
Recruitment
As previously noted, new members to the Flash Squads are scouted based on their previous military and combat experience. When a soldier shows exceptional ability and grit, their superior officer will be allowed to make a recommendation to the Steady Lights, who have a division set to examine potential candidates.
The Steady Lights will observe the potential recruit, and if they are satisfied then the soldier will join the pool of potential recruits. Once a year, the Generals of the Flash Squads will meet with all of the potential recruits and perform their own examination - every general has their own set of criteria, and it is known that their criteria tends to be very specific and hard to puzzle.
This is also when those Flashes who have not yet reached the position of General may be promoted and allowed to lead their own squad, if all of the existing generals approve.
Once the Generals have finished their evaluations, the selected soldiers, any, are given the Flash Squad welcome - they are treated to a dinner, with every existing Flash having prepared one of the dishes, and the recruit is expected to eat a significant portion of each. They then give a piece of themselves to a large shrine in the barracks, which holds tokens from all living members. This token can be blood in a vial, a tooth, a snippet of hair, or even just a personal item. It signifies that the recruit is now forever part of this family.
The Steady Lights will observe the potential recruit, and if they are satisfied then the soldier will join the pool of potential recruits. Once a year, the Generals of the Flash Squads will meet with all of the potential recruits and perform their own examination - every general has their own set of criteria, and it is known that their criteria tends to be very specific and hard to puzzle.
This is also when those Flashes who have not yet reached the position of General may be promoted and allowed to lead their own squad, if all of the existing generals approve.
Once the Generals have finished their evaluations, the selected soldiers, any, are given the Flash Squad welcome - they are treated to a dinner, with every existing Flash having prepared one of the dishes, and the recruit is expected to eat a significant portion of each. They then give a piece of themselves to a large shrine in the barracks, which holds tokens from all living members. This token can be blood in a vial, a tooth, a snippet of hair, or even just a personal item. It signifies that the recruit is now forever part of this family.
Overall training Level
Elite
Assumed Veterancy
Decorated/Honored
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