Baffels
Baffels was a Sergeant of the Tanith First and Only regiment.[1b][2a]
Biography
Baffels enlisted as a Trooper and fought with the Tanith First since their inception.[1a][1b]
In the Siege of Vervunhive, Baffels was awarded a field promotion by Colonel-Commissar Ibram Gaunt after the death of Sergeant Fols in the defence of the Veyveyr Gate and placed in charge of Fols's former unit. Privately, however, Baffels believed that he wasn't cut out for command and that the promotion should have gone to Trooper Brin Milo; despite Milo's age, he had served under Gaunt directly and many in the regiment thought of him as a lucky charm and Gaunt's avatar.[1b][2a] Others in the regiment agreed that Milo would've been a better choice, including Major Elim Rawne.[2a] Milo denied these claims when Baffels confided in him, though, insisting that Baffels was the better pick between the two. Baffels still chose to make Milo his unofficial second, believing that the men would have more confidence following the two of them together rather than him alone.[1b]
In the Tanith First's next deployment, Hagia, Baffels continued to suffer from a lack of confidence in his leadership abilities. This was only made worse when the regiment was detailed as an honour guard, charged with retrieving the remains of Saint Sabbat from their resting place in preparation for an evacuation of Hagia.[2a] After the convoy was ambushed by a group of Infardi cultists, Commissar Viktor Hark ordered Milo to return to the Holy Doctrinopolis with those who were wounded in the attack so that they could receive proper medical attention. As a result Baffels could no longer depend on his second.[2a][2b]
Later in the honour guard's journey, the Imperials planned to make an overnight stop in the town of Bhavnager, as it was the last major settlement before they reached the Shrinehold and, consequently, the last place where they could refuel and take on supplies before they ascended into the Sacred Hills. However, there was a substantial Infardi presence in Bhavnager who had hunkered down and fortified the town with armoured units. The Imperials were left with no choice but to fight to retake the town.[2c]
In the subsequent Battle of Bhavnager, Baffels was given command of one of the main infantry sections of the primary advance from the southern edge of Bhavnager, supported by Sergeants Bray and Soric. After Rawne and Kolea's sections were deadlocked by Infardi forces, Gaunt ordered Baffels and his men, accompanied by Commissar Hark, to secure the town's fuel depot. After hours of hard fighting, Baffels's brigade managed to break through and reach their target, only to discover that the Infardi had one last weapon in reserve - a Baneblade Super Heavy Tank. As the Guard retreated, Baffels tried to stand his ground and prove himself, firing a tread-fether at the tank. Unfortunately the missile did nothing and Baffels was cut down immediately afterwards.[2c]
Appearance
As with many Tanith men, Baffels had a tattoo; in his case a claw marked out in blue ink on his cheek.[1a][2a]
