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The '''Arkan Confederates''' (also erroneously spelled ''"Arkhan"'', see note) are the [[Imperial Guard Regiment]]s hailing from the world of [[Providence (Planet)|Providence]].Known actions include fighting in their planet's civil war{{Fn|1a1c}} Known actions include , as well as battling the [[Tau Empire]] and their rebellious [[Human]] allies on the world of [[Phaedra]].{{Fn|1c1b}}

*[[Tech-Priest]]s attached to the Arkan Confederates are named ''professors'' by Guardsmen after their pre-Imperium equivalents.{{Fn|1b1d}}

The uniform of the standard "Greyback" trooper consisted of: A grey jacket, crimson-striped breeches, polished rhineskin belts and harnesses, a grey flat-topped kepi cap bearing the ram’s skull icon of the Confederacy (which was carved from bone).{{Fn|1e}} New recruits, referred to as "Greencaps", had a green trim to their hat and jackets. Officers wear a wide brimmed hat and larger greatcoats.{{Fn|1a1c}}

Paratroopers, known as "Burning Eagles", are issued navy blue jumpsuits which are padded with leather, and fluted bronze helmets with visors shaped to resemble a bird of prey.{{Fn|1a1c}}

Some cavalry regiments, such as the "Dust Rangers", wear rawhide jackets.{{Fn|1a1c}}

Troopers known as "pyrotroopers" are issued [[flamer]]s.{{Fn|1a1c}}

The Arkan Confederates employ modified patterns of [[Sentinel]]s, designed with hooves suited for Providence's savannahs in place of the standard claws. Taking inspiration from the models used by the [[Elysian Drop Troops]]' [[Drop Sentinel]], but lacking advanced grav-tech, Arkan Sentinels instead employ more primitive rocket boosters and stabilizers which allow for safer drops and limited maneuverability as well as limited vertical take-off. Arkan Sentinels are also noted as being heavily decorated.{{Fn|1a1c}}

Locally produced heirloom [[power armor]] known as '''Stormsuits''' and '''Thundersuits''' are employed as heavy infantry, operating outside of the standard company structure in a noble brotherhood known as the '''Steamblood Zouaves'''. Each suit is unique to its bearer, though most are armed with [[heavy stubber]]s and melee weapons such as saws or drills. They are also equipped with one-time use rockets, allowing for sudden bursts of speed, reaching higher elevations, or slowing a rapid descent. Though tough, the suits are unsubtle and difficult to maintain, closer to status symbols than military equipment. However, they prove their effectiveness in battle.{{Fn|1b1d}}

Stormsuits are powered exoskeletons covered in high quality and resilient carapace armour. Their helmets are armoured except for a porthole of armour glass that provides a heads up display for the wearer. The suits have integrated weapons systems on the ends of their arms: a heavy stubber for ranged combat (fed by a ammo belt stored on the back of the suit), and either a drill or buzzsaws for melee. Stormsuits have an intra-vox communications system for wearers to speak to one another without emitting sound. These suits also have one time use rocket thrusters allowing them quick bursts of speed, short ranged flight, or to slow descent if falling from a great distance. Stormsuits are also equipped with onboard cooling systems for the wearer, allowing them to even be covered in flames with no discomfort. If needed, the wearer can lock the legs of their suit, effectively turning them into temporary gun emplacement with their heavy stubber.Stormsuits are also equipped with shoulder mounted brass speakers allowing them to play morale boosting music or amplify their own voices.{{Fn|1b1d}}

Stormsuits are archaic and treasured relic heirlooms passed down by noble families who had the wealth to maintain them. Each suit is customized for the individual wearer, often described as baroque. The leader of the Zouaves, Jon Milton Machen, was noted to have a far bulkier, armoured, and more heavily customized variant known as a "Thundersuit".{{Fn|1b1d}}

On their homeworld, their military aircraft consists of dirigibles. However, upon deployment offworld their aircraft consists of drop-ships for troop deployment.{{Fn|1a1c}}

==Notable Regiments{{Fn|1a}}==*'''19th Arkan Confederates''' - Participated in the civil war on [[Providence (Planet)|Providence]]{{Fn|1a}}, later deployed Only a handful survived to escape the [[Phaedra]] campaign{{Fn|1c}}. Only a handful survived to escape the planet, but departed in a heavily damaged ship with failing Geller Fields, presumably to their own deaths.{{Fn|11e}}

***Ensor "Whitecrow" Cutler - [[Colonel]]***Skjoldis 'Lady Raven' - [[Sanctioned Psyker]]

***Elias Waite - [[Major]]***Grayburn - [[Lieutenant_(Imperial_Guard)|Lieutenant]]

***Jon Milton Machen - [[Captain_(Imperial_Guard)|Captain]], Steamblood Zouave

***Jaques Valance - [[Imperial Guard Scout|Scout]]***Verne Loomis - [[Trooper]]

****Willis Calhoun - [[Sergeant(Imperial Guard)|Sergeant]]

****Cort Toomy - [[Imperial Guard Sniper|Sniper]]

***'''Dustsnake Squad'''(formerly. , reassigned to 3rd company)

***Pericles Quint - LeiutenantLieutenant***Beauregard Van Hal(promoted during the '''Phaedra''' campaign)

***Mister Silver - Mascot(promoted during the '''Phaedra''' campaign)***Arness***Rees***Dryden

***14 Lascelles***12 other Zouaves

**{{Endn|1a}}: Chapter OneDRAMATIS PERSONAE**{{Endn|1b}}: Chapter TwoPrologue**{{Endn|1c}}: PrologueChapter One**{{Endn|1d}}: DRAMATIS PERSONAEChapter Two**{{Endn|1e}}: Chapter 8Sixteen*{{Endn|2}}: [https://web.archive.org/web/20250118005418/https://www.blacklibrary.com/all-products/fire-caste-ebook.html Black Library: Fire Caste] ''(saved archive page, dated 18 January 2025, last accessed 9 July 20195 May 2025, original link: https://www.blacklibrary.com/all-products/fire-caste-ebook.html)''