Raven Guard: A Comprehensive History

[Vash113]

So it's been a while since my last Comprehensive History Article, and that one was on the Space Wolves, which proved to be amongst the longest articles I've ever written and certainly the most difficult. Compared to that the Raven Guard proved much easier, simply because there is so significantly less material to cover. After the whole Christmas break and what not I decided to sit down and consider doing another history article, and as the Raven Guard are one of my favorite chapters, I figured why not. I was debating where to post this, and what to do with it, as it is really just a first draft right now and I don't know whether it will see much revision, certainly not to the extent that the Space Wolves article recieved. Weighing in at almost exactly 7 Pages it's less than a third the length of the Space Wolves article, and I feel as though there is more to say, but at this late hour I can't think of anything more. Even the reference list is slim, with only three. Still for those of you who appreciate such things, I hope this article proves both interesting and... well I say it again in the intro. Enjoy.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Raven Guard: A Comprehensive History

 

Introduction

 

This is as close to a comprehensive article detailing the history and organization of the Raven Guard as I have been able to compile. There is sadly just not that much information on what is in my opinion one of the coolest Space Marine Chapters Games Workshop has created. Some find the chapter too one note and cheesy, but personally the Raven Guard are one of my all time favorites. So for those of you who share my interest in the Angels of Deliverance, or those who just want to know more about the Raven Guard, I hope this article proves interesting and informative.

 

The Origins of the Raven Guard

 

The early history of the 19th Legion, particularly where the Primarch Corax is concerned, is shrouded in a great deal of mystery. It may well be that time and war have simply destroyed or lost much of the documentation of the time period, however whatever the reason the accounts on the early life of Corax and the early history of his exploits and those of the Raven Guard are few and far between.

 

To begin with the pale skinned infant Primarch Corax landed on Lycaeus, the mineral rich satellite of the planet Kiavahr. Kiavahr is a technologically advanced world, covered in factories and machine shops of all shapes and sizes, and the mineral rich moon provides the planet with the raw materials, as well as a handy place to dump exiles and criminals. The moon was quite simply a massive penal facility, where the criminals of Kiavahr, or really anyone who displeased the decadent rulers of the planet, were sent to work the mineral mines of the moon. The conditions were terrible and the oppression of the workers was immense. The overseers of Lycaeus were heavily armed and cruel, watching over the slaves from a massive fortress spire. The prisoner slaves could do little about their fate; that is until Corax came to the rescue, to deliver the downtrodden to their salvation.

 

The tales about the discovery of Corax are many, what the truth is will probably never be known, some tales tell of a fiery comet, others of a dying warrior giant delivering a babe, yet another talks of a massive cave in revealing the child, whatever really happened, the result was that the slaves hid the black haired, pale skinned child from their overseers. They named the child Corax, which translates roughly to

[Vash113]

I hate to double post but I could really use some comments on what I could fix/improve/expand upon etc, as this article still feels unfinished.

[Bannus]

I think people may be hesitant to comment on this because your views of the Raven Guard tend to be a bit different than the fluff suggests.

 

That aside, I think it is a well written article. Some small punctuation/capitalization errors were the only problems I saw for the most part.

 

There are a few points:

 

The Raven Guard adhere closely to the dictates of the Codex Astartes, however they rely on independently operating scout squads quite heavily and their Dreadnaughts tend to deploy via Drop Pod very often.

You might be better in representing the Raven Guard's doctrine by pointing out that the Raven Guard depend on Scouts operating behind enemy lines (we don't know how "independent" these operations are - in fact is is suggested that co-ordinate quite closely with other elements ofthe Chapter) and that they also depend on their forces being highly mobile - not just the Dreadnoughts.

 

Squad level tactics and rapid deployment are aspects of the Raven Guard that are studied closely by other Chapters and which have even worked their way into the doctrines of other Astartes Chapters. Sharing experience and knowledge is not necessarily uncommon, but the extent to which the Raven Guard’s skill in these areas is acknowledged is impressive.

It isn't their squad-level tactics that interest other Chapters - but their ability to rapidly deploy/redploy stategically that awes others.

 

The Codex does not dictate the size or disposition of the Scout Company however and some theories persist that the Raven Guard may make use of significantly more scout squads, or organize them differently than many other Chapters. However if such actions are the case they are perfectly legitimate along the dictates of the Codex Astartes and would not be that unusual and as such are not really mentioned. But some argue that the reliance on scouts by the Raven Guard would lead to an increased number of them.

This is pure speculation - there is no fluff to support this. Reliance does not equate to higher numbers. If anything, the IA article suggests that the Scout Company may be smaller than most (but the Salamanders have the smallest Scout Company at six squads - so we know it is larger than this).

 

The Istvaan V Massacre

-Noted as one of the most devastating defeats in the history of the Adeptus Astartes, and certainly in the history of the Raven Guard, the battle nearly saw the Salamanders and the Raven Guard utterly annihilated and only the quick thinking and initiative of the Raven Guard allowed a bare few to escape that dreadful day.

You might want to cite source for this one - otherwise some Sallie players might raise a few eyebrows at this one.

[AkiraCho]

it feels relatively unfinished for me as well but outside of that i dont think GW gave the raven guard much more fluff or books.

[Vash113]

I think people may be hesitant to comment on this because your views of the Raven Guard tend to be a bit different than the fluff suggests.

 

We've gone over this many times before Bannus and while my opinions may differ from yours in some areas but that does not mean my interpretation is somehow different from what the fluff suggests, nor is that at all relevant where this article is concerned. So to avoid starting this up again, I would ask that the issue be dropped.

 

That aside, I think it is a well written article. Some small punctuation/capitalization errors were the only problems I saw for the most part.

 

Thank you. Yes, it is a rough draft, I still need to go through and edit the grammar and perhaps the sentence structure of some parts, I may also alter the organisation/layout of the article. But I haven't quite figured out what to do about it yet.

 

You might be better in representing the Raven Guard's doctrine by pointing out that the Raven Guard depend on Scouts operating behind enemy lines (we don't know how "independent" these operations are - in fact is is suggested that co-ordinate quite closely with other elements ofthe Chapter) and that they also depend on their forces being highly mobile - not just the Dreadnoughts.

 

Well I was being reserved here as the IA isn't too specific and there are absolutely no other sources to draw from, which as you pointed out leaves quite a few questions as to the specifics of the scouts operations, but that is a section I do need to expand and emphasise their reliance on mobility and ease of deployment.

 

It isn't their squad-level tactics that interest other Chapters - but their ability to rapidly deploy/redploy stategically that awes others.

 

Well I hadn't thought so, but it's in the IA, in addition to their rapid deployment so, I included it.

 

This is pure speculation - there is no fluff to support this. Reliance does not equate to higher numbers. If anything, the IA article suggests that the Scout Company may be smaller than most (but the Salamanders have the smallest Scout Company at six squads - so we know it is larger than this).

 

This is pure speculation and I said as much, based off of a number of theories I've heard and since the purpose of the article is to lay out the background and history of the chapter I figured I may as well include it, but I made sure to point out that it's a theory and not backed up by anything. That's the whole point, with a chapter with so little material as the Raven Guard it's bound to happen.

 

You might want to cite source for this one - otherwise some Sallie players might raise a few eyebrows at this one.

 

I did, the book Fulgrim, listed in the references. I've found it's not been too useful to break up the article with tons of references but I may do a list of footnotes, however for the Raven Guard it's pretty unnecessary, as you can see I've been able to find only 3 solid references. Fulgrim depicts the events of the Istvaan V Massacre and during it the Raven Guard break out of the ambush and make for their Thunderhawks and the Salamanders desperately follow their example. The only real difference is that Corax is specifically said to have been dragged from the scene, while Vulkan is left mysteriously missing (for those interrested in this scene I would suggest reading only the last few chapters of the book). Not the best Horus Heresy book but... whatcha gonna do.

 

it feels relatively unfinished for me as well but outside of that i dont think GW gave the raven guard much more fluff or books.

 

No not really, the Raven Guard don't even have a single short story on them that I can find. Tis sad but it's all we get it seems.

Edited February 11, 2008 by Vash113

[Sanguinius Chosen Wing]

Just a little editing and it looks very solid, the only way I could see to gain a little more understanding of the Chapter would be to check out the sources. Well done :)

[Vash113]

Just a little editing and it looks very solid, the only way I could see to gain a little more understanding of the Chapter would be to check out the sources. Well done :lol:

 

Thank you, it's always good to know ones work is useful. :)

[ABC2000]

Thanks for posting this, it was very interesting and useful. I'd like to see more insight into the day to day life of a raven gaurd and more on their tactics and battles they have fought although this is obviously due to lack of information from GW. Also the story behind Corax creating the genetic mutations in order to replace the men killed at istvaan V and then retreating to the raven spire for a year before dissapearing into the eye of terror is a really good story, it would make a great book just on its own.

[Commissar Molotov]

This PDF file will likely be of some use to you. It suggests that during the Baran War the Raven Guard set up a smaller Fortress-Monastery on the moon of Coron, from where a Company of Raven Guard operated against the Orks. It also suggests that the Raven Guard considered Baran as a recruiting world. It also lists a 'Captain Moradius' of the Raven Guard, and details the Raven Guard's involvement (and ultimate defeat against Biel-Tan) in the Baran War, which could be useful in your 'notable campaigns'. Edited February 29, 2008 by Commissar Molotov

[SyNidus]

Ooooh...New evidence that we aren't totally forgotten by GW. Nice find Molotov :wacko:

[Jaspercation]

I thought it was good article especially considering the amount of info and fluff gw has so generously handing down to us? errhum.... anyway lol

 

i think its a real shame that raven guard have been forgotten, their such a cool force, but theirs loads of stuff stopping someone becoming a raven guard collector, there is no fluff, i mean i think you've got everything gw ever realised about the raven guard right here, plus bar one model we dont have anything different to a normal marine army, like a couple of guys in my gw said,

 

'if you dont have shrike in your army, all you have is black space marines'

 

we dont even get transfers or anything, i mean the raptors 'a sub-chapter' of raven guard have special shoulder pads on forgeworld but we still have nothing :blush: i hope gw does something about it soon. :lol:

 

Thank you anyway for restoring my hope in the 'cool black marines with jump packs and pointy claws :rolleyes:

[SyNidus]

I think, its for that reason we must play fluffy. You don't have to take Shrike to be fluffy,

 

Because if we don't, then all we will be is just marines with black power armour. So, for the pride of the chapter, Take your scouts, USE the traits instead of resorting to using the BA codex. Have one or 2 drop pods. Remember, Brain over Brawn, Precision over Power!

[Lord Lorne Walkier]

As I understand things with the Raven Guard, Corax removed his troops from under the command of Horus all together after their confrontation. And even before this Corax did not trust the warmaster fully.

[Lord Doyok]

Good work bro.. i cant even write a battle report :D . nice stuff you have there. i'm new into RG with only for games to date. As you say, this is indeed the coolest chapter around and that's what makes me wanna play them in the 1st place. i have zero knowledge of the fluff though. so this is good stuff indeed. congrats

[R0adki11]

One Topic to look at all things raven guard is Project: Raven Guard

[Vash113]

Thanks for posting this, it was very interesting and useful. I'd like to see more insight into the day to day life of a raven gaurd and more on their tactics and battles they have fought although this is obviously due to lack of information from GW. Also the story behind Corax creating the genetic mutations in order to replace the men killed at istvaan V and then retreating to the raven spire for a year before dissapearing into the eye of terror is a really good story, it would make a great book just on its own.

 

The Raven Guard just have so little material period, many chapters have at least a short story or inclusion in something like a Deathwatch team which gives some insight into their personality and mindset but the Raven Guard largely lack this. It's frustrating but, oh well.

 

This PDF file will likely be of some use to you. It suggests that during the Baran War the Raven Guard set up a smaller Fortress-Monastery on the moon of Coron, from where a Company of Raven Guard operated against the Orks. It also suggests that the Raven Guard considered Baran as a recruiting world. It also lists a 'Captain Moradius' of the Raven Guard, and details the Raven Guard's involvement (and ultimate defeat against Biel-Tan) in the Baran War, which could be useful in your 'notable campaigns'.

 

Ah Specialist Games, how could I have forgotten to check their material. Thanks for sharing that, when I get a chance I'll have to write up a section for it.

 

I thought it was good article especially considering the amount of info and fluff gw has so generously handing down to us? errhum.... anyway lol

 

i think its a real shame that raven guard have been forgotten, their such a cool force, but theirs loads of stuff stopping someone becoming a raven guard collector, there is no fluff, i mean i think you've got everything gw ever realised about the raven guard right here, plus bar one model we dont have anything different to a normal marine army, like a couple of guys in my gw said,

 

'if you dont have shrike in your army, all you have is black space marines'

 

we dont even get transfers or anything, i mean the raptors 'a sub-chapter' of raven guard have special shoulder pads on forgeworld but we still have nothing :P i hope gw does something about it soon. :P

 

Thank you anyway for restoring my hope in the 'cool black marines with jump packs and pointy claws ;)

 

Well the Raven Guard are better off than the White Scars, but that's little solace. Hopefully the chapter will get more support from GW in future. Anyway I'm glad you liked it.

 

I think, its for that reason we must play fluffy. You don't have to take Shrike to be fluffy,

 

Because if we don't, then all we will be is just marines with black power armour. So, for the pride of the chapter, Take your scouts, USE the traits instead of resorting to using the BA codex. Have one or 2 drop pods. Remember, Brain over Brawn, Precision over Power!

 

Indeed, the problem is it's hard to play a fluffy force in more than a couple ways without much fluff to work with.

 

As I understand things with the Raven Guard, Corax removed his troops from under the command of Horus all together after their confrontation. And even before this Corax did not trust the warmaster fully.

 

That's true, technically Horus could have ordered Corax to stay but that wouldn't have been a great idea. Corax didn't trust Horus because of his grand standing, the Raven Guard took very little credit for their victories and the Luna Wolves tended to hoard the glory even when it was the actions of the Raven Guard that truly made the victory possible.

 

Good work bro.. i cant even write a battle report :D . nice stuff you have there. i'm new into RG with only for games to date. As you say, this is indeed the coolest chapter around and that's what makes me wanna play them in the 1st place. i have zero knowledge of the fluff though. so this is good stuff indeed. congrats

 

I'm glad you found it usefull, I hope your Raven Guard are performing well. ;)

[KJB]

Theres a Raven Guard renegade, Vaanes, in the Ultramarines novel "Dead Sky, Black Sun"

[kr00tman]

good read :)

[Vash113]

Theres a Raven Guard renegade, Vaanes, in the Ultramarines novel "Dead Sky, Black Sun"

 

Yea I've read that book, but personally two Ultramarines being kidnapped in the warp by a Daemon train and deposited on a Daemon world, somehow managing to slip through two massive Iron Warriors armies blasting each other apart to then take on not one but TWO ancient Daemons and somehow they still win? Not to mention the gaggle of renegades that follow them, it's just not a wonderful book, and not very useful as far as fluff goes, Ventris doesn't really do the Ultramarines justice and a single rogue Raven Guard marine hardly does the chapter justice either IMO.

 

If I recall correctly there's a Raven Guard assault marine in either Warrior Coven or Warrior Brood serving as a Deathwatch marine. But again not too great in representing the Raven Guard. An actual Short Story about the Raven Guard would be excelent, it doesn't even have to be a novel just something that actually gives some insight into the character of the Chapter would be very nice.

 

good read :)

 

I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

[A_POINTED_STICK]

Perhaps there is a dark reason they have been overlooked.

[Race Bannon]

RG History