Index Astartes: Ice Lords (Mk II)

[Octavulg]

A Space Marine's duty is to defend the Imperium. Though we are no longer men as they are, the people of the Imperium are our sacred trust, the people of our home worlds especially so. To forsake them is to forsake our honor and our right to serve the Emperor. Never forget this, or you forget yourselves.
- from Chapter Master Taramant's Ascension Day address on the third year following the Ice Lords' mobilization

[Picture of Chapter Banner]

Origins
The Ice Lords are a proud chapter, for all their inexperience. Founded as part of the 26th Founding, the Ice Lords have had a history spotted with misfortune, but equally blessed with opportunity. What the future holds for them, none can say.

Ice Lords Marine

The Ice Lords suffered a blow early in their history, when their chapter training cadre was ambushed by renegade pirates as they travelled to join the new chapter. Though the enemy was repelled after fierce fighting, only three marines of the Angels of Absolution training cadre survived - Taramant, the senior Sergeant, Belicarius, a junior Chaplain, and Lahdemor, a Codicier. When they related their tale to their horrified charges, the new marines swore that they would redouble their efforts at training, in memory of their fallen tutors. The Feast of the Fallen is celebrated every year, and is a day of mourning, remembrance and contemplation of what might have been.

The chapter was issued a newly-revised training schedule, to compensate for their losses. They performed admirably, especially considering what had befallen them, and it was remarked how the remaining trainers made new use of seemingly archaic tactics. Soon, the battle-brothers of the chapter were ready for activation, and they proudly marched aboard their ships for transfer to their new homeworld. Chapter Master Taramant remained secluded throughout the journey, in consultation with the Emperor's Tarot. He emerged just as the flagship left warp space. As the chapter's new homeworld loomed, cold and white, in the viewport, he declared that the chapter would henceforth be known as the Ice Lords. "For duty and honor are cold as ice. And when all else is gone, duty and honor will remain."

The Fall of the Fortress
Franklin's World is a cold and desolate planet on the northernmost rim of the Segmentum Obscurus. The harsh conditions do not matter, however, for settlement of the planet is confined to the large cities which float high above the surface. Arcane technology keeps the cities aloft, technology which has resisted the Adeptus Mechanicus' best attempts to decipher it. There were closer and easier mysteries which commanded their attention, however, and the world had been left to the Administratum, though the occasional enterprising team still returns for an exercise in frustration and disappointment. Geographical surveys of the planet below had been frequently thwarted by the raging winds and snows of the surface, making the workings of the world below as much of a mystery as those above.

The Ice Lords took Falconscott (the smallest and least populated of the cities) for their own, fortifying it and adding weapons emplacements across its hull and spires. They began inducting recruits from the population, whose adventurous pilots and vicious tunnel-gangs both proved excellent Space Marines. After the celebrations surrounding the Chapter's arrival on the world, Taramant promoted close association with the populace, exhorting the Space Marines to remember that these were the people of the Imperium, and their duty incarnate. The young marines took these lessons to heart, and association between the Marines and their people grew. Once every few months, half the Marines were to mingle among the populace, so as to better remember their purpose in the Imperium. Small chapterhouses were established in the other cities, both to aid in recruitment and to promote the marines' association with the populace.

The Ascendant Festival on Falconscott marks the longest day of the year. Even the ice which typically covers the tips of city spires melts, and the cities are suffused with warmth and laughter. All Space Marines present on the planet are dispatched throughout the cities, both to mingle with the population and to observe those who might make good candidates for the Chapter. Games of strength and skill are common, and bloodless aerial battles between young pilots an entertaining diversion for the crowds. Although ordinarily a happy time, the twenty-third Festival after the Chapter's arrival on their homeworld was marked by calamity.

As the revelers celebrated in the streets of Falconscott, watched over by their titanic lords, the very streets began to shudder. The strength of the spasms threw grown men from their feet, and even the Space Marines were hard pressed to keep their balance. Clouds whisked by, and the wind grew to a howling shriek as the mighty city began to plunge toward the surface of the planet below.

Techmarines and officers raced into the bowels of the city, while the other marines attempted to contain the panic among the citizens. However, the arcane machinery which had confounded the best Tech-Priests of the Imperium would hardly give up its secrets to mere Techmarines, and the Marines remained ignorant of what might have caused the precipitous descent. Somewhere within the kilometers of tunnel and ductwork, some ancient piece of machinery must have finally given way, but there was no way for the Marines to determine what or where. They could only do their best to ensure that the city was not destroyed upon impact.

Fortunately for the Chapter, ancient backup systems were functional. As the city approached the surface, its rate of descent began to slow. However, impact was still inevitable, and the population was thrown into confusion and panic as millions of tons of metal impacted with the ancient ice of the planetary surface.

The upper levels of the city remained mostly intact after the impact. However, the lower tunnels were breached in dozens of locations, buried deep beneath the ice. Some were crushed, along with their inhabitants. Some were damaged, the people within left to slowly starve with no chance of rescue. The mostly organized (if unruly) levels of the lower city were gone, replaced with a crazed metal-and-ice warren of tunnels, chasms and precipices.

Master Taramant quickly took control of the situation, dispatching most marines into the lower tunnels to search for survivors, while he and a few others organized the remaining citizens. Adaptation would be required, for the city had been badly damaged by the crash, and many systems which had sustained the citizens for millenia no longer functioned.

Deep in the tunnels, the marines discovered something they had not expected. Foul, ravening beasts had apparently lurked beneath the surface of the planet, in a winding warren of unknown depth. The crash of the monastery had broken into these tunnels, and now the warrens and the lower levels of the city were hopelessly intermingled, and the unknown creatures spread throughout them.

The Marines withdrew, taking all those they could find, and carefully sealed all entrances to the lower levels, awaiting the return of their brothers from the other cities. Upon their return, Taramant ordered the Chapter's sacred Tactical Dreadnought armor into action, supported with other brethren in their power armor. The Ice Lords moved into the chaos beneath the city, slaughtering every monster they found. It took months to clear most of the creatures from the tunnels, but the brothers of the chapter knew that every twisted thing they slew they slew was one less which might trouble the city above. Once they had swept the lower levels to the best of their ability, they moved into the creatures' tunnels proper, where they discovered something no one had expected.

The Caverns of Ice
The vaulting galleries of ice and twisting, intricate sculptures of frost were expected. The remains of dozens of Astartes Terminators, corpses frozen where they had fallen, were not. Countless years and the abrading tread of clawed feet had worn away much, and what traces of heraldry remained on the marines were no longer identifiable. With reverent care, the precious armor was returned to the surface for repair, and its occupants interred in the chapter crypt pending identification while genetic samples of the dead marines were dispatched to the Adeptus Mechanicus for that very purpose.

Meanwhile, Taramant himself lead the Chapter Terminators into the depths of the warrens, slaughtering every one of the twisted monsters that they found. It soon became evident that this was a task far greater than first supposed. The tunnels of the foul beasts stretched for miles in depth and width, and purging them completely was clearly not an exercise which could be completed quickly or easily. After seven days of constant battle against the scourge, Taramant and his men returned to the surface.

Mechanicus Report on Falcon's World Creature 0.274.jo.222

Honered Senior Genetor,

I direct this report to your attention so that you may decide if further investigation is warranted of this most unusual species. As you know, it is one of the race of creatures which dwell beneath the citadel of the Ice Lords, in the far north of the Imperium. They appear to be endemic to the planet, and to be a most ferocious and dangerous group of creatures.

However, there are some marked incongruities about them. I shall explain these, and then explain to you my conclusions, which I think you may find most interesting.

Firstly, there is the matter of the creature's diet. It appears that despite their ferocious nature, the creatures are not carnivorous, and logically should be somewhat calmer in temperament. The source of their rage appears to be a small device within the creature's skull, which apparently somehow manipulates the creature's hormones, provoking massive and dangerous rage - at which point the creature's claws and fangs come into play. The origin of this device appears to be human, though of an incredible age. Despite its relatively recent manufacture, the device is of remarkable sophistication, using techniques not available to ourselves.

Secondly, there is the matter of the creature's diet. It does not appear to actually have any particular means of obtaining sustenance, certainly not in the quantities necessary to support the almost berserker fury which the Ice Lords report the beasts display.

Thirdly, there is the matter of the creature's gender. All creatures so far recovered have been male, and apparently incapable of some other means of reproduction. Thus, the source for new creatures is of an open question.

Finally, there is the matter of the creature's origin. The whole species displays a remarkable genetic uniformity, suggesting to me some artificial source. Added to this, the species' genetics are wholly incompatible with those of the other animals of Falconscott, suggesting that they originated on some other world.

Combined with the earlier factors, it would appear these creatures are somehow controlled by some outside source. Considering the creatures appear to have originated inside the planet, it can thus be determined that whatever source is making and controlling these creatures, it is not a natural one. When one adds the fact that the creatures appear to be controlled simultaneously, and that the Ice Lords have reported engaging incredible numbers at various times, and facing the same creature in several different battles (despite, I remind you, them having no apparent means of sustenance), it is clear what the Ice Lords face beneath the surface.

What the Adeptus Mechanicus should do is, of course, up to you.

I remain,

Tech-Priest Govannin

The Knights and the Wolves
In their absence, conflict had arisen. Younger members of the chapter were calling for change and modification to the way the chapter lived. They saw their fall to earth as some divine punishment from the Emperor, and claimed that the Chapter's bond with its people was weakening the chapter as a whole. They claimed that the Chapter needed to abandon its old ways, and take on new ways. They took the mighty wolves of Franklin's World as their inspiration - great, hulking beasts, long of fang and powerful of limb. Franklin's World wolves know loyalty only to the pack, and these marines insisted that that was the way to true greatness for the Ice Lords. The people of fallen Falconscott should be left to survive by their own means - for if they could not survive on their own, they were not worthy of survival at all.

Taramant's wrath was terrible to behold. He stripped all the high-ranking officers who had supported this view of their rank, and appointed others in their place - others loyal as much to his precepts as to the chapter. Belicarius and Lahdemor supported him wholeheartedly, as did the majority of the Chapter brethren. Their influence within the chapter greatly eroded, the Wolves subsided, and their grumbling slowly quieted.

Lately, however, there are signs that the Wolves are growing in influence again. Wolf-based iconography is growing common among some of the more vicious members of the Chapter, while those who hold to Taramant's ways have begun to adopt the sign of a broken sword to show their allegiance to his ideas. The Wolves refer to their ideological enemies as the Knights, and the Knights have eagerly adopted this name as their own. Taramant, meanwhile, seems to hope that a schism within the chapter can somehow be avoided, and appears to be trying to contain the schismatic beliefs to their current holders, while ensuring that new recruits of the Scout Company are firmly convinced and indoctrinated in the thinking of the Knights. It remains to be seen whether this policy will preserve his vision of the chapter.

There is growing worry that the Wolves may resent the attempts at suppression of their views even more than they already seem to. Although combat operations have in no way suffered as yet, it is a sign of the depth of the problem that several officers are beginning to express concern about the possible loyalty of their troops. A breach may be unvaoidable, and the cost to the chapter and the people enormous.

Home World
Franklin's World is nearly as cold as the empty space which surrounds it. Howling winds lash the snow and ice into strange and twisted forms, and life is rare and dangerous. The people of Franklin's World, however, are isolated from this in their expansive floating cities. These cities date to the Dark Age of Technology, and their prescence on this desolate world on the edge of the galaxy has been a question of great debate among Imperial scholars. Whether it was once, military base, research station, or something far stranger, Franklin's World is now an isolated planet which has little contact with other systems. Its people are relatively happy, and the floating cities are ruled by powerful noble families, each of which maintain their own fortified towers within the cities. These nobles pride themselves on the mastery of their ritualized forms of war, and duels upon gliders which soar on the shrieking winds between the towers are a popular form of entertainment and an equally popular method of settling dispute. The tunnels beneath Falconscott, meanwhile, were home to few other than criminals and those forced down from the surface due to mutation or heresy. The vicious tunnel gangs which bred in this dark environment were the source of some of the Ice Lords' fiercest recruits, but that practice has come into question due to the marked tendency of former gangers to become Wolf adherents. The fall of Falconscott also made the tunnels virtually uninhabitable, and only the most tenaciously anti-social denizens remain, further limiting their usefullness as a source of recruits. Most of the gangers were killed by the crash of the city, and those few who remain have had difficulty reintegrating into the surface population. Crime has risen greatly, and more punitive judicial measures have been put into place in an attempt to discourage the depredations of the former tunnel dwellers.

Another source of growing concern for the chapter is the possibility that the monsters below might work their way into the city, where they could cause unparalleled destruction. At all times, one company of the chapter sweeps the tunnels of the city and the warrens below, exterminating all creatures that might enter and doing their best to push the infestation further back into their own warrens. The Ice Lords thus maintain a garrison of two companies on their home world - far in excess of that normal to a Space Marine chapter. Nonetheless, this increased force is necessary should the chapter ever hope to exterminate the monsters completely. Although each sortie pushes the creatures back a little further, the difficulty of supplying a force underground over great distances prevents true progress. Taramant himself has sworn that one day, the chapter will sweep the tunnels with fire and sword for however far they extend, and determine why so many Astartes died there. However, the constantly shifting nature of the tunnels and supply concerns make mounting a prolonged operation difficult, and the Ice Lords' other commitments draw on their forces sufficiently that some wonder if the mystery will ever be solved, and the monsters exterminated.

The surface of Franklin's World itself has lately been discovered to be far different than previously thought. Leaving aside the twisted creatures, the mighty wolves discovered after the Fall of the Fortress are just one of the dozens of newly discovered creatures which seem to make their homes in the freezing wastes. Mechanicus Genetor teams have expressed a pronounced interest in the makeup of the monsters, and have taken several corpses for study.

The Fall of the Fortress has done little to change the attitudes of the people toward their masters. Only the most foolish residents of Falconscott blamed the marines for the calamity, and far more of them were simply grateful that the marines had been there to assist them - recognizing the ravening horror from below which would have consumed them. However, the advent of the Wolf political movement within the chapter has begun to erode the populace's good feelings. The Wolves treat the population as inferiors, and the people are swift to resent it. Although most of this resentment is confined to the Wolves themselves, it is beginning to spread to the chapter in general - and some even blame Master Taramant personally. The reintroduction of the former tunnel dwellers and the corresponding rise in civil disorder has also done nothing to endear the chapter to the population, many of whom feel the marines should have allowed the gangers to die rather than inflict their prescence on those in the city.

The major difficulty now is maintaining contact with the other cities, as the high winds of the planetary surface make flight difficult and even dangerous. Even Space Marine Thunderhawks find flight treacherous, and travel is limited only to that necessary for chapter business.

Beliefs
The Ice Lords maintain a surprisingly diverse array of beliefs. Firstly, there are the general beliefs of the chapter. The chapter subscribes to the typical marine belief that the Emperor is the savior of humanity, but not a god, and they hold to it with a vehemence equalled only by that of First and Second Founding chapters. However, the Ice Lords maintain no veneration for their Primarch, Lion'El Jonson, a quirk which has astonished Imperial observers.

798.M41 - The Trabizilia System Aboard the Angels of Absolution Rapid Strike Vessel Heart of Caliban

Sometimes, guilt troubles Taramant's hearts. Not often, of course. And never for things he could have helped. Though life carries in it the semblance of choice, for the true knight, some things cannot be helped. And though a man can be firm in his choices, it is hard to be proud when there was no choice. And it is always those moments Taramant remembers.

He remembers standing on the deck with the other Dark Angels, as Caliban gleamed quietly below. He remembered watching the gleam of his home, his charges, become a roaring furnace, that left none but marines alive. And he remembers bowing his head, and knowing that his lord and master had made this come to pass. And though he could do nothing, his heart is weighed with guilt for following.

He remembers duelling with two of his former brethren, Belicarius and Lahdemor, men he had once called friend, his feet slipping across ground nearly-molten with the heat of bombardment. Their armor was blacker than night, blacker than treachery. But not, his soul whispered, blacker than the spirit of his Primarch. Not blacker than the mind of a man who would raze a world he had sworn to protect to assuage his wounded pride, who would betray a greater commitment to punish a personal betrayal. And though he could do nothing, his heart is weighed with guilt for doubting.

He remembers the terrifying seconds in the Warp, then collapsing against his former foes, who were also once his brothers, sobbing with horror and pain together. He remembers the oath they swore - to restore their honor through service, the others who had lost through promises broken, he who had lost through promises kept. Resolving to find a way to redeem themselves. And though a man of honor could do nothing else, his heart is weighed with guilt, for he fears he did it for himself alone.

He remembers when they discovered how the Imperium had changed. How the Astartes were now broken shadows of their former glory. How the people of the Imperium were mere fodder for their endless wars. How the Emperor's Church now ruled so many worlds, and fear of shadowy Inquisitors ruled the rest. How the once true knights of the Dark Angels had been made twisted and cruel by some guilt no one knew (though Taramant thought he could guess). That they decided that there was no way to restore what had been, and that the only hope was to make it anew. That perhaps if they shaped an instrument by which the Emperor's will could be done, perhaps it would be. And he knows that they could do no more, but he fears they only lied to themselves to stave off the horror. He fears there is no chance.

And now Taramant looks down at the Angels of Absolution Captain. He lies bloodied on the deck, spitting curses from a swollen, battered face, with one eye ruined and weeping blood. Breathing defiance at an enemy who should not be his enemy, even as that same man levels an ancient and scarred bolter at his head. Taramant knows what happens next cannot be helped.

He hopes redemption will come. He hopes redemption is worth it.

The beliefs of the Knights were for many years the beliefs of the chapter as a whole. Taramant and the Knights believe that the role of the Space Marines in the Imperium is to defend the people of the Imperium and the Imperium as a whole. Concerns of the chapter and of individual marines are subordinate to the need to defend the people, and to defend the Imperium.

To reinforce these beliefs, Taramant encourages communication with the people of Franklin's World, often making use of civilian artisans or laborers. There are relatively few chapter serfs, most of the chapter's servants being drawn from the general population, and returning there after a period of service. The few serfs are generally drawn from the pool of failed aspirants, and are encouraged to maintain bonds with their families outside the fortress monastery. Most serfs direct ordinary laborers or serve in relatively honorable positions in the fleet or monastery. Space Marine participation in public rituals and in the administration of the world is common. The Captain of the garrison company also serves as the Lord Commander of Falconscott. The Lord Commander is the final court of appeal on the world (though it would be a fool who requested his judgement in a trivial matter), and a Space Marine also serves as executioner to the courts. On holy days, Space Marines often judge tests of skill and strength, and occasionally participate in melees where one marine confronts several challengers from the people. In addition to this, the marines are expected to wander the streets of whatever city they may be in, visiting family or friends from their old lives. This had produced a remarkably close bond between the marines and the people, but the advent of the Wolves has soured it.

The Wolven beliefs spring from the discovery of the Franklin's World wolf upon the crash of Falconscott. This new, undiscovered life form was seen as a sign from the Emperor, and observation of its habits convinced some of the more disgruntled members of the chapter that Taramant's methods were wrong. Many of the chapter's recruits had been drawn from the gangs in the tunnels below the city. These recruits were not enamored of surface society, and resented being forced to associate with it. Although Taramant's efforts force them into submission have been mostly successful, their silent defiance and all-too-public initial protestations have greatly hurt the chapter, which has suffered both in its relationship with the people and in its relationships internally. Although no overt conflict has arisen yet, the people of Falconscott are noticeably less welcoming toward the marines. This appears to greatly trouble Master Taramant, and what course of action he will take to try and mend this breach is unknown.

Combat Doctrine
The combat doctrine of the Ice Lords cleaves closely to the Codex. The increased numbers of Terminator armor available to them has resulted in an increased use of teleport assaults and other such tactics, and experience in the warrens below Falconscott seems to be slowly turning them into experts in confined engagement. It has been remarked by observers that there are a number of tactical similarities to the Dark Angels chapter, but this is hardly surprising considering the Ice Lords' origins. They have often displayed the Dark Angels' legendary tenacity, especially when defending civilian populations. However, they display none of the Dark Angel intolerance towards abhumans and non-humans, and none of their standoffishness or inscrutable tendencies to desertion of a combat zone. These traits have combined to make them popular with Imperial commanders, who appreciate tenacious and capable allies, but appreciate them even more when they do not suddenly depart the field of battle without explanation.

Organization
The Ice Lords were a traditional codex chapter. However, the vast numbers of Terminator armor suits recovered from the undercity tunnels resulted in changes to their organization. Each of the Battle Companies now maintains several squads of Terminator-armored brethren, and the Ice Lords have even begun to adopt strategies and tactics similar to the Dark Angels Deathwing. The First Company is even more heavily equipped than the Battle Companies. Further expeditions to the depths have unearthed even more suits of armor, and only the Emperor knows how many of his fallen warriors lie below the monastery. The reports of the Mechanicus genetors indicate that the armor is from a defunct force, though they refused to specifically name the source. Thus, the chapter has industriously refurbished and reintegrated every suit they find. The Ice Lords Scout Company is hardly ever assembled as a formation, and usually operates as individual squads attached to companies fighting offworld.

Geneseed
The Ice Lords bear the geneseed of Lion'El Jonson. Their geneseed appears pure and uncorrupted, which is of little surprise considering their relatively short history and the notable purity of the Dark Angel seed.

Battlecry


Notes: Personally, I feel the reasoning behind the chapter name is a little trite, but damned if I want him to name them the Ice Lords because their homeworld is COLD. That's just coincidence. Fortunate, fortunate coincidence. Like the Space Wolves living on Fenris.

I also still need a battlecry. They are most definitely my weak spot.

Comments and critiques are, as always, welcome.

[Brother Cambrius]

A good start Octavulg. I like the ideas for this chapter (especially the city name pun ;)). The sky cities were a great idea and I applaud you for that. What other "bad luck" is due to befall the chapter? Just a few things to comment on:

 

Fortunately for the Chapter, ancient backup systems WERE functional

 

No need for the capitals here. :( Don't forget that capitals come off as shouting on message boards. ;)

 

Regarding the Terminator armour you found, there would be next to no chance of you being allowed to keep it I'm afraid. You must give back what the chapter's are due incluing the bodies. I did something similar with my Sons of Doom and the way I got around the problem was that my chapter gave back the suits to their rightful owners but after allying with the owners of the TDA suits, they gave us the gift of some of the suits (around 10).

 

Hope that helps you.

 

Cambrius

[Octavulg]

The sky cities were a great idea and I applaud you for that.

 

Don't. I probably stole it from somewhere. :P

 

What other "bad luck" is due to befall the chapter? Just a few things to comment on:

 

I hope to get around to hinting that there's something nasty under all the ice. Really nasty. A kind of nasty I don't think has actually been done, which makes me happy.

 

In short, they have one BIG misfortunate. And it will be a doozy, though it's one of those "hangiing over the chapter's head" ones.

 

No need for the capitals here. smile.gif Don't forget that capitals come off as shouting on message boards. msn-wink.gif

 

Good point. I will edit it to italics in the next update.

 

I did something similar with my Sons of Doom and the way I got around the problem was that my chapter gave back the suits to their rightful owners but after allying with the owners of the TDA suits, they gave us the gift of some of the suits (around 10).

 

I was trying for a much higher TDA number than ten, sadly. :P

 

I'm trying to justify the rather...heavy...mix of Space Wolves and DA iconography which has developed on the models (it's a natural byproduct of buying Terminators off ebay). The old justification was mixed DA-SW geneseed (they're Cursed Founding, don't look at me like that ) and primarch inspired visions, causing the individual marines to inscribe dedications to whichever philosophy on their armor. Although that idea still appeals somewhat, I'm not sure I can really pull it off - writing mysticism is not my strong suit. Also, having visions of Russ is a little odd, since he's not dead or unconscious. Have any Space Wolves had visions of him?

 

Though the idea of major decisions being decided through a ritualized debate between a marine of each philosophy and the Chapter Master choosing the best argument appeals to me. On the other hand, so does digging up a forgotten Space Marine expedition from the ice.

 

I think finding the armor works rather better than the visions, but the whole "not-returning" issue is rather knotty. I could claim a vision saying they could keep it, but that feels so tacked on it shames me.

 

The other option is alternate explanations for the iconography, which will just happen to look like that of the DA and the SW, but that appeals rather less by nature.

 

Or, I could just ship a certain portion of the armor back to the appropriate chapters - with those brothers who could not be identified remaining with the chapter. It'd be a little weird, but I could come up with some SM-mystic-logic explanation.

 

Any recommendations on a course of action? Should I go with one of the above? Some combination of them? Something else entirely?

 

Hope that helps you.

 

It does indeed.

[KiltedMarine]

Also, having visions of Russ is a little odd, since he's not dead or unconscious. Have any Space Wolves had visions of him?

Every one of the Great Hunts has begun with the reigning Wolf Lord or some other high-ranking Wolf receiving a vision from our great forefather, so the visions idea isn't completely off-base.

 

As for the explanation of the mixed iconography, it could be explained that the Rune Priests of the Wolves and the High Librarians (don't recall the more orthodox title) of the DA each independently of the other determined that the suits would be needed by the Ice Lords more than by the parent Chapters, saying something of some kind of "lurking shadow" and "great reckoning." The recoverable portions of the corpses, of course, would be returned to their brethren, but both Chapters have a strong practical streak and "you'll need it more than we will, mate" could be a meaningful reason to let the 'Lords keep the suits...

 

Just an idea, hope it helps; I like what you've got so far, keep going!

[Brother Cambrius]

Hmm, the reason why I was given 10 was because there was only 25 to begin with.

 

Perhaps you could say that as a gift for finding the bodies, the chapters allowed you to keep the suits but only if you were to help the two chapters in seperate crusades (DA and SW don't like each other that much don't forget).

 

I think Necrons hiding under the ice would be a good idea as they have tombs underneath the surface of a good amount of planets.

 

Cambrius

[Octavulg]

Every one of the Great Hunts has begun with the reigning Wolf Lord or some other high-ranking Wolf receiving a vision from our great forefather, so the visions idea isn't completely off-base.

 

Well, that works alright then. :o My Space Wolf knowledge is much spacier than it should be. Methinks I should read the codex some.

 

As for the explanation of the mixed iconography, it could be explained that the Rune Priests of the Wolves and the High Librarians (don't recall the more orthodox title) of the DA each independently of the other determined that the suits would be needed by the Ice Lords more than by the parent Chapters, saying something of some kind of "lurking shadow" and "great reckoning."

\

 

This lets me keep the visions AND hold onto stuff buried in ice. I like you, and your ability to instantaneously solve my problems. :D

 

Just an idea, hope it helps; I like what you've got so far, keep going!

 

Thanks. I will, as soon as I have energy and less overdue work.

 

* * *

Hmm, the reason why I was given 10 was because there was only 25 to begin with.

 

Ah. I was thinking at least a hundred. Possibly slightly more.

 

Perhaps you could say that as a gift for finding the bodies, the chapters allowed you to keep the suits but only if you were to help the two chapters in seperate crusades (DA and SW don't like each other that much don't forget).

 

Could work. I may well go with KiltedMarine's suggestion, but mostly because it ties together with the previous visions so nicely.

 

I think Necrons hiding under the ice would be a good idea as they have tombs underneath the surface of a good amount of planets.

 

Well, yes. But I loathe the Necrons, and all their works. That, and like you said - they're under the surface of a good amount of planets. It's not particularly unique.

 

There are six ideas. Some are my favorites, some are less so.

 

A ) A Genestealer Patriarch, so powerful he attained independence from the Hive Fleet. He knew of the Tyranid plan to devour the planet, so put himself into stasis.

B ) Some kind of giant artifact. No doubt it can destroy lots of stuff.

C ) The King of the Zoats (it was late)

D ) A lost Eldar craftworld, full of black knowledge and terrible secrets which would shatter the Imperium and the minds of those who found them.

E ) Some horrible dark secret of Chaos

F ) A Dark Age of Technology AI, and its army of combat drones. Still in shrink-wrap, and ready for war, needing only to hear their master's call to march forth once again.

 

As you might guess, F is my favorite. It's kinda like the Necrons, but I like the idea that just once, the galaxy-ravening horror is humanity's responsibility. And, of course, it's not one of the usual suspects, which is nice.

[Sigismund Himself]

Chapter annals record that when the Chapter training cadre finally arrived to guide the young Marines on their new path, it numbered only three marines in a small shuttle. Brother-Librarian Taramant, the most senior surviving officer, explained that an ambush by a large force of heretical pirates had crippled their ship, and that of all the fleeing shuttles, only theirs had escaped.

I'd presume that it would simply be a warp jump from where ever they were to the new world. Hard to attack them.

 

We would know if they were from the 13th Founding by the date on that probe sidebar thing. That would indicate what time the Founders were going to meet their charges, thus giving you a date :P

 

Taking their new Chapter fleet, Chapter Master Taramant lead them north, to their newly assigned homeworld of Franklin's World.

Their Chapter Master (and the first one) is a Librarian. Interesting....

 

The Ascendant Festival on Falconscott marks the longest day of the year.

For Falconscott itself, I presume as I'm guessing the cities are dispersed over the surface.

 

.....and the cities are suffused with warmth and laughter. All Space Marines present on the planet are dispatched throughout the cities, both to mingle with the population and to observe those who might make good candidates for the Chapter.

It kind of begs the question of how your marines are viewed. The city is full of laughter and joy. Yet their protectors, their lords are walking among them. I would of have thought it would have been a day of honour, dignity, paying respect to marines etc. It seems to happy for me in the Dark Far Future^TM. :rolleyes:

 

As the revelers danced in the streets of Falconscott, joined by their titanic lords

The marines were dancing?

 

Clouds whisked by, and the wind grew to a howling shriek as the mighty city began to plunge toward the surface of the planet below.

How high are the cities? Most be pretty high for there to be time for Techmarines to get into the bowels of the city.

 

Foul Genestealers had apparently been lurking beneath the surface of the planet, in a winding warren of unknown dimensions. The crash of the monastery had broken into these tunnels, and now the warrens and the lower levels of the city were hopelessly intermingled, and Genestealers spread throughout.

Didn't the marines use the planet for anything? Battlefield training etc.? You'd just have thought that the presence of genestealers wouldn't have gone unnoticed.

 

 

Time and the abrading tread of Genestealers had worn away much, but it was still clear that the dead marines were from the Dark Angels and Space Wolves legions. They had lain for millenia, forgotten, on a mission no one remembered.

Nobody would leave large amounts of TDA armour lying about and no one would forget the mission. Considering the amount you're considering, it would have been recorded in either of the chapter's histories if they lost so many suits. This seems to be the weakest part.

 

The Chapter took every suit they could find back to the surface and gave the occupants the holy rites they would have wanted.

They know what the DA and SW burial rites etc are?

 

The suits were lovingly restored by the Chapter Techmarines, each suit's iconography carefully maintained and honored.

They would be neck deep in it if they ever deployed with either of the chapters with it on.

 

 

 

Ever since, two companies have remained in the Chapter fortress, one providing security for the planet, the other delving beneath the surface for the mysteries within.

So since near their founding to the present day, they're still exploring? That's a mighty long time and to think they haven't discovered that nasty thing you''re considering.

 

What have they been doing recently?

[Hubernator]

I've only had a skim over it, but from what I've read its good. I like the colour scheme a lot, nice job.

[Hubernator]

Now that I've had a proper read, I can confirm that I think it's good. However I did pick up on some small issues:

1. why was there only 3 marines on a ship? surely more than 3 would've gotten away.

2. I didn't know marines "mingled" or danced. I'm guessing they stayed sort-of "outcast" from the cities, keeping a close eye on things.

 

Other points Sigismund Himself has picked up on, like the leaving of 2 companies: they must be really bored by now. Other than that I'd say it's good :)

[Brother Cambrius]

Other points Sigismund Himself has picked up on, like the leaving of 2 companies: they must be really bored by now. Other than that I'd say it's good B)

 

Perhaps the chapter alternates the companies so the chapter doesn't have some lazy old farts sitting around in the monastery all the time. :)

 

Cambrius

[Hubernator]

Other points Sigismund Himself has picked up on, like the leaving of 2 companies: they must be really bored by now. Other than that I'd say it's good B)

 

Perhaps the chapter alternates the companies so the chapter doesn't have some lazy old farts sitting around in the monastery all the time. :)

 

Cambrius

 

LOL B) That's funny :lol: but it's a valid point. I guess they would do that to save boredom and keep work fresh. Seems sensible.

[Commissar Molotov]

1. why was there only 3 marines on a ship? surely more than 3 would've gotten away.

 

Because they're secretly Marines from the Fallen that replaced the original command cadre.

[Hubernator]

1. why was there only 3 marines on a ship? surely more than 3 would've gotten away.

 

Because they're secretly Marines from the Fallen that replaced the original command cadre.

 

Ah right. Fairly understandable.

[Octavulg]

I'd presume that it would simply be a warp jump from where ever they were to the new world. Hard to attack them.

 

Perhaps they came out of warp to reconfirm their position. Or to resupply. Or due to some foul trickery in the warp.

 

Certainly, the fact that a chapter was devoted to protecting ships in transit during the Badab War that something like this is possible. I'm just not sure how or why.

 

We would know if they were from the 13th Founding by the date on that probe sidebar thing. That would indicate what time the Founders were going to meet their charges, thus giving you a date msn-wink.gif

 

Data corruption? B) I'll work out about when it should be, then. Obviously, the individual year will be lost to data corruption, but the millenia should be very doable.

 

Their Chapter Master (and the first one) is a Librarian. Interesting....

 

Indeed. Most senior surviving officer, and all that. I'm sure that's the complete totality of the reasons.

 

For Falconscott itself, I presume as I'm guessing the cities are dispersed over the surface.

 

Equatorial belt was how I pictured them, actually. With some gaps where old cities used to be.

 

It kind of begs the question of how your marines are viewed. The city is full of laughter and joy. Yet their protectors, their lords are walking among them. I would of have thought it would have been a day of honour, dignity, paying respect to marines etc. It seems to happy for me in the Dark Far FutureTM. tongue.gif

 

I'll add in some martial contests, shall I? Laughter and such is not necessarily in conflict with dignity, but I take your point. I should add some sky-jousts as well. Maybe a marine vs. mob of candidates.

 

The point is that they mingle with the people. Chapter Master's orders.

 

The marines were dancing?

 

*Shudder* The horror of that implication is too much to bear. I shall remedy it. People may be dancing. Marines are wallflowers. ;)

 

Seriously, there will be no dancing in the far future. Don't you worry.

 

How high are the cities? Most be pretty high for there to be time for Techmarines to get into the bowels of the city.

 

Service elevator?

 

Though yes, they are very high. Exact numbers make me look silly, so I'm trying to avoid them.

 

Didn't the marines use the planet for anything? Battlefield training etc.? You'd just have thought that the presence of genestealers wouldn't have gone unnoticed.

 

They were underground. Marines were up top, on the surface, when they were there at all. The winds would make landing and takeoff difficult, and there's no entrances to the tunnels on the surface (the tunnels also probably don't stretch across the ENTIRE planet. What a fortuitous coincidence twas exactly there that the Marines crashed).

 

Nobody would leave large amounts of TDA armour lying about and no one would forget the mission. Considering the amount you're considering, it would have been recorded in either of the chapter's histories if they lost so many suits. This seems to be the weakest part.

 

Legions. This is very old. And if there is no record of the mission, is that not suspicious in itself?

 

Ooooooooooh...spooky...;)

 

They know what the DA and SW burial rites etc are?

 

As someone else mentioned, I really ought to ship them back to their respective chapters. I will revise this.

 

And in the Imperium, the rites people would want are the rites the people giving the rites want. ;)

 

They would be neck deep in it if they ever deployed with either of the chapters with it on.

 

Lucky for them they're off in the backwoods, eh?

 

Methinks I may have some arrangement between the chapters, as KiltedMarine suggested.

 

So since near their founding to the present day, they're still exploring? That's a mighty long time and to think they haven't discovered that nasty thing you''re considering.

 

It's a long way down (plus, it seems likely that some systems were slowing their descent from the start). And it was more time after the founding than you're probably thinking...

 

What have they been doing recently?

 

Good question. :lol:

 

* * *

I've only had a skim over it, but from what I've read its good. I like the colour scheme a lot, nice job.

 

Thanks. It stemmed from a desire to use a bunch of pastel paints I had acquired and an admiration for the Sons of Medusa scheme.

 

1. why was there only 3 marines on a ship? surely more than 3 would've gotten away.

 

The one ship which escaped did not actually originate from the ship. The rest were destroyed by the pirates.

 

2. I didn't know marines "mingled" or danced. I'm guessing they stayed sort-of "outcast" from the cities, keeping a close eye on things.

 

Mingle, they do. Dance, they do not.

 

Other points Sigismund Himself has picked up on, like the leaving of 2 companies: they must be really bored by now. Other than that I'd say it's good cool.gif

 

They rotate through.

 

* * *

Because they're secretly Marines from the Fallen that replaced the original command cadre.

 

In my defense, I think I have a somewhat better justification and plot for it this time around. And the idea obviously stuck in your head. ;)

 

The problem is in finding ways to work it in to an IA - not the kind of article which lends itself to background explanation of some things.

 

Your disgusted shredding of it would be more than welcome, of course. ;)

[Commissar Molotov]

Well, you can always count on me to be disgusted... I'll try to get some critique up soon.

[Sigismund Himself]

Legions. This is very old.

Then it wouldn't be todays armour would it, it would be that preheresy stuff. Though considering what GW has for terminator models and their conflicting fluff, I think you might be able to get away with it.

 

So since near their founding to the present day, they're still exploring? That's a mighty long time and to think they haven't discovered that nasty thing you''re considering.

 

It's a long way down (plus, it seems likely that some systems were slowing their descent from the start). And it was more time after the founding than you're probably thinking...

But you say this:

 

Master Taramant emerged from his meditations in the Librarium....

 

which means that Taramant was still in command of the chapter when this happened.

 

*sits back on bench with a drink, waiting for Mol*

[Octavulg]

I have rather revised things and think I've taken care of most folks' concerns.

 

Further comment and assistance is, of course, very welcome. ;) Especially on the new, exciting sidebars.

[Sigismund Himself]

I stole this passage shamelessly (cookie for those who know where it comes from) and modified it but I think it's cool. Use it as you will.

 

Black with their blood was the street of that day

Toppled the tall towers, crushed to the ground.

None might live who fell to the ice

Evil emerged, the angels gathered

The day the sky

Fell!

Final verse of the Lay of Death

 

Ahem, onto the rest.

 

The header is hard to read because of the paleness of the blue.

 

Honestly, I'm know firmly now with Mol on this one. It's too obvious. Way, way too obvious. The hints you drop are like cannonballs. And you're dropping them onto our feet.

 

Taramant is not handled well. The sidebars totally ruin it. Plus no mention of his 2 companions is ever given afterwards. Other questions are also raised if the other two aren't a chaplain or librarian. How else are you meant to get a Librarium? Or a Reclusiam? Giving a marine litanies of hate does not make a chaplain.

 

The geneseed vision is done alright until you spoil it for us with the sidebar. The coincidence of the Terminator armour and the chapters refusing to take it is a bit much though. I hate to use a good term but suspension of belief is severely bashed if not killed here.

 

You mention pilots as being suitable recruits. What are they pilots of? I liked the mention of vicious tunnel gangs though.

 

When Taramant escapes the ship, he uses shuttles. But no shuttles would be warp capable as that would require having a Gellar field and thus a big energy generator.

 

The Chapter set about their training with zeal, determined to honor the memory of their fallen teachers. Their combat trials were decreed a success ahead of the anticipated schedule, and the chapter was assigned to active duty.

I dunno, one would think that having less than the amount of trainers then you're meant to would prove a major hinderance to the chapter.

 

.... while the other marines attempted to contain the panic among the citizens....

I love the mental image of this :P

 

Each of the Battle Companies now maintains several squads of Terminator-armored brethren, and the Ice Lords have even begun to adopt strategies similar to the Dark Angels Deathwing. The First Company is even more heavily equipped than the Battle Companies.

MIS syndrome. The chapter isn't any of the second founding chapters yet they have more of this precious relic than them?

[Octavulg]

The header is hard to read because of the paleness of the blue.

 

Hmmmm...I may just make it one of those neat see-through headers, then.

 

Honestly, I'm know firmly now with Mol on this one. It's too obvious. Way, way too obvious. The hints you drop are like cannonballs. And you're dropping them onto our feet.

 

But you'll remember what smashed your toes! :P

 

Fair enough. Ideas for more subtlety which still hints in the right direction?

 

The main points I wanted to get across were Taramant's motivations for what he did, that there was a space marine mission to destroy something big and evil under the ice, and that the Ice Lords are now getting pushed into trying it (despite the fact that they'll probably fail, being rather unaware of what's down there).

 

Taramant is not handled well. The sidebars totally ruin it.

 

Damn. Completely? I liked the idea of him having a slightly different motivation than your run-of-the-mill Fallen.

 

Plus no mention of his 2 companions is ever given afterwards.

 

I know.

 

Other questions are also raised if the other two aren't a chaplain or librarian. How else are you meant to get a Librarium? Or a Reclusiam? Giving a marine litanies of hate does not make a chaplain.

 

Good point. Though one presumably could fake being a Chaplain if no-one in the new chapter has ever met a Chaplain.

 

One of them must be a Librarian, though. I shall add.

 

The geneseed vision is done alright until you spoil it for us with the sidebar.

 

Fair enough. I shall remove it.

 

Though it's traditional to explain why a Cursed Founding chapter does whatever they do... (Lamenters, Sons of Antaeus...)

 

The coincidence of the Terminator armour and the chapters refusing to take it is a bit much though. I hate to use a good term but suspension of belief is severely bashed if not killed here.

 

I know. I want a better explanation than I have for them hanging on to it, but for the life of me can't think of one.

 

You mention pilots as being suitable recruits. What are they pilots of?

 

Inter-city ships, system ships...I'll add some explanation.

 

When Taramant escapes the ship, he uses shuttles. But no shuttles would be warp capable as that would require having a Gellar field and thus a big energy generator.

 

Well...THAT would have been handy to know. Hmm...

 

Now I have to go back to the "boarding and capture" option. Damn.

 

I dunno, one would think that having less than the amount of trainers then you're meant to would prove a major hinderance to the chapter.

 

Good point. Depends how big a training cadre is supposed to be, of course...

 

Still, it should impede them somewhat.

 

I love the mental image of this msn-wink.gif

 

You'd calm down if a three-meter tower of destruction told you to...;)

 

MIS syndrome. The chapter isn't any of the second founding chapters yet they have more of this precious relic than them?

 

I know. I like Terminators. :) It is my greatest weakness.

 

EDIT:

 

One idea I had pondered was ditching the Wolf and having it just be the Knight. Have only the one kind of Terminator armor - which is just not mentioned to the DA (which is entirely consistent with Taramant's reasoning, IMO). Seem more workable?

 

Obvious flaws with that include no more arguing guiding visions. ^_^

[Sigismund Himself]

Ideas for more subtlety which still hints in the right direction?

Nope :P

 

Though it's traditional to explain why a Cursed Founding chapter does whatever they do... (Lamenters, Sons of Antaeus...)

The Cursed Founding is the 21st Founding. That's where those chapters come from, isn't it? The 13th 'Dark' Founding is the one where all the records about geneseed and everything were lost and nobody knows anything about the chapters (about from the Exorcists though I'm convinced they are an error). You just seem to be combining the two with the records lost and the mixed geneseed.

 

One idea I had pondered was ditching the Wolf and having it just be the Knight. Have only the one kind of Terminator armor - which is just not mentioned to the DA (which is entirely consistent with Taramant's reasoning, IMO). Seem more workable?

That seems alright. I think just being DA successors would be an awesome irony with Taramant where he is.

 

Obvious flaws with that include no more arguing guiding visions. :(

Maybe have 2 angels arguing with each other or an angel and a knight.

 

I think you're trying to cram too may ideas into one IA. I like the sound of a Fallen managing to get a chapter master position. I don't know it can be done but I like the concept. But then having him master of a 21th Founding chapter that has mixed geneseed and no records of them?

[Octavulg]

The current idea is ditching everything except the Fallen and the digging up old armor. They're good DA successors. Taramant wrangles his position in a similar fashion, and everything carries on hunky-dory until the Fortress falls, the terminator armor turns up (suitably unidentifiable as to origin), plus maybe a few records and suddenly everything's big and complicated. The Knights and the Wolves can be political factions within the chapter, divided as to the direction the chapter should take. Taramant seems unsure how to handle this difference of opinion, as though there were parallels which bothered him. :P

 

They'd probably be a 25th or 26th founding this way. Seems much more likely to work, and I like the idea of some poor Fallen fella who just wanted to keep his head down and raise his chapter right having all this stuff land in his lap.

 

Seem more workable?

[Fenrir0013]

Very good. You're obviously better at writing expositorally (Or however you say 'expository in nature') than I am. I always liked narratives better...

 

Anyway, I see no key issues that haven't bee already pointed out. As for the secret, I would have gone for D, but that's my Eldar side talking.

[Octavulg]

Very good. You're obviously better at writing expositorally (Or however you say 'expository in nature') than I am.

 

Thanks. And expositorally is an excellent word, whether you made it up or not.

 

Hey, Shakespeare got away with it. :)

 

I always liked narratives better...

 

That is your right as an individual.

 

Of course, narratives and IAs often don't mix well.

 

Anyway, I see no key issues that haven't bee already pointed out.

 

Fair enough. Thoughts on the new and dubiously exciting direction detailed in my last post?

 

As for the secret, I would have gone for D, but that's my Eldar side talking.

 

Indeed. It felt too much like the Black Library, though.

 

Besides - Dark Age of Technology AI and combat drones! Way more unique. ;)

[Fenrir0013]

Thoughts on the new and dubiously exciting direction detailed in my last post?

 

Definitely seems a little more real. AAMOF, I like it.

[flintlocklaser]

This will have to be brief, since I meant to do a longer post about it earlier and the medium one I was writing today just evaporated when I hit the wrong key (grr). Briefly, I really like the nice in-game justification you've come up with for your real-world mixed Terminators. And I really, REALLY like the part about one company staying on the planet delving around in the Underdark cavern systems. Dungeon crawling in power armor = AWESOME. Getting to play Space Hulk-type missions on your Chapter's own homeworld is even more awesome. And anytime someone does repentant Fallen (assuming I am reading the current concept correctly) and does them well is just icing on the cake. Kudos!