Ferrata Creates a Chapter

[Nash Trickster]

What if the increased toughness of the marines bones makes it almost impossible to retrieve this gene-seed without destroying the gene-seed. This would mean the chapter only had a one:one ration, and with the normal amount of failures and unuseable gene-seed, would mean they are slowly dying. Not at the previous rate, but still dying.

Now that could work... Since the chest Progenoid, for obvious protection reasons, must be implanted under the thoraxic cage, and for ease of recovery upon a marine's death, near the "surface", it'd clearly be implanted right by the bones. If the mutation of the Ossmodula, responsible for the marines denser bones, also ossified the gland as a side-effect, it'd render it useless...

 

This could even explain why the defect wasn't discovered until the chapter was formed. The AM uses slaves to duplicate the progenoids, probably using external means to provide the gland with the necessary hormones/nutriments for its devellopment instead of the more "natural" way it's done in marines (the other implants providing the necessary things for the Progenoids maturation)... Thus it's not until the glands were implanted in the marines, along with the Ossmodula, and even later, once the first chest progenoid was to be harvested, that the defect would have become apparent!

 

BTW, I think that giving any form of numbers explaining the chapter's slow loss of numbers will only lead to such mathematical discussion as we've seen in this thread... Just saying that because of the defect they have a lower success rate in implantation and thus see their numbers slowly dwindle, causing the chapter to number only so many marines in M41 would solve the problem... No numbers provided, no useless maths possible ;)

 

Oh, and, if the throat Progenoid is the one that remains recoverable, then the chapter would certainly recover them as soon as possible upon their maturation. Hence the vets wouldn't have any useful Progenoid anymore. This could change the organisation of the chapter on the battlefield a wee-bit: the Apothecaries wouldn't be that useful alongside their older brethren while they would probably be asked to keep a closer check on the new recruits who would not only be the "future" of the chapter, but would also still hold a viable progenoid...

 

Finally, I feel like saying that even if the reason for the chapter's slow death changes, it's not a reason to drop the "ugly marines" idea... Their crazy healing factor itself calls for a high number of benign skin tumours giving them the looks of "mutants" ^_^

[Keyoz Devastrius]

Hello Brothers! I've got another idea. When the chapter is created its geneseed is reproduced in the test slaves but after its creation the chapter uses only the geneseed taken from its own battle brothers. Maybe your chapter does not? Maybe they still use the test slaves to replicate their geneseed? Maybe they have half of their homeworlds population used only to replicate geneseed - those slaves never become marines and are used only to replicate progenoid glands.

[Ferrata]

Okay, now time to break down the chapter into an overall view. I’ve done this for all the chapters I’ve created as I think it gives a nice clear view of what you want the chapter to be and anything you want to link through the chapter. Also, if you have someone to have a look over the chapter (in this case, you guys) you can spot any pit holes before you have wrote a thousand words.

 

Name

None at the moment, though the name generator did give one that fits, so for now, let me introduce the Doom Turtles

 

Theme - Everybody’s Dead Dave

The chapter is dying, and there is nothing they can do about it. This has had major effects on how each marine thinks. Each new recruit is seen as a saviour and heavily protected, whilst the old veterans are grizzled. They aren’t fancy, they don’t don their armour in honours etc, and they just get the job done attempting to take as many bastards with them. This also links into them not feeling pain, they fear no death.

 

History

Cursed Founding

Earlier campaigns successful due to their toughness and regeneration

During first battle, the curse of their success is discovered, although it is not till later it is confirmed

Spend many years attempting to overcome the curse, but this always leads to failure

Finally resign themselves that they are dead

Get requested to fight in the Angelicus Crusade (II)

Been fighting against the Wings of Death along with the usual enemies of the Crusade

 

Home World

Once had one, but now they have been reduced in number they have abandoned it, decided to be fleet based. They now recruit from the worlds they fight for (or actually taken by the Wings in the early part of the crusade)

 

Organisation

Where they can, they have kept codex organisation, but obviously the scout company is really small and the veteran company really hard to get into. At this moment in time they are down to just the battle companies with no reserve companies.

 

Gene-Seed

Mutation causes:

Thickened Bones

Regeneration

Lack of Pain receptors

Thickened bones cover the second gene-seed making it unusable

Regeneration causes tumours to grow making ugly marines but also increases their life span

 

Battle Cry

“Feel no pain, fear no death, give no mercy”?

 

Hello Brothers! I've got another idea. When the chapter is created its geneseed is reproduced in the test slaves but after its creation the chapter uses only the geneseed taken from its own battle brothers. Maybe your chapter does not? Maybe they still use the test slaves to replicate their geneseed? Maybe they have half of their homeworlds population used only to replicate geneseed - those slaves never become marines and are used only to replicate progenoid glands.

I think that is a great idea but not for this chapter, because it really removes the we are dead theme. I would suggest using that in another chapter who suffers gene-seed problems though.

[Octavulg]

Name

None at the moment, though the name generator did give one that fits, so for now, let me introduce the Doom Turtles

 

If you do a skeletal turtle for a symbol, I think I'd happily play against them. ;)

 

The chapter is dying, and there is nothing they can do about it. This has had major effects on how each marine thinks. Each new recruit is seen as a saviour and heavily protected, whilst the old veterans are grizzled.

 

Would they still be recruiting? After all, if there's nothing they can do about it, why drag others into their suffering?

 

Thickened bones cover the second gene-seed making it unusable

 

Surely not. Power drills, my good man, power drills!

[Ferrata]

Would they still be recruiting? After all, if there's nothing they can do about it, why drag others into their suffering?

To quote myself "and they just get the job done attempting to take as many bastards with them.". They know they are dead, they know they cannot survive, but they want to kill as many of the enemy as possible. "They" means the chapter, not individual marines, so the chapter wants to live as long as it can, just to kill as many enemies as it can.

 

Surely not. Power drills, my good man, power drills!

The idea was that bone actually grew on/through the gene-seed making it unuseable even if you got it out.

[Octavulg]

To quote myself "and they just get the job done attempting to take as many bastards with them.". They know they are dead, they know they cannot survive, but they want to kill as many of the enemy as possible. "They" means the chapter, not individual marines, so the chapter wants to live as long as it can, just to kill as many enemies as it can.

 

OK. Fits the theme in any case.

 

The idea was that bone actually grew on/through the gene-seed making it unuseable even if you got it out.

 

Then say that. :P

[Ferrata]

I'm ashamed of myself for letting this drop, must not get distracted again. I started on the actual IA itself, and as always, I started with the start. I've missed the bolded section which preludes most IA's as I always find this is best to write at the end, like all abstracts. I find a nice opening paragraph covers why the chapter was founded, roughly when and makes the reader interested. I will change the name at some point, but I still can't think of a good name, so the Doom Turtles are here to stay for a while.

 

++

 

The thirty-sixth millennia was one of turmoil for the Imperium as the Age of Apostasy almost ripped the empire of man apart for a second time. The chaos before and after this period hid one the darkest moments in Astartes history. Foolish members of the Adpetus Mechanicus believed they could improve upon the sacred work of the Emperor, tampering with the blessed gene-seed of the primarchs. The children of such experiments have been cursed throughout their lives, each with their own burden to carry. One of the most tragic tales is that of the Doom Turtles.

 

With the Turtles, the Mechanicus had aimed to create a strain of gene-seed which increased the resilience of the Astartes. Early combat testing was positive for the chapter, participating in a number of small skirmishes as their numbers grew. They surpassed all predicted goals; even the most cynical were impressed by the Turtles battle-hardiness. During these early conflicts the chapter proved their worth as a fighting force and were soon declared a fully sanctioned chapter.

 

Their first taste of battle as an independent body would discover the true extent of their ability to withstand damage. Reports began to filter in stating how members of the Doom Turtles were able to walk through a torrent of fire that would easily destroy any other chapter and come out relatively unscathed. Whilst the chapter praised the Emperor for his protection, the Mechanicus requested a specimen to examine which the chapter granted. The investigation showed that the marine had increased bone density, creating an almost unbreakable skeleton. In addition to this there were signs of tissue regeneration to a level much higher then granted even by the heightened immune system of the Astartes.

 

It was during these first causalities the price of their immense survivability would come to light. Their second progeniod gland, situated deep within the chest cavity, had become a victim of their strengthened bone structure which had grown solidly throughout the tissue of the gland. This left the gland redundant and unusable by the chapter, who now were dependent on the neck progeniod gland to support the creation of the next generation of marines. For the chapter to continue to sustain its ranks, this gland must always be pure and usable, this sadly is not always the case.

 

++

[Ferrata]

Seeing as this thread was made for two reasons, first to make me another chapter and two to hopefully pass on some wisdom I think I have acquired over the years of giving feedback. Seeing as I am currently writing the ‘origins’ section, I will start with my advice there.

 

Have a plan. In most chapters, the Origin section is easily the longest and grapples with the most important details. What should be in an Origins section? I think the title is a little misleading, it is not just about the founding of the chapter (which is often a pitfall for many writers, spending too much time and detail on the actual creation of the chapter) but also includes their history. As this section will span the entire life of the chapter (including any additional historical sections), it is easy for this part to become lost in itself, hence the plan. Trust me, I have started writing an origins section only to have it evolve into an entire history of the chapter.

 

What needs to be in the plan? A rough breakdown of the sections in the origins, maybe even down to a paragraph by paragraph guide. This will make sure that the article is consistent and flows. Oh, a really important thing, it is bad writing to mention something before you’ve told the reader what it is. Here is my rough guide to the Origins section of the Doom Turtles:

 

• Basic outline of the Cursed Founding

• Birth of the chapter

• Good Curses

• The Dark Side of the mutations

• Attempting to save this gene-seed

• Acceptance that they are doomed, linking to leaving of home world

• The Doom sets in, progression to current state of mind

• Overview of some battles and how each loss counts

• Entry into Angelicus Crusade

• First contact with the Wings of Death

• Growing hatred towards the traitor chapter

• Summary of their current actions and numbers

 

So, I have at least 12 paragraphs there. This is a little shorter than the Imperial Castellans (14) and a lot shorter than the Black Guard (20) and the Wings of Death (21). Of course, a number of these points will be expanded upon as the writing goes. So you don’t have to stick to the plan without moving, but it helps you keep within a reasonable limit.

 

Many IAs also contain numerous big historical moments which often form the corner stone of the chapters history. For the Grief Bringers it was the massive losses upon Valhall II, for the Wings of Death it is their fall from grace. An IA doesn’t need to have on of these, I really couldn’t find one for the Black Guard and whilst the Age of Apostasy could form its own section in the Imperial Castellans, I felt it flowed better without.

 

That’s enough of my ramblings for now. I don’t pretend they are going to be overly helpful to anyone, but I thought I would show you guys how I go about creating a chapter.

 

Ferrata

[Hubernator]

Why do you think I changed my title to "Founding and History" then? :cry: :D

[Nash Trickster]

You really need to change their worlking name... "Turtle" is the nickname of a frail-looking french singer and I can't keep imagining him in a power armour when I read through your posts which makes for a strange experience!

 

Just one thing I noticed though:

Their second progeniod gland, situated deep within the chest cavity, [...]

I'd remove the word "deep" because if it was so then the gland would be far from any bone structure and would thus not be ossified...

[Ferrata]

You really need to change their worlking name... "Turtle" is the nickname of a frail-looking french singer and I can't keep imagining him in a power armour when I read through your posts which makes for a strange experience!

But I like the Doom Turtles...personally I keep imagining the Ninja Turtles. They will get a real name at some point but at the moment I just can't think of one. Thanks on the point...

[Ferrata]

I got a little carried away this evening and wrote the rest of the Origins section. It still needs a fair amount of work, so this clearly is a first draft but it has all the basic paragraph structure and order.

 

One foot in the Grave

History of the Doom Turtles

Space Marine Chapter

 

Origins

 

The thirty-sixth millennia was one of turmoil for the Imperium as the Age of Apostasy almost ripped the empire of man apart for a second time. The chaos before and after this period hid one the darkest moments in Astartes history. Foolish members of the Adpetus Mechanicus believed they could improve upon the sacred work of the Emperor, tampering with the blessed gene-seed of the primarchs. The children of such experiments have been cursed throughout their lives, each with their own burden to carry. One of the most tragic tales is that of the Doom Turtles.

 

With the Turtles, the Mechanicus had aimed to create a strain of gene-seed which increased the resilience of the Astartes. Early combat testing was positive for the chapter, participating in a number of small skirmishes as their numbers grew. They surpassed all predicted goals; even the most cynical were impressed by the Turtles battle-hardiness. During these early conflicts the chapter proved their worth as a fighting force and were soon declared a fully sanctioned chapter.

 

Their first taste of battle as an independent body would discover the true extent of their ability to withstand damage. Reports began to filter in stating how members of the Doom Turtles were able to walk through a torrent of fire that would easily destroy any other chapter and come out relatively unscathed. Whilst the chapter praised the Emperor for his protection, the Mechanicus requested a specimen to examine which the chapter granted. The investigation showed that the marine had increased bone density, creating an almost unbreakable skeleton. In addition to this there were signs of tissue regeneration to a level much higher then granted even by the heightened immune system of the Astartes.

 

It was during these first causalities the price of their immense survivability would come to light. Their second progeniod gland, protected by the chest cavity, had become a victim of their strengthened bone structure which had grown solidly throughout the tissue of the gland. This left the gland redundant and unusable by the chapter, who now were dependent on the neck progeniod gland to support the creation of the next generation of marines. For the chapter to continue to sustain its ranks this gland must always be pure and usable, tragically this has not always been true for the Turtles.

 

A joint effort between both the chapter’s apothercarium and the Mechanicus attempted for many centuries to reverse the effects of the ossification of progeniod gland. Hormone therapy, premature surgery and insertion of a protective covering were all attempted as possible treatments although none succeeded. When the Mechanicus rejected all further ideas and declared the situation unsolvable, the Turtle’s apothecaries did not lose faith. As more of their brothers fell in battle, as difficult as it was, their hope in discovering a cure also dwindled.

 

It was on the eve of the celebration of half a millennia since the chapter was founded that the chapter master, Donatello, was approached by a delegation of the apothercarium who reported that they had failed in their task. The speech that Donatello gave the following evening was sombre, to an assembly of all those marines still alive from the chapters founding. These veterans, who had who had killed countless enemies, wept until the entire fortress-monastery was overwhelmed by their depression. It was in this solemn mood that Veteran Brother Leonardo stood up and declared himself dead, as if his chapter had no future then neither did he. This swept across the gathering like a fever until each marine had followed suit, a custom which remains with the chapter even now.

 

The following decades passed with few battles credited to the chapter as each brother came to terms with both his personal fate and that of the chapter. Although each marine was gifted with an extended life, even compared to their fellow Astartes, the Turtles were cursed to die young. It was during this time that the chapter methodically destroyed their fortress-monastery and left their home world for good, only leaving a small stone inscribed with the words “For the fallen brothers who never were.”

 

All records of the following centuries portray the degeneration of the chapter into what would often be described as heartless suits of armour. There were no festivities to celebrate the passing of a millennia since the birth of the chapter, nor to welcome the new chapter master. These events, usually associated with joy even amongst the hardened ranks of Space Marines, were met with glum faces, heavy hearts and misery. Although their battle successes only increased over this period, their contact with other Imperial forces came to nothing more than the necessary, preferring to spend their time in the chapter’s chapel mourning their loss.

 

The Turtles were active in many battles including the genocide of the Lioth VI mutant rebellion, the annihilation of the Ork Empire Krazgut and the reclamation of the Niden system. In all these campaigns, only a handful of brothers fell each time, but every individual death was one of much loss to the chapter. The few new recruits which came through the ranks were treasured and protected by their older brothers. As their numbers dwindled the chapter lost all hope of surviving, throwing themselves into suicidal attacks. Their astonishing toughness and regeneration allowed them to turn these forlorn hopes into victories, but even the elation of triumph could not lift the depression of the chapter.

 

In these darkest times a light came to the chapter in the form of Inquisitor Chigi who had been ordered to stabilise the Angelicus Crusade and begin a new its conquering of the Aetherius Stars. Chigi had been present on Niden X and hat witnessed the chapter in battle. When he heard the Turtles had roamed into the vicinity of the crusade he quickly drafted them in, trusting their resilience could overcome the Wings of Death’s agility and cunning. It was these battles with the accursed chapter that would not only save the Doom Turtles but also sign their death warrant.

 

The two chapters could not have been more different. The Wings, beautiful, perfect sons of the Emperor who had fallen to the whispers of Chaos who placed their tactics in dexterity and speed. This in comparison to the cursed loyalist runts of mankind who served unquestionably although they had been granted nothing but death who depended upon their toughness and strength to overcome the enemy. These early conflicts earned the Wings of Death hatred which continues to this day as the traitor chapter has accounted for more Turtle deaths then any other force. It has not all be in the traitors favour, the Turtles have been successful in a number of key battles, but the relentless attacks of the Wings have begun to grind away at the Turtles numbers.

 

The Kalumba System has seen a high number of Doom Turtle activity in the past decade as the Wings of Death attempt to plunder the forge and industrial words which orbit the heavy star. The Seref Campaign to eradicate the growing Ork presence in the systems was also a decisive Imperial victory on the back of the Turtles war machine. Imperial records are not in agreement on the current fighting strength of the Doom Turtles, some believe it to be as few as a hundred whilst others estimate the number to be nearer five hundred. Either number destines the chapter to their fate, at some point in the near future they will cease to be unable to replenish their ranks from the scars of battle.

[R0adki11]

You can have 4 hero's of the chapter Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo. ;)

[Ferrata]

Yeah, I forgot to mention that the names of the characters of place holders whilst I think of some.

[Ferrata]

Okay, I believe I've actually came up with a proper name for this chapter. As much as I love the Doom Turtles, it does sound too comical to be a real name. On my way home from my fun trip over the weekend, I came up with the name 'Basilisk' for the chapter. From what I know of basilisks from my childhood is that they are slow, lumbering reptiles with the ability to turn people to stone/terrify with a stare. So not right on the money, but I think it does invoke the right sort of image for the chapter. Now, I don't want them to be called the Basilisks because that sounds dumb, but I think having something Basilisks doesn't sound that great either (unless it was Imperial Basilisks), so I was thinking of Basilisks of.... These are my favourites:

 

Basilisks of the Crypt

Basilisks of the Emperor

Basilisks of [home world]

Basilisks of the Night.

[Hrvat]

About the second gland. It can be removed at any point in marines life once it matures and that is usually after 10 years. It is not necesary to wait until the marine is dead.

 

Overall I like your ideas. Have you considered having the final step of your tumor growth where marines turn into big piles regenerated flesh, so in order to escape such a fate they seek death on the battlefield when they realise their time is runing out.

 

 

Hrvat

[Ferrata]

About the second gland. It can be removed at any point in marines life once it matures and that is usually after 10 years. It is not necesary to wait until the marine is dead.

True, but in this case the gland is screwed even if they could remove it. The best way to imagine in it is like pooring concrete over a sponge, then putting the sponge in a small brick box. Even if you could break the wall down without damaging the sponge, it's screwed anyway because its absorbed concrete into it which has now set.

 

Overall I like your ideas. Have you considered having the final step of your tumor growth where marines turn into big piles regenerated flesh, so in order to escape such a fate they seek death on the battlefield when they realise their time is runing out.|

I have thought about having them have a killing curse at the end, but I really like the idea of them living for a really long time but they know as soon as they die, so does the chapter. It needs a little fudging to make it work without the question being "Why doesn't the regeneration kill them in the end", and I think the best way might be remove the curse about their regeneration overworking. Seeing as this was there to reason why the recruits don't work, but now that has a different reason.

[Hubernator]

me thinks you should add a twist in somewhere about someone finding a cure of sorts but not letting the chapter know of it. That or could you say that a cure was found when all hope was truly lost.

[Ferrata]

me thinks you should add a twist in somewhere about someone finding a cure of sorts but not letting the chapter know of it. That or could you say that a cure was found when all hope was truly lost.

No offence, but in the voice of all great action films when the hero finds out that someone stole his chair: "NNNNOOOOOO!!!!". Excuse me for that. Really, no. That would really take away the main theme of the chapter, that they are screwed and doomed to death. Having them or someone find a cure makes it a happy ending, and in 40k there are no happy endings, just endings. Plus, it wouldn't be a curse if someone had fixed it would it?

[Nash Trickster]

From what I know of basilisks from my childhood is that they are slow, lumbering reptiles

Huh? Basilisks are able to run on water!

 

But I guess you were rather thinking of the D&D 8-legged type Basilisks though since real-life basilisks never turned anyone into stone... ^_^

 

And BTW, real-life basilisks are not amongst the lizards with regenerative abilities...

 

When thinking about regenerative powers, there are 3(*) "characters" from mythology which come to my mind: the Phoenix (reborn from its ashes), the Hydra (which grew 2 new heads for each one that got cut) and Prometheus (who every night regenerated the organs the eagle had eaten during the day)... Since Prometheus and the Hydra are much too linked respectively with the Salamanders and the Alpha Legion in 40k fluff, they can't be of use here... But I think the Phoenix, with the grim irony it implies when applied to a dying chapter, could be interesting...

 

(* - Well, there's also Priapus, God of Regeneration, but his common depiction as a grotesque little man with an enormous phallus probably makes the name unusable IMO...)

[Ferrata]

Thanks for the insight Nash. Yeah, I was thinking more along the lines of the mythical Basilisk a kin to those in D&D over the species of lizards. Whilst having a regeneration name would work okay, I'm not sure about any of the above. I am never a fan of the term Phoenix in chapters because the Phoenix is one thing and one thing only to me and that is Jean Grey. I might stick with Basilisk for now just because I've hardly ever seen it used in a chapter name, it invokes the right imagery (in me anyway) and I don't want to over theme the chapter.

[Roultox]

As many ideas circulating around I hate to split you further, I like the basilisk you chose for the image.

 

I would like to point out there are ancient names for basilisks, turtles and the like, lore and more.

 

Turtle, something I poked at when I was reading earlier.

http://www.chelydra.org/turtle_prehistory.html

 

But then you changed to basilisk so... Let me grab something on that.

 

Regeneration:

http://www.ebmonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/192/2/145

 

Talked about for humans:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/5021.php

 

The Wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lizard

 

Legendary critter list (wiki):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_legendary_creatures

 

Basilisk:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilisk

 

Given the wide variety of basilisks - Baesilisk versions you could simply consider it a mutant reptile in all respects. Further, you could make it draconic/dragonis style.

 

 

On the regeneration, you could simply say that tissue eating injections are stabbed straight into the tumours of the marine, or the marines body-digesting cells are enhanced temporarily while he gets stuffed into a tube. Furthermore, the marine could be stabilised by being kept in the tube longer then have him being stuffed with 10 geneseeds. That way the lack of recruits is explained differently, and does not fondle with the idea of battle loss destroying new generations too quickly that would cripple the chapter in one bad fight.

 

I'm just tossing ideas out there for you because it is your chapter, and I hope some of it can come to use. The sites were gathered in less then 5 minutes, I do this sort of research often when I know what the "rules for making the chapter" are. (regeneration, reptilian, reasoning for defects) etc.

 

Enjoy!

 

(Edit)

Sorry just thought of something, you can fiddle with the names of things to customise it, like Brasiliska (as in another language saying a custom basilisk, they do come from a non-earth planet with dozens of other-languages anyways)

[Ferrata]

Thanks for the links, the science ones were of particular interest to me.

 

On the regeneration, you could simply say that tissue eating injections are stabbed straight into the tumours of the marine, or the marines body-digesting cells are enhanced temporarily while he gets stuffed into a tube. Furthermore, the marine could be stabilised by being kept in the tube longer then have him being stuffed with 10 geneseeds. That way the lack of recruits is explained differently, and does not fondle with the idea of battle loss destroying new generations too quickly that would cripple the chapter in one bad fight.

Gene-seeds are used to grow the organs which are then implanted into the recruit, the gene-seed itself is not implanted. So being stuffed with 10 gene-seeds is not only wrong but wouldn't work as well. I don't think the current idea means the chapter is crippled after one bad fight. Remember, the only usuable one the chapter has can be removed after 5 years, and these marines are tough so there is a high chance that all marines will live until they reach five years, when their only gene-seed can be removed. At this rate the chapter should be able to sustain itself, but the odd mutated gene-seed, the odd shot to the neck early on and the chapter slowly loses numbers.

 

I don't want there to be a reptilian theme in this chapter. Really, the first name was a joke that the random generator came up with and the second name being a 'reptile' was just pure luck. I will cover this in my ending notes I have planned once this chapter is done.

 

Anyway, I've been reading back at what I wrote and I think I will remove the Wings of Death from the article. It was pretty cool at the time, but I think I rush over the doom and despair a little and the Wings just confuse everything.

[Brother Barkus]

Ferrata i really like where these guys are going but I was wondering who are the Wings of Death? They sound cool and you've mentioned them before but I've never seen your article on them. I found the Imperial Castellans and the Black Guard (both excellent ;) and spent some time in teh Librarium coming up wiht nothing. So just lookin' for a little info you've peaked my curiosity.

[Ferrata]

Not to side track, but the Wings of Death have been under creation for well over three years now, maybe even four (it makes me cry to say that). They have had multiple version, only a few which have ever seen the light of day. I do have an IA on them, but it is only a first draft and it needs some cleaning. They should be up on Liber at sometime in the near future, but because they hold a special place in my heart (they are what I would call my chapter) I want it to be perfect (isn't going to happen, but hey). Some day I will tell you all of my first creations of DIY chapters and how I broke all the rules I now yell at people for doing (I made the mistakes so you don't have to). And thanks for the comments on the other IA's.

 

One foot in the Grave

History of the Basilisks of the Crypt

Space Marine Chapter

 

Origins

 

The thirty-sixth millennia was one of turmoil for the Imperium as the Age of Apostasy almost ripped the empire of man apart for a second time. The chaos before and after this period hid one the darkest moments in Astartes history, the Cursed Founding. Foolish members of the Adpetus Mechanicus believed they could improve upon the sacred work of the Emperor, tampering with the blessed gene-seed of the primarchs. The children of such experiments have been cursed throughout their lives, each with their own burden to carry. One of the most tragic tales is that of the Basilisks of the Crypt.

 

With the Basilisks, the Mechanicus had aimed to create a strain of gene-seed which increased the resilience of the Astartes. Early combat testing was extremely positive for the chapter, participating in a number of small skirmishes as their numbers grew. They surpassed all predicted goals; even the most cynical were impressed by the Basilisks battle-hardiness and combat prowess. During these early conflicts the chapter proved their worth as a fighting force and were soon declared a fully sanctioned chapter.

 

Their first taste of battle as an independent body would discover the true extent of their ability to withstand damage. Reports began to filter in stating how members of the Basilisks of the Crypt were able to walk through a torrent of fire that would easily defeat any other chapter and come out relatively unscathed. Whilst the Basilisks praised the Emperor for his protection, the Mechanicus requested a specimen to examine in order to understand this miracle. The investigation showed that the marine had increased bone density, creating an almost unbreakable skeleton. In addition to this there were signs of tissue regeneration to a level much higher then granted even by the heightened immune system of the Astartes.

 

It was during these first causalities the price of their immense survivability would come to light. Their second progeniod gland, protected by the chest cavity, had become a victim of their strengthened bone structure which had grown solidly throughout the tissue of the gland. This left the gland redundant and unusable by the chapter, who now were dependent on the neck progeniod gland to support the creation of the next generation of marines. For the chapter to continue to sustain its ranks this gland must always be pure and usable, tragically this has not always been true for the Basilisks.

 

A joint effort between both the chapter’s apothercarium and the Mechanicus attempted for many centuries to reverse the effects of the ossification of the gland. Hormone therapy, premature surgery and insertion of a protective coverings were all attempted as possible treatments but none succeeded. Finally the Mechanicus declared themselves defeated and the situation unsolvable but the Basilisk’s apothecaries did not lose faith. As more of their brothers fell in battle their hope in discovering a cure dwindled.

 

It was on the eve of the celebration of a millennia since the chapter was founded that the chapter master, Jogaila, was approached by a delegation of the apothercarium who reported that they had failed in their task. The speech that Jogaila gave the following evening was sombre, the assembly of those marines still alive from the chapters founding listened closely to his words. These veterans, who had who had killed countless enemies, wept until the entire fortress-monastery was overwhelmed by their depression. It was in this solemn mood that Veteran Brother Piast stood up and declared himself dead, as if his chapter had no future then neither did he. This swept across the gathering like a fever until each marine had followed suit, a custom which remains with the chapter even now.

 

The following decades passed with few battles credited to the Basilisks as each brother came to terms with both his personal fate and that of the chapter. Although every marine was gifted with an extended life, even compared to their fellow Astartes, the chapter were cursed to die young. It was during this time that they methodically destroyed their fortress-monastery and left their home world for good, only leaving a small stone inscribed with the words “For the fallen brothers who never were.”

 

All records of the following centuries portray the degeneration of the chapter into what would often be described as heartless suits of armour. There were no festivities to celebrate the passing of a millennia since the birth of the chapter, nor to welcome the new chapter master. These events, usually associated with joy even amongst the hardened ranks of Space Marines, were met with glum faces, heavy hearts and misery. Although their battle successes only increased over this period, their contact with other Imperial forces came to nothing more than the necessary, preferring to spend their time in the chapter’s chapel mourning their loss.

 

The Basilisks were active in many battles including the genocide of the Lioth VI mutant rebellion, the annihilation of the Ork Empire Krazgut and the reclamation of the Niden system. In all these campaigns, only a handful of brothers fell each time, but every individual death was one of much loss to the chapter. The few new recruits which came through the ranks were treasured and protected by their older brothers. As their numbers dwindled the chapter lost all hope of surviving, throwing themselves into suicidal attacks. Their astonishing toughness and regeneration allowed them to turn these forlorn hopes into victories, but even the elation of triumph could not lift the depression of the chapter.

 

In these darkest times a light came to the chapter in the form of Inquisitor Chigi who had been ordered to stabilise the Angelicus Crusade and begin a new its conquering of the Aetherius Stars. Chigi had been present on Niden X and hat witnessed the chapter in battle. When he heard the Basilisks had roamed into the vicinity of the crusade he quickly drafted them in, trusting their resilience could overcome the Wings of Death’s agility and cunning. It was these battles with the accursed chapter that would not only save the Basilisks of the Crypt but also sign their death warrant.

 

The two chapters could not have been more different. The Wings, beautiful, perfect sons of the Emperor who had fallen to the whispers of Chaos who placed their tactics in dexterity and speed. This in comparison to the cursed loyalist runts of mankind who served unquestionably although they had been granted nothing but death who depended upon their toughness and strength to overcome the enemy. These early conflicts earned the Wings of Death hatred which continues to this day as the traitor chapter has accounted for more Basilisk deaths then any other force. It has not all be in the traitors favour, the Basilisks have been successful in a number of key battles, but the relentless attacks of the Wings have begun to grind away at the Basilisks numbers.

 

The Kalumba System has seen a high number of Basilisks of the Crypt activity in the past decade as the Wings of Death attempt to plunder the forge and industrial words which orbit the heavy star. The Seref Campaign to eradicate the growing Ork presence in the systems was also a decisive Imperial victory on the back of the Basilisks war machine. Imperial records are not in agreement on the current fighting strength of the Basilisks of the Crypt, some believe it to be as few as a hundred whilst others estimate the number to be nearer five hundred. Either number destines the chapter to their fate; at some point in the near future they will cease to be unable to replenish their ranks from the scars of battle.