The Phantoms V2.5

[Hubernator]

[[Original post: 2nd March 2008]]

 

 

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Origins

Phantom Astartes

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During the 40th Millennium the High Lords of Terra declared the 25th Founding to help combat the evergrowing forces of the heretic and the rising Xeno threat. At the time many of the Chapters were in combat across the Imperium, trying to keep the Imperium of Man in control. In one such case was the White Scars. Their 3rd Brotherhood, led by Letalis Certamen, was in the midst of a campaign against the vile forces of the Greenskins. The fight was long and fierce but the 3rd Brotherhood triumphed.

 

After the battle the High Lords approached the White Scars and offered them a chance to to guide and shape a new Chapter of Space Marines. They accepted and nominated Certamen to lead them, which he gladly accepted. He selected his most valuable men from the 3rd Brotherhood and took a few Escorts for his own. within days they left the White Scars and set off for the Eastern Fringe.

 

Along the way the new Chapter encountered many enemies, mainly those of the Orks and Eldar pirates. During the voyage Certamen tried to decide upon a name but he couldn't decide. So he meditated on the matter in his private quarters and refused to come out until he had made his decision.

 

Months passed, and the Chapter drew near to the outskirts of the Tau Empire. In said region they came across the Lintos system, which was under attack by the Orks. The Chapter deployed its forces and set out to destroy the Orks. After many battles, the Chapter was forced to defend a ruined city on Lintos III, the 3rd planet in the system. During this defence Certamen took a group of the Chapter and deep-struck from behind the Orks, crushing them mercilessly and scattering them from the planet. The Chapter was praised by the civilians of the system, who called them "The Phantoms of Space" as they came from nowhere. Captain Letalis took a fondness to the system and favoured the name, and so he named his new Chapter the Phantoms.

 

 

Chapter Symbol

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Captain Letalis Certamen was a great leader and very intelligent, often achieving what most would consider impossible. In many battles it has been known for him to take a fairly large amount of marines into the fight and winning, even against the odds. This could be shown through key battles; like the cleansing of Brosch IX, where the Phantoms 2nd and 3rd Companies purged the hive cities of the overwhelming number of Tyranids. Or the Battle for Croarsor system, where the Phantoms 6th Company took on and destroyed the Necrons, despite the disadvantages they suffered. However most of the actions often resulted in many casualties. This was because Certamen was also an adamant man and often made sure that his side won the battle, whatever the circumstances. This lead to his downfall during the Torrok War.

 

The Torrok system was being overrun by a large Tau fleet which had been slowly taking over system by system. The Phantoms decided the Tau had to be stopped and met the foe in the Torrok system, where both sides fought hard to the deciding battle on Torrok I. Nearing the point of defeat, the Captains of the Chapter united and agreed to try the new strategy. Letalis however thought it was an unwise choice and set about putting his own method into action. He took 60 of his most loyal men and deep-struck the Tau in a final attempt to crush them. The group landed via drop-pod in the heart of the Tau army, very close to the main command vehicles of the force. Certamen and his men assaulted the vehicles, hellbent on destroying them and hopefully ending the war. It worked well, up to the point where only one of the vehicle remained. Certamen himself decided to take out the vehicle and forced his way inside. The remaining marines that saw him dive inside, which had been whittled down to a mere 10, had to teleport out from the battle, each one fearing their Master was dead.

 

One such marine Viktor Kraw, a veteran from the 1st Company, decided to lead the attack again but with more marines by his side. This lead to a crushing victory against the Tau, scattering what was left of them. However the Phantoms paid dearly for this victory. They lost their valuable Chapter Master and had received over 60% casualties. The searched for his body after the battle and found it within the wreckage of the lead vehicle that he had took upon himself to destroy. The Phantoms considered it a miracle from the Emperor that his body was saved, so they sealed his armour and burnt his body, marking the end of the War.

 

Homeworld

The Phantoms have remained a fleet-based Chapter since their creation. The fleet that they own has effectively become their own fort. The two great battlebarges that they own, The Silent Strike and The Defender, serve as the main base of operations as well as their headquarters. The fleet also has many Escorts and a few Cruisers which help protect the great battlebarges from attacks.

 

The fleet has a sector which it oversees. This area is regularly patrolled as it is constantly under threat from Chaos and Xenos, mainly that of the Tau Empire as the area is bordering Tau territory. The area is made up of 4 systems, each of some form of value. One system is used mainly for recruiting purposes, while another is used heavily for agriculture and mining of valuable metals. The Chapter have recently made action that suggests that they're claiming a homeworld, that of Jikovia. The planet is riddled with canyons, forests and open plains, however there is little water. Men on the planet are raised are tough and hard-trained and come in great numbers, hence why many Astartes of the Phantoms are made up of Jikovians. A docking bay has been created on the surface near the high mountainous region of Domos and is linked to a hidden fortress deep within the mountainous region.

 

 

Combat Doctrine

In the early days of their history, the Phantoms followed the tactics of the White Scars. However, as time passed, they slowly began to change their tactics as they experimented with new refinements of White Scars tactics. Slowly, an obsession with speed and swift strikes grew within the chapter, and they now attempt to refine the art of mobile warfare beyond even the great precepts of Jaghatai Khan.

 

One of the main changes if not somewhat subtle was their usage of landspeeders and bikes. After frequent encounters with Eldar and Tau forces the Phantoms began varying on how they used their lightweight vehicles. In a battle against the Eldar or the Tau they would change the attack plans so that they could counter and dominate the speed and mobility of either forces. This has lead to them being quite successful against both Eldar and Tau.

 

Another change is the increased use of devastator squads and heavy weapons. However this has only extended to as far as defensive stands and large battles. In such cases the few squads with heavy weapons will be transported to a designated area via Predators and rapidly deployed to cause mass havoc.

 

 

Phantoms Veteran, 1st Company

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These weren't the only changes. After the death of Letalis the Chapter's ideology of their tactics began to change once again. Even though the original tactics of swift strikes and fast manoeuvres worked well they proved costly, so the Phantoms slowly began to experiment and incorporating new tactics. The main ones were mimics of the Tau's tactics, mainly that of their killer blow. The Chapter has formulated it's own version of a killer blow, known only as "Code Silent Strike", which has been used to great effect. This came in during the Torrok War, when a large deep-strike was planned to try to crush the Tau. The attack worked to a point, however after the battle the Chapter set out to perfect the tactic to great effect.

Another soon followed from a battle with the Raven Guard. During a small crusade alongside the Raven Guard Captain Rothgo took heavy note on their style of attack, mainly ambushes, infiltration and sabotage. After the crusade he tried these out in a battle against Orks and found it worked well. Said tactics have been used since.

A more recent tactic was terror tactics. After many furious battles against the Tau the Phantoms had collected plenty of data on them. One particular note was their heavy use of comms and the usage of equipment. So as an experimental tactic they cut the comms of the Tau and sabotaged valuable equipment, leaving the Tau defenceless. In quick succession the Phantoms took out the Tau with their version of a killer blow and won. These tactics are frequently used in battles today, however the Chapter has been accused of mimicking the Night Lords for such tactics.

 

Organisation

Up to the aftermath of the Torrok War, the Phantoms were organised a lot like the White Scars - arranged in Brotherhoods, each one with it's own speciality. However after the war the new Chapter Master Viktor Kraw decided that the Phantoms should veer away from this and decided to "formalise" the Chapter to a more suitable style. The ideology of Brotherhoods was replaced with formal Companies and has stuck ever since.

 

The Chapter are nearly up to full strength after recovering from the Torrok War, although the 4th and 5th Companies are currently non-existent. Plans to recreate the 4th Company have begun. It is planned that 10 men from each Company still in working order shall be selected and made into the 4th Company. However this hasn't been put into action due to the lack of recruits to fill the empty spaces.

 

 

Beliefs And Practises

The Beliefs of the Phantoms have changed many a time during their rather young history. These changes vary from the most subtle influences to a big historic event, each one adding something new to their ideas of the universe.

 

The Phantoms have taken up their own belief of the Emperor. They feel that he is a great warrior who has control over the universe. Such belief was derived from the mix of many recruits that the Phantoms had accepted, but mainly those from Jikovian soil. This has contributed to their ideology of speed. They feel that the Empire that the Emperor rules is slowly slipping from his grasp, so they want him to have a good degree of control of the universe and fast, before he makes his valiant return to cleanse it from the ruinous powers of Chaos and the arising Xeno threats.

 

Most newer beliefs were set in just after the Torrok War. Much occurred during that war and much affected the Chapter to the core, in doing so setting new beliefs in place. One of those is of their Chapter Master Letalis Certamen. After his death the Chapter mourned him heavily as they all felt he was their great leader and that he was a big asset to their Chapter. They recovered his body, removed the armour from it and burned it as part of a ritual. The armour was arranged and placed inside a solid Adamantium sarcophagus and the Chapter has vowed never to open it. Those who knew Letalis well often consider him to be as great as a Primarch. These men often tell the new recruits of how good Letalis was. This has lead to the Phantoms almost worshipping their Chapter Master, honouring him for leading them and for what he had achieved. Such a belief has spawned an ideology that he will return in the time of greatest need, on the day that the Emperor rises again. The Chapter awaits this day, effectively calling it a prophecy.

 

Another was set in place after the failed defence of Torrok II and reinforced after Letalis' death. This was the true hatred of the Tau Empire and everything it stands for. Normally the Phantoms wouldn't develop such hatred for just one enemy - being the more respectful people that they are they tend not to show hatred of a set enemy. But this one was decided on the last day of the war. As an act of vengeance, Viktor Kraw swore an oath that the Tau would pay for what they did to the Chapter, what they did to many lives and what they could of done to many more. Because of this the Phantoms regularly seek a Tau fight just to give them payback . They do know that just doing this alone won't succeed in much, but Viktor like many others have expressed that this is only a build-up to the final fight, the one where Letalis will lead them to the victory they all seek against the Tau.

 

A practise that the Chapter undergoes is an event held every 10 years on the anniversary of the Torrok War, known to many as "The Gathering of Shadows". This event is held over a 2 week period, 2 weeks before the anniversary of the end of the war. The whole Chapter gathers on the base they hold on Jikovian soil, entering the docking bay via Thunderhawks while the main fleet is left within the large asteroid field in the system. Most of the event is of celebration, marking the time when they had their victory over the Tau. During this time many trophies are paraded and many legends told, all keeping the Phantoms entertained. A certain wine has become part of the celebrations - this wine comes from the finest grapes on Jikovian fields and is considered a delicacy, so some is issued out during the event. On the 10th day of the event the Chapter pays tribute to the few squads, led by Sergeant Hiro, that chose to stay behind while the rest of the Chapter got away to safety. These men are honoured throughout the day and small tributes are paid to them. On the last day the Chapter pays its respects to Letalis. This involves many prayers to the Emperor, asking him to look after their fallen Chapter Master. It also involves blessing his sarcophagurised armour so that it remains 'pure' for his return.

 

Some beliefs have always remained with the Chapter right from their creation. The main one is a general hatred of Xenos in the universe, which was set in as part of their main purpose as a Chapter. As they were created to defend systems throughout the Eastern Fringe from the Xeno races, the Phantoms were fed a natural hatred of every single Xeno race and each Astartes is taught that the Xenos are foul creatures that should be eliminated at all costs. The hatred of Tau was reinforced after the Torrok War, so the Chapter focuses more on destroying the Tau than any other Xeno race.

 

Another belief is a rather peculiar one; one based on the Dreadnoughts. the Phantoms always honour a Chapter Ancient for his willingness to continue fighting for the Emperor. However the oddity is that the Phantoms aren't optimistic on becoming what they honour. Most Phantoms feel that being encased in a Dreadnought removes what every Phantom relies on - stealth and speed. Because of this there are very few Chapter Ancients in the Chapter, although this may change. Requested development into the structure of a Dreadnought has begun, with enquiries from Viktor on making the Dreadnoughts more manoeuvrable in battle and over terrain. So far it has been suggested that Chapter Ancients have legs shaped like those on an IG Sentinel, but the development is still in progress.

 

 

Gene-seed

As their first Chapter Master Letalis was from the White Scars along with his chosen men, the gene-seed heritage of the Phantoms is that of the White Scars. The geneseed has remained pure and untainted so far.

 

 

Battle-cry

Over time, the Phantoms' battlecry has changed. In the early years of their history, they usually preferred "For the Emperor!" or "For the Khan!". After the Torrok War they began to use the cry "We stand as one!". However, with their growing reliance on stealth, their battlecry is heard less and less often, being replaced with deadly silence.

 

 

Story Links

The Torrok War

Torrok II

Onboard The Silent Strike

Torrok I

[clearfloat][/clearfloat]

---

 

C&C welcome as always :blush:

[Hubernator]

OK, I've got some notes down that I can put in here once I've run them through some reliable people. One question: should I keep the Phantoms fleet-based, make them have a homeworld, or create a combo between the two?

[Tyrannicide]

OK, I've got some notes down that I can put in here once I've run them through some reliable people. One question: should I keep the Phantoms fleet-based, make them have a homeworld, or create a combo between the two?

How could it be a mixture of the two? I would say either or, not both. What is it that attracts you to taking a homeworld over a fleet based Chapter (and vice versa)? I'd say go with which ever one you like best. :P

[Hubernator]

Well originally they were fleet-based. But I came up with an idea that they have a "base" on a planet that they visit regularly. However I don't think I'd get away with it.

[Tyrannicide]

Well it just seems a little too cliche, to me. Maybe I'm just not a fan of it.

 

With a fleet-based Chapter, they can go (within the limits) of wherever they'd like. With a homeworld though, the Chapter would have some boundaries, but choosing the latter of the two situations, gives you more options. I personally like taking a homeworld over the other, because you can branch out and develop it, to be a special place for your Chapter. You can also go ahead and develop the planet's population (if there is any) and their fortress monastery. I mean all Space Marine Chapters do have a little of both, because they travel around space and all, but they still have a set world of their own, that they can ultimately call home.

[Hubernator]

That's what got me thinking of maybe having a homeworld instead. I don't know; what does everyone else think?

[TyrantKaiser]

I always prefer fleet-based chapters thanks to the freedom, but most chapters are based on a specific planet or solar system (just think about the Ultramarines-They have a huge domain to take care of). In all actuality, most chapters have a base for that reason- to have a base. They still go and crusade across the galaxy(usually leaving a few companies at home), but they don't have to worry about where they'll pick up their supplies and/or recruits next. Fleet-based chapters have one advantage though: they make for great plot tools. You can have them bust in at the nick of time or come upon an Ork-infested world and what have you, things which chapters with bases are incapable of because they usually already are going somewhere and they usually have to go straight back home so they don't end up abandoning their home in an hour of need.

 

Food for thought. If you have a base, you have just that: A base and solidity. If you don't, then the chapter is liquid and free.

[Commissar Molotov]

I always prefer fleet-based chapters thanks to the freedom, but most chapters are based on a specific planet or solar system (just think about the Ultramarines-They have a huge domain to take care of). In all actuality, most chapters have a base for that reason- to have a base. They still go and crusade across the galaxy(usually leaving a few companies at home), but they don't have to worry about where they'll pick up their supplies and/or recruits next. Fleet-based chapters have one advantage though: they make for great plot tools. You can have them bust in at the nick of time or come upon an Ork-infested world and what have you, things which chapters with bases are incapable of because they usually already are going somewhere and they usually have to go straight back home so they don't end up abandoning their home in an hour of need.

 

Food for thought. If you have a base, you have just that: A base and solidity. If you don't, then the chapter is liquid and free.

 

Fleet-based Chapters do, it seems, tend to have a 'patch'. You could argue that they have 'freedom', but it tends to mean that you have to focus on a Chapter theme. For example, the Black Templars recruit from hundreds of worlds, but yet we don't really hear about them because their theme - their focus - is on their eternal Crusade. Similarly, the Imperial Fists and the Dark Angels are the same, for the most part.

 

But equally, a homeworld gives you the opportunity to develop a huge part of the Chapter. Done badly, it can ruin things, though, so you should always consider it very carefully.

[TyrantKaiser]

Erm, I don't quite understand what you mean. Could you rephrase it please?

[Commissar Molotov]

What bit don't you understand? Take the White Scars, for example. They have a homeworld, and they draw their theme, their culture, their identity from it. Then look at the Imperial Fists. They don't have a single homeworld, and to detail every homeworld they came from would drown out their identity as a Chapter. So the theme is focused around other things - their stubborn nature, their self-reliance, etc, etc.

 

Arguably the fleet-based Chapter is the easy way out, there's less for you to think about. But homeworlds can only really benefit a Chapter if they're done well.

[TyrantKaiser]

Well, I guess I was just a little confused thanks to my tendency to read too much into things.

 

Thanks for explaining it for me. I get it.

[Commissar Molotov]

No problem. :P It's only my personal opinion, but I do find that canon Chapters that recruit from multiple worlds (Black Templars, Dark Angels, Imperial Fists, Grey Knights, etc.) will move away from a focus upon homeworlds and more towards the themes that encompass the Chapter as a whole.

[TyrantKaiser]

I might just make my chapter a planet-based one now. Like I said before, chapters with homeworlds can still do everything a fleet-based chapter can, but they have greater constrictions in regards to how much they can do. Eh, I think there's no huge difference anyways.

[Hubernator]

Ummm, so is that a "yes you can", "no you can't" or "yes but not what others would think was sensible"?? Either way I've decided to go ahead with it - a small base on 1 or 2 of the worlds in the system but they remain fleet-based.

 

Posted up all the notes I've come up with for each section. The things in brackets are ideas that can be scrapped. C&C please :o

[Hubernator]

Origins

 

The Phantoms were created during the 25/26th Founding. They were created to help reinforce the Eastern Fringe against Xeno forces. In recent years they have encountered a large amount of [Tau] foe.

 

The first Chapter Master was Captain Letalis Certamen, an honoured veteran commander of the White Scars [successor ---]. He was chosen to lead the Phantoms after a heroic effort during ---. His ideas and style of combat set the tone for the Phantoms Comabt Doctrine and

 

Organisation. During his reign he led the Phantoms to many superb victories, like --- and ---. His reign came to an end during the ---, passing leadership to Viktor.

 

Viktor Kraw is the second and current Chapter Master of the Phantoms. After taking action at a key moment in the --- he was nominated as Chapter Master after the war. So far he has led the Chapter to more victories, mainly against [Tau].

 

- - -

 

There's the Origins. Is it alright?

[kil78]

you can have several small bases, that resuply the fleet, and that you draw recruts from.

 

but as your chapter would be spread out more I would make them full combat strenght.

 

or on the other hand the small bases could be "temples" to the sky gods (the chapter) who has preists that mantain them and collect the tithes for the chapter. though this would only really work if they are ferral , or darkages type worlds.

[Hubernator]

you can have several small bases, that resuply the fleet, and that you draw recruts from.

 

but as your chapter would be spread out more I would make them full combat strenght.

I was thinking of that as well. I'll go with that. Cheers kil78 :blush:

[Alkana]

Looks like a good start, Hubernator.

[Hubernator]

Cheers :P

 

Now posted up all the stuff I've written for the IA minus a giant war. Anything in { } are small details I need to wok out. Most of these are to do with an enemy they fight a lot and hate to the bone. I was thinking Tau again but I'm not confident. Any thoughts? Same applies to the geneseed. I'm not sure whether to make them another successor of the WS or a successor of one of the successors (if that makes sense). Again, thoughts?

 

As you can see I have a slight problem: should I make my Chapter at full strength (around 1000 marines) or around half strength (using the original Company layout from the first IA)??

[Hubernator]

I decided to go back to the Tau as the enemy, so they stay. Good news; I have finally written out me war that I was going to do. However I need to run through with some people, but here's a small taster:

 

"When it comes to history of a Chapter, the Phantoms' history is quite amazing. The constant battles against xenos and heretics alike built in with the constant aid that they provide for other Chapters has filled their history; all contributing to the safety of thousands of lives. However there is one battle that has stood out in their small history - their proud fight in the Torrok system: The Last Stand."

[Darrell]

You should never say that the history of your Chapter isn't spectacular! Space Marines are heroes by their nature and every Chapter has a history filled with glorious battles. You don't have to say your Chapter is filled with invincible supermen, nor do you have to shower us with details of every battle they've fought. Don't be afraid to tell us that they've had a history, though, and any battles you do tell us about should speak to the character of the Chapter in some way. Otherwise it slows the article down.

[Hubernator]

You should never say that the history of your Chapter isn't spectacular! Space Marines are heroes by their nature and every Chapter has a history filled with glorious battles. You don't have to say your Chapter is filled with invincible supermen, nor do you have to shower us with details of every battle they've fought. Don't be afraid to tell us that they've had a history, though, and any battles you do tell us about should speak to the character of the Chapter in some way. Otherwise it slows the article down.

Ahhh the Almighty Darrell appears :) I'll edit the first paragraph then so it doesn't sound like the history is boring. As for History I only will write up 2 (unless I think of more appropriate ones ^_^): this one and another called "The War of Vengeance" which I'll do at a later date.

[flameseeker574]

so far so good, much better then V1, the whole company breaking off was kinda weird and clumsy but here you have a start to what is starting to look like a great IA. For recent history I would go with option 1 as number 2 is a little cliche an not very well written(although it could be the fact that it is 1 am right now)

[Hubernator]

Cheers :devil: Those are more like "extras" I suppose. Both are staying but I might have a go at rewriting the 2nd one.

[Hubernator]

I have now put the War on the IA. It is a bit long so I am looking at shrinking it. Still can't decide whether to make them full strength or half. C&C please ;)

 

EDIT: war has been removed and is currently undergoing a mass diet :P It'll be up again in a much briefer form.