IA: Royal Dragoons [Updated 9/17]

[Spoonhandle]

Origins:

Successor chapter of the Imperial Fists created in the 26th founding. As a young chapter, the Royal Dragoons struggle to reach optimal size. They lack the 8th and 9th reserve companies outlined in the Codex Astartes, but have recruited heavily resulting in a significantly larger 10th company.

Homeworld:

Landstuhl (pronounced Lond-shtool, literally means country throne). Not sure as of its location yet, but I plan on the Dragoons specializing in fighting Tyranids, so I was thinking of having their homeworld located fairly close to an invading hive fleet path that would force them to battle frequently.

Combat Doctrine:

Their chapter name hints at their preferred method of combat. Like the ancient dragoons of many terran armies they focus on fast, mobile, light attacks. Dragoons prefer close combat so often use Rhino transports for getting tactical squads close to their enemies in battle. The Dragoons rely heavily on fast attack units including bikes, land speeders and attack squads. Heavy tanks are used sparingly.

Battle Cry:

Call: "Be still and trust in the Emperor!"

Reply: "May he cast out all fear!"

5th company Tactical squad

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/9867/dragoonps5.png Royal Dragoon Crest

[Wolfbiter]

Do you have any thoughts on why the chapter prefers mechanized warfare? For example, the White Scars apparently like bikes and Rhinos because the natives of their homeworld are a nomadic horse-riding culture. From your symbol and chapter name, your Marines sound more reminscent of 18th and 19th century European armies...perhaps their aspirants come from a culture along British or French aristocratic or knightly lines?

 

I'd also be interested in hearing your ideas for their outlook (noble? pious? bloodthirsty? xenophobic?) and relationship with the people they recruit new marines from.

 

Your color scheme is very close to the Crimson Fists Chapter, but that's not necessarily a problem. I think the Chapter badge is a nice design, and again, suggest something of a French theme to me.

[Spoonhandle]

Do you have any thoughts on why the chapter prefers mechanized warfare? For example, the White Scars apparently like bikes and Rhinos because the natives of their homeworld are a nomadic horse-riding culture. From your symbol and chapter name, your Marines sound more reminscent of 18th and 19th century European armies...perhaps their aspirants come from a culture along British or French aristocratic or knightly lines?

 

I hadn't decided yet. If I end up with them having a homeworld I will likely tie it in somehow to why they prefer mechanized combat. You're spot on with the 18/19th century European armies. I wanted to use 'Dragoon' in the chapter name which influenced the fighting style. What set apart Dragoons from light cavalry was that they were mounted units but did most of their fighting dimounted (thus the heavy use of Rhino transports).

 

I'd also be interested in hearing your ideas for their outlook (noble? pious? bloodthirsty? xenophobic?) and relationship with the people they recruit new marines from.

I'm not sure what you're referring to. I assume you are talking about traits as laid out in the Space Marine codex. Eventually I am planning on having a Tyranid army as well and I'm thinking of having the two armies be tied together (constant wars in their background, etc.) so I was thinking of possibly having the Dragoons be Pious with the 'Suffer not the Alien to Live' advantage against 'Nids and 'We stand alone' disadvantage. (Hopefully these won't be changed around a lot in the new codex)

 

Whether they have a homeworld or not will influence their recruiting methods.

 

 

Your color scheme is very close to the Crimson Fists Chapter, but that's not necessarily a problem. I think the Chapter badge is a nice design, and again, suggest something of a French theme to me.

 

Thanks. The Crimson fists were indeed a large influence on them. That is partly why I think the Dragoons coming from the Imperial Fists would be fitting.

[Wolfbiter]

Actually, when I said "outlook" I was referring more to their general beliefs, battle ethics and how they see the civilian populace of the Imperium. For example, at one end you have the Ultramarines, who exemplify nobility, honorable behavior and work to make the lives of Ultramar's civilian populace probably the best in the Imperium. On the other hand, you've got chapters like the Marines Malevolent, who think nothing of losing allies and civilians to friendly fire and collateral damage. The Iron Hands despise physical and mental weakness. The Mortificators, are, well, extremely creepy, morbid skull collectors. The Dark Angels are sinister, secretive and shun other friendly forces except their successor chapters. And so on. Where do you think the Royal Dragoons fit in?

[Marshal Renatus]

Why royal? This is a chapter of Astartes in the Imperium of Man. The Emperor would be the only royalty they would think to idealize, and they seem to view him more as a father figure than a lord they are subservient to IIRC. I think the Dragoon part is great. Way underused word in Chapter names, and it sounds plain mean.

 

Any sort of color or metal would work in front of the Dragoon piece.

 

Steel, Iron, Golden, Silver, etc.

 

White, Crimson, Azure, Cerulean, etc.

 

The Fleur de lis in the badge is used to denote chastity and purity here in the real world, as well as faith, wisdom, and chivalry, and the three petals the holy trinity. You could play on that by inventing your own trinity; Emperor, Primarch, Chapter Founder. The Purity, Faith, and Wisdom piece build nicely into an Astartes archetype, but the chivalry and chastity are pretty much useless.

 

My two cents. Hope it helps.

[Guerilla Commando]

i say stick with the name and since they are the royal dragoons you should make your chapter specialize in fast attacks

[Spoonhandle]

Why royal? This is a chapter of Astartes in the Imperium of Man. The Emperor would be the only royalty they would think to idealize, and they seem to view him more as a father figure than a lord they are subservient to IIRC. I think the Dragoon part is great. Way underused word in Chapter names, and it sounds plain mean.

 

Any sort of color or metal would work in front of the Dragoon piece.

 

Steel, Iron, Golden, Silver, etc.

 

White, Crimson, Azure, Cerulean, etc.

 

Thanks for the input. Originally I was going to call them the Imperial Dragoons. I eventually decided on 'Royal' for a few reasons. For one the Space Marines are essentially the knights of the Emperor and it's not that they are themselves Royal, but it emphasizes their special tie to the Emperor himself instead of only the empire. If I were building an Imperial Guard army and wanted to use 'Dragoon' I think Imperial Dragoon would be more applicable. Second their main color is dark blue which hints to 'Royal' Blue which was originally defined as a dark bluish color and is often depicted as a color of royalty. So in a sense I was using a color for the first part of the name.

 

The Fleur de lis in the badge is used to denote chastity and purity here in the real world, as well as faith, wisdom, and chivalry, and the three petals the holy trinity. You could play on that by inventing your own trinity; Emperor, Primarch, Chapter Founder. The Purity, Faith, and Wisdom piece build nicely into an Astartes archetype, but the chivalry and chastity are pretty much useless.

 

I like the idea of them having their own trinity. That's pretty cool (however I could see some people being offended). Historically the Fleur de lis was used for many coat of arms but was particularly associated with the French monarchy. It was later used in Dragoon insignias as was an eight pointed star.

[Dazzo]

If I were building an Imperial Guard army and wanted to use 'Dragoon' I think Imperial Dragoon would be more applicable.

Actually your more likely to have a guard army called the Royal dragoons rather than imperial dragoons, as individual worlds do have royalty not an emperor, therefore theyre unlikely to be called imperial dragoons if that makes sense.

[Spoonhandle]

Actually your more likely to have a guard army called the Royal dragoons rather than imperial dragoons, as individual worlds do have royalty not an emperor, therefore theyre unlikely to be called imperial dragoons if that makes sense.

 

Interesting, that's good to know. Maybe I'll go back to the Imperial Dragoons, or just drop it and call them The Dragoons :P

[Spoonhandle]

Been a super long time! After a few years I'm finally getting back into trying to finish my army. It helps to have some friends that are now interested in the game.

 

Here are a bunch of pictures of the progress.

 

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/9214/dsmarines3am7.jpg

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/5480/img0403ei0.jpg

http://img861.imageshack.us/img861/8540/dsc00152y.jpg

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/8445/dsc00153fi.jpg

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/2325/dsc00151x.jpg

http://i56.tinypic.com/ig9nq0.jpg

[Brother Michaels]

wow they look really great man

 

nice paint job and did you freehand the symbol on them?

 

if so awesome ^_^

[Leonaides]

That looks like a lot of dust on that Rhino... Best get an old brush out and give it a clean-up.

[Pavement Artist]

Many imperial planets do have an aristocratic element. Perhaps your chapter only recruits from the blue bloods perhaps? A suitably proud and haughty gene stock.

[Spoonhandle]

Good call, most of the units are quite dusty after sitting for the last year. Are blue bloods from something or is that a race of people you just made up? :D

[Pavement Artist]

Its just an idiom for nobility.

[Spoonhandle]

Thanks Brother Michaels. I freehanded the white stars and then made some fleur de lis decals that happen to fit in the stars just right :)

[Spoonhandle]

Shoot. I just spent a bunch of time updating background information on them then accidentally closed the tab, lol. Starting to get somewhere with it I think, any help is GREATLY appreciated, as I'm very new to the fluff with the Space Marines.

[Spoonhandle]

Been a while. After a long hiatus I'm going to focus on building up my army over the next couple months. Getting a copy of the Space Hulk board-game has distracted me. That sure has some awesome models.

 

I'm going to post a shot of my army as it is so far in a little bit.

[Spoonhandle]

Here's my little army so far.

Rhino,

14 tactical marines w 2 sergeants.

1 assault marine sergeant.

 

 

Have the models to do the following:

 

Tactical Marine (1 model left)

Scout squad (5)

Terminator squad (5)

Assault Sqaud (9)

Space Marine Commander

Venerable Dreadnought

Space Marine Bike

 

Planning on finishing up the Tactical Marine then 4 of the Assault marines. Not sure whether I want to do the Terminators or the Commander afterward.