Dark Angel Successor DIY

[DarkGuard]

Both Dark Guard and Shadow Guard seem somewhat lazy names. Just because their Dark Angels don't mean every successor chapter is all cloak and daggers. I would recommend a re-think on the name.

 

To be perfectly honest the Shadow Guard has always been the name of my DIY Chapter. I was originally going to do the Chapter as a Raven Guard successor before changing that idea to the them being a Dark Angel successor. I've become too attached to the name which was a spin on the last DIY Chapter I did, the Shadow Wolves (Luna Wolves loyalists, a rather silly idea).

 

Perhaps the fact that I've become attached to the name means I'm finding it hard to change though, and that I haven't realised it is the best name I could come up. I'd happily listen to any suggestions while reconsidering the name myself. I suppose I could just call them 'The Guardians', although this too seems rather lazy. Another idea is 'Guardians of Caliban', although this may tie them too much to the Dark Angels which is something I wish to avoid, as they are rather Unforgiven Divergent in views and opinions. (close to the Angels and Absolution and more humanitarian).

[Apothete]

Good idea, I like it. So in essence as the Chapter goes to a distress call from another Imperial Force they also receive word that there is a Fallen in the area, but away from the assault. Perhaps this knowledge can come from the Dark Angels or another Unforgiven Chapter, or the Chapter finds it out themselves. Loathe to divert all forces from helping in fend off the Tyranid threat, and not wanting to face any negative repercussions should they not respond to the distress call, they divert the 1st and 2nd Companies to the planet with the Fallen, while sending the rest of their forces to combat the Tyranid threat.

 

That's basically what I was suggesting, yes. Dividing up your forces in that way allows for an effective and, most importanly, visible response to the requests of the Imperium while also leaving the most experienced and fearsome elements of the Chapter free to hunt the Fallen.

 

Depending on the age of your Chapter and their ability to requsition or capture smaller ships, it might even make sense to deploy two or three squads of veterans aboard something similar to the Hunter frigates. That would give them warp-capable travel and boarding torpedoes to use upon any ships they run into, along with stealthier operations if they deploy from civicial-seeming landing shuttles rather than Thunderhawks. I could see an argument being made for organizing the Inner Circle more like the Mentors' small scale "loaning" of their Marines, where you would have at most twenty or thirty battle-hardened veterans who know the secret of Caliban out to bring in what are generally scattered pockets of Fallen.

 

One question though, can ships still receive communications while in the Warp?

 

I've never seen anything official within canon materials, but the Black Library seems to suggest that communication while within the warp is impossible.

 

What I'm trying to express here is that when the Fallen haven't been heard of, elements of the 1st and 2nd Companies will be assigned to different Battle Companies that are in active service, much like how tanks such as predators will be assigned. I believe this is kind of how it works in standard Codex Companies, though feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

 

The deployment of the First Company is something which is going to vary from Chapter to Chapter, though I believe that it is fairly common practice for them to be divided up and used to reinforce Battle Companies rather than fighting together. That's one reason that the defense of Macragge was so comment worthy.

 

Perhaps the fact that I've become attached to the name means I'm finding it hard to change though, and that I haven't realised it is the best name I could come up. I'd happily listen to any suggestions while reconsidering the name myself.

 

My first semi-finished Index Astartes article has been through four name changes, only the last of which was posted on the board. Even after I had named them and thrown myself to the wolves, I found that I had more work to do when it came to having their naming make sense to everyone who read what I had written.

 

Remember that post not so long ago where I passed along the wisdom of other writers? I think it might apply to the naming in this case.

[DarkGuard]

Good idea, I like it. So in essence as the Chapter goes to a distress call from another Imperial Force they also receive word that there is a Fallen in the area, but away from the assault. Perhaps this knowledge can come from the Dark Angels or another Unforgiven Chapter, or the Chapter finds it out themselves. Loathe to divert all forces from helping in fend off the Tyranid threat, and not wanting to face any negative repercussions should they not respond to the distress call, they divert the 1st and 2nd Companies to the planet with the Fallen, while sending the rest of their forces to combat the Tyranid threat.

 

That's basically what I was suggesting, yes. Dividing up your forces in that way allows for an effective and, most importanly, visible response to the requests of the Imperium while also leaving the most experienced and fearsome elements of the Chapter free to hunt the Fallen.

 

Another idea relating to this is for the Imperial World to be the the Chapter's homeworld. However, I feel that this would be difficult due to the Shadow of the Warp effectivly blocking out most communication, so instead I will stick to the main idea.

 

The question is whether they should be fleet based or have a homeworld. I believe having a homeworld is a better idea, as it can explain for their different approach to their duty of the Fallen than the other Unforgiven Chapter, and possibly explain a more Codex leniency.

 

Although I have yet to give it a name, I'm thinking of maybe a feral world based in Segmentum Tempestus. The populance are split into different tribes, and of course children have to learn to fend for themselves rather quickly as they grow and mature. Once every generation the Chapter's Chaplains hold Trials, whereby all boys of the right age attend and partake. What the Trials consist of I have yet ot decide.

 

The Chapter's Fortress Monastry itself will be located in a mountain range, and of course heavily defended. The Chapter will not interfere with any strife between tribes unless they deem it is appropiate to prevent the planet falling apart.

 

Another idea for a homeworld is a civilised world instead of a feral world, with its own PDF. Once a generation, or whenever they feel like it the Chapter takes the most promising young soldiers that passed the Trials and induct them into the Chapter.

 

Depending on the age of your Chapter and their ability to requsition or capture smaller ships, it might even make sense to deploy two or three squads of veterans aboard something similar to the Hunter frigates. That would give them warp-capable travel and boarding torpedoes to use upon any ships they run into, along with stealthier operations if they deploy from civicial-seeming landing shuttles rather than Thunderhawks. I could see an argument being made for organizing the Inner Circle more like the Mentors' small scale "loaning" of their Marines, where you would have at most twenty or thirty battle-hardened veterans who know the secret of Caliban out to bring in what are generally scattered pockets of Fallen.

 

I love this idea. I'm thinking of making the Chapter an 8th Founding Chapter, and so there should have had plenty of time to do this. I like the idea of them deploying elements of the 1st and 2nd Companies on small frigates, which can be perfect for capturing the Fallen. Furthermore, they can then easily be attached to Battle Companies when they are needed. If a Fallen has mustered an army than a bigger force can be sent in a Strike Cruiser, perhaps containing a Reserve Company, while the frigate attempts to stealthily insert the 2nd Company attack squadrons. Thank you for the idea Apothete, it's much appreciated.

[Apothete]

Another idea relating to this is for the Imperial World to be the the Chapter's homeworld. However, I feel that this would be difficult due to the Shadow of the Warp effectivly blocking out most communication, so instead I will stick to the main idea.

 

It's interesting to note that the Shadow in the Warp doesn't so much block communication as it interferes with the the manipulation of warp energies and possibly drives anyone who's attempting to use them insane. A sufficiently determined astropath could probably get a message out and into the ducts, but then it becomes a game of waiting to see if the receiving end gets the warning on time, understands the symbolism of the message, and reacts appropriately. There seems to be a common impression amongst many fans of the universe that astropathic communication is conducted in words, but I've seen it suggested that it's a much more representative-symoblic sort of affair that leaves the sending end to compose images and impressions for the receivers to decipher into a meaningful message. Given the vagaries of timing in using the warp as a carrier signal, I find the idea of wizened, tarot-addled monks acting as biological engram and encryption machines to fit the grimdark more than their being unreliably walkie-talkies.

 

The question is whether they should be fleet based or have a homeworld. I believe having a homeworld is a better idea, as it can explain for their different approach to their duty of the Fallen than the other Unforgiven Chapter, and possibly explain a more Codex leniency.

 

That's all the justification you really need for making the choice, isn't it?

 

Now you need to take that decision and write its influences throughout the rest of the article to make it stick.

 

Although I have yet to give it a name, I'm thinking of maybe a feral world based in Segmentum Tempestus. The populance are split into different tribes, and of course children have to learn to fend for themselves rather quickly as they grow and mature. Once every generation the Chapter's Chaplains hold Trials, whereby all boys of the right age attend and partake. What the Trials consist of I have yet ot decide.

 

Quite a few Chapters have a similar arrangement, whether directly upon their own world or on those that they have a right to recruit from. You're on a good footing taking that angle.

 

The Chapter's Fortress Monastry itself will be located in a mountain range, and of course heavily defended. The Chapter will not interfere with any strife between tribes unless they deem it is appropiate to prevent the planet falling apart.

 

How does a noninterventionist attitude play into their increased humanitarianism?

 

Another idea for a homeworld is a civilised world instead of a feral world, with its own PDF. Once a generation, or whenever they feel like it the Chapter takes the most promising young soldiers that passed the Trials and induct them into the Chapter.

 

Now those would have to be some awfully young soldiers to be accepted into the Astartes. You're talking children, mostly preadolescents or early adolescents, as some of the organs have to be implanted around age twelve to take hold.

 

I love this idea. I'm thinking of making the Chapter an 8th Founding Chapter, and so there should have had plenty of time to do this. I like the idea of them deploying elements of the 1st and 2nd Companies on small frigates, which can be perfect for capturing the Fallen. Furthermore, they can then easily be attached to Battle Companies when they are needed. If a Fallen has mustered an army than a bigger force can be sent in a Strike Cruiser, perhaps containing a Reserve Company, while the frigate attempts to stealthily insert the 2nd Company attack squadrons. Thank you for the idea Apothete, it's much appreciated.

 

No problem.

 

I only ask that you keep your fluff writing to the truth as it's been revealed to us so far, which is to say that you don't use the frigates for surface drops by means other than ship's boat or shuttles. They don't have launch and recovery gear appropriate for Thunderhawks or Drop Pods, so you're not going to have rapid-strike capabilities on the ground and there's no way to get a Rhino or anything heavier onto the surface.

[DarkGuard]

It's interesting to note that the Shadow in the Warp doesn't so much block communication as it interferes with the the manipulation of warp energies and possibly drives anyone who's attempting to use them insane. A sufficiently determined astropath could probably get a message out and into the ducts, but then it becomes a game of waiting to see if the receiving end gets the warning on time, understands the symbolism of the message, and reacts appropriately. There seems to be a common impression amongst many fans of the universe that astropathic communication is conducted in words, but I've seen it suggested that it's a much more representative-symoblic sort of affair that leaves the sending end to compose images and impressions for the receivers to decipher into a meaningful message. Given the vagaries of timing in using the warp as a carrier signal, I find the idea of wizened, tarot-addled monks acting as biological engram and encryption machines to fit the grimdark more than their being unreliably walkie-talkies.

 

Noted on the Shadow of the Warp making communications unreliable. However, IMO having the homeworld attacked will result in difficulties in showing the divide between the two forces of the Chapter, due to the unreliabilty of astropathic communication. I do agree with you on the idea of astropathic communication. I believe Chapter War by Ben Counter had this idea in it with Iktonis' captured atropath, and it is a very good idea for astropathic communication.

 

How does a noninterventionist attitude play into their increased humanitarianism?

 

In the words of Darth Potato who summed up the Chapter's standpoint quite aptly:

 

You'd basically like a more composed, vigilant Chapter, opposed to the Dark Angels and some of their other successors who can act on a whim, very recklessly. I like that and I think you could play off of that concept a lot actually. Right off the bat, I see these guys in more of a 'Salamanders' light, they seem to be more humanitarian than the other Dark Angels, though not soft in the slightest.

 

In essence the Chapter is less likely to redivert all available resources to hunt the Fallen than other Unforgiven Chapters, hence the divide between the Inner Circle Companies and the Battle Companies. This is leading to a more humanitarian view (IMO) to the Chapter. However, they still want what is best for the Chapter. They understand a feudal world is going to fight, and they know that by allowing these fights they will gain better warriors. However, they just won't let things get out of hand. Acts from tribes that could amount to genocide will be stamped on (although I feel there won't be many acts of genocide in a feudal age but I could be wrong).

 

Now those would have to be some awfully young soldiers to be accepted into the Astartes. You're talking children, mostly preadolescents or early adolescents, as some of the organs have to be implanted around age twelve to take hold.

 

That is true, and a good point. Perhaps children are encouraged early on to join the PDF, allowing the Chapter its recruits. Or they could take the feudal world approach and hold trials for all. Those who fail either die, become serfs, or join the PDF, while the most promising young children are taken into the Chapter.

 

 

No problem.

 

I only ask that you keep your fluff writing to the truth as it's been revealed to us so far, which is to say that you don't use the frigates for surface drops by means other than ship's boat or shuttles. They don't have launch and recovery gear appropriate for Thunderhawks or Drop Pods, so you're not going to have rapid-strike capabilities on the ground and there's no way to get a Rhino or anything heavier onto the surface.

 

Noted. However, I overlooked its minimalist capabilites, and so it would be impractical for the 1st Company to deply via that method, where they would usually deploy via teleportation if they are in Terminator armour. Perhaps these ships are used for the 2nd Company, would the assault boats and shuttles have crew capability to hold an entire squad of Astartes bikers (about 6 to 8 with the possibility of an attack bike)? If they would, then that would make them perfect for use with the 2nd Company, who could slip in system ahead of a Strike Cruiser carrying the 1st Company and the heavier equipment of the 2nd Company (ie Landspeeders). The forward frigate carried elements of the 2nd Company would infiltrate the system and deploy on planet, and then seek out the Fallen while the Strike Cruiser hangs around somewhere close by, edge of system out of sensor array if that's possible. Once discovered the Strike Cruiser swoops planetside, transports it's veteran marines who then help the infiltrators on the planet's surface take out the Fallen. Of course this would be best used if the Fallen had surronded himself with an army, or if there were a group of them. If it was just the one then the frigate elements of the 2nd Company should be able to retrieve him on their own.

[Apothete]

Noted on the Shadow of the Warp making communications unreliable. However, IMO having the homeworld attacked will result in difficulties in showing the divide between the two forces of the Chapter, due to the unreliabilty of astropathic communication. I do agree with you on the idea of astropathic communication. I believe Chapter War by Ben Counter had this idea in it with Iktonis' captured atropath, and it is a very good idea for astropathic communication.

 

I'm not so sure that an attack on the homeworld would be as problematic as you might think, but this is a thread for your ideas and not mine.

 

My views on astropathy are based in part on the way that it's portrayed in several Black Library books (heresy!), more than one of which were by Ben Counter. It's never really spelled out explicitly in any canon Games Studio material that I have direct access to but the thematic element brought in by that view of the practice is just too good to leave alone. Instead of being a galactic radio network, the astropaths are more like a rickety amalgamation of Rube Goldbergian biological nodes which are not only prone to garble a signal but to somehow managing to receive it at the wrong time, with important elements altered, and generally adding to the confusion of a far-flung empire that's frought with red tape and misunderstanding.

 

In essence the Chapter is less likely to redivert all available resources to hunt the Fallen than other Unforgiven Chapters, hence the divide between the Inner Circle Companies and the Battle Companies. This is leading to a more humanitarian view (IMO) to the Chapter. However, they still want what is best for the Chapter. They understand a feudal world is going to fight, and they know that by allowing these fights they will gain better warriors. However, they just won't let things get out of hand. Acts from tribes that could amount to genocide will be stamped on (although I feel there won't be many acts of genocide in a feudal age but I could be wrong).

 

I'm with you right up until the end.

 

Historically speaking, there have been a number of attempts to pacify, assimilate, or otherwise stamp out groups with different ethnic, linguistic, religious, or political tropes and they don't start at the modern epoch. From the legendary and apocryphal jus primae noctis to the overt like the Crusades, the sacking of Alexandria, and the Spanish Inquisition, tribes have persecuted those who were different from them for time immemorial.

 

That is true, and a good point. Perhaps children are encouraged early on to join the PDF, allowing the Chapter its recruits. Or they could take the feudal world approach and hold trials for all. Those who fail either die, become serfs, or join the PDF, while the most promising young children are taken into the Chapter.

 

Another alternative is to have a planet with mandatory service, either civil or military. Those who excel in the academies would be singled out to face the trials and potentially become recruits, with failures allowed to become serfs and specialists within the Chapter.

 

However, I overlooked its minimalist capabilites, and so it would be impractical for the 1st Company to deply via that method, where they would usually deploy via teleportation if they are in Terminator armour. Perhaps these ships are used for the 2nd Company, would the assault boats and shuttles have crew capability to hold an entire squad of Astartes bikers (about 6 to 8 with the possibility of an attack bike)?

 

The technology that allows teleportation is ancient, extremely power hungry, and nearly impossible to replace, which means that you're probably stuck with a larger ship if you want to maintain that angle. Likewise, the amount of space needed to transport that many bikes would probably allow for the carrying of a Rhino, so you're once again stuck with the problem of figuring out how to get your troops to the surface with the support intact.

 

he forward frigate carried elements of the 2nd Company would infiltrate the system and deploy on planet, and then seek out the Fallen while the Strike Cruiser hangs around somewhere close by, edge of system out of sensor array if that's possible. Once discovered the Strike Cruiser swoops planetside, transports it's veteran marines who then help the infiltrators on the planet's surface take out the Fallen.

 

I'll go you one better, since I think you're close to workable idea here and I'd like to see it succeed.

 

Divide your Fallen hunting forces into two main elements, based on Strike Cruisers which each have a complement of a few Frigates to use as outriders. When word of a sighting comes down, the Strike Cruiser jumps in-system and maintains a stealthy prowl while the Frigate escorts go in search of the primary threat. They deploy rapid-strike teams of veterans from the First Company with Terminators ready to go back onboard the Cruiser, along with your comparatively heavier vehicles like speeders and bikes. Upon location of the Fallen, the discovering Frigate maintains station to prevent any escape and the others close in to do picket duty while your recovery team does their damndest to take the targets alive.

 

Each of your Strike Cruisers could have four to five squads, with another squad on each of two or three Frigates. That leaves several veteran squads to do duty as sergeants and reinforcement squads within the Chapter at large, while also watching for those who would be good candidates for promotion to the ranks of the Inner Circle.

[DarkGuard]

Another alternative is to have a planet with mandatory service, either civil or military. Those who excel in the academies would be singled out to face the trials and potentially become recruits, with failures allowed to become serfs and specialists within the Chapter.

 

As in something akin to National Service? Could be an idea to implement into the homeworld, with all children (males at least) required to enter the military at a young age, although I do no deny that it may be a sensitive issue. At the moment I'm still not sold on either idea for homeworld, although I have a feeling it may be the feudal world that makes it.

 

The technology that allows teleportation is ancient, extremely power hungry, and nearly impossible to replace, which means that you're probably stuck with a larger ship if you want to maintain that angle. Likewise, the amount of space needed to transport that many bikes would probably allow for the carrying of a Rhino, so you're once again stuck with the problem of figuring out how to get your troops to the surface with the support intact.

 

Good points, I knew that the teleports would definately have to be in a bigger ship such as a Strike Cruiser or a Battle Barge, and had a feeling that the bikes would be hard pressed to be transported onboard assault shuttles.

 

I'll go you one better, since I think you're close to workable idea here and I'd like to see it succeed.

 

Divide your Fallen hunting forces into two main elements, based on Strike Cruisers which each have a complement of a few Frigates to use as outriders. When word of a sighting comes down, the Strike Cruiser jumps in-system and maintains a stealthy prowl while the Frigate escorts go in search of the primary threat. They deploy rapid-strike teams of veterans from the First Company with Terminators ready to go back onboard the Cruiser, along with your comparatively heavier vehicles like speeders and bikes. Upon location of the Fallen, the discovering Frigate maintains station to prevent any escape and the others close in to do picket duty while your recovery team does their damndest to take the targets alive.

 

Each of your Strike Cruisers could have four to five squads, with another squad on each of two or three Frigates. That leaves several veteran squads to do duty as sergeants and reinforcement squads within the Chapter at large, while also watching for those who would be good candidates for promotion to the ranks of the Inner Circle.

 

Thank you for the idea, I like it. I take it by Veterans on the frigates you mean power armoured 1st Company? This hasn't crossed my mind as Unforgiven Chapters are generally known to deploy a lot of Terminator armour, the Dark Angels have enough for their entire 1st Company to take to battle in TDA. Of course, I could work this idea into the Chapter. The idea that they wouldn't have enough TDA (which is, after all difficult to maintain and very rare), could be something that sets them apart from other Unforgiven Chapters, or simply the way they Hunt in power armour is also divergent.

 

Either that or they could be unmounted members of the 2nd Company, which is another divergence. I quite like this idea, as it allows the use of bikes in other Companies, making the Chapter closer to the Codex and more divergent from the Unforgiven. Also, it means that there are two sides to the 2nd Company, a stealthy side that acts more like Scouts, with stealthy insertion into the required area and attempting to locate the Fallen, and the quicker, more rapid bike mounted elements that strike at the Fallen once found. The infiltrators create a perimeter to prevent escape, and the 1st Company are signalled down when the bikes reach their quarry.

 

Also, this raises a question, do all Unforgiven Chapters have enough TDA to outfit their entire 1st Company? I will have to pose this question to the Dark Angels board. If the question is 'no' or 'variable', then I can easily split my 1st Company with TDA normally reserved for the Hunt unless there is a good reason as to why it would be used otherwise, and other Veteran's of the 1st Company in power armour amoung the Battle Companies who would lend their expertise alongside Company Veterans.

 

 

Thank you everyone for the ideas so far. I will soon be compiling a summary of these ideas for easier reference during writing of the actual IA. I feel I have almost enough good material to start an IA article on my Chapter.

[DarkGuard]

In this post I will compile a summary of ideas for my DIY Chapter that has resulted over the past discussion. I thank everyone who has had an input so far, your ideas have helped helped shape my Chapter.

 

Name: ? I still need to decide on this, ideas welcome. So far through the thread it has simply been known as 'The Chapter'

 

UPDATE: After some thinking for a Chapter name, I decided I wanted one that felt suitably heroic, like Knights. I have decided that the homeworld will contain many Knightly Orders, and that the name would be influenced by the 1st Chapter Master who gave them their name, who was the most promising warrior out of all of the Orders. The idea for the name of this Order is the 'Knights of Sieraph', as they were founded by the ancient leader of the Order, Sieraph, whom legend mentions was a mighty warrior. The Chapter Master therefore gave the Chapter the name: 'The Sieraphian Guard', bonding the Chapter to the planet in symbolism.

 

NB. This is just one idea, I like the knightly conatations of this, and it seems to speak of a force that will look to protect the people and do the noble thing. Also, the name is a quite noticable twist on the concept of Seraphim, or Seraph, an order or type of angels, celestial spirits, and so this idea ties them to the Dark Angels, while also not being a mainstream Unforgiven name (which I'm trying to avoid). Of course if anyone has concerns over the name then I will take those into consideration, and change if needed. This is just one idea, and I am not sold on the name yet, so criticism is much appreciated.

 

Founding: 8th/9th Founding. I like the idea of a rather old Chapter with plenty of history.

 

Gene seed: Dark Angels. I love the Dark Angels background, and so have therefore made my Chapter and Unforgiven Chapter. The geneseed is therefore pure with no major defects, and the Chapter know of the Fallen.

 

Chapter Overview: Here I will post a quote by Darth Potato who summed up my Chapter quite nicely in a way I could never do:

 

You'd basically like a more composed, vigilant Chapter, opposed to the Dark Angels and some of their other successors who can act on a whim, very recklessly. I like that and I think you could play off of that concept a lot actually. Right off the bat, I see these guys in more of a 'Salamanders' light, they seem to be more humanitarian than the other Dark Angels, though not soft in the slightest.

 

The Chapter will carry out the Hunt, but if forces are already engaged then only unengaged forces which are part of the Inner Circle would undertake the Hunt ie. 1st and 2nd Companies, while the Battle Companies will fight the enemies of the Imperium. This creates a divide in the Chapter, although it will at times be crossed. Forces of the 1st and 2nd Companies may be used alongside Battle and Reserve Companies when needed, and if there is significant Fallen resistance Battle and Reserve Companies will fight alongside the 1st 2 Companies.

 

Homeworld:? name not decided. The world will be in the Segmentum Tempestus, perhaps near veiled region. The world will be pre-feudal - feudal, and be seperated into many states. Wars and battles that occur between the two are left to carry out by the Chapter, leading to the prevelence of strong warriors, including strong young warriors who must be tough to survive. These strong young warriors participate in Trials every generation and the best are taken into the Chapter. Within the tribes is a strong sense of duty to each other, and this reflects in the Chapter itself, who are loathe to abandon Imperial worlds and forces in the middle of a battle, resulting in them being slightly more humantarian than other Unforgiven, resulting in the divide in the Chapter.

I'm considering having warrior orders littered around the land, each with different allegiances to different states, and allegiences and rivalries with each other, so in essense, like Caliban before the Great Crusade minus the monsters. However, there is a great sense of camaraderie between the orders due to continued assaults by the Orks. The planet has been under attack by them at various times, and it was the Chapter's first act when at full strength to eradicate the in system Ork threat.

 

The Fortress Monastry is located in a mountain range, and the Chapter will only intervene with the world's conflicts when they would appear to get out of hand ie. mass genocide. I'm thinking of having at least one Tactical Reserve Company and elements of the 10th Company manning the Fortress Monastry, while the other Companies roam the Segmentum Tempestus engaging the Imperium's enemies.

 

Organisation: The Chapter follows standard Codex dictates for the most part in organisation, and incorporate Unforgiven elements of organisation. They are in essence organised like the Dark Angels.

 

1st Company: Veterans, Terminator units, Dreadnoughts, Land Raider

2nd Company: Bikes, Attack Bikes, Land Speeders

 

3rd-5th Companies: Codex standard Battle Companies

6th-7th Companies: Codex standard Tactical Reserve Companies

8th Company: Codex standard Assault Reserve Company

9th Company: Codex standard Devastator Reserve Company

10th Company: Codex standard Scout Company

 

There may be a divergence in the 2nd Company or 1st Company, where unmounted Marines or power armoured veterans are inserted to a planet via Hunter frigates. Each Hunter frigate has a squad of veterans who are inserted via assault shuttle stealthily onto the planet. These squads would then seek out the Fallen, and upon location the bike and TDA elements of the 2nd and 1st Companies are deployed to capture the Fallen. 3-4 frigates are attacked to a Strike Cruiser which contains around at least 5 squads, maybe more depending on mission size. These squads include Terminator armoured Veterans, along with heavier support elements, as well as bikes, attack bikes and landspeeders for the 2nd Company. Drop Pods and Thunderhawks are also found on these Strike Cruisers, and so are teleporters for TDA units to use. When not in use hunting the Fallen, these detachments of Inner Circle Companies may find use fighting alongside the Battle and Reserve Companies. These detachments will be known in the Chapter as 'Redemption fleets'?

 

I've decided that it is only feasible to have a maximum of 2 Redemption fleets. Each fleet will be made up of a Strike Cruiser with teleport equipment and heavier equipment for the 2nd Company ie bikes, land speeders. Each Strike Cruiser will hold 2 bike mounted 2nd Company 10 man squads, and 6 5 man 1st Company Squads in TDA with support (Land Raiders). Each Strike Cruiser will be accompanied by 3 Hunter Frigates with standard armament and 1 10 man Squad of unmounted 2nd Company units, with no support. Assault boats/shuttles will be used. The other 40 1st Company Veterans will be spread around the other Companies in either 5 man Terminator Squads or 5-10 man power armoured Veterans (like Sternguard and Vanguard).

 

Another idea is to reverse this, with the Hunter frigates carrying power armoured Veterans. However, as locating the Fallen is the job of the Ravenwing, I prefer the 1st option detailed above.

Colours and Heraldry: The Chapter symbol will most likely be a single white wing (the one on the transfer sheet), which refers to their Dark Angel's succession.

 

The Chapter colours are as follows: dark, grey blue (fenris grey) armour, with black pauldrons. The left pauldron will be trimmed in the blue Chapter colour for all standard marines.

 

Each company is denoted by the colour applied to the right pauldron trim eg. 3rd Company will have a red trim, 5th Company will have a black trim. Veterans have a white trim. The Captains and his Command Squad are denoted through both trims being coloured the Company coloured

 

Sergeants are denoted by their left pauldron trim being coloured white instead of the standard blue.

 

Squad markings as Codex normal.

 

TDA is primarily coloured black, with the pauldrons and helmet coloured the Chapter's blue grey scheme (Fenris grey).

 

Scouts wear fenris grey armour over white/cream fatigues (bleached bone).

 

Combat Doctrine: Mainly Codex for Battle and Reserve Companies. For 1st and 2nd Companies they will normally fight according to Dark Angel standards - 2nd Company scouts ahead and calls down 1st Company units.

 

Based in Segmentum Tempestus leads to many fights against Orks, prevelence for close ranged weaponry eg flamers, meltas, as well as anti-horde weaponry eg heavy bolters, missile launchers, plasma cannons etc.

 

History/ memorable events: Hive Fleet Leviathan Splinter.

A nearby system (to the Chapter's homeworld) is being threatened by a splinter of Hive Fleet Leviathan, and the call for aid is received by the Chapter. All forces bar the 9th and 10th Companies (who would reinforce the Fortress Monastry) prepare to come to the aid of the beleagured world. However, before entering the Warp, a communique from the Dark Angels alerts the Chapter to the presence of a Fallen in a system not far from their own, but in the opposite direction to the Tyranid threat. The Chapter Master depatched at numerous Retribution fleets to the capture the Fallen, as he had amounted a sizeable force, while the rest of the Chapter traveled to combat the Tyranid threat. As the Tyranid fleet had not reached the planet, the Chapter make planetfall at the 2 major population centres which was sure to attract a concentrated assault, and fortified their defenses while the populance was evacuated. The PDF would stand and fight with the Chapter. The Tyranid assault was swift and brutal, and when it looked as if the Chapter would be overwhelmed an Imperial Fleet arrived. With these reinforcements the Hive Fleet was shattered and the defenders on the planet below were evacuated before Exterminatus was declared. The remaining Chapter ships along with the Imperial Navy reinforcements pushed for the Hive Ship and destroyed it. The Chapter all regrouped at the homeworld, where it was discovered that 33-50% of the Chapter was destroyed. Since this event the Chapter has been more cautious in deployment due to stretched numbers, and veterans are being relied upon more than ever, alongside scouts.

 

This is basically a summary as my Chapter stands, and certain points could do with some fleshing out. However, this will form the foundation of my IA. Thank you to everyone who has been involved so far. Your ideas and comments have been extremely helpful. ;)

[DarkGuard]

EDIT: Suggestion for Chapter name, changes to Homeworld and to Organisation (Redemption Fleets) highlighted in red in post above.

[Apothete]

As in something akin to National Service? Could be an idea to implement into the homeworld, with all children (males at least) required to enter the military at a young age, although I do no deny that it may be a sensitive issue. At the moment I'm still not sold on either idea for homeworld, although I have a feeling it may be the feudal world that makes it.

 

Something similar, yes.

 

More to the point, I was thinking of some kind of arrangement between what the Israelis do now and the civil service requirements from the Starship Troopers book. You could easily claim that the compulsory military service brings with it a higher level of education than what might otherwise be available, with your populace drilled in academics as much as they are military theory and practice.

 

Thank you for the idea, I like it. I take it by Veterans on the frigates you mean power armoured 1st Company? This hasn't crossed my mind as Unforgiven Chapters are generally known to deploy a lot of Terminator armour, the Dark Angels have enough for their entire 1st Company to take to battle in TDA. Of course, I could work this idea into the Chapter. The idea that they wouldn't have enough TDA (which is, after all difficult to maintain and very rare), could be something that sets them apart from other Unforgiven Chapters, or simply the way they Hunt in power armour is also divergent.

 

You'd be right. I was proposing power-armored Veteran squads who would be supported by a less numerous Terminator strike force, which seems far more plausible than the idea that every Dark Angels sucessor is going to be able to put that many suits of Tactical Dreadnought Armor on the field.

 

Just by their nature, the Astartes are going to have a powerful psychological impact upon all but the bravest, most foolhardy, or most indoctrinated of opponents. Knowing that men who have spent centuries fighting the enemies of the Imperium are on your trail would probably be enough to put many to flight, even those amongst the Fallen. Deploying in the comparatively lighter power armor also gives you the option of employing tactics that would be unfeasible when combined with the heavier suits, like the use of bikes and speeders for rapid strikes when you don't have teleporters handy.

 

Also, this raises a question, do all Unforgiven Chapters have enough TDA to outfit their entire 1st Company? I will have to pose this question to the Dark Angels board. If the question is 'no' or 'variable', then I can easily split my 1st Company with TDA normally reserved for the Hunt unless there is a good reason as to why it would be used otherwise, and other Veteran's of the 1st Company in power armour amoung the Battle Companies who would lend their expertise alongside Company Veterans.

 

I would find it highly unlikely that the Unforgiven Successor Chapters have anything approaching the number of suits available to their parent.

 

I have decided that the homeworld will contain many Knightly Orders, and that the name would be influenced by the 1st Chapter Master who gave them their name, who was the most promising warrior out of all of the Orders. The idea for the name of this Order is the 'Knights of Sieraph', as they were founded by the ancient leader of the Order, Sieraph, whom legend mentions was a mighty warrior. The Chapter Master therefore gave the Chapter the name: 'The Sieraphian Guard', bonding the Chapter to the planet in symbolism.

 

I would take the name of the knightly order to which Sieraph had belonged and keep it exactly as it is, at least if you want to pursue this angle. It not only ties the Chapter directly the history of the world and shows respect to those who did the best with what they could (your humanitarian angle at work), it also allows for your allied PDF to draw its officers and logicians from the ranks of those who aren't quite good enough to become a neophyte. Soldiers could be recruited from the very best of the fuedal estates as a tithe to the Chapter itself, with the children of those chosen to defend the world being guaranteed a place in the trials while others must struggle for theirs.

 

I'm loathe to say much more, but that'd be one way to both reward the ones who serve the betterment of the Chapter and the world while still demanding the very best of them.

 

There may be a divergence in the 2nd Company or 1st Company, where unmounted Marines or power armoured veterans are inserted to a planet via Hunter frigates. Each Hunter frigate has a squad of veterans who are inserted via assault shuttle stealthily onto the planet. These squads would then seek out the Fallen, and upon location the bike and TDA elements of the 2nd and 1st Companies are deployed to capture the Fallen.

 

Just a suggestion:

 

Make your Second Company "Ravenwing" into an Assault Company in every way possible, which means all Brothers are trained in jump pack, bike, speeder, and foot deployment for close combat. As much as it's stealing from the Raven Guard, I could very easily see your Veterans that do the infiltration side of operations doing low-altitude jump drops from their transports and then using the mobility to help accomplish their goals.

 

Another idea is to reverse this, with the Hunter frigates carrying power armoured Veterans. However, as locating the Fallen is the job of the Ravenwing, I prefer the 1st option detailed above.

 

An unmounted Second Company Veteran is a power armored Veteran. What else would he be?

 

A nearby system (to the Chapter's homeworld) is being threatened by a splinter of Hive Fleet Leviathan, and the call for aid is received by the Chapter. All forces bar the 9th and 10th Companies (who would reinforce the Fortress Monastry) prepare to come to the aid of the beleagured world. However, before entering the Warp, a communique from the Dark Angels alerts the Chapter to the presence of a Fallen in a system not far from their own, but in the opposite direction to the Tyranid threat. The Chapter Master depatched at numerous Retribution fleets to the capture the Fallen, as he had amounted a sizeable force, while the rest of the Chapter traveled to combat the Tyranid threat.

 

Would they really deploy everything on purpose, even in response to the Tyranids? That's an awfully risky move for a Chapter to make.

 

You also need to work on the typistry just a litlte bit. There's quite a few errors sprinkled throughout the proposal, like using "amounted" instead of "amassed" and using numerals instead of words for a short number.

 

The PDF would stand and fight with the Chapter. The Tyranid assault was swift and brutal, and when it looked as if the Chapter would be overwhelmed an Imperial Fleet arrived. With these reinforcements the Hive Fleet was shattered and the defenders on the planet below were evacuated before Exterminatus was declared. The remaining Chapter ships along with the Imperial Navy reinforcements pushed for the Hive Ship and destroyed it. The Chapter all regrouped at the homeworld, where it was discovered that 33-50% of the Chapter was destroyed. Since this event the Chapter has been more cautious in deployment due to stretched numbers, and veterans are being relied upon more than ever, alongside scouts.

 

Why would they have sent so many in response to the call for defense, and why is it beneficial to the story for your Chapter the be rescued by the Imperial Navy? How does having their bacon pulled out of the fire affect their dealings with that branch of the Imperium? Why would Exterminatus be declared if the Hive Ship was defeated and the majority of the enemy destroyed?

 

Just some things to think about.

[DarkGuard]

Something similar, yes.

 

More to the point, I was thinking of some kind of arrangement between what the Israelis do now and the civil service requirements from the Starship Troopers book. You could easily claim that the compulsory military service brings with it a higher level of education than what might otherwise be available, with your populace drilled in academics as much as they are military theory and practice.

 

Thanks for the idea, though I think I'm going to focus on the feudal world. However, some of these elements could be incorporated into the feudal world, but in a different light.

 

You'd be right. I was proposing power-armored Veteran squads who would be supported by a less numerous Terminator strike force, which seems far more plausible than the idea that every Dark Angels sucessor is going to be able to put that many suits of Tactical Dreadnought Armor on the field.

 

Just by their nature, the Astartes are going to have a powerful psychological impact upon all but the bravest, most foolhardy, or most indoctrinated of opponents. Knowing that men who have spent centuries fighting the enemies of the Imperium are on your trail would probably be enough to put many to flight, even those amongst the Fallen. Deploying in the comparatively lighter power armor also gives you the option of employing tactics that would be unfeasible when combined with the heavier suits, like the use of bikes and speeders for rapid strikes when you don't have teleporters handy.

 

It's a good idea, and I agree that not every Dark Angels successor will be able to field 100 suits of TDA at a time (mine certainly won't have that much, I'm thinking of them having about 60 to equip 12 squads of 5 Terminators on the Redemption Fleets. However, I would prefer to keep the infiltration and Fallen seeking to the 2nd Company, as traditionally in Unforgiven Chapters it is the 2nd Company that locate the Fallen, and then the Terminator armoured veterans are called down and catch the Fallen. I do agree with you the you won't need TDA or bikes though to possibly intimidate some of the Fallen.

 

I would find it highly unlikely that the Unforgiven Successor Chapters have anything approaching the number of suits available to their parent.

 

I definately agree with you here.

 

I would take the name of the knightly order to which Sieraph had belonged and keep it exactly as it is, at least if you want to pursue this angle. It not only ties the Chapter directly the history of the world and shows respect to those who did the best with what they could (your humanitarian angle at work), it also allows for your allied PDF to draw its officers and logicians from the ranks of those who aren't quite good enough to become a neophyte. Soldiers could be recruited from the very best of the fuedal estates as a tithe to the Chapter itself, with the children of those chosen to defend the world being guaranteed a place in the trials while others must struggle for theirs.

 

I'm loathe to say much more, but that'd be one way to both reward the ones who serve the betterment of the Chapter and the world while still demanding the very best of them.

 

I do like this idea a lot, and once again I must thank you Apothete. As for the name, I'm interested to know if you prefer the names Knights of Sieraph and The Sieraphian Guard better than the Dark Guard and Shadow Guard? Or would you advise me to continue thinking of new names?

 

Just a suggestion:

 

Make your Second Company "Ravenwing" into an Assault Company in every way possible, which means all Brothers are trained in jump pack, bike, speeder, and foot deployment for close combat. As much as it's stealing from the Raven Guard, I could very easily see your Veterans that do the infiltration side of operations doing low-altitude jump drops from their transports and then using the mobility to help accomplish their goals.

 

Noted, and it's good as it is once again a divergence between the Unforgiven and the The Chapter, while also showing some Codex tendancies.

 

An unmounted Second Company Veteran is a power armored Veteran. What else would he be?

 

Sorry, this is my bad writing skills again. I'll try to avoid calling the 2nd Company Veterans, as I'm of the opinion that the Ravenwing aren't veterans but rather spiritually strong Marines who specialize in shock tactics on bikes and Land Speeders, correct me if I'm wrong though. However, it could be the more experienced and veteran elements of the of the 2nd Company that make up the infiltration, hunting squads as it were. While the rest are the rapid reaction forces with the 1st Company on the Strike Cruisers. I see the 2nd Company as being a mediation in veterancy between the 1st Company and the rank and file Marines. Of course I could be very wrong here.

 

Would they really deploy everything on purpose, even in response to the Tyranids? That's an awfully risky move for a Chapter to make.

 

You also need to work on the typistry just a litlte bit. There's quite a few errors sprinkled throughout the proposal, like using "amounted" instead of "amassed" and using numerals instead of words for a short number.

 

Yes, it is a rather risky move. Perhaps if a couple of Companies were campaigning elsewhere, or just finishing up a campaign against some Orks. That gives the Chapter about four Companies to send against the Tyranids. Another idea is that two Redemption Fleets are accompanied by a Battle Company (like the 3rd Company) to deal with the Fallen. If the Fallen were subdued quickly it is feasible to assume that the Battle Company and one Redemption Fleet could just about reach the fight and provide the break through that destroys the Hive Fleet, the Battle Company drop podding in and providing reinforcements, while the Redemption Fleet also helps, possibly attempting to insert Veterans into the Hive Ship to destroy them from the inside. The synapse collapses, and the no Exterminatus is needed. However, this is a sort of galaxy spanning event you warned against earlier.

 

Perhaps it may just be something as simple as leaving about 3 Companies or maybe even 4 at the homeworld, to hopefully prevent too severe a lost to the Chapter. The Chapter Master will take charge of the Fleet while the next most senior Captain (possibly 3rd Captain if he's there as the the 1st and 2nd will be after the Fallen). This means that not all of the Chapter is involved, but are still preparing just in case.

 

However, I feel that some of the Companies may be elsewhere in different campaigns.

 

As for my typistry, I agree that it needs a bit of work, but hopefully by the end of the write up its something that would have been sorted and improved.

 

Why would they have sent so many in response to the call for defense, and why is it beneficial to the story for your Chapter the be rescued by the Imperial Navy? How does having their bacon pulled out of the fire affect their dealings with that branch of the Imperium? Why would Exterminatus be declared if the Hive Ship was defeated and the majority of the enemy destroyed?

 

Noted, I'll keep the amount low, but believable. No more than four Companies? I believe that is quite a sizeable force of Marines. The Ultramarines only sent two Companies to the defence of the polar fortresses on Macragge, with a third clearing up when the Tyranid fleet was destroyed. If Chapter reserves are the ones that break in system and help destroy the fleet instead of the Imperial Navy, then it may be more beneficial to the Chapter. I need to keep on reminding myself that this is a splinter fleet and not an entire fleet. If the fleet is destroyed I'll retract the decision to declare Exterminatus.

[Apothete]

I do like this idea a lot, and once again I must thank you Apothete. As for the name, I'm interested to know if you prefer the names Knights of Sieraph and The Sieraphian Guard better than the Dark Guard and Shadow Guard? Or would you advise me to continue thinking of new names?

 

Out of the choices that you've presented so far, I do prefer the Knights of Sieraph but still don't much like the Sieraphan Guard. That being said, I wouldn't ever stop brainstorming names even if it's just to set some aside for later use.

 

Sorry, this is my bad writing skills again. I'll try to avoid calling the 2nd Company Veterans, as I'm of the opinion that the Ravenwing aren't veterans but rather spiritually strong Marines who specialize in shock tactics on bikes and Land Speeders, correct me if I'm wrong though. However, it could be the more experienced and veteran elements of the of the 2nd Company that make up the infiltration, hunting squads as it were. While the rest are the rapid reaction forces with the 1st Company on the Strike Cruisers. I see the 2nd Company as being a mediation in veterancy between the 1st Company and the rank and file Marines. Of course I could be very wrong here.

 

I think that you'll find the Dark Angels codex both agreeing and disagreeing with you, since the traditional Ravenwing are a company of veterans who exist in a grey area between the full knowledge of the Deathwing and the regular Battle Brothers. They're the ones who do the actual hunting for the Fallen and who call in the reinforcements if they're needed, but they haven't been told nearly as much as those who have joined the Inner Circle or the First Company.

 

Yes, it is a rather risky move. Perhaps if a couple of Companies were campaigning elsewhere, or just finishing up a campaign against some Orks. That gives the Chapter about four Companies to send against the Tyranids. Another idea is that two Redemption Fleets are accompanied by a Battle Company (like the 3rd Company) to deal with the Fallen. If the Fallen were subdued quickly it is feasible to assume that the Battle Company and one Redemption Fleet could just about reach the fight and provide the break through that destroys the Hive Fleet, the Battle Company drop podding in and providing reinforcements, while the Redemption Fleet also helps, possibly attempting to insert Veterans into the Hive Ship to destroy them from the inside. The synapse collapses, and the no Exterminatus is needed. However, this is a sort of galaxy spanning event you warned against earlier.

 

Odds are fairly good that your Chapter will be engaged in multiple missions at any given time, which is why Battle Companies are generally capable of fighting on their own. You can guage the severity of a threat in the eyes of the Chapter Master by the number of Companies he dedicates to eradicating it. For example, the Crimson Fists sent three companies to hunt the remnants of the Soul Drinkers because renegade Marines are going to be an incredibly dire opponent, while the Ultramarines left their very best Company to defend Macragge on their own. There's no problem with having them spread out, especially if you're playing Unforgiven and the others are unwittingly gathering information for you through Deathwing detachments and the Chaplains.

 

The Tyranid engagement could work, especially if you have a little tension arising from the Redemption Fleets taking a little longer to either arrive or engage the foes (depending on how you wrote it) because of their hunt.

[DarkGuard]

Out of the choices that you've presented so far, I do prefer the Knights of Sieraph but still don't much like the Sieraphan Guard. That being said, I wouldn't ever stop brainstorming names even if it's just to set some aside for later use.

 

I prefer the Knights of Sieraph more as well (and is the name I have given the Chapter in the IA write-up I am writing). I will continue to brainstorm names of course, thanks again for the advice.

 

I think that you'll find the Dark Angels codex both agreeing and disagreeing with you, since the traditional Ravenwing are a company of veterans who exist in a grey area between the full knowledge of the Deathwing and the regular Battle Brothers. They're the ones who do the actual hunting for the Fallen and who call in the reinforcements if they're needed, but they haven't been told nearly as much as those who have joined the Inner Circle or the First Company.

 

This is a better interpretation of the Dark Angels Codex than my own. It certainly makes it easier to write the Redemption Fleets. The main reason why I am loathe to label the Ravenwing as a veteran company is that it would result in an Unforgiven Chapter having around 200 Veteran Marines. Of course, considering what the Unforgiven do this could be feasible.

 

Odds are fairly good that your Chapter will be engaged in multiple missions at any given time, which is why Battle Companies are generally capable of fighting on their own. You can guage the severity of a threat in the eyes of the Chapter Master by the number of Companies he dedicates to eradicating it. For example, the Crimson Fists sent three companies to hunt the remnants of the Soul Drinkers because renegade Marines are going to be an incredibly dire opponent, while the Ultramarines left their very best Company to defend Macragge on their own. There's no problem with having them spread out, especially if you're playing Unforgiven and the others are unwittingly gathering information for you through Deathwing detachments and the Chaplains.

 

Thanks again here Apothete. I'm considering around 3, 4 Companies to be sent to the combat the Tyranid threat. The Ultramarines took out an entire Hive Fleet with their own fleet, and Imperial fleet and 2 Companies, one of which was the 1st Company. To make this event more believable I feel that the Chapter would have to send at least 3 Companies, although this would be a rather sizeable splinter fleet.

 

The Tyranid engagement could work, especially if you have a little tension arising from the Redemption Fleets taking a little longer to either arrive or engage the foes (depending on how you wrote it) because of their hunt.

 

I am at the moment trying my best to work this into my IA article. I am considering that while the Redemption Fleets take out the Fallen, one may attempt to break away after this engagement and attempt to reach the Tyranid Fleet and help the Companies combatting it.

 

Again, thank you everyone for you input so far. I am in the middle of writing up the IA article for this Chapter, but input is always appreciated, and not too late.