Developing Fluff for a Crusade

[DarkKnightCuron]

Cerellian (Sir-ehl-e-an) Crusade

 

On the outskirts of the Cerellian Sub-Sector, a distress signal was received from many of the systems of a massive Ork WAAAAGH assaulting the defenses of planets and systems throughout the sub-sector. The first of the units to respond to the distress signal were the Cadian 42nd Mechanized Regiment, however, the regiment reported heavy casualties throughout the sub-sector, and requested aid in the form of an Astartes Chapter. Humoring the commanders of the 42nd, Marshall Helbane was contacted and agreed to personally lead the crusade in cleansing this sub-sector against the orks.

 

Marshal in charge of Crusade: Marshall Helbane (Artificier Armor and Terminator Armor Versions)

Sword Brethren of House Helbane: 21

Noteworthy Sword Brethren:

-Curon Hifor (Power Armor, Biker, and Terminator Versions)

-----Curon Hifor is a distinguished commander of some reputation, after having cleansed four worlds of an Ork invasion. Recently promoted to Sword Brethren, Curon Hifor had developed a taste for the wind in his face as part of an Initiate Bike Squadron during his participation in Marshall Helbane's Fighting Company, and the Marshall had personally requested Curon Hifor to command one of the Fighting Companies for this particular Crusade, particularly to act as a reactionary force against possible threats from the Tau 'Empire' as well as possible flashpoints across the Cerellian Sector. As such, Curon's fighting company has an above-average number of Bike Squadrons, a mimic of his favored tactic of meeting the enemy in a glorious charge on their Space Marine Battle Bikes. This fighting company was formed from a conglomeration of Initiates and Neophytes recruited from the desert world of Yarine VIII, one of the few planets on the fringe of Tau-held space. As such, Curon Hifor has the difficult task of balancing drawing recruits for the Cerellian Crusade and leaving a significant enough force on Yarine VIII, should the upstart Tau ever seek to expand again.

-Jacobin Crusix (Power Armor and Terminator Versions)

-----Sword Brethren Jacobin Crusix is an old battle brother of the Marshall, having been a Neophyte at the same time as Marshall Helbane. Obviously, however, Crusix has yet to be raised to the rank of Marshall, due to failures in a previous Crusade. As such, Crusix is constantly looking for a chance to redeem himself and his men. Unlike some Fighting Companies, Crusix' Company has few Neophytes, many of his warriors veterans of past campaigns that follow Crusix from pure respect. It is difficult for Crusix to recruit new Neophytes into his company, both because of their apparently high standards and Crusix's reputation.

-Rodrick Ghrael (Terminator Version)

-----Sword Brethren Rodrick Ghrael, a veteran of many battles, acts as a mentor to Curon Hifor, as Curon is the newest member to join the Household. While it is obvious Ghrael has wisdom and experience unmatched by many in this particular Crusade (and wishes to part that upon the newer generation), it has been noted that few can match the zeal of Curon Hifor. Regardless, Rodrick Ghrael is somewhat over-eager to face against a potential threat from the Tau, having engaged the Grey-Skinned Xenos before.

-Tyker Thesk

-----Sword Brethren Tyker Thesk is a Venerable Dreadnought in service to Marshall Helbane, present only for Thesk's nearly limitless knowledge of battlefield tactics and strategies. Should the need be so dire, however, Helbane will not hesitate to take the field along with the Venerable Dreadnought. Thesk is often critical of individuals such as Curon Hifor and Crusix, whom are believed to be rather young to join the ranks of Sword Brethren.

 

Noteable Figures in the Crusade:

 

CHAPLAINS

Reclusiarch Loring - Fluff goes here

 

CURRENT EMPEROR'S CHAMPION(S)

Initiate Nimur Thie - Fluff goes here

 

Significant Worlds:

 

FIRST CONTACT (Day 1):

-Planet: Alessa

-System: Turion System

-Sub-Sector: Cerellian

-Scenario: Planetstrike (Black Templars [Attackers] vs. Orks [Defenders]) 1000 Points

-Background: Fluff about the planet and the game will be written here after the game is played and finished

[Marshal Rohr]

A Marshal keeps his own counsel as to who should be his Sword Brethren. Helbrecht is a little past two hundred, hardly ancient. Deeds not words make someone a sword brethren.

[DarkKnightCuron]

A Marshal keeps his own counsel as to who should be his Sword Brethren. Helbrecht is a little past two hundred, hardly ancient. Deeds not words make someone a sword brethren.

 

Are you referring to Venerable Brother Thesk? The Dreadnought isn't shy about expressing his opinion, but Marshall Helbane usually doesn't pay them much mind, except when it comes to strategic and tactical matters. Helbane is actually very stubborn about his choice of Sword Brethren.

[Marshal Rohr]

Good call, I thought you were insinuating Thesk was a 'power behind the throne'.

 

 

The biggest problem you will run into developing fluff is as you go into detail about battles you will find there is no way a normal human can do the optempo of a Crusade justice. Its one big hate-fest once they start without a break. Also, if realism is what your going for a Crusade on its own would be doing things besides sqauring off with the main element of the enemy, and not just HQ strikes. The Templars especially will wage Total War on their opponents, so much of the fighting will be done from space, then they will go in a finish off the stragglers.

[DarkKnightCuron]

Good call, I thought you were insinuating Thesk was a 'power behind the throne'.

 

 

The biggest problem you will run into developing fluff is as you go into detail about battles you will find there is no way a normal human can do the optempo of a Crusade justice. Its one big hate-fest once they start without a break. Also, if realism is what your going for a Crusade on its own would be doing things besides sqauring off with the main element of the enemy, and not just HQ strikes. The Templars especially will wage Total War on their opponents, so much of the fighting will be done from space, then they will go in a finish off the stragglers.

 

Hmmmm, interesting. I was mostly aiming for Alessa to be the first of probably quite a few staging areas for the Crusade. Aside from the orbiting space battle, Alessa is likely home to a massive Imperial Starport and communications facility. While it is likely some structures will be damaged in the onslaught, the first task is to get a proper foothold in the sub-sector before spreading out to other systems. While I only have the points limit for the initial strike as 1000, I'll actually go into detail how Helbane himself will be dropping in to secure this planet, as the majority of his forces will be present, trying to claim this world in as little time as possible, so that they can commence standard operations worthy of a proper Crusade.

 

While it may be folly to try and keep up with an optempo that Space Marines are capable of, I'm still going to have a lot of fun doing it. If it becomes something of a chore, I can always hang back a little bit, take a break, until I get inspired again. Unfortunately, I feel inspired now, so I'll likely keep writing fluff out (at least when I'm not busy with work here in Kosovo) until my hands fall off or I get demotivated.

[Marshal Rohr]

Well, maybe that would be the way to do it. Focus on the efforts of a few characters in the bigger picture, Imperial Armor style. So you would be writing about Helbane's drop onto Alessa and his specific fighting? Not a bad idea, I forget its not like a paper on Waterloo, its story surrounding characters!!!

[BigDunc]

Cool, comin' along.

 

My tiny note is: "Mechanized Cavalry" is a slightly redundant. Choose one and then pick a size for the unit, ie Regiment, Brigade, Division.

 

Like I said, tiny note.

[DarkKnightCuron]

Well, maybe that would be the way to do it. Focus on the efforts of a few characters in the bigger picture, Imperial Armor style. So you would be writing about Helbane's drop onto Alessa and his specific fighting? Not a bad idea, I forget its not like a paper on Waterloo, its story surrounding characters!!!

 

Absolutely. Trying to completely micromanage an entire Crusade-worth of conflicts would result in either a boring manuscript that people would fall asleep reading after about an hour, or a MASSIVE novella. I'm trying to focus on three key characters here, with a large supporting cast. Those three characters will be: Curon Hifor, Nimur Thie (from being an Initiate, to becoming the Emperor's Chamion, to his death), and I'm undecided on the third. I was thinking of either Crusix or Helbane himself, but I'm not sold on either just yet.

 

Cool, comin' along.

 

My tiny note is: "Mechanized Cavalry" is a slightly redundant. Choose one and then pick a size for the unit, ie Regiment, Brigade, Division.

 

Like I said, tiny note.

 

Ach, thanks for the critique!