The Emperors Vengeance Blades

[spjaco]

Any suggestions for a suitable homeworld? I was thinking something with terrain that varied from mountainous with broad relatively flat valleys (think Southern Austria).

Any suggestions?

[Ace Debonair]

Ah, at last, an area I can contribute in. :)

Homeworlds are a great way to shape a chapter as you see fit. In this case, I'd take the ol' favourite route of having the beliefs of whichever people you recruit from filter through into the ranks. They could be very keen on hunting in packs against some alarmingly swift prey, making the chapter-master's decision to go for a highly mobile force one that works superbly within the chapter.

By the same token, however, I'd certainly take the oportunity to stress that while your marines excel in open battle, siege warfare does not come as easily to them, and many of the battles they take their heaviest losses in are sieges.

The idea you've got for a homeworld is good. Sweeping plains, braod valleys and high mountains, very fine.

In the IA proper, as far as organisation goes, you don't need to go down to the nitty-gritty of which guns are in which squads in which company. Frankly, it doesn't matter.

The chapter motto I like, short and snappy. Or at least, the translated one is. It might be better to use the translation, actually.

With the chapter fleet, a sentence mentioning you have two battle barges and a handful of strike cruisers is quite enough.

I welcome any suggestions and am curious as to how some of you have gotten such good chapter fluff and planetary photos on your posts.

In my case, nothing but indiluted imagination and making it up as I go along. That said, I try to steer clear of the more radical ideas, and think things through as much as possible before posting them.

If your comment was not adressed at me in any way, ignore everything I've just said. :)

To get the URl for your picture, paint your marine, then click the 'go to wargear' link.

Then, click on the 'get image url' button, then the link on the picture that says 'image url'. Now copy the web adress from that picture, and voila. ;)

At least, the above method works for me. For instance, here's one I just ran up.

[spjaco]

Thanks so much!

As far as terrain description for there planet goes there are broad plains around the equator of the planet where the chapter is based that suffer from high winds (the planets ocean also occupy much of this area, though there are three land locked "seas." Anyway there are deep ravines/canyons on this planet and some of the inhabitants that dont live in the mountainous regions have built settlements along the canyon walls and in fact into them in some cases. This region of the planet suffers from dust storms which blanket the area with a layer of red dust that can be several FEET deep at times. There is a lizard-like species that is believe to be semi-sentient that has grown rather fond of human flesh, the speed of this creature and its ability to "outflank" its potential meals are one of Master Mareus' influential sources for his highly mobile tactics.

It this world that the chapter has chosen to inhabit and call its own. The majority, but not all; of its recruiting is done from this world. The mountain clans are strong and independent while those in the canyons are clever and quick to attack without warning. Overall this makes for a very offensive based chapter. It also means that although they are good at breaking seiges, when they themselves are the besieged the chapter has suffered heavily in the past.

The Chapter badge is simply an INVERTED (or downward pointed) sword. It is white in color, shown here with wings as that was all that was available.

[spjaco]

The Chapters FULL GIVEN NAME is "The Emperors Vengeance Blades" but the chapter has elected to shorten it, informally to "Vengeance Blades" as they know whose name they seek vengeance in.

[spjaco]

Vengeance Blades

Chapter was formed during the 10th Founding. In its first one hundred years three chapter masters were killed in battle thus the chapter didnt have any single leaders influence upon its formation for some time. Twice the Chapter has suffered more than 60% casualities in a single fight, both times were in Battle against the forces of Chaos (each period is known to the Chapter as the "Reckoning." At times the first event is known as the 1st and the 2nd Reckoning in order to be more specific. Any SM that survived one of these events is entitled to wear an inverted sword embossed upon his chapter symbol as opposed to painted). Throughout its history it has battled Chaos and Orks almost exclusively.

Veterans are assigned to the companies (a la Dark Angels) at the rate of one squad for each, with the exception of the Reserve Assault Company which boasts three squads of Vanguard Veterans.

 

Its is organized as follows:

1st Company Terminators

2-5 Battle Companies (Each shall have one less Tactical Squad, but will have a Veteran Squad in its place(see DA Codex)

6-7 Tactical Reserve Companies

8th Assault Reserve Company (Three Squads will be Vanguard, they will act as trainers for the other Reserve Assault Squads and can be tasked out to Battle Companies as needed). This Company can deploy in a fashion similiar to the Ravenwing of the DA)

9th Devastator Reserve Company

10th Scout Company (numbers vary from 100-200 at any given time).

 

The Armory is composed of the following:

10 Land Raiders

1 LR Redeemer

1 LR Crusader (used by the Chapter Master as a command vehicle)

(?) 1 LR Terminus Ultra Pattern (may or may not actually have this one)

6 Whirlwinds

6 Vindicators

6 Razorbacks (one per command squad with another to shuttle around Techmarines and their Servitors (this latter part is merely fluff)

12 Predators (four per Battle Company)

Each Battle Company, as well as the first; will have four Dreadnaughts. The Reserve Tactical with each also have four Dreads, while the Devastator will feature eight such suits of armor.

The Fleet consists of:

2 Battle Barges

5 Strike Cruisers (one is currently assigned elsewhere....)

12 Rapid Strike Cruisers

29 Thunderhawks

 

 

The two times the chapter was blooded heavily are called (henceforth called "The Reckoning" (both times will be known as this and survivors will be marked by a raised sword, not a painted on one on their chapter symbol!) was against the forces of Chaos Marines led by no less than two Chaos Princes (I have their names somewheres, I will find them.). It was from these same forces that the chapter (centuries later) captured what is currently their homeworld/system known as Vargos.

o The second Reckoning occured involved the Inquisition (or rather a rogue element of it), Chaos and a Warp Storm.

The Dark Angels arrived with just enough force to turn the tide in the Blades favor at a pivotal moment that saved the chapter after it had been pounded heavily.

o Each squad has the option to have an Apothecary assigned to it permanently if one is available.

 

Furthermore the Chapter Motto will be: "Honesta Mors - Turpi Vita Potior" or "Die Standing"

 

The current chapter master "Mareus" commanded the third company during the second Reckoning and assumed command of the chapter after the Chapter Master fell. (Its a highly visible/high turnover position apparently). He has led it ever since and by some accounts has actually held the position longer than any other. Think of him as a Pedro esque figure, perhaps a bit more quieter and brooding, and more than a little sarcastic.

 

Terrain description for there planet goes there are broad plains around the equator of the planet where the chapter is based that suffer from high winds (the planets ocean also occupy much of this area, though there are three land locked "seas." Anyway there are deep ravines/canyons on this planet and some of the inhabitants that dont live in the mountainous regions have built settlements along the canyon walls and in fact into them in several cases. This region of the planet suffers from dust storms which blanket the area with a layer of red dust that can be several FEET deep at times. There is a lizard-like species that is believe to be semi-sentient that has grown rather fond of human flesh, the speed of this creature and its ability to "outflank" its potential meals are one of Master Mareus' influential sources for his highly mobile tactics.

It this world that the chapter has chosen to inhabit and call its own. The majority, but not all; of its recruiting is done from this world. The mountain clans are strong and independent while those in the canyons are clever and quick to attack without warning. Overall this makes for a very offensive based chapter. It also means that although they are good at breaking seiges, when they themselves are the besieged the chapter has suffered heavily in the past.

Once one is away from the grasslands and dry desert sands near the equator conifer and hardwood forests begin to appear. The planet has two major mountain ranges and a single large ocean that occupies the equator, and as mentioned before a trio of seas, only one of which has fresh water. The Chapters Fortress Monastery will be located on the Southern Continent. Thus the planets landmass is cut nearly perfectly in two.

 

 

The Chapter badge is simply an INVERTED (or downward pointed) sword. It is white in color, shown here with wings as that was all that was available. The Chapters FULL GIVEN NAME is "The Emperors Vengeance Blades" but the chapter has elected to shorten it, informally to "Vengeance Blades" as they know whose name they seek vengeance in.

 

The Chapter will have Four main trails for inclusion. (to be continued)

 

The Fortress Monastery is built onto and deep into one of the tallest peaks on the planet, similiar to the Space Wolves Lair on Fenris, though the Blades dug down into the rock deeper and left more of the peak undisturbed above them to grant them more protection from orbital bombardment. It has many missile silo's and Lances throughout its surface to counter any potential threat from orbit.

On its summit is what resembles a the ruins of a Feudal Castle that houses a heavily warded secret entrance to the Fortress as well as being the Chapters Original Headquarters.

 

The planet once had three bands of Feral Orks located on its surface, two were purged in their entirity but the third, though decimated; maintains a small presence on the northern continent.

[spjaco]

WHOA there. Almost made a unforgiveable error.

Out of respect for a fellow Marine Chapter (see link)Emperors Vengeance

the Emperors Vengeance Blades will hence forth be known as the "Vengeance Blades"

I apologize to its creator as I did not know of this chapter until today.

[spjaco]

More ideas:

The Feudal Castle ruins on its peek offer a possible storyline for the chapter's past. Was it ruins before the chapter arrived or as a result of a fight shortly after the chapter arrived?

 

The planet once had three bands of Feral Orks located on its surface, two were purged in their entirity but the third, though decimated; maintains a small presence on the northern continent. Could one of these bands have staged a pre-emptive strike on the Marines future home?

 

The planet will have two major mountain ranges and a single large ocean that occupies the equator, and as mentioned before a trio of seas, only one of which has fresh water. The Chapters Fortress Monastery will be located on the Southern Continent.

[spjaco]

Vengeance Blades

Chapter was formed during the 10th Founding. In its first one hundred years three chapter masters were killed in battle thus the chapter didnt have any single leaders influence upon its formation for some time. Twice the Chapter has suffered more than 60% casualities in a single fight, both times were in Battle against the forces of Chaos (each period is known to the Chapter as the "Reckoning." At times the first event is known as the 1st and the 2nd Reckoning in order to be more specific. Any SM that survived one of these events is entitled to wear an inverted sword embossed upon his chapter symbol as opposed to painted). Throughout its history it has battled Chaos and Orks almost exclusively.

Veterans are assigned to the companies (a la Dark Angels) at the rate of one squad for each, with the exception of the Reserve Assault Company which boasts three squads of Vanguard Veterans.

 

Its is organized as follows:

1st Company Terminators

2-5 Battle Companies (Each shall have one less Tactical Squad, but will have a Veteran Squad in its place(see DA Codex)

6-7 Tactical Reserve Companies

8th Assault Reserve Company (Three Squads will be Vanguard, they will act as trainers for the other Reserve Assault Squads and can be tasked out to Battle Companies as needed). This Company can deploy in a fashion similiar to the Ravenwing of the DA)

9th Devastator Reserve Company

10th Scout Company (numbers vary from 100-200 at any given time).

 

The Armory is composed of the following:

10 Land Raiders

1 LR Redeemer

1 LR Crusader (used by the Chapter Master as a command vehicle)

(?) 1 LR Terminus Ultra Pattern (may or may not actually have this one)

6 Whirlwinds

6 Vindicators

6 Razorbacks (one per command squad with another to shuttle around Techmarines and their Servitors (this latter part is merely fluff)

12 Predators (four per Battle Company)

Each Battle Company, as well as the first; will have four Dreadnaughts. The Reserve Tactical with each also have four Dreads, while the Devastator will feature eight such suits of armor.

The Fleet consists of:

2 Battle Barges

5 Strike Cruisers (one is currently assigned elsewhere....)

12 Rapid Strike Cruisers

29 Thunderhawks

 

 

The two times the chapter was blooded heavily are called (henceforth called "The Reckoning" (both times will be known as this and survivors will be marked by a raised sword, not a painted on one on their chapter symbol!) was against the forces of Chaos Marines led by no less than two Chaos Princes (I have their names somewheres, I will find them.). It was from these same forces that the chapter (centuries later) captured what is currently their homeworld/system known as Vargos.

o The second Reckoning occured involved the Inquisition (or rather a rogue element of it), Chaos and a Warp Storm.

The Dark Angels arrived with just enough force to turn the tide in the Blades favor at a pivotal moment that saved the chapter after it had been pounded heavily.

o Each squad has the option to have an Apothecary assigned to it permanently if one is available.

 

Furthermore the Chapter Motto will be: "Honesta Mors - Turpi Vita Potior" or "Die Standing"

 

The current chapter master "Mareus" commanded the third company during the second Reckoning and assumed command of the chapter after the Chapter Master fell. (Its a highly visible/high turnover position apparently). He has led it ever since and by some accounts has actually held the position longer than any other. Think of him as a Pedro esque figure, perhaps a bit more quieter and brooding, and more than a little sarcastic.

 

Terrain description for there planet goes there are broad plains around the equator of the planet where the chapter is based that suffer from high winds (the planets ocean also occupy much of this area, though there are three land locked "seas." Anyway there are deep ravines/canyons on this planet and some of the inhabitants that dont live in the mountainous regions have built settlements along the canyon walls and in fact into them in several cases. This region of the planet suffers from dust storms which blanket the area with a layer of red dust that can be several FEET deep at times. There is a lizard-like species that is believe to be semi-sentient that has grown rather fond of human flesh, the speed of this creature and its ability to "outflank" its potential meals are one of Master Mareus' influential sources for his highly mobile tactics.

It this world that the chapter has chosen to inhabit and call its own. The majority, but not all; of its recruiting is done from this world. The mountain clans are strong and independent while those in the canyons are clever and quick to attack without warning. Overall this makes for a very offensive based chapter. It also means that although they are good at breaking seiges, when they themselves are the besieged the chapter has suffered heavily in the past.

Once one is away from the grasslands and dry desert sands near the equator conifer and hardwood forests begin to appear. The planet has two major mountain ranges and a single large ocean that occupies the equator, and as mentioned before a trio of seas, only one of which has fresh water. The Chapters Fortress Monastery will be located on the Southern Continent. Thus the planets landmass is cut nearly perfectly in two.

 

 

The Chapter badge is simply an INVERTED (or downward pointed) sword. It is white in color, shown here with wings as that was all that was available. The Chapters FULL GIVEN NAME is "The Emperors Vengeance Blades" but the chapter has elected to shorten it, informally to "Vengeance Blades" as they know whose name they seek vengeance in.

 

The Chapter will have Four main trails for inclusion. (to be continued)

 

The Fortress Monastery is built onto and deep into one of the tallest peaks on the planet, similiar to the Space Wolves Lair on Fenris, though the Blades dug down into the rock deeper and left more of the peak undisturbed above them to grant them more protection from orbital bombardment. It has many missile silo's and Lances throughout its surface to counter any potential threat from orbit.

On its summit is what resembles a the ruins of a Feudal Castle that houses a heavily warded secret entrance to the Fortress as well as being the Chapters Original Headquarters.

 

The planet once had three bands of Feral Orks located on its surface, two were purged in their entirity but the third, though decimated; maintains a small presence on the northern continent.

 

As you may be able to tell the Sergeants in my Chapter bare a Single White Stripe up the center of their helmets to denote rank. For those who are not currently wearing their helmets it is denoted by a vertical white stripe upon the right knee.

[spjaco]

question about "Counts as characters" if say a player is playing a DIY WIP SM army and wishes to use Indenpendant Characters as "Counts As" characters when he is say a DA successor chapter but the character is from the SM Codex is that considered legal or is that a type of situation that is resolved by the players in question?

 

Another question: What is a good way to knock out a Baneblade with a SM List?

[spjaco]

The Emperors Iron Shield or Iron Shields

Chapter is loosely codex adherent. Armor is dark red in color, shoulder pads are grey with company designated by a colored cross on it. Paldron Trim is according to standard codex colors for each company as well.

Chapter is from the 19th Founding. The chapter has no direct knowledge of its geneseed but believes it to be Guilliman of the Ultramarines. To denote this ALL powerfists of the chapter are painted blue. Veterans either wear a white helmet or a white stripe down the center. Officers usually wear a blue helmet.

Home world is called Huron 4, a hive planet with a population of nearly seventeen billion. Chapter recruits from this world and three other Agri-worlds in their sector. Of some thirty seven planets in their region only five can sustain life. The fifth is a feudal world and is only visited for recruits every two to three hundred years. The Chapter recruits in a manner largely similar to the academy system favored by the Ultramarines.

The Fortress Monastery is unique in its design as most of it is underground with access to the surface either by lifts or ramps that conceal themselves upon closure. To the untrained eye it appears that several Imperial Bastions have been used to make a large square one, with one or two others added on top of that. This is close to the truth. But surrounding this are another six Imperial Bastions with a wall interconnecting them. Automated guns stud the perimeter on smaller towers as well. This entire structure sits in the middle of a massive plateau and is the highest point for miles in any direction.

 

The Chapter is configured as follows:

Two Fire Brigades:

Each consists of two tactical companies, a reserve company organized with four tactical squads and three devastator and assault squads each; and a scout company with ten – ten man squads. The Chapter has very few Rhinos among its tactical companies except for those weapon platforms that utilize it for their chassis. Each squad instead has a Land Raider (typically six per company), Land Raider Redeemer (two per company), and Land Raider Crusader (typically two per company), as well as a Land Raider Prometheus for the command squad. A Damocles Command Rhino is available to each commander upon request.

Typical SHIELD Company Organization is codex adherrant. However each squad uses a Land Raider for its dedicated transport, Rhinos are only used for the Reserve companies.

 

In addition, as the chapter favors armored assaults; the chapter provides each company with four Predator tanks with Lascannon Sponsons, a pair of Vindicators, and a pair of Whirlwinds. This is typically split into two armored assault teams with a pair of Predators joining up with a single Whirlwind and Vindicator. This allows each Company Commander to split his force into to two separate but equal teams and allows him to strike his enemy from two different directions at once.

 

Each Reserve Company makes use of the Rhinos for its squads and lacks the heavier support package.

The Scout Companies make use of the Land Speeder Storm to insert its squads and lacks any other type of firepower.

There is also a Rapid Strike Company which consists of 48 Bikers, 6 Attack Bikes organized into six squads, as well as six squads of three land speeders each (18) in all). The Command Squad for this company also utilizes bikes. This company can split into two, three, or six equal units to better allow them to accomplish their mission.

The Veteran Company rank and file typically lacks Terminator Dreadnaught Armor of any kind. The chapter only has a suit for each of its Tactical Company Commanders which are assigned the roles normally handed out to Master of the Chapter as well, as well as the head Librarian and Chaplain of the chapter, the Chapter Master and his Honour Guard (30 Honour Guard in all). Reserve and Scout Company Captains typically lack this armor. This company typically deploys as a single entity by either drop pod or by using eight Land Raiders and a trio of Land Raider Redeemers (one for the commander). The Chapter Master and his Honour Guard typically take to the field in a single Land Raider Crusader. The chapter also prefers not to carry Plasma weapons on anything but a vehicle.

Each Fire Brigade is commanded by a Lieutenant Commander of the Chapter. This is typically a Veteran Captain who has served in one or more Masters of the Chapter positions. They are usually called "Shield Bearer" as leadership of half the chapter carries a great weight and responsibility with it. Each Company Champion is known as the "Shield Guardian" for it is their job to protect the Chapters Honour. The Chapter also has an "Emperor's Champion" who is himself the most veteran of the Guardians.

The Chapter has an unusually large number of Land Raiders (56 in all) but has gone in this direction to compensate for their lack of TDA and to coincide with their brutal frontal assault mentality. The Rapid Strike Company is also normally used to flank an enemy position in order to maximize his confusion just prior to the mechanized assault smashing into his lines. It can also be used in tandem with the scout companies to harass and interdict supplies and interrupt the enemies command and control elements in their rear areas. They can use the option to deploy their assault squads with their jetpacks but as this usually leaves them vulnerable and exposed to enemy fire it is seldom done. It is also not unheard of for a Veteran Combat squad to attach themselves to the Assault Squad and deploy with said squad either from a Land Raider or with jet packs.

The Chapter has two Battle Barges, one for each Brigade, as well as a six strike cruisers (two for each Barge and one each for the Rapid Strike Company and the Veteran Company. Other support vessels exist but will not be mentioned here. There is a rumor of a third Battle Barge existing somewhere but its present where-bouts are unknown.