Gene Seed: A Brief Guide

[Ferrata]

This is a very rough draft of the article. It is meant to be a very brief reference article with a larger and more conclusive one later. I need to be to check all my knowledge on this one seeing as I've done it entirely from memory.

 

Gene Seed: A Brief Guide

by Ferrata

 

Below is a very short guide to the nine different gene seeds of the loyal Primarchs. All that is listed is simple the mutations that are present in each gene seed, so the characteristics and features that will be inherited by any successor chapter without question. In addition, there is note towards the possible mutations of the gene seeds, those mutations that we don't know if they are fully genetic or not. These can be passed on if you wish, or ignored if you don't feel they fit your chapter.

 

There is little information on how frequently the different gene seeds are used by the Imperium. We know that more than half of all chapters come from Guilliman's line. The gene seed of Leman Russ has never been used after the ill-fated Wolf Brothers. Finally, the High Lords are reluctant to use the gene seed of Lion El'Jonson, and seem to have halted the use of Sanguisius' gene seed. Of the remaining five Primarchs, nothing is stated about their usage but it can be presumed all have been used to create successor chapters.

 

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MutationsNonePossible MutationsNone

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MutationsMissing Betcher's Gland

Missing Sus-an Membrane

Possible MutationsNone

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MutationsNonePossible MutationsJet-black Skin (combination of genetics and environment)

Burning red eyes (combination of genetics and environment)

Slow reflexes

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MutationsNonePossible MutationsGenetic tendency towards savagery and a thirst for war

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MutationsNonePossible MutationsHatred of the physical form and its weaknesses

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MutationsMissing Mucranoid

Missing Betcher's Gland

Malfunctioning Melanchromic Organ that leads to black hair and pale skin

Possible MutationsNone

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MutationsNonePossible MutationsNone

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MutationsRed Thrist

Black Rage

Possible MutationsNone

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MutationsCurse of the WolfenPossible MutationsNone

 

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I'm not totally sold on the formatting, but the tables make it nice and clear. I'm also not sure whether the single lines between the groups are good or whether the information could be carried into the tables. Within the text, I have noted how many chapters in five are roughly from each seed, but again this is from memory and I don't think there is an actual source for this information. So, for a very brief guide (and a larger one is on the cards), what do people think?

[Ferrus Manus]

A couple of points:

1- You've mixed up the titles for Vulkan and Jaghatai.

2- I believe that the Secrecy of the Dark Angels and the Hatred of Weakness of the Iron Hands is cited as being genetic. I'm not sure if you'd want to include that somehow.

[UltimateJake]

Also it should be noted that it is possible that the Iron Hands preference for bionics and extreme hatred of weakness could be considered a mutation.

[Ferrata]

Actually, I dragged and copied Vulkan's information into the wrong box, hence over-writing Khan's thirst for war. I'll have a look at the IAs for the information on the Iron Hands and Dark Angels.

 

From IA: Iron Hands "Where this fear [of the physical form] truly originates is unclear, although it is widely believed that some genetic flaw is at work." This means it is going into the Possible Mutations, as we don't know if its 100% genetic or not.

[Lysimachus]

Might be worth mentioning as well that if a writer wants to use BA, RG or DA, because of the reasons you've already given, that an earlier Founding might be the more logical option? I'm not sure if that's canon or not, but as I said, it just seems logical.

 

Also, might be worth putting in something about the 21st Founding where you can (if you want) break any of the above rules, as long as you have them cursed in some way?

 

Edit for stupidity!

[Ferrus Manus]

The fanatically intense hatred of weakness displayed by the Iron Hands would appear to gloss over a hidden and deeply rooted fear of the physical form that is evident throughout the Chapter...Notably reclusive, the Iron Hands are particularly hostile to outside interference, and they tolerate the continued investigations by the Inquisition with barley concealed disdain.

 

Considering the circumstances of Rogal Dorn's eventual death, it is clear that the Imperial Fists have a drive for self-sacrifice that they must continually battle to overcome.

 

A bit more information for you B)

[UltimateJake]

Actually, I dragged and copied Vulkan's information into the wrong box, hence over-writing Khan's thirst for war. I'll have a look at the IAs for the information on the Iron Hands and Dark Angels.

 

From IA: Iron Hands "Where this fear [of the physical form] truly originates is unclear, although it is widely believed that some genetic flaw is at work." This means it is going into the Possible Mutations, as we don't know if its 100% genetic or not.

 

Fair enough. Glad to help.

[Ferrata]

Looked through the DA IA and their old Codex (don't have the new one to hand) and I can't see any reference to their Stubborn nature being due to genetics.

 

Might be worth mentioning as well that if a writer wants to use BA, RG or DA, because of the reasons you've already given, that an earlier Founding might be the more logical option? I'm not sure if that's canon or not, but as I said, it just seems logical.

 

Also, might be worth putting in something about the 21st Founding where you can (if you want) break any of the above rules, as long as you have them cursed in some way?

Such things will be explored in the expanded Gene seed article, this is merely meant to be a quick reference to make sure you have the right mutations.

 

A few additional notes;

 

I remembered the reference to IF self-mutilation but decided there is no hint of a genetic connect. Again, this is something that will be discussed in the fuller article.

 

Salamander skin/eye thing is official, even if you ignore the BL, as it is stated in the codex. Although it does say this is a mix between their genetics and high radiation. Again, something that will be expanded upon in the big article.

[Ferrus Manus]

Looked through the DA IA and their old Codex (don't have the new one to hand) and I can't see any reference to their Stubborn nature being due to genetics.

It's in Angels of Darkness novel. I'd love to quote it, but the explanation is over about three pages. The basic idea is that primarchs learned how to be human from their homeworlds. The Lion, who grew up in the wild, learned to be self-sufficient and secretive. It was these traits that the primarchs passed onto their sons. Their legions became imitations/extentions of the primarchs.

[Ferrata]

From your description, I would but that under the nurture group - something based on not through genetics but through a teacher/environment. It will be a main part of the Dark Angel section, including the Fallen, but I'm not sure there is enough to place it in the Possible Mutations. Thanks for the heads up for later though.

 

Oh, and this isn't the onyl Guide thing I've done today. I've added a little blurb to the Horus Heresy section of the Time Line - didn't detail it too much seeing as it has little to do with the DIYer.

[Brother_Kaelgrim]

I would clarify that the Salamander's eye/skin thing is not a result so much of their Gene-seed, as a successor chapter would not have that, but from their gene-seed+environment. This could indicate that the Salamander Gene-seed is prone to environmental mutation, something I'm exploring with my successor chapter. The slow reflexes thing is also noted as being a result of their homeworld's high gravity.

[Brother Tyler]

This means about one in every five chapters will hold Dorn as their father.

This is speculation. What official material supports any ratio of Guilliman:Dorn gene-seed descendance?

[Dark Apostle Thirst]

This means about one in every five chapters will hold Dorn as their father.

This is speculation. What official material supports any ratio of Guilliman:Dorn gene-seed descendance?

 

I think it has been stated multiple times (and at least once in WD) that UM geneseed is used the majority of times, hence the 3/5.

 

I think Ferratta gets the 1/5 of Dorns descendants because everyone in the Liber wants to be a son of Dorn or Corax, but apparently Corax doesn't have too many descendants running around :P

[Octavulg]

I must agree with Brother Tyler - other than the Ultramarine 3/5ths, the other gene-seed proportions are speculation at best. It'd seem best to just list them in approximate order of use.

 

My impression is that the DA likely were common, and declined in popularity as the Chapter did (I can't imagine the inscrutability didn't wear on the nerves of Imperial authorities). I think they'd be more common than the Salamanders or the Iron Hands - they have more in numbers and an edge in stability and purity of geneseed.

[David the Despoiler]

I would clarify that the Salamander's eye/skin thing is not a result so much of their Gene-seed, as a successor chapter would not have that, but from their gene-seed+environment. This could indicate that the Salamander Gene-seed is prone to environmental mutation, something I'm exploring with my successor chapter. The slow reflexes thing is also noted as being a result of their homeworld's high gravity.

 

High gravity would result in their reflexes being faster on other worlds.

[UltimateJake]

I must agree with Brother Tyler - other than the Ultramarine 3/5ths, the other gene-seed proportions are speculation at best. It'd seem best to just list them in approximate order of use.

 

My impression is that the DA likely were common, and declined in popularity as the Chapter did (I can't imagine the inscrutability didn't wear on the nerves of Imperial authorities). I think they'd be more common than the Salamanders or the Iron Hands - they have more in numbers and an edge in stability and purity of geneseed.

 

Yeah. I mean the Dark Angels have several descendant chapters.

The Blood Angels do too, which means that they have been keeping the Black Rage and Red Thirst very secretive...which also probably declined in the use of there gene-seed.

[Brother_Kaelgrim]

I would clarify that the Salamander's eye/skin thing is not a result so much of their Gene-seed, as a successor chapter would not have that, but from their gene-seed+environment. This could indicate that the Salamander Gene-seed is prone to environmental mutation, something I'm exploring with my successor chapter. The slow reflexes thing is also noted as being a result of their homeworld's high gravity.

 

High gravity would result in their reflexes being faster on other worlds.

 

I personally realise this, but it is still stated from what fluff I've read that their reactions are slower due to their homeworld's gravity. Remember, this is the company that claims you have a lung that breathes water and filters toxic gas.....from what I understand thats really really hard to do, if even possible.

[Dark Apostle Thirst]

It seems to me that all the Salamanders genetic flaws have to do with their homeworld.

 

 

So wouldn't any successor not have to deal with this unless they visited Nocturne?

[Brother_Kaelgrim]

That was my take on it. I just went with it as pre-disposition to mutation by environment, which I'm working on in my DIY chapter.

[Ferrata]

This is speculation. What official material supports any ratio of Guilliman:Dorn gene-seed descendance?

Like I said, this was all done from memory, so I might be confusing actual facts with accepted facts. I will look this up. If I cannot find the sources, I will remove this information bar about the Ultramarines.

 

On Salamanders;

"The reflexes of Salamanders Space Marines are not as fast as those of other Chapters, although still quick when suited in power armour. However, it is unknown whether this is due to a defect in the gene-seed, a result of their high gravity world, or comes about from the Chapter's doctrines against hastiness and impetuosity." [iA: Salamanders]

This shows that it could be due to a genetic defect.

 

"a daemonic appearance brought about by a reaction between their unique genetics and the high levels of radiation on the Chapter Planet of Nocturne." [C:Space Marines 5th Edition]

This would suggest that their appearence is brought about by a combination of genetics and environment. How this transfers across to other chapters is unknown, so I might move this across to possible mutations.

[Ferrata]

Changes have been made. Seeing as there are no quotes for the usage of the gene-seed, I have removed the little pre-lines but added another opening paragraph. I've also moved the Daemonic appearence to Possible Mutation and added a tagline about it is genetic and environmental.

 

As for usage:

 

C: Space Marines (5th) states that Ultramarines make up over half

IA: Dark Angels says they are reluctant to use

IA: Blood Angels hints that it has stopped

IA: Space Wolves says it has stoppped

[Grand Master Tyrak]

Since there's nothing currently on it in the DIY Guide, perhaps a little section on 'lost' gene-seed could be included? It seems to have made a comeback recently and it might be worth pointing out that while it's plausible for records to be lost, the biggest filing organisation ever known is king in the Imperium. The only way that records will be accidentally lost is going to be if someone loses the index to the archives. Any other reason requires an explanation, and without one it has a tendency to come across as sloppy writing.

[Ferrata]

Tyrak you have read my mind. There will be a section on non-standard gene seed in the larger article - so mixed, traitor, records lost etc.

[Ace Debonair]

Hey, this is good.

 

Looking forward to the expanded article - I suspect it will be much-referred to. :lol:

[War Angel]

im guessing that there was no knowledge as to When they stoped useing BA geneseed or when the slowed down on using DA... and every one knows SW's stoped the first time.