The Rift Lords - Ace's idea for traitors

[Grey Hunter Ydalir]

I was thinking that perhaps the SSs' bordered are patrolled by the Imperial Navy and various Astartes chapters - making it severely awkward to get in and out of. That might prevent any other warbands wanting to take it over, cause they would have to first face the might of the Imperium to get there.

 

I like this. Good idea Ferrus.

[RagingGriffon]

I was thinking that perhaps the SSs' bordered are patrolled by the Imperial Navy and various Astartes chapters - making it severely awkward to get in and out of. That might prevent any other warbands wanting to take it over, cause they would have to first face the might of the Imperium to get there.

 

I like this. Good idea Ferrus.

 

You guys know that you can travel between the Warp Storms, right? I just get the feeling this is turning into a "Shroud Stars Bastion of protection."

[Ace Debonair]

Alrighty, I've been thinking about the Shroud a lot, and it's certainly the trickiest part of the IT to reconcile.

 

Heru's been on form with some cool and workable ideas. (Many thanks, by the way) The only problem I can come up with is why an 'aircraft control demon' wouldn't betray Maluk in favour of a more powerful Chaos Lord if the situation arose.

 

I suppose if the warp-tunnel type things worked in both ways, spitting deserted ships into random parts of the Imperium, the more courageous/insane Rift Lords might try to enter them deliberately from the Shroud side to deploy over a long range and bypass Imperial forces.

 

...On second thoughts I'm not sure about that as an idea. :down:

You guys know that you can travel between the Warp Storms, right? I just get the feeling this is turning into a "Shroud Stars Bastion of protection."

Yeah, I think it might be more fun to leave the possiblity of destruction open. "It hasn't happened yet" is a more engaging line than "it's not going to happen ever".

 

I was thinking that perhaps the SSs' bordered are patrolled by the Imperial Navy and various Astartes chapters - making it severely awkward to get in and out of. That might prevent any other warbands wanting to take it over, cause they would have to first face the might of the Imperium to get there.

I don't know about a permanent patrol, but in 'present day' there would certainly be enough Imperial presence to make approaching the Shroud Stars risky for another warband - including ones the Rift Lords want to recruit.

 

I think I might get on with the rest of the first draft, then come back and fix whatever needs fixing about the Shroud.

Although I'm probably not going to have any time this week, but that's hardly news. :tu:

[Heru]

Heru's been on form with some cool and workable ideas. (Many thanks, by the way) The only problem I can come up with is why an 'aircraft control demon' wouldn't betray Maluk in favour of a more powerful Chaos Lord if the situation arose.

It's trapped on the Rift Lord's Space Hulk, if it tries to betray them it's right under Maluk's thumb. Then there is the option to perhaps bind it to Maluk in such a way that if he dies it dies, or it can be left as the proverbial sword of Damocles hanging over Maluk's head.

 

:shrug:

[Captain Juan Juarez]

Heru's been on form with some cool and workable ideas. (Many thanks, by the way) The only problem I can come up with is why an 'aircraft control demon' wouldn't betray Maluk in favour of a more powerful Chaos Lord if the situation arose.

It's trapped on the Rift Lord's Space Hulk, if it tries to betray them it's right under Maluk's thumb. Then there is the option to perhaps bind it to Maluk in such a way that if he dies it dies, or it can be left as the proverbial sword of Damocles hanging over Maluk's head.

 

:shrug:

 

Perhaps Maluk maintains a cadre of Sorcerors or psyker-slaves that prevent the Daemon from manifesting enough power to challenge its captivity, this would also stop it from joining forces with another Lord.

[Grey Hunter Ydalir]

Perhaps Maluk maintains a cadre of Sorcerors or psyker-slaves that prevent the Daemon from manifesting enough power to challenge its captivity, this would also stop it from joining forces with another Lord.

 

Perhaps something Keja is keen to remind Maluk of or in desperate times use as a get-out-of-jail-free card? Perhaps it's the only thing keeping maluk from chopping him into sushi whenever he re-interprets his orders.

[Ace Debonair]

Heru's been on form with some cool and workable ideas. (Many thanks, by the way) The only problem I can come up with is why an 'aircraft control demon' wouldn't betray Maluk in favour of a more powerful Chaos Lord if the situation arose.

It's trapped on the Rift Lord's Space Hulk, if it tries to betray them it's right under Maluk's thumb. Then there is the option to perhaps bind it to Maluk in such a way that if he dies it dies, or it can be left as the proverbial sword of Damocles hanging over Maluk's head.

 

:shrug:

Good point. The Rift Lords do have the option of killing the demon if it gets too devious on them. I'm not sure why I didn't think of that myself - guess I can't see the wood for the trees. :P

 

Perhaps Maluk maintains a cadre of Sorcerors or psyker-slaves that prevent the Daemon from manifesting enough power to challenge its captivity, this would also stop it from joining forces with another Lord.

 

Perhaps something Keja is keen to remind Maluk of or in desperate times use as a get-out-of-jail-free card? Perhaps it's the only thing keeping maluk from chopping him into sushi whenever he re-interprets his orders.

 

I think it's most likely that Keja would be the only individual in charge of demon maintenance, since he's the most capable sorcerer, and would kick up a fuss over others getting in the way.

 

Right, I'll try and sort out a fixed version of what I've got so far over the weekend, although of course there's no guarantee I'll actually get the time. :D

Thanks for the help so far, guys! ;)

[Ace Debonair]

OK, that was a long week. Anyway, back to work.

 

Here's an updated version of the early history.

It's not much different, really, except for the end bit and a few edits.

 

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Early History:

Origins:

The Warband known as the Rift Lords are, in many respects, an enigma to Imperial researchers. It is hard to say for certain where they came from, whether the Rift Lords are a fallen Space Marine chapter, or a fragment from one of the original Legions. Even amongst the Warband itself, the truth is not known - indeed such discussions are considered unimportant, as the geneseed in it's original form was intended only as a tool of the False Emperor.

 

Much of the early history of the warband is lost, even to them - though by chance or design is hard to say. It is known that the Rift Lords have always been devout followers of the cult of Chaos Undivided, and have always preferred brutal, two-pronged surprise attacks against foes rather than pitched battles. In a way, however, the true history of the Rift Lords begins with Maluk, their current leader. With his rise to power, the Rift Lords became more agressive, - attacking Imperial forces more regularly and with greater ferocity. Maluk, however, was no fool. Knowing full well the might the Imperium could bring to bear against the warband, he always targeted Imperial forces that were either weakened from conflict or unable to defend themselves, allowing the Rift Lords to remain undetected. The Rift Lords were a potent, hidden threat within the Segmentum Pacificus, always in the shadows, biding their time before striking. Maluk was guided in his campaign by Keja, a wily sorcerer possessed of great intuition and cunning. It was through a combination of Maluk's ruthlessness and Keja's deadly insight that the Rift Lords were successful in prosecuting their hidden war and bringing glory to their dark Gods.

 

Avenging Angels:

The first Imperium-confirmed combat against the Rift Lords was on the planet of Throka, at the Fortress-Monastery of the Red Sabres. After a long, difficult campaign, picking exclusively on the weakened and islotaed Astartes forces, the Rift Lords had driven what remained of the chapter back to their homeworld. Although the Red Sabres were destroyed in the following battle, and their once-proud Red Fortress razed to the ground, reinforcements from the chapter known as the Stonebound were detected a short way from the planet at the battle's conclusion. Imperial records state that the Stonebound were able to engage the warband in open combat, killing many and driving the few survivng weary traitors from the planet. The truth is that Maluk quickly ordered a retreat, unsure of how many astartes were arriving to avenge the fallen chapter. Leaving only a hundred of the least experienced as a decoy to occupy the attention of the vengeful astartes, Maluk and his forces were able to slip away, boarding their ships and abandoning the planet.

 

This conflict marked the end of the Rift Lords' veil of secrecy. The Stonebound would pursue the warband relentlessly, forcing them to flee across the Segmentum Pacificus. During this time, the Rift Lords were perpetually hunted, attacked by naval forces and xeno ships alike. Even Keja's psychic foresight could not keep them from the danger that threatened from every angle. During this time, even some senior Rift Lords begun to doubt in the power of the Chaos Gods. Maluk had to contend with several challenges to his leadership, creating further strife and tension within the warband.

 

Eventually, the Rift Lords were cornered. Maluk and Keja only had one option - to abandon the Segmentum Pacificus altogether. Maluk and Keja organised their forces carefully, keeping only those who had shown unwavering devotion both to Maluk and the Chaos Gods near them, and placing the other, less stalwart Rift Lords in more perilous positions. As the Imperial forces closed in, Maluk hatched his plan. Taking only his chosen followers with them, Maluk and Keja snuck away aboard a Strike Cruiser, leaving the majority of the original warband to perish at the hands of the vengeful Imperium.

 

Into the Shroud:

Masquerading as a loyalist force, the surviving Rift Lords traversed a great expanse of space, avoiding naval patrols and contact with enemy forces where possible. Eventually, after many years, the Rift Lords found themselves in the Segmentum Ultima, north of the Dominion of Storms. Constant evading of Imperial forces had left the surviving Rift Lords haggard and weary. Seeking desperately to find a permanent shelter, they travelled haphazardly from system to system. Eventually, on one planet, they heard tell of a place called the Shroud Stars, said to be a cursed place, forsaken by the Emperor. The Rift Lords navigated their way towards the Shroud cautiously, knowing Imperial forces resided watchfully in the areas of space around it.

 

What they found there staggered their minds. The Shroud Stars were a number of barren planets and suns blanketed with unpredictable, harsh warp storms - throughout it's length and breadth were the ruins of vessels - Imperial and Xeno - both from recent times and some dating back to perhaps before the great crusade. Even as they traversed the Shroud, the Rift Lords saw badly damaged, ancient ships being drawn through vast, focused funnels of warp energy. Those that were caught in these warp-vortexes were banished to the furthest reaches of space - although later the Warband learned they also functioned to bring in new ships, launching them at deadly speed into the warp storms and drifting hulks. Navigating through the Shroud required all of the guile and skill of the Rift Lords, but they knew instinctively that here was a place where the Imperium would never reach them. At the centre of the warp storms sat a great space hulk, desolate and empty. The Rift Lords boarded it and swept through the vast, abandoned forgeship with the practiced ease common to Astartes. At the centre they found a vast, decorated altar room, covered from floor to ceiling in runic writing detailing the glories of the Chaos Gods and promising great power to those who glorify them with all their heart and soul.

 

In the room behind lay an even greater wonder - a demon, bound within a golden cage. It whispered of how the Rift Lords could earn the favour of the Gods, and how they may even topple the dominion of the False Emperor. The demon revealed it could read the deadly warp storms, effectively granting the Rift Lords safe passage in and out of the Shroud, in exchange for priosners taken during the Rift Lords' attacks being brought to the demon.

 

Filled with a newfound zeal, and convinced to a man that the Gods had planned this for them, from that day the Rift Lords would be forever changed. Maluk and Keja begun planning to rebuild the warband, and how best to strike back at the hated Imperium.

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EDIT: Changed that again - bits of it were rubbish. I think Maluk needs something other than prisoners to be brought to the demon, but I'm not clever on the occult stuff, and I don't know what else it could want, apart from yummy people to eat once in a while.

 

Any and all opinions, views, thoughts or suggestions welcomed and encouraged. ;)

Edited July 7, 2010 by Ace Debonair

[Ace Debonair]

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Recent History:

Revival:

The Rift Lords re-emerged from the Shroud as a very different force. Moving obliquely from planet to planet, small forces were given the mission to preach the virtues of the Great Gods to beleagured Imperial citizens. Often the Rift Lords would hire bandits or other lawless forces to help create more chaos, and add weight to the illusion that The Emperor had deserted his people. Their plans were fairly successful, many cities on many planets forsaking the Imperial Creed altogether, and embracing the light of the Gods. From these converted cities the Rift Lords drew their newest recruits, transporting them back to the Shroud to undergo training and eventually the implantation of the gene-seed.

 

Maluk and Keja's plans were simple - by tearing away the faith of the Imperial planets, they would be depriving the Imperium of one of their strongest assets, and increasing the power of the Gods. As the Warband began to regain it's strength, Maluk organised missions further and further afield, sending small forces of Rift Lords far and wide, bringing more and more cities and planets into the fold. They were given sweeping objectives, such as the conversion or elimination of certain hives or population centres, and left to engineer the details. These missions were not always easy - detection by Imperial forces meant almost certain death, and targets unwilling to bend to the will of the Rift Lords presented the warband with many obstacles. As word of the Rift Lords' actions began to spread, Imperial presence around the sector containing the Shroud Stars began to thicken.

 

Keja's gift of foresight worked well for Maluk, allowing his forces to target weakened Imperial armies, preying on the diminshed forces like vultures picking at a carcass. But the real difficulty was the risk of open combat with other Astartes; equals to the Rift Lords in tactical acumen and cunning, combat with Loyalist Space Marines always reaped a bitter toll on the Rift Lords. And over time, with more chapters appearing in the north, the threat of extinction again loomed large for the Warband. Keja masterminded plans to attack the younger chapters before they could gain enough experience to match the veteran Rift Lords, aiming to mitigate the addition of fresh forces in the north. Although initially this plan met with some success, eventually the Rift Lords found themselves too weak in numbers to pursue such tactics.

 

The Gods Provide:

However, the will of the Gods was not to be denied. Other warbands, weakened by endless combat with Imperial forces, were driven into the Shroud. Some of these were absorbed into the Rift Lords' ranks, but some were too stubborn to openly join the Rift Lords. Maluk, however, was shrewd enough to see that even these forces had their uses. He negotiated deals with these other warbands - they would be allowed to shelter within the Shroud Stars, and permitted to foster their strength if they were willing to embrace the worship of the Great Gods, and work alongside the Rift Lords at Maluk's command. Many Warbands accepted these terms, some openly, some warily. Knowing that some of the Chaos Lords within these warbands were as power-hungry and ambitious as himself, Maluk had two ways to supress rebellion. Firstly, none of these warbands had working forgeships - the only functioning forges were to be found on the Rift Lords' space hulk, Runefaust. Maluk could, if displeased, simply refuse to supply a force with firepower. Secondly, if threatened, Maluk could have the demon aboard the Runefaust issue false guidance through the Shorud to the upstart warband, seeing them either destroyed or dispersed across the galaxy.

 

The Rift Lords were able to use their new allies to deadly effect, comitting them to battles against heavily defended Imperial bastions or even Space Marine forces. Keja's skill at foresight allowed Maluk to pick his fights with some care, striking only when the enemy was either worn down through combat or otherwise had lowered their guard. The reputation of the Rift Lords grew steadily throughout the upper echelons of the Imperium - they were known as zealous enemies who could strike at any time, from any angle. The Imperium is presently unaware of the location of the Rift Lords' headquarters: although recently Imperial forces have made experimental forays into the Shroud, the combination of vicious warp storms and orchestrated attacks by other Warbands mean the Rift Lords are still currently concealed from Imperial eyes.

 

 

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I had some time to myself, so I thought I'd throw this next history bit together.

I'm sure there's something wrong with it, but I'm not feeling well enough to analyze my own work.

Besides, that's what you guys are here for... right? :cry:

 

EDIT: Toned down the "nobody leaves the Shroud alive!" bit at the end, hopefully to something a bit less overbearing.

Edited July 15, 2010 by Ace Debonair

[Brother Argent]

Well I like. And that is about as detailed a response as you will get at the moment. Puts me to shame with my Iron Dragons at the moment and seems to have mind read many of the recruiting things I was thinking of but I suppose that could help anyway. Maybe thats the exact reason the Iron Dragons are allowed to maintain an outpost there, they give a tythe in recruits or something. I'll get some work done on the Iron Dragons now I have finally finished painting nearly two thousands points worth of purple. I think my eyes are bleeding purple at the moment...

[Ace Debonair]

I'll get some work done on the Iron Dragons now I have finally finished painting nearly two thousands points worth of purple. I think my eyes are bleeding purple at the moment...

If your eyes are bleeding purple, you've been painting the wrong thing. :rolleyes:

 

 

Well I like. And that is about as detailed a response as you will get at the moment.

Works for me. :mellow:

 

Anyone spot any flaws, errors, missed bits, failings or other unnaceptable or undesirable bits?

The doors are still open to opinions of all shades, so if you like or loathe the Rift Lords, tell me why!

[Brother Argent]

If your eyes are bleeding purple, you've been painting the wrong thing. :D

 

Seriously, have you tried painting that much purple before? :P

 

I'll give these guys a good read through and some decent comments soon. Just like I will the Stonebound. (Its my plan to basically go through and offer comments to every Iron Gauntlet Challenger as I check through for the comments tally.

[Ace Debonair]

No need to rush to the Stonebound. I'm still taking a run-up so I can get momentum enough to start their re-write. :D

The Rift Lords and Infinity Knights are currently taking priority.

 

And on a different note, I haven't painted purple as a main colour, but it's a detail on a lot of the models I own since I find it quite easy to work with. ^_^

Anyway, if your eyes are bleeding, you should talk to your local apothecary about getting some bionics put in. :P

[Grey Hunter Ydalir]

The Imperium is presently unaware of the location of the Rift Lords' headquarters - although recently Imperial forces have made experimental forays into the Shroud, none have made contact with enemies of any kind and survived to tell the tale.

 

Generally I like it. Though I find it interesting that unlike your IA's this IT has you dipping more into 'awesomeness' than you normally do, if at all.

 

This bit in particular stands out, perhaps just to me. I think the Imperium would be well aware of the Shroud Stars potential as a hotbed of renegade and chaos activity. Whether they know that it is the Rift Lords HQ or not is another question and that's fine.

 

Perhaps the Rift Lords actively promote the strength of other warbands in the shroud when dealing with the Imperium so as to mask their own presence? This seems to be what they are doing anyway though.

 

The reason I equated that particular bit with 'awesome' is the fact that every single foray by the Imperium has been destroyed with no survivors? Every single attack on an Imperial fleet in the area has gone perfectly without a single hitch or mistake being made? What happened to 'no plan survives contact with the enemy'? I simply find it somewhat unrealistic.

 

If Space Marine chapters and other Imperial Agents can get in and out of the Eye of Terror, even to a limited degree makes it seem a little over powered to have your little bastion be completely impregnable.

[Ace Debonair]

This bit in particular stands out, perhaps just to me. I think the Imperium would be well aware of the Shroud Stars potential as a hotbed of renegade and chaos activity. Whether they know that it is the Rift Lords HQ or not is another question and that's fine.

 

I suppose that's a better way of putting it. I only thought to distinguish that the Imperium has no idea where the Rift Lords hang out. :)

Perhaps the Rift Lords actively promote the strength of other warbands in the shroud when dealing with the Imperium so as to mask their own presence? This seems to be what they are doing anyway though.

That's the plan. Why make yourself a target when there's all these other guys about?

I mean, uh, of course the Rift Lords would never let their erstwhile allies get into trouble like that. :)

The reason I equated that particular bit with 'awesome' is the fact that every single foray by the Imperium has been destroyed with no survivors? Every single attack on an Imperial fleet in the area has gone perfectly without a single hitch or mistake being made? What happened to 'no plan survives contact with the enemy'? I simply find it somewhat unrealistic.

I actually wanted it to sound more like the warp-vortexes took care of most Imperial forces, but I suppose I might have to re-write that bit and make it a little less overblown.

If Space Marine chapters and other Imperial Agents can get in and out of the Eye of Terror, even to a limited degree makes it seem a little over powered to have your little bastion be completely impregnable.

It's not my fault I picked te best hidey-hole! :P

Ok, ok, I'll tone it down for the update. Cheers for the read through, GHY. ;)

[Shinzaren]

Do you plan to name the demon? Or explain which of the Gods he serves? Tzeentch seems most obvious. Its not really an important part I guess, I just got curious, especially when you mention that

In the room behind lay an even greater wonder - a demon, bound within a golden cage. It whispered of how the Rift Lords could earn the favour of the Gods, and how they may even topple the dominion of the False Emperor. The demon revealed it could read the deadly warp storms, effectively granting the Rift Lords safe passage in and out of the Shroud, in exchange for priosners taken during the Rift Lords' attacks being brought to the demon.

 

Secondly, if threatened, Maluk could have the demon aboard the Runefaust issue false guidance through the Shorud to the upstart warband, seeing them either destroyed or dispersed across the galaxy.

 

It makes me want to know more about the demon. How did he end trapped aboard a space hulk? Does he have plans of his own to topple the Rift Lords and escape his prison? Maybe I'm just overtly curious on mysterious things haha, but I want to know.

[Ace Debonair]

Do you plan to name the demon? Or explain which of the Gods he serves? Tzeentch seems most obvious. Its not really an important part I guess, I just got curious, especially when you mention that

In the room behind lay an even greater wonder - a demon, bound within a golden cage. It whispered of how the Rift Lords could earn the favour of the Gods, and how they may even topple the dominion of the False Emperor. The demon revealed it could read the deadly warp storms, effectively granting the Rift Lords safe passage in and out of the Shroud, in exchange for priosners taken during the Rift Lords' attacks being brought to the demon.

 

Secondly, if threatened, Maluk could have the demon aboard the Runefaust issue false guidance through the Shorud to the upstart warband, seeing them either destroyed or dispersed across the galaxy.

 

It makes me want to know more about the demon. How did he end trapped aboard a space hulk? Does he have plans of his own to topple the Rift Lords and escape his prison? Maybe I'm just overtly curious on mysterious things haha, but I want to know.

 

I didn't actually plan to name the demon, or explain his motives. I was told you could have undivided demons, who I presume serve all the Gods. That's kind of this guy's deal, unless that's a no-no. :D

 

Of course, like anything else I write, if enough people dislike this state of affairs, I'll change it. :cuss

[Reyner]

IT's totally fine to have an Undivided Daemon. (or just one that isn't aligned to one of the big four). There are several other weaker gods floating around in the immaterium, such as Malal who hates everyone!

[Argon]

There's also the Furies, who are apparently the souls of people who used Chaos for their own ends and as such have no real patron.

 

Another example of an Undivided daemon would be Be'lakor from WFB.

[Shinzaren]

I didn't actually plan to name the demon, or explain his motives. I was told you could have undivided demons, who I presume serve all the Gods. That's kind of this guy's deal, unless that's a no-no. ^_^

 

Of course, like anything else I write, if enough people dislike this state of affairs, I'll change it. ^_^

 

Oh I wasn't suggesting that it was a no-no to not have him be aligned, I was just personally very curious. I was just wondering for my own benefit :)

[Heru]

Do you plan to name the demon?

His name is SCD, "Spacecraft Control Daemon". ^_^

Edited July 8, 2010 by Heru Talon

[Shinzaren]

Ahh, of course. I didn't think of that, must have been to subtle for me :P

[Ace Debonair]

Do you plan to name the demon?

His name is SCD, "Spacecraft Control Daemon". :D

His friends call him 'Spacey' for short. :)

 

I'll have a go at fixing the 'awesome' level in recent history to something more reasonable after the weekend.

 

I'm not sure which section I should cover next - homeworld, beliefs, organisation or combat doctrine.

So, as always, I'll settle this with public opinion. ^_^

 

Answers on a postcard to:

Any opinions on what would be best to write next will be gratefully recieved! :D

[Grey Hunter Ydalir]

I think beliefs is probably the most interesting part for me, but it's also the most involved, given their 'religious' views on chaos.

 

Other than that I would like to see their combat doctrine, and whether the fact of using other warbands to supplement or even wholly replace their own forces on some battlefields is touched upon.

[Shinzaren]

Doctrine, then Beliefs, if only because Beliefs is so central that it would probably take longer to write, and I hate waiting. I would like to know if they visit the worlds they've converted from the Emperor's Faith, and if they defend them form Imperial censure, or simply let them die. Both work for a Chaos army. If the servants of the False Emperor kill each other, you prosper. If you defend the world, and keep it as your own, you prosper. Its win/win for you, but I'd like to see more on this. Also, I'd like to know how the Rift Lords fight the Imperial forces in and around the Shroud. I'd like to see the "Mysteriously None Ever Returned" get fleshed out a bit, maybe see what tactics they use to mislead or destroy any soul brave enough to enter their domain. Your call though :)