The Alpha Wolves

[Nine_Breaker]

Needless to say it's been too long since I've come out to the Liber with anything remotely new. Hell, most of the people here probably don't even know me these days! <_<

 

So I was thinking, why not get a new ball rolling? Most of the following is going to be a absolute stream of random ideas just to throw around some elements that have been floating around my head for this new DIY chapter:

 

The Alpha Wolves

 

Themes in a nutshell:

• Crusading chapter
  
• Very rough around the edges, unorthodox, and gritty as far as attitude and practices goes
  
• Use of 'performance enhancing' drugs
  
• Heavy assault/siege-breaking chapter
  
• Largely independent
  

 

"So we're surrounded? Good! Those greenskined frakkers won't get away this time!"

-Attributed to Captain Bishop, Defense of Hill 265

 

Origins

- Founded during the 16th Founding using White Scars geneseed. Sent to Ultima Segmentum

- Raegor is the first Chapter Master.

- Raegor declares a crusade to prove chapter's mettle. Raegor dies before the conclusion of the crusade and the chapter continues

- Alpha Wolves press deeper and deeper into the Ultima Segmentum, losing contact with much of the Imperium for decades. A tradition of self dependence arises.

 

Recruitment

- Alpha Wolves recruit from all number of worlds, cultures, and races. Everything from criminals to savages to farmers.

- Alpha Wolves teach but reverence of the Emperor and hate for His foes, all other cultural differences are unimportant. They do not want assembly-line machines, but innovative weapons of mass destruction.

 

Beliefs

- To the martial minded Wolves, victory in battle and hard training is the only form of prayer necessary.

- Display fierce independence. Reluctant to rely on other Imperial organizations

- Every marine is the sole owner of their weapons and armor. They are allowed to do as they wish with their wargear

- Xenos, traitors, and mutants weaken the Imperium, like cancers, and must be purged and exterminated with extreme prejudice.

 

Organization

- Not organized by Codex standards

- 10 companies are all self-sufficient and equal to other chapter's battle companies. No veteran, scout, or reserve companies

- Marines remain with same squad unless promoted to an office (Chaplain, Captain, etc.).

- Scouts replace losses in tactical/devastator/assault/etc squads

- No rank equivalent of veteran squads

 

Combat Doctrine

- Independence and isolation mean 'simple' technology such as flamers and [heavy] bolters are favored over high maintenance equipment (i.e. plasma)

- Alpha Wolves are renown for their siege breaking capabilities and heavy assault tactics

- Wolves often make use of extra armor plating bolted onto power armor

- Prefer to engage their enemies in close range firefights and close combat. Make best use of armor and Astartes strength

- Use combat drugs. Thought to be engineered by apothecaries and techmarines. May have unknown side effects

 

Geneseed

- White Scars geneseed

- Seem to have inherited the Scars' aggression but not their fast attack style of warfare

 

"Fire and Steel!"

- Alpha Wolves motto

 

 

 

Thats what I got so far in terms of notes. Still very WIP as you can see. One of the main inspirations for these guys were the "KiL KiL KiL" marines of waaaay back when (anyone got a picture of that particular guy?) as well as this guy. The Alpha Wolves are not your warrior monks or knights in shining power armor. They are the no nonsense, cigar-smoking thugs that will punch your grandmother's teeth out for any good reason. They don't make a big deal of their crusade, they're doing it because they are killing machines who pray to find the next war at their doorstep on a daily basis.

 

 

Thoughts?

[Ferrus Manus]

"So we're surrounded? Good! Those greenskined frakkers won't get away this time!"

-Attributed to Captain Bishop, Defense of Hill 265

That made me laugh. Very good.

 

- Raegor declares a crusade to prove chapter's mettle. Raegor dies before the conclusion of the crusade and the chapter continues

I'm guessing they'd carry on to avenge Raegor. But what then? Why didn't they stop? Perhaps they decided they should continue cause Raegor never gave the order for the crusade to end.

 

Every marine is the sole owner of their weapons and armor. They are allowed to do as they wish with their wargear

- Use combat drugs. Thought to be engineered by apothecaries and techmarines. May have unknown side effects

I guess these would only work in an independent Chapter, where they spend little time in the company of other organisations. I'd just suggest to be careful with how independent you make them ... there are some lines the Imperium wont let them cross.

 

Please keep going with this. I'd like to see a full IA written for these guys. :)

[Grey Hunter Ydalir]

This is interesting. Starcraft Marines (in style) influencing warhammer 40k Space Marines who were in turn all but the official inspiration for Blizzard's Starcraft Marines. Whether you were aware of the parallel or not, it's amusing to contemplate.

 

"So we're surrounded? Good! Those greenskined frakkers won't get away this time!"

-Attributed to Captain Bishop, Defense of Hill 265

 

As Ferrus said, very good, made me grin ridiculously which is always welcome.

 

- Use combat drugs. Thought to be engineered by apothecaries and techmarines. May have unknown side effects

 

I would love to hear more about just how heavily they use such drugs. They would have to be fantastically powerful and well designed to impair or enhance a marines already robust system.

 

They don't make a big deal of their crusade, they're doing it because they are killing machines who pray to find the next war at their doorstep on a daily basis.

 

I like this a lot. The unapologetic soldier, the one who enjoys his job no matter how horrific and heartbreaking it can be. What I'd like to know is just what keeps them loyal to the Imperium or rather the Emperor given their mercenary nature.

 

 

I like how as you said, they are similar to my Blazing Sons but also wildly different at the same time.

[RagingGriffon]

I like the potential of this as well.

 

Do they travel as 10 companies together, or are they split up doing various mini-crusades?

Have any of them turned to Chaos?

Does anyone know about them using combat drugs?

what is their color scheme?

 

Just a note: it would be tough break seiges with bolters and flamers. I mean, you could have really good infiltrators, but I thought you said no scouts. Just think about that.

[Commissar Molotov]

"Something new", indeed - I was hoping for something closer to these Alpha Wolves... :D

[Codex Grey]

"Something new", indeed - I was hoping for something closer to these Alpha Wolves...

My thoughts.

 

Will strength still play a thematic role, or has it been toned down/removed completely?

 

Even if not, I still think the current ideas have potential on their own, but I quite liked where the previous wolves were heading. Their involvement with the Vocates aside.

[Grey Hunter Ydalir]

"Something new", indeed - I was hoping for something closer to these Alpha Wolves...

 

With all due respect, I don't think it's fair to come and compare them like that. Or at least, not to voice whether you are disappointed at the change. I would have thought it would be wiser to first discuss why he moved away from the earlier version or concept.

 

Especially so when it is a new collection of ideas so early in their development.

[Nine_Breaker]

Perhaps they decided they should continue cause Raegor never gave the order for the crusade to end.

I see I didn't word it clearly at all (hard to with a sentence fragment), but that's exactly what I was going for. Raegor ordered the crusade, but he didn't make it to call it off. Probably got hit with a lascannon. :rolleyes:

 

Do they travel as 10 companies together, or are they split up doing various mini-crusades?

Have any of them turned to Chaos?

Does anyone know about them using combat drugs?

what is their color scheme?

*They likely would do a lot of both. Companies split off from the main fleet to handle some business and catch up later.

*Maybe a few have. But that wouldn't be much different then any other chapter...

*There have probably been a few eye witnesses such as guardsmen or other Astartes, but otherwise I see this practice as being kept under wraps.

*No clue about that yet.

 

Just a note: it would be tough break seiges with bolters and flamers. I mean, you could have really good infiltrators, but I thought you said no scouts. Just think about that.

I didn't mean to say they only use flamers and bolters. They still have access to missiles, tanks, artillery, lascannons, orbital bombardment, etc. But weapons that require lots of upkeep would probably be left in the armory in most cases.

 

"Something new", indeed - I was hoping for something closer to these Alpha Wolves...

Jesus H. Tapdancing Christ! Could have sworn the jar that held your mind was unplugged or something.

 

Honestly a lot of the ideas stayed the same. Going back there are some things I just can't see working out very great though. Especially the rank promotion and challenging of officers. However I still left a lot of room to inject some of that spice I like to call 'Purity of Strength'.

 

Will strength still play a thematic role, or has it been toned down/removed completely?

 

Even if not, I still think the current ideas have potential on their own, but I quite liked where the previous wolves were heading. Their involvement with the Vocates aside.

Like I said above, I'm not sure how much of a role the obsession with strength and dominance will play. I purposefully left room to put it in but I'm not sure to what extent I would stress it.

 

And I'll probably stay away from the Vocates title. At this point that might be a burden to fit in and explain when the project has been dead for so long.

[Commissar Molotov]

Jesus H. Tapdancing Christ! Could have sworn the jar that held your mind was unplugged or something.

 

Honestly a lot of the ideas stayed the same. Going back there are some things I just can't see working out very great though. Especially the rank promotion and challenging of officers. However I still left a lot of room to inject some of that spice I like to call 'Purity of Strength'.

 

Well, it's exceptionally good to hear from you as well. The Magi keep me annointed with oils and unguents! Feel free to hit me up via a PM or something.

 

One stress-free way to tie them into the Vocates with the minimum of work is to simply move them to the 14th Founding. I would argue that a position in the Vocates probably shouldn't be in the IA article unless it hugely impacts on the Chapter. Given that Baraquiel arguably created the Vocates, it's worth nothing that the Castigators IA mentions nothing about them!

 

"Something new", indeed - I was hoping for something closer to these Alpha Wolves...

 

With all due respect, I don't think it's fair to come and compare them like that. Or at least, not to voice whether you are disappointed at the change. I would have thought it would be wiser to first discuss why he moved away from the earlier version or concept.

 

Especially so when it is a new collection of ideas so early in their development.

 

Noted - it's certainly within your rights to say so, and I respect you for standing up for the Liberites. That said, Nine and I go back pretty far, and we tend to be pretty straight-shooting when it comes to each others' work! :)

[Grey Hunter Ydalir]

Watch me back-peddle! :P

 

That said, Nine and I go back pretty far, and we tend to be pretty straight-shooting when it comes to each others' work!

 

This is true and I went into that comment with that knowledge and I must admit I was a little intimidated going so deliberately against someone with a such a widely known and respected reputation. I remember when you both used to comment and post in the Liber frequently, though I may have come in at the end of an era it was a time when I aspired to be just as eloquent and well thought out as the rest of you.

 

Though I digress, I still haven't gotten over a knee-jerk reaction to defend people if their work isn't at fault. I mean no offense or disrespect though.

 

Interestingly it was the 'sad face' emote at the end which gave your comment the extra kick that drew my attention.

 

*There have probably been a few eye witnesses such as guardsmen or other Astartes, but otherwise I see this practice as being kept under wraps.

 

Honestly I don't think it's that much of an issue for anyone to witness it, unless it's incredibly prolific and personality changing unless they understand marine physiology and understand that this isn't part of normal Astartes modus operandi. Other Space Marines and those with a sufficient level of understanding, yes it could raise some interesting questions at the very least, especially with other Astartes.

[Nine_Breaker]

ksjhdgfskdgfikgf. Just lost my whole post. <_<

One stress-free way to tie them into the Vocates with the minimum of work is to simply move them to the 14th Founding.

Very true. Especially since the Vocates isn't an official organization. I think I'll do that.

Honestly I don't think it's that much of an issue for anyone to witness it, unless it's incredibly prolific and personality changing unless they understand marine physiology and understand that this isn't part of normal Astartes modus operandi. Other Space Marines and those with a sufficient level of understanding, yes it could raise some interesting questions at the very least, especially with other Astartes.

The drugs wouldn't be anything to turn the Wolves into arco flagellants. They might go just far enough to numb pain, increase aggression, and quicken reflexes. Of course, as with all things, moderation would be key, Who knows what would happen if a marine overdoses...

And here's what I was thinking of for a color scheme. Simple, but pretty unique I'd say.

[Aurelius Rex]

Good to see you back on the board, Nine, and always good to read an IA from you.

 

More later, but first up, it is a personal thing, but I am not keen on the name. Both elements - Alpha and Wolves - have very definite associations with other first founding legions / chapters. I think you could get away with having one of these iconic elements if it was used to attach them thematically to their parent chapter - such as the Imperial Fists / Crimson Fists, but they are not from Alpha Legion, Space Wolf or Luna Wolf heritage, so even that is lost. Also, having two elements makes it sound initially like a mixed geneseed crossbreed.

 

As to the Blood Ravens, I would have to say that I stick by the theory... Just because they are a GW chapter doesn't stop it being a weak name. Perhaps it was done to add to the confusion over their lineage.

[RagingGriffon]

Good to see you back on the board, Nine, and always good to read an IA from you. :)

 

More later, but first up, it is a personal thing, but I am not keen on the name. Both elements - Alpha and Wolves - have very definite associations with other first founding legions / chapters. I think you could get away with having one of these iconic elements if it was used to attach them thematically to their parent chapter - such as the Imperial Fists / Crimson Fists, but they are not from Alpha Legion, Space Wolf or Luna Wolf heritage, so even that is lost. Also, having two elements makes it sound initially like a mixed geneseed crossbreed.

 

As to the Blood Ravens, I would have to say that I stick by the theory... Just because they are a GW chapter doesn't stop it being a weak name. Perhaps it was done to add to the confusion over their lineage.

 

I didn't even think of First Founding Chapters. I thought of the top dog. In packs the dominant male is the the "alpha" and I think Nine's description of his Marines fit that analogy. My opinion, of course.

[Grey Hunter Ydalir]

- Wolves often make use of extra armor plating bolted onto power armor

 

This just caught my eye.

 

Just what kind of additions are we talking about here. Is this just a means to an aesthetic end or do they serve some real purpose, given that Power Armour is already one of the technological apex's of Mechanicus engineering. I would have thought that the armour was not only made for durability, but the fact that it was made to be balanced in it's enhancement of the user. Adding extra weight onto it higgledy-piggledy might be a little inefficient?

[Nine_Breaker]

Good to see you back on the board, Nine, and always good to read an IA from you. :(

 

More later, but first up, it is a personal thing, but I am not keen on the name. Both elements - Alpha and Wolves - have very definite associations with other first founding legions / chapters. I think you could get away with having one of these iconic elements if it was used to attach them thematically to their parent chapter - such as the Imperial Fists / Crimson Fists, but they are not from Alpha Legion, Space Wolf or Luna Wolf heritage, so even that is lost. Also, having two elements makes it sound initially like a mixed geneseed crossbreed.

 

As to the Blood Ravens, I would have to say that I stick by the theory... Just because they are a GW chapter doesn't stop it being a weak name. Perhaps it was done to add to the confusion over their lineage.

Good to be back!

 

I knew somebody would say something about the "wolf" part, somebody always does. However, you have to decide when enough is enough sometimes. Not every chapter with 'Angel' in its name has to be a BA or DA successor. Nor do chapters such as the Dark Hands have to do anything in particular with the Iron Hands. And lord forbid every chapter with any kind of animal in their name hunts said huge beast on their homeworld as a rite of initiation. But even so I thought of using the name Alpha Dogs instead. However I find myself wondering why a founding chapter master would call his marines 'dogs'. I guess we'll just have to see what happens.

 

Just what kind of additions are we talking about here. Is this just a means to an aesthetic end or do they serve some real purpose, given that Power Armour is already one of the technological apex's of Mechanicus engineering. I would have thought that the armour was not only made for durability, but the fact that it was made to be balanced in it's enhancement of the user. Adding extra weight onto it higgledy-piggledy might be a little inefficient?

This practice would have nothing to do with aesthetics. Fact is th chapter would probably have a high casualty rate as is, being on this perpetual crusade where they throw themselves against the hardest nuts in the bag. The ablative armor would be an attempt to minimize casualties. And I would think Astartes could handle a good 25 lbs extra plating on each limb without hardly noticing. I wouldn't say this practice would be so much inefficient as perhaps specialized.

[Marshal Rohr]

Power Armor is free to be customized aesthetically as artificers see fit, its the internals that make it Mk 3, Mk 4, etc. If the Blood Angels can stick massive marble carved wings on their pauldrons, no reason the alpha wolves couldn't add 3 inches of adamantium plating.

[RagingGriffon]

This practice would have nothing to do with aesthetics. Fact is th chapter would probably have a high casualty rate as is, being on this perpetual crusade where they throw themselves against the hardest nuts in the bag. The ablative armor would be an attempt to minimize casualties. And I would think Astartes could handle a good 25 lbs extra plating on each limb without hardly noticing. I wouldn't say this practice would be so much inefficient as perhaps specialized.

 

I think if Astartes are bolting metal to repair their power armor I would say it is necessary for the situation (Heresy armor with the rivets on the shoulder pad, anyone?). I would imagine eventually they would repair it, right?

 

How does your Chapter manage promotions? Are they field promotions? Sarge gets shwacked, so next in line picks up the slack? What about Captains? If they are away from central leadership constantly crusading when does the official promotion happen? Honor duel? Preset successors?

 

I am totally buying into the the alpha male theme you got goin' on here, Keep it up!

[Grey Hunter Ydalir]

Fair enough, I was just thinking of just how extreme you were going to go with armour customization given that you can't get much better than artificer armour unless you go onto Terminator armour.

 

I would imagine eventually they would repair it, right?

 

No they just remove the broken piece and then beat the stuffing out of you with it. :D

 

But even so I thought of using the name Alpha Dogs instead.

 

Honestly I prefer Alpha Dogs, but then, I could be part of an overly opinionated minority here.

[Captain Juan Juarez]

Alpha Dogs...?

 

"Cry havoc and let slip the Dogs of War"

[Nine_Breaker]

I think if Astartes are bolting metal to repair their power armor I would say it is necessary for the situation (Heresy armor with the rivets on the shoulder pad, anyone?). I would imagine eventually they would repair it, right?

This isn't necessarily a question of maintenance, though I'm sure the metal plating would be used then too. It's more a matter of extra protection so nothing has to be fixed later on.

 

How does your Chapter manage promotions? Are they field promotions? Sarge gets shwacked, so next in line picks up the slack? What about Captains? If they are away from central leadership constantly crusading when does the official promotion happen? Honor duel? Preset successors?

I'm sure the death would be relayed to whoever has overall command and they would put somebody in charge. In the case of a Captain, I'm sure the first to step up and take initiative would have deference. The battlefield is no place to squabble. However, one of the main elements that existed in the old Wolves was that, out of combat, any leader who was found lacking could be challenged for his position. This led to the men in charge going all out to prove they were the alpha male, so to speak. They go to the thickest fighting, kill the biggest baddies, and lead the boldest charges.

 

Alpha Dogs...?

 

"Cry havoc and let slip the Dogs of War"

I'm not sure how to respond to this. Is that praise? Criticism? Or just something that came to mind that you wanted to post?

[Wildfire]

I like the performance enhancing chemicals thing. Maybe it's my great age speaking, but I get nostalgic about the days when I could arm characters with frenzon injectors and combat drugs (ahh, the munchkiny days of giving an Imperial Assassin combat drugs and then casting The Quickening on him, for a 48" charge and 16 attacks!). With the level of genetic engineering present it the marine body already, combat drugs should be easy to cook up by comparison!

[Captain Juan Juarez]

Alpha Dogs...?

 

"Cry havoc and let slip the Dogs of War"

I'm not sure how to respond to this. Is that praise? Criticism? Or just something that came to mind that you wanted to post?

 

At the time it was something that just came to mind, but if you think about it theres a positive spin for the Dogs name.

 

Apologies if it's crap, apparently I'm saving all my good ideas for the Rift Lords IA that Ace is doing :)