The Paragons 1.0

[RagingGriffon]

Paragons

The Pinnacle of Imperial Achievement

T

he Paragons strive to maintain strict discipline and productivity in their niche of Imperial Space. Their interactions with their home galaxy and the surrounding inhabitable systems are quite beyond normal Astartes, and some would say they try to outshine their parent Chapter; the Ultramarines. While this may draw the ire of some Imperial agents, none can deny their ability to keep their tasked systems in a relative state of stability. The Paragons strive to maintain a reputation of stalwart warriors, superior stewards, and master logisticians.

Origins

Founded in the 36th Millenium during the 22nd Founding, a new Chapter was created descended from the pure lineage of Roboute Guilliman. The Paragons were tasked to bring order to the far flug reaches of the border of the Segmentum Tempestus and Segmentum Pacificus in the Zeist Sector. A request was sent out to the successor Chapters of the Ultramarines to offer up a contingent of Astartes to form the initial leadership the Paragons. The Genesis Chapter were the first to answer their call for they honored their bloodline and they wanted to see the fledgeling Chapter succeed. They offered various squads from their Reserve Companies and they selected Captain Fairfax of the 7th Company to lead the contingent.

The new Chapter Master tasked the Paragons with their initial Crusades' goals. The goals included finding a suitable Homeworld, the recapture of a mining world that was overrun with Orks, cleansing a former trade route that was infested with Eldar pirates, and bring an Imperial world whose planetary governor declared themselves independent back into the Imperial fold.

The overthrow of the planetary govenor came quick as the arrival of a full Chapter of the Emperor's Angels of Death caught the rebellious system completely off guard. Chapter Master Fairfax kept a small contigent of fully battle capable Marines, and all of the Astartes that needed time to recoup from injuries, on the planet to reorganize the galaxy's government and assure the transition back into the Imperial fold went smoothly.

The Paragons then focused their attention on the Ork pressence in their system. By now, the Orks already knew of the Space Marines arrival because there was limited trade between the rebellious governor and various Warbosses. As Orks do, Warbosses began to fight each other to determine who would be the overall Waagh! Boss. The prepositioned scouts on the mining planet determined that three Warbosses were becoming dominant. Chapter Master Fairfax knew he could not allow one to succeed as then a full blown Waagh! would be impossible to contain. His plan was to keep two of the clans infighting by guerrilla and hit and run tactics while the majority of his Chapter would decimate one Clan. This worked according to plan, and within two years all significant Ork resistance was eliminated from the mining planet.

The main threats of the sector were contained, and Chapter Master Fairfax set about finding a suitable homeworld. The Paragons were reduced to approximately six full Battle Companies, and another one hundred Astartes not quite up to full battle capability. The Homeworld would allow his Chapter to replenish and cement their hold in the sector. An aggrarian planet was found and selected as it would be a suitable hub for travel throughout the sector. The Chapter Fortress was designed and integrated into a giant space port. Chapter Fairfax dubbed this a "piece of Ultramar" and "jewel" of the sector and he wanted it to be protected at all costs. All visitors would see that this domain was under the protection of The Paragons and it represented the lineage of the most noble of the Primarchs, Roboute Guilliman.

The full attention of Chapter was brought to bear upon the Eldar Pirates. Constant pressure had been kept on the pirates whilst the Paragon's Homeworld was built. Years of maneuvering on both sides consisted of many skirmishes, but hardly any casualties to speak of. The Paragons would escort essential trade ships through lanes, and they would try and create attacks of opportunity when able. Chapter Master Fairfax knew the Eldar Pirates would not grow in threat because they were, due too the declining Eldar race, in limited numbers; however, they still were a high threat. The pirate's homebase was eventually located on an Exodus world.

The full brunt of The Paragons were brought upon the world. The Eldar Pirates were well entrenched, natives for centuries on the planet, and were incredible at ambush tactics. Within the initial campaign, approxiamtely half of a Battle Company was killed and slightly more Paragons were injured. Of those killed was Chapter Master Fairfax who fell to the blade of the Pirate Prince. The tide of the battle wa changed when the trump card arrived. It was a sizeable Imperial Guard force that the Paragons were able to secure on the former rebellious planet. The Eldar Pirates were wiped out, and the Zeist Sector was claimed by the Paragons.

Combat Doctrine

The Paragons are a Codex Chapter with one notable difference. the 8th and 9th Company are designated as Crusade Companies. They are a mix of tactical, assault, devestator, and veteran squads pulled from the other Companies. It is a great honor to be selected to serve in the 8th and 9th Companies, and many Battle Brothers opt never to return to their original Companies. Each Crusade Company has their own dedicated Strike Cruiser, The Emperor's Acheivement and The Golden Apex. The 8th and 9th Companies are the emissaries of the Paragons to the rest of the Imperium. They never cease Crusading, and their victory banners are hung from the Chapter Monestary. The 8th and 9th Company serve not only the role of emmissary, but also other reasons. They learn tactics and strategy from other Chapters, which in turn are relayed to the rest of the Paragons back in the Zeist Sector.

The Zeist Center has been built up extensively to handle rapid deployment, quick fortification, and ease of logistics. All habitable or near-habitable planets have at least a bastion to stage offensive or defensive operations. The Paragons also have rotating Companies patrolling the Zeist Sector. The Captains have authority to deploy their Astartes on these rotations as they see fit. Some Captains have been known to bring all one hundred and twenty five plus Battle Brothers onto a planet at one time, whereas some have been known to deploy two or three squads to all planets in each system simultaneously. Ultimately, all this is a show of force and training for standard rapid deployment to combat situations.

Organization

The Paragons use the Codex as the template to their Chapter. However, the early loss of their first Chapter Master from the Genesis Chapter robbed the fledgling Chapter of thorough indoctrination into the teachings of Guilliman. The thin foundation has eroded over time and the Paragons have adapted to what suits their view of the Imperium and their structure of the Chapter as a whole.

The notable divergences of the Codex are the 8th and 9th Company, the role of Techmarines, and the role of Chaplains. The 8th and 9th Company are only in the Zeist Sector to resupply and switch out Astartes. The Techmarines, aside from maintaining the armory, are tasked to be masters of logistics. The Paragons pride themselves on their ability to conduct huge movements of materiel. Last, the Chaplains over time have become the Paragon's defacto Ambasadors to the Imperium. Their natural oratory abilities have also given into the study of politics and Imperial protocol.

Beliefs

The Paragons believe the Emperor had the perfect vision of the Imperium. In his absence, Roboute Guilliman's Ultramarines have succeeded in creating a haven for humanity. The Imperium currently is inefficient and doing a poor job. The latter opinion is kept amongst the inner circle of the Paragons. However, they understand the neccessity for politics and as such maintain the utmost relations with all the major divisions in the Imperium.

The Paragon's thoroughly believe in the autonomy of the Adeptus Astartes and they claim the Zeist Sector as their sovereign domain. This has, in the past, caused confrontation with the Inquistion because they were seen as too insular and "carving out their own feifdom." The hard lesson learned forced the Paragons to change procedures slightly and have a more "open" relationship with the Imperium. Ultimately, their sector still has limited influence by the Ecclesiarchy. The citizens know that the Emperor's Angels of Death walk frequently amongst them and they take the Paragon's posture with the utmost seriousness.

The primary concerns of the Paragons are the citizens of the Zesit Sector. The inner circle of the Paragons only care only about their sphere of influence, because they know if they stretch their supply lines too thin they will falter. They also believe that is an honor to be an Imperial citizen of the Zeist Sector because they protect and keep the sector safe and efficient. No ordinary Imperial citizen can stay in the Zeist sector until they are thoroughly vetted through the Paragon's established procedures.

Homeworld

All of the Zeist Sector is claimed by the Paragons. They recruit from all worlds equally and do not tolerate discrimination towards any of the planets. Their Fortress Monestary, known as The Pinnacle, is located on the centrally located aggrarian world, Vrolijk. Incorporated next to The Pinnacle is the Zeist Sector's largest space port. All trade and commercial traffic into and out of the Zeist Sector must transit through Vrolijk. The sheer amount of volume that transits through the space port is a testament to the logistical abilities of the Paragons and the serfs that operate the space port.

There are countless bastions, or Safeguards, throughout the Zeist Sector. They vary in size with the capability to house a few squads of Paragons to holding multiple Companies. All of the Safeguards have been meticulously planned on where to be located to maximize their strategic value. Most of the time they remain inhabited by Chapter serfs and the planetary leadership. However, when the Paragon's rotating Companies pass through a system they will make use of the Safeguards as they see fit.

[Shinzaren]

Leaving for the night in a sec, so I just skimmed real quick. One thing that got me,

The only two branches they have truly good relations with, and they trust are the Ordo Sicarius

 

What? Why? What possible relationship could there be between Space Marines and Assassins? Not only do they operate on entirely playing fields, with entirely different means, methods, and goals; but in all likelihood, they would never meet, unless it was as enemies, if your chapter went rogue. As far as I can tell, and again, only skimmed it, so I might have missed it, but this adds nothing to chapter, serves no real purpose, and is a classic example of name dropping. Everyone wants to be cool assassins, but the Ordo Sicarius works alone. Lastly, trust? Seriously? They trust the Ordo Sicarius? Whose only goal in life is to have a plan to literally kill anyone and everyone? I would drop this, unless you have a really good reason to expand on this later as you write more.

 

Again, only skimmed. Will do more later, not enough time atm.

[RagingGriffon]

Leaving for the night in a sec, so I just skimmed real quick. One thing that got me,

The only two branches they have truly good relations with, and they trust are the Ordo Sicarius

 

What? Why? What possible relationship could there be between Space Marines and Assassins? Not only do they operate on entirely playing fields, with entirely different means, methods, and goals; but in all likelihood, they would never meet, unless it was as enemies, if your chapter went rogue. As far as I can tell, and again, only skimmed it, so I might have missed it, but this adds nothing to chapter, serves no real purpose, and is a classic example of name dropping. Everyone wants to be cool assassins, but the Ordo Sicarius works alone. Lastly, trust? Seriously? They trust the Ordo Sicarius? Whose only goal in life is to have a plan to literally kill anyone and everyone? I would drop this, unless you have a really good reason to expand on this later as you write more.

 

Again, only skimmed. Will do more later, not enough time atm.

 

Meh, you're right. Like I said, I was free writing there. I was chatting up in another thread about Space Marines and ties with them. The thought was there would probably have to be some Space Marine Chapter that extracts Assassins when things go bad or are on call when things can't be completely handled by an assassin. I figured my guys don't really appreciate the Imperium as a whole, might as well get along with two parts that are also at odds with the Imperium as well...

 

Definitely keeping the AdMech... Tentative on the Ordo Sicarius thing though... I'll edit it out for now... for now... :o

[Leonaides]

If it goes that badly that an assassin cant extract themselves, then they're already dead.

 

But onto a direct question- How does your Chapter Master become chapter master? He's had no more training than any other marines there would have had. The general impression of a trianing cadre is that it forms the new chapters high command. Whether permanently or until suitable candidates can be trained, prove themselves capable and be promoted is varied. I think this needs to be latered seriously, it doesnt make sense at the moment. Also - If your chapter master allowed 500 (ish) marines to die claiming two worlds he ought to shoot himself for incompetance.

[RagingGriffon]

If it goes that badly that an assassin cant extract themselves, then they're already dead.

 

But onto a direct question- How does your Chapter Master become chapter master? He's had no more training than any other marines there would have had. The general impression of a trianing cadre is that it forms the new chapters high command. Whether permanently or until suitable candidates can be trained, prove themselves capable and be promoted is varied. I think this needs to be latered seriously, it doesnt make sense at the moment. Also - If your chapter master allowed 500 (ish) marines to die claiming two worlds he ought to shoot himself for incompetance.

 

LOL. Cap himself. That made me laugh. Anyways, I wrote this on just free stream of thought. I suppose the HGs can be the command, and he forced the Captains of the Companies to come up with a battle plan. I might tone down the 500(ish) Marines being killed, or add another goal in the Crusade.

 

How do you all feel about the general premise of the Paragons creating their own little version of Ultramar? I want to convey that these guys are trying to emulate the Ultramarines, and maybe going a bit too far.

[Grey Hunter Ydalir]

How do you all feel about the general premise of the Paragons creating their own little version of Ultramar? I want to convey that these guys are trying to emulate the Ultramarines, and maybe going a bit too far.

 

I love the premise, a lot.

 

I haven't had a moment to read what you've got so far and it's 4am right now and I think it's time for me to sleep for a while.

 

When I get a less dreadfully tired moment, I'll see if I can add something more constructive.

[Ace Debonair]

OK, let's take a look at what we have here.

 

The origins section has confused me a bit.

I don't understand why there is a specific set of goals given to Fairfax, or why the order he decides to set about the tasks in is important.

I'm also a little puzzled as to why he is directing traffic in the form of the Howling Griffons, instead of bowing to their experience.

 

I like the empire-building idea, but I'm not sure how that links to the origins section at all.

 

The crusading companies thing is an interesting idea. It could be quite neat to use them to scout worlds, too, looking for potential additions to the Paragon's little Empire.

 

This looks like a cool idea in the making. :)

[RagingGriffon]

Thanks, GHY and Ace, I appreciate the input.

 

You all got to see what happened when I just started writing and see where it took me. It isn't always the best picture :lol:

 

The recurring themes that people seem to enjoy is the idea of a mini-Ultramar (although taken to a bit of an extreme), and the Crusading Companies. I am probably going to have to retool Origins. Essentially, they take over a system, take some hard losses, and rebuild with the idea of Ultramar in mind. Now you all know, they aren't going to make a perfect Ultramar, so I don't want to hear it. I am going to go for more of an outpost on every habitable planet. I don't want to say the people live in fear... but they definitely know Angels of Death are always watching.

[Dark Apostle Thirst]

Ah, I love the irony, Ragin Griffon.

[RagingGriffon]

Alright. Cleaned up. Have at me you swines :P

[Shinzaren]

Okay, in broad strokes, the idea of them copying Ultramar is pretty nifty and has a lot of promise. However, aside from that, I'm not getting a sense of who these guys are; or as the Librarium is fond of saying, what gets them out of bed in the morning. It feels like aside from that one idea, it's a little...vanilla? Onto the play by play.

 

The new Chapter Master tasked the Paragons with their initial Crusades' goals. The goals included finding a suitable Homeworld, the recapture of a mining world that was overrun with Orks, cleansing a former trade route that was infested with Eldar pirates, and bring an Imperial world whose planetary governor declared themselves independent back into the Imperial fold.

These seem like very specific goals for a fledgling chapter, who can barely call itself a chapter at all. Perhaps change it to only seeking a homeworld, and when they find it, it's in a system with a traitor governor's planet that they bring into line. While doing this, they receive reports of Orks and Eldar, and decide that such a perfidious system needs to be cleansed, and brought under new, sterner, management.

 

Chapter Master Fairfax kept a small contigent of fully battle capable Marines, and all of the Astartes that needed time to recoup from injuries, on the planet to reorganize the galaxy's government and assure the transition back into the Imperial fold went smoothly.

I think you meant to say system haha, not galaxy. Secondly, perhaps mention that Fairfax took to the reorganization with zeal, seeing it as a duty from the Emperor to change this planet, and rule it so it could better serve the Imperium?

 

The Chapter Fortress was designed and integrated into a giant space port. Chapter Fairfax dubbed this a "piece of Ultramar" and "jewel" of the sector and he wanted it to be protected at all costs. All visitors would see that this domain was under the protection of The Paragons and it represented the lineage of the most noble of the Primarchs, Roboute Guilliman

 

This seems like a bad idea to me. The sheer volume of traffic through a busy Imperium space port means it would be easy for a saboteur to slip in and wreak havoc. Fortress Monasteries are generally isolated because that makes them easiest to defend, especially against the myriad enemies that a Chapter would have. Eldar especially might make use of this opportunity, cunning and deceitful as they are. Secondly, the Piece of Ultramar idea, and emulating Ultramar are really good ideas, and I think that is cool.

 

Chapter Master Fairfax knew the Eldar Pirates would not grow in threat because they were, due too the declining Eldar race, in limited numbers; however, they still were a high threat.

This sentence is quite clunky, and should be rewritten, using the word threat less.

 

The tide of the battle wa changed when the trump card arrived. It was a sizeable Imperial Guard force that the Paragons were able to secure on the former rebellious planet. The Eldar Pirates were wiped out, and the Zeist Sector was claimed by the Paragons.

This seems demeaning to your space marines. Their entire chapter couldn't take the Eldar, so they had to have the Imperial Guard do it? I think you should reverse that. Send the Guard in, and have them suffer casualties, while the space marines engage in their own lightning warfare. You can still have losses to your chapter, just don't make victory hinge on the Guard.

 

The Paragons are a Codex Chapter with one notable difference. the 8th and 9th Company are designated as Crusade Companies. They are a mix of tactical, assault, devestator, and veteran squads pulled from the other Companies. It is a great honor to be selected to serve in the 8th and 9th Companies, and many Battle Brothers opt never to return to their original Companies. Each Crusade Company has their own dedicated Strike Cruiser, The Emperor's Acheivement and The Golden Apex. The 8th and 9th Companies are the emissaries of the Paragons to the rest of the Imperium. They never cease Crusading, and their victory banners are hung from the Chapter Monestary. The 8th and 9th Company serve not only the role of emmissary, but also other reasons. They learn tactics and strategy from other Chapters, which in turn are relayed to the rest of the Paragons back in the Zeist Sector.

 

Interesting idea. How did it come to be? Why the divergence from Codex, especially from a chapter so hot to trot on being Gulliman's successors? Did some event or person lead to the formation of these two crusade chapters?

 

The notable divergences of the Codex are the 8th and 9th Company, the role of Techmarines, and the role of Chaplains. The 8th and 9th Company are only in the Zeist Sector to resupply and switch out Astartes. The Techmarines, aside from maintaining the armory, are tasked to be masters of logistics. The Paragons pride themselves on their ability to conduct huge movements of materiel. Last, the Chaplains over time have become the Paragon's defacto Ambasadors to the Imperium. Their natural oratory abilities have also given into the study of politics and Imperial protocol.

Chaplains are responsible for the mental development and continued stability of their brothers. This seems difficult to accomplish if they're running all over the Imperium chatting with everyone else. Perhaps the Title "Ambassador" should go to the Captains of the 8th and 9th companies? Representing their chapter in domestic and diplomatic relations, as they do it warfare?

 

No ordinary Imperial citizen can stay in the Zeist sector until they are thoroughly vetted through the Paragon's established procedures

.

 

This is really good and has lots of potential. Perhaps they exclude people based on ethnicity, class, social views, etc? Taking the whole, Perfect Realm a bit too far and weeding out the riffraff? Lots of opportunities hear to add flavor to your chapter. Perhaps they have specific planets for specific people, ensuring the "unworthies" work in mines, or vast hives while the "worthies" live in better areas?

 

All of the Zeist Sector is claimed by the Paragons. They recruit from all worlds equally and do not tolerate discrimination towards any of the planets. Their Fortress Monestary, known as The Pinnacle, is located on the centrally located aggrarian world, Vrolijk. Incorporated next to The Pinnacle is the Zeist Sector's largest space port. All trade and commercial traffic into and out of the Zeist Sector must transit through Vrolijk. The sheer amount of volume that transits through the space port is a testament to the logistical abilities of the Paragons and the serfs that operate the space port.

 

Already covered the issues of the integrated space port/monastery. Even the Fortress of Hera on Macragge isn't attached to any city or port ;)

 

Good start. Needs more though. Expand on how they are taking the rule and control of their system a tad too far. Go into more depth about that, as it is the main selling point of your chapter. Explain your divergences from Codex thoroughly, as you are trying to be perfect inheritors of Gulliman, and yet you are straying from his sacred text. Another good area of conflict.

[RagingGriffon]

These seem like very specific goals for a fledgling chapter, who can barely call itself a chapter at all. Perhaps change it to only seeking a homeworld, and when they find it, it's in a system with a traitor governor's planet that they bring into line. While doing this, they receive reports of Orks and Eldar, and decide that such a perfidious system needs to be cleansed, and brought under new, sterner, management.

 

I'm going to have think about this for a bit. I believe in specific goals, and I think this rigidity carries on how they run their "utopia."

 

I think you meant to say system haha, not galaxy. Secondly, perhaps mention that Fairfax took to the reorganization with zeal, seeing it as a duty from the Emperor to change this planet, and rule it so it could better serve the Imperium?

 

Good catch, I actually meant "planet."

 

This seems like a bad idea to me. The sheer volume of traffic through a busy Imperium space port means it would be easy for a saboteur to slip in and wreak havoc. Fortress Monasteries are generally isolated because that makes them easiest to defend, especially against the myriad enemies that a Chapter would have. Eldar especially might make use of this opportunity, cunning and deceitful as they are. Secondly, the Piece of Ultramar idea, and emulating Ultramar are really good ideas, and I think that is cool.

 

I'll buy what you're selling. I'll change it to the Paragon's largest bastion is integrated into the space port. I want all people who enter the Zeist Sector to see that the Paragons run it.

 

This seems demeaning to your space marines. Their entire chapter couldn't take the Eldar, so they had to have the Imperial Guard do it? I think you should reverse that. Send the Guard in, and have them suffer casualties, while the space marines engage in their own lightning warfare. You can still have losses to your chapter, just don't make victory hinge on the Guard.

 

Roger that. Will fix.

 

Interesting idea. How did it come to be? Why the divergence from Codex, especially from a chapter so hot to trot on being Gulliman's successors? Did some event or person lead to the formation of these two crusade chapters?

 

I am going to make a sidebar called the "XXXX Incident." I alluded to it later, I think, but the premise is an Inquisitor raises a stink because they were so insular, and they were afraid they could carve out their own niche / pull down a whole sector. This forced the Paragons to "open up" a bit, and they committed 2 Companies to continually Crusade and show their committment to the Imperium.

 

Chaplains are responsible for the mental development and continued stability of their brothers. This seems difficult to accomplish if they're running all over the Imperium chatting with everyone else. Perhaps the Title "Ambassador" should go to the Captains of the 8th and 9th companies? Representing their chapter in domestic and diplomatic relations, as they do it warfare?

 

Points to ponder. I want my Chaplains to be the mouthpiece of the Chapter. I picture Chaplains as very intimidating people (Black Armor, skulls, etc.), and I want it to be contrasted with their great oratory ability and dealing with other institutions. I think it would throw people off balance a bit. Maybe I can tweak the wording so it doesn't seem like they are running around the Imperium convorting with people. However, they are going to have the dual role of combat inspiration manager and psuedo-politicians.

 

This is really good and has lots of potential. Perhaps they exclude people based on ethnicity, class, social views, etc? Taking the whole, Perfect Realm a bit too far and weeding out the riffraff? Lots of opportunities hear to add flavor to your chapter. Perhaps they have specific planets for specific people, ensuring the "unworthies" work in mines, or vast hives while the "worthies" live in better areas?

 

Hmmmm.... I like, I like...

 

Good start. Needs more though. Expand on how they are taking the rule and control of their system a tad too far. Go into more depth about that, as it is the main selling point of your chapter. Explain your divergences from Codex thoroughly, as you are trying to be perfect inheritors of Gulliman, and yet you are straying from his sacred text. Another good area of conflict.

 

Well, at least you got the main themes I am trying to get across. I obviously need to tweak. As always, thanks for the input!

[RagingGriffon]

Necro! Trying these guys out again. Let me know what you all think.

[Sobansa]

I like it, I have similar ideas for a Chapter I'm writing right now (The Bright Blades). You mentioned that They recruit from all worlds equally and do not tolerate discrimination towards any of the planets. Can you elaborate on that?