Iron Shields

[spjaco]

The Iron Shields

 

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

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

 

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

 

Adeptus Mechanicus lost contact with the planet in the period before the Great Crusade and have been reluctant to return to the sector in force. Their reasons for this have never been revealed. They have however thrown their utmost support to the Chapter and even have asked it to intercede for them in situations where they required Space Marine support in one form or the other. It is because of this unrequested support that the chapter has benefited by recieving more Land Raiders than they would normally have.

 

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

 

When possible the Chapter prefers to deploy as follows:

Two Fire Brigades:

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

The Chapter has a single Battle Barge, as well as as two strike cruisers (one each for the Rapid Strike Company and the Veteran Company). Other support vessels exist but will not be mentioned here.

[Thor Lokiago]

Only real comment I have is that two, possibly 3 battle barges And 6 strike cruisers seems a bit excess for any non legion chapter. The Ultramarines themselves only have 5 battle barges and 10 strike cruisers, and they control more systems than most, if not all other chapters. Maybe its just me. Otherwise it all looks decent to me.

[spjaco]

Only real comment I have is that two, possibly 3 battle barges And 6 strike cruisers seems a bit excess for any non legion chapter. The Ultramarines themselves only have 5 battle barges and 10 strike cruisers, and they control more systems than most, if not all other chapters. Maybe its just me. Otherwise it all looks decent to me.

 

To quote yourself, if I may; I looked up the paragraph you yourself quoted from.

Here it is in full.

A Battlefleet Gothic article in White Dwarf indicates that while most Chapters would only possess two or three battle barges, the Ultramarines control several systems, and therefore possess a considerably larger fleet. The vessels named are:14

 

5 Battle Barges: Aeternus, Emperor Incarnatus, Adsidus, Seditio Opprimere, Lord Laomedon

10 Strike Cruisers, including the Vae Victus, Iter Splendere, Fidelis, Internecio, and the Accipiter

 

I will knock the Strike Cruisers down to two however, as well as drop the third (possible) Battle Barge.

[Thor Lokiago]

Yeah, it wasn't the Battle Barges that seemed excess, just the total number of ships. Granted, from a 19th Founding chapter, it would be possible, but it seemed a tad much. Two of each sounds far more realistic, in my opinion.

 

Otherwise, keep up the good work.

[spjaco]

The chapter does boast a lot of Land Raiders. But their homeworld is industrialized to the point where this is entirely possible as well.

 

The also rely on the frontal assault tactic so much that a high level of armor is required.

[Captain Juan Juarez]

It might be a factory world but the process to create a Land Raider is from - IIRC - an STC, which the Mechanicum would never surrender to a Chapter, so it's not as plausible as you think.

 

Also, in terms of Fleet size; the younger your Chapter the smaller its fleet will be - at least in terms of Battlebarges.

[Ekim_Trub]

I always like to think of a Chapter being allocated a minimum of 4 Strike Cruisers (1 per Battle Company) and 1 Battle Barge (for everyone else). Because as Marines, they need to be mobile if required and not every Chapter will have a homeworld from day one.

[Grey Hunter Ydalir]

A young chapter would only have a very small fleet. One battle barge and a handful of strike cruisers and escorts at most. Even at full strength a chapter doesn't need more ships than that even if they want to deploy them all simultaneously.

 

Also strike cruisers are more useful for their mobility than battle-barges. Strike Cruisers are your go-to ships for most marine deployments.

 

indicates that while most Chapters would only possess two or three battle barges

 

And most of those chapters have not been recently founded and have been around for a while. What your chapter has at the current point in history or at the end of the IA is different to what they start with. When they are founded influences these numbers greatly, which is the point being made repeatedly here.

 

Otherwise the guts of the 1000-odd marine chapters in service at any one time would be being ripped out far too commonly.

[spjaco]

Yeah, it was just an idea. Forget it. Not worth the trouble.

[Shinzaren]

Alrighty, lemme take a krak at this. Sorry if it comes out harsh, that's apparently my writing style haha :D

 

The Chapter is configured as follows:

Two Fire Brigades:

Each consists of two tactical companies, a reserve company organized with four tactical squads and three devastator and assault squads each; and a scout company with ten – ten man squads. The Chapter has very few Rhinos among its tactical companies except for those weapon platforms that utilize it for their chassis.

Why? Why don't they follow regular Codex as opposed to this strange 2 Fire Brigades system? What purpose does this serve, and how did it come about?

 

Each squad instead has a Land Raider (typically six per company), Land Raider Redeemer (two per company), and Land Raider Crusader (typically two per company), as well as a Land Raider Prometheus for the command squad. A Damocles Command Rhino is available to each commander upon request.

Seriously? When did they get so many? How did they get so many? Where did they get so many? How does the AM justify giving them so many? I find this hard to believe. This reeks of Blood Angels to me, using Land Raiders as squad transports. Those things aren't cheap or easy to get a hold of.

 

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

What is a Shield Company? Why do they have so many bloody Land Raiders?

 

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

.

Where did you get so much bloody armor? These guys apparently have the best equipped armory in the bloody sector.

 

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

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

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

Why are all your vehicles all attached to the Companies themselves, as opposed to a uniform Armory, where they can be loaned from?

 

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

The second sentence could be reworked, as to me it reads like your Tactical Company Commanders have the responsibilities of the Chapter Master, Head Librarian, and Chaplain. Just needs a rewrite for clarity is all. How do you have 30 Honor Guard? The most recent C:SM states that even the oldest chapters are lucky to be able to field two dozen. How can you have so many? Are the requirements simply less stringent? Again with the ridiculous amount of Land Raiders. I don't buy it. How do 31 people fit in one Land Raider? I know Crusaders have lots of space, but do they have that much space?

 

 

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

That's a lot of responsibility for one guy.

 

The Chapter has an unusually large number of Land Raiders (56 in all) but has gone in this direction to compensate for their lack of TDA and to coincide with their brutal frontal assault mentality.

See, this doesn't make sense. SM Chapters don't make their own Land Raiders, they get them from the AM. Why would the AM send them so many Land Raiders, but no Termie armor?

 

The Chapter has two Battle Barges, one for each Brigade, as well as as two strike cruisers (one each for the Rapid Strike Company and the Veteran Company). Other support vessels exist but will not be mentioned here.

I feel like maybe more than 2 Strike Cruisers would be ok, unless you are always gonna deploy half your chapter at a time. Maybe 4-6 Strike Cruisers, able to carry smaller forces to smaller engagements?

 

Overall, I haven't gotten any real FEEL for the Chapter. All I know is that they really like Land Raiders and Armored Assaults. I don't know how, why, where, or when they developed these tactics, nor why the AM gave them so many bloody Land Raiders, and without these answers, this whole article is a tough sell and very hard to swallow. It could work with more explanation, but as of right now, there are 3 large issues I would like to see addressed.

 

1.) Why do they have so many deviations for Codex?

2.) Why do they have so much friggin armor?

3.) Why do they prefer armored assaults/what is their motivation?

 

Answer these, and explain a bit more, and I think this could work. You've clearly got a good idea of how everything is organized and set up, and that meticulous attitude could definitely turn this into a great IA. You just need to answer some of the more obvious questions/deviations/uniquenesses. All in all, looks like a decent start.

[spjaco]

Yeah, it was just an idea. Forget it. Not worth the trouble.

Seriously Shin.

It was just the initial push of information I put out there and all the feedback was so negative over miniscule mox-nix garbage. I never fleshed it out and if anyone ever bothered to read the thread it would be apparent that I had given up on this. Heck, people out there cant even agree over what GW has put out for the main chapters, dont know why I even wasted my time to try to cook up one of my own.

Just drop it. It was just an idea and it isnt even worth it to me to continue with the discussion.

[Shinzaren]

Well that wasn't my intent. I just wanted to know more about the chapter. I don't see reason why it can't work. When you said forget it, I thought you just meant one or two ideas, not the whole IA. The comments don't seem that negative to me, or that people hate the idea. They are just trying to help nail down the fleet size questions for you, as well giving a bit of backround on why its hard to have lots of Land Raiders. However, with some solid writing, you could easily explain this.

 

Perhaps they have very close ties with the AM, and in exchange for occasionally working for them, ie: Guarding an Expedition, recovering some Xeno-tech, or liberating a possible STC; they have access to better equipment. Overall this could be explained plausibly, and once people stop nit-picking the fleet size, you can get down to business explaining how/why they deviated from Codex. Perhaps some battle, engagement, or event shaped how they do things?

 

All in all, it seems a waste to give all this up when you have invested in it. You've got a very meticulous eye for details, as evidenced by keeping exact track of your Land Raider counts and such. That is a huge asset, and I think it could definitely make this into a great IA. And at the end of the day, you don't have to listen to anyone else. Its your chapter, your ideas, and your hardwork. We're here to offer advice, toss out suggestions, and give our point of view on things. You can use all, some, or none of that. As long as you are satisfied with the results, don't worry what anyone else thinks or says. Focus on making something you are happy with :o

 

I hope you decide to stick with this, but as with all things, it's up to you.