Shades of Corax

[kiwitexansfan]

26th Founding – Ravenguard Geneseed

History: The Shades of Corax were founded as a fleet based Chapter and assigned to patrol the eastern reaches of the Segmentum Ultima. Early in the Chapters existence, they were involved in a number of conflicts most notably against a Tyranid splinter fleet and a Necron Raiding party. During these conflicts the Shades were witness to horrendous civilian losses. These losses weighed heavily upon the Shades who saw themselves as the guardians of mankind.

However the defining moment of the Chapter’s history occurred on Otara IV where the Shades fought alongside numerous Imprerial Guard regiments and the Celestial Shark Chapter of Space Marines. Faced with an overwhelming Tyranid onslaught the planet was deemed lost during the 4th week of the invasion. At this time a strategic withdrawal was ordered and the Guard and Celestial Shark Chapters withdrew as ordered to save their fighting strength for the next Tyranid attack. It was at this point, Captian Carr of the Shades of Corax 3rd Company made a decision that would forever characterize the Chapter, he chose to stay and fight while the transport elements of his fleet evacuated as many civilians as possible. Of the Space Marines who stood and fought only Captain Carr and a handful of others made it aboard the final transport ship. While the planet was lost and billions had died the heroic actions of the Shades 3rd saved thousands of innocent Imperial citizens.

From this point on, the leadership of the Shades dedicated themselves to honour the heroic actions of the 3rd and vowed to fight with the same sacrificial valour exhibited by those heroes of the Chapter. They would forever be the shield of the Imperial everyman, fight no matter the odds, whatever the cost and when all hope is lost.

To aid in these somewhat humanitarian endeavours the Shades have a large fleet of transports attached and also have large medical auxillaries.

Colours: White, Red Shoulder Trim, Grey Soft Armour, Black Gloves and Weaponry.

Symbol: The Watchman’s Eye. Symbolising how the Shades look over those in need.

Homeworld: Fleetbased

Recruiting: Given the often suicidal and always costly actions the Shades of Corax are committed to, there needs to be a constant intake of recruits to the Chapter. While they do have outposts on a number of planets to bring recruits in, they have found that by far the most common means of obtaining new initiates is commitments from those they have saved as an act of gratitude when they nothing else to give. Sometimes this takes the form of a boy of the appropriate age being inducted immediately of a pledge of a child yet to be born to be dedicated to the Chapter.

Combat Doctrines: The Shades of Corax’s combat doctrine is built around the ability to anticipate, recognize and react to threats in the field. Underpinning this is a resolute and unwavering determination to stand firm backed by an absolute commitment to their cause. They have a large scout contingent who monitors enemy actions and attempts to disrupt and delay them whenever possible. In support of this is artillery and Land Speeder units. The Shades also feature a large number of Dreadnoughts as the commitment to the cause they hold, lasts beyond the health of the Space Marine body. Most Shades detachments are led by a Techmarine or Master of the Forge and a Librarian. The techmarine ensures the smooth function of equipment till the very end while the Librarians are crucial for ensuring that there is a last means of escape during last stands using Gating techniques.

It is not uncommon for the Shades of Corax 1st company to be the last Imperial presence on a doomed planet, there red Terminator armour is at once a last hope for the beleaguered and almost always the bell tolling on a planets demise.

It is also worthy of note that the Shades of Corax have encountered the infamous Legion of the Damned on numerous occasions. These encounters have even seen situation that have seemed hopeless won for the Emperor. Whether there is some particular purpose in the Legion helping the Shades, or whether the Shades are more prone to needing ‘special intervention’ is unclear.

Beliefs: The Shades of Corax only believe in one thing, the preservation of the Imperium of Man. To meet this end they will fight against all odds and to the bitter end. They will also do whatever is necessary to ensure the long term safety and security of the people within the imperium, even extending to co=operating and negotiating with Xenos races at times.

Chapter Motto/Cry: (Battle Leader) Hope to the Hopeless, (Troops) Death to our enemies.

[Chapter Master Ignis Domus]

This is good. How do they know that the unborn children are compatible with the gene-seed? Do they openly negotiate with the xenos? If they do, they're going to be very dead, very soon. I would change this to they are willing to co-operate with the xenos if they have to.

[kiwitexansfan]

This is good. How do they know that the unborn children are compatible with the gene-seed? Do they openly negotiate with the xenos? If they do, they're going to be very dead, very soon. I would change this to they are willing to co-operate with the xenos if they have to.

 

Even if they aren't compatible a Chapter needs more staff than just Marines. For every Marine in the field there would be a dozen support workers of various ilks.

 

As to them being dead, dead, dead, who would be killing them? Negotiation in my mind means less than working with someone.

[Dark Apostle Thirst]

I somehow found myself drawn to this chapter :rolleyes:

 

I like it. Non salamander humanitarians. Maybe having slightly more Apothecaries more than usual, and their chaplians not being "Death to the xenos!" but "Life to the flock!" kind of thing?

[kiwitexansfan]

I somehow found myself drawn to this chapter ;)

 

I like it. Non salamander humanitarians. Maybe having slightly more Apothecaries more than usual, and their chaplians not being "Death to the xenos!" but "Life to the flock!" kind of thing?

 

Yeah, I like the idea of Astartes seeing themselves as human shields, last ones to leave the battle field even if it is in a body bag so of thing.

 

I'm all for heroic last stands, maybe I'll have to write up a 300-esque heroic defeat to fuel the fire.

[Dark Apostle Thirst]

I somehow found myself drawn to this chapter :D

 

I like it. Non salamander humanitarians. Maybe having slightly more Apothecaries more than usual, and their chaplians not being "Death to the xenos!" but "Life to the flock!" kind of thing?

 

Yeah, I like the idea of Astartes seeing themselves as human shields, last ones to leave the battle field even if it is in a body bag so of thing.

 

I'm all for heroic last stands, maybe I'll have to write up a 300-esque heroic defeat to fuel the fire.

Erm, no, the very first IA I wrote* was the Vengeance of Corax, who were very ghostlike in nature. :D

 

But yeah, these guys are pretty awesome for the reasons you stated.

 

*They are now known as the Wraiths of Darkness, and, well, they still aren't done.

[Grey Hunter Ydalir]

Just to add something that won't really help the IA and is pretty much a non-sequiter to what's already been discussed; I like the black 'gloves'. :D

[kiwitexansfan]

I somehow found myself drawn to this chapter :yes:

 

I like it. Non salamander humanitarians. Maybe having slightly more Apothecaries more than usual, and their chaplians not being "Death to the xenos!" but "Life to the flock!" kind of thing?

 

Yeah, I like the idea of Astartes seeing themselves as human shields, last ones to leave the battle field even if it is in a body bag so of thing.

 

I'm all for heroic last stands, maybe I'll have to write up a 300-esque heroic defeat to fuel the fire.

Erm, no, the very first IA I wrote* was the Vengeance of Corax, who were very ghostlike in nature. :D

 

But yeah, these guys are pretty awesome for the reasons you stated.

 

*They are now known as the Wraiths of Darkness, and, well, they still aren't done.

 

I'm not sure these things will ever be done, I think that is part of the charm of IA.

[Shadey]

I like your IA. Sometimes the doom and gloom darkness can get a bit excessive (and this from a goth), taken to the extreme it can be just as shallow as the opposite end of the spectrum. It's nice to see some relatively good guys. Despite what some people will tell you there is plenty of room for it in the 40k galaxy.

[Firepower]

Pretty fun stuff you've thought up here, I like.

 

One curiosity that you may or may not explore: the sort of warfare the Chapter pursues now will undoubtedly yield a high number of casualties compared to the more direct approach most Astartes use. The Raven Guard have already had one nasty turn of fate when Corax tried to address this issue with some "creative genetic tinkering." Do you think the Shades are likely to repeat the mistake or to do something of a similarly profoundly short-sighted nature?

 

As for the whole "may never be done," thing: what chapter IS done? Even canon chapters are in a state of flux that is remolded with each new codex. The only difference is Liber threads (generally) are updated much faster than GW works :tu: .

[kiwitexansfan]

Pretty fun stuff you've thought up here, I like.

 

One curiosity that you may or may not explore: the sort of warfare the Chapter pursues now will undoubtedly yield a high number of casualties compared to the more direct approach most Astartes use. The Raven Guard have already had one nasty turn of fate when Corax tried to address this issue with some "creative genetic tinkering." Do you think the Shades are likely to repeat the mistake or to do something of a similarly profoundly short-sighted nature?

 

As for the whole "may never be done," thing: what chapter IS done? Even canon chapters are in a state of flux that is remolded with each new codex. The only difference is Liber threads (generally) are updated much faster than GW works :) .

 

Funny you mention the weregeld, my second edition of the Shades had that as a major theme but in game terms I would be making them count as Assault Terminators and I don't really like that flavour of Space Marine. It was an interesting twist and helped me work the Shades in alongside the Radical Inquisition force I have but I can do that as easily without that.

 

However....... if the right modeling opportunity came along I might just be able to make some weregeld to fit the Assault elements of my Deathwing force 1st Company I'm working on.... now that is a thought. Super Freak Mutants holding the waves of enemy off as the normal humans and super human marines sneak away.....

[Chapter Master Ignis Domus]

This is good. How do they know that the unborn children are compatible with the gene-seed? Do they openly negotiate with the xenos? If they do, they're going to be very dead, very soon. I would change this to they are willing to co-operate with the xenos if they have to.

 

Even if they aren't compatible a Chapter needs more staff than just Marines. For every Marine in the field there would be a dozen support workers of various ilks.

 

As to them being dead, dead, dead, who would be killing them? Negotiation in my mind means less than working with someone.

 

The inquisition, of course.

[kiwitexansfan]

If every chapter who had fought alongside or called a truce with Xenos was destroyed, you wouldn't have too many chapters left.

[Grey Hunter Ydalir]

If every chapter who had fought alongside or called a truce with Xenos was destroyed, you wouldn't have too many chapters left.

 

This. Calling a halt to a costly or preventing such a conflict when there are greater concerns around is hardly cause to call them traitor. Chapters are independent for a reason and their efficient management of their own resources is not somethng they would be called to answer for all that frequently.

 

Sure there will be more than a few individuals calling for their penitence or whatnot for such action but if the reason a chapter pulled out of a skirmish with a xenos force in order to respond to a call for aid from an Imperial World they would hardly be lambasted for it, even in the Imperium. At least, that's my view.

 

Anyone who wanted them gone in the Inquisition would have to make a case that what they were doing was worse than it really was. Though that's not anything unusual either.

 

The inquisition, of course.

 

The Inquisition is the support structure and organization used by Inquisitors. It's a subtle difference but all Inquisitors are independent bar the factions they form together based on their beliefs. Even within such factions there are sub groups.

 

The most powerful Inquisitor Lords will have gotten to their positions through a lot of politicking along with any other personal heroics or accomplishments. Imperial politics are byzantine at best, though one good way of making yourself a lot of very powerful and independent enemies would be throwing your weight around and accusing various Astartes chapters of heresy. They tend to stick together so you'd be making more than just one chapter your foe as well. Not a pleasing thought.

[Chapter Master Ignis Domus]

Sorry, I guess I misunderstood. I thought you meant a long-term peace treaty. :)

[kiwitexansfan]

Sorry, I guess I misunderstood. I thought you meant a long-term peace treaty. :D

 

The way I envision my Chapter operating and what they specialise in, there won't be many peaceful ends to anything, there will be balls to the wall escapes, near deaths, actual deaths, heroic defeats and lots of hurt had by all.

[Chapter Master Ignis Domus]

Thank you for clarifying that.

[kiwitexansfan]

I've added some stuff to fluff things out a bit more. Particularly how a relatively new chapter who experiences heavy losses manages to stay equipped like they are....

History

The Shades of Corax were part of the 26th founding as a fleet based Chapter and assigned to patrol the eastern reaches of the Segmentum Ultima. Created using Ravenguard Geneseed, they are subject to the organ failure common to all those who share the blood of Corax.

Early in the Chapters existence, they were involved in a series of conflicts, most notably against a Tyranid splinter fleet and a Necron Raiding party. During these conflicts the Shades were witness to horrendous civilian losses. These losses weighed heavily upon the Shades who saw themselves as the guardians of mankind.

However the defining moment of the Chapter’s history occurred on Otara IV where the Shades fought alongside numerous Imprerial Guard regiments and the Celestial Shark Chapter of Space Marines. Faced with an overwhelming Tyranid onslaught the planet was deemed lost during the 4th week of the invasion. At this time a strategic withdrawal was ordered and the Guard and Celestial Shark Chapters withdrew as ordered to save their fighting strength for the next Tyranid attack. It was at this point, Captian Carr of the Shades of Corax 3rd Company made a decision that would forever characterize the Chapter, he chose to stay and fight while the transport elements of his fleet evacuated as many civilians as possible. Of the Space Marines who stood and fought only Captain Carr and a handful of others made it aboard the final transport ship. While the planet was lost and billions had died the heroic actions of the Shades 3rd saved thousands of innocent Imperial citizens.

From this point on, the leadership of the Shades dedicated themselves to honour the heroic actions of the 3rd and vowed to fight with the same sacrificial valour exhibited by those heroes of the Chapter. They would forever be the shield of the Imperial everyman, fight no matter the odds, whatever the cost and when all hope is lost. To this day the Shades are to be found where the fate of the Imperial cause is most dire, where the light of hope is fading and there is no foreseeable future except defeat.

To aid in these somewhat humanitarian endeavours the Shades have a large fleet of transports attached and also have large medical auxillaries. Their fleet is centred on The Shades Battle Barge “Raven’s Ghost”, a ship ‘recovered’ during actions against an Eldar Pirate raiding party on a space dock at which the Barge was under construction. In addition to this the Shades fleet has a hospital ship, forge ship, transport ships and various escorts. A heavy emphasis is placed on pilot training, especially with those whose job it is to extract marines and equipment from planetside when things are hot and heavy.

Colour Scheme

White, Red Shoulder Trim, Grey Soft Armour, Black Gloves and Weaponry.

Chapter Symbol

The Watchman’s Eye. Symbolising how the Shades look over those in need.

Homeworld

None – Fleet Based.

Recruiting

Given the often suicidal and always costly actions the Shades of Corax are committed to, there needs to be a constant intake of recruits to the Chapter. While they do have outposts on a number of planets to bring recruits in, they have found that by far the most common means of obtaining new initiates is commitments from those they have saved as an act of gratitude when they nothing else to give. Sometimes this takes the form of a boy of the appropriate age being inducted immediately or a pledge of a child yet to be born to be dedicated to the Chapter. From these children given to the Chapter there will be those who genetically are suitable to become Marines, and the others are trained in other service to the Chapter such as medical, technical or administrative services.

In addition to these recruits, the Shades also seek to secure the services of skilled people from amongst those who they rescue. On one such occasion, the destruction of a small forge world, Mangere III, led to the Shades securing the service of a dozen Tech-Adepts and the services of a Tech-Priest who know apply their skills aboard the Chapter’s forge ship.

Combat Doctrine

The Shades of Corax’s combat doctrine is built around the ability to anticipate, recognize and react to threats in the field. Underpinning this is a resolute and unwavering determination to stand firm backed by an absolute commitment to their cause.

They have a large scout contingent who monitors enemy actions and attempts to disrupt and delay them whenever possible. In support of this is artillery and Land Speeder units. The Shades also feature a large number of Dreadnoughts as the commitment to the cause they hold, lasts beyond the health of the Space Marine body.

Most Shades detachments are led by a Techmarine or Master of the Forge and a Librarian. The techmarine ensures the smooth function of equipment till the very end while the Librarians are crucial for ensuring that there is a last means of escape during last stands using Gating techniques.

The most common actions the Shades are involved in are defensive battles where they seek to set mobile defensive screens, stage fighting withdrawals, deny spaceports and important structures and ensure all that can be recovered from the battlefield or planet is recovered before survivors are extracted.

It is not uncommon for the Shades of Corax 1st company to be the last Imperial presence on a doomed planet, there red Terminator armour is at once a last hope for the beleaguered and almost always the bell tolling on a planets demise.

It is also worthy of note that the Shades of Corax have encountered the infamous Legion of the Damned on numerous occasions. These encounters have even seen situation that have seemed hopeless won for the Emperor. Whether there is some particular purpose in the Legion helping the Shades, or whether the Shades are more prone to needing ‘special intervention’ is unclear.

Beliefs

The Shades of Corax only believe in one thing, the preservation of the Imperium of Man. To meet this end they will fight against all odds and to the bitter end. They believe the Emperors vision for the Space Marines was to ensure the security and survival of the men and women of the Imperium at the price of their blood.

They will also do whatever is necessary to ensure the long term safety and security of the people within the imperium, even extending to co-operating and negotiating with Xenos races at times.

A less recognized and less promoted aspect of the Chapters activities are the recovery of materials and supplies during their battles. It is not uncommon for Scouts and Tech-Adepts to locate and appropriate materials from behind enemy lines or as the defenses are crumbling around them. The Shades feel that equipment and supplies bought at the price of their blood when no others would stand in their place is a small compensation for the deaths of their battle brothers.

Organisation

The Shades are basically Codex Adherentin their organization although the Terminator 1st company consists entirely of Terminator armoured veterans. This large supply of TDA has been secured by this scavenging policy and by their actions on Forge World Mangere III. This Forge World had many suits of armour in various stages of manufacture and the Shades were very diligent in ensuring they were recoverd before each manufactutorium was abandoned.

The Scout Company is also outsized for two reasons, one is due to the heavy losses the Chapter experiences in battles and a belief in a need to have excellent information to ensure their mobile defense and object recovery philosophies can be employed to their utmost.

Chapter Motto/Battle Cry

(Battle Leader) Hope to the Hopeless, (Troops) Death to our enemies.