The Guardians of Eternity

[Erasmus of Baal]

The very first time I posted on B&C, somebody was already asking me for this...after a few weeks of work, it's done. Not finished, mind, it probably still needs some touch-up. I'm looking fo C&C, but please, friends...I have read the posted "rules" (guidlines, really, even by their own admission) for creating a DIY chapter, and I sort-of break some and blatantly break others. I'm fully prepared to take flak for it, and I know what items in the Chapter I would refuse to change. (Bonus points if you can figure out the army theme.)

 

THE GUARDIANS OF ETERNITY

 

The Guardians of Eternity claim to be the remains of the second Legion of Space Marines, but because of the unspoken fate of the second Legion, this claim is highly dubious at best. Speculation has suggested many other connections, with the most credible of these being to the sixth (Space Wolves), ninth (Blood Angels), eighteenth (Salamanders), or nineteenth (Raven Guard) legions; however, none of these can be proven by any means. The argument for a connection with the Blood Angels is the strongest, however, as the Chapter was able to assimilate a Blood Angels Successor Chapter into its ranks with little problems.

 

They do not make public most of their claims about the second Primarch save to refer to him as the “Green Dragon,” but they do claim a single relic to belong to him: a green helmet, heavily stylized to appear as though a dragon’s head. Part of the reason little knowledge is shared about their Primarch is, quite frankly, that little is known about the Primarch even amongst the Guardians of Eternity, and they are uncomfortable about sharing their beliefs on the matter. Their colors were originally pure gold, with colors on the shoulderpads and helmet indicating rank: Captains wore red, Veterans wore white, Sergeants wore blue, regular Marines wore yellow, and Scouts wore black. In spite of this, the Chapter was not as strictly stratified as one might think or even as stratified as other Chapters. The command hierarchy, despite having these obvious indications of rank, was socially very loose and it was not unheard-of for a Marine recently given his first suit of power armor to go directly to the Chapter Master with personal concerns. (Granted, this was indeed the exception, and when this happened the Chapter Master almost always directed the new Marine to some other authority which could help.)

 

The most curious of the Guardians’ traditions is the practice of musical forms. While a wide variety of these are explored, the most popular being the flute, none is required, and some Marines enjoy the melodies of their brethren without joining in the playing. According to the traditional stories of the Guardians of Eternity, the Green Dragon played the flute, but again, there is no solid evidence of this, most notably there is no archaic flute which is claimed to have been used by the Primarch. Since the conjoining of the Sons of Blood, however, a form of melodic chant has become incredibly popular similar to those of ancient monastic traditions.

 

The Sons of Blood were a Blood Angels Successor Chapter, by way of the Blood Drinkers Chapter, founded in M40; theirs was an honorable, if short, history. They were originally essentially a copy of the Blood Drinkers based on the planet of Phaedos, a Feral World in the Segmentum Ultima, until they discovered late in the millennium that their gene-seed was degenerating at such an astounding speed that they did not expect to survive to M42. Violently refusing to fade calmly into oblivion, they began a galactic crusade against all enemies. During this time, their Fortress-Monastery was manned by not even a full Company of Space Marines as the entire Chapter crusaded in unity; they fought entrenched Chaos warriors in the Segmentum Obscurus, battled Dark Eldar in the Segmentum Pacificus, and slaughtered Orks in the Ultima Segmentum. It was during this last that the Sons of Blood met with the Guardians of Eternity. The campaign against the Orks had been a long, drawn-out conflict that required much aid from the local Imperial Guard regiments, and two companies from the Guardians of Eternity returning to their homeworld from a separate campaign chose to join in. After the Orks were defeated, shortly after the Space Marines had left the planet, the Imperial Guard stations were overrun by an advancing Necron army. The ensuing engagement was hard-fought on both sides, but the Space Marines were victorious. However, the Sons of Blood, as they had hardly recruited as compared to their losses during this crusade, were now at critically low strength, roughly two companies of Marines plus recruits, including all of their support crews such as Techmarines, Chaplains, and Sanguinary Priests. The Captain of the Guardians of Eternity commanding that expedition, Erasmus, approached the Chapter Master of the Sons of Blood with a radical proposition that would permanently and dramatically alter both Chapters: Erasmus suggested that the two Chapters be merged. Captain Erasmus communicated with Chapter Master Ignatius of the Guardians of Eternity directly for permission to explore the matter with the Apothecaries of both Chapters. Chapter Master Ignatius decided that he would permit the exploration so long as it was under watch of representatives from both Chapters’ Apothecaries and only using the Sons’ recruits. The genetic results were nothing short of spectacular. The Guardians’ gene-seed merged with the Sons’ very readily, the two repairing flaws in each other to great extent but never completely. Thus, the influence of Sanguinius’ gene-curse was dramatically reduced, but it remained present and would likely increase once more. This also reduced some of the noteworthy aspects of the Guardians’ gene-seed, most notably the over-active Larraman’s Organ and the underdeveloped neuroglottis; again, these eccentricities will likely redevelop over time. The union had a number of other interesting effects. The Guardians of Eternity gained many of the Blood Angels’ traditions, such as the use of Sanguinary Guard and Sanguinary Priests, and also some of the Blood Angels’ other battlefield advantages, such as Lucifer-pattern engines, Stormraven gunships, and a small dose of the Red Thirst. However, in all other respects, the Chapter is till clearly the Guardians of Eternity; they have maintained their own traditions in full while assimilating those of the Sons of Blood, most notably that of the Order of the Iron Will. The Flaw is as of yet manifest but little in the Guardians’ gene-seed or behavior, with usually no more than fifteen Death Company members in the entire Chapter, but the Flaw still shows clearly in the Marines’ ferocity during battle.

 

The entire Chapter’s armor is currently a shining gold, with red shoulderpads and helmets. Their Sanguinary Guard wear red armor, but their arms, Death Masks, jump packs, and wings are all colored gold. The Guardians of Eternity bear little if ever any Chapter iconography, although their absorption of the Sons of Blood has resulted in a great amount of Blood Angels iconography being added to their armor by way of tribute. Scouts still wear black shoulder-pads, even though the tradition of shoulderpad color indicating rank has been done away with.

 

In accordance with their claims of heralding from the times of the Great Crusade, the Guardians of Eternity originally did not have a distinct Reclusiam; instead, superiors would guide their subordinate brothers spiritually (for example, a Sergeant would serve as spiritual leader for his squad) with results that were strongly positive so long as the Primarch was with them. In M32, well after the last myth of the Primarch ends, the Chapter Master Dulceo determined that there was a need for “Marines of strong spiritual strength and health with a desire to lead their brothers and even their superiors into contentment of soul with our eternal defense of all Mankind.” He instituted the Order of the Iron Will, a rough equivalent to the Reclusiam of other Chapters. They were originally denoted by the mark of a cross on one of their shoulderpads, but in M34 the head of the Order of the Iron Will, Lord Olivius, determined that this was “insufficient sign and symbol for warriors of such nobility of spirit.” Therefore, with permission of the Chapter Master, the Order of the Iron Will began wearing silver armor rather than gold, and all were given cross-shaped conversion field generators which functioned similarly to a Rosarius. Since the absorption of the Sons of Blood, the Order of the Iron Will has continued wearing their silver armor, but has taken up wearing black shoulderpads and helmets in recognition of the Sons of Blood Chapter’s Reclusiam. Some now use a Rosarius rather than the cross-shaped device of similar effect, and all wield power weapons, whether a Crosius Arcanum or not. (It should be noted here that Lord Olivius has the dubious honor of being the only Space Marine on record to die of old age; after expiration, however, he was interred in a Dreadnought, which was later altered to be a Furioso Dreadnought, and has taken up the new colors of the Order of the Iron Will with enthuse.)

 

The Guardians of Eternity’s main Fortress-Monastery is on a Dead World known as Inanio Planitia, located in the Ultima Segmentum, far to the galactic North-East. The Fortress-Monastery was built upon the ruins of a mighty city, destroyed in an ancient conflict. A single status was all the remained whole from the city’s destruction, a humanoid figure bearing a sword and shield and wearing a particular ring. The ring and sword can be separated from the statue and supposedly have mighty powers, but none such have been proveably manifested. The sword is used in the Guardians’ initiation rites, which have been expanded to include a version of Insanguination, and the ring is used in rites of promotion to major positions such as a Chaplain becoming a Reclusiarch, a Captain becoming the Chapter Master, or a Marine becoming a Veteran. The Fortress-Monastery’s population varies widely as events pass, but is never manned by less than 350 Marines. The Guardians of Eternity once recruited from hive worlds as necessary, but preferred to choose recruits from the Civilized World of Eltar, where they continue to maintain a base manned by one Company of Marines. As Eltar is relatively near to the Galactic Core, it is an excellent staging point for the Guardians’ military expeditions throughout the galaxy. Currently, the bulk of the Guardians’ recruits are drawn from Phaedos, where the Sons of Blood’s Fortress-Monastery still stands, manned at all times by at least 2 Companies. The jungle-covered Feral World is filled with dangers both natural and Warp-influenced, making some of the optimal recruits in the entire Segmentum Pacificus.

 

The Guardians of Eternity once adhered well to the Codex Astartes; while they were not rigid in this adherence, the structure of the Chapter was similar to Codex recommendations. Since the inclusion of the Sons of Blood, however, Company size has been increased to be 150 Marines per Company, for a typical total of ten Tactical squads and five Assault squads. However, typically two of these squads are not used in their stated role, but instead as vehicle crew. Also, instead of having a separate Company for Veteran Marines, each Company furnishes its own as appropriate; the First Company, then, is filled with all of the unusual roles that Marines can have, such as Sanguinary Guard, Techmarines, Librarians, etc. The Chapter Master is included in the First Company, and Captains are included in their own companies. As such, although the Chapter is officially larger than other Chapters, it is absolutely no larger than it claims to be. Even the Tenth Company, still a Scout Company, cuts off at 150 members including the Captain.

 

The Guardians of Eternity own three Battle Barges and fourteen Strike Cruisers on account of the recent merge with the Sons of Blood. In general, one Battle Barge is stationed at each of the three planets, and the Strike Cruisers are assigned one to a Company with the exception of the First and Tenth Companies. One Strike Cruiser is the Chapter Master’s personal flagship. The remaining Strike Cruisers are used to transport First Company specialists, Scouts, and new recruits as necessary.

[Quozzo]

I doubt that a company from the lost second legion and a Blood Angels successor would ever consider merging Chapters, let alone gene-seed. The BA and their successors are particularly xenophobic when it comes to their flaw as they really don't want the Inquisition to be permanently watching their every move, If they told another chapter about their flaw they may be branded as tainted with chaos. Also the BA wouldn't let an outsider know about their traditions rituals or rites as these have been passed down since before their Primarch and no others, not even other Space Marines are worthy of such knowledge. If it was that easy to get rid of the flaw or even reduce its effects on the battlefield why haven't the BA considered it? Notice i have only mentioned the BA because with absolutely no info as regards to fluff on the second legion, its hard to comment.

 

Lord Olivius has the dubious honor of being the only Space Marine on record to die of old age

Space Marines don't die of old age, imagine a old guy with a zimmer frame on the side of a motorway trying to get to the other side with traffic whirring past at over a 100mph. But instead, the zimmer frame is a bolter and the vehicles are incoming fire, not a pretty sight. Also if part of the gene-seed was from a BA successor they would have a significantly increased life span, Dante is 1100 years old and isn't even dead yet so a Marine with gene-seed that has Part BA and part ?? would die of old age at something like 750 years? it could even be more that Dante, who knows. He's either a scardy cat that doesn't go into battle or urm...?

 

He instituted the Order of the Iron Will, a rough equivalent to the Chaplainry of other Chapters

If there was no Reclusiam, i think is the word you're looking for, then how did new aspirants get screened to see if they were spiritually pure with no taint of chaos or of the right mind set to become a tactical expert?

 

Also the name; Guardians of eternity, i assume you mean eternal guardians and not actually guarding eternity but whats the story behind the name? what are they guarding and be careful here as Space Marines are not the PDF

 

With all that said though it was a good read.

[Erasmus of Baal]

I doubt that . . . hard to comment.

 

That's just it--their origins are obscure. They claim to be Second Legion, but have no proof. They likely are someone else, I just don't like using any of them for an origin story except the line of Sanguinius. Also, the Flaw is trumped up as some big secret, but I have read multiple examples of outsiders knowing about it. If the Space Marines are to follow the ideal internal policing policy, then I don't understand why absolutely no one else would have any idea. (As for the related situation of the DA, outsiders seem to be aware of just about as much as the rank-and-file Marines do, so there's no discrepancy.)

 

Lord Olivius has the dubious honor of being the only Space Marine on record to die of old age

Space Marines . . . doesn't go into battle or urm...?

 

Lord Olivius was from before the merge with the Sons of Blood. In fact, he was around (M34) before the Sons of Blood were even founded (in M40). The fact of his badassery is tired in with the theme, actually.

 

He instituted the Order of the Iron Will, a rough equivalent to the Chaplainry of other Chapters

If there was no Reclusiam, . . . expert?

 

"Reclusiam" is indeed the word I was thinking of (with BA codex on hand, I have no idea why I didn't come up with it). As for the screening process, I hadn't even thought of that--I've read some stories about initiation practices, but such a screening wasn't mentioned, so I wasn't prepared to include that. Thinking of it now, I suppose that, especially with the hierarchal spiritual guidance system, it would be the duty of the Apothecaries to make any such checks.

 

After posting this, I made the edit. Thanks for mentioning the "Reclusiam" bit!

 

Also the name; . . . not the PDF

 

No plan concerning that. I just thought of the name and decided to use it, that's all. (Now that I think of it, though, it does rather tie in with the overall theme.)

 

With all that said though it was a good read.

 

Well, I certainly can't complain about that. Thanks for taking the time! =)

[Quozzo]

I was thinking about the Chapter name 'The Guardians of Eternity' and even though they mixed the gene-seed, the same name was kept, that must have been a blow to the Sons of Blood who trained the Apothecaries into the Sanguinary Priests and even kept the traditions of the Sanguinius blood line like the Sanguinary Guard for example. perhaps change the name to reflect this huge change in their history but keeping the theme of both Chapters. Blood Guardians of Eternity, Eternal Guardians of Blood, Eternal Blood Guards? check my sig for a Chapter Name Creator

 

two of these squads are not used in their stated role, but instead as vehicle crew

Space Marines aren't used as vehicle crew as they're better off shooting stuff than joy riding in a tank, leave that to the serfs and servitors that can be integrated into the machines neurologically, leaving the Space Marines to quickly evac and assault nearby forces rather than the driver giving a prep talk over the vox unit whilst his brothers get all the fun. Theres also no mention of Space Marines getting trained to drive vehicles and theres no 11th company that has a driving instructor sergeant. If Space Marines did drive tanks and the like then where would it end? they start flying Stormraven Gunships? Frigates? and Battle Barges can have well over 1000 serfs, Space Marines are just too important.

 

Company size has been increased to be 150 Marines per Company

If thats the case then does the entire Chapter consist of 1500 marines? that may cause the Inquisition some concern. And are 200 of those really driving tanks all day? perhaps consider only 6 or 7 companies with 150 marines as the chapter will then have 900-1050 at full battle strength which may take an age or two to get to that sort of level as the reason behind them merging was because they were at risk of being wiped out.

 

These are just some last minute thoughts.

[Wysten]

The Crimson Guardians? Though that being said, merging gene seed is pretty much unheard of. Seems too much of a mary sue way of ridding the Flaw that has no real logic in the 40K univerce, remember, they already tried merging Gene Seed, that was the cursed founding. Just be weary of that point of view, though it was pretty entertaining.

 

Just don't overload your Marine group with too many gimmics, merging with BA is pretty big, being a possible, if questionable sound founding desendant is also big. Mixing the two together can stretch belief to breaking point, easpically considering the entire gene seed though. Thats like two Primarchs.... Together.... BLACK RAGE! WOLF FOR WOLF GOD! XD

 

Just there is no nessiary need for the chapter size increase, considering both chapters were well worn through. The BA may well have just been absorbed into the chapters ranks without needing special organisation. Or perhaps even have it that the chapter is two seperate organisations in itself, though working extremely close together. Though just for flavour rather then codex mixing, elite Thunder Hammer units or Vanguard could quite easily repersent the elite.

[Erasmus of Baal]

I was thinking about the Chapter name . . . Creator

 

It's a very good idea to change the name, and I thought of that, too, but I couldn't come up with anything that was even vaguely satisfactory except "Eternal Bloodguard."

 

two of these squads are not used in their stated role, but instead as vehicle crew

Space Marines aren't used as vehicle crew . . . are just too important.

 

It's mentioned specifically that Space Marines drive the bikes, Land Speeders, and Stormraven Gunships, and I recall in the older rules (though I never played them), it was actually relevant that Space Marines piloted the vehicles. I just figured that Space Marines still do pilot vehicles, especially given one bit of fluff (I don't remember the source) that stated that most Chapters actually have well over 1,000 Marines between specialists (Chaplains, Apothecaries, etc.) and the vehicle drivers. As for the spaceships, I have little to no knowledge about who flies those, I've always assumed that the captain who is physically tied in to the ship is a Space Marine, but the rest is all serfs and Techmarines.

 

Company size has been increased to be 150 Marines per Company

If thats the case . . . at risk of being wiped out.

 

Part of the reason that I included the vehicle drivers in the Company members' count is that these guys could be driving tanks one battle and working as a Tactical Squad the next.

Also, after all of the Veterans, specialists, and drivers are accounted for, by my count at least, the Chapter actually isn't very much bigger than a typical Chapter. (Looking at the BA Codex, they have 136 specialists listed, plus the other 910 Marines, plus 156 Scouts and recruits. Total is 1,202, plus more if my theory is correct and vehicle drivers are unlisted.)

 

These are just some last minute thoughts.

Any kind of thoughts are helpful, even if you're just getting me to reason through everything that I said to make sure that it makes sense. Thank you.

 

(I can't find a way to phrase that that doesn't sound passive-aggressive, and I really don't mean it that way. I really am grateful when people make me think through my beliefs and actions, which you have certainly done.)

[Erasmus of Baal]

The Crimson Guardians? Though that being said, . . . it was pretty entertaining.

 

Funny you shoudl mention that...it's actually not a mary sue way of getting rid of the curse. It's a mary sue way of having a Chapter of mysterious past to have the curse! I love that aspect of the Blood Angels, want a unique, metallic-heavy color scheme, and couldn't come up with an alternate different history. So we get these guys. And I have come up with a name by now, the Eternally Red Guardians, but I stiull need to either edit it in or, well--keep reading.

 

Just don't overload your Marine group with too many gimmics, . . . XD

 

I have a theme (no one has even guessed at it yet, actually) that I wanted to tie in with the Blood Angels. Again, I just couldn't find a better way.

 

Just there is no nessiary need for the chapter size increase, . . . elite Thunder Hammer units or Vanguard could quite easily repersent the elite.

 

Yeah, the more I've been thinking about it, the more I realize that what I actually want might be a pair of Chapters instead of the merger. I'm not sure how that would work, though, with color scheming. (I have no want to be painting TWO armies' worth of units in TWO color schemes that are supposed to compliment each other. I have trouble enough with one color scheme....)

 

I'm not sure what you mean by mentioning "the elite" at the end of that, though.