Doomhammers

[Erasmus of Baal]

Origins:

--Successor Chapter to the Blood Drinkers

--A fleet-based Chapter sent to hold the outer reaches of the Imperium against all enemies on the eastern fringes

 

History:

--Normally combating demons and demonic influence, but all sorts of enemies present in these outer regions

--battle of the Walls of Babylon: Traitorous fortress on Akkadia called “Babylon” destroyed and rebuilt in the Emperor’s name as a Fortress-Monastery (called “Dilmun” meaning “Heaven” or “Paradise” in the native language)

 

Home World:

--Desert World, few bodies of water aside from oases

--Native tribes very religious, polytheistic with a strong central figure that equivalates loosely to the Emperor

--Native tribes refer to the Space Marines as the ‘Annunaki,’ their term for ‘gods.’

--Recruitment trials held in the outermost walls of Dilmun; this time, once every nine years, is the only time when regular humans (servitors notwithstanding) are permitted inside even the outermost walls.

 

Beliefs:

--“The Emperor’s beacon fades more rapidly every year. This is absolute fact, and it is taken by many who know to be a sign of the Imperium’s decay. This ideam however, is blatantly false. The fading of the Astronomican is as a father allowing his growing son to explore the world without a guiding hand; indeed, we are become the Emperor’s light.”

--More keenly aware of the Astronomican’s decay than most in the Imperium because of location

--The Emperor is the father of mankind and is to be obeyed and revered as such. He is seen more as a grandfather to the Chapter, as the Chapter stems from the Emperor’s son Sanguinius. This is reinforced by the rebirth from being human into the superhumanism of the Space Marines—the sons caring for their elders’ weaknesses.

--The hammer is a perfect symbol of a Space Marine to them: a tool which could be made use of in a wide variety of nonmilitarily productive tasks is instead put to use at war—rather than growing up as humans capable of supporting the Imperium, they become Space Marines, tailored only for war.

 

Gene-seed:

--“Our father wielded no hammer. We do so in his name!”

--Sanguinius' lineage

--Degradation of gene-seed uncertain because of impressive levels of control over the Black Rage and even more impressive Death Company death rate

 

Combat Doctrine:

--“The force of a hammer, the focus of a rapier”

--heavy emphasis on the use of hard-hitting assault-oriented squads

--Tactical Squads frequently equipped with jump packs to transport them about the battlefield or even equipped and used as Assault Squads.

--Likely the most innovative and progressive of Chapters, as they believe that the need for the Emperor’s blessing is decaying with the Astronomican. This belief leads to their enhanced willingness to develop and use new doctrines and technologies.

 

Organization:

--mostly Codex

--2 squads of recently promoted Scouts (per Company) that function either as Assault or Tactical squads, at the Captain’s preference. Some outside the Chapter believe that these squads are also used as ‘suicide squads’ to send Death Company members into battle. (Not true; the newly promoted are just unusually vigorous in their willingness to throw themselves into combat. It is true, however, that these are more likely than elder Marines to succumb to the Black Rage.)

--all Assault Sergeants and Captains wield a Thunder Hammer

 

Battle-cry:

“Warhammers of mankind!” reply: “Bring down the walls of Chaos!”

 

 

 

 

 

This started as being inspired by the song "Walls of Babylon" by Symphony X, combined with my want to do a hammer-focused chapter. The "Walls of Babylon" theme threw in a few references to Babylonian/Sumerian religion that I will likely expand upon somewhat. What was funny was that I wanted them to be facing Chaos without being in one of the usual locations, so I put them out on the edge--which I allowed to lead the Chapter to being aware of the Astronomican's decay and treating it as a good thing with the Emperor acting like a father, allowing his children to move beyond his influence.

Thanks to Octavulge for the guide that I used to structure this.

[Ecritter]

sounds good so far albeit verging on heresy.

[Erasmus of Baal]

sounds good so far albeit verging on heresy.

 

How so?

[Shinzaren]

Developing new technologies outside the AdMech's influence is heresy. And if they find out, they'll come after you for it.

[Quozzo]

Developing new technologies outside the AdMech's influence is heresy. And if they find out, they'll come after you for it.

 

What if they gave the tech to the AdMech? but they also kept it for themselves?

[Shinzaren]

Developing new technologies outside the AdMech's influence is heresy. And if they find out, they'll come after you for it.

 

What if they gave the tech to the AdMech? but they also kept it for themselves?

 

The problem is that the AdMech are very insular and do everything they can to keep their monopoly of tech. They wouldn't appreciate others developing new stuff, even if they got it as well. They wouldn't wanna let people running around with the ability to make tech.

[Erasmus of Baal]

Developing new technologies outside the AdMech's influence is heresy. And if they find out, they'll come after you for it.

 

What if they gave the tech to the AdMech? but they also kept it for themselves?

 

The problem is that the AdMech are very insular and do everything they can to keep their monopoly of tech. They wouldn't appreciate others developing new stuff, even if they got it as well. They wouldn't wanna let people running around with the ability to make tech.

 

I suppose I should be clearer about my intent with this. I was thinking less of inventing completely new stuff than reworking the older tech--like developing different armaments for Land Raiders, for example. The same tech, just a redistribution of it. Also, I was thinking of having someone (maybe the Chapter Master) have some kind of super-gun that would just be a variant of an already-made weapon (like a plasma rifle designed to shoot faster but with less force, for example, thus being a S6 AP2 Assault 3 18" Gets Hot weapon). The other aspect that this has is that they are unusually willing to accept new such variants from other chapters--they would immediately accept, for example, the Ares Land Raider developed by the Dark Angels. I really and truly was not thinking of having them invent completely new technologies.

[The Shadowlord]

All this is assuming that he hasn't got ties with a more radical part of the Ad Mech, as like the Inquisition, i'm sure it's made up of both purists ("STCs only pl0x") and radicals ("I guess we could just take a peek at how this thing works... maybe make a few and see how it goes... >.>") as opposed to full purists.

 

Perhaps they could have links with the "right people" inside the Ad Mech?

[Ecritter]

Now you're going from heresy to power-gaming! Is it really necessary?

[Erasmus of Baal]

Now you're going from heresy to power-gaming! Is it really necessary?

This isn't about power gaming--if it was about power gaming, that would be rather clear. I have very specifically made it about what would be (as far as I can see) the logical conclusion of their beliefs; this is not the Chapter's emphasis, and it is not mine.

[Octavulg]

Origins:

--Successor Chapter to the Blood Drinkers

--A fleet-based Chapter sent to hold the outer reaches of the Imperium against all enemies on the eastern fringes

 

The Eastern Fringes? There're Ultramarines out there - I'm sure they have it under control. :lol:

 

History:

--Normally combating demons and demonic influence, but all sorts of enemies present in these outer regions

--battle of the Walls of Babylon: Traitorous fortress on Akkadia called “Babylon” destroyed and rebuilt in the Emperor’s name as a Fortress-Monastery (called “Dilmun” meaning “Heaven” or “Paradise” in the native language)

 

Be a little subtler about Babylon. I'd say call the world that, since planet names can be all kinds of things. That makes the collision of Akaddia and Babylon a little less obvious.

 

Beliefs:

--“The Emperor’s beacon fades more rapidly every year. This is absolute fact, and it is taken by many who know to be a sign of the Imperium’s decay. This ideam however, is blatantly false. The fading of the Astronomican is as a father allowing his growing son to explore the world without a guiding hand; indeed, we are become the Emperor’s light.”

--More keenly aware of the Astronomican’s decay than most in the Imperium because of location

 

Interesting.

 

--The Emperor is the father of mankind and is to be obeyed and revered as such. He is seen more as a grandfather to the Chapter, as the Chapter stems from the Emperor’s son Sanguinius. This is reinforced by the rebirth from being human into the superhumanism of the Space Marines—the sons caring for their elders’ weaknesses.

--The hammer is a perfect symbol of a Space Marine to them: a tool which could be made use of in a wide variety of nonmilitarily productive tasks is instead put to use at war—rather than growing up as humans capable of supporting the Imperium, they become Space Marines, tailored only for war.

 

Interesting. Do they attempt to remain versatile and useful in other hammery pursuits nonetheless?

 

--Likely the most innovative and progressive of Chapters, as they believe that the need for the Emperor’s blessing is decaying with the Astronomican. This belief leads to their enhanced willingness to develop and use new doctrines and technologies.

 

This will need to be well-explained - why do they think this?

 

* * *

 

Some of the quotes are a little weak, but all in all it seems interesting. I like the whole 'dying of the light' angle - any other particular themes you're looking at emphasizing?

[Erasmus of Baal]

The Eastern Fringes? There're Ultramarines out there - I'm sure they have it under control. ;)

 

While I don't have the exact location down, I'm putting them closer to galactic north-east, whereas Ultramarines are in the south-east. I don't particularly like them Greco-Roman types, personally.

 

Be a little subtler about Babylon. I'd say call the world that, since planet names can be all kinds of things. That makes the collision of Akaddia and Babylon a little less obvious.

 

Well, Akkadia is the planet name, so if I make the planet named Babylon, then Akkadia does drop completely. Which, I guess, isn't that big of a thing. I like the name Akkadia much better than Babylon, though, so I think I'll just drop naming the Chaos fortress that.

 

Beliefs:

--“The Emperor’s beacon fades more rapidly every year. This is absolute fact, and it is taken by many who know to be a sign of the Imperium’s decay. This ideam however, is blatantly false. The fading of the Astronomican is as a father allowing his growing son to explore the world without a guiding hand; indeed, we are become the Emperor’s light.”

--More keenly aware of the Astronomican’s decay than most in the Imperium because of location

 

Interesting.

 

Thank you for that. I was particularly worried about this idea since some within the Imperium might view it very suspiciously, and I'm still not sure how their Navigators are responding to this idea that the Astronomican isn't critical. (This last, in fact, is why I posted some time ago in Amicus Aedes about the idea of Librarians serving as Navigators.)

 

--The hammer is a perfect symbol of a Space Marine to them: a tool which could be made use of in a wide variety of nonmilitarily productive tasks is instead put to use at war—rather than growing up as humans capable of supporting the Imperium, they become Space Marines, tailored only for war.

 

Interesting. Do they attempt to remain versatile and useful in other hammery pursuits nonetheless?

 

I intend to emphasize the aspect of Blood Angels and their successors as skilled artificers much more than Mr. Ward did. Other than that, not really, but if I got into much detail on the natives' culture, then they'll pobably have something. I mean, really, other than building/crafting things, how many nonmilitary uses does a hammer have?

 

--Likely the most innovative and progressive of Chapters, as they believe that the need for the Emperor’s blessing is decaying with the Astronomican. This belief leads to their enhanced willingness to develop and use new doctrines and technologies.

 

This will need to be well-explained - why do they think this?

 

I only included this because it seems natural to me that this is the end result of their views on the Astronomican's fading. It's really not critical; I just figure that they conclude that if the Emperor is releasing His most direct control over us, then it means that He trusts us enough that we don't have to consult with Him about every little question we have--we can decide whether or not something is sufficiently "pure" enough to use on our own.

 

Some of the quotes are a little weak, but all in all it seems interesting. I like the whole 'dying of the light' angle - any other particular themes you're looking at emphasizing?

 

Again, the hammers and some mention on major craftsmanship. Anything tied to the planet will be tied to the Babylonian/Sumerian/Akkadian gods, which I will probably reflect in the Marines' names as well. I'm also considering tossing out the Blood Angels bit and replacing them with Imperial Fists and [omitted pending community approval in Amicus Aedes].

[Octavulg]

While I don't have the exact location down, I'm putting them closer to galactic north-east, whereas Ultramarines are in the south-east. I don't particularly like them Greco-Roman types, personally.

 

Fair enough.

 

The north-east gets busy. Mostly, I think, to avoid the Ultramarines. :P

 

Well, Akkadia is the planet name, so if I make the planet named Babylon, then Akkadia does drop completely. Which, I guess, isn't that big of a thing. I like the name Akkadia much better than Babylon, though, so I think I'll just drop naming the Chaos fortress that.

 

Fair enough. I like Babylon better than Akkadia, myself. New Akkadia might also be a decent name, if you're interested.

 

Thank you for that. I was particularly worried about this idea since some within the Imperium might view it very suspiciously, and I'm still not sure how their Navigators are responding to this idea that the Astronomican isn't critical. (This last, in fact, is why I posted some time ago in Amicus Aedes about the idea of Librarians serving as Navigators.)

 

I suspect their Navigators try and keep quiet about the fact that they think their bosses are loony. :P

 

I intend to emphasize the aspect of Blood Angels and their successors as skilled artificers much more than Mr. Ward did. Other than that, not really, but if I got into much detail on the natives' culture, then they'll pobably have something. I mean, really, other than building/crafting things, how many nonmilitary uses does a hammer have?

 

Paperweight. Croquet. Juggling.

 

I only included this because it seems natural to me that this is the end result of their views on the Astronomican's fading. It's really not critical; I just figure that they conclude that if the Emperor is releasing His most direct control over us, then it means that He trusts us enough that we don't have to consult with Him about every little question we have--we can decide whether or not something is sufficiently "pure" enough to use on our own.

 

Risky. Could lead to corruption and heresy. How do they reconcile that with the sneaking influences of Chaos, which wait around every corner?

 

And how'd they come up with the Astronomican thing, too?

 

Again, the hammers and some mention on major craftsmanship. Anything tied to the planet will be tied to the Babylonian/Sumerian/Akkadian gods, which I will probably reflect in the Marines' names as well. I'm also considering tossing out the Blood Angels bit and replacing them with Imperial Fists and [omitted pending community approval in Amicus Aedes].

 

Benevolent warp entities have been done before - Angels Ascendant, for one, IIRC. There's some argument the Emperor is becoming one. And the Eldar Gods are Warp entities, too, IIRC. So it's possible.

 

That said, I think they'd get eaten by the malevolent ones.

 

Imperial Fists could work just as well.

[Erasmus of Baal]

Well, Akkadia is the planet name, so if I make the planet named Babylon, then Akkadia does drop completely. Which, I guess, isn't that big of a thing. I like the name Akkadia much better than Babylon, though, so I think I'll just drop naming the Chaos fortress that.

 

Fair enough. I like Babylon better than Akkadia, myself. New Akkadia might also be a decent name, if you're interested.

 

Ooh, I do like that! Thank you!

 

I intend to emphasize the aspect of Blood Angels and their successors as skilled artificers much more than Mr. Ward did. Other than that, not really, but if I got into much detail on the natives' culture, then they'll pobably have something. I mean, really, other than building/crafting things, how many nonmilitary uses does a hammer have?

 

Paperweight. Croquet. Juggling.

 

Somehow, I don't think Space Marines would use a lot of paper.

As for croquet..."Somebody go get the techmarine, Brother James impacted the hull with the ball again...needs to stop bringing his Thunder Hammer to these games...."

 

...I now have to find a way to model a Space Marine juggling Thunder Hammers.

 

I only included this because it seems natural to me that this is the end result of their views on the Astronomican's fading. It's really not critical; I just figure that they conclude that if the Emperor is releasing His most direct control over us, then it means that He trusts us enough that we don't have to consult with Him about every little question we have--we can decide whether or not something is sufficiently "pure" enough to use on our own.

 

Risky. Could lead to corruption and heresy. How do they reconcile that with the sneaking influences of Chaos, which wait around every corner?

 

And how'd they come up with the Astronomican thing, too?

 

The Astronomican thing has been mentioned in the fluff, that some systems are being lost because the Astronomican is decaying to where the system can't see it anymore; that far out on the edge, I think that a Space Marine Chapter would probably become aware of it.

 

As for the riskiness...well, that's part of their beliefs. The Emperor is letting go because He believes that we have the ability to look after ourselves and protect ourselves from the corruptive powers of Chaos.

 

Again, the hammers and some mention on major craftsmanship. Anything tied to the planet will be tied to the Babylonian/Sumerian/Akkadian gods, which I will probably reflect in the Marines' names as well. I'm also considering tossing out the Blood Angels bit and replacing them with Imperial Fists and [omitted pending community approval in Amicus Aedes].

 

Benevolent warp entities have been done before - Angels Ascendant, for one, IIRC. There's some argument the Emperor is becoming one. And the Eldar Gods are Warp entities, too, IIRC. So it's possible.

 

That said, I think they'd get eaten by the malevolent ones.

 

Imperial Fists could work just as well.

 

Well, I was planning to use the BA codex--I'm trying to show them as being a very assault-oriented army because that's what they are in my head, not vice versa--and their character just feels more like the Imperial Fists to me. I'm just worried about taking a bit of hell for using the BA codex to represent an Imperial Fists successor. A few small things would need to be changed if I'm switching Primogenitors, but that shouldn't be a problem.

 

The benevolent Warp entity--well, I'm not sure how that would even fit in, which is part of why I posted in Amicus Aedes--sometimes people discussing the topic will hit upon something that I really like.

[Octavulg]

Somehow, I don't think Space Marines would use a lot of paper.

As for croquet..."Somebody go get the techmarine, Brother James impacted the hull with the ball again...needs to stop bringing his Thunder Hammer to these games...."

 

...I now have to find a way to model a Space Marine juggling Thunder Hammers.

 

It's difficult being a source of inspiration, but I endure.

 

The Astronomican thing has been mentioned in the fluff, that some systems are being lost because the Astronomican is decaying to where the system can't see it anymore; that far out on the edge, I think that a Space Marine Chapter would probably become aware of it.

 

As in how did their interpretation arise.

 

Well, I was planning to use the BA codex--I'm trying to show them as being a very assault-oriented army because that's what they are in my head, not vice versa--and their character just feels more like the Imperial Fists to me. I'm just worried about taking a bit of hell for using the BA codex to represent an Imperial Fists successor. A few small things would need to be changed if I'm switching Primogenitors, but that shouldn't be a problem.

 

The BA rules and the IF don't entirely seem like they'd mesh well, it's true. Though they could be in the grips of holy rage or something.

 

The benevolent Warp entity--well, I'm not sure how that would even fit in, which is part of why I posted in Amicus Aedes--sometimes people discussing the topic will hit upon something that I really like.

 

True. I get most of my ideas through theft of inoccuous comments these days.

[Erasmus of Baal]

The Astronomican thing has been mentioned in the fluff, that some systems are being lost because the Astronomican is decaying to where the system can't see it anymore; that far out on the edge, I think that a Space Marine Chapter would probably become aware of it.

 

As in how did their interpretation arise.

 

As with other things in the IA, I found it only logical that someone in the Chapter would get the idea and it would catch easily. The Space Marines in general are specified as revering the Emperor not as a god but as an honorable figure to be imitated and learned from, and just as every such figure eventually leaves the student to continue on his own, so does the Emperor.

 

Well, I was planning to use the BA codex--I'm trying to show them as being a very assault-oriented army because that's what they are in my head, not vice versa--and their character just feels more like the Imperial Fists to me. I'm just worried about taking a bit of hell for using the BA codex to represent an Imperial Fists successor. A few small things would need to be changed if I'm switching Primogenitors, but that shouldn't be a problem.

 

The BA rules and the IF don't entirely seem like they'd mesh well, it's true. Though they could be in the grips of holy rage or something.

 

See, that's part of why I'm even willing to--the Red Thirst is negligible in most cases (I still haven't had anyone succumb), and I'm not going to be using the Death Company just by personal preference. I think it fits rather well, but again, many people react poorly to intentional codex-switching like that.

 

Otherwise, it is one thing that I'm considering making a part of the benevolent Warp-entity influence--it's a god(dess) of healing and light, so the Sanguinary Priests work well to represent his/her main adherents within the Chapter, similarly to Aspiring Champions of Chaos. I still have no idea how the meeting would take place in a non-suspect manner, though.