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Deathwatch marines


Captain Denaro

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I have tried to find the answer to this question with no success, as I'm sure it's be dealt with before so please indulge me - When a Deathwatch marine returns to his parent Chapter does he retain any Deathwatch insignia?

 

As I understand it he will keep his left arm and shoulder silver along with the Deathwatch symbol; does that mean that the parent chapter symbol is moved over to the right shoulder or will the marine keep his squad markings and therefore lose his parent chapter symbol from his shoulder pads?

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I have tried to find the answer to this question with no success, as I'm sure it's be dealt with before so please indulge me - When a Deathwatch marine returns to his parent Chapter does he retain any Deathwatch insignia?

 

As I understand it he will keep his left arm and shoulder silver along with the Deathwatch symbol; does that mean that the parent chapter symbol is moved over to the right shoulder or will the marine keep his squad markings and therefore lose his parent chapter symbol from his shoulder pads?

 

Well Deathwatch Veterans are almost certainly going to be members of the 1st Company, whose insignia is extremely varied as is their marks of armor. I would expect the Chapter symbol to be moved to the right shoulder pad and squad insignia to go on a kneepad somewhere. Many other veteran models feature Crux Terminatus honors and other decorations on their shoulder pads that preclude both squad and Chapter markings in much the same way as the Deathwatch insignia would.

  • 1 month later...

When a Marine returns to his parent chapter, his chapter symbol is moved back to the right side. His squad markings are placed on his kneepad, and he retains the DeathWatch shoulder (though it is on the left.)

 

There is one in the Command Squad box.

I would point out that in one of the many fluff excerpts of the codice astartes commanders are encoureaged to change up their markings in an effort to confound there enemies. There is no 'always' when it comes to marine heraldry, only usualy. The entire Storm Angles Third Company sports their Lightning Bolt over a Red Orb device on the right pad.
  • 3 weeks later...

I find it hard to believe a marine would keep the deathwatch shoulder pad upon returning to his parent chapter. He's not deathwatch anymore. He is, as he always was, a Blood Angel, Space Wolf, Ultramarine, etc.

Marines in the deathwatch are sworn to a vow of silence about any and all activities while they were in DW. Keep in mind the deathwatch is not a universally known group. They do operate in secret and flaunting the DW shoulder pad would just cause more questions to be asked.

Marines tend to make their armor more personal as they progress, adding whatever ornament they find suitable (runes for SW, for instance) - when they have served the DW, which must've been a large part in their service, why wouldn't they choose to keep the shoulder as a reminder of their legacy?

Hello everyone, this is my first post!

 

I've been banging this question against the wall for awhile now and finally answer has been found on the other side!

 

I refer you all to this publication

 

ISBN: 978-1-58994-778-8; Deathwatch Roleplay; Warhammer 40000 Roleplay; Chapter XI; Page 304; Right Hand column; Third Paragraph; Last sentence; which reads:

Such an honour is afforded to a Space marine that served in the Deathwatch that many continue to bear the Chapter's distinctive heraldic shoulder plate even once they have returned to their parent Chapter

Earlier in the paragraph the Deathwatch is described as Space Marine Chapter, but points out that it is made up of members seconded from other chapters. Which we all know, but I add this because some may forget or have not realized. The remainder of chapter XI describes in detail about the Deathwatch Chapter.

 

I'm still reading through it, as I'm doing some research for my captain who I had unknowingly modeled the Deathwatch Insignia on his right shoulder. I just thought it was a badass shoulder pad that meant the wearer had done something awesome for the inquisition. Oh how close to the mark I was!

 

Now I believe it would be disrespectful to leave the DW where the chapter shoulder plate should be. If anything, Like I'm doing with my captain, it would be moved over to the opposite shoulder as part of that space marine heraldry. for instance I plan on incorporating the symbol on my captains personal banner but not detracting from the rest of mighty deeds. The symbol will simply mark that he has done great and glorious deeds, and only the Emperor (and Ordos Xenos) knows of it. None would dare ask, nor will they receive an answer. My understanding is that the before returning to the parent chapter the space marines memory is essentially wiped or removed of all vital information during their tour of duty with DW. As only the emperors finest the Grey Knights have not felt taint, all other chapters have had their renegades or have turned renegade thus the need to prevent information from getting out.

 

Well anywho, a little carried away my growing knowledge of Deathwatch! I'm also getting some friends interested in the Deathwatch campaign. So I might be able to rp my own captain's tour duty. Again reference this book when ever you can, it is invaluable about the Deathwatch.

I can see the DeathWatch Shoulder Pauldron being moved to the right side and the Chapter Pauldron being returned to the left. Afterall, where one serves is generally depicted on the left. As for any awards, decorations and honors their earn while serving with the DW should be retained.

 

As for their memories, i do not think they would be "wiped". Sorry, a Space Marine is the culmination of his experiences and that is why Veterans are held in such esteem as well as put in positions of leadership or other Elite status. They know more and have learned more from their length of service. I think it would be a rather simple matter of an equivalent of an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement). They would simply swear and oath on their honor and on that of their Chapter not to divulge anything that would compromise the DeathWatch or the Ordo Xenos. They are Astartes and take many oathes, this should not be anything different when debriefing prior to returning "home".

 

Battle Brothers all recognize the achievements of their own and when they see and ahil the return of one from the DW, they know that there will be certain questions on just does not ask. I think it's that simple and doesn't need to be over thought.

 

I do not think they would return with any of the "specialized" weapons they used or were assigned while with the DW. I also do not think that any Relics or other such "trophies" would be allowed by the Ordo Xenos. Sure there may be rare exception in which an Inquisitor Lord may gift something for an extremely fitting act or performance ot whatever. However, I do not think this would be standard practice nor very common otherwise. As stated earlier, Awards, Decorations and Honors, sure. Much more than that, not likely. Well, except their memories.

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