Cold Marines

[Shinzaren]

Rereading the Octaguide for probably the 12th time this month, I decided that I needed to start work on another IA. The Sons of Lightning are on the better side of done, and just need the little things. I can't keep killing time by writing silly stories for you all now can I? So, where were we? Ahh yes, the Octaguide. So, there I was, in paragraph 4 of section 4 (Conception of an IA, appropriately enough.) I had an idea, and with further building on the WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY? I give you the basis of the Cold Marines (title pending).

 

The Cold Marines are well, cold. Stand offish. Why are they stand offish? Because they don't trust the Imperium. Why don't they trust the Imperium? Because early on, they were slaying like the slayers they were, fighting alongside the oft-maligned men of the Imperial Guard, against some Chaos Baddies (extrapolation pending), when all of a sudden the Guard turns on them. Well, not all the Guard. 50%. The other 50% flee. So now the Cold Marines are caught between a rock and a hard place. Or between a Chaos army and the so called Hammer of the Emperor. They survive, as they must, because it's their IA and their plot armor cannot be breached by Traitorous guns.

 

So now we have Cold Marines. But where do they live? In the interest of preserving a modicum of subtlety, they live somewhere HOT. A desert world. After all, they may be Cold Marines, but they are also isolated. Deserts are isolated. Ere go, they live on a desert world.

 

So now we have Cold Marines on a HOT planet. But who do they fight? Why Traitors of course, but not just Traitors, Renegades too! They wanna make sure no one feels the betrayal they felt (noble right?), so they run around the galaxy killing mutineers, betrayers, and the rest of the 9th Circle of Hell.

 

So now we have Cold Marines on a Hot planet, fighting betrayers. So they must get along well with the Inquisition right? Bringing all these traitors to justice and all? No. Who can trust people with absolute power that answer to no one and can turn on you anytime? Not the Cold Marines, that's for sure. They don't get along with them, but there is no Deus Ex Inquisitor here. Indifference. Same with Adeptus Mechanicus. They leave each other alone. What about their brothers? The other Astartes Chapters? They get along with them right? Nope. Indifference. If you have no allies, you can't be betrayed. Lonely right?

 

So now we have Cold Marines on a Hot planet, fighting betrayers all alone because they don't like anyone else. Where did they come from? Against my better sense, and because it's fun to write against yourself, they are of Ultramarines stock, by way of the Sons of Orar. Ultramarines? Really Shinzaren, I thought your bigoted hatred of the Smurfs was well known! It is, which is it why it is fun. Who know what delicious evil I can work upon them?

 

So, now we have Cold Marines on a Hot planet, fighting betrayers all alone because they don't like anyone else, and they are of UM stock. But how do they fight? Well at range of course! Being aloof doesn't just apply to their interactions with the Imperium. They remain standoffish in combat too. Death from a distance, that's their game. Not many Terminator suits for these fellows. Lots of Lascannons, Plasma Cannons, Missile Launchers, Sniper Rifles, and cool super unique and ludicrously special Bolters though!

 

So, now we have Cold Marines on a Hot planet, fighting betrayers all alone because they don't like anyone else, who are born of UM stock, and who like to shoot things rather than hack and slash them. But how do they feel about the Emperor? And the common masses? They see the Emperor as an immortal and (spoiler alert) aloof deity. They worship him as a god, and they recognize that he doesn't get involved, because last time he did, his own allies turned on him! (Gosh that sounds familiar!) As for the common man, they stay as far away as possible, generally leaving them alone. They figure it's their job to protect the weak, but they don't have to be friends with them. Kidnapping recruits, staying away from cities, etc etc.

 

And that my friends, is what we have now.

 

++SKIP TO HERE IF YOU GET BORED!!!++

In summary. The Cold Marines are aloof, standoffish marines from a desert planet, who fight betrayers at range as much as possible, all on their own, who were born of UM Geneseed. That is obviously the roughest draft, but it's a start.

 

Rough(Very Rough Actually)Outline(So Octavulg won't harass me later.)

 

Name: Sons of Ice. Marines Icicleies. Cold Marines. Bitter Marines Who Spend Their Days Alone Because They Have No Friends. (To be honest, I like this last one the most I think.)

 

Gene-Seed: Ultramarines.

 

Founding: 20th? Give or take?

 

Origins: Early on in the History of the Bitter Marines Who Spend Their Days Alone Because They Have No Friends. (B.M.W.S.T.D.A.B.T.H.N.F. for short), they were fighting the minions of Chaos besides a regiment or two of Imperial Guard. The Guard really hurt them (and their feelings), by turning on them (those that didn't flee anyway). The B.M.W.S.T.D.A.B.T.H.N.F. survived, and would adopt a policy of isolationism and aloofness.

 

Homeworld: Iceacus Coldicus is a burning desert world of perpetual day, where the people are hardy warriors, who carve out an existence battling each other for control of the few oases. Strong warriors who share the same aloofness that the B.M.W.S.T.D.A.B.T.H.N.F. possess, neither one trusting any but their own clan.

 

Beliefs: They believe the Emperor is a god, whose example they emulate. Like them, he was turned on, and he rose above it by isolating himself and cutting all ties with his former allies. They treat the citizens as handicapped children, who need to be protected, but not liked. They don't involve themselves anymore than they have too. They similarly ignore the Inquisition, and the AM as much as they can, preferring to keep their own company.

 

Combat Doctrine: Ranged warfare whenever possible, though they are still Astartes, with all the skull-crushing skills of their brothers. Don't like to get up close, or get bogged down. Less TDA, but lots of BIG GUNS! Fight traitors and betrayers whenever possible, hating Renegades the most. Natural enemy of the Renegadus Chapterus.

 

Organization: Codex, as they are semi-proud Sons of Gulliman. Most of the First company is Sternguard Veterans. Decent armory, lots of big guns.

 

Battle Cry: "Leave Us Alone!" "Get Off My Lawn Or I'll Shoot You!"

 

 

That is the rough outline. You, as the reader and possible commentator, should be aware that although I went through this humorously, I fully intend on making this a serious IA and would love any and all insight. The humor is most prevalent in areas that I haven't nailed down, so any ludicrous and outrageous name can be changed and reworked. If you honestly read the whole thing, I thank you. Much like "This is the Liber Astartes." (Have I no shame? Linking my own story!), this is my way of killing time in the middle of a LONG and boring English lecture. However, I do fully intend on pursuing this!

 

I'll shut up now.

[Ecritter]

No ... just no.

[Shinzaren]

No ... just no.

Why not? Stupid humor aside, I plan on pursuing the idea of a marine chapter that holds itself aloof, prefers ranged warfare, and hunts betrayers. I think it's an actual workable idea that I intend to run with. Care to elaborate on the No?

[Chapter Master Ignis Domus]

Sounds like a good idea, as long as they don't stay Bitter Marines Who Spend Their Days Alone Because They Have No Friends. It takes way to long to type or copy/paste that.

[Heru]

I think the reason as to why they are "cold marines" isn't strong enough. So what some random Imperial Guard regiment went rogue on them, the Guard are weak in comparison to Space Marines. Plus there is no real justification for an emotional attachment that can lead to a feeling of betrayal.

[Chapter Master Ignis Domus]

They could have already been above-average arrogance marines with the guard driving them over the edge. Think the Blood Ravens Omnibus first book.

[Shinzaren]

I think the reason as to why they are "cold marines" isn't strong enough. So what some random Imperial Guard regiment went rogue on them, the Guard are weak in comparison to Space Marines. Plus there is no real justification for an emotional attachment that can lead to a feeling of betrayal.

Ah, see, that I can work with. I want to avoid the overly used "half the chapter turned Chaos in a crazy betrayal" Perhaps I should create a throwaway Chapter that they work with in a close alliance? Then either the allied chapter, or at least elements of it, go rogue? For "unknown reasons" they suddenly turned on their allies? Don't have to explain real well, because the IA isn't about them.

[Heru]

I think you'd be better off going with a series of events, rather than one single thing.

 

For example:

1. They get left to fend off some enemy by themselves / their flank gets exposed by some Dark Angels successor Chapter (someone calls the Fallen tipline).

2. Some Imperial Guard regiment turns on them due to Chaos or Xenos influence.

3. The population of some random world riot against them after they save them from a corrupt leadership.

 

Etc etc etc.

[Octavulg]

Causes should be gradual. Effects should be swift and exciting.

 

A good rule of thumb, I find.

 

This is an arcane way of saying "what Heru Talon said", BTW. <_<

[Dark Apostle Thirst]

I think the reason as to why they are "cold marines" isn't strong enough. So what some random Imperial Guard regiment went rogue on them, the Guard are weak in comparison to Space Marines. Plus there is no real justification for an emotional attachment that can lead to a feeling of betrayal.

Ah, see, that I can work with. I want to avoid the overly used "half the chapter turned Chaos in a crazy betrayal" Perhaps I should create a throwaway Chapter that they work with in a close alliance? Then either the allied chapter, or at least elements of it, go rogue? For "unknown reasons" they suddenly turned on their allies? Don't have to explain real well, because the IA isn't about them.

Hmmmm, more like 7/10ths of the chapter went rogue, killed all but half a company, half a company really POd leading to obvious sideffects of aloofness and cynicism.

[Ace Debonair]

I think the reason as to why they are "cold marines" isn't strong enough. So what some random Imperial Guard regiment went rogue on them, the Guard are weak in comparison to Space Marines. Plus there is no real justification for an emotional attachment that can lead to a feeling of betrayal.

Ah, see, that I can work with. I want to avoid the overly used "half the chapter turned Chaos in a crazy betrayal" Perhaps I should create a throwaway Chapter that they work with in a close alliance? Then either the allied chapter, or at least elements of it, go rogue? For "unknown reasons" they suddenly turned on their allies? Don't have to explain real well, because the IA isn't about them.

Hmmmm, more like 7/10ths of the chapter went rogue, killed all but half a company, half a company really POd leading to obvious sideffects of aloofness and cynicism.

Or, for a more interesting idea, why not have no marines turn traitor? (shock, horror)

Having half the chapter go nuts or having their former close allies go nuts is all a bit overused. Just have a general distrust of normal humans that grows over time and is reinforced by a number of 'failings' on the part of the Guard or whoever.

[Lysimachus]

Mmm, yeah, I wouldn't make Marines from within the Chapter going bad, the idea seems to be that they're suspicious of everyone else, not each other?

 

I'd also echo what Heru, Octavulg and Ace have said, that it would have to be a more gradual, ongoing thing. If it was one event, they'd probably be (rightly) suspicious of that specific Chapter/IG Regiment/world, but why would it colour their view of everyone else?

[Shinzaren]

Ok, gradual series of events it is. I was never going to have marines within the chapter turn traitor, as that is used FAR too often :P I think just constantly being turned on will work well enough, and eventually one IG regiment will be the straw that breaks the camel's back, so to speak. Thanks all.

[soddinnutter]

Emo Marines?

[PorridgeMeister]

No ... just no.

Care to elaborate on the No?

 

er...no no no? :P

[Shinzaren]

Emo Marines?

No, not emo. That was just my stupid humor. More like they distrust and dislike everyone. Keep to themselves, don't work with others if they can help it AT ALL. Cold basically.

[Shinzaren]

er...no no no? :D

Of course! That's totally what he meant! Now I see it all so clearly... Thanks Porridge! B)

[Aqui]

Emo Marines?

No, not emo. That was just my stupid humor. More like they distrust and dislike everyone. Keep to themselves, don't work with others if they can help it AT ALL. Cold basically.

 

If I could add something. Most humans never, ever get to meet Space Marines. To them, they are almost as mystical as the Emperor Himself. When humans do meet them, they tend to be in awe of them, and afraid. Perhaps in the case of this Chapter, every group of Humans they meet tend to treat them the same way they treat everything they don't understand. Mistrust and loathing (especially if said Marines, in order to save their Planet cause as much collateral damage as the enemies they were sent to shoo off.....). Over time, this mistrust by Humans is taken to be a baseline reaction by all Humans and it grates on their nerves (as in "If they treat us like that, then why should we protect them?") and are far more disinclined to be as "diplomatic" as other Chapters (well, diplomatic for Marines that is.....)