The Messengers of Death

[Sousetsu]

So for those of you who've seen my prior posts, this is an attempt to find something solid to stick to as opposed to staying so wishy washy with my concepts.

Without further ado,

The Messengers of Death

Origins

The Messengers of Death were created during the 12th founding and were frawn from Dorn's geneseed, and trained by an elite cadre of the Iron Knights. The chapter began its history without much incident. However, there have been several points during its history that hint to the chapter's bloody nature. The Messengers of Death live by the code "Cuspit verpenduro" which translates into "you point, we bash", and bash they do. The chapter has become known for its cruel efficiency and strict policy of leaving no stone uncrushed by the time they finish their operations.

They have, during multiple conflicts, simply leveled anything and everything in sight, earning them a bad name with the Salamanders and their successors, and honor duels are common between the two chapters. There are no clear records or pict-feeds of these battles, however, many have started to wonder how a even a Space Marine chapter could simply flatten a city in a manner of days, but any concrete reports as to the Messenger's battle conduct have yet to surface.

Their chapter masters have always displayed a gung-ho attitude of following orders to the letter, and remaining silent during most war councils to which they have been invited. During the aftermath campaigns of the 12th Black Crusade, in which the Messengers of Death took some part, the only words to escape Chapter Master's Hector's mouth were "It shall be done".

The chapter has become famous for undertaking any task asked of them, and following through on it without complaint, though some have criticized the current Chapter Master Hector for being incapable of decisive or independent action, instead relying on others to finalize decisions during any campaign that involves multiple chapters.

Home World:

The Messengers of Death are fleet based, and use the battle barge Titan's Hammer as their head quarters. The Titan's Hammer is even more Herculean in proportions than its fellow barges, and a large amount of its inner hall has been dedicated to a room referred to among the rank and file as "the Relaxation Room", which is in effect the replication of a death planet's surface. Deadly beasts and plants, collected from a multitude of inhospitable hell-holes, have been cultivated and allowed to breed freely in this room, for the purpose of training and punishing members of the chapter. Anyone who cannot survive their "vacation" inside are deemed unworthy to be a battle brother.

Recruits must spend a week within to pass, and punishments can last anywhere from two weeks to months, depending on the battle brother's sin. Anyone wishing to be a candidate for the title of Chapter Master is required to spend a year of meditation within.

The chapter is not picky as to where it recruits from, and will take anyone legible, though they do seem to have a preference for feudal worlds, if one is near enough. This is simply for the preservation of the chapter, which otherwise would not be able to replenish its numbers fast enough due to their constant engagements.

The chapter, to build a central culture within its ranks, will often mix squads, and use the Relaxation Room as a bonding experience and cultural anchor within the chapter. Many speculate that the chapter's "if it moves, kill it" mentality stems from this practice.

Organization:

It is here that the Messengers of Death are really distinguishable from the rest of the Astrates. Their command structure is much akin to an absolutist monarchy, and each Marine is expected to follow orders without question more so than in any other chapter. The chapter does this to insure swiftness in action and doctrine. Even though it creates a very oppressive environment, recruits recognized for their creativity ad ingenuity will often be groomed by their superiors so that the elite few who are required to govern are capable of making decisions that will best benefit the chapter.

The Messengers also possess the eight Black Knights, who are marines who have forsaken their name and have donned the a suit of armor that has been passed and customized collectively by all the Black Knights before them. Each of the chapter's 8 surviving companies has only one such Black Knight, who acts as the company commander. These figures are revered within the chapter, and frequently lead from the front lines, adding to their almost mythical status.

Combat Doctrine:

The Messengers of Death are firm believers of getting the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible, favoring drop pod assaults most of all. They consider vehicles and complicated equipment to be a waste of time and effort, and hence, simply dropping on to the battlefield in close range to the enemy is seen as the best case scenario. They claim that a marine can only trust in two things, his weapon and himself.

The trust in weapon and self stems from the Messengers of Death's other unusual habit, which is extreme customization of one's weapons and armor. This is done for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, due to the efficiency granted to a marine who knows his equipment inside and outside, and is capable of maintaining both in good condition. Secondly, there stands an unwritten rule within the chapter's mentality, which grants this customization as the only form of self expression allowed to a marine, which is why it is taken to such an extremity.

The Messengers of Death, surprisingly, favor the Salamander classics of meltas and flamers, and have come to the point where their own weapon designs are on par with those of their greatest rival. They make frightening use of flamers and have been known to reduce grand cities to ashes without care.

The Messengers of Death also use surprise attacks, and will strike whenever the enemy is at his worst. They use anything they can to their advantage, and will exterminate the opponents completely unless specifically ordered not to. It is from here that the chapter takes its name. As put in the words of their first Chapter Master, Ostian Graval, "To see us march against you is a personal message from death itself that your life is now forfeit".

The chapter is also infamous for its overly violent behavior, though the Messengers continue to shoot first and ask questions later regardless of critique.

Beliefs:

The Messengers of Death base their existence on three creeds:

Firstly, complete obedience and respect for your superiors and elders.

Secondly, that all orders are to be completed to the full extent, and failure to do so is considered the ultimate sin.

Thirdly, tolerance and mercy are signs of weakness, and are not to be given to any traitor, xeno or heretic.

The chapter's Black Knights were founded by earlier Chapter Master, truth be told, for convenience. In effect, the Black Knights are a staff of men who, regardless of who they are in name and physicality, are mentally one and the same with their past incarnations, and act as their predecessors would. This has given birth to both a staff of excellent officers that can never truly die as well as a symbol for the other Messengers to rally around.

They are integrated into the chapter's belief system due to the fact that the rank and file believe that the Black Knights are the purest of their brothers, and venerate them as being an extension of the chapter master, Rogal Dorn, and the Emperor himself. No Messenger will ever willingly disobey a Black Knight's orders, and those few who dared were killed on the spot by their fellow brothers. This unswerving dedication is what maintains the chapter's absolutist governing, and general way of life.

Geneseed:

The Messengers of Death are the proud sons of Rogal Dorn, though they do exhibit some mutations, as all cursed chapters do. The members of the chapter all have an overactive Occulobe, which leads to the Messengers of Death being able to see perfectly in almost any condition, an ability that the chapter puts to good use by mounting strong assaults in horrific weather and almost light-less battlefields.

Some suspect that there is a mutation within the chapter that causes it to act with a simple-minded violence that even other space marines marvel at.

Battle Cry:

As mentioned above, the chapter's favorite motto is "Cuspit verpenduro" which translates into "you point, we bash", and is shouted at the start of battle and in response to any orders given.

Colors:

The Black Knights wear armor that is pitch black, with silver trimming and details.

Author's comments:

Thank you for reading this, and as always, C&C welcome.

I will be using the C:SM for these guys, with the Black Knights counting as Vulakn He'stan the Forgefather, and the extreme customization of gear and armor is used to explain his rules, as well as my addiction to greenstuff and over modeling.

[NightrawenII]

Edit: Because I was a Idiot.

[Captain Juan Juarez]

The Messengers of Death, surprisingly, favor the Salamander classics of meltas and flamers,[/i]

*sigh*

- That's not the tactic of Salamanders. Their tactic is short-range fire-fights.

 

It is considered a Salamander thing because of Nocturne and their smithing, but generally just good close-range tactics as you say.

[Grey Hunter Ydalir]

Eh, so your theme is "point'n'click simpletons"? Because that's what I gather from this IA.

 

While usually you give fairly accurate criticism (that I usually agree with) NightwaranII, I think you're stepping on the side of being a bit too critical without being constructive. In fact, I see nothing constructive in your post whatsoever.

 

 

Oh and the flamer and melta usage with the Salamanders could probably be associated with the Promethian cult. Fires of the forge and war and all that, you know, their crossed flamer symbols here and there and the general amount of fire iconography on their heraldry and armour.

 

Don't confuse being critical with proper critique.

[Sousetsu]

Before I start tearing my chapter apart (which will be done in due time), I'd like to defend myself a little bit.

The idea for the chapters is a "we're here to do our job" type deal, as opposed to the honor, glory and duty vibe that I seem to be getting from almost every single chapter. There's nothing wrong with that, but I wanted to see if I could be a little different.

 

Specifically, at Nightwing, I apologize, but I had no idea the Swords of the Blood existed, though admittedly, after Googling the name as well as searching for it on this site, the closest thing I could find to that name is the Blood Swords, who are still loyal. I could simply not be looking hard enough, but I'm not finding this chapter, so I'm a bit unconvinced on that point.

 

As for the power armor: this is done due to the fact that I'm a big fan and practitioner in converting, and I'd like to have a fluff reason as to why I even convert my normal troops. Plenty of other chapters seem to have a habit of over-pimping their armor, specifically the Space Wolves. I'm pretty sure that if plastering quasi-religious wolf iconography on your armor is fine for them, I can individualize my models as well. Alternatively, I could simply ignore the hobby aspect, and have no explanation, but I feel like it would be lazy on my part. If its the best solution, though, then I'll take it.

 

As for my wording... I said Salamander classics not tactics. Look at any Salamander force, and what will you find? Flamers and Metlas. That's the Salamander's thing, both in fluff and in rules.

 

And in closing, I realize that firstly, I'm new to this, and secondly that I could be misinterpreting your tone of voice, but I feel like even with your seniority and greater knowledge, the amount off sarcasm is uncalled for. If you want me to change or rethink something I've written, a simple "this doesn't work" would do, as opposed to smiley faces and exclamations of "wow, just wow".

[NightrawenII]

First off, I would like to apologize. I'm a little bit stressed because of the exam period, so I'm sorry for being jerk. :rolleyes: Now...

 

Specifically, at Nightwing, I apologize, but I had no idea the Swords of the Blood existed, though admittedly, after Googling the name as well as searching for it on this site, the closest thing I could find to that name is the Blood Swords, who are still loyal. I could simply not be looking hard enough, but I'm not finding this chapter, so I'm a bit unconvinced on that point.

My bad, try Knights of the Blood. :sweat:

 

I'm pretty sure that if plastering quasi-religious wolf iconography on your armor is fine for them, I can individualize my models as well.

There is difference between iconography and customization. The first is covering your amour with things, the later is messing with internal working of the said thing.

 

As for my wording... I said Salamander classics not tactics. Look at any Salamander force, and what will you find? Flamers and Metlas. That's the Salamander's thing, both in fluff and in rules.

Again my bad. My point was that the Salamanders are not just about meltas&flamers, but more about close-range fire-fights. The thunder hammers, TDA, master-crafted weaponry and artificer armour are Salamaders' thing too.

 

Oh and the flamer and melta usage with the Salamanders could probably be associated with the Promethian cult.

The main teaching of Promethian Cult is more about self-reliance, loyalty and self-sacrifice. The flames and hammers are just symbols.

[Sousetsu]

Well, found them, and yeah, I guess the Imperium would kick you out for being overly violent. The thing I was trying to go for though is more of a cold, heartless approach to destruction as opposed to a frenzied one, which is what the Knights of Blood got punished for.

Does it still work?

Other than that, what else should I fix?

And Nightwing, don;t worry about it, apology accepted. I've got exams soon to, I know what it feels like.