IA: The Host Incarnadine

[Plague Angel]

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Founding ChapterAngels SanguineFoundingEarly M35Chapter MasterMalkovius VentrueHomeworldLonginusFortress-MonasteryThe CruoremMain coloursHalved-red and blackSpecialtyAssault, boarding actionsEstimated Strength~800 Battle-brothersBattle Cry"By the Deus Vermillion!"
“By blood bound!”

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The home-world of the Host Incarnadine is the planet Longinus, a shrine world on the distant outer fringes of the Maelstrom. With the ravages of the Warp so perilously near, the holiness of the planet is a defiant memorial to the God-Emperor, and its inhabitants are fiercely proud of their world.

Longinus is the resting place of many holy relics, several dating from as early as the Great Crusade — including, so it is claimed, a feather of Sanguinius himself. The planet’s surface is covered in temples with white-washed walls and tall, golden spires, draped with red banners giving homage to heroes of the IX Legion. The most magnificent of these temples is the Cruorem, the Host’s Fortress-Monastery. Golden statues of the Chapter’s past masters dominate the streets leading to the Cruorem’s great Blood Gates, which are inscribed with hymns to the God-Emperor and the Deus Vermillion. The walls of the Cruorem are giant glass windows depicting the accomplishments of the Captains Incarnadine, stained various shades of crimson. When the sun rises, the surrounding temples are bathed in ruby light.

Sangreal, the Crypt Moon

As important to the Chapter as Longinus itself is Sangreal, the more distant of the planet’s two moons. Sangreal is the location of the Chapter’s Reclusiam, kept separate from the Fortress-Monastery and the Sanguinary Priesthood. The Host refuses to slaughter its Death Company, but it does not have the resources to keep them in stasis forever. When not called to battle, the Death Company of the Chapter’s Black Eleventh is left on the otherwise abandoned moon, and permitted to run free under the eyes of the Chaplains. Even here, there are mysteries and conflicts, for the surface is dotted with buildings bearing alien architecture. While the Chapter’s heroes are memorialized on Longinus, their true tombs are on Sangreal. Beneath its surface Sangreal is littered with mysterious ruins, tunnels, and catacombs. Within the moon’s depths, all manner of dark unknown things creep and hunt... and are hunted in turn by the untiring Black Eleventh.

Among the heroes honored on Longinus are other saints of the Imperial Cult. The planet once belonged to the Ecclesiarchy, before the Chapter won it from their hated rivals and conscripted the planet and its people for their own use. It was the during the time known as the Age of Apostasy, in its earlier stages when the Ecclesiarchy first began over-stepping its bounds and the Imperium felt the beginning pangs of what would become civil war. Many enemies of the Imperium could not pass up the opportunity to take advantage of the confusion, sowing the seeds of their heresies on Ecclesial worlds across the galaxy. Longinus was one such world, and it caught the attention of the Word Bearers of the Maelstrom. The foul teachings of Lorgar began to take root in the world's population, finding fertile soil in hearts already weakened by excess. Dark Apostle Vol'sing planned to corrupt the world completely, then sacrifice the souls of the entire population to the Dark Gods and finally ascend to daemonhood.

The Host Incarnadine came to Longinus and attacked the Word Bearer fleet. Squads of Terminators braved the dark and twisted corridors of the Chaos ships, filled with the wrath of the Emperor. For a time, the Word Bearers were repelled, but Vol’sing would not quit so easily. The Host established bases on Longinus and its moons, shoring up the defenses and training the native population in planetary defense. While the heretics and cultists loyal to the Dark Gods were imprisoned and kept to ease the thirst of the Chapter’s Death Company, those still faithful to the Emperor had their commitments reaffirmed and were inducted into the Sanguinian cult. When Vol’sing and his forces returned, they were overwhelmed by the combined forces of the Host Incarnadine and their human allies. When the servants of the Dark Gods were finally repelled, the planet’s inhabitants revolted against their Ecclesial lords and embraced the Host Incarnadine as their new lords.

The most staunch supporters of the Host were the people known as the Medici. When the Host found the Medici, they were little more than a barbarian tribe dwelling on the moon Lancia, isolated from the rest of the population. Under the influence of the Host, the Medici have become artisans and craftsmen, and their poetry ranks among the finest literature of the Imperium. Possessed of strong bodies, dominating personalities, and fiery temperaments, the Medici have served the Host well. The strongest of their sons are drafted into the Chapter to replenish their dwindling numbers. Those who are not chosen are still invaluable to the Chapter, for the Medici supply the Host with much-needed blood to satisfy the Red Thirst. It is seen as a great honor for a Medici to supply blood to an Angel of the Host, and they display their scars as trophies to lord over the other peoples of Longinus.

Gene-seed

The Host Incarnadine carries the gene-seed of the Blood Angels, and shares their twin curse of the Red Thirst and the Black Rage. Centuries of exposure to the energies of the Maelstrom have mutated them still further, resulting in the signature blood-marks for which the Chapter is known. The first sighting of stigmata among the Chapter’s brothers was noted by the Sanguinary Priesthood during the final battle for Longinus. As the Priests inspected their brothers in preparation for the battle, they noted bloody palms among some of their charges. There was no explanation for these open wounds. This was of great concern to the Captains of the Host, and these brothers were taken and checked for madness. Sure enough, they showed signs of the onset of the Black Rage, and when the Word Bearers came they took to the battle in the black armour of the Death Company.

For a time, the stigmata and the Black Rage were viewed as synonymous, and those who showed the blood-marks were taken into the care of the Chaplains. As time passed, however, the mutation worsened. Every battle-brother in the Host today now bears the bloody palms, hidden only by their power armour. In addition to the bleeding palms, veterans of the Host begin bleeding from their backs as scars open up on their shoulder blades, as though they were growing invisible wings.

This curse on the Host has worsened their grip on the Flaw. The painful wounds torment those in the screaming throes of the Black Rage, as the blood becomes virulent and pours from the seams of their armour. For all the brothers, the Red Thirst is exacerbated as their bodies need to be compensated for the blood loss. The ministrations of the Sanguinary Priests and the blood donations of the Medici are thus terribly important, for they allow the brothers of the Host to complete their duties even in the face of crippling pain.

Beliefs

The appearance of the stigmata has forced modifications to the Host’s cult. As centuries passed while the Chapter endured its curse, it has become an accepted, and even welcomed, fact of their lives. Since the relations between the Host and the other Sons of Sanguinius remain strained, the stigmata has come to be viewed as a sign of Sanguinius’ favor. The blood of every brother is precious to the Chapter for its connection to the Primarch, and so they bear their wounds proudly as though they were touched by the Angel himself. In their pride, the Chapter is stubborn in insisting their birthright as Sanguinius’ scions, and remain staunchly independent among the Adeptus Astartes. Only in most desperate need have they allied with other Space Marines, reluctant to give up their autonomy.

Astorath the Grim

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o215/Animus_Seed/astorath4-1.pngDue to their great reverence for their Death Company and their fierce independent streak, the Host came into direct conflict with the Blood Angels. It is the duty of the Redeemer of the Lost to slay surviving Death Company brothers after every battle, and Astorath the Grim has taken on this duty for every successor chapter as well as his own. However, Chapter Master Ventrue refused Astorath’s attentions, viewing the High Chaplain’s actions as a challenge to his authority and a threat to his Chapter’s very existence. Fearing the outbreak of a civil war, Dante and Astorath agreed to accede to Ventrue’s wishes and leave the Host to its own beliefs. Astorath has kept close watch on the Chapter, however, prepared to resume his duties should their Black Eleventh grow too numerous and the Flaw consume their number entirely.

As the Chapter deteriorates, they have become desperate for every link to Sanguinius they can find. The Death Company, who lives within the mind and rage of the Primarch, has come to be viewed with awe and reverence. They are saints and living martyrs, walking relics and gods among men.

The stigmata has also entered into the Chapter’s rituals, and is used to bind the brothers into bonds of deeper fellowship. Each Marine handles his weapons in private before every battle, soaking his bolter and chainsword in his own blood, marking it as his own and making it an extension of his body. Only then will he don his power armour. When a sergeant takes command of a squad, each member of the squad lets his stigmata drip into a grail, where it mixes with the blood of his squad mates. The sergeant then takes the grail and drinks the collective blood of his charges. The ritual is mirrored company-wide, and the sergeants then collect their blood in the same fashion and offer it to their captain. With this ritual, it is said that the brothers of the Host can fight as one, almost as though the mixing of their blood allowed them to read each others’ minds in combat. Only veterans of the First Company are exempt from this ritual, instead choosing to pour their grails in libation to the Primarch and the God-Emperor.

Combat Doctrine

The Host Incarnadine favors the chainsword and close-quarters combat. They have trained in both jump strikes and mechanized assault, but due to their protection of Longinus they have adapted their strengths to fortification and holding defenses. Thus their doctrine has leaned more towards aggressive defense than reckless offensive strategies. While their brothers may crusade, seeking out the enemies of Mankind where they dwell, the Host is content to stand vigilant and ever-watching.

When they do go on the offensive, the Host prefers to weaken the enemy’s encampments by cutting off their supplies and reinforcements. The fleet of the Host is renowned, and the Chapter is still well-versed in the intricacies of ship-to-ship combat.

On the ground, the Chapter prefers mid-range weaponry and fast, lighter-armoured vehicles. The Baal Predator is their vehicle of choice for most engagements, for the Host has precious few Land Raiders and cannot risk losing them. Of late the Chapter has been vigorous in expanding the number of their Techmarines to take better care of their armoury.

The High Chaplain of the Host, Reclusiarch Decameron, rarely leaves the moon Sangreal, preferring to stay in his black temple. Lesser Chaplains are given the task of marshaling the Death Company into battle, and rarely put in charge of strike-forces of their own. By contrast, Chief Librarian Sandalphon and his Epistolaries are far more aggressive, and often volunteer to lead assaults to compensate for the Chapter’s dwindling number of Captains.

Organisation

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An Assault Marine of the Host Incarnadine.

The Host Incarnadine has ten Companies that adhere to the standards put forward in the Codex Astartes. The scouts of their Tenth Company are given special attention by the Sanguinary Priesthood, and are attached to large Medici dynasties to ease them through the first manifestations of the stigmata and the Red Thirst. The Medici dynasties provide the neophytes with fresh blood until he is taken into one of the Battle or Reserve Companies. The Host never forgets this personal debt, and as veterans grow old and suffer from the Thirst they often look back on this time fondly. Captains of the Host are often known to wear tokens or badges from the dynasties that sponsored them earlier in their careers.

Where the Host makes a complete break with the Codex Astartes and their fellows is in the disposition of their Death Company. The Death Company is given full standing along with the other ten, and is known as the Black Eleventh. When a Captain falls to the Black Rage, his position is left traditionally vacant, as he still retains his full office and honors as part of the Black Eleventh. In practice, one of the other Captains will take on his duties until the missing Captain is killed in battle, and a sergeant can be promoted to properly lead the Company. This often leaves the Host fighting at less than full strength, as Companies are diminished or even crippled by their leaders being taken into the Black Eleventh.

The Host maintains the heraldry and colours of the Blood Angels without deviation. However, rather than showing their squad designations by the colour of their helmets as the Blood Angels do, they instead display the colours on their right pauldron. Yellow designates Assault Marines, and blue designates a Devastator. Veterans and Captains display gold, silver, or black pauldrons as their preferences dictate.

Battle Cry

The Host uses a variety of chants and hymns in battle, singing praises to the Emperor and Primarch with songs dating back to the Great Crusade. Their preferred battle cry is a call and response: the commander initiates with “By the Deus Vermillion!” His army replies, “By blood bound!”

Malkovius Ventrue, the Lord of Hosts

The current Chapter Master of the Host Incarnadine is Malkovius Ventrue, who was born in 222.M41 and has held office for three and a half centuries. It was under his rule that the reverence for the Death Company was officially codified into the Black Eleventh, and it was decreed that the Redeemer of the Lost would touch the Host Incarnadine no more. Despite what some whisper, Ventrue did not come to this decision lightly. On the evening of his coronation, Ventrue had a vision of himself in black armour, surrounded by his dead Host and with an axe coming towards his head. Troubled by this, he sought the counsel of Decameron on Sangreal.

On Sangreal, Ventrue retreated into a period of private meditation. He explored the vast caverns of Sangreal, visiting the tombs of the fallen. He alone was permitted into the crypts that held the bodies of the Lords of the Host before him. He continued his journey until he came to the tomb of Donatto, the Host’s very first Chapter Master and the taker of Longinus. The room was thick with dust, and Ventrue knew none had visited that place in over a thousand years. In a fit of recklessness, he opened the sarcophagus and looked upon Donatto’s body. What he saw shocked him — the familiar black armour of the Death Company. Realizing that the Black Rage was found even in so great a man, Ventrue came to believe in the holiness of the Flaw. The awe gave way to righteous zeal as Ventrue looked closer, and saw the wound that had killed Donatto: the stroke of an axe upon his neck.

When he returned to Longinus, Ventrue re-organized the Death Company into a formal organization of the Chapter. When he was summoned to Baal to explain his actions, he came prepared to appeal to the long history of the Second Founding and the Codex Astartes to declare independence from the Blood Angels. Only rarely does his conscience cause him to wonder if he did the right thing.

Most recently, upon hearing of the daemonic crusade by the Bloodthirster Ka'Bandha, Ventrue agreed to set past quarrels aside and bring the Host to the Blood Angel's aid. Once again the Host would walk upon Baal as invited brothers. However, the Host's fleet was intercepted by a talon of the daemons, delaying the Host with a vicious battle In his duel with a Keeper of Secrets, Ventrue emerged victorious, but had himself fallen to the Black Rage. Now the Chapter resumes their journey to Baal, under the nominal command of a Chapter Master whose artificer armour has been repainted black and marked with a red X.

[Ferrata]

Some nice ideas, but how the chickens does the stigmates appear through the armour? It isn't like cloth were enough bleeding will eventually show, it is the strongest metal known to man. Unless it is some mad Astartes acid being produced that eats through the armour, this can breaks the chapter at the moment.

[Plague Angel]

I imagined it leaking through the seams of the soft armor, actually. For modeling purposes, a bit of red wash on the palms of the hands. Nothing as severe as the Cleaved leaking ooze.

[Captain Juan Juarez]

I imagined it leaking through the seams of the soft armor, actually. For modeling purposes, a bit of red wash on the palms of the hands. Nothing as severe as the Cleaved leaking ooze.

 

Now I can imagine them shedding bloody tears, but even soft armour isnt really that soft... otherwise it isn't armour, is it?

[Plague Angel]

I imagined it leaking through the seams of the soft armor, actually. For modeling purposes, a bit of red wash on the palms of the hands. Nothing as severe as the Cleaved leaking ooze.

 

Now I can imagine them shedding bloody tears, but even soft armour isnt really that soft... otherwise it isn't armour, is it?

 

It would still have seams, though. It'd have at least as much chance of seeping through the spaces of the armor on the hands as it would of seeping through the spaces of the helmet around the eyes, wouldn't it?

 

Well, I suppose it doesn't have to be visible through the armor. It's intended to be at least vaguely supernatural though.

[Ferrata]

Meh, I find super-natural things just need more explaining which bog down the IA. Yes they could all suffer from these wounds, and maybe that actually makes them worse marinse (because surely, if their blood systems are unable to clot wounds on the palms, it would be unable to clot wounds elsewhere). But to seep through armour you would either require a gauntlet full of blood or pipes from wound to surface.

 

Also, why are they getting wounds in their palms? That is a Christian thing linked to being nailed to a cross, from my knowledge, Horus didn't cruicify old Sangy :(

[Captain Juan Juarez]

I imagined it leaking through the seams of the soft armor, actually. For modeling purposes, a bit of red wash on the palms of the hands. Nothing as severe as the Cleaved leaking ooze.

 

Now I can imagine them shedding bloody tears, but even soft armour isnt really that soft... otherwise it isn't armour, is it?

 

It would still have seams, though. It'd have at least as much chance of seeping through the spaces of the armor on the hands as it would of seeping through the spaces of the helmet around the eyes, wouldn't it?

 

Well, I suppose it doesn't have to be visible through the armor. It's intended to be at least vaguely supernatural though.

 

I never said through the helmet :(

 

Also, you do know that Power Armour allows a length of survival for a Marine out in the void? Seams that things can leak through would be dangerous... Unless you make it a psychic thing.

[Captain Forcystus]

These dudes look cool so far, the whole blood leaking thing could be a but problematic as others have mentioned but if done right could be cool.

 

Maybe instead of leaking through the armor it could just be symbolicly painted on parts of the armor

[Madwolf Shadowmane]

I like it so far. Maybe you could have the wounds blow holes in their armor when the red thirst manifests. Sort of a psychic backlash. Might be a way to have cake and eat it too.

 

Madwolf

[Plague Angel]

Hope I was able to address most of the concerns in the full version.

 

Also, why are they getting wounds in their palms? That is a Christian thing linked to being nailed to a cross, from my knowledge, Horus didn't cruicify old Sangy ^_^

 

Good point! But the bleeding palms is just too iconic an image to pass up, and the mental picture is where the whole chapter started in my mind, anyways. It's pretty definitely Christian imagery, but so are a lot of things in the setting so I hope it doesn't distract too much. Also, where else would they bleed from? Besides the back where wings would be, nothing else seems to make sense.

 

I like it so far. Maybe you could have the wounds blow holes in their armor when the red thirst manifests. Sort of a psychic backlash. Might be a way to have cake and eat it too.

 

Madwolf

 

Thanks for the vote of confidence. That's a bit too extreme for my tastes, though.

 

I never said through the helmet B)

 

Also, you do know that Power Armour allows a length of survival for a Marine out in the void? Seams that things can leak through would be dangerous... Unless you make it a psychic thing.

 

Ah, I misunderstood you. You make a strong point though. The stigmata being visible will probably not survive another draft or two, at this rate.

 

 

Maybe instead of leaking through the armor it could just be symbolicly painted on parts of the armor

 

Now there's an idea — I already have them ritually marking their weapons with blood, smearing blood onto their armor wouldn't be much of a leap from where they are now, adds some character, and could make for interesting paint schemes on models.

[Captain Juan Juarez]

Dude, psychic stigmata is so much more fun....

[Malthe]

Isn't stigmata always psychic in nature?

Large wounds emerging without any logical reason certainly isn't very physical... oh wait, it actually is :D

Anyhow, does the stigmata have any effect on the battle brothers, other than looking cool and a little tragic?

Like Ferrata said, it's hardly healthy for your Astartes and just ignoring (medically) the fact that they are constantly leaking blood is actually a shame.

Wasted potential I think!

 

Also, I think perhaps White Wolf is going to sue you if you don't change a couple of names :D

 

Why did you choose the Angels Sanguine, for their parent chapter?

 

Honestly I also think you should cut down on the blood rituals.

It's all fine and dandy that they share blood before battle and anoint their boltguns, but if they also constantly bleed, mark thier armour, cry tears of blood, drink from their ghouls Medici serfs, etc. it starts getting a little too much for my taste.

Something to consider :)

[Plague Angel]

Anyhow, does the stigmata have any effect on the battle brothers, other than looking cool and a little tragic?

Like Ferrata said, it's hardly healthy for your Astartes and just ignoring (medically) the fact that they are constantly leaking blood is actually a shame.

Wasted potential I think!

 

Now that I got most of the foundation thoughts out of my head, I can work on improving aspects. I'm really trying to keep it tied to the Flaw, which is already enough for any Chapter to deal with before I start adding more mutation onto it. I should probably add a section on how it impacts combat performance, and even though I say "it keeps the apothecaries busy" right now I'm telling and not showing.

 

 

Also, I think perhaps White Wolf is going to sue you if you don't change a couple of names :lol:

 

I've been waiting for someone to notice. :lol:

 

If I can think of a better name for Lancea, I'll use it. But right now there's actually a lot of synergy between the three names: the soldier-saint, the lance, the cup were all present in different versions of the same myth.

 

The name of the planet itself is, in my own opinion, perfect and perhaps the one thing I'm completely satisfied with.

 

Why did you choose the Angels Sanguine, for their parent chapter?

 

They influenced my modeling — the color scheme is similar to theirs, and I don't have any bare heads on my models. Giving them that nod in the background was a way for me to bring the models and the fiction for my army together.

 

Honestly I also think you should cut down on the blood rituals.

It's all fine and dandy that they share blood before battle and anoint their boltguns, but if they also constantly bleed, mark thier armour, cry tears of blood, drink from their ghouls Medici serfs, etc. it starts getting a little too much for my taste.

Something to consider :devil:

 

Ghouls? Ouch, that wasn't intended, but I can't blame you for seeing it either.

 

Hm, so maybe right now it's overthemed towards the vampire side. Which is a shame, since I'm also trying to keep the angelic/Catholic influences, in tension with the vampire side. But on the other other hand, while overtheming is bad I still want to err on the vampire side than the angel side; enough other Chapters make heavy use of the religious or angel themes already, and part of what I'm trying to do is take advantage of a missed opportunity on the Blood Angels' part — I picked the army partly due to the vampire theme, but it's very de-emphasized as it is and I was a bit disappointed. Perhaps I over-compensated, but even then it still seems like I'm on the right track in accomplishing the goals I set out with.

[Malthe]

Well, I see your point and I think you're on to something.

I really think it is possible to go with the vampiric side of the Blood Angels and make something good (and unsparkly) of it, but I think you need to emphasize the ugly, beastly side of vampirism a little more to make it work.

Maybe take a look on that old Flesh Eaters site that I can't remember the name of (go google it!), they were very vampiric, in a very unpleasant way...

Or perhaps have the chapter exact a blood-tax from the people they defend (other than those on their home planet), something for the Eleventh to slake their thirst upon?

After all, if they do bleed all the time, they are going to need a lot of blood :devil:

 

But I still think having a Malkavian Ventrue as Chapter Master is a bit over the edge :P

[Aegnor]

Some nice ideas and touches in this. My main negative reaction on first reading was the stigmata leaking out the armour thing and others have already raised that - I think having them ritually paint the wounds on their armour is a good solution.

 

Couple of questions - what's the point of the Changling's involvement? I thought that was building towards Tzeentch having some ongoing scheme involving them, which given they've started to mutate is pretty dire for their future as loyalists. As it is, that bit sorta hangs there feeling a touch incomplete in my opinion. Ok, the Black Rage is brought on earlier than otherwise might have occurred, but surely that wouldn't be the entirety of Tzeentch's plan? Is Tzeentchian involvement actually necessary - couldn't one of their early engagements be against a Khornate incursion without it being a set up by the Changling?

 

Question the second - I read about all these blood rituals and think "Khornate cult!!!". Given there pretty extreme version of the Blood Angels' flaw, and the degree to which they're messing around with blood soaked ritual, wouldn't they find the Inquisition and Grey Knights on their doorstep pretty soon? I somehow doubt Dante would call down the Inquisition on a fellow Sanguinas chapter, but I can't imagine he and the other Sanguine chapters would go too far out on a limb to protect them either, given their outrage/trepidation at the flaunting of their shared traditions.

 

Also, would be kinda surprised if Khorne hadn't had a crack at luring these guys to his side. They're already 90% of the way there in some senses. I can see some kind of side effect of the developing Black Rage being a resistance to Chaos influence, but it was a question I had, reading this.

[Plague Angel]

I'm actually off to bed, so I'll give you a more proper response on the morrow. One question had a real easy answer though:

 

What's the point of the Changling's involvement?

 

My daemon-playing buddy, one of my most frequent opponents, uses the Changeling in his army, so it's a little nod to him. Simple as that.

[Captain Juan Juarez]

Why is the biggest part of the Origins about a Daemon? As opposed to.. Oh, I don't know.. The Chapter?

 

The home-world of the Host Incarnadine is the planet Longinus

 

- And why is their Fortress-Monastery not called "the Spear"?

 

Longinus is the resting place of many holy relics,

 

- Aw, how special.

 

In theory the Eccleisiarchy can demand their world back.

 

but Vol’sing would not quit so easily.

 

- Too informal.. "Vol'sing would not be denied..." sounds better.

 

While the heretics and cultists loyal to the Dark Gods were imprisoned and kept to ease the thirst of the Chapter’s Death Company

 

- Yeah, feed them those loyal to the Dark Gods.. No corruption there.

 

revolted against their Ecclesial lords and embraced the Host Incarnadine as their new lords.

 

- If you mean the Imperial Church, then this wouldn't happen.. They'd be declared excommunicate and annihilated.

 

The most staunch supporters of the Host were the people known as the Medici. When the Host found the Medici, they were little more than a barbarian tribe dwelling on the moon Lancea, isolated from the rest of the population. Under the influence of the Host, the Medici have become artisans and craftsmen, and their poetry ranks among the finest literature of the Imperium. Possessed of strong bodies, dominating personalities, and fiery temperaments, the Medici have served the Host well. The strongest of their sons are drafted into the Chapter to replenish their dwindling numbers. Those who are not chosen are still invaluable to the Chapter, for the Medici supply the Host with much-needed blood to satisfy the Red Thirst. It is seen as a great honor for a Medici to supply blood to an Angel of the Host, and they display their scars as trophies to lord over the other peoples of Longinus.

 

- Really? I couldn't read that seriously with all those references.

 

Lots of blood rituals and references, too many perhaps?

[Plague Angel]

Okay, I warmed up on Juan. Time for some self-critique.

 

 

The records of the Host Incarnadine date to the earliest years of M35, before the true depths of the gene-seed’s curse were fully known, and the High Lords of Terra thought the Flaw had been bred out of the Sons of Sanguinius.

 

Good lord that is too many commas.

 

 

The creation of new Chapters was heralded, and a cause for great ceremony among the Blood Angels and their successors. The Host Incarnadine was welcomed to Baal, and was instructed in the combat doctrines of the Chapters and the history of all their accomplishments from veterans of the Angels Sanguine, the Angels Encarmine, and the Blood Angels themselves.

 

Well aren't they just special snowflakes.

 

 

The Host Incarnadine answered this threat, sending their ships to meet the renegades. Space Marines on both sides made planetfall, and the first major battle of the Host was fought.

 

For something so supposedly important, I know nothing about the setting. What planet is this?

 

 

Among the heroes honored on Longinus are other saints of the Imperial Cult.

 

Such as...?

 

 

Longinus was one such world

 

Really now. I wouldn't have guessed. It's not like the stuff about the Age of Apostasy was pointless or anything.

 

 

The Host Incarnadine came to Longinus and attacked the Word Bearer fleet.

 

That's rather boring. I understand you're trying to be concise, but still, man.

 

 

Under the influence of the Host, the Medici have become artisans and craftsmen, and their poetry ranks among the finest literature of the Imperium.

 

Give us an example, Plague. I dare you.

 

 

This curse on the Host has worsened their grip on the Flaw. The painful wounds torment those in the screaming throes of the Black Rage, as the blood becomes virulent and pours from the seams of their armour.

 

Nobody seems to like this but you.

 

 

The Death Company, who lives within the mind and rage of the Primarch, has come to be viewed with awe and reverence. They are saints and living martyrs, walking relics and gods among men.

 

Singular / plural agreement.

 

 

 

When they do go on the offensive, the Host prefers to weaken the enemy’s encampments by cutting off their supplies and reinforcements. The fleet of the Host is renowned, and the Chapter is still well-versed in the intricacies of ship-to-ship combat.

 

Citation needed.

 

 

The Host Incarnadine has ten Companies that adhere to the standards put forward in the Codex Astartes. The scouts of their Tenth Company are given special attention by the Sanguinary Priesthood

 

Okay, this is creepy. Is the stigmata actually puberty? "Son, let me see your hands." "Dad, I can explain!" "No need... you're becoming a man."

 

 

The Host maintains the heraldry and colours of the Blood Angels without deviation.

 

Except for the deviation in the very next sentence.

 

 

Their preferred battle cry is a call and response: the commander initiates with “By the Deus Vermillion!” His army replies, “By blood bound!”

 

That might have sounded cool in your head, but it's pretty boring.

 

Okay. Revised draft should be done in... oh... two days from now.

 

EDIT: I was way too nice on myself here. I guess not enough time has passed yet.

[Plague Angel]

So I was at my friend's house, and I watched him playing Assassin's Creed II — a game I had of course heard of, but had never actually witnessed. And the historical House de'Medici figures in it. I had no idea! And the AssCreed series is pretty popular, at least around here. While I still think it's less blatant than other things in the setting, or even the Blood Angels codex — Chapter Master Dante, Captain Machiavi — it's still nudging them out of that comfortable zone for me of what constitutes an acceptable reference.

 

Problem is, the Chapter's serfs have been "the Medici" in my head for about a year now and I'm pretty damn used to it. While I realize there's a major need in writing to kill your darlings, this one is hard for me to break away from.

 

So I am officially asking for name recommendations for the faux-Italian tribe that lives on the moon and serves the vampire Marines. Help me, please, brothers.

[The Shiny One]

And how did you come up with the name in the first place?

 

Or just switch to Auditore? Borgia?

 

Edit: or just pic one of these LINK

[Aegnor]

Think it will definitely read better if they aren't the Medici. I haven't played the Assassin Creed games, but the Medici are famous enough without that additional reference to stand out.

 

Don't think Borgia is the best choice as a replacement, given the associations that involves.

[Plague Angel]

I didn't mind the reference being obvious. But I'd want people to go "oh, he's referencing Italian history just like everything else in the Blood Angels codex" and not "oh, he likes Assassin's Creed." Because you never know when a reference goes wrong. I heard people discussing how the Dark Angels planet was named after something in Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull once, and cringed that something that I had thought was the most obvious reference in the game had gone unnoticed.

 

Oh, and thanks for the link Shiny.

[Aegnor]

What's the Caliban reference? ;)

[Plague Angel]

What's the Caliban reference? ;)

 

It shares its claim with Prospero in being a Shakespeare reference.

[Aegnor]

I see. The Tempest is not one of the Shakespeares I've read/seen. Thanks.