IA: The Evocators

[Balthamal]

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[Ace Debonair]

Sailing/seacraft very important, used as a basis for recruitment

Not sure how this would work, exactly. A bit of expansion on this point wouldn't hurt.

 

Follows Codex Astartes fairly closely. Minor deviations in titles, designations command structure. Influenced by homeworld.

Extensive fleet from original deployment and favorable ties to adeptus mechanicus.

Favor drop pod assaults over ground transports such as rhinos'razorbacks unless symbolically required (See Beliefs)

Maintains 10 companies (cohorts) of 10 squads as per codex astartes.

Special honor guard, Il Illustro (the illuminators) - exemplars of chapter, stand above veteran marines

Status within the chapter is designated by the awarding of names

 

How drop pods tie into sailing I'm really not sure.

Surely swooping attacks via Thunderhawks and use of vehicles would make more sense?

 

Great emphasis placed on tactical flexibility of officers. See Katerix Rift Campaign.

Initiative in the field is highly prized

More than willing to withdraw to preserve chance of victory overall

Rigid adherence to codex doctrines discontinued

Effort is made to instill fear/terror/doubt in enemies and pride/loyalty/awe in allies

 

We can't see that campaign, since it doesn't exist. Don't post it, though, since you don't actually need an example in this case.

Just saying flexibility is a valued trait is enough. ;)

 

That said, since the codex is an epically flexible document, more like a vast compilation of suggestions than a regimented ruleset for engaging enemies, you don't lose anything by following the codex's doctrines in all but the most extraordinary circumstances. ;)

 

 

Chapter believes it's bring the light of the Emperor to the galaxy. This is tied into Vernai culture and the sun

Very proud to be sons of Dorn

Venerate all loyalist Primarchs in Pantheon - Hall of Eternal Glory, holds 9 statues of each of the Primarchs

Recognise that each Primarch had failings but bound in brotherhood they were overcome (For example Russ and the Khan being failry wild, Corax being taciturn)

Cremates the remains of brothers once progenoid has been removed - Abyss of Corruption Incident

 

Again, I 'd drop the abyss thing unless it's absoultely vital.

You could, for instance, tie the creamtions to a belief that it maintains purity of the soul after death or something.

 

Otherwise, cool.

 

There is a LOT more to be added (I've written over 11 pages so far, which in hindsight was a mistake since copy and paste doesn't work on an A4 pad) namely expansions on the ideas contained here along with a more detailed exploration of the chapter organization and events that are alluded to have shaped them to who they are in the present day.

I don't think you'll need all 11 pages for the IA, somehow. :D

[NightrawenII]

Chapter Symbol: Scorpion (representing Highland Stinger of Veranon)

Why scorpion? This Chapter doesn't strike me as scorpion-esque.

 

8th Planet of Burphasis System

I'm no astronom, but 8th planet is a little bit too far for live-maintaining conditions.

 

Sailing/seacraft very important, used as a basis for recruitment

Not sure how this would work, exactly. A bit of expansion on this point wouldn't hurt.

QFT.

 

Monastery: Ramilies Class Star Fortress... are rare and valuable assets.

 

Special honor guard, Il Illustro (the illuminators) - exemplars of chapter, stand above veteran marines

This is my personal oponion:

Don't be fooled by the title of 1st Company, the "veterans" *are* the elite and exemplar warriors of Chapter.

 

Chapter prefers ranged combat to assault - more flexible than being caught in a close quarters brawl

If they are favouring Drop-pod attacks, one would expect emphasis of CC over Ranged.

 

Effort is made to instill fear/terror/doubt in enemies

Mostly useless against some of the enemies of Man. (Orks, Daemons, Necrons, Tyranids and maybe Chaos Marines)

 

I don't think you'll need all 11 pages for the IA, somehow. :D

QFT. :)

[Ace Debonair]

I don't think you'll need all 11 pages for the IA, somehow. :blush:

QFT. B)

 

At the risk of sounding really stupid, what does 'QFT' mean?

[NightrawenII]

I don't think you'll need all 11 pages for the IA, somehow. :P

QFT. ;)

 

At the risk of sounding really stupid, what does 'QFT' mean?

Quoted For Truth.

[Balthamal]

OK bit to chew through here

 

 

Sailing/seacraft very important, used as a basis for recruitment

Not sure how this would work, exactly. A bit of expansion on this point wouldn't hurt.

 

It is going to be expanded upon within the full IA. Basically I see their homeworld going through their own "age of exploration" in trying to find new lands across distant oceans. I'm thinking of having the chapter using this as a recruiting trial (as in if they make it to the new world they discover chapter recruitment camps and are then tested) More to come for this though.

 

 

How drop pods tie into sailing I'm really not sure.

Surely swooping attacks via Thunderhawks and use of vehicles would make more sense?

 

To them a sky raining drop pods is more inspiring than seeing a few tanks or thunderhawks sweeping in. Unless of course it happens to be several companies worth of thunderhawks/transports. More importantly if drop podding is asking to be shot out of the air they'll never do it. pragmatism is their one defining trait.

 

 

We can't see that campaign, since it doesn't exist. Don't post it, though, since you don't actually need an example in this case.

Just saying flexibility is a valued trait is enough. ;)

 

That said, since the codex is an epically flexible document, more like a vast compilation of suggestions than a regimented ruleset for engaging enemies, you don't lose anything by following the codex's doctrines in all but the most extraordinary circumstances. ^_^

 

More info on the campaign is coming, just working on a way of writing it that I'm happy with. It does have a big effect on the chapter since prior to it they would stick rigidly to the codex. This ties into stuff from older sources about the smurfs who stuck to the codex to the letter against the 'nids and got owned by them for it. That sadly was before 5th edition where all their problems and failings seemed to melt into thin air.

 

 

Again, I 'd drop the abyss thing unless it's absoultely vital.

You could, for instance, tie the creamtions to a belief that it maintains purity of the soul after death or something.

 

Otherwise, cool.

 

As above more information is due on another event that shapes the chapter.

 

 

I don't think you'll need all 11 pages for the IA, somehow. :)

 

The 11 pages were just notes, concepts and ideas. I'd never write that much on one chapter when i could do 4 chapters of 3 pages :)

 

 

Chapter Symbol: Scorpion (representing Highland Stinger of Veranon)

Why scorpion? This Chapter doesn't strike me as scorpion-esque.

 

Doesn't really have anything to do with the nature of the chapter, more to do with their founding master seeing one on the homeworld and being mighty impressed by it. Doesn't strike me as being an unreasonable way to choose iconography

 

 

8th Planet of Burphasis System

I'm no astronom, but 8th planet is a little bit too far for live-maintaining conditions.

 

In our solar system maybe, but in a binary star system (two stars orbiting a specific center of gravity for those who don't know) with, possibly, stars bigger than our own, a 3rd planet is probably going to be an airless burnt rock. Information I've seen doesn't make an 8th planet impossible. Of course that info could be next to useless so more research needed there.

 

 

Monastery: Ramilies Class Star Fortress... are rare and valuable assets.

 

Indeed they are. Were they quite as rare during M33-35? Possibly. Its likely the Mechanicum would be boys with these toys at least and they want this star system very, very badly with its resources. Not improbable that they'd want the chapter standing vigil on that system to be well tooled up for the job.

 

 

Special honor guard, Il Illustro (the illuminators) - exemplars of chapter, stand above veteran marines

This is my personal oponion:

Don't be fooled by the title of 1st Company, the "veterans" *are* the elite and exemplar warriors of Chapter.

 

Just an idea that stuck after reading about Ultramarines honour guard, Blood Angels Sanguinary Guard. I liked the idea of marines who embody their chapter so much that they are prepared to leave behind the brotherhood of being a part of a company and squad to devote themselves to an ideal. Sort of like Christopher Nolan's Batman in a way

 

 

Chapter prefers ranged combat to assault - more flexible than being caught in a close quarters brawl

If they are favouring Drop-pod attacks, one would expect emphasis of CC over Ranged.

 

Not necessarily. Even during the Heresy tactical squads would drop pod in and do the business. That and the fact that in games terms the bolter is most effective at close range doesn't instantly look deepstriking drop pods for assaulting. That's just my personal opinion however.

 

 

 

Effort is made to instill fear/terror/doubt in enemies

Mostly useless against some of the enemies of Man. (Orks, Daemons, Necrons, Tyranids and maybe Chaos Marines)

 

Noted. Will have to knock around a few ideas and see if anything comes up that would make this do-able. Like having the fear induced psychically by librarians perhaps.

 

 

Thanks for the feedback so far :)

[NightrawenII]

To them a sky raining drop pods is more inspiring than seeing a few tanks or thunderhawks sweeping in. Unless of course it happens to be several companies worth of thunderhawks/transports. More importantly if drop podding is asking to be shot out of the air they'll never do it. pragmatism is their one defining trait.

~10 drop pods raining from sky is really awe-inspiring, that's for sure. :P

 

With sailing/seacraft importance for your Chapter, this is a little odd.

 

More info on the campaign is coming, just working on a way of writing it that I'm happy with. It does have a big effect on the chapter since prior to it they would stick rigidly to the codex.

I see forthcoming we-don't-like-codex-because-we-got-nearly-destroyed-early-in-history scenario.

 

Doesn't really have anything to do with the nature of the chapter, more to do with their founding master seeing one on the homeworld and being mighty impressed by it. Doesn't strike me as being an unreasonable way to choose iconography

The heraldry is usually chosen to reflect the name or the ideals you held in great esteem. Reason of "We like this emblem." is not exactly reason.

 

Not necessarily. Even during the Heresy tactical squads would drop pod in and do the business. That and the fact that in games terms the bolter is most effective at close range doesn't instantly look deepstriking drop pods for assaulting. That's just my personal opinion however.

The drop-pod attack usually means a combat-drop right in the middle of enemy forces. If the Chapter favour the drop-pod attacks, then there will be great deal of focus on close quarters combat.

[Balthamal]

To them a sky raining drop pods is more inspiring than seeing a few tanks or thunderhawks sweeping in. Unless of course it happens to be several companies worth of thunderhawks/transports. More importantly if drop podding is asking to be shot out of the air they'll never do it. pragmatism is their one defining trait.

~10 drop pods raining from sky is really awe-inspiring, that's for sure. :P

 

With sailing/seacraft importance for your Chapter, this is a little odd.

 

10 drop pods certainly beats 10 rhino's trundling up a battlefield being blown to hell and back :) but that's a matter of personal opinion and tied into games as well as fluff in that I dislike rhino's for being a driving death trap against most weapons. In terms of the seacraft, as I've said it may be important to the culture of the Verani people but to the chapter its a means to test possible recruits nothing more. Fenrisians are all supposed to be epic sailors but I cant really recall that translating into Space Wolves fluff. May be just me though, if anyone can clear that up it would be great.

 

 

More info on the campaign is coming, just working on a way of writing it that I'm happy with. It does have a big effect on the chapter since prior to it they would stick rigidly to the codex.

I see forthcoming we-don't-like-codex-because-we-got-nearly-destroyed-early-in-history scenario.

 

Not quite on that scale, more along the lines of 70% casualties from 2 companies due to arrogance in assuming the codex accounted for everything and following it would be an easy way to win. If that makes any sense at all.

 

 

Doesn't really have anything to do with the nature of the chapter, more to do with their founding master seeing one on the homeworld and being mighty impressed by it. Doesn't strike me as being an unreasonable way to choose iconography

The heraldry is usually chosen to reflect the name or the ideals you held in great esteem. Reason of "We like this emblem." is not exactly reason.

 

Valid point, heading back to the drawing board with it. Any ideas how to tie it in would be helpful.

 

 

Not necessarily. Even during the Heresy tactical squads would drop pod in and do the business. That and the fact that in games terms the bolter is most effective at close range doesn't instantly look deepstriking drop pods for assaulting. That's just my personal opinion however.

The drop-pod attack usually means a combat-drop right in the middle of enemy forces. If the Chapter favour the drop-pod attacks, then there will be great deal of focus on close quarters combat.

 

hmmm need to dig up some more information I think. It's a valid point and its nicely backed up by the Space Wolves and Black Templars but since this is a codex chapter, need to be sure. More research coming on this.

 

As an aside if anyone could give an opinion it would be really appreciated. I'm a tad confused as tactical squads are given drop pod options so to me at least it makes sense.

[Madwolf Shadowmane]

In regards to the tactical squad has Drop Pod options, I think its more that a Tactical Squad is designed to be an all purpose squad not just ranged specialists. On the other hand, Assault Squads are for close combat and Devastator squads are more ranged Heavy Weapons. For the Drop Pods versus Rhinos, what about Thunderhawk Dropships? Four swoop in and set down 8 Rhinos and then unload on the objective. Objective suppressed long enough for the Rhinos to get close enough to unload their squads.

[Telveryon]

Not quite on that scale, more along the lines of 70% casualties from 2 companies due to arrogance in assuming the codex accounted for everything and following it would be an easy way to win. If that makes any sense at all.

It doesn't because... Firstly the Codex does account for just about everything you're likely to meet and if you get plastered while following it it's not because of the wisdom contained in the Codex but rather because you executed it wrong. Following the Codex isn't necessarily an easy way to win, or a certain way to win, but it has a very high success rate, probably better then just about everything out there. There are plenty of chapters that follow the Codex almost to the letter and do very well for themselves. Half a million of genetically engineered, psychopathic super-soldiers clad in baroque power armor wielding automatic rocket launchers can't be wrong.

[Ace Debonair]

Not quite on that scale, more along the lines of 70% casualties from 2 companies due to arrogance in assuming the codex accounted for everything and following it would be an easy way to win. If that makes any sense at all.

It doesn't because... Firstly the Codex does account for just about everything you're likely to meet and if you get plastered while following it it's not because of the wisdom contained in the Codex but rather because you executed it wrong. Following the Codex isn't necessarily an easy way to win, or a certain way to win, but it has a very high success rate, probably better then just about everything out there. There are plenty of chapters that follow the Codex almost to the letter and do very well for themselves. Half a mission of genetically engineered, psychopathic super-soldiers clad in baroque power armor wielding automatic rocket launchers can't be wrong.

 

Thats just it, really. Even the more unorthodox battle plans are generally covered by the codex. :)

 

Think of it as a big old encyclopedia of how to beat up the enemies of mankind, rather than a page or two with limited suggestions.

 

You could have it so the chapter leans strongly towards the battle plans in the codex that place a heavy emphasis on flexibility, allowing your chapter to switch up their tactics on the fly when neccesary.

[Telveryon]

Ops, pressed wrong button... Please excuse the spam.

[Balthamal]

In regards to the tactical squad has Drop Pod options, I think its more that a Tactical Squad is designed to be an all purpose squad not just ranged specialists. On the other hand, Assault Squads are for close combat and Devastator squads are more ranged Heavy Weapons. For the Drop Pods versus Rhinos, what about Thunderhawk Dropships? Four swoop in and set down 8 Rhinos and then unload on the objective. Objective suppressed long enough for the Rhinos to get close enough to unload their squads.

 

Think I'm going to leave this point out of the IA altogether. Can't really come up with anything that's catchy to tie it all in. Not something thas a vital point to include as it's more to do with my preferred gaming style rather than anything creative.

 

 

Thats just it, really. Even the more unorthodox battle plans are generally covered by the codex. ;)

 

Think of it as a big old encyclopedia of how to beat up the enemies of mankind, rather than a page or two with limited suggestions.

 

You could have it so the chapter leans strongly towards the battle plans in the codex that place a heavy emphasis on flexibility, allowing your chapter to switch up their tactics on the fly when neccesary.

 

I like this idea, a lot. In it goes to the IA