Geonide Crusade

[Brother Hadrian]

Geonide Crusade Background:

During the Geonide Crusade, the Black Templars were called upon to help the Inquisition retrieve vital information and artifacts from Geonide.

The planet housed an Imperial research facility where members of the Adeptus Mechanicus worked on projects for the Imperial Navy, such as new propulsion drives and laser technologies. Their research involved classified artifacts and relics; there was a risk of researching heretical subjects. Then, without warning, Geonide faced open rebellion in its cities, taking a heavy toll on the population and the research facilities.

It was discovered that a group of latent psykers were tainted by the lies of Chaos. They opened a rift in reality by using the energies of the Warp. Within a year, 75% of Geonide's population had fallen to Chaos and formed an army, supplemented by daemons and other warp-spawned creatures.

Normal methods for reclaiming the planet failed and the Inquisition called for an Exterminatus. However, before the world was annihilated, the Black Templars were dispatched to retrieve valuable artifacts, research documents and Imperial personnel that were not tainted by Chaos.

Army Premise:

Just a showcase of my Black Templar force that was dropped onto the planet's surface to recover the artifacts prior to the Inquisitions Exterminatus. Based on what I've found on GW's site, I've added the appropriate decals and painting to signify exactly what crusade the Templars are taking part in. One thing you'll notice is the complete painting of the bolters in gold. According to GW's site, this was done to better reflect the Emperor's light.

You'll need to excuse some inconsistencies with my force. I am in no way a fan of the look of SM Scouts, nor Marines w/o a helmet, so my Neophytes will be standard looking SMs without all the purity seals. But seeing as this was a Daemonic invasion, I can't imagine too many Neophytes were running around.

Goal of the Project:

The goal of this Project Log is for me to improve my painting and conversion skills, as well as come up with a good sense of fluff for the army. I'll also look into suggestions into what should be added to the force; though I'll admit, there could be some resistance as I don't play the game and I'm a little irked by the lack of scale between infantry and vehicle. And when making suggestions or looking at my army list, please bear in mind that I DO NOT play the game, so lots of these things will most likely not work in a game scenario.

Something I am definitely looking into, are any and all tips in highlighting the black armor. I've gone about using codex grey and giving it a wash to darken it. But I do look for other options.

I've already got a pre-established background crusade, so I'll just need to come up with the force that takes part in it.

Marshal Lucius:

Ascended to Marshal status for his actions during the Hive Thetus Crusade. During the final push in cleansing the planet of the Tyranid Plague, Marshal Draconis was killed during a chaotic fight with some of the more human mutants that had made up the Genestealer cult. Regardless of their fortitude, the Sword Brethren were unable to prevent the enemy from reaching their Marshal.

What ensued afterwards catapulted Lucius up to Marshal status; the very moment they realized Draconis was dead, Lucius let out a bellowing battle cry of anguish, lifted his power axe and stormed into the nearest cluster of mutants and genestealers hovering over his fallen Marshal. His zeal spurred the other Sword Brethren into their righteous fury, enabling them to destroy the remaining forces. It was while we knelt next to his fallen Marshal that the others inquired what their orders were…Marshal Lucius.

Tiberius - The Emperor's Champion:

Brother Tiberius is the newly anointed Emperor’s Champion. It was his vision, presented to him by the Emperor, which allowed their Chaplain to give him the Armor of Faith and the Black Sword. Following the spirit of their first High Marshal Sigismund, Tiberius will set forth in his holy crusade and slain any heretic or lesser daemon that stands before him and his duties.

Marshal's Honor Guard - Sejanus & Macrinus:

Sejanus & Macrinus – Brothers Sejanus & Macrinus have assumed the temporary role as the Marshal’s Honor Guard; Initiates chosen for their martial skill, but not yet prepared for the honor of Sword Brethren, are granted the honor of serving the Marshal’s house as a way to better discern their skills & possibility of ascension to the Sword Brethren. Clad in Mk. IV ‘Maximus’ armor, these Honor Guard wield weapons that trace their heraldry back to their former home planet of Terra. Variants of the Guardian Spear, the Honor Guard wield Crusader Spears, power weapons fitted with bolters & ended with heavy censers – to not only force lesser demons from this plane, but to also smash their foes. It is a trial by fire in the truest form – the Marshal’s enemies will be numerous & failure to defend their lord means disgrace. Sejanus & Macrinus are currently undergoing this rite of passage against one of the more hated foes of the Imperium.

**The Honor Guard serve as a temporary role as the Marshal's Honor Guard - they are in the process of being selected for service within the Sword Brethren and this protective role allows the Marshal to physically see them in combat. If they succeed, they rise to Sword Brethren.

[Chaplain Joyuese]

Brother Hadrian,

 

I really like what you have done here. It is very inspiring.

[Lord Exedore]

Seconded. Nice fluff you have made up - maybe I will "borrow" some stuff and thus have two templar players use similar relics.. I find the idea inspiring, objections?

[Brother Hadrian]

None whatsoever Lord Exedore. Glad you like the work I've put into these guys background.

I've actually got another subset for within the Black Templar initiates stage.

The second added level is the Sentinels of the Champion - this is a position for highly skilled Initiates. It is their sole duty to ensure the Champion is able to reach the enemy leader and challenge them to combat; this means they will fight side by side with the Champion, killing all unworthy opponents & ensure that the enemy leader does not allow his own forces to interfere. This tends to be a more stable position that does not dissolve the moment the Crusading Champion completes his duty.

There will of course be more photos later tonight, as well as two individuals that I've chosen for the rank of Sentinel of the Champion.

EDIT: Alright, I figured I'd just throw a few more pics into this thread involving the Sentinels of the Champion

Brother Hadrian:

Brother Hadrian is an expert in a craft usually not seen amongst the Chapters Astartes; but with the close quarters fighting of the Black Templars, his skills are a thing of beauty. Currently, he is the only individual to have mastered the technique of dual wielding chainswords, doubling his lethality the moment he steps into horde of enemies. His skill is so great; he had even removed the safety casing along the rear of one of his chainswords, doubling its own lethality. His current task, with that of Brother Trajan, is to ensure the safety of their Champion during their crusade amongst the traitorous denizens of Geonide. The Marshal’s eyes are upon him, weighing his skill & fortitude.

Brother Trajan:

Brother Trajan has honed his skills as a Templar many times over, fighting bravely alongside their brethren the Crimson Fists on Declates to stop the Ork invasion. Wielding a lightweight storm shield against his shackled bolter, he tears through his enemies with power sword, shield and bolter; never relenting, his skill in combat is too fluid to try and counter. Like Brother Hadrian, it is duty to ensure the safety of their Champion, all the while knowing his Marshal is carefully watching him during this crucial time.

So Hadrian & Trajan, the current Sentinels, have been doing this for quite a while, as they are considered more than apt at getting Tiberius towards whatever enemy is deemed worthy. Upon completion of this role, they too will be elevated to Honor Guard & eventually the Sword Brethren.

**Coming soon, an Initiate who served during the Declates Crusade, a Standard Bearer & some Neophytes...my version of them.

[Brother Hadrian]

Alright...as stated the other day...here are several new Brother Templars

Brother Marius:

Brother Marius has always believed his Bolter Pistol and Plasma Pistol did all his talking, and in most aspect its true. During his time in the Declates Crusade, as a Neophyte, he was part of a multi-Chapter kill squad sent out into the barren plains in order to hunt down the Ork Boss Gitzmott. Wading through heavy opposition, one of his Crimson Fist brethren fell, dropping a plasma pistol. Picking it up, he unleashed several well placed shots with his bolter, and then watched as a plasma bolt ripped through another Ork; from that moment on, the weapon had become his. Even during the Geonide Crusade, Marius continues to wield that weapon and paint his left fist red in memorial of those lost during the battle on Declates VII.

Brother Constans:

Constans – Brother Constans has been granted a most prestigious position for the Geonide Crusade, that of the Standard Bearer. It is a position he will fulfill with great fervor. Clenched within the inhuman grip of his Power Fist, he carries a black flag; attached to the black flag are the tenets established by their first High Marshal, Sigismund & the promise he made to the Emperor upon leaving his Legion & Terra. Constans will openly display this promise to the Chaos controlled beings, forcing them to sneer in disgust, all the while strengthening the resolve of his brothers on the battlefield. The standard WILL NOT falter from his grip.

Brother Septimus:

Brother Septimus is renowned amongst his brothers for his zeal in purging the Emperor's enemies of their stained existence. So fanatic is his belief in the power of fire, that during the Purging of Centrati's Eye, he was awarded the Dagger Protectiva, not only honoring him for his ferocious fighting, but also granting him a minor refractor field; protecting him from the backlash of his cleansing flame during this harshest of Crusades.

So there you have it. Next in line will be a few Neophytes - my version of them. I do not care for SM Scouts, so my Neophytes will actually be wearing newer armor until they become full fledged Initiates. Here's a small breakdown:

--Initiate: Mark II & Mark IV Helmets, most often tabards & armored knee joints

--Neophyte: Mark VI/VII Helmets & their leg armor does NOT have the armored knee joint

[Brother Hadrian]

Alrighty then...for those that do enjoy the bit o' fluff associated with my Templars, I give you my Neophytes.

Otho, Licinius & Justinian

The reason they're loaded up with purity seals: Crusader Seals were quite prevalent during the Geonide Crusade. It was rare to find a Templar on the battlefield with less than five affixed to his armor, weaponry, backpacks, or other wargear. In addition to Crusader Seals, Purity Seals were administered by the Inquisition and Chaplains on a near weekly basis in an effort to preserve the sanctity and uphold the resolve of those Astartes involved