IA: Angels Canidae Part 1

[mister_wolf]

Finally decided to bite the bullet and start a comprehensive IA for my Space Marine Chapter, the Angels Canidae. This is my first time ever writing any kind of backstory for one of my armies so going to use the excellent guide to DIYing. So first things first, the Chapter Origins:

 

 

Angels Canidae

 

Origins:

When was your Chapter formed?

 

24th founding M38

 

 

Why were they created?

 

In the aftermath of Abaddon's 9th black crusade and the subsequent strain on imperial resources in the Segmentum Obscurus the High Lords of Terra decide to bolster forces in the area through the founding of several new chapters.

 

How have they lived up to the original expectations placed upon them?

The Chapter was created with the task of re-enforcing the Segmentum Obscurus, specifically around the eye of terror, after repeated Chaos incursions. Rather than throw the Angels straight into the deep end against the chaos forces spilling from the eye of terror they were set the task of dealing with any and all threats behind imperial lines so as to allow already established imperial forces to focus on the eye.

 

 

Have they accomplished their sacred tasks?

The angels initially set about their task with great vigour, and soon gained a reputation for a flair in bringing overwhelming force precisely where it was needed to swiftly bring conflicts to an end. In particular they enjoyed great success in destroying several Ork and other Xenos incursions before they became a threat.

 

 

Have they suffered any setbacks?

Whilst excelling in the task that was set for them there was and still is private grumblings within the chapter. A split of opinion exists within the higher echelons of the Angels. The veterans of the chapter in particular often voicing their displeasure at being confined to their role of fire-fighting in the systems behind main imperial battle zones. They have a burning desire to prove themselves, especially as they operate in systems around the Eye of Terror alongside such legendary chapters as the Iron Hands and the Dark Angels.

 

Others within the Angels Canidae, most vocally the Chapters Chaplains, are quick to counter such grievances and remind their brothers that they exist to serve the Imperium, not to pursue glory, be it personal or in the name of the chapter.

 

 

Are they known for any glorious battles or disastrous defeats?

Despite the best attempts of the Chaplains and the more level-headed Captains, this need to prove the mettle of the Chapter saw several companies of the Angels' drifting closer and closer to war zones around the Eye of Terror at the time of the 10th Black Crusade, desperate to get involved in the larger conflict.

 

The 3rd company of the Angels under the command of the supremely talented yet firebrand Captain Faebian were one such force. Known in the chapter as 'The Pack', after the skilled manner in which its component squads worked together to bring down much larger enemy forces with ease, the 3rd found themselves in the Micau system on the fringe of the Mahiya system. Home to the reputed Mahiyan Armoured Dragoons, an Imperial Guard regiment with centuries of proud history in defending Imperial borders, the Mahiya system is home to dozens of vital agri-worlds which directly supply the Imperial war effort around the Eye.

 

The system found itself constantly under attack from Chaos forces attempting to sever Imperial supply chains. As the 3rd carried on their duties behind Imperial front lines in Micau news reached them of a report from Mahiyan system command of a Chaos raid led by traitor marines suspected to be of the infamous Iron Warriors legion on Mahiya IV, a mid-sized agriworld on the fringes of the system.

 

Seeing the chance for the Chapter to finally get to grips with the hated arch-enemy Captain Faebian immediately mobilised the entire 3rd company to make transit for Mahiya IV, some 10 days travel away. When the Angels Canidae arrived in orbit around the planet they found that Mahiyan system forces already had the space surrounding Mahiya IV firmly back in Imperial control. The somewhat bemused Imperial Guard commander outlined that

the Iron Warriors ships had been driven off with barely a fight but the situation on the ground was problematic. Chaos forces that had made planet fall had quickly overwhelmed PDF troops and secured the planets' space port. With the port blockaded and fortified the output of the world was effectively strangled. On top of this several settlements on the planets surface had become battlegrounds as Chaos agents within the populace stirred up support at the arrival of the Chaos Space Marines. Guard regiments were already committed to digging the Iron Warriors out but the traitors reputation for siege craft was not ill-founded and progress was slow if not non-existent.

 

 

The Guard commander was only too happy to defer command to Captain Faebian and the 3rd swiftly dropped to the planets surface, eager to face down the enemy. Striking for the space port, 'The Pack' along with support elements from the Mahiyan Dragoons attempted a direct assault on the space port's main approach in a bold attempt to end things swiftly. Captain Faebian oversaw a codex perfect approach to assaulting a fortress, but he had not accounted for the traitor's cunning. Booby traps and hidden trenches littered the route to the space port and the Guard elements in particular suffered horrific losses. The imperial forces pulled back and licked their wounds. The port was too valuable to risk damaging by simply bombarding the traitors from afar, and even that plan had no guarantee of success considering the enhanced fortifications put up by the Iron Warriors.

 

After several days of this stalemate the traitors looked out from their battlements to see imperial armoured elements shaping to push for the space port again, at the heart of which was the transports and tanks of the Angels Canidae. The Iron Warriors braced themselves to repel another armoured assault from the Imperial forces and opened up with their artillery. One of the Space Marine Rhino's at the forefront of the Imperial assault was clipped by a Krak missile and sent flying and spinning into the air, it's hull torn asunder. Some of the more astute amongst the Iron Warriors saw the stricken transport and immediately noticed something was wrong. The ruined Angels Canidae Rhino was empty. As if on cue the clouds above the space port parted and a trail of dark shapes were immediately visible plummeting directly towards the heart of the makeshift fortress.

 

The Iron Warriors hastily attempted to draw their artillery to bear on the assault craft but they were too late. The Angels were amongst them. Bitter fighting broke out as The Pack set about taking and holding key areas of the port. Captain Faebian himself led the companies' two assault squads into a bloody attack on the ports main gate. With the Iron Warriors engaged with the loyalist marines dropping all about them the fire directed at the advancing Imperial Guard was diminished to an almost negligible level and the Mahiyans reached the main gate with their forces largely intact. Faced with the prospect of the Imperial Armoured Division running amok amongst them the Iron Warriors made a hasty retreat towards their waiting craft, employing pre-prepared booby traps and smoke screens to cover their retreat.

 

In orbit around Mahiya IV the Imperial Navy waited to blast the Iron Warrior craft out of the sky as they escaped the planet below. The dark shapes of yellow and black chevroned Stormbirds crawled into the sights of huge Imperial guns. Just as they were about to be obliterated all targeting systems in the Imperial flotilla were lost, as panic and confusion spread a Gun-Metal grey Chaos Strike Cruiser tore out of the shadow of one of the planets giant moons straight through the Imperial Fleet. Scooping up the fleeing Iron Warriors attack craft as it went, it tore through the Imperial Fleet like a dagger, causing extensive damage to two frigates before passing out the other side and melting away into the warp before the Imperials could work out what happened.

 

Despite the heavy losses incurred Captain Faebian and the Angels Canidae were commended for their fine work in bringing what could have been a protracted campaign, and a significant strangle on Imperial supplies to a speedy conclusion. By the time the Angels had finished in aiding the mopping up of Chaos cult forces around the planet they had been in the Mahiya system for over two months.

 

The 3rd headed back to their duties in the Micau system, satisfied that they had thrown themselves against the most terrible foe imaginable and had not been found wanting. However as they made their way back distress reports began to reach them from Micau. Within a week of the Angels leaving the system a massive Space Hulk had appeared out of the warp, headed straight for Micau Prime, a Hive world with a population upwards of 26 Billion Imperial Citizens. The destruction of such a Hulk in the sector would have been the duty of the Angels Canidae, but with the company engaged in Mahiya it was allowed to spear into the system at will. Smashing aside the efforts of the Imperial Navy to stop it it soon became apparent that the Hulk was the base for a huge Ork Waaaagh. Micau prime had been turned into a charnel house. The planets not inconsiderable PDF was engaged all over the planet, forced into abandoning the defence of the smaller hives to attempt to protect the main hives as long as possible. With the fall of Micau Prime only a matter of time more Rokz were reportedly en-route to smaller outlying planets and the system was in dire need. The 4th and 7th companies of the Angels were already arriving in system with the 1st company weeks away as the chapter desperately attempted to rectify the 3rd's mistake.

 

The battle for the Micau system lasted several years as the Orkz took root in planet after planet. Once the last trace of the Ork Waaagh had been eradicated the inquest began. Captain Faebian and the 3rd were found to be guilty of a severe breach of their duty, with the result of bringing a system to it's knees. Only the Angels' fervour and dedication in containing the Ork threat saved them from inquisitorial sanction, but that did not mean 'The Pack' escaped punishment. Normally a penitent crusade would be the punishment for such an grievous error, but the Chapter's rulers deemed this would offer the 3rd the chance for the glory that they had so recklessly pursued in the first place. With this in mind Captain Faebian and what was left of the 3rd were assigned to taking over the guarding of the Chapters homeworld of Ma'Lakh for 100 years, their chance for battle and their chance for glory denied.

 

As a consequence of the Micau devastation and the 3rd's error, to this day the Chapter's Chaplains are called on to advise and ultimately give their approval to all Captains of the Angels Canidae in an effort to curb any further glory hunting.

 

First of all, thank you very much if you read all that, still thanks if you only skimmed it! Like I said it's my first time attempting one of these so C&C is very much encouraged and appreciated, negative or positive its all helpful. Next up will be the homeworld of Ma'Lakh.

[Brother Sergeant Tabris]

Hey, pretty good stuff. I wonder where you found the excellent guide to DIYing. The details of how Faebian and the 3rd had won glory chasing away the forces of chaos only to be punished after the ork waagh! got out of control is great. I get a sense that history of the fallen from the dark angels could repeat itself here. But with the relative safety of the Pack on their home world combined with the long lifespan of an Astartes could make for an interesting and honorable comeback in 100 years.

[flintlocklaser]

Hey, pretty good stuff. I wonder where you found the excellent guide to DIYing.

 

It's one of the sticky topics linked at the top of this forum:

 

Ferrata's Guide to DIYing

 

It's a very helpful resource when working on an IA for a homebrewed chapter.

[Espada Azul]

Hey, pretty good stuff. I wonder where you found the excellent guide to DIYing.

 

People should really read the important stickies in the subforum. It's ALWAYS better to read the Guide first, to save yourself a lot of trouble.

 

Edit: Ninja'd by Flintlocklaser. >_<

[Brother Sergeant Tabris]

Hey, I found it while you guys were writing your tips on where it is found. Thank you for helping a less frequent user of forums. :drool: Sorry Mister wolf. I wish they also commented on your IA in adition to steering me in the right direction. :) Will you check out my Gemini Chapter and tell me what you think.

[NightrawenII]

Ahem, when the Guide states "Are they known for any glorious battles or disastrous defeats?", you don't have to write detailed story.

The battles or campaigns are relevant to IA, when you are introducing the 'why' element or emphasise certain aspect of the Chapter and even then is brief summary enough.

 

'We know the Space Marines kick ass, now tell us about bubblegum.'

~ Octavulg

[mister_wolf]

Ahem, when the Guide states "Are they known for any glorious battles or disastrous defeats?", you don't have to write detailed story.

The battles or campaigns are relevant to IA, when you are introducing the 'why' element or emphasise certain aspect of the Chapter and even then is brief summary enough.

 

'We know the Space Marines kick ass, now tell us about bubblegum.'

~ Octavulg

 

Fair enough the battle story was quite long but I found your comment to be quite snarky if Im honest and lacking in any advice or constructive criticism, you may as well have posted "TL:DR". The story I put up was completely relevant to the IA as a whole, corresponding to both the Chapter's role and the hook of my individual TT army.

 

"when you are introducing the 'why' element or emphasise certain aspect of the Chapter and even then is brief summary enough."

 

This sentence in particular I couldn't understand the meaning of :P

[Espada Azul]

I suppose it's something like this, using my own DIY as an example:

 

"The (Azure Blades) are errant guardians of the Northeastern Galactic Frontier. Despite lacking in supplies and in the process of recovering, they still cling to their ancient pledges to protect the domains of the Emperor located there."

 

Now you have a theme, which you proceed to build on.

[NightrawenII]

Fair enough the battle story was quite long but I found your comment to be quite snarky, if Im honest and lacking in any advice or constructive criticism, you may as well have posted "TL:DR". The story I put up was completely relevant to the IA as a whole, corresponding to both the Chapter's role and the hook of my individual TT army.

 

"when you are introducing the 'why' element or emphasise certain aspect of the Chapter and even then is brief summary enough."

 

This sentence in particular I couldn't understand the meaning of :lol:

Snarky? It seems like you have not seen me in nerdrage mode... :P

 

Actually, I read the whole story and my advice was well-thought, yet badly explained. ;)

To explain myself better:

 

The detailed story is unnecessary, mainly because the battle itself is not the aim. The story has to have a purpose, other than just detailing one battle. In this case, the Angels Canidae are Chapter with history of three thousand years, therefore is fair to assume their record is filled with 'such' battles, indeed one battle doesn't cut it at all. No, the story is the tool of Author for use in two instances - well, there are more uses of story-telling but these two are right, all others are wrong. ;)

 

First, the battle is used because of the consequences. If you want to incorporate divergences in doctrines, organisation or whatever in the IA, then the story serves as the crutch to explain and justify such changes. In this case the detail is moot, since what matters is the result, not the action itself.

 

Second one is more tricky, it's introduction of certain quirk or notable element of the Chapter. The important part is the word 'introduction'. You certainly don't need or shouldn't need detailed story to show off one particular aspect. If the story drags on, then the desired effect is diluted in the amount of words and the purpose of story disapear.

 

See, what I'm argumenting is the detail, not the story.

On similar note, you need skill to pull off good story. The SM stories have the bad habit of resembling each other like peas in a pod. Really, I'm bored out of my skull every time I'm reading We-don't-use-codex-organisation-because-we-got-mauled-early-in-history Chapter.

 

+++

The purpose of Index Astartes is introduce your Chapter to the wide audience. It is basically essay on Chapter's personality. You could also look at it like the character-building in RPG or MMORPG... WHAT is your Character doing/wearing/using in game is somewhat unimportant. WHY he/she is doing such things is what's going on.

[mister_wolf]

Thanks for the C&C, I genuinely appreciate the effort to both read and post advice so apologies for the tone of my last post, what I get for posting in a bad mood :D

 

I'll take what you guys have said on board and have another crack at it!