Brainstorming for Clan Bracchus

[Ravenfeld]

So, I recently posted a IA on my custom Iron Hands Clan, Clan Bracchus, and then I re-wrote it, then I was told that I was a little off the mark and I agreed! So! Rather than inflating my IA article with this stuff I was hoping I could flesh out my ideas here and have insight from everyone on the direction I should be taking my Clan in order to make them unique (but not TOO unique, still Iron Hands after all) and interesting in the eyes of you, the reader.

 

That being said I have developed a few ideas, some of which I like and some of which I would like some insight on, so to start this off here is a list of topics that Darrell, the poster who opened my ideas to my situation, gave me as some fundamental guidelines to get my creative juices flowing. So without further adue, here is my basic basic foundation! All C&C is welcome and encouraged!:

 

How do you see Clan Bracchus within the Iron Hands? How do their views differ? What makes them different from the other Clan Companies?

 

Originally I had viewed Clan Bracchus as an extention of the basic Iron Hand concept of "The Flesh is Weak" and "Machine-like Advance" but as I have been mulling things over, using both the lessons and ideas I gleaned from my IA article, I have come to the conclusion that I want Bracchus to be a combination of Iron Hand / Salamander / and Pre-Heresy Emperors children. Allow me to elaborate:

 

I want them to still view the flesh as a weakness, and still be cold a machine like in their bearing. However, I also want them to be focused more on the cool - calculating side of the machine spectrum. Less driven by hatred as I perceive much of the Iron Hands to be motivated by. More akin to a computer itself to some extent, again they are still men but they aspire to be fast-thinking and pride themselves on being able to come to clear conclusions quickly.

 

The Salamander quality comes from their "white knight streak" that I would like them to have. While they still purge their own weakness and have 0 tolerance for renegades, traitors, and aliens, they have a soft streak for assisting the common Imperial world when they are being attacked, even if the risk is high with such an engagement. They are of the mind that the Astartes are both the sword AND the shield of the Imperium and that their task is both the destruction of the enemies of the imperium as well as the protection of its people. However, they aren't ones to accept praise or even stick around after a battle, so many Planetary Governors and the like rarely get to express themselves. Also, while they might attempt to avoid needless collateral damage, they aren't above the concept of sacrificing for the greater good of the world as a whole. Naturally, that isn't uncommon for most Astartes Chapters really. Think Salamander "Super Lite." Also they have an emphasis on forging akin to the Salamanders, this is both due to their history and their connection with Ferrus Manus.

 

And in regards to the Emperor's Children, I perceive clan Bracchus to be aspiring towards perfection. Their perfection being the machine, the cold calculating mind, and the iron will that most would assosciate with the IH. Yet they aren't driven by hatred so much as they are by function. They are Astartes and as such their role is the destruction of the imperium's foes and the protection of its people. There is no desire for "revenge" or "justice" simply a need to perform their tasks. If that makes any sense? I am having a hard time voicing my thoughts. I don't want any of them to be like a borg or anything, but more down that path, ya know?

 

Do they have certain tactics they like to use, a favorite enemy, preferred environment?

 

Ever since their ancestors crashed onto Medusa, Clan Bracchus has been fascinated with the stars and the greater galaxy. Because of this the Clan has become extremely fleet oriented often spending decades or centuries prosecuting crusades across the Imperium. Their Land Behemoth on Medusa often sitting empty save for the servitors required to keep it maintained. The Behemoth is simply a location for ceremony, ritual, recruitment and training. This acclimatisation to fleet life has made the IH of Clan Bracchus into experts in Naval Warfare and Fleet based combat. They excel at boarding actions, close quarter fire-fights, and drop pod / teleportation maneuvers. Due to this fact I intend to not make use of a great deal of Devastators or Tanks, instead filling my heavy support with Dreadnoughts when possible.

 

I also want an emphasis on forging, a skill that goes back to before Ferrus even landed on Medusa, but amplified by his guidance. This will play a few key roles (at least conceptually). First off every fleet of Bracchus will have one or two "Forge vessels" that are geared towards the upkeep and manufacturing of the companies tools of war. These ships are also capable of producing armors and weapons provided the fleet can acquire materials (often extracted from worlds where they purge alien species).

 

I want the Clan to have access to more TDA than the other clans and I had a few ideas for achieving this:

They can craft them on their Forge Ships because of the lessons handed down by Ferrus himself during the great crusade. Cherished trade secrets greedily held by the clan's keepers.

They acquire TDA from Renegade or Chaos marines and somehow "purify" them through a ritual of sorts?

They performed some task for another chapter and were rewarded with a surplus of TDA (perhaps rescuing a recruiting world?)

They performed some task for the Adeptus Mechanicus and were rewarded with a surplus of TDA (Rescuing an important Forge World?) -- Suggested by Basswave

 

Any of those ideas would fit fine with me.

 

They also have a strong connection to Plasma weaponry due to their ancestral respect for the stars, sun and moon. This is because Plasma weapons have been described as "harnessing the power of the sun" in some culture and so the Astartes of Clan Bracchus find it fitting. That and overheating and causing personal damage simply presents more opportunities to move closer to that idea of perfection through bionics.

 

Lastly, I was bandying around with the idea (at Bannus' suggestion) that I make Bracchus the clan that developed the "Deathknell" maneuver. It would fit with their tactics and it could be justified if they have more TDA than other companies, thoughts?

 

Does this put them at odds with other Companies?

 

As Deus Ex pointed out the fact that my Clan is interested in helping those in need while his Clan (both fleet based mind you) is more interested in erradicating enemies with no thought to human life this could put our Companies at odds with one another. Especially since they employ similar methods of warfare yet have completely different outlooks. -- Contributed by Deus Ex Ferrum.

 

Anymore Ideas?

 

What important events have occurred that helped to shape the Company?

 

I am thinking of developing a few key events throughout the clans history.

 

The potential saving of another chapters recruiting world could be one.

I also want it to have its own historical battles and events that have shaped it, but nothing jumps out at the moment.

 

So, what are you thoughts?

 

Thanks,

Raven

 

PS: This will be an ongoing discussion where I will update the post as ideas get fleshed out and come to light. This original post will change over time, any future ideas I get I will post in a "reply." Thanks again.

[Ravenfeld]

Already got an update.

 

Turns out Deus Ex Ferrum's clan is gunna be fleet based so I may alter that leg of my article into something else. The rest stands though!

 

Thanks for your insight!

 

-- Raven

 

Edit: Resolved, it will remain fleet based! Deus Ex Ferrum pretty much voiced my own thoughts that came to me last night before bed. Having two fleet based clans out of 10 is not that unreasonable, especially when the finer details are different.

[Olis]

One question leaps to mind at the moment: What is the 'Deathknell' maneuver?

 

(I would analyse this deeper but, well, I'm tired.)

[Ravenfeld]

One question leaps to mind at the moment: What is the 'Deathknell' maneuver?

 

(I would analyse this deeper but, well, I'm tired.)

 

The Deathknell is a strategy developed by the Iron Hands that involves a missile strike that leaves a teleport beacon and allows 50 Terminators + a Dreadnought to teleport onto the battlefield using the missile. Its an actual formation used in Apocalypse and is very cool!

[Olis]

Aha. Thankyou. :D

[Iron Father Ferrum]

Actually, Raven, having our two clans both fleet-based works fine if you consider that the concepts of the Clans are completely different. Yours have the Salamander-streak; it falls to the strong to protect the weak. Mine are on the opposite side of the spectrum; the Iron Hands of Clan Shologar value pure logic and cold, emotionless decision making that often means that Imperial civilians suffer in their tactical decisions. After all, a few thousand humans won't be missed in an Imperium of trillions of trillions of souls. . .

 

Both being fleet based means they're likely to be responding to similar distress calls (I can't imagine they'd leave Medusa too far behind) and thus gives them an excuse to come into conflict with each other.

[Ravenfeld]

Actually, Raven, having our two clans both fleet-based works fine if you consider that the concepts of the Clans are completely different. Yours have the Salamander-streak; it falls to the strong to protect the weak. Mine are on the opposite side of the spectrum; the Iron Hands of Clan Shologar value pure logic and cold, emotionless decision making that often means that Imperial civilians suffer in their tactical decisions. After all, a few thousand humans won't be missed in an Imperium of trillions of trillions of souls. . .

 

Both being fleet based means they're likely to be responding to similar distress calls (I can't imagine they'd leave Medusa too far behind) and thus gives them an excuse to come into conflict with each other.

 

This is a good way to look at it, although I was very much going for the pure logic aspect of things, I suppose I was a little torn on which direction to take but seeing as you want to have the army of super-computers I can go with the more "humane" aspect of things. I just need to find a balance between Salamander soft and Iron Hands hard. I don't want them to be "nice" I just want them to understand their greater function as an Astartes. They don't have tea with planetary governors and discuss how best to set up an orphanage, they just ensure that their warmachine doesn't crush civilian hopes and dreams while it trundles along the battlefield and they actively respond for requests for aid because there is no threat to small to not get crushed early, if you get what I mean.

 

I will build on that.

 

-----

 

I also want to point out (For Basswave's sake) that when I talk about "forging" and their specialization in that field I also want to point out that while they are excellent craftsmen they are not innovative. In fact they could be viewed as extremely traditional in their forging techniques and outlooks. They don't aim to improve upon the ideas of the past, nor do they strive to innovate new concepts or ideas. They trust that the wargear that has been blessed to the Astartes by the Emperor (and the Admech) are the best they could be, and so they instead focus on mastering the production of those tools to the best of their ability. That isn't to say there isn't room for master-crafting, its just that they don't add legs to tanks or create powerfists that can fire off at the wrist... hehehe. Excellent craftsmen, not willing to step outside the box (or their comfort zone). If it was good enough for the emperor its good enough for us!

[BassWave]

or create powerfists that can fire off at the wrist...

 

That sounds like a pretty good idea, hmmm... :) ;)

[Iron Father Ferrum]

or create powerfists that can fire off at the wrist...

 

That sounds like a pretty good idea, hmmm... ;) :)

 

Ha! I'm imagining Wink from Hellboy II: The Golden Army.

[Darrell]

I want the Clan to have access to more TDA than the other clans and I had a few ideas for achieving this:

They can craft them on their Forge Ships because of the lessons handed down by Ferrus himself during the great crusade. Cherished trade secrets greedily held by the clan's keepers.

They acquire TDA from Renegade or Chaos marines and somehow "purify" them through a ritual of sorts?

They performed some task for another chapter and were rewarded with a surplus of TDA (perhaps rescuing a recruiting world?)

They performed some task for the Adeptus Mechanicus and were rewarded with a surplus of TDA (Rescuing an important Forge World?) -- Suggested by Basswave

 

I'm not exactly sure what the Iron Hand stance on TDA is. Once upon a time they reserved them for Sergeants as inspiration to their brethren, but more recent fluff hints this is no longer the case. At any rate, if you wanted your Clan to have a few more suits I would recommend going with the more simple explanation that the Techmarines simply manage to produce a few more suits since their brethren handle the more tedious forging and repairs on their own.

 

I say this because the other explanations you have listed above, such as performing a task for another Chapter or the Mechanicus, would probably lead to a situation where the TDA would be rewarded to the Chapter as a whole rather than an individual Clan. Then the Chapter would decide how those rewards were distributed. While I realize the Iron Hands have a bit more independent organization, I'm sure the Chapter as a whole still has a keen interest in making sure equipment goes where it's needed. Not to mention, it would be easier to keep extra suits under the radar if you're producing an extra one every few centuries or so rather than showing up one day with twice as many TDA as you had yesterday. Also adds to the slow, steady approach the IH have as a whole.

 

Purifying "Renegade" or "Chaos" equipment seems like it would be a little iffy. I can understand the practicality of it, but I imagine it's not something the Imperium as a whole would like seeing on a regular basis. Granted you could still do it, and as a Founding Legion you have a bit more weight to throw around than most, but you'd still have to go into how other Clans see it, how the Inquisition sees it, the Mechanicus, allies who may have seen it happen, et cetera. Seems much easier to just say "Our Techmarines have more spare time", unless you want to make this aspect one of the big pillars of Clan Bracchus.

[Ravenfeld]

I'm not exactly sure what the Iron Hand stance on TDA is. Once upon a time they reserved them for Sergeants as inspiration to their brethren, but more recent fluff hints this is no longer the case. At any rate, if you wanted your Clan to have a few more suits I would recommend going with the more simple explanation that the Techmarines simply manage to produce a few more suits since their brethren handle the more tedious forging and repairs on their own.

 

Well according to the fan dex we got going around that is currently still the case. As it stands each Clan Company has about 10 suits of Terminator Armor which (usually) is distributed to sergeants and HQ to boost morale as it were. I agree with the simple approach as most people will have the least to say against the idea, but then at the same time it feels like I am biting a bit TOO much off of the Sallies. Since their Techies have all the spare time to master-craft everything because each marine maintains his own gear, ya know?

 

I say this because the other explanations you have listed above, such as performing a task for another Chapter or the Mechanicus, would probably lead to a situation where the TDA would be rewarded to the Chapter as a whole rather than an individual Clan. Then the Chapter would decide how those rewards were distributed. While I realize the Iron Hands have a bit more independent organization, I'm sure the Chapter as a whole still has a keen interest in making sure equipment goes where it's needed. Not to mention, it would be easier to keep extra suits under the radar if you're producing an extra one every few centuries or so rather than showing up one day with twice as many TDA as you had yesterday. Also adds to the slow, steady approach the IH have as a whole.

 

While I can see this on one hand I can also debate it. If Clan Bracchus performs a major feat and saves a chapter recruiting world / forge world I don't think the Chapter Council would have the "right" to just barge in and go, "yeah, some of that stuff you died to earn, thats ours too." It just doesn't resonate with the whole "you earned it" and I don't see the IH as being particularly greedy. So I think, with some deep story and touching on why the chapter would allow it, it would be cool.

 

Purifying "Renegade" or "Chaos" equipment seems like it would be a little iffy. I can understand the practicality of it, but I imagine it's not something the Imperium as a whole would like seeing on a regular basis. Granted you could still do it, and as a Founding Legion you have a bit more weight to throw around than most, but you'd still have to go into how other Clans see it, how the Inquisition sees it, the Mechanicus, allies who may have seen it happen, et cetera. Seems much easier to just say "Our Techmarines have more spare time", unless you want to make this aspect one of the big pillars of Clan Bracchus.

 

The other clans wouldn't necessarily be privy to the information, the Inquisition is already suspicious of the IH but their attempts at investigation often don't go well for them. Allies is potentially possible, although the actual purging ritual would occur on the forge vessels away from prying eyes. In the end it adds a small amount of "risque" but maybe it is TOO risky, it was just an idea, food for thought as they say.

 

----

So, building on this "white knight" concept, I am thinking that the reasoning behind Bracchus' less than callous demeanor towards the average imperial citizen stems from their roots and the great crash that landed their ancestors on Medusa. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that they still resonate with the concept of helplessness that their ancestors felt? Perhaps that is the reason they are so prone to quick responses to distress beacons? Just an idea, what do you guys think?

[Iron Father Ferrum]

Sounds like a plan to me. One way to present it would be to state that they are reminded of their old helplessness and, now being strong, are determined to help those who, like them, needed it most.

[BassWave]

I say this because the other explanations you have listed above, such as performing a task for another Chapter or the Mechanicus, would probably lead to a situation where the TDA would be rewarded to the Chapter as a whole rather than an individual Clan. Then the Chapter would decide how those rewards were distributed.

 

I disagree. I've always felt that Iron Hands believe "if you worked for it, you earned it". I do agree that that Terminator armor would be rewarded only one or two at a time. Three at the most, since it is complex and rare technology.

 

On your idea of armor purification, I know my clan would not mind at all seeing as I plan for them to secretly steal xenos tech... Oops, did I say that out loud :lol: Seeing as our chapter is best pals with the mechanicus, I'm pretty sure the Inquisition wouldn't want to snoop around too much and jeoprodize the alliance between Terra and Mars. So the worst anybody can do is give us frowny faces. Well, unless you are a Templar :)

[Ravenfeld]

So I just read over the Iron Hands Lexicanum entry here on the B&C and I gotta say it reminded me of why I wanted to collect Iron Hands in the first place. They just resonate with me, which brings me to the whole "white knight" concept. I want to flesh it out and make some modifications so here goes:

 

-- While I want the clan to be "nicer" than the perception of the Iron Hands, it is their unyielding mentality that I have always found appealing about the chapter. So that being said I don't want my Clan to be pleasant or anything because through softness comes weakness, and I don't want them to be weak as at the very core of their being they are Iron Hands, after all.

 

-- I am thinking that the clan will still respond to any and all distress signals (that or of a certain scale, naturally) due to tradition and values. Yet they will still approach corruption and weakness with the same cold-resolve that the Iron Hands are renowned for.

 

-- They may avoid civilian casualties based on the concept of "we are the sword and the shield" but that doesn't mean they will be so considerate with Imperial Military resources. They believe that if you wield a weapon you need to be strong and so they have little compassion or remorse for the many cogs of the Imperium's military body. It should be noted that while they avoid civilian casualties the extermination of the enemy is paramount so clan leadership will commit to extreme measures to ensure a deeply entrenched enemy is destroyed.

 

In the end I still want the cool hatred that is the hallmark of the Chapter and as I read the article I found myself thinking how Bracchus is deviating a little to far from that! So I want to reel it in while still keeping a unique feel.

 

Edit: It may be that I will have to follow different paths to get that unique-ness I am looking for, as I can't throw myself full fledged into the whole "We're good people" concept since I like the Iron Hand's personality too much. It may stand that the purification of tainted gear could be a facet of their unique character, coupled with their penchant for Plasma and fleet based character? Naturally we will need more than that, but as a foundation it works.