The 13th Goat Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 Chapter Name: Swords Of Vigilance Homeworld: Solestus VII Early Idea: From a desert world home to nomadic tribes, their culture is based upon the ruination of their planet. Originally a small Hive world supporting a space marine chapter, corruption tore the chapter apart and saw the world desemated by nuclear war. Those marines that few survived found themselves inducted into the Death Watch and serve the Inquisition in other capacities. Around 500 of years later the marines were gathered together to take command of a new founding, with the Sword Of Vigilance being based over the site of their greatest failure. They recruit from the tribes that now survive on its blasted wastes. History The origins of the Swords Of Vigilance is that of a phoenix, arising from the ashes of a Chapter lost and a world burned. The Swords Of Solestus were a 11th founding chapter based on the world of their namesake, crusading for the best part of 3000 in the surrounding sectors. Taking great pride in the purity of their duty, they stood against foul xenos and heretics with stalwart resolve. It was one such campaign, standing alongside brothers in the Brothers Tempest and Avenging Souls chapters, that sowed the seeds that would forever define the them. The Raising Of Agros Agros had been a garden world famed for its beauty for sectors around. Governor's and Royal's from hundreds of worlds flocked to their famed coasts, while great orchards produced some of the Segmentum's finest wines. In such places, however, the seeds of decadence and compulsion tend to take root, and with that weeds of indulgence and heresy spread throughout the world. It wasn't long before cults and traitors sprang forth, setting the once pure world aflame with the fires of war. Called to free this world, the three chapters set forth on a campaign to purge the world from the grasp of heresy. For 2 years battles raged in the vineyards and villages of Agros. While the local populace proved no match for the Astartes, twisted horror's bled from the warp to compound the situation. After a long and difficult battle, the source of the infection became known. A prince, famed for his handsome beauty, had committed a pact with a denzien of the warp to forever protect his good looks. It was this prince that had helped turn the world, and it would be his death that would be its salvation. A brutal fight into his residence through swathes of female admires (uncontrollably insane and mutated) finally allowed the First Captains of all three chapters to confront the heretic, and cut him down. It was with his final breath that he uttered his curse: "I look upon you and laugh. Kings amongst men, yet I can see the flickers of darkness in you. My mortal coil unravels, but it is a warm thought to know that in this room I die surround by traitors... Even if it is yet to pass......" Prince Horgalth, First Prince of Delushio {Heretic, Exterminated} Discounted at the time, his words proved to be tragically prophetic. Five years after Argos the Avenging Souls betrayed the Imperium to join the ranks of Chaos, while a short two years after that a change in leadership sparked rebellion amongst the Brothers Tempest, with the few remaining brothers last being seen within the ranks of the Red Corsairs. To the Avio DeCrux, the former first captain and new Chapter Master of the Swords, it was no coincidence. Vowing to never tread that path, he began organising the Chapter to focus even more on purity with the Chaplains on high alert for any laxity. Soon the Sword became known for their extreme persecution for even small instances. Worried about the effect this was having on the sector the Adminstratum made repeated requests for the chapter to be investigated, however the arrival of the Tyranid menace saw the Imperium's eyes turned away from the growing problem. All that would change after Solestus IV. The fall of Solestus At some point in their fall, the Swords came to learn of new cult forming on their recruiting world. The cult worshipped a pre-Imperial deity which archaeological research confirms was a proto-Emperor representation, often found on worlds that lack Ecclesiastical representatives. DeCrux however feared it was the beginning of a taint in their recruitment pull, and made a move to squash the movement. Despite the misgivings of many of the Battle Brothers, the swords went to work cleansing the village of the cults inception. No one was left alive, but as the Swords returned to orbit DeCrux ensured the movement was exterminated; as the last Thunderhawks touched down within the hangers of the fleet, DeCrux ordered a full scale orbital bombardment along the fault lines of Solestus IV. Unable to withstand the colossal assault, the world buckled and crumbled, collapsing inwards before shattering completely. The murder of their recruiting world saw much descension in the ranks. Two full companies (the 3rd and 7th) along with small contingents from the others fled back to their Chapter keep on Solestus VII to warn the Imperium, but warp storms constantly interffered with the signal and crippled the message. Thus seven days after burning their homeworld the Chapter participated in its second greatest sin; fratracide. Holding the Chapter Basilica against their brothers, the loyalist marines desperatly tried to organise the local defence forces to help in the coming battles. This planned was thrown into dissarray when the main Sword forces deployed into many of the worlds Hives and began purging operations. Millions died in the openening weeks of the conflict, with repeated attempts made at securing the Basilica, which happened to house the controls for the orbital defense grid. Eventually the Chapter broke through and secured the site and under the Chapter Masters orders, declared Solestus VII traitors worthy of only one thing; Exterminatus. It is by many considered a miricle that the Inqusition arrivied in sector, along with a company of Crimson Fists. Deployed to censure what had be thought to be a radicalism, the instead found heresy and betrayel of the worst kind. Determind to purge Solestus and prove their innocence, the Swords landed on mass and began raising the Hives to the ground. Murder on a massive scale was committed in the name of purity, all while hunting the rogue elements of their own brotherhood. Some say it tragic that by the time the Imperial forces broke through the Swords fleet in orbit the loyalist Swords had already been forced to into the only action left to save thier brothers from their damnation. In a lightning raid the last of the remaining loyalists captured the main geothermal plants and overcharged their reactors. When the Imperium took orbit, it was over wasteland where the last elements of the Sword Of Solestus battled furiously. Moving in like the wrath of the Emperor himself, the Crimson Fists feel from heavens to seeking vengence. Within 2 days the last of the real traitors were destroyed, leaving little more than a hundred Swords left. The Chapter was destroyed. Return to Soletus What happened to the survivors next remains speculation. What is known is around 300 years later during the 19th founding a chapter was formed over the now sand blasted death world of Solestus. What's more, the Chapter seemed to be led by veterans of an unnamed chapter, unusual given the ties a successor usually enjoys with its parent chapter. Taking the name Swords of Vigilance, they have operated for centuries now safeguarding Imperial space, mostly deployed on a number of different worlds at any given time. Soletus itself has changed dramatically. Where once stood proud cities now lie massive ruins, and once lush forests submerged in shifting sand. It is a brutal place where water is scarce and irradiated beasts roam the landscape. The people of this world are forced to live in the ruins of greatness while sandstorms that can strip flesh from bones tear over the landscape. When these season long storms eventually subside, beasts and men lost to mutation swarm from the wastes into the cities to fight brutal battles with the inhabitants. Life is hard for the people; as the storm rages they are forced to constantly repair and form make shift defenses as the storms batter their defences, only to face battle once the storms eventually subside. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/229644-ia-swords-of-vigilance/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yaj Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 I think it's more likely that the chapter would be declared excominatus (or however you spell it!) and destroyed for corruption. However if you can think of a reason as to why they ended up as members of the Death Watch then there is no reason not to continue. I would suggest an (radical, perhaps?) ordo xenos inquisitor saves the marines from becoming fully corrupt and they serve him as an act of penatence before being allowed to re-build the chapter. I would also explain why the chapter became corrupted but I presume your going to do that any way as this is only an initial idea Keep the colour scheme though - I like it! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/229644-ia-swords-of-vigilance/#findComment-2756382 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 13th Goat Posted May 12, 2011 Author Share Posted May 12, 2011 Thanks Yaj. Thoughts of the early inception was that most of the Chapter turned, leaving behind around two companies. As for the act, i was thinking it would be a different from your standard "Chaos, yay!" betrayel. I have an idea for a a chapter that took purity to far, and began inflicting horrific casualties upon Imperial assets. When they began culling their own homeworld, a rift began and sparked a chapter civil war. By the time the Inquisition got involved they found a world torn apart and a chapter in ruins. Helping the loyalists defeat the remaining traitors, the question became what to be done with the remaining loyalists. With a founding down the line, the decision was made to use the 100+ survivors in an upcoming chapter. Naturally, this story will be tackled in more depth. Was also going to look at that the idea of having a different slightly command line. Two Dreadnaught's will jointly hold the rank of Chapter Master, with all that entails. That comes with issues with hibernation and effective use, but I am planning to work with that. Gonna be busy over the next coming days, but hopefully will be getting back into this soon. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/229644-ia-swords-of-vigilance/#findComment-2756779 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 13th Goat Posted May 12, 2011 Author Share Posted May 12, 2011 Damn double post. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/229644-ia-swords-of-vigilance/#findComment-2756780 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yaj Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 I look forward to reading it and whilst it's been done before (I think in one of the BA novels) having not 1 but 2 dreadnoughts as chapter master(s) is just plain brilliant!! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/229644-ia-swords-of-vigilance/#findComment-2757115 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecritter Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 From a desert world home to nomadic tribes, their culture is based upon the ruination of their planet. Originally a small Hive world supporting a space marine chapter, corruption tore the chapter apart and saw the world desemated by nuclear war. Those marines that few survived found themselves inducted into the Death Watch and serve the Inquisition in other capacities. Around 500 of years later the marines were gathered together to take command of a new founding, with the Sword Of Vigilance being based over the site of their greatest failure. They recruit from the tribes that know survive on its blasted wastes. - Was it Astartes corruption of planetary corruption ... I think planetary would work better and keep you from being slain by Inquisition - I'd not call it a desert world but a nuclear wasteland - what geneseed are you planning? Looking forward to more Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/229644-ia-swords-of-vigilance/#findComment-2757280 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 13th Goat Posted May 18, 2011 Author Share Posted May 18, 2011 Some more stuff added. Any Questions so far? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/229644-ia-swords-of-vigilance/#findComment-2762438 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 13th Goat Posted May 21, 2011 Author Share Posted May 21, 2011 Again added more stuff. Now for the tricky bit... Say you have 127 Marines, the last of a chapter that majorily turned traitor. They were the loyal ones. Would it be concievable that the remainders could be temporarily suquested by the Inquisition, then redeployed in a new founding? Thoughts would be greatly appreciated. ;) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/229644-ia-swords-of-vigilance/#findComment-2765690 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigismund Himself Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Say you have 127 Marines, the last of a chapter that majorily turned traitor. They were the loyal ones. Would it be concievable that the remainders could be temporarily suquested by the Inquisition, then redeployed in a new founding? Thoughts would be greatly appreciated. ^_^ I would say it would be unlikely. The Imperium is extremely careful with heresy, chaos and all that jazz, giving the Founding of one of the Imperium's most important resources in the Astartes to a bunch of marines that have had the majority of their brethren fall wouldn't happen in my opinion. Guilt by association is seemingly used a lot by the Inquisition. Although if you really want to go this route, not saying it outright and just hinting at it would work well plus provide an interesting hook as unlike many Astartes they wouldn't have their lineage to revere... Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/229644-ia-swords-of-vigilance/#findComment-2766484 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 13th Goat Posted May 29, 2011 Author Share Posted May 29, 2011 What happened to the survivors next remains speculation. What is known is around 300 years later during the 19th founding a chapter was formed over the now sand blasted death world of Solestus. What's more, the Chapter seemed to be led by veterans of an unnamed chapter, unusual given the ties a successor usually enjoys with its parent chapter. Taking the name Swords of Vigilance, they have operated for centuries now safeguarding Imperial space, mostly deployed on a number of different worlds at any given time. Not a major update, but was looking for opinions on this work around. Not too in your face, keeps a little mystery...... Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/229644-ia-swords-of-vigilance/#findComment-2775128 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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