IA: Storm Gauntlets

[Zebulon]

Storm Gauntlets

AKA The Sons of Aeolus

The Storm Gauntlets’ Deep Red and Bronze colours enable a degree of camouflage in the stormy, arid sandstone deserts which surround the mountains where their fortress-monastery is located. These deserts have historically been the training grounds where neophytes hone their skills on bikes and land speeders, training day and night for war.

Origins

When was the Chapter Founded?
7 081 738 M.41 (circa 26th Founding)

Why was the Chapter Founded?
The Storm Gauntlets are aware of the reasons for and controversy regarding their founding, and work tirelessly to prove their worth. The First Chapter Master, Polemarch Turi Khan was commissioned by the High Lords of Terra on the advice of Radical elements within the Inquisition. The purpose of the exercise was to recruit a new Chapter on the Planet Pheraimon as a standing force for two main reasons: to combat Chaos Daemons on the nearby planets in and around the Vulturnus Gulf, (Segmentum Tempestus) and to provide an exemplar of the philosophy set out in Inquisitor Ravenor’s great work, “Towards an Imperial Utopia”. Since their founding, various Recongregationist Inquisitors have sought to support this mission, noting that the Chapter is active in teaching and guiding the human population of Planet Pheraimon, and in rooting out any seeds of decadence or corruption. Though the Chapter is new compared to more ancient brethren, their reputation grows for their unorthodox ways, which win them both admirers and enemies in equal measure.

Due to their mission to provide an exemplar of the benefits of political reform, the Stormseers of the Storm Gauntlets have carried out extensive research into ancient political and philosophical thought.

The Chapter’s history has not all been smooth sailing through calm seas. There has been considerable opposition to the work of the Chapter from elements within the Inquisition, to the extent that even misinformation and slander has been used as a weapon against the chapter’s work. In one notable incident, the population of one of the cities of Pheraimon, Adrianopolis was stirred in revolt against the Storm Gauntlets due to the actions of interfering Amalathian Inquisitors. Regrettably many people were killed, and the city was sacked, though subsequently rebuilt in a new location, with loyal citizens given the opportunity to settle this new conurbation.

Undoubtedly the Chapter’s gravest misfortune concerned the loss of almost the entire 4th Brotherhood in an ambush by Necrons on a Tombworld previously thought inert. Fighting raged for 7 days and 7 nights, the 4th giving as good as they got and refusing to save their lives by withdrawing. When finally the dust settled and blood swam in the gulleys, only a single Devastator squad was recovered from the planet, exhausted but grateful that not only had they and their fallen brethren eradicated the Necron threat on that planet, but that also they had served with the utmost honour. That Devastator squad is now attached to the 2nd Brotherhood of the Storm Gauntlets, and in memory of their fallen brothers, they call themselves The Dark Legacy Devastator Squad. There is a grimness in their eyes beyond that of any other member of the chapter, which alone betrays the horrors they witnessed before they emerged victorious. It is said that for the first and only time in his life, when Polemarch Turi Khan heard of the loss of the 4th Brotherhood, he broke down and wept.

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Chapter Badge

Homeworld

The Storm Gauntlets’ homeworld is the planet Pheraimon, but the first cohort of marines originally came from Aeolus, a mining world in the Port Maw Subsector, of the Gothic Sector of the Segmentum Obscurus. These tough, sinewy miners had long struggled in industrial disputes with the Tech Priests who proved cruel and uncaring overseers. The dispute was resolved by a decree from the High Lords of Terra, that those miners who chose to could leave the Mining World, provided that they enlisted in Imperial service as warriors. The best among these men were chosen to undergo training and gene-manipulation to become Space Marines. Records are unclear as to how many miners left Aeolus, and of these, how many went on to become Space Marines, but it is known that at least 300 former miners, self-defined Sons of Aeolus eventually became part of the founding of the Storm Gauntlets.

Having been transplanted across the galaxy to their new planet, the Storm Gauntlets named their new homeworld “Pheraimon” in honour of their Aeolian roots, as Pheraimon was one of the six sons of Aeolus in ancient legend. If the planet once possessed another name, this name is now lost. Pheraimon is a Death World, primarily due to the red sand deserts and rocky outcrops which cover over 85% of its surface. Nonetheless, human habitation of the remaining territory endures, where strong and hardy recruits from the towns vie for the chance to join the ranks of the Storm Gauntlets. Frequently the people of Pheraimon retain a strong loyalty to their hometowns, and this is seen in the names of individual Brotherhoods and even Squads within the Chapter’s ranks (for example, 2nd Brotherhood Devastator Squad The Bistonians – all of whom came from Bistonia, an isolated settlement in the northernmost quadrant of Pheraimon). Due to the radical nature of the chapter, Chapter Command take a benign view towards these displays of local pride – provided they do not compromise morale and martial skill when they are called into battle.

Battlefield Doctrine

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Vanguard Veterans led by Sergeant Fabius

Their fighting style takes after their noble White Scars forebears, striking hard and fast and withdrawing before their next charge. Dying foes have often compared the Storm Gauntlets’ assaults to the effects of a whirlwind, furiously battering the enemy lines, twisting away and then back again to fling their foes’ corpses high in the air. Mounted assaults are key to the SR way of war, and every Marine taking to the battlefield has their means of transport, whether that be a tank, a bike, a landspeeder or a jump pack. In most cases, the SG seek to break enemy lines using a fleet of bikes and a land speeder, before then filling the breach with the shock and awe of tactical, assault and devastator squads.

SG Bike-Brothers refer to themselves as Koursōres. These were ancient cavalrymen, who were raiders famed for both their speed and their zeal. These descriptions can easily be recognised by any life-form which has seen the Bike-Brothers of the Storm Gauntlets ride into battle, and has lived to tell the tale!

Known Enemies:

The Varangian Guard
(http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30676)
This Chapter of Space Marines are known heretics who subverted the Quest for Knowledge, and who have turned Renegade. Their noble name and similar cultural heritage is a source of embarrassment to the Storm Gauntlets, and they actively seek to purge these treasonous swine from the annals of Imperial History.

Puritan Inquisitor Ivixia Dannica
Originally from Alena Mora, no more than three light years from Pheraimon across the Segmentum Tempestus, this Inquisitor has gained a reputation for her opposition to radical thought, which she uncompromisingly refers to as outright heresy. Many times the Storm Gauntlets have had to present her with evidence of their loyalty to the Emperor and their freedom from taint of Chaos, in order to escape the fell blow of the Inquisition upon all their brethren. While the hostility of Puritan Inquisitors remains steadfast, there is a constant threat to the future of the Chapter.

Known Allies:

Sister Ephrael Stern
Sole survivor of the expeditions to Parnis, the Ordo Malleus have sworn to hunt her down on suspicion of heresy and taint of the Chaos Daemons that control Planet Parnis. However, although the Ordo believes she presents an extreme danger to the Imperium, and has issued orders for her destruction, some members of the Ordo think she might be Mankind's greatest hope since the Primarchs. The Storm Gauntlets share this belief, and hope to learn from her experiences. Rumours that the Chapter have harboured and assisted this Sister are strenuously denied by Chapter Command, for entirely pragmatic and sensible reasons.

Chapter Organisation

The Storm Gauntlets do not follow the Codex Astartes company organisation, and are instead made up of semi-autonomous Brotherhoods. These are highly mobile forces containing a large proportion of bike squads and speeder squadrons that on average number slightly less than a traditional Codex company (109 = canonical; 93 = SG). This manner of organisation closely follows their White Scars progenitors, and elements of other admired Chapters such as the Dark Angels’ Ravenwing and the Space Wolves’ Swiftclaws. Following the destruction of the 4th Brotherhood by Necrons, the decision was taken to retire the tattered banner of the 4th, and not to recruit new brothers into a new 4th Brotherhood. This means that when at full strength, the Chapter contains a total of 837 Marines.

In common with their White Scar forebears, the Storm Gauntlets do not employ Dreadnoughts, and nor do they have Terminator Squads. Although the Storm Gauntlets seek knowledge and understanding, they cannot bring themselves to entomb their warrior brothers in such equipment. It is thought that this psychological aversion must simply be an effect of the White Scar gene-seed that runs in their veins, for they are entirely unable to explain this irrational distaste.

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Stormseer Quintus Io, of the 2nd Brotherhood

Stormseers: Taking the precedent of their White Scars forebears, Storm Gauntlets Librarians function as Stormseers, who uphold and teach the core beliefs of the Chapter, and the more talented among them develop and employ Psychic powers. They also carry out research into ancient and modern warfare, seeking to develop and improve upon the Chapter’s combat doctrines. Finally they seek enlightenment through political and philosophical treatises throughout history, as part of their mission to spread Recongregationist reform of the Imperium. As such they perform a key role in the military and civil roles of the Chapter. There is one Stormseer attached to each Brotherhood of the Chapter, mounted like so many of their brothers on a bike.

Chaplain-Apothecaries: Given the Stormseer’s reach beyond the traditional Librarian status of Codex Chapters, the Chaplains of the Storm Radicals have also modified their roles to better serve their Chapter. Taking a lead from the Priestly medical classes of the ancestors, all Chaplains of the Storm Gauntlets function both as Cult Leaders and as Apothecaries, using the Wisdom of the Ancients to heal their fallen Brethren, or to grant unto them eternal rest when they cannot fight on. SG Chaplain-Apothecaries are always mounted on bikes, and can ride as part of the Command Squad of their Brotherhood, or as an Independent Command figure, depending on mission parameters and the availability of troops. Given the unusual nature of the combined role as Chaplain and Apothecary, and the greater emphasis placed on Stormseers throughout the Chapter, the Chaplain-Apothecaries are not distributed “one per Brotherhood”, but are organised at HQ level in relatively small numbers, and attached to battlegroups as necessary.

Notable Individuals:
Polemarch Turi Khan – Founder and first Polemarch (Chapter Master) of the Storm Gauntlets, with tolerance and wisdom he led the first cohort of Marines from their Mining World of Aeolus to the mountains and deserts of Pheraimon, took the lead in setting up the Chapter’s structures, fighting style and core beliefs. Little is known of his earlier life, other than that he served with honour among the White Scars for several hundred years, attaining veteran sergeant status, before he and his two bike-brothers were summoned to Holy Terra to prepare for the project which became the Storm Gauntlets Chapter. Though on the inside he remained a White Scar ‘til death, he also took great pride in the noble work of establishing the new Chapter, and often declared that in death he would surely sit beside the Immortal Emperor for all eternity.

Polemarch Julius Pantokrator, the second Chapter Master of the Storm Gauntlets, has held the command of the Chapter ever since great Turi Khan’s demise. His commitment to equality of martial skill and equality of sacrifice means that he is frequently to be found fighting in the midst of his men as a Sergeant, leaving a Stormseer or a Chaplain-Apothecary to take the HQ roles. This trust in his comrade brothers’ tactical nous and this humility in battle has further increased the Polemarch’s reputation among his men, who revere him almost as much as the honoured Emperor.

Chapter Cult and Belief System

The Storm Gauntlets, due to their unusual level of interest in the quest for knowledge and social progress, have well defined views regarding politics, philosophy and statecraft. Beyond the parameters of their mission within the Vulturnus Gulf, they avoid sharing these views as they are aware that less enlightened chapters and elements of the Inquisition could see them as a threat to the established order. Nonetheless the Storm Gauntlets revere the Immortal Emperor as much as any Space Marine, seeing him ultimately as a divine symbol of benevolence towards humanity, as well as the wrathful and righteous destroyer of those who would seek to poison and destroy human civilisation. Storm Gauntlets value human life, and believe that the best among humanity can forge a better world for all, that there may yet come a time when all enemies are vanquished and that great day will arrive when the Emperor’s word stands unchallenged throughout the Universe. The Chapter’s views, beliefs and traditions are inculcated through rigorous study and learning alongside their military training, and the Brothers are known for their almost messianic zeal towards the goals of enlightenment and progress in the name of the Emperor. It is this fanaticism which gives hope to the Recongregationists in the Inquisition, so that through the example of the Storm Gauntlets and similar chapters, the benefits of progressive change can be made manifest and will spread throughout the Imperium.

Gene-seed

The Storm Gauntlets are descended directly from the White Scars and the Great Khan Jaghatai. This is known primarily due to the first Polemarch of the Storm Gauntlets being himself a Brother of the White Scars, who was late in his career honoured with the opportunity to lead this new chapter in its early days. Thus far, their gene-seed has proved to be stable.

Battle Cry

“For the Emperor, the Polemarch and the People!”
“Let our Knowledge and our Principles prove as mighty as our Steel!”
“Strike fast! Strike Hard! Strike Wisely!”

This is my first IA and so any C&C is hugely appreciated. I am sure there may be some potential problems with my ideas so if people want to pick at them, that can only benefit the finished product...

BIG EDIT: Have changed name from "Storm Radicals" to Storm Gauntlets. Two main reasons for this - 1) Thought it best that the "radical" aspect of the chapter wasn't too forced, and 2) Gauntlets, while still unusual, are more in the tradition of chapters named "Fists" "Claws" "Talons" etc. Good idea? Bad idea? All thoughts welcomed...

[Dominicus]

Just gonna make a quick observation here... Where does the title of polemarch originate from?

[voi shet magir]

You have obviously given this a certain amount of thought, and that was not the right amount. Every quotation mark, and actually almost every paragraph containing quotation marks, can probably go. They cause the opposite of suspension of disbelief. They are belief gravity.

 

You should not only stop directly referencing history, you should eliminate general 40k references like recongregationist inquisitors. Those need to become specific events featuring particular inquisitors. The rub is to make that inquisitor character relevant, and not just a random name, without detouring from the topic of your chapter.

 

Just gonna make a quick observation here... Where does the title of polemarch originate from?

 

Doesn't matter.

[Zebulon]

Just gonna make a quick observation here... Where does the title of polemarch originate from?

 

A polemarch was a senior military title in various ancient Greek city states. The title is composed of the words polemos (war) and archon (ruler/leader) and translates as "warleader" or "warlord"

 

Obviously I couldn't go with Archon as I believe GW have in their wisdom attributed that to Dark Eldar leaders?

 

You have obviously given this a certain amount of thought, and that was not the right amount. Every quotation mark, and actually almost every paragraph containing quotation marks, can probably go. They cause the opposite of suspension of disbelief. They are belief gravity.

 

You should not only stop directly referencing history, you should eliminate general 40k references like recongregationist inquisitors. Those need to become specific events featuring particular inquisitors. The rub is to make that inquisitor character relevant, and not just a random name, without detouring from the topic of your chapter.

 

Okay, I can see where you are coming from but I guess I wanted my Chapter to be genuinely grounded in history. EDIT: Having thought about it, I have removed most of the references to genuine history, because you're right - it doesn't really make sense for Space Marines in "40,000AD" (as it were) to be studying events that took place between 0AD and 1500AD.

 

As for making things more specific, I guess I should delve further into published work on the 40k Universe perhaps. Do you have any recommendations as to where I could read more about radical Inquisitors, for example?

 

Lastly, forgive me but I'm unfamiliar with the term "belief gravity" - what did you mean by that?

[Bad Monkey]

Lastly, forgive me but I'm unfamiliar with the term "belief gravity" - what did you mean by that?

 

Looks like just a quip, but the meaning If Im understanding correctly is that it means that the reader cannot suspend disbeleif, and infact comes crashing to the ground with a heavy dose of the disbeleifs

 

Incidently you might want to explin why they call thier leaders polemarches and not captians...is it a title from the homeworld? lets not forget in the grim darkness of the future, there is no record of ancient greece.

[voi shet magir]

Yes that was an inference, from context. Clues are in context.

 

 

Incidently you might want to explin why they call thier leaders polemarches and not captians.

 

Except that would be boring. We know what they are already.

[Zebulon]

Incidently you might want to explin why they call thier leaders polemarches and not captians...is it a title from the homeworld? lets not forget in the grim darkness of the future, there is no record of ancient greece.

 

Okay, help me out here because your question raises further questions for me.

 

Fair play there is no record of Ancient Greece. However, doesn't that bring all fluff on all the Loyalist Chapters into question?

 

It stands to reason that there are also no records of the poetry of Lionel Johnson (DA), Mongolian warlords (WS), Vikings (SW), 19th Century Prussia (IF), Vampire mythology (BA), the Romans (UM) or the writings of Edgar Allen Poe (RG)

 

To that extent, I don't see a problem with having a Byzantine theme in order to tie together threads of Greek and Roman history as one of the key influences upon my chapter.

 

If I am adhering too closely to my theme and not to the 40k Universe, what should I do? I'm loth to change the titles I've chosen for certain ranks etc - as ultimately it's only a name this chapter have chosen. How else do I square the theme from a dead civilisation with a group of people 38,000 years into the future?! :D

 

Yes that was an inference, from context. Clues are in context.

 

Except that would be boring. We know what they are already.

 

Okay, may I ask three questions please?

 

1) Do you think that the theme is "just plain bad?"

 

2) Other than being more specific about characters already involved in the 40k Universe, do you have any advice you would like to give me?

 

3) For everyone else - do you think that VSM's criticisms are fair, or do you have another perspective on my attempts (which I say again, are my FIRST attempts at this sort of thing).

[Tyther]

Okay, may I ask three questions please?

 

1) Do you think that the theme is "just plain bad?"

 

2) Other than being more specific about characters already involved in the 40k Universe, do you have any advice you would like to give me?

 

3) For everyone else - do you think that VSM's criticisms are fair, or do you have another perspective on my attempts (which I say again, are my FIRST attempts at this sort of thing).

 

1) No theme is just plain bad, so long as it is just a theme. Viking Space Marines, for instance, are not bad, so long as you find a way to differentiate them from other Viking-themed Astartes, i.e. don't make them Space Wolf copies. Done right, any theme will work- using the Viking example from before, the Space Wolves combine the Vikings' brutal nature (they're a horde, pretty much) with their great amount of body hair (wolves, wolves and more wolves) and their disregard for 'proper' forms of warfare (wouldn't break out the Codex Astartes if they ran out of toilet paper) and inject that into 40k. Done badly, any theme is bad, unless the theme happens to be Mary Sue/MISS Space Marines, in which case it is always bad. The big question here is, 'What are you looking for in your Chapter?'

 

2) Since that was addressed to VSM, I'll skip that.

 

3) Yes and no. His points about making specific people and events relevant to your chapter are fair. What is not fair is the dismissal of how and why the Chapter is the way it is. While it may be boring for some, it is interesting to others, but that's besides the point. The point is that where these titles come from reflect an influence on the history and character of the Chapter. Every time a rank is different from Sergeant or Captain or Chapter Master, it is a deviation from the way Space Marines have been organized since before the Horus Heresy. It takes a big, BIG thing to do that. Every time a Chapter is not organized in the manner that the Codex Astartes lays out, it looks at the most comprehensive book on warfare ever written and thinks to itself, "Guilliman wouldn't understand our circumstances"- again, not something a Chapter does lightly. It is not enough that a Chapter simply IS. There is a reason for everything it has changed from the standard. The rank of Polemarch, to use your example, could have been taken in honor of a great military or political leader from Pheraimon's past who the Gauntlets have decided to honor. They're not betraying the Emperor's and Primarch Guilliman's tenets in their eyes because their duty is to serve and protect mankind, and remembering their planetary heritage is a way of commemorating that duty. (Those two sentences were a suggestion, nothing more). In a universe that has long forgotten the Ancients, many cultural references can simply be chalked down to the world the Astartes inhabit, and no further explanation is usually asked for, since you are writing an Index Astartes, not a planetary encyclopedia.

 

On a separate note- if the Gauntlets are descended directly from the White Scars (Space Mongols/Space Huns), why did their first Chapter Master choose a Hellenic flavor for the Chapter? Was he influenced that much by the local culture?