The Sphyraena

[strongbow]

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Oceanius

O

ceanius is a feral ocean world, located on the outermost rim of the Segmentum Pacificus, with 95% of its surface being water. Its strategic position allows Sphyraena vessels to continue patrolling the area at length and intercept incoming threats before reaching too far into the segmentum. What landmass there is is populated by scattered tribes who dwell on small islands subsisting on what little in the form of resources their land can offer. The technology available to the scattered inhabitants is little more than stone or wooden weapons. The various tribes are constantly warring and trading with their neighbours, using their adept seafaring skills to reach other islands. The constant battle for survival has made the people of Oceanius a hardy one, ideal for a space marine chapter.

On Oceanius, boys are expected to learn the ways of the warrior from a young age, and it is from these people that the chapter selects its recruits. Lone Sphyraena chaplains will walk out of the ocean onto the landmass, a skull-demon that is both feared and revered by the people. The people believe that in order to stay the wrath of the skull-demons they must present their strongest sons for him as a sacrifice. The selected sons are marched into the ocean where they believe the skull-demon consumes them. In reality however selectees are met by more space marines who fit them with breathing apparatus and transport them through the ocean to the fortress monastery.

It is not without precedent, however, for the crusading company to return with potential new recruits from other worlds. These may be offerings of thanks from worlds saved, selected individuals discovered by the company and requested by the company’s chaplains or volunteers. These new recruits face a tougher selection process. Native space marines are sceptical about their skills and honour. However the off-world recruits work hard to impress their native brothers and those that succeed are given the same respect as any brother of the Sphyraena.

It is what lies beneath the vast oceans of the planet that is more interesting, however. On the surface a few ruins can be seen, indicating a once highly advanced, but now long lost society. When the Sphyraena first encountered the planet they identified these sites and began an investigation. Before long there search took them below the surface, and what they uncovered surprised even the most experienced and grizzled veterans.

A huge underwater complex that spanned for hundreds of miles covered the ocean floor beneath the islands where the ruins were situated. A sprawling labyrinth of tunnels and buildings lay apparently as abandoned as the ruins above. Many sections had apparently collapsed under the water pressure, but the huge central areas, which were found to be heavily fortified, were still found to be well protected by the shielding. The Sphyraena occupied this central area as well as the islands above, taking it as their fortress monastery. Tons of water, powerful shields and an impressive array of weaponry make the Sphyraena’s fortress monastery highly secure, even for a space marine chapter.

Their new home yielded many surprises. They found vast amounts of ancient technology that even their oldest techmarines could not decipher, the walls sprawled with paintings and tapestries indicating the decadence of the advanced society who once dwelt there. Every inch of wall space was covered with plush decoration, the facilities and furniture echoing the comfort and pleasure sought there by the previous occupants. Images of sexual acts and large banqueting halls with expensive ornaments and gold cutlery gave further insight into the kind of people who lived there. The beauty and elegance of the place was soon marred as further investigation continued. Explorer squads discovered skeletons and grotesque blood spatters all over the walls, gore caked the floors and ceilings and the dust that lingered in the air and caught in the throat was the bones of long-since murdered people.

For two months explorer teams continued to search the complex, the chapter master concerned about what had happened. After securing the area for his fortress monastery he ordered the immediate search of the immediate areas. For two months nothing had happened. More tunnels were secured, more technology returned. Nothing suspicious was found. One day, however, a patrol did not return. The combat squad in question was not answering communications. Taking no chances, the chapter master himself led fifty space marines to the area to find the lost brothers. What they found horrified him. Little remained of the combat squad, fragments of armour and flesh were painted over the room they had been standing in. It wasn’t long before the contingent of marines came under attack.

Hordes of monstrous beasts threw themselves at the bolters of the astartes, cut down by the weapons’ merciless roar. After twenty minutes the remaining few monsters fled, but not without causing damage. Six brothers had been slain by the creatures, torn in half by powerful pincers and claws. From now on all patrols were to be doubled in size and given extra ammunition. Contact with the centre would be made more regular and special relief squads were to be held at all times in the event of an ambush. Now that the game was up, patrols did come under fairly frequent attack, and automated defences were tested to the limit. To this day the Sphyraena battle the monsters in their fortress, using them to train their warriors and prepare them for combat.

The Sphyraena continue to yield ancient technology from their exploration, using what they have found to trade extensively with the Adeptus Mechanicus. Despite their home world’s lack of natural resources, the Sphyraena are never short of armoured vehicles or armaments thanks to what are unusually good relations with the Adeptus Mechanicus as a result of their findings.

T

he Sphyraena are a tenacious enemy, dogged in the defence and relentless in the assault. Due to their space-borne heritage and the intense nature of the tunnel fighting every Sphyraena is engaged in at some point, the Sphyraena are highly adept at close-quarter combat, particularly in boarding actions and urban warfare. They use their skills in labyrinthine environments to their advantage, attacking the enemy at their weakest point and drawing them into well prepared ambushes.

Their propensity for boarding actions and other similar combat roles, as well as their crusading history has made them superbly capable warriors when space hulks are encountered. They frequently aid the local Imperial Navy forces in dealing with hulks and their warriors are fiercely proud of their successful record against hundreds of hulks since settling upon Oceanius.

Their ocean home world demands that the Sphyraena be able to operate well in a water environment. On numerous occasions have their skills at underwater warfare defeated seemingly impregnable enemy positions, either by using oceans and rivers to find easy points of access, or by destroying enemy bases constructed under water.

When fighting battles in the open they take their skills at close quarters and apply them to the different kind of terrain, picking at their targets, rarely making themselves obvious targets and never giving respite to the enemy. It is in these situations that the Sphyraena display incredible patience, waiting for the exact moment to strike and laying out the most elaborate ambushes. Sometimes however their tendency towards fluid (and often undefined) lines of defence has created problems with allied commanders, as the Sphyraena frequently allow their enemies into inhabited areas to defeat them in terrain best suited to themselves. The high civilian casualties caused by these are often part and parcel of a Sphyraena war, which are frequently drawn out by the plans of their captains. Many an Ork horde has been chaperoned into a city by Sphyraena battle groups, with well placed squads luring them into narrow streets where they are easy pickings for the squads of space marines lying in wait for them.

The nature of the tunnel patrols often means that squads operate independently from others and the command structure of the company. This has created a situation where individual squads are capable and experienced in combat where the sergeant acts under his own authority. This has mutually developed alongside the preferred combat doctrine of the chapter as a whole, the skilled marines able to work alone well in small groups to drive the enemy where the commander wants them to be.

Organisation

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he Sphyraena are a codex chapter, and as such follow the hallowed tome in their organisation, with the first company consisting of veterans, second to fifth as battle companies, sixth to ninth as reserve companies and the tenth company serving as the scout company.

To honour the crusading traditions of their parent chapter, however, the Sphyraena rotate one battle company at a time as a crusading company. Each rotation lasts a century, with the company returning every decade for resupply and reinforcement. The captain of the company is given the title of ‘Marshal of the Crusade’, a great honour which the captain will keep as an honorary title after his company’s return for the remainder of his career. The crusading company operates out a Battle Barge, known as The Light.

The scout and reserve companies deal with all exploratory missions within the extent of the complex within which the fortress monastery is built. This is to hone and develop the skills of these warriors before being inducted into battle companies later in their lives. The horrors of the tunnels quickly harden those that enter them into the grim and dour warriors The Sphyraena are known to be. This is a hard induction to warfare by any chapter’s standards, and in order to deal with the higher attrition rate within the scout company, and to match the style of warfare followed by the Sphyraena, an additional four scout squads are maintained to ensure the chapter can keep its strength. Two of these squads are rotated with the crusading company at any one time.

Appearance

Battle Brother of the Sphyraena

T

he Sphyraena have a dark blue colour scheme, generally following the Codex Astartes for chapter, company and squad designation. Battle brothers tend to have paler skin and darker eyes, although this is attributed to the dark conditions of the fortress monastery and the environments they often fight in.

Beliefs

L

ike many chapters of the Adeptus Astartes, The Sphyraena believe that the Emperor was and is a great man. Whilst they venerate their Primarch, Roboute Guilliman as much as any other Ultramarines successor, they bear an unusual amount of respect for their parent chapter, the Eagle Warriors. Frequently elements of the Sphyraena have been rushed to the assistance of the Eagle Warriors, whose region of operations is far from the area generally operated in by The Sphyraena.

Their space-faring history and resultant reliance on the Astronomican led them to hold the belief as the Emperor being the light in the darkness of the galaxy, and that it was their eternal mission to protect it, and where possible, spread it. This has been further exemplified by the constant battle within the far extents of their fortress monastery. They take it as their sacred duty to eliminate the darkness that dwells within the complex, and spread the light of the Emperor to the furthest reaches of its sprawling mass.

Despite their beliefs in the Emperor’s light, they maintain a dour and pragmatic outlook, honed by the no-quarters-given nature of battle against the creatures that inhabit their home. Their armour is not adorned by trinkets or tokens, the majority of Sphyraena preferring a minimalist approach and battlefield efficiency. The dark colour scheme of the chapter’s armour may be a contradiction to their beliefs in the Emperor’s light, but it was chosen before the coming to these beliefs. The darkness of their armour is practical, offering them camouflage in the darkness of tunnels or ship’s corridors. They see it as a means to an end. The Emperor’s light is spread by victory in their view, not empty idealism. As long as they retain their beliefs on this issue, what they look like is irrelevant.

Their tie with the Adeptus Mechancius, closer than normal for a space marine chapter, is again a practical one. They bear no additional devotion to the machine cult than is necessary and do not favour additional bionic replacement unless necessary. They require ships and armaments, and are prepared to make the best use of what they discover in order to gain these essential resources.

The Sphyraena have had the occasional issue with the Inquisition. The large quantities of technological discoveries alongside a multitude of mutant creatures on their own homeworld has been a cause for concern for many an inquisitor. On a few occasions the inquisition has requested to see the creatures in person, and to make judgement upon it, including the suggestion of bringing large quantities of Inquisitorial troops to fully sweep the whole complex. The very notion of this happening has infuriated Sphyraena chapter masters and as a result the relationship between the two organisations has become very unfriendly over time. As long as The Sphyraena maintain their exemplary service record however they cannot be deemed dangerous.

Geneseed

A

s successors of Roboute Guilliman The Sphyraena have no known issues with their geneseed. The pale skin of their warriors is attributed more to the dark environments they frequently operate in.

Battle Cry

T

he pragmatic warriors of The Sphyraena do not waste their breath with any battle cry. Their patience as individuals and combat tactics involving ambushes and stealth do not require such an action.

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(Source of planet image: http://www.eso.org/public/outreach/eduoff/...ow.html?cas=55)

Hope you enjoy it guys, after a couple of weeks of writing I've decided its worth putting on here. B)

[Lysimachus]

Overall, this is very good. Well written, nicely laid out, not too long or too short. A few things bug me though. Firstly, the name sounds odd, what is a Sphyraena exactly? Edit: Ok, checked and fair enough, it's a Barracuda, although I'm inclined to think 'Barracudas' as a name is more simple and sounds better. Why are they called that? Did it come from their home world, as it's bit of a coincidence for a fish named Chapter to end up on a water world? (I know, I know, GW has done similar things themselves more than once, but it doesn't automatically make it a good idea! :huh: )

 

Also, if they are 4th Founding, meaning they've been around for thousands of years, how have they not secured and explored their own home world yet? I just can't see that in that length of time they haven't been able to cover the entirety of their FM and wipe out the crab things. As a suggestion, does it really make much difference if they're not 4th Founding? If they were more recent, it would explain why they haven't got round to it yet?

 

Hope this is of some help!

 

Lysimachus

[DarkCrusader]

I really liked the IA.Some good ideas,wait,let me rephrase that,all of that was a good idea.well done :)

[strongbow]

Overall, this is very good. Well written, nicely laid out, not too long or too short. A few things bug me though. Firstly, the name sounds odd, what is a Sphyraena exactly? Edit: Ok, checked and fair enough, it's a Barracuda, although I'm inclined to think 'Barracudas' as a name is more simple and sounds better. Why are they called that? Did it come from their home world, as it's bit of a coincidence for a fish named Chapter to end up on a water world? (I know, I know, GW has done similar things themselves more than once, but it doesn't automatically make it a good idea! :) )

 

Also, if they are 4th Founding, meaning they've been around for thousands of years, how have they not secured and explored their own home world yet? I just can't see that in that length of time they haven't been able to cover the entirety of their FM and wipe out the crab things. As a suggestion, does it really make much difference if they're not 4th Founding? If they were more recent, it would explain why they haven't got round to it yet?

 

Hope this is of some help!

 

Lysimachus

 

Thanks for your comments!

 

All valid points, I went with the Sphyraena because to me it sounded cooler than the barracudas, and that's about it. Perhaps I could say 'also known as' The Barracudas? I do like that the way 'Sphyraena' sounds like - a bit mysterious and sneaky in a way.

I really liked the idea of the underwater fortress monastery and again, more to my taste than anything else. I must admit I could do with a more original planet name though! :)

 

Yeah now you mention it that does seem rather long. I'll take a look at the timeline and pick out something more recent. I want to make it clear though that they are making slow progress - I need to expand on that. Part of the reason is the fact that they rarely have enough personnel due to off-world commitments.

 

I really liked the IA.Some good ideas,wait,let me rephrase that,all of that was a good idea.well done happy.gif

 

Thanks DarkCrusader, appreciate it! ;)

[Walter Payton]

Hello,

 

Tons of water, powerful shields and an impressive array of weaponry make the Sphyraena’s fortress monastery one of the most secure of any space marine chapter.

 

That's a little bit MISS, I'd tone it down.

 

indicating the decadence of the advanced society who once dwelt there.

 

I would find something a little more, well, decadent to illustrate this rather than paintings and tapestries. Lots of people have them.

 

The beauty and elegance of the place was soon marred as further investigation continued. Explorer squads discovered skeletons and grotesque blood spatters all over the walls, gore caked the floors and ceilings and the dust that lingered in the air and caught in the throat was the bones of long-since murdered people.

 

This passage comes across as a little cliched.

 

What had caused this?

 

Don't use a rhetorical question. You should try to be an impersonal, omniscient Imperial report.

 

T

he Sphyraena are a tenacious enemy, dogged in the defence and relentless in the assault.

 

So, like all marines then?

 

They frequently aid the local imperial navy forces

 

Imperial Navy should be capitalized.

 

their specially modified vehicles made available to them by the Adeptus Mechanicus defeated seemingly impregnable underwater defences.

 

SM vehicles can operate underwater unmodified.

 

the sergeant acts under his own autonomy.

 

Autonomy doesn't work in that context. Substitute for authority, perhaps?

 

The crusading company operates out a heavily modified strike cruiser, known as The Light. Extended beyond its normal size and modified with additional weapons and other features either found within the explored extent of their fortress or given to them by the Adeptus Mechanicus, The Light is a vessel to be reckoned with.

 

Just make it a battle-barge.

 

Their space-faring history and resultant reliance on the astronomican led them to hold the belief as the emperor being the light in the darkness of the galaxy, and that it was their eternal mission to protect it, and where possible, spread it. This has been further exemplified by the constant battle within the far extents of their fortress monastery. They take it as their sacred duty to eliminate the darkness that dwells within the complex, and spread the light of the Emperor to the furthest reaches of its sprawling mass.

 

Astronomicon and Emperor should be always capitalized.

 

The Sphyraena have had the occasional issue with the inquisition.

 

Ditto Inquisition.

[strongbow]

I've made many of the changes you suggested, and changed the founding.

 

However:

 

So, like all marines then?

 

I like the sentence. That's about it. If all space marines do it, there's no harm in having it here really. I know what you mean though. :)

 

This passage comes across as a little cliched.

 

Well the idea in general is a cliched one. Signs of a massacre which turns out to monsters and all that jazz. It's a cliche because it works well and I don't mind it being like that. Off the top of my head I can't really think of an alternative. :S

 

Thanks for reading, and for making comments. I've made adjustments according to most of them.

[Walter Payton]

This passage comes across as a little cliched.

 

Well the idea in general is a cliched one. Signs of a massacre which turns out to monsters and all that jazz. It's a cliche because it works well and I don't mind it being like that. Off the top of my head I can't really think of an alternative. :S

 

I don't mean the idea, that's fine. I meant the actual writing style; the line about the dust came across a little bit clunky. And "elegance being marred," is a favourite of GW's writers. So avoid it like the plague.

 

Thanks for reading, and for making comments.

 

You're welcome.

[Donkey Kong]

I like them. However, and you undoubtedly know this, the IA still needs some polishing and could do with some expansion.

 

A few too many sentences seem redundant.

 

Their tie with the Adeptus Mechancius, closer than normal for a space marine chapter, is again a practical one. They bear no additional devotion to the machine cult than is necessary and do not favour additional bionic replacement unless necessary. They require ships and armaments, and are prepared to make the best use of what they discover in order to gain these essential resources.

 

Tell us when they're the exception, not when they do what's typical.

 

The dark colour scheme of the chapter’s armour may be a contradiction to their beliefs in the Emperor’s light, but it was chosen before the coming to these beliefs. The darkness of their armour is practical, offering them camouflage in the darkness of tunnels or ship’s corridors. They see it as a means to an end. The Emperor’s light is spread by victory in their view, not empty idealism. As long as they retain their beliefs on this issue, what they look like is irrelevant.

 

I don't see why this is in their beliefs. Heraldy should be important in its own right. It should be a part of the origins.

 

Maybe I missed it, but where exactly is it that they recruit from? The fortress they discovered is written as being uninhabited except for the monsters. Perhaps it would be more interesting if they did find a society of people in the fortress. One that may have gone into hiding during the Emperor's Great Crusade or the Horus Heresy. The fight against the monsters could be the factor that seals the bond between the Chapter and the people.

 

I would recommend posting your own ideas, perhaps listing your inspirations and what you would like to take from each of them. You've made an excellent start!

[strongbow]

This passage comes across as a little cliched.

 

Well the idea in general is a cliched one. Signs of a massacre which turns out to monsters and all that jazz. It's a cliche because it works well and I don't mind it being like that. Off the top of my head I can't really think of an alternative. :S

 

I don't mean the idea, that's fine. I meant the actual writing style; the line about the dust came across a little bit clunky. And "elegance being marred," is a favourite of GW's writers. So avoid it like the plague.

 

 

I really can't think of anything alternative though at the moment. I see what you mean, but if I can't think of anything else than it can/will have to stay. I need to have a think.

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

I like them. However, and you undoubtedly know this, the IA still needs some polishing and could do with some expansion.

 

A few too many sentences seem redundant.

 

Their tie with the Adeptus Mechancius, closer than normal for a space marine chapter, is again a practical one. They bear no additional devotion to the machine cult than is necessary and do not favour additional bionic replacement unless necessary. They require ships and armaments, and are prepared to make the best use of what they discover in order to gain these essential resources.

 

Tell us when they're the exception, not when they do what's typical.

 

The dark colour scheme of the chapter’s armour may be a contradiction to their beliefs in the Emperor’s light, but it was chosen before the coming to these beliefs. The darkness of their armour is practical, offering them camouflage in the darkness of tunnels or ship’s corridors. They see it as a means to an end. The Emperor’s light is spread by victory in their view, not empty idealism. As long as they retain their beliefs on this issue, what they look like is irrelevant.

 

I don't see why this is in their beliefs. Heraldy should be important in its own right. It should be a part of the origins.

 

Maybe I missed it, but where exactly is it that they recruit from? The fortress they discovered is written as being uninhabited except for the monsters. Perhaps it would be more interesting if they did find a society of people in the fortress. One that may have gone into hiding during the Emperor's Great Crusade or the Horus Heresy. The fight against the monsters could be the factor that seals the bond between the Chapter and the people.

 

I would recommend posting your own ideas, perhaps listing your inspirations and what you would like to take from each of them. You've made an excellent start!

 

They way I saw it was that they have a stronger than usual relationship with the Adeptus Mechanicus, and that's what I explained. However I wanted to make it clear that their relationship was a practical one rather than through additional devotion to the machine spirit. I saw that as divergent enough to state.

 

I wanted that to be there because it occurred to me if if they're all about light - why have a dark colour scheme? So I chose to answer the question there rather than in the appearance section.

 

Sorry I don't think I've specifically stated where they recruit from, I've always had it in my head that they recruit from the surface population but obviously must've forgotten to state it :) I'll make sure I put that in when I next make some updates.

 

Thanks to both of you for your comments.

[strongbow]

Ok I've made some edits to explain how they recruit and expanded on the appearance section a bit, I think it got removed by accident with the previous edit. Cheers.