IA: Knights Exemplar (early WIP)

[Zapathasura]

Hey there fellow B&C folks,

This is my second try to start an IA-article since I pretty much lost interest in my old chapter the "Sin Eaters". At the moment the outlines of the chapter exist only in my head but I'm trying to go through the whole Article step by step. English is not my first language, so I'd be happy with proof reading or suggestions to change phrases and stuff. C&C is welcome too ;)

 

So on today's list is:

 

ORIGINS:

 

 

The Knights Exemplar trace their line back to Captain Morrigaan of the 5th company of the Raven Guard. Morrigaan was only a sergeant when he witnessed the horrors that were Istvaan IV and the selfless acts of his primarch Corax to defend his sons and crush his enemies. It was then Morrigaan learned that sometimes it isn't enough to fight from the shadows. Sometimes you have to face the enemy head on to protect those in need of protection. When he ascended to the rank of captain, following the death of the former captain of the 5th on Istvaan, he kept in mind what he had learned and changed the structures of the 5th. During the Scouring the the 5th became more and more famous for its armoured attacks that crushed the backbone every army fielded against it. His brother-captains did'nt appreciate his change of mind but even they had to give him credit for his victories.

 

The most famous operation of Morrigaans new, armoured company was the battle on the plains of Alygesa, today known as the "Clash of Steel". The 5th was pursuing a large warband of World Eaters and Iron Warriors alongside the 2nd and 8th company of the Imperial Fists. When the traitors made planetfall on Alygesa it was obvious for the Imperial forces to follow them and decide this part of the war on the battle field. The campaign lasted for 6 months, no side giving in. Captain Morrigaan learned much about the ways of the Imperial Fists, their code of honor and take on warfare appealing to his own conception. When the dust settled, the Imperium stood triumphant, no traitor left the planet alive. The forces of the Raven Guard and the Imperial Fist parted to fight different enemies on different worlds but both would remember the shared bonds of brotherhood.

 

Following the 2nd founding and the departure of his primarch, Morrigaan continued on his path, leading his company to great victories. The Marines under his command worshipped him as a great warrior and hung on his every word. But even a great Warrior like Morrigaan had to die. He met his end 500 years later on the blood soaked fields of Albilon, defending the feudal world from Gorbath the Stompa's Waaagh. It was Captain Morrigaan himself who struck down Waaaghboss Gorbath even as the mighty Orc tore into his body with it's gigantic power claw. It was this moment, while Morrigaan was taking his last breaths, when his own champion Uther took an oath to continue the path Morrigaan set for the 5th and to remember and honor his legacy.

 

It was Uther who succeeded Morrigaan as captain of the 5th and he upheld his oath for the following centuries bringing further glory to the company. But Uther lacked Morrigaan's achievements and his personal charisma so the schism between the 5th and the rest of the Raven Guard became more and more apparent. When the 3rd founding took place at the beginning of the 32nd millenium the genestock of Corax was chosen to create a single chapter. At this time Uther was a veteran of many succesful wars and had shown faith and strength of character. Furthermore the philosophical differences had recently become more heated and Uther had to fight several honor duels against fellow captains. So the Chapter Master of the Raven Guard chose Uther and his veteran staff to take the responsibilty to train and lead this new chapter. Seeing the choice as a great honor and a way to end the conflicts within the Raven Guard and a chance to completely fulfill his oath to Morrigaan, Uther gladly accepted. This new chapter should be an exemplar for what it is to be a Space Marine. It should be like Morrigaan had visioned them, like the knight orders of ancient terra: protecting the weak, upholding the law and spreading the Imperial word. The Knights Exemplar were born.

 

 

 

 

I'll tackle the "messed up" Raven Guard gene seed in the according step.

 

Let's start punching this mess into shape sha'll we? ^_^ And thanks in advance guys!

[Donkey Kong]

The most famous operation of Morrigaans new, armoured company was the battle on the plains of Alygesa, today known as the "Clash of Steel". The 5th was pursuing a large warband of World Eaters and Iron Warriors alongside the 2nd and 8th company of the Imperial Fists. When the traitors made planetfall on Alygesa it was obvious for the Imperial forces to follow them and decide this part of the war on the battle field. The campaign lasted for 6 months, no side giving in. Captain Morrigaan learned much about the ways of the Imperial Fists, their code of honor and take on warfare appealing to his own conception. When the dust settled, the Imperium stood triumphant, no traitor left the planet alive. The forces of the Raven Guard and the Imperial Fist parted to fight different enemies on different worlds but both would remember the shared bonds of brotherhood.

 

The details of this battle are unnecessary. The battle itself doesn't even concern your Chapter. Morrigaan admired and learned from Imperial Fist doctrine. Done.

 

You have an idea, but I don't see any direction. Two paragraphs are dedicated to Morrigaan, but Uther is your first Chapter Master. Decide what you want to do before you continue. Throw up an outline if you think it will help you. I know it will make your ideas far easier to critique.

 

Just to put your mind at ease, your English is fine.

[Zapathasura]

Hmm I see what you're saying about the details, it's hard not to write each and every idea down, but I'll keep your advice in mind.

 

The problem with Morrigaan and Uther is the timeline. My first draft included only one Captain named Uther Morrigaan :) But the 3rd founding took place nearly a whole millenium after the second one. Since most Marines die after a couple of centuries I didn't want to make the Chapter Master 1000 years old. So I had to split it up. Morrigaan being the spiritual founder of the Knights Exemplar and Uther being his apostle so to speak. Maybe I should focus on Uther and only explain that Morrigaan was his mentor. In the part about the chapter's belief I could explain Morrigaans background, maybe he could be some sort of saint?