Phoenix Guard

[Barnsy]

Hey guys,

So after a 6 year hiatus from warhammer I started up some nids because I've always liked teh look of them. After painting a fair few though I think I want to mix it up and have something a bit fluffier, so I've put together a few marines who are waiting for a paintjob, and I'm trying to come up with some decent background for them, so be gentle!

Origins:

During the battle if Istaan V, Raven Guard support cruiser Redoutable stationed above the planet was about to deliver reinforcements in the form of terminator squads and dreadnoughts when the non-space marine crew started to rebel, obviously succumbing to Chaos influence. Despite the battle being brief due to the marine's superiority, the rebels managed to damage a number of crucial ship systems and triggered a warp translation, not aided by the astropath, who had been butchetered by insane crew memebers. Unknown to the rest of the fleet, the ship dissappeared from Istaan V and ended in the eastern fringes of the galaxy, in a little-visited sector despite being close to Alaitoc and the Sagittarius arm.

The ship was left near-derelict, with few functional systems and a crew that was precautionally wiped out. The space marine captain, Aurelius Cuvier, was reluctant to attempt and ship movement for fear of causing catastrophic damage. Due to the ship being a support cruiser, the number of marines present onboard was minimal (just over 200 individuals, over half being scout neophytes), though the ship had a large number of available terminator armours and dreadnoughts, with a significant number of technmarines to maintain them. Consequently, Aurelius decided to send the two Thunderhawks available to him to scout nearby systems, with full compliments of scouts to quietly document their surroundings. The surrounding planets were, for the most part, only just post-industrial, and had been separated from the Imperium for centuries. The scouts visited the planets incognito, getting emergency goods required for the Redoutable's repairs. After careful consideration, Aurelius decided to come down on the nearest planets in a show of force, with full squads of Terminators and Dreadnoughts. Arriving in their ships, and seeing the near-impenitrable armour, the citizens of the plans fell to their knees in worship of these god-like humans from the heavens. Over the next few centuries, Aurelius continually travelled to these planets to retrieve goods asked by the techmarines for Redoutable, which was still a hulk, though a liveable one.

Progressively the citizens started worshipping Aurelius' troops, seeing only the invincible armours of terminators and dreadnoughts, building golden statues of the space marines (gold was plentiful on these planets). Aurelius himself had long stopped considering the Emperor to be a god-man, but did faithfully follow his teachings on the Truth, and hope that one day the great man would awaken from his sleep. Painfully, he accept gold offerings from the citizens, and progressively this gold was seen as ways to embellish their armours and make themselves appear more god-like.

Roughly six centuries later, one of the planets started showing signs of Chaos within the populace. Before Aurelius' scouts had a chance to eliminate them from within, the Space Marines were in all-out war, fighting against nearly a million chaotic citizens. Due to the large number of Terminators and Dreadnoughts available to Aurelius, as well as a large proportion of scouts used to Raven Guard tactics, Aurelius had to minimise casualties at all costs. Therefore the scouts were used in hit-and-run tactics, as well as luring smaller bands of insurgents towards traps where terminators and dreadnoughts were waiting. Aurelius also made sure Apothecaries were always present to minimize casualties.

This conflict, due to the small number of troops available to Aurelius, lasted for 12 years, during which the Chaos was finally eliminated. During this period, Aurelius' defensive, disruptive tactics ensured that only 24 marines were lost during the entire conflict, more than half of whom died when one of the overused Thunderhawks' engines finally died, resulting in a crash killing most on board. By the end of it, the citizens of the planet and neighbouring planets were calling Aurelius' men the Immortals, referring to their being seemingly invincible.

After this conflict, the techmarines managed to fit a warp drive on a jury-rigged ship in the hope of being able to contact the main Raven Guard chapter to let Corvax know of their fate. Aurelius in person was aboard when the ship translated, and the techmarines had done their work well: they were back at Deliverance. Aurelius headed straight to the spire, where he was greeted by Corvax. After a long discussion, and seeing footage taken of Aurelius' tactics and how his men had changed, Corvax recognised how much the company had diverged from Raven Guard doctrine. He also recognised the need for an Astartes force on the eastern spiral to contact all the separated worlds. In light of this, and realising that they already had a home with the Retribution, he decided to found a new Astartes, using Raven Guard germ seed. Furthermore, due to Corvax' failed experimentation with accelerated growth, he warned Aurelius that he was not to use any accelerated growth techniques for recruits, and that he was forbidden from getting recruits from local worlds, the potential of Chaos taint being present presenting too much of a risk. Aurelius was, grudgingly, promoted to Chapter Master as a reward for his bravery and excellent display of tactical knowhow. As the company was thought dead for centuries, and had a near-obsession with invulnerability, Corvax decided to call the the Phoenix Guard.

The Phoenix Guard still has Redoutable as their main base, though it barely resembles the ship it once was. Over the years, the techmarines had not been able to fix its engines, though they had greatly expanded the hull, allowing for more living quarters, training rooms, and birthing booths for more marines. They had also added defenses to the hull, and a few destroyers had been commissioned from the neighbouring colonies (with help from techmarines), who were more than happy to help their 'god's. The troops make combat from their home base, generally by flying to locations on one of the available destroyers.

Combat Doctrine

Aurelius' troops are masters at avoiding casualties. This means the large numbers of scouts are experts are reconnaissance and weakening the enemies from afar, and that the company has a large contingent of terminators and dreadnoughts relative to other chapters. They are also defensive experts, luring enemy troops into traps that are well-defended. The Phoenix Guard also prefer ranged combat, as it is less likely to ensure in casualties. The number of apothecaries throughout the troops is also higher than normal. Over the years, the number of armoured vehicles has also increased, in that they provide good long-ranged power with high safety for troops.

The company relies heavily on the Terminator teleporters and its Thunderhawks to deploy troops, as the derelict Redoutable could not waste drop pods that would be difficult to retrieve. It also does not like the potential inaccuracy of drop pods that could land troops in dangerous situations, instead preferring the accurate and safe drop from a Thunderhawk.

The small number of marines, though slowly growing from growth vats, also forces Aurelius to avoid head-on confrontations, instead preferring to have small skirmishes that will benefit his tough troops. Unlike many space marine chapters, Aurelius refuses to sacrifice troops in battle, rather doing all that is possible to save his brothers. This sometimes forces him to do pre-emptive retreats when he recognises that there is no chance of victory, and is often seen as cowardly from other chapters. The logical way of thinking from the company, and its respect for life, sees this as a chance to fight more another day rather than a loss. The twelve year conflict with the Chaos insurgents has also taught extreme patience and foresight, and the troops will happily wait days on end in ambush position if necessary, or retreat for months with the knowledge of a potential crucial battle in the future.

War doctrine: "immortalis summus", we are immortal.

Battle cry: "We know not Death!"

Chapter colours

Grey, gold, white and red. These colours are all linked to both their origins and the Phoenix (grey ash, gold wings, red fire, white light). I'll try and post a pic of how they look when I get the time. The emblem is a golden wing, symbolizing the pheonix.

The more senior the troops, the more gold they are allowed to incorporate into their armour. Veterans are known as 'golden helms' for obvious reasons, while neophytes are not allowed to adorn gold (as they are ash, barely born). The worn terminator and dreadnoughts have much gold used to replace battle damage.

Beliefs

The Phoenix Guard are a very proud chapter, in part because they are obsessed with their immortality and preservation of their lives in combat, but mostly due to the adoration and worship that they have received from the local citizens for centuries. Unlike many Chapters, they refuse to put themselves in situations where they may have to incur a large number of casualties, such that they value their lives and the need to preserve their low numbers. Rather, they prefer to let their experienced scout troops harass enemies and inform them of where best to attack.

Aurelius' view of the Emperor as just a superhuman rather than a god, due to its potentially heretical nature, is kept very secret outside the chapter. The chapter believes very strongly in logic and the basics of Imperial Truth, believing that everything in the universe has a logical explanation. As a result, they frown upon other Chapters' devotion to prayer, particularly when it is directed to dead Primarchs or the God Emperor. They believe that the Astartes should have faith in themselves and their superhuman abilities, and that any faith in something other than themselves is a sign of weakness, and potentially weakness to Chaos. Because of their devotion to themselves (and their small number), the Phoenix Guard is a very close-knit brotherhood, where honesty at all times is valued. This comes from the belief that disagreements can lead to risk of death in battle, and therefore anyone, from neophyte scouts to captains may speak openly. In combat, this helps all Brothers in predicting what each of them is doing.

Due to their calculating and logical nature, the Phoenix Guard have very strong belief in practice and preparation for battle. Very large areas on the Redoutable were built and/or dedicated to combat practice, and they frequently use live ammunition to further their preparation for real combat. Although this has risks, the company believes that the potential loss of life is worth the potentially greater loss on the battlefield due to inexperience.

The large number of Techmarines on board, and the nature of their home, dictates that the company has strong ties to the Adeptus Mechanicus. Without them their home would not be, and so all members have a healthy respect for machines and equipment, and over the years have become specialists in maintaining their own gear and understanding mechanics. Battle preparation always involves each marine completely stripping their gear and rebuilding it, this is both a calming process but also assures that mechanical failure will not be cause for a death in the company.

Gene Seed

Taken directly from the Raven Guard, the pale skin of the parent Chapter is evident in all the Phoenix Guard. In direct consequence of Corvax' warnings on breeding neophytes, the control of the gene seed purity is very strict, and the many apothecaries frequently monitor all the troops for mutations. This and the lack of neophytes from surrounding planets mean that the Chapters' rate of replacement is very low, further strengthening their resolve on immortality.

[/b]That's all I have time for for the moment. I'll add more later.

[NightrawenII]

Hello and welcome in the Liber. Looking at your join date and number of posts, I can infer how experienced you are with the whole DIY thing. - If you aren't long-time lurker, that's it. :) - So, I have two options open to me; Tear your article apart with all subtlety of the elephant in the porcelain shop OR suggest you to read the Guide to DIYing... and if you have enough time, the Octaguide 2.0.

 

I think, we can both agree that reading the Guide will spare us much of grief and sadness. Right?

 

Btw, it's Phoenix Guard.

 

 

Have a nice day, NightrawenII.

[Barnsy]

Hey Night, I guess you're referring to the chapter's origins (ie forgotten company). I can modify it slightly, having the company finally get back to contact the Raven Guard, and Corvax realising how much the company has diverged from the rest of the Chapter, thus declaring a new one?

 

I've added a bit more to the beliefs etc.

[WeaponAdept]

I can see an argument about the "FUNCTIONAL IMMORTALITY" of Astartes happeneing here so I'm bugging out! :P

[Barnsy]

I'm aware of the functional immortality, what these guys attempt to do is live out that immortality, unlike other chapters who are considered to never have a chance to live forever.

[NightrawenII]

Well, CORAX disappeared shortly after 2nd Founding, so if the Valerius returned after 600 years, he couldn't find his Primarch, that's for sure.

 

Second, the tactic of Phoenix Guard is no different than Raven Guard. Thus no, he wouldn't see a reason for creation of new Chapter.

 

Third, after the CORAX's experiments, the gene-seed of RG is damaged beyond repair and Aurelius&co posses untainted and pure geneseed. Do you see, where I'm coming from?

 

Fourth, believing only in yourself will, amongst other things, lead them straith to Chaos. Why? Because it's selfish, arrogant and prideful way of thinking and practically invitation for insinuation of Chaos.

 

Fifth, *some* Chapters will not only complain about your Chapter cowardice - and they are cowards by the Marines standards, no need to argue that - they will also go and beat a little sense into your marines with their fists.

 

 

Cheers, NightrawenII.

[Barnsy]

OK I'll have to think of something else for Corax.

 

As for the RG, aren't they a hit-and-run type? This is a very offensive tactic, whereas these guys are very much into defensive formations (high armour, low CC). So while it IS still a quick in quick out tactic ala RG, the direction it takes is completely opposite.

 

I meant the gene seed is straight from the RG lineage with the damage it entailed. Hence why the apoths are careful to monitor it.

 

They believe in themselves but also in the Imperial Truth and so a human cause. Their belief in the Truth also means they would have a natural disdain for chaos. High rationality would entail distrust for chaotic events.

 

I'm fine with the fifth point. They're so out of the way that I doubt anyone would care. Their high efficiency in battle should convince them that although they're ''cowardly'' at the very least they're highly effective.

 

Any opinions on the colour scheme? I like the gray, because I'm interested in painting them,but I'm not sure if I've laid out the colours right on the actual armour though. I've put in a veteran to show the golden helm.

 

Thanks for the C&C, much appreciated! I'd read up about the RG but apparently not in enough detail!

[NightrawenII]

As for the RG, aren't they a hit-and-run type? This is a very offensive tactic, whereas these guys are very much into defensive formations (high armour, low CC). So while it IS still a quick in quick out tactic ala RG, the direction it takes is completely opposite.

No, that's White Scars combat doctrine.

"The Raven Guard specialise in devastating strikes behind enemy lines, guerrilla warfare and rapid reaction to enemy manoeuvres." - This is opening sentence of Index Astartes: RavenGuard. ;)

 

I meant the gene seed is straight from the RG lineage with the damage it entailed. Hence why the apoths are careful to monitor it.

The damage was done to the gene-seed after Istvaan V, after Aurelius&co disappeared. :)

 

Their belief in the Truth also means they would have a natural disdain for chaos. High rationality would entail distrust for chaotic events.

This is false, Magnus was all about rationality and belief in himself and look what happened to him.

 

I'm fine with the fifth point. They're so out of the way that I doubt anyone would care.

And this is naive. People are going to care if the actions of your Chapter affects them. And woe unto you, if they will be hit hard because of one of your pre-emptive retreats.

 

 

Cheers, NightrawenII.

[Brother Nihm]

Just a heads up. ;)

 

link

[Barnsy]

Haha thanks Nihm, guess I better change the name then!

[StGene]

As I recall, the Phoenix Guard was also the name of the bodyguards of the Traitor Primarch Fulgrim.

[Freman Bloodglaive]

There are variations like The Ash Guard, introduce some relic that involves the burnt remains of a former commander or the like.

 

Phoenix Sons, seeing themselves as the resurrected and cleansed Raven Guard etc.

 

In regards to belief systems, dogmatic faith in the Emperor is the Marines' (indeed mankind's) best defence against the twisting power of Chaos. It isn't foolproof but it provides a bulwark against the insidious lies of Tzeentch and Co. A Marine Chapter without that faith (trust/loyalty) is on the slippery slope.

 

This isn't the twentieth century where such beliefs are optional. This is the year 40,000 where the false gods are out to get you. Armour your body with ceremite, and your soul with faith.

[Arkangilos]

I'm aware of the functional immortality, what these guys attempt to do is live out that immortality, unlike other chapters who are considered to never have a chance to live forever.

 

Only space marines are NOT immortal. Every source actually points in that direction. The only ones that don't (that I am aware of), are the Horus Heresy novels, which pretty much puts it as a rumor, because no one had yet made it to be older than 200 years of age.

 

 

The only other issue I think I have with this is that they were a lost company of Ravenguard. And the only reason I don't like it is because they would have perfect gene-seed, and the Ravenguard would want ALL of that back, because it means they can regrow their gene-seed and it will be perfect. They wouldn't have that huge problem they have now.

 

 

Other than those two things, I like it :)