The Rainbow Warriors

[Marshal Wilhelm]

I'm going to throw in a vote for Angels of Pochutec. I reckon that the Salamanders geneseed would work best alongside that quote, as it seems to fit in with their background better than with the Fists.

 

True, but I wanted to try to examine all possible angles before deciding :wacko:

 

Lord Cuthbert: Perhaps I could combine Maori elements with Mayan and Incan.

 

Would be a hell of a mix!

 

As GW is happy to mongrelise RL and other fantasies to come up with fluff, an Islander and Mayan & Incan fusion is more than acceptable.

:lol:

 

By using the South American part, you can cash in on the parts from the Lizardmen range too :lol:

[Aqui]

I'm going to throw in a vote for Angels of Pochutec. I reckon that the Salamanders geneseed would work best alongside that quote, as it seems to fit in with their background better than with the Fists.

 

True, but I wanted to try to examine all possible angles before deciding ;)

 

Lord Cuthbert: Perhaps I could combine Maori elements with Mayan and Incan.

 

Would be a hell of a mix!

 

As GW is happy to mongrelise RL and other fantasies to come up with fluff, an Islander and Mayan & Incan fusion is more than acceptable.

:wallbash:

 

By using the South American part, you can cash in on the parts from the Lizardmen range too :lol:

 

So it's decided then, a Mayan, Incan, Maori background. Still undecided about the Geneseed though. As a few people have pointed out, Salamander would suit, but I'm not going to rule out Imperial Fists or UltraMarine either. Dark Angel wouldn't work as I don't want them to be involved in the hunt for the Fallen.

 

Unless I can think of a good idea for IF or UM, it'll be Salamanders (which means two of my IA's will be Sallie based! ;) )

[Iron Lord]

There is the "founded whole cloth" option- where the High Lords simply use the geneseed in the banks, and don't ask for trainers, officers, etc from the chapter whose geneseed it is.

 

The Star Phantoms might be this- they consider "who's your progenitor" an offensive question, and the Dark Angels disavow all connection with them- but their geneseed is rumoured to be DA geneseed.

 

So, you could have a DA successor which has no connection to the Hunt for the Fallen.

[Aqui]

There is the "founded whole cloth" option- where the High Lords simply use the geneseed in the banks, and don't ask for trainers, officers, etc from the chapter whose geneseed it is.

 

The Star Phantoms might be this- they consider "who's your progenitor" an offensive question, and the Dark Angels disavow all connection with them- but their geneseed is rumoured to be DA geneseed.

 

So, you could have a DA successor which has no connection to the Hunt for the Fallen.

 

I was of the impression that the DA have accounted for all of their decendants. Hmm.....I'm in even more of a dilemma now :cuss

[Aqui]

So that it's easier to see what progress I've made I'll repost significant developments post by post, but leave the meat of the IA further back on page one. Thinking about it I should have made the first post the post that the IA goes in <_<

 

I may edit the first one so that every one can see it and make it easier ;)

 

For now though:

 

 

"From above on high they came, in a huge metal eagle the likes of which had never been seen before or since. Such was it's ferocity, it split the heavens and, in the distance, a massive rainbow arced the sky!"

 

The sentence is from the point of view of a Native of "Prism" or Pochutec as they know it, and (hopefully) describes the moment the first time a Thunderhawk is seen landing on their Planet. The Rainbow being formed by the THawk smashing through a cloud formation, causing rain.....and the inevitable Rainbow.

 

Pochutec is a Planet where the natives regressed to Bronze age? like technology and culture. The original settlers had crash landed on the main continent, and over 300 or more years had lost most of their knowledge of the technology that brought their ancestors there. Most of their current cultural infrastructure is based on historical records from Ancient Terra, a mixture of races and ideas, mistakenly understood to be the "Golden Era" of the Homeworlds' History. Over the years many different clans, took their own interpretations of those records and molded them into their own beliefs, which inevitably caused great conflict. Only one aspect of their cultures remained similar. That one man, the Inti was their saviour and that He was the protector of their Planet, and the Heavens, dealing evil gods terrible blows and fighting back the darkness.....

 

The Planet Pochutec was rediscovered when a scouting party from [insert name of Chapter] dropped out of warp to investigate the relatively unknown system of Astra Spectra. The Planet is part of a small system of Worlds that are located in a Nebula renowned for its spectacular colours. Initially, they landed upon a more developed world, and upon meeting the indigenous population were told of another planet, a Death World. Densely covered in jungle, the two main continents had approximately 10 Clans, whom through disputes of a religious nature were at constant war. Seeing an opportunity to seek out new recruits, the scouting party made way. The planet is renowned for its heavy rainfall, the seasons rarely breaking from perpetual precipitation. Bursting through the clouds in one of the continents dry seasons, it started to rain again, but above the Clans’ settlement, the Thunderhawk had a caused a rainbow to form, something the locals took to be a sign, one of great portent and omen. Once first contact was made, it was decided that upon the next Founding [insert Founding] a new Chapter would be created, using the natives to keep this and neighbouring systems safe from various Eldar attacks, in particular that of the Alaitoc Craftworld, rumoured to be relatively nearby.

 

It took some time to bring the world to acceptable compliance, due to the fact that each Clan had its own language, and initially refused to parley with the others. However, when it was firmly established that the Marines were the servants of the Emperor, whom the natives worshiped as the Inti it was far easier. Despite all this, the clans still wage war against each other, still believing that their way of worshiping the Emperor is best. The Rainbow Warriors do not interfere in these matters as it ensures that only the best Warriors are taken to be made into Marines.

 

Recruitment:

 

As war is a constant on Pochtec, all Clans know that the Rainbow Warriors are watching and will ever strive to attract their attention. They believe that they live beyond the realm of man and sit at court with the Emperor in the stars. Whilst their grasp is somewhat primitive, it isn’t inaccurate. An old space station that was abandoned millennia ago in a system nearby, was brought into orbit around the planet and serves as the Chapters’ headquarters. Small encampments known as Huaca are scattered across the planets’ surface and act as training barracks for new recruits. All Clans are forbidden from approaching these areas, superstition ensuring that this edict is adhered to at all times.

Aspirants are usually taken from the battlefield after the skirmish is over. If an individual, fallen in battle, showed great courage and is not mortally injured they are taken as well. Recruitment is made by a Space Marine Apothecary and Chaplain pair. This ensures the physical and moral fibre of the Chapter is ensured.

 

Am I in the right direction? C+C very welcome ^_^

[Ace Debonair]

Pochutec is a Planet where the natives regressed to Bronze age? like technology and culture. The original settlers had crash landed on the main continent, and over 300 or more years had lost most of their knowledge of the technology that brought their ancestors there. Most of their current cultural infrastructure is based on historical records from Ancient Terra, a mixture of races and ideas, mistakenly understood to be the "Golden Era" of the Homeworlds' History. Over the years many different clans, took their own interpretations of those records and molded them into their own beliefs, which inevitably caused great conflict. Only one aspect of their cultures remained similar. That one man, the Inti was their saviour and that He was the protector of their Planet, and the Heavens, dealing evil gods terrible blows and fighting back the darkness.....

 

'Primitive pre-gunpowder technology' might be better than 'bronze age'. I'm not even sure the Imperium would know what a 'bronze age' was if they fell over it!

 

I don't really like the idea that somehow these primitive people accessed a database that talked about an aspect of ancient Terra that had been alive in myth only before the Great Crusade and were able and willing to base their entire world off of it, because it dropkicks my suspension of belief squarely in the face that such a thing could be so.

 

Honestly, it'll just be easier and more sensible for it to just be a low-tech world with some vaguely ancient-terra flavoured beliefs. :D

 

Otherwise, so far so good. :sweat:

[Aqui]

Pochutec is a Planet where the natives regressed to Bronze age? like technology and culture. The original settlers had crash landed on the main continent, and over 300 or more years had lost most of their knowledge of the technology that brought their ancestors there. Most of their current cultural infrastructure is based on historical records from Ancient Terra, a mixture of races and ideas, mistakenly understood to be the "Golden Era" of the Homeworlds' History. Over the years many different clans, took their own interpretations of those records and molded them into their own beliefs, which inevitably caused great conflict. Only one aspect of their cultures remained similar. That one man, the Inti was their saviour and that He was the protector of their Planet, and the Heavens, dealing evil gods terrible blows and fighting back the darkness.....

 

'Primitive pre-gunpowder technology' might be better than 'bronze age'. I'm not even sure the Imperium would know what a 'bronze age' was if they fell over it!

 

I don't really like the idea that somehow these primitive people accessed a database that talked about an aspect of ancient Terra that had been alive in myth only before the Great Crusade and were able and willing to base their entire world off of it, because it dropkicks my suspension of belief squarely in the face that such a thing could be so.

 

Honestly, it'll just be easier and more sensible for it to just be a low-tech world with some vaguely ancient-terra flavoured beliefs. :wacko:

 

Otherwise, so far so good. :lol:

 

I put Bronze age in to remind myself to put something descriptive in about the level of Technology, but forgot to actually put something in :D

 

Regarding the "Database", I meant that the original settlers had read about a loooooong bygone era, and passed it down the generations, but of course a form of "Chinese whispers" set in and led them to where they are now. Thinking about it, I suppose I need to find a better way of "getting them where they are".

 

I'll have a think about how I can make it more believable :sweat:

 

How about:

 

Pochutec is inhabited by the surviving descendants of Settlers who travelled to the Planet many Centuries ago. The Planets eco-system underwent drastic changes, which lead to the Natives abandoning their technology which had failed due to the constant rain and flooding. Over time the locals had lost all knowledge of the technology that brought them there. Eventually, representatives from the IoM had found the Planet and had on many occasions tried to reintegrate them into the fold. Whilst they were deemed to primitive to reeducate them, the propaganda left behind by the Ecclesiarchy's Priests had a profound effect. The various tribes on the Planet had passed down a story of a man on a mighty quest to unite the Galaxy for the good of all, a powerful entity, who would smite all those who oppose him, to bring light to those who hid in the darkness....

[Aqui]

I still haven't settled on which Chapter they are descended from. However......

 

Recruitment

 

The Rainbow Warriors recruit exclusively from Pochutec from amongst the 10 tribes that live there. Each tribe specialises in a particular style of fighting, be hand to hand or the use of stealth. These attributes are distilled once they are accepted into the Chapter, Space Marines being specialist in various forms of warfare. How an initiate is chosen for testing varies. Sometimes it is on the battlefield. Sometimes it is after a Clan has held the annual contest. A series of challenges designed to test the young of the Clan to their absolute limits. Whilst most of them are physical in nature, the hardest is the final one. A Chaplain from the Chapter will question each on various matters ranging from Clan law to the use of weapons. The final question is always the same. Who is the Emperor? Whilst this question maybe considered ambiguous to many, it's ultimate purpose is to determine the initiates ability to think, to try to grasp concepts for which there is no easy answer, if there is one at all. The Rainbow Warriors do not want simple warriors who follow unquestioningly. They demand Warriors that can think on their feet, to be able to calculate strategy at an instant, to rarely be surprised. And to remember that the Emperor is all.

 

Motto:

 

Sine luce tenebris dominatur

[The Emperor's Champion]

This is still my favorite interpretation: http://www.philipsibbering.com/wh40k/10-06...-warriors.shtml

[Destecado]

Philips Aztec imagery is nice, but I did not personally care for the background. It did however inspire me to undertake my own reboot of the Rainbow Warriors a couple of years ago. For a name I chose the Warriors of Iridan or Iridian Warriors. Iridian “of or pertaining to the iris or rainbow.” It means the same thing, but is more pleasing to the ear.

 

Homeworld: Iridan

 

The planet is a large moon of a gas giant that has an extensive ring system. It is the reflected light through these rings (as viewed from the surface) from which the planet takes its name. Although I have as yet not devoted too much time to the geography and geology of the planet, I did cover the basics. Most of the life on the plant is concentrated in deep valleys, which are part of a network of rift valleys. The plate tectonics, which caused the rift valley system to form, is driven by tidal stresses exerted by the gas giant that the moon orbits.

 

Cultural divisions run as deep as the river valleys themselves. Most people don’t venture beyond their own valley. The passes between valleys and into the “higher reaches” are guarded against outsiders. The atmospheric pressure is lower than earth normal, so that deep valleys represent the most earth-like and therefore habitable regions. There are settlements and communities beyond these comfort zones, but mainly they have been settled out of necessity (forced out of one of the valleys, outposts originally undertaken to extract some resource, communities of new arrivals, that are better adapted to deal with the harsher environment, etc).

 

Part of the concept and feel of the chapter and the factionalized (balkanized) nature of the human habitation on Iridan was inspired by the Rainbow Six franchise (novels mostly) created by Tom Clancy.

 

Iridian Warriors Company Colors:

 

I have always seen the chapter as being an Ultramarine Successor chapter. They are for the most part codex adherent, but with a few deviations. For their company designations, they use the colors of the rainbow ROY G BIV (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet). In addition, the First company uses white (full spectrum warriors) as white represents all colors of the rainbow. Black is the unit color designation for units deployed in space operations. They are experts at boarding actions and drop assaults. The final color is UV or ultra-violet. This is the color used by the Chapters scout company.

 

I have actually had fairly good success using a UV invisible ink pen, to add chapter markings. While all but invisible in normal light, they will glow under UV (blacklight). The scout company is one deviation from normal codex marines. I see them being more like the Space Wolf scouts…the best of the best. This again ties back into the Rainbow Six inspiration.

 

Chapter Symbol:

 

The chapter insignia / symbol a winged lightning bolt. Rather than having this just be an arbitrarily chose insignia, I thought it should be somehow tied back to the planet or culture. Incorporating the azetc imagery introduced by Philip, I thought that it could represent an actual animal…similar to the feathered serpent of meso-american myth. This xenos species is an ambush predator that does not so much fly as glide. It is called the Mottled Rake, for its irregular coloring. The locals also call it the Lightning Tail, because of a venomous barb near the end of its tail…hence the winged lightning bolt symbol.

 

Armor Color:

 

Instead of the dark blue depicted in Philips illustration of a Rainbow Warrior, I see their armor as being bluish green in color, like certain varieties of turquoise or copper patina (oxidation of the copper or bronze).

[Race Bannon]

Not meaning to keep it simple, but Ultramarine stock would be very easy to explain AND it makes Chapter organization easy to modify if you feel that need ^_^

[Philip S]

This is awesome. It's really nice to see people imagining how the Rainbow Warriors could work as a chapter, rather than mocking the name and harping on about Greenpeace. The Hopi myths give a little 'credibility' to concept, and once over that hurdle (and in a better head space), it can be a lot of fun to use the myths as a springboard for other concepts. A lot of fans have come up with some really great ideas for this 'joke' chapter.

 

I'm thinking I should collect up all the Rainbow Warriors and link to them from my page?

 

Philip

[Aqui]

Not meaning to keep it simple, but Ultramarine stock would be very easy to explain AND it makes Chapter organization easy to modify if you feel that need :)

 

True enough :P but I was thinking that as my Steel Wings are already Ultra Marine successors, I'd like to try another Primogenitor. However, that still hasn't rules them out....

 

This is awesome. It's really nice to see people imagining how the Rainbow Warriors could work as a chapter, rather than mocking the name and harping on about Greenpeace. The Hopi myths give a little 'credibility' to concept, and once over that hurdle (and in a better head space), it can be a lot of fun to use the myths as a springboard for other concepts. A lot of fans have come up with some really great ideas for this 'joke' chapter.

 

I'm thinking I should collect up all the Rainbow Warriors and link to them from my page?

 

Philip

 

I was going to contact you about this, but as you're here.... :(

 

I think that a Rainbow Warriors specific page might be a just and fitting way of honouring them and show those who doubted them in the first place! ^_^

[Destecado]

I've been trying to locate a resonably priced poli-shift paint which would create a prismatic effect on the power weapons of the Iridian Warriors (Rainbow Warriors). I think I may have found one (Alclad Holomatic Spectral Chrome), but I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with this product or any of the products produced by Alclad? This might be a better question to ask elsewhere on the site, but given it is related to the Rainbow Warriors thread, I thought I would post it here.

[calgar101]

I like where this is going Aquilanus. As for the name some one suggested Legion Spectra, that could be the High Gothic version of Rainbow Warriors or their official name? As for gene seed would Raven Guard fit?

 

Just throwing in some suggestions.

[Aqui]

I like where this is going Aquilanus. As for the name some one suggested Legion Spectra, that could be the High Gothic version of Rainbow Warriors or their official name? As for gene seed would Raven Guard fit?

 

Just throwing in some suggestions.

 

Thanks ;) I like the name Legion Spectra, but the Term Legion to me at least refers too much to the HH Legions. Unless I can find a better term to replace it, I may use it or a variation anyway :P

 

I have been trying to get this and other stuff I'm behind on done whilst recovering from my knee operation (they had to cut out a tumour/cyst thing as I've got a condition known as PVNS ), but because I can't sit down for too long, due to the stiffness etc, I haven't had much chance to get anything further done :(

 

Destecado, no worries it being here, but you'd probably get more of a response in the Painting etc sub forum ^_^

 

If I can bear it, I'll try to put what I've got in a better format later (Friday)

 

If I'm really on the Ball, I'll get stuff done for the 'Reavers, 'Wings and 'Dragons done and finally start on the stuff I owe for the Liber Astartes Campaign too! -_-

[Captain Juan Juarez]

If I'm really on the Ball, I'll get stuff done for the 'Reavers, 'Wings and 'Dragons done and finally start on the stuff I owe for the Liber Astartes Campaign too! :D

 

No pressure then? :)

 

Also, Legion Spectra must be used - it looks and sounds majestic dammit!

[Aqui]

If I'm really on the Ball, I'll get stuff done for the 'Reavers, 'Wings and 'Dragons done and finally start on the stuff I owe for the Liber Astartes Campaign too! :)

 

No pressure then? :P

 

Also, Legion Spectra must be used - it looks and sounds majestic dammit!

 

And I failed spectacularly :D

 

However, I agree that I should probably use it. Still need to decide on a Primogenitor Chapter..... Am still not sure between White Scars, Sallies or Raven Guard as (with the exception of the Amber Dragons), I've had little to do with any of those Chapters.

 

I can't see the others fitting the look to be honest.

[Hrvat]

May I suggest Legio Spectra insted of Legion Spectra.

[Race Bannon]

Ooo - White Scars as Primogenitor would be awesome! The way things are shaping up here, your RW would fit the WS "style" very well. You could still use C:SM to represent the army on the table as well ;)

[Aqui]

Ooo - White Scars as Primogenitor would be awesome! The way things are shaping up here, your RW would fit the WS "style" very well. You could still use C:SM to represent the army on the table as well ;)

 

They do have that "tribal" feel to them for certain. B) I think that a form of ritual scarring that the WS do would certainly fit in. Perhaps they should get a scar of some kind once they have passed a trial that takes them from being an initiate to being a Scout or full Battle Brother B)

 

White Scars Geneseed it is then!

 

*Wanders off to learn more about the Sons of the Khan......*

 

Edit:

 

Just thought - I could have the Battle brothers through their career going through more and more rituals. Completion of each entitles them to add another colour to their Chapter Heraldry, so that to start off it's completely white, and as they progress, becomes "full Spectrum" with Ultra-violet and Infra-red being special ones that only other Marines can see. Perhaps UV and IR for Captains/Chapter Masters ^_^

 

Eg. First Trial - Red

Second Trial - Yellow

 

Etc, etc.

[Hrvat]

I like that very much.

 

Maybe even a suggestion of actually painting these stripes on the model besides the ones on the helmet.

 

E.G. Devastators have a white pinnky, Assault marines have white pinky and a yellow ring finger, Tacticals have white, yellow and red, Veterans get white, yellow, red and purple and the captain/chapter master would have dark blue in addition on the thumb.

[Aqui]

I like that very much.

 

Maybe even a suggestion of actually painting these stripes on the model besides the ones on the helmet.

 

E.G. Devastators have a white pinnky, Assault marines have white pinky and a yellow ring finger, Tacticals have white, yellow and red, Veterans get white, yellow, red and purple and the captain/chapter master would have dark blue in addition on the thumb.

 

Seems like a lot of work! :lol:

 

But I suppose I can list what each colour on the Chapter symbol represents in the form of a trial. I'll have a think about that further down the line.

 

I have edited the first post for the IA layout. C+C as ever welcome.

 

More will be added, later on (hopefully today :tu: )

 

:P

[Aqui]

I don't like to "bump", but I've edited the IA (first post page one) and added some more stuff.

 

What do you think? B)

[Hrvat]

I can find no fault with what you have writen up until now on the basis of posibility in the 40k universe. What I would advise is to read it a few times and try and get the "tenses" flowing so to speak. In one sentence you are writing in a past tense, then abruptly you change into present in the next and then back into past in the third. Though I know this is still a formative phase it might be worthwile to start inserting differenec into text so your load would be lesser later.

 

e.g.

Once an aspirant has been chosen, they are required to succeed a trial to further ensure their suitability. It is usually undertaken in parts, what the Chapter refers to as Aspects of the Primarch - Cunning, Strength, Endurance and above all Speed.

 

Once Aspirants have passed the Trials, they are inducted to a Clan, similar to that of a Standard Marine Company. Like their Progenitor Chapter, recruits from different Native Clans are mixed together to ensure a common bond and Loyalty.

 

The other once could maybe be changed for a "Following the passage of the Trials..."

 

 

Cheers