Void Walkers

[Shinzaren]

Ok, so here is my idea for a new IA. Granted, it is a bit out there, but bear with me and let's see if it is even remotely possible.

 

I want a chapter of marines that fight only in space and refuse to fight on land. Here's how I want to justify this idea:

 

-A massive oversight/error results in multiple forgeworlds filling the order for a new chapter's fleet requirements. As such their fleet is nearly three times the size of a regular Astartes fleet. Eventually the error is discovered, but the Void Walkers refuse to return the vessels. Tensions flare with the AM, until the Void Walkers make a peace offering by offering to hunt down and recover any tech they find, no questions asked. Necron Tomb-Ships, Eldar wraithships, etc. If they can find/capture it in space, they do so, then give it to the AM.

 

-Initially the fight in all conditions, but they find it much easier to destroy an enemy in space, boarding and capturing many vessels, as well destroying a great many more. Over time they gradually begin to focus all their efforts and training on utilizing their fleet to destroy enemies before they can land. They stop responding to calls for aid from embattled worlds, instead responding only to calls for worlds under the threat of enemy fleets. This makes them really unpopular with some people. Others love them, because they can spare a world all the horrors of an invasion.

 

-The Inquisition is not happy. They want the Void Walkers to act like marines and defend worlds. They try to censure the VW, but they can never find them. Since they are fleet based, the Void Walkers always leave as soon as space combat is finished, never stopping to chat. Void Walkers are permanently on the watch list, but they are always running off, making them a low priority as long as they aid the Imperium.

 

-They recruit from spacer fleets they aid, resupply stations, and the children of the many many serfs who man their vessels. Extremely pale skin, no sun exposure. Ever. Adapted armor and weaponry to survive longer exposure to vacuum. Exceptionally skilled in boarding/capturing enemy vessels.

 

-Attitude is very stand-offish. Not used to civilization or culture, knowing only ship board life. Not a lot of social skills. Very tight knit, as they are stuck in close quarters all the time. Occasionally tempers flare, but the tight trappings means that they depend on each other. See serfs as valued members of the chapter. They man the guns and defend the ships the Astartes call home. Serfs have greater responsibilities/respect, but share the VW lack of social grace or civilization.

 

-Geneseed has mutated from constant exposure to vacuum. Secretion of the waxy substance is thicker and more solid, enabling marines to survive exposure to vacuum for longer periods of time. Downside is that it is always on to a lesser degress, giving the Void Walkers a waxy skin texture. Off putting for anyone having to deal with them.

 

 

So Liber Astartes, is it possible? Plausible? Workable? I know it goes against some ideas we have about Astartes. Namely the amount of naval power they can have, as well their well earned reputation for fighting everywhere. I just wanted to get this idea and see what you guys think. So, thought?

[Myxx]

Being on the bad end of the Inquisition usually doesn't end well... And only fighting in Space is like, less than half of what Marines are supposed to excel in. Seems like Imperial battle fleets and Naval Security/Storm Troopers have this idea on lock down.

 

just my $.02.

[The Shiny One]

First, I quite like it your idea, its definitely interesting, and I can see why you though of it.

As you wrote yourself, its kind on the border whats ok with a chapter. So my idea was, make them perhaps not a whole chapter, rather a splinter group, or the last survivors of a chapter!

 

Perhaps they were fleet based and a lot of companies died on a planet?

Or companies died boarding an enemy ship, and now the survivors have to hunt them down, focusing on ships. (Perhaps in a Captain Ahab kind of way). Perhaps after a century hunting the Great enemy, it becomes more of a myth, than an actual task, and they are now just more used to fight in space...

[Ecritter]

I really can't see the Inquisition having anything to say on a Chapter fighting in space. Other then that, sounds interesting.

[Shinzaren]

Being on the bad end of the Inquisition usually doesn't end well... And only fighting in Space is like, less than half of what Marines are supposed to excel in. Seems like Imperial battle fleets and Naval Security/Storm Troopers have this idea on lock down.

 

just my $.02.

Yeah, I know the idea is a bit out there, and doesn't really fit the defined role of Astartes, but that is why I like it. They are doing something that isn't really the norm or approved, and no one can catch them to say anything or reprimand them. And just because the Navy and their troops/ships can do the job, doesn't mean that Astartes can't do it even better B)

 

 

First, I quite like it your idea, its definitely interesting, and I can see why you though of it.

As you wrote yourself, its kind on the border whats ok with a chapter. So my idea was, make them perhaps not a whole chapter, rather a splinter group, or the last survivors of a chapter!

Thanks :cuss The idea is for it to be borderline unbelievable, but not quite crossing that mark. In the end I want them to be different and unique, but not stupidly so, if that makes sense.

 

Perhaps they were fleet based and a lot of companies died on a planet?

Or companies died boarding an enemy ship, and now the survivors have to hunt them down, focusing on ships. (Perhaps in a Captain Ahab kind of way). Perhaps after a century hunting the Great enemy, it becomes more of a myth, than an actual task, and they are now just more used to fight in space...

I like the Moby Dick style idea, and I think I will incorporate that. I am going to steal your idea about them boarding an enemy ship, but I will alter it a bit. They were engaged in combat with traitor forces of the X warband, when they boarded the enemies flagship. Before the assault could be completed, the enemy warped away. The chapter gave chase, but when they caught up to where X's ship was supposed to be, all they found was a small group of mutilated Void Walkers corpses, tortured, murdered, and ejected in the void of space with a fake homing beacon. They give chase once more, and each time they get close, they only find more horrifically mutilated bodies and another fake beacon. The X warship has taken on a mythical quality by this point, and the Void Walkers swear never to set foot on land again until their enemy is destroyed for good. Each time they think they are getting close, the enemy slips away. During their pursuit they have battled every known enemy of Man as the X's warship flees across the galaxy. Though they have accomplished a variety of good deeds for the Imperium, they have also left a number of worlds to die or suffer because their pursuit took precedence. I am really liking this idea. Moby Dick in the 41st Millennium. Thank you kind sir.

 

 

I really can't see the Inquisition having anything to say on a Chapter fighting in space. Other then that, sounds interesting.

Thanks. I wasn't really sure if the Inquisition would get involved, but I figured that repeatedly refusing to land and fight to aid the Imperium would at least tick some people off. I decided that any Inquisition involvement would be from afar, as an over zealous Inquisitor decides to try and bring them to account every few centuries. The Void Walkers just shake it off and keep doing their thing, as the Inquisitor can't catch them or order them about. The rest of the Inquisition just waves it off as a minor problem.

[Leonaides]

Being on the bad end of the Inquisition usually doesn't end well... And only fighting in Space is like, less than half of what Marines are supposed to excel in. Seems like Imperial battle fleets and Naval Security/Storm Troopers have this idea on lock down.

 

just my $.02.

Yeah, I know the idea is a bit out there, and doesn't really fit the defined role of Astartes, but that is why I like it. They are doing something that isn't really the norm or approved, and no one can catch them to say anything or reprimand them. And just because the Navy and their troops/ships can do the job, doesn't mean that Astartes can't do it even better :tu:

Actually - it kind of does... Astartes do not have the right ships for space combat. They can get by, but a dedicated space-fighting fleet is going to casue them too much damage to sustain over the long term. they loose a ship every combat - note only 1 ship - and they might last 24 fights. but if one of those ships is a strike cruiser then thats 100 marines. 100 marines who just have to sit there and push a button (nothing that a servitor cant do) and who are now dead. Thats 10 fights. Even at 1 a year, thats not a very good forecast for the survival of the chapter.

 

If they do have the right ships for spaceborn combat, then other chapters will be rather interested, as will anywhere they try to re-supply, or put in for repairs... You dont need to catch them since eventually they will need a major repair yard/mechanicum facility and armoury world to refill all the ammor for the big guns and torpedos - you just cant get that kind of kit on a backwater world. So a simple call out to all the forgeworlds in the sector means they'll get caught eventually and have to choose between assaulting a defended imperial world or accepting judgement.

[Shinzaren]

Actually - it kind of does... Astartes do not have the right ships for space combat. They can get by, but a dedicated space-fighting fleet is going to casue them too much damage to sustain over the long term. they loose a ship every combat - note only 1 ship - and they might last 24 fights. but if one of those ships is a strike cruiser then thats 100 marines. 100 marines who just have to sit there and push a button (nothing that a servitor cant do) and who are now dead. Thats 10 fights. Even at 1 a year, thats not a very good forecast for the survival of the chapter.

 

If they do have the right ships for spaceborn combat, then other chapters will be rather interested, as will anywhere they try to re-supply, or put in for repairs... You dont need to catch them since eventually they will need a major repair yard/mechanicum facility and armoury world to refill all the ammor for the big guns and torpedos - you just cant get that kind of kit on a backwater world. So a simple call out to all the forgeworlds in the sector means they'll get caught eventually and have to choose between assaulting a defended imperial world or accepting judgement.

I have to partially disagree, respectfully. While Astartes Ships are geared for planetstrike and deployment roles, that doesn't mean they would be any less successful in fleet operations. While they couldn't fight toe-to-toe with an Imperial Battle Fleet, they could break in, drop off marines for boarding, like they're designed to do, and then leave/harass. They wouldn't fight a toe to toe battle with an overpowering enemy, as that isn't their goal. They would fight like Astartes, striking the most important targets with speed before pulling back. The other thing to consider is that they won't be fighting the Imperial Navy, unless it is a traitorous Navy detachment. The majority of their engagements will be against Xenos and Chaos forces, which lack the raw unbridled firepower of the Imperial Navy's heaviest hitters. I agree wholeheartedly that it isn't the ideal for a Space Marine, or how they should be fighting, but that is partially the point. They aren't doing things by the book or even sensibly, they are doing what they want and making it work. Assuming I can make it work that is... :)

 

You do make a very valid point about the resupply/repair however, which was why I had them patch up relations with the AdMech by offering up salvaged and recovered tech. AM keeps them in tip top shape and allows them to keep fighting. Their troubles with the Inquisition are a minor footnote at best, with the length and breadth of the Inquisition deeming them no threat.

[NightrawenII]

I have to partially disagree, respectfully. While Astartes Ships are geared for planetstrike and deployment roles, that doesn't mean they would be any less successful in fleet operations. While they couldn't fight toe-to-toe with an Imperial Battle Fleet, they could break in, drop off marines for boarding, like they're designed to do, and then leave/harass. They wouldn't fight a toe to toe battle with an overpowering enemy, as that isn't their goal. They would fight like Astartes, striking the most important targets with speed before pulling back. The other thing to consider is that they won't be fighting the Imperial Navy, unless it is a traitorous Navy detachment. The majority of their engagements will be against Xenos and Chaos forces, which lack the raw unbridled firepower of the Imperial Navy's heaviest hitters.

Are you sure?

 

Going by the BFG rules, the Chaos ships are more than match for Imperials in terms of firepower.

That being said, the boarding action is kind of one trick pony and it causes more problems than it solves. For example, how are you going to catch an Eldar ship? Or fight your way through hundreds of hundreds of Orks?

[Leonaides]

They wouldn't fight a toe to toe battle with an overpowering enemy, as that isn't their goal. They would fight like Astartes, striking the most important targets with speed before pulling back.

 

Apart from when the enemy fleet is getting so close to the objective planet (?) that there is nowhere else to fall back to? And then I assume if the enemy fleet is simply too big they'll just turn and run? Not exactly your typical marine behavior. I wouldnt mind a chapter specialising in ship-to-ship combat, but to say that they flatly never step foot on a planet to fight is being daft for daftness' sake. Do they tyr and stop the fleet, then just abandon said world to deal with any invaders who do actually make it to the surface?

[Ace Debonair]

I have to second the call that your marines should fight on-world as well as off-world.

They can make use of oribital attacks before they drop into the fight, grumbling about having to get actual dirt on their boots, but they should still do it. Even if only to ward off the more suspicious inquisitors or pick up handy offerings of tech for the AdMech.

Besides, going into why they loathe ground combat will be fun to explore in the beliefs section, and if they still have to do it once in a while it makes their attempts to stay space-borne seem a bit less perfect.

I like the Moby Dick style idea, and I think I will incorporate that. I am going to steal your idea about them boarding an enemy ship, but I will alter it a bit. They were engaged in combat with traitor forces of the X warband, when they boarded the enemies flagship. Before the assault could be completed, the enemy warped away. The chapter gave chase, but when they caught up to where X's ship was supposed to be, all they found was a small group of mutilated Void Walkers corpses, tortured, murdered, and ejected in the void of space with a fake homing beacon. They give chase once more, and each time they get close, they only find more horrifically mutilated bodies and another fake beacon. The X warship has taken on a mythical quality by this point, and the Void Walkers swear never to set foot on land again until their enemy is destroyed for good. Each time they think they are getting close, the enemy slips away. During their pursuit they have battled every known enemy of Man as the X's warship flees across the galaxy. Though they have accomplished a variety of good deeds for the Imperium, they have also left a number of worlds to die or suffer because their pursuit took precedence. I am really liking this idea. Moby Dick in the 41st Millennium. Thank you kind sir.

That sounds fun.

I'll cheerfully volunteer a group of my fiendish Rift Lords to play nemesis for the Void Walkers, if you like, along with the ship name Sword of Darkness .

Not that I'm going to start trying to establish the Rift Lords as a community villain with a campaign the scale and dilligence of the Purinator Crusade that CMID runs or anything. :)

...Nor is this only the beginning. :tu:

And lastly... *Grabs Liber Heraldry Dept. Hat*

Does that colour scheme work for you? Or do you have something else in mind? :lol: