Knights Mortis

[Thargrim_Bloodwolf]

Chapter Name: Knights Mortis

Founding: Technically third founding

Primogenitors + Geneseed: Death Guard

 

Origins:

Created from a lost fanatically loyalist terran element of the death guard legion who went missing just before the events of Isstvan III. Mortarion thought that these marines would be easily killed if he sent them, without any assistance, to one of the most difficult sectors of the galaxy in the far galactic east. Theyt were to fight against a highly advanced off shoot of humanity who refused to reunite with the rest of the imperium. Their force when they left had been approximately numbering 400 marines including 70 terminators as well as an armoured company with a fleet of numerous frigates, one battle barge, The Undying Rage, and one strike cruiser, The Skeletal Crusader. This strike force was viewed as a n acceptable sacrifice by the primarch since hethought that after the heresy was successfful they would be able to take resources from other legions and then go and hunt them down.

Upon translating in system the small fleet was instantly set upon by the full force of the enemies highly advanced technology including various anti-ship guns which severly damaged both the largest ships but not before they managed to unleash enough shots to take apart the orbital defence grid and most of the the fleet. However, this cost them greatly leaving them at half power and with no missiles left while the remains of the enemy fleet fled. Limping the damaged ships went and docked in low-orbit where they would stay for the rest of the time while trying to repair.

The strike force was left fighting there for the entire duration of the Heresy and some of the time afterwards until achieving victory 250 years into M32. At this point the force realised they were pretty much stranded there and had to scavenge parts from their enemy's ships to make the remains of their ships usable so they could get back to terra still thinking that the great crusade was still going on. By this time the force numbered about 250 marines while still maintaining their terminators at almost full strength and harvesting all geneseed fastidiously.

On the way back to terra they dropped out of the warp to rest their navigators and encountered some of their former brothers from the Death Guard 5th company in their battle barge, the Shade of Demise. At first the loyalists rejoiced but their happiness was short lived when the other vessel hailed them. Over the video link they saw what their brothers had become and were repulsed by it, seeing for the first time the bloated, disease ridden creatures that their friends had become. As the captain of the 5th, Captain Calcath, burbled out a proclamation that they should worship nurgle or die the loyalist vessels charged all weapons and prepared to open fire on their corrupted brothers. In desperation the plague marines made an emergency warp jump but could not escape the relentless fury of their pure brothers as the samll fleet turned and followed them into the warp. From this moment on Mordrakkai swore he would hunt down every member of their former legion and would not stop until either their treacherous bretheren were all dead or they were.

During this campaign they followed the 5th company and other emerging Nurgle warbands around the galaxy but never into the Eye for they knew it was where their enemies would be strongest. During this time they began to realise that even though their Death Guard Lineage granted them incredible resilience it was still nothing compared to that of their corrupted foes. They began to believe that this demise was their destiny and that it was also their only retribution providing they could kill as amny of their old allies as possible. From this their new battle cry was born, "Death and glory" showing their belief that only in death do they achieve salvation.

Eventually they finally met up with an imperial strike force from the Imperial Fists 3rd company who were highly suspicious of them but after the Death Guard force's reluctant surrender to them they agreed to escort them back to terra for judging by the High Lords.

By the time they finally reached terra it was towards the end of M31 and the second founding was long gone while the 3rd founding was being prepared. The force's purity was under extreme scrutiny during this time but they did nothing knowing that they had no power here and that they would wait for their fate in an air of solemness. After many months of deliberation the High Lords finally reached the surprising verdict that the force was to become a chapter in accordance with the third founding since they were terrans and their loyalty to the Emperor was unswerving in a way similar to that of the Black Templars. However, their were a few conditions first being that the chapter would have to be monitored constantly by a detchment of the Adeptus Custodes and the Imperial Fists. They would also have to follow the orders of the High Lords to the letter in a way similar to that of the Minotaurs in future.

To be created they were given the remains of the pure Death Guard geneseed, a fleet of the few newest strike cruisers, a battle barge, some unassigned Dreadnought chasis, new vehicles, equipment and as many terminators suits as was necessary to give them enough for their whole first company and some more which was later scavenged from chaos warbands and purified by the Mechanicus. These had been taken from the dead of the traitor legions that were left on terra and had their machine spirits purified.

Come the third founding the strike force were at chapter strength but had changed their name to the Knights Mortis to avoid being persecuted for their heritage. As soon as they were officially founded the High Lords gave them their first missions and they went on the first of their many crusades.

 

Recent History:

After many millenia of loyal servitude to the High Lords of Terra the Knights Mortis finally gained independence around the end of M40 when the High Lords acquired the Minotaurs chapter as their new "attack dog". This was done since they had gained the trust of not just the High Lords but the Inquisition and many other chapters aswell including the Imperial fists and the Black Templars. With their new found freedom the chapter wasted no time in getting stuck in to as many campaigns and battles as possible and generally being a much needed aid as many war zones as their fleet can reach without being over extended. Often the chapter will deploy as a whole which is a sight few foes can withstand for long. Most notably they deployed in full force for the 13th black crusade where they fought elements of any foes they could adding a great many honours to their already glorious trophy hall in The Undying Rage, their heavily modified capital battle barge.

 

Combat Doctrine:

Although they reject most of their former legion's characteristics one is still maintained by the Knights Mortis, the relentless style of battle. Like their primogenitors they believe every marine should be equiped for any situation so each battle brother is armed with a chainsword, a bolt pistol and a bolter. The armies of the Knights Mortis will advance relentlessly, constantly moving forward and attacking the enemy continuously as they advance. This style of battle is aided by their prevalence of terminator suits with each company able to call upon ten suits while the first company almost always deploys entirely equipped with these brilliant suits. Few forces can cope with this style of fighting which is also aided by the natural resistance granted by their geneseed meaning they can walk through sleeting fire straight while shooting back with their bolters and then they reach the enemy lines where they reak havoc with their chainswords and bolt pistols.

 

Critiscism welcome so long as its not to do with relevence to the DIY guide.

[fivepointedstar]

You do know that the codex astartes was created to break down the first legions after the heresy and not before. So the 3rd founding Mortarion would have had to create said chapter while hiding in the warp.

 

And as Death Guards there gene link to Mortarion would be under super harsh tests to accheive belief they are not traitors by blood.

 

On the other hand you can spin this around in the Dornian Heresy Era thou....

[Thargrim_Bloodwolf]

Mortarion didn't intentionally create them while hiding in the warp he sent them away before the heresy thinking he could kill them off later since they were some of the legions best, but also most fanatically loyalist, warriors. This is NOT meant for Dornian Heresy it still probably works out. And of course it's super harrsh that's why the Inquisition and the High lords of Terra are directly involved asw ell as the Imperial Fists almost attacking them.

[fivepointedstar]

I do understand.. But the folks Mortarion sent away would be the fantical troopers within his own legion ie. they would be Death Guards, not Knights Mortis. As the legions were broken down after the Horus heresy that's why there are 2nd, 3rd founding, etc. I like your idea just timeline/ fluff wise its not possible to have a 3rd founding Chapter before the heresy.

Unless this is a contigion that went on a crusade called the Knights Mortis (banner name) , and so after the heresy is over, and returned to loyalist Imperial space, returned to find out there primarch betrayed, and fled to the warp. Where after harsh scrutiny they are allowed to form the now called knights Mortis. If so then that is possible.

 

.. But if you are saying that these Knights Mortis are a sub chapter of the Death Guard prior to the Horus heresy then that a big No. Sorry dude thats just not feasible.

[Thargrim_Bloodwolf]

Yes they changed their name to avoid persecution and were only really considdered a chapter at the third founding

[fivepointedstar]

In the IA you should write that back story to clarify. ie flesh some things up or there will be more nah sayer like me buzzing about. What's the armor colors, and pictures of this DIY group?

[Thargrim_Bloodwolf]

I will get those up at some point but i'm not sure how to mock up their appearance

[fivepointedstar]

what about something like this

http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab196/DeathKnight2000/icons/spacemarine-3.jpg

[Demus Ragnok]

This idea goes against at least two ideas from the DIY guide. Ok maybe three, traitor gene seed, lost somewhere, and the ]I[ fixed it. Not to mention Eisenstein locked up what happened to loyalist DG. You can try to wedge it in to the second or third founding but its going to be a hard sell.

[Thargrim_Bloodwolf]

fair enough i didn't read the guide anything i can blame it on then: high lords, other legions, primarchs?

[Demus Ragnok]

Read the diy guide at the top of the page. That will give you a better understanding of the idea of getting diy chapters to fit into the universe as a whole. Traitor successors are pretty much a no-no. Even with the lost and returned idea. The space wolves 13th company cornered the market on lost and found.

 

The tipping point for your idea is really the Istvann III battle horus and the other primarchs there made sure to purge their legion of loyalists during that battle. The only exception was Death Guard 7th co. captain Garro and the units attached to him. But even Garro wasn't supposed to get away.

[G3rman]

If you don't mind playing an alternate universe, read up on Aurelius Rex's Dornian Heresy. Its not just a flip-flop of loyalist and traitor legions, each legion has its own personality and a different result from the Heresy onward to the present. Its still in-progress and unfortunately the Death Guard have yet to receive their IA, but I would go as far to say that they would have successor chapters or at the very least Grand Companies with different color schemes.

 

I am playing DH Iron Warriors in fact.

[Thargrim_Bloodwolf]

fine i'll leave this at that then and work on one of my other ideas at some later date

[Grotsmasha]

fine i'll leave this at that then and work on one of my other ideas at some later date

 

Don't give up!! Your idea is ok, and not unprecedented (Blood Ravens anyone?), it just needs some fine tuning. Firstly, I'd replace " Fanactically Loyal" with "Fanactically Loyal Terrans", survivors of the original Dusk Raiders. Maybe instead of submitting to the Inquisition (after Outcast Dead with the Crusader Host, we know what the typical response will be) they cut and run, go on a self imposed crusade, either unknown space, or fighting traitors. Once the Codex has been established, the second and third foundings have happened they could show up, buisiness as usual.

 

Cheers,

Jono

[Thargrim_Bloodwolf]

I really like the idea of them going on their own little campaign and their vendetta against traitors. This was something I was going to expand on later in current actions but they would be attacking death guard since they would be disgusted at what their formaer brothers have allowed to become so want to expunge them from existence.

[Grotsmasha]

I really like the idea of them going on their own little campaign and their vendetta against traitors. This was something I was going to expand on later in current actions but they would be attacking death guard since they would be disgusted at what their formaer brothers have allowed to become so want to expunge them from existence.

 

It would definitely help explain them missing the 2nd Founding, too busy out kicking butt.

 

Cheers,

Jono

[Captain Juan Juarez]

This idea goes against at least two ideas from the DIY guide.

 

I shall direct you to the word "Guide" firstly.

 

Secondly, I shall point out that - though I don't agree with the concept - it is the authors choice as to what he writes, for this is a share universe and we each alter it as we see fit; for instance, I maintain the premise that C. S. Goto has never written 40k fiction.

 

 

fine i'll leave this at that then and work on one of my other ideas at some later date

 

No need to give up, just accept that a lot of people won't willingly embrace your idea for the Liber is rather elitist and people seem to treat the Guide like the Codex Astartes is considered by some; as a solemn tome that must be obeyed at all costs.

 

What is it you really want to achieve with this?

[Thargrim_Bloodwolf]

Anyone?

[CantonWC]

My two pence:

 

Traitor gene-seed is not well liked here. I don't like Traitor gene-seed. It is a gimmick and it is incredibly cliched. If every newcomer to the Liber had their traitor gene-seed chapter given the stamp of approval, there would be more traitor chapters than loyal chapters, and the Imperium would be in huge trouble if such a scenario came about.

 

Traitor gene-seed does not add anything intrinsic to your Chapter. It does not tell me anything about their essential character. It just says "oh hey we're different in an arbitrary way." It is not who you are, how you were born or what you inherit; it is your choices that really determine your character. So they're traitor gene-seed, so what? What's next, what are their choices, what are they really about?

 

Traitor gene-seed is not impossible. It can be done, but it would take a very skilled writer to convincingly pull it off. Most newcomers here do not have that gift. If I'm being blunt, then sorry, but I prefer to call it as I see it, and not let tact and diplomacy get in the way.

 

No, the DIY Guide, Octaguide, etc. are not set in stone, absolute gospel, my way or the highway type deals. Yes, they are very good guides, written by people with a lot of experience in critiquing and writing DIY Chapters, and their advice should not be disregarded.

 

In the end, it's your chapter and your choice. Just be aware that, if you post it here in the Liber, be prepared to catch flak from everyone in every direction, especially if you bend one of the big rules and people feel it hasn't been written well enough to justify the deviation.

 

CWC

[NightrawenII]

Created from a lost fanatically loyalist terran element of the death guard legion who went missing just before the events of Isstvan III. Mortarion thought that these marines would be easily killed if he sent them, without any assistance, to one of the most difficult sectors of the galaxy in the far galactic east. Theyt were to fight against a highly advanced off shoot of humanity who refused to reunite with the rest of the imperium. Their force when they left had been approximately numbering 400 marines including 70 terminators as well as an armoured company with a fleet of numerous frigates, one battle barge, The Undying Rage, and one strike cruiser, The Skeletal Crusader. This strike force was viewed as a n acceptable sacrifice by the primarch since hethought that after the heresy was successfful they would be able to take resources from other legions and then go and hunt them down.

Like someone already said, the loyalist elements of Traitor Legions were killed on Istvaan III. Why would Mortarion send them away, with the rare and precious equipment, when he could murder them here?

 

The strike force was left fighting there for the entire duration of the Heresy and some of the time afterwards until achieving victory 250 years into M32.

That's 750 years and well over average lifespan of marines.

 

However, their were a few conditions first being that the chapter would have to be monitored constantly by a detchment of the Adeptus Custodes and the Imperial Fists.

Adeptus Custodes never leave Terra after the events of Horus Heresy.

Never heard about Imperial Fists monitoring another Chapter.

 

To be created they were given the remains of the pure Death Guard geneseed,

Gene-seed of Traitor Legion is under seal with time lock.

 

and as many terminators suits as was necessary to give them enough for their whole first company and some more which was later scavenged from chaos warbands and purified by the Mechanicus. These had been taken from the dead of the traitor legions that were left on terra and had their machine spirits purified.

Why was necessary to give them so many TDA suits?

Third Founding was in M32, nearly thousand years after Heresy. Why would be these suits still here?

 

Recent History:

After many millenia of loyal servitude to the High Lords of Terra the Knights Mortis finally gained independence around the end of M40 when the High Lords acquired the Minotaurs chapter as their new "attack dog". This was done since they had gained the trust of not just the High Lords but the Inquisition and many other chapters aswell including the Imperial fists and the Black Templars.

The Minotaurs have gained bad reputation and animosity because of their role of "attack dog". Why would be the Knights different?

 

Combat Doctrine:

The armies of the Knights Mortis will advance relentlessly, constantly moving forward and attacking the enemy continuously as they advance. This style of battle is aided by their prevalence of terminator suits with each company able to call upon ten suits while the first company almost always deploys entirely equipped with these brilliant suits. Few forces can cope with this style of fighting which is also aided by the natural resistance granted by their geneseed meaning they can walk through sleeting fire straight while shooting back with their bolters and then they reach the enemy lines where they wreak havoc with their chainswords and bolt pistols.

While this did work for Death Guard legion, I hightly doubt it will work for Death Guard chapter. It's simple matter of numbers.

 

---

I don't mind the traitor gene-seed, but consider this:

Over a half of your article is dedicated to Origins and explanation of thereof and as you can see from my responses above, these explanations aren't exactly bullet-proof.

Now, everything what can be said about Knights Mortis is... they are loyalists of Death Guard. - So what? Flesh Tearers are successors of Blood Angels and Black Templars are successors of Imperial Fists. Both of these Chapters, and many others, are defined by huge variety of traits, quirks or divergences and *surprise, surprise* the source of gene-seed is the least important and the least defining factor in the Chapter Imagery.

 

Like I said, I don't mind the traitor gene-seed, but its use is connected with quite tiresome and heartbreaking effort to patch up a black hole in the places, where it should be none.

 

 

Cheers, NightrawenII.