Bongfu Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/mediawiki/images/0/0f/Excommunicatetraitoris.JPG http://img861.imageshack.us/img861/7677/88474704.png http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/2891/spacemarinez.jpg http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/5356/tsmr.jpg Birthed in War Appearing in the galactic northwest in the waning years of the 36th millennium, the Heralds of Charon have always been somewhat of a mystery to Imperial scholars. This could be mainly due to their link to the astartes chapter, the Imperial Gorgons. No one is sure who their progenitor is, nor who actually ordered their creation. It was in the closing years of M36 that the Imperial Gorgons declared their independence from the Imperium. The Inquisition hastily scrambled a fleet to the Talon system, as well as requesting aid from the nearby Exorcist Space Marines Chapter, for they feared a Chaos influence. However, when the Imperial fleet arrived in system they were greeted by an unknown astartes chapter. Understandably apprehensive, the Inquisition ordered the battle-worn space marines to subject themselves to purity test. Surprisingly the mysterious chapter performed well and showed no signs of taint. When questioned, the Chapter said they were the Heralds of Charon, which was the name of the now ravaged planet in which the Star Wardens had called their home. Some historians suggest that the Heralds of Charon are actually the loyalist remnants of the Imperial Gorgons. This evidence can be seen in their general attitude towards other Imperial entities, including other astartes, in which they distrust and rarely coordinate with on the battlefield. If this be the case then, the only reliable records point towards the Imperial Gorgon's creation in the later half of the 35th millennium, possibly in the infamous "Dark Founding". Though no chapter records were left to recover from Talos. Curiously, the Argo, their battle-barge, is of similar make of the Cyclopean Watch which was used as the flagship for the Imperial Gorgons chapter. Excommunicate Traitoris No trace of the Imperial Gorgons were ever found by the Inquisition. However, certain members of the Ordo Hereticus worried that the Heralds of Charon may, in truth, be the remnants of that chapter. Though their taint was undetectable, the Ordo Hereticus ordered the Exorcist to board the Argo and terminate the Chapter. They labeled them, Excommunicate Traitoris, a death sentence in the Imperium. When the Exorcist signaled their intention to board, the Argo began to flee to the Talon system's jump point. With the Exorcist and Inquisition fleet hot on their heels, they had no choice but to return fire in order to prevent their warp drive from being knocked out. When the Exorcist's battle-barge, the Cleansing Wake, was in range, it launched several boarding parties against the Argo. The battle of brother versus brother erupted on every deck of the Argo. The Chapter's veterans did their best to protect the bridge and the engineering decks. The blood of both Chapters stained the floor plates of the battle-barge a dark crimson. Things looked bleak for the Heralds of Charon. In a twist of fate, a Chaos warfleet jumped into the system at the same moment. Scrambling to engage the new foes, the Inquisitorial fleet and the Exorcist were distracted enough for the Argo to make repairs and enter the warp. Though they reportedly still fight for the Imperium in their renegade state, though they reserve a special hatred towards the Inquisition and the Exorcist Chapter. Homeworld Iolcos(Feudal-world) Olympus(Fortress-Monastery) The warbands of the Heralds of Charon draw recruits from the Aegean sector, which lies deep in the Halo zone to the Galactic West. These worlds were astonishingly undisturbed by the eternal war raging in the rest of the galaxy. Its human populations were sprawled across several worlds and ranged from primitive to civilized worlds. The Chapter's Reclusium has become suspicious of certain aspects of the Aegean's population in the last century, mainly due to a number of chaos cults springing up amongst their midst. Further delving into the older cultures has revealed very similar pantheons seen in Chaos cults from around the universe. Could the Chapter's recruiting body be tainted by Chaos? Rogue Traders It was when one of their ships happened into the system that they began a dialogue with the damned chapter. In exchange for a portion of the world's untapped resources, they would smuggle in Imperial arms for the Chapter to replenish their stock. Such began a long relationship that last to this day, which has prospered into one of gain between both parties. The de Orellana family can enjoy the ever watchful eyes of the Myrmidons, a selected group of Heralds of Charons who are sent to act as guards for the family. While, the Chapter gets their armories resupplied with what the de Orellana family can get a hold of. Organization Due to their renegade status, the chapter has fallen out of most any Codex Astartes guidelines. Companies are formed in an ad hoc sense around a Captain chosen by his brothers to lead them. Though none can be certain, the Chapter has possibly grown far beyond the one thousand marine standard set by the Codex. With an impressive fleet of ships acquired from raiding or trade with Imperial factions, the Chapter has been able to send out companies to warzone across the universe. Unsurprisingly, they are often found out by the Inquisition and forced to retreat before they can render aid to the Imperial cause. Sacred Band The Sacred Band of the Heralds of Charon Chapter Astartes, exist outside any normal military structure. This select group is hand picked by the Chapter's highest ranking Chaplain, the Vigil of Cerberus. They are selected for their heroism on the battlefield and great wisdom that comes with centuries of warfare. Once selected, the initiate undergoes an ancient ritual in which he is blessed by the Chapter's Reclusiarch, then they are given their oath bound charge, to defend the Halls of Cerberus. They wear a heavily modified pattern of power armor believed to be a gift from more radical sects of the Imperium or even xeno-technology. The power armor itself is protected by a powerful force field and has a built-in teleporter, much like those seen in Tactical Dreadnought Armor. They are trained to fight together as one impenetrable unit, using their storm shields to protect each other from enemy weapons. When called to battle, this unstoppable phalanx will often be at the center of a failing line or holding an important objective. More often than not, though, they are called in to deal with a threat that beyond even the greatest Captain's. There they fight with unrelenting determination and with a conviction to see the death of their enemies or their own. Few foes in the universe have bested the Sacred Band and even those that did paid dearly for that victory. The Wolf and the Bull Despite their separation from the Imperium, the Chapter heeded the call to battle during the 13th Black Crusade. During the fighting in the Scarus Sector against the greenskins, they met the foe along side the Space Wolves. Though the Space Wolves were weary at first, the Heralds of Charon more than proved themselves in the eyes of the Great Wolf who watched overhead from his fleet. After one particularly gruesome liberation, an Inquisitorial fleet arrived overhead and immediately condemned the two Heralds of Charon ships to be purged. Logan Grimnar intervened by ordering his fleet between the two factions. The Inquisition frantically ordered the Great Wolf to move his fleet, but he only replied, "If you turn your guns on the heroes of the Imperium, then I turn my guns on you, for you are the heretic this day." Since that day, the two chapters have shown a mutual respect for one another, and currently the battle company led by Lord Jason prows through the Scarus sector along side the Space Wolves on board the Argo. Combat Doctrine The Heralds of Charon disdain any combat that does not allow them to quickly close with the enemy. Their favored form of combat is sounded by the sonic boom of their drop pods through the atmosphere and the crackle of energy as their terminators teleport into the middle of the enemy force. Though it has been noted that some Captains prefer other styles of combat. However, these reports are inaccurate due to the reclusive nature of the chapter. The Cerberus Cult The Battle-Brothers of the Chapter respect few in the universe, bar the Emperor and their honored dead. They remain isolationist and secretive. Deep in the bowels of the Fortress-Monastery, the chapter's chaplains perform rituals and rites that border on heresy. Amongst these taboos is the mythical Company of the Dead, which consist of the Chapter's Dreadnoughts, who slumber in the Halls of Cerberus. The Halls of Cerberus runs the length of a small frigate in the lower depths of the Olympia. It holds the Chapter's ancient relics and battle-brothers who have begun the journey into the light of the Emperor. Servants perform daily offerings to these long dead heroes, who wait silently in their armor waiting to one day see their brothers join them. The members of the Chapter believe that upon their death they will face a great daemon, Cerberus. This daemon guards the entrance to the Emperor's light. In order to avoid eternal damnation, they must either slip past Cerberus or defeat him. Gene-seed Their gene-seed remains unknown as it has been expunged from Chapter records and the Administratum has no records of the Chapter's existence before the end of M36. Battle Cry "Death Descending!" - A phrase that is favorite to the assault marines bands. "Memento Mori" Remember the dead - motto of the Chapter's Reclusium. "Molon labe" - ancient phrase etched into the shields and power armor of the Sacred Band. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/244296-iaheralds-of-charon-updated-142012/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimdarkness Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 Cool they sound very interesting. A half DA half LoTD sort of idea. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/244296-iaheralds-of-charon-updated-142012/#findComment-2953322 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bongfu Posted December 29, 2011 Author Share Posted December 29, 2011 Updated chapter history Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/244296-iaheralds-of-charon-updated-142012/#findComment-2953413 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bongfu Posted December 29, 2011 Author Share Posted December 29, 2011 Redid the fluff. Added a bit more uniqueness to their story. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/244296-iaheralds-of-charon-updated-142012/#findComment-2954084 Share on other sites More sharing options...
PorridgeMeister Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 I don't mean to be rude, but what's with the name?? That isn't a very Space-Mariney name. Additionally: - reasons for such a random organisation? - why high attrition rate? explain this and why they would waste their precious gene-seed? - "Often their targets are chosen for their strategic value or the presence of an enemy commander." sums up most marine battle tactics - so in 5,000 years why haven't they been wiped out yet if they don't replenish their losses? - "this practice has led to unbelievable acts in order to recover the Chapter's losses" so they sacrificed half their net strength and most of their terminators for one soldier????? - "Their heightened xenophobia fuels their aggression and often leads to acts of insane bravado when facing alien foes" explanation why? - "they have little regard for those outside the Chapter, especially heretics...the chapter's priest perform rituals and rites that border on heresy": - hypocrisy? - priests? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/244296-iaheralds-of-charon-updated-142012/#findComment-2955249 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bongfu Posted January 1, 2012 Author Share Posted January 1, 2012 I don't mean to be rude, but what's with the name??That isn't a very Space-Mariney name. Additionally: - reasons for such a random organisation? - why high attrition rate? explain this and why they would waste their precious gene-seed? - "Often their targets are chosen for their strategic value or the presence of an enemy commander." sums up most marine battle tactics - so in 5,000 years why haven't they been wiped out yet if they don't replenish their losses? - "this practice has led to unbelievable acts in order to recover the Chapter's losses" so they sacrificed half their net strength and most of their terminators for one soldier????? - "Their heightened xenophobia fuels their aggression and often leads to acts of insane bravado when facing alien foes" explanation why? - "they have little regard for those outside the Chapter, especially heretics...the chapter's priest perform rituals and rites that border on heresy": - hypocrisy? - priests? Bear in mind that, like most IAs, this is a work in progress. Firstly, the name is based on the lore of the chapter and the culture I based it around. If there can be a Rainbow Legion there can be a Portents of Talos. I don't think there is any set naming rules for a Space Marine Chapter, just as long as they don't say "I love Chaos". Sorry I went outside the box and didn't name my marine Blood Angels of Death Wolves. Not trying to be rude. Just saying. Their organization comes from their splitting of their original chapter. Again, this is a WIP and I have not had the time to sit out and flesh every detail out for the B&C. Since they don't have regular access to the Imperium's armories (since technically they do not exist) they have hoarded their more advanced gear into veteran companies. Their combat style of dropping into a hot zone is always going to be relatively "unsafe" even for a Space Marine. While other chapters might tactically advance, this chapter drops right on top of them and gets down to business. No battle-lines, supply-lines, or route for retreat. Think paratrooper regiments, they statistically had more casualties than regular infantry because of the way they fought. In 5,000 years they have never recovered to a full ten companies, but they have recovered their loses. The details will be posted later when I finish them, but they have access to the Imperium and recruits through other channels. They were saving their chapter master, whom as a chapter, revered him as a great warrior worthy of being preserved in the hall of the dead. Think how the Spartans fought tooth and nail at Thermopylae to recover their King's body and die by it. Their xenophobia will come from an event I will post later, just bear with it. Priest is just another word for a chaplain, a chaplain is a priest just like in any modern military. Lastly, look at a lot of other Astartes chapters, or other Imperial organizations. They have "hypocritical" practices and ethics too. Whether its the Dark Angels and their secret they won't tell anyone, and the lengths they will go to in order to keep that secret. Or the Ultramarines who have the largest empire in the galaxy next to the Imperium. What one person says is heresy can be totally fine by another person. Their rituals could be considered heretical by members of the Inquisition, but perfectly fine with other Imperial organizations even other Astartes. All in all, this article is still a major WIP. I have been travelling for the holidays and working, so I haven't had much time to get around to things I really wanted to. I appreciate your input, but sometimes you just have to remember that sometimes the threads here are not completely finished. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/244296-iaheralds-of-charon-updated-142012/#findComment-2955486 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bongfu Posted January 4, 2012 Author Share Posted January 4, 2012 Major update. Changed name, added fluff, took some more fluff away. Preparing for final update to flesh out all the plot holes and left out details. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/244296-iaheralds-of-charon-updated-142012/#findComment-2957967 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bongfu Posted January 4, 2012 Author Share Posted January 4, 2012 Fluff updated Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/244296-iaheralds-of-charon-updated-142012/#findComment-2958840 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.