Eagles Eternal

[War Angel]

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http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn74/Lastdogdead/EagleEternal3rdCompany.jpg

“Like the Emperor, Our Wrath is Eternal!” -Battle Cry of the Eagles Eternal

T

he Eagles Eternal were Formed in the 3rd founding utilizing Geneseed gathered from The Crimson Fist. Gifted with the massive Battle Barge “Emperors Splendor”, and a host of other vessels, the high lords of Terra hopped the chapter would be a successful crusading chapter, bringing peace to the Segmentum Pacificus.

For nearly a thousand years the chapter patrolled the Segmentum Pacificus fighting back the tide of traitors and heretics, reclaiming numerous worlds to the Imperium. As the chapter neared its first millennium of existence, the enemy’s resistance increased drastically. In a series of daring and costly conflicts, the Eagles followed the trail of corruption and discovered its source, a chaos fleet orbiting the planet Fidelis. Though the chapter succeeded in cleansing the taint of chaos from the planet, their fleet had been annihilated.

The crippled chapter claimed Fidelis as their homeworld and began the painful task of rebuilding. Struggling to remain combat effective the Eagles Eternal diverged from the Codex Astartes, adapting new tactics in order to overcome the challenges they faced. These divergences became a staple for the chapter throughout the millennium, and though the chapter would recover from its losses the Marines would retain the traditions to honor their history.

Homeworld

Fidelis is a feudal world in the early stages of gun powder resembling the revolutionary age described by scholars of ancient Terra. Before the arrival of the Eagles Eternal, the planet had no way of defending itself from aggressors, and had been enslaved by heritics. Once the Chapter cleansed the planet, they took it for their own, allowing the inhabitants to remain ignorant of the universe around them.

Settled upon the main continent lies the largest nation on Fidelis, Paternus, from which settlements across the sea have been founded on smaller continents and sub continents. Wanting the freedom to be their own nation, these settlements long ago started a war with their fathering nation. Sending out its army’s, Paternus attempts to hold onto its claim’s though bloody conflict. These events give the Eagles ample opportunity to select its recruits.

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During the battle fought in orbit around Fidelis, the chapter’s largest vessel “Emperors Splendor”, was crippled and buried on the northern side of the mountains on Fidelis. The Splendor had served as the chapter’s fortress-monastery, and though it was not destroyed when it crashed, the damage it sustained made sure it would never fly again. Unable to move their fortress-monastery, the marines have dug their home out of the peaks. Stretching from coast to coast of Paternus, the mountain range is impassible by the locals, allowing the marines to remain separated from Fidelis inhabitants on the northern side of the impressive peeks.

Honoring the chapters fallen heroes, the Eagles have taken to carving winged statues into the southern side of the mountain range. These resolute and unwavering warriors forever stand overlooking the battle field upon which the chapters finest had shed their blood for the world. The impressive statues have been dubbed the Eagle Spire by the Fidelians. As new recruits join the chapter, the name has spread though out the marines and it is common for marines to reference the fortress-monastery as such.

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/hq2.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position: 8px 2px; padding: 12px 8px 12px 8px; border: 1px solid #DDD; margin-left: 0 auto; text-align: left; color: #fff; text-indent:50px; font-size:130%; width:50%;"> Combat Doctrine

Rifles used by the armies of Fidelis are single shot gun powder weapons. The time it takes to reload a rifle is significant, and forces soldiers to hone the precision of their aim. A majority of recruits joining the Eagles Eternal are already expert riflemen before inception, the training of a neophyte only increases the marine’s ability to fire under pressure. Many Marines in the chapter take pride in their marksmanship.

The Eagles Eternal have faced extinction several times, each time having to adjust in order to survive. Their adaptability has given them much renown over the years, the ability to overcome new adversities that others would struggle with. The chapter has become well known for repeatedly deviating from the Codex Astartes.

While the Marines have fought all manor of the Emperors enemies, most of their engagements have been against Traitors and Heretics. Respectively they have become very talented at combating the agents of Chaos, their changing tactics preventing the archenemy from predicting their movements.

Organization

Chapter Master O'Bannon

Brother O'Bannon was inducted into the chapter immediately following the war for Fidelis. As such he was the first Fidelian to be recruited into the chapter. O'Bannon served with the Fourth Company for several years before his transfer to the Second Company.

The young marine earned a spot early on in the Veteran Company after his valiant actions and bravery in the defense of Thraxus Prime from the Ork horde led by wag boss Gore Skaul.

He was later made third squad leader of Second Company after single handedly holding back eldar pirates from overwhelming his position for 27 consecutive hours before reinforcements could arrive. - Siege of Derna

After the death of his Company Commander, O'Bannon assumed his duties and led the 30 Marine task force and liberated Tri' Ple III from a band of Night Lords led by the infamous "Master of Shadow". After returning control of the world to its governor, O'Bannon was gifted with the "Aquila Edge" an Ancient sword that had long been used as a symbol of leadership. Upon returning to the Chapter his command of Second Company was made permanent and he was honored to carry the Aquila Edge. - Tri' Ple III

When Chapter Master Nicolas was interned into a Dreadnaught sarcophagi, O'Bannon was made the new Chapter Master. Because he is the first Eagle Eternal born of Fidelis, and his natural leadership skills, Chapter Master O'Bannon is highly respected by the Chapter. His presence on the battle field inspires his Marines to achieve great things.

The Eagles Eternal have maintained no Reserve companies since the war for Fidelis, in which the chapter was reduced to less than 300 Marines. The chapter now maintains nine Battle-Battle companies, each capable of operating on their own or in conjunction with other units. This has allowed the Marines to cover more ground, fighting more conflicts at once, gaining more renown and glory for the Chapter.


Unlike other chapters, Neophytes of the Eagles Eternal do not enter a scout company. With limited mobility from sector to sector, the Marines had to reconsider deployment options. It would not be possible for rapid relocation from one warzone to another. In order to ensure that the youth of the chapter received combat training, Neophytes would have to be assigned to Battle companies without being tied to a Scout Company like other Chapters.


Upon indoctrination to the chapter, recruits are assigned to their battle company, most commonly whichever company is on duty in the Spire. It is with this company that they will experience combat for the first time, and train under their peers. Once the Neophyte receives the rights to wear power armor, the new battle brother remains with his company and fills any squad vacancies.

Honor Companies

Three specialist Honor Companies are maintained within the chapter. These companies were made under the most unique of circumstances, the first two of which were created in the years that followed the chapters rebuilding. The third Honor Company was formed during the Age of Apostasy. These companies were designated with honor after their participation in intense conflict’s that marked turning points in the chapter’s history. Each company has one hundred battle-brothers, and only seasoned and experienced Marines are offered a chance to join these companies.
The Honor Companies within the chapter have set themselves apart from the other companies. Showing both courage and distinction on the battlefield, they operate as the spear and hammer of the chapter, often operating on their own in far off worlds. Individually they make up for more combat actions than the battle companies combined. These companies spend the most time deployed, and only return to Fidelis for resupply. Even then, attempts are often made to bring the supplies to them. During larger campaigns these units will fight alongside a battle company, and enemy’s destruction is swiftly sought.

Second Company “The Spear”

Following the results of the First war for Fidelis, the Eagles Eternal had lost all ships capable of Drop Pod insertion. It wasn’t until a boarding action preformed by the second company that a suitable ship was captured and reclaimed for drop operations. For their bravery in such a daring action, the second company was forever rewarded with the control of the ship, and the decoration of being the first Honor Company.

Fifth Company “The Hammer”

During the Invasion of the Forge world Mon’Tau, the Eagles Eternal deployed a Battle Group consisting of three full companies. The Third, Fifth, and Eighth Company’s, fought alongside forces of the Marines Errant against the invading Chaos forces. While the conflict consumed the entire surface of Mon’Tau, the Halls of Zuma’s forge saw the most intense combat. Led by Commander Simms, Fifth Company was tasked with capturing the Zuma Forge. The armored tactics preformed by the Fifth won the company much Prestige amongst the Mechanium. With every step the Marines drove the Traitors back, they weathered wave upon wave of enemy counter-attacks without falter. Slowly the arch enemy was routed from the forge by the constant Hammering of loyalist bolters.

After the Heritics where routed from Mon’Tau, awards were given to several of the Marines for their brave actions. No unit was as decorated as the Eagles Fifth Company. For the actions preformed in Forge Zuma, Commander Simms was rewarded with an Artifact Hammer from the Moderati Princips himself. Upon return to Fidelis, the Battle Group was received by the Chapter Master himself. Upon his review of the seventy-eight survivors he declared the remaining members of the Third and Eighth Company be combined into the Fifth, and that from that day on act as the chapters second Honor Company specializing in Armored tactics.

Veteran Company

Like in most Codex chapters, the first Company is designated as the Veterans Company. These veterans are chosen only from the Honor Companies. This ensures that only the best of the Chapter are selected, as these Marines progress to become Veteran Sergeants that lead Squads into battle. The Veteran Company rarely engages in combat in full, as squads are often sent on patrols with other Companies to act as support units.
Though the Company has no standard size, it usually numbers no more than a hundred and fifty Marines. Its increased size is to allow for deployment with Battle-Companies and still maintain sizable force to remain on Fidelis and respond as a reactionary force, and further training of those stationed at home.

Squad And Company Markings

Unlike other Chapters, squad markings in the Eagles Eternal do not display imagery to signify the type of squad. While Battle-Companies still maintain the standard six Tactical squads, and two Assault and Devastator squads, each squad is marked by number only. Marines are very proud of their squad’s traditions, and often display the markings on not only their shoulder pad, but also on knee pads, power packs, chest armor, or more.
While many chapters also denote company markings through variation of color on the shoulder trim, this is not present with the Eagles. Instead each Marine displays their Company by number on their shoulder pad next to their squad. The Veteran company is further marked by their white trouser, while Veteran Sergeants assigned to other companies wear the standard blue armor leggings with a blood stripe down the sides.

Beliefs

Before becoming Space Marines, recruits had no knowledge of life amongst the stars. Stories of the nightmares of hell taking over their world before god’s angels descended upon them to liberate his empire. The chapter has developed a belief of the Emperor as there god, and they as his angels, meant to do battle with his nightmarish foes. They prefer to fight the forces of chaos and heretics, though are content to do battle with xenos threats also, seeing all of their enemies as blasphemous to their God-Emperor.

The Eagles Eternal constantly seek out conflicts to train in the fire of war in order to have the skill to protect the Emperors realm. Each Marine grows up knowing of the daemons that enslaved their forefathers. Seeking to protect their home, and avenge the loss of their fleet, they draw the hated enemies into combat, that they might defeat chaos itself in one final battle. It is believed that this embedded discontent for chaos is to cause a strong resistance to the wills of dark gods.

Geneseed

The chapter’s Gene-seed is taken from that of the Crimson Fist. Like many children of Dorn, the Eagles Eternal show an extreme sense of stubbornness that has led to many conflicts within which they remain in operation long after allied forces have pulled out to regroup.

Historic Events

Having been in existence for Nine Millennium, the Eagles Eternal are very proud of their history. As these events have shaped and changed the very chapter itself, the details of these events are carefully recorded and taught to the younger generations.

The First war for Fidelis

The first scans of Fidelis showed a number of orbital defense lasers, enemy strongholds, troop garrisons, and it was believed that more where hidden from view. To soften up the opposition a company of marines was shuttled to the planet undercover of a meteor storm. Operating at night, the Marine Raiders rooted out a number of priority targets in order to clear the sky’s for a full invasion. After sabotaging several Orbital Defense Lasers and communications relay’s, ground forces then turned the enemy’s weapons upon the orbiting chaos fleet, thus signaling the chapter to begin its assault.

As the battle in space began, additional ground forces were sent to the planet via Drop Ship and Thunderhawk transports. Tanks rolled out of cargo bays and fired their devastating weapons into the enemy’s defenses. Rhino’s bearing the markings of the chapter’s first company, Veterans of the Eagles Eternal, sped to meet the heretics in battle. Having already lost many battles to the element of surprise, the enemy forces gathered for retaliation and the war began in earnest.

Repeatedly the heretic forces clashed against the marines, each time being routed and driven back. In space, the chaos fleet was torn apart by the anvil and hammer formed by their own guns on Fidelis, and the fleet of the Eagles Eternal. Without orbital support, the traitors’ efforts lessened and began to wane, their destruction drew ever closer. Unable to beat the Emperors finest in number alone, the heretics summoned ruinous powers to aid them. As the cracks and seams to the warp weakened around the Fidelis, Daemons leapt forth to take their claim to the world. Bolstered by these forces, the chaos army attacked anew, and the darkness pushed back at the light.

Faced with this new threat, the Eagles Eternal deployed all of their forces to the surface of Fidelis in order to ensure the destruction of all chaos forces embedded there. As the last of the Marines made planet side, cracks in the warp continued opening in the space around Fidelis, and a second fleet of chaos warships and daemon possessed vessels revealed themselves to the chapter. The battle in space once again erupted, and many ships were destroyed outright. Those that survived became targets of chaos boarding parties who attempted to capture the vessels for their own use, a number of which were destroyed by the crew, unwilling to allow such perversion to their beloved ships.

The marines desperately fought for survival. Time was running out as more and more daemons came at them. All seemed lost when suddenly the chapter’s librarians screamed out in unison. Each one had just bear witness to an identical vision of the world coming to an end in fire and death, as a massive warp storm engulfed the planet. At its epicenter, the librarians saw a location hidden in the mountain range of the main continent upon which they fought. Believed to be the site of the sorceress ritual, the chapter master gave the coordinates to the flag ship, “Emperors Splendor” and ordered immediate bombardment. Unfortunately, as the flag ship prepared to fire, it was dealt an engine crippling blow. Unable to maintain its orbit, the Massive vessel was pulled out of the sky by the planets gravity.

Unwilling to fail the chapter in its cause and dedicated to their mission, the surviving crew of the “Splendor” did their best to guide the ship into the target location. The battling marines looked up in horror to see their beloved ship cutting a path though the clouds before it dragged an earth scarring path though the mountains of Fidelis. The bottom hull and lower decks of the vessel dragged though the ground and became an obliterated mess of mangled metal, but not before crossing paths with the heretic sorcerers. In an instant the ritual had been put to a bloody end, and the ruinous powers turned in upon itself. The daemons collapsed back into the warp, and the chaos fleet was pulled back into the warp. At the highest of costs, the war had been won, and the liberation of Fidelis complete.

[War Angel]

THIS IS THE OLD ARTICLE

 

 

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“Like the Emperor, Our Wrath is Eternal!” -Battle Cry of the Eagles Eternal

 

 

Origins

The Eagles Eternal were Formed in the 3rd founding under the command of Captain Nicholas from The Crimson Fist. After its creation the chapter was tasked with reinforcing an area of the Segmentum Pacificus for further security in that sector. Before the 3rd founding attacks on Imperial settlements and transportation vessels was at a rise, and the Eagles Eternal were selected to eliminate these problems.

 

For nearly a thousand years the chapter patrolled the Segmentum Pacificus fighting back the tide of traitors and heretics, reclaiming numerous worlds to the Imperium. As the chapter neared its first millennium of existence, the enemy’s resistance increased drastically. In a series of daring and costly conflicts, the Eagles followed the trail of corruption and discovered its source, a chaos fleet orbiting the planet Fidelis. The battle that took place there forever altered the chapter. By the end of the campaign those that survived were veterans who would go on to teach the next generation of Eagles, sharing their stories with their brothers for years to come. It would be the chapter’s first true test of combat.

 

 

The War for Fidelis

 

The first scans of Fidelis showed a number of orbital defense lasers, enemy strongholds, troop garrisons, and it was believed that more where hidden from view. To soften up the opposition a company of marines was shuttled to the planet undercover of a meteor storm. Operating at night, the Marine Raiders rooted out a number of priority targets in order to clear the sky’s for a full invasion. After sabotaging several Orbital Defense Lasers and communications relay’s, ground forces then turned the enemy’s weapons upon the orbiting chaos fleet, thus signaling the chapter to begin its assault.

 

As the battle in space began, additional ground forces were sent to the planet via Drop Ship and Thunderhawk transports. Tanks rolled out of cargo bays and fired their devastating weapons into the enemy’s defenses. Rhino’s bearing the markings of the chapter’s first company, Veterans of the Eagles Eternal, sped to meet the heretics in battle. Having already lost many battles to the element of surprise, the enemy forces gathered for retaliation and the war began in earnest.

 

Repeatedly the heretic forces clashed against the marines, each time being routed and driven back. In space, the chaos fleet was torn apart by the anvil and hammer formed by their own guns on Fidelis, and the fleet of the Eagles Eternal. Without orbital support, the traitors’ efforts lessened and began to wane, their destruction drew ever closer. Unable to beat the Emperors finest in number alone, the heretics summoned ruinous powers to aid them. As the cracks and seams to the warp weakened around the Fidelis, Daemons leapt forth to take their claim to the world. Bolstered by these forces, the chaos army attacked anew, and the darkness pushed back at the light.

 

Faced with this new threat, the Eagles Eternal deployed all of their forces to the surface of Fidelis in order to ensure the destruction of all chaos forces embedded there. As the last of the Marines made planet side, cracks in the warp continued opening in the space around Fidelis, and a second fleet of chaos warships and daemon possessed vessels revealed themselves to the chapter. The battle in space once again erupted, and many ships were destroyed outright. Those that survived became targets of chaos boarding parties who attempted to capture the vessels for their own use, a number of which were destroyed by the crew, unwilling to allow such perversion to their beloved ships.

 

The marines desperately fought for survival. Time was running out as more and more daemons came at them. All seemed lost when suddenly the chapter’s librarians screamed out in unison. Each one had just bear witness to an identical vision of the world coming to an end in fire and death, as a massive warp storm engulfed the planet. At its epicenter, the librarians saw a location hidden in the mountain range of the main continent upon which they fought. Believed to be the site of the sorceress ritual, the chapter master gave the coordinates to the flag ship, “Emperors Splendor” and ordered immediate bombardment. Unfortunately, as the flag ship prepared to fire, it was dealt an engine crippling blow. Unable to maintain its orbit, the Massive vessel was pulled out of the sky by the planets gravity.

 

Unwilling to fail the chapter in its cause and dedicated to their mission, the surviving crew of the “Splendor” did their best to guide the ship into the target location. The battling marines looked up in horror to see their beloved ship cutting a path though the clouds before it dragged an earth scarring path though the mountains of Fidelis. The bottom hull and lower decks of the vessel dragged though the ground and became an obliterated mess of mangled metal, but not before crossing paths with the heretic sorcerers. In an instant the ritual had been put to a bloody end, and the ruinous powers turned in upon itself. The daemons collapsed back into the warp, and the chaos fleet was pulled back into the warp. At the highest of costs, the war had been won, and the liberation of Fidelis complete.

 

 

Homeworld

During the massive space battle, the chapter’s largest vessel “Emperors Splendor”, was crippled and buried on the northern side of the mountains on Fidelis. The Splendor had served as the chapter’s fortress-monastery, and though it was not destroyed when it crashed, the damage it sustained made sure it will never fly again. Unable to move their fortress-monastery, the marines have dug their home out of the peaks. Stretching across the main continent, the mountain range is impassible by the locals, allowing the marines to remain hidden on the northern side of the impressive peeks.

 

Honoring the chapters fallen heroes, the Eagles have taken to carving winged statues into the southern side of the mountain range. These resolute and unwavering warriors forever stand overlooking the battle field upon which the chapters finest had shed their blood for the world. The impressive statues have been dubbed the Eagle Spire by the Fidelians. As new recruits join the chapter, the name has spread though out the marines and it is common for marines to reference the fortress-monastery as such.

 

Fidelis is a feudal world in the early stages of gun powder resembling the revolutionary age described by scholars of ancient Terra. Settled upon the main continent lies the largest nation on Fidelis, Paternus, from which settlements across the sea have been founded on smaller continents and sub continents. Wanting the freedom to be their own nation, these settlements long ago started a war with their fathering nation. Sending out its army’s, Paternus attempts to hold onto its claim’s though bloody conflict. These events give the Eagles ample opportunity to select its recruits.

 

Battles are fought with primitive gunpowder weapons, often leaving many wounded on the field. Descending upon a battleground, the space marines gather all combatants should a conflict show any signs of promising warriors. This serves to the chapter’s goal of remaining unknown to the locals, and while not all recruits show the skills needed to become an Astartes, those that fail give a sense of challenge to others. Taken to the fields north of the Spire they train with only a hand full of Marine instructors. While they have come together as enemies, training is rigorous and purposeful, and soon they have forgotten their old rivalries.

 

Those that fail become serfs or servitors for the chapters needs, should they survive. Once the recruits are ready to be initiated into the Eagles Eternal, they pledge their lives to the Chapter, and are taken into the spire for the first time.

 

Rifles used by the armies of Fidelis are single shot gun powder weapons. The time it takes to reload a rifle is significant, and forces soldiers to hone the precision of their aim. A majority of recruits joining the Eagles Eternal are already expert riflemen before inception, the training of a neophyte only increases the marine’s ability to fire under pressure. Many marines in the chapter take pride in their marksmanship.

 

 

 

Organization

 

The losses suffered during the first war for Fidelis forced the chapter to adapt in order to overcome new challenges. Now nine thousand years later, much of the issues the chapter first evolved to surpass are no longer a factor, however the Eagles Eternal are proud of their history, and are reluctant to go back on those traditions. Having been reduced to so few, the chapter did not have the numbers to support more than 5 companies, let alone maintain any reserve companies. During these hard times, the Marines were divided into 4 Battle Companies and the Veteran Company.

 

As the Eagles recovered from their losses, the chapter grew to a full 10 companies. Honoring their fallen brothers of the past, the new companies were never designated as reserve, making each company a full Battle Company. This divergence has allowed the Marines to cover more ground, fighting more conflicts at once, gaining more renown and glory for the Chapter. At any given time a full company will be stationed on Fidelis, Guarding the homeworld and recruiting new Marines.

 

 

Unlike other chapters, Neophytes of the Eagles Eternal do not enter a scout company. With limited mobility from sector to sector, the Marines had to reconsider deployment options. It would not be possible for rapid relocation from one warzone to another. In order to ensure that the youth of the chapter received combat training, Neophytes would have to be assigned to Battle companies without being tied to a Scout Company like other Chapters.

 

 

Upon indoctrination to the chapter, recruits are assigned to their battle company, most commonly whichever company is on duty in the Spire. It is with this company that they will experience combat for the first time, and train under their peers. Once the Neophyte receives the rights to wear power armor, the new battle brother remains with his company and fills any squad vacancies.

 

Battle Companies are on a constant rotation between duties, deploying to different combat zones, and one stationed at home within the spire. While assigned to Fidelis, a company will refit, resupply, and carry out short range patrol duties, all the while maintaining training schedules and keeping an open eye for new recruits.

 

Once the company is back in a combat theater, it is likely that a marine will spend an entire action fighting in the same environment, be it a massive hive city, or jungles thick with overgrowth. A marine fighting in the same combat for long periods of time will become adapt at the tactics and tools required to excel in such a war zone. While an individual may have spent years honing himself as a veteran of arctic operations, not every battlefield will have need of his skills. Thus in order to progress further in stature, a marine must complete three separate cycles fighting on a distinct field of battle each time before he may submit himself for selection to join one of the chapters specialized companies.

 

Having "made the three" as it is commonly referred to, a marine is then eligible to submit himself for service in one of the two special operation companies. Very few marines submit immediately following their completion, and even fewer are selected. Spots in these companies are limited and each marine is competing against his peers for the glory to be accepted. Often it is the older, more hardened marines who are accepted as one of the chapter’s elite.

 

Once accepted a marine will either join the second company, and operate as a drop pod insertion specialist, or the fifth company, where he will perform as the tip of the spear as part of the chapters armored assault units. The specialist companies are hand over fist the most important in the chapter. Individually they make up for more combat actions than the battle companies combined. These companies spend the most time deployed, and only return to Fidelis for resupply. Even then, attempts are often made to bring the supplies to them. During larger campaigns these units will fight alongside a battle company, and enemy’s destruction is swiftly sought.

 

It is only from these two companies that marines are selected to join the most fearless and heroic of marines, the veterans. Only after having served with one of the specialist companies can an Eagle Eternal achieve the venerable rank of space marine veteran and serve with the first company. Those who further prove themselves become squad leaders and go on to lead others in combat. In doing so, a marine may find himself returning to one of the battle companies or even become an honored squad leader of the specialist companies.

 

 

Combat Doctrine

 

The Eagles have had a reduced fleet size since the establishment of their home world. As punishment for such heavy losses, the chapter has yet to receive additional vessels since their original founding. Having received Intel that some of the chapter’s former ships are still operational, the marines have made it their goal to recapture or destroy these before they will receive replacements.

 

Unable to fully deploy as a chapter on their own means, The Eagles have made employment with a number of Rouge Trader families. While this has served them to get forces to conflicts, on longer campaigns the Traders are sent off to finish other tasks. This often leaves the marines waiting for their transportation after the war is over, or worse unsupported.

 

Being under strength, there are many conflicts that the Eagles Eternal do not have the man power to engage in. Being stubborn as they are, they have evolved their combat into a guerrilla warfare aspect when necessary. Normally a battle company will travel with one of the chapters Rogue Traders, which then goes unnoticed as it drops the company off in a remote section of the planet. Overlooking the trade ship, there is absolutely no sign of the marine’s arrival.

 

One tactic of the battle companies is to make assaults on key objectives the enemy hopes to use for victory. After taking control of a communications relay or shield generator, marines will rig the device to be used inwardly on enemies, to be destroyed with devastating results after forces have reclaimed it as their own. Bugging communications allows for the destruction of such devices at a time where the users needed them most. The sudden fear of weakness often breaking an enemy's morale.

 

While this style of warfare provides the chapter with ample amounts of combat experience, sometimes the immediate destruction of the emperor’s foes is required. At such times the chapter does not hesitate to engage in full. During such conflicts the company will switch tactics and make direct strikes into the enemy's heart. Using diversion tactics, the marines will draw away as much of the enemy as possible before driving though the oppositions chain of command. When necessary, waiting till their army marches on some objective.

 

The Eagles Eternal have developed habits of using the Imperial Guardsmen and local PDF as distractions for their own needs, or even keeping their presence hidden from both forces, and waiting till the enemy marches on their ally's position before making attacks of their own. This has led to some dislike of the battle companies by the guardsmen, not fond of being used as bait, or finding to their surprise that all their hard fought battles had been overshadowed by marines they never knew to be there.

 

 

Beliefs

 

Before becoming Space Marines, recruits had no knowledge of life amongst the stars. Stories of the nightmares of hell taking over their world before god’s angels descended upon them to liberate his empire. The chapter has developed a belief of the Emperor as there god, and they as his angels, meant to do battle with his nightmarish foes. They prefer to fight the forces of chaos and heretics, though are content to do battle with xenos threats also, seeing all of their enemies as blasphemous to their God-Emperor.

 

The Eagles Eternal constantly seek out conflicts to train in the fire of war in order to have the skill to protect the Emperors realm. Each Marine grows up knowing of the daemons that enslaved their forefathers. Seeking to protect their home, and avenge the loss of their fleet, they draw the hated enemies into combat, that they might defeat chaos itself in one final battle. It is believed that this embedded discontent for chaos is to cause a strong resistance to the wills of dark gods.

 

Geneseed

 

 

The chapter’s Gene-seed is taken from that of the Crimson Fist. Like many children of Dorn, the Eagles Eternal show an extreme sense of stubbornness that has led to many conflicts within which they remain in operation long after allied forces have pulled out to regroup.

[Andrew J]

Alright I just read your first post. Really like the name. Other than that I dont get too much of a sense of the character of the chapter. There is a decent amount written but not a lot of depth.

 

One of the main things I noticed was what is the point of the Fidelis story? It doesnt seem to change the character of the chapter or provide some kind of insight into battle that makes them unique. If they build their numbers back up after Fidelis that would include getting more ships built. SM are at the top of the requisition list in the Imperium. Over time they would get new strike cruisers and battle barges. Also it doesnt make much sense to abandon their ships in orbit to go planetside when the battle for orbit has not been decided yet. That seems foolhardy and practically guarantees your outcome, something which I would not attribute to Space Marines who follow the Codex as they would in the beginning from their training cadre of the Imperial Eagles.

 

Your combat doctrine does not seem to make much sense either. A Chapter's job is to kill heretics and xenos, to actively search them out and kill them not to draw them out. The IG is for long protracted wars and should be used to draw out the enemy. SM are there to strike swiftly killing everything they can and then move on.

 

I hope that this does not come across too harsh it is just the first few things I noticed. I hope that this helps some.

[War Angel]

I agree with you on this. allot of it makes sense to me because I have the ideas, but it isn’t in writing. I’m going to continue putting my idea's in writing, but at the same time try and clear some of this up.

 

I haven’t written about it, but there are a number of incidents in which chapters are punished for whatever reason and sent on long crusades that prevent them from resupplying and recruiting. my idea is that due to the near complete loss of fleet, and so soon after the chapter’s birth, the chapter is being punished and not refit right away. perhaps they have received a few vessels here and there, but with so limited ships, it’s likely that some of these ships have also been destroyed or are damaged enough that there are a number of repairs being made on a small fleet of inactive ships. the chapter is also 26th founding, so it’s fairly new, a little over 2 and half centuries? not allot of time to rearm as I understand.

 

this is mentioned further in the current piece I’m working on, but the chapter has not returned to full strength. it only has marines enough to fill 6 companies, three of which have scouts in addition to normal marines (scouts are a part of a battle company, not an individual company).

 

as for leaving the ships unmanned, i must not have painted enough of a picture, but i want to convey that the battle in space seemed won, So the marines went planet side to assist their brothers. when the new chaos fleet appeared, all the marines where already on the ground.

 

 

i came up with the combat doctrine while talking with a friend. he helped me hash out the concept that, because they can’t always get to a new fight right away, and they want to keep engaged with enemies, there are a small number of conflicts going on that they continue trying to "Farm" for more targets. I combined this with the idea that orks just don’t go away, i think i read once that orks are believed to release pollen like that of a fungus, and this is where new orks come from. i might have to add to it, not every conflict is done this way. My current piece is talking about organization in further detail, and mentions that the companies that have a permanent mode of transportation (chapter ships) are actively searching for new enemies to kill and cleanse the planet of. the other companies are more, a dark means of getting their training in. kind of twisted in away.

 

 

I appreciate your comments, as they've shown me areas that are not written well enough that other readers see what I see. I hope that some of this helps clear it up so that I can then write it up in the IA, and if not that something can come out of it that does.

 

Thank you for your feedback. :D

[War Angel]

Edit: This post has been moved into "Orginization" under the main post.

[War Angel]

ive added the segment of the battle for the homeworld to the main body. along with some grammer errors that mircosoft word missed, i also altered the first paragraph in "orginization". it now offers an explination as to why the chapter has not recived further ships.

 

looking at it all together now, the rest of the segments seem small next to the battle.

[Scyld Fireblade]

It only takes a few decades to form a chapter as all of the nescessary geneseed is provided for the effort.

 

It does take longer to replenish losses. Take the Ultramarines as an example. They lost their entire first company and probably a little over 200 other marines. It took them about 200 years to fully rebuild. I estimate that it takes at most 10 years before an initiate to receive his power armour. The 200 years appears to be the result of rebuilding the first company (veterans with potentially centuries of experience and wisdom).

 

Spacemarines also get priority on eqipment. I imagine that it takes a few days for a forge world to carefully build a squadron of landraiders. Based on what I have read for battlefleet gothic, a Gladius escort could be built in a few months, a strike cruiser in about 10 to 15 years, and a battle barge about fifty years. Besides, multiple vessels can be built at one time. If your chapter has at its beginning a full fleet, then that is about 2 or 3 battlebarges and 9 or 10 strike cruisers and about two dozen escorts, then it should have its fleet restored at about the same time the companies reach full strength.

 

2000 years is way more than enough time to replenish heavy losses, unless the Eagles Eternal have a tendency for being recless and suffer heavy casualties on a regular basis.

[War Angel]

The are 26th founding, they haven't had 2000 years. Unless I'm horably incorrect in the time date.

 

Having a small fleet is somthing I would like to keep in the chapter, are there any ways I can keep this? I've made it so they are on a repentance mission, if that's not enough, or not established enough, could I get some feed back to that.

 

If I should have more then 6 company's built up at this point, what can I do to keep this accurate. I'm kind of attached to the idea of them not being at full Strenght, I think it builds upon the idea that they are being carefully with ensuring marines are ready for full scale engagements. I also don't want them to be reduced due to reckless losses as this would counter that fact.

 

Thanks for you're comments, all help is appreciated.

[War Angel]

Ive moved the latest update into the post, under Orginization. What was originaly there has been moved to the top of Combat Docterine, which is where i feel it will be best.

 

it is likly that i will be adjusting that section next, as i think it would be good to mention any changes to the initial start of a battle that would take place when you launch an assault from a non chapter ship.

 

is there any thing imidiate that still hasnt been worked on? or things that people feel havnt been worked on enough?

[War Angel]

A smal story

 

 

Zer'kesh set his las rifle down ad picked up the head set offered to him. "progress goes well dark one, the space marines have been pushed back and the void shield's construction complete. We are ready for you're arrival and the final phase of our operation. This world will fall to chaos." 

 

"excellent my child, continue as planned and await our arrival."

 

As soon as the radio technician hung up the head set the lights flickered and cut out as a loud boom echoed though the underground command center.  Control panels erupted in gouts of flame as Zer'Kesh was thrown to the ground.

 

"Sir, the generator has overloaded!" small pops echoed down the corridors as fires spread though the bunker. Zer'Kesh could make out screams of agony but couldn't tell If they were from outside, or the burning corpse of his men. He saw the radio tech trying to put out the flames.

 

Suddenly the tech's head vanished in a spray of bone and brain mater. Looking at the door Zer'kesh felt his bowels loosen. Looking down at him stood a space marine bearing the chapter symbol of the Eagles Eternal. His white gauntlets splattered in gore, the rest of his armor was untouched.

 

Zer'Kesh scrambled for his weapon, but the marine was on him in an instant, lifting him into the air with ease and pinning him to the wall. "The transmission, who was it sent to?" a dark voice amplified from the power armor.

 

"my lord, a worshipper of the blood god, a chaos space marine" Zer'kesh tried to sound brave, but his voice quivered in the presence of the Angel of Death. "Lord Arshkal will spill the blood of this world"

 

The marine dropped him to the ground and walked to the door. "good, we hear he has something of ours. We've been waiting for him to come." 

 

As the marine reached the door Zer'Kesh looked over to his las rifle, just as he did, the booming voice of the marine spoke again. "make no doubt about it, we are still here, in force. You're dark gods will not have this world."

 

Zer'Kesh picked up his rifle and looked to the door. It had already locked shut by the time the space marines grande finished rolling to his feet.

[War Angel]

Edited, this section was moved into the main article

[Andrew J]

I was just reading your new Combat Doctrine and I was thinking about it some more and it just doesnt make much sense to me.

 

Follow my thoughts here, the EE are already understrength correct? Well to engage in combat understrength while holding back extra assets to draw the enemy to them seems like a bad idea. First you are going into battle with a smaller force that may get overwhelmed while "trying" to draw the enemy into a new battle. Also to draw the enemy you need them to think they are winning and you are retreating so they go on the counterattack and come after your retreating forces (which I just realized need to be very fast anyway to not lose more men from an already weakened force). For the bad guys to think they are winning that means that your force has lost men, possibly a large fraction of the force, to get the enemy to think you are on the ropes. It is at this point that the EE will retreat under threat from a large overwheming force.

 

It just doesnt seem to make sense to me for marines. An understrength chapter has a strategy to essentially lose more men to "draw" the enemy into another fight, (not to mention you are splitting your already small force into an even less lethal force).

 

I like your idea for a weakened chapter but just cant get behind the combat doctrine of them. That might work for another chapter under different circumstances but in my mind a chapter working to rebuild itself would try to take as few risks as possible, sending in overwhelming force in small battles to crush the enemy quickly so as to avoid more losses.

 

Just my thoughts, hope it helps.

[War Angel]

Hmmm good point. As I wrote it I started drifting into an idea of stealth, where they would then just not press the objective. I'm not really sure what to do about this now.

 

Maybe, now hear me out on this. What if I drop the aspect of them drawing in more troops from outside sources (fleet reinforcements) and have the prolonged fighting be due to them carefully taking apart the enemy in decisive ambushes and such. Stil some what te same thing, using deception to get the enemy to put forces where they need them, but not for the intent of having them call up other fleets (unless maybe theyve set somthing big up for them.

 

What do you think? Or do you have some other idea?

[Andrew J]

I like the new idea. It seems to follow the RG with the stealth bit and seems to make more sense for a weakened chapter. Dont know if you thought of this but maybe they tend to work with Imp Guard a lot and having used these tactics quite a bit recently they are starting to get a bad reputation with the IG as they use the IG elements as bait a lot. So they are kinda stuck in a bad place, need the IG to use as bait for ambushes and such, but now IG are starting to refuse missions with them as they are likely to get killed.

 

Just thought of that, hope its helpful.

[War Angel]

Could it still be close enough to seem like imperial guard stubbornness? Perhaps they don't want to abandon fights they don't have the force to win, so they adopt the stealth tactics to still be in the fight?

 

Another question I have for you is would fighting in this style take a long time? I was kinda liking that idea.

 

I like you're idea of the guardsmen being used as bait and developing a bad rep amongst them. A friend of mine had actually wanted to develop this kind of relationship with other imperial forces but we were going to use the prolonged fighting.

 

If the guardsmen are upset about being used as bait, then perhaps the EE just don't tell the guardsmen that there even on the planet?

 

Thoughts? And thanks for the back and forth, got my mind in motion

[War Angel]

Post edited due to its addition to the main body

[War Angel]

i have entered the above post into the IA.

 

i would appreciate any comments, thoughts, suggestions, what you think doesnt work, likes, dislikes and hate-mail.

[SnakeoilSage]

I've read your IA and you've got a good foundation for a Chapter here. I like the Chapter name: many players will tell you the name is often the hardest part of creating an army.

 

First, you should think about editing. You'll want to clean up grammar and typos, and shave about 10% from the second draft. Really force yourself to decide what is excess and therefore unnecessary. This is just to clean up the entry: I'm not saying anything is unnecessary. Maybe a sentence drags on too long or goes into details that aren't important. Keep an eye out for these.

 

Now! The fun part. With your foundation, its time to enhance your Chapter's personality. The Chapter Background Generator is a very fun tool and 90% of my Nemesis Angels Chapter was developed using it. I highly recommend it. I know you have a good idea of your Chapter already, but those random dice rolls can be rewarding, giving you new ideas or perspectives you hadn't considered. My Nemesis Angels were originally Storm Ravens, a Raven Guard successor. After rolling Blood Angels at random for my progenitor, I started to like the new direction so I kept it.

 

Here are some other ideas:

- Decide on a Chaos force that attacked your Chapter. You can learn a lot about your Chapter by the kind of enemies he hates. As a way of introducing mystery, have the actual traitor in your Chapter remain unknown, and perhaps still alive--having either joined the traitors in the Warp... or still lurking in your Chapter, unknown to all.

 

- Eagles should take up more prominence in the Chapter's symbolism. When you were describing your Fortress Monastery, I was reminded of Aerie Peak, a location in World of Warcraft that features a massive stone eagle carved out of the mountain. I think it would be interesting if the Emperor's Splendor is mostly buried under a mountain, and the Eagles Eternal dug their fortress monastery into that mountain, forming the Eagle a memorial as well as a symbol of their Chapter's perseverance.

 

- This is entirely optional, but since Eagles are a symbol of America (and Fidelis is a part of the U.S. Marine motto, semper fidelis), maybe you can play with that. Maybe your homeworld is "Planet America," its continents inhabited by Revolution-era and Civil War-era civilizations that are engaged in constant wars for dominance or to retain control. Unions and Confederations, Monarchies being overthrown by new Republics, etc. This would fit the gun-powder level of technology they use.

 

- Since guns are a dominant weapon on their homeworld, consider marksmanship being an important skill for an Eagle Eternal: your entry mentions Marines needing to be exceptional warriors to earn specialist assignments: maybe the Chapter doesn't consider you a true Eagle Eternal if you don't have at least one Marksman's Honour.

 

These are just ideas, of course. Feel free to play with your Chapter however you like within the canon; they're your models after all.

[War Angel]

I've updated the article, I now belive I have all the information on the chapter in there (untill something new pops up) so I'll call that a first draft I suppose. My question for every one is, how does it read to all of you? Does everything sound good? Is there anything you think should be explained more?

 

I hope you guys like it. To save you time, the biggest changes are to homeworld and then a little bit on beliefs.

 

Thanks for you're comments

[SnakeoilSage]

Lookin' good, War Angel! It reads well and the Chapter feels true to the setting. You should head over to the Space Marine Painter and decide on your color scheme. I'm guessing lots of white, blue and maybe gold?

[War Angel]

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn74/Lastdogdead/EagleEternal3rdCompany.jpg

[SnakeoilSage]

Nice!

[War Angel]

I can't get onto my laptop to code it properly, every time I try to edit the post it messes the coding up, so I have to edit it on word, and completely change the post. Im going to rearrange the oginization so that it mentions the companies, then goes into the scouts. Kinda like showing you the big picture, then zooming in to show how it works while panning out to the big picture again.

[War Angel]

I can't get onto my laptop to code it properly, every time I try to edit the post it messes the coding up, so I have to edit it on word, and completely change the post. Im going to rearrange the oginization so that it mentions the companies, then goes into the scouts. Kinda like showing you the big picture, then zooming in to show how it works while panning out to the big picture again.

[SnakeoilSage]

You have that problem too? I stopped using half-headers because I think that's what's causing the trouble.