Brotherhood of a Thousand

[Fiery Ovaltine]

The name of this GW chapter (one of the many which consists entirely of a name and a picture) has always stuck in my head, because it's so un-iconic. It doesn't reference a weapon, fighting style, earth culture, practice or pretty much anything else.

It just doesn't sound like the sort of thing designed to strike fear into the heart of enemies.

"The brotherhood of a thousand are on their way!... they sound... erm... tough... possibly... or maybe not... I don't know."

 

I like that, that's real maturity. All space marines are tough, why brag about it?

Luckily I quite like their colours and logo too, a drab grey army would suit me down to the ground. And an M? no swords, no skulls, no wings, no blood-dripping mouths. Just an M, for 1000. Perfect.

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/mediawiki/images/d/dd/BrotherhoodofaThousand.jpg

 

So it's about time these uniquely style-less marines got their own unique style. Something to be proud of, so the army of them that I eventually raise can show people how it ought to be done.

 

So here's the basic idea I have for them so far:

A 26th founding chapter of Ferrus Manus's geneseed with an arctic feral homeworld somewhere at the far edge of the segmentum pacificus. Whose unique interpretation of the old 'The flesh is weak' business being the individual is weak (or a pithier sentiment to the same effect).

No marines in the chapter are permitted to have a name, they can only be identified by a 3 digit number on their right shoulderpad (with 1000 000 being reserved for the chapter master), the number of a dead marine being given to a new recruit instantly. No records of individual marines is kept. They speak only when strictly necessary, and have their voice boxes replaced with bionic versions to ensure that they all sound the same. Similarly they only remove their helmet when they absolutely have to.

They are also permitted no decoration whatsoever, even to identify squad type or rank. Vehicles are also numbered, and this is again the only decoration permitted.

 

So what do you think? be brutal please.

[War Angel]

i like it. not the voice box thing though. that i would replace with a gene malfunction that deepens there voice in a creapy way, which makes distinguishing them impossible.

 

there almost like the clone troopers.

 

i like it alot.

[Fiery Ovaltine]

The only reason I'd prefer the yanking out, or in some way modifying the voice-box is that they've done it themselves. Their only mutation is effectively their fear that being individuals makes them vulnerable (a twist on their originator chapter who blame their flesh), and they've gone to insane lengths to avoid it.

[War Angel]

then by all means, dont let my personal taste distract you... i just dont like yanking things out lol, thats my fear.

[SonofTerra]

Have you considered going the Alpha Legion way and having them all look the same as well?

 

One question comes to mind right off the bat, Being so group oriented, how do they single out which individual would be promoted to chapter master?

[War Angel]

its by number. number 1000 is the chapter master. if youre 003, and 056 dies, then 001-055 go up a number, filling it in from the bottem. so the guy whos been in the longest gets to be the chief.

[Hellios]

Have you considered going the Alpha Legion way and having them all look the same as well?

 

One question comes to mind right off the bat, Being so group oriented, how do they single out which individual would be promoted to chapter master?

 

Lottery.

[Fiery Ovaltine]

Hmmm... interesting point. I hadn't thought of that.

Perhaps a lottery, or some marines would be designated leaders-in-waiting as soon as they enter the chapter.

Leaders would represent their job, rather than being an individual. Even if this made a few marines a little different from the rest, they'd just make sure they appeared to be the same as the marine that went before them and the one that came after them.

[SonofTerra]

Another idea to consider would be that because the marines shouldn't be different, no marine should have a 4 digit code, regardless of being the Chapter Master, as 1000 IS the chapter. You could go from 000-999, which still encompasses 1000 members, with the Chapter Master being either 000 or 999

[Lysimachus]

Of course, the only problem with that is that any standard Chapter will have more Marines than the 000-999 mentioned anyway. 10 Companies x10 Squads x10 Marines plus Company and Chapter HQs and specialists, etc, etc.

[War Angel]

What if they don't follow those standards. What if there's only 1000 of them?

[DarkGuard]

I like it. Simple, but effective. And the numbers system saves you having to make up names for your guys! ;)

 

Just one comment though, how would the numbering system work with Companies. You've already mentioned leaders, and were you to go for leaders would 100 be the First Captain? And 200 be the Second Captain an so on? Or would First Captain be 001, and Second Captain be 002 and so on?

 

I'm also intrigued as to how the specialists would be worked in etc.

 

But I like it, look forward to seeing more on it. B)

[Fiery Ovaltine]

I've warmed to the idea of having each role given a number, rather than each marine. Say a squad of marines is 420-430, the sergeant being 430. Then if a marine moves squad/becomes sergeant or whatever their number changes. That way the fact they used to have a different role, or even an innate identity of any kind could be completely ignored.

 

Specialists/drivers/caterers/whatever could have a number prefixed with A or something.

[War Angel]

That's 11 marines. Also how would people be tracking these guys progress for potential promotion?

[DarkGuard]

Now I think about it the paper work will be staggering, and confusing! :lol:

 

000: so I heard that 745 killed 30 Orks single handedly in the Asterian Cluster wars. I think he'd make a fine Veteran, anyone opposed?

001: my Lord, 745 is confirmed deceased fighting the Eldar during the Hashin conflict. He was shot in the back by a Ranger.

000: ah, not a fine Veteran then, thank you 001.

007: wait a moment, the Hashin conflict and Asterian Cluster wars were fought roughly at the same time but many sectors away, 745 couldn't have been in both.

000: .... does anyone know what number 745 is now?

111: here I am Lord.

 

<_<

 

Pretty awful I know, sorry. But in all seriousness it might be something you need to address. Although personally as a reader I'd accept something along the lines of: "to the outside Imperium it is little known how the Brotherhood of a Thousand distinguish their leaders, neither is it known how they earmark Marines for promotion into those roles. What is known is that despite appearances they do show some signs of a hierarchy, even if that hierarchy is not so readily recognized on the field of the battle."

 

I also think as someone said earlier you could have great fun Alpha Legion style with having other pose as Company Captains, Sergeants, specialists and even the Chapter Master when liaising with the outside Imperium.

[Fiery Ovaltine]

That's 11 marines. Also how would people be tracking these guys progress for potential promotion?

I am such an idiot. Yes 420-429. Real blond moment there.

Tbh I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and say that promotion is based solely on a predetermined system, and not on individual skill, probably just a lottery. Not the perfect system, more of a necessary evil.

Although personally as a reader I'd accept something along the lines of: "to the outside Imperium it is little known how the Brotherhood of a Thousand distinguish their leaders, neither is it known how they earmark Marines for promotion into those roles. What is known is that despite appearances they do show some signs of a hierarchy, even if that hierarchy is not soreadily recognized on the field of the battle."

That's the perfect solution. Just to stick with that until I can decide on somethign better.

[War Angel]

I still like the idea that they just move up a number when some one dies, though that might be too comedic.

 

As for there being more the. 1000, If scouts don't count then you can have the extra 100 marines be you're high command

[DarkGuard]

Although personally as a reader I'd accept something along the lines of: "to the outside Imperium it is little known how the Brotherhood of a Thousand distinguish their leaders, neither is it known how they earmark Marines for promotion into those roles. What is known is that despite appearances they do show some signs of a hierarchy, even if that hierarchy is not soreadily recognized on the field of the battle."

That's the perfect solution. Just to stick with that until I can decide on somethign better.

 

Glad one of my few comments on Liber has actually been helpful. :)

[Octavulg]

Why have leaders at all?

 

That's the beauty of it - if they're all the same, who's in charge doesn't matter. Someone might be designated as being in charge for a particular mission, but why would it necessarily last longer than that?

[Aqui]

Why have leaders at all?

 

That's the beauty of it - if they're all the same, who's in charge doesn't matter. Someone might be designated as being in charge for a particular mission, but why would it necessarily last longer than that?

 

This. I love the concept you've come up Fiery Ovaltine (cool name too :P ) with and it's one that I will kick myself (and will be quite jealous about, but in a good way ;) ) that I didn't think of.

 

To expound on Octavulg's point. Every Marine over the course of their time in a Chapter should excel at something. Be it Assaults on enemy held territory, or clearing out a Space Hulk. Perhaps your Chapter has no formally recognised structure as in Marines are not permanently assigned to a Company and squad, and that by mission by mission the significant attributes of every Marine in the Chapter are taken into account. When a particular mission comes up, Marines are selected specifically due to those attributes. A Marine who had been in command in one mission, could find himself being the heavy weapons Marine in another for example.

 

With regards to markings and identification, perhaps they could use some form that can only be seen in either the Infrared or Ultra Violet ends of the Spectrum?

 

Whatever you decide, I'll be keeping tabs on where you go with it :)

[Phoros]

Why have leaders at all?

 

That's the beauty of it - if they're all the same, who's in charge doesn't matter. Someone might be designated as being in charge for a particular mission, but why would it necessarily last longer than that?

 

This. I love the concept you've come up Fiery Ovaltine (cool name too :ph34r: ) with and it's one that I will kick myself (and will be quite jealous about, but in a good way :D ) that I didn't think of.

 

To expound on Octavulg's point. Every Marine over the course of their time in a Chapter should excel at something. Be it Assaults on enemy held territory, or clearing out a Space Hulk. Perhaps your Chapter has no formally recognised structure as in Marines are not permanently assigned to a Company and squad, and that by mission by mission the significant attributes of every Marine in the Chapter are taken into account. When a particular mission comes up, Marines are selected specifically due to those attributes. A Marine who had been in command in one mission, could find himself being the heavy weapons Marine in another for example.

This. Forever.

[Phoros]

So I was thinking, and I came up with some ideas for how specialists such as Techmarines, Chaplains, Apothecaries and Librarians would work, as well as the captains/Chapter Master.

Techmarines: Are sent to Mars to train; when they return, they are re-inducted into the Chapter without ceremony as anonymous Marines. When missions require Techmarines, those trained as Techmarines are selected as appropriate, wearing Techmarine armour and servo-arms as apropriate.

Chaplains and Apothecaries: As with Techmarines, except that they are trained within the chapter whilst still performing their normal duties.

Librarians: Kept apart from the rest of the chapter due to their nature. Do not count towards the 1000 or have numbers, and thus are viewed as inferior and are never placed in command roles.

Chapter Master and Captains: Their only duties beyond acting as normal members of the chapter is to observe and catalogue the skills of each Marine, and to select troops and leaders for forces as appropriate. The Chapter Master also acts as a chapter representative.

I also thought that, to keep it simple, numbers should be arbitrary, unchanging and assigned as avaliable, other than the Chapter Master's (000 or 999).

[Andrew J]

I had the thought of a numbers based chapter a while ago, and my thinking was that a brother got promoted from the scouts/inducted into the chapter only when a number came up/brother died. i.e "Brother 428 died in action, scout Guy you will be inducted into the Brotherhood of a Thousand and take 428's place, may you serve as honorably and with distinction as he did."

 

My thinking was that each number had historical significance, though certain ones would have more than others (001,002 etc.) just based on their numerical significance. I was thinking brothers would hold their number till death, essentially be in the same squad for life. Now that I think about it that would present other issues like tactical flexibility and such.

 

I dont know just my thoughts. I like where you are going with this Fiery Ovaltine. Keep up the good work.

[fivepointedstar]

would they refer to themselves in third person to avoid individualism. Like a Hanar (Mass Effect) would say "this one", instead of "I".

 

 

edit: spelling

[Muras]

I like the idea you've got so far, though my personal inclination would be to have each company be given a range of numbers, and when a marine is inducted into a company he gets the number of the marine he replaced. Say a 1st company vet dies, was numbered 027, marine 524 (5th battle company) takes his place and somoene gets his old esignation.

 

Additionally instead of captians and what not needing numbers, when someone assumes the role of Chapter Master, specialist or captain etc. (assuming you stick to the idea of having set captains), they are given a new number and someone else acquires their old one. 1st, 2nd, 3rd Captain for example, might be the captain of the first (or respective) company and is always called such? Chapter master could be a valid way to refer to them even without a number. Specialists would be numbered, but usually referred to just by their title?