WIP: [Blank] Razors v.0.02

[SickSix]

What follows is my first serious attempt to create my own Space Marine Chapter. I want a gun heavy, shooty SM force. To make the chapter more interesting, or insert 'drama', I am trying to create a schism in the company with the assault troops (8th compnay). Constructive Criticism welcome.

Founding

The Razors space marine chapter was founded for the sole purpose of guarding a resource rich sector on the edges of the Imperium. Early in the 37th Millenia, during the 22nd founding, the chapter was commissioned. The High Lords of Terra wanted a chapter that could dig in and fortify valuable worlds on the very edge of Imperial territory. For this specialized mission the Adeptus Mechanicus was directed to draw from the sacred geneseed of Rogal Dorn. The first companies were formed from recruits gathered from Holy Terra itself. Veterans from the honored Imperial Fists were chosen as the training cadre for the new chapter. Captain Occam Von'durus of the Imperial Fists' 9th company was given the honor of Chapter Master. Upon completion of the first five battle companies, the fledgling chapter was sent to the Amerigus system to take claim of their home system.

Upon arrival in the system, the space marines found a system in turmoil. The 3rd planet, an agricultural world, by the name of Pangea was under attack by an unknown xenos race. The 4th planet in the system, a mountainous planet rich in valuable minerals and ores, Paleon, was in a state of civil war. To make matters worse most of the system's Imperial Guard seemed to have perished fighting off a devastating xenos raid just a few years prior to the Razors arrival. Chapter Master Occam quickly decided to commit his forces to restoring order to Paleon as it was deemed the more important world by the High Lords.

The beginning of the campaign was costly however as most of the fledgling chapter's assault troops were destroyed as they were systematically shot to pieces trying to assault the elevated defenses of the first city-fortresses. Chapter Master Occam, being a master of employing heavy support, instructed his captains to use their assault squads as distractions. The assaulting jump pack troops were not given direct support and fell victim to hidden defense emplacements in the city-fortresses. Barely half of the assault troops from the five companies survived the campaign on Paleon.

The Chapter quickly learned on Paleon that it could not defeat the rebelling mountain city-fortresses by assaulting them without first disabling their defenses with sustained long range firepower. The space marines quickly learned the way of warfare on Paleon. They would capture one city-fortress by daring drop pod raids and then established a massive firebase to bombard the defenses of the next city before assaulting it from the air.

Once Paleon was brought under heel, the chapter moved to purge Pangea of its xenos incursion. Chapter Master Occam was relieved to discover that the xenos were actually numerically small, but due to the low population density of the agri-world it didn’t take many to wrest control from the humans. Even so, the fight for Pangea proved difficult as the enemy was unknown and possessed heretical technology, and didn’t seem biological at all. With the sting of losing nearly one eighth of the chapter in their first combat, the Razors took a slow methodical approach to cleansing Pangea. They would march boldly forward often conducting 'recon by fire', trying to antagonize the enemy into charging the Razor's gun lines. With the two primary planets back under Imperial control, the chapter set to its original mission, the fortification of Paleon and its sister planets in the system.

The fight for the Amerigus System did more than cement the chapters name, it also shaped the way it would fight in the future. Overwhelming firepower and bombardment would be used whenever possible to break an enemy position, or to provoke a foe into charging the chapter's gun line. Preferably, the enemy would be destroyed outright through massed range firepower, without having to engage in close combat at all. And on the open plains of Pangea, fighting an unknown xenos race, Chapter Master Occam stated, “When faced with multiple solutions to a problem, the simplest one is usually the best.” This quote would shape the chapter’s view on strategy and warfare. Whenever possible, they would keep their tactics simple, often preferring frontal assaults regardless of the enemies strength. This mindset would prove disastrous on more than a few occasions throughout the chapter’s history. However, on rare occasion, a uniquely creative company captain, or on one famous occasion a Chapter Master, used the enemy’s knowledge of the strict and simple Razors' approach to war, to pull off a truly surprising and cunning flanking maneuver or ambush.

Another side effect of the battle for Paleon was that the few Assault Marines that survived became bitter and silently scorned their fellow battle brothers for not providing proper support for their airborne assaults onto the city-fortresses. There were so few survivors from the Chapter’s initial blooding on Paleon and Pangea that they were removed from their companies and would form the foundation of the eighth company, having the unique responsibility of handpicking potential Assault Marines directly from the scout company and training them personally. It as also been whispered that Chapter Master Occam segregated the assault marines because they did not fit into his personal skill set; he was a master at ranged combat it did not know how to effectively utilize jump troops. And so started the long road to the Eighth Companies current state of schism within the chapter.

Organization

The Razors are followers of R.G.’s Codex Astartes. They are comprised of the standard 10 companies and follow the codex’s suggested guide for insignia and markings. However, there is a slight deviation with the employment of Assault Marines and the Eighth Company. Assault Marines do not reside in battle companies as permanent parts of their force org, they are attached out from Eighth Company upon request or when the mission dictates. The Assault Captain also has the responsibility of handpicking new assault marines directly from Tenth Company.

The Razors also have a strict belief in martial discipline. Sergeants are always referred to as ‘Brother Sergeant’ by line troopers, and are always spoken to from the position of attention. Line troopers are also expected to never approach the company captain directly. Sergeants are expected to speak for their troops, and troops are expected to go to another sergeant if theirs is unavailable, before going directly to the captain. Outsiders see them as unnecessarily stiff and uptight. Razors marines strive to be the pinnacle of a disciplined fighting force. Chaplains are an important part of maintaining moral and discipline in the Chapter. Often the straight forward, and sometimes deemed suicidal, tactics of the Razors can be straining on troopers of the line.

However, many marines often suffer a culture shock when promoted to the veteran First Company. The veterans of the chapter operate nearly on the opposite end of the martial spectrum from the line companies. Marines are treated as equals and even refer to their sergeants by name and not title. The First Company also often employs small unit tactics that are rarely seen in the the battle companies. Small teams of Sternguard are often deployed via drop-pod or aerial insertion behind enemy lines with very specific objectives. However, martial discipline still exists and there is still a pecking order. The senior sergeant has the title and position of First Sergeant and is referred to as such, but can be approached like any other veteran brother. The First Sergeant often leads the First Company in the absence of the Chapter Master.

Tactics

Although the Codex allows for wide variation in tactics and strategies, the Razors tend to ‘stick to their guns’. They almost always meet the enemy head on, and bring as many guns to bear as they possibly can. It is said that their favorite tactic is to march headlong into the enemy behind the siege shields of a line breaker squadron of Vindicators, while devastators provide additional fire support from the rear. Predators are also common sites on the battlefield where there is more open terrain to allow for further engagement ranges. When vehicles are not easily employed, the Razors have been known to deploy full squads of devastators with their only support being scouts to spot targets for their heavy weapons and screen them from assault.

Homeworld

The mountain top city-fortresses of Paleon were built with strategy and aesthetics in mind. The people of Paleon made their living off the vast underground mines that burrowed deep into the mountains. However, they did not want to be defined by the dark, and dirty conditions of the mines, so they built their cities under the bright yellow sun, on top of the ridges and peaks of the vast mountains. The cities became beautiful works of engineering and art with picturesque views. However, as the millenia passed and more and more of their native military forces were drawn away to fight in other sectors, they became favored targets of xenos raiders. To make up for lack of military man power the planetary governors used their vast resources on hand to fortify the mountain top cities. Now what may simply look like a beautiful minaret is quite possibly the housing for a Hydra flak turret or an Executioner class plasma cannon.

Paleon has a small jungle moon that has been rumored to be home of the chapter's Eighth Company. The natives on the planet reverted to brutal tribalism after a xenos raid that left the government of Paleon believing all were lost. It has been said that the Eighth Company solely recruits from this small jungle moon, that would be classed as a Death-World were it big enough. The citizens of Paleon refer to it as the 'Blood Moon' as the planets red flora give it a red glow at night. It is unknown if the moon has a name among it's inhabitants.

Dogma

The Razors are believers in the Emperor's Imperial Creed. They do not cooperate well with the Ecclesiarhcy. The chapter has a history of being 'otherwise occupied' when called to help in operations lead by the Ecclesiarchy. The chapter fields a high number of Chaplains, which has been theorized to help control the moral and discipline of the troops during the Chapters bloody, often nearly suicidal, frontal assaults into the enemy. The Chapter is known to have a Librarius, however Librarians are rarely seen on the battlefield. An inquisitor once noted, upon visiting the Chapter's Fortress Monastery, that it looked as if the entirety of the Chapters Librarians were stationed in the Monastery.

The chapter has been defined by it's first Chapter Master. They are masters of ranged combat, siege warfare and building defenses. It has been noted by others however that they spend a bare minimum of time training in the arts of close combat. A Blood Angel sergeant once noted that while they were as fierce as any Space Marine in close combat, they were clearly unskilled. On the other hand, an Ultramarine Sergeant whom once served alongside a detachment of assault troops from the Razors 8th company, described them as zealous and savage.

There seems to be some unease within the Chapter's Fortress Monestary as of late. It is rumored that the second senior Captain is that of the Eighth. As far as records show there has never been a Chapter Master from the Eighth company. However the current captain, Captain Ghaban Saraphon, is unusually long lived for a leader of the 8th. And with Chapter Master Octavius Adeaus approaching 600 years of age, some of the other Captains are beginning to worry about who is next in line. Some say that's it's Chapter Master Octavius' stubbornness to not allow an 8th Company Chapter Master that drives him to survive in combat.

WIP Scheme for the Razors

WIP scheme for the 8th Company

[Lord Scytha]

Think that with a name like Occam's razors there is a big chance that people will think it's a Gag Chapters (like Son's of Deleted). Sort of here comes the logical Vulcan Space Marines led by Doctor Spock.

Nothing wrong with that but if you're aiming for a serious chapter try being a bit more subtle. Like calling the chapter Steele Razors and naming the chapter master Occam instead. That way people will get the reference but won't mistake the whole chapter as a humorous attempt. Konrad Cruze is a good example from the official IAs.

 

Like the tactics section about sticking to their guns.

 

 

Don't get the completely different colour schemes. Are they meant to be two alternatives for the chapters colours or what?

[Overlord-Rakszan]

Im unsure about the founding. Which of the chapters was responsible for this new chapter.

Since the first company was taken from Terra itself then it might be possibly the Imperial Fists.

 

Enjoyed the read but I leaned little about the character the chapter has.

 

Also might want to revise the name.

 

Sorry I couldnt be a bit less critical and more helpful.

 

Best of luck.

[SickSix]

Think that with a name like Occam's razors there is a big chance that people will think it's a Gag Chapters (like Son's of Deleted). Sort of here comes the logical Vulcan Space Marines led by Doctor Spock.

Nothing wrong with that but if you're aiming for a serious chapter try being a bit more subtle. Like calling the chapter Steele Razors and naming the chapter master Occam instead. That way people will get the reference but won't mistake the whole chapter as a humorous attempt. Konrad Cruze is a good example from the official IAs.

 

Like the tactics section about sticking to their guns.

 

 

Don't get the completely different colour schemes. Are they meant to be two alternatives for the chapters colours or what?

 

I am not committed to the 'Occam' part of the name. It was mainky the inspiration for the chapter. I do like your suggestion and will implement it.

 

The 8th company is going to be kind of a BA Death Company equivalent. That's why the different color scheme. The '8th Company Schism' is going to play a big role in the chapter's story. I just need to flesh it out more.

 

 

Im unsure about the founding. Which of the chapters was responsible for this new chapter.

Since the first company was taken from Terra itself then it might be possibly the Imperial Fists.

 

Enjoyed the read but I leaned little about the character the chapter has.

 

Also might want to revise the name.

 

Sorry I couldnt be a bit less critical and more helpful.

 

Best of luck.

 

I will attempt to make it more clear that they are IF successors. And I will work more on their character as a chapter in the future. It is very early in the process and I appreciate your feedback.

[voi shet magir]

I do not understand how the eighth company can get that way.

 

The Primarch wrote the codex to promulgate his most effective practices. If a codex tactical squad is eight marines with bolters, one with a heavy and another with a special weapon, and the codex recommends that a company use a number of squads with those numbers, it must be that the primarch thinks that the ten marines with specific armament have important qualities, and that is what he calls a tactical squad. It is a functional definition, those ten marines he called a tactical squad do something that he found effective, and if a different number of have a different effect, then they are not really a tactical squad.

 

Tactical squads might have mostly bolters so that they can have little fire fights that allow them to work the other weapons forward into important positions. They might have ten marines so that they can a heavy weapon team can pin enemies in place while a flamer or works forward to make the kill. Devastator squads may need ten marines because their job is to hurt specific targets that they are not directly engaged with, and those heavy weapons would not be adequate to fight enemies that do attack them directly.

 

If assault squads were one continuous family or organization that raised baby assault squads to resent other space marines, then they could be different. They cannot raise baby assault marines though, because there are no distinct jobs like assault marine or devastator marine. There are only marines that are serving in assault or devastator squads.

 

Marines do, it is true, enter the ninth company and fight in devastator squads, then the eighth company and fight in assault squads, and the sixth or seventh company to fight in tactical squads. However, if a battle company of ten squads goes to war and experiences four casualties uniformly in every squad, it does not have ten squads anymore; in a sense it has no squads, since six marines might not adequately use both their flamer and missile launcher, or be able to form a useful dedicated devastator squad.

 

So, since sixty marines divided ten ways make zero squads, captains are definitely capable of pushing marines around to make some number of functional squads. If an assault squad all die in a drop pod disaster, which probably happens very frequently, a captain can find a sergeant he thinks will be good at running an assault squad, and put him in charge of eight or nine marines skimmed from other squads, all this assuming he needs that many assault squads at the time.

 

I say this only to forestall objections but really, I am not saying anything about replacing assault marines, I am saying that there is no community of assault marines that can get angry at the rest of the chapter. Every marine in a battle company is a little under 20% assault squad member.

 

That could be a background argument, but it is not even the prevailing factor. The reason people do not engage with this story is that you tell a story – that assault marines died and became angry – but it does not have any characters. It is not enough to say that the assault marines were used; you have to say that the chapter master was impatient, that he had to meet some deadline. Then you say that the eighth company did not have a captain for some reason, and instead of appointing a new one, he put some other captain in charge without telling him there was no eighth company captain, so the captain in charge issued vague orders and the eighth company chaplain or champion just urged their company on without real coordination and afterward they became furious about their ill-use and did something rash, so now nobody uses jump packs except for the eighth company. That is what drama is, you forgot the drama.

[SickSix]

I appreciate your feedback, but I think you forgot this is a work in progress. What has been posted is basically more of an outline. I stated above that I am going to spend more time on the eighth company. I will be adding more 'drama' as I go and have time. Thanks for the feedback.

[Octavulg]

The Razors space marine chapter was founded for the sole purpose of guarding a resource rich sector on the edges of the Imperium. Early in the 37th Millenia, during the 22nd founding, the chapter was commissioned. The High Lords of Terra wanted a chapter that could dig in and fortify valuable worlds on the very edge of Imperial territory. The first companies were formed from recruits gathered from Holy Terra itself. Upon completion of the first five battle companies, the fledgling chapter was sent to the Amerigus system to take claim of their home system.

 

The entire population of Terra serves in the Administratum. Why would they use them for Space Marine recruits?

 

Also, I must say I don't like the name. First, Occam's Razors is as subtle as a brick to the face (you may be changing that, but still). Second, the name razors seems...unsuited to Space Marines. It's not a proud martial weapon - it'd evoke barbers and sneaky thugs, not the attributes of the Emperor's finest.

 

Also also, why couldn't a few Guard regiments dig in and fortify those worlds? Space Marines are (in the modern Imperium, at least) strike forces. Fixed battles inside fortifications aren't their strength (for all that they're good at it).

 

Plus, how many worlds are we talking here? There's one space marine for every world in the Imperium - if they're only defending a system or so, that's a criminal waste.

 

Another side effect of the battle for Paleon was that the few Assault Marines that survived became bitter and silently scorned their fellow battle brothers for not providing proper support for their airborne assaults onto the city-fortresses. There were so few survivors from the Chapter’s initial blooding on Paleon and Pangea that they were removed from their companies and would form the foundation of the eighth company, having the unique responsibility of handpicking potential Assault Marines directly from the scout company and training them personally. And so started the long road to the Eighth Companies current state of schism within the chapter.

 

Interesting.

 

But what kind of codex-adherent chapter throws away a core part of it based on a single campaign?

 

Organization

The Occam’s Razors are followers of R.G.’s Codex Astartes. They are comprised of the standard 10 companies and follow the codex’s suggested guide for insignia and markings. However, there is a slight deviation with the employment of Assault Marines and the Eighth Company. Assault Marines do not reside in battle companies as permanent parts of their force org, they are attached out from Eighth Company upon request or when the mission dictates. The Assault Captain also has the responsibility of handpicking new assault marines directly from Tenth Company.

 

So what replaces them in the battle companies? Land Speeders? More Tacticals? Both?

 

Also, voi's point has merit - codex training (according to the C:SM 5e, anyway) involves a stint in the Assault Company. Before that, of course, it didn't - you could claim that it's a popular variant of the codex or something.

 

* * *

 

Not getting too much sense of who they are as Marines, but I like some of the concepts here.

 

What are you trying to accomplish with these guys?

[SickSix]

Part of the thing with this army is that I like the Death Company of the Blood Angels. But I really have NO love for the Blood Angels chapter. So, I am trying to write in my own 'Death Company Variation'. It is more difficult it seems without relying on the gene seed and plot armor of the established chapters. I want to write the 8th Company Schism well and I'll give it my best. But bottom line, it's not going away. This army will provide me with lots of options and even the ability to play with two different codexes. The allies rules just happen to really play into my hands with this.

 

I have revised some of the things that have been pointed out and added a 'Dogma' section. Maybe 'Dogma' isn't the best label for that section.

 

Please keep providing feedback.