Quest for the Vorpal Swords, and other neglected Chapters

[Rezial]

Hi all. I recently picked up 6th edition as many of you may already have as well, and was reading into the background and timelines section. Here I found more information regarding the events leading up to the current game timeline and also found some inspiration.

 

I have been playing with many of the usual suspects for awhile and now with the allies rules I, like many, am looking to branch out a bit and start a small additional army. It occurred to me that using a lesser known Codex chapter could be fun, if just for the paint scheme and perhaps Chapter Master rules, but whom to use? I was very partial to the Doom Legion but not totally sold, and then I noticed two entries in the timeline detailing briefly the Abyssal Crusade and the Judgement of Basillius. The chapter mentioned here is the Vorpal Swords and their Chapter Master Konvak Lann. His actions and their deeds in the Abyssal Crusade created a huge smile on my face and I was inspired. Way to stick it to the Ecclesiarchy! So now the question becomes: Just who are they and how can I portray them accurately without just 'winging it?'

 

I did some research on this site and elsewhere but the only solid info seems to be from DIY efforts to portray this chapter. So now after also being issued a challenge by a fellow gamer to search them out I have decided to truly 'Quest for the Vorpal Swords.' My primary questions are if anyone has come across anything resembling official material, color schemes, or icons for this chapter. In my attempts I fully plan to question GW and Forge World, though I expect little or no real help there, and also to search as I attend Games Day this year. I also want to encourage others to use this post as a jump off point in the search for other worthy chapters that have inspired them but that also have little or no information.

[Scythas]

Hi,

 

There are just so many chapters without practically any backside stories which gives the collector possibility to invent their own. This might be a bliss or hinderance depending on the person. Personally I started Doom Legion, which woke my attention to reply, and all there is about them is that they are a siege chapter akin to Imperial Fists and they have a huge star fortress. But, the paint scheme is a killer fast and gorgeous which made my chose in the matter of choosing my chapter to be. Just join the forces of the Doom Legion!

 

http://dl.dropbox.com/s/ss6qbgzufqlpz1l/IMG_0762.JPG

http://dl.dropbox.com/s/80lv3gxajg6w6dv/IMG_0756.JPG

 

Happy painting!

 

- Scythas

[Disruptor_fe404]

Their Lexicanum entry is unfortunately unhelpful. Seems like they're one of those Chapters that is official but fluff-light, the better for you to impose your own vision on them!

 

Scythas: Those are some kick-ass models! Where'd the bird come from? Also, nice keyboard. Choice of champions, in fact. ;)

[Fodren]

The Vorpal Swords! Well that would be amazing, I would be very surprised if you managed to get any information from GW or Forge World but I admire your love for this chapter. I would love to see how you get on, the only advice I can offer is "go for it" if this chapter makes you smile then that is the main thing. If I ever hear anything about the vorpal swords I will be sure to let you know.

[Chaptermaster Graymantle]

Try Philip Sibbering's 1000 Chapters archive.

Here is a link to all the official Chapters collected:

http://philipsibbering.com/blog/1000-chapt...chapters-canon/

 

The B&C datafile:

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/index.p...showarticle=707

 

And the Lexicanum datafile:

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Vorpal_Swords#.UAWt580dpPA

[Scythas]

Scythas: Where'd the bird come from?

 

Can't remember for sure, but it is plastic hawk from one of the bretonnia plastic boxes, knights maybe? There are few of those for sale in eBay.

[Rezial]

Scythas: That army is the best Doom Legion I've seen yet. I really do like them a lot and may still make them. I already painted one from the wounded space marines pack. The guy that's still alive with the bolt pistol. I've been using him as an objective with the pretext that he's a surviving Doom Legion Badass and needs extraction. Did you free hand paint all the Chapter icons or did you find a transfer because they all look flawless. I had to free paint the one I did. I had read that same info about them and really want to know more, and especially anything about their Chapter Master or notable members.

 

Chapter Master Greymantle: I really appreciate the links. Going to check them out immediately.

 

It turns out that finding anything resembling an official color scheme and chapter icon might be impossible. I have appealed to Forge World to include the chapter in some upcoming Imperial Armour book or supplement citing the Gheistos Cataclysm as a great conflict to write about. Also sent something to GW and suggested they use White Dwarf to flesh out a few more loyalist chapters due to the need for new and interesting allies. Maybe they'll listen and maybe not but they certainly wouldn't if I didn't try.

 

Thanks guys for the input so far. If anybody has any other info about this or other little known chapters please put it up. There are a bunch of stories out there to be told and not just about Ultramarines or Blood Angels. Iron Knights, Doom Eagles, Red Templars, Sons of Orar, Death Spectres, Hawk Lords, etc. I think those are all examples of this topic in general, though they do all have colors and symbols at least. Also pics of armies and figures mods are awesome.

[Rezial]

So in the spirit of furthering the hobby and because it seems there really is no color scheme already made up I decided to give a go at designing it. Just my first best effort and using the SM Painter here on B&C I came up with this:

A Vorpal Swords Assault/Vanguard Veteran.

Somewhat based on the Mentors color pattern but with a different palette. The grey is meant to be a metallic so a similar look to Doom Legion, Iron Knights, etc. The Turquoise color I chose is because of a recurring theme among many people to portray Vorpal weapons in fiction as having a luminescent blue/green glow. It's generally agreed that this type of weapon is actually much like a power sword in 40k rules in that it is an extremely sharp blade that makes a sound as it's used. In 40k power weapons are often portrayed as this bluish green color with crackling power and are said in some cases to have an edge honed to a single atom. There are few images of a Vorpal Sword online that deviate from this and those that do more resemble knives than swords.

I noticed that there has been some material already written and listed here on B&C by a fan of the chapter in his own attempt to flesh them out. I will probably ignore that and start fresh if the need arises but for now I'm more focusing on appearances, tactics, and weapon preferences. An ultimate goal would be to write rules for a Chapter Master that would augment the army much like the rules bestowed by Kayvaan Shrike or Kor'sarro Kahn and then have that generally accepted as legal, otherwise I would probably proxy a figure and use another Chapter Master's stats and rules. I envision the chapter as being slightly more favoring infantry assault tactics, honorable combat, and supplemental surgical armor units rather than massed firepower or artillery. While I love bikes probably not as many of those or speeders either. I have Ravenwing for that. Obviously the chapter as a whole would prefer swords to any other power weapon.

I would love to hear what anyone else thinks of this and welcome ideas and criticism.

[Kurgan the Lurker]

Only official info on the Vorpal Swords:

 

 

Vorpal Swords:

• M41: Defended agri-world of Gheist during the Gheistos Cataclysm. V5 rulebook, pg. 153

• Gheistos Cataclysm. Chapter battles demon incursion on Gheistos led by the Demon Ku’gath the Plaguefather. Chapter manages to close a warp rift at the Devlan Space Port but is unable to gain the upper hand in the conflict. Battle Missions pg. 17

• 321M37, one of the Chapters sent into the Eye of Terror as part of the Abyssal Crusade. V6 rulebook pg. 170-71

• 112M38 The Vorpal Swords and other surviving Chapters of the Abyssal Crusade return from the Eye of Terror. Chapter Master Konvak Lann declares Saint Basillius a false idol. Within a year all shrines and sepulchers to the Saint are destroyed and his bones and his remaining followers are launched into a star. V6 rulebook pg. 171

[Rezial]

• 321M37, one of the Chapters sent into the Eye of Terror as part of the Abyssal Crusade. V6 rulebook pg. 170-71

• 112M38 The Vorpal Swords and other surviving Chapters of the Abyssal Crusade return from the Eye of Terror. Chapter Master Konvak Lann declares Saint Basillius a false idol. Within a year all shrines and sepulchers to the Saint are destroyed and his bones and his remaining followers are launched into a star. V6 rulebook pg. 171

 

Glad you put that up sir. This is the info in the 6th ed. timeline that really got me smiling. An Astartes Chapter re-emerges from the Eye of Terror after centuries of battle in the lair of Chaos, still pure, and then succeeds in defaming and destroying the member of the Ecclesiarchy that sent them there in a very cool way. Priceless. Also GW decides to name the Chapter Master when almost no other information exists including their appearance. I find that intriguing on it's own, though it may just have been necessary to explain who was responsible.

[Scythas]

Scythas: Did you free hand paint all the Chapter icons or did you find a transfer because they all look flawless. I had to free paint the one I did.

 

Scanned the Logo from the Space Marine Codex, made it vector graphics with Adobe Illustrator and scaled it to various sizes. Printed it to waterslide transfer paper. Now it would be a lot easier since the logo is really big in size in the iPad codex where I could just take screenshot and turn it into vector much more accurately.

 

- Scythas

[Rezial]

Scanned the Logo from the Space Marine Codex, made it vector graphics with Adobe Illustrator and scaled it to various sizes. Printed it to waterslide transfer paper. Now it would be a lot easier since the logo is really big in size in the iPad codex where I could just take screenshot and turn it into vector much more accurately.

 

- Scythas

 

That's ballin'. I really wish I knew the full technique for that because it would make it a lot more professional looking on an army. Definitely going to learn that. Creating a custom Chapter Icon now.

[Valkyrion]

I'd like to quietly mention that in a year old abandoned IA I wrote about the Vorpal Swords I had them taking part in the Abyssal Crusade.

 

In fact, Konvak Lann is almost, sort of, possibly, maybe a bit of an anagram of Valkyrion in a round about sort of way...apart from the y...and the i....

 

 

 

and the r....

[Rezial]

I'd like to quietly mention that in a year old abandoned IA I wrote about the Vorpal Swords I had them taking part in the Abyssal Crusade.

 

In fact, Konvak Lann is almost, sort of, possibly, maybe a bit of an anagram of Valkyrion in a round about sort of way...apart from the y...and the i....

 

 

 

and the r....

 

Any chance you can provide some type of link to that? It would be awesome.

 

On another note I actually received a reply from GW. Shocking I know. They apologized for not being very helpful and said that unfortunately after double checking they could find no more information at this time. They mentioned that there were many chapters currently in a very similar situation as the Vorpal Swords, and actually apologized that they hadn't finished them all out more for us. I appreciate just getting a response mostly. :teehee:

[Apothecary Vaddon]

Another chapter I always wonder about are the Sons of Antaeus. Super Space Marines.

[Rezial]

Another chapter I always wonder about are the Sons of Antaeus. Super Space Marines.

 

All that I can find about them is that they are from the Cursed Founding and are derived from the Greek mythology surrounding Antaeus, in theory sharing his supernaturally indestructible nature. Also a mention of the Third Inter Guild War and that they wear Grey and Black. More than some, but still lacking. I generally assume that GW has plans to kill off most Cursed Founding chapters that they don't develop special plans for such as the Minotaurs. Just want to throw in that the Minotaurs are extremely badass and have 'Preferred Enemy: Space Marines.' Not saying they would kill off that chapter but that's the general MO with the Cursed Founding. No official Chapter Icon either.

 

The main difficulty I find when trying to use Chapters like these is that there are no rules given for unknown Chapter Masters to use. This means that if you want to field a chapter other than the ones given in the codex that doesn't have a named Master with written rules you are automatically at a disadvantage having no special rule for your army. Lysander is stubborn, Kor'sarro outflanks, Shrike is fleet, etc. The easiest way out of this would be if GW made a list of purchasable special abilities for Chapter Masters to take but so far they haven't done anything like that. Kind of hinders the DIY development of lesser known Chapters and makes them much less desirable.

[rpnightsend]

Im digging the paint scheme rezial. Id say if you're going for some kind of honor/knight/power weapon thing, equip all of your sergeants with power weapons, run a lot of company command squads/honor guard and trick out your champions/special characters. In theory make them an entire chapter based around challenges? That coyld be an interest MO and mesh with the 6th rules quite interesting. Plus id think itd be an interesting tactical challenge to play against someone whose entire army could smash my face in a challenges.

[Rezial]

Im digging the paint scheme rezial. Id say if you're going for some kind of honor/knight/power weapon thing, equip all of your sergeants with power weapons, run a lot of company command squads/honor guard and trick out your champions/special characters. In theory make them an entire chapter based around challenges? That coyld be an interest MO and mesh with the 6th rules quite interesting. Plus id think itd be an interesting tactical challenge to play against someone whose entire army could smash my face in a challenges.

 

Not totally satisfied with the colors just yet but I'm sure it won't change very drastically from that. I like the tactics you're talking about but outside of a friendly game I don't think I would be able to use them anytime soon. GW supplied me with the information to submit new material and I'm in the process of getting it ready to send to them. I have written up stats for Konvak Lann and given him two ability rules and a special weapon. Other than that all that would be needed is a brief overview of he as a character and a general feeling of how the Vorpal Swords operate, basically not deviating from the amount of info given in the codex for chapters like Raven Guard or Salamanders. Most of my contact has come from their North American office so far and this info would be going to Nottingham so we'll see if they even respond. All in all it could be worth the effort since 6th is so new and there will be plenty of time for errata and faq's to come out, and it's certainly better than no effort at all. In the meantime I've got plenty of other models to work on.

[rpnightsend]

This is quite the project sir, and I'm very interesting in hearing how it pans out.

GW's customer service always seems to surprise people, they're incredibly helpful and, in my experience, respond quickly. I wouldn't expect them to canonize what you write, but I'm almost positive you'll hear back from them.

[Rezial]

This is quite the project sir, and I'm very interesting in hearing how it pans out.

GW's customer service always seems to surprise people, they're incredibly helpful and, in my experience, respond quickly. I wouldn't expect them to canonize what you write, but I'm almost positive you'll hear back from them.

 

Agreed on all points and unfortunately so in the case of the last. I have been aware that it's a huge longshot for them to actually use my information from the moment I decided to start writing but I feel it's still important. The purpose for me has become two fold.

 

First I have never done anything like this for a 40k army and it's becoming very gratifying. I've got all this information building up and even have custom models begun to represent Chapter HQ, if not the one named in the book. The worst that could happen is that I build them up as an ally to my other army and am forced to use another chapter's special rules, but I won't mind that. I have my eye on some suitable proxies for this chapter's tactics and I can live with it. Also I know that many of my friends will probably allow me to use the original rules I come up with because they're not over powered by any means, very Vanilla Marines appropriate.

 

Second there is still a larger goal at work. I believe that this effort will add to the need for more flexible detailing of DIY codex chapters by GW. Not in the sense of fluff but in relation to rules. The only thing that hinders anyone from using a chapter like this one in a tournament with confidence is a little bit of rules amendment to the Chapter Master section in C:SM. You can currently purchase all manner of equipment options but there are no special rules to purchase to make them similar to the main chapters in the codex. Even the Ultramarines have more going on than a chapter like the Relictors or the previously mentioned Doom Legion. It does make some sense for some of them to use the pre-made leaders, but not most. What if I want to use an HQ that bestows fleet like Shrike, but rides a bike or uses a power maul? So the idea is that the more players talk to them about this, then the more likely they will put it in the game. After that I would be fine if they never print another story about my chapter again.

[SickSix]

Hi,

 

There are just so many chapters without practically any backside stories which gives the collector possibility to invent their own. This might be a bliss or hinderance depending on the person. Personally I started Doom Legion, which woke my attention to reply, and all there is about them is that they are a siege chapter akin to Imperial Fists and they have a huge star fortress. But, the paint scheme is a killer fast and gorgeous which made my chose in the matter of choosing my chapter to be. Just join the forces of the Doom Legion!

 

http://dl.dropbox.com/s/ss6qbgzufqlpz1l/IMG_0762.JPG

http://dl.dropbox.com/s/80lv3gxajg6w6dv/IMG_0756.JPG

 

Happy painting!

 

- Scythas

 

Holy crap son, those are gorgeous! I actually used Lester Bursley's Doom Legion tutorial on youtube to paint my Silver Skulls. Man, your guys blow mine away! Fantastic job!

[Disruptor_fe404]

Rezial: If you want the rules for a specific character, you can use 'counts-as' to represent a hero of your Chapter. Basically, use the rules for a character, but paint (and model) it however you want (though you probably don't want to be too outlandish in representation).

 

EDIT: Right, you meant modular rules. As you say then, make GW more aware of it, and we might get lucky.

[EgoDraconumNigrorum]

I really like your idea for the Vorpal Swords, the colour scheme you have posted is looking good too! Also good luck with sending your Vorpal Swords fan fluff to Games-Workshop, let us know what they reply with, will be very interesting to know!

 

Anyway, picking up on some things you said earlier:

I generally assume that GW has plans to kill off most Cursed Founding chapters that they don't develop special plans for such as the Minotaurs.

I sure hope not. I am a Black Dragons fan and also a fan of the Cursed Founding, so I would love to see the Cursed Founding expanded upon. I would also love to see the Black Dragons fleshed out a tiny bit more too (but not too much, the mystery and intrigue is something that appeals to me with the Black Dragons).

 

 

The main difficulty I find when trying to use Chapters like these is that there are no rules given for unknown Chapter Masters to use. This means that if you want to field a chapter other than the ones given in the codex that doesn't have a named Master with written rules you are automatically at a disadvantage having no special rule for your army. Lysander is stubborn, Kor'sarro outflanks, Shrike is fleet, etc. The easiest way out of this would be if GW made a list of purchasable special abilities for Chapter Masters to take but so far they haven't done anything like that. Kind of hinders the DIY development of lesser known Chapters and makes them much less desirable.

I agree, there should be a selection of special rules to choose from for Chapter Masters. I myself am in the process of creating a Chapter Master for the Black Dragons; Commander Callozarr. Equipped with jump pack and lightning claws.

 

- EgoDraconumNigrorum

[Rezial]

I really like your idea for the Vorpal Swords, the colour scheme you have posted is looking good too! Also good luck with sending your Vorpal Swords fan fluff to Games-Workshop, let us know what they reply with, will be very interesting to know!

 

Anyway, picking up on some things you said earlier:

I generally assume that GW has plans to kill off most Cursed Founding chapters that they don't develop special plans for such as the Minotaurs.

I sure hope not. I am a Black Dragons fan and also a fan of the Cursed Founding, so I would love to see the Cursed Founding expanded upon. I would also love to see the Black Dragons fleshed out a tiny bit more too (but not too much, the mystery and intrigue is something that appeals to me with the Black Dragons).

 

 

The main difficulty I find when trying to use Chapters like these is that there are no rules given for unknown Chapter Masters to use. This means that if you want to field a chapter other than the ones given in the codex that doesn't have a named Master with written rules you are automatically at a disadvantage having no special rule for your army. Lysander is stubborn, Kor'sarro outflanks, Shrike is fleet, etc. The easiest way out of this would be if GW made a list of purchasable special abilities for Chapter Masters to take but so far they haven't done anything like that. Kind of hinders the DIY development of lesser known Chapters and makes them much less desirable.

I agree, there should be a selection of special rules to choose from for Chapter Masters. I myself am in the process of creating a Chapter Master for the Black Dragons; Commander Callozarr. Equipped with jump pack and lightning claws.

 

- EgoDraconumNigrorum

Thanks. I want to get rid of the azure or turqoise pauldrons I think though and stick with something a bit more sober, but the helmet lenses will definitely be that color.

 

My reasons for saying that about the Cursed Founding are only from the bits that they have already written about it, and what they have done with the few chapters mentioned. I personally don't look to get rid of those chapters but I do find it logical that they would be expunged. If you are hoping to see more about it I think that's pretty cool. Your chosen chapter sounds interesting and of course that's a strong and iconic name. I always like assault based tactics, though it seems you did choose a setup exactly like Shrike. Please give some more detail on what you're planning with them if it's convenient. That is what this topic is all about.

[Guest pandion40]

I sure hope not. I am a Black Dragons fan and also a fan of the Cursed Founding, so I would love to see the Cursed Founding expanded upon. I would also love to see the Black Dragons fleshed out a tiny bit more too (but not too much, the mystery and intrigue is something that appeals to me with the Black Dragons

- EgoDraconumNigrorum

 

saw this blerb about a new Black Dragon battles book on Warseer. its for 2013. Posted by Soul Hunter.

 

Space Marines Battles: The Death of Antagonis by David Annandale.

 

The Black Dragons fall upon the world of Antagonis, summoned to combat the plague of undeath that has engulfed the planet. Allying themselves with Inquisitor Werner Lettinger and a force of Sisters of Battle, the Black Dragons endeavour to save the souls of the Imperial citizens who have succumbed to the contagion. But there is more than a mere infection at play – the dread forces of Chaos lie behind the outbreak, and the Black Dragons stand in the way of the Dark Gods’ victory.