Griffin Lords, Re-imagined

[Pistorius]

So, several years back I began working on a DIY Unforgiven chapter, which I named the Griffin Lords. Over time I fleshed out a passable (though unfinished) IA, and paint scheme and slowly began collecting/painting my army. I have a good-sized contingent from the first company and a start on the second company and an as-yet undetermined battle company. Only the first company elements are painted. I have decided that I no longer care for my paint scheme (which is too similar to the Disciples of Caliban), nor do I wish to use decals, so I will be stripping the painted miniatures and giving the whole project a reboot. My hope is to create a finished IA of which I can be proud and assemble an army worthy of the Emperor and the Lion.

To begin with, I will begin to assemble my ideas here in the Liber and I know that my doughty battle-brothers will help me create an awesome finished project!

First, the paint scheme: Purple with bone-colored details. I am thinking that the Terminator will be a halved scheme of the purple and bone, and I may do the 2nd company as halved purple and black, as a tie back to the parent chapter

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/jonishairy/GriffinLords-1.jpg

Other ideas I'm kicking around:

Name: Griffin Lords

Founding: Undetermined

Geneseed: Dark Angels

Homeworld: Fleet-based, flagship "Eyrie" or perhaps "Griffin's ???"

Organization: As the other Unforgiven.

Recruitment: Have a history of "requesting" (more like coercing) planets that receive their assistance to host gladiatorial contests to determine if any worthy candidates can be found.

Philosophy: Unlike other Unforgiven chapters, the Griffin Lords have no qualms about working with other elements of the Imperium. Indeed, they believe that the Unforgiven chapters can be too insular, and thus deprive themselves of resources and miss out on Intel that could lead to further discovery of the Fallen. The Griffin Lords will leverage all of their connections to that end, and if someone should begin to suspect anything...well, the galaxy IS a dangerous place. As such, the chapter has become quite adept at manipulating their allies into situations that are advantageous for the Chapter and it's goals.

Any comments and/or feedback will be greatly appreciated.

[Pistorius]

Index Astartes: Griffin Lords

An ancient warrior brotherhood, the Griffin Lords are proud soldiers and master strategists. From simple skirmishes to system-spanning theatres of war, friend and foe alike find themselves maneuvered like game pieces on a board by these fearsome warriors. Bending others to their purposes by strength of will and mastery at arms, the Griffin Lords will stop at nothing to execute their duty in the names of the Emperor and the Lion.

Origins

Created as part of the 7th founding, the Griffin Lords were commissioned as a fleet-based, rapid-response chapter, formed in the likeness of their progenitor chapter, the Dark Angels. For their first few decades, the Griffin Lords were indistinguishable from the other Unforgiven successors, fighting the enemies of mankind with determination and honor, but largely keeping to themselves. Had history unfolded in a different manner, the chapter may have continued in that same vein through the millennia. However, the young chapter was soon thrust into circumstances that would leave an indelible mark on their modus operandi.

-- Were created as part of a fairly typical founding. Not created for any particular purpose.
-- Due to circumstances (long campaign with terrible attrition rate) had to lean on support from other Imperial elements (Imperial Guard, Navy, Mechanicus support).
-- This helped them to overcome the usual reluctance that Unforgiven Chapters have about playing nice with others.
-- Eventually, they began to realize that they could use these relationships to further the Unforgiven agenda (leveraging extra equipment, intelligence, and keeping tabs on any rumors/investigations into the DA and successors).

Homeworld

-- Fleet-based chapter
-- Do not have regular planets or keeps that they maintain.
-- They expect planets/systems, etc. to make some sort of contribution to their continued existence, by supplying recruits, materiels, etc. Those who who fail to make such contributions have experienced "unfortunate circumstances," although nothing could ever be linked back to the GLs.

Combat Doctrine

-- GLs tend to fight in a fairly codex manner, displaying the tactical genius for which the Sons of the Lion are known.

Organization

-- The Griffin Lords deviate from the Codex Astartes in the same manner as most of the other Unforgiven.
-- The only other organizational quirk is that they want all squads to be able to function independently, as well as in concert with others. To accomplish this, squad members are generally given assignments within their range of talents (squad medic, chaplain, tech specialist, ordinance, etc.). These marines display some ability or predilection in their given specialty, but have not yet been tapped for further training and responsibility. The only exception is members of the Librarium, who are identified in the initial indoctrination process. Only the first company does not reflect this organizational oddity.

Geneseed

Like the other Unforgiven, the GLs possess no Geneseed or implant deficiencies.

Battlecry

Placeholder

[voi shet magir]

Do they have beaks? Oh, they are only heraldic griffins, they do not have bird parts. o i c

 

I like the victory tournaments, those sound exploitative/arrogant and sort of understandable in the end. I like the networking idea. Actually, they sound like frat guys, or like the skull and bones society. I'd say fight club but I have never seen fight club, or The Skulls, for that matter.

 

Yeah, just make them initiate weird pacts with everyone in the name of teamwork that end up with abuse or exploitation. That may not be where you were going, but good on you either way. I have very high expectations.

[Pistorius]

Thanks for the vote of confidence, VSM.

 

Beginning to flesh out my outline (2nd post). Thanks in advance for your feedback.

[Octavulg]

-- Were created as part of a fairly typical founding. Not created for any particular purpose.

-- Due to circumstances (long campaign with terrible attrition rate) had to lean on support from other Imperial elements (Imperial Guard, Navy, Mechanicus support).

-- This helped them to overcome the usual reluctance that Unforgiven Chapters have about playing nice with others.

-- Eventually, they began to realize that they could use these relationships to further the Unforgiven agenda (leveraging extra equipment, intelligence, and keeping tabs on any rumors/investigations into the DA and successors).

 

Nice.

 

Recruitment: Have a history of "requesting" (more like coercing) planets that receive their assistance to host gladiatorial contests to determine if any worthy candidates can be found.

Philosophy: Unlike other Unforgiven chapters, the Griffin Lords have no qualms about working with other elements of the Imperium. Indeed, they believe that the Unforgiven chapters can be too insular, and thus deprive themselves of resources and miss out on Intel that could lead to further discovery of the Fallen. The Griffin Lords will leverage all of their connections to that end, and if someone should begin to suspect anything...well, the galaxy IS a dangerous place. As such, the chapter has become quite adept at manipulating their allies into situations that are advantageous for the Chapter and it's goals.

 

Nice.

 

An Unforgiven chapter that uses allies up instead of just mostly ignoring them could be very interesting and very unique while still being very Unforgiven. Could be neat.

 

I would suggest that Griffin Lords doesn't quite fit with the DA naming aesthetic. Then again, I named my DA successors the Ice Lords, so what do I know? :D

[Pistorius]

It is true that Griffin Lords doesn't sound like the other known successors, but I came up with the griffin to symbolize their devotion to the Emperor (eagle) and Johnson (lion). I'm open to suggestions if someone has a better idea.

[Octavulg]

I do not. :lol: