Index Astartes: Chimaeras

[Donkey Kong]

Space Reserved for Index Astartes

 

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Title

 

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Chapter Organization

 

Combat Doctrine

 

Chapter Cult

 

Gene-Seed

 

Battle Cry

[Donkey Kong]

Outline Last Edited December 26, 2012.

General Concept and Goal

One of the most interesting things about the 40k universe is the secrets and lies. While I am a proponent of canon and, in some ways, toning down the universe, that does not mean that I do not appreciate the overarching themes. If I didn't I wouldn't be here. However, too many (read: basically all) IAs are written from an omniscient perspective. Taken to an (il)logical extreme, this method leads to something similar to Ace Debonair's Sons of =][=DELETED=][=.

The IA for the Chimaeras will be written with the goal in mind of how the Imperium at large perceives an (almost hilarious) list of some of the most secretive organizations within them:

1. The Space Marines

2. In particular, the Dark Angels Legion Chapter

3. The Inquisition

4. The Adeptus Mechanicus

Unlike most IAs, the chapter will be written like a series of compiled documents i.e. How I imagine an Imperial historian would tackle the task of gathering information for writing an Index Astartes.

Origins

-Quote

A (Adept) and M (Magos)

A: Magos, this conundrum is beneath contemplation. You are fully aware that in the world of genetics there is no such thing as pure.

M: If there is no such thing as pure, then we will start with the first.

-Twenty First Founding

-Created from Dark Angels gene-seed. Goal of the project at the time is to create The Original Astartes.

-Dark Angels demanded access to their successor, and were sanctioned to provide a training cadre by the High Lords of Terra.

-Chimaera monsters are discovered in a Fallen camp. The monster is taken by the Chapter for study. It's promise as a weapon makes it an attractive asset.

-Dark Angels from the training cadre are disgusted with this action. Conflict arises between the newly raised chapter and the Dark Angels, and Inquisitors are drawn to the scene.

-Inquisitors are able to protect the chapter from Imperial excommunication and Dark Angel annihilation by having them fight alongside them. The threat of revealing the secret of the Fallen prevents the Dark Angels from pursuing the Chapter, now named the Chimaeras after the monsters.

-Chimaeras are warp based creatures and exposure corrupts the Chapter's gene-seed. In order for the Chapter to implant humans, they must also be exposed to Chimaera monsters. Exposure at an extremely young age may cause extensive mutation, resulting in the majority of smaller "human sized" chimaera monsters.

-Implantation of the gene-seed runs the risk of mutation. These mutant Chimaera monsters are larger, rivaling space marines in size. They are treated as battle brothers, more so than the smaller chimaeras which are treated with respect as genetic descendants, but little more.

The point of being original should hint at a lack of differentiation, think a superhuman stem cell. This state, while probably interesting for a project, leaves the marines created from it with an identity crisis since they are not truly Sons of the Lion. Similarly, the marines themselves are more susceptible to genetic modification, explaining an out to the Chimaera Strain that corrupts the Gene-Seed following first contact.

Homeworld

-Fleet based in many ways, Fortress Monastery is a Battle Barge (Bellerophon or Pegasus? May be too obvious)

-Chimaeras regularly take over worlds by unleashing their Chimaera monsters on the worlds, exposing the population to the creatures

-Worlds taken over are often those who have wronged the Imperium in one way or another, but the Chimaera's need to recruit allows them some leeway with Inquisitorial sanctioning to unleash themselves on random, but promising worlds

-Worlds are abandoned after a time, and the Chimaera monsters are all collected, leaving the world ripe for recolonization if it was undeveloped, or moving in for new residents if it had infrastructure

Chapter Organization

-Officially Codex

-Regularly understrength (may be changed, but makes sense given recruitment methods)

-Thousands of chimaera monsters are kept in the Chapter's bestiary making a shortage of marine battle brothers a non issue

Combat Doctrine

-Chimaera monsters are used as expendable forward shock troops.

-The Chapter regularly fights alongside Inquisitors and Inquisitorial Troops.

Chapter Cult

-Possible Quotes

Predators foster no hatred for their prey. [They] are beneath contempt.

We all have secrets, Supreme Grand Master.

-Fraternity between battle brothers and chimaera monsters (both greater and lesser).

-Greater Chimaeras are treated with the same respect as full battle brothers.

-Lesser Chimaeras are treated with the same respect as Chapter Serfs (clarification: Raises the chimaera, doesn't lower the serf).

Gene-Seed

-Recognized as Dark Angels

-In actuality, it is an attempt at creating an undifferentiated gene-seed.

Battle Cry

General

-Ties with the Inquisition (Decide on an Ordos or related to all Ordos? Work alongside Grey Knights or Deathwatch? Do Chimaeras second marines to the Deathwatch?)

-Orange Armor (quartered with blue or something else/ up in the air/ Also unsure how well red =][=s will look on orange/ may use black or metallic =][=s instead?)

-Chapter Symbol

Similar to the Space Wolves' Badge of Morkai, the Chimaera's have a two headed heraldic chimaera, with a lion head facing forward (Left Side) and a ram facing backward (Right Side)/ black in color.

-Lion, Ram, and Snake iconography appear throughout the Chapter on armor, weapons, banners, etc.

-Not accepted by the Dark Angels and their successors as a part of the Unforgiven/ Not aware of the Fallen/ No Deathwing/ Ravenwing equivalent (may be changed)

-Chimaera monsters go into battle in armor, wearing the heraldic colors and symbols of the Chimaeras Chapter. They are not armored for planetary sweeps.

-Often with these cursed founding Chapters, there is some hidden purpose (Someone please correct me if my interpretation is wrong, but I mean something like the Lamenters resulting from an attempt to cure the Red Thirst and the Black Rage). I'm not sure what that purpose should be with the Chimaeras. Creating a second source of Pure Marines (Dark Angels) without interference from the not so secret Dark Angels Legion would seem unnecessary in a cursed founding. I don't want to try Chaos Chapter Gene-Seed. Still, lots to think about.

Compliments of Ace Debonair, Master of the Liber Heraldry Department

Original Post Original Post Original Post

Hello everyone! Unfortunately, I've run out of steam with the Astral Reavers. It's a little earlier than I expected, however, it also gives me time to think of other Chapters, and, more interestingly, starting on another project that will hopefully become worthy of the Librarium.

History

About a year ago I was fed up with the idea of "Loose Canon" and started working on a chapter called the Chimeras. The idea at heart was to exploit loopholes in Games Workshop's lack of canon and continuity to create a third (or fourth, I'm not quite sure where the Red Hunters rank alongside the Grey Knights and Exorcists) group of space marines with loyalties to the Inquisition.

These Chimeras were homunculi, fake super humans made by the Inquistion, Adeptus Mechanicus, Adeptus Astra Telepathica, and all other sorts of underground organizations in the Imperium during the Thirteenth or Twenty First Founding. Regardless of why they were made, they took their cues from Fullmetal Alchemist, with unnatural origins, superhuman strength, and, probably most importantly for them, the ability to regenerate, making them effectively immortal.

The topic can be found here for anyone interested, although I'm not exactly proud of my behavior at the time. While my drive at the time probably wasn't the best to create a chapter, and my concept had zero respect for the source material I expect myself, and others, to adhere to in this creation process, I can say that I did have ideas worth expanding on.

Further back in 2009, I had another Chapter idea that, no surprise, never really took off. These guys were, in my head at most, called the Locust. You can take a look at them here. Although the idea seemed to have support, it's easy to see that it was nothing more than an idea. Based off of Alex Mercer in Prototype, and, I guess, now, Prototype 2 (never picked it up, didn't look interesting, and apparently now the series is dead, but that's a moot point), the marines in the Chapter acquired animalistic characteristics by consuming various predators for focus themselves into even more perfect killers themselves. I'm not sure if they were supposed to let themselves go and enter some kind of battle trance or just act like Space Wolves, whatever it may be, it was never going to be a standalone idea.

Now

With these two past ideas perfectly torn apart for my new foundation, let's move on to the Now.

The core idea here is the titular Chimaera (or Chimera, whatever floats your boat, I'm using the former spelling because I like it more and I can make fun of Games Workshop's inability to spell or decide on the Mortifactors/ Mortificators by saying they use both names in Imperial records).

For those not in the know on Greek Mythology, or out of the loop on how to use Google, the Chimera is a monster primarily depicted with the features of a lion, a goat, and a snake. Usually, it is a lion with the head of a goat sticking out of its side or back, and a tail ending in the head of a snake. Since then, the name has been used to describe any fictional animals with features taken from two or more other animals. You can think of some Pokémon, the chimeras in Fullmetal Alchemist, almost any animal in the Avatar: The Last Airbender series, or probably most of the animals in James Cameron's Avatar too, and you'll get a good picture.

In my mind, the most important thing about the Chimaera is the fact that it's a lion. Whether we're talking about Mufasa and Simba in The Lion King or Aslan, C. S. Lewis' Lion Jesus in The Chronicles of Narnia, I don't think I can recall a single lion character that has ever lacked some sort of nobility. Even Scar wanted to be king. However, it's not just a lion. It's also a ram. Horns and hoofed feet are usually the mark of the devil. Even in 40k, horns are usually a sign of the Ruinous Powers and their influence. Minus Tzeentch's stranger monsters, all of the lesser daemons have horns.

The point here is that the chapter is going to be based on duality: Nobility hiding Something. Now, I just need to decide on the Something, whether it's going to be a dark secret or a hidden, bestial mind.

I have several options for who they can be successors to (in Alphabetical order for my OCD).

Blood Angels: The Blood Angels are built on a concept of nobility hiding a dark secret. Khorne's gene curse on the Chapter make them all susceptible to the Red Thirst and the Black Rage.

Dark Angels: The Chimaeras are not lacking a lion to honor the Primarch, and there are few secrets nastier than The Fallen.

Imperial Fists: Feasting on the dead factors into the rite of passage for all Imperial Fist neophytes. If this idea continues to play a part through the idea for the Locust, it may make some sense.

If consuming the minds of animals is going to be a genetic issue, then it may make sense for the Chapter to belong to either the Thirteenth or Twenty First Founding.

Heraldry is one of the few things that I am actually settled on. Three of the biggest factors are the aforementioned nobility, the archetypical Chimera with the lion, the ram, and the sake, and, although some people may be sick of it from the Ultramarines and now the Minotaurs, Greek influence.

Chapters that see themselves as noble are usually seen in bright colors, like the Imperial Fists and Blood Angels. I want the Chimeras to be Orange, whether they have a quartered Orange and Blue scheme, or something else, the idea of a proud, bright color should be there.

The Chapter's symbol is one of the few things that I am absolutely settled on. Similar to the Space Wolves Badge of Morkai, the Chimaera's have a two headed monster, with a lion head facing forward (Left Side) and a ram facing backward (Right Side). Chapter Leaders may take on the mark on a larger scale with each pauldron shaped as one head, Lion (Left) and Ram (Right). Chaplains may make use of Lion, Ram, and Snake helmets (perhaps combining aspects into Horned Lions and Horned Snakes). Certain battle brothers may wear pelts or fashion themselves manes.

I would love to hear your feedback!

[Ace Debonair]

Heraldry is one of the few things that I am actually settled on. Three of the biggest factors are the aforementioned nobility, the archetypical Chimera with the lion, the ram, and the sake, and, although some people may be sick of it from the Ultramarines and now the Minotaurs, Greek influence.

Chapters that see themselves as noble are usually seen in bright colors, like the Imperial Fists and Blood Angels. I want the Chimeras to be Orange, whether they have a quartered Orange and Blue scheme, or something else, the idea of a proud, bright color should be there.

*Puts on Heraldry Dept. Hat*

Right then!

EDIT: Keeping only the winning picture.

I figured I'd stick with the orange and blue idea, although I did experiment with a few blues. I thought the turquoise and orange went well together, too, but then my idea of what looks awesome and everyone else's idea of what looks awesome doesn't always match up. ;)

Anyway. Any of those in the right ball park, so to speak?

[Donkey Kong]

Thanks Ace. Out of those, I like the bottom left most. But I'd rather tackle the IA first than the color scheme. Who knows, something may change or I'll have a spark of inspiration for that along the way. After all, the Astral Reavers were originally blue.

[Ace Debonair]

Thanks Ace. Out of those, I like the bottom left most. But I'd rather tackle the IA first than the color scheme. Who knows, something may change or I'll have a spark of inspiration for that along the way. After all, the Astral Reavers were originally blue.

 

Fair enough. ;)

 

So, having refreshed my memory on the old thread, I have to wonder do you plan to integrate any of your old ideas (21st founding, no geneseed per se, regeneration ability, horde of failed experiments to throw at people before the main assault etc etc) this time around?

 

Or have I missed the point entirely? :)

 

I'd lean more towards making them DA successors, although they'd be even better if they had their own ignoble secret that they hide even from the other Unforgiven. Not sure what that could be exactly, but it'd be a nice bit of double-meaning for the chapter symbol - the Unforgiven think it refers obliquely to hiding knowledge of the Fallen, and the Chimeras know it refers to hiding their own flaws.

[Donkey Kong]

So, having refreshed my memory on the old thread, I have to wonder do you plan to integrate any of your old ideas (21st founding, no geneseed per se, regeneration ability, horde of failed experiments to throw at people before the main assault etc etc) this time around?

 

Or have I missed the point entirely? :)

 

You're a little off the mark. Space marine homunculi without geneseeds are out the window. Twenty First Founding is viable, and may allow me to hint in various directions about their geneseed, even if I "officially" recognize them as Dark Angel successors. Horders of failed experiments and regeneration are still up in the air. I'd rather avoid making them berserkers in order to prevent myself from writing about Flesh Tearers with hints of Unforgiven angst.

 

The most important things salvaged from that thread were the Chapter's name, an idea on the Chapter's colors, the Chapter's heraldry, and, in the broadest sense, hints of duality, as I've said, nobility hiding something nasty.

 

I'd lean more towards making them DA successors, although they'd be even better if they had their own ignoble secret that they hide even from the other Unforgiven. Not sure what that could be exactly, but it'd be a nice bit of double-meaning for the chapter symbol - the Unforgiven think it refers obliquely to hiding knowledge of the Fallen, and the Chimeras know it refers to hiding their own flaws.

 

Giving them their own secret is the plan.

 

I don't want to write about a chapter of the unforgiven, or at least not ones chasing the Fallen. I recall the Astral Claws being written like that in the Badab War Campaign Books, so there is already a precedent for it. I still want them to be more closely associated with the Inquisition. Although, I don't want to write about another Red Hunters like chapter serving as a third wheel to the Grey Knights and the Exorcists.

 

One idea that just popped into my head would be following the tracks of the Locust. The Chimaeras would have some sort of ceremony surrounding a monster of sorts. I'm imagining something like a Thunderwolf, but that'll do for the example. Similar to the Space Sharks releasing their worlds' predators to change the Mantis Warriors' home world, the Chimaeras, with Inquisitorial sanctions, release these predators on human populated worlds, devastating ecosystems and the people living there. The monsters would also be used as the failed experiments and forward shock troopers.

 

In this way, they could be used by the Inquisition to punish some worlds. With chapter politicking, the Chimaeras could convince Inquisitors to give them permission to unleash themselves on nearby worlds regardless of whether or not the purity of the population is in doubt. Some worlds may only be useful bases for recruitment for a handful of generations before the beasts take over.

 

Neophytes or possible recruits would be led in a ritual hunt, followed by a feast on the monsters. Some would degenerate into monsters themselves, and the survivors would have passed the Chapter's greatest challenge to become a battle brother. The secret under these circumstances would be that the monsters in the chapter are battle brothers, possibly even tamed, recognized by their names, and treated with due respect.

 

I know it doesn't make much sense, and the only explanation I can string off the top of my head would be making the monsters daemonic in one way or another, but, given a few more drafts, some tinkering, and maybe a rewrite or two, it may work.

 

No one ever said writing an IA was easy!

[Ace Debonair]

The most important things salvaged from that thread were the Chapter's name, an idea on the Chapter's colors, the Chapter's heraldry, and, in the broadest sense, hints of duality, as I've said, nobility hiding something nasty.

 

Sounds good.

And it's admittedly a lot more straightforward than inventing a whole new way to make psuedo-astartes, too! ^_^

 

In this way, they could be used by the Inquisition to punish some worlds. With chapter politicking, the Chimaeras could convince Inquisitors to give them permission to unleash themselves on nearby worlds regardless of whether or not the purity of the population is in doubt. Some worlds may only be useful bases for recruitment for a handful of generations before the beasts take over.

 

But Inquisitors are supposed to protect the Imperium and its people, not drop ecosystem-trashing monsters on planets for no reason just for the sake of the Chimeras getting recruits.

Nobility hiding something nasty is one thing, but nobility hiding actively undermining their own purpose is a bit iffy! :P

 

Neophytes or possible recruits would be led in a ritual hunt, followed by a feast on the monsters. Some would degenerate into monsters themselves, and the survivors would have passed the Chapter's greatest challenge to become a battle brother. The secret under these circumstances would be that the monsters in the chapter are battle brothers, possibly even tamed, recognized by their names, and treated with due respect.

 

I know it doesn't make much sense, and the only explanation I can string off the top of my head would be making the monsters daemonic in one way or another, but, given a few more drafts, some tinkering, and maybe a rewrite or two, it may work.

 

No one ever said writing an IA was easy!

 

So very, very true.

Having said that, let the nit-picking continue! :huh:

 

So, what happens to the recruits who fail? Are they chained up, tamed and named, or are they killed on the spot?

It also seems odd for loyalist space marines to treat with respect a monster they're deliberately intending to kill and eat, which also goes around devastating the planets they're meant to be defending.

 

That said, failed aspirants as unrecognizable monsters and occasional shock-troops is a pretty neat idea; and you could easily still have the Chimeras recruiting from worlds as a form of punishment for the world, with Inquisitorial permission the Chimeras could march in and just take viable recruits from the populace and see which ones survive the transformation into a marine.

[DarkLiege]

How about making the beast that the chapter unleash into the planet be able to adapt to any evironments? Not at first but after consuming different creatures on the planet. Think a little like the zergs of Starcraft. Maybe going as far as devouring the brain or any organs to survive and this helps that eventually overwhelm a planet. These 'creatures' could be highly intelligent adn is collected to one another with a physic link so when one dies, they can change strategy. This would force the people of that planet to quickly adapt or die.

 

Just something i came up with on the top of my head. :huh:

What do you think of this idea, King?

[Donkey Kong]

Sounds good.

And it's admittedly a lot more straightforward than inventing a whole new way to make psuedo-astartes, too! :P

 

It's right there in the title, Ace. For REAL this time. For REALS :D !

 

But Inquisitors are supposed to protect the Imperium and its people, not drop ecosystem-trashing monsters on planets for no reason just for the sake of the Chimeras getting recruits.

Nobility hiding something nasty is one thing, but nobility hiding actively undermining their own purpose is a bit iffy! :P

 

I intended the politicking to be more of a thing on the side that the Chapter has been reported to do in the past when rebellious worlds aren't available and the Chapter needs recruits. The Chimaeras could also play dirty, unleashing their shock beasts in the forward attack, "losing control," and taking over the world in order to "protect" the populace from their monsters. Just thoughts ^_^ .

 

So, what happens to the recruits who fail? Are they chained up, tamed and named, or are they killed on the spot?

It also seems odd for loyalist space marines to treat with respect a monster they're deliberately intending to kill and eat, which also goes around devastating the planets they're meant to be defending.

 

That said, failed aspirants as unrecognizable monsters and occasional shock-troops is a pretty neat idea; and you could easily still have the Chimeras recruiting from worlds as a form of punishment for the world, with Inquisitorial permission the Chimeras could march in and just take viable recruits from the populace and see which ones survive the transformation into a marine.

 

One of the issues I'm reaching in my head is at what point transformation occurs. The idea I have in my head now is that there are two kinds of beasts: A smaller one made from corrupt normal people, and a larger, more dangerous one made from corrupt initiates. This process could have some issues with gene-seed waste, but I'm still working on it.

 

I don't see the issue treating a monster with respect, even when it's a part of your ritual feast. Think about all those native stereotypes where you thank the beast for its meat and the resources from it's bones and hide to provide for your family. These monsters are both family, and help to weed out candidates for the next generation. Totally respectable. Totally ;) .

 

Just marching in and taking recruits seems too easy. The Chimaeras are monsters themselves. They probably want to be entitled to worlds. Another idea that could make the Chimaeras somewhat more useful to the Imperium would be having the chapter train leader animals to round up the beasts on the worlds. The animals would then be loaded aboard starships and taken to the next world or battlefield. Since the animals are big carnivores, much of the ecosystem would remain intact. Bugs and plants would be some of the only things left behind for the next wave of colonists to take over the world. Survivors could also be collected up and offered the honor of becoming Chapter Serfs.

 

The Chimaeras wouldn't have to limit themselves to Imperial worlds either! Imagine the beasties munching on an Eldar Exodite world or taking a chunk out of the Tau and their nosy third sphere! I wonder how they could work against even Ork spores, hmmm, possibilities.

 

How about making the beast that the chapter unleash into the planet be able to adapt to any evironments? Not at first but after consuming different creatures on the planet. Think a little like the zergs of Starcraft. Maybe going as far as devouring the brain or any organs to survive and this helps that eventually overwhelm a planet. These 'creatures' could be highly intelligent adn is collected to one another with a physic link so when one dies, they can change strategy. This would force the people of that planet to quickly adapt or die.

 

Just something i came up with on the top of my head. :D

What do you think of this idea, King?

 

It sounds like an idea that could be useful. I'd rather avoid making them a hive mind, but I could definitely see making them highly intelligent predators.

 

Right now, I don't see much other way around it than making the monsters related to the warp in one way or another. I'm going to add an outline in the second post to help organize ideas. That will be regularly updated while I work on the IA.

[Ace Debonair]

Sounds good.

And it's admittedly a lot more straightforward than inventing a whole new way to make psuedo-astartes, too!

 

It's right there in the title, Ace. For REAL this time. For REALS!

 

Yeah, but I didn't realise you meant for REALLY REALS! ;)

 

But Inquisitors are supposed to protect the Imperium and its people, not drop ecosystem-trashing monsters on planets for no reason just for the sake of the Chimeras getting recruits.

Nobility hiding something nasty is one thing, but nobility hiding actively undermining their own purpose is a bit iffy! :P

 

I intended the politicking to be more of a thing on the side that the Chapter has been reported to do in the past when rebellious worlds aren't available and the Chapter needs recruits. The Chimaeras could also play dirty, unleashing their shock beasts in the forward attack, "losing control," and taking over the world in order to "protect" the populace from their monsters. Just thoughts :D .

 

Could work, I suppose, so long as it's not a commonly done thing - there'd be enough Inquisitors who'd rally against actions like that if they knew enough about them.

 

 

One of the issues I'm reaching in my head is at what point transformation occurs. The idea I have in my head now is that there are two kinds of beasts: A smaller one made from corrupt normal people, and a larger, more dangerous one made from corrupt initiates. This process could have some issues with gene-seed waste, but I'm still working on it.

 

I don't see the issue treating a monster with respect, even when it's a part of your ritual feast. Think about all those native stereotypes where you thank the beast for its meat and the resources from it's bones and hide to provide for your family. These monsters are both family, and help to weed out candidates for the next generation. Totally respectable. Totally ;) .

 

You'd have to come up with some way of making normal people into the monsters, though. I can't see too many of them killing the monsters for food!

 

I'm still not sure about the respect issue, but maybe I'll be more convinced once it's actually written up. B)

 

Just marching in and taking recruits seems too easy. The Chimaeras are monsters themselves. They probably want to be entitled to worlds. Another idea that could make the Chimaeras somewhat more useful to the Imperium would be having the chapter train leader animals to round up the beasts on the worlds. The animals would then be loaded aboard starships and taken to the next world or battlefield. Since the animals are big carnivores, much of the ecosystem would remain intact. Bugs and plants would be some of the only things left behind for the next wave of colonists to take over the world. Survivors could also be collected up and offered the honor of becoming Chapter Serfs.

 

That sounds pretty neat, actually.

[Donkey Kong]

With this post, I'm going to be throwing out some ideas to pick through. Hopefully I'll come up with something worthwhile to throw in my outline, but, if not, no loss, and hopefully I'll inspire someone else.

 

Aesthetics

 

I have an idea bouncing around in my head for a color scheme. Right now, the scheme has two colors. It works to represent by a knightly appearance, and helps create duality. However, the traditional chimaera is not two monsters, but three. Instead of a quartered scheme, I imagine scheme involving three colors, two (probably still orange and dark blue) in the halving or quartering (either works), and a third color for the helmet (yellow or gold, although I'm not sure whether or not that will blend in too much with the orange) and maybe power pack, whatever looks good), similar to the Storm Lords. I want the scheme to relate back to the Dark Angels in some way, but I'm not quite sure how. I don't think dark green looks with orange. Black (Pre-Heresy/ Ravenwing) is boring, and bone (Deathwing) doesn't really work in my mind either. I've seen the Deathwing presented as white, but, I'd rather reserve that for veterans.

 

The precedents set by official Dark Angel successors are:

Bone (Angels of Absolution)

Green/ Bone (Angels of Redemption)

Black (Angels of Vengeance/ Consecrators)

Silver (Guardians of the Covenant)

Green/ Black (Disciples of Caliban)

Yellow (Angels of Vigilance)

Silver/ Blue (Astral Claws) (This is personal speculation/ and if it's true, then Black/ Orange is also a precedent set by the Tiger Claws)

 

I know the above list doesn't mean much of anything, but it's nice to know what has been done before.

 

In a small way, I'd like each of the colors to represent the Lion, the Ram, and the Snake, but, I don't mind that much if that doesn't flow perfectly, and I doubt it will find its way into the IA even if it does.

 

Origins of the Chimaera Monsters

 

This is a key part of the Chapter's history and development. It has to be something that happens relatively early on in my opinion for it to be as deep rooted and influential as I want it to be. Otherwise it'll have to conflict with "earlier" practices, traditions, and beliefs, and I'd rather avoid that headache.

 

Off the bat, the Chimaera chapter will not be created with these beasts at their side. It makes no sense at all, and I don't even want to start grasping at straws to justify it.

 

With that out of the way, I'll compile what these beasts mean for the Chapter.

-Expendable shock troops to head the Chimaera's planetary invasions

-A genetic link to the chapter, possibly involving the gene-seed or some other factor that makes them worthy enough to be recognized as equals to the Chapter's serfs, if not the marines themselves

-A means of expressing the duality of the chapter, with "noble" space knights fighting alongside their fearsome attack dogs

 

The chimaera monsters are not going to be completely natural. For what they're meant to do, they can't be. That leaves either genetic splicing and experimentation or chaotic influence (and, given that this is 40k, those are not necessarily separate).

 

I can't think of any party off the top of my head that would be interested in creating a super predator. Well, not one that would be willing to give it to a new Chapter, anyway. If I pursue using the Chimaeras as planetary reclaimers, and the Imperium developed them, then I would need to explain why these monsters are in more widespread use, especially expeditionary forces, rogue traders, colonists, and so on. "They're too dangerous" doesn't work.

 

Another option would be for the chimaera monsters to relate back to Caliban, before its incorporation into the Imperium. It could be one of the last monsters to survive (although even this reeks of being forced to me). It could also be an attempt made by the fallen to recreate these monsters as weapons. Right now I think this is one of the best roads I can go down because it explains everything I need it too, and the pieces fit fairly together.

 

Some of it would have to be contrived to allow this new chapter to find a Fallen operation by themselves without alerting the rest of the Dark Angels "Legion," but aside from that:

-The monsters would be relatively unique creations, made as bio weapons for the Fallen's already obscure goals (no clarification needed on my part)

-The monsters could have hints in all directions, relating to genetic splicing, chaos influence, and, if I'm feeling particularly dastardly, even corruption of the Dark Angel's gene-seed in the monsters

-Possessing this monster would attract the attention of the Inquisition, allowing them to fulfill that role as I initially intended

-The Dark Angels "Legion" may be motivated to cut ties with the Chimaeras, believing them to be related to the Fallen, but not attacking them for fear of revealing their own secret, or they could simply believe them corrupt and avoid contact since they possess a gene-seed that may as well have been corrupt by the presence of the chimaera monster

 

Now, I still need to think up of a reason as to why they would hold on the the monsters, as well as what drove them to consume it if I still keep that aspect.

 

If they're related to chaos, it could explain why the monsters corrupt people. It could also be used to corrupt the Chapter's gene-seed and explain why they need corrupt people to implant. Provided the corruption isn't apparent, they could slip under Mechanicus detection, albeit, their stock may be set aside in favor of more stable or less deviant gene-stock.

 

If they're close to the Inquisition, their friendly Inquisitors could even raid some stock from the other Dark Angels successors and substitute that for the delivery.

 

I know I usually don't like it when other people do it, but this IA could very easily turn into one from the point of view of an Imperial scribe, littered with speculation, war reports, requisition changes,

=][=INQUISITORIAL OMISSIONS=][=

, and all sorts of fun things that come along with it. I just need to make sure that I don't fall into the holes that would make the Chimaeras the example to be forever parodied by the SONS OF =][=DELETED=][=.

 

EDIT: Small after through, should the chimaera monster breathe fire? Or is that too obvious?

[Ace Debonair]

Aesthetics

 

I have an idea bouncing around in my head for a color scheme. Right now, the scheme has two colors. It works to represent by a knightly appearance, and helps create duality. However, the traditional chimaera is not two monsters, but three. Instead of a quartered scheme, I imagine scheme involving three colors, two (probably still orange and dark blue) in the halving or quartering (either works), and a third color for the helmet (yellow or gold, although I'm not sure whether or not that will blend in too much with the orange) and maybe power pack, whatever looks good), similar to the Storm Lords. I want the scheme to relate back to the Dark Angels in some way, but I'm not quite sure how. I don't think dark green looks with orange. Black (Pre-Heresy/ Ravenwing) is boring, and bone (Deathwing) doesn't really work in my mind either. I've seen the Deathwing presented as white, but, I'd rather reserve that for veterans.

 

The precedents set by official Dark Angel successors are:

Bone (Angels of Absolution)

Green/ Bone (Angels of Redemption)

Black (Angels of Vengeance/ Consecrators)

Silver (Guardians of the Covenant)

Green/ Black (Disciples of Caliban)

Yellow (Angels of Vigilance)

Silver/ Blue (Astral Claws) (This is personal speculation/ and if it's true, then Black/ Orange is also a precedent set by the Tiger Claws)

 

I know the above list doesn't mean much of anything, but it's nice to know what has been done before.

 

In a small way, I'd like each of the colors to represent the Lion, the Ram, and the Snake, but, I don't mind that much if that doesn't flow perfectly, and I doubt it will find its way into the IA even if it does.

 

*Puts on Heraldry Dept. Hat, thinks for a moment and puts on the goggles as well*

 

That's some highly specific stuff, to be certain. Still, there's plenty of room to play around, so let's see what we can do here.

 

And if none of them fit the image inside your head, just say the word.

EDIT: Cleaning up un-needed pics.

 

 

I know I usually don't like it when other people do it, but this IA could very easily turn into one from the point of view of an Imperial scribe, littered with speculation, war reports, requisition changes,

=][=INQUISITORIAL OMISSIONS=][=

, and all sorts of fun things that come along with it. I just need to make sure that I don't fall into the holes that would make the Chimaeras the example to be forever parodied by the SONS OF =][=DELETED=][=.

The SoD can't be a parody of this chapter because the SoD were basically finished before the Chimeras got out of the blocks. :rolleyes: There's like eight months between their creations!

 

So I say go for it. :o

[Donkey Kong]

*Puts on Heraldry Dept. Hat, thinks for a moment and puts on the goggles as well*

 

That's some highly specific stuff, to be certain. Still, there's plenty of room to play around, so let's see what we can do here.

 

And if none of them fit the image inside your head, just say the word.

 

Yeah, I'm pretty good at making tall orders. I appreciate all of them, Ace. It's funny how seeing something changed makes you love the orignal that much more. So, I'll be sticking with the quartered blue and orange. I gave the painter a go myself. I tried green-gold (ugly, ugly color), red, and silver for the helmet and backpack. None of them looked right.

 

Could you try reversing the orange and blue in the quartering. I gave that a shot too. Sad to say that I can't get the colors the way you have them. I'm embarrassed to say that my colors always come out too dark.

 

The SoD can't be a parody of this chapter because the SoD were basically finished before the Chimeras got out of the blocks. :yes: There's like eight months between their creations!

 

So I say go for it. :)

 

That doesn't mean that the SoD can't be used to make fun of my chapter. "Oh, your guys don't know what their =][=DELETED BY THE INQUISITION=][= is? I know a chapter who also has =][=DELETED BY THE INQUISITION=][=. Isn't that coincidence so =][=DELETED BY THE INQUISITION=][=? I think =][=DELETED BY THE INQUISITION=][=!"

 

But, thanks for the vote of confidence!

 

What's your opinion on the origins of the chimaera monsters?

[Ace Debonair]

Yeah, I'm pretty good at making tall orders. I appreciate all of them, Ace. It's funny how seeing something changed makes you love the orignal that much more. So, I'll be sticking with the quartered blue and orange. I gave the painter a go myself. I tried green-gold (ugly, ugly color), red, and silver for the helmet and backpack. None of them looked right.

Could you try reversing the orange and blue in the quartering. I gave that a shot too. Sad to say that I can't get the colors the way you have them. I'm embarrassed to say that my colors always come out too dark.

Like this?

On balance, I kept the green eye lenses from the bone-coloured-helmet scheme. Looks much nicer, I think, to have it that vivid.

That doesn't mean that the SoD can't be used to make fun of my chapter. "Oh, your guys don't know what their =][=DELETED BY THE INQUISITION=][= is? I know a chapter who also has =][=DELETED BY THE INQUISITION=][=. Isn't that coincidence so =][=DELETED BY THE INQUISITION=][=? I think =][=DELETED BY THE INQUISITION=][=!"

Fair enough then. :D

What's your opinion on the origins of the chimaera monsters?

Crazy, degraded geneseed mutations could be a good way of going on. Beyond that I'm not really sure of the best way to implement the monsters. ^_^

[Donkey Kong]

Like this?

 

On balance, I kept the green eye lenses from the bone-coloured-helmet scheme. Looks much nicer, I think, to have it that vivid.

 

Exactly like that Ace, much appreciated. If you don't mind, I'd like to put those two pictures in the second post as my either ors for the color scheme. Hopefully I'll also have some work done fleshing out my notes in the outline for analysis, and start writing.

 

A shame the painter doesn't allow the quartering at the belt instead of the cod piece, but, the painter is still brilliant work, and you're certainly an artist with it.