Alkana Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 Brief summary: I recently came back into the hobby after years of being way too busy, and decided that, instead of redoing my Chapter's IA, I'll start from scratch and make a shiny new Chapter. Good thing I have that super cool Rites of Battle book with all those charts to roll on. I'm guessing this will mostly be a place for me to vomit out ideas and sort the good from bad, since I know Liber moves really slowly. With that said, I like to think I know what I'm doing, but if you see something that makes you think, "Wait, what? No. Stop that." just let me know and I'll work on it. THE HALO GUARD CHAPTER NAME: .............. The Halo GuardFOUNDING: ..................26TH [M.41] CHAPTER WORLD: .............Eraleili FORTRESS MONASTERY: ........Arcadonis GENE-SEED: .................Blood Angels KNOWN DESCENDANTS: .........None "<<Quote, battle-cry, or whatever else you want to fill this space>>" Origins The Halo Guard are an insular Chapter tasked with defending the edges of Segmentum Pacificus from an unknown threat foreseen by the Emperor's Tarot. They were formed from the geneseed of the Blood Angels as part of the 26th Founding, and set about accomplishing their task with enthusiasm, joining forces with various rogue trader fleets and elements of the Adeptus Mechanicus. En route to their destination at the edge of the galaxy, they received a distress signal from another Chapter of Space Marines. So it was that Commander Uriel, the Chapter's first Master, ordered the fleet to investigate the signal, stating that it would be a dishonor to leave their brothers-in-arms alone in the void during their time of need. The fleet emerged from the Warp near a planet named Februus. Though classified as a Hive World, scans showed few life signs on the world, something that deeply troubled the upper echelons of the new Chapter. Embarking in Stormravens and Thunderhawks, Uriel led the Second, Fourth, and Seventh Companies down to the planet. They found it deserted. What few cities remained were empty and dead, though no bodies were found. Vast deserts covered much of the planet, and the only signs that there had once been life were what appeared to be hastily abandoned settlements and bizarre, obsidian obelisks stretching many hundreds of meters into the air. They continued to follow the signal, eventually coming to an enormous chasm in the middle of the desert. The Seventh Company secured the landing zone in the event of an attack, while the Second and Fourth, led by their Captains and Uriel, prepared to descend into the Abyss. Two hundred loyal souls plunged into the darkness of the unknown, illuminating the darkness with the fires of their jump packs. What had been believed to be nothing but a mysterious hole in the ground turned out to be much more than any of them had expected. The Halo Guard had stumbled upon another Chapter's Fortress-Monastery. The way forward was dark and the threat of danger high, but the Guard were committed to discovering the cause of this Chapter's disappearance. Leaving many of his warriors behind, Uriel led the elite of each Companies into the Abyss. As they advanced, they found that the fortress's defenses were quite operational. Automated turrets sprung up from the floors and walls, seemingly bottomless pits opened beneath their feet, and hulking combat servitors ambushed them at nearly every turn. Many fell, but the survivors pressed on to the heart of the fortress. There they found their true test. Two hundred had leaped into the unknown, and a mere forty had surged through the fortress, leaving the rest of their number to secure an escape route. Of those forty, a mere eight had survived. And when they opened the last blast door separating them from the origin of the distress signal, five more of their number were cut down instantly, among them Commander Uriel. One last adversary faced them, taking the form of a venerable Contemptor-pattern Dreadnought, covered in symbols of fiery death. Plasma cannon still smoking, it charged the remaining Space Marines. Furious at the death of so many of their brothers, it is said amongst the Halo Guard that, in their crimson fury, the spirit of Sanguinius became manifest, giving them the power to strike down their attacker, though none of them had the means to do so. When they climbed out of the Abyss, the three battle brothers had changed, though none more so than Apollyon, once the standard bearer of the Second Company. When he finally spoke, it was with the voices of many, though the most distinct among the multitude was that of their fallen Primarch. Many of the Halo Guard present fell to their knees in amazement as Apollyon declared himself the Guardian of the Abyss and Commander of the Chapter. The tales of what occurred in the Abyss spread at the speed of lightning, and by the time Apollyon stepped onto the Chapter's flagship, the entirety of the Halo Guard had sworn loyalty to him. Though some men would have gone rogue with this kind of power at their hands, the Guardian of the Abyss instead set his sights on the Chapter's original goal. Leaving a garrison of troops and Mechanicum adepts on Februus to study the remains of the civilization, he led the Chapter on a century long campaign, reclaiming worlds lost to the Imperium and heading into the Halo Zone. The Chapter settled in the Vorago system, on the Death World called Eraleili. There they guard their most treasured artifacts and secrets, as well as recruiting from the hunters deep in the planet's jungles. After a century of Apollyon's rule, an Ecclesiarchy fleet emerged in the Vorago system. Apollyon and many of the senior officers of the Chapter formed a welcoming party to greet them. Leading the fleet was Canoness Alice of the Order of Our Martyred Lady, who met the welcoming party with several dozen Sisters of Battle. There was a short exchange of words, and the Sisters opened fire, killing the Guards before they could even defend themselves. The Ecclesiarchy fleet left as quickly as it had arrived, leaving the Chapter to wonder why they had been attacked. Though some called for blood, the Chapter's council refused to pursue the fleet. A new Commander was chosen, and he took the name Apollyon and became the new Guardian of the Abyss, both to honor the Chapter's fallen leader and to set a new tradition in the young Chapter. Vorago System -Close Combat -Thunderhawk assaults Rather than follow the Codex Astartes, the Halo Guard have abandoned the standard ten Company pattern of organization and developed what they believe to be a more flexible structure. The Chapter is divided into three groups, called Spheres. The First Sphere is comprised of bodyguards for the Chapter's commanders and other champions of the Chapter, including the Sanguinary Guard. The Second Sphere consists of the Chapter's veterans and support units, such as the Priesthood, Logisticiam, and Armory. Many members of the Second Sphere serve as lesser commanders, regulating the operations of the Third Sphere and ensuring order within the Chapter. The largest Sphere is the Third, as in it reside the bulk of the Chapter's Battle Brothers and scouts. These warriors are much more than simple soldiers, however. Due to the Chapter's genetic flaw, members of the Third Sphere who have not begun accumulating voices are often sent out as diplomats to other forces of the Imperium. The Chapter is commanded by a council of twenty four Elders, who are either veterans from the Chapter's founding or senior commanders. The title 'Elder' holds official weight only when the Council convenes, and at other times these warriors obey the commands of the Chapter's Captains and Master. The Halo Guard are currently understrength as a result of several grueling campaigns against xenos from the midst of the Halo Zone and frequent attacks on their command staff, mostly members of the Librarium, by agents of the Ecclesiarchy. Though none within the Chapter are sure why the Adeptus Sororitas continue to harass them, the Guard know what would happen if they were to initiate a campaign against their attackers. The thought alone of being declared Excommunicate Traitoris is enough for the Chapter to excuse the attacks and continue their mission. -Supremacy of Mankind -Believe the Emperor will one day recover to lead the Imperium into a new Golden Age -Librarians are typically Diviners, and the Chapter consults their prophecies often to determine the correct course of action --Prophecies have grown darker as the millenium reaches it's end -Strong feelings of unity within the Chapter as a result of sharing voices --Marines with choir-voices sometimes refer to themselves as if they're more than a single person -Strong dislike of the Ecclesiarchy, who have been hindering their efforts to protect their realm of space and explore the Halo Zone -Distrusted by some Chapters as a result of their speech. They tend to be aloof and work alone or with Guard regiments raised from their home-system. -Close ties to the Salamanders, after many joint missions during the Chapter's brief campaigns on Armaggeddon -Strong hatred for the forces of Chaos, in particular those who are aligned with Tzeentch. Reasons unknown. -Red Thirst -Black Rage -Disturbing voices --The Chapter's blood drinking rituals trigger an unusual flaw in their geneseed. Older Marines within the Chapter speak with many voices at once, like a choir. The voices are typically from the Marine's squadmates, but Captain's speak with the voices of their entire company, while the chapter master speaks with the voices of all under his command. Librarians and Chaplains speak with the voices of their peers, and it is said that the choirs of these specialists also include a whisper of Sanguinius's voice. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259425-halo-guard/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace Debonair Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 It might seem a more natural progression of the story to have Apollyon become Chapter Master of your new marines and then being assigned to the supposedly empty world where the Black Phantoms once lived. It seems a bit iffy that an obviously cursed marine gets put in charge of a chapter, you know? Also once I'm back on my PC I'll post up some possible colour combinations. :D Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259425-halo-guard/#findComment-3155888 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainLNH Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 I have a possible explaination for some of your stuff, maybe you can use part of it. The chapter has altered geneseed, this alteration has affected their subconscious minds. They are always hearing the thoughts and sounds around Sanguinious during his final hours. As brothers go closer to the red thrist and the black rage, the voices and sounds in the back of their skulls get louder. This sometimes means that they say things without realizing it, and their voice is combined with the voice of the primarch (which is always present in their subcouncious minds) gives them a disturbing double voice (maybe a half second echo or something) when they talk. This would also explain their demeanor towards heretics, as the hatred of Sanguinious for the traitors floats in their heads. They continue to belive as the primarch did in the Emperor's goals for enlightenment and the supremacy of man (because they think the primarch's thoughts), and they distrust the Sisters of Battle, becasue they espouse that the Emperor is a god, (which the voice of Sanguinious in their heads tells them is not right). They have few Librarians as it takes a special man to fend off the voices of the Warp and those of their own minds. Hope that helps Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259425-halo-guard/#findComment-3156090 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkana Posted August 23, 2012 Author Share Posted August 23, 2012 It might seem a more natural progression of the story to have Apollyon become Chapter Master of your new marines and then being assigned to the supposedly empty world where the Black Phantoms once lived. You...you make some good points. At first I was like, "bro, that makes no sense," and then I thought about it and you're probably right. HLoT tell the BA to make a successor, successor's like "what's up with this distress signal?", they show up, story continues from there. It seems a bit iffy that an obviously cursed marine gets put in charge of a chapter, you know? Cursed...or blessed? ;) Very good point. I was actually planning on having him be a Captain in the new Chapter, just a very influential one. He'd be too young(Marine wise), IMO, to be leading. The chapter has altered geneseed, this alteration has affected their subconscious minds. They are always hearing the thoughts and sounds around Sanguinious during his final hours. As brothers go closer to the red thrist and the black rage, the voices and sounds in the back of their skulls get louder. This sometimes means that they say things without realizing it, and their voice is combined with the voice of the primarch (which is always present in their subcouncious minds) gives them a disturbing double voice (maybe a half second echo or something) when they talk. This would also explain their demeanor towards heretics, as the hatred of Sanguinious for the traitors floats in their heads. They continue to belive as the primarch did in the Emperor's goals for enlightenment and the supremacy of man (because they think the primarch's thoughts), and they distrust the Sisters of Battle, becasue they espouse that the Emperor is a god, (which the voice of Sanguinious in their heads tells them is not right). They have few Librarians as it takes a special man to fend off the voices of the Warp and those of their own minds. I like this. I also thought about it having to do with the blood drinking hobbies they have. Since Marines learn by consumption, and as they drink the blood of their brothers, they eventually learn so much about the Marines around them that they all start to think alike, and then start to speak alike. Those in positions of power drink more blood, so it would escalate. "Grunt" Marines speak as themselves, Sergeants speak with the voices of the squad, Captains with the voices of the the company, and the Chapter Master speaks with all the voices. Chaplains and Sanguinary Priests could speak with the voice of Sanguinius echoing their own, since they get access to more of the Primarch's blood(at least, what's left of it). The idea works unmodified for the Death Company, but I was thinking it'd also be the constant voices making them insane. Maybe this Chapter also has a larger than normal Death Company? The Librarian bit is something I'll definitely keep, and add in that the Sisters that wrecked 'em went for the psykers first, since that's what they would likely do. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259425-halo-guard/#findComment-3156502 Share on other sites More sharing options...
exetus Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Ok, so my question is this: They are a newly founded chapter and have this much divergence? With something as obvious as speaking with multiple voices, someone who is psychically attuned is going to notice. I have no issues with them having these... powers... but it would seem to be something that would diverge over time and not spontaneously. Usually the generations closest to the founding have the least divergent of traits and they develop them as they become more established and their own rituals and genetic pool of recruits starts to affect a Chapter. I would recommend you make them a much older Chapter and they do what they can to keep these traits a secret, being able to do so over time because of their experiences. Successors are not created by the chapter from which they draw their geneseed. The Chapter is created from the geneseed tithe sent to the Adeptus Mechanicus. While the parent chapter/chapters will provide a senior cadre, they do not take the possibly diminished geneseed directly from the source. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259425-halo-guard/#findComment-3156699 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkana Posted August 24, 2012 Author Share Posted August 24, 2012 "Newly founded" still gives them 300~ years of history, and the only divergence they really have is their organization. The voices are much less bizarre than spontaneous combustion, which is a flaw that only took a single century to manifest in the Flame Falcons. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259425-halo-guard/#findComment-3157265 Share on other sites More sharing options...
exetus Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 ...voices are much less bizarre than spontaneous combustion, which is a flaw that only took a single century to manifest in the Flame Falcons. Bad example. The Flame Falcons were declared Excommunicate Traitoris and wiped out by a force of Grey Knights. They were also part of the 21st "Cursed Founding" where all of the chapters were, essentially, experimented upon. All of the chapters who have secrets like these find a way to keep it hidden. Whether that's going off on a crusade where no one will see them or locking away their afflicted in a tower or dungeons. I'm not saying that you're wrong with their abilities, but you've got to come up with a really good plan to mitigate it, especially in the presence of other pyskers. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259425-halo-guard/#findComment-3157385 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkana Posted August 25, 2012 Author Share Posted August 25, 2012 I think you're imagining this genetic flaw to be more of a big deal than it actually is. It's on the same level as the Angels Sanguine hiding their faces. What I'm curious about is why you think other psykers would care so much. I also notice that you refer to it as a "power", when it's really just a quirk. Powers are things like, "we have a lot of psykers" or "we're incorruptible" or "we're tougher and stronger than normal Marines". This is a lot like Salamanders having red eyes. At first it's kinda weird, but then you get used to it or stop caring because it doesn't really change much. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259425-halo-guard/#findComment-3157554 Share on other sites More sharing options...
exetus Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 The way you explain it in your own initial description is a little better, but by speaking the mind of many, it's not at all like having black skin and red eyes. Physical characteristics is one thing... they all have alabaster skin and black hair (Raven Guard). Speaking the minds of others is like being latently psychic or part of a hive mind. Maybe I'm reading it wrong. It also seems that your own description is a bit muddled as you look to elucidate. I like this. I also thought about it having to do with the blood drinking hobbies they have. Since Marines learn by consumption, and as they drink the blood of their brothers, they eventually learn so much about the Marines around them that they all start to think alike, and then start to speak alike. This seems to state that they just think along the same general lines... ie. the more they share in common, the more they start to act similarly and as a single entity. This I don't think that the Imperium would have an issue with. vs. Those in positions of power drink more blood, so it would escalate. "Grunt" Marines speak as themselves, Sergeants speak with the voices of the squad, Captains with the voices of the the company, and the Chapter Master speaks with all the voices. Chaplains and Sanguinary Priests could speak with the voice of Sanguinius echoing their own, since they get access to more of the Primarch's blood(at least, what's left of it). This seems to say that they actually share a psychic bond with each other and steadily gain more power/knowledge/access or whatnot through a hive mind that grows with each progression. They share enough of a mind where a guy speaks with 10/100/1000 voices all at once? That's not going to attract attention or freak the hell out of someone they may interact with... IG/Adeptus Sororitas/AdMech/Astartes? The reason I (IMHO) think that psykers would have issue with it is that I'm not sure what other link you can have to multiple people in 40k unless it's by radio. How do voices 2-10 end up coming out of the squad sergeant's mouth? How do voices 2-100 end up coming from the company captain? I'm not trying to stop this ability, but I am trying to find a way to explain it in the 40k universe and to provide your chapter with a means of avoiding being declared Excommunicate Traitoris unless that's your ultimate goal. -The Blood Angels don't tell others of their Lost and no one really understands what the Death Company really is other than the BA and their successors and MOST people only know of the rumors around the BA, not the actual truth. Anyhow, one of the big things is that you don't have to listen to every guy who gives his two cents and I'm just giving mine; the questions I've asked are the ones that I think of when I read your chapter (which I overall like). Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259425-halo-guard/#findComment-3157746 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkana Posted August 25, 2012 Author Share Posted August 25, 2012 Speaking the minds of others is like being latently psychic or part of a hive mind. Not literally speaking the minds of others, just speaking with their voices. It's like a choir. All the voices synch up with each other, like the entire group was saying something at once. They might have some sort of empathic link with each other, but it wouldn't be very strong. This seems to say that they actually share a psychic bond with each other and steadily gain more power/knowledge/access or whatnot through a hive mind that grows with each progression. They share enough of a mind where a guy speaks with 10/100/1000 voices all at once? That's not going to attract attention or freak the hell out of someone they may interact with... IG/Adeptus Sororitas/AdMech/Astartes? I didn't intend to make it sound like a hive mind type of effect, but I see how you got to that conclusion. Once again, I was thinking it'd be like a one man choir and a symbol of authority. Sergeant Soandso's choir of ten would be outranked by Captain Whatshisname's choir of one hundred. It will attract attention, but 7-8ft tall super soldiers tend to do that anyway. I doubt a Marine cares how scared he makes the IG when he talks to them. Most humans never even see a Space Marine, so a lot of the time they won't even need to explain it. The human will just think that's how Marines are normally. As for the Sororitas, that could be just another reason why they have issues with my Chapter. The Admech likely wouldn't care too much, since they're the ones that tamper with geneseed in the first place and probably know a lot more about the mutations that can occur than some Chapters would. I think other Chapters would be put off by it at first and eventually get used to it. Or they decide not to work with my Chapter anymore. It would depend on the Chapter. There would be many ways to hide it. Modifications to the vox in their helmets would be one. They could have only the "grunt" troops interact with others, since those Marines only have their one voice. Since they're on the edge of the Halo Zone I don't think interactions with other elements of the Imperium would happen all too often. The reason I (IMHO) think that psykers would have issue with it is that I'm not sure what other link you can have to multiple people in 40k unless it's by radio. How do voices 2-10 end up coming out of the squad sergeant's mouth? How do voices 2-100 end up coming from the company captain? You're right about it having to be a psychic phenomena, because vocal cords don't work that way. The thing is, IMO, I can't see a psyker having any reaction to it other than mild discomfort mixed with slight confusion. Maybe strong enough psykers could even block out the additional voices and only hear the Marine's natural voice. I'm not trying to stop this ability, but I am trying to find a way to explain it in the 40k universe and to provide your chapter with a means of avoiding being declared Excommunicate Traitoris unless that's your ultimate goal. Being declared Excommunicate Traitoris is a huge deal. Inquisitors don't throw that at a Chapter unless they've really messed up. Anyhow, one of the big things is that you don't have to listen to every guy who gives his two cents and I'm just giving mine; the questions I've asked are the ones that I think of when I read your chapter (which I overall like). I appreciate your questions. If I wanted to ignore all comments and concerns, I wouldn't have posted this in the Liber in the first place. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259425-halo-guard/#findComment-3157871 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Messor Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 The concept of layered voices is fantastic, not to mention smoothly incorporated through the BA's own fluff, so good on you for that. It also sounds like a great way of determining rank progression; the more experienced/senior a marine becomes, the more voices manifest from him, until it becomes clear that he is ready to command a squad/vehicle crew, etc. My questions then are: If blood drinking is a tradition among them, and one which affects their voices, whose blood are they drinking (Besides those who've acquired Sanguinius' blood), and is it affecting only the voices they hear, or their speech as well? Are they speaking with the voices of their current squad/company members, or the voices of the fallen whose blood they [could be] drinking? I'm planning a BA successor myself, and your work here has been very inspirational. Also makes me wish I had some similar charts to get started, heh. Great work! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259425-halo-guard/#findComment-3159308 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkana Posted August 28, 2012 Author Share Posted August 28, 2012 My questions then are: If blood drinking is a tradition among them, and one which affects their voices, whose blood are they drinking (Besides those who've acquired Sanguinius' blood), and is it affecting only the voices they hear, or their speech as well? Are they speaking with the voices of their current squad/company members, or the voices of the fallen whose blood they [could be] drinking? The rituals involve drinking the blood of their battle brothers, and it affects both the voices they hear and their speech. I figure Marine hearing is acute enough for them to hear a multitude of voices, pinpoint one, and say, "Yes, that's definitely Sergeant Ulysses of 6th squad. I can tell from the monotonous core of the choir and from hearing quite a few voices in my time." I plan on posting some story-fluff to get the point across a bit better, but I need to settle on a name first. As for whose voices they speak with, I'm gonna go ahead and say that it could be anyone's, as long as they've had enough of it. It'll also make it a little more interesting within the Chapter. They'll know a bit better who is close to succumbing to the Red Thirst because they'll hear distinctly human/Eldar/Ork voices intermingled with the rest. The charts might be posted on DakkaDakka or Heresy-online. I remember seeing them around the 'net somewhere. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259425-halo-guard/#findComment-3159659 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Messor Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 I found them, thanks a ton for sharing that! Keep us posted on your successors! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259425-halo-guard/#findComment-3167689 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacobius Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 Just to throw a few words into the mix for naming etc.: The Appetent X(s) The Esurient X(s) The X(s) of Appetence The X(s) of Esurience -J- Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259425-halo-guard/#findComment-3167764 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkana Posted September 13, 2012 Author Share Posted September 13, 2012 The Appetent X(s)The Esurient X(s) The X(s) of Appetence The X(s) of Esurience I actually think I'll save that for one of my 7 deadly sins squads in my Chaos army, if you don't mind. Updates incoming. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259425-halo-guard/#findComment-3174426 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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