AI: Dark Slayers

[Sodeem]

This is my first draft of my chapters Astarte Index. I wanted to try and give as much of a feel for the character of the chapter as possible, so I'm hoping it wont seem a too long winded. The actual chapter is the army I used to play 40K with, and is actually more that 18 years old. This is a collection of half formed ideas that have gathered over the years and I'am now working toward developing into a more complete profile of the chapter.

 

Bear in mind this is my first draft so its still in need of tinkering and additional details. Any feed back is welcome.

 

The Dark Slayers

 

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Origins

The exact founding date of the Dark Slayers is unknown, though as no record of them appears before the 35th millennium, it is assumed their beginnings lie within the thirteenth founding, a lost period of Astartes history also known as the Dark Founding.

 

Although no formal explanation or reason for their inception survives, the position of their homeworld in a region of space otherwise lacking in imperial presence strongly suggests their creation is owed to tactical necessity for an increased military strength in the area. Earliest records of the chapter's activitys predate recorded contact with both the T'au and Tyranid race, but over time the chapter's position in the galactic south east has proven to be extremely fortuitous in dealing with these menaces to imperial security.

 

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History

Imperial archives show the Dark Slayers to be a loyal and steadfast chapter. Although their dedication to the preservation of all human life has brought them into conflict with some of the imperium's more unscrupulous servants, they are respected by most for their utter devotion to their duty and the Emperor. In many reports the chapter is noted with much praise for their willingness to pursue the enemies of mankind literally to the ends of the galaxy. On many occasions records show elements of the chapter prosecuting their duties as far to the galactic west as The Segmentum Pacificus outer fringe worlds, and are often involved in actions near the eye of terror.

 

Homeworld and Recruitment

In the southern quad-rant of The Segmentum Ultima, midway between the home systems of Pavonis and Moltova sits the Dark Slayers feral homeworld of Ulka'Var.

 

Ulka'Var's climatic composition and gravitational force is similar to that of ancient Terra. It has northern and southern polar ice regions and a equatorial desert belt. Fifty six percent of its surface is covered by large oceans, and its land masses are made up of similar terrain variations to those seen on old earth. However, unlike Terra, Ulka'Var's obit does not have a tilted rotational axis, so the planet dose not experience seasonal change. This one subtle difference means that all indigenous life is not subjected to the natural culling effects brought about by frigid winters or arid summers. Plants, insects and all higher lifeforms live longer, grow larger and rather than having to cope with seasonal change, are geared more toward competing with one another. Even life at a microscopic level is noticeably more resilient and aggressive compared to that of most habitable worlds, meaning the very air itself can be deadly to off worlders. Although Ulka'Var doesn't classify as a death world, it is still considered an extremely hostile environment.

 

The human population of Ulka'Var is made up of feral nations of barbarian warrior tribes led by savage warlords with a technology level roughly equivalent to iron age man. The constant need to compete with nature as well as neighbouring tribes for hunting grounds and territory creates a strong warrior culture that makes the Ulka'Vans the ideal candidates for Astarte recruitment.

 

The duty of recruit selection falls to the chapter's chaplins, librarians and scout company sergeants. Rivalry and competition between the tribes is always high, meaning an almost constant state of war exists across all Ulka'Var. An inter-tribal battle is never far away. When the need arises to draw fresh recruits, a ring of observation satellites about the planet allow the marines to make their way to the field of a coming battle and observe from a distance. The Ulka'Van people believe the marines to be heralds of their warrior god, referring to them as the Great Slayers. They also understand that the purpose of the Slayer's presence is to take those who prove themselves worthy away and into his glorious service. To be judged worthy by the Slayers is considered the greatest of honours. Any clan that has so much as a single warrior taken by the heralds is afforded much respect within their tribe, and is often regarded with fear by their rivals.

 

Aside from these rare recruiting missions to the planet, the chapter plays no part in the affairs of Ulka'Var. The Dark Slayers go to great effort to ensure the tribes remain a race of feral warriors by allowing no outside contact or influence that may bring about a development of technology.

 

Ulka'Var is orbited by two of small moons: Ryvar and Lexor. Lexor orbits on the day side of the planet, and Ryvar on the night. The Ulka'Vans believe these two sky bound orbs to be the eyes of their ever watchful warrior god. In some respects, this primitive belief is close to the truth, for Lexor is in fact the home of the Dark Slayers home fortress: Vulda-Rock, and it is from here that the chapter watch over the planet and system at large.

 

Both moons are volcanic rocks devoid of life. They do however hold valuable deposits of ores and minerals which serve as a ready supply of raw materials for the chapter's weapon and armour forges. Although this local resource is not abundant enough to bless the chapter total self sufficiency from the imperiums forgeworlds, it does grant them a greater reserve arsenal and repair and resupply capabilities. This ability to rapidly rearm and restock between campaigns means the Dark Slayers are able to engage in an almost constant state of war.

 

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Beliefs

The warrior creed which is taught among Ulka'Var peoples from birth speaks of a warrior god they call Nordan that watches over them from above. To show weakness or cowardice will bring his displeasure and the wrath of his Slayers, but to be fearless, loyal and display skill at arms will earn his favour and maybe even a place in his service. Loyalty in particular is a most prized trait to all tribes, and this manifests itself as a very real form of benevolence within a tribe. On so harsh a world as theirs, every Ulka'Van warrior knows his survival may depend on being able to trust the warrior at his side.

 

In battle all Ulka'Var warriors are savage and merciless. The idea of merely defeating an enemy is simply not enough. To ensure any former foe does not recover and return again one day, a warrior must be utterly brutal in battle and destroyed all foes before him. Nothing gets a second chance on Ulka'Var. This cold blooded savagery in battle can seem at great odds with the show of brotherhood displayed within a tribe, which has given rise to the tribal saying "Light bringer to allies, dark slayer to foes."

 

Upon Indoctrination into the chapter, these simple, but fundamental beliefs convert easily into the creed of the Dark Slayers Astartes. Neophytes are taught that the god Nordan that watches over them, is in fact the Emperor himself and the comradeship born of the need to survive their own world readily translates to the sense of brotherhood shared by all spacemarines of the chapter.

 

Throughout the process of their training and education, the fledgling marines develop a better understanding of the universe as it truly is. But rather than doing away with their savagery as warriors, they are encouraged to merely hone and refine it.

 

The Dark Slayers are very aware that the core reason for the creation of the Astartes is the protection of mankind. As tribesmen the ingrained sense of duty they felt to defend their clan on Ulka'Var develops into a iron strong will to defend any and all human life as marines.

 

Away from the battle field the Dark Slayers display an humility that is seldom seen in most chapters and does seem at odds with their name. On occasion this has brought them into conflict with some of the less benevolent branches of the imperium. A long running feud with the Marines Malevolent is one example of this.

 

Upon the field of war however a very different side of the chapter comes to the fore. A tenacious, almost obsessive drive to utterly crush the enemy overcomes them, and once battle is joined they display a cold brutal ferocity that seems to contradict their otherwise humane nature. Non who have seen the Dark Slayers in battle can deny their name is well deserved.

 

Combat Doctrine

Although the Dark Slayers are somewhat bloodthirsty in dispatching their enemys, they are by no means mindless savages. Their approach to warfare is multifaceted in that they endeavor to engage the foe with as much tactical variation as possible. Unlike many other chapters who specialize in one particular aspect of war, the Slayers believe in wrong footing the enemy by subjecting them to every possible form of attack at their disposal. Rapid deployment from orbit by drop pod and Thunkerhawk gunship is a particularly favoured tactic. Once on the ground their enemy is pounded with long range heavy firepower from the Devastator squads while simultaneously being flanked and pinned by the rapid advance of tactical squads. All the while airborne assault marines are closing in to deliver the final blow.

 

While such multilayered attack tactics are by no means unique to the Dark Slayers, the precise way in which they advance on the enemy with revolving and overlapping attack waves is something the chapter has perfected to a great degree. This sudden combination of intense long, medium and close range attack, delivered via lightening fast deployment often leaves even the most steadfast of enemies in a state of shock.

 

 

Organization

The Codex Astartes is held as a revered tome by the chapter, but rather than adhearing to it as the final solution for the chapter's doctrine, it is seen more as a foundation and guide for their conduct. Many aspects of the Codex are used in the structure and organization of the Dark Slayers with some modifications to suite the chapter's combat style. On a whole, the chapter adopts an atitude of flexability rather than one of utter deviation.

 

Chapter insignia

 

Chapter squad markings are a mixture of tradional Codex symbols and Ulka'Var tribal emblems.

 

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Geneseed

Studies of the Dark Slayers geneseed has revealed a genetic consistency with that of the White Scars chapter. No known contact has ever taken place between the two chapters, and although the Dark Slayers consider fellow chapters with due respect, they hold no particular allegiance or fealty for the White Scars. Despite this total lack of association with their parent chapter, many consider the Slayers' preference for rapid assault tactics and a tendency towards brutal warfare a clear indication of their genetic ancestry. Like their genetic forebears, the Dark Slayers geneseed carries no flaws or mutation, though some believe their common tendencies to be more than coincidental.

 

Notable Personalities

 

Chapter Master Vanrar.

Master Librarian Aldorus.

Master Chaplin Lo'Manar.

Brother Captain Sodeem - 2nd company.

1st Sergeant Gatriss - 2nd company.

Brother Captain Bryos - 3rd company.

Brother Captain Rengar - Former commander of the 3rd company, now serving Deathwatch.

1st Sergeant Ogus "The Bear" - 3 company

 

Battle-cry

Light bringer to allies, dark slayer to foes.

[Messor]

Looking good; I especially like the detailed planetary map and chapter markings. You've got two minor typos that stuck out which have major meaning changes: You refer to the Codex tome as a tomb and your gene-seed is reviled instead of revealed. Other than that, I really like the Slayers, short, sweet and to the murderous point.