Iron Aurochs

[Nakuth]

Hi all, I am after your input, but I only have a basic concept for now. After deciding to scrap the Knights Raptoris, I still wanted to look at doing a chapter of Dorn's gene-line. I had considered the Iron Consuls, using the same Raptors badge, but darker scheme, however felt that wouldn't quite fit. So, what I want to ask you for, is what comes to mind when you hear the name "Iron Aurochs"?

I envision a crusading chapter, but with a prime recruiting world, and the use of the Minotaurs badge. For the scheme, I envision a dark charcoal black, with dark iron arms, black shoulder pads, and dark iron helm, as per the below image. Will also research uses of bulls in Greek culture, myths, etc.

EDIT: Replaced original scheme idea with updated scheme. Also, added more info (see below) re: home world & recruiting ideas.

Home world: Ionis, located in the Medeiran Stellar Drift, in the Northern reaches of the Halo Stars, Segmentum Obscurus (I think that's right, will correct later).

Ionis is a feral world, with Iron Age technology. It is populated by hardy tribes, each claiming rule over variours regions on the planet's largest continent. These tribes are ruled by warrior-kings, and interneccine warfare is frequent between the tribes. Although these wars are dictated by laws & traditions, they are still bloody affairs, and it is for this reason that the people of Ionis make ideal recruits for an Astartes chapter.

Recruitment: Core recruitment from Ionis population. Differrent pacts with different tribes regarding recruitment. For example: One tribe provides the first born son of each generation upon the child's tenth summer. Other tribes hold festivals arround deadly tournaments, where the winners are taken by the Aurochs as recruits.

As a crusading chapter, the Aurochs will sometimes recruit from other worlds, where needed. This is usually only the case if a particular force has been away from Ionis for a significant period of time (100 years+), needs to replenish it's numbers, and has the resources to do so. All recruits are welcome within the chapter, and there is little (overt) bias from Ionian recruits towards recruits from other worlds.

So, thoughts?

[Lysimachus]

I like the scheme a lot, very brooding, nice contrast with the light chest decoration. I'd maybe go a bit brighter on the eyes as well, make them pop a bit more?

As to the name, both parts of it are fine, but when you put them together they sound a bit... off, possibly a bit too similar? I dunno, try saying it out loud a few times and hopefully you'll see what I mean.

Iron Bulls could be simpler and work just as well?

Lol, I wont even suggest Iron Bullocks

[Nakuth]

It's funny you should say that about the name. It keeps coming out as "Iron Ore-rocks", which is obviously not intended. I like Iron Bulls, but for me, the word "aurochs" suggests a greater strength, and aggressiveness, than "bull/bulls".

I will have a think on it, and do a little more research. Thanks.

EDIT: I tweaked the scheme a little. Tried orange for the lenses. Not 100%, but I think I like it better than the deep red. You also don't see many orange/yellow lenses. I also darkened the metal areas a few shades.

With regards to the name, I suppose they could be called the Iron Bulls or even just The Aurochs chapter. I even had the name Bulls of Minoa pop into my head, although that might serve more of a purpose as a sub-heading in any IA. If i went with Iron Bulls, I suppose the brothers could refer to themselves as The Aurochs within the chapter itself.

[ShadowSong7007]

The Aurochs chapter

 

That sounds perfect to me. Gives a sense of strength without having to add anything else.

[legoss]

I like that color scheme dark and brooding andthat white eagle does pop. I'll go it alone and say that I like Iron Aurochs, though it does sound a little awkward to say.

[CantonWC]

Hmm, what happened to the Knights Raptoris?

 

I like the scheme. But what's an aurochs?

[Malthe]

An race of bloody big (shoulder height up to 1.8 meters), now extinct cattle.

The name is derived from old germanic úr-ox, which basically means primal ox.

I like the second scheme a lot. The orange eyes are a nice touch. You could also do those in turquoise, for a slightly colder, more menancing look. Might not be as bullish.
As for the name, I think 'the Aurochs Chapter' (or 'the Space Aurorchs'!!) or maybe 'the Aurochs of [somewhere]' all sounds great.

But I think 'the Aurochs of Minoa' is too blatant a reference, and 'the Iron Bulls' sound like a High School sports team. Iron is strong, bulls are strong: We get it, no reason to use both

edit: Try saying "The Space Aurochs!" out loud. It sounds bloody awsome!

[Nakuth]

An race of bloody big (shoulder height up to 1.8 meters), now extinct cattle.

The name is derived from old germanic úr-ox, which basically means primal ox.

I like the second scheme a lot. The orange eyes are a nice touch. You could also do those in turquoise, for a slightly colder, more menancing look. Might not be as bullish.

As for the name, I think 'the Aurochs Chapter' (or 'the Space Aurorchs'!!) or maybe 'the Aurochs of [somewhere]' all sounds great.

But I think 'the Aurochs of Minoa' is too blatant a reference, and 'the Iron Bulls' sound like a High School sports team. Iron is strong, bulls are strong: We get it, no reason to use both

edit: Try saying "The Space Aurochs!" out loud. It sounds bloody awsome!

I'm an Aussie, so "The Space Aurochs" just comes out as "The Space Ore-rocks" courtesy of my accent, but it does sound good. Minoa is indeed quite blatent, so I might try and blend it in somewhere, and not have it as the actual chapter name (will most likely be the homeworld, although I am considering "Iber" as well). If anything, I'll run with those as epithets for the chapter. After all, The Imperium is a big place, and who's to say that a chapter 'officially' known by one name isn't known by others in the mythos & legends of some worlds?

Canton, I too liked the Knights Raptoris, but I lost a lot of the info I had for them in the last B&C crash. I did have a back-up on my home PC, but that got lost a few days before, sadly. At this point in time, I cannot bring myself to ressurect them, but may do in future. With the Aurochs, I'm keeping notes in a notebook as well as online (I'm also emailing any files to myself, for additional back-ups), so it'll take a bit more to lose everything.

At the moment, the only other piece of fluff I have for these guys is a cheeky homage to Brotherhood of The Snake, with a similar rite to the Rite of Sharing Water from that book. The idea is that the leader of any given force from the chapter will spill a small portion of his own blood onto the soil of any world they make war on. This is a corruption of a tradition from their homeworld, where the warrior-kings used to perform a similar rite. The idea was that the blood of a king was so rich, that the soil would not thirst for the blood of his subjects, and thus not as many warriors would die in an ensuing battle. Or something like that.

With the pouring out of this flask, let the soil drink deep that which I give freely.

Let the ground quench it's thirst on my blood, so that it does not seek that of my brothers.

- The Rite of Vitae

[Conn Eremon]

The idea of shedding of blood is a cool idea, though it doesn't sound very Space Marine-y to say it's to prevent further bloodshed. This is my opinion, anyway.

 

The blood of the king is important. What if it is a rite to enhance the value of the land? This land has tasted the blood of a king. It is worthy to be fought over. Sounds more aggressive.

 

As an aside, if they take this kingly tradition, does this mean the Chapter considers itself to be of royal or noble heritage?

[Nakuth]

The idea of shedding of blood is a cool idea, though it doesn't sound very Space Marine-y to say it's to prevent further bloodshed. This is my opinion, anyway.

 

The blood of the king is important. What if it is a rite to enhance the value of the land? This land has tasted the blood of a king. It is worthy to be fought over. Sounds more aggressive.

 

As an aside, if they take this kingly tradition, does this mean the Chapter considers itself to be of royal or noble heritage?

That is an interesting idea. The initial concept was more that it was a tradition taken from their recruitment world, and the specific reason has been (somewhat) forgotten, but it is seen as a ritual to reduce casualties on the chapter's side. Sort of along the line of "This land has already known our blood, and it shall no longer thirst for it, only for that of our enemies."  They do accept that their own blood will be shed, but that, by offering their blood to the soil before any blood is shed in battle, less lives will be lost. Or something like that. I do like your idea, though, and will riff on it in comparison to my idea, and see where it takes me.

 

I don't think I want the chapter to go down the route of the chapter being of royal/noble heritage, as I see that leading too far down a path of arrogance, and I'm not sure I want to go that way. While the original rite would have been performed by a warrior-king, such an equivalent (i.e. chapter master, captain) will not always be present, and so I see the rite being conducted by the most senior-ranking battle-brother for that particular warzone. This could be a sergeant, or even a mere squad leader, depending on the size of the force involved.

 

EDIT:  I suppose you could condense it down into: "This soil has known the blood of our chapter, it is worthy of being fought over."

[Conn Eremon]

Sounds good. There are ways to make a non-arrogant, yet nobility-based recruitment. My own Emerald Tigers are not so arrogant, though the nobility of their mortal heritage is a product of their ascendance to the Chapter. However, there's no need to go that route, so whatever you wish of course.

[Nakuth]

I suppose there could be a sense of nobility within the chapter, although perhaps not much more than one would generally expect from a 'refined' Astartes chapter. It could be that the majority of the warriors on their homeworld are of noble blood, and this is what leads to the majority of Minoan recruits to have such a bearing.

 

Of course, even a simple "With the pouring out of this flask, let the soil drink deep that which I give freely, so that it may know the worth of our Brotherhood." would suffice to suggest the "this ground is worthy of being fought over now" mind-set.

 

I have much to contemplate.

[Nakuth]

I have updated the first post with some further information regarding homeworld and recruiting. Work has been hectic, and I have some ideas to flesh out further before adding them here.

[Nakuth]

Chapter Datafile: THE AUROCHS

Primary Data

Founding	Unspecified/Alleged to be during M38
Progenitor Legion	Imperial Fists [unspecified founding chapter]
Known Descendants	No known descendants
Homeworld	Ionis
Allegiance	Loyalist

<<insert scheme image here. add chapter badge when available.>>

Origins

The exact origins of the Aurochs chapter, and the exact date and number of their founding, have been lost in the millenia since their first recorded appearance. However, a number of apocryphal tales from human populations in and around the Medheeran Drift region tell of dark wardens; giant warriors in armour of charcoal and iron, marching under the banner of an iron bull against the enemies of humanity. This appears to have been an honourific bestowed upon the chapter by the primitive cultures of those who dwell in that fringe region of Segmentum Obscurus, as all extant descriptions of these warriors match the heraldry of the chapter the identifies itself as the Aurochs.

<<More info re: origins here>>

Organisation

<<Codex organisation, with some minor divergence. Specifics TDB.>>

Homeworld

Ionis is a feral world, with Iron Age technology. It is populated by hardy tribes, each claiming rule over variours regions on the planet's largest continent. These tribes are ruled by warrior-kings, and interneccine warfare is frequent between them. Although these wars are dictated by laws & traditions, they are still bloody affairs, and it is for this reason that the people of Ionis make ideal recruits for an Astartes chapter.

Core recruitment from Ionis population. Differrent pacts with different tribes regarding recruitment. For example: One tribe provides the first born son of each generation upon the child's tenth summer. Other tribes hold festivals arround deadly tournaments, where the winners are taken by the Aurochs as recruits.

As the Aurochs are a crusdaing chapter, there are instances where the normal lines of recruitment are unavailable to a given force. For this reason, the Aurochs have also been known to recruit from other human-inhabited worlds. Often, these recruits are taken from hive world gangs and similarly violent cultures. Recruits acquired in this process are thoroughly mind-wiped, leaving all but the most basic traces of their personality intact. It is rare for a battle-brother recruited from "off-world" to attain a rank higher than sergent; a fact attributed to the more invasive procedure used in their induction.

Combat Doctrine

Preference for short-range, high-volume, highly destructive fire on key enemy positions, followed by brutal assault on surviving foe.

Eschews 'surprise' element of drop-pod assaults wherever possible. Prefers to let enemy know who they are facing. This is tied with rituals from Ionis population/warrior culture.

<<Expand on this.>>

Gene-seed

No predecessor chapter specified, although genetic markers point to Imperial Fists origins. Gene-seed is within acceptable limits, with no notable flaws. However, a slight mutation has been noted. The cause for this is unknown, however the mutation appears to increase the effeciency of both the haemastamen & Larraman's organs of the chapter's space marines. This has been linked to reports of the impressive healing capabilities of the chapter, beyond that of even the already impressive ability of the average Astartes to shrug off severe wounds and keep on fighting.

<<Expand/refine.>>

Beliefs

Heavily influenced by recruiting population. Many rites & rituals centred around the death of predecessors & bonding with fellow warriors.

The chapter is known to perform a specific Rite of Bonding, whereby a new member of a squad is required to drink a mixture of the blood of those he will serve with. This is taken from a similar rite performed by the Ionisians, and is seen as a 'sealing of a covenant' between brother-warriors, which even death cannot break. Imperial scholars with a knowledge of Astartes physiology speculate that this may trigger a reaction within the initiate's omophagea, and allow the drinker to retain a portion of the memories of his new battle-brothers. If true, these same scholars conclude, this rite could be used to positivily influence not only the kinship between warriors, but also the coherancy of a given squad, and allow an initiate to within his new squad more efficiently.

There is a rumour that chapter practices a variation of another, darker, Ionisian rite, whereby the flesh of a deceassed warrior is consumed by his successor. Amongst the Ionisians, this is believed that this allows the strengths of the predecessor to pass onto his successor, so that subsequent generations of warriors will surpass those who came before. These rumours remain baseless, at best, and the chapter has been cleared of such heresy by several inquisitors throughout its history.

Notable History

<<To be written.>>

Current Status

<<Slightly below maximum operational status.>>
<<Detail any specific operations/crusades/battles currently participating in. Expand.>>

[Lysimachus]

I like it so far, scheme is nice, Aurochs Chapter as a name works fine.

 

Not sure about the lost history/possible name change bit, kind of a cliché, don't know if it really adds anything and always seems like more trouble than its worth to me (why did they change names, how did a whole Chapter of Marines forget where/when they came from, what happened to their records, etc, etc etc???) are you planning on explaining/fleshing this out through the article?

 

I like the bit in the top post about recruiting from other sources when needed, creates the possibility of some nice tension.

 

Not sure about the heightened healing. The black/grey(steel) scheme is already reminiscent of the Sons of Antaeus, once you add the extra toughness it feels a little too similar?

 

Like the cannibalism, but from a purely literary perspective I'd mention the squad blood drinking ritual first, then say that some even suggest that they take it further by the eating of their predecessors flesh.

[Nakuth]

Thanks. The idea of the Dark Wardens was more of an epithet for the chapter. I do have a few ideas I'm currently tossing around, but will see how that goes. I might drop that as a major factor, though. (including that the Aurochs replaced a chapter with the same name and same scheme, but different heraldry). I also still need to work in the other recruitment worlds, but waiting on some inspiration.

 

The heightened healing is somewhat of a carry-over from the cannibalism/blood-drinking rituals, and my theories around how they might affect an astartes via the omophagea and progenoids glands. I considered that, if an initiate is implanted with the progenoid from the battle-brother he has replaced, this may have some effect on the healing process (i.e. it may make it more efficient) once that initiate consumes the flesh of that warrior. Over time, this may have resulted in a sublte mutation of the chapter's gene-seed, to the point where the various organs of the astartes naturally operate at a higher level with regards to healing. This needs a bit of work, as it was just an idea I had when writing tonight, but I would like to differentiate it from the Sons of Antaeus in that it merely improves the healing, but does not make them extremely indestructable (relatively speaking).

 

With regards to the rituals, would this structure be more appropriate:

 

 Heavily influenced by recruiting population. Many rites & rituals centred around the death of predecessors & bonding with fellow warriors.

The chapter is known to perform a specific Rite of Bonding, whereby a new member of a squad is required to drink a mixture of the blood of those he will serve with. This is taken from a similar rite performed by the Ionisians, and is seen as a 'sealing of a covenant' between brother-warriors, which even death cannot break. Imperial scholars with a knowledge of Astartes physiology speculate that this may trigger a reaction within the initiate's omophagea, and allow the drinker to retain a portion of the memories of his new battle-brothers. If true, these same scholars conclude, this rite could be used to positivily influence not only the kinship between warriors, but also the coherancy of a given squad, and allow an initiate to within his new squad more efficiently.

It is alleged that the chapter practices a variation of another Ionisian rite, whereby the flesh of a deceassed warrior is consumed by his successor. Amongst the Ionisians, this is believed that this allows the strengths of the predecessor to pass onto his successor, so that subsequent generations of warriors will surpass those who came before.

[Lysimachus]

With regards to the rituals, would this structure be more appropriate:

Much better, but grimdark up the final bit into a proper paragraph, stress that it's just a dark rumour and how heretical the very idea is...

[TDF]

I would say that if you're going to have some organs being better than average you should compensate with at least one side-effect. It doesn't have to be too serious. Maybe the the Larraman's Organ is just bigger, rather than being more efficient. This slightly reduces the effectiveness of the other organs in the chest cavity such as the Preomnor or secondary heart.

 

That's just my personal thoughts though. Feel free to disregard them.

[Nakuth]

Strike Captain; It could be pointed out that it is a dark rumour, which somehow persists despite the chapter's glorious service record, and the failure of several inqusitorial investigations to prove that it is anything more than just a rumour.

 

I also had an idea late last night re: other recruits. Made sure I recorded it before it was forgotten, and will work on it today.

 

Tdf4638; you make a good point. It would perhaps work better if it was simply stated as being enlarged rather than more efficient. The former suggests elements of the latter. This might work at the expense of the multi-lung or oolotic kidney, requiring stricter use of helmets & respiratory equipment. ;)

[Nakuth]

Post #14 has been updated. Some minor changes have been made to the Origins section (still WIP):

The exact origins of the Aurochs chapter, and the exact date and number of their founding, have been lost in the millenia since their first recorded appearance. However, a number of apocryphal tales from human populations in and around the Medheeran Drift region tell of dark wardens; giant warriors in armour of charcoal and iron, marching under the banner of an iron bull against the enemies of humanity. This appears to have been an honourific bestowed upon the chapter by the primitive cultures of those who dwell in that fringe region of Segmentum Obscurus, as all extant descriptions of these warriors match the heraldry of the chapter the identifies itself as the Aurochs.

I also updated the Home world section, to include details about recruitment from other worlds (also still WIP):

As the Aurochs are a crusdaing chapter, there are instances where the normal lines of recruitment are unavailable to a given force. For this reason, the Aurochs have also been known to recruit from other human-inhabited worlds. Often, these recruits are taken from hive world gangs and similarly violent cultures. Recruits acquired in this process are thoroughly mind-wiped, leaving all but the most basic traces of their personality intact. It is rare for a battle-brother recruited from "off-world" to attain a rank higher than sergent; a fact attributed to the more invasive procedure used in their induction.

Lastly, I updated the Beliefs section, in line with improvements suggested by Strike Captain Lysimachus:

Heavily influenced by recruiting population. Many rites & rituals centred around the death of predecessors & bonding with fellow warriors.

The chapter is known to perform a specific Rite of Bonding, whereby a new member of a squad is required to drink a mixture of the blood of those he will serve with. This is taken from a similar rite performed by the Ionisians, and is seen as a 'sealing of a covenant' between brother-warriors, which even death cannot break. Imperial scholars with a knowledge of Astartes physiology speculate that this may trigger a reaction within the initiate's omophagea, and allow the drinker to retain a portion of the memories of his new battle-brothers. If true, these same scholars conclude, this rite could be used to positivily influence not only the kinship between warriors, but also the coherancy of a given squad, and allow an initiate to within his new squad more efficiently.

There is a rumour that chapter practices a variation of another, darker, Ionisian rite, whereby the flesh of a deceassed warrior is consumed by his successor. Amongst the Ionisians, this is believed that this allows the strengths of the predecessor to pass onto his successor, so that subsequent generations of warriors will surpass those who came before. These rumours remain baseless, at best, and the chapter has been cleared of such heresy by several inquisitors throughout its history.

 

EDIT: Because I am a fool, I forgot to include this update to the Gene-seed section. Changes have been made as a result of Tdf4368's suggestion:

 

 

No predecessor chapter specified, although genetic markers point to Imperial Fists origins. Gene-seed is within acceptable limits, with no notable flaws. However, a slight mutation has been noted. This mutation has resulted in an enlarged Larraman's organs within fully-implanted Initiates of the chapter; suggesting increased Larraman cell production. Conversely, the oolitic kidney & multi-lung appear to suffer from impeded function. It has been noted by the Magos Biologis of Mars that, despite these mutations, all three organs show signs of operating within acceptable parameters.

[Nakuth]

This is just a random idea, but I was considering working on the 'Dark Wardens' title as a set of specific chapters, founded for a very specific purpose (think Maelstrom Warders - although I'm aware the Warders were assembled later, rather than founded), and tying them together through a series of datafiles/mini-IAs.

 

For reference: The name initially came up when I was using the name tables in Deathwatch: Rites of Battle, and it sounds great (to me), so I would like to use it somehow. I'm thinking that it could tie-in the Aurochs, the Night Talons, and maybe a third, as yet unamed (Void Angels?) chapter.

[Lysimachus]

Could work. What would they be Wardens of though? Perhaps indicate what some of the threats they face are and that require the assignment of multiple Chapters to deal with?

 

Where is the Medheeran Drift? Fringe region of Obscurus suggests on the (galactic) northern borders of the Imperium but east/central/west? Towards the Halo Stars? What are the dangers out that way?

 

Not saying that the idea wont work, but you need to consider (or make up) the reason why they're out there.

[FunkyMonkey]

I was under the impression that the aurochs was a type of bull-like species.  Wikipedia says it's an extinct species of large wild cattle whose domesticated descendant species became the familiar cattle.

 

So...It's like wild bulls, which is a great totem for Astartes in strength, if not temperament.

[Nakuth]

Could work. What would they be Wardens of though? Perhaps indicate what some of the threats they face are and that require the assignment of multiple Chapters to deal with?

 

Where is the Medheeran Drift? Fringe region of Obscurus suggests on the (galactic) northern borders of the Imperium but east/central/west? Towards the Halo Stars? What are the dangers out that way?

 

Not saying that the idea wont work, but you need to consider (or make up) the reason why they're out there.

I'm still working out the specifics, but I initially envisioned it being on the eastern edges of Obscurus. However, as far as a reason goes, I like the idea of some old prognostication/prophecy about a "darkness eclipsing the halo" or some such, which would point to the Halo Stars. This was really just an idea I had while at work, and I thought I'd toss it out there.

 

I have a few more specific ideas as to what the actual 'darkness' refers to, but implimenting it will be interesting. It is not known by the Imperium, for example, exactly what the threat is, only that it will take "The Eagle, The Bull, and The Angel" to stem the tide. Prior to the founding of the three chapters, the region was known as a haven for Eldar pirates, renegades, and other xenos, and the human inhabited worlds had been all but abandoned by the Imperium. However, the prophecy indicates that the protection of these worlds, and a Space Marine presence in the region, is of vital import.

 

I was under the impression that the aurochs was a type of bull-like species.  Wikipedia says it's an extinct species of large wild cattle whose domesticated descendant species became the familiar cattle.

 

So...It's like wild bulls, which is a great totem for Astartes in strength, if not temperament.

Yep, the chapter is named after the very same. Mostly because I just liked the word 'Aurochs', but also because it felt right as a chapter totem. The Grecian influence also felt natural, given the bull emblam, but the other bits & pieces (cannibalism, blood rites), were added to mix things up a little.